Echoes of Fate (Part 2 of Hallway love series)

3

Manik and Nandani woke up the next day early and went for a walk around the hotel before they changed and got ready to go back home. Being a weekend and after having a rather hectic week both Manik and Nandani were free from work. As they reached home they sorted their clothes for the night and sat down to select a place to go and eat.

Once they were done selecting, they informed their families and then got ready in the late afternoon and went to the restaurant to book a space and make necessary arrangements.

Both of them went to the Habitat center and straight to the choice of restaurant and had a word with the managers for the things that they will need for the night. After setting the menu and sorting everything out they were walking around the habitat center. While roaming around Manik pulled Nandani into one of the shops there and they both got busy shopping for Nandani. They were both busy selecting and de-selecting the stuff when someone called out to Nandani from behind,

Person: Nandani?

Nandani frowned looking at Manik and then turned to look at the person before her face went cold. Manik noticed the immediate change in her posture and expressions and turned to look at the person. He recognized her but he could not remember how he knows that girl, however ignoring the fact, he kept a hand on Nandani's waist and looked at the girl waiting for her to say something.

On the other hand, the said PERSON recognized both Manik and Nandani and also noticed the closeness between the two, ignoring which she said,

Person: Nandani Murty (she then turned to Manik and said) and Manik Malhotra right?

Nandani: Akriti!

As soon as Nandani acknowledged her presence Manik remembered who the girl was

Akriti Oberoi

Naman's girlfriend.

Akriti came forward to hug her but Nandani took a back step making her stop in between before she said,

Akriti: I thought I saw you! How are you?

Nandani: I am fine, Hope you are doing well too!

Akriti: I am! Hello Manik bhaiya!

Manik: Hi! Uhh... (he turned to Nandani and said) we should get the bill done and get out of here?

Nandani: yeah I was thinking the same (turning back to Akriti) good to see you!

Before waiting for her reply both Manik and Nandani got out of there.

Nandani: My goodness! That bloody witch!

Manik stopped her as soon as he heard her, they were hardly away from Akriti who was still looking at them keenly, as Manik said,

Manik: Nandani let's not think about her, please! Today is a very special day let's focus on that.

Nandani smiled at him and said,

Nandani: yeah! Right!

Manik wrapped his hand around her waist as they headed toward the billing counter. Thankfully having no other encounter with Akriti, Manik and Nandani both were able to spend the evening together, shopping and roaming around the mall before they went and sat in the restaurant waiting for their families.

While sitting there Nandani's eyes went to her ring and she said,

Nandani: Should I remove it until after the announcement?

Manik: no why!?

Nandani: they all will see my finger and understand why we want to do this dinner!

Manik: hmm, do one thing when you meet them, keep your left hand in my right hand (he held her hand hiding the ring with his big ones) like this and then we will meet them.