Love will Find The way

Chapter 77- Restart

Manik's POV:

Restarting career is not an easy task. I have already talked to 2 to 3 of the assistant directors I had already worked with. One of them asked me to come directly to the location today. It would not be fair to bag some other's role. But ye industry hi aisa hai. Kal jo mera tha, aaj kisi aur ka ho gaya. You are a star, only until you shine on the silver screen. With time, I've become a talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. So tomorrow, I should meet few of them as scheduled. My chain of thoughts were broken by Nandini. ''Kya soch rahe ho?'' she made dosa and got if for me. ''Kuch nahi, I've meet a few asst. directors. Story sun' na hai and I should also think if it suits me or not'' I said. ''See your hands have that magic. I love your handmade food'' I said. ''Ye handmade nahi, instant dosa mix. But I'll make handmade food for you'' she said with a smile. ''I badly miss home cooked food Nandini'' I said. ''Now that you're home, you will not miss it anymore'' she assured.

''It's strange how time flies na, earlier I used to decide if the story is good or not. But now, I should decide if I'm good for the story or not'' I said. ''Ultimately story should be the unique core element. Indian cinema is changing Manik'' she said. ''Don't worry, you will keep up the pace soon'' she encouraged me. Nandini's phone rang. ''One second'' she got up to take her phone and came back after 15 minutes. ''Manik, I'll be back by afternoon'' she said. ''Nandini, didn't I ask you to cancel your plans, please'' I asked her. ''I know but this is emergency, Rohan ne call kiya'' she said. ''What kind of an emergency it is! And does he only have you to call in times of emergency?'' I was kind of pissed off as I heard his name. ''Manik, what are friends for! Obviously he doesn't have many friends too'' she said. ''Do you really think he still treats you as a friend. I mean wo tum pe abhi bhi try maar raha hoga'' I said.

''Manik, you very well know that I said no to him and he didn't come up with that topic again'' she said trying to convince me. Siya had encouraged him to not give up and keep trying until Nandini says yes. ''Manik, you have shower, take rest and I'll be back by lunch time. We will have lunch together, please'' she asked me. ''Don't put that baby face but you can go, but please time pe aa jaana. Today is supposed to be our day'' I said. ''I promise main jaldi wapas aaungi'' she said and left home. I had lots of leisure time until she come back so I decided to spend time by pool side and went back to bed. It was already 1 in the afternoon by the time I woke up and Nandini isn't home yet. I tried to cook something for her but to my shock I found nothing in the fridge. Ye Nandini bhi na, sirf fruits aur green salads pe jee rahi hai. I should ask her to get sabzi  and all the groceries too. I cooked with whatever was available in fridge.

I tried to set up the table for lunch and found the flower vase which Nandini was holding in the morning when she opened the door. ''Kise dekh ke muskura rahe ho?'' Nandini asked as she saw me smiling. ''You're late'' I said. ''Sorry but as promised I'll cook lunch and we will eat together'' she said. ''No, I already cooked for us. Go get freshened up and come to lunch'' I said and she went to her room and came back in no time. ''So, what's special in today's lunch menu?'' she asked me. ''There was literally nothing in the fridge which I can eat. I just made dal and spinach omelette'' I said. ''Yes, I'll order the vegetables and groceries'' she said. Í served her rice and dal. ''Dal chawal after so many days but Manik ye tho red color hai, did you add any food color?'' she made a straight face. ''No, I made this dal with that red rose petals which I brought for you'' her face turned dull when I said that. ''Rose petals se dal? No, I'm not gonna have this'' she said keeping her plate away.

''Nandini I made this as I watched the recipe on YouTube. Please taste kar ke dekho'' I insisted her to at least taste this before she refuse. She hesitantly tasted it. ''It doesn't seem that bad though'' she said. ''So, never judge a book by its cover'' I said to her. ''Ok sir'' she said folding hands in front of me. After we had lunch, she went to kitchen and cleaned the counter and did the dishes. I stood at her back. ''Waise kya emergency tha Rohan ke liye!'' I asked her. ''Wo Ethan is shifting out from Rohan's place. Siya was also there to help him'' she said. ''Are they really serious? Didn't someone stop them really?'' I asked. ''What is the point to stop them anyway Manik? Everyone had finally accepted their idea of parting ways'' she said. ''So how was this an excuse to call you home'' I asked her but as usual Nandini supported him saying that he needed a supporting shoulder and all. ''You look too cute when you are jealous Manik'' she said pinching my cheeks. ''I don't know how it goes tomorrow, I'm nervous'' I said hugging her from back. ''Sab acha hi jayega'' she said. 

I held her tight and my thumb was moved on her waist. I smooched her bare back and placed wet kisses on her neck. She slowly turned towards me. ''What is it Manik?'' she asked me. ''Hugs and kisses doesn't count, and we aren't even in the bedroom'' I almost whispered in her ears. Not me, but she is a spoiler of our romance as she sprinkled water on me. ''Mujhe bahut kaam hai, why don't we unpack your luggage and set your wardrobe?'' she asked. She took my suitcase and went into another room. ''Excuse me Nandini, why did you get my luggage here?'' I asked her. ''Aren't you going to stay in this room?'' she asked. ''You have become forgetful Nandini, now that we're married, husband and wife share the same room'' I enlightened her. ''Ha normal husband and wife share same room but as you said there won't be any action in the bedroom, I thought you might want to sleep in a separate room'' she said. ''No, I want to share the same room with you. Yes, its hard to resist you but still I would do that'' I said. 

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I got ready early in the morning by the time Nandini woke up. ''Good morning, tum itni jaldi uth kyu gayi?'' I asked her. ''I should ask you that? why are you up this early in the morning?'' she asked blinking her sleepy eyes. ''If you remember, for everybody I'm coming to India today. So I should reach airport to see who will pick me up'' I said. ''Oh, it slipped off from my mind'' she said. ''By the way Manik, I didn't see your car outside'' she said. ''I parked it in the garage in the cellar. Only I have the garage keys and it was locked and unused since many years'' I said. ''Oh'' she simply said. ''Bye, take care, see you in the evening'' I've kissed her on the forehead before leaving. She hugged and wished me all the luck. I tried to reach airport on time and called Siya on my way. She said she was waiting for me at the airport. 

How will I go now! I asked cab driver to leave me at parking and called Siya that I'm at the parking lot. She came to the parking lot along with Cabir. ''When did you come here?'' Cabir asked me. ''Actually I thought of not disturbing you but when I called Siya said she is already here'' I tried to manage but Cabir is making it really tough. I ignored his questions and went along with them. ''Is this the only luggage you brought from there'' Cabir asked as he saw a small luggage bag. I have put only a random pair of clothes to carry it back to airport. ''I already brought so much luggage when I came here last time, so this is it'' I so wanted to kill this Cabir for all the investigation. I said to Siya and Cabir that I was offered a role in one of the movies and they seemed happy to hear. ''I would get ready soon and should be there on set. They said they will start the shoot today itself'' I said excited. 

''That's a great news Manik. All the best'' Siya said. I went home and slept for 2 hours more and Cabir came again to take me to the set. I denied going with them as I don't know how many more questions he has! I decided to go there all by myself and reached there on time. ''Hi Virat'' I greeted the assistant director who offered me this role. ''Manik sir, good morning'' he wished back with a warm smile. ''I thought you might get late, can I see you after your makeup'' he asked. This is my second innings and I should make use of it completely and I said yes to him. He also introduced me to the director. ''Can I know the script?'' I asked him as humbly as I can. ''Iski koi zarurat nahi, we're going to shoot a fight sequence now'' he said. So this is going to be an action film. 

But all my hopes were shattered when I knew that I was been called for a guest role, that too after half an hour into the shoot.