MANAN--In a different world

Chapter 8

On the way back to home Manik could only think of one thing.....the beautiful and radiant smile. He somehow felt attached and connected to it. It felt so serene to watch her smile letting go of all the negativity around and the merry thought of Nandini made him smile.

That night Nandini spent hours staring at her ceiling trying to figure out the reason behind her restlessness. The warmth of Manik's eyes were already haunting her as she felt inclined to trust him. But why is she going to trust some random guy. What if he is just a heart break in the future.......

As sleep took over, Nandini's thoughts reached the conclusion that this guy, Manik Malhotra cannot be trusted in a way she wants to trust....but that do not necessarily mean that she is not gonna meet him again.

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The next morning Manik woke up around 10 in the morning. He freshened up and joined Soha and Mannat at the dining table. It was one of the rare days when Soha accompanied them at breakfast as in most cases either she was not home or was sleeping because of her late night parties.

Manik reached the duo and took his seat beside his pumpkin. Soha soon came with the breakfast for Manik and she placed it in front of him. As she was going to leave to take up her seat next to Mannat, Manik held her hand and made her sit next to her and began," Am I dreaming...... My wife serving me breakfast."

Soha replied with a smile," Can't I?"

Manik bent forward and placed a light kiss on her forehead and whispered ," Of course."

At the beginning, when Soha had came into his life he hated her. Hated her for destroying his dreams..... but as time passed and with the birth of Mannat, Manik felt that Soha was not the reason and she was just as helpless as he was for ending up with him. Rather he felt grateful to her for giving him his life his Manni. So Manik had decided to let go of the earlier grudge and to try to live a normal life with Soha. But that wasn't easy especially not with Soha. But yet he tried to keep up with her prolonged absence due to her projects and shoots and tried his best not to interfere in them.

Manik then pulled out from the thoughts and asked Soha about her upcoming shoot.

Soha spoke," Its an outdoor project and I will probably be away for 3 months. And I am doing it with Harshad."

Manik looked at her in disbelief. Harshad again. He spoke in a irritated tone," But last time you said that it was the last project that you are signing with the jerk."

"Manik I said. But in this platform you never know. How could I let go of a big opportunity just because it had a guy whom you disliked. More over he is not that bad.", Soha replied.

"Whatever.", Manik mumbled and got up from the breakfast table without finishing off his food. But he knew one moment there and it would turn ugly and he didn't want Mannat to watch such things.

" Pumpkin I am going out. Wanna come with me to the park?",Manik asked the toddler and she happily bobbed her head. Then she turned her face to her mom and asked," Momma comey."

Soha bent to pick up the 1 year old and said," No baby momma cannot come. Its snowing out na and it will badly effect my skin."

This was the last thing Manik wanted to hear. How can a person say no to her baby and that to because of some stupid work. Manik grabbed Mannat from Soha's arms and she readily leapt into her fathers arms.

Within a few minutes both of them were on the streets. And as they were walking suddenly Manik took out his phone and dialled a number he knew he shouldn't.
A smile formed on his face as Nandini answered the call in her sweet chirpy voice," Hello?".

"Hey Nandini, its Manik..".

"Oh hey....what's up?", Nandini could hardly keep down her eagerness.

Manik grinned hearing her enthusiasm and said," You know I was taking Manni to the park and so I thought may be you could join us. And later we could just go to some coffee shop where Manni can enjoy hot chocolate and we can have coffee.".

"Coffee....", Nandini replied playfully." What will your wife say Mr Malhotra."

He joked,"She is probably thanking her stars that I am not home."

"I may know a nice cafe around the west corner of the central park...", Nandini replied casually.

Manik beamed hearing that and questioned," Should I take it as a yes then?".

"Yeah. I can never say no to Mannat.", Nandini stated.

"Me too.", Manik replied and hung up.
Nandini then texted the location to Manik and as she closed her phone she can't just stop smiling.

On the other hand Manik was feeling a twinge of guilt but he decided to ignore it. He thought that if Soha didn't want to spend time with them it was her choice. But Mannat would surely love Nandini's company and he himself wouldn't mind seeing her. Moreover he liked spending time with her. He felt that she was real and not like the rest. She just carried a different glow with her as if she was his own personal ray of hope, his very own star.............

Hogaya. Ab lamba lamba comments chahiye aur bohot sare votes.

Happy Makar Sankranti to all.
Happy reading and enjoy. Forgive me for the mistakes and be free to tell me if you didn't like any part or so.
Till then bye.