MANAN--In a different world

Chapter 9

After Mannat and Manik had spent about an hour in the park, Manik was finally able to take Mannat up to the nearby cafe for a hot chocolate. As they reached the spot according to the details given by Nandini, Manik could see a familiar car parked at the lot. "She is hereee.", Manik grinned while he spoke to Mannat.

While entering Mannat want to walk with her baby steps and Manik let her down but firmly held her hand in his. But when Mannat spotted Nandini she freed herself from the grip and went running towards her shouting,"Nan..Nan", not being able to say her full name. But to Manik's shock and horror Mannat tripped in her baby legs and was going to crash when Nandini wrapped her hands around Manni's tiny frame and took her into a hug. In that moment Manik knew that his baby is in safe arms, he felt calm leaving Manni in someone else arms for the first time.

Nandini greeted Mannat in a welcoming voice," How are you, Manni...".

"Gool....Thnow Thnow...", she happily chirped and pointed outwards.

"Yeah it's snowing. You like it?",Nandu asked while Mannat bobbed her head.

Nandini's gaze then shifted to Manik who was now standing close behind Mannat and smiling like a idiot. Nandini rose up and took Mannat in her arms asking Manik," So how was the playing?".

Manik replied," Cold", where as the little one shouted," Fnnn".

"So would you like to have coffee, I am pretty freezing up here.", Manik asked in a dramatic voice rubbing his arms as if shooing the cold away. Nandini could not help but laugh at him and replied " No ....thanks. I am already having one." And pointed to the cream filled coffee cup on the table.

"Whoa...that's a lot of calories for someone so thin and small," Manik smirked.

Nandini just rolled her eyes and said," So Monster, why don't you just go and bring your drinks and we will see whose size really matters.", eyeing sarcastically at the 6 foot high man giant.

Manik's eyes widened at her sudden throw back but soon he got that he was being played with.

"Dadda... Hot coklet...", Mannat spoke looking at Manik and soon he left for the counter to bring the drinks. As Manik joined them at the table Mannat instantly started sipping her chocolate.

Manik took a sip and asked hoping to start a conversation," How's Rishab?"

"He is fine I think. Guess his drinking is reducing a bit. How is your wife. Didn't she accompany you two to the park?"

"No she was not willing to roam out in the snow.", irritation laced in his voice.

Nandini realised it was a topic that Manik may not want to talk about and so asked," So how's work?"

"As usual....tell me about college? What are the classes you are taking?", Manik asked.

"I was in Music stream but am taking up medical. More over I need to do a job or so."

Manik tried to talk her into continuing with music but Nandini replied,"I can't keep picking up my brother from bars. I need to earn money...", and Manik could feel the pain and helplessness evident in her tone.

Manik reached to take Nandini's hand into his and gently stroked the surface with his thumb and quietly whispered," Its all right. I am here."

Nandini lifted her head and looked into Manik's eyes and she felt her pain to lessen. She could see his promise through his eyes but at an instant she saw a deep pain hidden in those chocolatey brown eyes. She could see that he was broken and something worse had happened that had tore him up into pieces and those broken ends hurt him everyday.

Nandini withdrew her hand coming into the present and suggested," Why don't we go for a story telling session?".

"Thoy thoy" shouted Mannat in eagerness. Manik was a little hurt at Nandini's sudden withdrawal but he just passed it with a fake smile.

As the duo walked up to the story telling zone Mannat happily rocked and swinged in between Nandini and Manik holding both their hands. It was indeed a different feeling for Mannat as she seldom had such moments with her mother.

Mannat settled along with the other kids as Nandini and Manik took the seats behind them. Manik could see that his baby was equally enjoying Nandini's company as her father.

Manik leaned to Nandini and said," Thank you for coming."

"It was the least that I can do for Manni", Nandini replied.

"She really patched up with you pretty soon. I have never seen her enjoy any other person's company like this.", Manik stated.

"Really..... Why do you think she enjoys spending time with me?", Nandini asked innocently trying to figure out the reason.

" Because may be she saw, what her father can see in you....", and with this Nandini's cheeks flushed with a deep shade of red as Manik smiled at her.

Here goes the next update. Hope you like it. Please vote and comment. Will love to see your response. Happy reading till then.