MANAN--In a different world

Chapter 16

Manik and Mannat reached the restaurant that Nandini and he had decided to meet at for lunch. He parked his car and came out with Mannat in his arms. She was playing with his father's neck chain.

Manik entered the restaurant and searched the place for any sign of Nandini. But seeing her no where around he decided to settle down with Mannat for the time being and wait for her.

Manik went to take a corner table and placed Mannat in his lap. But she struggled to come down and sit on a individual seat. Manik granted her wish and placed her securely on one of the seats.

As he was settling his princess a pair of hands were slowly and gently placed upon his eyes. And Manik knew who it was and a warm smile curled up his lips.

But before he could say something Manni squeaked in joy and shouted " Nan...".

Nandini removed her hands and settled beside Manik and took Manni in her arms and squeezed her," That's cheating na Manni"

"Whly", Manni asked looking at Nandini.

"I wanted Dadda to guess, but you already shouted out my name.", Nandini said making a sad pout.

Manni was really worried for making her Nandu sad. She quickly held her ears and replied in her baby tone," Sholly Nan".

Manik was admiring their cute talks and smiling like a fool. It seemed like they had know each other for ages but hardly could it be seen that it was the bond that had grown in just few weeks.

"Manik!! Dadda!?", Manik's thoughts broke hearing them shout. He stared at them as they stared back at him with angry expressions.

"What? Why are you two shouting?", Manik asked them.

"Because you were lost in your dream land Mr. Malhotra.", Nandini replied.

"Huh....no nothing like that. Okay so what do you want to have.", Manik asked.

"What about aloo ke parantha?", Nandini asked Manik while Mannat stared at her as if Nandini had just spoken in some alien language.

"Whatls thal, Dadda?", Manni asked poking Manik's arm.

"You have never tasted it," Nandini asked Manni. She just nodded her head in a no.

"Nandini how will she taste aloo ke parantha..... She was born and brought up here in Newyork. And for your kind information if you have somehow forgotten that where you are then let me remind you that you are not in India.", Manik replied and waved his hand to call a waiter.

He quickly placed the order and when he turned his attention to Nandini he was greeted with a shocked expression.

"Now what?", Manik asked.

"How do you know my favourite dishes?", Nandini asked trying hard to find the answer to the question.

" Well just merry guess. I just ordered what I felt like ordering.", Manik replied casually.

Nandini hummed in reply.

Soon the food arrived and all the three started having it. Though Mannat was showing her tantrums with the food but Manik and Nandini beautifully managed her. An observer would never know that they were not Mannat's real parents.

After they were done with the dessert Mannat wanted to go to the park. Initially Manik declined but soon was pulled out by Nandini and his princess.

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Mannat was playing with other children of her age in the park while Nandini and Manik sat on the bench nearby facing Manni.

Nandini was busy admiring Manni when Manik began," I called her."

Nandini turned her gaze to Manik and waited.

Manik took a deep breath. He looked ahead and continued," I called her and gave her a chance. I asked her to choose between Mannat and Harshad.", a deep anger prominent in his words as he said it. "She choose the latter. I tried, Nandini.".

Nandini looked down at his hands and took one of them into hers. "It's okay Manik. You tried na. That's enough.", she comforted him and slightly squeezed his hand.

Manik looked at their entwined hands. How perfectly they shaped into each other. The warmth of her hands were enough to calm him down. He felt blessed to have her around.

But even at this time he somewhat felt guilty. Plunging into something so soon just after Soha felt so wrong. But he tried to tell himself that he never felt anything for Soha. It was just something which was forced onto him.

But what he was starting to feel for Nandini was different. It was real. Manik terribly wanted to belief it but he was afraid. Afraid of getting hurt once again.

He looked up at Nandini who was staring at him. He looked into her eyes trying to find something onto which he can hold upon, he can put his trust in.

And unknowingly he saw the trust in her eyes. They stared at each other locked in one others charms. There was complete silence as they expressed their emotions through their eyes.

Manik finally broke their gaze and leaned forward to place a light kiss on her forehead.

"Whatever happens now I just wish that I have you with me,Nandini.", Manik mumbled as he pulled back.

"I'll be there Manik.", she replied.

Now enjoy the chappy. Hope you like it.

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Till then, Happy reading.