MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

20. Breaking down, again?

~ Situations are bound to take toll on you, but standing with head high is your choice.~

The sky was still not dark, and Manik was standing at the window, contemplating his life. Whatever happened in the last few days, surely took a toll on him, but he was happy to see Nandini growing out of it. But then that wasn't what he was actually worried about. He knew he could handle her, but he was not sure about himself. Even though he had started living his life again, but the demons of his past still haunted him, sometimes as nightmares, sometimes through the photographs. Yes, they still did.

Nandini had been the support through which he had been holding his sanity even after so much happenings. She was the only light source in his life that was earlier completely immersed in darkness. He knew he he was coming over it. The nightmares had almost disappeared, the restlessness in him had waved a bye to him, the fake smiles had been replaced by genuine ones. In short life was good, actually much better. Yet, one part of his heart, and mind, was afraid, that things might not go good all the time, and honestly it sacred him.

The door bell rang, and Manik sighed, it was time to welcome the other three musketeers- Kabir, Navya And of course Nandini. They had all planned a fun evening, to enjoy Nandini, the chef's delicious food and Kabir, the joker's jokes! Even Navya and Manik were supposed to contribute to the entertain.

After an hour's madness, they all sat down to eat, hogging on the delicacies like they had been hungry for ages, until the dessert was served. It was payassam, a south Indian sweet dish known for its explicit taste. Navya was so happy to see it that she started jumping in happiness.

"It's so yummy Nandini! Seriously! It has been so many days I have had it", she exclaimed, and Nandini chuckled at her.

" Here she is getting excited, and I was unaware of the existence of this dish!", Kabir slapped his forehead, and it made Nandini and Manik laugh at the couple.

" How can that be possible? You know Amma makes so tasty Payassam that I can't even explain!", She rubbed her hands together as the memory resurfaced.

"Ohh, that means you are hungry women since birth!", Kabir teased Navya who pouted, and made a bad face.

" Leave it, you monster. I am better off with my parents. My amma prepares so many delicacies just for me- Jalebi, Samosa, litti-chokha! And dad pampers me all the time. Huh", she retorted back, cringing her nose.

Now, Kabir did not know how to go for the manofying session as she was damn angry. He looked at Nandini helplessely and she nodded.

"Ignore him Navya, he is a big time foodie anyway. You know, he used to come over to my place after school, literally everyday, just to eat the snacks Maa made for me", she winked at Kabir while Navya smiled in happiness, now having a new thing to tease Kabir.

"Mr. Food hogger, think twice before teasing me now", Navya laughed in excitement while Kabir made a grumpy face.

" Whatever, but Nandini, those days were fun yaar! You guys know what, whenever my mom met her mom, we would get a fusion of Indian and western dishes, all so tasty. And even after we grew up, aunty used to feed both her and me by her own hands", Kabir tried diverting the topic, and he was successful too.

" True! My dad used to bring floweres for my mom, every Sunday, like a ritual, and we would tease them for it!", Navya was so much into the childhood lane, that her eyes had that childish glee, that made others chuckle.

Their trance was broken by ringing of Manik's cell phone, who excused himself to take the call. The rest three, continued to giggle and relish their childhood memories, until Manik came in and addressed Nandini.