ANAM CARA || A MaNan Fanfiction

Chapter 34 : Indirect Confession

Manik and Nandini stood in one of the corners with drinks in their hands engaged in a conversation of their own. Their friends stood a little away from them as even they didn't want to disturb the blooming love.

Manik stopped mid way feeling a tug at his blazer. He turned around and saw a small boy of around 5 to 6 standing awe struck and pulling his blazer. He was always aware of the effect he has on people of all ages. Manik was naturally inclined towards kids. He was the oldest after Abhi in his group but Abhi remained outside India for his studies most of the time and during that time Manik was the guardian because of which came this inclination . Alya Ammu were two year younger than him whereas Mukti was an year older but still he was always over protective of them while Cabir was of same age than his but was way too carefree to think about future. Anyway, he bend down and picked the boy up, whose eyes grew wider and mouth opened, in his arms and said, "Hello, young man, Are you lost? ", the boy was over moon on being called a young man by the super star himself. "You really think I am a man, like you? ", Manik chuckled and said ," Ofcourse you are, you're better than me", the boy blushed and smiled giving Manik too a smile. "Where are you parents?", asked Manik so that he can bring him to his parents who must be hell worried for him. "Roshni Aunty says they are living on stars ", it took a moment for Manik to comprehend his words and when he did , he gave a pearly smile to the boy and kissed his forehead and silently prayed to god to help him in life.

Manik saw the badge on his shirt which read "The sunshine orphanage ". Now Manik understood the entire situation. Malhotra's are known to be very charitable people. They keep donating something or the other to the NGO'S in need. They also call children from different orphanages to witness their functions. (P. S. : I read in an article that Mukesh Ambani fed around 5000 hungry people in his daughter's wedding and the wedding in Mumbai was an open door wedding . From there I got this idea) No it was never a show of charity but it has a hidden motive behind. The high class society is the one which is open minded about adoption and by calling these children to their function they play a helping hand in their adoption. This tradition was started by his grand mom and after losing her they continued it.

"Who is this didi? ", asked the boy and Manik's eyes went towards Nandini . His eyes were blessed to see a huge smile on her face . Nandini's eyes held unsaid pride and appreciation for Manik. Nandini has interacted with almost all the known celebrities in the Bollywood but she never found even one to be so down to earth and willing to bring a change. Manik was so easily conversing with the boy as if he knows him from long. She felt genuinely proud to be having him as her friend. "She's Nandini... My...friend? ", Manik's tone was more of a question than an answer. He knew her place in his heart but will she accept it if she comes to know. Regardless he choose the safer option of terming it friendship . "Hello Nandini didi", the boy forwarded his hand for a handshake, " My name is Arjun", Nandini took his hands and kissed them and said, " Hello Arjun! How are you? ", Arjun moved his head left and right smiling at Nandini. In the next few minutes what Manik saw was a completely different Nandini. She was getting all animated talking to Arjun and even Arjun was loving his Nandini didi. This shade of Nandini made Manik wonder how much has Nandini changed. She used to sing she used to dance she must have been such a cheerful girl but now what was left behind is a dull and shady woman with no bubbliness at all. He now knows her past (atleast he thinks so) and the only reason for the change in her character that he could make out was taking over the responsibility of the family business on her shoulders at a very young age of 13. He was yet to know the entire truth.

Arjun who was in Manik's arms asked him to put him down and as soon as Manik did it, he ran towards the care taker with whom he had come to the party. When Roshni (the caretaker) saw Manik and Nandini standing she folded her hands in a gesture of respect . They both replied to it in the same manner. Roshini came to Nandini and said, "Nandini ma'am, Rishi's (another child) surgery went well. He is absolutely okay and his vision is restored. " , on one side where Nandini felt happy at this piece of information Manik seemed confused. Why was Roshni telling Nandini all this and who was Rishi? Manik voiced his confusion and the answer he got surprised him," Manik sir, Nandini ma'am is a regular donor for the orphanage, she keeps helping the kids with their surgeries and medication just like you do. Rishi lost his parents and his eyesight in an accident, so Nandini ma'am came forward and helped him financially. You know You both share one more similarity, neither of you let me tell the media that you donate to this orphanage. ",Manik was surprised at this new found relevation. He always knew that Nandini was not an arrogant and self centered person that media potrays her to be but these lines by Roshni gave him a clear proof that Nandini had goodness deep rooted but she just doesn't show it to anyone. Nandini , on the other side, had no idea how to react to this little secret which is no more a secret now. She was looking everywhere leaving Manik. To avoid the awkwardness further she put her ignorance on and managed to slip away to Roshni to enquire more about Rishi's health and recovery.