Avoid mistakes if any...

Manan were walking towards the park with Maira in Manik's arm who was not at leaving him. The lunch went pretty well though.

"So what you to play with baby?" Manik asked seeing the slider, swing etc. Maira pointed at the slider to which Nandini opposed.

"No, aap gir jaoge toh chot lagegi. So no." Manik frowned first but seeing Maira's face he understood she declined.

"Why Nandini? Let her play na. I will keep an eye on her." Saying this he moved towards the slider making her sit on it he let slide with his arms around not touching though. She giggled once she reached the ground and again they did the sliding. Nandini smiled seeing her all happy.

She also noticed for the first time Manik being free though she didn't know him but still couldn't help herself looking at him. For the first time she was trusting her daughter with other human being after Aryaman.

Nandini looked around and saw no one was looking taking it as a chance she moved towards the swing and settled herself on it. She smiled sadly remembering those old childhood days.

She didn't even realise when Manik came with Maira in his arms. He settled her in Nandini's making. Nandini stared in his eyes, theie eyes were locked. Manik moved the hair strend and tucked it behind her ear making her shiver.

Maira was busy having her chocolate which was given by Manik few minutes back. Their trance broke when they heard someone saying.

"Oh! My.. look at them. They look so cute together and the baby too. Lucky family." They both felt awkward. They looked around and Manik moved behind and started pushing the swing making Nandini startle.

"Manik! What are you doing?" She asked to which he chuckled and replied

"Giving a push to the swing. Enjoy it Nandini." Saying this he continued pushing the swing where as Nandini had tightened her hold on Maira. After 5 minutes Nandini told him to stop.

"When will Aryaman come?" Nandini asked at that time only Manik got message from him.

𝗔𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻
Bro! Do me a favour. Could you please drop Nandini and Maira in the hotel? This idiot Pearl isn't leaving me.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗸
Okay.
But what time you will reach the hotel?

𝗔𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻
By 7 I'll be there.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗸
Okay.

Manik looked at Nandini and said "Aryaman just messaged to drop you to the hotel. He will be there by 7. Come I will drop you."

Manik was holding Maira in his arms and when they reached the car Nandini tried to take Maira towards her but she didn't leave him at all.

"Baby, aapke friend ko gadi bhi toh chalana hai na..chalo aao mumma ke paas."

"Noi!" Saying this she wrapped her hands around Manik's neck.

"It's okay Nandini. I'll manage." Saying this he opened the door for Nandini she settled herself and he moved closing the door towards the driving seat. Sitting carefully Manik placed Maira in such a way that she was lying on his chest keeping her head on his chest.

Manik drove the car slowly as Maira was fast to sleep.

"So when are you guys leaving?" Manik asked taking a turn.

"Tomorrow, it's late night flight." He bobbed his head and after few minutes he stopped the car outside the hotel. Nandini came out of the car and so did Manik.

Nandini's forwarded her hands to take Maira. Manik slowly gave her to Nandini and while pulling back his basmd he felt a pull making both Nandini and him jerk.

He looked at her trying to deepen whatever he was doing. Nandini's bracelet was stuck into his shirt button.

Nandini tried taking it out but Manik told her to wait. He held her hand and somehow detached the bracelet. In an all this their heartbeats were fast unknown to them.

"Thank you. Thank you for the day Manik." She mumbled and turned to go when he called her. She turned and looked at him.

"Can I get your phone number?"

"Why?" She asked making him tongue tied, he didn't know why he asked but he didn't even I want to embarrass himself.

"Mmm...sometimes Aryaman doesn't pick up his phone and also now you are in thw project so it will be easy fo contact." Nandini bobbed her head and gave him the phone to save his number.

"Thank god! I got something in mouth otherwise I don't what I would have said." He said in his mind and gave a call on his phone through Nandini's. Saving the number he gave her phone back.

"See you then." Nandini said with a smile making him bob his head with smile lingering on his face. He stood there till the time Nandini entered the hotel and after making sure she is fine he settled himself in the car and went to his house.

In a restuarant

Aryaman sighed heavily and smiled forcefully looking at Pearl who was blabbering her bullshits.

"And my god! The great Shanaya was behind you but you see I got to meet you after so so long..." Pearl said flipping her hairs.

"Agh! Pearl. I need to make a call it's urgent." He said without waiting for her reply making her pout. Aryaman came out pretending to call.

"Hello.... I can't hear you. Wait!" He guestured he will come back to pearl who bobbed her head. Taking it as a chance Aryaman took the cab and immediately left from there without informing her.

Manik reached his house to see everyone busy watching television.

"Good evening!" He wished them.

"Hey! You came. Where were you? You were not there in the office." Alex asked muching the cookie.

"Agh! Maira was cribling alot so we went to the park." Alex raised his one eye brow asking 'really' to which he bobbed his head. Sighing he went to his room and changed as fast as he cooked as it was dinner time also.

Next day

As usual Manik woke up early. He did his workout and went to his office after having his breakfast.

"I don't know what will happen if he stays like this." Mumbled Manik's dad making all frown.

"Why? What happened?" Jennifer asked drinking the juice.

"Look at him. He is workaholic. Stupid son of me doesn't even a girlfriend." He said grumpily making her chuckle.

"What can we do, if he isn't even interested to get settle down. Even if I try to speak to him he shu me away. Anyways uncle wait for sometime he will get his life partner like you." Jennifer said getting up from the chair making him smile and bob his head.

"Uncle, have you seen my phone?" Asked Amelia coming down from the stairs.

"No Amelia. Where did you keep last time?" He asked getting up fron his seat.

"I had kept it in my room only. Now it's not there. Can you please give ring." Amelia said looking around. Manik's dad gave the ring and they could heat like the faint ringing for her phone which was coming from theatre room.

"Oh! Found it. Thanks uncle. Bye." She said pecking his cheek making him smile.

Here in the hotel Nandini packed their luggage and got ready for their lunch/brunch. Maira was unexpectedly sileng today making her worried. Seeing her daughter sitting quietly Nandini moved towards her.

"Kya hua baby?" She asked taking her in her arms.

"Jaa rale (rahe) hai?" She asked cutely, making her smile.

"Haan baby, aapko nahi jana hai? Aapka friend bhi toh vahi hai." Listening the friend word she got happy.

"Sachi! Flend (friend) cuncle (uncle) bhi hai."

"No baby, aapka friend Zoro ki baat kar rahi hun. Aapka ghar yahan nahi hai na baby." Nandini replied which brought sadness on her face.

"Kyun?"

"Hmm...see aapke friend ko aap jaise miss kar rahe ho vaise hi aapka Zoro/kalu bhi kar raha hoga. Acha nahi lagega na ki Maira use abhi nahi chahati. Isliye hume bhi ghar jana chahiye. Okay?" She explained her to which she just bobbed her head.

Here in the office Manik was going through the files and out of nowhere he remembered Nandini's words.

"What about your husband? Doesn't he work?" Listening him Nandini stopped smiling making him nervous.

"Actually my husband is no more. I'm a single mother and a widow."

Manik's POV

She is so young, widow & a mother. Why did even god do this to her?

She deserves all the happiness instead of pain. I don't know I feel she is hiding all her pain behind that beautiful smile.

She is indeed beautiful and smart woman. Just feel like....

What the hell! Manik you have gone nuts.

End of POV

"Stupid! Idiot. She is a mother of a child Manik. Control! Control." Taking a deep sigh he again concentrated on his work.

It was evening now and also time for Nandini and Aryaman to leave back to India. They were standing out of the airport talking with Amelia and Manik who had cams to say bye.

"Acha, chalo say bye to your friend." Nandini said to Maira who waved her hand sadly. Manik smiled and taking her in his arms he said

"Don't worry baby. Your this friend will come soon to you." Pecking her cheek he gave her a chocolate making her grin.

"See you then Manik in India. Juat make sure to forward me your details about the flight and yeah you are staying with me." Manik bobbed his head agreeing to him.

"See you Nandini. Take care munchkin." Said Amelia hugging Nandini and Maira. They said final bye and went inside the airport. Manik and Amelia were still standing there, Amelia turned to go when her gaze fell on her brother who was still looking at Nandini.

"Did you fall in love?" She asked to which he smiled but soon frowned looking at her.

"What?" He asked.

"No, the way you are looking at Nandini, I thought you fell for her."

"Shut up! Let's go." Saying this he went to the driver's seat and settled inside. Amelia too sat and they both left from there.

How was it?

Tata!