Here is the update guys! I'm so so sorry for not updating from 2 months.

2000+ words!

Hope you guys will vote and comment. Also I'm setting a target if you guys want the update soon complete the target.

Target: 500+ votes and 50+ comments.

Avoid mistakes if any.

Next Morning

It's six in the morning, already Mumbai was awake disturbing the people's life to make sure they are awake. Since Manik was new to this place his sleep broke. He was awake and thinking what to do.

Thinking atleast he could go near by for a walk he got and freshen up. When he came down he saw Nandini in red colour track suit.

Manik's POV

Who will say she is a mother of a child. She looks so young in this. What the hell! Manik...shut up man.

"Good morning Nandini."

She got startled with my voice and said

"God! You scared me. What are you doing so early?" She asked to which I told her the reason of new place.

"Ohh! Wanna join me? I'm just takibg the dog out for a walk." She suggested to which I was ever ready to.

"Ofcourse. But won't Maria wake up?"

"I made her sleep in Aryaman's room. So she won't get scared. Come let's go." I bobbed my head and followed her. Locking the door we walked up till the gate and took right.

It's new place but very peaceful scenery. Luckily there was a playground near by so we went in there. It was really awkward between us. May be my feelings were affecting too much for me. I just need to control them.

"Hope you are enjoying the stay here." She spoke or should say asked.

"Yeah it's pretty cool here. I mean not how I feel in New York." We spoke for few minutes and peacefully were walking when out of nowhere a old couple came towards us.

"Hello beta ji. Aap dono bahut acche dikh rahe ho sath mein. I know main aapko janti nahi hun bas aap dono ko aise dekh kar humari yaad aa gayi." The old lady said which I didn't understand a word I was waiting for Nandini to tell me who was shocked listening them.

"Hope you guys live all your life with love and happiness." The old man said and this I understood. I hope he didn't mean what I was thinking.

Uncle, aunty. Sorry to say but we aren't married. We are just friends." Nandini replied, making them immediately apologies.

Did they really think of us to be married. It was awkward between us then. We just walked towards the home with silence and big gap between us which I hated the most.

Once we reached home, we were greeted with chirpy Maira who jumped on Nandini. I excused myself and went to have bath.

End of POV

-----------------

Nandini looked around sitting on the back side of Aryaman's car. After the morning incident Nandini didn't speak to Manik that much. Maira was sitting on Manik's lap telling him stories in her language.

They were going towards the site seeing. Nandini would have left Maira at her neighbour's house but she was not leaving them hence they thought to take her with them.

"Manik I swear you should have these roadside food. Mumbai is the best place for it." Aryaman suggested to which Manik was doubtful about it.

"I hope I won't fall sick."

"Com'on Manik. Mumbai mein aaye aur roadside ka khana nahi khaya toh kya fayda?" Aryaman said making him confused.

"Whatever it is, will try it since you are insisting." He said concentrating on Maira who was playing on his phone right now.

Nandini's Pov

God! Aaj jo bhi hua subah was a bit embarrassing and awkward for both of us. I know I have started developing feelings for him but I have to control it. I can't fall for anyone. He is really good person but I'm not (for him).

After like exactly 45 minutes ride we reached the site area which was near the beach area. We parked the car and came out.

"Manik give her to me. She will disturb you through out the way." After a long time I spoke to him. Bobbing his head he passed her to me and in this process we came really close and that's when our hands collided making us stare at each other.

His eyes speaks a lot more than his words can express. I don't know what they were saying but he had that admiration towards me. But I chose to ignore it.

"Let's go guys." We walked up the place. There was one more construction going on closer to it.

"So this the place, it will give the restaurant a great look. The beach facing the people who will be sitting here. We can also make the floors if we want." Aryaman and Manik started discussing about it while I was busy in admiring the beach with Maira in my hand.

"Aur woh kaun baby?" I asked pointing at the bird which was flying away.

"Birdy!" She exclaimed clapping her hands making me happy.

"Yes. You will also fly high when you become big hai na?" I asked her to which she bobbed her like with shine in eyes. Hopefully she becomes and achieves her dreams.

We were busy in our little world when I heard people screaming a loud. I turned only to see people looking up. I was going to look up but I was pulled harshly away and my hold on Maira became hell tight making her cry.

I was shocked seeing the wooden block which fell down. It was big enough to break anyone's head. I don't know how...but my heart and my mind was all block. Maira's crying weren't helping at all. In and all this I didn't notice someone holding me tight in the embrace.

End of POV

Manik and Aryaman came back examining the area. They were happy with it. Aryaman got a call so he excused himself and went away. Manik thought to move towards Nandini. He walked up them seeing them having their time. But what caught his attention was the wooden block going to fall on them.

He ran as fast as he could and pulled him harshly. He was scared that something would have happened to them. Maira started crying badly where as Nandini was shocked. He immediately hugged them tightly.

"God! You...you guys are fine na? Did you guys get hurt? Baby are you hurt?" He asked examining both of them. Nandini wasn't reacting.

Manik's POV

Maira was looking hell scared and was crying badly. I tried calming her down still Nandini being in my arms. After like few minutes Nandini came fo reality. She looked up at me and then at Maira who was hiccuping a lot.

She took Maira in her arms and started calming her down. Even though she is scared still she tried to calm Maira.

"Shh...mera baccha kuch nahi hua hai. Calm down. See, see look at mumma baby. Hum theek hai. Youe friend saved us. Hmm..." Nandini said few things to her she immediately calmed down.

"You are fine?" I asked her to which she bit her lower lip trying to control her sob. I don't know what got into me I hugged her and she held my coat in a fist.

"Shh! It's fine. You both are fine." She bobbed her head and looked down and broke the hug. I told them to calm down and we headed to Aryaman who came back. He also came to know about the situation and said sorry to for ignoring them.

"Aryaman. Hum theek hai. Shant. Abhi chalo let's go." Nandini said and we all headed to roam around Mumbai. I denied but then Nandini insisted saying it would change her mood and so of Maira.

"Let's take you to Juhu beach." Manik bobbed his head still keeping his eyes on Nandini and Maira who were sitting behind hugging each other.

After the drive of 20 minutes they reached the Juhu beach.

"You know Nandini loves this pani puri alot. You should try it." Aryman said moving towards the stall. They settled themselves near the bench which was close enough near the stall.

"Bhaiya do teekha aur ek kam teekha wala dena." Aryaman ordered and waited there for sometime.

Manik was curious of how to eat it when he saw in the plate. He saw Nandini and Aryaman having it easily. He followed them but it fell from his hand making both laugh.

"Don't laugh guys! It's new to me." Manik pouted and looked at Aryaman. Who sighed told him to wait. His gaze fell on Nandini who was admiring him. As soon as she saw him glancing at her she turned her face to Maira.

"See it's very simple. With your thumb and forefinger hold the puri and directly put it in your mouth. Any yeah make sure to hold the plate near your mouth."

He followed his instructions and ended up having one pani puri. As soon as he put it in his mouth it burst of making him somehow have it. But he liked it a lot.

"It tastes really nice but it's hell difficult to have man. How do you guys have it?" He asked making a frown and asked for one more.

"Habit! It's experience also mister. Since you are here you should get it now. Here." He handed him one more and this time he had properly.

"Guys! I will be in there car. Maira needs to be feeded." They both bobbed their head listening Nandini. She went to the car and settled herself in the back seat to feed Maira.

Aryaman and Manik were having their time talking about the old time. Out of nowhere Manik asked him

"Aryaman...can I ask you something?"

"Yeah. Go ahead."

"Don't take it in other way but I am just curious. Why Nandini doesn't stay with her in-laws?" Aryaman stopped eating and looked at Manik whose eyes were holding different emotions.

"Seriously telling you Manik, then it's Nandini's right to comment on this but I can only say that her in-laws aren't in good terms." Manik bobbed his head and immediately mumbled sorry.

"It's okay Manik. I know why you asked it. Vaise bhi aankhein bahut kuch keh jaati hai." Aryaman said making Manik stare at him. Though he didn't understand hindi but somewhere he knew what he meant.

"Umm.. Aryaman... I... it's... it's not what..." Manik fumbled a lot speaking to him.

"Arey! I didn't say anything. Relax. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai if you..you know.." He said pointing at Nandini making Manik look around.

"Acha let's go and have a bit food which will feel a tummy." Bobbibg his head they headed to their car. Entering inside they noticed Maira sleeping on Nandini's chest who was going through her phone.

They drove to the nearest restaurant and had their lunch peacefully. Fpr the first time Manik tried butter chicken with naan. He loved it like anything. Later on they ordered gulab jamun.

"This tastes so good man. I think we should take a parcel for home." Manik said to which they agreed and soon they left taking the parcel of gulan jamun.

They were heading to the other place to see when Manik's phone rang. He picked it up seeing his sister calling.

"Hello big bro...forgot about me after going to India. No call nothing. Stupid!" She complained making them chuckle.

"It's nothing like that Amelia. Was busy so couldn't call. How is everyone at home?" Manik asked to which she replied

"All are fine! By the way good news to you." Manik frowned and asked

"What good news?"

Before Amelia could say anything Manik's father took the face where others were sitting.

"How are you dad?"

"I'm fine beta! How are you?" Manik's dad asked to which he replied positively. They spoke for sometime and at last he asked

"What's the good news now tell me."

"You are going to be uncle Mr. Malhotra. Junior Jennifer/Alex might come into our world." Said excited Amelia to which Manik's happiness was out of the world.

"Oh my god! Congratulations guys. Ugh! I missed it. But I'm happy for you." Nandini and Aryaman also congratulated them.

"Oh! You are with Nandini and Aryaman. Nice nice. Enjoy your time." Jennifer said and they bid bye to them.

"So! Mr. Malhotra will be uncle soon haan..." Manik gave him a sheepish smile. Nandini aslo congratulated him who smiled at her genuinely.

They roamed around till 5 and decide to go back home. They thought take food from a restaurant since even Nandini was tired and wouldn't be able to make dinner for them.

After the drive of almost 1 hr they reached their home. Maira was fast to sleep. Nandini made her sleep on the bed and decided to freshen up so did Manik and Aryaman.

Soon they had food and went to sleep. They were hell tired. Manik was lying down on the bed thinking about everything that happened today. He sighed and closed his eyes tightly and slept.

Precap:

"They were the worst memory of my life Manik." Said crying Nandini.

******

Their face was close to each just inch away. His hands were on her hips. He pulled her closer. She stared at him without blinking her eyes.

******

"I...love...you." Nandini was numb. Manik had hopes. But.....

How was it?

What did you like?

Few words for Manik.

Aryaman does know about Manik's feeling.🤔

Will Manik be able to confess?

Will Nandini reciprocate?