Hey Fam :)

Before you people decide to kill me, I was stuck up with some very interesting book and couldn't put it down before finishing it. Potterheads can understand my situation. Especially the first time readers. :P

Happy Reading... 

Malhotra Mansion, 5 a.m.

Manik wakes up, feeling refreshed after the long sleep last night. He gets to freshen up and casually decides to check upon Nandu once. On not finding her in her room, he frowns and starts calling her. The call being diverted to her voicemail panics him and he rushes to the office. Luckily, he didn't find any traffic and soon reached the office. He wakes up the sleeping watchman.

The watchman, on the other hand, was petrified to see his boss's son in front of him so early in the morning. He stands up, panicked.

Watchman: Saab, maaf kijiye. Aankh lag gayi.

Manik(sternly): Listen, Nandini hai andar?

Watchman(frowned in confusion): Sir, waise toh koi nahi rehte. Main raat ko aaya tha. Day watchman office lock karta hai.

Without explaining anything, Manik runs inside towards Nandu's cabin followed by the watchman. He finds the little light coming out of her cabin under the door but unable to open it. He turns towards the watchman.

Manik(screams): How irresponsible can you people be? Check nahi kar sakte pehle? Now, what are you waiting for, just open the damn door?

The watchman shivers at his tone and hurriedly opens the door after struggling for a few minutes. While he waits outside, Manik rushes in. He sighs in relief seeing Nandu on the couch, sleeping peacefully. He kneels down at her side before shaking her lightly to wake her up. Sweat all over his face and panting heavily, she gets surprised seeing him in such a state.

Nandu(confused): Manik, tum yahan?

He hugs her tight assuring himself of her presence. After a few minutes, he breaks the hug and holds her hands in guilt.

Manik(whispers): I am sorry. I should have checked up on you last night. I am really sorry.

Nandu nods in a no as she cups his cheek.

Nandu(softly): Why are you sorry? Things like these can always happen. It isn't your fault. How is your headache?

Manik: I promise, henceforth, I would be more careful. You scared the hell out of me.

He whispers looking directly into her eyes. Nandu sighs and wipes off the sweat on his forehead.

Nandu(smiles): Shh...I am fine, Manik. Breath now.

Resting his head on her lap, he stays there for a few moments as Nandu ruffles his hair. After composing himself, he looks up at her.

Manik: Ghar chale?

Nandu(nods): Just a minute.

She stands up to walk towards her table but turns back realizing something.

Nandu(frowned): Umm...Manik, the landline is dead.

Manik(nods): I will get it repaired. Let's get you home for now.

She smiles and gathers her stuff before leaving. They find a scared watchman standing outside the cabin. Manik passes him a death glare. It took every bit of patience in him to keep his hands to himself and not to hit the watchman.

Manik(yells): Repeat this one more time and you will be fired. Aap logo ko pay kiya jata hai isi kaam ke liye. Not for being irresponsible.

Nandu holds his hand, diverting his attention to her, which eventually calms him down.

Nandu: Manik, it's ok. (Turning towards the watchman) Iss door ko theek karwa dijiye.

The watchman nods in fear and they leave towards their car. Manik drives to their home as Nandu settles beside him after keeping her files at the back. Reaching home, Manik finds her asleep. Picking her up, he makes her sleep in her room. He stays there staring at her before leaving the room.

At the breakfast table, Manik narrates the thing to Mukti.

Mukti(assures): It's okay, Manik. It's just an accident. Nandu theek hai na. And it really isn't your fault. Waise uncle kahan hai?

Manik(informs): He went to meet Mr. Thakkar. Wahi ruk gaye the. Maybe catching up like old times.

After having breakfast, Manik leaves for the office and Mukti for her work. Raj comes back home to freshen up and goes to the office. He gets surprised on not finding Nandu in her cabin and moves towards Manik's.

Manik gets startled when someone barges inside his cabin. He expects Nandini but gets a bit disappointed seeing Raj which was noticed by the later.

Raj(fake glares): Why are you so sad seeing me?

Manik(stutters): Dad, it's not like that. I didn't expect you. See, I am surprised.

He fakes a smile. Raj chuckles and takes a seat before questioning Manik.

Raj: Stop faking, idiot. Acha yeh bata, where's my princess. Office nahi aayi kya aaj?

Manik: Actually she is at home, sleeping.

He mutters in a low tone surprising Raj. Manik narrates the whole incident to his dad.

Raj(frowns): How can they be so irresponsible? Can't they check before locking the doors? And how is she?

Manik(assures): She is fine. (Guiltily) Papa, I am sorry. I should have checked up on her last night.

Raj(casually): Manik, it's okay. You were sick too. It's not like you, in your proper senses, will let her stay alone in the office. Or rather you will leave any chance to stay close to her.

The last words of his dad throw Manik off guard. He manages not to make his thumping heart, inside his chest, obvious to his father.

Manik: What do you mean?

Raj glares at him playfully.

Raj(teases): Gadhe, baap hun tera. I know it by the way you look at her, Majnu.

Manik: Dad..Papa..no.

Manik scratches the back of his neck on not knowing what to say further. Raj holds his other hand, which is on the table and gives him a light squeeze.

Raj: Stop denying, Manik. Aur kitne din apne hi paas apne feelings rakhega?

Manik(sighs helplessly): Dad, it isn't easy. She will shut me out or kill me. Aap jante ho na use.

Raj(raising an eyebrow): But then when are you going to confess?

Manik: Pata nahi. I need time. Dad, what if I can't? She is way too perfect for me. All her life, she just juggled between work and files and now there's no place for love in her life.

Raj smiles as Manik puts his worries forward.

Raj: And hence it's your duty now to give her the love she deserves. Teach her what life is. Show her that life isn't just only about a few papers and a cabin or a laptop.

Manik(pouts): Stop encouraging me in the false direction unless you want to see your son dead.

Raj(rolling his eyes): Haan, as if you didn't even try. Sari harkate janta hun tere. How you both sneak out of house time to time or how you have totally become a lovesick puppy for her.

Manik(shocked): Aapko yeh sari galat information kaun de raha hai?

Raj bursts out laughing.

Raj: Aadhi Mumbai jaan gayi hai. It went all from Mukti to Abhimanyu to Mr. Thakkar. He was asking me yesterday about your marriage with Nandu. Unhe kya pata my son is incapable of even proposing her.

Manik(glares): Don't mock me. Dekhne wale ko easy lagta hai. I know what I am going through. Store room mein lock kardegi aapki princess agar use propose kiya toh. Aur Isi office ke andar meri aatma bhatakti rahegi.

Raj slaps Manik's hand to bring him back from his horrified dramatic state.

Raj: Stop being dramatic now. Take your time. But please thoda jaldi kar lena. I can't let her go out of my sight. I am scared if she decides to get married to someone else.

Manik senses a fear in his voice but it wasn't unknown to him given how special Nandu is for Raj and of course him. He tries to change the topic.

Manik: What do you mean by can't let her out of your sight? Mujhe toh kahi bhi chod dete ho aap. Don't you even love me a 1/100th times of how much you love her? Main aap ka beta hun. Yaad hai na woh baat?

Raj(rolls his eyes): I guess I need to leave. Cabir ko call karta hun to keep you a company in your drama.

Manik pouts. Raj stands up, goes towards him and ruffles his hair. Patting his cheek, he leaves for his work leaving a grinning Manik behind.

Malhotra Mansion

Nandu wakes up around mid-noon. After freshening up, she goes down to eat something and enquires the whereabouts of Manik, Raj, and Mukti. Having the home alone to herself, she goes back to her room and calls someone.

Call

Nandu(sternly): Listen, "Aarav Raj". I need all the details, big or small, about this person. He is an author. How much time do you need?

Person(politely): I will try to get back to you in an hour, ma'am.

Nandu: I will be waiting for your call.

Call Ends

She gets busy with her files until there was a call on her mobile.

Call

Person(informs): Ma'am, there is no information about the guy except his name. Even the publishers said he wanted to be private and hence they denied giving any photographs or further details. If you want, we can go in some illegal way.

Nandu(frowns): Illegal?

Person(suggests): Bribing someone. There must be someone who could get us our information.

Nandu(politely): Ahh. No need. And thanks for this.

Call Ends

She calls the only person who could help her, now.

Call

Nandu(hopefully): Are you, by any chance, free for a few hours?

Abhimanyu(dramatically): Tumhare liye Kabr ke andar se bhi aa jaunga. Kuch ghante kya cheez hai, janeman.

Nandu(sighs in helplessness): I really need you. The sane you. Will you stop being dramatic?

Abhi(frowns): Where are you?

Nandu: home.

Abhi(assures): I will be there in half an hour.

Nandu(smiles): Thank you.

Call Ends

Half an hour later

Abhi comes as usual with a bunch of flowers but his huge grin was missing.

Abhi(waving his hand): Hey, Nandini.

He says without any enthusiasm and hands over the flowers to her. Nandu gets worried seeing him so dull.

Nandu: What happened to you? You are calling me as Nandini and without your usual smile.

Abhi(pouts): Tumhi ne toh bola, you want a sane me.

Nandu(rolling his eyes): I said sane, not sad.

Abhi: Really?

He grins at her before pulling her to the bed as he himself settles in front of her.

Abhi(blabbers): Lekin hua kya? Why are you so stressed? Upar se you called me instead of your usual go-to best friend Navya. You are making me worried now.

Nandu(glares): Stop speaking for a second. Will you?

Abhi pouts. Nandu hands him the book and asks him to go through it. He gapes at her in horror.

Abhi: Ab itna sara padhna hai kya?

Nandu(in a low tone): Nahi. Just go through a few.

A few minutes later,

Abhi(curiously): Is it the author's love story? It seems he is so much in love with her.

Nandu(mutters hesitantly): What if the 'her' is me?

Abhi(screams): Whattt?

Nandu sighs in frustration.

Nandu: The incidents written here are so oddly familiar that I am scared.

Abhimanyu cups her face and asks her to calm down. She takes a deep breath. Taking her hand in an assuring hold, he questions.

Abhi: Do you know the author?

Nandu(informs): No. But I have asked one of my persons to inquire about the author. He asked the publishers not to reveal his identity, not even his photograph.

Abhi(smiles): That can be done, Nandu. It's not really that tough. Do you want me to talk to them?

He takes his phone out but Nandu stops him.

Nandu(rants): No need. I have a guess and I am not sure if it's him or not. If it's not him, I will make a fool out of myself.

Abhi(nods his head in disbelief): And so, you are panicking. By the way, whom are you guessing it to be?

Nandu(stutters): Woh, actually...

He cups her face and stares into her eyes, emotionally.

Abhi: Come on, Nandu. I won't judge you. It's me, your Abhimanyu. The person who loves you for years. Who has made you a part of his heart since years. The person jo apni jaan bhi tumhare haazir kar sakta hai.

Nandu glares him at his drama.

Nandu(looking down): It's Manik. I am not sure. But all the things written here, it's only Manik who's popping in my head whatever be the line I am reading.

Abhi(surprised): Manik? Acha, where did you get this book from?

Nandu(casually): It was on my office table along with some promotional magazines.

Abhi(suggests): Nandu, tum jakar Manik se baat karo na.

Nandu(scaredly): What if it's not him?

Abhi(explains lovingly): Even then he won't judge you. Nandu, Manik respects you a lot. I have seen that. Sit down and think about this after clearing your head. If it's still pointing towards Manik, just go and talk to him. If it's not Manik, we will inquire about the author again.

Nandu nods. Abhi starts to leave when something strikes him and he turns back.

Abhi(expectantly): Nandu, if it's Manik and he loves you, will you give him a chance?

Nandu(playing with her fingers): Abhi...

He caresses her hair affectionately.

Abhi: Don't lose a person who loves you with all your inside demons, Nandini. Give him a chance and he will bring you out of your hell. He will fill your life with only happiness. Don't be scared to accept a true love, Nandu.

Nandu: I guess, you know something that I don't.

It was a statement more than a question.

Abhi(chuckles): You are smart enough, Nandini. Just remember, whatever happens, you still have me. If you need me, just a call and I will be here for you.

She smiles making him smile too. Pecking her forehead, he leaves leaving Nandu alone with her thoughts. 

I have got some really smart readers who can guess the plot beforehand. ❤️ :P