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Nandu: Can you feel my heartbeat?

Manik(whispers): It's racing.

A soft smile breaks on her lips as she whispers back without breaking their eye contact.

Nandu: Exactly. I need you to calm this down. You are my peace, Manik.

She hugs him tight making him smile. He wraps his hands around her but frowns and breaks the hug.

Manik(raising an eyebrow): How did you do this? Tum toh uske naam se hi darr jati ho.

Nandu(sighs): I am in my cabin and I know it was a matter of minutes and you will be back. I just had to keep my cool until your return. I know you won't let anything happen to me.

Manik(confused): But police?

Nandu(informs): I have messaged them through my laptop. And he thought I was working on it. Manik, tum hi ne toh bola tha, the problem appears as big as we make it look like. Mujhe aaj darr nahi laga. I have you. I was trying to picture your face and recollecting your words. I have got my closure, Manik. You are my strength.

She stares into his eyes with a huge grin. Cupping her cheek, he says,

Manik: I am so proud of you. I never expected you to smile even after maintaining that cool attitude in front of him. I will never let anything happen to you, Nandini.

He pecks her head before taking her into the hug. While still in the hug, Nandu asks him abruptly.

Nandu: Will you come on a date with me?

He breaks the hug, unable to believe the words that escaped her mouth.

Manik(shocked): What?

Nandu(chuckles): I didn't expect this reaction at least.

Manik(confused): Matlab, are you seriously asking me on a date? Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that?

Nandu(teased): Ab kya karun main when you decided to just stay confused since last night.

Manik(accused): Haan toh mujhe itne sare shocks bhi toh mil rahe hain.

Nandu(grins): So, shall I take it as a yes?

Manik finds an unknown hope and excitement on her face.

Manik(mutters): You amaze me, Murthy.

Nandu(informs): Evening 7 pm. Okay?

Manik(frowns): You didn't tell me if I am allowed to call you as my girlfriend or not?

Nodding her head in disbelief, Nandu takes her seat and gives him her best professional smile.

Nandu: We will talk about it in the evening, Malhotra. Get back to work.

Manik pouts and leaves after stomping his foot. As soon as he leaves, Nandu bursts out laughing. Just then someone barges into her cabin.

Nandu(glares): Abhimanyu Thakkar, mere cabin ka door tutega toh I will make you repair it by your own hands.

Abhi(teases): babydoll, aaj bade khush ho aap?

Nandu(frowns): babydoll? What's with this name?

Abhi(horrified): Don't even think of punching me. Tum Mukti ko toh kuch nahi bolti.

Nandu(rolling her eyes): Shut up.

Ignoring her, he comfortably takes his seat in front of her table.

Abhi(smirked): So, how is your love life going?

Nandu(excited): Abhimanyu, it's him. It's Manik and you have no idea, how happy I am. I don't need to leave Uncle or even Manik. Everything is falling in place. I am not even scared of Harshad. I just handled him without losing my cool. I can't believe so many things have happened just in two days.

Abhi(raising an eyebrow): So it was Harshad behind your this rude behavior?

Nandu shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

Nandu(hesitantly): Yes, somewhat. Can we not talk about it, please?

Abhi: And Manik?

Nandu(smiles): Manik. He is my lucky charm.

She stares nowhere in particular but Abhimanyu doesn't miss the huge smile on her face which in turn makes him smile.

Abhi: Nandu...you love him. Don't you?

Nandu(nods): I do. But don't tell him already. I have planned something.

Abhi(puzzled): When did you fall in love with him? All these days, were you hiding your feelings for him?

Nandu: No. Abhimanyu, I don't even know what loving a person is. You know how I was. But Manik, it doesn't matter to him. You were stubborn enough to make me as your friend and Manik did the same to know my past, my insecurities. Manik made me fight with my inner demons. He is much mature than the carefree attitude that he shows off. I can be just me with him. Just Nandini.

Abhi: What about me?

Nandu(startled): What?

Abhi: Didn't you realize my love towards you?

He fakes a disheartened look which Nandu fails to notice. She stiffens up listening to his words and stutters badly.

Nandu: What? Abhi, Mukti...you...

Abhi(chuckles): Hey, Murthy. I was joking. Just look at your face.

Nandu(glares): It was a pathetic joke. You scared me.

Abhi(pouts): Haan, toh tum sara importance Manik ko de rahi thi. Main kya karun?

Nandu: Abhimanyu...

Nandu starts playing with her fingers nervously when she hears Abhimanyu speaking. His tone low, he stares at her intently.

Abhi: Since our first meet, I have felt a connection towards you. I felt some protectiveness towards you. Hence, I acted stubbornly. I was ready to do anything to bring that smile on your face. You are precious to me, Nandu. I will go to any extent to see you happy and that includes breaking some of your boyfriend's bones too.

He chuckles looking at a shocked Nandu.

Abhi: Don't worry. I wasn't romantically attracted to you or something. It was just maybe, I have a brotherly affection towards you.

She had tears in her eyes. Abhi goes towards her and kneels down in front of her. He takes a drop of tears on his finger and holds it before her.

Abhi: These are precious. Don't waste it, darling.

He hugs her tight. Nandini felt lucky to have him. Something about today turned out too special for her. She got someone who she could call as Dad and now a brother. They were busy feeling their new bond when Manik came in. He frowned looking at them, hugging each other and cleared his throat to gain their attention.

Breaking the hug, Abhimanyu glares at him as Nansu looked away to wipe her tears.

Abhi(pissed): Can't you knock and come?

Manik(glares): And I asked you to keep your hands off my Nandu.

Abhi(declares): She is mine too.

Manik(whines): Nandu...

Nandu(scolds): Stop behaving like kids.

Manik(pouts): Tum use kyu nahi kuch bolti.

She smilingly nods her head in disbelief.

Nandu(casually): Tumhe kuch kaam hai.

He nods and hands her the file he has in his hands while holding out a pen drive for her.

Manik: haan. These are the blueprints and the file you have asked for. I forgot to give you this. And this is the CCTV footage and the voice clip. Tum ek baar sunlo, I will send it to them.

Nandu: Ahh...tumne check kiya?

Manik: haan.

Nandu: Then, send it. I am too happy to spoil my mood now.

She gives him her best possible puppy face making him smile. Manik nods and turns to leave when Nandu calls him.

Nandu(hesitantly): Don't you want any explanation about what happened sometime back?

Manik stares at her. Inside his rude boss, there still is that innocent girl who is scared of losing him for misunderstandings. His heart jumps in happiness as he assures her with his words.

Manik: I trust both of you. I am not a sadist to doubt on two friends.

Abhi(grins): I love you too, buddy.

He hugs Manik with all the force, making him imbalance. Manik pushes him.

Manik: leave me. I still hate you.

Abhi(smirked): you have all the right to hate me, bro. Because we are more than friends now.

Manik(frowns): Best Friends?

Abhi: more than best friends.

Manik looks at Nandu and finds her controlling her smile. He glares at Abhimanyu.

Manik(gritting his teeth): I know, what I mean to her. Stop provoking me. My Nandu can't cheat on me.

Nandu smiles at him and gives him a side hug.

Nandu: I got a brother today.

Manik(raising an eyebrow): Abhimanyu?

Nandu blinks her eyes in a yes.

Abhi: So, now she is mine too.

He pulls her towards him but Manik holds her by her wrist.

Manik(declares): I am still not sharing her. She is mine. Only mine.

Rolling her eyes, Nandu frees herself from both of them and moves towards her chair.

Nandu: okay, kids. Go out and fight. I have work to do here.

Manik pouts and leaves. Abhimanyu chuckles at him.

Abhi: He really loves you, right?

Nandu(smiles): I wonder, how could he hide all his feelings inside him that too when he was working with me.

Abhi(teases): He doesn't have any other option, right? Kuch jyada bol diya, you would have punched him.

Nandu glares at him hut eventually laughs. They talk for a while before Abhimanyu leaving. Nandu gets engrossed in her work.

Late afternoon, Manik's cabin

Manik was working sitting on a visitor's chair opposite to his when Nandu comes in. He panics seeing her. She places her hands casually on either side of his shoulder, pecks the back of his head making him smile and rests her chin on his head.

Nandu(softly): Are you writing again?

Manik(blabbers): I was just noting down the ideas otherwise, I will forget it by the time I actually start writing. Before you scold me, I am not neglecting my work. I have already completed it.

Nandu: Relax, baba. It's fine.

She rubs his hand to calm him down. Bending a little beside Manik, she scrolls through the laptop. Manik closes his eyes feeling the proximity.

Nandu(puzzled): Is this your second book?

Manik(nods): Yeah. I was unable to decide what to write for my 2nd book. But after yesterday, I guess I want to write a sequel to it.

Nandu smiles at him and wraps her hands around his neck from the back and rests her chin on his shoulder.

Nandu(whispers near his ears): I have some work outside so, I am leaving now. Will you be fine, handling the office in my absence?

Manik nods. She kisses his cheek and turns to leave when Manik stops her by holding her hand.

Manik: Be careful.

Nandu(caressing his cheek): I will.

She smiles at him and leaves. This open affection of him was causing all the sensations in her heart.

7 pm, Malhotra House

Manik was sitting on the couch playing on his mobile after getting ready when Nandu comes to his room. She looks disbelievingly at the heap of clothes on his bed.

Nandu(puzzled): Stop playing those stupid games at least now. And why is your room so messed up?

Manik(sighs): I couldn't decide what to wear. I don't have any good clothes.

Nandu: Says the one who looks the best in anything he wears.

She says with a tongue in cheek but Manik doesn't even raise his head and rants.

Manik: Is that a compliment.

Just when Nandu opens her mouth to speak a word, Manik cuts her off, still staring the floor.

Manik(pouts): I am scared.

Nandu crosses her arms amusedly.

Nandu: I am not planning to eat you. Come.

He finally looks at Nandu.

Manik: Dad?

Nandu: Maine inform kar diya. Shall we leave now?

She holds her hand out for him. Manik nods and they leave. As Nandu was driving, Manik tries to calm himself down. It's his first date with her and he doesn't want to ruin it as he knows it could cost him their friendship too.

They go to a restaurant. It was Manik's favorite during his childhood. Both the families used to visit it together.

Manik(surprised): Tumhe yaad hai?

Wrapping her hands around his elbow, she smiles at him.

Nandu: It's special to you. Kaise bhul jati main?

Nandini asks for her booking. One of the waiters shows them, their private cubicle.

After settling down, Nandu holds his hand over the table and squeezes it lightly.

Nandu(cooed): Relax, Manik. It's just me.

Manik(sighing): I don't want to ruin it.

Nandu(smiles): You won't ever. Acha, think it as a normal dinner. Tumhe darr nahi lagega phir.

Manik nods. Soon, there was a waiter to take down their order. He hands them a menu card. After checking for a few minutes, they look at him to order when they find him ogling at Nandini. Manik was about to punch him when Nandu's voice interrupts him.

Nandu(sarcastically): If you are done checking me out, would you mind taking down the order?

Waiter(scared): Sorry, ma'am.

She gives him the order and he scribbles it down.

Waiter(professionally): Anything else, ma'am?

Nandu(calmly): yes. Don't show me your face again today otherwise, I won't think twice to talk to your manager and ask him to fire you.

Waiter(meekly): Sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again.

She dismisses him and gulps down some water before smiling back at Manik.

Manik(pouts): Mujhe kuch toh karne do. I love you and I want to protect you.

She nods her head laughing at him before looking into his eyes.

Nandu: Manik, I am capable of protecting myself. And if there are situations when I fail to do so, I have always found you beside me.

Without breaking their eye contact, he confesses the words he was yearning to tell her.

Manik: I love you.

Nandu(teased): Tum kal se iske alawa kuch bol nahi rahe.

Manik rubs the back of his neck and chuckles nervously.

Manik: Pata nahi aur kya bolun. It's still hard to believe. There were a number of times when I wanted to tell you this but I didn't have the courage. Lagta hai, us time ke sare 'I love you's' abhi aa rahe hai. I am unable to think anything.

Surprised, Nandu pushes all her feelings and sensations, caused by his words, aside and concentrates on making him feel comfortable.

Nandu: Manik, we were two professionals and then friends. We were fine then. You don't have to change a thing just because we are vocal about our feelings now. You can still be the kid you always were. Manik, I have always seen you as a mature guy who knows when to joke around and when to be serious. You are too good at handling things. Aaj kya hua?

Manik: Can I ask you for a promise?

Nandu nods.

Manik(hesitantly): Just don't leave me.

Nandu(assures): Manik, I don't have many people in my life. And you are way too special for me to lose. Trust me, I am as scared as you to lose you, maybe even more.

Manik: Why are you scared. I can't live without you, Nandu. Main tumhe chodkar kaha jaunga?

He says in an obvious tone making her smile.

Nandu: For exactly the same reason, I am not leaving you too. Haan, unless I find you cheating on me with someone.

She teases him with the last line but Manik panics.

Manik(whines): This isn't fair. I can cheat on you with my food, sleep or games. Tum toh mujhe maar hi dalogi na?

Nandu(cheekily): Mere se jyada tumhe apni food important hai kya?

Manik(dramatically): Tumhare liye food kya jaan bhi chodunga.

She frowns and slaps his hand that was kept on the table.

Nandu: shut up, idiot. I want you to live. Live with me.

Manik(grins): Gladly.

Their food arrives. They eat their food talking about everything under the sun.

Manik(smiling widely): The food was so good. And it was the best date I have ever been to.

Nandu(teases): Really? Kitne dates par gaye ho pehle?

She rests her hand on his chin, teasingly, and waits for his answer. He chuckles.

Manik: So many. But I always go with either Mukti or Cabir. Tumhe pata hai na.

Nandu chuckles and nods at him.

Manik: chale?

Nandu(raising an eyebrow): Don't you want to have your dessert?

Manik(pouts): lekin tumne kuch order nahi kiya.

Nandu nods in a no.

Nandu: I did. Wait for a few seconds.

The waiter comes with a plate covered with another. Nandu thanks him and asks him to leave.

Nandu(grins): Open it...

Manik rubs his palms in excitement seeing the plate.

Manik: Is it a surprise? I love surprises.

Nandu chuckles and gestures him to open it. Tears started flowing from his eyes when he saw the thing on the plate. 'I ❤️ U' written with chocolates.

Manik: Nandini...

He couldn't say anything further as a lump forms in his throat. He finds Nandu standing in front of him making him stand in his place.

Nandu: I love you, Manik. Can I be lucky enough to share the rest of my life with you?

There wasn't any hesitation in her eyes instead he found some kind of a hope as she smiled at him. The confession didn't consist of a speech and Manik was too happy to feel sad over it. He knows his Nandu is a person of fewer words.

Manik(yells): Yes. Yes. Hell. Yes.

Nandu chuckles at his excitement. He takes both her hands into his and twirls her around. When he was done, he holds her by her shoulders and screams.

Manik(excited): I love you. I love you. I love you so damn much. These are my favorite chocolates and only available in London. I couldn't find them after coming back to Mumbai. Thank you so much.

Glaring at him, Nandu frees herself from his hold.

Nandu(warns sternly): Manik Malhotra, I will kill you if all that excitement is for the chocolates and not for the message.

He smiles sheepishly.

Manik: I love you, Nandini.

She nods her head in disbelief before hugging him with a smile on her face.

The first date isn't a fancy one. I felt it's not needed. They know each other for years and of course the new found love of Nandu for Manik. Hence, a simple one. 

How's Nandu's plan?

How's Manik? :P

Finally, how was the chapter? I am waiting for your feedback. 🙈🙈