"Rama..yeh chabhi lo aur guest room khol do.."Kishori gave the keys to Rama and continued. "After cleaning the room make sure everything is properly arranged..I don't want any mistakes..Okay.."

"Ji Amma.."Rama took the keys from her."anything else.."

"No..that would be all for now..and once you do this do let me know..so that I could inform "him"...understand.."Rama nodded his assent at her words."ab jao..get back to work.."Kishori ordered.

Rama left the room while Kishori turned to get something when she heard the knock at her door.

"Rama..what is it now.."Kishori asked without turning around as she continued to do her work.

But then she heard someone that immediately stopped her in her tracks. "May I come in..Guruma.."

Turning around she found Manik standing at the threshold of her bedroom. Without saying a word she simply nodded her head and gestured him to come in.

"Guruma..you don't know me.."saying Manik
entered the room." I am.."

But before he could finish his sentence Kishori cut him in "..Manik..."looking straight into his eyes she completed her sentence. "Manik Malhotra.."

"You.."Manik's eyes widened in horror. "How do you recognise me.."

His question made her smile."Years and years of experience Mr.Malhotra...why don't we just leave it at that.."walking towards him she stood right in front of him.

"So does that mean you also know..that.."Manik couldn't finish his sentence as once again Kishori cut him in "..that you are the reason why Nandini left Mumbai seven month back.."

Manik wasn't in a place to form a coherent sentence as he was too shocked to say anything.

"What.."Kishori raised her eyebrows. "You think only you are smart..but unfortunately Mr.Manik Malhotra..I am smarter..way..way more smarter then you can ever possibly imagine."

"So do you know everything.."finally Manik managed to uttered those words out however those words weren't not anything more than mere whisper.

"No..I don't.."Manik sighed in relief at her words. "Honestly I don't need to.."Kishori replied sternly. "I know I might look old fashioned but I know that every person needs "privacy" and that includes my grandchild too. However I am always there to watch her back so that she could reach out to me whenever she needs me the most..."

Looking away she crossed her hand across her chest and continued "...and right now I know she needs help..weather she accepts it or not..though she didn't tell me anything but the thing is ki mai sirf wohi nahi samjhati jo Nandini kehti hai...Mai woh bhi samajh Leti hu joh Nandini nahi kahti..and that's why I know that she is in pain..and lot of pain.."

"I can't see her like this. I need my old Nandini back..the very same that I sent to Mumbai a year ago..I want that smiling..vivacious..and lively Nandini back..and there is only one person who can help me get my Nandu back.."

"And that person is.."Manik questioned though he already knew the answer.Turning to look at him she said "You..Mr.Manik Malhotra..you are the solution to my Nandu's problem.."

"Are you sure about this.."Manik was very surprised about his own casual tone.

"Absolutely positive.."Kishori nodded her assent.

"You really think that I could help.."Manik questioned. "You really think so.."

"No..I don't think so.."Kishori smirked. "I know so.."

"But..she.."Manik was once again cut off by Kishori "She has changed..."

Manik nodded as he looked down. "The look that I saw on her face clearly reflected her feelings for me. She hates me.."

"I know she do.."Manik's head snapped up at Kishori's words. "But then too you think that I can be useful in this situation...even after knowing everything.."

"Exactly my point..even after knowing everything..I am 200% certain that only you can return my old Nandu back to me.."Kishori replied confidently.

"I know she is pissed at you. She is mad..in fact very mad at you..and I am sure you must have done something to earn her anger..but I also know that deep down "you" were the one who she was craving for from past seven months."

"If this was the case then why didn't you allowed me to meet her seven months back.."Now it was Manik's turn to question.

"Because back then neither you nor Nandini were in a position to handle the situation. You two would have only made the situation worse."Kishori shook her head in amusement. "When Nandini came back I was really pleased to have her back but somehow I could feel that something was wrong with my kanna.."

"..and when Cabir called me up to take my permission so that you all could come here to talk to Nandini..all my questions were answered."

"Kids of your age usually misunderstands infatuation for love and ends up doing drastic things. Nandini was hurt and so were you..and the only thing that could have fixed you both was time."

"I wanted both of you to have time so that you could understand your own feelings for each other. If it would have been infatuation you both would have moved on by now..but unfortunately even after seven months you both are just as miserable as you were seven months back.."

"..in fact the situation had worsen only."Kishori shook her head. "That's when I realised that indeed you both have been bitten by the bug of "love".."Manik's face turned red at Kishori's casual reference of love.

He looked down which only made Kishori smile. Since she didn't wanted to make him uncomfortable she continued "Since I had only Cabir's number I called him up and ask for his help..and I have to say your friend is very intelligent."

"What do you mean Guruma.."Manik was really shocked beyond measure. "What does Cabir has to do with all this..What did he do..."

"He did what a true friend should always do."Kishori replied defending Cabir. "He created the perfect opportunity so that both of you can meet.."

"What opportunity Guruma.."Manik enquired to which Kishori replied "Why do you think this WORKSHOP is happening.."

"He did all this.."Manik's eyes were ready to pop out of his socket. Kishori grinned "Indeed he did"

"And you helped him.."Manik asked the obvious. "Why..Are you saying that I shouldn't have.."Kishori questioned back. "No..it's not that.."Manik sighed. "It's just that..why..why did you agree to do all this.."

"It's simple Manik."Kishori replied. "I want her to be happy Manik..and if her happiness lies with you..so be it.."

Manik couldn't believe his own ears. He was not ready to believe that everything that was happening right in front of her eyes was for real. "Thank you so much Guruma."

"Don't thank me so early Manik..don't thank me just now.."Kishori's words caught his attention.

"Nandini is my blood..so I know how stubborn she is..things won't be that easy Mr.Malhotra. It's going to be hard..really hard..and knowing her..she will make it even more difficult than it already is. I hope you are ready for it"

"Now I am.."Manik replied confidently. "Now I definitely am.."

"Good.."Kishori smirked. "Bas just remember one thing...this time if you messed up..this time if you did anything that would hurt her...and in case you succeeded in winning her heart only to break it later..let me make this crystal clear to you that it would have consequences..ugly...very ugly consequences..because then you will have to face Kishori Murthy's wrath."

"Don't worry Guruma.."Manik replied."..this time before breaking her heart or hurting her is simply not an option..and by any chance if I end up repeating my mistake again..you won't have do anything because I will kill myself then and there only.."

"Fine..then.."Kishori nodded. "You know I really like this term of agreement between us."her words made Manik smile.

She was about to something when her eyes fell on the clock. "It's almost time for the class..let's go.."

"After you Guruma.."Manik gestured her to take the lead and once she did Manik simply followed her.

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