In Malhotra mansion ,

Neyonika's evening was good going , with Money heist playing on Tv in the living room , with some snacks and beer , with lots of chit chats and also with her only friend Nandini Murthy. Who have been her evening companion from last fifteen days. Because of Nandini her critical fifteen days of boredom were bearable otherwise her son had already made her a caged bird.

"Nandini please pass me that bottle..... this one is empty " Neyonika pouted after emptying second bottle of beer and asked Nandini for third one .

"Ohh .....No ..... U already had two bottles down .....So please Neyo ...... U can eat this manchurian, chicken chili or anything but don't ask for beer" Nandini said in casual tone . They became really best friends proving that statement true , which says friendship is limitless it doesn't bother about ur caste, religion, colour ,etc and off course age . After seeing there comfortness, hearing their talks and watching their behaviour with each other , no one will say that there is almost 25-30 yrs gap between them .

"Nandu please ..... please" Neyonika made extremely cute face but Nandini didn't melted.

"A big Nooo" she said sternly.

"Nan..."

"Manik will kill me " Nandini finally spoke her real fear , otherwise she is sweetest friend anyone could have.

"He has really became monster in last two weeks " Neyonika complained about her,  son like a small girl is complaining about her cruel father , to her mother. Nandini chuckled a bit .

"No one knows this better than me " Nandini sighed and muttered to herself in very low voice so that Neyonika won't hear her.

"What ?"

"Umm..... Nothing..... U r not going to drink that's it " Nandini changed the topic quickly and said determinedly.

"Okay but on one condition"

"What?"

"U will be having ur dinner here with us " Neyonika was determined too . Manik and Nandini didn't told her about their differences , but she wasn't fool not to  noticed that how he never went to academy in these days , how he used to go to Neyonika construction early in the morning and used to come back at late night. In short, zero contact with Nandini . She also have seen those desperate eyes of Nandini who were always searching for her son , that gloomy face who used to be always shiny and bright , that little bit seriousness and consciousness in her ever so jovious nature.Though she tried to show her normal side in front of Neyonika but she wasn't smart enough .

"Do I have any choice?" she asked playfully .

"No " and both of them laughed.

Nandini agreed to this due to eagerness of meeting her grumpy monster because she has been drinking milk in the morning with bourn vita in 'SAD Mug' that too from last fifteen days , it was highest record of her because till today she was little princess of her parents and now she has become his little minion too.
But same she used to drink beer like a heartbroken lover in the night ,  Devdas have really taught her that , on very second day of their break up. Yes it's a break up according to her , she was feeling emptiness and hurt because Manik wasn't there with her. But also she was excited in the beginning , because it was her ever so first break up , so she watched many 'Ghayal Aashiqs' like her through sad movies. It was her first time so she felt that she is the most hurt soul on earth , but again somewhere down she knew that it's not end of their something and she will  mend it . And also she tried by , calling him zillion times, msging him , waiting for him in Malhotra mansion but he never came.

.....................||

At 10 pm ,

All three were having dinner today in Malhotra mansion. Manik came little early today because his work was done in the early evening itself but he waited in the company only , so that he would not meet her but she was there waiting for him only .

He tried to avoid eye contact with those desirable and desperate eyes which sparkled with the happy tears after seeing him , feeling him around. At the moment he came inside , her heart felt an unknown peace but her eyes were holding longing in them to meet him. She wanted to disappeared in his embrace when he will hug her but he didn't even looked at her for once. All the emotions she was controlling from last fifteen days , were going out of control and she was having hard time in controlling them.

"Manik please paas me that bowl of curry " she tried to gain his attention , and when his fingers touched her hand while taking that bowl she felt contentment but when he broke eye contact in 5 seconds inspite of minutes , she pouted and complained to Aayiaapa 'he is very unromantic man , nothing similar to movie hero's , uff '.

"Manik u know na ....... That ur outdoor practical has been started from last one week " Neyonika asked him , because Nandini did informed her about their practical in college.

"Haan....So?" he asked casually.

"So u r going to join that from tomorrow " Neyonika too said in same tone as him.

"Noo way "

"Yes way"

"Mom our business is also important na and we can't leave it on some random person to handle it " Manik stated the fact.

"Manik I never said about ignoring business ...... And yeah I forgot to tell you that I am going to resume from tomorrow" she tried to sound confident but her inner self was little nervous about his reaction.

"No mom .....U r not that fit to walk out of mansion " he said firmly.

"Why Manik.....Even doctor said in afternoon that I can join from tomorrow and have completed my rest very well......I am feeling like a cage bird ,Manik ..... I am bored sitting in house whole day all alone ..... Manik please" she was about to cry out of frustration because it's really not easy for working people to spend their days in home doing nothing.

"Ohh okay....Okay .....stop .....don't cry ......U can join from tomorrow ...... But u have to take care of urself no hard working , u will just sit and order ur PA to do things , okay" she nodded in agreement with victory grin on her face , he surely became her father nowadays.

Finding her still engrossed in thoughts he asked "Now what u want?" .

"Umm u will join ur outdoor practical from tomorrow, no arguments ......And " she stopped in the middle of her sentence.

"And , what?"

"U will accompany Nandu till her house after our dinner " Neyonika's statement brought Nandini's attention into their conversation who was all time silent.

"She can go herself , it's not that late and she is used to go outside at nights , haina ?" he asked looking at her , off course he remembered her sudden visits at night . Disappointed she nodded, tears gathered in her eyes and she instantly stood up from her chair .

"I will meet u tomorrow bye " saying this she instantly left .

"Manik go behind her ..... Otherwise I won't talk to u ...... U can't disrespect my friend " Neyonika said sternly and he nodded quickly.

...............||

After stepping out from main gate of Mansion , Manik saw few metre away a small figure standing near big tree . He suddenly started feeling uneasiness and going near to that tree he found her silently crying.

"Nandiniii" he slowly blurted her name from his uncertain lips.

Knowing who is the owner of that husky voice after turning she immediately hugged him . Her hug was tight enough to show him , that how much she missed him . Her uneven breathes were proof of her outburst of tears , and sadness she felt in these days. Attempts of her small hands , to gathered his whole body was enough to tell him , that how she was insecured that he will meet her again or not.

His shivering hands were proving , that how much he is trying not to hold her close to him and never let her go . His moist eyes and small curve on his lips were evidences of how much he felt content after 15 days .

"I missed you" she said while crying and holding him close , and his heart skipped few beats and single tear dropped from his eye , showing missing would be understatement to the feeling he went through when she wasn't around him. Only he knew how it was difficult for him to stay away from her so that he won't lost himself to her.

"I am sorry Manik...... Please don't push me away " she again cried in his embrace but his hands not for once hold her back but remained paralyzed.

Finally after pulling her away from him he said "Don't waste tears on me ".

"Why?"

"I think we shouldn't be together " saying this he turned his neck to other side avoiding eye contact with those hopeful eyes.

"Manik tell me one thing ......Do you think I was responsible for Neyo's condition ? ....... I mean whatever happened that day , do u think it was intentional?" she asked the question which was bothering her from that day and he shook his head nodding no .

"Noo.....If this was the case na, then I wouldn't have let you near her for these many days.....I can't trust anyone but you , when it comes to mom" he spoke directly looking into her eyes.

"Then why this punishment? ...... Just because I made mistake by suggesting something regarding ur family matter?" He again looked away from her.

"Manik whenever you made mistake I have forgiven you na ...... I am not counting on it....But as u said u r human and can make mistakes then I also have that right , na ?" his eyes snapped at her hurtful and accusing eyes.

"Yes "

"Then why this..... Isn't 15 days punishment  enough? " she again said the right thing.

Cupping her nape and looking directly into her eyes he said ,"No Nandini it's not you but me , I don't want to ruin your innocence because of me or my family.....I know that day I was angry so I blamed you and I am still angry that u broke my promise....But I knew u weren't responsible for that ...... I also know whenever situations like this will pop up, u will jump into it be it for me , mom or anyone..... Because u r pure , innocent and little stupid who always wants to help people without bothering about consequences.... I don't want to ruin your innocence that u will lose ur real essence Nandini , and I am sure if u will be associated with me then this is just a start of it " . He sighed and kept his forehead on her.

"So be it ...... I don't care"  she was stubborn.

"But I do care......These were the things about you to which I got attracted so much...... And I can't afford to see you like that " he said cupping her cheeks and wiping her tears.

"But u can afford not to see me forever by leaving me , haina?" she smiled painfully and her words made sense to him that after finishing something between them he won't be able to see her the way he does.

"Hmm" and he kissed her forehead. He was adamant to save his possession , her innocence. As much as moment was pure , same time it was sorrowful for her.

Disappointed she pulled herself out from his embrace , wiping her tears she said "At least don't disappoint ur mother just because of me ...... It's a last stage of ur acting class , so do continue it ....... Everyone in the group is waiting for you and it's a group project if you remember" saying this , she made her way to her home.

Smirking and stopping in the middle, without turning back she said , "And I know you don't care about it but yes there is addition of one handsome boy in our group who is from that clg and is also attracted to me , may be to my innocence". She also wanted to check how he will let her go from his life and see her with other person. She knew the intensity of their something is equal and may be he is little more dominant than her.

Thought of someone who is not him and will be flirting arround her triggered him but still he was mad enough not to leave his insecurities.
Yes he was insecure of losing himself to her , he remembered how she was controlling him unknowingly , and he is not ready for that . He can't get close to someone this much that one day if that person will leave him or hurt him then he will lost himself too completely. It still scares him that how broken and shattered he was when his father left him , whom he used to love like anything.

Without saying and hoping anything from him she kept walking till her home. She didn't looked back even for moment but she knew he is walking behind her silently may be fighting with his thoughts and insecurities which were troubling him . Only she knew how her heart also bleeds with his invisible wounds. Her heart was itching , to hold him and console him like previous times. But her mind was too tired with continuous rejections .

Seeing her entering inside the main gate of Murthy mansion he turned to go back , and that was the moment when her helpless eyes saw his tired and lost retreating figure.

After taking beer bottle from her fridge she again went to her balcony  hoping to see shining moon and stars filled sky ,but much to her dismay today's sky was dark and empty like her life . She chuckled painfully looking at empty sky , and remembering most beautiful night she spend with him . In the darkness of sorrow she forgot to shift her glance towards North direction , where DhruvTara was shining brightly while spreading small smile on Manik's lips who was sitting at poolside of his mansion , remembering that peaceful night spent with her.

................||

"Princess baby again ur upset ...... U know na I can't see you sad.....If anything is bothering you please share with me" concerned Raman asked Nadini when he saw today also she is drinking milk in 'SAD mug' .

"I am not upset papa ......I am little sad .....U know na how complicated life can be " she sounded like a 80 yrs old woman to which Ishita chuckled.

"Why r u laughing?" Raman became instantly angry on his wife.

"So what should I do......When ur little stupid daughter is crying over petty issue which is very common among teenagers , nowadays" Ishita said casually trying to make Nandini little comfortable with the things which life will show her while growing up. Because she knew her father is protective and will never understand the need of explaining about sorrows of life but she can't ignore and let her daughter suffer so much over little issues.

"And what is that ?" Raman's curious question instantly made Nandini worried.

"Boyfriend , girlfriend, break ups , breaking of friendship , flirting and etc " Ishita stated general issues but she knew something is wrong because of Manik but she don't want to force her to open up in front of her but she will wait till Nandini herself will told her .

"U have boyfriend Nandini?.......And  u didn't told me .......I am hurt" Raman said dramatically and Nandini was also in deep thoughts , she kissed him and he was first man who held her so close but she remembered he wasn't even her boyfriend.

"Ohh fuck I remembered...... that I haven't dated anyone till today" astonished she pouted and her parents chuckled seeing her other expression rather than those sad ones.

"Ohh Nandini u surely need tips from ur dad " Ishita suggested sarcastically.

"Really ?" Nandini asked.

"Haan" Raman proudly said yes .

"Off course no Nandu ....... He was terrible..... Girls used to run away from arogant and rude beast " Ishita started laughing remembering their college days.

"Awww.....and u fall in love with this beast and also eloped with beast haina " he mocked her but the word eloped braught sadness on their faces. But Ishita instantly diverted them with her fake laugh and it actually worked on their family and after that they had long discussion over relationships and stuff. It was pure attempt of parents to make their baby girl happy and sober.

.............||

"Why the fuck u guys r late today ?" Impatient Manik who was waiting from last half hour for his friends , outside the college , scolded them after their arrival but they gave him angry glare.

"And where the fuck u were busy these days ?" Aayan snapped at him.

"And how the fuck we were supposed to know that u r going to come today ?" Rohan also questioned him.

"Guys calm down ...... Look how his handsome face is looking dull because of ur complaints " Naina's comment made Manik embarrassed because surely he was looking dull after sleepless night and also Nandini heard her but simply ignored.

"Ohh yeah .....So how r u and also is ur mother fine? " except Nandini all asked him, he nodded positively and others hugged him.

"Nandu where r u lost ?......And don't u want to say anything to Manik?" Rohan questioned her.

"Arey actually I was waiting for  new member " she said looking at entrance of clg trying to find someone.

"Ohh that crazy lover boy of urs " Aayan teased her.

"Who?" Manik was more quick to question back.

"Arey there is boy in first year.... unfortunately we r practicing in his class only......And fortunately he is handsome and is always behind Nandu" Naina explained him putting her hand on Nandini's shoulder but Manik showed zero signs of jealousy on his handsome face and that hurted Nandini little bit .

"Whatever.....I am not interested " he sounded rude and less attentive.

Ignoring his remark Nandini looked ahead and saw him coming "Ohh he is here" she said excitedly.

"Hiii red tomato " he playfully said after standing in front of her and she gave real smile to him.

"What red tomato? Euuu .....Yuck" Manik muttered to himself only .

"Hii handsome" she also replied playfully.

"Umm okay he looks average but he is not that handsome 😒" Manik again spoke to himself.

"Who is he ?" He asked looking at Manik .

"Manik Malhotra " after straightening  himself he said proudly with his attitude.

"Ohh nice " he said after shaking his hands with Manik.

"And you?"

.............End ...........||

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chap ?

.............Aish❣️............

I have started writing another story too. It's a ancient love story ❤️

U can find this story on my profile