Hello sweeties.

How are you guys? I hope everyone's fine. Stay healthy guys.

Now without any further ado. I present to you the most awaited dhamaka chapter.

I hope you like it.

Have fun reading.

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After dropping Manik in the guest room Nandini went to look for a spare shirt or something oversized which would fit Manik. Her mind was blank as she shuffled through her wardrobe.

She found some 2 to 3 shirts and went to the guest room again.

"Here you go. These are the few shirts I found. I hope they fit." Nandini spoke while Manik nodded at her as he took them from her hands. He looked at her silently while Nandini gave a worriedly smile.

"Alright then, tell me if you need something," Nandini told him before going back to her room.

Nandini plopped down on the bed and laid down beside Ayaan. Thunders roared in the sky but Nandini could hear nothing.

Why did she wish for Manik to stay?

I mean rationally there was no reason. He could have gone home even now. But I wanted him to stay? Like Nandini Murthy are you out of your mind!

I mean yes he has been around most of the time and Ayaan loves him.

But that's completely unrelated to him staying at her home.

God!! It's so frustrating. I mean do I like him or anything?

Before I thought of him as a molester but after all these interactions, I feel he is just 'okay'.

After almost 6 years, he is the only new person that entered her personal life. Maybe a crush? Or just a friendly attachment?

She pondered for a while when she felt something move from her right.

"Mumma," Ayaan muttered in his sleep while hugging her arm and nuzzled his head.

This made her smile and her thoughts dispersed momentarily.

Ayaan opened his eyes slightly as he looked at her. Nandini patted his stomach with her other hand. And gradually Ayaan fell asleep again.

"There is nothing more important for me than your happiness, baby. Not even me." Nandini whispered closing her eyes while her thoughts about Manik ceased completely.

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At the same time, in the guest room.

Manik was lying on the bed looking at the ceiling.

He couldn't sleep. It was his first time sleeping at someone's house other than Cabir's.

He turned towards his left and closed his eyes.

*One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four sheep...*

*Ping

He opened his eyes and stretched his hand to reach his phone on the table beside the bed.

It was Cabir.

Message -

Manik, Where are you? I am at home. You didn't come back?

Manik sighed before typing -

I am staying at Nandini's.

Message -

Are you serious? Do you even know what will happen if the paparazzi caught you? Do you even care? You are the film emperor. And recently Mr. Malhotra had a scandal, shouldn't you be laying low?

Manik paused for a moment before typing -

I know, I know I will be careful. I do care.

Message -

Why did you stay? Why didn't you call me? If you want I can even come now.

Manik stared at the screen before switching it off.

He didn't want to deal with all that tonight. He wanted to spend time away from all the film emperor stuff. He was tired of it. He wanted to be genuine.

Maybe that's why he stayed. Because Nandini never looked at him like he was a prized possession. If anything, he was just someone who was stealing her son's attention.

Manik chuckled at that thought.

He sat up and threw his phone beside him. He ruffled his hair in frustration.

"Now what do I do?" Manik pouted cutely.

He stood up and opened the door slowly and peeked out to see if anyone was still there. Seeing no one, he patted his heart and walked towards the living room to see Nandini drinking water.

He smiled at her as she looked a little lost.

Nandini who was oblivious of her surroundings was thinking about Manik again.

She wondered if he was comfortable or not.

"Hey!" He called out to Nandini who turned around to see Manik standing near the sofa in the living room.

"Hi." She muttered awkwardly.

"You couldn't sleep?" She questioned as she walked towards him.

"A little. What about you?" Manik asked looking into her eyes. Nandini lost it for a moment.

"Wa- Water. I came for water." She spoke stiffly while Manik frowned.

"Do you want some hot chocolate?" Nandini asked diverting the topic while Manik nodded his head. Seeing this Nandini walked back into the kitchen.

*Mind - And here I was wondering since when did Manik Malhotra start drinking anything other than black coffee especially hot chocolate.

Heart - Since a girl with the initials N and M entered his life maybe.

Shut up you both!*

"Manik?" Nandini stood in front of him waving her hand. Manik who was out of his daze grabbed her hand startling her.

"Manik!"

"Oh sorry. I was just-" Manik trailed off leaving her hand while Nandini just shook her head with a small smile.

"I came here to ask if you want some marshmallows too?" Nandini asked while Manik nodded in a no.

*It was already a big deal to drink hot chocolate. There is no way he was going to add something that would make it sweeter than it is already.*

Manik walked towards the kitchen to see Nandini shuffling around and taking out the ingredients. Manik didn't speak anything, he was just watching her silently leaning against the wall while Nandini continued to work. The atmosphere was peaceful with no awkwardness and no tension.

"Here you go," Nandini spoke handing a Pikachu mug to him who chuckled at the sight.

They both went to the living room to see it was still raining. Nandini offered the chair near the glass door from which they had a beautiful view of the rain.

They both sat down in silence sipping their hot chocolate.

"It's so peaceful don't you think?" Manik asked Nandini who nodded her head.

"I don't like rain much but It is peaceful." She spoke honestly while Manik just listened to her quietly without any remarks.

"Thank you for this, I don't usually drink hot chocolate but this is delicious," Manik confessed making Nandini smile.

"That's hot chocolate for you," Nandini spoke making Manik chuckle.

*Hot chocolate, I don't know. But maybe it's you.*

"Manik?"

"Sorry." He scratched his head being embarrassed.

"You really do that a lot, do you?" Nandini chuckled while Manik smiled sheepishly.

They sat there in silence until they finished their hot chocolate without another word. But they could feel they have gotten much closer than before.

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Next day morning.

Manik was sitting on the sofa with sleepy Ayaan while Ishika was making a few calls.

Manik chuckled seeing Ayaan bob his head as he tried his hardest not to sleep.

Manik unconsciously held Ayaan's hand in his. It was so small.

Ayaan rested his head on Manik's arm as he breathed softly while Manik was stiff as hell.

He was worried that if he moved he would disturb his sleep.

Nandini who came down looked at this scene and chuckled to her self.

She walked towards the sofa, she was behind them so Manik didn't notice her.

She put her hands on the sofa's back.

"Manik breathe." Nandini whispered while Manik finally released his breath.

Ishika who came back raised her brow the the trio's position. They looked like a family.

"Ishi, I-" Nandini was interuppting by the door bell.

The door bell rang again. Nandini frowned. One of her maids came apologising and went to open the door.

Nandini felt uneasy but she couldn't tell why.

She thought for a moment before walking towards the door. Manik and Ishika looked at her in confusion.

Manik gestured ishika to hold Ayaan while he too moved towards the door.

"What the fuck are you here for!" Nandini spoke coldly making Manik pause in his tracks.

He looked at the door to see a man around his height standing in front of Nandini with an ashamed look.

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Hello guys,

Really sorry for the delay.

How was the chapter?

Did you like manan's scene? How was the coffee scene?

One or two lines about Nandini's thoughts.

Maniks feelings too.

At the scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate it?

Guess who the man is!!! I will try to update as soon as I get time.

Stay tuned to know more.

Yours one and only

Harmony.