Manik was driving all the to airport and was badly in tears. He tried everything but couldn't reduce this pain of separation. And the most hurtful thing was that he himself gave her the reason to go away from her. If for once he would have thought abt himself then today they might have been together happily.

He reached airport and waited for flight arrival but then he saw the time and realised that the flight still have 1.30 hour to arrive. He didn't come out of his car and sat there relaxing himself and thinking abt the Nandini.

Flashback (Manik's POV)

It'd been days after the cafe meet. Manik would meet Nandini on every alternate day. They would spend quality time with each other. One day they were walking on a particular street.

Well it was Sunday so both had off so they were enjoying their time. So as they were walking they saw a small house where an old couple were enjoying their lunch.

But the dish looked weird. Manik asked abt it and Nandini said that it's their traditional dish. Manik hhmmed and they continued walking.

After at some distance Nandini stopped abruptly and Manik walked a little ahead of her. When he didn't find her beside him he turned around to look at her.

Seeing her lost and standing like a statue he came back to her and asked cupping her shoulders.

Ma-kya hova......

Nandini looked at him and Manik noticed her eyes wet so he got worried and took her name.

Ma-Nandini.....

Nan-mom ki yaad aa rhi hai......

Ma-(confused)-huh?

Nan-unke hath ka khana and all.......

Manik relaxed a little a took her in a friendly consoling hug. After that short hug he wiped her tears which were just below her eyes and then said.

Ma-mom k hath ka khana toh nhi..... lekin Indian food khila skta ho......

Hearing that Nandini's eyes beamed like a kid and asked.

Nan-really......?

Ma-yes......

Nan-kaha.....aur kaise.......

Manik took her in a side hug and resumed their walk while Nandini being in daze didn't realise their position. Manik replied to her.

Ma-mere ghar pe hai butler......or to be precise Indian chef.......

Nandini looked at him with wide confused eyes to which Manik said.

Ma-actually mom bahut concerned rehti hai with our eating habits isliye dad had arranged him so that we don't bother her.

Nan-ooohhh......so kab khila rhe ho tum......muje Indian food.

Ma-aaj kahana hai toh aaj hi khilaoga na......

Nandini's eyes twinkled and Manik fished out his phone from his pocket and ordered the butler to prepare Indian menu quickly as he is cmg back soon.

Then they took the route to Manik's house. Reaching there Manik made Nandini enter the house and looking at the house Nandini was speechless. Though this was rental apartment of Manik as he is year for sometime only. But his choice was amazing.

Manik's house entrance

Living room

Kitchen + dining area.

Bedroom (upstairs)

Bathroom

Nandini was busy ogling at the interior and Manik was busy in her. He was bought back to the world when Nandini asked.

Nan-is this your own house.....

Ma-nhi......I live here on rent.......kyuki at the end of the year I will be leaving na........

When he said that he will leave Nandini felt bad,insecure of being left alone and angry coz how easily he said that he will leave.....was all his feelings a lie that he didn't thought abt her. But she gulped down her mixed feelings and faked a smile to him.

She looked all over the house once again and said.

Nan-it's beautiful.

Ma-thanks.....

Manik then made Nandini sit on the couch and then he sat. Within few mins both were comfortable. They again started talking and their talks continued until the butler disturbed them as the food was ready.

It was evening time so dinner so soon was no point but then Nandini demanded to eat at the same moment as she cannot wait anymore to resist India food specially homemade. So Manik gave in.

They came at the dining area and settled on the chair while butlers dished out the food and then filled both their plates.

Nandini took the first bite and relished it by closing her eyes. Manik was busy adoring her innocence. She opened her eyes and looked at Manik who was smiling at her.

She chuckled him and continued eating. In btwn she praised the food and told Manik that he is lucky as he gets to eat those type of food everyday. To which Manik asked.

Ma-tum India last kab aayi thi........

Nandini started remembering abt it and then after a long time she said.

Nan-I guess.....around 5 years ho jayege in some time.

Listening that Manik looked at her in a horrified expression while Nandini giggled and said.

Nan-but meri family aati rehti hai yahan so it doesn't matter.......I mean family is important......place nhi.....aur fir India Mei aaogi toh mom start hojayegi shadi kar lo and rishta aaya hai and all.......not that yahan nhi karti hai......but then hospital rehta hai na yahan toh you get a good escape......

Ma-oohhh.......

And they continued eating. After sometime Nandini asked....

Nan-what is that one dish that you don't like......I mean Indian dishes...

Now it was the time for Manik to think abt her question. He thought and they said after sometime.

Ma-muje bangan ka barhta nhi pasand hai......

(In present track {I.e last chp} i showed... Manik saying bangan ka barhta being lost.... this is what he was thinking.....and when he was asked he thought and recalled him saying this to Nandini so that is why he spoke that loudly)

Nan-seriously?

Ma-yes.....

Nan-kyu.......

Manik again thought and said

Ma-pata nhi......but I don't like it......

Nan-kabhi try kiya hai?

Ma-nhi.......jo chiz pasand hi nhi hai usko try krne ka mtlb hi kya hai.

Nan-hhhmmm.....so it's time Mr Malhotra.....to change you perception abt that......

Manik looked at her and Nandini continued.

Nan-mere hath ka bangan ka barhta kha k dekhna tum ungliya kha joage.... so Mr Malhotra you are invited to my place on next Sunday and mei tumhe bangan ka barhat khilogi....

With a grumpy heart Manik accepted her invitation and they finished their eating session. They spended some good time with each other after food which was approx half an hour.

Then Nandini said that she should leave as it's been long she is here. To which Manik said.

Ma-abhi toh 8.15 hi hova hai......itni jaldi kyu jaa rhi ho......

Nan-I have to go na....mtlb agar thodi der aur rahongi toh late hojayega..... then you will say that you will drop me and all......you must be tired too and fir tmrw we both have work.....so let's just call off the day......

Ma-arey it's okay......I won't get tired.... trust me.

Nan-its okay.....don't be so formal.....

Then she didn't give me any chance and said.

Nan-bye....

She turned to leave so Manik held her wrist and said.

Ma-Nandini.....you don't have to be formal.....and behave like this....

Nandini looked at him and then looked down and said.

Nan-Manik......we are just friends..... and all this.......

She paused abruptly and stayed quiet for a moment. Then she looked at him and said politely.

Nan-Manik......don't let me hurt you by my words or actions......

As she said that Manik left her wrist while Nandini covered up her expressions and then again bid bye to him and left from there.

Manik felt a little hurt coz he was in a hope that with spending time she will fall for him but still she is just feeling friends for him.

While here Nandini was walking on the route to her home. But she was lost in Manik. Those feelings were making her happy too and gittery feelings too. But she chuckled it.

A week passed and Manan didn't meet each other. Nandini felt a little awkward to meet after what happened at Manik's place. And Manik didn't initiate coz he felt he shouldn't intrude in her life. But Nandini had messaged him to remember abt their dinner plan.

Manik felt to deny it with an excuse but then his heart was longing to see her so he didn't cancel the plan.

Sunday. Night time.

Manik reached Nandini's place around 8.30 pm and Nandini opened the door with a smile. They greeted each other and then Nandini let him enter.

Manik entered and this time he was ogling at the interior.

Living room

Kitchen

Dining table

Ma-wow.....your house is so beautiful.

Nan-thank you......come....

She pointed to the couch gesturing him to sit. Manik sat and looked around while Nandini got him a glass of water. She then sat on the same couch but a little away from him.

They exchanged few formal talks and then Nandini asked.

Nan-pehle khana kha na hai ya fir baki ka ghar dekhna hai.....?

As Manik knew that there will be bangan ka barhta in food he wished to avoid it as much as he can so he said.

Ma-let's roam around....

Nan-okay......

And then both got up and Nandini lead the way. They went upstairs and Nandini entered in her room.

Manik entered and saw her room.

(Can you'll see the door 👆in the pic that will lead to her terrace)

There was a cozy swing placed at one corner of the room.

Bathroom

After showing him everything Nandini headed towards the terrace and once she entered in she said spreading her hands.

Nan-aur yeh mera fav spot out of the whole house.....

Looking at the interior of terrace Manik just said.

Ma-wow......

Nandini then sat on the chair and Manik on the opposite side. He looked at everything very carefully and then after a brief checking out he asked.

Ma-this is so perfect.....

Nan-hai na......yeh pura terrace meine apne hatho se sajaya hai.......I love this place very much.......mei raat ko sone se pehle yahan thodi der beth thi hi ho.....

Manik heard her carefully then he said.

Ma-but this place is complete opposite to the interior of the entire house.

Nan-haan woh dad ki choice bahut classy hai na so he made all of this but this corner defines me.

Ma-nice.....

Then Nandini shared few times of her on terrace and Manik heard each and everything carefully. After sometime Nandini said.

Nan-chalo let's eat......

And she again lead their way while Manik walked behind her grumpily. They came at the dining area and Nandini had already kept everything ready she just had to dish out bangan ka barhta.

She asked Manik to sit and went in kitchen and soon got out the bowl of bangan ka barhta. Rotis were already placed there.

Nandini placed the bowl infront of him and said.

Nan-tum khana start karo....I will be back soon.

As she left Manik looked at the bowl and found very little barhta he thought who will eat what from this quantity. He thought that it's good that she was not present when he will take the first bite and it will be easy for him to make bad faces. But then he didn't wanted to upset her so he took very little of the food and then smelled his plate.

As he smelled he liked it. He felt the urge to taste it. He took a small morsel and tasted it. Luckily he found out it to be the best food he ever tasted. He immediately took another big bite and started relishing it.

Soon Nandini came out with few things in her hand and keeping that she too sat to eat her dinner.

Flashback to be continued in next chp......next chp will be on Thursday hopefully give lots if comments . Good night bye......