Chapter 26

"Nandini?" Aditya practically died of happiness as he found Nandini sitting on a chair, at the front yard of Manik's home.

He was surprised as well as content, to her back.

"It's you?" He asked surprisingly as he started approaching her to wgich she stood up.

"Hi! I mean... it's been so long! Baby bear & I, missed you. Seriously." He said but Nandini seemed bewildered.

Oh well, that poor soul didn't recognise him because of her memory loss. She had no idea who Aditya was.

"Ummm..." She tried to form words but as soon she found him standing close to her, she immediately turned around to get inside.

She was afraid because as in for the time being, Aditya was a stranger to her and she felt a kind of nervousness.

As she rushed to get inside, she tripped and was about to touched the ground but Manik came at the right time.

"Careful!" He spoke softly - holding her by her shoulders, "Why are you in a rush?"

"Th-that guy.." She pointed towards the door. Manik gaze went to the front only to find Aditya, standing at the door with a flustered look.

He knew he had to tell him everything but for now, he had to cheer her up as he could noticed that she was getting uncomfortable.

"Okay. It's not like you've seen a ghost. He's a human, Nandini." He said but got a glare in return from her.

"Fine. He's Aditya, my buddy. He knows you before you loss your memory." He  spoke to which she got away from him and stared at Aditya.

"I had call him here. We would be leaving from here na, so.. he & baby bear, will shift with us." He added.

"Baby bear? As in a bear?" She asked making an innocent face as she couldn't comprehend what he meant by baby bear.

Manik couldn't help but chuckled, "Nandini. Baby bear is my---"

He couldn't complete as both heard a sound. It was then when Suhasi rushed in and crashed in Manik's chest while he smilingly wrapped his arms around her.

"I-- I missed you." She sobbed. Yes, she was mad at him but Manik was her brother afterall. She couldn't stay any longer away from him

"Me too." Manik whispered as a lone tear escaped his eye.

The brother - sister duo was on air. But there was someone who was witnessing all of this and took it in a wrong way.

"Uhh. Sorry. I didn't notice you." Suhasi said as she pulled away from Manik and hugged her

"Though, we don't have any such strong bonding but I missed you too."

Nandini smiled faintly and reciprocated the hug.

"I'm sorry for coming in between you two. I--I promise I won't trouble Manik & you, anymore" Nandini said, almost chocked.

"What?" Suhasi was bewildered while Manik's eyes grew bigger. He completely understood what Nandini was saying.

"Nandini! She's Suhasi, my baby bear to be precise, my sister!" He stated, making her realised that whatever she was thinking was wrong.

"Oh. Sorry." She bit her lower lip. She actually thought Suhasi as Manik's girlfriend!

"Sorry. I'm Sorry." She apologised but Suhasi as well as Aditya was flustered by her behaviour.

Both looked at Manik who gestured them that he would tell them everything later.

After a while, Manik told them about everything. Both were mad at him as he'd kept this hidden from them.

He made them understand how he would handle it and they needed to shift to some other place.

Later on, when Manik was packing his stuff, he got a text from Neel, who was asking to meet him in a nearby coffee shop.

**

"So, you both are shifting?" Neel asked to which Manik nodded, as he took a sip of coffee.

"Don't think that I'll leave you Manik! I've not forgotten whatever you did with Nandini ma'am in the past. I know exactly what kind of person  you are and I will tell her every thing once I meet her." Neil threatened him but Manik smirked instead.

"Go ahead. Tell her everything. But only if, her final destination isn’t to become CEO of Kashyap Company. Now you decide.." Manik was indeed making it hard for Neel.

Neel knew that only Manik could make Nandini's condition better so he couldn't take any risk.

He sighed dejectedly, and nodded.

He had no other option to remain quiet, because he wanted Nandini to get back!

But then Manik noticed something on his face. He sighed before asking, "Do you like Nandini?"

Neel seemed to be taken back by his question.

The answer was yes, he liked her, alot!

"I'm not here to answer your question. Just get that clear in your head, keep Nandini ma'am safe and away from any danger! I would have taken her away from you but for now, her life is in danger and I'm sure Vishni is keeping an eye on me too. I can't put her life in danger by hiding her in this city." He declared.

"More importantly, the one she trusts and likes the most,.. well, is there anyone else aside from you? I have no other choice to rather let her be with you because, she trust you."

"Don't worry. I'm there for her. I promise to--"

"I'm not asking you to promise anything!" He stood up and Manik followed him.

Neel stepped in front of Manik, looking straight into his eyes, "I'm not Nandini. So don't even think that I'll believe your fake promises. I just want her to be safe. She's with you now so she's your responsibility. Dare you hurt her, you'll face the worst of me!" The intensity of Neel's voice was beyond explanation. Manik was forced to agree with him.

Perhaps this was how true friendship is!

Here Suhasi was helping Nandini to pack some stuffs. She was fretted about Nandini's new state.

"It’s because of my brother, right?" She asked, her face carried guilt while Nandini was giving her a look. She then took her into a hug.

"I'll help you." She assured her that she would help her regain her memories.

***

Manik and Nandini got out of the house. They were finally shifting. They found Aditya and Suhasi already seated on the backseats.

Having no other choice, Nandini sat in the front seat while Manik settled himself on the driver seat.

The car started in a roar and it drove fast through the streets. It was already quite late at night though, Aditya and Suhasi was asleep

Manik glanced at Nandini, who had her eyes closed. He smiled as she had gripped his hand in her sleep.

"The next day, gonna be a new day for you, Nandini. I'll try to make everything back to normal." He mumbled - determine to sort out things.

The next day, Vishni had called up for a grand event.

It was of her, taking over the business.

"Finally, like finally. It's happening! What I'd always dream of, is finally happening." She grinned as she looked at her reflection on the mirror for a last time before proceeding to the stage.

"So, everyone! As I'd said, everything happens for a reason! So, maybe Nandini's late father wanted me to manage all of this! I'm hereby, going to sign the document. With that, this document needs all of your signatures gentlemen & ladies - accepting the fact that, now it will be me, the only owner." She gave her speech & declared her new position as the new chairman of Kashyap Company.

"I had done my best to keep this business in a high position. So, I guess, everyone will reciprocate and support me." She smiled widely as some of the employees started hooting for her.

But for instant, her face fell the second; the main door got opened.

And there she entered, the real appropriate owner,

Ms Nandini Kashyap.

____________________

Heyyah! How's you Readers?

Sorry for being late, as usual.

But I can't help it. I'm on my vacations so I'm kinda busy enjoying myself - with my family and friends.

I'll try to update soon.

Tell me how you found this chapter & please ignore the typos.

And yeah, I just realised, this book too has completed One Year!🙈

Thank you for all your support.♡

P.S : I've started a new story. 'MaNan - Tainted Love.' Do check my profile and add that story to your library!

Take care. Xx

#Okthanksbye