"Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path."

~•~•~•~•~•~

Chapter 29

Manik was in his room, resting on his bed. He had a smile on his face while thinking of Nandini's reaction to Suhasi suggesting a vacation.

He sighed and got up from his bed. He marched out towards the living room, only to find Aditya sitting on the couch, talking on the phone. He was whistling as if singing a song for someone..

He rolled his eyes before sitting next to him. He understood it must be some random girl whom he was talking with.

He gestured Aditya to cut the call and that he had to ask him something. Aditya disconnected the call reluctantly.

"What is it Manik? Bro. I couldn't even say goodnight to her.." He complained as he took the water bottle which was placed on the side table and drank it.

"Chuck it! I need to ask something." He said, having a serious look to which Aditya nodded, still drinking the water.

"I want to go on a trip with a girl. Please recommend a place for me.."

Aditya choked as soon as Manik said and stared at him in incredulity.

"Recommend me a good place for a romantic get-away.. I need to know. urmm.. what do you do when you go on a trip with a woman??" He asked - being curious.

"You play games and all that?" He laughed a bit, "What is it that a woman likes? You were whistling on the phone earlier. Err..would girls like that?" Manik bit his lip, waiting for an answer but Aditya was in shock, The gigolo in this friendship was currently asking him for the simplest of dating advice, like he had never entertained a girl before. He did nothing other than staring at him and this definitely irked him.

"Am asking you a question!"

"Have you gone crazy?" Aditya finally opened his mouth, "Who are you asking these questions to? You're the expert when it comes to women!!" He chuckled.

"What's with that face? I didn't crack any joke!" Manik frowned- getting annoyed with his buddy's behaviour.

"You're being really serious??" He asked in a higher tone.

"Yes." Came Manik's reply.

"Hmm. Are you asking because you want to go on a trip with Nandini?" He asked, Manik nodded afterwards. somewhere Aditya finally understood that Manik's trepidation came from this being his first "true" relationship.

He was happy that atleast, he was going to give the poor girl his time.

"I see.. that's why you're acting like this is your first time..!" He grinned,

"Just do what you did with Vishni. I mean, how you spent time with her and all stuffs..."

Manik smiled faintly before replying, "I don't remember that. I'm serious. I don't remember anything about how I dated Vishni." He sighed. He admitted that he didn't remember what he did with Vishni when they were together. He didn't want to look in the past again. He wanted to start fresh, a new start, with Nandini.

The next morning, Nandini woke up, she stretched her hands, still yawning. She gently opened her eyes in irritation as the sunlight was disturbing her.

As soon she noticed the surrounding, she became alert.

"Wait! Where am I?!" She found herself in the passenger seat of Manik's car- wrapped up in her comforter. Frowns creased her forehead. She moved her head aside and looked through the window.

She waddled out while Manik was standing outside, admiring the place where he'd brought her to.

"Manik!" As soon as he heard her, a smile crept on his face. He turned around, facing her.

"Good morning sleepy head!"

"How did I get here?" She asked

"Well.. I kidnapped you last night!" He shrugged - having a smirk while she did nothing but smile.

_____

Manik's grip on Nandini's hand tightened as they walked hand in hand on the beach. It was early in the morning so there was no one but the two of them.

She had a content smile on her face while playing with the water. All that Manik did was to stare at the beauty in front of him.

"One day, a woman walked into my life. I hurt her deeply with the harshest words possible. I pushed her away as much as I could. But, she still came back to me! She is so much like me.. I look at myself often when I look at her. She has the physical wounds that I have!

The tears that fill my brain are flowing through her heart as well. I gave her those wounds. I made her cry. I should not have met her. I should not have allowed her to come into the life of a guy like me." His heart said it all..

He was busy admiring her when SPLASH!

He was taken aback as she had splashed water right on his face. He moved forward to stop her but she splashed on more making him half wet.

"Nandini stop!" He gritted his teeth whlist she was laughing her heart out.

His anger vanished as soon he saw the happiness on her face.

That's what he wanted, her happiness! He wanted to take all the pain that he gave to her.

"Manik! look at yourself!" She couldn't stop making fun of his state

"What's so funny?" He asked sternly, taking a step forward while she pressed her lips together- suppressing her laughter

"No-nothing." She breathed as he leaned down closer to her face

"Wanna play smart..huh" He whispered huskily, his lip slightly touching her earlobe.

She smirked as an evil idea came up her mind. She pushed Manik with a force- resulting him to fall in the water.

"Sh!t!" He cursed and looked at her in disbelief.

"That's what you get, mr kidnapper!" She stuck her tongue out, mocking at him- still grinning.

"Seriously Nandini?!" He sighed and tried to get up. She fowarded her hand at him- for a support. He smirked inwardly.

"Thank you and..." He gripped her hand, "Sorry!"

"Huh?" Before she could comprehend his words, she found herself into the water.

"Manik!!" She squeaked -looking at him with wide eyes as he laughed evilly.

She got so angry that she took some sand and spreaded it over his shirt.

"What the!!" And here the sand-fight started

"Nandini!! Stop it!!" They were playing, laughing like carefree children. They didn't think about anything else. There was just them, only them! They'd shared romantic moments together..

"Nandini!" Manik rolled over her, pinning her both hands on the sand stopping her, "Enough!" He spoke straightly- making her shudder.

Both were totally drenched by now, their breathing were turning heavier.

After a moment, Nandini sneezed, making Manik alert. They realised their position generally..

"umm, we need to get back home now. You'll catch cold."

As they were driving back home, Manik was holding her hand. He smiled at her before focussing back on the road.

What was happening to him? .. this seemed like a total different Manik..

Nandini was smiling sheepishly- remembering their moments which they had just spent together.

Just then, they drove through the tunnel which looked a little too familiar - it was the same tunnel they had their car crash in!

Nandini literally tightened her hold on his hand as an oncoming flash of headlights filled her vision. Flashes of the moments leading up to the accident assaulted her.

Manik glanced at her, pressing his lips together- he sighed. He seemed to know about her state. He knew how she must be feeling.

"Lord.. I'm regretting it! This is the first time... that I have ever regretted anything in my life!!" He thought in his mind. He was somewhere responsible behind her worst condition.

_____

Next day, both woke up early, feeling fresh and they had that content smile on their face.

A surprising turn around already - instead of a brooding shower, Manik was getting a happy shower.

All he could think was their moments. He was happy that he even wrote "Happiness" in the condensation on the mirror of the bathroom.

Nandini was humming along as she made breakfast downstairs. It was her first time though, she was looking at the laptop screen now and then- reading the recipe of the soup & dish.

She carefully put on some salt into the bowl and started mixing it with the ladle.

"The more you concentrate on your past, the quicker you'll regain it all." The doctor's voice hit her mind.

"There's a thing which is interrupting your focus, that is your fear! but you need to get rid of that. You should face the past! Then only you'll fully regain your memory."

Nandini was unable to get doctor's words out of her head. She closed her eyes firmly and struggled to remember the most painful memory that caused her to be this way.

All she could remember was, driving on a lane from where another car was going to crash with hers. She put more effort to see that person's face. She managed to remember the very moments leading up to the accident,

"You'll burn the soup!" Manik came from behind, instantly making a stop for her to remember further.

She was about to turn around but he gripped her arms-- letting her stay still. He placed his hand on hers and started twirling the ladle along.

"Hmm.. you knew how to make this?" He whispered next to her ear

"Yes.." Came her reply. He glanced at the laptop screen,

"I see.. you're all grown up!" He chuckled, "Where's baby bear?"

"Out to get some stuffs from the shop, with Aditya.." She replied blankly

"Okay.." He added, "I was thinking if you stay away from office for too long, people might talk. Urmm, why don't you go to office by the next week, just to say a hi?.. hmm?" She nodded with any question

"Manik.."

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared.." She merely whispered

"Of what?"

"One day., if I get too cumbersome to you and you get tired of me, I know that you will run away from me.." She sadly expressed her fear while Manik slightly smiled. It wasn't her memories she was afraid of, but the fact that Manik could grow bored with her and leave her.

"It will never happen!!"

"But Manik.. you never know!" She sighed deeply.

He shook his head, turned her around so as they were now facing each other. He pulled up her chin so he could tell her the truth straightly by looking into her eyes

"Nandini.. I know my heart the best, and it will never falter, become bored, annoyed, or bothered! I know how I feel!! I won't either be tired or get sick of you!! I will not run away! NEVER!"

Nandini wasn't expecting such response. This was something which every girl would want to hear from their life-partners. She was overwhelmed. Her heartbeats quickened as she hugged him without any hesitation while Manik securely wrapped his arms around her.

They were in their land when the ringing of bell disturbed their moment.

Manik went to open the door. He could find some men- dressed in formals, at the doorstep. He gave them a look instantly.

"Mr Manik Malhotra?" One of them asked

"Yes?"

"We are the prosecutors. Mr Malhotra, you need to come with us! You've been sued by Kashyap Group for corporate theft on top of leaking confidential information." And their words left him stunned equally bewildered

"What!"

To be continued...

___________

Hello people!!

Remember me?

So sorry for such a long, long delay! Actually I'd taken a break from wattpad.

I've lost motivation, to write. I want to complete my stories as soon as possible.

Thank y'all for having patience!

Much love❤

#Okthanksbye