The current of time flows, the wheel of time never stops. That's how the entire week passed. 

Manik was successful in his work. The conference went better than he had expected. Today he was coming back home from Delhi. Sid and Avneet had planned a small party for his returning and also for his success. It's a small celebration as Manik didn't like gatherings. They would have a big party but his hospital would be arranging that.

It was past 11 and Manik didn't reach yet which he should have.

"Di, why bhai is not back yet? It's 11.30 already. Did you talk to him?" Avneet was getting impatient and continuously checking her watch.

Nandini was thinking the same. "I don't know. His flight must be late. He is not picking up the call either."

They were trying to call Manik that's when the doorbell rang. Nandini went to open the door. There he was standing with the drool worthy smile on his face. Manik Malhotra. A smile appeared on Nandini's face too seeing him. 

"Welcome back, bhai. Oops! Dr. Manik Malhotra." Avneet shouted from Nandini's back.

"Yes, welcome to your home slash chamber." Sid too joined her.

Manik nodded in disbelief. "You guys are too much!" He came inside and hugged Nandini.

Nandini too hugged him back. "How are you?"

Avneet and Sid hooted from back. "Ooooo!!!"

"Manik bhai, you can go to your room with di and continue your romance." Avneet smirked.

"Yes. We won't mind that but don't ruin our vision with these adult scenes." Sid passed a goofy smile to them.

Manik and Nandini both felt shy hearing them. Nandini hurriedly came out of Manik's hold. "I'll go and call mumma. She didn't hear maybe." Then she didn't wait there even a second and ran away.

"I'm tired. I'll come after taking a shower." Manik too left for his room.

But Sid held him before he could go. "We're not letting you go."

"I'm gone today!" Manik made a bad face.

Sid and Avneet laughed seeing him.

The sun had gone behind the dawn. The birds were returning to their homes and cold air was blowing was all around.

KAPOOR  HOUSE
Nandini and Avneet were not in their home. They were at Manik's place. Sanjay has come back in the morning and it's already evening. He has been waiting for them since then but they didn't seem to have any plan to come back anytime soon. They being in Malhotra House was making Sanjay more and more angry. 

"Uff! All the time, they're at that middle class fellow's place. No! It can't go on like this forever. I need to do something as soon as possible. I have to do something to get them back home. I can't let go of such a big opportunity for these people."

Sanjay said to himself and got ready. He called his driver and drove  away from there. 

MALHOTRA   HOUSE
Neelima prepared snacks for all of them. She got them in the hall where all of them were sitting. "Here you go. I've made hot wings for you all."

"Give them to me first." Avneet jumped out of her place and took the plate from her hand.

Sid held the other side of the plate. "Give some to us too. Don't finish everything alone."

Avneet was about to retreat but Manik stopped them before they could start their banter. "Avneet, Sid, relax. Mom will get more for us. Don't pull her legs always."

Nandini nodded in disbelief. "Here comes Avneet's bhai to defend her."

That time only the doorbell rang. They all were confused as no one was supposed to come at this hour.

"Who is here at this time? Is it baba?" Nandini frowned.

"Dad isn't supposed to come so soon. Let me see." Manik went to open the door.

They all walked behind Manik. As soon as Manik opened the door, everyone was stunned, they seemed to fall from the sky.

"Mr. Kapoor! You here?" Manik was the first one compose himself and asked breaking the silence.

"Why? Did I disturb you all?" His voice was cold.

"Why're you saying like this, Mr. Kapoor? Why'll you disturb us? You've come here that's a big thing for us." Neelima tried to handle the situation even though she didn't like the way he spoke. But she also didn't another argument between father-daughter now.

"I couldn't help coming here. I had to come here for something important." 

Sanjay walked into the hall and settled down whereas others were standing around. None of them were very pleased with his arrival. They were sure that he had some hidden intention behind his sudden visit but couldn't guess what it must be. 

"He's here to create some scene for sure." Nandini whispered to Sid who was standing beside her.

Sid nodded. "I'm also having the same feeling and guess what I never get any good vibe from him. But what's the matter that got him here?" 

"He's not worth giving anyone good vibe. I'm also worried thinking why he is here."

Sanjay looked at all of them, then cleared his throat before starting. "See I've not come here to sit. Moreover, I didn't have any wish or intention to come here."

"Listen we also don't wish to hear anything from you. So, please split out why you are here and leave." Avneet was fuming in anger seeing him. After whatever he had done to Nandini that day in front of everyone, also in the home, she could not forget that nor she would ever. 

"Avneet, stop. Let him say why he is here." Manik stopped Avneet and looked back at Sanjay waiting for him to continue.

"Firstly, congrats, Manik. You've achieved such a big thing in this young age which no one else did before."

"Now I'm sure there's something terribly wrong with your father. He's praising Manik! That's first." Sid frowned.

Nandini heard him and she knew Sid was right. "See we all know that you didn't come here to praise Manik. We all are well aware what do you think of him. So, please speak up fast what got you here." She spoke sternly.

Sanjay smirked. "That's why your mother used to say that you've got my features, you're more likely to me. She was right. You understand me so well."

"Never say ever again that I'm like you. You're a murderer and I'm not one." Nandini's eyes were spiting fire. She had closed her palms in a tight fist and her knuckles went almost white due to this. 

Sanjay's anger increased but he somehow maintained his cool. "Manik, I'll build a clinic for you the way you want. There you can practice without worrying about anything. Also a big mansion, you don't have to stay in this small house anymore and everything you want."

"Why would you give them to me all of a sudden?" Manik's voice was cold even though he had managed to maintain his calm posture. Being a physiatrist, he knew what he must be thinking even if he was not, he knew what a person like Sanjay could think still he waited to hear the truth from him only. 

"Good question." He got up and stood just in front of Manik. "Because I want one thing in exchange of all this which only you can give me."

Avneet moved a little slowly and stood beside Sid. "Do you understand where's this conversation heading to?" She gulped maybe thinking of the same thing. "I'm scared. I don't understand thing what'll happen now."

Sid sighed. He turned a little and looked at Avneet's worried face. "I don't understand the situation either. I don't know what's going on in Sanjay uncle's head but I think he would say something which wouldn't be good for Manik and Nandini. I'm afraid of Nandini's reaction."

Avneet nodded as if telling him that she was having some similar thoughts only. 

"I never knew I have this much audacity to give you anything. I thought you're capable enough to get everything and don't have anything to do with a person like me." Manik said with a smile which enlightened the fire in Sanjay more. He felt humiliated. Manik continued. "But tell me what do you want from me. If it's in my reach, then I'll surely give you whatever you ask for."

"I know you don't love Nandini. You're behind her only because of my property. So, I'm ready to give you anything but you have to leave Nandini." Sanjay spoke shamelessly. 

Manik was ready to hear this only so he didn't react anything immediately but others were stunned the way he spoke everything. They felt anger was raising in them with his words.

Nandini's whole body was burning with rage. "Shut up!" She shouted on top of her voice making everyone frightened. "Just shut up. How dare you bringing this topic all over again? Didn't I tell you already that I love Manik and never try this trick here ever again. Do I look like some product to you which you will buy or sell or use for your business deals? I'm warning you once again never dare to do this again. I won't bear it." Her voice seemed dangerous so as the look on her face.

Manik held Nandini and pulled her back. "Nandini, relax. I'm talking, right? Wait here." He then faced Sanjay once again. "Mr. Kapoor, see I used to respect you but I don't think you deserve that. Another thing I love Nandini. So, I won't trade her or my love to anyone in return of anything. Not even to you." He looked directly into Sanjay's eyes and it was seen how serious he was.

~~•°•~~

That's all for today. Don't forget to vote and share your favourite scene.

27.10.2024