Hello Fam :)

Happy Reading...

It had been two weeks since they found the medical reports. Nandini was confused. There were times when she was scared and didn't know the reason, there were days when she knew she was supposed to be scared but she didn't feel like it, and then there were days when it was so mixed up that she wanted to take a drug or two. One night when she confessed it to Manik, ashamed, and somewhat scared, he smiled at her.

It's okay if you want to take it. What matters is if you are actually taking it or not. And I will make sure you won't. I promise, Nandini. You aren't going anywhere close to the person they wanted you to be.

She believed him. Manik had never promised something he wasn't capable of fulfilling. She trusted him and hence, it came as a surprise when she saw her company papers at the bedside table upon waking up. She didn't know how he did get a hand on them that were confidential in Murthy Industries. It was only two hours later when she actually read them that she realized the significance of the papers and Nandini saw red. She needed to talk to Manik.

She grabbed the papers into a file and stormed out of her room. Nandini found Nyonika in the living room on her way. "I want to meet Manik", she announced.

"Nandini, are you okay?", asked Nyonika.

Nandini gritted her teeth. It wouldn't do her any good to scream at Nyonika Malhotra. "I want to go wherever the hell is your son", she said. She didn't know if it was rude and she was too mad to change her tone.

"Ask the driver outside, kid. He would drop you", she said.

Nandini left without a word.

XXX

She had never been to Malhotra Industries. It was out of bounds initially but after meeting Manik, it became untouchable. She needed to keep her distance to keep Manik safe from her parents. It had only dawned upon her after reaching the entrance of the company that she didn't know where Manik would be. In her hurry, she hadn't bothered to take her mobile with her. Using a phone was still strange and she needed time to get used to it.

Nandini sighed before making her way to the reception. "Can I meet Manik?", she asked.

The receptionist was surprised but covered it with a smile. "Ma'am, do you have an appointment?", she asked.

Nandini shook her head. Why didn't she bring her mobile with her?

"Sorry, ma'am. Manik sir is too busy to meet anyone without an appointment. We have strict orders", said the girl. "If you want, I can try for an appointment for tomorrow's date."

Nandini leaned forward. "I don't think Manik Malhotra needs an appointment to meet his wife." She turned around when someone clapped their hands. It was probably the break time since there were people gathered around. She took a few breaths. They were Manik's people. They wouldn't harm her, she said to herself.

"Hi, I am Meera", said the girl, who clapped. "You are Nandini, right? You are on the news."

She crossed her arms. Meera was the girl Cabir teased Manik with. She refused to get scared by this woman who would judge her by a piece of unconfirmed news.

"You know, every month there's at least a girl claiming to be Manik sir's girlfriend or wife. This month it's you. But we should give credit to you, Nandini. Your story is just so believable if not a bit filmy. You know there's one important loophole in your act", she said, smirking. "You are what? A Murthy? Malhotra Industries haven't been associated with a Murthy in almost thirty years. So, how do you think we would believe you when you claim yourself as Manik sir's wife."

"Are you done?", asked Nandini before rolling her eyes. Why did Manik attract all the stupid girls to himself? "I don't care even if you jump from this building. I am not here to convince you", she told her. She turned to the receptionist. "You call Manik and ask him if he is free enough to meet Nandini."

The receptionist nodded before making a call. At least there is some sensible staff. "Ma'am, he asked you to wait."

Nandini frowned. It only left Meera into splits of laughter. "I am surprised he didn't call the security."

Before Nandini could come up with a reply, Manik was already walking towards her. A huge grin broke out on his face as his eyes landed on her and she couldn't help but feel relieved. She had half a thought that he would be angry at showing up unannounced. Their marriage news was still in chaos as the Murthys were trying a way out and she didn't bother to keep tabs on her parents, neither did Manik. They have left everything to Nyonika.

"Nandini", said Manik, slipping his hand silently into hers. "Are you okay?"

Nandini wasn't sure but it felt as if Manik was blocking her view from the crowd or the other way round. "I am fine", she muttered. She saw the smile on Meera's face turn into a frown as her eyes wandered to their linked hands. Just to spite her, Nandini squeezed his hand tighter, and Manik only gripped it harder. Maybe he thought she was scared but she wanted to smirk at the girl. "I thought you were busy to meet anyone."

"Never for you", he said. "You are free to barge in whenever you want, Nandini."

When Manik looked at the receptionist, she gave him a nod and a smile to Nandini before writing something down on a paper. Maybe a reminder, or a note. Whatever it was, she didn't care as she smirked at the assistant.

Manik tugged at their hands before turning around to stand beside her. "Guys, I know what's going on in the news", he announced to the crowd. "The only thing that's true is Nandini's my wife. We are working on the rest of the news. A public statement would be released once the court gives a conclusive verdict but right now, I could give you this. I hope you are fine with this."

His tone wasn't authoritative. Nandini wouldn't be surprised if he considered them as his family or friends. It made her smile. It was a typical Manik's behavior.

"Come, I will show you my cabin", said Manik. "I love my cabin."

Nandini sent another glare at the girl before following Manik. Once they were out of audible range of the crowd, she glanced at him. "Why were they gaping at you?"

Manik shrugged. "Maybe because I reacted to the news. I never clarify any unconfirmed news."

"Why wouldn't you do that?"

"Because every week there's something or the other and I don't know where to start with. I just ignore it until the news fades away and they get used to it. Maybe they thought it would be the same this time too."

"Then why did you announce it?", she muttered.

"You aren't fading away, Nandini. You are family", he told.

It was so simple for him to say but it meant a whole lot to her. Like his every other promise, Nandini wanted to believe him. That she belonged somewhere but she knew her life. Happiness didn't come easily for her and she didn't know until when it would last. She gave him a smile and mentally prayed that their happy bubble wouldn't burst before she could cherish her freedom.

When they reached the cabin, Manik barged in. Nandini wasn't too surprised to find Cabir inside the room.

"Bhai, did Nandini really come or it's just a misunderstanding?", said the younger twin, hunched over a bunch of papers.

"Baby, look who's here?", Manik said.

Cabir turned around in his place. "Arey, Bhabhiji?"

Nandini rolled her eyes at both his surprise and the name as Manik pushed a chair for her in between them before finally freeing her hand. How long were they holding hands?

"What brings you here suddenly, Nandini?", asked Manik. "Not that I am not happy about it but is everything alright?"

Nandini furrowed her brows at the question out of context. Mentally, she was still at the front door. It made her forget the reason she came to meet Manik or the reason she was mad at him in the first place. The papers. She threw the papers in front of Manik. His eyebrows rose in surprise as he exchanged a glance with his brother. "Manik Malhotra, I don't need your favors?"

"I can explain", said Manik. When Nandini nodded, he opened a file on his laptop and turned it to her. "I went through your company details. Without access to the innermost sections, I could only check the surface and there were many loopholes in it. I am damn sure you must have given your hundred percent, Nandini, but you weren't as in control of the company as we have thought to be. Since you have transferred every property of yours to the Murthy trust, Murthy Industries is facing a financial crisis."

She felt horrible. She just wanted to get rid of the properties that have made her life miserable. In her eagerness, she didn't think through and a part of her felt ashamed to have let down the people who worked for her company and her grandfather, who had trusted her with this responsibility. She felt Manik squeezing her hand and glanced up at him.

"Hey, Nandini", he told. "It's not your fault. I understand your need to get rid of anything related to them. Do you know how courageous you are to quit a comfortable life and start from zero? Don't blame yourself, please?"

"I didn't think this through. How could I play with so many lives?", she muttered. Manik

"That's why Bhai's helping you", said Cabir.

Manik has forwarded a proposal to be the sponsor for Murthy Industries. The company was a mess right now and she didn't know what the loopholes inside the company were. She needed to get every data and go through it. It was a long process. "Just because we are married, Manik doesn't need to solve every mess of mine."

Manik tugged at her hand. "Hey, I am not doing a favor and it's definitely not because we are married. I will tell you a secret, Nandini. Every year, Malhotra Industries invests in a few potential startups, young companies, or some of the best ones which are running in losses. It's one of our secrets to building good partnerships with them. This is our company secret and I am telling you this because you are as much a part of this company as I am now. Nandini, I am considering Murthy Industries as a sister company to ours."

"Bhai, wife company", prompted Cabir.

Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Baby, shut up", said Manik. "Nandini, you need external financial assistance. There is always an option for choosing someone else. You have that freedom but after what happened with your parents, your company needs someone trustworthy. Instead of having a background check, I am volunteering to be your external assistance. This way, it would all be in our family, right."

"What about Nyonika ma'am?", she asked. Manik was okay. Manik had the biggest of hearts and he would help anyone in need but what about the woman who had given her everything to build an entire company almost from ruins.

Cabir burst out laughing. "Are you seriously calling her ma'am?"

When Nandini glared at him, Manik tugged at their hands to divert her attention away from his baby brother. "It's okay. Call whatever you want. But mom wouldn't have any problem. It was mom's idea, to begin with. Many people opposed it, warned her even, but she went with it anyway and she was successful. You would hardly find an unnecessary feud between us and any other company."

Nyonika Malhotra was an angel in disguise, she thought and sighed. "I don't have anyone else to trust, Manik, but you have already done so much for me and I don't want to be a burden on you."

"Hey, we are a family, Nandini", protested Cabir. "Why would you be a burden to any of us?"

Would she be considered a part of their family when she had unexpectedly barged into their lives?, she thought. She saw Manik frowning at her but otherwise, he didn't comment.

"Why don't you take some time to think about it?", he said, instead. "If you still don't like the plan, we could drop it before searching for another sponsor. I wanted to ask you about something else. The world knows who you are and have seen you now. Do you want to join your company again through distance mode or do you want to physically take over?"

She had thought about it. It wouldn't be possible for her to manage the business alone without physically going to the office but she needed time to get familiar with her company other than business deals and profits. "Can I take some time, please?"

"Of course, Nandini", said Manik. "You would get every support you need to get back to normalcy."

"Thank you." She couldn't say more than those two words for everything he had been doing for her. When Manik blinked at her in assurance, she knew he understood her unsaid words.

"How about we take a step towards normalcy now? What do you say about going for lunch in your favorite Dhaba? The three of us like old times?", asked Manik, throwing in his sweetest of smiles to convince her.

Before Nandini could answer, Cabir stood up from his place. "Not required, my head couple. I don't want to be the third wheel on your date. Why don't you two go ahead and spend some private time together?"

Nandini glanced at Manik, who opened his mouth, to protest, of course, but then closed it after looking at her. She rolled her eyes. "Oi, stop being a drama queen. Shut up and come with us."

"Bhai, don't you think her normalcy came too soon?", complained the younger Malhotra.

Manik stared at her, analyzing probably, before he stood up from his place, walked around the table, and pulled his brother into a hug. He broke the hug, kissed the side of his head, and patted his head. "Baby, you would always be an important part of my life. Never feel as if you are the third wheel."

Cabir, the idiot that he was, squeezed Manik again into the hug. The elder twin was whispering something in his ear and Cabir was hiding more into him. If she wasn't wrong, he might be crying even. Nandini couldn't believe after all these years of growing up together, he still felt as if someone would ever come between him and his brother. It should hurt her that he thought that someone was Nandini but she knew how easy it was to assume. She promised herself to protect their bond for the rest of her life. It was the least she could do for this family. "You know", she said, when they stopped whispering, "I always wanted to have a sibling whenever I see you two." Sure, they were mushy and went overboard with their affection but who wouldn't want a fierce protectiveness and a lifetime worth of support in their lives?

The twins broke the hug, had a wordless conversation through their eyes before, tackling Nandini into a hug together. It was one of the most loved she had felt in recent times.

"Tell me honestly, you cried like a little girl, right?", she teased Cabir, on her way out. He had his arm wrapped around her neck as they followed Manik. The elder twin was typing something on his mobile a few steps ahead of them.

"I didn't", he whispered-yelled. "I was just riling Manik up by ruining his formal shirt. I hate his formals and his formalities."

"You lack taste. Manik looks awesome in formals", she whispered.

"My brother looks amazing in everything. That's not the point. Formals make him look serious but Manik is not serious. He is cute and fun."

"Cute when he gets frustrated and fun when he gives you chocolates but he maintains a decency which you seriously lack", she said, before glancing down at him. "I am being very judgemental right now but who even wears red pants and a purple t-shirt to office." She can't believe they were fighting right now. They were whispering to each other and no one would guess what they were talking about but when she found Meera gaping at the two, Nandini smirked at her.

Outside the office, the smirk turned into a smile as she saw Manik trying his best to convince the driver, who brought her to the office, to have his lunch at the canteen. He was almost pleading with him and who would have known the CEO of Malhotra Industries was capable of doing that.

"He might have grown into a super-confident and a perfect businessman but his inner heart is still the sweetest", muttered Cabir.

The smile on her face only grew wider. If she had only Manik always with her, she would be the luckiest person ever. 

As I said, there wouldn't be a breakup track in between Manan. Meera might be 'grey' but not a negative character. 

Next Chapter - Whenever I finish writing it.