Neil taking his phone out and dials Avni's number.

Neil : hello avni. Come outside of your house. I am waiting.

Avni : give a minute Neil.

Avni ending call with Neil grabbing her handbag rushed down the stairs. She found Ishita reading something sitting in living hall. Avni went behind Ishita and pecks her cheek.

Avni : amma I am going out with my friend. I will be late.

Ishita: who is this friend? Do we know her? Next invite her inside.

Avni rolls her eyes and nods her head.

Avni : off course amma I will.. and it's not her but he. I will tell you everything later, right now I need to rush out as he's waiting for me.

Avni bidding bye to Ishita ran out of the mansion not listening to ishita.

Avni sprinting to Neil's car and opens the door. She sighing settles down and looks at Neil who passed her a smile. She returns the smile.

Avni : I'm sorry Neil keeping you wait. I had to answer amma before leaving.

Neil : it's okay avni. You look pretty.

Avni smiles and thanked Neil.

( Avni's outfit)

Neil : your seatbelt avni.

Avni muttering sorry fastens the seatbelt and passing sheepish smile to Neil turns the radio on making Neil smile thinking how comfortable she's getting with Neil. Neil shaking his head drove the car to their destination.

Avni : Neil where are we going?

Neil : A place! Where you would love it. I promise.

Avni : does this place have a name?

Neil : well it does but I don't feel like saying it out.

Avni sighs hearing Neil's answer but nevertheless closed her eyes and leans back to the seat.

Neil stops the car and looks at avni who had her eyes still closed. Neil softly calls her name out.

Neil : avni, we have arrived.

Avni opens her eyes and looks at Neil then outside of the window to found themselves outside of a restaurant.

Avni sequels in happiness and looks at Neil.

Avni : this restaurant.. I heard a lot about this restaurant. But why did you brought us here?

Neil shook his head and giggles before answering avni.

Neil : I brought you here because I'm hungry and want to spend some time with you avni. And I was told by someone that you wanted to come to this restaurant. So I thought why not to bring you here.

Avni smiles and pulls Neil's cheek making him glare her.

Avni : you're so sweet Neil. I love this surprise of yours. Thank you.

Neil : avni please don't pull my cheeks. I don't like it.

Avni : tough luck mr malthora.

Neil : shall we move now or wanna stay here?

Avni excitedly opens the door and went inside making Neil chuckle but he also follows her.

Neil looks at the receptionist who had her eyes at Neil making avni angry.

Neil : excuse me miss, can I get table for two please?

The girl drools at Neil not acknowledging avni next to him. Neil sighs and clicks his finger in front of the girl and clears his throat.

Neil : can I get table for two please?

The girl embarrassedly looks down and nods.

Neil holding Avni's hand went to their table and looks at avni who still throwing deadly glares at the girl.

Neil : Avni why are you staring that girl? You will kill that poor girl with your glares. Stop it now.

Avni snaps her head at Neil and looks at him.

Avni : I don't like her, look home shamelessly she's still staring you.

Neil : do I smell something here?

Avni : what?

Neil : do I smell someone getting jealous?

Avni : jealous. My foot. Can we order now.! I'm hungry.

Neil chuckles seeing avni diverting the conversation and nods his head. He calls the waiter and looks at avni.

Neil : what would you like to have? Order what you want to eat.

Avni nodding her head flips the menu and seeing the waiter approaching to their table smiles. She orders what she wanted to have and looks at Neil.

Avni : what would you like to have Neil?

Neil : can I get coffee and English breakfast please?

The Waiter nodding his head left while avni rolls her eyes at Neil making him raise his eyebrows at her.

Neil : what was that for avni?

Avni : really Neil? English breakfast.

Neil : what's bad in that? It's delicious and fills you up.

Avni : oh yeah, diet freak.

Neil chuckles. Soon their food arrived and they both digs in.

Neil while eating his food looks at avni who was relishing her food.

Neil : how's the food?

Avni : it's so yummy. I can relate why this restaurant is top in Mumbai.

Neil smiles and continues to eat.

Manik was working when there was knock on the cabin.

Manik : come in.

Manik lifts his head up and saw his Pa standing there.

Manik : come in Pooja. Why are you standing there?

Pooja : sir you have meeting with new client after lunch?

Manik : why am I informed this late Pooja?

Pooja : I'm sorry sir. It slips off my head yesterday.

Manik: it's ridiculous Pooja. You are my pa. You should have told me yesterday about the meeting. Just go and make arrangements for the meeting.

Pooja rushed out of the cabin not wanting to see Manik's anger. Manik frustratedly ruffles his hair and picking his phone dials Nandini's number.

Manik : god Damn it. Pick up the phone love.

Manik angrily threw his phone and held his head. He sighs and picking up the intercom dials the receptionist number.

Manik : hello, get Pooja to clear my today's schedule.

Receptionist: but sir you have a meeting today?

Manik : didn't you what I said. Do as you are told.

Manik hung up the call and picking his phone and keys stood up. He walks out the cabin and with his stern face walks through the corridor..

Nothing their boss not in mood the employees who were passing time suddenly got in serious mood and moves back to their desks and starts working.

Manik slamming the door of his key ans in hurry fastening the seatbelt droves to Nandini's hospital.

Manik was on his way to meet to Nandini when his phone continuously rang. Manik connects his call to Bluetooth and answers.

Manik : hello dad!

Raj : Manik what am I hearing? You cancelled all of yours meeting. Why is that?

Manik : dad I have something lined up. I can't make it to the meeting. I'm sorry dad.

Raj : where are you right now?

Manik : dad can I call you back later?

Raj : no mr malthora? Take u-turn and get back in the office. I need to have discussion with you.

Manik : dad.. please!

Raj : no Manik. I won't listen to you. I need you in office within 30 minutes.

Raj hangs up the call. Manik bangs his hand on the steering wheel and takes next u-turn and drove back to office.

Today was first day of Nandini in the hospital. She had back to back calls from the patients parents or guardians. She was very busy today. Either way she was on call or with operation took treating patients. She didn't get a minute for herself.

Nandini sighing to herself comes out of the operation room and looks at the patients parents who looked devastated. Nandini walks up to them and placed her hand on the lady shoulder.

The lady looks ups and found Nandini.

Lady : doctor how's my son? Is he okay?

Nandini smiles and held the lady hands in hers.

Nandini : he's out of danger. He will regain conscious within few hours. Can I please have word with you both in my cabin?

Lady : thank god, my son is out danger. Doctor is he still in danger. Should we be worrying?

Nandini: there is nothing to worry about but I need to have few words with you both. Please can we talk in my cabin.

The trio moves to Nandini's cabin.

Nandini : please have a seat.

The parents sat down and Nandini sitting on her chair opens the file of the patient.

Nandini : I want to warn few things about your son. He has been drinking and slipping into depression. We took his test and found out. I would like to say please keep him in good environment. Try to keep him happy. He is fortunately that he survived after such horrible accident. Please look after him.

The parents cries and nodded their head. Nandini also wrote few advices before dismissing the patients parents.

Nandini took a deep breath and grabbing glass water chucked it down. She felt better after drinking the water as her head began to ache. She looks at the time and found is past 3pm. She didn't get chance to Manik or her family.

She grabbed her phone and opens it. She got shocked seeing so many miscalls and messages from Manik. She also found few messages from her family.

She quickly replied her family then dials Manik's number but it got disconnected. Nandini frowned thinking why is he cutting her call then it strikes her that he might be in meeting. She sighs and dials Neil's number thinking he might know about Manik having a meeting or not.

Nandini: hello Neil!

Neil: hello Bhabhi, I have doubt that you dialled wrong number. This is not my brother number.

Nandini was too tried to blush or get his teasing.

Nandini: Neil does Manik have meeting today. He is not answering my calls.

Neil : yes Bhai does have meeting. He is in pretty bad mood today. Don't know what happened today. He is lashing at everyone in the office. I went to meet him earlier but couldn't as he having meeting with a client. Dad told me he was behaving strange today.

Nandini :oh! Where are you?

Neil : I'm in office with dad.

Nandini: what with your dad? You called me Bhabhi in front of him. Neil what did you do?

Neil : Bhabhi chill. Relax. Dad has gone out of the cabin for while. Your secret is safe long as I am alive.

Nandini sighed in relief.

Nandini : Neil can you please pass my message to Manik that he doesn't need to pick me up. I won't be finishing by 7. I might be late.

Neil : sure Bhabhi! I will let Bhai know.

Nandini: thank you Neil! Bye!

Neil : bye Bhabhi!

Nandini ends the call and kept her phone aside after messaging Manik too.

Nandini's cabin intercom rang. Nandini picks up the call.

Nandini : yes dr Murthy speaking. Yes I'm coming.

Nandini hung up the phone and walks out the cabin.

Manik dismissing the meeting went to his cabin. He opens the first two button of his shirt and rolling his sleeves up sat on his chair.

Manik took his phone out and found Nandini's miscalls with message. He quickly dialled her number again keeping his anger side but then again the call went unanswered. Manik sighs and opens the message making him feel guilty about his own behaviour. He acted so impulsively that he forget about her work.

'Hey mani, I know you called me many times but I'm very sorry. I have been busy with the work. I had back to back patients. I didn't get chance to check my phone or to have a break. And I did call you a minute ago but it seems you are in meeting. Mani please don't come to pick me up after work as I won't be finishing by 7. It might later I finish. I will call you once I reach home. I love you. And please have your lunch. Don't keep yourself so busy not having your food on time.'

Manik smiles seeing his love concerns for him. Manik quickly responded to the message and kept his phone aside. His anger suppressed seeing his love message. Manik was going to order food when his cabin door opens.

He smiles seeing his brother Neil there.

Manik : what are you doing here Neil?

Neil walks inside the cabin and keeping bags on the table sat opposite Manik.

Neil : I can come here whenever I want Bhai. I hope
You got message from Bhabhi.

Manik: Nandini! She called you.

Neil : yes she did. You know Bhai. She was missing me so much that she called me.

Manik rolls his eyes and looks at the bags on his table.

Manik : what is this?

Neil : oh I forget. Bhabhi messaged me saying that you might forget having lunch during your meeting so being your sweetest brother I brought you some food. Come on have lunch then we talk.

Manik smiles and felt proud seeing Nandini and Neil bonding so well.

~

Hope you have enjoyed the chapter?

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