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“I believe in karma, and I believe if you put out positive vibes to everybody, that’s all you’re going to get back.” —Kesha

N E X T    M O R N I N G
Manik's slumber broke with the continuous ringing of his phone. At first he thought of ignoring it but the caller seemed to have no mercy on Manik. His phone kept on buzzing. So, finally being frustrated, he searched for his phone with his eyes still closed. As his hand touched the phone, he picked up the call without checking the caller id.

"Who's this?" Manik asked in his sleepy tone.

"Manik, are you still sleeping? Don't you have to go for practice today?" It was Nandini. She was in college and she could not find Manik anywhere so she thought of giving him a call as he must be in his jamming session. But the scene is something else.

Hearing the voice, Manik's eyes flung open. He checked the caller id. "Good morning to you too, Nandini." He said sarcastically.

Nandini frowned. "Manik, what are you doing? Are you okay? It's almost 11 and you are still sleeping. You didn't come to college. What about your jamming session?"

Manik smiled hearing her concern. "I am okay. Our songs are almost ready so we decided to take a day off. It won't harm, don't worry. I was so tired so I didn't realize that it's this late."

Nandini hummed. She didn't find anything more to say. So, she was quite waiting for Manik to say something.

"So, wifey, were you missing me in the college?" Manik asked naughtily.

Nandini blushed a little. "Of course, not. Manik, I have class, so I'll talk to you later. Bye."

She was about to hang up the call but Manik stopped her. "Wait. Be ready in the evening. I am taking you somewhere. I will pick you up from your home at 6 and before you freak out, I will drop you back on time. You know I am very good at it."

"Where are going to take me?" Nandini asked being confused.

"It's a surprise, wifey."

Nandini got excited hearing about surprise. "What surprise? Tell me."

Manik chuckled hearing her. "Nandini, surprise is called surprise for a reason. Bye. I will see you in the evening."

Then they hung up the call. Nandini went back to her class. As she got in, she found Aryaman there. There is only one place left in front of him. Nandini went and took the seat. Navya didn't come for this class. So, she sat there alone. Nandini passed a formal smile to Aryaman and looked at front. The teacher was not still there.

"Hi, Nandini......" Aryaman started the conversation.

Nandini turned towards him. "Hi, Aryaman."

"I hope I am not disturbing you?" He asked politely.

Nandini nodded her head in no. "It's okay."

They kept on taking when Nandini asked Aryaman. "You used to be in New York, right?" He nodded his head in response. "Then why did you shift here suddenly? I mean any problem?"

Aryaman's face changed its expression. Nandini didn't notice it. He calmed himself before answering. "Nothing. Just missing my own country and I had some personal reason. Hope you don't mind."

Nandini passed a smile to him nodding her head. The conversation didn't go ahead as the teacher came in. Nandini turned back while there was some different emotion in Aryaman's face. He was looking at Nandini with some rage in his eyes yet he maintained the calm face so that no one gets any doubt on him. He is here definitely for something big.

E V E N I N G
Nandini was in her room getting ready. Manik had called her few minutes back that he will pick her up in 10 minutes. So, she gave herself a last look. She was looking quite presentable wearing a simple one piece. Then she walked out of her room and went to hall.

(Nandini's attire)

Rishav and chachi were sitting there watching something in TV. Chacha was not back yet from office. She had already taken permission from her so there's no problem. She passed a smile to both of them and sat beside Rishav who gave her look saying you look beautiful.

"Thank you, Rishav." Nandini pulled his cheek.

He rubbed his cheek making a bad face. Chachi and Nandini chuckled seeing his face.

"Nandu, don't be much late. You've college tomorrow." Chachi said her once again.

Nandini nodded. "Don't worry, chachi. I'll be back before time." She assured her when her phone pinged with a message. It was from Manik saying he is waiting outside for her.

Nandini bid bye to her chachi and went out. She found Manik standing learning his back to the car.

(Manik's attire)

His one hand was stuffed inside his pocket while with other hand he was using his phone. At first he didn't notice Manik. When Nandini stopped in front of him, then feeling her presence Manik looked up. There she was standing.

Manik passed a smile to her and see placed his phone inside pocket. "Hello, wifey...." Manik uttered cheerfully which indicated Manik is in a really good mood.

Nandini smiled seeing him so happy. "Hi... You could have come in and meet chachi and Rishav."

"I will meet them next time when I come. But right now we need to leave. I want you to meet someone." Manik said excitedly.

Nandini gave him a confused look. "Meet someone? Who?"

Manik grinned. "You will get to know. That's the surprise. Now come."

Then he didn't let her ask anything and opened the car door for her. Nandini settled there and Manik closed the door. Then he walked back to his side and started the car. In between the journey Nandini asked her few times that where they are going but he asked her to wait for sometime. Finally getting the same response from Manik, Nandini stopped.

She was looking out through the window. The cold breeze was coming in making her hairs fly. Manik always keeps the window open whenever Nandini is with him because he has seen she likes it. He again noticed how Nandini was enjoying it. A peaceful smile was playing on her face seeing her.

Nandini noticed they were moving towards Malhotra Mansion. She turned towards Manik with a surprised face. "Are we going to your place?"

"Wow! You're so intelligent. How did you get to know this?" He asked in a sarcastic tone.

Nandini threw a glare to him. "Manik...." She shouted gritting her teeth.

Manik chuckled hearing her.

Manik stopped his car in front of Malhotra Mansion. They both got out of the car. Manik walked beside Nandini. As they got in, Manik asked Nandini to sit there and he would be back in a minute. She was confused with Manik's behavior but settled there as Manik asked her to.

Manik himself went inside to his father's room. "Dad....." He called out for his father who was reading some book.

He looked away from the book and faced him. Shrikant smiled at him. "Why're you standing there? Come in."

Manik walked in and stood in front of his swing chair. "Someone is down there waiting to meet you." He said with a grin on his face.

"Nandini?" He asked excitedly.

Manik nodded his head. Shrikant's smile too grew wide and he got up from his place. "Let's go then. She has come for the first time....." Shrikant looked at Manik's face then added "to meet me." He said the last line with a smirk.

Manik's eyes went wide. "Dad, come fast."

Shrikant laughed out loud and walked down with Manik. They went to the hall and found Nandini sitting there mumbling to herself.

Manik stopped behind her and faked a cough to gain her attention. Shrikant was standing beside him. Nandini turned back while saying. "Manik, where were you? I was....." She could not proceed as she noticed Shrikant beside Manik. She gulped down her saliva.

Nandini gave a nervous look to them. "Namaste, uncle. I am sorry, I didn't notice you. I was thinking it was just Manik." She smiled nervously towards them.

"It's okay, Nandini. I didn't mind. It happens." Shrikant smiled softly. "Why're you standing? Please sit." He said and himself sat in front of her.

Manik sat beside Nandini. Nandini looked at him and threw a glare towards him hiding from Shrikant. Manik grinned looking at her.

A butler came to ask something to Shrikant when Nandini said to Manik. "You could have said that you're getting me to meet your dad, Manik. I have just come like this. What will he think of me?" Nandini asked worriedly.

Manik held her hand and passed an assuring smile to her. "Don't worry, Nandini. He won't think anything. He will like, actually he will love you. Trust me." He pressed her hand to make her understand.

Nandini nodded her head though she was still unsure of everything.

"Nandini, are you okay? I hope I am not making you uncomfortable?" Shrikant asked turning his gaze to Nandini who nodded her head in no trying to smile. "You don't need to be scared of me."

"Nandini, you are worrying unnecessarily. If you have managed to impress me so easily, then I am telling you, dad is already smitten by you. After all you managed to handle his monster son and change him for GOOD." Manik said stretching the last word. It definitely calmed her a little.

Shrikant agreed to Manik. "He is right, Nandini. I have always loved him but I was never there with him. When he was growing up and changing, I was worried for him. But I couldn't do anything. He became that rough and heartless. Then you walked in his life and for the first time I found him happy. I saw the happiness in his eyes which was always missing. Thank you, Nandini for everything you did for him. It was indirectly for me too." He stated softly.

Nandini was overwhelmed by him. She didn't expect Manik's father to be so calm. She smiled genuinely. "There is nothing to thank me, uncle. Manik has also done a lot for me. He has got back the real me when I had lost all the hope...."

"Come on, guys. Stop all this emotional talk now. Dad you wanted to meet her but don't spend your time saying all this. I also need to drop her home on time." Manik said interrupting both of them.

"As you say, son..." Shrikant said.

Precap- Continues.

That's it for now. So, finally Nandini is here to meet Shrikant. There's lot more going to happen. Stay tuned.

Do tell me how's it?

Which one is your favorite scene?

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Bye.

20.08.2023