Before starting the chapter, I would like to ask you all, are you guys okay? The Covid cases are rising drastically, please take care. Follow the basic rules and stay safe.

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Manan were lost in their own world. But Manik's phone call broke their trance. Manik looked at a blushing Nandini but that didn't last for long. Nandini could feel all of a sudden Manik's body stiffened. He seemed to be tensed for some reason seeing the caller id.

"Who is calling, Manik?" Nandini asked in a soft tone.

"No one." Manik's voice was stern. He cut the call and got up from the bed.

Nandini too got up behind him with a worried face. "Manik, are you okay? Is everything fine?"

Manik closed his eyes to calm his nerves. He took a long breath and opened his eyes. He tried to smile before turning back to Nandini. "Hmm. Listen, come to home after after aunty is back. I have some work."

Nandini nodded her head not wanting to drag the matter. "Okay."

Manik passed a smile to Nandini and patted her cheeks before leaving from her place.

At night after dinner younger clan were sitting in the terrace together talking and laughing. They were having fun. But Manik was quiet. He was sitting at one side. Without anyone's notice he got up from his place and left from there. After sometime Nandini noticed that Manik was not there.

Nandini came down in search of Manik. She went to his room but he was not there as well. She checked his balcony and there he was standing facing his back towards the door. He was thinking something deeply because he didn't even notice Nandini's presence. Nandini went near him and hugged him from back. Her hands were placed above his chest. It broke his trance.

Manik turned his head a little to face her. "You?"

He was not much surprised seeing Nandini there. Somewhere he knew, if she will find him missing, then she will come looking for him.

"Yes, me. Why? Is there any problem, if I come here?"

She raised her eyebrows at the end even though Manik couldn't see it.

"No. Why will there be any problem?"

Manik removed Nandini's hand from his chest and pulled her in front of him. He held her from her waist. His hands were rested there. Nandini also sneaked her hands around his neck. Manik passed a smiled to her.

"Can ask a question?"

"Why one? You can ask me as much as you want to." Manik nuzzled his nose over her face and pecked on her forehead.

Nandini became serious. She didn't look the same playful anymore. Manik also noticed it. But he didn't interrupt, he waited for Nandini to proceed. "I just want to ask only one thing. But promise me that you will tell me the truth."

"Okay, promise."

Nandini looked into Manik's eyes directly as if she was trying to sneak into his soul through his eyes. "Manik, are you hiding something from me? Is there anything which I should know but I don't?"

Manik couldn't take her piercing gaze any longer. He also had no answer for her question. "I love you, Nandini." Manik hugged her tightly.

Nandini was startled with the sudden hug. She too hugged him back. "Manik, see if there is any problem, share it with me. No matter what's the problem is, we will face it together. But never hide anything from me. It will do nothing but break our bind only. I don't want any spot in our relationship."

Manik broke the hug and looked at her in concern. "Why do you feel that I am hiding something from you?"

Nandini caressed his face with her thumb. "I noticed you there in the terrace. Everyone was talking and laughing so much. But neither you were saying anything nor you heard anything. Then you came down here quietly without saying anything to anyone. I know there is something bothering you."

Manik smiled in mind seeing her concern for you. He looked at Nandini with an intense look. "And you understood with this little gesture that my mood is off?"

Nandini shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah....."

Manik pulled her more close holding her waist. Their bodies were touching each others. There was no space between them for even air to pass.

"Then hear me carefully, Miss Teddy Bear, why my mood was off."

"I am all ears." Nandini chuckled.

Manik came forward to kiss Nandini but she pushed him a little and got out of his grip.

Manik made a bad face seeing her getting away. "Nandini, you didn't do it right pushing me like this. I won't spare you."

Nandini made a 'haw' face as if she didn't do anything. "Oh! Like that? Then this wrong is better only for you."

"Nandini, wait. Listen to me." Manik shouted from her back.

Nandini ran away from there giggling and went from his room.

Next morning
Nandini came to her home and saw Pari was watching TV.

Nandini folded her hands over her chest glaring at Pari. "Miss Pari, you are watching TV here. Then who will go to school?"

Pari shrugged her shoulders still focusing on the TV screen only. "There is a wedding is my home. So, why will I go to school? I won't go to school. I want to enjoy the wedding."

Nandini let out a breath seeing Pari totally drowned in the TV. She switched off the TV. "Wedding is already over. Now go and get ready. You have to go to school."

Pari slapped her own forehead. "I wasn't talking about Multi di's wedding. I know that's over. I was talking about your wedding."

Nandini blushed a little with the mention of her marriage.

Pari again started watching TV. Nandini came and sat beside Pari.

"Who told you that I am getting married?" Nandini asked trying to hide the blush on her face.

Pari turned towards her sister with wide eyes. "What!!! It's your marriage and you didn't know? How? Manik bhaiya is right, you are actually naive."

Nandini slapped on Pari's forehead. "I know it's my marriage and stop being Manik bhaiya's fellow all the time. But do you know when is the marriage?"

"Shreekant chachu had come the previous day."

"What happened? Why did you stop?" Nandini narrowed her gaze seeing her stopping in the middle.

"At first promise me something."

"What? Why?" Nandini was taken aback with her lines.

Pari turned her back towards Nandini. "As you say. Then I also won't say anything to you."

"Okay fine. Promise. Now tell me what."

"I won't go to school till your marriage is over." Pari smirked.

Nandini was shocked with her words. "No way. You will go to school daily from tomorrow."

"Ok. As you wish."

Nandini got up and was about to leave but she was really eager to know about the date. She can't ask Ankita or others what will they think about her. Thinking a lot, she again sat beside Pari.

"What happened again?"

"See, what you are saying, isn't it a little too much? There is still a long time left for the marriage. If you won't go to school for so long, then what will mumma say?" Nandini muttered in a soft tone.

"No question only answer."

Nandini's eyes went wide again. "What did you say?"

"Teachers say like this in school." Pari replied in a matter of fact tone.

Nandini let out a breath knowing how stubborn her sister is. "Let's make a deal, you won't go to school till the engagement. Then you will go to school."

"I will think of it."

"Pariii, stop your drama and tell me." Nandini shouted in irritation.

"Engagement is tomorrow only."

"I know that already. Tell me what happened after that."

"What will happen after that? Then uncle had coffee and left from here."

"But you said that they were talking about the wedding. What about that?" Nandini glared at Manik.

"Did I say wedding? That was a slip of tongue."

"Pariii." Nandini gritted her teeth in anger.

"Di, you should start watching Hindi serials. You will need them after a few days."

"You are speaking too much now a days." Nandini was sounding stern.

"I was just saying the fact."

Nandini ran behind her to pull her ear. But Pari was fast enough.

Nandini came to Malhotra's place and searched for Manik but again he was missing. She didn't find him anywhere. So, she decided to call him. At first, she found his phone busy but later it was switched off.

Nandini was waiting for Manik in his room only. It was already late. Manik never stays out so late. Nandini was hell worried for him and she couldn't even ask anyone. After a long time she heard the horn of Manik's car.

Precap: Where was Manik?

Do tell me how was Manan moments?

Did you like Pari and Nandini's scene?

Aren't you loving Pari?

Which one is your favorite scene?

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Bye.

02.05.2021