Nandini and Smaran were sitting face to face in a cafe. They both were silent not knowing how to start the conversation. It was Smaran who broke the silence between them.

"I know you are not comfortable with me. But we're....."

"I think you don't know anything about me. I'm here only because dad has asked me to else I had no plan to see anyone right one. I had to agree because I couldn't disrespect him. I need to tell you something. It's. . . . ."

"Relax." Smaran gestured her to calm down.

"No, I . . . . . "

She was again cut by him before she could speak anything. "I know everything about you already, Nandini. Uncle told me everything what happened with you. About you and Manik."

Nandini looked at him with wide eyes not getting where this conversation would be heading. "Then?" She managed to utter this single word amidst the things running in her mind.

"Nandini, when my parents showed me your photo that time only I fell in love with you. Yes, I'm already in love with you. I'm sorry, if you feel awkward. You don't have to say anything to me not I'm expecting you to reciprocate to my feelings. I told you it all because I like keeping everything straight and clear. I had no intention to offend you. Leave it. What do you want to have?"

"Nothing." All this was too much for her. She didn't know how she should react with Smaran's sudden confession. It was the least thing she was expecting at that moment.

"Come on, Nandini. Now don't tell me, you don't have any favourite food as well." He tried to make the air thinner.

Nandini smiled slightly for the first time looking down.

"So?"

"I like panipuri, ice cream and . . . . ."

Smaran laughed. "Okay okay I got it."

"What's there to laugh? Aren't they food only?" Nandini asked in an ice cold tone being irritated.

"Of course, they are. They are every girls regular food."

Nandini raised her eyebrows looking at him. "I see you have a lot of experience in these things."  

Smaran chuckled hearing her. "It's not the way you're thinking. I have a lot of girl friends, so I know it from them."

Nandini smiled shortly nodding her head. "Okay. I understand and you don't need to explain anything to me."

Smaran wanted to say something but Nandini got up already.

"Let's go to have your panipuri." Smaran offered her as he too got up behind her.

"Not today. I've some work in the hospital and it's been long since I'm out here. But thanks for the offer." Nandini declined politely not wanting be rude to him neither she wanted him to have any hope that she would see him.

"Okay."

"Bye."

"Come, I'll drop you to hospital."

"It's okay. I will manage."

Nandini didn't wait there any longer. She walked out of the cafe. Smaran kept staring at her retreating figure. He was hoping that she would turn back for once but she didn't. He let out a sigh as she went out of his sight.

"It's not gonna be easy...."

In London
Manik and Soha were in a club but Soha was drinking continuously. Manik was hell irritated with her behaviour but he couldn't do anything. He tried to stop her but she was in no mood to hear anything.

"Soha, why are you drinking so much? How will you go home like this?"

"You are here na, baby. You will take me." She passed a flirty smile to him.

"Enough. Let's go."

Manik tried to drag her out of the club but Soha pulled him to the dance floor and started dancing with him wrapping her hands around his neck. Manik was not liking all this. So, he came out of her hold with a great difficulty and went a little away from Soha.

Manik was not only irritated but also damn angry with Soha's behaviour. He calmed himself and turned towards Soha but saw some boys trying to take advantage of her as she was not in her senses. Manik called her numerous times but due to loud music, she didn't hear anything. She also didn't notice her surroundings.

Manik went to her and dragged her with him out of the club.

"Manik, why did you pull me here? I want to dance."

"Do you have any idea what was the boys trying to do with you?" Manik yelled on her even though they had no effect on her.

"Which boys?"

Manik knew it was of no use talking to Soha now as she was totally drunk. She wasn't able to stand properly. Soha fall on Manik's chest.

Manik picked her up and made her seat in the car. They returned home. Manik made Soha lie down on her bed. Manik was leaving from there when Soha held his hand pulled him close.

"Please, don't leave me alone."

Soha got up and went close to Manik. She kissed him on his cheeks, then on his forehead. She was moving close to his lips when Manik pushed her away from him.

"It's late. Sleep."

Manik came back to his room hurriedly. He directly went to washroom. He stood in front of the wash basin and was splashing water on his face again and again. Tears were falling from his continuously. He knew it was not right. He knew he was at fault. But still he was helpless. He can't be so selfish that he will take someone's life for his own happiness.

After taking a long shower, he came out of washroom and packed his things. He is going back to India tomorrow though not alone.

In India
Nandini acme back from hospital and saw Ankita waiting for her in the hall. She was going towards her room as she doesn't want any type of conversation regarding Smaran right now. But Ankita stopped her.

"How was Smaran?"

"He is a nice boy. But. . . . ."

"But? What?"

Nandini let out a sigh looking at her mother who wasn't ready to leave this matter. "Mumma, what aren't you trying to understand? I. . . . "

Ankita stopped her. "I understand it all. I understand why you aren't interested in getting married. But hear one thing clearly. I have already talked to Shreekant and also finalized the date of your engagement with Smaran. It'll be good for as soon as you accept it and move on because I'm not hearing anything about it anymore."

Ankita said in a stern tone and left from there leaving a crying Nandini behind. Nandini fell asleep while crying.

Next day
Smaran with his family came to see Nandini. But Nandini wasn't ready. She was sitting like a statue. Alya came to her.

"Nandini? What happened? Why aren't you ready yet?"

Nandini didn't say anything.

Alya signed looking at her and settled beside her. "Nandu, I know it must be hurting you a lot. But...." 

Nandini smiled sarcastically.  "Nothing is hurting me. I was a doll of glass whom he had broke already and now they have made me again with stone. This time neither I will feel anything nor they will be able to break me."

Then Nandini went to get ready. Alya was feeling bad for Nandini but she can't do anything. After Nandini got ready, Alya took her down.

Smaran's parents liked her a lot. They decided to get them married soon. Then they left. 

At night
Nandini was sleeping in her room alone. Suddenly she felt someone staring at her. Her slumber broke. She looked around to find someone but there was no one. She got up but couldn't see anyone. Her heart was beating fast than its usual speed. She felt someone very close to her just touched her.

She came out of her room and was walking unconsciously. She stood when she reached in front of Manik's room. She touched the door and kept standing there. She felt like someone was looking at her. He has come to see her. Nandini turned behind and saw a known figure disappearing in the darkness.

Nandini couldn't stop herself, she ran towards the veranda but couldn't see anyone. So, she ran towards the terrace. She again looked around but didn't see anyone. She was coming back being heart broken but out of no where she looked down from there and her heart skipped a beat. . . . . . . .. .

Precap: Preparation for marriage.

Done for today. Manik is coming back and Nandini is getting married. What do you think will Nandini get married to Smaran?

Will Manik be able to make Nandini understand everything?

Guess what did Nandini see?

Do tell me how was it?

Don't forget to vote and comment. Bye.

28.01.2022