One month passed pretty quickly than I expected. I never met Manik after the beach incident.

However, I did hang out with Mom(Manik's mom) and went all crazy with her.

Manik and his Mom don't live together, he leaves in a penthouse while his Mom lives in a bungalow or more like their ancestral palace where everything screams class, money and royalty.

I went to visit her once, and I was literally awed by the beauty of the place. I remember not touching anything there, not even the walls as times like these my clumsy self love to embarrass myself.

Mumma came to Mumbai a few days back. Seeing her, I got the reality check that Indeed I'm going to get married

I started crying hugging my mother on the Airport itself that How I don't want to leave her?

My mother being more emotional than me also started sobbing saying something about how Manik is, which I didn't care to hear.

In short, we both mother and daughter duo made quite a scene that Jovi has to stop us by telling Mumma about people.

Jovi didn't said anything to me because she knew that I don't care about people but my mother do. A LOT.

After our crying session, we came back to Jovi's. Her boyfriend being a kind gentle man shifted with his friend till my wedding which by the way is in this week only.

When? I have no idea as my mother thought it would be great if I won't know

" Nandu, come on. Neyo has called me like 4 times " I heard my mother voice breaking my thoughts.

Glancing myself one last time, I went outside to go for early dinner with Manik's and my family.

The two of us left locking the apartment, I also asked my friends to join to which they denied saying they have to take care of other stuffs.

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Finally reaching the place, which by the way was not any place it was like a hub of famous actors. People here looks classy, rich and smart, while me on the other hand don't fall in any of this category.

My lower self esteem kicked in making my hands clammy, I tried gazing around to stop my awkwardness.

That moment I felt so out of the place. Whenever any person passed by me, involuntarily I started comparing myself to them. While, my mother who is always confident no matter what the situation is didn't look stressed or awed.

She was acting casual, while me? Lets just say dumbest.

" Finally, you guys are here " I heard Mom's voice, turning my gaze towards her I saw a bright smile on her face

She came forward and hugged Mumma tightly.

" Hello Bride to be" she cheered hugging me, I muttered a small hi

Finally we went to our seat, which by the way has the marvelous view. When my eyes fell on a familiar figure sitting on one of the chair, talking to someone

" Manik, enough of your work now. They're here " Mom commanded him and the next moment he cut the call, stood up greeting mumma with a charming smile.

He moved his eyes towards me making me go all blank, but thankfully didn't said anything, only ignored me plainly.

Jerk!!

Fortunately or Unfortunately, we have to sit beside each other, because our mothers thought it'd be cute and will give us time to talk.

We didn't had to order anything as it was all pre-ordered, Mumma and Mom were busy in their childhood talk while Manik was sitting there having the starters.

Me at the other side was busy looking outside, more particularly the sky. As the airport was nearby, a lot of planes were passing making the boring dinner interesting for me.

" Nandini " I heard my mother's voice making me avert my gaze.

My mother was looking at me sadly as she knew how much I wanted to be a Pilot, I smiled at her telling I'm fine.

Its a part of life, right?

We don't always get what we wish for!!

" Wow, Pizza" I yelled a little louder than necessary seeing the food

" That is not for you. You can eat these" before I could take one slice, Manik freaking Malhotra moved my Pizza aside and showed me some 'healthy' dishes, giving me a straight no nonsense look.

" Huh? " I asked confused

He didn't care to answer, but Mom spoke rudely " Manik what is this behaviour? "

" What behaviour, Mom? She was ill a month back only, right? And this Pizza is made up of All Purpose flour which is not healthy for her seeing that she had severe food poisoning few years back " he calmly explained his not so needed theory

My mouth was hung open, I looked around to saw Manik's mom was smiling at him proudly, while My mother was impressed to the next level.

Making a face, my gaze fell on the Pizza again, which Manik was going to eat anytime now.

I tried to take one slice but his one glare was enough to stop me. Not finding any other thing, I looked at Mumma who was talking to Mom while eating her Mutton Biryani.

" Mumma" I whined like a small kid making my mother turned her eyes towards me.

I eyed the Pizza to her and she sighed " Nandu, Manik is right. "

" But- " I whined again but got cut off

" Look there are a lot of healthy yet delicious food. Eat that " she said

I sighed knowing now nothing can be done, the table was indeed filled with delicacies but how could I concentrate when my favourite food is also there and I wasn't allowed eat that?

Not to forget it was a cheese burst Pizza, My favourite.

I again looked at Pizza then Manik, and again at the Pizza.

Manik was enjoying my situation, and with an amused smirk, he took a huge bite of the Pizza letting out a satisfied moan which made me gulp hard and my stomach started grumbling.

Averting my gaze from his smirking face, I looked down to start eating but got a huge disappointment after seeing the food.

No doubt, there were a lot of food but none of them were what I like. Gritting my teeth I took a sip of the Chicken Soup, only to spit out.

God!! What the hell is this?

Luckily, Mumma or Mom didn't saw what I did so there were no glare, embarassment or scolding but the jerk saw it.

He had this unbelievable look on his face, while I was embarrassed to the next level.

why I have to be like this?

Not having enough guts to eat the tasteless, so called healthy food, I immediately made an excuse.

" Oh shit " I said loudly having all the attention

" Nandini, what happen? " Mom asked

" Actually, my boss texted me. I have to send this very urgent reports to him, I think I have to go " I said in a go

" But aren't you on leave? " Mumma asked doubtfully

" Ye-yes I'm but Mumma you know this corporate world, right? " I made an excuse

Before anyone could say, I stood up and said small "sorry, Bye"

With this I almost ran out of the restaurant.

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Coming out of the restaurant, I sighed in relief as finally I don't have to think how I have to act, eat or speak. I can be me now.

I was walking by the side of the road when I saw a Momos stall by the side of the street.

Not thinking anything, I immediately went there and asked for chicken Momos.

As there were no rush, I got my momos after 2-3 minutes itself.

Dipping the momos with the mayonnaise and a little bit of the red spicy chutney, I opened my mouth to eat the whole piece at once when someone clutched my wrist stopping me.

I looked up to see who is it only to get confused and angry at the same time

" What are you doing here? " I asked rolling my eyes

" You had to mail reports, right? Then what are you doing here? " Manik Malhotra asked in a calm voice.

His voice was calm, but the aura around him was anything but calm

" I-uhh-I mailed it already " I murmured jerking my wrist away from him

" You know Nandini, you're a pathetic liar " he told me

I just shrugged because I already know this.

I am a pathetic liar

" God, you're just unbelievable, I mean who rushes off from a restaurant which has one of the best rating not only in India, but Asia and that too you got out to eat this. THIS " he asked making a face while pointing out on my momos

I knew that now he won't let me have my momos in peace so before replying to him, I took 3 momos and shoved inside my mouth at once.

He was shocked beyond the core, while I was satisfied by the taste.

After eating the momos, I spoke " Me. I do this.  I don't like your so called best rated restaurant "

" God, you're one annoying girl " He said snatching my momos and giving it to a small poor kid who was there by the side of the stall, asking people to buy him

" Nooo that's mine" I whined stomping my foot on the floor not caring about anyone but my momos.

I only ate 3!!!

" God! Stop embarrassing me. Lets go. Moreover our mothers are going to have their best friend time for the night, so I got the duty to drop you " Manik said pulling my arms

" No, I won't go anywhere without you. You douche bag, I want my momos back " I yelled angrily stomping my foot on his shoes

He turned back and gave me one hard glare which was enough to stop my whine, thus making him drag me successfully.

-------------------

" Stop making faces and come out " Manik said once he stopped his car.

I was already very angry that I took no heed to his words and kept sitting there with a grumpy face.

" Nandini, look outside atleast" He said

I didn't

" Just once, look outside " he said a little softly

This time, I turned my gaze outside only to get confused and then realisation hit me like lightning

Before, I could say or do anything, he has already opened the door of my side asking me to come out

I was scared and angry at the same time, so I spoke " Wh-why are we here at a place like th-this? "

He looked confused

" I-I know Tae-Taekwondo" I said so he will get scared

But instead he smirked " yes, I know Nandini. You learnt Taekwondo for 2 days "

I didn't said anything only kept sitting there thinking what should I do next

" Now, if you're done Please come outside " he said

"No, no I won't " I told him

" I promised, you will love this " he spoke softly

After taking a sigh, I came out to see only darkness surrounding us

" Follow me " I heard him speak

" B-but-" I said looking around but Manik cut me off, pulling me by my wrist

" W-will you kill me now? " I asked him timidly

" Umm lets see " he smirked

After walking for a while, finally I saw a light making me sigh in relief

I gazed around only to have a mini heart attack

There was a mini aircraft a little bigger than a helicopter, a freaking aircraft by the side of me.

I was shocked beyond anything, my hands started itching to touch it for once.

" You like it? " Manik whispered in my ears thus making me come out of my thoughts

" Its its its-" I tried to speak but got no vocabulary

" If you remember, then you must know I have pilot license. Come on, lets fly this beauty " he whispered again

" N-no I'm fine " I told him moving my eyes from the helicopter

" God, we have to reach our destination for the wedding, our mothers are already there with our friends and I have got the duty to take you. Also I'm not taking any train. This is the only option you have " he told me

I was busy in my thoughts when he spoke " Sam, everything's done? "

" Yes, Sir " the guy Sam replied

" Come on " Manik said putting his hand on my back making me shiver

And Finally I sat on the Co-pilot seat for the very first time in my life.

I was happy or more like happiest and Manik made me happy without even knowing .

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Xoxo,
Marbil