MaNan- A Second chance at Love!

~The meet greet~

#When it gets too difficult, breathe in and out, for that's all you could do#

"Nandini!"

I could hear my friends whispering to each other, and I have no idea what it was, because I was busy living a dream.

"I'm hungry, Ma. Bhooki bhooki."

And I felt it.

The tough feeling at the back of my throat. There was a lump waiting to go down it, for which I'm unable to.

Ma?!!

Blinking the stray tears forming in my eyes away, I tried to focus on her.

Her and the little girl in her arms!

Ma?!

She had that beautiful smile on her lips, and I felt that lump getting bigger in my throat, yet, I wasn't able to gulp it down.

Ma?

Smiling down at that girl, she was moving around and I felt my eyes moving along, not wanting to leave her. While all she was doing was to pamper that little girl and taking care of her needs like a mother would.

Ma.

"Chellam, come here. Meet them. Our business partners. Oh by the way, this is Cabir who's my friend as well. Cabir Dhawan and his family."

And our eyes met. Just like old times.

Oh how much I missed them!

~~~**~~~

No!

That can't be!

No! No!

That can't be him standing in front of me.

"Cabir Dhawan and his family."

No! No! No!

"And this is Manik Malhotra!"

That can't -shouldn't be him!

"Chellam!" Snapping me out of my thoughts, I looked at Anna and Bhai, who were staring at me puzzled. Clearing my throat, I looked back at them.

"H-Hi! Nandini! Nandini Oberoi!"

I tried to smile at the people in front of me who once I considered as my family, I really did try.

But it was hurting!

Gulping the lump in my throat, I looked at them smilingly and hoped that my eyes would never deceive me.

"Oberoi?"

I looked towards my left on hearing that voice.

"But I thought you were a...Murthy?"

Her eyes held accusations and betrayal in them and I wonder if my absence did bother her so much. And then her gaze fell on Annu, with something akin to a realization dawning upon.

"Uh... I'm sorry, what?" I heard Charan Bhai, and I held his hand, for I knew he felt offended with that question from her.

From Navya.

From my best friend.

Or...do I still hold that right?

I stepped forward to walk towards where she stood, and heaved a sigh.