Sitting inside the car, Manik and Nandini were glaring at each other, without even uttering a word.
Finally, unable to bear Nandini's silent treatment, Manik whined " kya hai yeh golu molu? ???...kyon baccho jaise behave kar rahi ho? ???"
Nandini angrily barked " just shut up Bipolar Malhotra! !!!....kaha tha maine. ...ki mujhe yaha nehin ana. ..par tum sunnte kaha ho! !!"
Sighing helplessly, Manik said " Nandu. ...woh tumhare parents hai. ...unn he bhi haq hai tumhare life ke iss important decision ke bareme jaane ka. .."
Cribbing like a baby, Nandini said " woh kabhie nehin maanenge. ...."
Manik ( calmly ) : tum itna negative kyon socch rahi hu Nandu. ...main hu naa tumhare saath. ..
Entering the Murthy House, Manik and Nandini settled themselves on a sofa . While, Grandpa, Pop's and Maa were quizzically looking at them.
Leaning towards Manik, Nandini whispered " hum log kab bhaagne wale hai? ??...koi date decide kiya? ??...accha. ..hum bhaagne ke baad kaha jaenge? ???..."
Putting a full stop on Nandini's queries, Manik said " Nandu baby aapna muh bannd rakho. ..warna ek week ke liye no chocolate! !!!"
Hearing those cruel words, Nandini's eyes popped out.
Clearing his throat, Grandpa sternly asked " kya baat hai Manik? ??...tum dono itni subha yaha pein kya kar rahe ho? ??"
Now it was Maniks turn to fight for Nandini's dreams. Inhaling a deep breath, Manik started "Grandpa woh. ...Nandini ka graduation complete ho gaya hai. ..aur woh. .."
Before Manik could complete, Grandpa said " yeh toh acchi baat hai . ...so. ...Nandini kab se business join kar rahi hai? ???"
Nandini ( pov ) ( rolling her eyes ) :Grandpa ke saamne ek sentence taak bola nehin jaata. ..bada aya unnhe maana ne wala! !!!....Over confident Malhotra! !!!
Fumbling a bit, Manik continued " Grandpa woh. ...Nandini. ..Nandini business join nehin karna chahti. .."
As soon as Manik said this, Grandpa audibly gasped " toh phir woh kya karna chahti hai. ..."
Nandini ( pov ) ( irritatedly ) : arrey yaar inn logo ki problem kya hai! !!!....ek toh becchare itni himaat dikha ke yeh sab bol raha hai. ..lekin inn logo ko bilkul bhi respect nehin hai. ...very bad! !!...my Hulk Malhotra. ...
Grandpa ( angrily ) : tum jaante bhi ho. ..ki tum kya bol rahe ho Manik? ???....humare ghar ki beti acting nehin karegi! !!!....and that is final. ...
Nandini ( pov ) ( happily ) : yuppie! !!!....aap toh ghar se bhaagna is final! !!!
Bending in front of Grandpa, Manik took his hands in his. While, Nandini just animatedly stared at the whole drama.
Calmly Manik started " Grandpa. ...agar Nandini actor baan naa chahti hai. ...toh hum kaun hote hai usse rokne wale! !!!....woh usska career hai. ...joh usske dil mein ayega. ..woh wahi karegi. ...we can't always force her. .."
Softening a bit, Grandpa asked " but beta. ...yeh glamour world bahut kharab hai. ...kahi Nandini kisi galat saangati mein padd gayi toh ????"
Nandini ( pov ) ( confused ) : yeh Dracula Murthy ko acchanak kya ho gaya? ??...aaj kuch zyaada hi meri fikar kar rahe hai? ??
Understanding Grandpa's concerns, Manik lovingly said " Grandpa ....Nandini aapne zindagi ke kisi bhi safar mein akeli nehin hogi! !!!....Nandini meri zimadari hai. ....aur usske har khushi aur ghum pein mera haq hai. ...main kabhi usska saath nehin chhodunga. ...usse har rah. ..har mod pein. ..sahara dunga. ...aur yeh mera wada hai aapse. ..."
Nandini ( pov ) ( lovingly ) : kaise koi mujhse itna pyaar kar sakta hai? ??....sometimes I really feel. ..that I don't deserve Manik! !!....but then. ...I am selfish enough to never let him go. ..
Patting Maniks head lovingly, Grandpa gave his consent.
Looking back at me, Manik cheekily said " bhaagne ka plan cancel! !!"
While, putting on a blank expression, Nandini replied " ghar chalo. ..phir dikhati hu...."
