NEW SS:DIL KA RISHTAA CHAPTER 6 PG 132 TH2 LINK IN INDEX - Page 40

"This is for you" Manik said handing over a packet to Nandini as they got down in the driveway of Malhotra Mansion

"This...what is this?"

"A small gift ...for you" Manik replied softly looking into her eyes" Wo actually I thought its Ananya's birthday , so I have given gifts to the entire staff..So ..So" His expressions had changed suddenly and Nandini felt a twinge in her heart.

She thought manik had bought her a gift but alas she was being gifted by her employer.

"Thankyou " nandini replied gloomily " For this" and walked into the house with Ananya.

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Nandini looked at the box lying on her dresser without batting an eyelid.

"Why did I feel bad when he called me an employee , why? " nandini murmured to herself " Aiyappa pls help me.Why am I loosing myself all over again.Why does he affect me so much?"

She sighed and picked up the packet.

She opened it found a beautiful peach coloured saree in it.

"vow" nandini said as her eyes lit up with joy.

She picked up the saree and below it was a note which said

"Will Ananya's Mom wear it tonight?"

A smile crept on her face as she walked into the washroom to change and get ready for the dinner.

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"Ananya baby , tell your mumma that papa's gift is looking really good on her " Manik said looking at Ananya and she giggled back

"ananya baby , tell your papa a big thankyou and that his choice is really beautiful " Nandini winked at Manik.

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Manik had booked the entire roof top restaurant by the poolside to celebrate his daughter's birthday.Though he hadn't invited anyone except Navya and Cabir.Cold breeze was blowing.Thankfully Nandini had brought warm clothes for Ananya.

But as for herself, her saree and sleeveless blouse were giving her a tough time.

They were waiting for Cabir and Navya .Manik was busy with her phone while Nandini was taking care of Ananya.

Suddenly Manik noticed that Nandini was shivering.

"What happened ?" He asked looking at her.

"Wo...wo...nothing" Nandini rubbed as arms as she trembled again " Its too cold here"

"Ohhh" manik thought for a moment and then got up and removed his blazer.

"Wear this" he said extending it towards Nandini.

Nandini was shell shocked .

"No...its ok..Sir..I mean Ma..Manik"I'll manage.

"Wear it else you'll fall ill" Manik insisted.

"But ..but what about you?" Nandini asked " Aren't you feeling cold?"

"Its okay I'll manage" Manik smiled " I cant see you fall ill" he spoke in a flow

"Matlab?"nandini asked inquisitively.

"I mean...wo" Manik fumbled for words searching for the right excuse " Who will take care of Ananya if you fell ill"

Nandini lowered her gaze and let out a deep breath.

She took his blazer and wore it .

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"Ye Baby Ananya ke liye ek chhota sa gift from our side " Navya handed over the gift box to Nandini.

"Vaise I was wondering what will Ananya call me when she grows up...Chachu aur uncle?"Cabir asked with a huge grin on his face.

"None of these" Navya took Ananya in her arms "She is my sister's daughter so she will call us Mausa Mausi" She spoke unknowingly but bit her lower lip as soon as she realised her mistake.

Suddenly there was complete silence .

"Wo...wo mera matlab...Ananya..." Navya tried to clarify but Manik intervened.

"You might be Nandini's sister but Cabir is my bro first , so Ananya will call you chachi chachi only"

Nandini and Navya heaved a sigh of relief , thankful enough that Manik didn't develop any doubts.

"Absolutely right..." Cabir spoke loudly " So lets cut the cake"

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While everyone had almost finished dinner after cake cutting was over , ananya started tapping on Nandini's chest , gesturing her to giver her feed.Though Ananya had turned one , still she was used to taking mother's feed while sleeping.

Nandini tried to give her top feed her but she was too adamant.Ananya started crying while tapping her chest again and again.

"Why is she crying?" Manik asked .

"she ...she is sleepy.Can you...can you pls ask the manager to open a room for us." Nandini looked at Navya gesturing her to favour her.

"But why do you need a room" Manik asked " We'll be going back home in a few minutes.Just give her a ride in the stroller and she will sleep"

"Wo..actually its ..its quite cold here naa..that's why" Navya ,who had understood Nandini's gestures , spoke on her behalf.

"Haan thand to hai...I think its going to rain soon" Cabir also supported them

"ohh I just love the rain" Manik spoke.He then took out his phone and dialled a number " Ok ,You can take her , I'll talk to the manager"

Nandini was relieved as she asked Navya to accompany her to the room.Before leaving she offered Manik to take his blazer but he refused saying that he wasn't feeling the need for it.

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"Navya tumne ache se lock kar diya naa door" Nandini asked as she sat on the bed with Ananya who was wailing badly now.

"Nandini , I guess you should wean her off now , she has turned one now" Navya spoke as Nandini fed Ananya and slowly Ananya drifted to slumber.

"Navya I have been trying to and I have succeeded to an extent but still she needs it when she is sleepy" Nandini explained.

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Nandini lifted sleeping Ananya in her arms as Manik pulled the car in the driveway.

"You take her inside , I ll be coming in a few minutes" Manik said.

Nandini nodded and walked inside.She carefully tucked ananya in the bed so that her sleep wasn't disturbed .

Nandini removed Manik's blazer and unpinned her pallu .She was about to remove her saree when she heard the sound of the rain.

"Ohh God , it has started raining" She murmured " pata nahi manik aaye yaa nahin"

She pulled up her pallu again, took out the umbrella from the drawer and went outside to check on him.

She went outside and saw Manik standing in the rain with his arms open and eyes closed.

Nandini's eyes bulged out in surprise.The night was getting colder with every passing minute and the rain was making it even worse.Despite of that Manik was standing in the rain and he seemed to be enjoying it.

" maaanik" she called out loudly to beat the sound of harsh rain " aap pls andar aa jayiye , nahi to sardi lag jayegi aapko"

Manik heard her voice and opened his eyes to look at her.

"Nahi Nandini...I just love rains.I wont come inside" He smiled " Main to kehta hut um bhi aa jao"

Nandini ran to him and tip toed on her heels to put up the umbrella on their heads.

Manik smiled at her cute gesture and took the umbrella from her.Nandini lowered her gaze and rested her heels on the floor.

" Manik , wahan restaurant me bhi aap bina blazer ke the .Aap pls chaliye andar" She spoke after a pause .

Nandini turned around to leave but suddenly she felt a pull on her pallu.She gasped as she stopped on her place holding her pallu on her chest.Manik thre away the umbrella in one corner.

Another pull and her back collided with his chest.Cold water drained down her body making her tremble.

"Mat jao...please" He whispered in her ear.

He held her waist and circled his hands around her waist.Nandini felt cold shivers run down her spine as she closed her eyes.She was loosing herself with every passing second.

But then , the lightening struck.Nandini got hysterical and opened her eyes.The loud sound of lightening and thunderstorms always reminded her of that fateful day of her life.

She turned back and clinged to manik out of fear.Her heart was beating erratically and her breath came in shallow pants.She tightened her grip , digging her nails deep into his back.

Manik was startled .He felt the pain as her finger nails pierced through his skin but didn't utter a word.Nandini was breathing heavily.He could easily make out that she was petrified.

He hesitated first but then slowly wrapped his arms around her .

"relax" he spoke " Its just the sound of lightening.Kuchh nahi hoga tumhe ...main hoon naa"

Nandini gasped as Manik rubbed her bare waist to console her. She pulled apart but didn't look up at him.

"I...I am sorry" She stammered as she looked down to avoid his gaze .

"its okay" He smiled " Par tum itna kyu darr gayi"

Nandini turned around and closed her eyes.Tears were rolling down her cheeks which were simulataneously being washed by rain water.She gulped her saliva as the events of past flashed before her eyes.

"Nandini" Manik held her shoulder and she hissed in pain as his hand touched the place where her bruise was.Manik pulled back his hands immediately.

"K..Kya hua ?"Manik asked in a concerned tone .

He reluctantly raised his hand and tried to pull down her pallu so that he could see what was bothering her.As soon as Nandini realised what could come next she held her pallu and stopped Manik.

"Is there some kind of a wound here?" He asked softly " Lemme see"

"hmmm its a wound ...a very old one" She replied after a pause.

"why ..why dont you get it treated?" He asked

"Some wounds never heal...niether with time , nor with medicines" She replied and ran away from there wiping off her tears.

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"You cant...you cant do this Nandini" She spoke to herself " You cant be so selfish.you cant put his life in danger" She blabbered as she stood before the mirror in the washroom.Water was dripping down her entire body and so were the tears from her eyes .

"Mujhe ye job chhodni hogi" She straightened herself " Manik ke liye , Ananya ke liye...unki safety ke liye" She gathered herself and wiped her tears .

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"Kya ho raha hai mujhe ?" Manik murmured dreamily.His smile was not leaving his face since he had entered his room.

He stood in front of the mirror as he ripped apart his shirt.He touched the marks of her nails on his back .Somehow he was feeling good about it.

"There is something about that girl which didn't let me forget her in the past months.Why does my heart stop beating as soon as I see her?Why could I feel her fear , her pain?What do we call this feeling?"

"Its love" His reflection spoke

"Really" Manik's grin widened " Am I in love?"

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So guys

How is this story?

So many requests to convert this into ff...haha.

Lo ji ff to nahi but SS bana diya.

Now this story will have more than 5 parts...ab 6 bhi ho sakte hain aur 10 bhi...depend upon the response actually! !!

Keep showering your love

God bless!