So, I know it is not my birthday today, but because I might not be available on my birthday, I thought to update this today.

Do share your reviews and,

Enjoy Reading!

Fuck.

Manik banged his hand on the steering wheel, cursing his fate for his car broke down in the middle of the road and that too at night when it was raining cats and dogs.

And Manik Malhotra hated rain with all his heart - though only in moments like this when he had an angry mother waiting for him at home.

Letting out an another string of curses under his breath, he stepped out of the car to check what was wrong with it but when even after struggling for whole ten minutes and drenching himself in the heavy downpour, he realized he could do nothing about it, Manik settled on calling his driver to come up with the another car.

Manik sighed and turned around to sit back when a shriek from behind the bushes on the other side of the road had all his attention. It sounded feminine and worry took place in him. The darkness of the night made it difficult to see anything properly.

"Who's there?"

He heard some shuffling, an another painful shriek followed by. Manik knew someone was in danger and needed help. The cries only got louder for help as he neared the other side, and to his horror he was right too. There, alone with a small baby bump a woman completely drenched tried hard to fight against the two bulky men.

It wasn't rocket science to know what was happening there. Manik's blood boiled instantly as he shouted, making the men look at him. He glared at them before running in their direction, all ready to break their bones.

Though the men were bulky, they were slightly drunk too which meant they were not in proper senses and apparently were weak at the moment. Manik made sure they wouldn't even look back after running from there to save their lives.

"Th-Thankyou."

The lightening struck, and the woman infront of him trembled both from cold and terror. Her purple saree, although expensive , didn't hide anything beneath. Manik immediately stepped back, maintaining proper distance. He removed his blazer and handed it to her.

"Mam?"

He called out, and watched her tremble again. Manik's heart twisted under his chest. Who scared this lady so much? Although he couldn't see her face for her hair covered it for her and there was darkness, he could feel how fragile she might be looking at the moment.

She sobbed silently, her hand on her stomach and other clutched near her chest.

"A-are you okay? Come, I will drop you at your home."

Manik offered but the lady only seemed to get more scared as she took another step back muttering a shaky 'it's okay'. Manik didn't know if he could pester her more. She was already so terrified and he might appear like a creep to her if he did so he just bobbed his head.

"Are you sure? I can drop you safely. You can trust me."

She shook her head, not for once looking up or giving him a single glance of her crying face. Manik just knew she was still crying because she kept wiping off her tears. His driver came in the meantime and sparing a last glance to her shaky figure, he walked to his car.

13 July, 2019 - Manik still remembers that day.

The thunder clapped loudly in the dark gloomy sky pulling him out of his thoughts.

That night, he had received scolding from his mother for leaving a helpless woman on the road like that. He tried to make her understand his point of view. How could he force her? She would have got scared but still his mother remained adamant on "You should have dropped her home safely."

He sighed, not knowing why he was even remembering the incident now, it has been almost three years since that incident after all. Maybe it was because the weather was the same as that day.

Maybe.

He didn't know why but he couldn't get over that incident. Every time it rained, he would end up thinking of her. He passed from the same route daily and deliberately in a hope to spot her someday again. He wanted to apologize for leaving like that and explain himself. He wanted to know if she was doing fine or why was she there at that hour of night? Where was her family? Her husband? Was she even married? He remembered her wearing a saree and had even spotted the nuptial chain hanging in her neck. She was definitely married. Happy or not, was an unanswered question.

He felt his insides filling up with anger. Which husband leaves his wife on the road like that? That too when she is pregnant and the weather is not fine.

Manik's chain of thoughts was broken again as he reached his home. The rain had subsided but the sky was still dark with gloomy clouds.

"Maa!" His mother, Niyonika who was sitting on the couch waiting for him looked up with a stern glare while Manik returned a very sheepish smile.

"Manik. You are late." She complained like she was his class teacher and he was that one student who never made it on time. However, she continued without giving him any chance to explain,"We were all just leaving. Are you coming with us or are you driving alone?"

Manik frowned hearing her and it was then his eyes fell on the expensive silky maroon coloured saree she was wearing. On a cue, his father, Raj and his siblings, Soha and Cabir walked out of their rooms at the same time, all ready to leave somewhere, to a party probably. It took him a minute to remember that they were supposed to attend a birthday party of their business partner's granddaughter and when he did, he passed his mother an apologetic look.

"Go ahead, I will come behind." He smiled sheepishly, making her shake her head in disbelief at his carelessness.

"But don't you dare skip the party!" She warned.

"I won't, Maa."

"Bhai, do come. I heard it is a grand one. There's lots of food too." Manik rolled his eyes along with others hearing him

"It is Murty's, what else do you expect?" Soha chirped,"Sad that they have no heir." She tched. Raj rolled his eyes while Cabir and Manik glared at her but she just shrugged. Niyonika shook her head at her behavior and gestured that they should leave. As decided, they all left first while Manik went to freshen up.

Around half an hour later, he was driving to the party venue. Cabir had sent him the address already. He was half way there when suddenly he realized it was a child's birthday party and it would look bad if he went without a gift. Though, his family might have already taken one but still- he was going to enter alone so it would only look nice if he had one in his hand too.

So, he stopped at a gift shop on the side of the road and took a teddy bear as a present. Every girl loves teddy bears, this little child will too, he thought.

Parties are boring. Absolutely boring. No offense to the hosts but most of them are absolutely boring, Manik sighed. First, he couldn't even spot his family anywhere because the hall was fully packed with people. Second, most of them were unknown to him.

Holding the medium size present in his hands, Manik greeted everyone, almost everyone and groaned when he still couldn't find his family.

His mother was a walking gossip center and his father was a lovesick teenager in front of her. He wouldn't even be amused if he saw them staring at each other in some corner because that's how much in love they were. Not that he complained.

Another ten minutes passed and finally he spotted his mother among a group of people, his father stood beside her. Manik heaved a sigh of relief and marched to them with a few long strikes.

"Maa dad!" He called out.

His mother turned to him instantly and gave him a forced smile. "Manik."

"Maa, I have been trying to find all of you for so long!" He whined and her eyes softened immediately. Okay, she did expect her elder son to skip this party for he literally hated parties.

"It is okay, Manik. Come here." She gripped his shoulder enthusiasmly, showing off how handsome and talented her son is to the couple they were talking to. He and his father shared a look before shaking their heads in disbelief.

After a round of praises, the couple excused themselves and Manik found himself standing in front of Mr. Mahesh Murty- on who's granddaughter's birthday party were they in. His parents did the greeting and he greeted Mr.Murty too and handed him the present since the little child was yet to make her entry.

Manik just knew Mr.Murty was from London and had recently settled in Mumbai due to some reasons. They weren't good friends but had recently worked on a project together which was led by Manik's team.. He was a nervous wreck when it came to work. Ofcourse, he knew nothing about Mr.Murty except the fact how amazing the old man was when it came to work.

The party went on, the birthday girl was there with her mother. Before Manik could see or greet them, he received a call from the office. The call took longer than he thought, and by the time he was back, the cake was already cut.

He looked around the hall, trying to spot the unknown lady and sighed in relief on seeing her standing at a side. Though he hadn't seen her, he was sure it was Mrs.Murty only since she had a child of three standing beside her who also happened to be having a princess tiara on her head.

As Manik took steps to them, he saw the little girl shaking her head while muttering something. The lady beside her seemed to be laughing as her shoulders shook. Her star shaped diamond earring dangled on her shoulder as she pointed in a particular direction. Manik followed the line of vision and saw children playing in a corner. Probably, she was asking the little girl to go and play.  Taking a deep breath, Manik approached them.

"Um, Mrs.Murty?"

The woman turned around instantly hearing her name being called out and Manik's entire world stilled at the beauty in front of his eyes. He froze at his place, her brown eyes so captive. She looked awfully familiar but he couldn't remember seeing her anywhere. She looked at the side for a moment with a frown and then pointed at herself.

"Uh- Me?" Manik gave a small nod, thinking if he said something wrong and when she chuckled at him, he knew he definitely did.

"Mhm, Sorry- aren't you Mrs.Murty?"

"No, I am Nandini, Mahesh Murty's elder daughter."

Way to embarrass himself!

Manik's eyes widened hearing her. Okay, how come he didn't know Mr.Murty had a daughter who happened to be a mother but wasn't Mrs?

"O-Okay. Hie Nandini."

Nandini nodded silently, not giving any verbal answer and Manik's eyes fell on the little girl who was now hiding behind her mother's leg. Manik crouched down till her height and stretched out his hand.

"Hey, babygirl!" Manik gave her a wide smile only to have the little doll clutch her mother's legs more firmly in fear. He understood she wasn't comfortable and stood up with a small smile.

"She's just a little reserved." Nandini looked at him apologetically while Manik shook his head silently.

"It is okay. So, you work with Mahesh Uncle?" He asked, trying to make a conversation.

Nandini raised an eyebrow hearing the word 'Uncle' which confused Manik before he realized the meaning."Oh yeah. I work under dad in our company and we have signed up a new project with Mahesh uncle. He told me to call him uncle."

Nandini nodded her head in acknowledgement, remembering the project Manik was talking about. Since her daughter, Ruhi, had fever at that time, she was at home all week.

Nandini's attention was suddenly averted by Ruhi who pointed at the direction where Mr.Murty stood. She nodded at her daughter who took no moment to run to her dear naanu. Nandini's eyes followed her until she saw her father picking her up with a huge smile.

She looked back at Manik and they fell into another conversation. They were so engrossed in talking, that none of them realized when they started walking side by side and came to the other end of the hall. Manik started telling her about how excited he was for their collaboration while Nandini could only smile seeing his enthusiasm.

Manik found out Nandini was three years elder to him and was the CEO of the company, though he already knew the girl being the CEO, he didn't know the girl was Miss.Murty, not Mrs.Murty.

He laughed nervously to cover up his embarrassment when Nandini pointed it out. She didn't seem an extrovert but whatever interaction Manik had with her, he felt positive even if she behaved professionally. There was this undefined vibe from her, the one he could not explain.

They were soon interrupted by a servant who came there to call Nandini. Giving another professional smile to Manik, she walked away with the servant excusing herself.

"Miss.Murty, umm not bad!" He muttered under his breathe and turned around only to find his younger brother, Cabir standing there with a stupid grin plastered on his face.

"What news did you bring today?"

"Ah. It is about you bhai!"

"What is it?"

"Umm, nothing much, just you and Miss.Murty forming an alliance maybe." Cabir smirked as Manik looked at him with wide eyes.

"What!?" He exclaimed in shock.

"I don't know much. Just heard Mumma saying." Cabir shrugged and started walking while Manik followed immediately.

Marriage with Nandini? She was a nice woman and if his family was considering it. He would surely give it a chance.

"You look happy, bhai." Cabir stated, trying to tease him but Manik didn't hear a word Cabir blabbered all the way to the elders. He smiled at his mother who held his arm and pulled him with her.

"Manik, Did you meet -"

"Yes, Maa." He bobbed before she could even complete. She laughed at his eagerness, already seeing the fondness for someone in his eyes.

"You liked her?" She asked again, Manik's eyes went wide for a second before he nodded softly. His mother laughed out loud, much to his embarrassment and turned to the others.

"So it is final, Mr.Murty, Next Sunday, We are officially coming -"

"Bhai!" Cabir called from behind and Manik turned around to silence him but before he could, Cabir held his hand and dragged him away.

"to see, Ananya."