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Time really doesn't wait for anyone. Before Manik knew, a week had already passed. However, unlike how he spent everyday thinking of all the mishap or how to clear it, his parents didn't care about it. Or atleast he thought so.

Nobody at his home dared to take Murty's name or talk about the marriage proposal. Everyone preferred to behave as if the previous week never happened. So he didn't try either.

Now, here he was standing in his father's cabin staring at him while his father sat there working. Although Raj didn't say anything, there was still the cold air between them. His father was angry, Manik knew.

Raj looked up when he cleared his throat and pointed at the stack of files kept on his table. There were atleast eight to nine of them. Manik gulped internally.

"Take these, and correct them. I don't want any mistakes." He ordered. Manik just nodded and picked up the files without a word. It was happening for a week. Manik knew it was his father's way of punishing him but he did everything he was asked without any complaint.

"I do not want you to leave the office without completing your work. Am I clear?" He asked.

"Yes, sir." Manik replied in the same no nonsense tone. If his father was stubborn, he was no less. If he thought giving him more work would make him back out from his words, he was certainly wrong. The misunderstanding didn't change his feelings for Nandini. He was silent only for a time being.

"And we need to get a file signed by Mr.Murty. You go there and get it signed." Raj added and Manik's face went pale for the first time in the whole week. Having to sit for hours and work continously didn't feel this haunting.

How was he going to face Mr.Murty?

"Da-

"You are dismissed."

Manik balled his fist, angry and upset,"Fine, sir."

"Do not show me your anger, Manik. Go there and get the file signed. Use your energy in productive way."

"Sure."

He mumbled, mentally rolling his eyes and walked out. The work, stressing him way more than anything.

And as if it was not enough, he had to face Mr.Murty now.

But then, if he is lucky enough, he might even get a chance to meet Nandini. They had not exchanged a word the whole week. He had tried to call her but she didn't pick up. He wanted to apologize desperately. Maybe, Maybe it was his chance to mend things. He could explain his point of view to both Mr.Murty and Nandini.

Manik had always been positive in his life and his positivity had never disappointed him. After a week, he finally felt a little hopeful even if it came with facing Mr.Murty.

That old man was already impressed with him, he wouldn't be harsh, right?

"Sir, Mr.Malhotra insists on meeting you." Mr.Murty's assistant, Rajat informed as Mr.Murty signed the file and gave it back to him.

"I have already signed the file, why do they want to meet me?" He frowned.

"I don't know, Sir."

"Is it Manik?" He asked and sighed when Rajat nodded 

"Ofcourse, send him in." 

"In a minute, sir."

Rajat walked out of the cabin with the file. Mr.Murty let out a sigh as he leaned back on the chair. He had a hard time consoling Ananya and the whole incident had startled his elder daughter. He didn't know what the junior Malhotra had to offer now.

A moment later, there was a knock on his door.

"Come in" He kept his tone stern, knowing it was Manik. Right on the cue, a nervous Manik stepped in.

"Good Afternoon, Uncle." Manik greeted. He clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling the sweat due to his nervousness. Gosh, this man was more scary than his own father.

"Why are you here, Manik?" Mr.Murty asked sternly even though he knew what Manik had to say. He didn't blame Manik entirely but he was not happy with him either and he made sure Manik knows it through his tone.

"Uncle, Are you upset?" A stupid question. Manik cursed himself in his mind for the slip of tongue.

"Are you here to ask me if I am upset?"

 "N-No, I-I wanted to apologize for that day, uncle." He looked down as Mr.Murty continued to stare at him,"I- It was my mistake."

"It was." Mr.Murty agreed,"Did you really not know about Ananya?" 

Manik shook his head, embarrassed again.

"Since it is you, and I know your intentions were not bad either, I forgive you, Manik." He smiled at the end, making Manik sigh in relief.

"Thank you, Uncle." Manik smiled back and stepped ahead. Mr.Murty gestured to him to sit.

"Is there anything else?" Manik coughed but nodded, taking the seat.

"Uncle, Now that you are not angry anymore, can I talk about Nandini and I?" Manik was hesitant. His parents won't listen to him, but if he could get Mr.Murty on his side, there were chances they might hear him.

But Mr.Murty only glared at him,"There's nothing to discuss about Nandini and you, Manik." He stated firmly,"Nandini is not the one for you." 

"But why, uncle?" 

"Manik, Didn't we have this conversation before? Nandini is a divorce, and she has Ruhi. You are even younger to her." 

"So, just because of all this I shouldn't like her?

"Manik." Mr.Murty called out,"I never said that. But Nandini is not looking forward to marrying anyone again. I have shown her dozens of proposals before, her response has been the same." He cleared, knowing about his daughter well. This conversation would not only break her heart, but also her confidence all over again.

"But at least I can try, Uncle." Manik pleaded,"Why can't you give me a chance?" 

Mr.Murty sighed at his stubbornness but nevertheless, nodded,"Okay. Give me a reason, why should I even consider you for my daughter?" He asked, picking up the glass of water and gulping it down. 

"Because I like her." Manik mumbled.

"And you think it is enough?" Mr.Murty chuckled much to his embarrassment. The elder man almost wanted to laugh at his expressions but didn't.

"Then what else, Uncle?" Manik asked, eager.

"How old are you, Manik." He asked, and Manik looked at him surprised.

"What?"

"Tell me."

"T-Twenty three."

"Do you think it is an ideal age to become a father?" 

"But-"

"At present, Nandini is the CEO here, much more successful to you in her career while you are still under training your father, do you think there would be no problems in future? You wouldn't feel bad with her position and success?"

"Why would I feel bad seeing her success, Uncle?" Manik interrupted.

Mr.Murty shrugged and he let out a sigh.

"Uncle, If Maa had asked me to marry Ananya before I met Nandini, I may or may not have said yes but after I met Nandini, I know it is her who I want in my life. And her being so successful is one of the reason. I admire her for who she is. Though only twice, I have met her and talked to her. I have seen her working, and if anything, her success would only make me happy."

Manik didn't want to brag but Mr.Murty looked impressed with his answer. He smiled gently and sat a little more comfortable. Mr.Murty noticed but said nothing.

"And what about her age? How do I know you won't berate her for her age in future?" Mr.Murty asked, concern dripping from his words.

Manik smiled,"I understand your concerns, Uncle. You have all the rights to worry about Nandini." He smiled,"But if you are worried that I might berate her for being older to me, I assure you it would never happen. Her being older to me only means she is more experienced than me. I can learn so much from her, both personally and professionally." Manik was not sure if he had said something wrong when Mr.Murty chuckled at his words.

He frowned, finding it weird and replayed his own words in his mind. Manik was absolutely good with words. He knew his words were enough to convince the father infront of him but he hadn't expected Mr.Murty to respond in this way.

"You can trust me, Uncle." Manik assured,"I will not let you down."

"I know, Manik but you know, three years before a man like you had come to me and said the same. He had promised me with my daughter too. I lost my daughter because of him, Manik. I am willing to give you a chance, but trust me, If something happens to my daughter again, I won't leave you."

It took Manik a moment to process everything before a wide smiled covered his face.

"I promise you, uncle." Manik couldn't have been more grateful. It was easier then he had thought. Why did he not do it earlier?

He almost jumped from his seat to run home and tell his mother. It was a miracle he had not started dancing at this approval.

"But what about your parents?" Mr.Murty interrupted his happy thoughts. Before Manik could even gather his thoughts, a knock on the door disturbed them. A moment later, the door opened revealing Nandini.

She was dressed in a simple black pants and white shirt. She didn't notice him as her gaze was on the file in her hand.

"Appa, I-" She looked up in mid and stopped as her eyes fell on Manik who stood up seeing her. Nandini stared at him for a moment, watching as his eyes twinkled like a child's does on seeing his favourite candy. But he almost pouted in dismay when she she averted her eyes to her father who sat in silence.

"I- I didn't know. I-I will come later, Appa." She shuttered and Manik frowned for a moment. She didn't look like herself. Now when he noticed her properly, something felt weird about her posture. Maybe she was not sleeping properly. He couldn't spot any bags under her eyes for the proper makeup resting on her face.

Mr.Murty nodded his head at her.

"Nandini-" Manik called out before she could step out of the door. Nandini ignored and took another step.

"Nandini, Please?" Manik pleaded again and she stilled at her place.

"Don't." She muttered, slow but he heard it.

"Nandini, Bacha, listen to him for once? He has to say something." Mr.Murty interfered. He knew Nandini would never let Manik explain like this.

"Appa!" Nandini gasped, turning around and stared at her father in shock,"H-How can you, Appa?" She had already guessed what it might be.Tears welled up in her eyes as she demanded an explanation.

Manik frowned at her reaction. He stepped ahead again but Nandini stopped him, this time by showing her hand. She looked furious at the moment.

"Don't." She warned,"You have ruined it already!"

"Nandini, let me explain, please?"

"Explain what? That you thought the alliance was for me? Have you not had enough already?"

"Nandini-"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear from you!"

She snapped all of the sudden and walked out of the cabin.

"What happened to her?" Manik asked Mr.Murty, dumbfounded by her sudden outburst. As far as he have known her, he had not seen her talking in such a tone. She was always so polite, even when Ananya was mocking her at that day, she didn't raise her voice.

"She does that, sometimes." Mr.Murty chuckled as Manik looked on,"She is upset too, Ananya won't talk to her. Ananya knows it is not her mistake but she feels Nandini should have been more careful."

"You have a lot to mend, Manik." Mr.Murty added and Manik didn't fail to catch the double meaning behind his words.

"And I plan to mend it all, Uncle."

Manik said, determined and Mr.Murty only smiled.