Âmes Soeurs

Chapter Three

Sunday.

Malhotras.

"You are looking awesome Manik" Dev came and complimented his bhai who was actually nervous.



"Hey! Why are getting nervous? It's just a meet!" Dev patted his shoulder to which he hugged him.

"Manik! Come! Eat this" Sona stuffed the paratha in Manik's mouth who actually smiled at her care. She was just like an elder sister to him.

"Shoukd we go, son?" Shreya came and asked all three of them to which they nodded and moved to the car.

Murthys.

"Are! Are! No evil eye should fall on my little sweetheart" Divyanka came and kissed Nandini's forehead who smiled.



"Mom! Mom! You actually don't have to worry about evil eye!! Manik is there, no" Asha teased Nandini who just looked down, owing to the nervousness building in her.

"Shh! Don't be nervous! Everything will be fine" Divya kissed her forehead to which she hugged her and smiled while Divya caressed her back.

"Divya! Please come downstairs! Maybe they are here" As soon as Vivek muttered this, Nandini's tension grew. Asha and Divya moved downstairs while Nandini's thinking was disturbed by a call.

She gave a limited smile and took the call where a sound from the other side was heard "Nanduuu! I am very sorry yaar! You know nah? you know right, some few months to this internship and I will be there with you!! Please say yes to him!! Because he's so damn handsome! But my girl do watch out his moves okay? I love you and best wishes to you! I am so damn excited mahn!" Navya shouted.

"Ne pas crier. Vous êtes au bureau" A French accent voice shouted at her to which Navya might have made faces.

Nandini started giggling to which Navya pouted and said "Nandu! Stop laughing, you impecile!! You have no idea how much screwed up I am.. I am just trying to get away ..It's going on my mind"

"You will Navya..Very soon" Nandini assured her to which she smiled.

"Nandini, They are here" Asha informed and went downstairs to which Navya hooted and Nandini cut the call "Okay Bye"

Nandini started playing with her dupatta to overcome the nervousness. What if he rejects her? Her heart, which for the first time developed something for someone will just break.

Downstairs.

Shreya, Raj and Cabir on the sofa while Manik and Mukti had taken two couches while Dev and Sona were sitting on the small sofa that was for two while the Murthy family was seated on the opposite sofa in the spacious living room which spitted only richness and class.

"Where is Nandini? We are waiting so eagerly to meet her! Rashmi has said so much of good about her" Shreya suggested to which Divya smiled and blinked her eyes at Asha who walked upstairs to call her.

"Manik! What do you do? I mean, everyone knows you are a part of the famous Malhotra Empires! But I just wanted to ask you, what is your role in there?" Vivek posed a businessman question to the business.

"Sir, I handle the branch of Mumbai while Dad and Bhai are the CEO of the USA and London respectively..But we have our cabins in the main branch i.e Mumbai" Manik smiled at him to which Vivek and Rithvik gave an impressive smile.

"There she is!!" Divya looked towards the stairs and found Nandini, playing with her fingers and walking downstairs with Asha.

One thing which was unnoticeable to everyone excluding Nandini was that, Manik was stealing glances of her. He was eyeing her till she walked near the sofa and touched the elders' feet just like Manik did when they entered.

"Nandini! Make some tea beta" Divya said to which Shreya interrupted "Ohho!! No no!! Please! Let her be.. Come, sit here my child!! " Nandini blushed a little and moved to sit between Raj and Shreya.

Shreya cupped her chin and said "We must say that your daughter is really beautiful!" Nandini blushed while The Murthys smiled.

"Well! We think the children should be spared for a moment so that they can talk freely right?" Vivek suggested to which Raj and Shreya nodded.

"Nandini, take Manik to your room and talk to him" Divya said to which Nandini's heart started beating. This greek god in my room? s**t. His perfume smells so good.

"Yes mom! Please come" Manik placed the cup on the table which was served by the maid while the youngsters gave a teasing look to Manik who followed Nandini.

Nandini unlocked her room and entered while Manik was impressed. So beautiful and neat and clean. Woh! I like her.



"Your room is really beautiful" Manik and Nandini sat on the bed.

"Thank you" Nandini spoke looking downwards.

After 2 minutes of awkward silence, Manik asked "So you are a doctor?" He asked to which she looked at him and said "Yes, I am a cardiologist"

"So, urm! What are your hobbies?" He was trying to be comfortable and make her feel comfortable too.

"I like reading books!" She exclaimed to which he smiled. She was being comfortable.

"Aur yours?" She asked.

"I like music..Its My life after my family! But you know..just because of office! It's hard to give my time in that field but never mind" He smiled.

"What are your future aspirations?" He asked her to which she smiled and stated "Nothing of that sort! But yeah! I want to be a very successful cardiologist and yours?"

"Urm! I want to take Malhotra Empires to heights! Maybe world's no.1 " He stated like a true player to which she gave an impressive smile.

"Tell me about your friends" She said to which he stated "I have my family as my bestest of friends and your?" She smiled and said "I have my family as my friend..And I have my best friend which is Navya who is now interning at France" He gave an impressive smile.

After 5 minutes of beautiful silence, he walked closer to her which actually made her heart jump. He held her hand and clutched her palm softly and then looked at her eyes "See Nandini... I won't beat around the bush.. .We are here for marriage..And you very well know how big the decision is..So I want you to share everything you desire for a partner so that I can at least try to mould like your choice and I expect you to be the same" Nandini gave a smile. A pure smile of trust maybe? He was being so sweet that it was unable to hide her blush.

"Manik, I always wanted a gentleman as my Prince charming and to be honest! I see it in you" She spoke the truth to which he gave a smile. A big widened smile.

"And to be very very honest! I too wanted a lady with beauty and brains and all the moral values so to respect my family..And I see it in you Nandini" He said and smiled at her to which she blushed and looked down.