Chapter 6. Painting The Town Red

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Guys let's skip this cooking thing and gate crash some partyyyyy" Mukti screamed after throwing carrot into the dish.

As she turned to check the reactions of her statement but noticed other scenario. She saw Nandini engrossed in vegetable cutting and Manik engrossed in staring at Nandini.

Nandini was so busy in her own work that she didn't realize Manik's stare on her.

But on the other side Mukti was shocked with her brother behaviour around Nandini.

She was still unware of the fact that exactly what is going on in his mind. The day Manik told them about his new friend in Pune other than his usual friends, eveybody from Malhotra family was pretty sure that the matter is something else. Because from the day Manik entered into this entertainment industry, he almost forgot how to live his personal and private life. Every moment of his life was a gossip for others. Even they sell it for thier own benefits.

She knew her brother was in a way sensitive. The day he realised that his family is sacrificing their freedom for his stardom he started keeping away all the happiness that he truly deserve.

After so long he was again behaving normal and Mukti knew that somewhere Nandini is unintentionally helping him to get his normal life back.

She still remember the day when she checked his instagram stories with Nandini. Surprised can be understatement as she was shocked beyond words. Usually Manik avoid people other than family members and some of his friends but this was shocker for her. How can he go so public about anybody that too some random girl. She knew how protective Manik was about his family, friends and loved ones.

And how can she forget the incidence when first time Mukti was bashed by his social media haters. After that he started avoiding all sorts of situations and make his family distant from social media for long time.

And that day, Neyonika and her caught him staring at Nandini's picture, they knew she was special for him. Even he admitted that fact infront of them but this looks deeper than what she is witnessing.

Suddenly Manik's voice broke her trance. "Ae chuhiya, first toh you screamed like some insane creature and now standing dumb staring at us. Teri tabyet toh thik hai na?" He asked touching her forehead and Nandini giggled.

"I am on top of the world Bhai. Muze kya hoga. Waise I don't want to spend our time in cooking and all stuff. Let's go to some pub and udhar se della chalte hai. What say?" She asked excitedly.

"Woah woah woah girl you need to calm down first. Ye abhi toh sirf 6 baje hai ab iske baad kya kaise sab hoga" he asked staring at Nandini who has same expressions her face.

"Come onnn bhai. This isn't our first time. Aise pehle bhi toh plan kiye hai na humne and ab toh even Nandini will get to know hamara plans and outings. You just book the resort" and she dragged Nandini towards her room.

"Bhai you go pack your bag and get ready meanwhile I and Nandini will do the same and 6.30 agent jacks niklenge udhar se lonavla"

Nandini sighed and followed jumping Mukti to her room.
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After some time exactly at 6.15 pm Nandini came down and settle on front room couch. She started surfing her social media and watsapp. She saw notifications of WhatsApp from their group chat. Then there were 5-6 msgs from Soha and thousands of Instagram requests.

She frustratingly kept her phone back on couch and went towards Alex's room. He had a cute room where all types of toys and facilities were there.

She slowly peeked into his room and witness a cute scene where he was sleeping cuddling to a soft toy. She silently close the door and came back to front room and heard Mukti's shouting.

          

"Bhai kitna time lagaoge yaar. We being girls apse pehle ready hai. We are going to club not to any of your shoots. Let's go we are getting late."and suddenly she turned and looked and Nandini and whistled.

"Oye hoy someone is looking bombshell in this black attire. Thank god you carry one with you warna toh wapas ghar jana padta. Waise dekhna tumhara favourite hero clean bold hoga aaj."she said mischievously.

"Mukti stop exaggerating. Firstly I am not any bombshell just a simple girl. And secondly tell me wahan koi hero aa raha hai" she asked confusingly.

"Are I am talking about your favourite hero and iss gharka ladla. Our very own Manik Malhotra."and Mukti slapped Nandini's forehead.

"Mukti how do you know that he is my favourite actor. Maine toh tumhe nahi bola tha." Nandini asked curiously and Mukti mentally facepalm herself.

"Are it's so obvious because aj kal sab jagah ek hi ladkeki hawa hai. Uparse meri friends bhi bhai ke piche pagal hai so issilye guess mara." She tried covering up and suddenly they noticed Manik climbing down the stairs looking smoking hot in his white shirt and blue jeans.

"Are bhai kitna time lete ho yaar. Sab saman liya. Chale?"she asked him but that sentence went unnoticed by Manik as he was busy staring at Nandini.

To check Nandini's reaction, she turned her face towards Nandini and find her staring back at Manik with equal intensity.

"Iska matlab aag dono side se lagi hai. It's time for some action Ms.M" and she wickedly laugh walking towards Nandini.

She deliberately pushed Nandini using her shoulder in such a way that she directly landed in Manik's arm.

As a reflex action, Nandini immediately held Manik's arm and he held her protectively.

"Ohh sorry Nandini wo galtise dhakka laga." and she hurriedly went towards theirs bags.

Here the moment Nandini fall on Manik's arm the world around them just stopped. They keep staring at each other until they heard a coughing sound of Mukti.

"Agar Bollywood moment ho gayi toh chale" and she left giggling leaving Awkward Manik and Nandini back.
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Almost after 1 hour they reach agent jacks pub in koregaon park. This was Manik and Mukti's favourite hangout place. They generally reserve private area for initial hours and then mingle into the crowd.

"Mukti we are leaving by 10 as we have to reach della resort before midnight. So pehle hi bol raha hoon don't crib badme" Manik informed and Mukti made a bad face.

They entered into private area and immediately Nandini and Mukti settled themselves on couches and started taking selfies.

Meanwhile Manik talked to Manager, ordered some drinks, food and came towards the girls.

As soon as he joined them he made a bad face." Girls I am not here to see how you guys click millions of selfies so stop right now."

Nandini giggled and Mukti kept her phone back.

"Achha Nandini why dont you and bhai go and dance. I mean bhai is a mad when it comes to dance toh go with him warna he will crib badme." Mukti laughed and Manik rolled his eyes at her.

"What? am I not wrong? Sahi toh hai and I am sure Nandini ko bhi kuch problem nahi hoga right? I will join you guys in sometime. I will come just wanted to use washroom" and before Manik and Nandini could react Mukti was long gone.

After Mukti left Manik stand from his place and bend down infront on Nandini "Should I get a honour to dance with this gorgeous lady?"Manik asked forwarding his hand towards her.

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