04. Bonding

F L A S H B A C K

I was done with my meal. I took the last morsel and left from there after bidding them good night. They didn’t mind either, thinking I was tired that I was undoubtedly. I went directly to my room and fell on my bed. Before I knew anything, I fell asleep and the last thing I remembered was Nandini’s face flashed behind my closed eyes for some unknown reason.

I don’t know how long I slept, my slumber broke with a soft knock at my door. It took me some good few minutes to figure out where I was. Though the surrounding was familiar, it was the vibe that was different. Soon I realized I was not at my own home anymore. I shifted to my uncle’s place and currently I was sleeping there only. 

Right then I heard the knock once again, it made me frown. It's midnight and someone's knocking at the door. I’m sure Kabir uncle and Pallavi aunty won’t disturb me now. They know I’m tired. Then only Nandini is left but we didn’t have any sort of conversation that she would come at this hour to meet me. Also, it wouldn’t look nice either.  

I got down from the bed lazily and fixed my clothes before I opened the door. I was right Nandini was standing there. I was surprised but she looked quite okay.

"Hello!" Nandini greeted me as I slightly opened the door.

I was surprised once again with the effortless way she greeted me. I can't help looking at her from head to toe. She's wearing a very thin nightdress. I was technically her ‘brother’ and it’s not again right to come in front of me this way. Her hair was wet which was making her dress wet as well.

I turned my gaze away from her body and looked at her face. "Umm… Hello, you’re here at this hour? Do you need anything?" I asked.

Nandini smiled. She simply pushed the door more and walked inside my room. “Did you sleep already?”

“Yeah! I was tired.”

“I’m sorry to disturb you but I wanted to tell you about some rules in this house.”

I looked at her with a frown. She seemed to be serious. I also waited patiently to hear her. “What?”

“We don’t lock the room doors here. I just wanted you to know that.”

Is she even serious? Can’t I have my privacy? I was about to say something but she started again.

“I know you must be thinking we might invade your privacy. But don’t worry about that. You’ll get your full privacy. This is just our sign that we are open to each other as a family. So don't lock the door next time.” Nandini ended in a calm tone. 

Due to the lack of light, I couldn’t see her properly. But her voice was seductive. It attracted me to something that was forbidden. At that moment, I only wanted her to leave my room as soon as possible. 

“I’ll keep that in mind, Nandini. Thank you.” 

I saw her lips curving a little and formed a smile. 

"Good night, Manik. I’m not going to call you bhai. You can’t be my brother."

Then Nandini walked out of the room. I stared at the way she left for quite some time before falling on the bed. My mind kept wandering the words Nandini spoke before leaving.

What did she mean?

Was she unhappy with me moving here?

I don’t know. I tried to read her eyes but it was holding something that I failed to figure out. She didn’t let me read her and managed to keep herself and her words a mystery to me. She was no doubt a charmer and knows how to use her spell very well. 

I couldn’t sleep the rest of the night. 

N E X T   M O R N I N G

I looked at the time. It was 8 already and I could hear sound from downstairs which means everyone must be up till now. I need to visit some firms today regarding my job. 

After completing my morning chores, I unpacked my bags and arranged them neatly in the cupboard. Taking out one of my formal wears, I got ready and fixed my hair, then grabbing my laptop back, I walked out of my room. I closed the door gently behind me.

When I walked to the dining room, again the aroma of something delicious hit my nostrils. I heard giggles and chuckles, making me curious as I walked into the dining room absentmindedly interrupting Kabir uncle and Pallavi aunty who were kissing and tickling each other. They pulled away from each other feeling my presence. I was avoiding their gaze feeling terrible to break their private moment. 

“Good morning, Manik. Come, sit.” Pallavi aunty wished me warmly.

“Good morning, Manik. I hope you had a nice sleep.” Uncle joined her as well.

His words took me back to the event of last night. Nandini. I could only pass them a smile before wishing good morning and settled there to have my breakfast. 

“Why did you get ready already, Manik? Are you going somewhere?” Uncle asked in confusion.

I nodded. “Yeah. I had applied in a few places before coming here. They called me for an interview, so I’ll go there only.”

“What’s there to hurry so much, Manik? You shifted yesterday night only. You could’ve waited a few days and explored the place a little, then you could start.” Aunty muttered with motherly concern.

I was pleased to see her concern. “It’s just an interview, aunty. There’s no guarantee that I’ll get the job. I’ll have enough time to explore.” 

“Manik, if you’re eager for a job thinking of not depending on us, then I want you to know that we might not be your parents but we’ve accepted you as our son.” Aunty spoke seriously.

“It’s not like that, aunty. Trust me. I love my work. If I start working soon, then it’ll be easier for me to settle here as I’ll meet new people and I might make some friends. My mind won’t drown back to the memories of Florida again and again. I’ll be able to concentrate here.”

“As you wish, Manik. We’re always there for you. Don’t hesitate to tell us, if you need any help.” Uncle patted my back.

“Sure.” I passed a smile to her. 

“I’ll leave now. See you later.” He got up. He gave a quick peck on aunty’s lips and made his way to walk out of the dining room before he stopped and gazed at me. “Best of luck for the interview, Manik.”

“Thank you, uncle.”

“Where is your interview, Manik?”

I showed the address to her. I didn’t have much idea of the direction. 

“I’m going around this site only today. I’ve a meeting nearby. I can drop you.”

“It’ll be a great help as I don’t know anything.”

“Okay, finish your breakfast. I’ll just go and get ready.”

I nodded and she left. I wondered about Nandini. I haven't seen her since I got down and neither heard anything from her. Is she still sleeping or is she gone already?

Around half an hour later, I saw Pallavi aunty stepping down the stairs. 

“Manik, let’s go.” 

I nodded. She instructed something to the butlers and started walking outside while I followed her. 

“Where is Nandini? I didn’t see her since morning?” I couldn’t help asking. 

“She left for school early in the morning.” She revealed and I don’t know why my heart clinched a little. Maybe I was hoping to see her again in the morning.

“Okay.” I murmured briefly remembering our encounter last night as I settled in the car.

“Is everything okay? Did she say anything to you?”

“Nothing like that.” 

“She was really eager for your arrival since the time she heard about you. She was always asking of you. You didn’t get a chance to speak to her properly.” She asked as I glanced at her while she stared at me calmly.

“Now I’m here. We’ll surely have to talk.”

“This girl really worries me at times. She doesn’t hear us at all. She wants what she wants. I can’t even say anything to her as her grades are always good. But I’m her mother and her carefree attitude scares me.”

“Don’t worry. She is young. She’ll understand.” I spoke not knowing what else to say at that moment.

Soon we reached our destination and she stopped the car. “Here we’ve reached.”

“Thanks for the ride, aunty.”

“My pleasure. By the way, you can text me when you’re done, then I might pick you up as well, if I’m free.” 

“I won’t need that as I have to go to two more places for interview.” 

“You didn’t tell me about them before.” She looked at me with a frown.

I looked down. 

“No problem. Show me the address. Else it’ll take you time to figure out things.”

I hurriedly took out my phone and showed the addresses to her. 

“Thank God, they are not too far away from here. You can easily take a cab.” 

She gave some basic information to me and ideas about the place before wishing me luck and left.

I didn’t feel much awkward about her and uncle’s presence. I was loving the vibe I was receiving from them. Now I was only unsure about Nandini.