Manik and Sonakshi were having lunch at her hospital. Sonakshi asked, "How's aunty holding up?" "Better, you see even she believes it's better to have him away than to see him rusting in jail!" Manik answered. "Anyways the thing that's annoying me is, I'm getting loads and loads of calls daily, from friends, from reporters, I'm tired of telling people that I don't know where dad is!" It's frustrating I tell you! They also asked for my statement, I just told them we couldn't notice any hint of him disappearing... I told them it was a normal evening" "I can understand... Just switch off your phone for a few days, they'll get a new breaking news and forget about it."

Sonakshi told him. "Yes, but you know, it's almost like I've to stay under someone's watch, the police says that those who have complained against dad may try to harm me or something...so I've suddenly become like this movie star moving around with bodyguards!"Manik complained,and then added "Moreover, they've now placed a reward of 1,00,000 for my dad! Fools! If my dad is well and alive, he can pay anyone more than that amount to keep their mouths shut! "It's okay, everything will be normal soon..." Sonakshi assured him. Manik asked Sonakshi, this time a little softly, "Sona...does my dad's name define me? Does my money, my wealth define me? Does the 'Malhotra' behind my name define me? Will I be subject to the society's jibes and allegations because of my dad?" Sonakshi lightly squeezed his hand with hers and spoke,"No, all this doesn't define you. You maybe connected to Ashok Uncle, but that doesn't make your life the same as his. You maybe someone else's something, but you're also your you!" Manik smiled at how Sonakshi stood by him, and he realised that there's more to him, more than just being a MALHOTRA. Manik then told her, "Listen, will you have dinner with me as well? I need a break from that gloomy dining table environment!" Sonakshi nodded in agreement and then they had their lunch in silence.

***

Dinner was still an hour or so away, so Sonakshi decided to go through some more articles, to get some more information about Ashok's disappearance. She browsed three to four articles, but none of them stated anything about Ashok's whereabouts. However, what she got to know was, that Ashok has been sued many a times by employees before, and a lawyer always represented him in every case. She also learnt that, years ago, the Malhotra Healthcare Services had secured the contract to clean up the river and the sewage system, before starting to construct the hospital. But obviously, the company left the work mid-way and the project had gone over budget...and when the officials tried handing over the job to someone else, Ashok bribed them and got the contract again. The other articles consisted of witness statements from Manik and his mom. Sonakshi was surprised as she continued to read about Ashok and all his unethical activities in the past, because to her he always appeared to be a thorough professional. But ofcourse, what you see is not always right! She was going to browse through some more articles when her phone rang, it was Manik. She shot a look at the clock, it was almost dinner time. She answered the call, and Manik spoke, "Hey, I'm waiting for you outside, you ready?" Sonakshi said, "Outside my house? Well, ok I'm coming, give me 5." Saying so she cut the call and turned around to grab her purse... but she almost bumped into her dad, who was looking at her with a doubtful expression. Sonakshi had a mini heart attack and told her dad, "Baba, what are you doing?" Her dad questioned her in return, "You tell me what's going on? Who's waiting outside? Boyfriend?" Sonakshi answered, "No baba, just a friend!" Pradeep emphasised, "Just friends se hi sab chalu hota hai! Tell me what's going on?" "Baba nothing is going on! Aisa haina,bahar aake dekh lo aap! Aur abhi hato, mujhe mera purse lene do aap!" shifted and said, "Ha woh toh mai bahar dekhne aaunga hi chalo." Sonakshi took her purse and left, to be followed by Pradeep. Manik was sitting on the boot of his car, fidgeting with his mobile, waiting for Sonakshi. On seeing Manik, Pradeep whispered to Sonakshi, "Itna handsome ladka just friend?" Sonakshi nudged him and asked him to behave normal in return. She greeted Manik, and introduced him to her dad. "Namaste uncle", Manik greeted. Pradeep replied, "Ha ha namaskar, what time will you get Sona back?" Sonakshi looked at her baba and told him, "Baba I told you it's not a date!" Pradeep signalled Sonakshi not to interrupt, and Manik laughed to himself seeing their little banter. He answered Pradeep, "Uncle don't worry, I'll drop her in 2-3 hours!" Sonakshi then looked at Manik, and thought to herself, 'why is this turning into a dad-talk-to-my-boyfriend conversation!' She quickly jumped in, grabbed Manik's hand and asked him to get in the car. She then told Pradeep, "Baba, go back into the house now and let me go!" Pradeep left, and Sonakshi entered the car to find Manik laughing to himself. "Ab tum kyu has rahe ho?" Manik answered, "Arey mujhpe mat bhadko, you and uncle are too funny and cute together!" Sonakshi smiled and said, "Ha jo bhi hai, chalo ab!"

***

After dinner, Manik asked Sonakshi to accompany him to a nearby golf course. He led her to a sand bunker on the course, and they lied down, and Manik pointed to the stars in the sky, and began to explain light time to Sonakshi. Sonakshi felt that the more time she is spending with Manik, the more she is getting to know different sides of him. She listened to Manik as he explained that the stars are hundreds of light years away, and the actual stars may have blown up hundreds of years ago. Sonakshi remarked that they're actually looking at the past. Sonakshi then felt Manik fumbling for her hand, and took his. Manik looked at Sonakshi's face, which appeared even more beautiful to him under the star lit sky. Sonakshi looked back at him and smiled. Manik squeezed her hand lightly and said, "You're too good to be true Sonakshi! So understanding, non-judgemental, supportive...so beautiful..." Sonakshi replied, "No one is perfect Manik, even I've my imperfections, I believe you just choose to oversee them..." Manik replied softly, "Maybe.." and they continued looking at the stars for a while.

***

Before getting down Manik's car, Sonakshi requested him, "Manik can you send me the notes from your dad's phone?" Manik tells her, "Sonakshi I told you, we are not looking for him..." Sonakshi pleaded him, "Please Manik..." Manik had to give in looking at her cuteness...he promised her that he'll send her the notes as soon as he reaches home. Sonakshi was about to get down, when Manik pulled her back into a hug, "Thanks for sticking by Sona", he whispered into her ear. Sonakshi lightly patted his back.

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