The Next Day, At 7 pm,

Manik, Dhruv, Alia, Mukti and Abhimanyu were all waiting for MK. Manik was sitting calmly while others were restless going and checking entrance again and again. The company being spread on 3rd floor, Dhruv just went and stood in front of elevator to see this MK.

30 minutes passed but no sign of MK.

Manik - I think you guys should go and take rest. Just one of you stay here with me and the rest please go and have rest.

All - NO!!!!

Manik flinched and sighed. All were getting impatient to see MK. But she was nowhere to be seen.

8 pm, In Manik's cabin

Mukti - Enough! I think we all got tricked. We should not wait anymore. No one is going to come.

Manik - She will!

Mukti - And what made you to be so sure about it?

Manik - (smirked) Forget it!

Mukti - No, This time I will not! Tell me how are you so sure about it?

Manik - Fine, (turned chair to face back wall) We are the one who need MK, and she is not the one who needs us!

Alia - huh? What do you mean by this?

There was no response from Manik instead he just kept his proud smile/smirk.

Abhimanyu - Woah! Woah! Woah! This smile! This smile means a lot, you know.

Alia - But what?

Dhruv - Alia wait. Lemme show you how to ask this guy? (went to Manik and bowed) Master, could you please....

There was a loud thud of dropping something. Everyone except Manik rushed out of the cabin. They were shocked to see men in full black spread around the office. They all were carrying guns. Abhimanyu called Manik out. And Manik frowned to see the men around.

Dhruv - (mumble) Woah! I can't believe this MK is having such a grand entry. But one thing is missing!

Alia - (mumbled back) What? Red carpet?

Dhruv - Exactly! (Alia glared at him)

They all got attentive when a man came in and sat pulling a chair.

The man started to play with his gun while Manik's friends gasped looking at gun.

The Man - Where's MK?

Manik - (frowned) She is not here!

The Man - (chuckle) Stop fooling around. I know she is working here. Just tell me already. (got up and shouted) MK! MK! COME OUT!

Manik - I told you she is not here!

The Man - (sigh) Fine, let's wait.... then... (put Manik on gun point and started moving towards him)

????? - ALEX!!

Everyone's gaze diverted to the owner of the voice.

A girl wearing black overcoat, black heel boots, black shades, black mask, totally covered in black; hands in pocket; hair open falling on her shoulder and back. Her look was elegant, mysterious, fierce as well as mesmerizing even though her face was not visible. Manik made a good eye contact with the girl. It was like he could see through the glasses and mask. Manik's eyebrows clashed as realization hit him. He looked away and didn't utter a word but was full of questions. A voice interrupted them,

Alex - Welcome! Ms. MK!

MK - What the hell are you doing here!!???

Alex - Of course, I am here for you, dear!

MK - Oh Really? (scoff) What do you think I will not get you? Mr., we have known each other for years already and I can even read your eyes now!!

Alex - But I am a person who can control my eyes that which emotion to show and which to not! Talk about yourself.

MK - (chuckle) And I am a person whose mouth, eyes, and brain all are under my full control. When I can fool my brain, who is there I can't fool. huh?

Alex - (smirk)Your heart! You can't fool your heart but...... only for a few people. Right? Wanna see?

MK frowns when Alex signalled one of his man and he put Manik on gunpoint. MK burned with anger. Hands clenched in fists.

MK - (through gritted teeth, in intimidating voice) Let's have a good talk Mr. Alex!

Alex - Sure. Let's go to conference area, it looks great. (to his man) Keep him on gunpoint and bring them all there.

Mk and Alex went to conference room with others following, all were totally scared and confused while Manik was having mix emotions. Mk and Alex sat opposite each other. But no one spoke.

MK - (sigh) What? Wouldn't you ask for the info today? (Raised one brow)

Alex - No! Today I am here to test you, so... (Put his gun on table as surrendering)

MK noticed and understood, she pulled a folded knife from pocket and kept on table in same manner. To which, Manik was shocked. Alex smirked and pulled another gun and put on table. MK sighed and pulled another knife from her sleeve and put on table. Alex pulled out knife and put on table. This time, Mk didn't keep anything.

Alex - (frown) That's it?

Mk - (smirk) I am enough after these!

Alex - Good, Then let's start now!

Alex signalled his men, Mk understood the situation and quickly slid under the table, kicked Alex and came out. Alex hissed in pain and growled. Mk showed her reflexes and was able to beat all men. She was breathing heavily to catch her breath when she got a hit on her knee and feel down, another hit on head, she laid down on floor. Manik clenched his fist while Alex chuckled and in few seconds Mk got up and sat holding her knee, she glared at Alex and the next moment Alex's neck was on knife point. Alex gasped and Mk smirked and back out and fought with the men again but this time with a different and extra rage. All men were on floor hissing in pain. while Alex, Manik and others kept looking with mouth wide open.

MK - (smirks, pulled mask correctly) Done!

Alex - (chuckle) 5 new!

MK - No! Many more. But your men are not capable to bring them out. (sigh) Now get lost and never roam around this place or them(pointing towards Manik and others)

Alex - ( to his men) Let's go! (to Mk) See you later!

Alex walked past Mk almost clashing and slid a chit in pocket of her overcoat in a way no one notice and left. Mk was looking in the direction of exit where all men disappeared in seconds. She sighed heavily.

Manik - Nandini.....

MK's breath hitched. She turned around and was not able to look in Manik's eyes.

Manik - (sat down and signalled MK to sit too) Explain!

All settled down, MK took a deep breath and reached her hand to her mask and the next moment her face was on display. Everyone gasped except Manik. She removed her black shades and kept both things on the table. She is Nandini! Manik looked at her with eyes full of expectation. Expectation of being truthful, expectation to believe him, expectation to know why she lied, expectation to open up to him.....

Mk - (took a deep breath and look into Manik's eyes) I am sorry, Manik. I lied to you. But I had no other option. (her eyes filled with tears but maintaining a good eye-contact with Manik) You know it very well, what happened years ago, Mom died and was called a traitor and how... (starts crying but continues) how can a daughter li...li...listen to people a...ad...addressing her mother as a traitor wh...when she knows everything. Each and everything! I always wanted to pursue in the field of computer science (sniffs) but after mom died, dad strictly declined. Because h...he didn't want to loose his only family. B...But how could I control myself when I..I.. had all the proves of her innocence and know everything about the mission. (deep breath) That's why, I wrote a mail to the head asking if I could join and within few months I got the grip. I joined the project/mission and after years of hard working my mom was announced innocent. But (jaw clenched and hand turned to fist) those who murdered her will have to DIE! (deep breath to calm down) I didn't want anyone to find out about me being in this world that's why, this identity "MK". I never mentioned this because dad will be broken if he gets to know (burst in tears) t...this. Please, I am sorry, so sorry. Just don't tell dad.... (continuously mumbling) don't tell him. sorry. I am sorry....

Manik got up, went to Nandini and tightly hugged her while calming her, even his eyes were damp. She broke down in his embrace while others were also getting emotional. Manik kept calming her but she was not ready to stop. After some minutes, she finally stopped crying and pulled away. Manik looked at her and his eyes softened as Nandini's eyes were red and puffy, face full of tear stains, nose red beacause of crying..... He kissed her forehead.

Manik - It's okay. No one will tell anything to Uncle. Just please don't hide anything from me. hmm?

Nandini hummed in response and hugged him, Manik hugged her back tightly.

At 11 pm,

Nandini was totally calm now, they all were having dinner together but Nandini was still quiet. She was not ready to speak but suddenly,

Nandini - (sigh) Let's get back to the business. Manik I will join you. Just I will be here at night and not in day cause I can't. Also, I will work with you directly on next project. You have final meeting on this Thursday and contract signing. Then, on Saturday there will be launching event, preparations are going on you just need to have final check on Friday. I had discussed everything with distributors on Mail on your behalf.

Alia - What? How? NO! Did you hack his PC too?

Nandini - No.... no I have his mail id so.... But hacking is also a better option. I will do that next time. (wink and chuckle)

Dhruv - (scoffs) Hacking Manik's computer? Not possible!

Nandini - (smirk) You sure? Fine. As you say.

Nandini pulled out the laptop and started working on hacking while others gathered behind her. After 15 minutes, screen showed "HACKING UNSUCCESSFUL"

Dhruv - See, I told you. It's impossible!

Nandini once again tried. Her fingers working quickly on keyboard, eyes on screen, in full serious mode. After 20 minutes, screen showed "HACKING SUCCESSFUL"

Nandini smirked, Manik chucked while others gasped. Alia went to check Manik's computer and it was really not working.

Nandini - What say? (raise eyebrow)

Dhruv - Please accept me as your disciple (bowed)

They all laughed and went back to have dinner. Manik blinked to Nandini and within minutes, Manik's PC was back to normal.

It was 12 AM, everyone left except Manik and Nandini. Nandini was very tired. Manik closed his cabin and came out and saw Nandini yawning. He smiled looking at her and mumbled "cute".

Manik - Sleepy?

Nandini - Hmmm(while yawning)

Manik - Come, lemme drop you!

Nandini - (frowned) Where?

Manik - Obviously Dormitory!

Nandini - (sigh) Mr. please check the time, it's past 12 AM. Dormitories for us seniors are closed by 9:30 PM.

Manik - (chuckle) Fine. Let's go to my apartment. Stay there.

Nandini - Hmm. Let's go. (stood up but stumbled)

Manik held her.

Manik - Lemme carry you!

Nandini - No...no. I am fine, just tired. Let's go fast.

Manik mouthed "okay" and they both left. Manik's apartment was 20 minutes far as of car drive. Nandini fell asleep in car, Manik noticed and just smiled.

After 20 minutes, they reached. Manik parked the car. He carried Nandini instead of waking her up, Nandini snuggled in his chest getting comfortable and Manik just kept smiling. He went in lift and then into his apartment. He laid Nandini on bed and removed her black long boots, Manik frowned as there was a bruise on her right leg.

Manik - (to himself) That's why she stumbled.

Manik sighed and put ointment on her bruise. He covered her with duvet and left to get freshen up. After 15 minutes, Manik came out and saw Nandini all curled up in duvet. He chuckled at her cuteness. Finally, he also slept beside her.

Next morning,

Nandini woke up with bright sunlight hitting her face. She got up and sat on bed and stretched. Finally, she realised she is at Manik's place and pouted not seeing Manik around.

Nandini got off the bed and went out. She was still in same outfit. Manik was placing breakfast and noticed Nandini.

Manik - (smile widely) Good Morning.

Nandini - Good morning (smile back) What's the time? (still sleepy)

Manik - 8 AM.

Nandini - (shouted) What? I have college at 9. I need to go. But my car is at your office. Listen, you eat first, I will freshen up and do my breakfast in car. Take me to office first, then I will leave in my car.

With this she rushed back to room, took out her clothes and went to bathroom to freshen up. Manik just chuckled and had his breakfast.

Just as Nandini said, she had her breakfast in car while Manik drove to his office. Nandini thanked Manik, kissed his cheek and ran to her car.

Manik - MY EMPLOYEES?

Nandini - THEY WILL BE HERE IN NO MINUTE! BYE! BYE!

They both left for their respective places.

It ends here.

Yes, Nandini is MK!

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