Manan : Jeene Laga Hoon Pehle Se Zyaada by Crystal : Chapter 21
Link to Chapter 20: Chapter 20
The comments in Chapter 20 have been answered.. thanks for your support keep supporting..i am going to continue this ff just for my fans who are actually reading……. But a request to all my silent readers…. Please comment just to boost up the writers
Recap : Manik was awe strucked seeing Nandini.
Let’s continue
As soon as we entered sabki nigahein hum par. We were the star couple. Mom spotted me and came straight to us
(Nyo)“Hello. I am Nyonika Singh. Manik ki MAA. So nice to meet you finally.”
(Nandini) “Pleasure to meet you, Mrs.Singh. I am Nandini Murthy. A pity I couldn’t meet you when I was Appointed.”
(Nyo) “Truly a pity. Well Nandini, enjoy the party. I think it’s going to be hard for you to chase away the people who are glancing at you, for a chance to speak.”
(Nandini) “Ha, ha. Thank you. If you don’t mind, there are some familiar faces in the party, so if I may…….?”
(Nyo) “Sure, dear. Enjoy the party.”
(Manik’s POV) Seeing her leave, I was about to go with her when mother caught me.
(Nyo)“Where do you think you are going? You need to keep me company, Mr. President.” I couldn’t refuse her.
(Manik’s POV) This is my first year. I cannot be careless or it will give a bad reputation for the company.
(Manik) “Yes.” With a heavy heart, I went along with her.
(Manik not able to control his thoughts)Though people were coming and speaking with me, my eyes wandered to where Nandu is. She seemed to be enjoying for a girl who didn’t want to come. She was surrounded by men. Very few of them, I know. She was chatting and laughing with them like they were long time friends. None of these idiots talking to her now would have talked with her, had they seen her as how she stays in the club. They are drawn to her like bees. Don’t they have any other person to talk to? She left them to talk with someone by the balcony, an old man. Who is he? The guys who were following her split into groups. Some were with her, talking to the old fellow and after sometime, they also moved off. There is a men’s repeller here……
(Manik’s thought continued) Since I was concentrating only on Nandini, I didn’t listen to what my mom was saying and I also made a fool of myself in one part of conversation. Which left me a little embarrassed. But I really wanted to know who was the old man Nandini was talking to. So I left my mom’s side and went in search of Mr.Roy because he would be definitely knowing him.
I spotted Mr.Roy and asked him about the old man.
(Roy) “Mr. Malhotra, it’s rude to address a long time supplier as old man. Watch your language. What will hAppen if someone catches you off guard? I am surprised you don’t know him. He is Mr. Dhawan. Oh, she is speaking with him. Oh my, I never knew Ms. Murthy did business with Mr. Dhawan. It was not mentioned in her profile.”
(Manik’s POV) Not that I care but I really want to have a chat or a dance with Nandu for the dancing session that will be coming up.
(Manik asked Roy) “Can you get me close to him?” Roy looked right behind me.
(Roy) “I don’t mind but your mother is coming right to you. So, if you would excuse me.”
(Nyo) “Manik! You are not concentrating on anything that is happening here today. It is so unlike you.”
(Manik feeling guilty in his mind) I accept; this is unlike me who always puts business first.
(Manik) “Yeah”
(Nyo) “Are you watching Nandini? I never knew she was this famous. But it is no surprise; after all she is Ram Murthy’s granddaughter. No wonder even Mr. Dhawan knew about her.”
(Manik)“You knew her Dadaji?”
(Nyo) “Yes. He was our consultant before you joined office. He died few years ago. Are you jealous that you are not able to keep her to yourself?”
(Manik’s POV) I hate to admit, but I finally told my mom that I was jealous seeing her being so famous among everyone here. Almost all the people here have utilised her talent for their business and all have been successful. No wonder she has been busy with work. The workload will become lesser once she organises the data, enormously lesser. After dinner, almost close to ten, Nandu came and asked if we could leave. I was more than delighted. I closed up for the night and left with her. After reaching the club, she went into the kitchen.
(Manik) “You are hungry?”
(Nandini)“No. Just looking for milk. A warm cup of milk can help you sleep better.”
(Manik)“Then, I will have one too. You know, for someone who said she didn’t want to come, you enjoyed yourself the most. And you also knew most of them.”
She turned around. She didn’t care to hide her annoyance like before.
(Nandini) “I never said I don’t like to party nor did I say I didn’t want to come not because I didn’t know anyone. Did I ever mention that? How long have you known them, Mr.Malhotra?”
(Manik) “Maybe for three years. Why do you ask?”
(Nandini) “Didn’t you hear what Mr. Roy said when he introduced me for the business? He said I was well known among your customers and suppliers. I have known these people for at least six years. Some, ever since I moved in with Dadaji. Being the Company chairman’s son, you don’t know your cusRishuers and suppliers. Very poor business acumen, I will say.”
She came and sat down with the cups.
(Manik) “You should realise, none of them would have recognised you in the club.”
(Nandini) “On the contrary, Mr. Malhotra, they have seen me like that till I moved here. I did my work from home then. I was always dressed like this. Only, here it is a compulsory thing to dress up since I will be visiting their allowed their employees to badmouth me. They know. Though, sometimes, they cannot get their girlfriends to shut their mouth about me, they don’t go behind my back. They helped me a lot. They treat me like family. They are my brothers. They want the best for me. Do you know how mad they were that I came with you today? I heard you have quite a reputation for not being a gentleman to any girls. Now, I understand why I don’t get the respect that I get from other guys, from you.”
(Manik’s POV) Wait! Wait! Wait! I was like that in the beginning but now I am nothing like that. More than respect, my feelings have somehow become love for you.
(Manik Spoke) “You are wrong, Nandu. You are nothing like the other girls.” She chided my statement.
(Nandini) “Really, I still remember what you spoke the next day after I came to your club.”
(Manik not able to tell Nandini and thinks in his mind) I am an idiot! I really want to earn her love. Please give me a chance, Nandu.
(Manik spoke) “I already Apologised about it. I have changed, Nandu.”
She got up abruptly. Her eyes showed anger.
(Nandini) “I DON’T GET WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS! STOP CALLING ME NANDU! I Don’t Like You Calling Me That. I Was Quiet Till Now Because You Are Client But No More Than This.”
(Manik’s POV) She is finally letting her anger get to her. She is not containing herself like she usually does at office or other places. Whether or not she shows her other emotions in front of me, I am happy she, at least, loses her control in front of me.
(Manik) “Do I remind you of your Dadaji calling you like that?”
(Nandini) “Ha! Like That Is Possible. You Are Nothing Like Him. You Are Completely The Opposite Of Him. How I Wish I Never Met You! Good Night, Mr. Malhotra.”
She walked off. She is mad at me, right now. She hates me. I keep making her hate me more. I never realised that I would be such a poor lover. I want her to look at me. I want to show her that I have changed. She has changed me. Not because I was forced to but because I wanted to; only for her and no one else. Tomorrow, I need to show her the house. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to let her go even if she hates me.
Precap: Will Nandini go with Manik to visit the house that is up for sale? Will Manik confess his love for Nandini?