Hey Guys thanks for all your support.. All the comments have been answered personally. Those who have asked about my health, i am still suffering from cold and lack of sleep. So at present whatever update i give you guys is when i am trying to sleep. So i am sorry if its not up to the mark. Please do enjoy this update. I am also happy as this is my 25th episode. That is my silver jubilee episode.. 😀 i was so damn excited writing this.. Hope you are all equally excited reading this
Chapter 24 : chapter 24
(Nandini’s POV) We sat down at a local restaurant where I order my dinner sometimes. What am I doing here? I was supposed to be having lunch with Manik. He never allows me in the kitchen when he is home. I should be happy that someone is cooking for me and yet, I am sitting outside with his friend. What did I blabber yesterday? I just have to know it but I can’t just ask right off.
(Charlie) “You don’t have to think so much. You want to know what you told me yesterday, don’t you?”
(Nandini) “What?”
(Charlie) “Isn’t that why you agreed to come with me?” He grinned at me.
(Nandini) “Ah, yes.” I accepted awkwardly.
(Charlie) “You don’t have to be tensed. I will tell you what happened but I would have had loads of fun telling it to Manik.”
(Nandini quickly) “Don’t Tell Him!”
(Charlie) “Even if you said that you hate him?”
(Nandini’s POV) Did I say I hate him? Do I really hate him?
(Charlie) “Hey, hey! Don’t look shocked. You didn’t tell that. But first, I need to thank you. I never thought I would see Manik in a small house like yours and that too in kitchen washing the dishes.”
(Nandini’s POV) He roared with laughter. I felt embarrassed. All because, he wouldn’t let me do anything.
(Nandini) “He doesn’t let me do anything when he comes here.”
(Charlie) “I don’t know this Manik. You tell me.”
(Nandini’s POV) He seemed genuinely interested, but I don’t know if it is for his personal interest or to make fun of him. Besides, I really don’t know Manik that well. Whenever he tried to talk, I always cut him off.
(Nandini) “What is Manik like?”
(Charlie) “You are his lover. Don’t you know him?”
(Nandini) “He said that?”
(Charlie) “No. You did. Yesterday.”
(Nandini’s POV) I told that! Of all the people to drink with, I had to drink with his friend! What other embarrassing things did I tell!
(Charlie) “You don’t have be so anxious. I am person who loves fun, especially messing with people, not the harmful way. About Manik, he is like any other stuck up corporate person you or I would know. Narrow minded about things except the business world. I didn’t know who you were talking about yesterday but after seeing Manik waiting outside your place, I realised he is the only one who can make such a beautiful woman cry.”
(Nandini’s POV) I blushed. I am used to such passes but there was something charming about this man.
(Nandini) “He didn’t make me cry. It was my own stupidity that I cried over.”
(Charlie) “Care to talk about it?” If you think I will tell him, you don’t have to share it.”
(Nandini) “Manik did, I mean, something happened between us. I know I love him but I don’t know if I trust him anymore.”
(Charlie) “I see. It happens. So, what is happening between you two?”
(Nandini) “He is trying to earn my trust.”
(Charlie) “And I think he already did. “Otherwise, you won’t be telling me this. Well, I must say he looks like a completely different person with you. Other than Navya and his brothers, none of us have actually seen him smile. He smirks a lot with arrogance oozing, but he is what he wants to be, so it is only obvious he has that confidence. If you have seen him cry, girl, then he is yours completely.”
(Nandini’s POV) He laughed. I couldn’t laugh like him. I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat. I didn’t know how to react. He instantly caught on.
(Charlie) “Wait a minute! He actually cried? That monster cried? Oh my god! This is going to be so much fun to talk about with our friends. Babe, you are a treasure rarer than solar eclipse. Finally, the head of us guys got whipped.”
(Charlie) “Well, I am sorry about that. It is just too funny. Its just that I didn’t expect the heartless tin man to grow a heart. He is always been a workaholic. I tried to tell him not to strain himself but you know,”
(Nandini) “You are a doctor?”
(Charlie) “A psychiatrist, to be correct. Manik kind of person is not rare to see in our profession. He has an example nearby. Navya is one such person like him. They have a boundary around them and don’t want anyone to come in unless they allow them. His friends respect him and socialize with him but at the same time are uneasy of him. No one knows what he would do when he loses it. But really, Manik living without luxury, man! Was that a rare gift to see! You should see his apartment. It has everything you can think off for an ultra modern home along with an Artificial Intelligence System to take care of the place. You will understand when you see it……. Or have you already?”
Nandini shook her head in negative
(Charlie) “That’s not a problem. You will soon see. He wouldn’t let us in. Any meet, it was always at his parents’ place. It was because he had no choice, we met once at his place. In any case, I can clearly see that he loves you. You have him wrapped up in your fingers.”
(Nandini) “It is not that I want to.”
(Charlie) “I know. He is a good friend and I would like for him to be happy. In any case, let me take you back, otherwise, he will die of worry.”
(Nandini) “No, he won’t.”
(Charlie) “Dear lady, you don’t realize the power you have over him. Even after what I told you, you still don’t believe it?”
(Nandini’s) “He didn’t care.” He didn’t even say a word.
(Charlie) “And you are sulking over it? He is a good actor all right, but not good enough. He was boiling with jealousy. Yesterday was the peak of it! I am going to have so much fun in this coming get together.”
We reached back and I rang the bell
(Charlie) “Hello, Manik! I have come to deliver your princess back.”
(Manik) “Then, I must thank you. But you make a mistake, my friend, she is my queen, not a princess.”
(Charlie) “Oh my!” Nandini went in blushing, pushing us aside, not listening our conversation.
(Charlie) “She is a sweetie. You got really Manik. Keep up the good work and she will soon be yours.”
(Manik) “I know. She maybe the best thing that has happened to me but I couldn’t say the same for her.”
(Charlie) “Anyway, Manik, you did yourself a good thing. Too bad I couldn’t meet her first.”
(Manik) “You could have, if you would have had you attended all the parties. You never attended them, so that you wouldn’t meet Navya.”
(Charlie) “Can you not bring her into the topic? I would prefer if I am kept in the dark about her. I will be leaving, otherwise, Manik here will start counting my bones very soon. Bye,
Nandini. See you in the city, if you are there sometime.”
(Nandini) “Yes. See you. Nice person.”
(Manik’s POV) She said, seeing him leave. To Nandini, he may have had a non-discrepant presence but he can break through one’s personality in just ten minutes talk. He had been with her for over two hours and he sure would get a detailed report printed at my table saying what a wonderful girl I have for a lover, maybe. He seemed to be impressed by her. Who wouldn’t except a fool like me?
(Nandini) “By the way, are you sure he is your friend?” Why is she asking it so suddenly?
(Manik) “Why?”
(Nandini) “No. He seemed to behave like a gentleman, completely different from someone who called me a b***c when we first met.”
(Manik) “That was because I thought you were crossing swords with Navya.”
(Manik’s POV)But she turned out to be infuriating Navya, so that Navya would get together with her cousin soon.
(Nandini) “Anyways leave about all that. He told me about your apartment.”
(Manik) “Why? It seems irrelevant.”
(Nandini) “Well, he said it was very rare to see you in the kitchen, or do anything other than sit giving orders.”
(Manik) “Hey! That’s rude. I cook my own food everyday.”
(Nandini) “And you are cooking for me here.” She said playfully.
(Manik) “What is wrong in cooking for the one you love?” She went silent all of a sudden. She still is doubtful. I shouldn’t have said that. I tried to change the topic.
(Manik) “Did you see Navya’s baby?” Her face lit up instantly.
(Nandini) “Yes. She is absolutely beautiful. She looks just like Navya. So small and when Cabir carries her, she looks like a big book in his hand.” She said happily.
(Manik) “I see.”
(Nandini very innocently understanding my expression asked) “Why do you talk like you have not seen Payal?”
(Manik) Cause I have not seen her or Navya wouldn’t let me for the past six months or more precisely, from February.”
(Nandini) “Why?” She asked as if it was not possible.
(Manik)“Do you even need to ask?” Well, I do deserve her anger. She was silent for a minute and suddenly started weeping.
(Manik went near her seeing her cry) “Hey, what happened?” Concerned, I hurried to her side.
(Nandini) “I am sorry, Manik. I didn’t mean for things to become bad for you.” Stupid girl, she is thinking about this.
(Manik) “Hey, are you an idiot? The one who did things wrong is me. I deserve much severe punishment. This is nothing. She will loosen up slowly.”
(Nandini) “But you both were so close. She often said that you were her family.” She looked at me clear, seeping through my heart.
(Nandini continues) “I can’t bear the fact that I am the reason why both of you are fighting.” I hugged her tight. I tried to soothe her.
(Manik) “Listen, listen, we are not fighting. She is being stubborn. That’s all. She will come around. You didn’t do anything. If it was, its all my doing.”
(Nandini) “No. Its my fault.” She struggled out of my arms and smiled. “When I lost my baby, our baby”
(Manik’s POV) Even if it was no more, the words brought happiness to my heart, ‘ours’.
(Nandini) “I was not in my right mind. I blamed you but it was wrong. The baby was weak already. Whether you had come or not, I doubt it would have lived.” Her voice almost choked to nothing.
(Manik) “No. I am sure it would have lived. You are strong.” I took her in my arms again.
(Nandini) “Manik, please don’t spoil me.”
(Manik’s POV) She looked at me with imploring eyes. How can a girl look beautiful even through tears! I raised her chin to me and brushed my lips over hers. She didn’t resist, didn’t push me, didn’t struggle. She just sat letting me have her. I gently kissed her as if she would disappear if I touched her.
(Nandini whispered sweetly) “Manik”,
(Manik’s POV) She whispered sweetly. Reality hit me hard like a rock. Instantly, I split away from her.
(Manik) “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have…… I mean…. I didn’t mean to hurt. I am sorry. Nandini”
(Nandini) “I am going out for a walk.”
(Manik) “I will also come along” I reached for my jacket.
(Nandini) “No!” She looked bewildered. “No. I want to go alone.” She replied calmly.
(Nandini’s POV) I walked out of the house and I held my tears back. I got out as fast as I could out of there. I didn’t stay to listen to him. I know I should have but I just couldn’t. On top of Manik apologizing, I was frustrated with myself. I thought I got back the fear of touch. I couldn’t even take Rishabh’s hands or mom’s hug. I was so sure I got my phobia back. But I pulled him back to bed with me the previous night, I hugged him on my own today and I didn’t even resist when he kissed me. Instead, I felt comfortable, elated, unsatisfied and wished for more. And when he wanted to talk, I just cut him off. Oh! What am I going to do? What should I tell him? What do I want? Walking in the evening, cool breeze started blowing from the sea. I always came here to clear my muddled thoughts. I wanted a break, a long break from my hectic life from before. The fact that I love Manik is obvious to anyone except the fool himself. Maybe he did realise, but is scared, just like I am. I stroke over my belly. Something in me made me say it was our baby. Maybe I forgave him long back, ever since I let him stay with me. Seeing him now, I can see how much he also has suffered. It hurts to see him like this. I turned back to the house, my mind decided. It isn’t going to help both of us by avoiding the subject. When I returned, he was working on his laptop.
(Manik) “How was the walk?” He asked calmly, smiling sweetly.
(Nandini) “I am making dinner today.”
(Manik) “You don’t have to.”
(Nandini) “It’s not like you cook for me every day. Well, let me do some work. My way of saying thanks.”
(Manik) “Smells nice.”
(Nandini) “Can you take the wine from the top most shelf there?”
(Manik) “You have wine here?” He looked astonished.
(Nandini chuckled) “I drink. I am not like Navya.”
(Manik) “You never told me before that you have at home.”
(Nandini) “I did right now.”
(Manik) “Why are there so many bottles?”
(Nandini) “So, what if there are? Stop getting amazed by everything.”
(Manik) “Let it pass.” He set out the table. I should talk to him after dinner. But when we started dinner, we talked about random things and were too engrossed, we didn’t think of the time that flew by. It was almost midnight by the time we realised.
(Manik) “Lets get to bed. I need to leave tomorrow morning.”
(Nandini) “Why? Don’t you leave in the evening?”
(Manik) “Even I have to go on dates with my Mom sometimes.”
(Nandini) “You go on a date with your mom?”
(Manik) “Well, it would be a different story, if I am married.”
Manik had left the next day early in the morning without disturbing Nandini. Nandini had overslept being an off and she had forgotten to set the alarm so that she could see off Manik. She felt bad when he left and she was just praying that Manik comes and meets her next weekend also.
Precap : Someone is going to be teased in a nice way 😛