Nandini's POV

I'm off on my bed, finding myself staring at the glowing stars on my top, not on the sky, but on my ceiling which seems simply shining more in the dark moonless night, as it's past 2 am in mid-night by now. I just arrived home half an hour before n entered with my spare key as I've informed others not to wait for me as I'll be late due to the jewelry event.

I closed my heavy eyes out of tiredness... it was a long day! Eventful thought!

My mind flashes the feel of his warmth... and I started recalling when Manik ordered to follow him out of the blue and dashed away.

I too walked trying to reach his pace but he's gone missing from my eyesight as I reached the last corridor to which I probably saw him walking to. There were fewer people around this corner so I tried looking around here n there, searching for him... when suddenly a pull on my wrist caused me to circle around behind the large round pillar.

I gasped in fear n was about to scream aloud but a familiar voice stopped me...

"It's me" I recognize! Manik.

Without a blink of a second, he pulled me in a tight hug, encircling his strong arms over my shoulders and closing very gap between his well-toned body and my feminine one. At first, I was shocked, the sudden, tight hug... not like a friendly one... but more.

But I liked the feeling of it!

Within 5secs my hands automatically encircled brushing his strong back till his shoulder. He lowered his face more onto my neck side feeling my fragrant hairs while I aligned my head close to his. With my eyes close, I felt it!

It felt so Right! so peaceful! so protected! so HOME!

Till now, I could feel it's feeling, his warmth radiating that I want it for me... Till now, I'm sensing its bliss... it was new, yet familiar, yet different!

I don't know, but I felt that if I'd have the superpower then I'd just stop the time that time... forever!

I know, I don't make sense with the description of my new feeling of just a HUG. But, it's... it's... I can't express it! *sigh*

Anyways, after like minutes, how much no idea! He slowly retreated his hands off me... I too pulled out my hands over him.

Don't move! stay still some more. I wanna say, but couldn't voice.

He back away a bit and looked at me... He seems content. Of what?

"I was stressed lately!" he reasoned looking directly into my eyes.

"I understand" I spoke but I don't know what I understood; his reason for the sudden change of behavior since a month, or his sudden hugging me, or the story his satisfied eyes talking, or my own sentiments.

With his warmth around me and his flashes with my closed eyes, sleep engulf my tired body at midnight.

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***TRING**TRING**TRING***

A hand goes to the alarm clock to stop the irritating sound polluting the environment inside the peaceful room, so early in the morning.

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***TRING**TRING**TRING***

Again the clock rang after 20 minutes for its master to wake up but it doesn't know that its master is not an early riser. So, again it is shut off by the sleepy hand.

.

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. Finally, the emergency ringtone of his phone rang, making him sit up in a jerk as his sleep is already partially broken by the irritating alarm noise.

'Oh shit! it's 5 am now. Thank goodness, I set the emergency ringtone at 5 so that if I didn't wake up with the alarm, at least I would make it with this.
Okay, now let's hurry up. Need to go to the park before they leave.' he mentally noted n ran to the washroom to change into his jogging suit.

Within 45 minutes, he drove to the park in her locality and jumped out of it, rushing inside. He searched here n there around the jogging track but couldn't find.

'maybe she already left. It's past 6 now.'

No no... maybe she's yet to come! Ya, I should jog till then.' he thought and started to jog on the track circling around the park periphery. While his eyes wondered around in her search.

He couldn't figure out, why the freak he came here? How does it matter to him, whether anyone flirts with her or not?

I don't like it, bas! is the answer he keeps repeating every time for all those questions.

While jogging, he passed past the children play area with swings and see-saws, then flower gardens around, a pond with fish in it and a small bridge on it, and also an open-air gym area with many people.

There is saw here, stretching, with jogging suit and sports shoes on, hair tied in a high ponytail, and a headphone on. She passed smiles to the ones who smile at her and continue with their exercise.

I thought to walk to her, off track. But she moved out to the track and started going to the opposite direction of mine. I changed my direction and followed her... behind her.

'Why r u following? go and meet her. Seems like the flirt has not arrived yet!' My mind says.

'But what will I say my reason for being here?' i questioned myself n followed her with some distance.

She is jogging at a steady speed while slightly smiling and listening to music. When I saw, that Arvind came from the gate ahead of her, and waved to her. She smiled n waved back slowing her pace. Then he too jogs beside her but both at slow speed. I'm still behind them with a frowning face.

'Why did he have to run beside her? And don't he know, he should warm-up first? Idiot!' i cursed him in my mind and turned around to run in the opposite direction of them. Now, I'll come from ur front!

After a run, I could see them ahead, both smiling n jogging closer. And. and finally, I cam in their view, they look surprised. I too copied their expression and we stopped as we approach closer. Nandini took out her headphone while saying "Manik, u here?"

"What a coincidence! U both r here?" I said almost at the same time as her.

"Oh! I used to explore new places for morning work-out. And here I'm today." I reasoned.
Liar. my mind mocked. I clearly don't come out for work-out. I generally use my own gym at the mansion or our garden.

"It's good to see u here, Manik!" Arvind voiced and I turned my admiring eyes to him.

"Why don't u join us?" he added n I look towards her, who nodded with a smile.

'For the first time, I like words coming from ur mouth' i thought n turned around to join them. "Sure"

After one more hour, we head out. Arvind bid bye and walked away.

"Would u like to come home? All must be up by now." She said.

"No no... I'll rush back and get ready for the office." She nodded.

"So" I don't wanna leave, Why?

"So" she repeated me n raised her brow.

"See u at office"

"See ya!" she smiled n turned to walk. I stood there to look at her back, walking away.

Then she turned. My eyes twinkled, without my knowledge. She gave a bright smile n waved bye. I smiled in response n she turned walking away further.

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From then onwards, it was a routine for me to wake up and drive to her locality, jog with her, and Arvind. Actually, Arvind does flirt sometimes, but she either replied back skillfully or laughed off his words. I'm kinda fine with him as long as he doesn't cross his limits.

Then after jogging together, we see each other at the office often. I don't ignore her anymore purposely. I used to do that because of the drunken kiss, which she doesn't remember, and I got dishearten on the fact. But, it's not like we r couple to recollect our kiss. I started doing something, I couldn't and bottle up everything in me. This causes the pressure to a high over n evident on me at the Event. But thankfully, a soulful hug with her, made me peaceful and controlled.

Now, I like to talk with her, see her smile, spend time with her more often, as much as possible. Even, occasionally drop her off at home and stay for tea at her home. Since the biggest event of my dream got successful, I called for a party too with all our friends and families.

Now,  two more moths have passed with my increasing bonding with Nandini, our work at Sparkling Star is normal, my work at Malhotra companies is also as usual, along with dad. Vedant Uncle is off for U.S. for a week for his business; while Dhruv's fashion house is going to conduct a huge fashion show in 15days. So, he and Alya are hell busy, caught up in that. And our other friends are also as usual busy in their lives.

"Sir, The clients from New York has some personal problem, so they couldn't make it here. They requested us to fly to them for the deal." My PA informed. Well, after the event, we r getting some international orders too, which r profitable to us so that our company gets internationally recognized.

"Manik, We should not let go of this deal. It seems more profitable than the London one." Cabir voiced. I nodded. I wanna discuss more but cabir got a call.

"It's Dad" he excused himself to the corner.

"Okay! We'll go get it. Make the documents ready. I'll tell u when to book the flights." I ordered my PA and she left.

"Sorry bro. Grandpa's health is weak. We're rushing to my hometown to visit him. U need to crack the deal yourself." cabir said as soon as he cut the call got seated beside me.

"Oh! That's fine. U go and keep me posted of Grandpa's health." I assure him as I know how much he loved his grandpa.

"Thanks bro." he smiled genuinely and stood up to leave. "Actually, u should take someone familiar with New York's environment and can also help u out with this deal." he spoke turning back near the door.

"That'll be great. u know someone?" I asked.

"Nandini!" he voiced with a smile n walked out.

Nandini.

Now, Manan is New York... Alone!!! What do u expect?

Have u thought of the HUG when Manik asked her to follow him? Do u like it?

Any word for Manik's 'Coincidental' appearance in Nandini's neighboring park for jogging?

Stay tuned for the upcoming Manan moments...

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