Nandini's POV

Hufff!

I banged my head, forcing my face into the files in front of me on the table as if the words will magically get into my mind if I do so.

I know, I'm mad! Crazy! Pagal!

Yes, I am!

Who won't go crazy if he/she got surrounded by numerous books: thick one and countless files containing infinite papers... and you've to read everything with full concentration, just like before the exam day? Tell me, Who won't go mad? At least, I've gone!

I mean, from the last three days... I'm just reading...reading...reading...reading...reading, I don't know how many reading? But only reading, day & night, morning & evening, dawn & dusk... and whatever there is, add yourself!

See! Now, I'm even thinking crap! Arrrgghhh!!!

I stood up from my seat, No. Dad's royal chair in his study room. Yes! I'm in his study room only, as all his belongings are here, and the files which he had in his office cabin is brought up by Rajesh Uncle here only so that I could study it.

I walked towards the closed window whose window screen I've opened to get the view outside, but I couldn't open the window as I was jammed. Why? Because Dad had never opened it for years. He prefers complete silence; not even a bird chirping or bee humming when he works, and he liked A.C than fresh air, I guess!

Totally opposite of my choice!

Even his study room is dark color everywhere... I wonder how he stays here when I'm already feeling sick of his dark-dark environment?

My study room is completely different from this one that something I think, Is it even in the same mansion, our mansion?

My study room is bigger than this, containing more books, of different genres and authors too... like a mini-library in our mansion... And it's completely white in color, with many windows which I always open getting fresh air and smell.

It's not only mine but also of Alya's. Twinny's study room. And Mom too has her separate section in here; with her cooking books, and myths & astrological books mostly.

I miss my study room!! *Sigh*

I heard my phone ringing, causing me to jerk my head towards the table where I'd kept it. I searched it between the heaps of books n paper and fortunately found it before it ends.

"Hello!" I answered tired n gloomy.

"Hey! Nandu! I'm at the hospital with my Grandpa to visit Uncle. I thought to see u here like last time. Where r u?" asked Maddy. He'd visited Dad three days back also when I, Manik & Rajesh Uncle were in the cafe. His Grandpa has good relations with Dad.

"I'm home!"

"Oh! U sound tired or bored?" he asked. I know he called becoz Dad n his Grandpa must be busy in their oldies talk n he must be getting bored.

"Yes! just work pressure!" I said but not the truth as we've decided to keep it secret till the board meeting or else, media & rivals will cause a fuss.

"U should chill, Nandini! Don't work so much." He voiced as a good friend. Only if u know my situation!

"Ya! your right! I'll listen to u" I told him after a deep sigh. I really need a refreshment.

"Fine then. Grandpa is coming! talk to u later. bye" he said in a hurry.

"Bye" and he cut the call.

I closed the files n walked out locking the door behind, walking toward the hall. The huge wall clock strikes 12 noon as I'm passing by to the kitchen. I took out the chocolate cake Manik got me yesterday...

Yum! I licked my upper lips staring at it.

Cutting a bigger piece from it, I sat on the dining chair n cherish my love... slowly... enjoying every moment with it...

Isske liye kuch bhi! (Anything for this!) I thought while having it with a smile. I really love anything out of chocolate... Yummy!!

I recalled yesterday when Manik was here, almost the whole day starting from 9 am to about 11 pm night. We r not alone the whole time though!

Rajesh Uncle n he, both had become teachers since two days, literally teaching me in whiteboard kept in Dad's study room.

I'm feeling like I've joined my schools back, primary school!

Actually, Mom used to come home early morning to only cook some soup or light food as Dad's meals r arranged by the hospital and Mom even sleep on extra bed in Dad's VIP room.
While Alya's fashion show's date is nearing; probably next week, so she n Dhruv r always busy. She hardly comes home rather to only sleep at night. Mostly she's working n also visits Mom-Dad at the hospital, a few times a day. And last night, I've not seen her; maybe she came when I've dozed off in the study room itself.

So, as no one at home, we utilize it for my preparation to represent Dad in the board meeting and keeping the whole thing secret. It is only known to me, Manik, Rajesh Uncle.

...DING DONG...

The doorbell rang! Who could be at this time?

Manik had messaged in the morning that he has few meetings to attend n he'll come at evening. After all, he's been helping me leaving his works too.
And Rajesh Uncle has taken the task of contacting our each n every shareholder to not stand against us but support us in need. He'll not come so soon.

With many doubts n curiosity of who could it be, I walked to the door and looked through the security camera at the figure standing outside shoving his palms in his pant pocket with full attitude...

Manik!

"Hello Nandu!" He chirped as soon as he entered shoving me aside. He's now calling me with 'Nandu' mostly. Not that I'm complaining!

"Manik! What r u doing here instead of being in the meeting?" I followed him after closing the door behind.

"It's done early so, thought to come to you" He turned his head only to spot my love on the dining table. "Chocolate Cake" he shouted rushing to it.

Why did I take it out? He'll not leave anything for me! I cursed myself in mind running to save my love.

"Hey! Don't touch it. It's mine!" I smacked the back of his palm which is going to take hold of a piece of it.

"Your? I bought it, okay!" he argued moving his hand forward again.

"And you bought it for ME, okay!" I too argued grabbing his hand to pull it back.

"You won't share it with me? I helped u so much, Nandu!" he made puppy face turning to me.

Emotional Blackmail Alert!

"You..." I glare at him not being able to form any words in protest.

"Okay! Sit here" I said leaving his hand n walking to the kitchen to get him a plate n spoon.

And what I saw when I'm back made me adore him more than getting mad at him...
He's moaning happily cherishing a piece of cake with his eyes closed liking the taste.

I recalled our first meet when we fought for Chocolate banoffee pie and I was so irritated calling him with names "Handsome chocolate boy". I smiled.

I stood there for a minute until he finished making cute faces while eating it and the spoke "Didn't I tell u not to touch my love?"

He jerks his head titling upwards to face me as he's sitting n I'm standing beside him.

"It's my love too" He pouted. Awwiee...

"Okay! We have common love; Chocolate!" I spoke taking the seat and trying to take my eyes from his so adorable face, especially those lips which had chocolate at its corner.

He had his eyes on my eyes which r shifting from his lips to his eyes again to his lips...

When I saw his eyes dilate noticing my movement, I spoke pointing out "There is chocolate on ur lips"

He lowers his gaze from me and moves his finger over his lips while I watched him not being able to wipe it from the nook of lips.

"May I?" I asked forwarding my right hands towards his face. He stared at my hand, then at me before nodding his head n leaning forward.

With my focus on his lips and my finger at the corner of his lips wiping the chocolate, I could feel a strong glare on me and I know who is it obviously.

Then my eyes flickered at his eyes causing an eyelock; deep one while I slowly lean back n subconsciously licked the chocolate out of my finger, the whole time his eyes holding mine.

As soon as the chocolaty taste dissolve my tongue, I got my sense back...

What the fuck! What did I just do? That was like inviting him for...

I quickly turn my eyes to the floor and cleared my throat loudly disturbing the awkward yet desirable tension arising in the air around us.

And thankfully at that moment, my phone rang, giving me a distraction from this after-silence.

"Yes Uncle?" I answered the call from Rajesh Uncle n hear him attentively running my eyes all over the walls.

"What is he saying?" asked Manik as I ended the call.

"He'd meet with half of the shareholders till now and most of them agreed after he assures them of no loss n even offered them sweets n gifts to some. But they r asking about the successor of Dad which Uncle didn't disclose so they're bit wary.
And he was saying that out of the shareholders, there is a lady who's holding 27% shares n if she joins the few ones who are trying to get power, then there is a high chance of their success against us."

"Then we need to get her in our favor somehow." Manik voiced while I nodded continuing

"Yes! But she's not an easy one. Uncle had contacted her twice already, but she's not ready to meet up anytime, giving excuses n even not home." I said while surfing her details on the internet.

"Muskan Singhawat, spoilt rich girl who's currently adamant in proving his father that she's worth for his heir despite her daily night-out in clubs." I showed Manik my phone with her numerous articles.

"They say, she's found at clubs late night, drinking dancing n hooking up." Manik said reading it while I took my phone back searching more.

"She's social media addict, many posts n tags in her FB, twitter n Instagram..." I paused scrolling her insta page "Ohhoo! Her pic with Arvind #hottie #wanna date him" I read excitedly n showed him.

"He doesn't look that hot" Manik commented on Arvind's buttons undone pic. I made a bad face hearing him and turn my phone back.

"Well, he does look hot n handsome to me" I muttered scanning his picture to figure out what made Manik say so.

"More than me?" this question made me jerk up to face him.

Did he take it to his male ego? I thought while he sat silent raising his brows at me.

"Ahem-He looks hot or not is not the point here; He can help us with Muskan." I voiced to which he gave a thought.

"Is it necessary?" He asked uncertainly.

"When he can do it easily, then why should we waste our time n money on it; with a low success rate. Let him do it. I'll call." I explained n dialed his number.

"You have his number?" he again asked.

"Ya! We exchanged; in case we need. See, now I'm calling him for the first time, but to ask for help. Selfish me!" I replied to him while the ring's going.

"Hello, Arvind. It's Nandini." I spoke as soon as he answered the call.

"Oh! Finally Miss. Nandini is calling me. How did I get so lucky?" I laughed hearing him but Manik's constant intense stare directly in front of me is making me... u know, weird! So, I stood up n walked around while talking.

.

.

"Okay Thanks again! Bye!" I finished the call with a grin hearing him of course. He's funny n carefree guy. I like him.

"What makes u grin so much?" I snapped my eyes to see Manik looking at me with a serious unsettled face. I wonder what's wrong with him suddenly.

"He agreed to help us. I've told him the things required. He'll inform as soon it's done." I informed walking towards him.

"And what's funny in that?" I asked narrowing his brows.

"Oh! Nothing. He was saying the same thing that I called him for the first time n instead of asking him for a coffee or hangout, I put out work for him." I shrugged while I take the rest 1/4th piece of cake left to the kitchen.

"So, I promised to take him out for an expensive meal somewhere after this." I added putting the cake in refrigerator n closing its door.

"What's the need for that?" He growled lowly following me to the study room.

"It's needed. Afterall he helped me a thing. It'll be like..." I searched for the word "A treat from me"

"Then what about my treat?" he asked settling himself on the chair beside's mine n I looked at his face.

"You want treat?" I asked instead. He nodded loudly.

"Sure then. I'll give u a treat too." I think he's right. Even he helped me a lot.

"Only One treat? I helped u much more than him!" he again complained like a child. What's with this comparing, man?

"Okay! I should give you many treats. How many do u want?" I asked amused with this discussion.

It's like we r schoolmates quarreling for treats!

"Um-- Fifty would be enough I think!" he answered after a bit thinking n I coughed hearing him. I'm sure I would have split water all over if I'd have been drinking.

"50?" I asked in 'what?' tone.

"Are you aiming to make holes in my pocket?" I added with wide eyes in disbelieve.

"Whyyy? I think I've helped u more than 50times. But I just asked for 50 meals!" He said as a matter of fact.

"You are so gracious!" I put a sarcastic smile.

I too agree, what he did for me is nothing compared to it. But FIFTY?

"You don't need to buy me expensive." He paused "You just need to treat me"

"Now I should be more thankful to u, shouldn't I?" I again said sarcastically to which he smiles happily nodding in yes.

"You r impossible! You sound like 6 years old asking for a treat instead of a work" I shook my head opening the files. He let out his sexy chuckle.

Shit! I'm still thinking wet!

Crazy me!

"Let's see ur preparation!" He laughed saying n leaning forward to look at the papers... and we get involved in it for quite a long time...

--------------------------------

Alya's POV

Today I've completed my designs n submitted it to my boss, Dhruv. So finally, my part of work is done; but still, it's not done. Since we r working secretly with less labor, we all need to do the jobs which we r not specialized in too. So, it's not done until our Fashion Show is over.

I walked past the common working hall with many employees working around, but my eyes stopped at a particular someone in a grey formal suit, hand sleeves rolled over till the elbow n buttoned neatly, hair glittering with gel and eyes focused on the file on his hands while mouth talking or instructing something to one of my colleague who stood beside him at the corridor.

Ya! it's non-other than Dhruv.

I'm still kinda figuring out my attraction for him. Yes! I admit that I'm attracted to him, quite strong actually, which I never felt for anyone before Manik.
I felt this kind of pull or the attraction for Manik during my college time when he used to be popular & his words n only his words would be filling the whole college every time. But strangely when I have him, as my BF, as my finance, I'm not filling that strong kind of attraction toward him rather towards Dhruv.

I'm feeling so low of myself that I'm checking out & fantasizing about my sister's would-be. But I just couldn't help myself from turning my eyes to him. Like his' some kinda magnet and I'm iron.

I'm not sure what is stirring in my heart when he smiles at me; when we spend time together, dine together mostly; when he shares his problems n sadness with me, I felt so lucky n happy at the fact n ready to do anything to solve his problem...

Is this love?  I question myself often times... but there comes a voice in my mind

"Didn't I love Manik? Then how could I love Dhruv too?"

Is it infatuation, crush, fancy, then?
But again, it seems more than that!

A snapping of fingers in front of my eyes brought me back to earth.

"Where r u lost?" I saw Dhruv asking me in concern standing in front.

"Nowhere!" I replied instantly feeling strange.

"Are u saying anything?" I added asking.

"Yeah! We need to go to the tailors n supervise their works, and also explain the newest designs." I nodded at him. Even though it's not my job, but,u know, situation demands!

"I'll just grab my purse!" I clicked on my heels towards my cabin and walked out when he's waiting for me.

"Let's go!" I voiced as I neared him n he nodded walking along outside.

Taking the keys from his driver, he scooped inside the driver seat while I, beside him before he hits the road.

His focus is on the road while the slow music hitting our ears... and my mind again went back to the conflict of my feelings.

That kiss we share!

We never properly talked about it rather behaved normally as if it never happened. It does was amazing for me... like magically I got transferred to a different world. But what does he felt about it?

Everything is so puzzled up... with so many feelings and some unnamed feeling attached, many people attached... and even this situation is twisted; Our problematic n messed up Fashion show & Dad's accident adding to it...
I just couldn't think straight n come to any conclusion!

Should I talk to Dhruv about it?  I wondered looking at him sidewise.

I think; I should!

--------------------------

Manik's POV

Right now, I & Nandu walking towards Uncle's VIP room to meet him, before our lunch. Actually, we had started late n till now, 3 pm we r engross in the preparation of making Nandu as a businesswoman.

I must say, She's so talented n quick-witted.

At first, when I learned that she'd learned the business, I was like 'Really?'. I never thought that.

Now I'm waiting for the day after tomorrow when she'll come front as Murty Uncle's heir. I'm 120% sure that she's gonna kill it, but she's nervous n doubtful. If u ask me then, she's almost prepared, she just needs to be confident about herself.

"Dadddd" her voice lowers gradually as she pushed opened the door only to see, Uncle sleeping sound and Aunty too is asleep in sitting position on the couch holding a book in her hand and with mouth slightly open.

She looked at her Dad, then her Mom, and then turned her neck to eye me to which I shrugged not making any noise that would disturb them.

She walked ahead n took the dried daffodils out of the vase, which she bought two days back when she came to inform her Dad not to take tension as she'll be taking his position in his absence. He was shocked at first, and surprised too... then smiled brightly pulling her in a hug.

She replaced the flower vase with a fresh bouquet of pink tiger lily n red roses, she bought on our way.

She then adjusted her Dad's blanket before taking a blanket for her Mom. Slowly took the book from her hand and covered her, then lightly pushed close her mouth.

I just stood near the door looking at her movements until she walks towards me gesturing us to leave. And we left the hospital.

"Where are we going?" She asked when she noticed that I took the turn away from her house.

"To KFC" I pulled the gas to drive fast as I heard her stomach growling. Even I'm hungry by now.

And then what, we both hungrily attack Extra Crispy Strips, Extra Crispy Chicken, Popcorn Chicken, Mashed Potato Bowl, Hot Wings, Chicken drumsticks... till we r full.

And trust me, everyone around r looking at us; firstly because of our eating style like hungry beasts and secondly because it's past lunchtime to eat this much.

But she didn't care about it, nor did I. Cute us!

"I'll go clear the bill" she said as she came washing her hands after we finished eating.

"Why? No. I'm paying." I protested like a gentleman.

"Oh hello! It's my 1st treat to u, remember?" she raised her eyebrows asking.

"Yeah... b-"

"-That's it. I'm paying. you go start the car." she cut me off stubbornly and pushed me towards the door.

I know it's no use to argue with her, she won't listen. So I sighed n stepped ahead out "Come fast"

As I reached my black Mercedes at the parking area and about to unlock it, a voice called my name loudly

"Manik"     It's definitely not Nandini!

I turned only to find someone I definitely don't wanna see right now, at least not when I'm having a good time with Nandu...

Why god!   I complained before putting a fake smile.

Any guess, who could it be?

Any words for Manik n Nandu?

And what do u feel about Alya?

My new Manan short story is up, named "Again One day..."

You can check it out n let me know how you feel?

My id- EmpireBlueBB

Fine then! Time to leave... Bye-bye!!!

Stay tuned...