After 5 days...

Alya's POV

Oh God! Finally the biggest day came. The day when India's biggest fashion show is going to be held in less than 8hrs and here we're running since yesterday all night long without break.

"Alya, Can you do a check on the models who're supposed to come? Some have already come & r in the dressing room while others r on the way. Just check that everyone comes n get to dress-up properly" Swati voiced in a hurry handing over a bundle of a list of models from the files she's holding.
Being a PA she's a multitasker here and has great responsibilities of checking everything properly.

"thanks" She said running ahead to the event manager while shouting for the music selection, lighting, stage production, audience seating, and overall feel of the venue.

Looking at the long list of 70 models which I've to check one by one, I sighed. I stood there in front of the long stage where people are still working on lighting n decor, some running around with accessories while others checking n rechecking everything like us.

I turned to get a quick glance of how it'll look like if everything goes fine as we've imagined it to be...

"What's the status of Online Event ticket sell? Why there are more sales of RK fashion tickets? How are you marketing?" I heard Dhruv in causal jeans n t-shirt, shouting at our marketing head who immediately came with a reply

"Sir, the streets are flooding with promotional posters and even billboards, even social media sites have our promotion news. But since they have started their sales earlier than us, they have more online ticket sales."  Dhruv scrunched his forehead hearing it but he added "But no problem sir, we've contacted some of our special designers, critics, fashion trenders and outfits marketers. Also, London's famous fashion designer has confirmed her visit as a special guest."

"That's better. I want you more focus on online media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, everywhere and make it trending. I want our sales to increase." Dhruv said before walking away.

Dhruv has not slept properly from last week; either staying awake to check n supervise everything or himself doing the pending works. The traitor in the company was finally caught last Monday n was sent to jail for selling the company's secret details.

Finally, all set and just pray for our event to be a great success.

After this event went all good... I will...Will talk to Dhruv about 'US'.
I need to clear everything out as soon as possible. I can't make it late; We have our wedding in less than 2 months.

Yes! I will talk to Dhruv after this event is over. I can do it! I have to!

With the determination in me, I walked ahead to the dressing room to check on the models murmuring "May this show be the best!"

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

Nandini's POV

I pushed the door n entered Dad's VIP room to see him having soup and Mom serving him sitting beside him. As soon as he saw me, he smiled sipping the soup which I returned.

"Nandu! You came early today?" Mom said glancing at the clock that strikes 12:20 noon. "Is your work over? she added.

"Yes, Mom!" I replied to her while walking to sit on the couch.

I usually visit Dad during my Lunch break or before dinner while the rest time, I used to busy with my new job; handling Dad's business. It's really hard, I must tell u. Whole day long sitting n going through the files, making strategies to increase our profit, handling every project with conscious analyzing its gain and loss and bossing around.
Hey! Don't think 'bossing around' is an easy job, okay? it's really difficult. At least for me!

"So... Princess! How is everything going on at the office?" asked Dad.

"All's going great, Dad. Recently we've got four small contracts and our stocks are stabilizing too now-a-days. And today only, Rajesh Uncle came up with a big deal from Mr. Rhizada on his construction company. We've gone through it and I've asked our staff to gather info about it by tonight so that I can check if we should proceed with this deal." I gave him a brief like he had asked me to do so that he can be assured.

"hmm... My princess has grown up smart." dad praised with an impressive look and how can I let this chance of flaunting

"Of course dad, After all, who am I?... The Great Nandini Murty!" I said dramatically raising my invisible collar then burst out to laugh along with dad n mom.

"Okay... ok... I was thinking to visit 'Sparkling star' after lunch hours in the second half. I'm really getting bored since 10-12 days without designing." I said after subsiding my laughter.
It's true that I'm kinda missing my designing, going to my job, meeting my friends... Manik...

After the celebration night's party, I've not met any of my friends. Even Manik is busy with his two works; his own jewelry designing house 'Sparkling star' and Malhotra companies. He had only come once to our office along with Malhotra Uncle n Vedant Uncle to offer their blessings n help whenever I need.  They even got us one contract as initiation n help in advertising us positively so that now we're getting deals. I'm really grateful for their help. After all, we're family.

"Sure beta! You should hang out with friends sometimes too. You're taking so many difficulties for me and doing the thing you never wanted to. I feel guilty for knowingly or unknowingly forcing you to handle my business." Dad suddenly sounds sad. Oh dad!

"No sad talks, Dad! You've always thought and done the best for me. See, if you have not made me learn business during my +2, we could have faced more problems now.
That's why I say; My Dad is the best!" I cooed happily changing the air to cheerful one making all smile.

"Okay, dad. I'm leaving now. I can have lunch with my colleague-friends." I voiced standing up to leave.

"Also, Mom Dad, today's Alya n Dhruv's fashion show. It will be starting. you can watch it on T.V." I said before walking out and drove directly to my office, I mean 'Sparkling Stars'.

I entered the building and walked ahead only to get a greeting from the receptionist girl "Good afternoon, Nandini mam." she cooed with a smile while her friends, who're sitting beside her n probably gossiping as it's almost lunchtime, too greeted me.

"Good afternoon" I responded as a sweet gesture before heading towards the cafeteria.
Actually, it's not normal for them to greet me, as we are not friends and hardly talk to each other. I remember the last time she greeted me was after my engagement day when everyone congratulated me along with her. But I've no problem with her as she never behaved rudely to me nor did any harm. So, that's ok. Must be her personality to be reserve to her friend circles.

Upon reaching the cafeteria, I ran my eyes in search of my friends, only to find Sneha sitting at a corner table, so I started to walk to her.

On my way I could hear gossips about me being a businesswoman, heir of Mr. Mruty, having the temporary power of my dad's property. It's clear that they are seeing me differently like I'm someone with power, they should keep their distance, not urge with me even if I were wrong. This type of look they have!
This is another reason I never wanted to show off my father's name n power because people have this mind-set fixed for all rich n powerful people; affluent, heavy-hitter, autocratic, formidable, influential, arrogant, not caring about others, useless but held the upper position due to their Dad's name, etc. etc.

"Hey Sneha" I chirped as I neared her. She got startled at first seeing me there all of a sudden, but then stood up happily for a hug.

"Nandini, what are you doing here? I thought you'll not be joining back any sooner." she asked as we both settled side by side around the table.

"I was missing you, yaar... also missing designing a lot. I mean, I'm not born for sitting n dealing business, I'm born for designing and art. I missed it." I pout.

Sneha & I have become close friends recently. Since we've known each other from school days, we really gelled up great along with Anubhav.

"I missed you too yaar" she added cutely when we got interrupted by Anubhav who came with his n Sneha's food trays on his hands.

"Hey, Nandini?" he looked quizzically at my sudden appearance while placing the trays on the table and sitting on the chair in front of Sneha.

"Yah! me. I thought to come by for the second half." I replied to him while looked at the table to see I've not brought my lunch. "You both start. I'll get my lunch." I added before leaving them together. 

'Am I the only one to think; there is something between them? I mean, sometimes others get to know better about what's going on between two!' I thought walking 'If I'm correct then, They will make a cute couple' i smiled at my thoughts and looked up to see 5-6 employees are already waiting for their turn to get Lunch.

"Why don't I go n come by the washroom in the meantime?" I murmured to myself and divert my direction towards the washroom.

Doing my job inside, I walked out to the washbasin to checked myself up in the large mirror in front. I've my hair tied in a low ponytail with some loose strands falling over my face. Have only applied my favorite little red lipstick and some foundations and have worn the stars pendant that Manik has gifted me over my formal business wear.

Actually, the pant is more comfortable to be work with than a pencil skirt so I'm wearing it often lately.

"Ohh... Look we have our businesswoman over here today!" I suddenly heard a taunting voice behind me and I looked through the mirror only to find a lady in a deep low cut mini office dress.

"Hello, Soha" I said looking at her reflection not turning to her but opening the tap to wash my hands. She walked by side and stood with her attitude.

"How come you're here? Don't you have ur dad's business to handle?" she spoke.

"I too work here. ...But you don't sound happy seeing me here." I voiced turning to face her along with drying my hands with the hanky.

"Of course I don't." Oops, she's blunt!

"As long as your not here, I'm the only one for Manik!" She added causing my eyebrows to scrunch at her questioningly.

"Whenever he's a contract, he'd come to me asking for designing, he'd praise me, spend time with me." she voiced and I made an O-face. He approaches her for work, and here she's sounding like he wants her. Nonsense!

She scans my expressions for a second while I find myself to go out of this washroom.

"You see, I'm better than u" her voice made me stop at my track just before I pulled the washroom door, but I didn't turn wanting her to complete her nonsense soon so that I can have my lunch.

"At least I openly claim Manik from Alya, unlike you; seducing him behind ur own sister's back." Her tone had the bitterness that forced me to turn back to face her.

What did she say? I glared hard at her.

She smirked folding her arm below her breast "What? Am I telling anything wrong?" she asked as if asking the invisible audience around us.

"Do u think, everyone around you are fools? they didn't understand what's going on between you two. Even if you fool everyone but not Me" she added seriously pointing to herself.

"You are hanging around together, laughing n smiling, going to KFC together, even u made him take you to New York... you both alone... together! What more do I need to know, hun?" she gave me disliking looks while I'm so caught up to voice anything. I just stood there dumbfounded.

"Now don't tell me that you never felt that way with Manik." She chuckled. "Come'on, everyone knew; Manik is hot, handsome, wealthy, he's every girl's dream boy, once any girl will see him would definitely have the crush on him. And you..." she leaned a bit forward stressing her words "... are no different!" she added n back off.

Actually,
she's somewhere... right!?

I have a crush on Manik. or a bit more maybe?

"What will Alya feel..." she paused while walking past me to grab the door's handle while I just stood there still. "... feel when she'll come to know what her sister did with her finance behind her back? tch...tch...tch" with that she walked out of the washroom leaving me in a confused, guilty, and anxious state.

What does she mean by that? Is she going to tell Alya about us? will Alya blame me for this?

BUT... What about us? It's not like we're in some secret relationship or something. we are friends!

But we did kiss. What we have between us is... more than friendship, even if it's wrong?

Now what?

Wait... wait.. wait!
Why did Soha tell me something like this? It's her who's behind Manik even after knowing Alya is his GF. Now, where did I come from? Why me?

There are so many questions unsolved within me... whose answers, I'm not clear about! For now, my stomach growled and I decided to have lunch first and walked out.

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

"So you're saying Anubhav and Karan are currently working for Soha's group as she's the only one designer right now and needs workpower?" I spoke as if it's a statement after Sneha & Karishma informed me about the recent situations.

Now, we three are sitting in my cabin and having a talk as they both have completed their urgent works for the day and I didn't get to meet Manik, who has gone to Malhotra companies for some meetings so I thought till then why not... get to know everything.

"Yes!  Before you joined, Soha was the only designer, the ace of this company so we all have sometime or others worked in marketing, publishing, and managing her designs. but now that we have two groups, we're not supposed to intermix it. That's unfair! But what to do... after the success of our event we're getting a good amount of contacts that needed to be dealt with before the deadline." Karishma talked work leaning on her chair. I felt bad neglecting my own passion n job n making my team member affected unknowingly.

"But you know, she's good at designing, but her behavior n attitude sucks." Sneha lower her voice with squinting brows. "She's rude n full of herself. And you know what?" she leaned closer on the table "She claimes that Manik sir is hers. She even warned many to stay away from sir. And even once Alya, ur sister, Sir's gf had come here to warn her, and they had some fight in her cabin."

"When?" the only question came out of my mouth almost immediately as she finished her words. How did I didn't know when Alya came her n had a fight with Soha?

"Ah-that was before you joined." she replied and I made an O-face.

"What happened between them?" I asked getting a sudden interest.

"I don't know the details. Actually, no one knew what they fight like, as it was inside the cabin. Even I was out for marketing products. I just heard it." she said and I nodded.

"Um-Nandini! Do you like Manik sir?" this sudden question of Karishma caught my attention. Bout me & Sneha jerked our neck to face her. I am flabbergasted.

"Uhm" I cleared my throat masking my shocked face and interrogate "Why do u ask this? He's my boss and friend, so yah! I like him."

She glared at me for a minute reading my face while I felt like sitting in the interview with a cold person who talked through his eyes.

"She asked because Soha thinks you are having something for Manik sir and is trying to get ur luck with him." Sneha replied instead, quoting "Soha" with her fingers.

"Oh! What did she said?" Has she already spread these words?

"Remember when Sir asked you to accompany him to New York?" I nodded for her to continue "The next day she came here when Sir was not present and called our team asking for an explanation that why you are going with him when she is the former designer of this company. And when Sir came, she questioned him to which he said that you're familiar with NY which would help him and dismissed her. After that only, she had started this cold war of hers saying you're having something for him, seducing him, hitting on him, etc. etc."

That was almost a month back thing... I gasped to myself. How come I don't know all this?

Then it strikes me, even after I went to NY, we're busy there, then Dad's accident, then I got busy in Dad's company... I never bothered to check this type of thing going on!

"Why don't you tell me earlier?" I asked thinking she could have told as we've talked in between.

"At first I don't want to bother you with her silly things, then you got busy n busier... even we too... so it just..." She shrugged n I understand.

"So... when are you going to join back?" asked Karishma.

"I need to manage Dad's company for 2 months now... but I'm thinking to join back from tomorrow and continue both works side by side."

"like Manik sir!" She added while I just nodded not knowing how to answer this.

This topic between Manik & Me has become complicated; not just because of this rumored-talked, but because it's something... complicated!

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

I parked my car outside the fashion show and walked out. it's evening now and this place is lighted at its heights. People are rushing in, the parking is full, management is full tight, and I know the program has started as Alya has messaged in group chat. I just came to view the ramp-walk, honestly, I'm not interested in any speeches.

Lifting my gown I walked inside after showing my invitation from my phone. The inside is blasting with lights and slow music, guests are sitting and some standing along, ram is ready and the host is near the stage on the verge of walking on. I walked towards by allotted seat while I spot Dhruv sitting in the very front with other VIPs, looking dashing in his black formals.

His eyes met mine when I was just staring at him and he smiled instantly at me. He was about to stand up to come to me when the man beside him asked him something which he replied. Then he looked up at me and I gestured him to not come and I'm going to seat back at my seat. He smiled and gestured 'meet u later' with his hands and I smiled before heading towards my seat.

On my way, I found someone whom I don't know is coming...

Manik!

I could see him from this dance between the crowd but he has not seen me yet rather looking around. He looks so handsome that the ladies around him can't help but talk a glance of him.

I tried waving my hand to get his attention... but suddenly his attention got stuck at someone nd he smiled adding to his handsomeness. Who does he smiling at?

I followed his eyes only to find Alya walking towards him smiling and they hugged.

Ouch! Something hurt... when his hand wrapped on her bare-back of her backless gown. There is some uneasiness rushed in me wanting to break this hug.
But they are an engaged couple. And she's your sister! a voice in me said.

Am I thinking too evil? God!

I shook my head for temporarily cleaning these mess-up thoughts and walked to them. I should congratulate my sister, na!

"Hey, Alya. Finally, found you!" I said making them turn to me.

"You're looking so beautiful, Alu." I whispered talking her in a brief hug.

"Purple suits you!" I added breaking the hug and she smiled in joy.

"Thanks. I designed it." She said briefly glancing down at her gown and caressing it straight.
Of course, it's proud to wear the one you have designed. I know it!

Then only her phone rang "You both have ur seats and enjoy. I'll get back soon." Saying so she excused herself from there leaving me & Manik together in this crowd.

"After you" Manik gesture like a gentleman and I smiled walking ahead.

Getting our seat next to each other, we sat down and saw that the host is announcing for the starting of ramp-walk.

"You are looking beautiful" I heard a husky whisper near my ears with hot breaths falling on my cheeks making my breath hitched.

"Thank you" I managed to mutter. What suddenly happens to me when it comes to Manik?

I had a lot to talk... but seems like cat got my tongue...
I'm just stealing glances of Manik time to time in between watching the models walking on the stage, posing and walking back with the music.

The whole time... I just did one thing: Stare!

Manik would also catch me staring at him, and most of the time I would quickly divert my eyes to the stage, or sometimes, I would smile.

I need to discuss this with someone; maybe a psychiatrist before I completely lose it!

And about my job, I'll probably call or text Manik after dinner. *Phew!*

*****

I know, I'm late. Hope you'll be happy with this long update!

I know, this chapter doesn't have any manan moments, but this was necessary for the development of the story; showing that both parties are getting their trigger n are about to discuss out their feelings before it's late.

Next update will have a fortnight or month's leap from where I'll clear out everyone's feelings... But the twist is yet to come. *Smirking*

So stay tuned for the next super-duper update... and don't forget to fulfill the targeted votes in excitement!
hehe!

                             Targeted votes- 170