Nandini's POV

I jogged down the staircase wearing my, as usual, formal suit & holding my office bag, ready for another day to A & N Limited. It has been my daily routine for a month now, irrespective of Sundays or holidays;
yes! It has been one month now!

Speaking of my daily routine; well! it's boring and repetitive. No fun, only compulsion.
I did create time for designing and am continuing both my designing job and managing Dad's business at the same time.
But then again; I have no choice but to look over our business and about my designing job, Soha can take my place there, right!

Getting downstairs, I made my ways to the dining table to quickly grab my breakfast and rush to our office before 10 am; there is a metting scheduled at 10.

"Goodmorning Dad" I chirped as I approached him. He smiled looking up from his newsapaper and returned my greetings.
It has been about two weeks since he was released from hospital and is under medication at home. He can walk on his own, but sometimes due to weakness, he got dizzy; so doctor told him to walk with other's support and take fully bed rest for another month or two.

"Morning Nandu!"
I heard Alya coming from the kitchen carrying the plates. I too stood up and helped her with it.
After the successful completion of her Fashion show, she is finally have got time to eat, talk and breath. She is relaxed now-a-days with her regular office works at pace. I'm so jealous of her sometime. I hardly get time to breath yar!

"Hey Nandini beta!" then I heard a new feminine voice from the kitchen and turned to find Nyonika Aunty coming out along with Mom.
I didn't expect to see her, this early in the moring. That's a surprise!

"Namaste Aunty" I cooed and bend to touch her feet but mann! these office suit is tight!

"Areyy gimme hug beta! I'm quite a morden MIL, you see!" She spoke laughing and luckily pulled me in a warm hug. Soon we all sat for the breakfast.

"I had heard, Nandini is working hard for her family bussiness, and now I could see." Aunty said taking a bite. "You're looking full-confident bussinesswoman avatar" she added getting a chuckle from us.

"True, Mrs. Malhotra. My princess is really working day & night for our bussiness, even leaving her designing which she loves. I'm very proud of her and feeling sorry too." Dad spoked with a soft expression looking at me.
He is still feeling sorry, even after I've told him many times not to be. He even proposed to start working from home as soon as he got discharged, and I have to literally threaten him to get rest.

Dad will be dad afterall. My hero he is!

I pouted at Dad while chewing my bite and saw Mom placing an assuring hand over Dad's hand placed on the table. "Don't worry about her, Ji! Our daughters has grown stronger and wiser. They know how to handle their work and interest alongside. Even Nandu is doing her designing job along with our bussiness." Mom spoke assuring to Dad.

"Bass, she needs me to remind of her eating and sleeping schedule." Mom added turning to me, passing a glare.
Well, not my fault. There are too many work pressure, that sometimes I skip the meals and many times I sleep late to wake up early.

And like every mother, My mom too scold me! phew.

"I can understand, Mrs. Murty. I've four big child in my house to take care of. And interestingly, they all are very reowned bussinessmen in their own field, but always I've to worry for their health." Nyo Aunty joined in.

"Yestersay Raj and Suraj (Mr. Vedant) went for their respective foreign meetings, only then I got some free time and thought to come straight here and discuss about of children's marriage preparation. Only one month is left and we need to do a lot." She added stating the purpose of her visit.

Listeing her remind me;
Only 1 month left before I'll be married and become Mrs. Dhruv Vedant.
Only 30days to go... but still everything feels so aloof. *sighs*

Breaking my thoughts came a call in Alya's phone and she excused herself to take it. I'm already running out of time for the meeting, so I hastenly scooped the food into mouth.

Finishing my breakfast sooner, I excused myself
"I'm done, Mom. I should leave for the office now. See you soo-" I was cut by Alya's yell behind me.

"Wait wait wait..."

She came running while pressing the phone to her ears. "Mukti is gonna throw her anniversary party on this weekends and is inviting all of us; fab5 and our friends. So, are you joining?"

"Sure! Why not? Just tell me the time n venue." I replied nonchalantly assuming it'll be a night party at club or something. So, why be a spoilsport!

"No. The thing is- She's organisisng a get-together for all our friends, for like 4-5days in Goa, to celebrate this occasion. Soo..." Alya corrected me and trailled looking at me and our parents for permission.

"No Alya. I've a lot of work to handle at the office."
There came an instant reply from my side. Of course, 4-5days in Goa. Means complete break from work. Then who will handle our bussiness?

Alya made an bad face hearing me. "Sorry Alya. You know, I can't join. Convey my sorry to Mukti. I'll talk to her later on. Now, I'll leave. I've a meeting at 10" And I walked out before I heard,

"She talked exactly like Manik!"

Hopping on the car, I made a brief review of today's meeting files.
I generally prefer to drive myself. But since there are any work pressure and sometimes, like today, there is a meeting for which I could just check the file while on the way. So, I'd kept a driver.

When I was focused in reviewing the documents, I felt my phone vibrating with a call. It was Rajesh Uncle.

"Yes Uncle!" I spoke directly in my professional tone as soon as I took the call 'coz I knew it's work related matter.

"Mam, the Singh Brothers, whom we have meeting with; I've done their background check like you said." He paused.

"Yes?" I voiced letting him know that I get him and to continue.

"They are fraud!"

As his words hit my ears, I stopped running my eyes on the meeting's documents. Closing my eyes shut I exhalled a deep breath while Uncle added further...

"They are going around different states with different identities and project layouts and contacting the investors, finally running away with money. It took us more time since they've changed their identities, but luckily we get to know on time."

"Uncle,
This is the 3rd case of fraud in this month. They're getting on head just because I'm new to business and they think they can easily cheat a newcomer! We need to stop this."

"Hmm... How about, we expose all the fraud cases in media and give them warnings so that others will think twice befor thinking of cheating us?" He suggested.

"That would do.
Then expose it, and make sure to show it on our favor so that our stocks won't fluctuate."

"Sure, Mam!" He said.
Well, he insisted on addressing as Mam since I'm their boss now. I denied, but he's adamant. So I stopped resisting!

"Also call the police. Let them catch this fraud Singh Brothers and make it the news headlines." I added thinking of those poor faces of frauds when they'll get to know, they're getting into jail, instead of getting money. Serve them best!

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

Letting out a deep sigh I leaned back at my chair and my eyes dropped due to the non-stop tiring day. It has not been evening yet, but I've been reviewing 3 project files, attended 2 long meetings and has been staring at the desktop for God knows how long.
Mann...if this goes on, it won't be long when you'd find a 'chasmis Nandini' wearing thick glasses!

I groaned when I felt my phone vibrating over the glass desk.
Will anyone let me have a break, for God sake? I wanna shout at the caller, but can I?

Opening my eyes lazily I grabbed my phone to find it's a call from Dhruv.

I had last talked with him once after we'd lunch in my office canteen. You can call it as a lunch date,if you like, 'cuz he kinda asked me out to have a little break and chill-out. But unfortunately, I'd a very important meeting to attend just after the lunch so we decided to had our lunch at canteen only.

"Hey" I cooked tiredly.
"Have your lunch?" He asked the first thing after a few seconds gap.

I sighed remembering, I shoved the burger for lunch while looking through the documents.
"You need to take care of yourself, Nandini" he voiced softly.
"Hmmm..." I closed my eyes feeling tired. Even he remained silent.

"Nandini" he muttered lowly and I just hummed letting him know, I'm listening.
"Do you... do you love me?" I jerked open my eyes as his words hit my ears.

Why asking this suddenly? I remained silent knowing I'm gonna repeat the same that I had told him from very beginning.
That time, when he proposed, I told him that I do like him, care for him, but I'm not sure if I've that feelings for him... you know, like the one between man and woman. And he was fine with it and told "we will take it slow. I'm sure we'll work it through"

"I get your answer!" He paused "we're getting married in less than a month. Do you think we can work it out for the whole life...like we did till now?" His voice has uncertainty now.

To be honest, even I don't know if we could work it out or not. But, I believe, we both understand each other well, we're friends first and we hit it really good. Yea!

"Dhruv!" I paused. What could have caused this uncertainty in his mind all of a sudden?

"Is something bothering you?" I asked softly. There fell a silence over the phone while I waited for him patiently.

"Uh-No! No-No... It's just..." He laughed away nervously.
Or maybe I'm overthinking! It could be just a mere thought.

"So!... Are you coming?" He asked after a little pause.
"Where?" I scrunched my brows in confusion.
"to Goa!"  Ohh... Goa!!!

"No Yar! I've lot of works to supervise. Too much workload. Can't afford-"
"- a week holiday with it, Right?" He cuts me off finishing my statement. Can he read minds, by any chance?

"You see, I just heard the same ditto lines from Manik" he added.

"Okay! I'm not gonna repeat the same things about taking a break and enjoying like I said to Manik. But still... I'd like if you'd join. It would be a great get-together after so long and probably the last before our marriages."

With that he bid bye leaving me in the pool of thoughts.

Flashback

After the night of success party of Alya & Dhruv's Fashion show, I had made my mind to join my office and had called Manik to discuss about the same. But since he didn't pick, I texted informing that I'll be joining office tomorrow, and went to bed.

Next day, I was all excited and energetic with the thought of joining back my designing and I hurried up finishing my office works.
It was around 12:30 noon and most of the staff has started to get out for their lunch by the time I reached in. Without caring much, I headed towards Manik's cabin oops Manik Sir's cabin! Hehe...

Just when I forwarded my hand to push off the door, it opened revealing Soha holding some files close to her chest. Her lips turned into a smirking smile when her eyes met mine. Ignoring her smirk, I stepped aside to give her space to walk out.

She did walked away, but not before muttering something just enough to lit the fire,
"Here comes the back-stabbing bitch!"

That pricked hard, and I was going to argue with her or probably snatch few hairs of hers, but luckily Manik saved her calling me out upon seeing me standing at the door.
"Hey Nandini, come inside!"

Trying to brush off the pricking feeling, I walked in only to get welcomed by Manik's smiling face. He stood up and walked to me happily.
"Finally you're back!"

"Now it'll feel good to work in this office!" He added chrippingly. I just gave a faint smile with Soha's words currently roaming in my mind.

"You know, today I was thinking of visiting to your office, have a chit-chat and... Oh ya!" He exclaimed suddenly remembering something.

"-Your treat, remember! More 46 left... Wow, I can't wait for it" he added with dreamy eyes making me chuckle at his excitement on such a silly thing!

"What!?" He narrowed his eyes seeing me laugh at him.
"You're laughing at meee..." He stretched the words pointing at himself, just like a 5-years old making me press my lips to control bursting out the laughter.

"You're gone..." He whispered shaking his head, and before I could register anything, I was laughing & jumping to resist his ticklings on me. "Hahaaa... Ohhh.. stooppp... Hahahee...stoo...heheeeheeee...."

And thump!

My knees dashed on the couch edge making me stumble on it with Manik on my top.
His body pressed on the top of mine while his hands resting beside me to support his weight not putting his complete weight on me.

Everything happened so suddenly that, I went silent to grasp what's happening!

His face was just a inch away and his eyes fluttered from my eyes to my lips, lingering over there for quite a minute.
A sudden spark passed my spine when the mere thought of his lips over mine crossed my mind. I.... I felt like- I want it... Want his lips on mine! badly!

My eyes are already fixed at his sweet pulp lips, just my lips need to replace it! Damn!
I involuntarily pursed my lips bitting it between my teeth... in shear anticipation... when I felt his thumb tracing down my chin towards my lips. The moment it touch my lips, I closed my eyes already.

"Back-stabbing bitch!"

I jerked open my eyes and pushed away his hands over me instantly, when these two words of Soha rang in my ears as if making me remember.

I could see the astonished face of Manik due to my sudden behaviour of pushing him off... But it was my concious & rational part, that has taken over me!

"Get off me!" I spoke much to his surprise, but he oblised and stood up.

He offered me a hand to get up, but I got up by myself repeatedly telling myself, "I'm not a back-stabber! I don't feel anything for Manik, my brother-in-law! That's final!"

"Nand-"

"Better keep the distance!" I cut him off putting my palm before him to stop.

"We better not get this close and remember what our relations are;
You're my sister's would-be husband and currently my boss!"

"That's it! It would be best for all, if you keep the decorum of this relation & not get over-friendly and too much over-close. Understood!?" I raised my voice speaking authoritatively.

His eyes were first wide in shock, but as I completed, they flashed more of hurt and pain in them.
He continued to stare at my face searching for any possibility of frank or something, but when he found nothing as such, he lowered his eyes hiding every emotions it shows.

"As you wish-" he voiced looking up "-Miss. Murty" he added looking directly into my eyes with his blank ones.

"Or should I say, would be Mrs. Dhruv Vedant!?"

As the words slipped his tongue, I immediately regretted my own words.
I didn't mean it like that. I wanna say, but cat got my tongue it seems...

"So, Miss. Murty, you have already taken enough holidays from your job and as a boss, I never entertain such employees in my office." He spoke getting back to his seat and sitting there like a boss whereas I remained standing in front.

"But you see, apart from being your boss, I've another relation with you... I'm your Brother-in-law after all! So, considering that, I'm allowing you to work from home and submit your designs to me through your team."
As soon as he finished, he shifted his attention to the files at his desk while I stood there hoping this to be some joke.

But who am I joking? I started this myself only!

"You can leave now. Your works will be sent to you by mail." He voiced without looking up from files. That hurt!

I wanted to tell, "No Manik, I didn't mean to voice like that. I don't blame you. It's me!"

It's me whom I'm trying to remind not get closer to you 'cuz I'm dying to. And that feels so right inspite of being so damn wrong!

I just- just don't wanna be a back-stabbing bitch! That's it! *sad face*

Flashback Ends

*Sighes*

I really don't intend to hurt Manik.

After I left from there, I thought to call him and explain, apologise and reconcile.
But then my rational mind stopped me saying, "This will be best for both of us. If we reconcile, we'll be back to where we were and I could never get my mind away from Manik and Manik. So, it's better to keep it as it is."

I had really thought, I could get away from his thoughts, but the more I avoid him, the more I'm away from his, the more I used to think about him!

You know, after Dad's accident and since I joined his office, I never get time for my morning walk and had stopped going to the park.
But, after few days of our fight, I skipped my sleep and went to park for jogging.

Why?!
To see Manik!

I'd decided not to! But I just... couldn't stop myself from!

And to my bad luck, I didn't find him there and had to return home disheartened since I need to get ready for office too.
He must be so mad!

Knock-Knock-Knock

I immediately straighten up myself hearing the door knock.
Don't forget, I'm at my office cabin & I'm the boss here. Have a reputation to maintain!

"Come in"

The door cracked open to reveal Rajesh Uncle with few files. I placed a small smile on my face looking at his.

"Tired?" He asked keeping the files at my desk.
"No... Not much!" I shook my head grabbing the file to check.

"It's visible on your face, beta!" He added making me look up from the file.
He just dropped the formality between us, so I can kinda relax in front of him.

I sighed closing the file. "Actually... a bit!" I added stretching my neck and hands.

"Take a break!" He spoke causing me shoot up my head at him questioningly.
What does he mean? Didn't he know how much work I have to look after?!

He smiled knowingly, "You're taking break for a week now starting from now. On a road trip to Goa to attend your friends get-together!
You need to be ready at 6pm, your friends will be picking you up from your home."

He finished in one go & I was like what???

"I got orders from my big boss!" He shrugged adding.

"Daddd..." I cooed getting who could be the big boss after all!

"What about the works here?" I asked showing the files around.

"Everything is almost upto date. And further work, I and the head-staffs here will manage." Came the already prepared answer from him. I sighed knowing, I've no more points to argue on!
I'm going... to Goa!

I wondered if Manik too would have been forced to join us.
Maybe not!

I wish he would come!

***********

What do you think of Nandini's behaviour?

Also,... More surprises are awaiting... In Goa!😏😏😏

🌺🙏 Happy Durga Puja 🙏🌺
May goddess bless all of you with health and prosperity!

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