Manik's POV

It is declared that Soha wins this challenge n I saw Nandini's face paled. I had seen the designs n, to be honest, I liked the designs of Nandini. her perspective n way of visualization makes her design unique which is lacking in Soha's designs... But maybe her taste about typical Indian style n taste is poor.

"Excuse me... one minute please" One of her daughters voiced.

"I've something to tell." she added going through the designs while we confusedly waited for her to say what she wanna say more.

"This... this one looks beautifully amazing... We all liked it a lot." she said showing a particular design out of the 9 selected ones...

"It was designed by... Nandini." she read the name written at the back.

Nandini's face lit up while Soha made a bad face.

"Thank you Mam." Nandini said with a smile n she replied back.

"This set is the one I liked the most. So, I want it to be exclusively one for me only." she added.

"Sure... I'll take care of it." I assured her.

"We'll take ur leave then." Mrs. Mehra said n I guided them out.

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Nandini's POV

"Congratulations Nandini... Even though u lose but ur designs r not that bad. I wish for ur luck next time." Soha said with a winning smile before leaving the hall.

"Now tell me..." Sneha asked when most of the members of both teams went out.

"Sanaya, the one who winked knew me from New York. She used to be the University beauty but when I came into limelight her boyfriend dumped her n proposed me. I denied but still, she holds the grudges of me being their relationship breaker. She even tried to defame me many times in Uni." I told remembering how she once made a video clip of mine drunken dance n framed me of playing with numerous boys. That time, my two saviors, Arya n Dhruv saved me.

"Ohh... Anyways, u r praised by Swetlana. So, now it's time for a treat." She chirped.

"What treat? I lost anyway, now the next project is going to be harder for me. ... But, I'll treat u a coffee with my own divine hands... Let's go to the cafeteria." I said dramatically.

"Ok" she said not before making bad face n we move out.

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"Well done both of u" Manik sir said sitting on his chair when Soha n I r standing in front of him after Lunch.

"Thank u Sir" Soha voiced while I just stood with a professional smile on my face.

"Now I'll come straight to the point as we have just 1.5 month time for the final day of Show Event. For that, u've to complete all ur designs in 1 month. We'll have 4 themes in total so 1 theme per week. Working days r 5 n a half Saturday so, u'll have 5 days for designing 8 sets in each theme n on Saturday ur team will present it. N if I'm not satisfied with ur designs then u've to complete 8 more up to my expectation on one day i.e; Sunday." He announced with serious bossy tone...

Alya was damn right! He is much of arrogant bossy here.

"Now coming to the very first theme for which u'll have 9 days from tomorrow to next Friday. So, I'll like u to start with the most common yet complicated theme." he stated making me conscious about his next words.

"Which is ur preference; Traditional or Modern? ..... u go first Nandini" he ordered when Soha was about to tell. This made Soha squeeze her nose as to why he asked me first Whereas I'm nervous to guess what is he about to say?

"Modern" I answered as I'm not knowledgeable about traditional jewelry even though my family is traditional. In New York too, I never worked on traditional jewelry n Indian tradition is way too complicated I guess.

"Soha u?" he asked.

"Modern only" She answered.

"So this is it. I've guessed ur answered before itself. But since Soha won the competition n I said that the one who wins will get the right to choose... So, Soha... ur theme is modern Jewelry n Nandini, ur's traditional." he completed n I stood there shocked.

'What the hell??? I Don't know T of traditional n he wants me to design traditional jewelry.'

'Now I'm doomed... U r so gone' my mind screamed but I assure myself with positive thoughts to accept this challenge.

"U may leave now." a voice broke my self encouraging session n I saw Soha leaving with a smile.

I too composed myself n turned to walk out of Sir's Cabin.

"Nandini" I turned to him n saw him standing from his seat having a casual friendly face.

"Yes Sir" I replied professional n he frowned.

'What's with him?'

"Tonight our friends r having a get together So, u r invited. Alya is also coming. Dhruv too. Alya must have informed u, Right?" he asked with a friendly smile.

A moment ago he was holding an arrogant boss face n now talking freely with a smile.

"I didn't get time to talk to her properly. Moreover, I've promised a friend of mine to have dinner. So..."

"We wouldn't mind if ur friend joins us too." He cut me.

"Okay then... I'll ask n confirm u." I said with a smile n prepared to leave.

"U've my number right?" he asked.

"Of course... I've my boss's number."

"No... That's my office no... Gimme ur phone." he asked n I confusedly forwarded my phone after unlocking it.

He looked at the phone with wide eyes... then looked at me.

"Is that u?" he asked showing the phone to me to look at my home screen...

"Ya... Any doubt?" I asked this time getting friendly.

If he can then I can too.

"No...U Just look different" he said blinking his eyes before saving his no. n giving my phone back.

"I'll leave then." I said n he nodded.

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Manik's POV

Wow... that pic...

I felt like I could stare at it for hours n weeks n years... What was that attracted me to it. That was just a simple face without makeup n jewelry except for the nose ring... but it is something... How?

and What made me talk to Nandini out of nowhere? N also giving my personal no. ... She could have contacted through Alya...

Alya! oh no... What am I thinking about?

Manik, concentrate... u r committed to Alya n going to marry her. Don't think rubbish.

I shook my head n get back to files.

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Malhotra's Farmhouse

"All set... Everyone here?" Cabir asked after looking after the arrangements with Manik while others r sitting in hall n gossiping.

"Let's go n check" Manik said n they walked to others.

"Nandini didn't arrive yet." Manik said after searching for her among them n not finding.

"She's on the way with her friend. ... u come na sit." Alya answered n slid a little to make space for him on the sofa.

Everyone is present; fab5, Abhi, Navya. All r wearing casual western dress even Navya too...

"So, how is the work going with ur new boss han?" Mukti asked Alya eyeing Dhruv. Everyone knew that Dhrulya n Manan works together.

"Good... as always." Alya answered.

"Aur Dhruv... Kaisa lag raha hai Uncle ka company takeover karke (How is it going after taking over Uncle's company)" Manik asked.

"Fine... but boss hone ka side effect... Din var files n then employes ke mistake ki responsibility lena... Patiently handle karna... Bada muskil hain (Fine... But the side effects of being boss... All the day between files, take responsibility for ur employee's mistakes, handle everyone n everything patiently... it's difficult." Dhruv answered telling his miseries.

"We know bro... we r on the same boat." Cabir said keeping his hand on Dhruv's shoulder.

"Chal (Come on)... yar... don't sulk" a girly voice came from the door n all turn to it...

Nandini in stylish western shorts n off-shoulder top locking her arm with a handsome boy n dragging him in...

The scene in front made some Chemical locha in Manik... He felt something in him burning just by looking at them... close... interlinked arms...

He just chucks the thought n diverted his eyes.

About Dhruv... he recognizes the guy with Nandu as she used to talk n video call him time to time. Alya too knew him, but all others r new to this guy...

"Hey! Everyone... I'm sorry for the late. Ek toh Mumbai ki traffic uper se Janab ke nakhre. (Firstly Mumbai's traffic n on the top Sir's tantrum)" Nandini said dramatically n cheerfully with a smile. She is very friendly as she knew all the girls n most of the boys there...

"Hey! don't give ur title to me, Drama Queen" the boy said slapping Nandu's head lightly n she made a bad face... All chuckle at this but Manik has a different expression as he felt differently all of a sudden.

"Won't u introduce him, Nandini?" Navya told n she nodded...

"Yes yes... So, everyone, he is my best friend, ..................

Bas... Bas... Baki bate Kal...

What u think, Who is this Best friend of hers?

Few words for Manik???

Few for Nandini?

Lastly, Do u have any problem if I add some Hindi dialogues or should I translate it to English too?