"..BECAUSE I WANTED YOU.."

Nandini's eyes widened in shock as she heard something that was way too shocking for her..

...but before she could react..

..Manik continued..

"..to accompany me to this fashion show.."

Nandini couldn't speak anything as she was in the phase of aftershock. Taking advantage of which Manik spoke.

"..as a friend.."

"What.."finally she was able to utter those words out.

Here her mind was being plagued by god knows what kind of thoughts..

...when in reality..

...he "friend zoned" her.

Expected!!!

Of course..

...after all he was "THE MANIK MALHOTRA"

..what else could he want from her apart from..

..FRIENDSHIP.

She should have seen this coming..

..what other possible reason could be there.

She should be happy..

..then..

..why the hell was she not happy.

In fact she was anything but happy...

...truth to be told..

..she was feeling anything but happy..

..but why??

..why was she so disappointed..

..why was she feeling so low.

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!!!

But before she could loose her mind..

...her senses kicked right back in.

..and she got the answer to her question..

...at least that's what she thought.

She was feeling like this because she was confused.

Yes...

..she was confused.

And it wasn't a lie.

She was indeed confused.

Because she needed some answers..

...the ultimate being..

..WHY HER??

So without wasting another moment she questioned him.

"...that's exactly what my question is sir.."Nandini looked straight into his eyes and continued "..why me.."

Her tone was way to harsh that she ever intended it which shocked Manik as well. "I am sorry Nandini...I didn't mean to offend you.."

As soon as those words came out of Manik's mouth Nandini's eyes widened in horror as she realised how rude she must have sounded.

CRAP!!

Closing her eyes she shook her head and this time mumbled in a very low tone "..I am sorry sir..I am really sorry.."

Manik who got worried for a second was relieved now. However he still wanted to know the reason behind her sudden change in behaviour "..don't be sorry Nandini..in fact speak your mind up.."

Nandini's eyes opened in shock again as Manik continued "..I know something is bothering you Nandini..so get it off your chest.."

Nandini sighed and this time chose to go with honesty. "Sir..I have already asked this question twice..why Me.."

"..and I have already answered that question.."Manik replied calmly "..haven't I.."

"Your answer has only raised zillion other questions Sir..which is literally plaguing my mind.."she shook her head. "Sir..I am asking this question again..and this time I am expecting an clear and concise answer..not a vague and ambiguous one.."

Taking a deep breath she pulled in all her energy and looking back into that other pair of hazel eyes she finally spoke the question that was literally wrecking havoc to her peaceful mind.

"Sir you said you wanted me to accompany you to this Fashion show as your friend.."

"..but that's exactly what my question is sir.."

"..Why Me.."

"..of all the people who would happily do anything for you..why did you chose me Sir.."

"I am just another employee who works for you.."

"..in fact it's only been two days that I have joined Malhotra Industries.."

"..and out of the blue you picked me to be your friend.."

"..when you could have chosen anyone else.."

"I am sure you must have zillion other friends who would have happily accompanied you.."

"..they not only belong to your stature..but they would have complemented you much better.."

"..then why me Sir.."

"..why someone like me..whom you hardly know.."

"..why not someone else.."

Manik continued to look at her with unfathomable expressions.

As he was absolutely clueless..

...yes...

...he simply didn't have any way to explain to her..

..as to why he needed her there.

He couldn't tell her anything without telling her everything..

..and he knew that once the truth came out it would scare her to such an extent that she would be making a run for the hills...screaming as she goes.

Because she won't be able to handle the truth..

..which was very simple..

..that he was in unconditionally..irrevocably..wretchedly..head over heels in love with her.

PERIOD.

But he can't tell her that..

....at least not until the right time comes.

He didn't knew whether to laugh or feel extreme raged at her idiocy.

Her words clearly indicates that she think she isn't good enough for him.

In fact she think she isn't even good enough to be his friends.

She think she wasn't perfect..

He just wanted to ask her one question..

..in whose definition wasn't she perfect.

ALIA..

RACHEL..

NYONIKA.

God..

How can she even dare to compare herself with people like them.

When in reality there can be no comparisons.

Can heaven be ever compared to hell.

No..

Never..

...than how can she even think of competing with people like these three who's only motive in life is to get their desires fulfilled..

...so what if for that they literally have to sell their souls too.

As long as they get what they want they are more than happy to sell themselves off.

Unlike Nandini..

...who is so pure that even whitest of whites look pale in front of her.

Her pure heart..

Her pure soul..

Her pure mind.

She doesn't have the Midas Touch..

She is the magic of Midas herself.

The moment she walked into the life of someone that person life gets filled with positivity and happiness...

...just like Manik's.

He was drowning in the darkest of darkness..

..but the moment she stepped into his life..

...her presence itself acted like a hand that literally pulled him out of those oceans of darkness.

And why only Manik..

...every person whose life gets touched by her presence..

...it becomes alive.

As Nandini Murthy wasn't the synonym of positivity..hope or happiness.

Nope.

Rather

She herself was positivity...

She was hope herself.

She was happiness herself.

Yes..

She was correct.

Manik could have easily got anyone as his partner..

...but no one could have even matched the grace of Nandini Murthy..

..because they wasn't her.

The reason why Manik asked her to accompany her because he wanted the world to know about her existence.

She was destined for greatness.

She wasn't meant to become someone's arm accessories..

...or an eye candy.

But she was born to rule the hearts of people by becoming the centre of attention.

He wanted the entire world to know that what it had been missing upon.

He knew that the moment she would walked that red carpet with him all the eyes would be on her and no one would even noticed his existence.

In fact anybody's existence.

The show would officially be owned by Nandini Murthy.

And that's exactly what Manik wanted.

He wanted her to get used to it..

...because sooner or later she will be all over the news when they would be officially become one.

He doesn't wanted the world to tag her as gold digger..

..rather..

...he wanted her to carve a niche for herself.

And knowing her he knew it won't be that difficult..

...as one day..

..they both together will own the entire world.

How he wish he could tell her that it wasn't that he was doing her any favours by taking her to this show..

...rather it was the other way around.

Yes..

He was honoured to be her date for tonight.

How he wished that he could tell her everything..

..but unfortunately he can't...

..as he doesn't want to scare her away by showing her the depth of his real feelings that he had for her.

So for the moment he chose to use the word that would not only answer her question but would also indirectly represent his current state of mind.

Looking back at her deep chocolate brown eyes he simply spoke the truth though in measured tone.

"You want to know why I didn't ask anyone else to accompany me right.."

She simply nodded so he continued

"...it's simple Nandini.."

"...because they are not you.."

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