I was waiting for mom in the car. She had to go back in as she forgot some file of hers.
"Mumma jaldhiiii" I was honking.
And then I see her. Nandini.
She was walking out of her apartment gate looking at her watch. She must not have noticed me in the car. This isn't the normal time she goes to work, Aaj pata nai kyun jaldhi Jaa ri hain.
She was nowat the gate. See, I got to see her, my morning dose is completed. I need to help her get hers too right? Fair enough. So I got down the car and then she saw me.
She looked at me, and the next instant turned her eyes to the road again.
I thought may be I could initiate a conversation,and right then mom came out.
"Chal beta" she said getting in.
Wrong timing.
--------------
Nandini

Know what? I was a little upset this morning as I didn't get to see him, at our regular time, in the regular spot.
I think he had to drop his mom and that is why he had to skip working out.
But thank god, I get to see him now.
How handsome he looks, in anything he wears. The way he carries every outfit, he is a star for a reason.
Coming to me, I had to leave early for a work as I had a meeting. Still I had the time to wait for him, at the window.
My friend is going to pick me up today so I was waiting at the gate for him, when I saw him, Manik, getting out of his car. Our eyes met for an instant and then immediately looked off him. Control Nandini.  Road hain yeh.
His mom came then. Ever wondered where he got his charm and looks from? It's his beautiful mother. She is a complete stunner. A show stopper for many fashion houses at the age of 44, she sure is a beauty.
She got in the car and revvvvvv, they left and I'm still waiting for my friend here.
Shivam, I give you a count of ten to be there in front of me.
5.....4.......3.....2 and bang he was there.
"That was close" I said getting in.
"What?" He asked,
"I was counting down, 10 to 1. And you were there at 2" I said.
"You're dangerous" he said.
We left for office.
"This is a beautiful neighbourhood. I heard many celebrities live here. How did you manage to get in?" He asked.
"That's called networking" I replied.
"In which you're a Pro" he said.
I had to agree.
"So you're going to present in the meeting today I believe, all set?" He asked.
"Yes-o-yes" I replied looking at the meeting notes for one last time.
"Uhmm... Nandini, i was wondering ig you are free tonight, for a dinner or something?" he asked as i was looking into the laptop.
"What's something?" i asked.
"Well, i wanted to ask you out tonight for dinner" he clarified.
"Anything special?" i asked.
"Nope, nothing at all. Just a casual dinner" he said.
"Sorry Shivam, I don't mean to upset you, but i could hardly sleep last night you know with the presentation preparation. I thought i will hop into bed early tonight" i said.
"Oh that's not a problem, how about tomorrow?" he asked.
So is he insisting on this? Am i bound to say yes?
"Yeah. Tomorrow works for me. Is anyone else going to be there or is it just the two of us?" i asked.
"well, i was considering just the two of us" he said.
"Okay. I'll be there. Let me know the time and place" i said.
"sure. Thanks" he said. And while discussing work, we reached office.
We were ten minutes before time.
The meeting room was all set for the presentation. After making sure all the slides were right on spot, i turned on the projector.
Click! And there was the flashlight.
I put up the copies in front of every seat, and took a deep breath. It is going to be my first presentation with the product i developed. So it's obvious for me to get nervous.
Slowly the room started getting occupied and my three bosses were there in their judgement spot.
"So Nandini, are you ready?" one of them asked.
"Yes sir!" I said confidently. And then started with the presentation.
"We have a Q&A session toward the end of the presentation, but please do not hesitate to stop me in case of any queries" i said and started with the presentation.
It was going smooth, i noticed a couple of them taking notes, discussing among them.
"so that's the end of the presentation, you guys have any questions?" i asked finally finishing it.
There were a couple of them about budget and timeline issues for which I had my answers ready.
On the whole, it ended well. And i could hear a huge round of applause.
"Great job Nandini" one of my bosses said.
"Thankyou sir" i obliged. And then everyone except my team members left the room.
"Nandini that was fantastic" one of them said.
"i loved the way you developed the whole thing" he added.
"Thankyou Vishal" i said.
We all went back to our desk and got back to work.
---------------------
Manik

"Bolo Rajiv. When is this interview thing?" i was talking to my manager.
My new song is all set to release and this time we are doing it amidst the fans. The production team planned an interview cum release in one of the local malls, and sent an open invitation to all the fans. It's just been posted on the social media and all my news feed is filled with Thankyou and Manik we are dying to see you messages.
Nandini has both a Facebook and a Twitter account and there's high probability that she will get to see the invite. But even if she does, will she be there? I don't think so.
"Sir, you need fo to be there tomorrow in the evening by 7 PM sir, there's a store opening at 7.15, followed by the media interview amd and then the release" he said.
Wow! Store opening. That's something I've never done.
"I will be there by 6:00 PM sir, we need to get you styled for the event and from the salon we will directly go to the mall" he said."
"Which mall is that?" I asked.
"Infiniti mall sir" he said.
"Okay, I will see you tomorrow then. And yes, any list of expected questions that will be asked and the answers you need from me, list banaake email kardo, talk to the producers about it, I don't want a mess to be created like last time" I warned him.
The last media appearance was very disappointing. We are celebrities, that doesn't mean you hover up on us with all the bullsh** you hear from whistleblowers. I don't give a damn about rumors, however there are a few which cannot be ignored.
Anyway, it's going to be a long night tomorrow. Huh!
----------------------------
Nandini
It's 7 PM already and I am still in the office. Why do I have to work so much even on a Friday night? Ek toh I am so damn tired, and then this never ending work. God, it makes me crazy.
"Hi Nandini" it was Shivam again. he had been to my desk for Atleast 4 times until now. Thrice for some work and once for asking if I am fine.
"Hey Shivam, watsup?" I asked him, typing the code, on the other hand.
"Nothing. Mujhe Abhi yaad aaya, I gave you a ride this morning right, so tum ghar kaise jaogi. Mein drop kardoon?" he asked.
Okay. I feel like this is getting overboard.
"Thankyou Shivam. But I already registered for the cab, and I will be leaving in ten more minutes" i said faking a smile.
So we have this cab service. In case you need to stay late for work we can register for the cab and get a ride.
"Okay, I will stay until you get the cab" he said.
"That's okay. Neha and i are going together. Ahm..Shivam, would you please excuse me, I need to finish this before i leave" i said and he left. For Home. Thank God!

Now i regret for accepting his invite for the dinner, i guess i need to fake an illness and skip that. Totally.

It took me 15 minutes to finish the code and Neha was also ready for me. We got into the cab, she was the first one to get down, she stays just a few streets away from mine.
"Kya madam, aaj kal bohot overtime kar rahi ho aap" the driver asked.
He is the same one who drives me everytime i do OT.
"Ab kaam aisa hain toh kya kar sakte hain bhaiiyaa" I said.
And we finally reached home. I entered the street to witness something different.
Manik was playing cricket with the little kids from our apartment. I could recognize Chintu, Sonu and Nikhil among them all.
-----------------------------------

Manik
Where is this girl? she didn't even drive for work this morning. Pata nai kaisi gayi hogi and it's already 7:30. Abhi tak kyu nai aayi?
I was getting impatient now. I was counting on driving to her office and somehow try to know if she's working. But later realized it would be a bad idea. I couldn't even sit in the verandah for that long time. I don't want to feed mosquitoes with my blood. Upar se i have a public appearance tomorrow.
And then came this brilliant idea.
I called the kiddos from Nandini's apartment with whom i often played cricket and football for a Cricket match. That way i can stay downstairs and wait until she comes home.
I knew only a few boys so i asked them to get the rest of them too. And we started playing.
Its such fun playing with these kids.
Like, if the ball crosses the apartment gate it's four runs, and if it hits the gate directly it's two runs, and if it hits someone's car or window it's a wicket ....hahaha ...galli cricket.
We started playing and it's been almost 45 minutes. I was tired by now. but this lady hadn't shown up yet.
I took a break and settled down near the gate that has this slope and then i saw her office cab. Finally aagayi.
"Hi Nandini didi" Chintu said.
"Hello Chintu, Cricket at this time? Kal school nai hain kya?" she asked.
Such a sweet voice.
she hasn't seen me yet.
"Haina didi. Lekin aaj Manik Bhai ko cricket khelni thi toh khel rahe hain" he said casually.
Phasaa diyaa iss Chintu ke bachhe ne.
She immediately looked to the side i was sitting, and was quite surprised.
Okay, is it too obvious that i made this cricket drama just to wait for her. God please no! Nothing could be more embarrassing.
"Thanks Bhaiyya" she said to the car driver, bid bye to Chintu as well, and walked into the apartment. Thank heavens.
------------------------

Nandini

The Manik Malhotra was playing cricket with the kids. Bachhon ke beech mein bacha ban ke.
How i wish he was waiting there for me to come home i thought
But next instant, buddhu Nandu! Soch ne ka bhi limit hoti hain.
After freshening up, i put some rice in the cooker, there was some leftover curry from last night, so put it up in the microwave for heating.
My emails are still buzzing, was checking them when there was a message from Shivam.
What now!
"Hey Nandini. Sorry if i bothered you today, just wanted to let you know, if it is okay for you to meet at Infiniti mall tomorrow? I know you like Chinese and there is a good Chinese restaurant there"
"I have never been there Shivam. So, i have no problem trying it out. I will be there" I replied and the next instant he called.

Hey.

Hi Shivam.

So, I will be there at your place by 7 and we will go there together.

That's alright, I can drive by myself.

Hey it's okay I can pick you up.

Shivam that's totally not needed. I will see you tomorrow at 8:00 PM, what restaurant is that?

Mainland China

 Okay. See you tomorrow then. have a goodnight

Goodnight Nandini.

He is like glue. It's been a long night, so I finished my dinner real quick, turned the mobile on mute and zzzzzzzed off!

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

So you guys think they are going to face each other tomorrow? Is it all destined? What would Manik think if he sees her with another guy?