I want u to be there.... For a little more than always!!
Part 10:
Still first day after breaking her leg and Nandini was damn bored. It had been hardly half an hour that she came into her room after finishing her lunch with Manik and Dadi amd she was again bored. She had insisted on being on the wheel chair instead of the bed and using that she had somehow managed the room according to her needs now that she was going to stay in it for about 10 days. But as it took very less time, she was now again bored. And as always work took up her mind. She again picked up the list that she had prepared for Manik that morning and started checking it. She had no idea what all Manik was doing that day, and that particular thing irritated her. Knowing Manik's every action was her habit till now. She moved out of her room somehow struggling with the new experience of the wheel chair, though it seemed too easy, it took a great deal of effort. She moved back to the living area, willing to go to her office.
Simi: Nandini ma'am u need anything??
Nandini: No thanks...
Simi looked at her confused but then her work was to follow Nandini's orders along with Manik and Dadi's. As she backed off Nandini moved to her office and pushing her usual chair aside, she pulled over the wheel chair at her usual spot, in front of the desk.
Nandini: yes... This is where I belong, not on that stupid bed.
She had carried her laptop on her lap, which she now placed on her desk and turned on. Getting back on her work. About an hour later, she realised her phone vibrating on the table. She picked it up and saw "SIR" flashing over the screen.
Nandini: Hello!!
Manik: Where the hell are u Ms. Moorthy?? I think i was clear that u r not moving out of the mansion.
She could sense his anger and tension in his voice and she said,
Nandini: Sir.. I m in my office only.
Manik sighed a relief and she could hear him moving and a minute later he pushed the door and was standing right in front of her. Manik disconnected the call and then looked around her table which was messed up with her files.
Nandini: I promised a friend that i wouldn't go out.
Manik: Simi saw u moving towards the door so i thought u left. What are u doing her Ms. Moorthy.
Nandini: I thought, i can't go to office, but i can surely manage a lot of work from home itself.
Manik's expression softened and he finally entered the office room. He took a seat on the other end of her table and said,
Manik: I don't know if I can trust u for taking enough rest if u are working along with it.
He motioned towards all the files on her table to which Nandini, immediately cleared a few and said,
Nandini: I will for sure... I can't be there in the room for long. I m not really used to being free for so long.
Manik: Let's see.... I'll see u for a day or two only them I'll allow u for anything. Till then, msg me whenever u leave ur room. Is that clear??
Nandini: Yes sir!! Umn... Can I suggest something sir?
Manik: Sure!!
Nandini: Firstly I wanted to add a bit to ur routine for today, as its thursday and u hv an event witb Fab5 on Sunday, U might need a session. And secondly, it's Dadi's B-Day on Saturday.
Manik: Ohk... Msg Fab5 for a seesion here at 6 this evening and as i know u hv plans about Dadi's bday... I think we hv time to discuss it right now.
Nandini: Sure sir...
Manik: But not here... Not until u hv ur leg resting properly on the bed. U need to keep it straight. So back in your room.
Nandini's face immediately fell as she heard of her room. And Manik could notice it on her face. Suddenly a smile came up on his face and Nandini knew the friend mode was back on. She too changed her official attitude and made as pleading face,
Nandini: Not the room plz... I don't like getting trapped in there. Plz plz...
Manik laughed a little at her and then said,
Manik: ohk ohk... Let's take it out to the lawn.
Nandini smiled to her brightest and picked up her dairy and phone. She placed it on her lap and pulled herself out of the room followed by manik. Manik closed the office door behind her and said,
Manik: Leave it.... Let me do it.
He said holding the handle for the wheel chair. Nandini didn't wish to but accepted it gladly. Knowing she would need a lot of effort for doing it herself.
Manik: U can msg Fab5 till then.
Nandini nodded at him and picked up her phone. As she was typing the msg, Manik said,
Manik: Ms. Moorthy i was just thinking... Why don't we be just friends while planning for Dadi's bday!! As such it's not a part of ur job also. And u will also be free rejecting my views without apologizing for it again and again.
Nandini stopped typing it and looked up at him to see his smile. She smiled at him and said,
Nandini: I think that would be a great idea given the kind of boring bday ideas u had in ur mind for Dadi.
Manik's eyes broadened for a second after which he laughed light heartedly.
Nandini noticed it and thought to herself,
" Wow, he is laughing... That means I can really be me when i m being his friend and not his ps.. Now thats nyc"
As they reached the lawn Manik said,
Manik: I would lyk to apologize to u beforehand Ms. Moorthy knowing ur new found love for this wheel chair coz now u'll hv to leave it... So I'll prefer the grass, u want the bench or the grass??
Nandini: Grass plz!!
Manik: Gud...
Saying so Manik immediately picked her up and made her sit on the grass near the tree so she could rest her back. He took a seat in front of her and then said,
Manik: Ohk so what's ur plan?? What are we going to do??
Nandini: Yes so what I actually want is to call only for a few ppl closer to Dadi for a informal get together. These ppl could be the ladies she meets at the temple, a few of her old friends who keep on visiting or calling!! They could be here.. Spend tym with her, make her day special. And...
Manik: And??
Nandini: I don't know anything... But if u could somehow do something really small but personalised for her... Which could be just for her from u!! That would make her day a really memorable one, she really loves u a lot!!
Manik: Personalised!!! I don't think I can come up with anything like u r referring to...
Nandini: U know thats ur problem... Whenever it comes to showing ur love, u don't even try, u just give up...
As Nandini said this, she realised it and immediately looked down. Manik saw it and knew that she was guilty. He moved his hands ahead and kept it over hers which was kept on the ground.
Manik: Hey... Don't feel sorry... I know what u said is the truth, but thats my problem.. And if u actually want to do something then u can help me with this... Tell me what i can do!!
Nandini: Me??
Manik: Listen Nandini... U would hv noticed by now, i don't make many friends... There is a reason behind that...
Nandini: Coz u r too busy??
Manik: No... That's bcoz a very few ppl are able to understand the kind of person i m. And u do..
Nandini was surprised as well as shocked as he said it so confidently. Did she actually understand him. In terms of business yes she did.
Manik: I m not referring to understanding what i want for my business. I mean personally..
Nandini looked at him with her eyes broad, how could he read her mind. God, this guy is so frustrating.
Nandini: How can u be so confident?? So confident that i..... I understand u??
Manik: I heard u talking to Dadi one night, A couple of weeks back.
Nandini: Really??
Manik: Yes... And the way u talked, it shocked me initially... Coz i had never had any staff so close to me ever before. And that reminds me, Thank u for all those anonymous gifts that u got for me... I never knew it was u, that's another thing that tells how well u know me and my choice...
Nandini smiled at him slightly and he said,
Manik: But i would want u giving them personally to me the next tym...
Nandini: Sure...
Manik: So back to the topic.. So what personalised do u hv in mind??
Nandini: Umn... I m afraid nothing... Sir this is something that u hv to think about, it should be from u. Something which is close to her heart u can think about it and then maybe i can help u finalize it.
Manik: I m not sure... But I'll try for sure.
And that was it... He was going to try just bcoz she said so and that meant a lot to her.