I want u to be there.... For a little more than always!!!
Part 21:
Manik and Dadi were sitting in her room as Manik lied down on her lap and closed his eyes while she talked to him.
Dadi: And what about the reason of this smile of urs.

Manik: What reason??

Dadi: U can't hide it from me Manik, i can read ur face clearly. Pyaar ho gya na usse??

Manik immediately opened up his eyes and looked at her shocked. Dadi smiled at his face and said again,
Dadi: what r u thinking?? Tell me, do u love her??

Manik came out of his initial shock and then thought about Dadi's words.
Manik: Who Dadi?? I don't know what u r talking about?

Manik lowered down his face and looked elsewhere.

Dadi: U very well know whom i m talking about. Don't try to hide ur eyes from me Manik, i can read them very well.

Manik: Dadi... It's not as-

Dadi: Not as I think... Yahi bolne wale the na!! Ok fine don't tell me, now u hv grown up so much that u will hide things from it Dadi.

Manik: come on Dadi... U always start with it emotional drama.

Dadi: So tell me na... I won't do this!! Come on vese bhi it's my birthday.

Manik sighed once in defeat and then said,
Manik: Ohk... Ask what do u wanna know?

Dadi: Nandu.... Do u love her??

Manik: Hell NO!!! Stop with this "love" thing!!

Dadi: So u don't love her??

Manik: No....

Dadi: Then why do u care for her so much? Why does her happiness matter so much to u? Why does just a smile from her makes ur eyes twinkle? Why did u get jealous today when cabir was with her?

Manik heard all of it, but he didn't have any answer. He smirked at Dadi and then said,

Manik: U really do notice a lot.

Dadi: I can read u inside out manik and that's why i know u r trying to change the topic.

Manik knew that now he had no escape so he said finally,
Manik: I don't know myself Dadi...

Dadi: Why??

Manik: it's just that... I like being with her a lot but then i forget that she is my employee for god's sake and i really don't want things to get awkward.

Dadi: shut up ur brain for sometime and listen.. What does ur heart wants Manik?

Manik: But-

Dadi: Manik for all i know... I don't care if Nandini works for u, but i hv seen her going much much beyond her work when it comes to u. She is a beautiful person at heart and that's what matters.... Rest, i know once u get understand ur feelings u'll make ur way.

Manik smiled at her and kissed her hand.

Manik: I don't give a damn what others will say or think... What i care about is what u and Nandini say.

Dadi: I know my son and that's why i m saying i know u'll handle other stuff later. So now tell me, do u feel for her?

Manik: For now... I don't want to think much Dadi. Somewhere in my head i know that she is something much more to me than just an employee or a friend but i don't want to spoil it.

Dadi: What do u mean??

Manik: Dadi.... Nandini knows me in and out, she knows me exceptionally well but on the other hand, i hardly know her personally. I hv just got a friend in her and i m loving this. The way she is outside work, so cute, so simple, so carefree, it all just makes me think how less do i know her. I want to cherish this time, be by her side and then if our stars wish, who knows maybe I'll make her fall for me.

Dadi smiled at him with tears in her eyes,
Dadi: No matter u realize it or not... But i can clearly see how much she has changed u, and changed u for good.

Soon Manik got back to his room to rest before they head first the hospital. He entered his room to see the room in a mess and he remembered Cabir's words,
"Just think, why r u sitting here?? Why does it matter so much to u?? What is this anger really for??"

Manik's pov:
What was i angry for? Was i actually jealous as Dadi said? Does she really matters to me so much? Of course she does, she is my friend. God... This is really such a different feeling, i need to get all this sorted in my head.

With this is just picked up his towel and entered the washroom to take a much needed shower. About an hour later, Manik walked down the stairs and moved towards her room as they had to go to the hospital.

He knocked the door and entered the room, to find her busy on the phone. She didn't even hear his knock.

Nandini: Increase the price for the final passes... Advertise it till noon tmrw!!..... U don't hv to tell me what i should do!! It's Fab5's concert ,people die to just get a glimpse of them. The passes will be sold out as soon as they are out again! Remember that?!!... Am i clear out not?... Good!!... And u better be up to the mark on ur work or else be ready to face me. "

Saying so she disconnected the call and looked down at her laptop busy in something. When she got startled hearing someone clearing his throat. She immediately looked up to find Manik smirking looking at her. She sighed a relief and said,

Nandini: God... U scared me!!

Manik: I did knock but i guess u were too busy scaring that poor soul.
Nandini just gave him a whatever look and closed her laptop and kept it aside.

Manik: So ready??

Nandini just nodded at him and kept the files and laptop aside.
Manik moved closer to her and placed the wheel chair beside her bed. Nandini picked up the duvet from herself and turned towards him.

Manik's pov:
I moved closer to help her on the wheel chair. But the moment she removed the duvet from herself my heart literally skipped a beat. She was looking so simple yet so gorgeous. Her perfectly toned legs with that plaster made her look hot as hell.
I somehow controlled myself and bent down to pick her up and again the moment my hands touched her bare legs I felt her shiver as I too could feel the spark in myself. As soon as i made her sit, i noticed a slight blush on her face. God she is beautiful!! This was all i could think.
Manik's pov ends.

Both of them moved out. 5 mins later both of them were sitting in the car as Manik started driving. Nandini looked at him from the corner of her eyes and found him smiling. Instantly a smile touched her lips while she asked him,
Nandini: U seem quite happy!!

Manik: Yes... And the credit for that goes to u miss.

Nandini: Me??

Manik: Yes sweetheart... U!!

Nandini immediately blushed as he refered to her as 'sweetheart'. Manik noticed that and smirked again.
Manik: Dadi loved the card beyond words. Add u said, she too thought that it was the best gift that i could give her.

Nandini simply smiled at him as she was still trying to get over his sudden show of affection by calling her sweetheart.

Manik noticed her blush and thought to tease her a bit more.

Manik: U know today i was looking damn hot!!

Nandini: huh!!

Manik: Arey.. I m serious!! I got many indirect compliments during the party.

Nandini: Ohh
Nandini whispered and looked outside the window as Manik noticed her blush wash away. She didn't realise why but an unknown and sudden feeling of jealousy came to her.

Manik understood it and smiled for some unknown reason and continued,

Manik: If i had known i would be getting such a response, i might hv added some extra effects in getting ready. I mean who doesn't like to hv such complements.

Nandini: Yeah of course..
Nandini muttered sarcasm clear in her voice. She shifted her gaze outside.

Manik: U know there was this girl, she was seriously not able to take her eyes off me.

Nandini just Hummed at him and Manik knew he had gone way too far this time. He waited for her to turn back towards him but she didn't so after 5 minutes Manik called her and again she hummed without turning. But Manik couldn't take it anymore and the very next minute he stopped the car abruptly and held her hand, as he jerked her towards himself.

Manik: Don't u wanna know who was she Nandini??

Nandini simply moved her head from left to right indicating a no. And tried to get back to get seat but his grip was to tight on her arm. Manik smirked at her and his other hand moved towards his face, he tucked a few of her few strands behind her ear and caressed his fingers on her face. Nandini shivered at it and Manik whispered,

Manik: It was u Nandini.... Don't u remember how u were finding ways to be around me.

Listening this Nandini immediately controller herself and said,
Nandini: Seriously u think i was looking ways to be around u. In ur dreams Mr!!

Manik smirked at her and moved a bit more closer to her face,
Manik: O really... So that means u don't like to be around me??

Nandini blushed at him and looked down. Manik moved his fingers on her face and tucked her hair behind her ear, he raised her head up by holding her chin between his forefinger and thumb.
Manik: Come on Nandini speak up!!

Nandini: I think we should get going or we won't be able to meet the doctor.

Manik smirked at her and left her. Nandini immediately straightened herself and turned towards the window. Manik knew she was blushing like hell. Her cheeks had turned into the darkest shade of red.

Nandini's pov:
Ayiappa... What was that? I cant believe i was actually jealous thinking about girls ogling over him. Till a few days back i was just intimated by him but now, from the time sir's nature has changed, its like he is an entirely different person, but also the same one. I don't knw but sometimes it's like his actions suddenly portray something else.
Pov ends.

Manik's pov:
God I m going crazy over this girl. I just hope Dadi is right and Nandini actually feels something about me. Indeed she goes way beyond her work for me, anyone can point out her care towards me or Dadi or any damn thing no matter whether it's related to the house or the office. Her blush clearly shows that she too has feelings for me. The way she shivers at my touch. I hv to find out he feelings anyhow. I can't just go on my instincts on this matter.
Soon they reach the hospital, where the doctor checked Nandini and then said,
Doctor: I would suggest u to continue with the bed rest and wheel chair for another week.

Nandini: doctor when will i be able to join back office.

Doctor: Ms. Moorthy, hv some patience. It's just a matter of a week. And yes, I think it's time u start moving ur leg a bit, so two to three times a day undergo physiotherapy sessions. I'll send a therapist at ur place from tmrw mrng.

Manik: That will be amazing doctor. But apart from that i mean i hope there are no problem with her leg.

Doctor: Don't worry Mr. Malhotra, i understand ur concern but she is doing fine just make sure she gives proper rest to her leg.

Manik: Sure doctor... I'll make sure she does.

Nandini looked at manik to find him smirking at her. She nodded her head in a defeated way and soon they were on their way back home.

They were mostly quite on the way back, listening to some nyc songs and enjoying each others company. When suddenly nandini shouted " Sir Stop!!!"

Manik immediately stopped the car and turned towards her,
Manik: Nandini.... What happened?? U r fine right!! Should we go back to the doctor.

Nandini could see him completely freaked out, so she kept her hand on his shoulder and said,
Nandini: Sir... I m absolutely fine!! Nothing happened.

Manik relaxed listening to her but still asked to confirm,
Manik: R u sure u r fine.... Why did u suddenly shout like that.

Nandini smiled sheepishly and simply point at something behind manik. He turned around and looked outside the window when he found out where she was pointing.
He turned back towards her and then said,

Manik: Seriously nandini.... U shouted for this!! U scared me...

Nandini smiled again and then cutely requested like a child,
Nandini: Plz sir... Lets hv some ice cream before going back home.

Manik: Nandini u r unbelievable...

Nandini: Ab dosti ki h toh nibhani to padegi na!! Now go... And yes I'll take Belgium Chocolate...

Manik: Nandini don't forget u r ordering ur Boss!

Nandini: No i m not!! I m ordering my friend. Now go na...

Manik simply smiled at her and stepped down the car to get ice cream for both of them.

Writer's note:
Ohk so thats it for today.... I hope u guys liked the chapter!! Do comment ur views ppl, ur votes and comments are the only thing that encourages us. Also a big big Thank u for all those who showed their love on the videos!! Purna worked too hard on them.

We hope that u all will Continue giving such tremendous response to us for the coming chapters.

And yes, i m here with a challenge for u ppl today!! We r in need to a new cover for the story. So get to work readers, for all those who love this story, lets see who makes the best one. Take it as a request or a competition, it's up to u!!

U can also read my other ff's.
>>MaNan: Never let you go
>>U r my star & I m ur sky!!

-Navya😘😘