I Need U To Be There... For a little more than Always!!
Part 44:
Manik: Ohk so that means u didn't like that i referred to u as my girlfriend.

Nandini didn't reply any thing at this and simply turned around.

Suddenly she felt a sudden jerk on her arm as she banged into his hard chest with her back facing him. Manik grabbed her waist and held her close to himself as he bent over to her ear and asked,

Manik: Then how would u hv introduced urself!! What m I to u nandini?
Nandini shivered at his tone and closed her eyes trying to control herself but failed miserably.

Manik: Bolo Nandini...

Nandini: Ff.. Fri.. Friends!! We r friends...

Manik tightened his grip further over her and brushed his lips at the nape of her neck as he spoke,
Manik: Are we really Just Friends??

Nandini shivered as his husky voice reached her along with his breath fanning over her neck.
Manik: Say it Nandini... Are we just Friends?? Would u ever let any of ur other frndz to hold u like I do? To kiss u like I do? To touch u like I do?

Nandini: MANIK....
Nandini almost mourned his name as if it was a prayer for her. She felt weak on her knees listening to his words, she would hv collapsed on the floor had not Manik been holding her tight.

Manik: Would u react to anyone else's closeness the way u react when I come close to u??

Nandini: No....

Manik: So then what are we Nandini??
But the moment he asked her straight, nandini came back to her senses and turned around to face him still being in his arms.

Nandini: We... We r!!

Manik: Yes.. we r?

Nandini looked straight into his eyes and opened up to say something, only to close it again listening the voice of her phone ringing.

Manik groaned audibly when she tried to come out of his grip.
Nandini: Manik... Let me take it, it must be important!

Manik: No first say what were u saying?

Nandini: MANIK....
Nandini said in a pleading tone making him sigh as he felt her. Nandini picked up the call and said in a stern voice,

Nandini: This better be important Shubham!! Its past 10 pm.
She said on the call, making Shubham gulp in fear and Manik knew it was from work.

Nandini intently heard him saying and then said,
Nandini: Ohk then send them a confirmation mail that Mr. Malhotra would be leaving early tmrw mrng...... Forward me the reply.

Nandini disconnected the call to find Manik looking at intently waiting for answers, and forgetting all their romance, one phone call and both of them were back to being professionals. Work addicts as they both were.
Nandini: Umnn.... Our company has won the government project about those relief hospitals to be built in Shimla. But the deal is to be finalized as soon as possible for which u hv to be there to sign the contract personally.

Manik: Is tmrw Okay?? I mean the other meetings and stuff.

Nandini: I'll handle those.
Manik: Hmn... Ohk!
Nandini: At what tym would u be comfortable in leaving?
Manik: Early mrng would do??

Nandini nodded at him and again dailed some number on her phone to their travel agent book his tickets. She talked to him for a while when Manik suddenly heard her say,
Nandini: Business class one ticket. Preferably a window seat with the next seat empty.

Manik: Hang on... What??

Nandini heard him and said on the call,
Nandini: U gather the details... I'll call u back.
And she disconnected as manik asked,

Manik: What do u mean by one ticket?? U r coming with me right??

Nandini: No manik.... How can I come with u? I just told u na that I would handle the meetings here in ur absence and plus, we just got the wedding date, I hv taken up ther responsibility so now, i hv to prepare for that too na.

Manik: But its just the matter of two days...

Nandini: And the wedding is not even a month away. Even one day matters a lot.

Manik: Nandini.... U always travel with me whenever we hv to attend meetings.

Nandini: I know Manik.... And that's because I m ur secretary and thats my job but try to understand, how can I ditch the wedding preparations like this.

Manik: Arey one day won't matter yr... U ask the others to do some work till then.

Nandini: But Manik-

Manik: I don't know anything... Either way, I m not leaving u alone. U come with me, or I m also not going.
Manik said and sat on the bed with a grumpy face, looking cuter than a 5 year old child. Nandini couldn't help but smile at this guy who claimed to be a Monster in front of the entire world.

She sat next to him and wrapped her hands around his bicep,
Nandini: Manik... Its just a matter of 2 days.... I wouldn't hv stayed back if it wasn't important.

Manik: I don't care...

Nandini lifted up her head from his shoulder and made him face her while she said slowly,
Nandini: Plz Mani....

Manik heard her calling him that and sighed.
Manik: I won't talk to u for making me do this.

Nandini: Aww... U r so cute!!
Nandini exclaimed and pressed her lips on his cheek.
Manik smiled looking at her and she continued,
Nandini: Ohk so lemme just confirm ur tickets then I'll help u pack.

Manik nodded at it and a few minutes later both of them were in his room packing for the trip.

As they finished Manik held Nandini's hand and said,
Manik: I m going to miss u!!

Nandini: Hmn... Well I won't miss u at all!! I would be busy in my work all the time, I won't even realise ur absence.

Manik left her hand and again looked to the other side with a grumpy face.
Nandini smiled at him sheepishly and simply left the room leaving him further more sad and confused. He freshened up and lied down on the bed when he left an arm wrap around his torso as she rested her head on his chest.

Nandini: It should be me who should be angry at u. I told u not to pamper me like this. Now see, neither will I be able to eat, or sleep, or even work without u.
She complained cutely making him smile as he slowly kissed over her hair, wrapping his arm around her.

Manik: I m glad I pampered u so much...

Nandini: U r such a Monster!!
Nandini wailed hitting him on his stomach, Manik laughed out loud at it and stopped her when she again rested her head on his chest and whispered,

Nandini: My Monster!!!

Manik smiled listening to her and whispered back while kissing her forehead.
Manik: Only Urs....
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The next day Manik left for Shimla while got ready and left for work. As she expected there were a number of meetings, so she stayed busy in work. It was almost 1 pm while she was sitting in the conference room with her team when she left her phone vibrating. She took it out to smile looking at his name flashing on the screen. She immediately turned to her stern mode and said,

Nandini: We'll continue from here after a half an hour break. Disperse everyone...
And within a minute the room was empty as she picked up the call.

Nandini: Hello!!

Manik: Where were u?? U r fine right?? Why were u not picking up the call?? Should i come back....

Nandini: Shhh sh sh... Relax Manik! Take a breath! I m in the conference room, a meeting was going on.

She heard him take a sigh of relief and giggled.
Nandini: Mani.... I m not in some war zone! I m in the office, surrounded by all kind of security. Why were u so worried?

Manik: I love it when u call me that!! And I miss uh...

Nandini: Its been just a few hours but still I miss u too... Did u check into ur hotel??

Manik: No... Still in the car!!
Nandini: How was the flight?
Manik: Boring without u! The last tym when we traveled for work, U were there with me, though we didn't talk much then except work, but still I enjoyed ur company.

Nandini: Spilling out secrets are we??
Manik: Why?? Do u hv any to spill?
Nandini: Umn... U can say so!!!

Manik: Ohk then... Out now
Nandini: I had been intimidated by u right from a long long time. Maybe right after the first three months of my joining.

Manik: Seriously??
Nandini: Don't be surprised Mr. Malhotra!! U do hv that kinda impact on ppl.

Manik: And I had been tensed to get closer to u thinking that I don't affect u at all!!
Nandini laughed out loud at him and they continued their talk till Manik finally reached the hotel and ordered her to hv lunch before getting back to work.

The entire day passed in a jiffy as Nandini started with the wedding preparations as well. The next day too went on being a busy one until the evening when Nandini was sitting in her cabin lost in her thoughts.

She had talked to Manik that morning before reaching office, but after that even after trying so many times she couldn't reach him and that made her tensed and anxious. She was too much engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't realise that her landline was ringing continuously. She picked it up at the last ring and said,
Nandini: Nandini Moorthy...

Person: Ma'am its me, Shubham!! Actually Ma'am the office hours are over and the entire staff is leaving... I wanted to ask if u would be working further.

Nandini: Why?? Do I need ur permission to work here?

Shubham: But Ma'am... Everyone has left alrea-

Nandini got irritated by his questions and shouted this time,
Nandini: Then let them go and leave me alone. This is not the first time I m working late. Just mind ur own business!! I want the entire office empty in 15 minutes apart from the security... GET IT??

Shubham: Ye.. yes!! Yes Ma'am....
He fumbled and disconnected while Nandini got back to the file, she was working upon. A few minutes later, she suddenly felt some movements in the corridor outside her cabin, and immediately a shiver ran through her spine.

No one was allowed at this floor without the entry code or the pass permission from her. She ignored it thinking that its no one and tried to concentrate on her work. But then she noticed someone's shadow right outside her cabin.
Nandini: Whose there???
She got up from her chair and slowly started moving towards the cabin door. She opened it up and slowly peeked out to find no one there. She moved out and checked throughout the floor for any trespasser but found no one.

She returned to her cabin just to find a small box wrapped in jet Black sheet and red ribbon placed over her laptop.

She picked it up to find a note kept with it. Opening up the note with shivering hands to see the handwriting which could make her smile any time.

Nandini: Manik...
She whispered and started reading,
"Scared huh?? Don't be.... No one can reach up here until I want him to. U r too precious to me to let anyone else reach u!! Get back home and get ready... Its gonna be just u and me tonight. Dying to see u...

And yes, u won't be able to call me till we meet, so don't worry!!
Missed u!!
I Lo-..... Umn never mind,
Yours Monster."

Nandini read the letter and blushed as she opened up the box to find a beautiful pair glittering ear rings with another small note with it.
"Coz ur ear rings shine just like the stars...."

Within the next few minutes Nandini was already in the car, on the way home as the driver sped off through the Mumbai traffic.

She reached home and rushed to her room to freshen up and get ready. After taking a peaceful cold shower she stood in front of her cupboard to look for something to wear when she found another gift box kept in front of her.

She opened it up to see breathtakingly beautiful royal blue coloured dress. She smiled thinking about all the effort he would have taken for all this stuff and got ready. She tied up her hair in a bun leaving a few traces in the front coming over her cheeks and neck. With minimal amount of make up and just a pair of earrings in the name of accessories, she looked like a model stepped out of a magazine.

Standing in front of the mirror Nandini smiled at herself, as her blush gave her a natural colour, making her look even more beautiful.

She wore her silver pumps matching perfectly with the dress and moved out of the room. To find Simi standing there smiling at her.

Simi: U look beautiful Ma'am....

Nandini: Thanks simi!!
Simi: A car is waiting for u outside.
Nandini smiled at her and soon left for her destination. About half an hour later, the driver stopped the car on a deserted area on top of the hill and opened up the door for her, she got down and moved out but couldn't see anything.

She looked around trying to find him when she heard the car drive away.

Manik stood there at a corner lost in her beauty as he saw the driver move away. She was looking a hundred times more beautiful than he had imagined her to be.

Nandini: Manik.....
She called him out but no one replied and was about to take out her phone for some flash light, when he finally pressed the button on his side and within a second the entire area was illuminated in beautiful lights. She looked all around with her eyes shining in amazement at all the arrangements while Manik still seemed in a daze looking at her. The dress hugging her body in a perfect manner, showing off her curves. Her milky white back glittering by those stones attached. Her face glowing in the lights around as her earrings dangled everytime she moved her face.

She walked ahead towards the edge of the hill to see the city glittering with its ever going traffic. The cold breeze blowing her loose hair strands. When she suddenly shivered as she felt his fingers trace her bare back before finally wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She closed her eyes when she felt his warm breath on her neck as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

Nandini: I missed u!!
Was all she could say which came out almost as whisper.

He heard her and slowly planted an open mouthed kiss on her neck making her bend her face to the other side giving him more access to her neck.

Manik: I missed u too..... U look beautiful!!

Nandini immediately turned around and crashed into his chest, Manik was taken aback by her sudden move but then wrapped his arms around her hugging her back, as he kissed her hair.

Both of them stayed like that for a long time when Manik heard her sniffing,
Manik: Hey hey... Nandini!! Why r u crying?

Nandini: I was so scared Manik.... I wasn't able to reach to all day, u didn't even reply to my msgs. I was getting so many bad thoughts..... Plz Manik plz don't ever do that to me again!!

Manik: Shhh sh... I m sry!! I wanted to surprise u by coming early.... I was in the flight.

Nandini: Manik U hv become my habit, my need, my want.... I don't think I m capable enough to live alone now!!

Manik: Shhh.... I m there for u, ALWAYS!! I lo-
But again he was stopped this time, as Nandini kept her hand on his mouth. Manik looked at her confused when she said,

Nandini: Manik... I know what u r going to say!! I know what u feel for me and believe me, I do too..... But I don't want u to say this...

Manik: What?? Why?? I mean-
Manik questioned when she continued,

Nandini: Manik..... I hv always believed that love is the purest emotion anyone could ever feel. But then it is also the most easiest emotion to feel. If u love someone today then it might be possible that there comes someone in ur life later, whom u would love more than that. I don't want u to promise me to love me forever... All I want from u today is that, 'U trust me.... And u will keep on trusting me forever!!!" Nothing would matter to me more than this....

Manik smiled at her and cupped her face in his palms as he kissed her forehead.
Manik: Nandini... U were the one who guided me back to light and beauty. I was busy in the darkness and the ugly side of life, fighting with my own self, and u saved me from that.
I trust u with my life.... And it is never going to change...

Tears flowed down Nandini's eyes as she immediately hugged him and whispered,
Nandini: I trust u too Manik....

Manik: I LOVE U!
Nandini: The feeling is mutual Mr. Malhotra!!
Nandini whispered with a naughty smirk.

Manik broke the hug and looked at her with a grumpy face, just to find her smiling at him.
Manik: I know u r too smart... But u very well know I hv my own ways to get things done... So....

Manik said as he traced his fingers on her bare back making her widen her eyes at him as she tried to get out of his grip.
Manik: Un hmn.... Not so easy Ms. Moorthy!!

With this Manik pulled her closer to herself, while she laughed out her heart as she shouted out loud,
Nandini: Hahaha... Ohk ohk!! I agree... I love u.. I love u... I love u very much!!

Her voice echoed back through the hills and they stood at the edge, smiling and looking at each other.

And that became the beginning of a new phase of life. A new relationship. A new bond.
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So thats for today ppl....
Finally confession done!!
But but but.... The date is not yet over...
I wanted to get done with it but then the part was going too long and I didn't wish to rush with things.

Tell me how was this?? Well, frankly I m not satisfied much with this part, so positive criticism gladly accepted 😂😂😂...