I NEED U TO BE THERE...for a little more than always!!
Part 6:
Manik: Shit... How can I forget that i had called her out??
Manik walked out of the house towards her. He reached by her side to see Nandini sleeping on the bench, he was still not sure if he should wake her up or not. He could see her shivering due to the cold, as she was wearing her simple shorts and sleeveless top. He thought again to wake her up but then decided against it and instead got back inside the house and got a bedsheet to cover her up. As he did so he could see a bit of satisfaction on her face. He was about to get back when he realised that Nandini had held the corner of his T-shirt. He bend down a bit towards her to free himself but her innocence was so attracting that he could do nothing but stare at her face. He wasn't able to stop his hands from moving further, as he removed the hair that were falling over her face. She seemed like a cute little child sleeping peacefully. Manik took a few minutes to take in her beauty and them removed his T-shirt fom her hand.
He spent his entire night turning from one side to the other on his bed. Yes, Manik Malhotra had now accepted that he had got feelings for Nandini. What feelings, he wasn't sure yet but one thing was sure that this realisation was something which was surely gonna change his way of looking at her and also his behaviour with her.
The next day, Manik got ready for work and thought,
Manik: Where is she today?? She does get late by 5-10 mins but it has never been so late. Its 25 mins and still no one. He walked down to the breakfast table and saw his servant ready with his breakfast. He sat down and started eating, still looking at the door for her.
Manik: Where is my juice??
Servant: Sorry sir.. I forgot!! I'll just get it.
Manik: How cn u forget it like this?? U knw i tk it daily.
Servant: Sir.. Nandini Madam checks ur breakfast everyday before u come down.
Manik: Ohk u go get it and ask the gardener to come to me.
Servant: Yes sir!!
Five minutes later, the gardener walked towards him. "Sir!!"
Manik: Kaka.. Plz go to the outhouse and check where is Ms. Moorthy. Tell her that she is late and i m calling her.
Kaka: ohk sir!!
The gardener walked away while Manik thought about his day. He had an habbit of thinking about his day over breakfast as by then Nandini updated him of the schedule. But this time he was getting irritated as he had no idea. As he finished his breakfast and got up to go to Dadi's room he saw Nandini walking inside the house.
Nandini: Good mrng sir... I m so sorry!!
Manik: And it has crossed all limits today Ms. Moorthy.... U r late by an hour. Ur punctuality is decreasing day by day.
Nandini: I m sry sir...
Manik: I'll go n meet Dadi... We'll leave in 10 mins.
Nandini: Sure sir!!
Manik turned around and was about to walk away when Nandini called out.
Nandini: Excuse me sir!!
Manik: Yes
Nandini: If u don't mind can I plz come with u to meet Dadi. Actually I hv some work.
Manik: Hmn
Nandini simply followed him to her room as he walked. Just outside her door, Manik stopped and motioned Nandini to enter first.
Nandini knocked the door and got a reply,
Dadi: Yes
Nandini entered the door and Dadi said,
Dadi: Arey Nandu... I was just thinking why didn't u come today!!
Nandini heard her calling her Nandu and motioned her that Manik was behind her. Manik entered the room and Dadi said,
Dadi: Wow.. Today both of u together.
Nandini: Dadi... Did u take ur Medicines??
Dadi smiled at her and Nandini made a bad face,
Nandini: I knew it... Thats why I wanted to meet u before going.
Nandini walked to her bedside while Manik simply sat on the bed, as she poured a glass of water.
Nandini: Here... Hv this!! And I m telling u I don't wanna see this tablets as they are when I come back. Make sure u hv them on time. I will tell the cook to remind u, plz don't ignore him Dadi.
Dadi simply smiled at her words and had the tablet that she gave. As she finished it she handed over the glass to Nandini and caressed her face.
Dadi: May God give u all that u wish for.
As she said so she said,
Dadi: Nandini... Are u not well?? Ur body is so warm.
Nandini: No no dadi.. I m fine.
Nandini turned towards Manik and said,
Nandini: Sir I just hv to pick up the files from the office and then I'll prepare ur schedule.
Manik: Ohk!!
Saying so Nandini walked out of the room straight to her office. As Manik had said, they left the house in exactly 10 mins. As they sat in the car Nandini started,
Nandini: Sir u hv a final meeting with the singhanias at 10. I hv personally worked on this project. Its all done and U can get a breifing as soon as we reach the office. After that u hv promised lunch to the owner of the Mehta group and his wife. I hv booked a private table in the hotel. Is that okay??
Manik: Yes i think that would be good. Call the Mehtas for a final conformation amd then confirm ur booking at the hotel.
Nandini: Ohk sir!!
Manik: Then??
Nandini: Sir after that u hv a practise session with Fab5, but the tine and the duration is not yet decided, so I wanted to ask u about it.
Manik: Ohk so make that at 6.
Nandini: Ohk sir... And along with that I needed some of ur time to discuss Dadi's bday celebration.
Manik: We cn hv that just after the lunch with the Mehtas.
Nandini: Ohk sir...
Manik: Is that it??
Nandini: Yes sir..
Soon they reached the office and their schedule started.
That afternoon they reached the hotel on time for lunch and Manik asked Nandini,
Manik: Reservation on the name of??
Nandini: U sir...
Manik: Hmn...
Manik asked the manager for his table and he checked his computer as he said,
Manager: Yes sir.. Booking for three on the name of Mr. Manik Malhotra.
Manik: Three??
Manager: Yes sir...
Manik turned towards Nandini who stood there confused by his reaction.
Nandini: Any problem sir??
Manik: No...
Manik turned back towards the manager as the waiter walked him to his table and he thought to himself,
Manik: Obviously... Why will she be sitting with u?? She just thinks of u as a boss not like u do...
They reached the table and Manik sat down,
Nandini: Sir I m out in the lobby... I'll accompany Mr. and Mrs. Mehta over to the table as they come.
Manik: Hmn...
With this Nandini walked out leaving Manik alone on the table. 5 mins later, she returned with the couple and again went to the lobby to do her work while they finished the lunch. She wasn't feeling well actually so she thought,
Nandini: Why m I not feeling gud.. I think its bcoz i hvn't eaten anything frm the mrng. I couldn't even hv coffee today bcoz of getting late. As soon as we reach office, I'll hv to get a break otherwise I won't be able to work in this condition.
About an hour later Manik came out of the Restraunt with the others and motioned Nandini to follow him as they walked out.
They had almost reached out when Manik said,
Manik: Sure Mr. mehta... i m sure my secretary here would be hving ur contract with her.
Manik turned back towards her and said,
Manik: Ms. Moorthy???
Nandini: Yes sir... Its in my bag in the car... I'll get it.
Saying so Nandini walked ahead of them and climbed down the stairs. As she walked faster she felt dizzy.
Nandini: OMG... Why am I feeling dizzy??
She slowed down but didn't feel any better. It got worse and she didn't even realise when her leg sliped from the stair and she slid down the rest of the stairs. All she could realise was her name being called out loud,
Manik: NANDINI....
Manik rushed down the stairs to the road, where Nandini was lying, now unconcious. Her head and leg were bleeding heavily as she had slipped down atleast 20 steps and then hit the ground.
Manik: Oh god... nandini... Wake up!! Open ur eyes...
Manik rubbed her face but she was fully unconcious by then.
Manik: DRIVER!!! DRIVER... Get the car...
He shouted feeling completely helpless. Within a minute the driver was there, he opened the door as Manik picked Nandini up and entered the back seat.
He got into the car and said,
Manik: Hospital ASAP...
He lied Nandini's head on his lap and realised that her head was burning hot. Just then he remembered Dadi mentioning her being hot and not well in the mrng before they left. Tears were already there in his eyes.
Manik looked at her face and thought,
Manik: U weren't well coz u were out all night. That too bcoz of me. And all I did was to shout at u for being late. Not a word from u against me for making u sleep outside and still i was being mean with u. Ur condition is simpky bcoz of me. Its me who has made it come over to the hospital.
He kept on caressing her face and hair while they waited to reach the hospital.