Manik entered the interview room to find Nandini sitting over there. She had composed herself and remained unaffected by Manik's presence. She stood up when Manik handed her the file. Cabir and Navya too entered. Welcome to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Manik said in a cold tone. Nandini looked at him shocked while Cabir and Navya were very happy.

Thank you so much SIR. Nandini said in a low voice. Manik looked at her blankly when she addressed him as SIR. Navya and Nandini hugged each other. While Cabir side-hugged Nandini. Their happiness for Nandini was reflecting on their faces. But Manik blankly kept staring at nandini.

Cabir I think hume na nandini ko pure writing house ka tour dena chahiye? What's say? Navya asked cabir.

Even before Cabir could say anything manik interrupted them. NAHII YOU AND CABIR NEED TO GO TO THE PUBLICATION ROOM. Manik's voice loud and he spoke in so much haste that the other three were literally staring at him.

Bro what's wrong? Tu chila kyun raha hai? Cabir asked Manik still staring at him. Aa....woh...main yeh keh raha tha ki tujhe aur Navya ko na publications check karne chahiye woh Ajit had called me. This time manik said in a normal yet fumbling tone.

Haan theek hain na chale jayenge. Pehle hum nandini ko uska cabin toh dekha de. Navya said. It was very unusual for Manik to react like this. It was new for Cabir and Navya. But Nandini somewhere knew what he was upto.

Main dikha deta hoon. Manik volunteered to help Nandini. This shocked Cabir and Navya even more. The Manik Malhotra volunteering to show around to a newbie. THE RUTHLESS HEARTLESS SADU KHADOOS AKDU TYPES MANIK MALHOTRA VOLUNTEERED TO SHOW AROUND.

Yaar teri tabiyat toh theek hain na? Cabir asked after checking Manik's forehead. You are not serious. Haina? Cabir squinted his eyes. He was now sure that there was something that manik was hiding. Manik's actions were different and they were acting opposite to his chracter.

Manik could sense that Cabir was suspicious of his behaviour. To avoid any more CBI inquiry rounds, he spoke in a stern voice. Cabir and Navya enough of wasting time. Get back to work. Navya and Cabir made a bad face seeing him getting angry and moved out waving a bye to nandini.

There was complete silence in the room. Nandini was standing at her place looking at the floor while Manik too stood at his place. He was looking everywhere except for Nandini. He ran his hands in his hair, calming himself.

Ummm.....come I.....I....will show you your cabin. Manik broke the silence. The situation was getting worse. They had never imagined that there would ever be any space for awkwardness between them. It was making them feel uncomfortable. Both of them were playing with their fingers. Nandini kept tangling & untangling her fingers. While Manik either played with the buttons of his shirt or fisted his hand in his jeans pocket.

To avoid further awkwardness Manik walked towards the door and pulled it. He waited for Nandini to take a step but she didn't even move an inch. So he spoke up, Come...Let's go. His voice was gentle and calm. He wasn't in his usual behaviour of being harsh, angry or agitated. He was behaving completely contradictory to his nature. It seems as if the real Manik is coming out which was hidden from the world.......

As soon as Manik said Nandini looked up and moved towards the door. She stepped out of the room and stood outside waiting for Manik to join her and show her the way. Manik followed her. Again they both stood there in the corridor. This time they weren't looking down or playing with their fingers and attires. This time they were looking in each others eyes. There was a whirlpool of emotions inside them. Their eyes reflected their inner soul.

Nandini was the one to break their accord. She moved a little away from Manik. Ummm sir can you please show me the way to my cabin. Nandini said while avoiding to meet his intense gaze and kept looking somewhere else. Manik inhaled a deep breath. Come lets go. Your cabin is on the fourth floor which is alloted to the editors and writers.

Manik was explaining her while walking towards the elevator. Nandini following behind him and staring at his back. Nandini I will just brief you up a little more about your work and guide you to the important places that might help. Then maybe you can take Stacy's help and look around. I hope that's OK with you. Manik was being polite and cordial enough. He calmly explained things to Nandini.

Yes Sir. These were the only words that escaped nandini's mouth everytime he asked her for an approval. The journey from third floor to fourth floor was quick but their silence made it look as if they had been in that elevator for ages. The tension between them kept increasing with each passing second.

Manik and nandini stepped out of the lift. The editors on the way greeted Manik and he warmly greeted in response. They were astounded as this was once in a blue moon moment that Manik had responded to their greeting. Usually he just nods with a sombre expression. They assumed that today was a special day.

All this while Nandini smiled at her colleagues whoever she saw. She kept following Manik but his calmness was disturbing her. Not that she liked his monstrous side but his calm and quiet side was also dangerous at times.

Manik lead her in the cabin. The interior of the cabin was lavish and magnificent. Nandini was capturing the elegancy of the cabin in her eyes. She walked further and traced her fingers on the milky-white glass table. She moved closer and caressed the soft spongy cover of her black chair. There were two more black chairs placed opposite to hers. She rolled up the curtains of the window to witness a beautiful scene. It beholded the view of the garden opposite to the office. A tranquil smile on her face was making her look more beautiful. Her smile reflected her happiness, satisfaction, & sereneness. She was at peace.

Manik stood near the door. He was staring at her with a lot of intensity in his eyes. Involuntarily he too was smiling. Her actions had a cosmic effect on his body language. When she smiled, it were his lips that curved. When she frowned, it were his eye brows that creased. When she was happy, it was his heart that fluttered with joy.

Nandini was still standing looking at the window. Her trance was broken by maniks voice. Ms. Murthy I hope you are comfortable? Nandini turned around. She looked in his eyes. With an obscure smile she nodded her head.

Manik and nandini moved out of her cabin. Manik first introduced nandini to her colleagues. All of them warmly welcomed nandini. She smiled and shook hands with each one of them. That is the editorial room where everyday at 11am an editorial meeting is held. It lasts for two hours. We discuss all the upcoming projects and new ideas are shared. Manik lead nandini inside the editorial room. The white interiors once again mesmerised her. Later manik took her to the other end of the corridor.

This is the place where the writers and editors spend most of their day. Manik said opening the door. This is a library. Manik took her inside. Once again the classy architecture of the room left her surprised. It looked so different from other libraries. It didn't look like a library. It was like a mini office in a office. It was of two floors. There were so many different types of sofas and chairs. The books were not stacked in regular shelves. Special shelves were designed giving it a classy look. Shelves were placed at different positions and angles. Some people were sitted on the fancy looking chairs with a paper and pen in their hand.

Writers use this room to think afresh. Many a times they face writers block and that is when they come here. This place is specially designed in such a way that no sort of mobile network will work here. Thus writers and editors come here when they can't think of anything or they need any sort of reference or refreshment. Manik explained the details of the room to nandini. She was completely surprised seeing the room. What surprised her more was the cell free zone area. She had never seen anything like this.

Come I will show you the record rooms, by then it will be time for the editorial meeting. They were moving towards the record room. They were walking in silence except for the times when manik had to say something regarding her work or give her any information.

They reached near the record rooms. There were two rooms. The right one was the one for latest records while the left one for older records. Both of them entered the room. Nandini was highly impressed by the tidyness of the room. Inspite of being the record room all the files and papers were stacked so nicely.

(Pic credits : A very good friend cum sister of mine.)

Come lets go to the other record room. Manik said walking out oF the room. Other record room? Nandini was confused. He nodded. Nandini was confused. Though she followed him but was wondering what was the logic behind other record room. Infact it was nearing 11. It was time for the meeting. Having no other choice she followed him.

Manik let nandini enter first. He followed her. Since people hardly utilised this room it was all dusty and cobwebs were decorating the ceiling. As soon as nandini entered inside the room she started coughing. Manik turned on the light. The lights were also covered with a layer of dust.  There were metal shelves where old files and paper were stacked. Most of the shelves were placed perpendicular to each other. Each metal shelf had a white paper stuck right at the top. The paper had the details about the files that were placed in the shelf. Due to this any old could be found easily.

Manik latched the room. Nandini turned around hearing the sound. She widened her eyes. Sir.... even before nandini could say something manik Interrupted her. Nandini.... A long silence was followed. Both were looking at each other. Manik moved closer to her. Nandini stepped backwards. She couldn't move very far as manik  caught hold of her hand.

Their fronts dashed with each other.
Nandini. Manik whispered. Sir please. Nandini told in a shivering tone. Manik. Please for once call me manik. I m dying to hear it. Please nandini.

Nandini pushed him. She was about to walk out of the room when Manik pushed her towards the dusty cupboard. He caged her by putting his hands on either side. Not this time nandini. Enough of running away. Ab nahi. Please. His voice was cracking. He was on the verge of breaking Down. Nandini's condition was no good. She too had tears that threatened to spill. Sir please. Leave me. Nandini avoided eye contact. Her voice had turned meek.

She tried pushing him but The more she tried pushing him the more closer he would come. Their fronts were almost touching. Nandini please. Ek baari. Mera naam apne mooh se le lo. Please nandini. His voice was almost inaudible yet it was clear enough for nandini. Bas ab nahi. Please don't go away this time. Manik pleaded. His eyes were watery.

Weren't you the one who chose this.....Manik! He looked up as soon as she took his name. I was....I was the one who choose this. And I am sorry for it. But I can't take this anymore. Please nandini. Please. Manik was begging. He was pleading her. If any of the employees or even Cabir And Navya for that matter saw manik like this then they would definitely faint due to shock.

Nandini please come back. I m tired of running. I miss you. I miss your presence in my life. I miss your warmth. Manik's eyes were red and tears flowed down his eyes. Nandini pushed him. The push was so hard that he almost touched the ground. Nandini's eyes were spitting fire. She was so angry.

I wasn't the one who ran away. You were the one manik. You were the one to go away. Tum gaye the Mujh chhod ke manik. Main nahi. Main wahi khadi thi. Tumhara Intezaar karti rahi aur jab tum wapas nahi aaya tab main toot ke. Haar ke wapas chali gayi. And that was the day when everything between us got over. Sab khatam ho gaya manik. We have gone so far that now there is no coming back. She yelled at him while manik stood there with his head Down listening to all her complaints. Tears started flowing from his eyes as he started expressing his feelings.

No nandini aisa nahi hai. Agar hum chahe toh sab pehle jaisa ho sakta hai. Tum jaanti ho aaj jab maine tumhe interview room main dekha toh aisa laga jaise main wapas zinda ho gaya hoon, mere andar ek nayi umeed jag gayi. Nandini mujhe ek mauka do. Please. I beg of you nandini. I can't afford to loose you again. Badi mushkil se tum mujhe mili ho.

Manik was on his knees. Tears weren't stopping. Only he knew how he had survived these 4 years without her. But he was the one who choose it. She too had suffered. 4 years isn't a small time period. 4 years of loneliness and pain.

Manik so easy for you na. Jab mann kiya chhod ke chale gaye. Aur jab mann kiya wapas aa gaye. Mera kya manik. Where am I in all this? Does my opinion not matter? Tabhi tumne mujhse Bina puche ek faisla liya tha aur aaj bhi mera opinion matter nahi karta. So convenient.

Nandini herself was in tears. She too had suffered. It was manik's decision to leave her yet she was the one who was punished. His condition was no good. He was the one who choose this path and when he started walking on it, he realised how wrong he was. The path he choose was the wrong path of his life. All this while he somehow managed to sail through it  but he couldn't do it any further. Both were tired. They wanted peace. And their peace lied with each other.

Nandini I was helpless. I had no other option......Even before manik could continue to justify himself any further he was Interrupted by nandini. Option? You needed an option for me? Manik ek baari bol hi dete mujhe. Baat karte mujhse. Agar Uss din tumne mujhse baat ki hoti toh aaj hum yahan nahi hote. Bas itna hi bharosa tha apne pyaar pe. Kya kehte the tum. "Nandini yeh pyaar nahi, Yeh meri JUNOONIYAT hai" yeh....yeh thi tumhari junooniyat. Speak up. Itna hi pyaar karte the. Oh srry main toh bhool gayi. Tum toh mujhse pyaar hi nahi karte na. Woh sab toh ek.........

Nandini left her words in between. She couldn't complete her sentence. As she recollected the worst day of her life. Manik's harsh words hurt her beyond repair. She closed her eyes. She couldn't bear this any longer. The more she would stay in front of and remember those days the more it would hurt her. She couldn't stand here.

Manik frantically nodded his head. He was speechless once again. How would he explain nandini the reason? Right now all his justifications would be considered a lie. Nandini would never believe him. To make her believe him, he needed to gain her TRUST back.

Manik got up. He held her hand and explaining her. Nandini please meri baat suno....... Before he could pesh his safai nandini jerked his hand and pushed him away. She walked out of the room.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
So finally manan past is revealed.
I know not entirely but atleast that they were in love with each other.
It took me a lot of efforts to write this part.
I hope you people liked it.
Please do let me know via votes and comments.
The last part of the promo will be updated in the next chapter.
Please do give your feedback.
❤

P.S.The Credits For The New Cover Goes to ImLilMissComplicated. Thanks a lot babes💕