Nandini's POV

"All the best, Nandu!" Mukti wished me as she fed me a spoonful of dahi-cheeni for good luck.

"Thanks Muku! Take care of yourself and your chhotus!" I said kissing her cheek. Yes, it was confirmed that she's having twins, when they went for her sonography. I smiled as I remembered the joy I felt when I got that news. And seeing the sonography, literally made me cry in happiness.

Today's the crucial day. The day of our meeting with Mr. Adam Sinclair. He's the owner of The Glam Fashion House, London, and the one who'll finalize the deal with us after this meeting. Though he's only 26, he has won many awards and is in one of the top lists of youngest achiever.

I'm feeling really nervous, since I haven't talked to Manik or even texted him back. Last night, I got about 5-6 texts from a certain brown-eyed guy, but I was beyond annoyed with him to reply. At one point I actually had an urge to just reply back, but then I was reminded of the little stunt in the café and my hand retreated back itself.

Now as I'm heading to the office, I can't help but feel panicky. What if we both mess up.. Damn, I should've discussed the presentation with him last night. I should've acted mature and not let our differences interfere work.

A loud horn interrupted my thoughts and I noticed that the light has turned green. I sighed as I thought to myself, this is going to be a long day.

***

"Thank you so much, Mr. Sinclair! I'm glad you could take time for us, out of your busy schedule must I say." I told him truthfully. The meeting was finished a few minutes ago and thankfully it went more than well.

As soon as I had entered my cabin today, I saw Manik sitting on my chair engrossed in his phone. He started discussing about the project, while I just managed to nod and reply with the occasional 'okay's' or 'yeah's'. He seemed to have noticed my demeanour but brushed it off, which I'm very thankful for. I wasn't upto any awkward arguments with him, especially not before our meeting.

"Oh no no Ms. Murthy! We're happy to be here. And I personally never miss a chance to visit India." He said and winked, making us all laugh. "Jokes apart though, I must say it's your praising that pulled me here."

Confused, I asked, "I'm sorry. I didn't get what you said?!"

"After your meeting, with my company, I have heard nothing but your praises. You have left quite an impression on my best of employees. In fact you both have."

"Now you're over exaggerating Mr. Sinclair!" I said and we all laughed at that.

After a few more jokes and talking, Mr. Sinclair finalized the deal by signing the contract. Just as he left, Manik came and hugged me in excitement.

"Nandu! We did it!" I couldn't help but laugh. The sudden excitement of cracking the deal made all my anger and hurt fade away.
It was like a jerk that made me realise, how stupid I am for being angry at such a small thing. I was being immature and acting like a school kid who gets angry at every small thing just to grab attention. I felt blush creep my cheeks in embarrassment.

"Nandu, I was going to ask before also but I thought maybe you were just anxious about the meeting. But even now you seem a bit distracted, tell me kya hua hai?" He asked as he held my chin making me face him. His face, a mixture of worry and concern. I still couldn't look him at eyes.

"Nothing Mani, I just- it's stupid anyway! Chhodo na! C'mon I wanna show you something!" I swiftly changed the topic and dragged him out of the meeting room to my cabin.
I showed him Mukti's sonography picture and the expression on his face was of pure bliss. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears which he was obviously having a hard time holding back. I rested my head on his arm, as we both looked at the picture in a comfortable silence.

An hour later, I was on my way home when I felt like talking to someone. So that someone scolds me for being so immature. Amd I knew just the person to call.

"Cabir! Hey, I hope I'm not disturbing or something?" He is the only person who can put some sane thoughts in my brain, scold me also and then playfully make me laugh at the same time.

"Nandu, will you please shut up with the formalities and tell me! Aaj meri yaad kaise aa gayi jaaneman!" He flirted. Typical Cabir.

I shook my head, chuckling and filled him in with whatever happened from yesterday at the cafe to today's meeting.

"Ohh, so wittle Nandu was jealous huh!" He mocked me in a baby voice.

"Cabirr.." I whined, it was already embarrassing enough. "Please na.."

"Arre Nandu, it's totally fine to be jealous. It shows the love you have for the person. Sometimes in a relationship, be it friendship, you tend to get jealous because you know our heart is one selfish guy. It wants the person all to itself and doesn't wanna share. So you don't have to be embarrassed at all." The seriousness in his voice and the honesty of his words somehow managed to lessen the feeling of embarrassment in me. I knew he was the right guy to go for advice.

"Thank you so much Cabir. Achha I'll call you later, now let me go and clean the little mess I've created. Thanks again!" We bid our adieus and hanged up. Now time for the plan to take roll.

I made all the necessary calls for my plan. I called Navya to help me with the plan and proceeded to make the final arrangements.

Everytime it was Manik who did these loving gestures for me just because I was a little upset and took me on a super cute date. Now it's my turn to do something for Mr. Malhotra.

Manik's POV

I don't know what is up with Nandu. She's acting weird and she seemed a bit off. It's really worrying me. What if it's something I did? Ugh, why are girls so complicated?!

I needed to clear my mind, or else I'll go crazy. I dialled the number of the person I know is the best to talk to.

"Sanjuu!" She's the only one who'll tell me the right thing to do in a situation like this....after smacking my head for doing something which has made Nandu upset.

"Hey bro, sup?"

"Not good at all. My Nandu is upset about something and I think it has to do something that I've done. I'm not sure though." I said in confusion laced tone and quickly told her the events from yesterday to today, like how Nandu was okay with me till yesterday but then I don't know what happened.

"Oho Manik!" I can literally imagine her slapping her forehead, "Don't you get it! She was jealous and most importantly hurt. You should have said that you guys were dating, straight away! Chalo wo nahi toh atleast you could have introduced her as a special or a close friend. (A/N : sneha_glam said this line in her comment on the last chapter, which I found absolutely correct. Thank you Sneha!) But you toh downright called her just you friend. 'Just' being the keyword. You've unknowingly hurt her, Manik!" I didn't realize it until Sanju knocked some sense in me
I thanked her and sat down running a hand down my face. Why am I so stupid sometimes?!

I picked up my phone to call her, but before I could, I got a new text message,

'Brace yourself for the best Valentines Day of your life Malhotra! xxx' ~ Nandu
____________________________________

Manik : No Author's note!

Nandu : Yup! There's chapter 26B, that is valentines day special part 2, which will be updated shortly (hopefully till tomorrow).

Anya : And author's note will be given for both parts of chapter 26 in 26B. See ya later. Do drop your comments and tell me what Nandu might've planned.