Hello People. 

Happy Reading...

The next day, Nandu got ready in Malhotra Mansion itself as Manik had already arranged her clothes with the help of his driver. Nandu went to the kitchen to prepare a healthy breakfast for Manik after which she left for Manik's room to wake him up but instead found him all dressed up and setting his hair.

Nandu: Where are you getting ready for?

Manik: Dance karne.

Nandu: what?

Manik: what what? If you forgot, I am your boss and I have an office to work for.

Nandu: Manik you just had a fever and now you want to go to the office? You should be resting now. Anyway, I am going right. Let me handle the things, please.

Manik: Nandini no yaar. Cabir and Abhimanyu bhi nahi hai. I have to come and I am totally fine yaar. Aur waise bhi Tum ho na mere saath, aur kya hoga mujhe.

Though Manik said this casually while being busy in setting up his hair, Nandini felt as if her heart will jump from its place. So, she thought of leaving his room to get a grip on her emotions.

Nandu: I am downstairs. Breakfast ke liye aa jana.

Once, she went downstairs she released a breath which she was holding unknowing to her. Soon Manik joined her and they went to the office after having breakfast.

Both were busy with back to back meetings and projects for the next two days. Their day started with meetings and discussions about their presentations and ended with Manik dropping Nandu home, as Manik appointed himself as her personal driver, till the time their friends were back, even after several protests by Nandini. Though the evenings were in comfortable silence, mornings were the time they used to talk forgetting about them being professionals and knowing each other.

Today was the day when they had to attend a business party in the evening and also the results of their London's project were to be announced. Manik and Nandini were waiting for Cabir's call since morning, both of them working in the former's cabin. Manik's phone rang and he was amused to find an unknown number instead of Cabir. He picked it up and found out they have bagged the project and that the person called him to congratulate as Cabir's phone was out of reach. Manik informed this to Nandini and she tried contacting Abhimanyu but found his mobile unavailable, too. Unable to understand the situation, Manik called his dad.

Manik: Hey, Dad.

Raj: Hello, son. Congratulations on bagging the project. I just got the news.

Manik: Thanks. I haven't done anything dad. It's just the team effort.

Raj: Tu bhi na itna formal hota hai. Saari celebrations ki waat lag jaati hai. Ache se thank you bolta tho main party mangta na?

Manik: Dad aap bhi na. Waise, give the phone to Cabir na, mujhe baat karni hai usse?

Raj: Cabir? Cabir tho kal hi chala gaya na Manik. Tujhe bataya nahi kya usne?

Manik: kal? Nahi. I don't have any idea about him. I wasn't able to reach his phone, so I called you.

Raj: Maybe, he wanted to give you a surprise. The meeting got preponed. And yahan koi kaam nahi tha, toh wo nikal gaye.

Manik: it's ok, dad. I will talk to him. Acha, I will call you later then. Bye, dad.

Raj: bye son.

Nandini raised her eyebrows towards Manik asking him about Cabir.

Manik: Cabir kal hi nikal gaya hai Nandini, London se.

Nandu gets all excited as this means she can meet Abhi prior than expected.

Nandu: Are they coming today?

Manik: pata nahi. I still didn't get the point about why he didn't inform me about this.

Nandu: We will talk to him after he comes?

Manik just smiles at her. After that, she leaves for her cabin. In the evening, when Manik was about to leave the office, Nandu comes to his cabin and hands him some letters.

Nandu: Manik you got these letters.

Manik: So many? They might be some promotional letters. By the way, are you ready, to leave?

Nandu: Manik...

Manik: (with a grin) Yes. I am Manik. Say.

She continues while giving him a glare.

Nandu: Manik, for the party, anyone can represent the company, right?

Manik: Yes.

Nandu: You are going there, right?

Manik: Yes, Nandini. I am going and even you are coming with me.

Nandu: Why me? Can I stay, please Manik?

Manik: I am not surprised. I was expecting this since the time I told you about this invitation. Bahut late kardiya Nandu. (And gave her a sarcastic smile)

He gets up and settles down in the chair opposite to his and besides Nandini. He takes her hand in an assuring hold and continues,

Manik: Why don't you want to come to the party, Nandu?

Nandu: Manik...I...can't handle...so...ma..many...people..together.

Manik: Hey, Nandini. Stop panicking, girl. I will be there with you, right. I promise Nandu, I won't leave your side even for a second. (Seeing Nandu still silent, he continued after a moment) Yes, it's true that no one would question me if you won't attend this party but I would be happy if you accompany me. Will you come with me, Nandini? For me?

He gave her, one of his dazzling smiles, finally making her agree to come to the party.

Manik: let's leave in 5. I need to get some files.

Nandu nods and leaves. While, Manik picks up his files along with the bundle of letters that Nandu brought to his room, sometime back. They leave office and within sometime reach Nandu's place.

Manik: I will pick you up in an hour? Is that fine?

Nandu nods and Manik leaves muttering a 'bye'.

She goes inside and gets ready. Here, Manik too, after reaching home keeps the files in his room and gets ready for the party. Soon he was outside Nandini's house. He looked at the time and realized that he was earlier than an hour so, he thought of going inside and wait for her as he guessed she might still take time to get ready. He knocked the door and found an old man opened it. Guessing it to be kaka, he smiled and introduced himself,

Manik: Namaste kaka. I am Manik. Nandini ka friend. Yaad hai aapko, humne baat ki thi pehle?

Kaka: Haan beta yaad hai. Aapko kaise bhul sakta hun? Aao beta andar.

While coming in,

Manik: wow. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki main itna popular hun.

Kaka: Aap hi tho pehle insaan ho jinka naam Nandu bitiya se itna suna hai, Abhi baba ke alawa.

Manik: I hope usne acha hi bola hoga. Waise Nandu kahan hai?

Kaka: Beta wo upar hai. Apne kamre mein. Aap chaho toh main le chalun.

Manik nods and they go towards Nandu's room. Kaka leaves after leaving him at Nandu's door as someone called to the landline at the downstairs. Manik knocks the door but decides to enter in as he didn't get any reply. But the scene in her room threatened his sockets to come out of his eyes and a faint whisper escaped from his mouth.

Nandini 

The chapter is fast forwarded since there are much more important things coming up. 

Till then you can think where Cabir and Abhi are. Any guesses? 😜😜

Sorry, I couldn't reply to your comments in the last chapter. Yaar mere wattpad ke notifications mein kuch locha hai. I will try to reply once I am free. 🙈🙈

How was the update? Waiting for your feedback. 

If anyone's interested, you can check my interview by  cutieprincess01  at this link. And do follow her book to know about your favorite writers

https://www.wattpad.com/512367825-interview-of-writers-interview-18-the_physics_girl