I was at my cabin verifying the financial reports of the company for the previous month, when Sinha sir called me into his cabin. Myra and Ryan are sleeping on the comforter on the corner of my cabin after having their lunch. Walking into his cabin, i was greeted by a happy grin, plastered on his face. He looks so cheerful and exhilarated.

' Nandini, sit. I have a happy news for you ' He said in extreme excitement and joy.

' I think the news is precious for you, Sir. You look so happy. ' I chuckled.

' It is. Nandini did you remember i have mentioned you about a big entrepreneur , whose life i have saved once from an accident. He is back from US, and mostly hoisting a party to meet up with the well known business folks of the city. Guess what, i am invited to, well due to my relationship with him. Despite being a rich and prominent business man, he is too kind and helping. His family had gone through a major trauma 3 months ago, and this been the reason for him to shift back to India ' I can feel his voice shaking and eyes welling up on voicing the words. His distress posture is enough for me to point out that something major have caused to that man's family. May be it is personal or else he would have told me, so i kept to remain silent, burying the rising queries deep in my mind.

' Okay leave it. I have called you to inform that you are tagging along with me to the party ' He demanded, in an authoritative voice, mixed with tinge of cheerfulness.

' Me. But why? ' I stated deliberately.

' Yes, you Nandini. Because i have talked about you with him. He promised me to get you a better and more paying job than this one. And before you can argue, let me remind you, it's not like me empathizing you, it's because you deserves a better one as you are well qualified and talented' His voice seemed serious and determined. I know that, i am like a daughter to him, but his gesture welled up my eyes and caused a pleasant heart whelming sensation in my heart.

'Sir, but you know na i am happy in this job, working for you and moreover, you are allowing me to take my kids with me to here, what will i do with them if i have opted for a new one. I can't afford a baby sitter , basically i don't trust one to take care of my babies' I stated my concern and confusion regarding my kids well being, in a calm yet determined tone.

' We will figure it out later. And Nandini, it's my final decision, no more excuses, you are coming with me. My wife will take care of the kids for tonight, if you want you can leave early' There is no point in further arguments as he have made his decision. How will i make him understand the fact i am comfortable with the current job, with no people to judge me or my kids or gossiping about our lone life and my credibility.

'okay sir. I will' I smiled at him before getting off the chair to leave his cabin.

'Nandu, this is a better decision for not only you but for Ryan and Myra. Their needs and necessities would grow along with them. '

' Yeah, i know Sir. But i don't know what good have i done in the past so that i got some one like you and aunty in my life, for you to  treating me like your own daughter' i can feel my voice breaking.

' You are our daughter Nandu, so we have the right to make decisions in your life' He beamed with pride and contentment.

********************************

I am on the way to the party along with Sinha sir, in his car. I dressed myself in a red floor length gown, showing my curves, and a silver stilettoes complementing the dress. Adding few curls to my long straight hair, I opted to go for a light make up enhancing my facial features. The car rushed to the parking lot, of a cosy  luxurious hotel, which was already packed with different models of cars, shouting of money and classiness. We walked into the large elegant lobby of the hotel, already seated with well dressed classy ladies and gentlemen. Glancing around I have spotted some familiar faces. Oh, I forget it's some kind of informal business meet, so there is a high, no cent percent, chance for Manik and my dad would be here. Funny isn't it, how we are coming face to face each and every day.

'Nandini, wait here okay, I will be back' I was interrupted of my self talking  by Sinha sir.

' Sure, sir. ' I nodded.

People were busy chatting over drinks, some women are  immersed fully in gossiping and few are dancing with their partners for the soft beats of a romantic song playing along. I moved to deserted corner away from the noisy atmosphere, waiting for my boss. A familiar cute young man caught my eyes, that Varun guy whom I had met in the meeting held in dad's office, who is busy talking with a pretty young girl almost of his age. I made my steps towards him, as I was feeling bored of standing alone in the secluded area.

'Hey Varun ' He turned around to look at me, a tinge of surprise filled on his face, but soon got replaced by an expression of fear. What the? Is he afraid of talking with me, strange.

'Nandini mam' I can feel his voice shaking.

' Hey man, no need of any 'mam', you can call me nandini ' I assured him keeping my hand on his shoulder in a friendly manner.

'But mam. You are boss's daughter' He moved back a little, forcing my hands to fall down freely. ' Oh I am sorry, mam, I'

' Leave it, it's okay. So, you don't even introduce me to the pretty lady over here' Diverting my attention to the girl, who was listening to  our talks curiously, I smiled at her.

' Yeah sure, mam. She is my best friend Riya' He answered, grinning at her. He seemed more calm and composed looking at her, looking at them I can say, there is something more to these 'best friends' which they may haven't realised yet.

' Nice to meet you, Riya. I am Nandini'  she greeted me with a bright smile.

' Nice to meet you too, mam'

' Again mam, you both can call me nandini, if you are not comfortable calling my name, you can call me didi. Is it okay varun, oh my god look at him, is he the same guy flirted with me that day. Interesting' I snapped in a teasing tone. But Varun is not glancing at me, rather looking behind me, with fear and restlessness. I turned around to see the object of his fear, I am faced with two fools  disguised as tall handsome men glaring at him in extreme fury. Anger generated in my system, making me close my eyes. And the two idiotic fools are none other than Manik Malhotra and Aryaman Murthy. Can I expect more from these two. So this was the reason for the changed behavior of this poor guy  beside me. They might had threatened him to not to talk with me. I tilted my head towards varun bidding him bye and stomped to their direction glaring at them. They were sitting beside the mini bar, sipping drinks from their glasses. Seeing me, walking to them, they looked away, pretending to be engrossed in a talk. So, if that is case then two can play the game. Halting my steps, I stood beside them keeping a pretty long distance between us, may be a five feet. I felt their eyes on me watching my each and every moves, but I stood there in ignorance, trying the attention of bartender who is busy in arranging the bottles.

'Hey, can I get two glasses of the drink' I asked him loudly, making sure that the two gentlemen over here can clearly hear my conversation.

' Sure, madam. What did you prefer?'

' Any brand. Oh wait, I will love to have the same drink that the two respectable gentlemen sitting beside me are having' The duo turned to me hearing my words, widening their eyes unbelievingly and suspicious in my hidden motive. But I continued to play unaffected.

'Mam, here you go' The waiter handed me the glasses. Holding them I moved towards Manik and bhai who was still sitting there, clueless of my behavior. I stood before them, in silence for few seconds. They are gawking at me widely. Irritation and anger, crumpled  in my whole body, thinking about their behavior towards me, in the past two weeks. Lifting the glasses above their head I poured its cold content down their body. A victorious small played on my lips, seeing their discomfort due to the liquid flowing down. I can hear faint giggles and laughs around us, so we have some audience over there. Interesting!

'Oh I am really very sorry, I think I had slipped, causing the drink to fall on you two ' Sarcastically I claimed in an innocent voice.

' Really' Manik is the one to speak first He isn't fuming in anger is an under statement. His dark eyes are burning into me furiously.

'Really, Mr Malhotra' I struggled hard not to laugh on them. My brother is busy in wiping off the liquid on his shirt, he seemed to be pissed off but not as much as manik, I think I can see a half smile on his lips or am I hallucinating.

'So Mr Malhotra, can I have a word with you. In private ' I think it is the time to tell him the truth, I know the situation, in a party , seems weird,  but I should inform him any how, so it looks like a perfect opportunity, or I can ask him to meet me at some place after the party or most probably tomorrow. Nice plan, a reasonable one, so I would go for the second one.

But before he can speak up we are interrupted by a slutty voice, no offence, her voice can't be explained by some other term in the dictionary.

'Manik, oh baby, I missed you. Baby come dance with me' A thin tall girl  in a blue dress, may be she have bought in her 10th grade, as it is not even fitting her properly, showing off most of her skin. She is clinging to Manik, and the distance between them is noted to be precisely, 0.000001nm, uncomfortable for my liking.

Wait, was she calling him baby, how dare she. Nandini, what did  you expect that manik will wait for you, all this time, and most importantly you two were not parted in a happy note, 3 years ago. I know, but how can he move on from me that easily. Was his love for me that  weak.