THE PARTY DAY.....

Manik reached Arpit's place and started looking for Nandini and Cabir. Though he was furious on her but she being front of his eyes would always work as a healer for him.

When he found both of them missing, he called Cabir.

"Where are you Cabir? I have already reached." Manik said as Cabir answered the phone.

"Will be there shortly. Actually I came to pick Nandu as her car was in service station. So I am just waiting for her and will be there soon." Cabir informed him.

"Ok. Come soon. I am waiting." Manik said and disconnected the call.

Nandini was not in a good state of mind to attend any parties but Shreya being one among few people she got along with, she had to agree to attend the party.

Manik after talking to cabir met everyone present there, waiting for Cabir and Nandini to arrive.

Soon Nandini and Cabir arrived at the party. 

As soon as she entered, her eyes searched for Manik and when she spotted him, the scene in front of her eyes did not please any for senses at all.

Manik was sitting and laughing with one of their colleague Sana over some talk. Seeing him so freely talking to her, Nandini was very disappointed. 

Sana was one girl in their office who was more famous for her looks and body than her work. She had a huge crush on Manik and even proposed him much before Nandini and Manik became friends. But Manik said no to her. Nandini personally did not liked her as she was one among those girls who always try to throw themselves upon the boys.

Being the guest of the party, she did not created any scene about it but was very disheartened. Cabir too got busy with the other people and Manik noticed Nandini was sitting alone. He once thought to join her but then stopped himself from getting close to her.

The party was going on in a smooth way when Cabir got a call. He became tensed while talking over the phone which didn't get unnoticed by Manik and Nandini. They both reached him as soon as he ended his call.

"Cabir! All ok? You look tensed?" Manik said in his concerned tone.

Cabir looked up from the phone screen and found both his friends standing with concern on their faces.

"What's wrong Cabir?" Nandini asked him

"Nothing serious guys. You remember my cousin Ananya, who has taken admission here in Delhi in the MBA College. She's down with high fever and the call was from her hostel warden. They have admitted her to the hospital and wants her guardian to be there." Cabir informed them.

"So what are you waiting for? Leave quickly." Nandini said before the other two could even say a word.

"You want me to come? Should I?" Manik asked him.

"No, that would not be needed. Thanks but I guess nothing is serious so will manage." Cabir informed him.

He thought of something and turned towards Nandini, "Nandu, how will you go back?" Cabir asked her.

"Don't worry about her. I am there for her. You just take care of Ananya." Manik replied back on her behalf before she could even open her mouth. Nandini was amazed on listening such thing from Manik after so long. She felt a sudden rush of blood on her body due to this tiny little happiness after hearing him say like this.

Composing herself she replied back, "Yes Cabir, Manik will drop me. Don't worry. You just go safely and inform us about her health." Nandini replied back.

"Ok then fine. I will let you guys know. Bye." Cabir replied them and after meeting after meeting Arpit and Shreya, he left the party.

After Cabir left, Manik again went back to the group he was sitting earlier with, that had Sana too. Nandini's face again became gloomy after seeing him go back to Sana again.

Manik purposely sat on the couch in such a way that he could keep an eye on Nandini but without letting her know this.

Nandini was feeling bore in the party. She was sitting alone on a couch in corner and checking her phone. Manik knew she was upset and also getting bore but still didn't talked to her. He somehow made Shreya notice Nandini and soon Shreya took Nandini with her and her mind was diverted. Manik felt relaxed seeing her smiling and again got busy with his own talks.

Both were talking to the people they were sitting with but were all the time paying keen attention at the other. Nandini was observing Manik who was all the time engrossed with Sana. 

Manik had no wrong intention and neither had he done all this to make her jealous. He was talking to her generally but Nandini was getting hell upset on that.

The hosts announced the dinner and soon everyone started with their dinner. That time also, Manik did not talk to Nandini and he sat with other colleagues. 

Coincidentally he was again with Sana and this time Nandini's anger knew no boundary. She was angrily watching Manik but he at that time was not paying attention on her.

Nandini did not ate her dinner. She was standing near the dining table where the drinks were kept. She looked at the table and at the same time Manik looked at her. He saw vodka kept near her and feared that she should not drink it thinking it as water like the last time.

He did not wanted her to suffer after getting drunk so he moved towards her to stop her from drinking it but before he could reach her, she gulped down a full glass of ... WINE!

"Nandini, are you mad? Do you even know what was it?" Manik yelled at her but in whispers as he did not wanted to create a scene.

"It was wine. I know." Nandini replied casually.

Manik frowned and looked at her confusingly as he knew Nandini does not drinks and even does not like his and Cabir's habit of drinking.

"When you knew it, then why did you drank? Are you out of your mind?" Manik furiously asked her.

"Why? What's the problem? Sana can drink but I can't?" Nandini gave a lame excuse to him and moved from there grabbing another glass of wine.

Manik stood their confused, understanding what she said just now. He looked at her and saw her drinking again which made him even angrier.

"Nandini will you stop drinking? You don't drink and it will not suit you. Come on, give the glass back." Manik tried to snatch the glass from her. She had moved towards the balcony and Manik too came over there so no one was able to watch them.

"Go away." Nandini shouted at him and was not ready to give her glass back. Manik was about to hold her hand but she pushed him a bit and drank the wine in one go.

Manik watched her in shock and she faking a smile, held his hand and kept the glass on his palm. She moved inside and Manik was surprised witnessing her changed attitude. 

"What's wrong with her?" he murmured to himself and moved inside to witness a scene which made him slap his forehead hard. Nandini bottomed up her third glass.

Manik knew it was too much for Nandini to handle. He decided to take her back before she could get out of control.

"Nandini come on we have to leave." Manik announced at soon as he reached her.

"Leave but why? No I don't want to leave. You go." Nandini replied back.

Wine had started showing its effect and Manik did not wanted to make her feel embarrassed once she gets normal.

"Nandini you have to leave with me and I am going so just come." Manik held her hand and dragged her towards the exit where Arpit and Shreya saw them.

"Guys, you leaving so early. All good? And did you guys had dinner?" Shreya asked them being in the conduct of a host.

"All good Shreya. Just that Nandini has not got her car and her brother is not well. She just got a call so we have to leave." Manik tried to be genuine but that was surely not wanted by someone.

"Really? When? When did I received a call?" Nandini replied, making him hell embarrass.

"Come on Nandini, it's not the time for joke. Abhi is waiting for you. We need to be home soon." Manik said faking a smile to her to which she frowned.

Nandini was about to say something but luckily they got a call from one the guests. Manik assured them that they have eaten their dinner and left the party venue.

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