Both of them stood there dazed. Something was happening which was weirdly amazing at the very same time. Even though both of them were complete strangers, but there was still something very different, very unique and something which could not be explained in words between them.

And here, Cabir stood trying to understand their expressions where their mouths were shaped in a complete "o".

" So, this is Nandini. Nandini Murthy. She is Navya's best friend and a sister to me. So behave okay? " Cabir said with a smile while others greeted her except one person and she very warmly replied back as well.

" So Nandini, let me introduce you to one of my best friends and my brother, Manik." He said as he took her towards Manik.

" Hi. I'm Manik" He replied awkwardly and forwarded his hand for a handshake.

" Nandini" She replied with a smile while shaking hands with him.

But there was something, as soon as their hands touched they felt a little jitter, a spark, an unknown feeling which was never felt before. But taking it as a mere reaction, both of them ignored the feeling unaware of the fact that even feelings have the ability to grow over time.

" Um. Guys, so let's begin the party." Cabir said while trying to ease the awkwardness between the two known-yet-unknown people while everyone got engrossed in chatting around.

Cabir pulled Manik to a corner and asked with a suspicious expression, "So, Manik Malhotra, what's going on?"

" What do you mean by what's going on? The party is going on man. Such an amazing party this is. I need to talk to Mukti, I'll talk to you later." He said and zoomed away.

~~~

Cabir's POV : Kuch toh gadbad hai boss. There is something between both of them for sure. But kya hai, pata lagana padega. It would be better if I don't tell Manik that Nandini is the JMD of our company. Kal seedha shock hi dunga. But for the time being, lets observe.

~~~

" Um. So guys as you all know that this party is on the occasion of my buddy, Manik cracking an important deal. Even though we guys don't need an occasion to party, but still. Cheers bro! " Cabir said as a raised his beer can in the air.

" Thanks man " Manik replied with a smile.

" Okay so since, this party is getting very boring, lets play something? " Cabir asked.

" Never Have I Ever? " Alya suggested.

" Perfect! " Cabir replied.

" So as you all know the rules, whoever's turn it is, he or she will say something which they haven't done and if you've done that, you're supposed to take a sip from your drink. And we'll go in a clockwise order, which is, Mukti - Abhi - Navya - Nandini - Alya - Dhruv - Manik - Me. Cool? " He said as he explained the rules.

" Navya can you please bring juice for yourself and Nandini from the kitchen? As my little sister doesn't drink. " He said making Manik shocked because in today's time, it was very common for females to drink as well as both Mukti and Alya did.

" So, never I have I ever, smoked. " said Mukti as the game begun.

On which, only Cabir and Dhruv took a sip from their drinks. Everyone knew that Cabir used to smoke when they were in college but getting to know that the shy boy of their group has smoked, shocked them.

" Cheated on someone" Abhi said as his turn came.

On which surprisingly, no one sipped their drink.

" heard a Himesh Reshamiyaan song" Navya said making everyone including Nandini burst out in fits of laughter.

" Madhubala, what sort of a confession was this? Himesh Reshamiyaan? Like seriously? " Manik said between his never ending laughter while someone sat their admiring him which didn't go unnoticed by one pair of keen eyes.

On which everyone took a sip from their glass.

" Okay okay. Bass. Carry on. Next one. " said Mukti.

" Cheated in an exam" Nandini said and looked around. Fab 5 along with Navya had faces as if they had seen a ghost. After a couple of seconds everyone shouted, "WHAAAT?"

" What what? I've never cheated toh I haven't. " Nandini said with an innocent expression making everyone go all "aww" at her cuteness.

" Nandini yaar, you're so cute." Alya said and side hugged her while she smiled.

And as a result, everyone took a sip from their glass.

And soon after Alya, Dhruv and Cabir it was Manik's turn.

" Never have I ever, been in a relationship" Manik said while looking at Nandini.

On which everyone sipped except Nandini, who was looking at Manik maintaining the eye lock and all this was seen by none other than, Cabiraaa.

" Okay so guys, game over. Let's have dinner. It's quite late. As it is me and Abhi need to go attend this seminar in his hospital." Mukti said as she got up from the chair.

" Haan. Khaana kha lete hain. Kaafi late hogaya hai. " Navya said.

" Navu, khaane mein kya banaya tumne?" Nandini asked sweetly.

" Tumhare favorite mushroom cutlets aur butter chicken." Navya said and patted her hair.

" Oh my god Navya, you know I so wanted to eat your haath ka butter chicken. Thankyou so so so muchhh! You're the best!" Nandini said excitedly and hugged her while everyone stood there and admired their sisterly bond.

" Bas bas. Makkhan baad mein laga lena. Abhi khaa lo." Navya said as she handed over a well laid plate to Nandini.

Soon they were done with their delicious supper.

" Okay guys, we'll leave now. It's pretty late. See you soon. And Nandini, it was great meeting you." Mukti said as she side hugged Nandini.

" Same guys. Dhruv has to leave for Chandigarh in the morning. Bye! It was so nice to meet you all. Especially you Nandini. Because now I have a new friend. I was so fed up of Mukti from all these years." Alya said as she hugged Nandini.

" Bitch!" Mukti said and hit Alya's arm lightly.

" Chalo Nandu, I'll drop you off too. " Cabir said as he picked up his car keys.

" Cabir listen, let it be. I'll drop her off safely. Don't worry. It's pretty late, you stay here with Navya." Manik said.

" Are you sure? " He said while raising his eyebrows.

" Yeah yeah. Completely. You don't worry. Teri behen ko kidnap nahi karunga. 😂" Manik said sarcastically while Nandini looked at him with an amused expression.

" Tu chahe bhi toh bhi nahi kar sakta. So don't even try." Cabir said and went towards Nandini to take her in a hug.

" Goodnight Nandini. Take care." Cabir said.

" Haan bhai. See you. Bye. " Nandini said and moved towards the door.

Both Manik and Nandini entered the elevator as Cabir's house was on the tenth floor of the building. The air was strange. Both of them didn't know what they were feeling. They reached his car while Manik opened the door for her like a perfect gentleman to which she smiled warmly.

The ride on the way back to Nandini's place was quiet. Both of them were stealing glances maintaining the ever lasting silence.

" Manik, do you mind if I turn on the music system? " She asked.

" Sure " He said with a small smile.

She switched the music system on,

" I wanna hide the truth, I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside. There's nowhere we can hide. "

Demons by Imagine Dragons was playing.

" This is one of my favorite songs! " She exclaimed.

" Mine too. " He replied with a small smile and looked towards her.

" So Nandini, what do you do?" He started the conversation.

" I was looking for a job and now that I've found one. So yes, let's see how it goes. It's my first day tomorrow." She said with a smile.

" Oh! That's great. I'm sure it'll go well. " He replied with a warm smile.

" Thankyou. I hope it does." She said.

" Take a left turn from here and there's my building." She said.

" Your place is just 10 minutes away from mine. " He said with a smile.

" Haha. That's great. Thankyou for the lift. It was nice meeting you. See you soon. " She said with a smile.

" You're welcome and it was nice meeting you too. Good luck for your new job and your new boss. " He said with a smile.

She opened the door and moved towards the glass entrance of her building. She was just about to enter, when she turned around just to find him looking towards her. She immediately waved at him with a smile and went inside the building.

She got changed into her Mickey Mouse nightsuit  and settled comfortably in her room with her favorite novel.

[Nandini's room ]

She has just started reading but her concentration was long gone. Same was the case with Manik. He entered his room after freshening up. Everytime he closed his eyes to sleep, a beautiful smiling face appeared infront of his eyes. Nandini. Both of them had finally dozed off knowingly or unknowingly thinking about each other.

Morning :

A new day had begun with new hopes, new wishes, new goals and new aspirations. This was the case of Nandini while our very own Manik Malhotra was sleeping like a horse on his King sized bed at 8.15 AM ignoring the fact that everyday he has to reach office by 9. The reason was pretty obvious, her thoughts didn't let her sleep. The same happened with Nandini too but then she knew what her priorities were.

She got dressed in a printed shirt with white ankle length trousers paired with a lemon colored blazer on top. Indeed she was looking beautiful, as usual.

She had a job of 9AM to 5 PM  from now onwards. She was excited yet nervous at the same time. After she told her family about getting a job at such a high post that too in a multinational company, they were extremely happy and proud of her. She locked her house and moved down the elevator towards her Audi A7 which was a gift from her parents on her 24th birthday and drove off.

While driving, her phone rang. She knew it was Cabir as she had a different ringtone for Cabir and Navya.

" Hi bhai! " She said cheerfully.

" Hey kiddo! So, all ready? " He said.

" Yes bhai. All ready. I hope it will go well. " She sighed.

" Ofcourse it will. Mein hoon na. I'll be reaching office in 5. I'll meet you there okay? " he said.

" Okay. See you. Bye." She said and hung up.

After a couple of minutes she reached the multi-storied building of MRM Companies.

" Excuse me, I'm the the new Junior Managing Director appointed by Mr. Cabir Dhawan, could you please tell me where Manik Malhotra's cabin is? " She asked the receptionist. Within an instant she was reminded of the Manik she met yesterday but little did she know that both of them would be the same.

" Sure ma'am. It's on the 8th floor. Good luck." - the receptionist replied with a smile.

She immediately texted Cabir that she had reached and is moving towards Manik's cabin without waiting for a reply.

She reached the eighth floor. Being an interior designer, she knew that the interiors used were of an international brand.

She told Natasha - his assistant that she was here to meet Manik as it was her first day at job as the JMD of the company.

She entered his cabin just dash into a hard, well built chest which made her close her eyes in fear. As soon as she felt a tight grip on her waist, she opened her eyes just to find a familiar pair of chocolate brown eyes staring her. A guy dressed in a navy blue colored suit with a light blue button up shirt paired with a blood red colored tie. He had the ability to make a hundred girls swoon over his good looks, and she was no different.

" Manik " she  whispered.

~*~*~*~*~

Taddaaaa! Thanks for reading. Do tell me how it was.💛

~Vasudha.