The Next Morning

Manik woke up in his bed and smiled thinking about the night before. he got out of bed and was getting ready for the day.

"I should plan a date for Nandini...Par it has to be perfect." Manik said to himself. At that moment, he heard noise from outside.

"Itna shor kyun hai?" Manik thought. He walked over to his window and peaked out. He saw people were out in the streets playing holi. Seeing the colours, Manik's smiled dropped and some old memories flashed through his mind.

*Flashback*

A 22 year old Manik, all covered in holi colours had a water gun in one hand and pink colour in his other hand.

"Holi skip kaun karta hai? Ill just go up to her apartment and surprise her!" Manik smirked. He got into the elevator and with his elbow pressed the 6th floor button. Excited, Manik used his spare key and entered her apartment.

"Hahaha! Choro na Harshu baby!" He suddenly heard the giggling of his girlfriend. Slowly, he tip toed to her bedroom. Opening it a crack, he saw her.....Soha Khurrana with Harshad Saxena, his best friend from childhood. Both were covered in colours and Harshad was carrying Soha in his arms. He lowered her on to the bed and crawled ontop, kissing her neck.

Manik was in tears and also in complete shock. Never did he imagine this.....his girlfriend and his best friend!

CLATTER!

Manik dropped the plastic water gun to the ground making a sound. Harshad and Soha looked to the door and saw Manik. They quickly stood up and moved away from ecah other.

"Manik...I...Its...Its not what you..." Soha mumbled.

"Manik...bro, we...we were just...." Harshad also didnt know what to say. Not that Manik would ever believe another word that came out of his mouth.

*Flashback Ends*

"Aaj holi hai." Manik realized. "I hate Holi."

Finally ready, Manikwent down in a completely different mood than he was in when he had woken up. His family members were applying holi colours to ecah other but everyone knew not to apply any on Manik.

"Manu beta, aaja nashta kar le." Kavita said. She had set the table and Manik sat down to eat breakfast.

Meanwhile Nandini had also woken up and she was very excited for Holi.

"Aaj Holi hai! my most favourite day of the year! Kitna mazza ayega!" Nandini squealed happily.

"Nandu! Niche aaja!" Naina called for her daughter from downstairs. Nandini was about to reply but stopped herself.

"Oh no...agar mein nche gayi toh sab mujeh rang laaga denge. Lekin Manik sir ke saath meri pehli holi hai....aaj toh sabse pehli unka haq bantahai mujhe rang lagane ka. Aur mera bhi...I KNOW! Main Manik sir ko msge kar deti hoon and he wont let anyone put colours on him...aur phir mein chupke se office chali jaati hoon. Itni jaldi Manik sir ke elava koi office nahi jaata....I can do it then!" Nandini planned excitedly. She got ready and in a bag put some colours and other stuff in it before going to her balcony. She first dropped her bag and then climbed down the pillar that was beside her balcony. Keeping her hoodie up, she made her way through the street making sure not to be hit by any colours.

Naina meanwhile, came up and opened Nandini's door only to see the room was empty.

"Arre...yeh ladki toh ghar pe hai hi nahi. Office ke liye nikal gayi hogi." Naina said.

"Par...main toh niche hi tha. I didnt see her leave." Vishnu replied.

"Tumne dhyan nahi diya hoga." Naina said."Par bina kisiko rang lagaye kaise chali gayi?"

"Thats weird." Navya thought to herself.

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

Nandini entered the office and she was right. Aside from the security and the receptionist downstairs....only Manik was in the office. Nandini smirked and took out a balloon that was filled with water and red colour.

Manik was in his cabin, working on some papers. Nandini entered and threw the balloon right at Manik. "HAPPY HOLI!"

SPLASH!

Manik was now drenched in water and his white shirt had become a faded red from the colour as Nandini giggled. Manik who was already not in a good mood just stood up and shouted without thinking.

"WHAT THE HELL NANDINI!"

Nandini was startled by Manik's shouting. "I...main toh...bas..."

"KYA Bachpani hai yeh? Office mein kaun karta hai yeh sab?" Manik shouted.

"Par maine msg..."

"Get out."

"Manik sir...maine aapki msg.

"I SAID GET OUT!" Manik slammed his hand down on the table. Nandini jumped back and looked hurt. Manik immediately realized what he did and felt terrible. "Nandini...I'm-"

Nandini didnt stop to listen though. She turned and left the cabin.

"Nandini!"

He was about to follow her but Cabir entered at that moment and other employees started to arrive. Cabir took one look at manik and was horrified....but also amused.

"Shit...did Nandini do that? Gussa mat ho usse yaar. Navya told me she absolutely LOVES holi toh thodi kyada masti khor ho jaati hai....she doesnt know you hate holi. Dont get mad at her."

"Too late..." Manik mumbled.

"What?"

"Kuch nahi....tu jaa. Mujhe kuch kaam hai." Manik said.

"Ok." Cabir went to his cabin while Manik was mentally kicking himself.

"Seriously Manik...tere gusse ka kuch karna hoga. Soha teri past hai and Nandini present....Tu uss cheater ke chakkar mein Nandini ko hurt nahi kar sakta." Manik thought to himself. Then he remembered her say something about a msg so he checked his phone and saw an unread msg from Nandini. Manik opened it and read it.....no feeling even more bad. He looked out his window and could clearly see Nandini was upset as she worked on her laptop. He pressed the intercom button.

"Ms Murthy, I want a black coffee." Manik said, using that as an excuse to bring her to his cabin. After a few minutes, he heard a knock on his door. "Come in."

In walked Vicky with a cup of coffee. He looked terrified and Manik looked out the window and sa Nandini hadnt moved. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Sorry sir.. Nandini is just busy so....she asked me to bring you this.....Pls dont fire me!"

"Ok...go." Manik said. Vicky put the mug down and left the cabin. He then pressed the intercomand this time kept his eyes on Nandini as he said. "Ms Murthy, I need the Khan Constructions wale file."

He saw Nandini pick up the file and hand it to Vicky and then said something to him. Then vicky entered his cabin and told him Nandini was still busy before handing him the file and going back to his cubicle.

"Bohot gussa hai...kuch aur sochna parega." Manik thought. Nandini knew Manik was doing this on purpose so she just got up and marched to the girls washroom. Manik took this as a chance and slowly followed her at a distance. Everyone was busy working and Manik made sure no one was looking before he slipped into the washroom. Inside he saw Nandini in tears.

"Mr Khadus toh Mr Khadus hi rahega na....meri galati hai. I should have know ki sir nahi badalne wala!" Nandini mumbled to herself. "Khud mujhe dante hai phir baar baar mujhe bahane se andaar bulate hai. Boss hai toh kya kabhi bhi kuch bhi karega?"

"Nahi....bilkul nahi." Manik replied. Nandini was startled and spun around to face him.

"Manik sir...this is the girls washroom!"

"Really? Mujhe toh paata hi nahi tha...its not like this is my office right?" Manik replied. Nandini just glared and looked away with a pout. Manik sighed and turned her around to face him again. "Im sorry Nandini....Muhe tumpe chillana nahi chahiye tha. Actually maine kisi aur cheez ka gussa tumpe nikal diya."

"Phirse?" Nandini asked.

"I know...I do that alot. Im working on it ok. Im sorry?"

"Kispe gussa they aap?" Nandini asked. Manik thought about it and then decided to tell her everything. After hearing everything Nandini felt bad for Manik and hated Soha for hurting him. "Thats terrible sir...aisa kaun kart hai? Thats why you hate holi?"

"Haan." Manik nodded.

"Ek baat puchun?"

"Kya?"

"Soha...aapki past hai right? I mean you dont have any feelings for her right?"

"Not at all....just, hum bohot saalon tak ek satah they so the betrayal still hurts. lekin koi feelings nahi hai, except for hatred."

"Toh agar koi feelings hai hi nahi...aap aaj bhi holi se nafrat kyun karte hai? This is such a fun day! Main toh iss din bohot mast karti hoon...London mein bhi karti thi. Even my friends who didnt know about holi knew ki iss din mujhse koi nahi bach sakta! I guess....mujhe office mein nahi karna chahiye tha lekin I figured koi aur nahi hai toh it would be fine. Maine msg bhi bheji thi....didnt you see?"

"Tab nahi dekha tha....but you are right. Ive moved on...holi celebrate kar hi sakta hoon main. Especially since its your favourite." Manik smiled and brought his hand infront of him, opening his fist to show red coloured powder. "So...phirse try kare?"

Nandini nodded and stepped closer to him. With her right hand she took some colour and slowly applied it to Manik's two cheeks. "Now me."

Manik took the rest of the colour and applied it to his own cheeks.

"Sir! Aapko mujhe laagana tha!" Nandini groaned. Manik smirked and pulled her closer by her waist.

"I know." Manik whispered in a husky voice. He leaned closer and with his cheek, he rubbed some colour off on her cheek. Nandini felt tingles run through her as Manik did the same with the other cheek. Then they heard the door of the washroom start to opened.

"Sir...koi aa rahe hai!" Nandini whispered as she quickly pulled Manik into a stall with her. Some female employess had entered and were giggling and chatting. Nandini & Manik were standing so close together that their noses touched.

"Yeh log kuch karenge bhi ya sirf bak bak karne ke liye aaye hai?" Manik whispered. Nandini placed a finger over his lips sushing him. Manik was amused as Nandini kept trying to see through the cracks of the stall if the girls had left while she stil had one finger on his lips. Not being able to control himself, Manik just kissed her finger and she quickly pulled it back surprised by his act. Manik just shrugged innocently.

------------------------------

Note: Happy Holi Everyone!!

Did you like this chapter?

What do you think will happen next?

Do you think Soha & Harshad will make a come back in Manik's life?