Welcome to the 6th chapter!
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It takes one reason to hate but thousands to love!

Shrey helped Nandini to reach the sick room. The blood drops had scarred the white marbled floor turning it into a shade of deep red. But Shrey asked the office boy to get it cleaned soon. There wasn't any nurse but a first aid box lied on the table. Shrey carefully opened the handkerchief that was soaked in blood. He cleaned her wound taking care to pick up a tiny piece of glass that was still stuck to her skin. Nandini winced in pain but the cold water flowing from the tap gave her a little respite. Shrey applied an antiseptic and wrapped a bandage over her hand.

"Nandini this is just a first aid! But I think you should go and see a doctor!" He said wrapping up the bandage. "Wait I'll call the nurse who comes here when she is needed." He suggested taking a look at Nandini's sunken face.

"No it's okay! This will be fine in a week or so!" She tried to smile.

"But---"

"Please!" He nodded.

"How are you going home?" He asked when she was near the door.

"I'll take the bus!" She answered politely.

"No way I'm dropping you! And I'm not taking a no!" He warned with a sweet smile on his face.

She opened the door and came face to face with the person who was responsible for this. She gulped down the lump in her throat. Manik didn't open his mouth but his icy glares were enough to scare Nandini. Shrey saw this and stood before her.

"Excuse me Sir!" Shrey held her hand and excused him and Nandini because Manik was blocking their path.

Manik didn't stop the duo but clenched his fists hard. Nandini looked over her shoulder but the cold eyes of Manik made her walk away as fast as she could almost matching steps with Shrey.

In the parking lot Riya, who had no idea of the incidence, came rushing towards Nandini. Shrey went to bring his bike to where Nandini and Riya stood.

"Oh My God! What happened to your hand?" She asked with tears in her eyes.

"I accidentally broke a vase and while cleaning just injured my hand." Nandini exclaimed.

"And who the hell asked you to clean it?" She furrowed her brows.

"Manik Sir!" Nandini gave a faint reply.

"I'm so gonna kill that man!" Riya yelled and picked up a stone.

"Oh no no! What are you doing Riya? Are you going to pelt stones at him?" Nandini expressed in horror.

"Yes I'm going to break that glass window and slash his tires and damage the windshield screen and all the windows!" She fumed in anger.

"Okay okay calm down Queen of Jhansi!" Shrey intervened when he heard Riya's plan.

"But Shrey this is not fair! He just can't hurt my friend!" Riya let out a deep breath.

"I know it's not fair but he is our boss. We just can't resort to violence. I'm sure that was a mistake and he won't do anything like that."

Nandini glanced at Shrey and her heart laughed bitterly thinking how innocent Shrey was. He had no idea what the devil could do to her. Anyways, she couldn't let Riya fall into the victim list of Manik.

"Riya calm down! I'm fine! Now let's go home!" She pressed Riya's hand.

"Are you sure?" Nandini nodded.

"Okay then Riya if you don't mind I'm dropping Nandini home." Shrey added.

"Yeah it's okay!" Riya beamed and winked at Nandini before departing from the spot.

Nandini rolled her eyes and climbed on the back seat of Shrey's motorbike. In a moment the bike vroomed past the office leaving a cloud of smoke behind. Well, Nandini had no idea that she was being watched by someone. Manik, who grew restless, returned to his desk and took out a stack of files for study.

Meanwhile, Riya waited all this time for Nandini and Shrey to leave. Once they were gone, Riya reached the exact spot where Manik's brand new Audi was parked. She looked out for any mortal being around her and finding none she embarked on her mission. She knelt down beside one of the tyres and using a knife she made a long cut. Satisfied with her art, she stood up brushing off the dust off her hands.

"Wow smart move!"

Riya got scared would be an understatement. Her heart leapt out of her chest cavity hearing those words. She didn't have the guts to face the person. Yeah he wasn't Manik but she had been caught red handed and that was enough to scare her.

"Miss Riya I'm talking to you! Turn around!" The voice spoke with authority.

"Yes sir?" She managed to put up a brave face hiding the slashed tyre with her body.

"Do you think you can hide that?" Advik frowned.

"Hide what?" Advik gestured the tyre.

"Hehehe what a coincidence you are also seeing the same thing. I don't know who did it but it's pretty strange that someone had the courage to damage one of the tyres that too of the great Manik Malhotra!" She feigned ignorance.

"Yeah you're right but what's stranger is" He inched closer to her, "that someone has that audacity to hide her mischief." He put up a fake smile.

"Are you blaming me?" He nodded.

"You're absolutely wrong Advik Sir for blaming an innocent. I just bent down to see the damage that's it!" She fiddled with the edge of her dupatta.

"Yeah I see but the cctv footage has a different story to tell!" He pointed to the camera installed just above Manik's parking space.

Riya looked here and there except at him. Her mind raced for ideas to fool her boss but came up with nothing so she accepted defeat.

"I can fix the problem if you agree to do something for me?" He said internally laughing at her nervousness.

"What do you mean?" She furrowed her brows together.

"Let's have some coffee together and I'll forget everything!" He smiled leaning against Manik's car stroking his chin.

Riya rolled her eyes and wanted to punch him right there but she had no choice. It seemed she dug out a grave for herself.

"Fine no problem! I'll see you over coffee but not today!" She laughed nervously and scurried away.

Advik, who had grown interest in her right from her first day, fist pumped in the air and thanked the lord for this favour. He just wanted to spend time with this girl but she didn't even acknowledge his presence. And today when he got that awesome opportunity, how could he let it slip off from his hands?

"Where are you lost brother?" Manik's voice caught his attention.

"Umm nothing bro!" Advik stretched his hands out.

"Oh My God! Who did this?" Manik roared as he noticed a slashed tyre.

"Yeah I'm wondering the same! God knows who did this? Maybe some kid of the block!" Advik stated.

"Let me check the cctv footage. I'm gonna sue that person!" He kicked the tyre in anger.

"Bhaiya it's fine! Why are you worried about such a silly issue?" Advik intervened.

"Silly issue? Seriously?" He glared at his brother.

"Ok fine it's not! But don't fuss over it. I've called the mechanic he is on his way. You can take my car!" Advik lied hoping his brother would buy his lie.

"Fine then! Just check everything and take these keys and drive safely!" Manik handed the keys and left in Advik's car. Advik heaved a sigh of relief and called the mechanic.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Nandini was back at Riya's house that was temporarily her home. She thanked Shrey and turned to open the lock.

"Um Nandini I know this is not the right time but I am throwing a small dinner for a good deal our company got. If you don't mind can you join me and the others tonight at 8?" Shrey asked scratching the back of his neck.

"Umm I'll see!" She politely answered and waved him a bye. Shrey gave her his thousand watts smile and rode off in his bike.

Nandini was alone now in her room. She changed into her nightwear and looked outside her window. Cool night air blowed outside. She hadn't put on her sweater but had wrapped a shawl. It was a dark night suggesting a new moon in a day or two. The stars illuminated the dark sky but what remained unlit was her heart.

It was Nandini's first day at the office and the amount of useless work she did showed what her future was about to shape. She felt like thrashing him but her courage dwindled. She wasn't the bold and brave types. Yes she was jolly once upon a time but things changed and turned her into a pessimistic introvert soul. She had a beautiful heart, she never thought of revenge even if someone harmed her. She believed in goodness and once she felt the wrong done to her, her goodness remained intact but her fear and shock pushed her to the corner with no aim of vengeance or retaliation. She wasn't happy but she was content with her doomed life. She had submitted everything in the hands of fate.

Nandini took out her diary and wrote down the happenings of today. Thanks to the Almighty the glass pieces had injured her left hand that she could atleast write and voice her thoughts. For a second she thought of going to the terrace to feel the night air. She did fetch the keys and came out in the open breathing in the cold night air. She did shiver but wrapping her shawl tighter she felt better.

Nandini looked up at the sky as if finding traces of happiness in the vast space. Stars and clouds seemed to play hide and seek in the garden of the sky. It brought a smile on her face. She loved nature and nature's little games amused her since childhood. In fact, she used to count stars when she was five. Her star gazing came to an abrupt halt when she heard Riya's voice behind her.

"What are you doing here in this wintry night?"

"Nothing I was just feeling bored so yeah came up!" Nandini smiled.

"Okay now let's go downstairs or else we both will catch cold. And you never know when it might start snowing!" She held Nandini's hand and both of them climbed down the stairs together.

"So Riya I was thinking to make dinner! What do you want to have today?"

"I'm so sorry Nandini but I need to go to the Gitz for dinner. You know Shrey sir is giving us a treat because our company cracked a major deal with a client. Obviously our bosses haven't yet announced but being the creative head he gets the news before us." Riya exclaimed.

"Wow that's great!" Nandini cooed.

"Nandini why don't you join us?" Riya's eyes crinkled.

"Umm Shrey did ask me but I don't want to go! I mean I'm new what will I do there with unknown people." Nandini hesitated and moved to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water.

"Come on Nandu everyone's new at one point of time. If you don't mingle with everyone how would you know the others. Seriously you've changed so much in these two years." Riya said sourly still afraid if Nandini would come with her or not.

"Fine I'll come with you!" Nandini mumbled as she walked towards Riya.

"That sounds great but I don't want to force you. I mean you just hurt your hand, so it's okay if you don't want to come. I'll bring dinner for you!" Riya said slowly still gauging Nandini's reactions.

"No worries! I'm fine! I think we'll leave at seven past thirty. So I'll see you in ten minutes!" Nandini assured Riya.

"Cool then I'll get ready!" Riya sang as she sashayed her way towards her room.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Manik reached home, he threw open the door to his room. He discarded his shirt and wearing a sweatpant he sprinted towards his gym. There he showered a number of punches on his punch bag.

Advik who had now returned came in search of his brother and found him sweating off his energy in the gym punching the bag innumerable number of times.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Advik intervened and he stopped for a minute.

"Can't you see?" Manik barked out.

"I understand you are feeling hot so you are doing all these crazy things but why not savour some hot chocolate in this weather?" Advik suggested without coming near to Manik.

"I'm least interested!" Manik mumbled while continuously hitting the punching bag.

"Come on bhaiya! I'm not listening to any excuse. You've been here after so long so today we're going for dinner!" Advik held the punching bag and ducked before Manik could hit him in his anger that he was taking out on the poor punching thing.

"Woah! Calm down! Why so pumped up? Is there any problem? Is it a girl thing?" Advik wiggled his brows still holding the punching bag.

Manik rolled his eyes and punched for the last time before slumping down on the couch. He wiped off the sweat and guzzled down the entire bottle of water.

"Fine let's go and dine like the old days!" He rose to his feet and went back to his room.

Advik grinned as he walked down the stairs skipping a few in his way to the garage.

~•~•~•~•~•~

Both of the best friends reached the Gitz on time. Shrey and their other colleagues were waiting for them. Nandini being shy, was behind Riya who was leading her to the table.

"Thanks Nandini for coming!" Shrey grinned profusely while the others watched him and Nandini blushing due to the extra attention given to her.

"So guys what do y'all wanna eat?" Shrey asked and called the waiter.

"Bring me some chicken biryani and boondi raita!" Riya ordered while her eyes still lingering on the mouth watering menu.

"And Nandini?" Shrey enquired.

Nandini went through the menu and looked up but her words got struck in her throat. There entered Manik in full swag followed by Advik. His eyes lingered on an empty table but then it fell directly on Nandini and her gang. With a smug smile playing on his pink lips, he walked to their table.

"What a pleasant surprise Shrey! Do you mind if we take a seat here?" Manik raised her brows.

"Yeah sir definitely!" Shrey brought two more chairs and Manik and his brother sat opposite to Nandini and Riya respectively.

"So Nandini what do you want to order?" Shrey asked understanding Nandini's situation.

"I'll take three kulcha kahsmiri and malai kofta!" Nandini answered with her head down. Her fingers were wrung together on her lap.

"Waiter bring us some chicken Kolhapuri, five kulcha, palak paneer and dal makhani. Add some extra butter to the daal my bro loves it!" Manik ordered like a king while his eyes were only fixed on Nandini.

The food arrived and everyone began digging into it except Nandini. Her throat was as parched as the Sahara Desert. She gulped down a glass of water before beginning the main course. She took a bite of her kulcha when Manik's fixed stare took her as a prisoner. Anyhow she swallowed the food. She wondered why she decided to accompany Riya and why the hell did Manik follow her to the restaurant. Was he following or it was a mere coincidence she couldn't understand.

"So who gave y'all a treat?" Manik asked with his mouth full.

"Sir Shrey!" Riya replied with enthusiasm.

"Good choice of friends Shrey!" Manik said with sarcasm underlying his tone.

All at once Nandini choked on her food. She understood the indirect statement. Shrey and Riya offered her a glass of water that she denied.

"I'll need the washroom!" She barely uttered and left the table.

Inside the bathroom she splashed water on her face multiple times. She breathed heavily and Manik's words rang in her ear. She was looking at her reflection when a familiar face appeared on the mirror. That would be an illusion she thought.

"You can never escape from my eyes Nandini!" The words stung her ears with their sharp ends. What she thought was an illusion was an actual mirror image of the devil. But how did he enter a ladies bathroom? Well, he couldn't be trusted at all.

"Manik what are you doing here?" She asked as he walked towards her.

"This is not the right place? Please go---" Manik placed a finger on her lips.

"Don't you wanna spend time with me, do you?" He asked suggestively. She stepped back and now was a prisoner between the bathroom wall and her love.

"I do but it's stinking!" She lied and tried to pry away from him.

"But I'm loving this beautiful smell of your body! Which perfume do you use Nandini?" He lowered his face in her neck.

"A sweet simple flower scent!" She blushed as he nuzzled on her weak spot.

"Manik leave me!" She whispered but he brushed off her hair to the other side.

"Open the door damn it!" Someone shouted surprising the romantic duo. Taking that as a cue to run, Nandini fled the scene covering her face with her palms.

Nandini who was distracted due to the past memories now came back to the reality. There she saw Manik smirking at her. Even his mirror image was no less than a devilish avtar.

"W-what are you doing here?" She barely managed to speak, her legs were trembling so she held the bathroom sink for support.

"As if you don't know!" He took two steps towards her.

"Manik this is not your office please leave!" Her words sounded alien to her own ears. How did she say that? It would further infuriate him.

"Mark your words Nandini!" With two long strides he was right before her.

Her body moved back to avoid touching him. If he inched closer she couldn't do anything to help her because now she was pinned between him and the sink. Would it be better if she shouted?

"Someone please hel----" She half yelled but soon slender fingers muffled her voice.

"Don't even try that you idiot!" He yelled in her ears making her flinch with the sharp tone.

"Please let me go!" She begged.

"Not so soon!" Was all that she heard of.

"Got a new friend huh?" He said in a sing song voice."But Nandu no one can be your friend as far as I'm alive!" He said in a sickening tone and grabbed her by the waist.

"And I know you won't kill me because you love me still!" His eyes grew bigger and turned into a darker shade of brown.

"I-I don't love you!" She muttered.

"Shut up!" He seethed in anger.

"Just stay the fuck away from that Shrey!" He hissed as his hold on her waist tightened.

"W-what is your problem Manik? Why can't I befriend guys?" She asked slowly.

"One more question and I'm gonna hurt you!" He gave her a murderous glare.

"You've already hurt me and you can't hurt me anymore." Her voice came out as a mere whisper.

"Really?" He laughed a devilish laugh.

All of a sudden he jerked her around and twisted her hand at her back. The very same hand where there was a bandage tied securely around the wound.

"Do you see this?" He pointed towards her injured hand. "I'll show you something."

To Nandini's horror, he twisted her hand too hard at the injured spot. She let out whimpers of pain as her eyes adjusted to the blood trickling down her injured palm.

"Manik!" She yelped. Someone knocked on the door and she thanked the good lord for whoever was there outside.

"Stay away!" Uttering those words he made a gesture with his two fingers and eyes suggesting that she was constantly under his watch.

Nandini steadied herself up and came out of the bathroom where she came face to face with Shrey and Riya. Shrey didn't ask anything but saw Manik passing by.

"Oh My God! Your hand is bleeding!" Riya exclaimed in horror.

"Is he responsible?" Shrey asked.

Nandini shook her head in disapproval. She didn't want to create danger for Shrey.

"I just slipped in the bathroom and hurt my hand. I think I should leave!" Nandini made a straight face devoid of any colours.

"You haven't had your dinner yet!" Riya reminded.

"There's a medical shop nearby. I'll just get another bandage. Until then Riya take care of her." Riya nodded and help her sit in the lobby.

"I'll bring the plate. Just have your food!" Nandini nodded.

Nandini had her food half heartedly thinking about the meaning of Manik's words. When she was nothing to her, then why was he opposed to her friendship with Shrey.

Shrey came with the bandage and Riya helped Nandini in changing the dressing. She insisted on visiting a doctor that Nandini obviously denied. Once they were done Shrey decides to drop Nandini. Manik and Advik were still there enjoying their dessert and as soon as his eyes landed upon Shrey and Nandini he shot a death glare at Nandini. But Nandini walked away without turning back.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"Riya what are we doing in the office before the scheduled time?" Nandini whispered as she followed Riya like a lost puppy.

"Nandini don't say this to anyone but I've a mission to complete today?" Riya muttered slowly.

"And why are we dressed like robbers?"

"Ssshhh Nandini!" Riya unlocked the door leading to the control room.

"Oh My God!" Nandini gasped as she saw multiple footages flashing on the screen.

Riya quickly deleted the footage of her slashing Manik's tyre. Nandini wondered how she knew the password.

"Wow you knew the password?" Nandini furrowed her brows.

"Yeah I always keep a tab on these secret things!" She flashed her thirty two.

Then covering her face she removed the black clothes from all the cameras and trudged past the building in a minute.

Both Nandini and Riya changed into their office wear in the changing room of a mall. The clock struck nine and like regular office goers they stepped into the office as if nothing happened. The back door wasn't used so much that's why it served as a possible inlet and outlet for them.

Nandini disappeared to the left while Riya walked around her desk to inspect it Advik had arrived or not.

"So when are we going for coffee?"

"Think of the devil and the devil is here!" Riya muttered under her breath scrunching her nose.

"Devil or not but you do think about me!" Advik smirked and Riya's nostrils flared up in anger.

"Shut up mendak (frog) !" She yelled at her boss.

"What? Mendak like seriously?" He laughed at her choice of words. "Anyways when are you coming over coffee?" He asked leaning against her desk.

"Never ever! Now stop doing tarr tarr tarr and leave!" She hissed and moved towards the bathroom leaving a baffled Advik grasping the words she uttered.

Nandini plopped down in her chair. A slight headache troubled her since she woke up. She couldn't sleep a bit except in the early hours of the morning. Manik's voice haunted her the whole night. However, she had decided early in the morning that she would keep her head down for the two years she would work here. And she would stay away from Shrey or anyone else so as to protect them from Manik's rage and that in turn would save her from his wrath. That was the best decision she could take at this hour.

Sticking to her resolve she started working on some files but before that she popped up a pill for relieving her headache. Shrey called her and the other colleagues to meet in the conference hall.

Nandini occupied a seat in the second row beside Riya who was a web designer in VirginStream. Few minutes later, Manik entered along with Advik. His eyes searched for Nandini and his lips curled up into a smirk as his intense gaze intimidated her.

"So guys here I would love to announce that our client Mr Sanyal has agreed to work with us for a tenure of one year. His company literally owns the market of energy boosting drinks." Manik announced proudly.

Everyone applauded for the great offer that would push VirginStream to number one amongst other rival agencies. Nandini too showed interest in the project he announced.

"I want everyone to work hard on this project. And to ease the work environment, I've selected a locality for the shooting purpose." Manik smiled taking in everyone's reaction.

"Today we'll discuss everything and tomorrow we're leaving for" Advik stopped and motioned Manik to continue.

"Shravanti Nagar, Kullu!" Manik added eyeing Nandini whose eyes seemed to pop out of the sockets.

"Wow that's my locality!" Riya clapped her hands in excitement.

Nandini's heart sank as she heard the name. Out of all the localities, he had to choose the place where she was born and brought up. Manik just added another reason for her to hate. It's said it takes one reason to hate but thousands reasons to love. But Manik gave Nandini thousand reasons to hate and one reason to love, contrary to the saying.

~•~•~•~•~•~

4338 words

Long chapter ☺️

So how was the chappy?

What's your favourite scene?

Manik planned to shoot the advertisement right in Nandini's hometown Shravanti Nagar, Kullu. What's worse is waiting for Nandini?

Nandini decided to stay away from Shrey! But will that happen?

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With love,

Writer

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