Hello Fam. :)

Happy Reading...

Malhotra Mansion, Terrace

As expected Nandu was looking at the stars. But today, instead of admiring them, she was thinking about Mukti. It has always been the case. Nandu was never fond of Mukti.

As Manik says, he doesn't need to worry till the time Mukti is there. She has every solution to Manik's problems and Manik feels light after sharing his worries or happiness with Mukti.

But what Nandu never understood was why? She doesn't have any personal issues with Mukti. She doesn't know the reason for her dislike towards her. Maybe because Mukti is more close to Manik than anyone else. But, then Cabir is close to Manik too. These three share an inseparable bond between them. Both Cabir and Mukti pamper Manik to no extent. Sometimes she feels bad that she didn't have any such friends. Her thought process was disturbed by a tap on her shoulder. She found Manik beside her.

Nandu(smiles): Done with your talks? Where is she now?

Manik(grins): Paris. You know she met dad there.

After moments of silence, Nandu left for her room after wishing him a 'goodnight'. Manik got a call from Cabir.

Call

Cabir: How is she?

Manik: She is showing that she is fine.

Cabir: Kuch bataya?

Manik: What do you think?

Cabir: Acha, don't overthink about it. She will be fine. Tu bhi so ja.

Manik: Goodnight Cabir.

Call Ends

Manik too retires for his room.

Next day

Usual day at Malhotra mansion. Nandu got ready for office and was waiting at the breakfast table for Manik.

Manik(sheepishly): Sorry, I am late.

Nandu(glares playfully): When will your day start with a good morning instead of Sorry?

Manik pouts and they have their breakfast silently. Soon after, they leave for office where they were supposed to discuss the grouping with Dhawan. They directly go to Nandu's cabin.

Nandu(questioned): Check if there's any mail from Thakkar's. Also, what's the time Cabir was supposed to come?

Manik(informed): He didn't inform any.

Nandu(frowned): What do you mean by didn't inform? Call him now.

Manik smirks secretly and calls Cabir and puts the phone on speaker.

Call

Cabir(casually): Haan, Manik. What's up.

Manik(in a professional tone): Mr. Dhawan, at what time can we expect you here for discussing about Thakkar's project?

Cabir(disbelievingly): Tu phir shuru ho gaya. I have already told you right, main aa nahi raha. I am katti with your Madam.

Manik looks at Nandu hiding his smile to which she glares at him before snatching the phone from him.

Nandu(sternly): Mr. Dhawan can we expect you here by 11. Or do you want me to finalize someone else?

Cabir(scared): No. Miss. Murthy. I will be there by 10.30 itself. No need to go for someone else.

With that, she ends the call. Manik chuckles at Cabir.

Nandu(glares): Stop laughing and get back to your work. When is Uncle coming?

Manik(informs): Maybe by evening or night.

Nandu nods. Manik leaves for his cabin when his mobile rings again.

Call

Cabir(whined): Manik teri don ko bol, I am not scared of her. She can't order me around.

Manik(amused): Oh no. Cabir, Nandu ko phone doon. Usi se bol de.

Cabir(gritting his teeth): Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aa raha hun main. Bye.

Call Ends

Manik smiles at him. Only Nandu can shut The Cabir Dhawan like that.

Cabir reached Malhotra Industries by 10.50 and went to Manik first.

Manik(teased): Arey wah.. 10 min pehle aa gaya.

Cabir(gave him a disgusted look): Mujhe na aur irritate mat kar. Let's go to her.

They both leave for Nandu's cabin where she was busy typing something in her laptop.

Manik: Nandu.

Nandu looks up and found Cabir standing there with some files. She gets back to her typing and both Cabir and Manik settle down on the chairs opposite to her.

Nandu(still typing): I thought you were supposed to come here by 10.30. You are 20 mins late.

Cabir(defended): Lekin tumne bola 11. I am 10 mins early.

Nandu smiles at him and asks him for a few minutes as she has to send some important mail.

After completing,

Nandu(advised): So, I was saying, why don't we work together for Thakkar's project. I think that would be good as we have been working together for years.

Cabir(smirking): What's my profit from this, Miss. Murthy.

Nandu rolls her eyes at him and says,

Nandu(sarcastically): Can we be serious for some time, Mr. Dhawan?

Cabir nods. They all discuss the project and ideas regarding this. As both the companies have worked together for a long time, they know each other's strength and weaknesses which they balance perfectly by helping each other. They were families more than business partners. After their discussion, Manik opens his mouth to say something but stops which was noticed by Nandu.

Nandu(raising an eyebrow): Do you want to say something, Manik?

Manik(stuttered): Actually..I was.. thinking

Nandu(assured): Manik, you can always put your points forward in any meeting. Remember, you are also an important part of this company.

Cabir smiles at her. For others, she might be the boss and Manik, her assistant but she has always treated him as her equal. For her, they are just two people who work together in a company that is their family.

Manik(hesitant): I feel, we might have to postpone our current project that is yet to be started. As this one's a huge project, we can't divide our concentration and also, it's between our both companies, we can always change it according to our convenience.

Both Nandu and Cabir agree with him.

Cabir(patting Manik's back): Wah, mere sher...

He was cut by Nandu with a sarcastic smile.

Nandu(gritting her teeth): Mr. Dhawan the meeting isn't over yet.

Cabir(gulped in fear): Yes. Miss. Murthy.

They discuss some other points and Nandu concludes the meeting.

Nandu(arranging the papers): So, I guess everything's fine. You can now go and do whatever you want to with your friend.

Cabir(declared): Let's have lunch together. I am hungry.

Nandu(suppressing a smile): When are you not, Cabir?

Cabir(glared): Don't be jealous. I am expecting you also. You are my friend too.

Nandu(frowned): Why me? I am not hungry.

Cabir(accused):Tumhe mujhse friendship nahi karna? Meetings ke alawa tum mujhse baat bhi nahi karti. Main kya itna bura hun. Kya tumhari dosti mere naseeb mein nahi likha hai. Kya tum..

Nandu(cutting him off): let's have lunch. God kitna drama karte ho.

Cabir smirks and Manik bursts out laughing.

Cabir(announced): let's go out and have pizzas.

Nandu: But..

Cabir: Kya tum..

Nandu(fake angrily): No need. Let's have pizzas.

Nandu glares at Cabir.

Manik(chuckling at them): Let me bring my mobile.

Cabir(smiled scaredly): meri car keys bhi hai. Main bhi aa raha hun.

Cabir runs from there with a laughing Manik behind. Nandu nods her head in disbelief. Though Cabir behaves all professional with her in meetings, he doesn't leave a chance to tease her or make her smile when it's not business.

Nandu was walking out of her cabin engrossed on her mobile when she bumped into someone who held her by her waist preventing her from falling down. She stood straight and was trying to remove his hands from her but he had no plans to do that much to her irritation and her employees' horror.

Guess the person. Manik or someone else?