Hello People. Last day of 2017. I hope you are enjoying. Wishing you all the success and happiness in the new year. A very happy new year. 😊😊

Happy Reading...

Nandini was looking like an angel in Manik's favorite color, red. But the thing that shocked him was, her sitting on the couch looking ethereal in a long party gown devoid of any makeup but holding a book in her hand. Only she could read a book just before going to a party, thought Manik to himself.

Manik: I never knew that the angels in 21st century hold books in their hands instead of wands.

Nandini who was startled due to the sudden voice looked up at him not before hiding her blush because of his indirect compliment.

Nandu: Manik, when did you come? Sorry, I didn't see the time. Are we late?

Manik: No, I got ready earlier than expected. I thought you will take some more time so came inside but here it's a totally different scenario. How did you get ready so early, Nandini?

Nandu: Manik, I just had to change. Kitna time lagega. A maximum of 5 mins. But 15 today, since I am not used to party wears. (And she pouts sadly)

Manik: Miss. Murthy, pretending to be sad won't change my decision of taking you to the party along with me. But I can give you a compliment instead.

Nandu raised an eyebrow at him, disappointedly.

Manik: You are one in a million, you know that right? I haven't seen any girl getting ready in 15 mins for a party.

Nandu just smiled at him.

Manik: Shall we leave?

Nandu: Sure.

They came downstairs and found kaka there.

Nandu: Kaka main ek booooriiing si business party par ja rahi hun. Aap khana kha kar so jaye.

She stretched the word 'boring' more than usual giving an accusing glance to Manik, making both kaka and him chuckle at her.

Manik: kaka aap inki baate seriously mat lijiye. Party itni bhi boring nahi hai. Aur main aapki beti ko sahi salamat ghar bhi drop kar dunga. Lekin ek shart par.

Both of them were confused.

Kaka: Haan beta bataye. Aapki shart kya hai?

Manik: Aap mujhe 'aap aap' mat boliye. Manik bulaaye na.

Kaka: bete aap Nandu bitiya ke boss ho. Main kaise aapko naam se bula sakta hun.

Manik: arey kaka. Main Nandu ka boss nahin, friend bhi hun. Aur jaise Nandu aapki beti hai, main bhi tho aapka beta hua na?

Kaka: Haan par..

Manik: par var chodiye. Manik bulaiye mujhe.

Kaka nods and they bid bye to kaka and leave. In the car, Manik notices that Nandu was staring him from the time they have left her house.

Manik: I know I am handsome but, you needn't prove me that.

Nandu snaps back to reality and laughs off.

Manik: Kuch kehna hai?

Nandu: I haven't seen a CEO of a company behaving so casually with normal people.

Manik: Nandini main bhi normal hi hun. What do you mean by normal people? Do you think I am abnormal? Haww..Nandu.

Nandu: Manik, I was talking about kaka. The way you talked to him, you know I respect you.

Manik: Nandini, he is the one who was there with you since your childhood. And it's obvious. If he is important to you, then he will be important for me, too.

Nandu smiles at him and looks out of the window. They reach the party, with Manik stealing few glances without being noticed by Nandu. At the party, as promised, Manik didn't leave Nandini's side. They talked to people about business and also some casual talks with some acquaintances of Manik's father. They were having a talk when they were interrupted by a person.

Person: I hope you still remember me?

Manik turned to find a guy with a mischievous grin playing on his lips. He played along.

Manik: No, I don't. Besides, how am I supposed to remember someone who can actually appear and disappear at any point?

Person: But you can still remember the basketball captain of your university.

Manik: That's because my admission was late and luckily you got selected as the captain. Otherwise, we know who plays the game better.

Person: Oh please. Don't tell me that you play better. Who was the one who almost made us lose the game against the girls' team?

Manik: That's because they weren't playing the game instead, they were throwing themselves at me.

Person: And the person who says this, appears with a girl beside him?

They both burst out laughing leaving a confused Nandini who is oblivious to the conversation going on. Seeing her, Manik introduced them,

Manik: Nandini, he is Madhyam Singhania. We were from the same university and used to go the same club in London.

Madhyam: And I was the captain of our team.

Manik: Very funny. Maddy, she is Nandini. My PA and also a dear friend.

Maddy: Well, hello beautiful lady. If you don't mind, Can I just steal your boss for few minutes?

Manik: Dude, that was so cliche. But you can talk to me here.

Maddy(whispers in his ear): No, I can't.

Manik looks at Nandini to which she blinks her eyes in assurance. Manik leaves along with Maddy.

Manik: yes, what do you want to speak?

Maddy: So desperate you are to go back to your assistant or like you said your 'friend'. (Air quoting the word friend) You aren't even leaving her side since the time you people came.

Manik: Maddy you know aisa nahi hai. She isn't used to these parties. So, I was just accompanying her.

Maddy: Oh Manik. Don't tell me she is the one. Is she?

Manik: What? No..She..is.. my..

Maddy: Since when did the Manik Malhotra start stammering? Dude, everyone in the campus and club has their guesses about your secret love story back in India. But I didn't know that you got her back.

Manik: I just got lucky there.

Maddy: And I am happy for you bro.

He hugged Manik. Just then he was called by someone so he excused himself after warning Manik to keep Nandu safe and also to confess his feelings. Manik went back searching for Nandini and found her talking to a guy, making him boil in anger. He rushed towards her side but was stopped by few girls.

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

After Manik left with Maddy, Nandu was approached by a person.

Person: Hey, waiting for someone.

Nandu: Excuse Me? Sorry, I didn't recognize you.

Person: Not a problem pretty lady. This is Harshad Saxena. You must be Nandini Murthy, right?

Nandu: y..yes. How do you know me?

Harshad: You are quite popular. But I don't see the point why are you still stuck up with Manik. A lady like you should be treated well. And Manik is..

Nandu: Is?

Harshad: Is enjoying there with girls. (And points towards him.) So, why don't you teach him a lesson?

Nandu: What?

Harshad: Let's just ditch him the same way as he ditched you, for them.

Manik who just managed to escape from the girls heard about Harshad. But before he could go and punch him, he was stopped by Nandu's answer.

Nandu: Sure, Harshad. Let's have fun. 

I guess Nandu bore ho gayi. Ya phir gussa ho gayi seeing Manik with girls. 😒😒  What are your guesses? Manik ka kya reaction hoga.

What do you think about Harshad? 

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