I end up being backed up against the wall. Great this is just what I need, to be backed against a wall wearing only a towel!
I look towards the side, trying to avoid his eyes. He takes hold of my chin, forcing me to look into his passion driven eyes. He tucks a loose strand behind my ear, while smirking at my awkwardness. He softly whispers, "I really like you Nandini..." I open mouth to say something, but can't seem to find the words. He keeps leaning in closer and I know what he is about to do.

All I can get out is, "W-we c-can't..." Manik interrupts by capturing my lips. I tightly shut my eyes, not wanting to break down because of the familiarity of the kiss. As soon as I start to respond, he pulls away mumbling, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... I'll wait for you in the lobby..." He walks out the door, while I breathe deep breaths. What the heck just happened?

So... it looks like I may have underestimated the effect his kisses had on me. Hey, it's been a while, okay? The kiss from last night was different because I was calling the shots, but just now I had no control whatsoever. I can't believe I started responding to his kiss, but I wasn't suppose give into him just yet. One thing I can conclude is that last night Manik realized that he really liked me, that it is more than just attraction and lust anyways.Therefore, I guess it is a positive thing.

I decide to put my thoughts aside and get ready for the meeting. I settle on wearing a light blue dress with my black boots. No, I did not look like a bumblebee thank you very much! I wear my hair in a messy bun and all that holds it together is just a blue stick. I smirk knowing that Manik will want to pull the stick out of my hair, to watch my hair cascade down to my shoulders. How do I know that, well he's a guy isn't he? Hmm, actually that is debatable, JUST KIDDING!

The ride there is filled with an awkward silence. I want to break it, but Manik doesn't look my way even though he can sense my stare. The most he does is look at me from the corner of his eye and eventually I give up trying to get rid of the weirdness. When we arrive, we both make our way to the meeting. We quickly read over the paperwork, nod in agreement, and then sign the necessary paperwork. Then with a simple handshake we were on our way back to our hotel.

Manik doesn't get out of the car when we reach the hotel and just sits there silently. He slowly looks towards me with those big apologetic eyes.

Oh, this aught to be good! Manik says slowly, "Nandini I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have done that!"

I grin, "You shouldn't have?"

Manik looks perplexed, "Well yeah I mean you already made yourself clear that you don't want to get involved with me..." I smile knowing that I'm confusing him to no end. I tilt my head to the side asking seductively, "And what about you, what do you want Manik?" He looks flustered, not expecting me to say something like that.

Before he can respond, his cell phone starts to ring. He snaps his attention to the caller, while I roll my eyes thinking it's one of his bimbos. He answers, "Yeah?...yea she's here with me... WHAT? ...How bad is it?...No we will leave right away! ...I'll call when we get there! ...Okay keep us informed! Bye dad!" I start to feel a bit panicked as I hear his end of the conversation. He slowly turns towards me with those same apologetic eyes, but they look more hurt. He slowly says, "Nandini y-you're father..."

Tears starts forming in my eyes as I look up at him, "W-what h-happened?" He softly says, "You're father had a stroke..."

He pulls me into his embrace and the newly formed tears stream down my face. Enemy or not, at this moment it didn't matter.

I cling to his shirt whispering, "Dad" repeatedly. Manik holds onto me tighter as I start to shake while I sob. He assures me, "Shh... Nandini, don't worry it will be alright! Come on we have to pack. We have to get to the hospital!" I pull away from him screaming, "WE'RE HOURS AWAY FROM INDIA, MANIK!! WHAT IF HE DOESN'T MAKE IT? WHAT IF I NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN?" Manik pulls me against him with a stronger grip and says comfortingly, "Nandini don't talk like that! Nothing will happen to your father! I won't let anything happen to him, okay?" He pulls me out of the car and takes me to my room to pack all my belongings. I watch him expressionless and he looks at me with sad eyes. He then goes to his room to pack his own stuff, leaving me to reminisce about my father. Soon we checkout and go straight to the airport. Luckily, there is a flight to India, leaving in an hour. We check in our luggage and sit at the departure gate. Manik glances over at me, noticing I haven't said anything since my outburst in his arms. He gently wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a soothing hug. I don't try to resist because I feel so alone all of the sudden.

My father is a very important figure in my life. He is a great role model and has always been a wonderful father. Sometimes I doubt if my own husband could love me as much as my father does and that's if I ever get married. My father can't just leave me! He just can't, he wouldn't! I love him to much to let that happen! I melt in Manik's arms while he rocks me in his arms to try to calm me down. I pull out my cell phone to call my mother. She doesn't pick up, much to my distress. Soon it is time to board the plane. In the plane, I blankly stare out of the window. Manik removes the armrest between us and pulls me closer. His embrace seems to comfort me surprisingly. I just count the precious minutes until we are able to get to India. I really wanted to see my father. I want to make sure he is okay, to see him for myself. Only then will the tears go away. I fall asleep against Manik's chest the whole way to India.

This time I wake up to Manik softly whispering my name. I look at him slightly confused until he says, "We just landed Nandini, come on lets go!" I quickly get out of my seat and follow Manik out of the plane. We quickly get our baggage and then hail a taxi. When we arrive at the hospital, I run to the receptionist asking, "Raj Murthy?" She quickly tells me the room, when Manik catches up to me. We both run towards the room in worry. When I approach the room I stop outside the door. Manik catches up with me and says, "Nothing will happen Nandini." He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and I push open the door.

When I catch sight of my father, I throw my arms around him sobbing violently. My father gives me a hug saying, "Beta, I'm fine... I promise!" I wipe my tears asking, "Dad how did this happen?" He whispers, "Nandini I was just a little stressed with work." I demand, "Daddy you're in a hospital! You have to take more care of yourself! Do you know how worried I was? I was so scared! What would I do without you? I don't want you thinking about business at all! Just let someone else handle it for a while! I don't want you to be stressed over anything!" I give him a little hug and turn my head. I see Manik smiling at us admiringly, a very genuine smile. I pull away and my father flicks my nose saying sweetly,

"Okay I promise I will take better care! God Nandini you are worse than your Mom! Even she didn't scream this much." He starts laughing and soon Manik joins him. I start to pout watching the both of them poking fun at my overprotective nature. I pout, "Mom! Make them stop!" Manik starts roaring in laughing, while I shoot Manik a glare. That shut him up!

Manik stays for about an hour talking to my father animatedly about anything and everything. Manik then gets up saying, "Okay Uncle, I should leave and let you rest!" I look at my father who nods towards Manik. This in my father's language means for me to walk him out to his car. I follow Manik out the door, fall into step with him. When we get to his car I say before he gets in his car, "Manik..." He turned around to face me, while I continue, "Thanks for everything!" Manik smiles brightly, "Anything for you Nandini! Oh and don't bother coming to work, I'll handle everything! You just take care of your father!" I smile appreciatively, "Yeah you better give me time off!" Manik smirks, "What did you say? I can take it back you know!" I snort, "Yeah right! ...Thanks again!" He just leans over kissing my forehead affectionately saying, "Bye!"

I watch his car leaving the parking lot. This day has been just too surreal! So maybe he isn't all bad, he does have his good moments. He is unbelievably comforting. After what Manik did for me today, I was having trouble remembering why I hate him so much. After a few minutes of over viewing my past, I remembered why. I just hope for his sake that this isn't another plan of his because if it is then he is truly dead meat! I want to believe he is falling for me because of the way I caught him looking at my father and me. I think he likes the fact that I am so caring and passionate about the people I love. Maybe he aspires to be one of them.

*

A week passes by and my father has already been released from the hospital. During his stay in the hospital, I would come keep him company along with my mom. Manik came a couple times to ask how he is doing and then he came again with his parents. We chatted briefly about business, my father, what I have been up to lately, etc.

As of now, I am trying to force feed my father some lunch. I say quite irritated, "Dad come on please eat! You're acting like me when I was five!" He replies, "Nandini, I'm you're father and I say I don't want to eat! It's so bland!" I laugh, "I'm gonna tell Mom that you called her rice bland if you don't eat this!" His face pales, which causes me to chuckle. My father says loudly, while looking past my shoulder, "Oh Manik beta come on in!" I look towards the door to see him and get a bit worried. You see I'm wearing a off white churidaar!

In case you have forgotten he hasn't ever seen me in traditional clothes except for eight years ago.
SHIT!!!DAMMIT!!! Kanhi isne mujhe pehchaan to nahi liya, no Nandini, pura bhanda phoot jayega,no ways!! AAI APPA BACCHAO, PLEASE HELP!! 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️
I saw his eyes getting wide and his expressions changing now I am pretty sure that he have recognised me . God damn!!

"I have seen you earlier🤔"

"Yes u saw me , some days back"i said trying to joke around and make him forget.

"Oh yaa , very funny. " he said in uninterested tone.

"Damn, i got it , i remember now, SHIT !!"

I tuck a strand behind my ears with sweaty hands. I am gone😨😨

------

Now what will be Manik's reaction.
What will happen to Nandini's plan.

Stay tuned to get all your answers😄😄

Votes and Comments please!
The response is quite disheartening💔😞