You and I

CHAPTER 46

MANIK

It's 6 in the evening and I'm finally done with the work. We got the deal, and I'm just packing up my stuff to take a leave. Getting the deal wasn't easy though, too much drama and carelessness happened today. But all's well that ends well, since we did get the deal at the end. This is something that Nandini would say. I smiled to myself.

Nandini! Shit shit shit shit shit! What the fuck did I do? How could I talk so crassly with her? The fuck was wrong with me? Actually everything was going wrong only that time. Our presentation got deleted today and we were all in a state of panic, all because of one carelessness, we could have lost the deal. We were trying to retrieve it back by calling the IT guys, when my phone was ringing continuously. I kept declining it until I lashed out at the person and hung up.

Now I'm realizing that it I lashed out at Nandini. I didn't mean to but I did, and I didn't even realize it until now. I looked at the time when she was calling. Shit. I talked to her at around 12 and now it's 6. I fucked up. I fucked it up big time.

I was on my way driving towards her home, while trying to call her. I have hurt her bad. Her phone was switched off. What? I tried again only to get the same response. I saw her house and I was pulling over when I noticed Abhi coming out of his car. I pulled over and he turned to look at me. I went towards him.

"Hey,"

He nodded his head at me. "How was the deal?"

"Yeah, we got it. It was successful."

"Congrats. Why are you here?"

I found the way Abhi was talking to be a bit off. Is he mad at something? Did something happen? Has Nandini told him?

"Wasn't I supposed to come here? Like today was the planned date na when everyone would be here and we'd meet Sid and everything?"

"So you're here only for that?"

"No. I mean I wanted to meet Nandini also. Umm I messed it up with her, I didn't realize and I talked rudely to her. I wanted to clear that also. Did she tell you about it?"

He laughed without humor. "Did you give a single thought that why Nandini was calling you continuously? Did this even come to your mind that maybe she needed you?"

His words were scaring me. It's true I didn't think of it that way, I didn't think anything about it. She's... she's okay right? She has to be. There's no other option.

"What... What had happened? She's okay right? Nandini is fine right? Say something damn it." I asked Abhi.

"Why do you care Manik? She's okay. You don't need to worry about her. Now go back to your home."

"Abhi please, you know I care about her. I do. She's my anchor. I can't even think about being away from her."

"Really Manik? You care about her? Do-"

He was cut off when the front door of his house opened and we saw Rajiv Uncle there.

"Abhi? You're back from the airport. And Manik beta how are you? You also went to the airport to see off Nandini?"

See off? Airport? Did Nandini go somewhere? Her phone was also switched off. What is happening?

Abhi must have seen the confusion on my face. "Yes Dad. We were just coming inside only."

"Good good. You boys go inside, I'm just coming from the market. Your Mom has asked for something."

Abhi led me inside his house to his room. He locked his door and then turned towards me.