"I think you must try that restaurant...You will like it..." Nandini said to Manik before going to take a shower after returning from office.
"Uhumm..." He said and she forwarded her mobile and said "We have taken lot of pictures...See...I'll be back..."
He sighed and opened her gallery and scrolled through the pictures of her team lunch and zoomed, stared at few pictures.
"You are still seeing those pictures...!!" Nandini said coming out from washroom after 10 minutes. She went to apply her body lotion and looked at Manik who has frown on his face and was deeply analyzing the pictures.
"What happened...??" She asked moving towards him and he showed a picture and pointed towards Dhruv and asked "He was the one who posted your picture on Instagram without your knowledge right...???"
She looked at the picture and nodded with a smile and replied "Haan...Wo hi...Dhruv...My team lead...and he apologized to me so many times for that..."
"Hmmm...How is he...?? I mean...his qualities..." Manik asked trying to be normal even after seeing him stand close to her in all the pictures.
"He is a sweet guy...and he is so helpful...whenever I get stuck at any point of work, he will always be there to help..." Nandini replied taking her place on the bed.
"Only you or everyone...?? I mean...helpful..." He asked taking her into his embrace.
"Everyone...He leads the team perfectly...He helps and makes everyone comfortable..." She said laying her head on his chest.
"How does he behave with girls...??" Manik asked and Nandini looked at him with a frown to which Manik replied with a shrug "Just asking..."
"He is well mannered...Never talks too much but he will be friendly with everyone...Not that introvert types...He doesn't flirt...but just compliments..." She said making Manik's insides stir a little.
"Did he ever compliment you...???" He asked and Nandini suppressed her smile and looked at him and pulled his cheeks and said "Ohhh my cutuuuu hero...You are possessive...huh...??"
"No...I'm not...I just wanted to know the people around you...Tum toh...You just think everyone is good just like you...And a guy's intentions will be well understood by another guy...And yeah...I'm not being possessive...I'm just being protective...because I know you...and just wanted to know if you can deal with the guy in case needed..." Manik explained and Nandini smiled to her fullest and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Manik smiled and then said "I wanted to tell you something..."
Nandini waited for him to continue and he said "You know na...My current movie and next one is from same production house..."
She nodded and he continued "So...Heard that they are in thoughts to consider someone else for next movie...replacing me..."
"Ohhh...okk..." She said and looked at him not knowing what to say.
"Hmm...That's what bothering me from few days...I feel like...I'm losing opportunity...like I'm replaceable so easily..." He said and she cupped his cheek to explain "Never think that you are being replaced...See when you rejected few stories, what did you say...?? You said you will not be suitable for those roles though stories are good...Hai na...?? The same way...They might have felt someone might suit that character better though you are good at what you do...They have their own opinions na...like you have...That doesn't mean you are lesser than someone..."
"Hmm...I think you are right..." Manik said rubbing on her arm.
"See...Whenever you lose something, there are much bigger and better things waiting for you...Just go with the flow..." She said earning a quick kiss from him.
"It's been a week...Shall we...??" He whispered in her ear making her blush and what followed in the morning was an empty protection box.
After three routine days of their work,
"Nandu..." He called out when she was placing the dishes on the table for dinner.
"Jii" She replied.
"I'll be leaving for outdoor shoot...after two days..." He said and she stopped in her tracks.
"Ohhh" She said to compose herself and he sighed understanding her emotions. He pulled and made her sit on his lap and explained "Sorry yaar...They have selected locations in and around Mumbai only...But the art director suggested some better places...and they had to agree..."
"It's okay...When will you be back...??" She asked fidgeting with his shirt button as usual.
He smiled and replied "It's for 2 weeks...I'm just going to Delhi and places around Manali...I'll be back soon..."
"Okay..." She said slowly but not looking at him. He made her look at him holding her chin and took her lips into his.
"Shall we have dinner...?? I'm starving..." Manik said making her smile a little and she stood to serve him and then sat with him to have their dinner.
"When is your flight...??" She asked in between their dinner.
"Day after tomorrow...9PM" He replied and she said "I'll take a leave then..."
"No need...Just come early if you can..." He said making her pout and roll her eyes.
"Is bhai coming with you...??" She asked wiping her hands with the napkin and he replied "No...His assistant will be coming...Cabir will be here only...He has other works...You can call him in case you need anything..."
The matter of fact that he denied Cabir to accompany him for any of his outdoor shoots so that he can stay back and take care of Nandini if needed, is never known to her.
Two days later,
"I told you not to take leave..." Manik yelled seeing Nandini at home when he came in the afternoon after an early morning shoot.
Like she expected his reaction, she shrugged her shoulders with a smile pissing him off.
"Don't smile when I'm scolding you" He said in a strict tone making her suppress her smile and went to check his packing once again.
He rolled his eyes at his stubborn girl and sat on the bed.
"Lunch...??" She asked slowly, biting her lips waiting for his reaction.
He glared at her and pulled on to the bed and laid on top of her making her gasp with his sudden actions.
"I had my lunch...Did you...??" He asked huskily while tucking her hair strands behind her ear.
She nodded her head in yes, slowly giving in to his touch while he smooched her lips.
"We have to stay away for 2 weeks..." He said while kissing her earlobe and she clutched his shirt and replied "Now...do you understand why I have taken leave...??"
He smirked at her and asked "Do you have pills...??"
She nodded her head in yes and in the next few seconds, their clothes were on floor.
Almost after 4 hours, Manik came out having his shower and Nandini sat straight covering her body with the quilt. She quickly took a shower and came out while Manik was all set to leave.
She cleared her throat and asked slowly "Shall I also come to airport...??"
He just looked at her for a second and nodded in a no while taking his bag and moved downstairs.
"Please..." She pleaded slowly making him sigh.
"I promise I'll not cry...I'll just see you leave and come back...I'll not put you into any kind of rumors...please..." She pleaded making it difficult for Manik.
He counted numbers from 1 to 10 so that he won't shout at her just before he leaves.
He turned around and pulled her for a soulful kiss and broke the kiss after few minutes. She panted for air while he kissed her forehead and said "Take care...I'll be back soon..."
Taking his answer as no, she mumbled a "Bye" and waved him off when Cabir came to drop him at the airport.
"Take care of her Cabir..." Manik said before he got inside and texted her once he took the boarding pass along with his team.
Ignore mistakes...