Murthy mansion
Nandini's room
Nandini was sleeping on her bed, lost in her dreams when ishita came in and sat beside her daughter. She had a few worry lines etched on her face, and she gently caressed nandini's face. Nandini on feeling the sensation woke up and saw her mother.
Now since her parents had mostly been out during her childhood, very rarely she had woken up to her mother's face. It had always been her brothers waking her up for school. Even manik had far more instances of waking her up.
N : good morning mom.
I : good morning Nandu
N : morning mom
Ishita kisses her forehead and asks her to come down for breakfast. She also tells her that adi, shivaay and her father have already left for the office.
N : so early
I : yes, he is holding a meeting with all department heads. Taking note of progress and the points we are lacking in.
Nandini's thoughts turn to manik and Adi's deal which was bound to come up. and suddenly all the leftover sleep in her eyes vanished. She hurriedly went to get ready and then joined ishita for breakfast.
I : are you going somewhere princess ?
N : yeah to the office
Ishita frowned
N : anything wrong mom
I : I wanted to talk to you about Manik
The fact that Manik and nandini had been distant past few days was known by everyone. Their parents had tried to give them time and solve the matter, but it didn't look like anything had improved.
Nandini gulped, she couldn't tell ishita about the deal problem. It wasn't hers to say. Nor could she say anything in Manik's defense.
N : what about it mom?
Ishita takes nandini's hands in hers, gently caressing them
I : nandini, manik and you have been friends for a long while. and maybe something more as well. You have gotten through so many things together, spoiling your friendship over small matters is not worth it.
Nandini nodded, ishita had considered both manik and nandini like her own. So she was trying to mend things between them.
I : nandini look, me and your father along with Manik's parents, somewhere along the line we always hoped that Manik and you will get married one day
Nanidni has a red hue on her cheeks on hearing the word marriage.
I : but we would never force you both. What matters is your happiness. And if it isn't with each other that's completely okay. You are young and yet to experience so much in your lives. You don't need to
N : mom calm down. Yes Manik and me we have our fair share of arguments but it's okay, we will get through them. and as far as the break up speech you are giving me. I think you should hold it for a while.
------
Office
Conference hall
Raman, adi and other major deperatment heads were sitting and giving relaort about their works for the past month. Shivaay being the CEO was currently giving a presentation about the improvements that could be done. The work of employees and deals that were beneficial.
Raman heard them, did a few changes, complemented some about their work and also other had to bear the brunt of his anger.
Two hours passed by and rest of them except Raman, shivaay and adi left.
Ra : good job shivaay, you have handled it all well in my absence. I am proud of you.
Shivaay beamed while Adi clenches his fist. He knew next was his turn and unlike shivaay he had only brought dissapoitment
Ra : well Adi what about your report. You and Manik are supposed to give results on the new murthy malhotra merger.
Ad : dad Manik will be here later. We can present it then
Raman nods while shivaay stares at adi, making the latter doubt if he knows something.
Raman leaves when shivaay speaks to adi
S: the deal must have been stressful, it has taken majority of your time.
Adi : yes bhai
Adi leaves at once and shivaay is left with his brows furrowed.
----
Raman's office
Raj malhotra enters the office with manik tagging along. Raman looks up from his files. Raj goes and takes a seat while manik seems nervous. The talk about the deal had him worried. Well he didn't know that wasn't the only thing he should be wary of
Ra : Manik
M : good morning uncle
Ra : morning. You seem well
Manik looks confused
Ra : considering you have broken my daughter's heart.
M : uncle
Ra : we aren't idiots like you children think. We know what is going on and I also know you are the reason my princess has been unhappy the past few days
Raj is sitting calmly, not saying a word in Manik's defense. He too considers nandini like his own. He had always loved her and made her feel like a princess . and Raman's words were nothing but concern for his daughter
Ra : I have lost her once. She was in so much pain and now I can't bear to see another frown on her face. Always me and ishita have tried to give her the life of a princess and no boy, not even you are allowed to hurt her.
M : uncle, princess and me, we did have issues and I am working on solving them. Trust me I only want nandini's happiness. She is far more important to me that anything else
Ra : well your actions seem to disagree. Anyways I just want to tell you that if I see nandini sad again because of you. Well consider yourself unwelcome in murthy's mansion.
M : if she is unhappy with me, I will leave on my own
Raman let's Manik go and talk about the presentation with Adi. Whole Raj keeps a hand on Manik's shoulder. Manik had understood both Raman and Raj, he knew they were right at their places. He had hurt princess and he shouldn't have any problem in seeing it's consequences.
While going out he collided with nandini who had just been hurrying towards Raman's office. She had gotten to know from his PA that Manik was here to meet Raman and she was afraid of what Raman would say to manik regarding the deal. and seeing the distress on his face, made her heart drop. The worst scenario came to her mind but she willed herself to smile so that Manik would not lose hope
N : Manik, what happened. Look whatever it is we can talk to him again after he has calmed down.
M : nandini there is nothing to talk about. He was right. I shouldn't have done this. All I do is, God I am supposed to be the reason of your happiness
N : what
M : exactly how could I. What was I even thinking, actually I wasn't. The face that should be glowing with smiles only had tears I her eyes.
Manik was blubbering to himself and not looking at nandini. She hugged him tightly, so that his focus was on her.
N : Manik calm down. Tell me what is it
They move towards the waiting area and manik sits on the sofa with nandini besides him
Manik tells her what Raman spoke and nandini looks sullen
N : Manik
M : don't, just don't defend me. I know I am wrong and atleast I don't want u defending this mistake of mine. I broke your heart, you should never forgive me.
N : Manik we will talk about all of this later. What you did had reasons. Maybe I don't agree with your way of dealing with problems, but I understand you and what you did. and I am going to stand by you through it all. Like you do Manik. Whether I am right or wrong, whether morals would agree to my actions you have stood by me. It's time I do the same
M : Even after I have put you through so much, you are still here ,I don't deserve you
N : you do Manik. I don't want u to doubt Us. Whatever it is, whichever situation we are in now, we will get past it. Together. You and me, no questions.
Manik nods and hugs nandini tightly.
N : come on we need to speak to bhai. About the deal. He might have a better way to break it to our parents.
-----
That's all for today
Do vote and comment
Precap : shivaay's anger