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Life's a challenge, be prepared for the unexpected!
Nandini's eyes showed a rapid movement as she was sleeping peacefully on the bed under the effect of the medication. It seemed she still had some bizarre nightmares despite the heavy drowsiness caused by the medicines. The quick movement of the eyeballs pushed her closer to wakefulness perhaps breaking the link of the nightmares. She woke up with a jerk and it took her a few seconds to adjust to the surroundings.
She sat up straight and squinted at the wall clock. Looking around she found herself on a king size bed. The curtains were drawn back allowing the sunrays to bathe the rich mahogany floor in its golden light. The soft breeze brought along with it the fragrance of roses that were placed on the table beside the large glass window. Every item in the room screamed money. Where was she, she thought.
Was she in his house? Because the last thing her brain remembered was running away from the man who saved her in the woods. Then what happened? She fainted probably. No, she couldn't waste a single moment in his house. She had to run away as soon as possible. With this thought in her mind she rose from the bed and walked drowsily out of the lavish room carrying her luggage that was placed beside the bed. Then she heard voices near the door leading to the garden.
"Who is she? Why would he allow someone in his house?"
"Maybe his next mistress?"
"She isn't his types. Didn't you see her shabby clothes?" A lady doctor ranted to the nurse.
Nandini looked at her dress, of course it had become dirty in all that happened last night but the word 'she isn't his types' stabbed her heart with a knife reopening an old wound. She couldn't stand a minute longer and hear insults on her character.
So she ran away from there almost knocking another person in her way. Glancing back, she found the doctor and the nurse running behind her. She didn't stop. She had to find the entrance and leave his property as soon as she could. She didn't want to see him again.
"Hey stop! Where are you going?" One male staff interrupted her. She turned back to have a look at the person whom she gave a stern look. She was breathing heavily holding her chest but she didn't want to show anyone that she was weak. So remembering her resolve she turned around.
"Look ahead!" She ignored his voice and then with a mighty splash she fell into the cold water. She realized, in her hurry, she didn't see the ground and her feet landed directly into the crystal clear blue water of the swimming pool. She cried for help though the water wasn't enough to drown her.
The staff ran for her help but before they could reach her someone emerged from the water creating ripples throughout the length and breadth of the pool. Until now that person was diving under water but the sudden intrusion of the girl made him bob his head out of the water to inspect the situation.
The next instant the person reached her in a lightening speed and tugged her closer by her waist. Nandini, who was panting heavily until now, splashing water with her hand, immediately squeezed her eyes shut out of fear the moment she felt a touch on her body. The person had an amused smile on his lips when he looked at her fear stricken face. Until now she wanted people to help but now she seemed frozen at her spot.
Ignoring her weird behaviour, that person picked her up and walked towards the edge of the swimming pool. Nandini, on feeling being hurled up, opened her eyes and her gaze met with those chocolate brown orbs staring right back at her. Unconsciously her hands reached his neck for support and in return she found him smirking at her. She never thought she would meet him again. Her expressions changed from shock to terror. She didn't want to face him ever which was the only reason for her running a marathon but her poor fate brought her face to face with Manik Malhotra, the guy who brought a drastic change in her the moment he stepped into her life two years ago.
It was a diwali night. Nandini was entrusted with the responsibility of decorating the orphanage where she taught the kids. She had asked help from her friend Riya and both were busy in illuminating the beautiful pond located at the centre of the orphanage.
"Nandu how long will you take to light up the scented candles?" Riya asked her but she didn't respond. Following her gaze she found her staring at a young man, a year or two older than them perhaps.
Manik's look
Nandini gawked at the man who resembled a Greek God in white Tee and jeans with a backpack hung on his shoulder. A pair of headphones sat around his neck while the glares were perfectly positioned on his nose. His white shirt did nothing to hide his well toned arms and torso. His muscles flexed as one of his hand rose up to remove the cap for ruffling his hair. His chocolate brown eyes, black raven hair, sharp jawline with a day old stubble and a rosy complexion with pink lips could make any girl go weak in the knees.
His eyes seemed to light up when he smiled and he bit his lips as if he was nervous. Nandini observed every minute detail from a distance as the young man continued his conversation with the staff. Her eyes didn't blink even for a second, they were fixed on the handsome man unaware of her stares. With an unconscious mind she rose from her haunching postion with the matchstick in one hand and the candle in the other. She lighted up the matchstick but instead of the candle she was about to light up her peach diwali outfit that made her look no less than a fairy in those beautiful earrings with her hair cascading down to her waist. All this was being watched by one person who was none other than her best friend Riya. Before the terrible thing could happen she called her name out too loud to burst out Nandini's eardrums.
Nandini's look
Nandini was brought back from her trance like state, however, it startled her and she lost her balance due to sudden loud noise of the crackers that bursted exactly at the same moment. She slipped on the edge and fell down into the cold water of the pond splashing water in all directions. The scented candles that were floating on the surface were put off with the sudden splash of the water. Even the ducks who were leisurely swimming on the surface until now flew away out of horror. On the other hand, Nandini's head bobbed out of the water, her eyes terror stricken as she tried hard to keep herself floating. She knew nothing of swimming so saving her was Riya's topmost priority at the moment.
Riya, also a non swimmer, screamed for her help. In an instant the young man jumped into the water for Nandini's help. He lifted her up in his arms and like the hero of a bollywood movie, he walked towards the edge carrying Nandini in a bridal style. Nandini, who until now was a scared kitten, had a beautiful smile plastered on her drenched face as she stared at the man who was partly responsible for her current state. Her mind cursed her but her heart fluttered with joy as it was a dream come true moment for her. She had always dreamt about her lover boy who would bring her out of a hard situation just like this. Her heart was a more filmy type but her dreams were innocent. After all, every girl had a fantasy regarding her dream man and Nandini was no different.
Manik smirked at her as he neared the edge. She looked away from him and cursed her fate once again for making them meet again, similar to their first meet. Ironically this was also their first full fledged meet after two long years. Once she was placed at the concrete side of the pool, she rose to her feet and in a minute she sprinted past the onlookers who wore an expression of shock on their faces as the owner of this house never helped a random girl ever in his life. Little did they know that they weren't strangers but perfect strangers with change in situation. Manik, who was helped by the staff, wore the bathrobe and glanced at the main gate where the girl whom he just helped scurried away in the blink of an eye.
~•~•~•~•~•~
"Where the hell were you Nandu? I tried calling you hundred ----" Riya stopped short seeing Nandini in the most horrible condition.
"You look like a zombie!" Riya laughed out loud ushering Nandini into her house.
With her hair strands sticking out her messy bun, her wet dress resembling a rag, Nandini looked like a zombie to Riya. Riya tried hard to stiffle her giggles but she couldn't. But Nandini's irritation told her to stop if she didn't want her ears to explode.
"How did this happen?" She asked pointing at her appearance.
"Long story short! I was lost in the woods and then I was taken to someone's house and there I just fell into the swimming pool." She said placing her luggage at the corner.
"Oh God! You know I was so worried about you since last night but you didn't answer and it just made me upset so you could see my outburst when I opened the door." Nandini nodded with a faint smile.
"Hey but how did you reach the woods?"
"Can you show me the bathroom I need to change?" She asked her hands clutching the wet material on her body, "There was no cab so I was just walking when some goons followed me up and for safety I ran into the woods." She added.
"Here's the bathroom!" She pointed towards the side, "By the way who saved you from drowning?"
"The owner!" Nandini answered taking out some dry clothes from the travel bag.
"So did you thank him for saving you twice?" Riya creased her brows as she flicked on the switch of the bathroom.
"No!" Nandini replied.
"Seriously Nandu you didn't thank him? How mean of you!" Riya narrowed her eyes at Nandini.
"I will see you after the shower!" Nandini slammed the door shut on Riya's face. Riya didn't mind as she knew her bestie wasn't in a mood to answer so she shrugged off and went to prepare for the lunch.
Bolting the door Nandini sank to the floor, her eyes spilling out the tears that she was holding until now. She brought her knees closer to her chest and sobbed harder clamping her mouth. Silent tears continued for a while until she stood up and turned on the shower. She grabbed the soap and the scrubber and scrubbed the areas that he had touched. She didn't want any of his touches to soil her body anymore. She scrubbed the skin around her waist and hands harshly making it go red due to friction. The physical pain didn't bother her much as this pain lessened the pain of her heart, though not completely.
As water dripped from her hair to the other parts of her body she felt cleansed of his touch. The cold water washed away the dirt that his touch inflicted upon her. Physically the water removed his touch but what about her heart that still had his stink stabbing her since two years?
Changing into the dry clothes she came out of the bathroom. Her stomach growled when the aroma of curry and fried rice wafted across the living room. She walked to the kitchen and found Riya busy in cooking the delicious vegetable curry.
"I know you're hungry but this is for lunch Nandu!" She replied thinking Nandini stole a handful of fried rice from the bowl. She looked back and found her standing empty handed.
"You didn't steal, did you?" Nandini shook her head.
"Strange I can't believe this is my best friend!" She rolled her eyes.
"Things change with the passage of time!" Nandini poured some water into a glass, "By the way what you've for breakfast?" She asked taking a sip.
"Sorry I couldn't make it according to your taste!" She opened the casserole, "It's just oat cheelas that I love and I'm sure you would love too!"
"Diet conscious huh?"
Riya gave a sheepish grin and served the oat cheelas to Nandini, who, liked the item, and once she was done she went to wash the dishes.
"Nandu I need to go to my office so I made lunch for us. I will try my best to come home during lunch. But I can't promise and I'm really very sorry!" Riya pouted.
"No problem at all! Just focus on your job. I will eat by my own so you don't need to worry. We can enjoy our dinner together!" Nandini patted her shoulder.
"Great I will make your favourite aloo ke parathe!" Nandini smiled sensing the excitement in Riya's voice.
"Sure!" She chirped.
~•~•~•~•~•~
It was around 6pm when Nandini was waiting for Riya who would take her to the local restuarant. Feeling uneasy she switched on the TV to divert her mind from thoughts that threatened to steal her peace of mind. Whole day she kept herself busy thinking that Shimla would offer her something new but remembering Manik her heart sank. She just prayed to the Almighty, hoping she would never cross path with that man ever. But he stays in Shimla, a small voice raised its head that she shushed that at that very instant.
Riya came ten minutes later and then both the friends went to the restaurant for the job. Nandini was a little nervous but she felt getting a waiter's job wasn't that hard. They walked inside the posh restaurant in the heart of the city. Soft romantic numbers played in the background as they entered into a dim lit area.
"Ma'am I need a job for my friend." Riya leaned over the counter.
The owner looked at Nandini through her glasses before closing the magazine shut that she was reading. She was in her mid forties and Nandini didn't find her amicable.
"She has to work from 6 to 11. Hope that's not a problem for your friend." The lady's upper lip curled in disdain.
"No problem Ma'am! I can do it!" Nandini said with a tight lipped smile. If she didn't need a job she would leave the place then and there but situation wasn't on her side.
"Okay so you can start from today and I will pay you three thousand rupees per month!" She nodded with a fake smile.
Just three thousand was nothing for Nandini but atleast this would help her meet her daily expenses until she found a new job. She was fidgeting with her dupatta when Riya called her out.
"See I told you you'll get a job easily over here. Anyways wish you all the luck Nandu!" She pulled her into a hug that made Nandini smile a little. Yes she had a friend to rely on she thought.
Riya left while Nandini began her shift running here and there catering to the customers' demands. It was tiring for her but still she managed to keep up her smile. She felt uncomfortable in her uniform that ended up just above her knees. She wasn't used to such western wear but anyhow she almost completed her shift. It was quarter to eleven, she kept aside her apron to relax as hardly any customers could be seen at this point of time.
"Hey beautiful bring us some coffee!" Nandini's head turned towards the source of the voice. She didn't expect a customer at this hour.
"Sure sir!" She managed to put a smile and turned around the corner. Most of the staffs were already gone and it seemed the owner purposely tried to force work on her.
"Nandini you will leave once those guys leave!" Her owner, Mrs Kapoor announced with an air of authority.
"But my shift is almost over!" She retorted.
"So what? This is a restaurant. We need to cater to the needs of the customers and make them happy! Business rules you see!" Mrs Kapoor barked out and spun on her heels. Rolling her eyes, Nandini went to serve coffee to the late customer.
"Sir your coffee!" She placed the hot coffee cup on the table and turned around to leave. But a tug on her wrist stopped her to move further.
"Hey gorgeous how about spending the night together?" The guy winked tightening his hold on her. How dare he held her hand? Fear gripped her heart but she managed to hide it with confidence.
"I'm not interested!" She gave a blunt reply.
"Aww baby then why did you smile? Huh? Showing interest first and denying the next second?"
"That's the part of the job!" She replied as much politely as she could.
The guy who was with his friend laughed out loud as if she cracked a joke.
"You know what, today we gotta enjoy our night babe!" He said suggestively. Nandini felt like thrashing him but given her first day on job she controlled her anger. Moreover she was physically weak against the two robust individuals.
"Leave my hand!" She growled.
"Vivek she knows to growl too! This girl would be fun tonight!" The guy grinned.
Nandini felt helpless as she tried to free her hand. There was no one in the restaurant. Half of the staff had left and some were still changing in the dressing room. The owner wasn't there and even if she would be there, it would be of no help to her.
"Get your hands off the girl!" A voice groaned from the other end ending her trail of thoughts.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~
3074 words
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