Hi Guys sorry for making u all emotional but trust me you will like it… I am not saying that its going to be a smooth ride from here on there will be many emotional moments again but you will love it…. 😀 Happy Reading
Chapter 23 : Here
Nandini was depressed as Manik did not turn up and hence she had gone to the bar. The bar master knew her.
(Bar Master) “You know, there will be a lot of guys coming to flirt with you. You should get back as soon as you can.”
(Nandini) “Nope. Today I am going to drink to my heart’s content.”
(Bar Master) “Broken heart?”
(Nandini) “Maybe.” As I sipped my drink.
(Bar Master) “I cannot believe there is a person who can dump you.”
(Nandini) “I have been dumped many times before.”
(Bar Master) “I don’t believe that.”
(Nandini) “It’s true. Except, this is the first time I feel dejected.”
(Stranger) “Hello, Dr. Nandini. I came in with an emergency the other day. Thank you for helping my sister. She got a heat stroke.”
As Nandini was drunk, she knew that there was an emergency that came in the other day but she gave confused expression as she was not able to recollect in full, so she just said in fluke
(Nandini) “The first aid was done early, so she didn’t suffer too much.”
(Stranger) “No. I really mean it. Thank you so much. You stay here?”
(Nandini) “I do. You on vacation?”
(Stranger) “Yes. Can I buy you a drink?” Here was a good looking man, platinum blond, tall as me, semi formally dressed, flirting with me. Maybe I should chance it. It is not like Manik is going to come again. My heart suddenly felt clenched.
(Nandini) “Sure.” I drunk so much, I knew that I was drunk.
(Stranger) “So, Nandini, are you seeing anyone currently?”
(Nandini) “I don’t know anymore.”
(Stranger) “What? Who in their right mind would dump a person like you?”
(Nandini) “I was not exactly dumped. He is a Stupid Person. Just because I don’t say that you come over as usual, he doesn’t come. He said he loved me. If he did, why wouldn’t he come to see me?”
(Stranger) “So, what kind of a person is your boyfriend?”
(Nandini) “He is not my boyfriend! (Hic)………. Maybe my lover. No, he is my lover. An arrogant, self-centred donkey! Always speaking sarcastically, making fun of me, ordering around! (Hic)………. but he is also kind. He always took care of what I wanted. You know, he took care of me when I had night terrors. Despite my screaming, scratching and fighting, he would hold me tight, till I go back to sleeping peacefully…………… (Sob) Like a knight in shining armour, he came back saying he loved me no matter how many times I pushed him away…….. He is so sweet…………. (Sob) Now, he doesn’t want to see me anymore. He said he couldn’t hate me……………(Sob)Does that mean he doesn’t love me?
(Sob)” I didn’t care. I started to weep. He just abandoned me. He didn’t like to be with broken me. I thought he cared.
“The store is about to close.” The master came over to us. I couldn’t raise my head from the table but I could hear them talk.
(Stranger) “Master, I think she drunk.”
(Bar Master) “Just how much drinks she had?”
(Stranger) “Too many. I couldn’t match her in a drinking contest for sure. I would be drunk by the time I consume half of what she had.”
(Bar Master) “This Woman! Anyways who are you Mister?”
(Stranger) “I am staying here at a hotel.”
(Bar Master) “I see. I can’t imagine how furious her husband is going to be.”
(Stranger) “Husband?”
(Bar Master) “Yes. She practices with her maiden name. He husband comes over the weekends. Seems like he works in the big city. Swear you would behave as a gentleman? She is doctor working here and I don’t want to see anything go wrong to her.”
(Stranger) “Doctor’s honour.”
(Bar Master) “You are also a doctor? Her acquaintance.”
(Stranger) “Not really.”
(Bar Master) “In any case, wait here. I will call up a cab.”
(Nandini’s POV) I could feel someone drag me to the cab. I feel sleepy.
“Nandini!” Manik’s voice called out. I must be dreaming. Manik won’t come here anymore.
Manik started searching for her keys in her purse.
(Manik) “Hey, wake up, you drunk! Just how much did she drink, Charlie?” (The stranger’s name is Charlie and he happens to be friend of Manik)
(Charlie) “A lot. Almost the same quantity as you drink; but you never get drunk.”
(Manik angered) “And You Just Let Her Drink!”
(Nandini’s POV) Who are having a conversation? I opened my eyes, light flashed. I squinted to see Manik looking at me. This is a dream.
(Manik) “Finally, you are awake. Here, drink lemon water and go to sleep. You are going to have some headache tomorrow.” I was supported to drink some water.
(Manik) “What are you smirking at, Charlie?”
(Charlie) “Nothing at all. I will just leave then. I will come see her tomorrow. Good night.”
(Nandini’s POV) After drinking the lemon juice, I felt being carried to bed. If it is really Manik, I am not going to let him get away from me. This is a dream. I hugged him, pulled him to bed with me and went to sleep. They both were in each other’s embrace. She felt a comfort then she said
(Nandini) “Don’t leave me, Manik” I murmured.
(Manik) “Damn It! Really? This Woman!”
(Nandini’s POV) Was the last thing I heard. The next day I got up, I had this awful headache. I felt my bed space to be small and when I turned, I was shocked to see Manik by my side. It was really Manik yesterday! My God! He was the one who put me to bed and I dragged him to sleep with me. He squirmed near me.
(Manik) “What? Morning already? What time is it?”
(Nandini’s POV) I was dazed to answer him. As if he was woken up suddenly, he sat up quickly.
(Manik) “What was the meaning of yesterday? Why Did You Get Drunk? Didn’t You Know That You Would Get Drunk? What Would Have Happened If Someone Took Advantage Of You?”
(Nandini) “Like you did?” It slipped before I could think. He looked hurt. I shouldn’t have said that.
(Manik in a sad disheartened tone) “I can’t believe that the stun with me has taught you nothing.” I couldn’t understand what he said, with his words echoing in my ears.
(Nandini) “Stun?” He ruffled his hair, looking confused.
(Manik) “Next time you want to get drunk, drink at home or even better, take me with you.”
Tears welled my eyes. This anger, this care, it was really Manik next to me!
(Nandini) “Manik, it really is you!” I hugged him. He looked like he didn’t know where to put his arms but slowly patted my head.
(Manik) “Who else did you think it was?”
(Nandini) “Why didn’t you come last week?” I demanded him.
(Manik) “I had Board. I wanted to call you and tell, but I didn’t have your number.”
(Nandini)“Then Take That Damn Number!”
(Nandini’s POV) I was surprised by the extent of my emotions. I actually shouted at him. He smiled understandingly.
(Manik) “I am sorry. I won’t do it again. I will call and tell you. So, want to have breakfast?”
(Manik’s POV) She didn’t ask anything else. I am glad. When she hugged me out of nowhere, I was surprised, ecstatic. I didn’t expect this; especially when everyone were convinced that she got back her phobia. She looked so adorable, I wanted to kiss her and never let her go. But I was scared. I didn’t imagine myself to be a coward. I didn’t ask her anything, as to why she was so perturbed. The fact that she was disturbed by my presence meant I am close to her.
(Manik) “I wanted to ask you, what were you doing with Charlie?”
(Nandini) “Who?” She sat there eating breakfast. Manik got mad immediately.
(Manik) “You Drunk! You Don’t Remember Anything. What am I going to do with you?”
(Nandini) “I don’t clearly remember what happened yesterday. If you mean the guy I met yesterday, he said his sister had a heatstroke and was treated by me in ER.”
(Manik) “I see.”
(Nandini) “You know him?”
(Manik) “He is a friend. I was surprised to see him here.” In his thoughts he was very surprised. Kavita said she had to treat Nandini and I thought she sent him, Charlie being a psychiatrist and a very good one too.
(Nandini)“He said he was on vacation. You are going to meet him?”
(Manik) “He said he will be coming to see you today anyway. I believe the Master made sure that he was taking you home before he let you go.”
(Nandini)“Isn’t the Bar Master a sweet man!”
(Manik) “Nandini, Don’t Go Drinking!”
(Nandini) “Fine. I get it, nagging mom.”
(Manik’s POV) She stuck her tongue out. She is slowly becoming the old Nandini. The bell rang and she opened the door. Charlie stood there with a bunch of Roses in his hands. Every time ready to be the player. He is a number one flirt and I hate the very sight of him because he has come to meet Nandini. Phewwwwww what am I supposed to do.
(Charlie) “Hello. For you. Hope you had a good sleep.”
(Nandini) “Thank you for helping me back.”
(Charlie) “Can I?”
(Nandini) “Please”
(Charlie) “Hi Manik! Didn’t think I would see you here? A relative of yours?”
(Manik) “No. How is your sister?” My tone was almost mocking. Here I was trying to set the mood and enjoy, he just had to show up.
(Charlie) “She has gone back to the city, getting treated there. I was thinking of asking Ms. Nandini out for lunch?”
(Nandini)“What?”
(Charlie) “That is only if you don’t have a problem.”
(Nandini was confused whether to go or not because she wanted to spend time with Manik but at the same time she wanted to know what did she blurt out while she was drunk so she agreed and said) “I will get ready.”
(Manik’s POV) What she is going? She rushed into her room and locked it. Great, just this morning, she acted like she would die without me and she is going on a date this afternoon with someone else. I am totally confused with the attitude of Nandini.. Please God hope you et Nandini be with me and this bl**dy Charlie doesn’t snatch her from me.
(Charlie) “Well, well, well, who would have guessed His Highness Manik would actually……..”
(Manik) “Don’t even go there, Charlie.” He sat down opposite to me.
(Charlie) “She is your lover?”
(Manik) “Maybe. Don’t know.” Am I really anything to her?
(Charlie) “Oh my! Her answer was more confident I should say.”
(Manik) “What?” What did he say? She said I was her lover?
(Charlie) “Let that pass. Aren’t you a sinner, Manik?” Now, I would never get it out of him, if he decides not to say it.
(Manik) “Aren’t you the ever playboy, Charlie?”
(Charlie) “So much spite! Come on. We made a pact and you are the first one to fall into pits of hell.” It has been hell and heaven.
(Manik) “Oh, thank you so much for trying to rescue me.” I said sarcastically.
(Charlie) “Don’t say I never tried.” He smiled back.
(Manik) “And since when do you have a sister?”
(Charlie) “She is a distant cousin. Came with mom to ruin my vacation. Manik me, they left soon. I thought I would use that to charm a beautiful doctor. But it seems she has
become immune to them because of certain someone.” So, he couldn’t charm his way through to her.
(Manik) “I am glad if you think so.”
(Charlie) “Don’t you want to know what she was talking yesterday?”
(Manik) “I don’t care.” Trying to spoil my moment. The thought of her in my arms made me feel blessed.
(Charlie) “Your loss. Oh my! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
(Manik’s POV) Nandini came out, in a simple summer dress but she looked anything but simple. Her hair, tied up to a ponytail, the pink floral pattern dress hugged her figure, she
didn’t even use make up, yet looked earthly. I really didn’t want to let her go with Charlie. If anything, I wanted to take her out, boast about what a wonderful girl I love.
(Nandini) “Shall we leave?”
(Charlie) “Yes. Oh, I would marry you for the time that you took to get ready. I have never seen a girl who took less than ten minutes to look stunning.”
(Manik) “Navya would bash you.” I wanted to remind him of his childhood friend.
(Charlie) “Ah, yes, there is Navya but she isn’t under my radar now. She is almost like a little school girl.”
(Nandini) “You know her?” He was surprised none the less.
(Charlie) “Yes. I am part of what do you call it?”
(Manik) “It is called a friends circle, if you know of collectives. She is Navya’s cousin sister in law.”
(Charlie) “Oh my. I see. What a small world!”
(Manik) “Enjoy your time
(Charlie) “See you.”
Manik noticed that she was not excited about the Lunch Plan though she was the one who agreed… He bid them bye and he continued with his office work.
Precap : You will love it that’s all i can say
Hope u liked today’s chapter