MaNan SS :'' LOVE''-A Farfetched Dream; Chapter 3 updated Page 13 (22. - Page 9

''Urrrhhggg...how much i hate these sun ray and monday mornings. F*ck yaar"

Last night I had hardly slept and now this monday is back with my weeks busy routine. last two night I couldn't sleep properly. I tried hard to sleep but couldn't. All I did was tossing on the bed and getting flashes of Nandini in my mind.

Her potato like cute face, chubby cheecks, doe shaped eyes, that perfect little nose and those pink lucious lips. In those few moments of staring at her back in the party, seemed like my brain had memorised her face.

It had been just one day, and I'm getting restless to have another look of hers. Even the sunday, my most favourite day seemed like ages to me. I hated to do my most favourite job on sundays, that is of sleeping like a rhino. Yesterday all I did was to pace around my room like a restless teenager, ruthlessly going through social networking sites and serching for her. And I had found Nandini Saxena, not one or two, but nearly 6oo Nandinis and I had seriously went through all of those profiles but unfortunately, none of them was that Nandini whom i was finding.

I found it quite weird in my case. The Manik Malhotra, on whom girls drool over, even after getting so much of attention never gives a damn about anyone is getting so impatient for a girl whom he hardly knew.

Its true I don;t know her. Its true I don;t know any hell thing about her except her name and her husband's name. But all I knew was that she seemed a magnet to me who was attracting me towards her, and gladly or sadly, whatever it seems to others, I'm actually loving this feeling.

I want to know her, I want myself to get drowned in those beautifull yet mysterious eyes. I want to bring smile in her face, I want to be the reason of her smile. I want her to open her heart and keep it in front of me so that I can take away all her pain and in return give her only and only happiness.

Its right. I don't know her. But one look at her, a look that drowned me deep inside her those doe shaped mysterious eyes made me feel that i know her since ages.

I really want to know whats bothering her. I want her to get rid of pain and embrace happiness and I will make her do that.

Manik Malhotra is never admanined regarding any girl, but she gave me this "fisrt" and so I WILL NOT GIVE UPON HER.

After a long self-talk, I got ready and left for my office. I was engrossed in my same old yet fascinating thoughts about Nandini when an idea struck my mind. I directed my driver and reached my destination.

******

I could see the staffs specailly the girls gawking at me. I neither felt elated or uncomfortable given the fact that I was used to such expressions. So without paying any heed, I walked down the lobby shrugging my blazer and a straight face with full of attitude.

I reached at the end of the long corridor and stood in front of a wooden door. Without seeking any permission or any second thought, I pushed the door to make myself way into that room.

Well the room did look quite elegant, classy and undoubtfully impressive unlike the owner of the the whole building and in particular this office.

I saw him jump up from his seat and looking at me with a shocking expression. Well quite expected. Who wouldn't not be surprised by the great business tycoon Manik Malhotra's unexpected yet wanting to expect visit.

"Ma...Ma...Manik...???"

"Its Mr. Malhotra for you..!!"

I could see those frowns on his forehead and I knew he was quite surprised, shocked and confused. So I those to clear all those frowns.

"Harshad...Harshad...Harshad..ooopss...no..actually Mr. Saxena. I know you must be wondering why such formalities but you know I'm quite professional and when it come to business deals I keep my personal life and relation aside from my profession."

"Business deals..??"

"Yes...business deal...I have an offer you. A very profitable offer you know."

And now all his confusion has crossed its limits and he seemed a bit irritaed too.

"What business deals?"

"Okay I hate beating the bushes so coming straight to the point. I want to make a deal with you. Our company has recently got a project. We will be designing and making a log farmhouse for the Oberoi's.

You must be knowing the great business tycoon Rishi Oberoi...so yeah we got the deal and we are looking best quality woods. So what if both of our companies shake hand and make this deal? As we all know that your company is facing a huge loss and this deal will surely be very profitable. So are you in?"

I saw Harshad getting a bit worked up with my sudden proposal and confused about his answer but anyways I was quite sure that whatever his answer be at the end of the day it has to be possitive one.

"Umm...okay..I..I have no problem...but..."

Damn yaar, I was already fustrated with his dumb face and its facial expressions that now he is stammering.

I can't take it anymore and if I stay any longer then I would surely punch him hard on his face. So I prefered to just walk out confirming this deal. This deal is really a very important step to reach Nandini and I can't be rude with this moron.

I stood up from my place. I stood opposite to Harshad and with a attitude laiden voice, shrugging my blazers I said, "No if...no buts...so the deal is done...tommorow I'll like to have your presence in my office for a business meeting and signing the contract."

I turned towards the door to walk out of his office when I again turned towards him and smirkingly said, "I Would love to have dinner at your place. So tonight? 8 pm. Ok thanks bye."

And without giving a him any look or a moment for him to object I walked out of the building with a crooked evil smile on my face.

Anyone looking at his face for once would say that by then he was frustrated, irritated and what not by my behaviour. But he knew he has no way out as he really needed this deal.

And trust me when i say that, the more worst he will feel, the more peace I will get because I had a feeling that the reason behind Nandini's sadness was him for sure.

*********

I was standing outside the main door of Harshad's house. Not a house actually, a mansion built by his father but not big as mine.

I've never visited his house before but I knew his address. Although we been studying in the same school and college, we never gelled along. For me, he always seemed to be a jerk which he is, going around , flaunting and trying to impress girls.

He was always found with random girls, all koo-chi-kooing. I wonder how a girl like Nandini was married to him.

Heaving a sigh, I rang the door bell and after a while the door got opened and there goes that jerk was standing in front of me. Frankly I was hoping to see nandini. But anyways I'm going to see her inside soon.

I walked inside the house only to get highly impressed with the dcor of the living room. It was awestruck. Evry single thing was perfectly set and amazingly decorated. I got a hint that the person who might have designed the interior of this house must be the very person to do the same with harshad's office. And suddenly the very urge to know the person nagged my mind.

"Wow Mr. Saxena...I must say you have a very beautiful and well decorated house."

I could see his lips curve into a smile and replying with self pride, " The credit goes to my wife"

I felt that his smile of self pride being transferred to my face and my lips curving into a curve.

"Starters."

I heard the most melodious voice which my ears craved to hear. Without wasting a further moment I shot a glance towards her only to get shot back by her killer beauty.

[IMG]http://assets5.mirraw.com/images/385259/IMG-20140614-WA0042_zoom.jpg?1403813658[/IMG]

(Nandini's attire)

She look sinfully beautiful, drapped in a saree of my favourite color, with those silky straight black hair left open and light make up to enhance her beauty more. Undoubtfully she looked like an epitome of beauty, no less than an angel descended from the heavens, with no heavy make ups, hair up dos and junk jewelleries. I couldn't take my eyes off her and kept on staring at her, rather oogling at her until my trance got broken by her voice and and hand extending me the plate.

I took the plate from her hand when my fingers touched her accidently and shiver ran down my spine. I felt a different and weird spark which I never felt. Thinking that it was just my imagination, I shifted my attention to the yummy food.

"Wow...you're really a great cook..its delicious". Indeed the food was awesome and I couldn't hold myself back from complimenting.

Harshad and I talked for a while about our business and deals while having the starter. Soon the dining table was laid and we were called for dinner. I must say that the smell making me more and more hungry avoiding the fact that a while back I had my starter.

"Mrs. Saxena, why don't you join us too?" I asked her when I saw her serving only Harshad and me.

Firstly, she was reluctant but when Harshad asked her, she joined us too.

"Well I must say you are really very talented. First the interior decorations and now these yum dishes. I'm impressed."

I saw her giving me a fake smile. My eyes longed to see a real cheerful smile on her face which seemed long lost.

I wanted to have a conversation with nandini so I continued talking on random topics.

"So Nandini what do you do?"

"I'm a house-wife" she replied planely.

"Well then you should say a house maker rather than house wife" replied back with a big smile expecting her to atleast give me a look only to get disappointment in return. But I'm not gonna loose hope so easily. I'll not give up on her and so I continued, "Why don't you do some job? Don't you get bored staying back at home alone, in your husband's absence? You must have persued some degree?"

Feeling left out, Harshad thought to interfere in our conversation. "Well yeah, she has been masters in interior designing. But doing a job is not needed as I earn enough for the two of us?'

"Mr. Saxena, doing a job is not about only earning. It's about being independent and doing something of your own"

I looked at Nandini and saw her looking back at me with some unrecognizable glint in her eyes. I understood she never expected such answer. I saw a small slight smile creeping through her lips and that's when an idea struck my mind.

"Mr. Saxena, I have another offer and yet another profitable one. After looking the interior decorations, I'm highly impressed with your wife's work. That's why I want to hire her. You know we need a best interior decorater for that log farmhouse and I think your wife is perfect for that. So Mrs. Saxena..do you take up this offer?"

Shocked was completely written on her face. I could see the hands shaking and face going all pale. She was getting tensed. But why? Did I say something wrong? Doesn't she want to be an independent woman? Or is it something else?

I opened my mouth to say something when she hurriedly said, "Sorry I can't" and rushed upstairs.

I became worried and somewhat guilty too for making her this much tensed. I looked blankly towards Harshad, expecting some answer when he excused himself and ran upstairs where Nandini headed.

******

It had been quite a while when Nandini and Harshad left. I was pacing to and fro with tension and kracking my knuckles to distract me. Not being able to cope up with this wait, I too headed upstairs towards the room where Nandini and Harshad when. I stood by the wall beside the door of their bedroom hiding myself and trying to over hear them.

I could see Harshad manhandling her and shouting on her.

"Nandini, tum abhi ke abhi jaka Manik ko iss job ki liye haa karogi and that's an order."

"Par Harshad tum toh kabhi nahi chahte thein ki main job karu", Nandini replied sobbingly. How could I say how much her tear hurted me.

"Haa..but abhi main tumhe bol raha hu.."

"But..Harsshad..?"

"Enough is enough. Ek baat samjh nahi ati. You bitch..." and I saw Harshad raising his hand on Nandini.

How dare he? How dare he call her a bitch? How dare he think of hitting her? No I need to stop him. Without any second thoughts, I rushed into their room only to get welcomed by their shocked expressions. But who cares? All I care is I stopped him from hitting her.

"Who..I din't want to interrupt but I have to leave. Got some emergency. So I'll take a leave. And Harshad tomorrow at my office. Good night." Saying this I left from there.

*********

It has been almost 2 hours I had left Harshad's house but actually I din't leave his place. I was seated in my car, parked near his house and thinking about everything, about her, the weird attractions, feelings and sensations.

I really did not want to leave that place like that, precisely leave her with him after seeing him behaving like that. I wanted to stay back. I wanted to protect her but at present I know that not possible. Somewhere I got a clue about Nandini being and behaving like that.

I was standing leaning on my car bonnet, star gazing and engrossed in my thoughts, when I saw a known figure standing on the terrace of the Saxena mansion and lost in start gazing.

She looked way more prettier in the pure light of the moon in this full moonlit night. She looked lost and drowning within herself with the bundle of pain in her. I felt a sudden urge to go to her, hug her tight and take away all her pain.

"Aa..aapp? Aap yaha kya kar rahey hain? Jaiye yaha se. Koi dekh lega toh kya sochega. Please."

I felt like laughing when I saw this tiny little cute doll like figure trying hard to push away a 6 ft tall figure. At the same time I also wanted to express my annoyance that instead of appreciating my efforts to climbing pipe and reaching upto her in the terrace, she was literally throwing me out. But yet how can someone be annoyed with a pure soul like her.

"Tum. Yeh aap aap nahi chalega. Tum sounds better nah? So tum. " I spoke holding her hand and stopping her from pushing me away.

She jerked off her hand away from my grip and turning her gaze asked me, "Kya rahey hain aap yaha?"

Oh no again aap? I have to do something.

"Phirse app. Thik hain jab tak tum mujhe "tum" keheke nahi pukarti I won't answer you too." I spoke turning my head sideways and showing fake annoyance.

I heared a sigh and helplessly yet softly reply, "Thik TUM...Ab bolo kya kar rahey ho tum yaha par?"

"Maine aj tumharein room main sab dekha. " I saw her face going blank and pale. "Maine suna Harshad tumse kaise baat karta hain aur yeh bhi dekha how he behaves with you."

She gave me a look, a blank look, face void of any expression, any feelings, hard to read and understand. The next moment she turned too leave but I held back her hand. She stopped as she didn't expect this, nor she saw it coming. I waited for her to turn back and look at me but she didn't. I know she was avoiding this topic and I was not th one for her to discuss this with. She hardly knew me, she didn't trust me but I really wanted her to trsut me, to open up in front of me.

"Dekho Nandini...I know you don't want to talk about this. We hardly know each other. You don't trust me and I'm okay with that. I definitely that the one for you to share such sensitive things but all I want to say is please, don't avoid. Let go off your pain. Share your pain. Fight back. Don't accept such unacceptable things."

For the first time, I sounded so soft, so low, so polite and helpless yet convincible.

"Manik" , she softly called out my name and turned to look back at me. Did I say how perfect my name sounds in her mellifluous tone? Her voice sounded like honey to my ear.

"Manik?" she again called out my name while trying to get her hand out of my hold. Sensing her uncomfort, I left her hand but my eyes kept getting drowned more and more in ger eyes.

She continued with a soft tone, "Kuch cheezey aise hotey hain jisey avoid karna hi accha hain. Kuch cheezey aisi hotain hain jo chahey kitna bhi unacceptable ho, you have to accept it. Hamare kismet, destiny, fate main jo hota hain wahi hoga. You can neither help it nor change it. So maine bhi accept karliya hain. Good night."

She walked back towards the door leaving me behind only to get stopped by my voice after taking few steps.

"Tum galat ho Nandini. Yeh destiny, kismet, fate, humare life change yah decide nahi karte hain. Hum apni kismet khud banate hain aur khud badal te bhi hain. Yeh jo horaha, you don't need to accept it. You cant always stand for yourself and fightback. You really don't need to accept this unless you are weak. Kismat ki excuse mat do if you are not strong enough to fight back. I'm not judging you, but telling you not to expect such unacceptable things. Fight back Nandini. And remember, I'll always be there for you to speak up, all you need to do is trust me and speak up."

I paused for a while expecting some reaction. But alas! There she stood nothing like a statue, unaffected by my words. But little did I know that my few words, words spoken from my heart can do wonders and change her life for good.

I was hoping for some movement, some hints to know that she heard me loud and clear. I wanted to hear from her that she will trust me, believe in her. That she will take stand for herself and fight back. But it seemed like my words fell into deaf ear.

Feeling dejected, I heaved a sigh of helplessness. I spoke up with soft whispering voice, only audible to her and said, "Goodnight Nandini. Take care"

Although I wanted her to atleast look back at me if not reply while I was leaving, yet some part of my heart and mind both knew that these were my false expections. So instead standing there any longer in that piercing silence, I made my way out of the terrace and came back to the parking lot to depart for my place.

********