Note: So I actually decided to combine these two chapters, because it would have been way too short otherwise. There will definitely be a ton of MaNan moments in here, as well as a new not-so-great character. DhruNi friendship is also gonna be happening. So hope you all enjoy it. (NOT PROOF READ).
Chapter 1.4
Word Count: 1,578
Manik watched as Nandini worked studiously to finish all the tasks he had given her. He was annoyed. She was not supposed to be giving in the task, but he couldn't help but be mesmerized by her determination. He had been nothing but a monster to her, yet she still worked hard. His thoughts were interrupted by the door opening.
"Good morning baby," said a sickly sweet voice.
"Morning," Manik responded stoically.
"What's wrong baby?" she asked.
"Nothing, Soha, I'm fine," he grunted.
"Now I know something is wrong. Tell me, na."
"Bhai has gotten me a new PA."
"So that's the new behen ji."
"Tell me about it. She has no taste in clothes or style, and he wants her working for me. The owner of the hottest magazine in India."
"Why is he forcing this upon you?"
"I have no clue, all I know is that I can't go against him. But I promise to god, I will make her life hell, so terrible that she'll herself quit."
"She doesn't look like she's going to be quitting anytime soon."
"Oh trust me, she will. Soon enough, she will be gone," Manik said sinisterly.
"What are you planning?" she asked. Manik just winked at her. He got up and walked outside. Nandini sensing his presence, stopped what she was doing and looked at him expectantly.
"Seeing as you are my personal assistant, I have a couple of jobs for you," Manik said. Nandini straightened up, ready for whatever he was going to ask her...no...order her to do. "I need you to pick up my coffee from the coffee shop around the corner, then my dry cleaning, oh and Soha's dry cleaning too, as well as lunch from mine and Soha's favorite restaurant. All of this needs to be done by 2:30."
Nandini looked at her watch it. It was already 1:45! She sighed and nodded. She then gathered her stuff, and made her way to the elevator.
"Nandini!" Dhruv called. She turned and saw him walking towards her. "I heard Manik. There is no way you can have all that done in time."
"It's fine Dhruv, I have a talent for always being on time," Nandini said. She gave him a reassuring smile, and got into the lift. Dhruv sighed and looked to where Manik and Soha were smiling evilly. He was not going to let them get away with this.
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Nandini quickly gathered everything in her arms and waited for the elevator. As soon as the lift came she quickly rushed in. As the elevator travelled up, she just hoped Manik was in a good enough mood. The elevator door opened, and she stepped out...straight into someone else. Everything fell to the floor.
"Oh no!" Nandini gasped.
"WHAT THE HELL! MANIK!" screamed Soha. Manik and Dhruv immediately rushed to where the two girls were. They saw Nandini on the floor rushing to pick everything up, and Soha standing there in rage as the coffee soaked her dress. "Your stupid assistant spilt everything on me."
"Can't you do anything right? How useless! If you can't even do this, how are you going to be my PA!" Manik berated her.
"Enough Manik!" Dhruv said. "It was an accident. It isn't totally Nandini's fault. Soha shouldn't have rushed towards the elevator. Everyone knows you're supposed to let people exit first. It's common sense, and if I'm not wrong, her dress actually looks better now." Nandini, Manik and Soha looked at him in surprise, but he kept up his brave face.
"Dhruv...don't," Nandini started, but Dhruv stopped her.
"It's not your fault. Come on, I'll help you clean up. Then we can go and get everything re-done," Dhruv said. Nandini was about to argue, but Dhruv stopped her. "I'm helping, and that's that." Nandini nodded and accepted his help. Manik just continued to watch in shock. Dhruv had never spoken that rudely to him before. Now he was doing this, because of some...girl. Manik's blood was boiling and he stormed back into his office, Soha quickly moving behind him.
"That Nandini!" Manik yelled, punching the wall. Soha jumped. "Because of her, Dhruv is behaving like this. I'm going to make her life hell. I swear to god!"
"Manik, please...calm down. I agree we should make her life difficult, but don't destroy your office," Soha said, trying to calm him down. Manik took a deep breath.
"Nandini Gupta...you're going down," Manik snarled.
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Nandini sat next to Alya's bed, watching her sister lay still, and motionless.
Alya...I miss you so much. I need you to help me, and keep me strong through this. I don't know how I'm going to handle that...Monster Manik! I wish you were here, you'd know what to do, Nandini silently cried to her sister. She sat there, thinking about everything that had gone down. It had only been one day, and already she was depressed. If today was this bad, how would the rest of the days be. She wiped her tears. No, Nandini you have to be strong. You have to be strong for Alya and for Chachi. Besides...you know you have Dhruv to help you.
She wiped her face, and got up. Saying goodbye to Alya, she headed out of the hospital and began walking along the streets, looking for an auto. As she walked along the road, she felt people's gaze on her. She ignored it and continued walking, head held high. But as the presence behind became stronger, she felt herself walking faster. Not looking where she was looking, she was surprised when a guy stopped directly in front of her.
"Where are you going, sweetheart?" he said.
"Home. Now, could you move," Nandini said, trying to push past him. But he grabbed her arm back. Behind him, two more of his friends joined him. "How dare you touch me!" She pulled her arm back and it flew across his face with a loud...SMACK!
"You b**ch. Who the hell do you think you are?!" the guy yelled, and was about to grab Nandini, when an arm grabbed his hand.
"I recommend not touching one hair on her head...or you will regret it," growled a low voice...Nandini's eyes burst open and was shocked at the sight.
"Manik," she whispered.
"Stand back Nandini," he said. Nandini knew better than to argue with him, so she what he said. He flung the guy's hand to the side. "Leave...or worse will happen."
"Yeah, and who's gonna to that? You?" the guy mocked. Manik's eyes raged as he pulled his hand back and punched the guys face. You could hear the punch from miles away. Nandini's eyes widened. The other two guys gulped and backed away slowly.
"Never. Test. Me," Manik growled, picking the guy up off the ground and pushing him away. He suddenly turned towards Nandini, who cowered from the rage in his eyes. "Get in the car."
Without any argument, she got in the car and buckled her seat belt. She'd never seen Manik this angry, ever. She was waiting for him to explode on her, but he was quiet the whole car ride back. She was scared to even breathe. She remained as silent as she possibly could, scared that Manik's monster side would take over completely. As soon as the car stopped outside the Malhotra-Malik Mansion, she tore her belt off, ready to jump out of the car. Unfortunately for her, Manik didn't have any plans of letting her go. He grabbed her arm, as tight as he could.
"What were you...THINKING?" he yelled. "Do you know how STUPID and DANGEROUS it is for a girl to walk outside on the street ALONE and this time of NIGHT?!" Nandini could feel the tears threatening to spill, but wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"I always come back...this late...this...has...never happened...before," Nandini stammered. Her strong faade was slowly breaking, and she needed to get away. The pain her wrist was feeling was starting to get to her. At last...she felt a tear escape. Oh no! Now he's going to know he has an effect over me! Aiyappa, now what!?, Nandini thought. But Nandini was surprised to see that Manik let her go. Nandini quickly jumped out of the car, and practically ran into the house. She wiped away the stray tear that had come out. As soon as she entered the house, she was attacked in a hug from Dhruv and Chachi.
"Nandu! Where have you been?" Chachi asked.
"I...was visiting Alya...at the hospital," Nandini mumbled, still recovering from what happened. She followed Dhruv's, now hardened gaze, and saw Manik standing behind her. She almost gasped, but controlled herself. "Manik brought me home."
"Thank you Manik beta. If you hadn't been there, I don't know what would have happened," Chachi said. Manik gave Chachi a strained smile, and rushed past them all. Dhruv pulled Nandini to the side.
"Did he do something to you? Manik, did he hurt you?" Dhruv asked, staring at her. Nandini saw Manik stop on his way up. She knew he heard what Dhruv was asking.
"No, Dhruv. I promise. In fact, he's the reason I'm safe right now. I owe him thanks," Nandini said. Manik continued standing there, but his face turned a little. Nandini thought she saw a smile...but as soon as she saw it, he turned and continued up the stairs. Nandini didn't know it yet, but there was much more to Manik then one could see.
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Okay. So that was a pretty long chapter compared to the rest. We saw a lot of DhruNi, and quite a bit of MaNan in this. Unfortunately, we also saw Soha *bleh* 🤢 HATE HER😡. But anyways...Armaan will be making an appearance in the next chapter, as well as A LOT MORE MaNan moments. Truths are getting revealed.
-My
Bade Acche Lagte Hai 3
