MaNanff- I've always loved you! (Part 22) 22/08 - Page 23

"ma'am plz come with me." the receptionist called out and led us through a series of doors and finally stood in front of a huge wooden door. Made of rich Mahogany, it gave a rich, royal feeling. So beautiful everything was. The building, the interiors, the design and moreover the people. The employees here are extremely polite and helpful.

The receptionist then knocked the door and... "come in" we all heard a resolute voice. Have I heard this same voice somewhere else? I think so...

"ma'am you may proceed from here, Mr. Malhotra will see you inside." Mr. Malhotra!!! This means I have to deal with another Malhotra now. Aiyappa, kahi toh chod do!

I gave a thanking nod to the girl and we proceeded in.

And... My breath is no more a companion for me. Is this real??!!

Nnnooo

Another day began on a usual note for all the friends. The fab 5, Navya and Abhi... It was just another usual morning for them with usual chores. Wake up, dress up, meet and talk over breakfast, now they even had Nandini to talk about. Then the boys went their way for work while the girls were having a frenzy time. The trio decided to call Nandini over so they dialled her number.

Phone conversation...

Mukti: hey baby doll!!! How are you this morning??

Nandini: hey sissy!! Oh, I'm pretty well. U say!

Mukti: fantastic!

Navya and Alya: hiii nandu!!!!

Nandini: wow...everyone's on line. Is the phone on speaker or what?

Mukti: yup it is!

Nandini: hello.. my ladies. A very happening morning, it seems like.

Alya: obvio Nanz!! Tu vapas mil gyi hai, aur kya chahiye humein??!!

Nandini: awwweeieee! That was so sweet Al! Achha yeh sudden phone call ka reason...may I know dears!!

Navya: kyunn? Hum tumhe ainvayi phone nhi kar sakte?

Nandini: arre mera matlab vo nhi tha Navu...actually it's only 10 na. And I never knew you guys became early risers. Although, I did expect a 100 calls from you guys... But not at this hour of the day. Anyway...tell me.

Alya: arre its ok. Achha we were getting bored. So thought of asking you to join us at Mukti's place. Then we could have a little girl time.

Nandini: that's a superb idea sissys. But I can't come, am sorry. Actually, we have a meeting with our clients na today...so our team has to report there by 12. I'm getting ready only.

Mukti: oh!! Chal koi ni. Waise we were planning to visit the orphanage and wanted you to tag along.

Nandini: I really wish to guys...but aaj difficult hai. Ek kaam kar sakte hai. Once my meeting gets over, I'll call you and... If possible, we can meet for lunch. What say?

Navya: yeah!! That'll be cool. Then we can make further plans.

Nandini: okie dokie! Chalo, I got to go. Byee my ladies! Muah!

Trio: muah babydoll!

The ladies hung up after their convo.

~~~~~~~~~~

Nandini was having a discussion with her other team mates. After their planning and preparation, the team left for M&N Industries. On the way she called up her godfather... I mean... Mr. Mathews and they too had a final discussion about the deal and presentation on the phone.

"finally we are here guys!" Nandini spoke as their team stood in front of the huge multi-storied building.

The company she worked in had reached great heights of success in a short span under the civil guidance of Mr. Mathews, who was like a caring and loving father figure to all his employees. And she felt extremely proud to be a successful employee of this firm and also a blessed daughter to Mr. Mathews.

And now, at this moment...she stood in front of another amazingly successful company's doorstep, which was also as successful as her company and too had reached among the top 10 best developed industries of India. This doorstep could lead her and her company to even greater heights. And she dearly wished that these new ties only grow stronger!! And few other too...

~~~~~~~~~~

Nandini's POV.

"ma'am plz come with me." the receptionist called out and led us through a series of doors and finally stood in front of a huge wooden door. Made of rich Mahogany, it gave a rich, royal feeling. So beautiful everything was. The building, the interiors, the design and moreover the people. The employees here are extremely polite and helpful.

The receptionist then knocked the door and... "come in" we all heard a resolute voice. Have I heard the same voice somewhere else? I think so...

"ma'am you may proceed from here, Mr. Malhotra will see you inside." Mr. Malhotra!!! This means I have to deal with another Malhotra now. Aiyappa, kahi toh chod do!

I gave a thanking nod to the girl and we proceeded in.

And... My breath is no more a companion for me.

Is this real??!! Nnnooo

"arre Nandini!! What a pleasant surprise! Tu yahan kaise baby doll?" Cabir appeared out of nowhere and asked me. At his remark even Manik, who was till now engrossed in his files and did not even bothered to attend his guests, turned towards us and our eyes again locked up.

I could easily see the amazed expression on his face, and this probably was no different than mine.

There was an eerie silence in the room. Everyone just glanced at each other's face. Manik and Cabir looked at us with amused faces, Ryan who too was with me had a shocked expression. My other teammates, looked at us with confusion all over their faces while me! I only had a confused frown on my forehead and a mouth hanging wide open...while my brain was trying to process and come to the conclusion of such an acquaintance.

And as soon as I came to terms with the situation, I lifted my jaw a little presenting an acknowledgeable smile.

"my visit to India has been as amazing as a roller coaster!!!!" I said loud enough for everyone else to hear and quickly ran to Cabir to give a sweet hug. Behind me, even Ryan came forward and the 2 men gave each other light hugs.

Next, I turned around and faced Manik. Thinking of nothing else, I brought my hand forward for a handshake. Obviously, hugging him suddenly after soo many years and that too infront of Cabir and Ryan was too much of awkwardness!!!!

POV ends.

Manik's POV.

My life cannot get any better in just one more day...because in just the past one day...I have endured so many doses of happiness and surprises, that it seems nothing else is left now.

I always wished and hoped that there'll come one day when my star, my Nandu will come back to me in my life. But, she will become so special and so close in just one day was never expected.

But, it hurted when instead of hugging me she only forwarded her hand for a handshake. That was disheartening... But I can understand the dilemma of her heart. She is accepting me as her friend after soo many years, knowing how bad I had treated her back then, is more than enough. I should not get my hopes very high...it will only lead to disappointment.

Putting back the soothing smile on my face, I reached out my hand for her and let the hands make contact with each other for little satisfaction of my heart.

"no surprise can get any bigger than this.!!" I said to her and she passed back the smile along with her soothing voice. "ditto!"

POV ends.

"I wish I knew this before that I'm coming back to work with you! I wish, for once, I had asked the name of our client before leaving New York." she said with a giggle. And that was enough to set a smile on all faces.

Cutting down their intro session, which was not required anymore, onviously!! They got back to business. All discussed about the deal and headed with the proposals and preparations for the project.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Nandini, Ryan, you guys stay back!! Let's have another dine together." Cabir proposed. Even Manik looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"umm...guys, actually I've promised the girls for lunch." Nandini shared her quandary and our ever brainy and smart Cabira even had the answer to this.

"don'worry about that nandu!!! I'll call everyone here only! Wait." and the next moment he was on the phone will the rest of the gang.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"ohh Nandu, you've come back to us like a huge gift packed with so much of excitement, love, friendship, hotness!!!!! and what not!!!!!" Alya said after their another amazing friendly lunch.

"Thankyou soo much for the compliment Al!!" she said politely and then enquired...

"what up next guys?"

"Nandu! Lets go na. Hum chaaro hi chalte hai. In boys ko toh kaam ke aage kuchh dikhta hi nhi...so let them work and we can have this moment to ourselves!! What say?" Navya proposed and the girls gave her assuring smiles.

Soon, the girls left for their pretty girl day out and the boys got back into work.

Nandini's POV.

I guess now is the perfect timing. I should talk to the girls and let them know everything. Main Cabir, Abhi aur Dhruv ke saamne toh kuchh bol bhi nhi payoongi aur ab toh Manik bhi inke saath hi hai. I have to share this info. with the girls because I know they are the only one who will listen without any conditions and help me without any demands!

POV ends.

"yaar, let's go home! I'm tired and humne vaise bhi kahin jaana toh hai nhi so let's go to my place and there we can sit and talk!" Nandini said while they were walking back to the car.

"yeah!! That's a cool idea but tumhare ghar nhi mere ghar, baby doll" Mukti replied to her.

"ok no problem." Nandini also said with a smile and the next moment, the girls drove towards Mukti's house.

And Nandini was all determined to talk and tell them every bit about that day, before they could be disturbed by the boys.

Precap:: a big revelation!!!