MaNanff- I've always loved you! (Part 22) 22/08 - Page 29

"hey buddy!! How are you?"

Ryan, leaving a completely confused Nandini behind, went up and hugged Manik tightly.

Manik chuckled at first seeing his actions and then replied, almost equally enthusiastic "very well!"

The guys got too engrossed in their talks completely forgetting that they had another person for company. Whereas Nandini, she silently stood a few steps away, her one brow lifted in annoyance + confusion + irritation and mixture of many more expressions, as she stared at the duo in front of them.

Realizing that the idiots will never turn to her themselves, she herself initiated... "hellooo! I thought I was present here too and not sitting on my sofa and watching some stupid TV show!!" she said pointing to the both of them.

Both of them turned to her.

"ohh hii, Nandini!" Manik said and moved forward handling her the bouquet of flowers that he was still holding.

And after a minute later, he realized what he was doing. He still had his arm extended, offering the flowers while Nandini too held onto it but was also looking at him with confusion. Looking at Nandini apologetically he said, "ohh sorry! I actually got them for Ryan to wish him luck."

"oh...it's ok! As it is, I won't be able to carry it along with my luggage. Nandini, you can keep it. Take them home and decorate the living area with Manik's beautiful flowers." Ryan said to Nandini and Manik exactly knew what he meant by his words while Nandini, eyeing Ryan once, silently took the bouquet in her arms.

Manik smiled at this and the men again got engrossed in their talks.

Meanwhile, there were doubts developing in Nandini's head. Ryan was talking to enthusiastically and that too only with Manik, who till a day before was only a business counterpart for him.

Another 'point to be noted' was they were not discussing business here. She noticed a different glint in the two's eyes as if they were two childhood buds who were chatting forgetting the entire world. This was a first for Nandini.

'what did actually happen between the two suddenly?' Nandini thought to herself.

"Manik, actually everything happened so suddenly so I could not get any time to meet your friends. Plzz say a goodbye to them from my side. I really wanted to meet them all but time didn't supported."

Ryan said and Manik was nodding affirmatively but Nandini gazed at him in horror.

'when did they become HIS friends?? He could have said the same to me too!!' Nandini was cursing Ryan in her mind.

"okay...so we're done enough of talking. I think I should move now." Ryan said and instantly, forgetting everything Nandini moved forward and hugged him.

"I'll miss you!" she said in her cute baby voice. She still had that babyness in her even at the age of 25!

Meanwhile, Ryan through his eyes gestured Manik that 'everything will be okay.' and showed him a thumbs up too. And our ever so enchanting and understanding hero, blinked his eyes in assurance and patted Ryan's back lightly.

Saying alot of 'miss you's and 'take care's... Ryan finally checked in leaving Manik and Nandini standing at the gate together. But not before whispering to Manik, "all the best buddy. Your first step has come and many more are lined ahead. If any problem, I'll be just a call away. And try to spend as much lone time with her as possible... You'll get to understand her better. Else everything's on your back. Good luck! Bye."

Once, Ryan disappeared behind the huge doors, Nandini turned and started walking in the other direction.

Immediately realising Nandini's absence beside, Manik ran to follow her.

"hey Nandini!" Manik said.

But Nandini only had a smile to revert back, nothing else. She continued walking. And Manik too accompanied silently, not knowing what else to say.

"Nandini, did you not come in your car?" Manik asked as he noticed that they had already crossed the parking area for cars and were heading to somewhere else.

"no Manik, I didn't. I came in a cab with Ryan. He had already booked one to come here but since I insisted to accompany him, we both came in the cab and I decided to return back the same way."

"no Nandini... That's not safe for you. Not at this hour of the night atleast. You know, actually I've got my car so come I'll drop you." he suggested.

After alot of refusing and pleading sessions, Nandini finally agreed to go home with Manik.

It was a silent ride back home with both their minds oblivious of matters to talk. But one thing common in both their heads was that this awkward silence was killing them and they desperately wanted to breakfree of this. And the only solution was an initiative towards friendship.

After a good 20 minutes ride Manik applied the breaks and they were parked outside Nandini's house.

"okay... So Manik, goodnight." Nandini said with a smile and descended the car.

But rushingly Manik too got down of the car and stood infront of her. She cringed her forehead in confusion but he spoke soon after

"Nandini, I wanted to talk."

"yeah! Actually, why don't you come in? Lets talk over a cup of coffee?"

"umm...no Nandini, some other day plz. Right now, I just wanna pour out, nothing else."

She nodded encouraging him to speak.

"Nandini, this is not us. I mean, I can't handle this awkwardness. Not around you. It's feels murderous. Can we...can we not start afresh? I know I've behaved really bad to you. And am the biggest culprit of this unwanted situation between us. But can we not forget that plz. See, hum office mein bhi ek dusre se theek se baat nhi kar paate. So it's better to end what was in the past. Let's begin as 2 different individuals who have no connection with each other apart from the fact that they are business partners." he said with pleading eyes and Nandini stood their mum...not knowing what to utter.

This was something she herself wanted and the same coming from him made her happy. She was ready to accept the proposition but didn't know how...because, obviously she did not wanted to appear desperate at all.

Sensing that Nandini might not be able to decide, Manik spoke further.

"okay, let's put it in a different way...

Hi, I'm Manik Malhotra and you?" he asked extending his hand.

Nandini finally smiled at this gesture, a small one, and then put her hand forward.

"Nandini Murthy."

"it was nice meeting you Nandini!!"

And she smiled wider.

"ok, then goodnight Manik. Thanx for these flowers!" she said and moved to the gate.

"ahh Nandini! Suno." he called her when she had just inserted the key into the hole.

"haan bolo!" she turned around swiftly.

"I'll pick you up for office tomorrow!"

"no that's not required Manik, I'll come on my own."

"arre, obviously required. You're my friend now."

"but when did I say that we are friends?" she smirked and the next moment Manik looked like a 4 year old with a stupid grin.

"you didn't? Oh sorry!" he rubbed his nape and Nandini laughed uncontrollably.

"I'll accept you friendship Manik, although you didn't offer...so I will." She laughing offered her hand ahead.

And Manik too smilingly shook his hand with her, "friends!"

'First step accomplished!' Manik thought to himself. He was finally able to amje her happy, make her laugh and the reason behind was he himself.

"okay now no more arguments. I am picking you up tomorrow. Vaise bhi your house is on my way to office so there won't be any problem." Manik stated.

"okay!" she said slowly, making a not so happening face.

Finally bidding goodbye, Manik left in his car and Nandini entered her house, turning the lights on.

She went to the living area and saw a vase with artificial flowers in it. Quickly putting them away, she filled the vase half with water and placed the bouquet in it.

Setting it perfectly on the table, she was adorning them but soon the smile disappeared.

"this is till friendship only. Nothing more. I'll have to control myself around him. I can't head for another heart break. We are only friends Manik. Plz don't get your hopes too high."

She said looking at the flowers and then went off to bed.

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Okay soo done! The first step!!''' but Nandini ke dimag mein toh kuchh aur hai!

Honestly, this is not how imagined it to be and it definitely didn't turn out the good way I wanted. So plzz

Do give reviews! I'll be waiting!! I wanna know, if it was even okay or lacking the usual!

Thnxx.

Bye lovelies!! '''