Hustle For Love |COMPLETE| MaNan Fiction

14. The One Where The Truth Was Out

A/N: Guys, sharing today's update a little early, not only because I am supremely excited about sharing this one with you, but also because, I gotta step out of home for the afternoon and didn't want to leave you guys hanging!

Do read, like, comment and vote!

Happy Reading!

***

Cafe Nero, East Village, 5th Street circa 2012

(The cafe next to S.P.A.C.E. Residency)

Manik Malhotra

It had been a couple of days now, in fact we were two days away from my birthday, and never have I ever felt this low. This year was a first for quite a few things. It was the first time Mukti was here, celebrating my birthday with me, also this was the first time Fab 5 wasn't around me, ever since its inception. Cabir has been around of course. Although he doesn't say it, I can feel that he is miffed with me too. Can I blame him?

Here I was sitting in the cafe, sipping my latte, when the waitress Stella walked up to me and winked. I smiled back at her. She was sweet, I met her first when I'd come here with Nandini. I laughed remembering how jealous she had gotten because of her; what was that she used to refer to her as, aah yes, Medusa! She was so insecure of her, that he had gotten all bold on me that evening, which led to....never mind.

Manik focus.

As I sat there, Stella tried initiating some conversation with me, which I reluctantly responded to, my mind still re-playing disturbingly hot details of that evening with Nandini. All of a sudden, there was this despair in me. I never had any feelings for that girl, never - but in those moments with Nandini, I hate to admit there was this warm, comfortable and happy feeling inside me. Although I always knew what I was doing to her was a sham, but truth be told, that warm happy feeling in me was genuine. I don't know how in a world of lies that I had built around us, in those few weeks, I was closest to happiness. Was that even possible?

"Whaaa-- you made waffles? I pity your customers" a known and much hated voice broke through my reverie, as I sharply turned around, just in time to see AK walking in with Nandini and the Murthy boy. Thankfully Mukti wasn't around so I was hopefully going to be spared from another tete-e-tete I suppose.

"Not only that Aryaman, she even tried convincing us folks at home, that she's doing a fabulous job here - making the best waffles in town!" added the Murthy boy with a sarcastic laugh.

I noticed Nandini, they hadn't seen me yet; she was quiet. If one noticed carefully, there was a slight frown on her face. Was she not enjoying her time with 'her guys' I thought savagely; but there was this really annoying part of my brain that popped a question, maybe this place reminded her of our last visit too - just like it had reminded me? Was Nandini missing me?

Huh. Like I care.

"How'd you guys catch her lie?" I heard AK asking as they settled on a table to my right, immersed in their conversation. Nandini was quietly looking into her phone pretending to read. Yes, pretending. That woman had the attention span of a bird, and you want me to believe she is focusing on reading something amidst a conversation that was around her?

What a joke.

"Well, she lost her job didn't she?" The Murthy boy teased further, and both the boys sniggered, irritating the life out of me and as it seemed, Nandini too. I was irritated because her cooking wasn't thaaa-t terrible, okay! I mean, agreed she made some really crappy food back in the days when we were together, but it wasn't job-losing worthy now. She lost the job because we had planned it, Cabir would complain about her, even if she made good waffles! Hadn't Cabir once mentioned, her waffles were much better by the end of her stint? Also, didn't anyone ever notice the amount of effort and love she put in while she cooked every time? Didn't that count?