UNINTENDED LOVE - (MaNan)

Chapter-17

It was evening time. Nandini just came to home. She was very tried. She directly went to her room to have a hot water shower. This research thing is so hectic.

After a long shower she wore a regular night suit but she kept a jeans and top in ready. Today she have to go to Wilson's mansion. She thought she'll quickly take a nap for 30 minutes before getting ready to go there.

After sometime, she heard someone was banging her door. She rubbed her eyes. She also heard her phone alarm was ringing. She saw the time and cursed herself. Since 45 minutes she was sleeping and her alarm was ringing. She turned off the alarm and got up to open the door.

She opened the door to see her roommate. Her breathe got stuck. Even though she knew it would be him but seeing him after that incident, something triggered her. She was feeling mixed emotions.

"Are you okay? What happened? Your alarm was ringing since past 10 minutes and you were not doing anything," Manik asked with concern. "No, I'm fine. Actually I was sleeping so didn't realise," Nandini said feeling little embarrassed.

"Okay fine. Anyway I'm leaving...," Manik was talking but he was cut off by Nandini. "What? You are leaving?," Nandini was shocked. "Yes, yesterday...," Manik was confused with her behavior and was trying to explain but again Nandini interrupted.

"Okay listen, I know what happened yesterday, and it shouldn't happen but you could give me one chance right? A chance to explain," Nandini was apologetic. She was not ready to lose him as her roommate. Atleast not because to this reason.

"Listen Nandini....," Manik tried to explain but again he was interrupted by Nandini. "I won't listen. You listen.... I know I shouldn't have said without knowing the actual reason for your hatred but it doesn't mean you won't listen and leave."

Manik was so frustrated. She was not allowing him to say anything. He pushed and pinned her to near wall. "Nandini Murthy, just stop it. Before you say first hear me out. I'm going to Wilson's mansion. If you remember yesterday night we discussed that I'll be going to Wilson's mansion. Or you just remember the bad part of our conversation?" Manik stressed each word. He placed his finger on her lips to stop.

But Nandini was shocked with the sudden push and now he placed his finger on her lips. It was like she was having difficulty to breathe. Suddenly her heart was thumping so fast. She could feel that her cheeks are getting warm. She was unable to figure out this new feeling.

Manik saw her body becoming stiff. He realised his finger was on her lips so he slowly removed his finger and moved back to a decent distance. Both were standing there awkward.

"Nandini," Manik whispered in his deepest voice. Nandini just looked at him. "I'm sorry. About this and... yesterday. I shouldn't have left you there at the restaurant. I mean for sometime... ," Manik finally spoke. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said without knowing the truth," Nandini also apologised.

"I think we should stop saying sorry to each other now," Manik chuckled. Nandini also smiled. Finally things are better between them now. "Okay so I'm leaving," Manik said but he continued after seeing Nandini's reaction. "To Wilson's mansion, chill".

Manik was on his way to Wilson's mansion. He was about to cross the gate but he got a message notification. It was from Soha. He opened the message.

Soha-
"I hope you didn't forget about the interview. Be ready at 8:30am tomorrow. For you it must be 11pm tomorrow"

Manik left the message on seen. He didn't reply. He didn't want to. But again his phone buzzed.

Soha-
"I don't want any excuse Manik. I've tolerated enough. Lot of things are at stake."

Manik-
"I know. You don't need to tell me. I'll join the interview call."

Soha- "What are you doing now?"

Manik-
"Have some work. I'll text once I reach home"

Soha-
"You always have some work🙄"

Manik saw the message but kept his phone inside his pocket. And he went inside the mansion. Mrs. Wilson greeted him and asked about Nandini. He just made an excuse. He didn't want to say everything about the deal he made with Joey. And he didn't want Nandini to get into any trouble for letting him do the work here.

He directly went to Joey's room and he was taken aback as Joey literally jumped on him. He was hugging him so tightly. He is never good with kids but Joey was different.

"So after my mom goes to salon, you need to all allow me to watch Starshow video. Yesterday night she uploaded a video," Joey said with excitement.

"Oh god. Why does she have to upload yesterday itself. Whoever she is but she is making difficult for me," Manik thought.

"First, you complete your homework then I will accept your deal. I don't wanna get into any trouble," Manik said. "What deal?," Manik and Joey hear this only to find Nandini was standing at the door.

"What is this deal all about and why will you get into trouble?" Nandini asked walking inside the room. "Dude we are in big trouble now," Joey whispered so that only Manik can hear.

They both were standing with both shock and guilt. And Nandini was waiting for their answer. Manik didn't expect Nandini to be here. He can't let her know about their deal.