A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 58- Clueless

''Hi'' he looked confused. ''I'm so sorry for yesterday, I was little rude, but thanks for the help that day'' Nandini apologized. ''Hey, it's okay'' Daksh said. Nandini felt awkward seeing him. ''I'm so sorry'' she repeated as he stayed mum. ''Oh no! I was thinking ki, you were the first person I met you yesterday morning'' he said. Nandini remained tight-lipped and sad. ''Yesterday was the best day'' Daksh said cheerfully. ''Really?!'' Nandini said relieved. ''For the first time, I felt lucky after seeing your face yesterday morning'' Daksh said and she felt elated. ''I've never seen you in this park'' Daksh asked in a friendly way. ''I'm new to this park, in fact I'm new to the city'' Nandini said. ''You're from?'' Daksh asked. ''Oh sorry! don't take me wrong'' Daksh said. ''No, no! I'm from Hyderabad. I used to work as a wedding planner'' Nandini introduced herself while they walked together.

''I used to work means are you not working now?'' he asked. ''No, because of some situations, I had to shift to Bangalore. I'm just looking forward to restart my career'' Nandini said crossing her fingers. ''And you?'' she asked. Daksh was about to speak, but she interrupted him. ''Let me guess, corporate professional and same boring 9 to 6 job uh'' Nandini asked. ''Ha, kind of! but my job isn't boring. I'm happy with my 9 to 6 job'' he said smiling.  ''This is the first time I'm seeing a person saying that he loves his 9 to 6 job'' Nandini said. ''Well, most people doesn't say this but yes I wanted this job not just for money but this is my passion'' he said. ''Ok, it was nice talking to you'' Nandini said before leaving. ''But I didn't see you walking or jogging today'' he asked her. ''Oh, I've just come to meet you today'' she said. ''To meet me?'' Daksh asked surprised. ''I was rude yesterday, I thought I should apologize you'' Nandini admitted. ''That's so sweet of you, actually I thought it was my hard luck meeting you yesterday but you know something great has happened in my life'' Daksh said.

''Really! Thank God kuch acha hua else you'd have take me as a bad omen'' Nandini said relieved. ''Bad omen! You're a lucky charm'' he praised her. ''Ok, I gotta go, bye'' Nandini said before leaving. Daksh felt so good after talking to Nandini as he barely had any friends. As he was too busy being studious all his life, he didn't realize that he had no friends. She headed back home while Manik is getting ready to leave. ''You've come so fast'' Manik remarked. ''Main walk karne nahi gayi, just went to meet him'' she said. ''Mila usse?'' Manik asked. ''Yes, usse baat karke bahut acha laga mujhe! Felt like speaking to a long lost friend. He's so kind and polite'' Nandini said thinking about Daksh. ''I'm sure you'll say that to everyone you meet'' Manik said not paying attention to her detail. ''He is really different Manik'' Nandini said again. ''Ok bye, its time to leave'' Manik said and Nandini ran over to him. ''Manik'' she put her hands across the door to stop him. 

''Don't be sad in office today. Dekhte jaana, Vikas will join you again. Don't worry, sab theek ho jayega'' Nandini said. Manik couldn't help but blush at her comment. He couldn't contain his happiness and then realized, ''how did you know that Vikas left the team?'' he asked. ''That's what you said last night'' Nandini said. ''I don't remember saying that to you'' Manik said. ''You were drunk so you don't remember anything'' Nandini justified. ''But you were also drunk last night'' Manik reminded her. ''But mujhe sab yaad hai, it's only you who forget everything'' Nandini said. Manik was in confusion but then left from there. Inaya got into his car while leaving to office. ''Don't be sad in office today. Dekhte jaana, Vikas will join us again. Don't worry, sab theek ho jayega'' Manik said to Inaya. She stayed silent. ''Why do you think he will join us again?'' Inaya asked him back. ''Wo Nandini ne nahi bataya'' Manik said. ''Why the hell did Nandini come in between us?'' Inaya asked.

''Not in between us! No one can be in between me and Nandini'' Manik blushed again thinking of her. ''Does that mean there's something between you both'' Inaya asked. ''Do you know something pehli baar Nandini came to me and said Manik sab theek ho jayega'' Manik was on cloud nine. ''Itna bhi khush mat ho jana, she will leave you one day'' Inaya said. ''Leave me! I won't let her go'' Manik said confidently. Inaya face dropped when Manik said that and it didn't go unnoticed by him. He squeezed her hand and a lone tear dropped from her eyes. ''Usko kabhi nahi pata hoga that I loved him'' she said. ''Vikas ko kaise pata chalega, you never said that you love him'' Manik said. ''You just have to wait for the right moment Inaya, dekhna wo khud aayega wapas, phir se'' Manik tried to boost her up. They were in silence until they got down. They came across Vikas as they entered. Manik didn't let Inaya's spirit down as they encountered Vikas.

''Abhi waqt hai, jaake usse batana that you love him'' Manik whispered to her. ''Ab usse lagega ki main apni fayde ke liye bol rahi hu, I don't want him to think about me otherwise'' she said. ''Aisa hai tho usse kabhi nahi pata chalega'' Manik warned her. ''Then it is good, I don't want someone who can't even be committed for a while'' Inaya turned the tables. ''Leave about me! Tum kab bolege Nandini ko that you love her'' Inaya asked him. ''When did I say that I love her, I don't'' Manik said. ''Don't bluff Manik'' she said. ''I always had a soft corner for her. I like her I mean I really really admire her. But love na!!'' Manik said. ''What if Nandini gets a good boyfriend?'' Inaya asked. ''Good for her, I wish the same for her'' Manik said. ''Manik, kuch der pehle, you said you don't want her to leave you ever'' Inaya said. ''Ha, she will always be the special one for me. Kisi ke aa jaane se Nandini ka jagah thodi badal jaati hai!'' Manik said. ''Tum baat ko ghuma rahe ho!'' Inaya accused.

''Ha, I have a huge crush on Nandini'' Manik said to clarify Inaya's doubts.