A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 59- Tough Times

"I think you're not thinking about what you speak, jab se Nandini aayi hai you are living in an imaginary world of your own" Inaya said. "Imagination hi sahi hai, who wants to live in reality, specially when such people co exist with us" Manik said pointing at Daksh who was coming towards them. "Good morning Manik, good morning Inaya" Daksh wished them. "Kya good hua iss morning?" Inaya said trying to cut off a conversation between Manik and Daksh. "Vikas ke aane ke baad tho mera mornings good ho hi gaye, after all he reduced my work. I can now peacefully enjoy my morning cup of coffee" Daksh said trying to instigate them.

Manik kept silent as he doesn't want to have an odd conversation with him but Daksh couldn't easily let him go off. "Arre Manik, good morning tho wish karo" he said. "Mere paas itna time nahi hai for all your bullshit talks. Just like we've stopped thinking of you, ussi tarah Vikas ko bhi bhool jayenge" Manik said. "Me and Vikas, you've backstabbed me and this Inaya made Vikas a puppet" Daksh cornered them while he saw Vikas walking to them. Vikas gave a sharp glance at Inaya. Manik couldn't control his laugh and said, "Daksh, you made it sound like I've cheated on you, that's really funny! And about Inaya, she never entertained Vikas in the name of love. Ha Inaya ki kaam Vikas se bahut baar karaaya hai hum but I've always asked for his consent" Manik admitted.

"Yes, I was always ready to take up any task anytime. I never denied anything. But end mein mujhe kya mila?" Vikas said. "So you finally spoke! Itne din kuch bola kyu nahi? Now that you have learnt to speak up, speak for yourself in Daksh's team as well" Manik and Inaya walked away. Daksh tried to confuse Vikas. "Don't worry, don't let them spoil your mind. Manik aur Inaya hai hi aise. Manik was my friend and I have helped him get here. Aur dheere dheere he was taking my place to survive. He's so smart" Daksh said. "You were friends! Manik never told me!" Vikas asked surprised. "He will never tell you. I was the one who helped him in getting a job here. He wasn't even interested in doing a job" Daksh said. "Yes, he always wanted to start his own company" Vikas said. "I know par maine kabhi management ko nahi bola" Daksh said. Vikas remembered everything Manik said about Daksh.

***********************************************************************************************"Nandini!" Daksh thought of her as he remembered meeting her in the morning. "Is she really a lucky charm?" he smiled at himself. "Will I be able to meet her tomorrow? Will she come again?" he thought. "She said she came for me today but why will she come tomorrow" he wondered. "This girl is surely magical" he smiled like a fool staring at an empty wall. While on the other side, Manik has also fell in Nandini's charm. He wondered how he and Nandini has come a long way from the day they met each other. "Does Nandini also feel same about me? What if she is treating me as just a friend" he thought.

"Of course, she is a good friend of mine. Wo bhi mere baare mein aise hi sochti hogi. I should choose a good looking, handsome and a lovable guy for her. She deserves all the love and care in the world. Whoever she likes, I will go and talk to him myself about our marriage. We should not hide about our marriage, warna baad mein bahut bada problem hoga" Manik had a plan ready for Nandini's whole life. He looked so contended and satisfied after thinking of her until Inaya disturbed him. ''Shall we go for lunch?'' she asked. ''Lunch time hua hai?'' Manik looked at his watch and realized that he hadn't done anything since he logged in. Manik couldn't concentrate on anything that day and Inaya kept pestering him. ''Mujhe kuch bhi karne ka mann nahi hai'' Manik announced to Inaya. ''Aisa hai tho ye project Daksh le jayega'' Inaya said. Manik did not pay heed to Inaya but decided to leave home. 

By the time Manik reached home, he found Nandini isn't at home. He tried calling her but it didn't connect. ''Where must she have gone?'' Manik looked worried for her and decided to search for her. He searched for her in the surroundings and nearby park. He also went to temple if she went there but had no clue about her. Manik got tensed and kept calling her. She finally called him and he felt relieved. ''Nandini, kaha ho tum?'' he asked in haste. ''Just reached home'' she said. Manik rushed home back to see Nandini. ''Where were you? I told you not to go out alone. You have no idea what I've been thinking!'' Manik looked horrified as she got hurt when she went out for first time alone there. ''Manik, this is enough. It's not like I'm going alone for the first time. I can take care of myself'' saying that Nandini locked herself in her room. Manik is clueless as why Nandini behaved so.