A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 85- Spying

Manik rounded off a date in the calendar. Nandini closely looked at it and raised her brows. ''This is the deadline for my project. These 2 months are crucial'' he said looking at it. ''You'll do it anyway. You've put your sweat and blood in it'' she said. ''This isn't like any other projects till now, this actually decides my future in the office. My promotion is dependent on this'' he said. Nandini marked another date in the calendar. ''What's this?'' he asked. ''It's clear that you'll be busy in the next 2 months, and this is my birthday date'' she said. ''I know tumhare liye birthday's aren't a special thing, but my birthdays are always special for me'' she said. ''This is after a month Nandini, aaj ya kal nahi hai na'' Manik said. ''Ha, I know but am reminding you'' she said. ''Ok tell me, what do you want for gift?'' he asked. ''I'll ask the most expensive gift, decide before you ask me'' she said. ''I have decent savings and come on, this will be the first gift I'm giving you. Jo maangna hai maango'' he said confidently. ''Your time! Please spend with me on my birthday'' she asked. 

Manik smiled at her smartness. ''Hass na mat!'' she said. ''You know na! I'll be busy until this project submission'' Manik said pointing to the calendar again. ''I know. That's why I asked you to gift it. I'm not even asking you to spend the whole day with me. Just some quality time, that too as a birthday gift'' Nandini asked. ''Aaj kal, you're leaving before 8 and ghar wapas aane ka time tho pucho hi mat'' she said complaining. ''Only till this project submission, 2 months ke baad sab kuch phir se normal ho jayega'' he assured. ''No, I feel alone sometimes. I've been trying for a loan through dad and Navya in Hyderabad but nothing is getting aligned'' she said. ''You can enroll yourself in some course, like a summer crash course'' he suggested. ''I'm not a kid to join a summer camp'' she whined. ''I mean koi cooking ya dance course join karlo, 2 to 3 months ke liye'' he advised. ''This is the most subtle way of asking me not to bother you to cook for me'' Nandini said. Manik didn't speak anything but shut her up with a spoon. ''Happy Ugadi'' Manik said. 

''How did it taste?'' he asked. ''Tangy'' she said. ''I felt it sour'' Manik said. ''Both of us haven't tasted sweet this year'' Nandini's expression changed. ''Because you didn't mix it up properly. How did you it make it so sour, did you add everything?'' Manik asked. ''I added everything, just like how mom asked me to do'' Nandini asked. Manik mixed it again and then found a piece in it. ''Ye kya hai'' he said taking it out. ''Jaggery, I've made it into pieces and added'' Nandini said. ''Pieces nahi Nandini powder karni thi'' Manik said holding his forehead. ''Galat hai kya?'' she asked confused. ''All the best with your Ugadi Pachadi'' he said keeping it in her hands. ''Is it important to leave now?'' she asked him. ''Office mein kuch kaam hai, jaldi aa jaunga'' he said and left for office. ''Na koi festival, na koi holiday, na koi celebration. Life has become monotonous'' she thought. 

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''Where are you?'' Nandini messaged. The reply was quick. ''In the office'' Daksh replied. ''Btw Happy Ugadi'' he texted her. ''Thanks, but when are we meeting?'' she texted him back. ''Can you come over to meet me in the office, at the cafe where we usually meet'' he texted. ''Sure'' she typed and sent but it didn't reach Daksh. He kept waiting for her reply but she went offline. He shoved the phone into his pocket and was hit by someone. He turned his eyes to see Inaya in front of him. ''I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to'' Inaya said with an apologetic look. ''It's okay, I knew it wasn't intentional'' he said and moved on. ''Is he for real! Did he just go away without any argument'' Inaya is shocked. ''It's just that you've been ignorant in the office about Daksh. He has become so humble and less chaotic'' Vicky said. Both of them were on a call. ''Ok bye, he is coming to your desk'' Inaya said and hung up on him. 

''You were late'' Inaya said to Manik. ''Its Ugadi today and Nandini is feeling lonely at home'' Manik said. ''You're talking like a truly complete married man'' Inaya said. ''Aur kya karta Nandini bhi typical wife ki tarah behave karne lagi. Bina koi reason ki fight start deti hai, uss stupid si fights ke wajhe se kabhi kabhi kuch khaati nahi, kabhi kabhi rothi bhi hai'' Manik complained. ''You know what! I bumped into Daksh and usne mujhse kuch nahi kaha, he literally ignored me as if I don't exist'' Inaya said. ''I knew it, he's been kind to me too'' Manik said. ''Itna privartan kaise aaya hoga usme'' Inaya wondered. ''Nandini'' Manik said. ''What Nandini?'' she asked. ''Nandini ki advices ke baad, ye wild animal domestic ban gaya'' Manik said.