A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 86- Nandini's Birthday

''I asked you to spend time with me on my birthday but still you aren't there with me'' Nandini spoke to Manik on call. ''Your birthday is tomorrow, I've applied for a leave'' Manik said. ''But I've wanted you to wish me first'' she said. ''Ok, abhi 10 baj chuka hai, mera meeting start hone hi wala hai'' Manik said hurrying up for the meeting. By the time Manik went to the conference call, everyone was seated there. Inaya started off the presentation and Daksh asked them to make a few changes and before they headed to next presentation, Daksh stopped the meeting. ''I've an important work, I should leave now'' Daksh stated. The Director gave a green signal to him. ''Vikas would continue on my behalf'' Daksh said and left without wasting a second. Manik had a gut feeling that something is wrong with Daksh and he wanted to know what's it. ''Ok, continue with the presentation, Vikas'' RS said. 

''Just Daksh has important work, hume bhi jaana hai. He is the one who initiated these overnight meetings and he is skipping them'' Manik raised concern. ''Oh! If that's your concern, we can just postpone this'' RS had to agree with Manik. Having no other option, he cancelled the meeting and the team dispersed. ''What happened Manik! You look concerned'' Inaya asked. ''Aisa kya kaam hai Daksh ko jo meeting chodke chala gaya?'' Manik expressed his concern. ''Jo bhi hoga, really important hoga, warna wo kabhi aise office chodke nahi jayega'' Inaya said. ''I know! aur isliye main worried hu'' Manik said. ''Shayad usne Vicky ko kuch bataya hoga!'' Inaya thought and asked Vikas. ''He just asked me to continue with the meeting'' Vikas said. ''Maybe I should ask Nandini'' he thought and called her. Her phone went unreachable and he decided to go home to celebrate her birthday. He and Inaya started home with a cake. ''Thank God, ab main at least Nandini ke sath time spend karunga'' he said. 

As they reached home, it was almost 11 pm but they found the door is locked. ''Where might she have gone?'' Inaya wondered. Manik called again but it was unreachable. ''You can track her location through your phone'' Inaya reminded him. ''Oh yeah!'' Manik took out his phone and tracked her location. ''Nandini kahi bahar gayi hogi shayad!'' Manik said and they followed her location to reach there. They've reached the location and searched for Nandini. ''Itni raat ko yaha tak kyu aayi hai Nandini'' Inaya asked. ''Is this a way to call someone?'' they heard Nandini's voice and went in that direction. ''I'm really sorry I didn't knew how to call you here'' Daksh said. Manik and Inaya were shocked to the core when they saw Daksh and Nandini together. ''Ye dono saath mein?'' Inaya said and Manik was short of words. ''Why did you call me here at this late hour? If this is just a prank, I'm leaving'' Nandini said in anger. ''Don't be angry at me Nandini'' Daksh said and the place was lit allover. 

Nandini's anger turned into surprise when she saw lights lit around her. ''What is all this?'' she asked innocently. ''Tumhare birthday surprise!'' Daksh said. ''How did you know its my birthday'' Nandini asked him. ''Tumne jo ID proofs submit kiya office mein, I got to know your birthday'' Daksh said. ''This is...this is really insane! Thank you. Oh I'm sorry'' Nandini softened. ''Daksh ne Nandini ka birthday celebrate karne ke liye office bunk kiya hai, unbelievable'' Inaya said to Manik. ''Will you please keep quiet?'' Manik sighed. ''I wanted to surprise you at 12 o clock but you're in angry mode, so!'' he hesitated. ''I'm really sorry'' Nandini said. ''This is really so sweet'' Nandini said and looked around. ''Waise Nandini, how old are you?'' he asked. ''Never ask a female's age and male's salary'' Nandini said. ''My salary is 2.5 lakh per month, koi EMIs nahi hai, both my parents are chartered accountants, they live in Mumbai. I have no siblings, mera koi friends bhi nahi hai, all I have is you Nandini'' Daksh said. Nandini is surprised.

''Daksh I didn't mean to offend you, today is my 26th birthday'' Nandini said. Daksh moved closer and held her hand. ''Nandini, I really mean it when I said all I have is you! I love you Nandini'' Daksh said giving her bouquet. ''Daksh!'' Nandini is shocked. Manik and Inaya looked at each other equally shocked as Nandini. ''Many more happy returns of the day Nandini'' Daksh said. ''It's 12 0 clock'' Daksh said and showed her a cake. He took her towards the cake and asked Nandini to cut the cake. ''Happy birthday to you! happy birthday to dear Nandini'' he sang a song. ''Daksh'' Nandini didn't knew how to react to his proposal. ''I'll be waiting for your answer Nandini'' he said. ''Daksh, you're the most sweet person I've met. Koi bhi ladki na nahi kahegi tumko'' Nandini said and Manik didn't want to stand there even for a moment. Manik opened his phone and clicked on unclone the phone. Inaya put her hand on his shoulder.