A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 100- Srinivasa Kalyanam

Manik's POV: 

Seventy interviews. Seventy hopeful faces sitting across from me, each one promising to be the perfect assistant for our new resort. Seventy resumes scattered across my desk like fallen leaves, and not one of them had felt right. Cabir kept telling me I was being too picky, but how could I explain that I was looking for someone who could understand not just the mechanics of hospitality but the soul of it? The morning sun cast long shadows across the stone and wood facade of our resort as I pulled into the parking area. The structure gleamed in the sharp sunlight—a perfect blend of contemporary architecture and traditional warmth that Cabir and I had dreamed about for years. Even unfinished in parts, it was breathtaking. Tourists would fall in love with it, just like I had when I first saw the distant peaks from its terrace last week.

I was mentally reviewing the day's vendor meetings when I stepped through the glass doors into our main workspace. Cabir's idea of an open office layout- all desks arranged in one large room with just a single cabin in the corner for private conversations. He called it "team synergy," but I suspected he really wanted front-row seats to any drama that might unfold. That's when I saw her. The familiar curve of her shoulder as she bent over a stack of files. The way she unconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear when concentrating. It took my brain several seconds to catch up with what my heart already knew, several heartbeats to process what couldn't possibly be real. Nandini.

What is she doing here? It's almost a month since I've not seen her, but felt like it's ages since we meet. I walked till Cabir's desk and asked like she is a ghost or she didn't exist there. "Is she?" Cabir seemed to understand what I wanted to ask. "Nandini is our new assistant," Cabir announced with the flourish of a magician revealing his greatest trick. The words hit me like a physical blow. "You hired her?" I growled, not caring that my voice carried across the entire open workspace. "Correction," Cabir replied coolly, leaning back in his chair. "We hired her" he said. "I can't accept her as my assistant." The protest felt hollow even as I spoke it. "Our assistant," Cabir corrected again, and I wanted to throttle him for his smugness. "Manik. Do you really think she's here to rekindle old memories?" he asked and Nandini rose from her chair as she heard us. Her eyes met mine. The question stopped me cold. Was that what I thought? Was that the fear clawing at my chest—but seeing her every day would keep reminding me of my mom who Nandini had hurt.

"Not at all," I said instantly, my jaw tightening with the lie. But I know mujhe farq padtha hai. Why does she had to tell truth to my mom? Can't she keep quiet? "Then agree with me. She has a signed contract", Cabir said. Why would she sign a contract with Cabir without my knowledge. I pulled Cabir to a side, awayfrom Nandini's careful gaze and the curious stares of our few other employees. My frustration leaked into every movement as I ran a hand through my hair. "I interviewed over seventy people, Cabir. How can you believe she's the best when so many trained professionals are available?" I asked. "Because Nandini knows people," Cabir argued, his voice taking on that patient tone he used when he thought I was being unreasonable. "She's in the culture, the celebrations. Didn't you see how she handled Neha and Karthik's wedding?" he was right on his part. I know Nandini is good at handling these things but I can't face her everyday.

"Cabir, event management is one thing. Hospitality sales is another. We need professionals" I tried to put some sense into him. "We need someone with real experience outside a textbook. She's that". The score is one all. Mysilence stretched between us, sharp as glass. I could feel the weight of hisexpectation, the certainty in his voice that told me this argument was alreadylost. Finally, I exhaled. "Fine" I lost. Cabir's grin widened. "Inaugural date is finalized. Nandini, you'll take care of the pooja," he called out as we returned to the main workspace. "Cabir... can we have a Srinivasa Kalyanam for the inauguration day?" Nandini asked softly, and I felt my breath catch. "Perfect," Cabir said without hesitation. How would I explain Aryaman and Tara if they see Nandini here. Badi mushkil se Tara had convinced Aryaman to get him here.