A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 102- Fish and a Bird

Nandini's POV: 

Cabir was puzzled when Manik got Isha. Within a few minutes, Manik got a desk arranged for her. It didn't looked like a proper office setup unlike my desk but a basic chair and table was set. This showed that Manik's decision was improptu. "We've never discussed on another assistant" Cabir shot a question. "But I can't work with your assistant" said Manik glaring at me. "Just because I've hired her, you hired this girl" Cabir asked him. "Cabir, she has a degree in hospitality and holds a previous experience of working in Sales department and has already worked in a 3 star Hotel. She is qualified for this role" Manik stated. "Kaha mili ye tumhe?" Cabir asked. "She is one of those 70 candidates I have already interviewed, I've kept her on hold in case if I get a better candidate" Manik continued, "but right now, I feel she is the better option". "Manik, we're supposed to work as a team not as opponents, hum kyu bachchon jaise tu tu main main kar rahe hai. It's not like I've work with Nandini and you with Isha! Aisa hai tho hum ek team ki tarah kaise operate karenge" Cabir had a point.

Isha and me were mere spectators while Manik and Cabir argued in front of us. Even though Cabir couldn't reason with Manik, he seemed to listen to him. "Isha has great proposals for our resort development, you should really hear her presentation" Manik suggested. "Even Nandini has great plans" Cabir just bluffed. Why would he use me as his strategic move! I tried to make an eye contact with Cabir but he seemed to ignore me. Manik had formally introduced Isha to both of us. Cabir and Manik left from there and Isha spoke for the first time. "Hi, I'm Nandini" I said extending my hand. "I'm Isha" she said shaking hands with me. "Why are they fighting like children?" she asked. "Manik and Cabir are friends before they were partners in business. It's quite common between them" I said not to exaggerate. When they came back, Cabir asked us to look into the honeymoon suite rooms. "I'm going out on some work, please coordinate with Nandini" Cabir informed us. He turned towards me and said, "Nandini, I'm giving you full power and authority to design the honeymoon suite rooms. But please be extra careful and I don't want any chaos between both of you" he instructed me and Manik. 

Later when Cabir left, Manik gave me and Isha a tour to the honeymoon suite rooms. "Isha, I'm sure you knew that we've recently bought this resort and renovating it" Manik said. She nodded like a child. So, we have wedding halls for marriages and other events, conference rooms for corporate events, thematic stays for foreigners, gym area, spiritual center and these are our honeymoon suites. "Wow, this pond and lotuses look beautiful" Isha said amused. "This is not a real pond, its man made" I said to her. "It gives the real vibe" she said. I walked past them over the wooden brige across the pond and turned back when I heard Isha scream. Her heels got struck in the wooden bridge and she clutched Manik's shirt for support. "Careful" Manik said as he held her. "By the way, they are lotus, they are Water Lillies" he said. I walked along the rooms which are not yet completely done.

"Painting work abhi baaki hai" Manik said. "We should paint something romantic on these walls" Isha said. "That's the idea too" he gave her a book. I took it from Isha before she could open. Manik was least expecting that I would take it from her. "Cabir yaha nahi hai but we can't go ahead without my approval" I said sternly. I flipped the pages of the book and it contained sketches of Manik. There were few illustrations until I found it, the painting! A cloudy night sky, the drizzle and the moon were painted as a background. A couple in their balcony, the man back hugged the woman. This painting revived the memories of that night, we've spent in Mysore.

I couldn't help but look at Manik who was already looking at me. I went ahead and turned page to find one more. ''A calm yet fierce ocean, a lone girl, moonlight, soothing waves'' Manik once said he painted it for me. My heart raced as I turned the page and there's regret on his face. "Wow, that's.....very simple and innovative, literally a master stroke and a master piece" Isha praised him and by now, I think I saw enough. Manik face palmed maybe not to be embarrassed but the damage is already done. "I don't want to see it anymore" I said closing it.