A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 104- Jealous?!

Nandini's POV: 

"Where do we start from?" Isha asked as we got back to our desks. Cabir and Manik weren't still back from the meeting. "I don't know I've planned it years ago but that was an improptu presentation. I think I'll have to put the things first to sort out" I said. "Let's take one step at a moment, we will first go with the vendors list who are available" Isha said. But vendors and all, Navya has that information. I just spoke to the vendors when Navya arranged visits or meetings. I don't have any information of a vendor. I sat back in the chair wondering whether Navya would be ready to help. "Are you fine" I heard Manik's voice as he stood near my desk. I nodded positively as he navigated through his work station. 

I wondered how things have been changed between us. I faintly remember seeking validation from him for everything. My life used to revolve around Manik's opinions and decisions once. I just feel like I was an impulsive teenager back then. "Nandini, where do we really start from!" Cabir's question brought me back to the reality. "Of course, Khaana should be first. Tumhare paas food vendors ki contacts tho hogi na" Isha asked. "I don't have any contacts now, anyway we had only 2-3 caterers in hand and clients ke according hum menu set karte the. Based on the event and guest list size, they would cook and deliver or some times they would cook at the venue to serve freshly" I said. "Now that this is on a bigger scale, I think we should invite tenders from the hotels" Isha said. 

"But that would eventually increase the price, just compare the price of a pizza at a local eatery with the same pizza bought in a mall, the quality will still be the same but the price makes a big difference" I hope I'm clear with my point. "Maybe your concern is about monopoly in the business, but regular retendering, quality and price structure pre-decide kiya tho, I guess it won't be a problem" Isha said. "I don't know about business but when it comes to a marriage, food is not just food, ek hi hotel rahega tho options bhi kam ho jayega na" I said. "Nandini, we should give a choice to the client in the menu, not in the list of hotels" Manik said, making a point. 

"But every client has different demands and I'm scared if we can meet those expectations" I said retiring honestly. "Ye sab possible hoga if we have our own team of chefs" Cabir said. "That means would you buy a restaurant, or hire a team of chefs too!" Isha asked in a mocking way. "Why not just try!" Cabir seems to take her seriously. "You've luckily found a drowning resort to buy and renovated it, but do you think we'll find a drowning hotel/restaurant too?" Isha spoke again. "That's actually a brilliant idea, Hyderabad mein aise bahut places honge" Cabir spoke too fast. "Nandini" Cabir called out. "Meanwhile you just ask Navya about the vendors' list. Will she help?" he asked. "Of course, I'll try Cabir" I don't know what will Navya say now. "No problem, she need not come here or do something, tum uske saath co ordinate karo" he said. 

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"No way I'm sharing the vendor list with you or with that Cabir! Ussi ka hoga ye idea" Navya snapped at me as I expected. "No Navya, this was my idea" I told her what happened in the meeting today. "Phir bhi I can't convince myself. He is so manipulative that he is making you do it on purpose" she blamed him for no reason. "Nahi Navya, trust me, you don't have to meet him or come to the resort. Sirf vendors ke contacts sort karo, call them or if possible we'll meet them together and we'll propose a business meeting with Cabir/Manik" I explained her my vision. She doesn't seemed convinced but agreed as I convinced her there's no harm.

Next morning, when I reached the office in the resort, it was empty. Why did no one come yet, I thought checking the time. My eyes were then laid on a book in Manik's desk. I got settled on my work desk and checked emails as a ritual. The book was placed like Manik just left it now, she thought. I walked towards his desk, "Can Love happen twice?" it read. "Nandini" I froze as I heard him taking my name. He was exactly right behind me. "Tum kabse books padh rahe ho?" I asked him. As far as I remember, Manik was more of visual kind of guy than who preferred to read. "One of those recent things, I've just started reading out of my boredom" he said casually. "Cabir and Isha aaye nahi?" I asked. "No" he said, keeping the book back in his bag. "Did you complete reading that book?" I asked him. "Not yet, I've just started 2 days back" he said. 

"You should totally read it, it's a good one though" I said trying to return to my desk. "You read too!" he asked surprised. "One of those habits which I left years ago, now I don't read anymore. This is very old book" I said. "How is it? I've read the first part but after reading a part of it, I felt it is not upto the mark in comparison with I Too Had a Love Story" Manik said. "That's inspired from his real love story and the sequel book is completely fictional" I said. "I loved the first book than this sequel" Manik announced in his opinion. "It's because he loved someone but can't have her in the first book, in the second one, he is with someone who he can't truly love" I hope he get it what I wanted to say. "Which one is tough! Loving someone you can't have or Having someone you can't love?" he asked looking straight into my eyes. 

Does he know that I can never answer this one! How do I say that leaving someone who you can never unlove is tough. How did I thought that he will love me back! Manik forgot his question when Isha crashed inside. "Hi Manik! Nandini! Good morning" she said. Thank God ye aa gayi, I thought. After sometime when Cabir had also come, Isha asked me if we can take a coffee break. As we walked under the morning sun, it was already 11 o clock and instead of sunkissed, its almost like sunburn even in the winter. I've accidentally spilled coffee over Isha's dress. "Huh! I'm really sorry Isha, did it burn?" I reacted instantly. "Uh oh! It's okay Nandini, it wasn't hot really" she said looking at her off white crop top. "Coffee stains are not that hard to remove" I said trying to calm her down. "But how will I wear this until I go back to my room" she said whining. "No problem, I have a spare dress in my locker" I said walking her towards my locker. 

Thank god I got a saree on that day of Srinivasa Kalyanam but never got time to change so I've put it for an emergency use and ye ab kaam aa raha hai. "But Nandini, I don't know how to wear a saree!" she said. "Hmm, I'll help you" I said and she stood there like a statue. I feel like I'm draping a saree to a mannequin. After I completed draping the saree, she looked at herself in the washroom mirror and took a few selfies. She said she loved sarees but never got a chance to learn to drape. As we went back to our desks, I saw a quick shift of expression on Manik's face. His eyes were fixed on Isha, who emerged gracefully in the saree. The silk fabric draped perfectly around Isha's petite frame, the golden border catching the light with each step she took. His lips were slightly parted, his usual composed mask completely fallen away. For a moment that stretched like eternity, he didn't blink, didn't move, didn't even seem to breathe.

I felt a sharp pain when I witnessed Manik forgot to blink his eyes. I couldn't read his eyes but I think it could possibly mean he is attracted to her, Isha. That sharp pain in the chest now began to spread through the entire body like poison in the veins. Is it jealousy! No, I shouldn't be jealous now. But my hands trembled slightly as I tried to maintain my composure. I had to  remind myself that I'm supposed to be professional as Cabir's assistant now, and I had no claim over the man who had once been my husband in name only. Not even once he looked at me like the way he looked at her. No, I'm not complaining but the shock in his eyes, it was so evident like he had never seen a girl wearing saree.

"Is it like Manik is being attracted to Isha?" faster than my thoughts, Manik now looked at me like I owe him an explanation.