A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 108- All is Well

Nandini's POV:

I couldn't believe my ears as Isha spoke. Truly, she looked differently as they say you glow when you're in love. How can she love Manik! Didn't I tried to keep them apart! When did this happen? My legs froze and head was spinning at the great discovery of Isha's new found boyfriend. "How can anyone not love Manik?" I asked myself. Manik's presence made it even more worse. I hated myself to admit that, for the first time in years, jealousy crept in—sharp, undeniable, and cruel. I hated the helpless flutter in my chest as Manik smiled back at Isha, acting like casual. I knew the truth I could not escape: Manik was no longer mine to claim. Our story had ended long before fate brought us into the same space again. Now everything that remained is fleeting glances and the ache of what-ifs. Watching another woman dream of him while my own heart still carried his name felt like being punished for holding on to love that time had long buried. My mangalsutra felt heavy on my chest for the first time since Manik tied it around my neck.

I want to tell myself I don't care. That he's free to be loved by someone else, free to give his heart away again. But do I really have that strength. "Nandini" my trance was broken by Cabir. "Pehle mujhe kyu nahi bataya?" Cabir asked. "About what?" I saw Navya before I complete my words. "Did you fight with him again?" I asked Navya in horror and to my surprise she said she asked Cabir's  help for me. "You should have told me about the crisis, why Navya? Seriously I didn't expect this from you Nandini" Cabir said disappointed. "Cabir, its not like I was hiding it from you but I didn't like taking help from you" I said honestly. "And I wouldn't be helping you anyway" Cabir said earning a glare from Navya. "If you didn't want to help, why did you get me here in the first place, thanks to you for making a fool out of myself" Navya was quick to turn back to leave from there. Cabir held Navya's hand to stop her. Manik and I looked at each other anticipating the tension between Cabir Navya. I hope Cabir doesn't justify his stupid illogical baatein. 

"I love how you quickly jump into conclusions Navya" he said with his trademark smile. Cabir, please kuch galat mat karo, she will go away from you for sure. Navya signed at his hand to let her go. "Nahi mujhe kuch dikhana hai" he said and took Navya to an office room. "Guys, lagta hai ab kuch bada hone wala hai, I'm all in for drama!" Isha declared. "Cabir ki pyaar tumhe drama lag raha hai?" I asked taking my time for Isha but she seemed less bothered. Cabir returned with Navya with some papers in his hand and gave them to me. He didn't leave Navya's hand yet. "Read on" he said. "These are the agreement papers I signed before you've hired me?" I said. Manik hastily took them from me as Cabir never handed those papers to Manik even after Manik asked for them a hundred times. Manik flipped through the agreement papers and Cabir asked him to read a particular clause. "It says that you've bought a major stake in her event management company for a sum of amount predecided by you" Manik said. 

"You're right, Nandini sold her event management company to me to a price which I would decide" Cabir said. "And I'm deciding the price as 20 lakhs now" he announced shocking everyone. "Cabir" I was beyond shocked and didn't expect him to say that. "I can't take money from you Cabir" I can't do this. "If you don't take it, you'll be fired" Cabir said as a serious warning. He then left Navya's hand as he took the papers in his hand. "When I saw you in Neha Karthik's wedding, I've decided to negotiate a deal with you but then after knowing the differences between you and Manik, I've decided to quit in the mutual interest. It was my pure luck that you got yourself ask me for a job" Cabir said. "You're not just an employee Nandini, you're a 10% stake holder too" Manik said congratulating me. I hastily looked at the clauses Manik and Cabir showed me wiping my eyes to clear my vision. "You've really made me feel lucky after years" I genuinely wanted to thank Cabir for such help. 

"It's not luck Nandini, pure business. Maybe your event management company would be more pricier but all I can afford now is 20 lakhs for now" Cabir admitted. "That's all I need right now too, but how about the restaurant take over?" I asked him. "No problem, I'd given my 20 lakhs but Manik can still seal the deal" Cabir said looking at Manik. "No, why only you, we're together till now, we'd split the amount 10 each now too, bas hume ek aur investor dhoondna hai" Manik said thoughtfully. "And here I'm" Tara announced as she came there. She hugged me as she heard Cabir. "Congratulations Nandini, tumhe abhi jaldi jaana hai, you must go and pay him" she said. "Ha, come on I'll drop you there" Cabir offered. "What's that bag?" Manik asked diverting our attention. "I've got my gold to give it to Nandini so that it can be some help to her, but now I know that she don't need it anymore" Tara said smiling. "But bava you might need it, keep it with you" she said giving her bag to Manik. "In that case Tara, why don't you be an investor in our new restaurant? Lady Luck bhi add ho jayega. Nandini was our partner in resort, you can be in our restaurant" Cabir said. "Are you sure you're talking about me when you said lady luck?" Tara went in a teasing mode. 

"Navya, even you can invest too, you said you had some money" I hinted Cabir. I can at least play cupid for my best friend. "Ha zaroor, we welcome such investors, heartily" Cabir was clearly blushing seeing Navya's expression softened a bit. "This calls for a celebration, let's take a selfie" Isha was ready with her phone. "Celebration and no party! this is so bad" Tara commented. "Christmas party is so near, we can celebrate that" Isha said. "Ha Nandini ke ghar mein celebrate karenge hum" Cabir beamed in joy. It looked so happy and cheerful to see that I have all these bunch of people standing by my side. "Oh yeah! Christmas party!" Tara's face lit up when Cabir said. "I've never been to Nandini's place before" she said. "But ghar pe bhi Christmas party hoga na!" Manik reminded Tara. "Oh no bava, we aren't celebrating any such parties at home, it's all official party now, Christmas party is in office now" she quoted. So much has changed there after I left. "But Aryaman wouldn't be happy if you aren't going to Christmas party, its a long tradition in our family" Manik said like a serious uncle. "Ok fine, Christmas party nahi tho New Year's eve manayenge, what do you say Nandini?" Cabir asked. 

"Definitely, you all should come to my place once" I said. "Thank you so much Cabir, thank you is such a small word but I can't express how I feel today. It's like you've given me back everything I lost once" I said. "Nandini, stop being emotional, mujhpe suit nahi karega. Tumhara kya! You either fight or cry" Cabir said teasing me but I'll let him do it today. He cleared his throat and turned to Navya. "Pakka businessman hu madam, if I'm going far, I'll take everyone who's been with me. That's how business is, building trust, delivering quality" he said to Navya. "Nandini, I got to go" Navya quickly made a bahaana to leave from there. I went along with her and paid the money. "We really misunderstood Cabir, aren't we?"I asked Navya. "Aisa nahi hai, he was honest and truthful this time" I never knew my bestfriend is so good at faking words. I know she is softened but it takes time. 

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Manik was strolling in the garden by the time I've went back. "Did you pay him?" he asked hastily. "Ha" I nodded. "By the way congrats Nandini, you're a partner now" he said extending his hand. I took his hand but he didn't leave it after shaking hands. "Manik" I reminded him to leave my hand. "But I don't know if I can get a loan easily by next month" that's the only concern I have. "No problem, you can show the resort as your property and get a loan easily. Our loan agent will take care of everything, I've sent your details already" he said. "Thank you for the help" I said. "Please don't be so formal, can't we just be friends?" he asked. I don't know if I can be friends with Manik, ever again. I was never his friend anyway. Either we were at loggerheads or desperate. "Sure" I said it flipped from my mouth. "Great! Coffee then!" Manik asked like he knew I would accept. Abhi mera mood acha hai and I hope this Manik wouldn't spoil it now. I walked along with him till the cafeteria and no one was there. 

"Lagta hai yaha koi nahi hai" see even god doesn't want to have us a cup of coffee together. "I can make coffee, just 5 min" Manik said barging into the kitchen. I followed him as he poured milk and boiled water separately for filter coffee just like the way I liked it. "Manik, can you make paasta before coffee?" I don't know what made me ask but it's like I'm in my happy cravings phase. "Sure, wait for 10 min", he said simmering the stove. Aroma filled the place and my tastebuds were dancing inside to taste it. I smelled the pasta bowl as he got it near me and I already feel like I was on cloud nine. "Did you like it?" he asked. 

"This is the best thing I've eaten in long time" I can't stop admiring it or the person who made it.