A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 109- Christmas Party

Nandini's POV:

The hours before the Christmas party felt like a race against time. I found myself everywhere at once—directing decorators as they balanced on ladders stringing lights overhead, hurrying to the kitchen to confirm the dessert delivery, and fielding a stream of last-minute questions from staff. Manik became the point person for logistics, triple-checking the sound system and outdoor heating, and making sure the Santa surprise was stashed in a staff room until the big reveal. Cabir floated between teams, rallying volunteers, charming the vendors, and even lending a hand to deliver crates of mulled wine. Isha juggled between outdoors and indoors. "If Santa doesn't come on time, keep your Santa dress ready, you'll have to dress up as him" Cabir satired as Santa's responsibility was volunteered by Isha alone.

"No problem, I guess Isha would look cute even in the Santa costume but its our hard luck that guy is actually coming, I've called him up" Manik came to Isha's rescue and she playfully hit Manik's shoulder for pulling her leg. "By the way Nandini, where should the snow machine go?" Isha asked and I showed her where it is supposed to be. She nudged me when we got inside. "Thank you so much for the help" she said. "Ye tho kuch bhi nahi hai" I said pointing it to the snow machine. "Not for this Nandini, if you weren't there Manik would have not agreed to drop me every night" she said. Its been a month since that night when Isha was scared of that goon on the road and from very next day she pestered me to ask Manik if he could drop her every night to ensure her safety. She said she would be finding little time alone with Manik and felt happy and excited about it. "Hey Navya" Isha said and I turned back. "Navya, I thought you won't come tonight" I was excited to see her after Cabir's dreamy proposal. Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that Cabir proposed to Navya a few days back but Navya didn't answer. 

"Even I don't know why am I here?" Navya said with nervousness evident in her voice. "Give some time for everything to settle Navya. Things will fall into their place" I said to go with the flow. Cabir is definitely a good for Navya but I think I shouldn't influence her decision. "I barely know him, how would I get to know him?" Navya asked with a hint of doubt. The ever confident Navya is now confused and no wonder love makes you everything you weren't. "Yes, you should spend time with him, go on dates to know each other and you're here for a date night with Cabir. He must be waiting for you" I said. "Waise bhi Navya, knowing a person and falling in love are two different things, mujhe hi dekhlo, I hardly know Manik but I think I've fallen deeply for him" Isha admitted and Navya's eyes widened in shock. "Nandini tu ne guest list check kiya?" Manik's sharp voice echoed in the room as he shouted before entering the room. "Think of the hero and he's here" Isha said dreamily. 

"plus one guests are kept on coming without prior intimation" Manik said snapping. "Manik, please check with Isha, she has the list. Isha could you please help him?" I said asking her to go with him. "Did I hear something for real?" Navya asked with a question mark face. "Yes, Isha loves Manik" I told her everything happened for the last month. "And you've been a honest helping friend for Isha so that she can be with him!" Navya can't believe that I did that. "You know Navya, Isha is exactly the same old Nandini, full of dreams, believes in fairy tales and painted a happy life with Manik, seeing Isha lose in love will feel like seeing myself again in her. The way Manik supports her, being there for her, he does everything for Isha just like he used to do everything for me" I said and added, "in fact more than what he did to me, I think he likes her too". "Manik does the same with a stranger too, he is like that, and you can't assume he likes her" Navya said. "Even if he doesn't like her, I can at least help her to win his love. Maybe Manik won't repeat the history" I said. 

Those words tasted like poison on my own tongue. Never in my wildest dreams I thought I'd be helping Isha to win over Manik. "But why Nandini? Why do you have to do this?" Navya didn't agree with me this time. "We've to move on Navya, one of us have to let the other go, we can't be together and we can't holdon to each other too. This is very crucial for both of us" I explained her. "But aren't you doing the same mistake as Manik! He once assumed that you loved Daksh and now you don't even know Manik likes Isha or not!" Navya made a point. "If not today someday he has to love someone" I said firmly and asked Navya to dismiss the argument. I don't want to discuss about Manik with anyone. Hopelessly Navya retreated from the room.