The Ex's At War

Chapter 1 - After the Break

AURA's Office - Navya is on her desk working when she receives a call and a broad smile appears on her face.

"Hey Nandini wassup !! how are you doing... okay leave that how is my Manini baby"

"Hi Navya I am fine and your Manini baby is also good infact very naughty she has become..I have a tough time dealing with her"

"That's great...so how come you called at your rival's office that too at this hour",

"Yeah rite!!!..I needed your help actually..you know na today is the last day of the fashion week and I am hell busy...dont even have time to breath I also have to take care of the after event party...can you please pick Manini from school..I tried getting out but I don't think I will be able to"

"Oh that"

"I would have asked Mom but she is out of town for some days and I really can't rely on anyone else can you please do me this favour"

"Yeah sure Nandu..why are you being so formal we are friends first and then rivals...I would love my time with the cutie pie"

"Thanks a ton re..acha listen take her to your place..I would be jam packed so might not attend calls and I will pick her up directly from your place after the party ..is that okay with you??"

"200%"

"She would be a little cranky...just give her some chocolate mousse and your job will be easier", we both shared a laugh on my baby's cute antics and hung up.

At times it really became difficult to manage alone, even though Mom was there to help but I didn't want to pile on all my responsibilities on her. I felt bad for Manini for having to be churned in between her parents and that's why I made extra efforts to make up to her. It killed me whenever due to work or other commitments I had to compromise on her time but then that was how it was.

I had stopped thinking about the major upside downs of my life and just focussed on my work. It was quite a few months that Manik and I had gone separate ways but we often bumped here and there more so because we worked in the same industry. It would be wrong that if I said that I had become completely immune to him. He still affected me in very many ways and I suppose the same went for him too but his ego was too big to be deflated. He would purposely try to pick on me and do things he knew I would have problem with just to make sure that I was irritated. Sometimes I really wondered how on earth I fell for this idiot.

Gosh!! Whenever I start thinking about Manik all my positive energy just vanishes in thin air. There was so much that I had to do but at least thank god Manini is sorted because I seriously can't take her for granted as she is my topmost priority. I kept the phone away and went for the show.

***

Navya was arranging the last bits on her work station before she had to leave to get Manini when she was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey Navya...you are leaving early??", Cabir queried standing by her desk.

"Yeah Nandini called, I have to pick Manini", Navya replied inattentively without looking up to him instead was arranging the scattered files on her desk and the moment she spared a look at him she gasped to see both Manik and Cabir standing in front of her. She obviously knew what risk it was to be talking about me and my daughter in front of Manik, she fidgeted with the file in her hand for a bit.

"Wo..actually..main", Navya was unable to form a sentence, she never wanted to be in this fix between Manik and me.

"Navya I need you to give me the detailed list of models for out next show in perfect order", Manik said in a stern commanding tone and looked at Navya who was lost and a little confused, he understood that she was trying to come up with an excuse and so added further, "ASAP...that's the first thing I want on my table tomorrow..so get going"