MANAN--In a different world

Chapter 15

Soha picked up the call and spoke at once," Manik I am so sorry...... I shouldn't have hidden all this from you. But I had no choice at that time.....".

Manik cut her off and said," Listen Soha I would have never called you unless I was forced to do so. Cause unlike you I care about my daughter. So just cut the crap and let's talk business."

Manik's rude behavior gave her hints that it had gone too far and there was no looking back now. Yet she tried," Manik we can figure something about this... Together."

That's it. The word together just added fuel to Manik's anger and he no longer felt the need to talk and started shouting," Do you know the meaning of together.... It means accompanying each other through ever phase be it happy or sad. We had never been together, Soha it was all just a show and a game in which we all played our part. It is that now I quit. I am tired of all this. I trusted you but you decided to break it. I will trust you again and it's a matter of time that you will break it again."

"But, Manik.......", Soha tried him to stop.

"But I love Mannat a lot and she is my everything and I cannot see her hurt. Neither do I want her to be deprived of Mother's love. She deserves it all. So I may give you a chance to be with my daughter but whatever shit it was between us, its over. Now choose fast........Harshad or Mannat.", Manik spoke with a ultimate finality in his voice.

There was complete silence on the other end. After a while Soha let out a sigh and spoke," I cannot let go of my career, Manik not for anyone in this world. I earned it with a lot of hard work....".

Manik laughed at her and muttered," Career huh!? So it all ends there. I can't belief it,Soha. And what career are you speaking of..... The one you built upon by sleeping with the project members........ Huh!. Okay.... I never expected to get a better answer from you. Its just clears me off the coast and I think I could no longer blame myself that I never tried. I did."

Soha by now was fully convinced that there is no way that things could be handled like before. So she decided to give up the pretense and said," You are not at fault, Manik. It was my mistake. I should not have cheated on you. But all that is done cannot be undone and there is no way that I am giving up on my career. For me Mannat had been a burden but I know that you love her and she won't get a better guardian than you. So I guess I won't have any problem with you having her full custody. But I can visit her at times if she wants. I won't have any problem. So I think you can send the divorce papers and I will sign them."

"Okay. It will take me a day or so to prepare them. So you will get them by this week.", Manik replied while hanging up. He felt relaxed after being able to settle this.

He palmed his face and took a deep breath. He then ran his fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes for another breath and along with that he closed another worst chapter of his life, forever.

Manik opened his eyes and picked up the phone again. This time he dialled Nandini and even before she answered it Manik had a smile plastered on his face.

Nandini was waiting for him to call and as soon as the phone rang she picked it up," Manik?".

"Looks like some one was waiting for a call,", Manik teased her.

Nandini could sense that Manik was better than before and that gave her a ray of hope that something good has happened. She immediately ignored his comment and asked," Did you call her? What did she say ?"

"Come on don't be impatient. I am having a tough time thinking that whether you are more worried me or Soha," Manik joked.

"Manik!! Tell na. We can talk about your stupid jokes later.", Nandini said somewhat irritated.

"Oh. So my talks are stupid huh? Okay then I will hang up and then you may continue with your not so stupid works.", Manik smirked knowing that it will blow up the calm Nandini and it did.

"Manik, bye.", she shouted at the other end and was on the verge of hanging up when he heard Manik's laughter on the other end. It was like music to her ears. How she waited to hear that beautiful sound.

"Okay okay. You know Nandini in ratio to your small body frame your voice box is too small and I wonder how much stressed it becomes when you shout like that......", Manik spoke cracking into fits of laughter.

Nandini too smiled as she finally got that charm full ever smiling Manik back. She was no longer interested about what they had decided. All she knew was Manik was happy with it. And if he was happy she had no complaints against it.

Manik after being able to brace himself up with his laughs realised Nandini had been silent for long. He asked quietly,"Nandini?, are you there."

"Yes.... I am. Listening to your funny jokes.", she said when she understood that he thought that she may have left. She smiled to herself that how his voice fell at the thought of her leaving.

"So I wanted to talk to you.", Manik spoke.

"Yes we can do that once you stop mocking me and my small frame.", Nandini replied.

"Not on phone. Face to face.", Manik said.

"Oh.....", Nandini replied knowing that she would never say no.

"So, Ms Murthy would you like to join this lonely pair of father and daughter for lunch.", Manik said hopping her to say yes.

"Would you take no as a answer.", Nandini tried to hold back her laughter.

Manik's face fell immediately and he stammered," Why? Do you have some ..... Work?"

"Yes,", she spoke casually.

"Oh.....", Manik spoke, disappointment evident in his tone.

"Actually I have to accompany a lonely father and daughter for lunch.", she said coping Manik's words and burst out laughing.

Manik's face lit up instantly as he spoke," You are so gonna pay for this Nandini."

"Bring it on.", she replied and both started laughing heartily.

Here it goes. It was a long update. Hope you guys like it.

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