Glamour

Chapter 6

Nandini had been avoiding Manik since that incident. She didn't want things to get awkward but she couldn't help it. She knew that the kiss was for the sake of the film they were shooting. She knew the scene was a part of the script. But still she couldn't figure if Manik was giving her mixed signals. He was confusing her. What did she ever do to have such a troubled life?

She never asked for it. She had always wanted a simple life. Yes, it was true that she liked the fame and wealth that the glamour world blessed her with but it always had it's woes. To some extent, she blamed herself for her failed marriage. That tiny ting of guilt haunted her every moment that if she had left her stardom and focused on her relationship with Abhay then maybe... maybe things could have been different. Maybe then Abhay wouldn't have cheated on her. Maybe she wouldn't be mourning over her broken heart. Maybe she wouldn't be feeling like a freak drooling over a handsome hunk who by a very good chance was playing with her and probably any time would suddenly break her like a spoiled kid breaks his toys when he gets bored with them. Maybe... maybe she was the one who was responsible for their separation and not Abhay. After all, he had his needs. Not that she didn't but her hectic schedule didn't allow her to take the next step in their relationship.

Maybe that's why he decided to satisfy his physical needs with Urvashi and still remain attached with her emotionally. Maybe it was all just physical. Maybe Abhay still loved her. Should she forgive him and take him back?

No! How could she ever think of it? No matter what, he cheated on her. And that too with her best friend. If he didn't want to be with her anymore, then he could have told her. They would part their ways mutually. But he had no right to cheat on her; to break her trust.

No. She wouldn't let herself fall weak. She knew she was having all these weird thoughts because she was falling weak. But she won't let that happen at any cost.

Never!

Nandini decided to retire for the night. She was exhausted after whole day shooting and then the troubling thoughts. She needed to forget about it all and have some rest if she wanted to be fit for tomorrow. Yeah, tomorrow. Cause tomorrow was going to be a big day.

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"Here, come this way."

Nandini took a deep breath as Sneha led her into the room; the security guards clearing their way through the crowd. She was dreading this moment but it had to happen. She put up a straight face. Though she knew that the stern look on her face was a facade. She was still feeling low inside but she had no choice. She had to protect herself.

As she stepped inside, she was greeted with the sight of Abhay and Urvashi standing side by side; with Urvashi clinging on Abhay and his hand resting on her hip.

"I'm not affected, I'm not affected, I'm not affected!"

She chanted over and over again in her head and it seemed to work well. She looked at them in a way as if she was bored. She flicked her eyes at them from head to toe. Abhay and Urvashi both cringed a bit at her gesture.

That somehow filled Nandini's insides with peace. She took long strides towards the table in front and took a seat followed by Abhay and Urvashi who sat across her.

With a smirk on her face, Nandini looked straight at Abhay, "Are you not going to apologize to me today, my dear ex husband?" She mocked.

Abhay looked at her stupefied. He opened and closed his mouth but couldn't seem to find words. Nandini laughed cynically

"Oh! I can see there's no need for it anyway. After all, you have found yourself a new girlfriend whom you have had an affair with earlier."

Urvashi croaked "Hey! Mind your..."

"Back off! Don't you even dare!"

Nandini glared at her. Urvashi cowered back in her chair; still fuming.

"Please, it's better if we keep it sane."

Sneha interrupted. She didn't want her client to show her weakness in front of them. It was the last thing that will help them closing Abhay's chapter. She kept a reassuring hand on Nandini's shoulder which seemed to calm her a bit. Nandini sat with bated breath as the meeting started.

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"Why are you avoiding me?"

"Why are you repeating the lines from the scene? It's over. Wake up."

"I don't need your smart mouth now Nandini! I am serious!"

Manik fumed. There was something intimidating in his dangerous tone. Something that warned Nandini not to provoke him further. But there was something along with it. Something like excitement.

Really Nandini? Get a grip!

"Manik, don't act like a possessive boyfriend."

Manik pulled her closer roughly

"And what if I do?"

Nandini had enough of it. She was on the verge of breaking down. Firstly Abhay and now Manik. Men always had their ways of messing up her life. But why her?

"What did I ever do to you?"

Nandini spoke in her choked up voice. Tears were threatening to fall from her dark brown orbs.

Manik swirled her around in a swift move. And in the blink of an eye, she was pressed against his hard chest; this time anyway but roughly. His strong arms wrapped her in a vice like grip.

Before Nandini knew it, her hands found their way to his back; reciprocating his gesture of affection. She had wanted this for so long. Something she subconsciously wanted from the moment she first saw him. Not the irresistible desire she felt for him. Not the urge to pull him for a deep sensual kiss. It was something far from sensuality, far from sexual desire; it was something much more. Something that didn't stir her but made her heart take a leap of happiness. It was something much bigger than anything else and yet she couldn't put her finger on it. But the only thing she knew that it rendered her peace. And she let go. She surrendered herself to him. Yet again.