Manik's POV
After talking with Cabir, I realized he was right. I wanted Shanaya to live as a good memory. I couldn't kill the goodness in me, just to retrench my pain. I felt light. Talking with someone like Cabir, who would've kept felicity on my feet, was so good. But then, I still wanted her to hate me. I don't deserve anyone. I don't. All I deserve and I want to bask in is nothing, but pain and suffering. The axis of my world should rotate on the fact, that I don't deserve anything.
My mind was preoccupied with the fact, that I'd shacked cumbersome work over her, knowing the fact, she couldn't complete them during the working hours. Hours passed, it was almost 11 PM. All the employees had already emptied the office, but Nandini was still working. She was still dangling with her glasses, trying to succumb her time, in completing the task assigned. I was amused looking at her sincerity. She could've left, but she didn't.
I couldn't muster up the courage and leave her, there. So I decided to stay there.
Meanwhile, my mom called.
"Manik, have you lost it? You already knew, how hard it's for us. How hard we are trying to cope with things. It's not a day, that she left us, and you're already getting over it? How can you, my son? Are you heartless?", Her every word pricked my heart. I knew, she was hurt, for Shanaya was like her daughter, loved and basked with doting affection. And you can never fight with a mother for her kid.
I couldn't speak to her, argue with her. I just did nothing and promised her to be back, soon. I disconnected the call and looked through the grimy glass pane and saw Nandini. She had a wide grimace on her face. A sense of contentment flickered in her eyes, as I saw her packing her stuff. She had completed work.
The girl is definitely a Wonder Woman.
I looked her and soon, I saw her leaving. I quietly followed her outside, when I saw another trouble. It was raining. Rain showered over her face, drenching her and glowing her face. She had a tough time, definitely coping through it. With no umbrella, no Taxi in phanerite, she decided to take the last step. To walk over. Was she even kidding me? It was almost half an hour distance walking.
Tired with her, I decided to do the final step. I swerved my car and rushed towards her. The wheels skidded, causing the mud to settle over her white Kurti. Honestly, it was all unintentional. But she looked funny and cute.
"Excuse me, agar gaadi chalane ki nahi hai toh ghar par rehna sikhiye", she shouted, without caring to look up and to stare over him. I didn't care.
"Oh really, Ms Murthy", I mocked. She glanced up, from the corner of her eyes, and what she was afraid of, turned out to be true. I was standing there, smirking. And she gulped saliva, considering how belligerently, she had shouted on her boss.
"Hello Ms Murthy", I greeted her and she gulped, mingling mead in the pit of her stomach.
"Umm.. I'm sorry Manik Sir. I didn't see it was you", she apologized, even though I should be the one, doing the same. I spoilt her dress, but then my ego was bigger than her dress.
"It's alright. So it seems you've completed the work assigned to you, considering how late you're going home", I couldn't control the amount of sarcasm in my voice.
She nodded. I looked all over her dress, which was spoilt and I knew, she needed a lift. But she won't even accept it, if I'd have offered.
"Ah Ms Murthy. Since I've spoilt your dress, I think I need to pay for it", I said smirking.
Her face had a serious expression, which honestly made me laugh too. Her face was too innocent to be stressed.
"No need", she denied and she started walking off.
