Manik's POV
I mean, you can stay here if you've no problem", she said, looking down.
And I was shocked. After what I did today, she was still insisting me to stay. Why? Was she even a human?
"It's okay. I can manage myself", I said a bit sardonically and her face fell, but she didn't give up.
"Sir please. It'd be long before you find any place to stay. So it's better, if you stay here. I request", she implored, with a smile.
I couldn't deny, but I couldn't even succumb. I'd no idea.
"Nandini", I mumbled.
"Sir, I hope you don't fire me for this", I could clearly gauge her sarcasm laced voice. I could've easily retaliate back, but for some reason, I didn't. I couldn't deny now, and nodded my head.
She smiled faintly and walked ahead, while I helplessly followed her.
She went ahead and walked through the stairs. She didn't take the lift, and it reminded me about her claustrophobia. It reminded me about that meeting. Suddenly, I was guilt ridden. I don't know what was happening. My life was a mess. I've lost Shanaya. My mother was angry. I gotno one there to look after. And I was hurting her too. Is that what I deserved? Pain and Sadness?
I was lost in my thoughts, and didn't even realize when I'd reached on her floor through stairs. She came to her apartment and shoved her keys inside the keyhole and unlocked it. I simply followed her inside, as she moved ahead. As soon as I entered, I was welcomed by a divine atmosphere. I felt good. It felt like home. Her house was small, as compared to mine, yet comfortable and satiable for a girl like her.
"Um.. Your house is beautiful", I whispered, initiating a conversation.
"Thanks, but I doubt. But it's nowhere in comparison to your filthy richness. I'm after all just a PA... Let me correct, just an employee of administrative department", she mocked back gruffly. She was literally slaying it. I'd no answer.
I didn't say a word and she didn't expect any reprisal too.
She walked ahead and sat on the couch. I sensed around and thought of sitting too. I went and sat down on the adjacent couch.
"Do you want coffee?", she asked in formality, not out of gestures.
I nodded my head and she went away in the kitchen.
After few minutes, she was back and sat on the couch. She had two mugs, out of which she handed me one, and took another. I smelled its aroma and inhaled it's essence. To be honest, I knew Nandini made the best coffee, I knew. Since she was my PA for months, I was already addicted to her coffee. But then, I changed her department. I tried another coffee today but it didn't taste the same.
She was sipping hot coffee silently, when I said, holding my cup "You should make my coffee in the office"
"Why Sir? I'm not your PA. I'm not liable to do that", she said with a frown.
"Listen, stop arguing to whatever I say. I'm the boss in the company, you're working in. So you've to do it", I replied arrogantly and authoritatively. She made a face and I looked at her.
My eyes were stuck on her facial expressions and without looking, I was trying to sip the coffee. I didn't know how, but instead of my face, the coffee was on my shirt.
"Shitttt", I shrieked as soon as that hot liquid touched my chest.
She saw it and immediately left her mug and came towards me.
