In love with my boss ✔️

9. Talks

Hello Fam :)

Happy Reading...

Manik: Kya hua Nandini? Why did you hide all these years? Don't I deserve to be consoled by you? Or do you enjoy seeing me cry here?

He chuckled sadly. His tone was hurt. Did she enjoy seeing him crying? No, she didn't. It pained her every year seeing him so vulnerable.

Nandu(disbelievingly): Manik. What's wrong with you? You..

Manik(taking a deep breath): Nothing's wrong, Nandini Murthy. Nothing's wrong. I won't cry anymore. I have made peace with their death.

Nandu(sarcastically): Yes, you have made peace with their death. And that's why you are putting on this strong facade of yours.

A tear slipped from his eyes which he frantically wiped off. He never wanted Nandini to see him weak. But, Nandu doesn't need to see it. She knows him too well to say what's going on with him.

Nandu(holding his hand): Let it go, Manik. I know, we never talked about this. It's been years since that accident. It's time to let them go, Manik. Don't hold it back.

Manik crashed on her shoulders. She flinched due to the sudden hug. But he was her priority now. She has to be strong, for him. He cried and cried holding her close to him as if she will disappear. His hold was tight and his hug was hurting her, but she chose to ruffle his hair to calm him down, instead. After what felt like hours, he slipped his head on to her lap, her hand still in his hairs and his eyes closed.

Nandu(whispered): Manik?

She called him softly to which he just 'hmm'ed.

Nandu(teased): You know this is the first time you are looking your age. Otherwise, you behave like a kid always.

He sat straight.

Manik(helplessly): How can you be so calm about their death, Nandini? I have lost my everything. I am feeling like I have been carrying something heavy, since years. I want to just go back in time and make everything right.

Nandu(chuckled sadly): Only if that was easy. You want to go back and bring them alive. Lekin Manik, mere liye woh kabhi gaye hi nahi. They are in my heart and I feel them around. If you have lost your everything, I have lost my everything too, Manik.

Manik(curtly): No, you haven't. You lost your parents. What about me? Along with my mom, I lost my friends (Nandu's parents). I was their champ, Nandini. (Taking a deep breath) That accident also took away my most valuable thing, my best friend.

Nandu(shocked): Manik...

Manik(cutting off): please, bolne do mujhe, Nandini. I haven't seen my best friend ever after that day. She left me alone. She broke her promise to stay by my side always. I became a good boy. I started doing my homework regularly. I stopped playing pranks on my teachers. I did everything that she wanted me to. But, she didn't spare a single glance at me. (mutters) As if, she just forgot, there was a person 'Manik' in her life who is still waiting for her.

Nandu too had tears by the time Manik completed speaking.

Nandu(whispered, shaking her head a bit in negative): I didn't break my promise, Manik. I was always there by your side.

Manik chuckled humorlessly before saying.

Manik(in a hurtful tone): Yes, you were always there by my side. But, Nandini Murthy, you are not my best friend. She used to correct my mistakes, but she used to have fun with me too. We studied and played together. You are my boss, Nandini Murthy, who speaks to me only about work. We hardly talk things other than work. But my Nandu used to share everything with me. Us accident ne tumhe bhi mujhse cheen liya hai, Nandini. Kya hua hai meri Nandu ko?

He looked towards her with a helpless face. It was not the accident that took her away from him, but the things after the accident. She had put a stern face before saying.

Nandu: Let's go. It's too late.

She left the place without waiting for his reply. Manik sighed helplessly. He looked towards the tombstones before going and promised them.

Manik(determined): Mumma, aunty, uncle. I hope you are fine wherever you are. I am sorry, I failed this year too. But at least woh aapke saamne aayi. I promise you all three, I will bring back my best friend by next year. Please help me with this.

Every year he promises to bring her back but every year he fails to do so. But today, he felt determined. He will bring her back at any cost.

Manik left from there and saw Nandu sitting in her car in the driving seat.

Manik(confused): Nandu, meri car?

Nandu(informed): I asked the driver to take it home. Shall we leave?

Manik nods. The journey was silent. Manik was feeling better after talking to Nandu. The weight that he was carrying for years, has been removed off. Now, he was free to focus on the things that he needed to.

On the other hand, Nandini was restless. It's been years since they have talked something like this. She had shut him from that day. Yes, she was there beside him. She protected him from his problems. She saved him from Raj's scoldings. She guided him. But she never let him know. He never needed to know. She never expected Manik to bring this topic again. Yes, she was his best friend. His Nandu. But, Nandini Murthy has locked his best friend deep inside her heart where even she doesn't dare to go.

They reached home. Nandu looked at Manik and found him sitting with his eyes closed. She called him but when he didn't budge, she shook him lightly.

Manik(startled): Haan. Kya hua?

Nandu(informed): We are home.

Manik nods and they both get out.

Inside the house, Nandu sees a butler and stops him.

Nandu(asked): Uncle kahan hai?

Butler: Bade sahab study room mein hai.

Nandini sighs. She needs to check him.

Butler: Cabir baba bhi hain unke saath.

Nandu(surprised): what? Cabir aaya hai? Acha ok. Tum jao.

They both go towards their room. When Nandu was about to leave for her room, Manik stopped her.

Manik(pleaded): Please stay with me? 

Few more chapters and things will come to normal from the slight intense things going on. Some Manan moments ahead. ;)