A Worried Brother

After the dinner, when we reached the hotel suite, Navya was exploding.

"What is the meaning of that! Getting her engagement rings! BOTH OF YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS! WHAT WAS ALL THAT MOCKERY!!!!" What has caused her to explode like this! I answered back calmly.

(Manik) "I am just doing my job. Even if it is for a short time, I am still her fiancé"

(Navya) "Fiancé, my foot! Stop this charade! Whatever you are thinking of doing, stop it!"

(Manik) "Shut up, Navya. You are dear friend and like my sister but there is a limit to how much nonsense I will tolerate! What I do is none of your business! And I am not going to simply not care when we both need to be present in any party together. I have the pride of being Malhotra! Also, because of your actions during the meeting, you can leave tomorrow. Be happy about it! I am going to sleep. You better go to sleep as well. I don't want a lecture from you right now." She ignored me and went to her room. Really, ruining my mood. Anyway, from tomorrow, I won't have Navya's interference.

The next day, Navya didn't look me in the eyes nor did she talk. Like I care! She can be unnecessarily meddlesome sometimes. The meeting went on without a hitch and agreement was finalised. After the meeting, Navya said bye and left to the hotel. Nandini stood outside with me as we saw her go.

(Nandu) "Well, Mr. Manik, do you have a specific place in mind to buy the ring?" She asked calmly. Nandini's question took me aback. Yesterday, she was unwilling and now so forward!

(Manik) "Not really as I am new to this place. You can choose the rings."

(Nandu) "I see. Shall we go?"

(Manik) "What? Like this?"

(Nandu) "No. Not really. Let me bring around my car." She left to pick up her car. Really, what am I doing? Yesterday, I justified my actions to Navya but this is not like me. What in the sane mind wanted me to get rings! I love it when things are in control but my actions seem to make things out of control like now. She came in a convertible. She had removed her coat off. White silk shirt and velvet black pants with her hair free from the ponytail, I didn't know any girl who could look casual and sensual in that.

(Nandu) "Get on in." An Audi is not bad at all. New machine, good taste.

(Manik) "You sure you are ready to burn my wallet?" She snickered at me. There was no sense of discomfort from yesterday.

(Nandu) "Don't know. I need to see if any new designs are in. Let me make this clear, I pay for your ring and you, pay for mine." Really now!

(Manik) "Does a non practicing doctor like you have money?"

(Nandu) "Don't underestimate my balance." I took off the coat and threw it in the back seat. She covered the top. We didn't strike much of conversation till we reached the place.

(Sales Person at the Jewellery Shop)"Good day. How may I help you?" She walked straight in like she owned the place.

(Nandu with attitude) "Call the manager to the rings section please." The girl who welcomed us ran to get the manager.

(Sales Person) "Yes, mam." Nandini went straight to the rings section. The store manager came rushing.

(Manager – Ian) "Ms. Murthy! How are you, mam? We just had your sister and mother the other day in store. I hope they are happy with the jewellery they picked?" She smiled calmly at the manager.

(Nandu) "Yes. They loved it. They can't wait to flaunt it. Mr. Ian, I am looking for engagement rings." He suddenly didn't sound very excited.

(Ian) "Again. (He murmured. I wondered if she heard it) I see. Please come this way. I am sure new pieces would have come in from the last time."

(Manik's POV) Again? What last time? How many times has she been engaged? I have been twice or thrice.

(Ian) He brought out the new rings from the locker. "Here we go. I hope you like them."

(Nandu) "Rubies, rubies. I would like to see rubies." Why rubies?

(Ian) "Yes mam. And for the gentleman?"

(Nandu) "Ah, he is Manik Malhotra, my fiancé. Show him the rings he would like to see and select. You know my finger size."

(Ian) "Yes. This way, Sir." He took me away from Nandini. "What kind of ring would you like to see, Sir?"

(Manik) "Stones. Preferable diamonds." He giggled.

(Ian) "I see. That is Ms. Murthy's birthstone." I didn't know. Then, shouldn't she like diamonds? And she reacted in such a way yesterday.

(Manik out of curiosity asked) "What is month is Ruby the birthstone of?" I never thought about my birthstone.

(Ian) "It is July." She knows my birthday? How? "Here we go. Any specifications?"

(Manik) "No. I will see through the designs." She behaves so mature here. When I first met her, I thought she was childish, like a teenage girl acting like an adult. She dressed up however she liked without consequence to surroundings. Here, it feels like she has grown. She acts appropriately to the atmosphere, behaves reversed and polite, it feels like the girl I was irritable with never existed.

The manager looked at me hopefully. It looked like he wanted to ask something but kept quiet for courtesy.

(Manik) "You know, Nandini isn't here. So, if you want to ask something, you can. I won't consider it impertinent." I looked at a solitaire huge stone ring.

(Ian) "Do you have something to ask me, Sir?" Isn't he sharp!

(Manik) "Well, I am curious about the 'again' that you said when she told about engagement rings."

(Ian) "She is...........(he hesitated)"

(Manik) "Please go on. This will not go beyond us I assure you and in no way, tarnish your reputation"

(Ian) "She is well known for her break ups in the circles here. Also, on a personal note, Ms. Murthy isn't fond of big stones like any other girls. In fact she hates being treated like them." She doesn't like big stone? She sure did her best to behave like other girls on the first occasion we met. I was no better treating her like a call girl besides calling her one. No wonder she was furious. Breakups, uh? The manager looked like he wanted to ask more.

(Manik) "You seem to look like you want to say more."

(Ian) "Um..... Are you serious about it, Sir?" He looked concerned about her. Her bubbly personality makes people love her but sometimes becomes an irritant to people like me.

(Manik) "I am not sure. It depends." I played around with the ring I was about to decide on.

(Ian) "I see. She was engaged twice when her siblings got married. She has had number of boyfriends; it is gossiped that she was dumped every time. I cannot imagine what possibly could have been the reason."

(Manik) "Yet, there have been no rumours passing around about her?"

(Ian) "She is a good lady at heart. I am sure there would have been some reason for her failed relationships but all the people are tight lipped when it is about the Murthys. You know, when high society women come to shop, you cannot help but overhear their conversations. The reason I am telling you, Sir, is because I am worried about Ms. Murthy, especially since her younger sister is about to get married." I kept silent.

His answer seemed sincere enough and looked like he really meant it. Not being able to have a steady relationship with anyone, I wonder why?

(Manik) "Here we go. Book it after checking that the ring fits her." A solitaire diamond ring, beautifully and intricately designed, which I am sure would look lovely when she wears it.

(Ian) "Exquisite choice. I am sure she would love it."

(Manik's POV) I got up to see if she has finished selecting. If it takes more time, I have to take her out for dinner. Its not because I like her, but because I have to treat her properly. An unwritten rule in the Malhotra family, women are to be taken care of with respect; especially having a domineering elder sister. Being a gentleman while sailing around women is troublesome. With wealth, name and status, women flock around me and when they become tiresome, an expensive gift can free you off the situation. Nandini is different. She has everything I have, which makes it interesting to see who will give into desire first. When I reached she was right at the place where I left her, I could really understand her charm of attracting people. As simple as she was dressed, she gave off an atmosphere of her personality. Seeing her laugh naturally surprised me. I didn't think she could laugh and talk freely with strangers. The moment she saw me, she stopped laughing.

(Nandini) "Manik, can you see if the ring fits?" She gave me a crimson red ruby ring, almost the colour of her hair, simple design in platinum but it strangely suited me when I tried it.

(Manik) "It fits. This is your engagement ring I chose for you. This is mine." She showed her lean hands after putting the ring in the ring finger.

(Manik) "I see. It suits you fine. I guess all that is left is payment. Shall we go?" She went to the payment counter ignoring me. Suit yourself!

(Manik)"Now that payment is done, would you like to have dinner with me?"

(Nandini) "Manik, I would love to but I have a prior engagement. So, I will drop you in the hotel and leave."

(Manik) "If I may know the prior engagement?"

(Nandini) "It is with my sister's family. You are not welcomed." She looked grumpy. What an attitude change! It boosts my want to make her surrender more.

(Manik) "Fine. You don't have to drop me in the hotel. I will get a cab. We will see each other in two weeks time."

(Nandini apologetically) "No, I will drop you."

(Manik angrily) "You need not. Bye."

(Nandini's POV)"..... You need not. Bye." The way he said it sent shivers through my spine. Really, no wonder Navya describes him as heartless. One moment when you think he has warmed up to you, he becomes as cold as ice; not that I encouraged him to feel comfortable with me. Yesterday, during dinner, was awkward enough talking with him. He thinks that I am an immature brat who does what she wants. In a way, that is true but I am not going to be polite to people I don't care about. But I didn't think he would form a strong opinion of me when we met before where I was joking. He seems completely surprised to see me be who I am. I just couldn't feel comfortable around him. Even when I was chatting with the employees, I could feel him looking at me even without turning back. I don't know if it was intense hate or like. I don't know how to react around him. When I try to be polite and normal, I suddenly tense up knowing he is around me and assessing me. I know assessing isn't correct word but somehow it feels that way. Further, I was shocked when he said he wanted to buy engagement rings. None of my ex fiancés or boyfriends ever bothered about one. All they were concerned about was business, money and about satisfying their temporary lust. I am sure he has had his share of fun like that. Just thinking he will also be the same, sent shivers down my spine. No matter how many years pass by, I can never get used to such people. Not that I am any better trying to behave like one but I just can't do it. I am sure he is used to treating a girl like princess and acting like a stranger once the affair is over. I won't allow him to treat me as his plaything just like I didn't allow others.

I looked at my hand. A beautiful ring. Is it possible for a person who can select such a beautiful thing and appreciate it, be a cold hearted, cynical person? I wonder if people notice that he puts up an act of being courteous while in truth he resents others. How do I know; that maybe the only mistake he did; of showing his true colours to me in a Christmas party, thinking I was bullying Navya. When Cabir was struggling to get Navya accept her feelings, I acted like a possible girlfriend to make her jealous. I didn't know what he understood from my actions but didn't care to hide his real face of being a jerk and being full of himself. The worst part is, he didn't even admit his mistake! Only to me, he didn't care to hide his true face. Not that I feel I am special to him, though I accept that I was or still am attracted to him. But ever since he came here, he has been acting this charade even with me. I am confused on deciding how he is. His actions makes me doubt what his intentions are or what he would do. I felt scared, for what my attractions may evolve to and what he could do. Two weeks till Nisha's engagement, I started collaborating work on the project and was told to take care of the Hospital which I was previously in charge of. I hated it but couldn't do anything about it nor could the other doctors. Most of them like me but some don't like my method of management. But they did a wonderful job. Who actually dared to transfer them without my permission?

(Nandini) "Papa, I am here to report. Oh! Rishabh, you are here. Now I don't have to search for you."

(VM) "What do you want? Can you not disturb us talking just because you know that we are the only ones here?" Rishabh has to look displeased. It was obvious that he was the one who relocated my people.

(Nandu to Rishabh) "Where did you transfer my best staff to?" Papa sighed. He has seen many a fights between us like this, that he grew tired of trying to calm the two of us.

(Rishabh) "Your best staff? You abandoned your position. You have no right to ask about that."

(Nandu) It is true that I abandoned my place but that doesn't say whether I have right or not. "Just shut it. You have no right to transfer them."

(Rishabh) "Yes, I do. Anyways, I am not in a mood to fight with you. I did what you would have done. They are transferred to the new factory place."

(Nandino's POV) For a second, I was shocked to hear it. Not that his decision making skills is bad but the fact that he and I would have taken the same decision surprised me.

(Nandu)"Very well, for the first time, you did something correctly. Well Papa, here you go. I am heading back home. You are coming for dinner today?"

(VM) "No. Another business dinner. I will call Renuka. Be ready to leave for the factory immediately after the engagement party."

(Nandu) "Yeah, yeah. Bye. See you, Rishabh." I closed the door and went out. Within seconds, Rishabh came running behind me.

(Below image is exactly what i like about my brother and it is written by me and not copied from anywhere... I am not sure if the same thing or words are already there on web)

(Rishabh) "Nandini, its not too late to let me take over the job." Why is he so persistent about this particular project? He never even bothered to know about what I was involved in before.

(Nandu) "Why, Rishabh? Why will I do that?" He stopped me from walking away.

(Rishabh) "Manik is the one coordinating from the other side." Impossible!

(Nandu – disbelieved) "What? Not possible. I am in contact with someone else now."

(Rishabh)"Yes. But the one coming with you to the factory is him. Please change with me." He looked worried but Papa isn't going to give me another chance. I took a deep breath.

(Nandu) "Rishabh, I can take care."

(Rishabh)"Nandini, I Am Worried About You." His voice slowly raised.

(Nandu)"You don't have to worry about me." I tried to control the raising anger. I don't mind people worrying about me but I don't want to be over protected.

(Rishabh) "But With His Reputation? I Don't Want You To Suffer. Listen To Me, Rag-"

(Nandu) "OH! SHUT UP, RISHABH!" My anger burst out. The staff on the corridor looked at us. I pulled him to the corner of the corridor. "I am sorry, Rishabh. I didn't mean to shout like that. Listen to me. I can take care of myself. I am not the same kid anymore." He didn't look satisfied.

(Rishabh disheartened) "I see. But i want to protect you and calm you. Please listen to me and i have rights to "

(Nandu) "You don't have to worry about me. Besides, if he wanted to make his move, he could have done it long back. He doesn't even try to meet me in the eye. He is rigid and tensed around me. How can such a man try to make me his? He hates me. I know for sure that he hates me. So, you don't have to worry so much that you would go bald. You won't look good as a baldie." I didn't know what I looked when I said it but the reality of my words hung like fog over my heart.

(Rishabh) "Nandini, you almost seem to be in love with him." He whispered in disbelief.

(Nandini)"I don't know, Rishabh, I don't know. But I know that I wouldn't be involvedwith him. Its impossible. Well, I am going home now. See you later. Take careof Radhika Bhabhi and the kids for me. Don't irritate my kidos when I am notthere" I walked away from him. Why did I feel like crying? I don't even lovethe guy. It is just mere infatuation. Why couldn't he be a little kinder