Chapter 10

"What?" she said annoyingly making him leave her elbow.

"Your car is over there why are you going in opposite direction." Manik enquired.

"None of your business." She tried to walk away. He stopped her saying its his duty to make sure all his employees reach safely back home. She wiggled her eyebrows "Ok, so my car seems to be stubborn and is troubling me like some human beings trouble me so I was looking for a cab."

He thought for a while and said he will drop her.

Nandini was surprised but had no option so she started walking with him towards his car.

His car had no top, just the roll bars behind each of the two seats. After Nandini was in, Manik leaned over the passenger door to secure the seat belt both inches apart and Nandini clenched her fists to be normal.

Clapping Nandini on the shoulder, Manik said, "there you go, all done.. sit comfortably and guide me through ," then rounded the hood. He climbed into the driver's seat and started his car.

The engine roared to life, and manik pulled onto the road. Nandini's messy bun had gone hay wire and due to howling wind her hair started getting all over her face she was struggling to tuck them behind her ear. Manik was in his own world driving with eyes on road. Nandini finally put a braid and sighed. Manik happened to see her and said "Lose hair looks great on you." Nandini astonishingly asked "W-whatt?" He suddenly said "Err nothing.. tell me where to take turn after this signal."

Nandini was thinking did she really hear what she heard or was it some weird imagination. She rolled her eyes and decided to ignore her jumbled mind.

Nandini, feeling much better about everything...at least, until she realized the car was going faster. And faster. When they made the next turn, they almost missed bumping into a car coming from the opposite direction.

Her stomach jumped and she rolled her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down hard, as if the pain would distract her she remembered the horrendous car crash of her parents. She started shivering, almost hyperventilating. Manik noticed her and asked her if she is OK. She replied saying "Yes, I am fine please go slow. I am scared of fast pace."

He wasn't aware he was going that fast. Maybe Nandini made him do things out of control.

"OK fine. I am sorry, I never exceed the speed limit. You be comfortable. I will make sure to take you safely."

She sighed. "Ok thanks.". The rest of drive was silent.

When they reached Nandini's house she offered him to come in for the sake of courtesy but he denied. Waved her bye and drove away.

Nandini came to her room changed into her pyjamas offered prayers and tried to sleep. The whole evening was bizarre. Baby, who was this baby. Seems like Mr. Boss had special someone in his life. Why did she feel uncomfortable. Weird. She tried to sleep.

Next day morning was Saturday so her weekend had started she had nothing better to do so called up veebha.

"Hey Vib, how have you been we haven't met after your birthday lets catch up if you are free in the evening."

Veebha agreed and invited Nandini to her house at 6 p.m. Nandini said she will be on time and decided to practice her classical music for sometime.

At 6.30 p.m, she was at Veebha's place. she heard some male voice in her living room. When she entered she saw Cabir and Veebha laughing. Nandini thought it was definitely wrong timing to disturb love birds. She wouldn't have come had she known Cabir was here too. She slowly turned back leaving them alone. But Veebha hollered. She decided it wasn't polite to go back home now. She entered the living room. Veebha hugged her tightly and expressed her happiness to see her after many days. They both settled on sofa. Cabir and Nandini exchanged their pleasantries. Nandini was not that well acquainted with Cabir as she had hardly met him they just had casual talks whenever they met but she really was happy for Veebha as Cabir was one wonderful guy always smiling and a jovial person. Cabir excused himself to attend call. Veebha and Nandini started their conversation blaming each other for not catching up. By then Cabir came and said "Hey Vibz, my friends will be here in another 10 minutes, I will wait outside ok." Saying this he went out to recieve his friends.

Veebha smiled at Nandini looking at her friend's confused expression.

Nandini was really uncomfortable by now thinking she was really a fool to not ask Veebha about her plans when she had called. "Hey Vib, I think I remembered something important Amms asked me to do. I am gonna leave now. I was really happy to see you. Take care. Bye." She hurriedly got up. Only to be pulled back by Veebha.

Veebha smiled "Come on Nandu, don't be spoil sport, I didn't tell you deliberately about this small get together. I knew you wouldn't come. You need to get out of the house and have some fun too. You work too hard. It's just his 3 childhood friends and we both will have some new friends too. We will have great fun. They are really wonderful people. You are not going anywhere until I give you permission, that's it. I have already taken Amms permission ok."

Nandini didn't know how to react she kept blaming Veebha for being secretive.

Cabir entered along with his friends. Nandini was checking some magazine. She heard some familiar voices and sneaked to check who it was. She was shocked to see Manik, Maddy and Alya. She stood up dropping her magazine with a surprised and shocking look.

Cabir introduced his friends to Nandini all three were surprised too. Alya giggled and hugged Nandini. Nandini hugged her back.

Cabir winked "Oh!! So you gals have already met. Ok Nandini, this is Manik Malhotra, and this is Madhyam Malhotra, Manik's younger brother." Nandini almost fainted. She could see the evilish smirk on maddys face and Manik was standing with blank expression on his face.

Maddy got his hand forward to shake hands with Nandini. Nandini said "Namaste" folding her hands. Maddy was laughing by now and said "Ohoo Typical Indian greetings. That's nice. Namaste ji. BTW Cabiraaa, we know this girl very well.. She works for our bank, the most the most the most....." He stopped. Cabir asked "The most what??"