30: Back to square one?

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Sorry for the mistakes.

Nandini's pov

Maybe, I'm just overthinking. Maybe there is a chance for us. Maybe, Manik does have some feelings for me.

A lot of maybe's

From the past few days, I keep getting this thought that Maybe Manik likes me back and strangely this gives me a weird sense of warmth and peace.

Its strange how a single thought can make us happy!!

I was busy in my la-la land, when the landline phone buzzed breaking my trance.

My smile grew wide, wider if possible knowing very well its Manik. I immediately answer the phone saying a loud "Hii"

Thanks to my bursting excitement!!

" Someone is happy, I guess " he replied with a teasing tone

I shooked my head vigorously only to realise he couldn't see me " Wh-wh-what? No "

" I'd love to make your no into yes but I've a meeting in 5, just called to remind that be ready by 7 for the client dinner " he uttered in his deep voice

" Ye-yes ok" I said before cutting the call

Biting my inner cheeks to stop myself from smiling, I went inside the closet to see what should I wear today.

I'm excited, even though its more like a business dinner but its my first time having dinner with him outside as his wife

God, I'm behaving like a teenager!!

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Time passes quickly than I expected it to be, not that I don't want to go but I'm hella nervous.

Yes. yes I know its a business dinner, but can you blame me?

From the past three hours, I tried 8 dresses still couldn't get satisfied with any of it. It happens to me every single time.

Urghh, this is too frustrating

Finally after a number of tries, I took out the one dress which I've wore uncountable times. The dress is like my comfort dress, if nothing is going right, the dress will.

Taking a look at the mirror to ensure everything is right with my ice blue knee length dress matched up with a flat sandals as heels are just not for me, I kept hair open which ends just above my shoulder with a minimal makeup on my face.

Satisfied with how I look, I went out to go with the driver, As Manik asked me to meet directly at the restaurant.

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The restaurant was huge and in a very Porsche area of Mumbai, it was just phenomenal with an amazing sight view.

Looking around, I find Manik taking long strides towards me which ultimately made me conscious about how I'm looking?

" Come on. The client is already here, We're late " he stated looking at his phone which instantly made my whole mood off.

Hw didn't even saw me and in this short span of time, I've thought so much.

Hiding my sad face, I nodded meekly before following him

He went to a VIP table situated at most corner of the hall yet the centre of attraction.

Reaching there, I saw two people one man in his late 30s maybe and a lady who looks no older than 22.

The lady was epitome of beauty, she was so confident and beautiful that if I'd be a guy or If I'm not straight I'd have an ultimate crush on her.

Averting my gaze from her, I looked beside me where Manik was standing. His gaze was also fixed on the girl like he knew who she is and vice-versa

They were having some staring contest going on while the man over there was busy with god knows what.

Manik was still gazing at her, which broke my heart a little more than necessary. Not able to see the sight infront of me, out of jealousy I wrapped my hands on Manik's arm thus, indicating the girl that he's off limit.

But who am I kidding?

The girl smirked at my action before speaking confidently " So, who's she Mr. Malhotra? Your one of the mistress? "

I kept my mouth shut, waiting for him to contradict but he didn't. He only looked here and there, trying to avoid answering the question

That was the moment when I regretted coming here.

" Wife. She's my wife " my head was low when finally Manik spoke which wiped off the smirk from the girl face and brought a little warmth on mine

" Oh My goodness. The Handsomest bachelor is off the market. now, This is some big breaking news" I heard the man congratulated with a real smile.

" Uhh ye-yeah I guess " Manik replied smiling a little

" Congratulations, Mr. Malhotra. That call for celebration " The man said

" Indeed " The lady hissed with a fake smile

With this, the business talk started, I didn't know about Manik's work, so I concentrated on the deliciously yummy dinner.

A little later, I saw Manik and that girl again staring at each other

Manik was plainly staring, while the girl was giving him a seducing look. I was so jealous at the moment that I could've killed her.

Ultimately, hearing their talks I got to know, the girl is Mr. Agarwal's wife and did schooling with Manik in Mumbai.

They all were having a casual talk now, but I was just not myself. Feeling out of place is one of my speciality.

In all this chaos, my fork fell down. I bent to pick that up, when I saw the girl was rubbing her toes on Manik's shoes and was going upper while he on the other side was talking to her husband normally like nothing is happening under the table

That made me so so so angry, before I could realise I took a glass of water and dump it straight on her neatly designed hair.

" Nandini " Manik shouted thus attracting all the heads on me, making me realise what the hell did I done?

" What is this behaviour, Mr Malhotra. I didn't bring my wife so that your wife can insult her " the man stood up angrily making the chair fell down

All this while, the girl has closed her eyes, trying to process what just happened

" Then tell your wife to not seduce my Manik " I returned the same anger

" I guess you need someone who's mature and strong not some insecure bitch. " Finally the girl spoke very calmly but her calmness was cold like ice

" Ahh and one more thing, say bye to your dream project on which you were working since school, Manik " This time she smirked before walking away followed by her husband who glared at me

All this while, Manik was standing still.

I tried to break the silence, but the minute I opened my mouth, he clutched my wrist tightly walking out of the restaurant

Reaching the parking area, he pushed me towards the car door with such a force that my back felt numb.

For a minute or two, he was just trying to control his anger by walking here and there making me more scared than I already was and then he opened his blood red eyes oozing nothing but fire.

Coming towards me like a prey, he grabbed my arms making sure digging his fingers on my skin.

" Why? " He asked almost inaudibly

Not hearing any reply, he screamed " I asked, Why? "

" Ma-manik, I-I-I'm sorry. lea-leave my hand please, you're hurting " I muttered on the verge of crying

" Do you have any idea how much important that deal was for me? Do you? " He shouted in my ears making me loose all the self control I had, I started crying

" Ma-manik, that that gi-girl, I-I uh I- " I tried to speak but he cut me off

" What? The girl what? You got what? Jealous? Huh? How many times, how many times do I have to tell you that I don't like you? That you're not what I want and will never be? Like seriously, just because I cared a little because you'd a fever you started thinking you have a chance? " He screamed on my face

His hands was still on my arms, but it didn't pained this time. More than the physical pain, I was experiencing something in my heart, something worse than any physical pain ever would be

" I mean come on, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Huh? No dressing sense, no manner, no confidence, nothing and you thought that Manik Malhotra would like a girl like you. YOU? " his every words were breaking me a little more than before

At that time, I know my heart is broken once again by the same guy but this time more brutally.

" That project was my Father's dream project, I was working on it since school, since my father passed away but you came and made all my hardwork, my Father's dream into ashes. " He hissed, a drop of tear fell from his eyes this time

" I- I didn't- " I hiccupped but he never let me complete my any sentence

" Yeah, why would you understand? Who am I kidding? What can I expect from someone who doesn't even have a father? " He sneered venemously taunting me

At that time, I lost my breathe.

From my childhood, I have been bullied in school because I didn't have a Father, I'd be lying if I say it didn't hurt because it did but as I grew up I made my peace with not having one. I don't want one. My mother is more than enough for me.

But today, hearing this from Manik, I realised I'm still the same primary class girl who was bullied. No matter how hard I try to act strong these people always have a way to crush my confidence.

Right now, I'm cursing myself why Did I dump that water or heck why did I even came here?

" Just stay the hell away from me and my business. I swear Nandini, if you didn't make your clingy self away from me then, I'd make sure you'll regret your existence" He hissed in a deadly voice removing his hands from my bruised arms.

His fingers were stuck into my skin that it took him a second or two to remove it.

My head was hung low, and tears were constantly flowing.

" Now stop your drama, and get in the car. As much as I hate you in my car, I have a mother who somehow is more concern about you than her own child " he sneered taking a step back, his voice still oozing poison

I wasn't in a position to fight or to even utter a word, so I simply sat in the car

His words gave me a reality check, that no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I acted and no matter how much I pretended that I'm no more the college girl who use to think about him day and night, somewhere I'm still the same.

Its ironic that I don't take anyone's things even if I need it badly, yet here I'm trying to make a position in someone's life who doesn't give a fuck whether I am even alive or not.

The whole ride, I was biting my lower lips to stop myself from hiccupping or sobbing but failed miserably

" Get lost " he commanded as soon as the car reached his penthouse.

Without further ado, I got out of the car.

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Locking the door of a room different than his, I sobbed and hiccupped real bad that I felt shortage of Oxygen. His words were like a dagger straight to ny heart. I didn't realised that I'm being Clingy all this while.

In all the crying, sometime in the middle of early morning I slept in a fetus position on the floor missing mumma.

I wasn't able to sleep much last night as Manik's words were running in my head again and again making me want to disappear myself.

I don't want to face him, more specifically I don't want him to see my face, not even my shadow.

His nail marks were imprinted on both my arms like an art with a little blood oozing out from them every once in a while.

Not paying much heed to that, I wore full sleeve clothes and left for work before he could see me

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Xoxo,
Marbil


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