Manik and Nandini were sitting in Nandini's cabin. Nandini was seriously reading a file while she had given one to Manik who though had his eyes on it but wasn't reading it.

To say in simple words, his insides were doing salsa and he was trying his best to control that smile to come on his face even though happiness was evident on his face.

It was the fourth time Nandini caught him staring at the file with a half smile. He grinned but tried not to show it.

Nandini: You can smile, Mr.Malhotra. Nobody's gonna stop you.

Startled and embarrassed, Manik looked up at her only to find her eyes sticked on the file infront of her.

Manik: H-How do you know I am smiling?

She wasn't looking at him. Right? Or maybe.

Nandini looked at him this time with a slight 'I know everything' smirk and leaned back on her chair.

Nandini: Well, I am the best for a reason, Mr.Malhotra and not to forget your boss at present. So I guess experience?

Much to her surprise, Manik chuckled and ended up laughing softly making her frown.

Manik: You are too naive, Ma'am. You can fool others with your experience but not me. I am a buisnessman too, though not as good as you, but I do know how, the experience you are talking about, works.

Nandini glared at him and he just smiled much to her annoyance.

Nandini: Leave that, If you are done smiling, can we get back to work. I have given you this file to read so that we can sign a deal, not to discuss about our experience in reading expressions.

He nodded, a little embarrassed and she shook her head. He cleared his throat to compose himself and looked at his wrist watch.

Manik: Actually no, It is my lunch time.

Nandini: Yeah sure, What would you like to have for lunch, Mr.Malhotra?

She had already picked up her mobile to order lunch for them.

Manik: Can't you just call me Manik till we have lunch?

Manik was not sure how she would react to him. He kept his voice as soft as possible but as he saw the look of denial on her face, his heart broke but he tried his best not to show it on his face.

Nandini: No, I am fine with Mr.Malhotra.

Manik: Okay, No Problem.

Nandini: So, What would take in lunch?

Manik: Err, Anything would do.

Nandini rolled her eyes seeing the foodie in him coming out. He raised his eyebrow guessing what she meant by her expression. How did she know he was a foodie? However, it didn't matter as he saw her expressions turning into stern. He cleared his throat and gestured her to ho ahead. She nodded before calling Arjun and along with his lunch also asked a coffee for herself.

Manik: You should eat something rather than drinking coffee time to time.

Nandini: and who do you think you are to tell me to what to eat and what not?

She snapped back instantly.

Manik: I am sorry. I was just trying to be a little friendly.

He looked down and Nandini was going to say something when the lunch came. Manik silently started eating while sitting on the couch placed there while Nandini sipped her coffee still busy in checking files.

Manik was chewing the food but it was more as if he was murdering it. He looked at her and made a bad face.

Manik: (murmuring) Such a Lady Monster she is! I was just giving her an advice na. Why does she have to behave so rudely? Huh! Go Manik, give her more advices.

And he was so busy in her cursing her that he didn't realize when he chewed the green chilly.

He shouted all of the sudden feeling the spice and Nandini got startled. She looked at him shocked and hurriedly came by his side.

She filled the glass of water and put it near his lips. He stared at her as she gestured him to drink the water and with the other hand rubbed his back a little.

Gulping down the cold water, Manik felt a little calm. He looked at her and she raised her eyebrow.

Nandini: What?

She took back her hand and he composed himself. He shook his head in no making a weird face which again was a distraction to her. She glared at him but he was busy in his thoughts.

Nandini: Mr.Malhotra?

Manik: Yeah

He looked up startled and frowned seeing her glare. Did he do something again?

Nandini: Can you please stop making that cu-weird faces?

Manik smirked internally, his male ego being boosted up as he realized the word she was about to utter. He kept on the world's most innocent face and smiled.

Manik: Why? Do my cu-weird faces distract you, Ma'am?

He copied her and she glared at him. He blinked making her roll her eyes.

Nandini: You know, I feel I just might die, seeing your expressions.

Her tone was sarcastic and for a moment Manik thought he lost the small battle but then he smirked.

Manik: Ah! I didn't know my expressions are so deadly that they could even result in the great NM fainting.

Nandini: Shut the fuck up and start your work. Your lunch time is over.

She ordered, having enough of his nonsense and he pouted which did nothing but frustrated her more.

Manik: No, I still have some left.

He indicated at his quater filled plate and she looked at him sternly.

Nandini: Your lunch time is over, Mr.Malhotra. Get back to work.

Though he could easily snap back at her saying that he wasn't her employe at that particular moment. He was a businessman she was signing deal with yet he stayed silent and nodded.

Nandini could tell that he was upset but she kept her emotionless face. They sat back on their seats and continued to work with Manik glancing back at his plate now and then.

He was a foodie. He probably ate a lot and today he didn't complete his lunch. He was hungry and the hunger wasn't letting him work at all.

While Nandini was irritated. He hadn't said anything to her expect for work purpose and it bothered her. He had always been smiling around her and his silent posture was not at all appealing for her.

At one point she caught him staring back at his plate and then glancing at her and due to the frustration, she burst out on him.

Nandini: How irresponsible of you, Mr.Malhotra!? Here, I am working and you are making faces at me?

Manik: What! No! I wasn't making faces looking at you. Trust me.

He hurriedly tried to justify himself even though he was upset with her.

Nandini: Not a word, Mr.Malhotra. Get out of my cabin right now.

Manik: But!

He tried to argue but the stern expressions on her face stopped him in mid.

Nandini: I said, get out and have your lunch, Mr.Malhotra.

Manik: Okay fine!

And he stood up, completely upset, hurt and a little angry too. Giving her a last glance he walked out leaving her with her own tangled thoughts.

She knew she had spoke more than needed. He didn't mean to offend her. She knew his intentions. But she was also angry that he was being so irresponsible regarding his work.

Upon that, she was angry at herself. How could she show her concern to him? She was not suppose to care for anyone let alone him.

Her mind was as messed up as her life was. She didn't know what she was doing. First Siddarth's accident and then Abhimanyu's injury. Upon that this stupid deal. Nothing was helping her.

Those accusing stares were roaming in her mind again and again. She wanted to run away and hide somewhere. They didn't trust her. They trusted those bloody proofs more than her. This thought was breaking her day by day yet she never showed on her face but with Manik's entry, she could feel the walls she has built around her heart, crumbling down without her consent.

She couldn't believe she let him know she was concerned for him. She was evil for others and she wanted him to believe the same. He wasn't supposed to know this.

This is how she was. She cared but didn't show. She sent Manik out so he could eat but covered up her care with anger and frustration so he wouldn't develop any hope for her in his heart.

She wanted to scream her heart out today. For the first time the work wasn't able to distract her. She sat there throwing her head back and let the horrifying past run in her mind like a movie.

She need to remind herself what had they done to her and it would help her for sure.

Sometimes, we push people away because we have to but the truth is we need them the most at that moment. Same was with Nandini. She knew Manik was her cure, but she couldn't let him drown in the darkness she resides in. He was the light she needed, but couldn't have.

Life is complicated. It is easy to live but difficult to survive. Relations are important but delicate. Just like a thin thread, if we apply a little force and stretch it, it would break and trust, the base of any relationship, be it friendship, love, blood relations or any other. Once broken, it would never be the same.

Maybe, she will forgive them one day, or maybe they will be one in future again but the broken trust between them will remain like a knot in the thread after it breaks.

To Be Continued.