Manik cursed himself for the nth time. His woman was tougher, damn! She was. He couldn't doubt it now.

Nandini had been ignoring him like a plague for the whole damn week. Seven days, he hadn't heard a word from her. From the moment, Manik had stepped on the airport, he had expected her to call him, scold him, shout at him but never did he expected her to give him such a silent treatment.

She hadn't even been seeing his messages, let alone replying or receiving his calls. He was going mad here, calling her friends and everyone but Nandini Murty was way more stubborn than he thought.

He sighed and at the same time the door of his cabin opened revealing a smiling Cabir.

Cabir: Manik-

Manik: Yes?

Cabir: I have something for you.

Manik: What?

Manik frowned and at the same time Cabir put his mobile infront of his face where Nandini was on video call. Shocked, numb and surprised - Manik couldn't move a muscle. Nandini only seemed to be enjoying his condition as she giggled softly.

Her giggles brought Manik out of the trance. He glanced at Cabir who nodded his head, confirming it was reality not a dream.

Within a minute, Manik snatched the mobile and Cabir laughed out loud.

Cabir: Okay, you two talk. I will come later to receive my mobile.

Manik didn't even nod, for he was still in the daze. As Cabir left, Manik didn't even look at the screen. The desperateness of so many days suddenly turned into anger, anger that she didn't talk to him, she didn't receive his calls, messages, and anger that she preferred to video call Cabir but not him.

He snickered making her chuckle.

Nandini: Manik?

Manik: Sorry?

Nandini: Okay, I am sorry. Atleast look at me.

Manik wanted to, he really wanted too but the anger which was slowly turning into hurt now stopped him. He shook his head softly making her smile.

Nandini: Sorry?

Manik: You don't talk to me.

Nandini: Okay.

She muttered and scared she will actually cut the call, Manik turned to the screen hastily only to find her sitting with a soft smile. He growled at her in anger and she looked at him amused for she didn't know a human could do that.

Manik: You are so cruel.

Nandini: Am I?

Manik nodded, suddenly feeling so vulnerable. He couldn't come to the fact that this woman, sitting on the other side of the screen could make him feel so many different emotions, all at once. He was desperate to talk to her, he was angry and he was hurt and now, he felt so vulnerable.

Manik: How do you do this?

Nandini: Do what?

Manik: Don't pretend, Nandini. Why were you ignoring me?

Nandini: Why did you leave without informing me?

Manik: I did inform you!

Nandini: Manik!

She looked irritated and Manik mentally laughed at her inability to argue with him. Was it only with him, or she was always the same? He didn't know.

Nandini whined and pouted for she lost the point while Manik could only laugh at her expenses.

Nandini: you left, without even meeting me.

It was sudden. Manik was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to brought up this topic, atleast when they were on a video call.

He looked here and there trying to avoid eye contact for he knew, the look on her face will be enough to break him apart. There was no way he could explain her he didn't have the heart and courage to leave if he saw her.

Nandini as if understanding the matter, chuckled. Manik looked up at her and she shook her head in no.

Nandini: It is okay, leave it.

Manik: Nandini- I-

Nandini: It is fine.

Manik: It is not, I am sorry? I won't do that again.

Nandini: I won't let you do that again!

Manik chuckled at the way she spoke. Her eyes down and cheeks puffed out in fake anger yet something in her told him she meant what she said and then, it wasn't like he would repeat it.

A week of ignorance and he was on the verge of killing someone, there was no way he would it again.

Nandini: Anyways-

They got indulged in a random conversation, telling each other what they did in the whole week. From Nandini's exciting shipping adventure where every one in the family had to drag her back home forcefully to Manik shouting at almost every second person he sees.

They almost lost the track of time until Cabir came there asking for his mobile earning a series of curses from Manik.

Days passed with Manik and Nandini bonding over calls, video calls and chats. Although the physical distance between them was hurting them, yet they enjoyed and appreciated whatever they had.

When Manik realized he was in love with her, he had never even thought of getting so many beautiful moments with her. All in all, this period was a blessing.

Life was beautiful. Manik suddenly had everything, he felt he couldn't be more luckier than this.

It was one such day when he woke up with an uneasy feeling. His mood was down and he wished to spend all the day in the bed talking to no one but Nandini but then, he couldn't neglect the work.

With that same unsettling feeling in his stomach for the entire time, he got ready and left for work. His schedule was completely packed today.

Meetings after meetings, he had no time even for lunch. He didn't even get any time to drop even a single message to Nandini or it completely slipped out of his mind until it was late night and he was to go home.

He picked up his mobile and saw numerous missed calls and messages from her. He cursed himself for being so busy and keeping his mobile on silent.

Without wasting another second, Manik dialed her number and waited for her to pick it up.

On the other hand, Nandini was frustrated. Manik had never ever ignored her. He was always there as far as she could remember.  Where was he? Was he partying? How could he ignore her? Didn't he feel it necessary to inform her anything?

Her mind was clouded with various negative thoughts. Suddenly her mobile rang and Manik's name flashed on the screen.

Hours of worry suddenly turned into anger and Nandini found herself picking it up.

Manik: Nandini-

Nandini: Shut up! Just shut up! What do you think of yourself? You can ignore me whenever you want? Listen to me clearly Mr.Malhotra, if you don't need me, I don't need you as well. You can go and party around all you want, I don't care! And don't you even dare contact me again! I am done with you!

She cut the call the next moment, flushed and so much angry. She had no idea what all she said, all she knew was Manik had ignored her and he was not allowed to.

On the other hand, Manik was hurt. Party?
When was the last time he partied and she didn't know? He didn't need her? His day doesn't start without listening to her voice. She was done with him, his heart refused to understand anything beyond that.

Angry and hurt, Manik had decided he was not going to talk to her, atleast until she calls him and apologizes on her own.

____

The next day appeared more than difficult for Nandini. She had a sinking feeling in her heart all the time. Something was not right but what? She just couldn't point out. She wanted to call Manik but deciding against it, she ended up decided to spend time with her friends.

She found Aryaman in the gym, Abhimanyu had left for office already, Harshad and Navya were out and Madhayam was still sleeping.

And this is how she ended up with Aryaman.

Aryaman: Why are you so dull today?

He asked as she sat down quietly thinking about something.

Nandini: M-Me? No, I am fine bhai.

Aryaman: I can see! Tell me

He insisted.

Nandini: I- I ended up shouting at Manik.

Aryaman stopped, a grin covering his face as he looked at her.

Aryaman: What am I hearing? You and Manik - fought?

Nandini: What's so surprising in this? All friends fight.

Aryaman: Friends? Really, Nandu?

He gave her I-know-what-type-of-friends-you-are look, which did nothing but irritated her more.

Nandini: Fine, whatever. We fought and I don't like it.

Aryaman: What's the matter?

He asked, serious this time and she let out a sigh before narrating him the whole matter.

Aryaman: Ah. You shouldn't have said that, Nandu. You know him better.

Nandini: Ofcourse, I-I just snapped, I feel guilty now bhai.

Aryaman: So why don't you call him?

Nandini looked down as he raised an eyebrow. He chuckled and walked to her while wiping his sweat. She handed him the water bottle silently and he took a sip before sitting beside her.

Aryaman: You know I am not much fond of him but he does care for you a lot.

Nandini: I know. He might be busy but he ignored me! I- I -

Aryaman: felt bad?

Nandini nodded and frowned when he smiled.

Aryaman: So don't you think he is going to feel more bad now? You shouted at him, and didn't even call to apologise. He might be waiting for your call, Nandu.

Nandini: He must be angry.

Aryaman: So what? You can always make it up for him. Ignoring him is not going to bring you both any good.

Nandini: I will call him then.

She smiled, thinking of him and Aryaman just shook his head. There were days she wouldn't even look at him, and now she was here, listening to him.

A part of him felt more than guilty. They were doing wrong, hiding the truth from her and ignoring the part that she was not ready to forgive them but then, they were selfish. They wanted to make it up for her.

He looked down at his feet as she hugged him before running to her room. The guilt creeping in stronger than ever.

On the other hand, Manik was simply furious. He waited and waited but she never called.

Did he mean nothing to her?

Was it always one sided?

Was he holding into a false hope?

He sighed, not wanting to let her invade his mind again. It was until his mobile rang and her name flashed on the screen. Manik's fingers itched to pick it up but he let it ring.

She called again, for the second time but Manik didn't want to pick up. He was angry at her and he was not going to melt.

So when the next time his mobile rang, he picked it up and the words flew out of his mouth even before he knew.

Manik: What is your problem, Nandini? Why don't you understand if I am not picking up your call that means I don't want to talk to you. Now, do me a favour and don't call me again, I am busy in partying with my friends!

Nandini: Manik-

Manik: Shut up!

He hung up the call while Nandini was baffled. It was the first time Manik had shouted at her, and that too so harshly.
Tears brimmed in her eyes and she tried to console herself.

It was her mistake. She shouldn't have accused him but the damage was already done. She cried more when his words continued to echo in her mind.

Sobbing, Nandini picked up her car keys and ran out of the mansion.

She drove harshly, not knowing where she was going. Manik's word hurt so much. He told her never to call him again. He didn't want to talk to her. She wanted to scream, shout and complain.

It was all until a bright light flashed infront of her eyes and-

BOOM!

To Be Continued.