Guess who ended up getting more ideas for this book :)

Also, Monsoon is here. It rained the whole day here today and it is crazy! I hope you guys are doing well and taking care of yourself.

Along with it, this chapter - tbh, I am not really satisfied with it. Might even edit it out after I complete this book. But okay, do share your reviews so I can know better!

Enjoy Reading :)

Manik didn't want to work. It was only a day to his engagement and here he was reading files, trying to work on this stupid presentation that he was sure would get rejected on his face. Work was exhausting and it was extremely boring.

A groan escaped his lips and he banged his own head on the table - and at the same moment there was a knock on his door. Manik whined, almost ready to throw his hands up in defeat. It must be the peon with his coffee. Although, he doesn't remember asking one. Manik gave the order to come in without even moving an inch.

The door slide open and for a moment Manik heard no sound. It was so silent, he was almost drifting to sleep. Suddenly, a familiar voice cleared their throat. It had Manik sitting straight in a blink because there she was - Nandini.

Nandini. In his office.

It took him a moment to register it was her,"Nandini?" He still didn't believe. How come he had started to hallucinate now? Nandini was supposed to come in the noon. He looked at the clock and his eyes widened, it was already past one.

"Hie?" She greeted, unsure because he looked so - messed up? Disvelled hair, wrinkled shirt and a specs sitting on his nose. Nandini didn't even know he wore specs.

"Hi," He groaned, removing it before palming his face and stood up to greet her properly.

Nandini smiled this time,"You look tired."

"Yeah, I mean no, ofcourse not." Manik looked around nervous - awkward because he didn't know what to do. His table was a mess. Had someone given him a heads up, he would have cleaned it.

Still, he did what he could do, picked up the extra files he had opened for god knows for what reason, his personal diary with a heart drawn on the lined page with some other random doodles - because Manik was unable to work and needed some distraction.

"Can I help?"

Manik shook his head in hurry,"No, I got it. Please sit." He gestured her to the chair and Nandini nodded before doing so. Manik made his table more presentable, before sitting down as well.

"I am sorry you have to see this mess. I- I was just busy working,"

"It is okay. I was worst in my days."

Maybe it was a slip of tongue or Nandini was really sharing something about her life with him. Manik was not so sure but his face lit up in surprise.

"Is it? Did you get training like me too?"

"Yes! Infact I started much earlier. Appa used to include me in the business from my college days itself and back then, I used to work in the office too -" Nandini trailed off, her eyes shined at the mention of those days and Manik was sure now she didn't realise what she was speaking,"I really loved working." She told him.

"Oh? You must be working for so long then. I really want to become the CEO soon," Manik didn't notice the color fading from her face, leaving it pale white,"I am so jealous right now," with that, he slumped down on his chair more.

Nandini only smiled, a small little smile which made him frown. It took him another moment to finally catch on the look on her face - heartbreak, regret and pain.

Nandini wasn't even looking at him anymore, she stared at her lap instead.

Manik doesn't know where, but he knows - he fucked up.

"Ah, Nandini. Can you help me with this?"

Nandini didn't even have the chance to respond because Manik was already shoving a random file infront of her. She had to remind him of the company's privacy but all he gave her was a shrug in reply.

After marriage, she would be the part of this company - as much as he was. That was the justification he gave when she glared at him.

They spend the next half an hour working until a knock on the door disturbed them. Manik gave the permission, sparing her a glance.

It was a young lady, around Manik's age. Nandini figured she might be in Manik's team, she has definitely seen her around before. Nandini sat still watching Manik and the lady, named Tanya interact with each other.

Tanya had a doubt she wanted to discuss with Manik and it was quite urgent. Nandini understood the emergency and told them it was okay, but now - she couldn't admit the same.

Sitting there silently and watching Manik smile at Tanya - it made Nandini want to remind him he was not supposed to smile so pretty at other woman when she was around.

Nandini wanted to do it even when she knew it was not the right thing. Jealousy was a disease she caught really easy. It burned her insides and more when Manik chuckled at something Tanya said.

Tanya was a beautiful lady, younger than her, definitely with a better figure and a good personality Nandini could never own. Even her frown was so pretty.

Nandini looked down at her lap, at the little crease her pants formed when she sat, her eyes dropping further. She forced herself to look up when she heard Manik clear his throat.

"Sorry, I forgot to introduce you two."

"Manik, I know her already! She is Nandini Murty! Who doesn't know her?" Nandini flushed red as pride shone bright on Manik's face while Tanya continued,"Nandini Mam, It is such a pleasure to meet you."

Nandini smiled awkwardly,"Thankyou? It's nice to meet you as well."

"Awe, you are so cute."

"Excuse me? She is my finance."

"And I am straight, Manik. I won't steal your fiance, don't worry!"

Tanya teased. Manik huffed, grumpy and Nandini bit back a smile.

"Yeah, I know. Leave now."

Nandini internally gasped at how rude he sounded but Tanya didn't seem to mind. Infact, she glared at him and muttered a 'so rude' before taking her leave.

"Nandini! Forget her. Let me take you out for the best coffee in the world."

"Where?"

"There's an amazing cafe near, let me show you around. They have the best coffee."

"Okay."

Manik smiled, standing up and taking his phone. They walk out of the cabin side by side, silent. Nandini noticed the way Manik smiled at more people, his colleagues, male and female.

He was so polite, smiling and even laughed when someone - a new employee bumped into him and became a stuttering mess. He calmed her down and told her it was okay.

Nandini noticed the way he interacted with other women, he was so casual to them. She was suddenly reminded of the time Manik hesitated to even ask for a simple dinner at his home.

A nasty feeling took oover her and Nandini felt sick in her stomach. The insecurities stayed behind even as they walked to the cafe.

"You know, this is kinda my favourite cafe around this place." Manik told her as they walked into the small cafe. It was two blocks away from the office. It was a nice place, not cozy exactly but not city like either. It was almost empty at the hour.

Nandini smiled, gone were the insecurities as a teasing glint took over her eyes,"Because they give you food and breaks from work?"

Manik laughed, loud but nevertheless he was nodding his head in a yes,"Absolutely."

They sat by the window and Manik left her for a few minutes to place their order - two cups of coffee with some french fries. Nandini waited patiently, scrolling through her phone without looking up.

Manik came back shortly and sat down with a huff, placing the tray that held their coffee and snacks over the table.

"Here you go, Mam." He chuckled,"A small warning, the taste is addictive."

Nandini only smiled in return, picking up the coffee and blowing air on it to cool it down. Manik stared at her, a warning in his throat when she put the cup against her mouth - shit, it was burning hot.

She jolted, and Manik held the cup from her immediately,"Careful, baba. It won't cool down simply like this. Let it rest."

Nandini found herself nodding, embarrassed as she bit her own tongue to get rid of the taste left behind by the burning hot coffee.

"By the way," Manik had her attention,"Do you remember my friends?"

Nandini did remember them. Aryaman and Abhimanyu. She remembered Manik introducing her to the two guys of his age. She was surprised because Manik seemed like the sunshine kind of person - someone who had a large group, someone who was so popular but it didn't seem like the case. Manik had a small circle, he was a lot more private than she thought him to be.

Perhaps, a book wasn't to be judged by it's cover alone.

She hummed,"Yeah?"

"They are travelling back next week, so they insisted for a dinner - ," His voice dropped suddenly and hesitation covered his features,"with us."

And then, all of the sudden Nandini is reminded of the hour at the office - the insecurities all jump at once, clawing at her insides harshly.

"Oh?"

She was sure Manik could read the disappointment on her face as she looked down at the cup of coffee. Hot, enough to burn her tongue.

It took so much of courage as she looked up at him,"Why?" She asked, making him frown deeply,"Why do you hesitate so much when you talk to me?"

Manik was slightly taken aback at the question, at the disappointment and at the fear that shined bright in her eyes. He didn't like the look. He doesn't like anything other than happiness on her face.

But life was a series of disappointed moments. Nandini noticed what he didn't expect her to ever. His heart broke at the thoughts her mind must be clouded with.

"Why would you think so?"

"Do you think I am a child, Manik?"

Nandini realised she raised her tone, but she couldn't stop, she needed to let him know even if her heart pounded in fear against her ribcage. Manik wouldn't hurt her. It is the only believe she held on.

"I might not say anything, Manik but I do notice. I do understand. Do you think I don't see the way you think hundred of times before talking to me? Before initiating a conversation? Before asking for a family dinner? It is only me, right? I make you uncomfortable."

By the time she finished, she was more hurt than angry. Her eyes stung with unshed tears and a lump was forming in her throat already. Fuck, she didn't want to cry. Not now.

Manik was so shocked that he didn't even say anything. No, he actually didn't know what to say. It was only when a tear rolled down her cheek and he realises the damage a no response would do from his side.

"Nandini, baba- " He spoke as if he is speaking to a child. Nandini scoffed turning away her face taking him by surprise,"You don't make me uncomfortable. Why would you even think that way?"

"Because I can see it Manik. I saw how you treat other women and me. You talk so casually with them!" The last bit was a complaint, Manik found himself hiding a smile.

"Oh? Is that what's disturbing you?"

Nandini didn't reply. She just looked scared, so fragile that Manik was almost guilty of the smile that covered his face.

"You know, you are absolutely right," He said then, drawing in her attention once again,"I always think twice - no a lot of times before I say anything to you. You know why?"

"Why?" She stared at him in question.

"Because you matter to me," it was the confession that made her heart skip a beat,"Your opinion makes a difference to me. The other's don't. Yes, when it comes to you, I ask myself all the questions - What if it disappoints Nandini? What if I cross the line? What will Nandini think of me? I am so selfish because I always want you to see the best side of me. I want to the best version of me when I am with you. That's why, I am always scared because I know I am not any special and if I continue to mess up, you will realise it too."

"You are so stupid," Manik's eyes widened at the remark," I don't like it. I feel I make you uncomfortable when all I want is for you to be as comfortable as you make me when we are together, Manik."

"I don't need a special person, Manik," she continued, eyes glued to his and Manik could feel the amount of bravery she was speaking with to him,"I just want you to be you with me. Be real with me, tell me when I do wrong. Don't look at me as if I am going to break down any second. I might look fragile, but trust me, I have endured much more you give me the credit for."

Nandini was not bragging. She was not sharing. She was letting him know she was willing to give him more than he expected her from. She didn't want him to pity her, but to loosen up. She understood then. Manik cared for her. He did, because he wouldn't have caref for her opinion otherwise.

It was overwhelming. The weight of his feelings pushed down at her shoulders. Manik was really falling for her and love seemed like a lot more scary than she expected it to be.

If the confession that day made her heart flutter - it weighed her down today.

And it made her wonder again, What if she couldn't endure it?

What if she failed? Again.