Chapter 12

Manik continued his lecture making Nandini squirm in her place. "You got to prove that you are best by making Diwali gala night the best ever. And yes, about that peck on your cheeks I was just trying to distract you from your hiccups and your spice attack as well so you don't have to keep that in your mind and assume something else. Moreover, we can never get along with each other like never. YOU ARE NOT MY TYPE."

Stupid shit was getting on her last nerve. She glared at him. She was fuming "Oh hello! neither are you my type ok. Don't think of yourself too high. Just because you are my boss doesn't give you authority to bully me."

Manik turned his attention to Nandini. The furious gleam in her eyes was directed at him. She shrank farther back, putting more distance between them until her back was pressed to the car seat. As the car stopped near her home she slammed the door and kept her angry gaze locked on him and stomped off without uttering a word or glancing back at him.

Days passed by and just one week was left for Diwali night. Nandini was trying hard to juggle between her job and the arrangements. She wanted to shut Manik's mouth by making it the best. She ignored Maddy completely even though he was trying his best to irritate her.

Finally the big day arrived. Nandini was on edge, nervous like hell. Till 6 p.m, she was at venue not bothering to go and get ready. She was checking out last moment arrangements. Party was to start at 8 p.m. It was a big auditorium. Nandini checked everything again. Satisfied with the look and feel she decided to go home and get ready.

She came back home took shower, freshened up and got ready with ethnic wear and matching accessories. She rushed to the venue back. Guests started arriving. Alya joined her complimenting her for the arrangements and her looks. Nandini complimented her back. Alya was looking gorgeous in her black lehenga.

The Malhotras arrived. The press surrounded them and bombarded with questions. After sometime Manik excused himself and came to have a look at the arrangements. He glanced everywhere and was satisfied, "Not bad." He muttered. He decided to head back to his parents.

By then he saw Nandini who was talking to Alya and was smiling. He was mesmerized by her looks. She was just looking like an angel her red dress was extremely beautiful. His eyes literally popped out. "Freak what's wrong with me why am I gawking at her." He tried to get off his eyes from her. Headed back to his parents but kept on ogling at Nandini every now and then. At sometime Nandini glared at him both locked their eyes. Manik was wearing red sherwani and he was looking pretty different "Pretty good." thought Nandini. But when she remembered his words her eyes were back to angry glare and she walked off from there.

Maddy and Alya were sitting together so Nandini decided not to join them and took a seat at corner. She gulped some cold water and remembered she had to call Amms and inform her that she will be really late as the chief guest had still not arrived. She called up Amms and informed her.

When she turned off her phone, she saw Manik sitting right beside her. Butterflies started fluttering in her tummy she didn't know the feeling but she knew she wasn't normal at that moment. There was awkward silence between the two. Manik cleared his voice and said, "Hope everything is arranged properly I don't want any blunders."

"Oh damn! why did I say this I had come to compliment her but why did I utter those words." He felt bad.

Nandini was taken aback. But she covered it up with her sweet smile. "Mr. Malhotra, you don't have to worry. If I have done this then it has to be nothing but the best."

"Oh! you are being overconfident." He said rolling his eyes.

"Not at all just wait and watch you will know what I am capable of doing." She got up and walked away from there.

Manik definitely knew she was the best in everything she did. Why does he have to be so rude to her. Why can't he be normal with her. He was never like this with any of his female employees. He agreed that she had some attitude but she deserved to have one. He thoughts were surrounded by Nandini. He thought he should really stop worrying about her and concentrate on his love "Baby".

The function started and everything went on smoothly. Nandini was anchoring for the night. She was flawless. Everybody were singing praises for her. Everything was over by 11 p.m.

Manish Malhotra and Nyonika Malhotra personally thanked Nandini for making this a grand success. Nandini was obliged, she thanked them in turn and stared at Manik.

He smirked and Maddy for the first time agreed "Yes Papa, Ms. Nandini Murthy is the best." Saying this he winked at Nandini. Manik didn't like it so didn't Nandini. She gave Maddy back "Are you crazy?" look. They all left except Manik.

Manik was waiting to talk to her. He cleared his voice and said "Nandini" Nandini doesn't reply she just sniffles.

He turns to her and furrows his eyebrows and grabs her hand and takes her to the corner.

Nandini slowly backs away, extending out her arms to prevent him from coming closer than arms length. Nandini's back makes contact with wall, making screech escape her lips and causing Manik stretch his smirk.

"Well..." He says knocking Nandini out of her trance "I just wanted to say you were not that bad...." coming closer to her.

She scrunches up her face in disgust "What's your problem Mr. Malhotra? Why can't you be normal with me why do have to be touchy I don't like this just leave me." she tries to walk away. He pulls her back holding her wrist.