Chapter 15

They all reached the beach and the girls smiled at each other in success.

They started walking in the sand to reach the water as the boys followed behind.

Nandini struggled with her heels and frowned looking at them.

Mukti and Navya turned to her seeing her stop.

"Get going. I will join.", She said to them and they nodded walking.

She tried to reach her shoes but failed as her dress was short and then folded her legs balancing on one leg to open the belt in her heels.

"What's wrong?", Cabir asked reaching her.

"It's difficult to walk in heels.", She said with a soft annoyed smile and he smiled at that.

"Do you need help?", he asked and she nodded in no.

"I think I will be fine. ", She said and he nodded and started walking forward.

Manik parks the car and played with the keys walking to the beach.

He watched Nandini dancing trying to hold her legs and smiled.

"Stupid. Stupid heels. Stupid me.", She yelled at her heels and heard a chuckle from behind.

"Well I agree with you.", Manik said and she glared at him.

"What?", Manik asked her and she ignored him and tried to remove the belt balancing herself.

"Just sit down and do it.", Manik said getting irritated watching her dance.

"I can't.", She said giving him a side glare and finally getting hold of her leg.

He looked at her confused before checking her out and figures her dress would be a problem.

She almost opened the belt but couldn't hold it.

She cursed looking at her heels and Manik smiles finding it funny.

"Why are you here? Go and join them.", Nandini said annoyed and he stared at her and nodded.

" Okay. Good luck.", Manik said and put his hands inside his pocket as he started walking.

She looked at him surprised and pouted knowing he is his last hope.

"Manik.", She called and he smirked and turned to her.

"Help me.", She said and he raised his eyebrows.

" Do you want me to get down and remove your heels?", Manik teased and she rolled her eyes.

" As if you would.", She muttered and walked struggling to reach him.

"Just stand here.", She said and grabs his arm for support as she leaned and removed the belt of her heels.

Navya, Mukti was watching the waters when Cabir reached them.

"Where are the two of them?", Navya asked and they turned to see them.

Navya and Mukti smiled watching them while Cabir frowned a little.

"They look cute.", Navya whispered and Cabir turned to her before looking back at them.

Nandini was holding her heels in one hand and walking alongside him before slapping his arms as Manik laughed a little.

Mukti smiled at them before looking at Cabir and gets concerned.

"They will join us. Come on let's walk.", Mukti said pulling Cabir by his hand and walking.

"No but seriously. You were this tall till a moment before and now you are..", Manik said controlling his laugh as he made signals with his hand for her height.

She just glared at him in return.

They walked in silence for a while.

"Why are you mad at me? I didn't do anything. You have been glaring at me since we came to the beach.", Manik asked her.

" What was that back at the restaurant?", Nandini asked and he thought about it.

"What?", He asked cluelessly.

"You were purposely teasing me.", She said and he smirked as he recalled.

" Oh that.", he said smiling and she glared at him.

" I was just trying to help you.", Manik said innocently as he gave a smile and she stared at him.

"His smile is so beautiful.", She wondered staring at him before snapping herself out.

" Liar.", She muttered as she watched the sand while walking forward.

"Why didn't you want to be in a relationship?", Manik asked curiously.

She looked at him once before watching the sea and smiled seeing the three of them playing and having fun.

"I am not ready.", She whispered and Manik thought about it.

"Is it because of Vihaan?", Manik asked and immediately curses himself for being so curious as he watched her stop in her steps and turned to him.

"Manik", She whispered and he nodded concerned seeing her so distant suddenly.

He wondered how a single name changed her mood entirely.

" Past 2 months we have been sharing things about ourselves and I know I have given you the right to question me but there are things that I don't want to talk about and would like to keep to myself and this is one such thing. I would appreciate it if you don't bring it up again.", Nandini said smiling at him and he frowned seeing how they are back to square one as she gave him the fake smile again after so long.

"I won't unless you want me to.", he whispered and she looked at him and nodded appreciating it.

They reached near them and Navya walked near Nandini and put her hands on her cheeks.

"It's cold.", Nandini said shivering a little and Navya laughed before pulling her with her.

Manik smiled glad she was smiling genuinely for something.

He turned back to Mukti and Cabir and found Cabir staring at him.

Manik gave him a short smile before standing beside Mukti and watching her play with the water.

"You will get cold.", he said and she pouted at him.

"It's windy in here. ", He said again concerned and she nodded and got out of the water.

"Let's go. There's nothing much to see.", Cabir said and Mukti frowned.

" Let's have ice cream.", Nandini said and Manik frowned.

"No.", he said immediately.

" Okay, you can have something else. Mukti what do you want?", Nandini asked her.

" Chocolate bar.", She said and Manik glared at her.

" Goofy?", She asked and finds him lost.

"Cabir?", She asked again and he turned to her.

"What do you want?", She asked and he nodded in no and she frowned a little before looking at Navya.

"I know what to get you. I will go and get it.", Nandini said as she started walking.

" Wait. I will get for everyone.", Manik said not finding it safe to let her go alone.

"I will be fine. You guys go sit somewhere.", Nandini said with a smile as she walked to the ice-cream truck.

Manik frowned still a little worried.

"Don't worry. She will be fine. She looks like a delicate thing but she's quite strong.", Navya said to him and he smiled.

" Let's go sit there.", Navya said pointing at the rocks and they all walked there.

Navya leaned her head on Cabir's shoulders and he turned to her.

"Where are you lost?", Navya asked him and he looked at her and nodded in no.

"Are you okay? You seem a little distant all evening.", Navya asked holding his hand.

" I am fine.", Cabir said bringing her hand to drop a kiss and smiled at her.

She smiled back leaning closer.

"I will hear with an open mind and be supportive if you want to share.", Navya whispered and he nodded dropping a light kiss on her head.

Mukti puts her head on Manik's arm and pouts as she looks at them.

Manik looks at her.

"I feel jealous looking at them. I want someone to hold me like that too.", Mukti muttered and Manik smiled and wrapped his hand around her.

She looked at him surprised and smiled touched at his gesture.

"Not you idiot. I want someone who loves me.", Mukti said and Manik smiled and patted her head.

"You didn't like any guy you went out with?", Manik asked her.

" I liked them but there was always something missing. I never felt the strong connection.", Mukti said and Manik nods in understanding.

" You will find it soon till then I can hold and comfort you.", Manik suggested and she nodded.

Nandini got three ice-creams and walked near them thinking about a lot of things in her mind.

She was confused about her feelings. She felt happy but scared too. She was sad but felt hopeful too.

It's been a long since she was feeling so many different emotions and confused.

She had learned to sort out her feelings well. All these years she would be in control of her life and now it felt like she was losing control for the second time. She was scared the result would be the same too.

She reached near them and watched them sitting together smiling and laughing in each other's presence and felt happy but a second thought made her frown.

"They look happy and satisfied without me. They don't need me in their life.", She thought and put on a smile as she greeted them.

She gave the ice cream to Mukti and Navya and sat on a rock as she had hers.

"Did I really spoil everything by taking his name?", Manik wondered as he looked at her.

They all got back to their car. Mukti sat with Manik this time and Cabir suggested he would drive the duo home.

Nandini thanked Cabir who nodded at her as she went inside giving them privacy.

"Do you want to stay back? Nandu won't mind.", Navya said and Cabir smiled and held her cheeks with his right hand.

"I am fine. Stop worrying.", Cabir said smiling at her.

" You sure?", She asked and he nodded.

" I will call you if I don't feel okay.", Cabir said and she nodded and hugged him.

He hugged her back before moving back a little to kiss her.

"Bye. Take care.", Cabir said pulling apart and she nodded as she waved him.

The next day, Nandini had the day off, so she got dressed comfortably determined to make it a fun day.

She came out of her room and found Navya had already left for work.

Nandini put on her apron and started making breakfast as she hummed to the song playing in the background and dancing to the beats sometimes.

She quickly finished her breakfast and put her things in her purse and walked out.

She took a walk and enjoyed watching people pass by.

She stopped by some shops buying a few things before getting into a cafe for her coffee.

She stood in line waiting for her turn and then ordered a latte. She took out her card to pay but saw a hand forward with a card.

"Make that two and I will pay for her.", he said and Nandini looked back.

" Hey", Ishaan said with a wave before forwarding his card.

Nandini gave her own card instead.

The worker looked between the two as they both kept pushing the card.

"Will you guys hurry up?", someone yelled from behind and the worker took Ishaan's card making him smirk.

They got out of the line and Nandini took out cash from her purse.

"Here.", She said forwarding him.

He nods in no and she frowned.

"I appreciate your gesture but I am not comfortable with having someone else pay for me.", Nandini said calmly and he thought about it.

"I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable but I won't be taking money from you. It will be against my ethics. If you really want to pay me back then you can spend some time with me. I will appreciate that.", Ishaan said and she looked at him with a frown.

They got their number called and Ishaan picked their cups and forwarded her one as they walked out.

"I don't want to give you a wrong idea or lead you on. I am not interested.", Nandini said and he looked at her.

" I appreciate the honesty and I understand but I would still like to spend some time with you. Think it of like my last try to convince you.", Ishaan said and she looked at him.

" You would give up after that?", She asked and he nodded seeing hope.

" I have a day off. If you are free we can do that now.", She said and he smiled.

" Give me a second.", Ishaan said and walked near his car.

His P.A stood there waiting for him. Ishaan talked for a while before walking back to her.

"I am free for the day.", Ishaan said and she shakes her head.

" You didn't have to do that. We could have done this another day.", Nandini said as she started walking.

" I was worried you were saying this to get rid of me. I didn't want to risk my chance.", Ishaan said with a smile as he walked alongside her.

" I may have.", She joked and he chuckled.

"See this is fun already.", Ishaan said making her roll her eyes playfully.

"So where are you going?", Ishaan asked her.

"I don't know. I didn't plan anything. I was just wanting to spend the day having fun.", Nandini said and he smiled.

" I know a perfect place. It's nearby", he said and she nodded trusting him with it.

" Do you prefer walking? ", He asked and Nandini nodded.

He nodded and walked by her side having his coffee.

"I saw your show. It was good. Congratulations.", Ishaan said and she looked at him.

" Are you stalking me?", She asked and he looked at her wide eyes.

"Why would you think so?", He asked her.

"We met three times in these three days. It can't be a coincidence and I said you only my name.", Nandini said and he smiles.

" I googled you and the top searches were about the show. I like to know about the person I am interested in.", he justified and she nodded a little uncomfortable.

"And I don't think it's a coincidence. Its fate.", He said and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"It's uncomfortable watching you talk about how much interested you are in me.", She said and he looked at her and nodded.

" Okay fine I won't talk. We can spend some time pretending as we are friends who are hanging out together. So you can relax a bit.", Ishaan said trying to make her comfortable and she appreciated it thanking him.

They reached the place and Nandini turned to him surprised.

"What? This is my go-to place for having fun.", he said and she nodded smiling a little as they entered the trampoline park.

He was paying for her too before stopping himself knowing she would be uncomfortable again.

She smiled glad and paid for herself as they went in.

"When was the last time you jumped on a trampoline? ", Ishaan asked her and she looked at him.

" It's my first time. ", She said and he gave her a big smile.

" Let's make your first time fun. ", He said and she nodded as they got in.

Nandini stood there feeling a little embarrassed as she watched 12-year-old kids playing there.

Ishaan jumped on the trampoline making her jump a little too and she looked at him.

"It's not for standing.", he said jumping again and she smiles jumping around too.

He did a flip and she looked at him surprised.

"I am a gymnast.", he said and she nodded.

"Do you want me to show you something else?", he asked and she nodded.

He did a few tricks and she was impressed a little.

He tried doing another one and fell making her laugh.

"This is what happens when you try to show off more.", she teased and he smirked and jumped while sitting down and she falls.

"And this is what happens when you tease others.", he said before they started laughing.

" How about that? ", He asked and she nodded as they moved to the rock climbing section.

"The one who falls first is a loser.", Nandini said and he nodded seeing her open up and have fun.

They started climbing and Ishaan loses his balance mid-way and falls.

"I won.", She said smiling as she came down.

"How about basketball?", he asked and she nodded.

"I will beat you here too. ", She said as they played basketball on the trampoline floor.

"Careful", Ishaan said as she jumped to put a basket and almost missed hurting herself.

"I am fine.", She said as they continued playing.

They went on to play dodgeball with the kids before calling it a day and walked out.

"I feel like I am still jumping.", Nandini said smiling and he smiled too.

" It was fun. Wasn't it? ", He asked and she nodded.

" Yes. Thank you. I don't think it will be the last time I will be here. I am gonna come here more. ", She said and he smiled.

" I will bring you.", he said and she just gave a smile.

"Let's have some ice cream. ", He said and she nodded as they got ice cream and sat on the bench.

"So tell me your story?", Ishaan asked and she looked at him.

"There's nothing much. Well, you already know I am a fashion designer for couch fashions. I want to be one of the best designers one day. ", She said and he smiled staring at her.

" Tell me more. Your hobbies? ", He asked.

"Sketching.", She replied.

"Favourite food?", He asked.

"Steak.", She said and he smiled.

"What about a favorite place?", he asked.

"I think it just changed to this trampoline park.", She said laughing making him laugh too.

He gets a call and excuses himself to talk.

She smiles looking around and he comes back with a slight frown he was trying to hide.

"What's wrong?", She asked him.

"I don't want to but I would have to go back. Dad wants to see me.", he said and Nandini nodded.

" I know I said I won't bother you after today and I am going back on my words but I had so much fun with you today and I want to do it again.", Ishaan said and she sighed before turning to him.

" I had fun too but I really don't want to get your hopes up. I am not playing hard to get or something that you think you can change my decision. I don't want you to feel led on by me.", Nandini said trying to make him understand.

" We can hang out as friends. I will keep my feelings to myself and not make you uncomfortable.", he suggested and she felt guilty.

" I don't want to disrespect your feelings by not acknowledging them. You deserve better than this.", She said and he looks at her.

" Why does it feel like we are breaking up when we have not started dating yet.", he asked and she laughed a little.

" I don't want to let go of getting to know a person like you just because I was scared of getting hurt. In the end, I will only be gaining something. A good friend or maybe if stars are on my side a girlfriend. ", He said and she laughed and nodded.

" I have a nice feeling about us being friends. You are a good person.", She said to him and he smiled.

"A few hours back you didn't want to talk to me and now we are friends. If we keep this progress then soon I will reach my target.", he joked and she rolled her eyes.

" There will be nothing more.", She said firm on her decision and he looked at her seriously for the first time.

"Tell me honestly, Is it because you feel absolutely nothing, no connection, and don't see any hope in the future with me, or is it because you feel the connection and hope with someone else. Do you like someone? ", He asked her and she looked at him surprised at his question.

She opened her mouth to deny but thought of Manik came into her mind and she closed her mouth before looking at him.

"I don't like someone else. About feeling connected with you. We had fun today, I connected with you but on a different level it felt like I was having fun with a friend I am meeting after years.", She said and he looked at her.

" Okay.", he said and she looked at him.

"Now I know why I am so interested in you. It was the first time for me too. You are a lovely person.", Ishaan said and she smiled.

A black car parks nearby and Ishaan nods before turning to her.

"I wish to see you soon and I hope I can be a good friend to you. ", Ishaan said and she nodded smiling at him and putting her number as he forwarded his phone.

"Bye.", Nandini said to him and he smiled before getting in the car and waved at her.

"What was that?", She asked herself.

"Why did I think of Manik when he asked me if I liked someone?", She asked herself again.

" Do I really?", She wondered before shaking her head.

"Nope, it's just because we have been sharing a lot of personal things and Navya keeps teasing me. It's all in my head.", She consoled herself as she walked back home.

She found Navya working on something and sat by her side.

"How was your day? Did you have fun?", Navya asked her and she nodded.

"I did. It was fun. I met Ishaan.", Nandini said and Navya stopped her work before turning to her.

"Ishaan Singhania?", Navya asked and Nandini nodded.

"We had fun together.", Nandini said and Navya looked at her surprised.

"You are kidding me. Right? You were just saying yesterday that you weren't interested and today you had fun with him. Tell me everything in detail.", Navya asked excitedly.

Nandini got comfortable and started reciting her day to her.

By the end of the story, Navya was holding her head with her hands.

"Why are you being like this?", Nandini asked her taking a chocolate bar from the table and taking a bite.

" You had such a fun date with a lovely man and you spoilt it asking him to be friends. What should I do with you?", Navya asked angrily at her.

" He is nice and sweet and I had fun but I don't want to hurt him and he is okay with us being friends.", Nandini said and Navya looked at her.

" Why are you so scared of relationships? Tell me. I want to know today.", Navya asked her firmly and she looked at him.

" I am not scared of relationships. I know that I am never going to fall in love with the person so I don't want to hurt him by getting in a relationship when I know what the end would be.", Nandini said her, and Navya looked at her.

" Why do you think you won't be able to love him? It's not in your hands to love someone or unlove someone. It just happens.", Navya said and Nandini nodded.

" I know I can't control whom to fall in love with but I can control whom to spend time with. If I don't spend time with people, there's less likely chance to fall in love with them.", Nandini said her, and Navya frowned.

" I am worried about you.", Navya said and Nandini hugged her.

" Stop worrying about me, Darling. I will always have you if not anyone else and Cabir won't be able to do anything.", Nandini said and Navya smiled.

" Let me get back to work.", Navya said and Nandini nodded and went to her room.

"Today was a good day.", She said to herself as she started sketching a little.

She came inside the office the next day and went inside her office.

She saw a flower bouquet and walked closer to see the card.

"Congratulations.", She read wondering who send it.

Aditya came in with the coffee and she gestured the bouquet.

"It didn't have a name. They said it's for you.", Aditya informed and she nodded.

" It's my favorite.", She said as she looked at the flowers.

" Soniya wanted to meet you. It looked important. She had called for a board meeting today.", Aditya said to her and Nandini realized the event is over and she will be leaving soon.

"I will go see her.", Nandini said and Aditya nodded as she walked out.

She knocked on her door and Soniya gestured her to the seat.

"Did you like the flowers?", Soniya asked and Nandini nodded looking at her confused.

" Paul send it for you. He loved the show.", Soniya said and Nandini nodded.

"Thank him for me.", Nandini said and Soniya nodded.

"When are you leaving?", Nandini asked.

"In 2 days. I have called a board meeting today about who will be the manager and who is going to take over. I wanted to talk to you about that.", Soniya said and Nandini nodded.

" What do you want to say about that? You know the only thing I care about is things to be the same as it is going on and we are given the same freedom as now. The rest of the thing about who will take over and who deserves is all business that you are good at so I will trust your judgment.", Nandini said her and Soniya smiled.

"You have been with me since the start so I feel responsible towards you. I hope you will trust my judgment and think with an open mind. I was looking for the benefit of everyone. I wish I could tell you everything but I know you will get worried for no reason so just hear this out. The person whom I am nominating has promised to keep things as it is and give you guys the freedom. So you guys don't have to worry about it. Okay. You will feel like everything is like it was before.", Soniya said and Nandini nodded.

" I trust you. You will think for the benefit of the company.", Nandini said and Soniya smiled coming around her taking her in a hug.

" Let's go for a company dinner today. It will be my treat.", Soniya said and Nandini smiles.

"Everyone will be quite happy.", Nandini said and Soniya smiled.

" I am sorry.", Soniya said and Nandini gave her a teary smile.

"I know.", Nandini said to her with a smile as she bid her bye to prepare her and went to her office.

She was making designs for her next collection about supporting locals themes.

Aditya knocked and came in.

"Aditya I have told you many times that I don't want to be distributed when I am making designs. What is it?", She asked him.

" The board meeting.", Aditya said and she nodded gesturing him to continue.

"Soniya is leaving. Did you know that?", Aditya asked her and Nandini nodded.

"Everyone is so shocked. So many rumors are going on.", Aditya told her.

" Soniya will give an official statement once she gets out. Tell everyone to calm down.", Nandini said and Aditya nodded.

" Are you leaving too?", Aditya asked her.

" Why do you think so?", she asked him.

" The only reason you stayed and worked so hard was because of Soniya and now that she is gone. There's no reason why you should work double in less pay. ", Aditya said and Nandini smiled at him.

" This is my company too. I won't be leaving it and even if I decide to leave someday you will be coming with me. ", Nandini said and he smiled.

" Promise", he said as he went out.

They all went for company dinner and Soniya explained to them her reason and hoped they would understand.

"Who will be the Manager?", Anjali asked her and others nodded curiously.

" We won't be able to reveal it now as we don't want to get public yet. He will join in 2 days. I hope you respect him as much as you did me. ", Soniya ended her speech and joined Nandini Aditya and others as they drank together and shared memories with everyone.

Nandini drove home feeling a mix of emotions when she received a text.

She stops at the signal and picks her phone to look at it.

It was a text from Manik. She opened the message.

'Hey'

She smiled reading the message and picked up to respond but the signal clears up and she puts the phone down as she started driving again. She gets a message but frowned and looked at the busy road.

She gets another message after some time and a third one making her curious.

By the time she gets home she realizes he is so impatient as she finds 6 unread messages.

She locks the car taking her phone to read the messages.

' ? '

' Why aren't you replying? '

' Are you still upset about that? '

' I said I won't bring it up again. '

' I am Sorry '

' Can you just send a text saying you are okay? '

Nandini smiled at his silliness as she entered the house and starts typing a message.

"Nandu.", Navya yelled and Nandini almost dropped her phone.

She walked to the kitchen.

"Yes.", Nandini asked her.

"I was trying to bake cupcakes but looks like I missed an ingredient it's hard as a rock. ", Navya said showing her the cupcakes.

Nandini laughs as she picked them up.

" Wow. Thank you Navya now I have my own cupcake paperweight.", She teased and Navya rolled her eyes.

"Help me.", Navya asked and Nandini nodded and put her phone on the counter with her purse as she went by her side and helped her.

"Okay now just set the temperature and wait till it gets baked.", Nandini said and Navya hugged her.

" Thank you.", she said excitedly.

" Whom are you making cupcakes for?", Nandini asked her.

"Cabir.", She said and Nandini teased her before picking the hard cupcake.

" Put one of these in-between too.", Nandini said with mischief and Navya nodded excitedly.

"I am going to bed. It was a long day.", Nandini said as she picked her things and walked to her room.

Her phone vibrates and she realizes she forgot about texting him and looked at the screen.

' You read everything and yet you didn't reply '

' You are being too harsh. '

' I get it that I asked out of line but you don't get to ignore me for 2 days as punishment. '

' Fine, I won't talk either. Goodnight. '

Nandini slapped her forehead and put the phone down and goes to freshen up.

She takes a quick head bath and changes into her nightwear and sits on the bed picking her phone.

There were no new messages and she realized he actually got upset at her unintentional mistake.