Chapter 4

Manik gets back to his work but his mind was stuck thinking about whatever Sara said.

He picks his phone and calls Cabir.

"Hello Manik Malhotra. How did you call me today?",Cabir teased and Manik rolled his eyes.

" I wanted to ask what are you doing today. We can hangout. ",Manik said and Cabir frowns.

" I was actually having dinner with Navya and Nandini and then we were going out. ", Cabir said him upset to deny his offer and Manik frowns.

" Okay fine, You enjoy. I will ask Mukti. ",Manik said letting it go and Cabir thinks about it.

" Why don't you and Mukti join us. I am sure they won't mind and I will introduce you guys properly too. ",Cabir suggested happy about his thought.

" I don't think that's a good idea. Anyways you enjoy. We will go out some other day. ",Manik said upset thinking hard and Cabir nods confused.

" If Sara is right and Nandini is actually innocent and I misunderstood her then I don't want to cause problems in Cabir's love life because of me. It's a nice thing I never told Cabir about her or I would have destroyed his chance at love. ",Manik thought and Cabir calls his name over the phone.

" Where are you lost? ",Cabir asked suddenly and he nods in no.

" So tell me what's going on with you? ",Manik asked shifting the conversation.

" Everything is going fantastic. I am actually happy. I never thought I can ever like a girl so soon but I really like her. You are gonna like her too. She is amazing.",Cabir said smiling as he thought about her.

" I am really happy for you man. I will see you soon.",Manik said and Cabir nods and they hung up.

" Did I really screw up?",Manik asked himself as he thought about it again.

"I still have my doubts but Sara and Cabir both can't be wrong.", Manik wonders and frowns.

"You frustrate me Ms. Murthy.",he said to himself and sighed distracting himself with work.

Manik changed into a nice outfit and reached Mukti's place.

"Do we really have to go out? I mean we can hang out at my home.",Manik said as she got inside the car.

" We can but the only reason I agreed is because you promised for a fun evening and staying at home with you without cabir isn't fun.",Mukti said and Manik glared at her.

" So Cabir is serious about her.",Mukti said and Manik nods.

" I don't like this feeling of being stuck.",Manik said and Mukti frowned and patted his arm.

" Its okay Manik stop thinking about it. If you are thinking you misunderstood her then maybe you did, it's not too late give her a chance now. Stop being hard on yourself.",Mukti said rubbing her thumb over his hand.

" It's the first time that I have judged someone wrong and I still doubt if I was actually wrong.", Manik said a little frustrated and Mukti nod in understanding.

" I understand you Manik. Give it some time. You will figure it out.",Mukti said assuring him and he nod thinking about it.

" Okay now enough. We are going out after a long time. Let's have fun and get drunk.",Mukti said getting excited as she turned the volume up and Manik smiles as he speeds up the car.

They reach the club and Manik gives them the key to park the car as he walks to Mukti and she wraps her arm around him as they walked inside.

"What do you want to have? The usuals?",he asked and she nodded as they took seats in the bar stools.

Manik ordered them drinks and four shots and she finished the shot in a go making Manik chuckle at the hard expression she made.

"Its stronger than usual.",Mukti said to him.

"That was for me. This is for you.",he said forwarding her another shot and she took it and suck a lemon slice.

"Come let's dance.",She asked Manik who was sipping his drink slowly.

"I will join you after finishing the drink.",Manik said and she nods as she danced her way to the dance floor.

Manik kept watching her as she made weird steps looking at him making him laugh.

She continued dancing weirdly calling him to join her and he finished his drink in a go and joined her.

They continued dancing weirdly for a while before dancing normally screaming in joy.

Nandini gets dressed in a short navy blue deep neckline strapped dress and Navya wore a skirt and lacy bralette top with a jacket.

Cabir picked them up and they went in to have dinner before driving to Navya's favourite Club.

"It's Closed.",Cabir said and she looked at him surprised.

"What the hell?",Navya said as she looked outside.

"I think the person declared bankruptcy.",Cabir said as he read the notice.

"I didn't visit for a month and it went bankrupt.",Navya said sadly and Nandini laughs as Cabir chuckles at her drama.

" Now where to? ",Nandini asked him and he thinks about it.

"How about I take you both to my usual hangout place. You both will like it. ",Cabir said and they nodded and he took a U turn.

Cabir stopped the car and both got down looking at the club.

"It looks nice. Why didn't we visited here earlier?",Navya wonders standing beside Nandini as Cabir gave the keys for parking.

" Because we were busy going to that same bankrupt club everytime.",Nandini teased her and she glared at her.

" Let's go inside girls. It's beautiful.",Cabir said as he wrapped his hand around both of them and gave them a little push.

They walked in looking around and Cabir smiled guiding them to the bar.

"This is really beautiful. Thanks Cabir.",Nandini said smiling at him.

"You are welcome Cutie. Tell me what you want to drink.",Cabir asked her touching her nose with his index finger and she scrunched her face and told him to get her shots and he turned to Navya who was staring at the dance floor.

"You are not looking for other chances . Are you?",Cabir asked leaning closer to her ear.

" What if I am?",She teased him back.

"With me here I won't let any guy get close to you.",Cabir said and she smiled staring at him with blush on her cheeks.

"What if I want a girl?",Navya asked and he looked at her surprised not expecting that question and she laughed at his expression.

He cleared his throat.

"Then we both can have fun together.",he whispered in her ear and she turned red as she looked at him.

He laughed and she glared at him.

He gave their orders for drink still laughing.

"Stop laughing.",Navya said as he hands her the drink.

"You are so innocent.",Cabir said as he kissed her cheeks and she smiled a little closing her eyes and he grabbed her chin moving to kiss her lips.

"Ahem.. Ahem... .",Nandini interrupts them and they move apart.

"Aren't you both getting too comfortable around me.",Nandini said raising an eyebrow and Cabir rubbed his neck and gave a sheepish smile to her.

" I thought we were hanging out today for me to get a break and for us to get comfortable with each other but not this type of comfortable.",Nandini said making a face and Navya looked at her guilty.

" Sorry. We will have fun now. ",Navya said and looked at Cabir who nodded walking near nandini.

"We all will have fun. No kissing Navya till the end of the night. Is this fine now?",Cabir said and Nandini pout looking at him.

" You are making me sound like the evil friend who doesn't let her best friend spent time with her boyfriend.",Nandini said and Cabir laughs.

" He isn't my boyfriend.",Navya said and Cabir smirked.

" See that doesn't make you the evil friend now does it?.",Cabir said and she laughed at his attempt and nodded.

He forwards the shots to each of them and they cheered before gulping them together and cheering.

"Let's dance.",Cabir said forwarding his hands to Nandini as he winked at Navya finding her staring at him.

Nandini gives him the hand and pulls Navya too as they moved to the dance floor.

"Manik let's go dance again.",Mukti said as she got up from her laying position and sat up.

"Nope I am tired.",Manik said as he lay down on the sofa.

"Manik.. Manik..",Mukti called patting his stomach and he looked at her irritated.

"I think I saw Cabir.",Mukti said and Manik rolled his eyes.

"You are drunk. He said he is going for dinner.",Manik said and Mukti slaps his stomach hard and he gets up ready to attack her but she made him look at the dance floor.

"Who is he then?",she asked smirking and Manik frowns staring hard.

"He is Cabir. But what is he doing here?",Manik said running his hand through his hairs.

"Who is that girl he is dancing with?", Mukti asked as she watched him spin a girl and dance laughing with her.

"The girl he likes.",Manik said as he watched how happy they looked and doubted his judgement again.

"Let's go and meet him.",Mukti said excited and Manik frowns.

"Nope. I am not.",Manik said sternly and She looked at him confused.

" But why?",Mukti asked him with a pout whining.

" I don't want her to know I am his friend. I will spoil any little chance they have at love.",Manik said and she looked at him as realisation is drawn to her

" Are you planning to hide forever?",She asked and he nods in no.

"Just for a while till I confirm that I was wrong.",Manik said and Mukti sighs.

" So now are we gonna hide from them.",Mukti asked and he nods.

"I was planning to do so.",he said and she glared at him.

"Let's go upstairs. I want to enjoy my night.",Mukti said pulling him to the dance floor upstairs.

They were talking when a guy approached Mukti for dance and she smiled at Manik before going to dance with the guy.

He watched her for a while to ensure she is safe and looks downstairs at Cabir dancing.

"It was fun right?",Cabir asked Nandini as he helped her stand.

"I will kill you. You nearly killed me with that crazy dance and not to forget I am wearing heels.",She said glaring at him and he laughs as Navya joined him.

"Let's play some games.",Navya said and Cabir looked at her.

"Are you sure you don't want to lose from me again?",Cabir asked and Navya challenged him.

" I will win this time.",Navya said and He smiled.

" Cutie you are with me.",Cabir said lifting his hand for a high five.

Nandini did a high five and they moved to the pool table.

The game was in favor of Cabir and Nandini and they cheered teasing Navya as she glared at Cabir.

He just kept winking at her teasing her more.

Cabir was aiming for the last ball and Nandini looked at him tensed as she watched the stick and the ball.

Cabir looked at the ball and then at Navya and winked at her.

She smirked and took her jacket off putting it at a side.

He stopped and raised from his position staring at her.

Nandini facepalmed herself at her best friend act.

Cabir clears his throat and focused again and Navya leans down watching the ball too and winks at him and the stick slipped from his hand and he missed the shot making Navya cheer and Cabir glared at her.

"I will get some drinks for us.",Nandini said and Cabir smiled at her.

"Thank you.",he said and she smiled and leaned to his ear and whispered something making him smile and Navya curious.

"What did she say?",Navya asked walking close to him.

"She said I don't have to keep my promise.",Cabir said and she looks at him confused.

Cabir smiled and grabbed her chin taking her in for a kiss and she smiled wrapping her hands around him.

Nandini looks around wondering where to go and finds the stairs and thinks to check it out.

Manik watched Cabir dancing and then left to get a drink as he watched them leave to play some game.

He kept an eye on Mukti and got busy on his phone to avoid other girls around.

"Hello",he heard a soft voice and looked up to find a beautiful girl smiling at him.

He nods uncomfortable and she smiled more taking a step closer.

"What are you doing here alone bored? Come hangout with us.",She said as she lifts her finger to reach for his hand but he pulls his hand back and looks around for Mukti but finds her missing and thinks of ways to get out of the state.

"I am actually waiting for someone.",Manik said giving a half smile and She smirked and stepped closer than his comfort zone and he stood up and took a step back.

"That's a lie. You have been sitting there for a while now. I was watching you. ",She said and leaned a little.

" One dance? ",She said and Manik looks behind her searching for something to get away with when his eyes falls on Nandini walking in his direction looking around unaware of him.

As she was moving past him. He grabbed her hands and pulled her in and made her stand between them making distance from that girl and sighed in relief.

"What the he..", Nandini stops in middle as she looked up and finds Manik.

She tried freeing her arm but he kept a firm grip not letting her.

"She's here. I was waiting for her.",Manik said before Nandini speaks anything and the girl frowns before walking away.

Nandini pulls her hand harshly and glares at him.

"What's wrong with you?",She said rubbing her arms and he looks at her hands.

" Just wanted to avoid her and saw you. Thanks.",Manik said grateful and she looked up surprised stopping the curses in her mind as he spoke softly and thanked her.

She nods and moves to go again but he grabbed her and pulls her again making her lose her balance and she grabs his jacket as he wrapped his hand around her waist to steady her.

She looked at him and finds him looking at her with curiousity filled eyes with a bit of fear in them.

"You can leave me now.",She said with a frown and he left her immediately as if she was on fire.

She corrects herself and narrowed her eyes at him.

" Stop pulling me.",Nandini said and turned to go but he blocked her way.

"Just stay here for a while. She is still watching me with hawk eyes.",Manik asked her and she looked at him.

" You can just say her No or glare her down like you always do.", Nandini said with a frown.

" I tried. ",Manik said with a look on his face and she studies him quietly finding vulnerability in his eyes before it goes blank and she couldn't bring herself to deny.

She sighs and took a seat and he took his seat again.

"If you don't want to interact with people. Why are you at a club all alone?",Nandini couldn't help but question him.

It felt like the alcohol she had has overpowered her sense of thinking straight and her decision to stay away from him few days back.

"I am here with a friend. She is a little busy. ",Manik said clearing his throat and Nandini nods and taps the counter awkward.

" Let me buy you a drink for helping me out.",Manik said and Nandini looked at him trying to figure out if he is for real or is he trying to do something shady as he was behaving quite different than usual with her.

"Fine",She said and cursed herself for giving people second chances so easily.

She nods taking the drink and he gave a half smile instead of the usual smirk and she frowned deeper.

"Are you drunk?",She asked out loud and immediately held her palm to her mouth closing her eyes for her stupidity.

"No I am not.",Manik said with a smirk and she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Here",he said forwarding his glass for a cheers and she did it hesitantly.

"You have the 'he is totally drunk' look on your face.",Manik said her with a tease and she looked at him surprised.

"Trust me I am not. I am my normal self.",He said and she looked at him in disbelief and he chuckles.

"You just bring out a different side of me.",he said and she frowned as she studied him.

" So what's different today? ",She asked curious to know more.

"I saw you in a different light and it feels like maybe I was wrong. ",Manik said playing with his drink and looked up at her.

"Maybe",she whispered with a scoff and he smirked.

"Yes I still have my doubts.",he said honestly and she gave him a small glare.

Her phone rings and she looked at it to find Navya.

She nods at Manik and picks up the phone.

"I am upstairs.",Nandini informed her and nods and hangs up as she looked at Manik.

"Will you be fine on your own?",Nandini asked him and he nods.

She studied his face for a while.

" I can ask my friends to come upstairs or you can come with me.",She suggested though uncomfortable hanging out with him but she couldn't forget the look on his face that she saw earlier.

"I will be fine Ms. Murthy. Thanks. ",Manik said sincerely and took a sip of his drink.

She nods and gets down from the stool.

"Thanks for the drink.",She said and he nods.

"See you on the shoot.",He said and she nods walking away.

He smiled and got back to his drink as Nandini joined Cabir and Navya.

Mukti comes after a while and took the seat Nandini was at before and raises her eyebrow at him.

"So what did I miss?",She asked him and he glared at her.

"You were gone for about an hour and the phone trick didn't work.",Manik said and Mukti frowns guilty.

" Sorry. It won't happen next time. Why can't these girls just leave you on your own. Are you okay?",Mukti asked looking at him.

" I am fine. What happened to that guy of yours?",Manik asked and Mukti smiled.

"It was great but not that great to bring him home.",Mukti said with a wink and Manik smiles wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to the dance floor.

Cabir dropped Nandini and Navya home and she got down from the car and looked at the two of them who were busy staring at each other.

"Just be safe and if you are coming inside. Don't make much noise. I have a photoshoot to prepare for tomorrow.",Nandini said and they smiled at her.

Navya hugs her goodnight and cabir side hugs her too.

" Goodnight Cutie. Have a nice sleep.",Cabir said messing her hairs and she smiled at him.

" Thanks Goofy.",She said grinning and he frowned.

" I call you Cutie and you call me a ugly dog.",Cabir complained.

" Goofy is cute and funny just like you.",She said and he smiles accepting the nick name.

She bid both of them bye and walks inside the house.

Cabir turns to Navya who was watching them.

"Thank you.",Navya said and he looked at her surprised.

"For what?",he asked.

"For treating my best friend as your own and caring for her.",Navya said and Cabir smiles.

" You know other girls in your place would have been jealous right now.",Cabir said and moved closer.

" But you are not and that's why I like you.",Cabir said and she blushed.

"She is a lovely person and she cares about you too much. I can see her importance in your life so how can I not respect and care for the person who loves you so much.",Cabir said and Navya smiled kissing his cheeks.

" Also I like her company. We make a good team.",Cabir said and she grinned.

" I am glad you both are bonding. I want to meet your friends too. Manik and Mukti you talk about them so much. Its like I can never you completely without knowing them. They are a part of you.",Navya said and he nods.

" I will introduce you guys soon. But for now let's go on a drive.",Cabir said opening the car door and she smiles getting inside the car.

Cabir droves away.

Nandini changed into her night outfit and got in bed and recalls her conversation with Manik.

"He was polar opposite of how he usually behaved with me. It was nice. I liked this side of him. I hope he doesn't go back to being rude.",Nandini said and thinks about the fear and vulnerability in his eyes.

" I wonder what happened with him. He was so good at hiding it and I wouldn't have seen it if i wasn't staring at him. ",Nandini wondered and turns to her right looking at the window.

"I just hope things go well with us now after today.",Nandini said and sleep consumed her.

Manik dropped Mukti's lazy ass on her bed and she grins at him.

" Thanks Manik.",She whispered half asleep and Manik shake his head as he covered her with the blanket and kissed her forehead and left the room.

He drove back to his house and freshened up taking a cold shower and picked a book from the shelf and got comfortable in the bed.

His mind moves to the talk with Nandini and he frowns as he thought about her.

Shaking his head to get away from her thoughts, he focused on the book and continued reading it.

He heard noises and closes the book and walks out of the room following the noise.

He moves to the kitchen and switches on the light only to find a big dog sitting playing with his empty tray.

"Oscar",Manik said and Oscar jumped and grins happily shaking his tail before circling around Manik.

Manik pats his head and goes to bring his food and gives it to him.

"I thought they were dropping you home tomorrow morning. Why didn't anyone inform me ?",he asked patting Oscar as he ate the food.

" Did you had fun with them? Was the trip good?",Manik asked and Oscar barked in reply making Manik smile.

"Are you done or you are still hungry?",Manik asked and Oscar licked him in reply making him laugh.

" Come.",Manik said bringing him to the sofa and he jumped beside Manik as he switched on the tv.

"What do you want to watch?",Manik asked him rubbing below his ear and he barked again softly.

" No we aren't watching lion king again.",Manik said and Oscar barked a few times.

Manik smiled and nods finally putting on lion king again.

Oscar gets comfortable on Manik's lap as Manik pats him.

"You may look like a lion but you are a dog oscar.",Manik said watching the movie and oscar growls a little trying to deny making manik laugh.

Manik falls asleep in the half of the movie and Oscar licks his face before jumping on the tv remote switching it off.

Oscar gets comfortable beside manik and sleeps.

In the middle of the night Manik wakes up and rubs his face before getting up and drinking some water.

He covers Oscar with a blanket and walks to his room and lays down on his bed removing his tshirt.

"Goodnight",he whispered to himself as sleep consumed him.