Chapter 65

Tomorrow was the day of the launch and Nandini couldn't be more nervous. The girls called for a night over at their apartment to help her relax.

All she wanted to do was meet Manik but he had to urgently leave for Delhi in the afternoon and he won't be back until tomorrow late.

She was upset at him for missing such an important day of her life but understood he wouldn't do it if it wasn't very important.

Navya and Mukti kept her distracted as they watched movies and played video games instead of drinking.

Nandini got dressed well for the big day as she reached the studio early and found Nikhil and Aditya there already.

"All set?", Nandini asked them and they gave a stiff nod.

Nandini grabbed her things and instructed the staff as all three of them checked out everything displayed for one last time.

The clock ticked and they all glanced at the time and sighed nodding at each other as they waited for the doors to open.

A smile formed on their lips as the first guests came in and they went around introducing themselves and guiding them around.

All her guests were very important for them as they were high-status customers they have worked with before or famous influencers.

Nandini had so many ideas on what to focus on primarily for her clothing line and in the end, she choose women's clothing with a traditional pinch to it. All her clothes were of high quality just like her customer demands and quite comfortable. She wanted to design clothes that are unique and superior to everything else on the market.

Taking her experience along with Nikhil's she opted for traditional work with modern outfits just like her idol but having her own touch. She was proud of the outcome but a little nervous about the reaction from others.

Nandini's eyes met Aditya who gave her a nod letting her know everything was going great and she relaxed a little.

She welcomed her friends who were so excited for her and even praised her a lot. Ishaan being a sweetheart brought his family too and they liked her designs as well.

She felt like she finally achieved what she wanted to and now she must keep going forward but she felt something missing and she knew it was his presence.

Every time someone came in, she glanced at the door hoping for him to surprise her.

Nandini was tired by the time evening came. She received a lot of feedback and offers from everyone and felt positive.

"It was a great day guys. Why don't you both leave first and I will close the shop.", Nandini said looking at Nikhil and Aditya who were the only person remaining except the guards. The rest have left already.

"It's fine. We can wait.", Aditya suggested looking at her.

"Why don't we go somewhere to celebrate?", Nikhil asked and Aditya nodded.

" Weekend? We have been so busy with this launch. I am sure you guys are tired and need rest too. I will treat everyone.", Nandini said and they nodded.

" Go first. You were here early. I will wrap up and leave.", Nandini said to them and they agreed finally bidding her bye.

Nandini worked for a while before wrapping it up when she was interrupted by a call.

" Hey", She said with a smile.

" How was the launch?", Manik asked over the phone as he stopped at a red light.

"It went great. People seemed to like the collection.", Nandini said leaning on her desk.

" Congratulations.", Manik said and she nodded thanking him.

" Did the meeting go well? ", Nandini asked looking around the empty studio.

"Yeah. I am just heading back after finishing it. I will be there soon.", Manik said eyeing the flowers on his seat.

"Are you still at the studio?", Manik asked her as he stopped the car and got out picking up the flowers.

"Yeah. Just wrapping up everything. Aditya and Nikhil just left.", Nandini informed and he smiled as he nodded at the guards and walked in.

"So it's just you?", Manik asked over the phone seeing her in her office with her back to him.

"Yeah, I will leave in some time. The guards are here. Don't worry.", Nandini said with a small smile shaking her head.

Manik leans on her office door and knocks thrice to get her attention.

"Fancy a private tour of your collection before you wrap up, Ms. Murthy.", Manik asked as she turned back in surprise pulling her phone away from her ear.

"Hey", He said with a smile and she composes herself and walked closer pulling him in a hug.

"I am sorry for being late. Congratulations Darling.", Manik said kissing her forehead as he pulled away to give the flowers to her.

She smiled wide and kissed his cheeks putting the flowers on her desk as she held his hand and took him outside to show him around.

Manik watched her half the time admiring the way she held herself and spoke with the passion in her eyes. He missed her but he couldn't delay the meeting and had to leave.

Nandini was about to walk ahead but Manik pulled her arms and she bumped into his chest.

"What?", She asked with a small pout caressing her forehead.

"I missed you.", Manik said softly and she smiled with a small blush on her cheeks.

"It was just a day.", Nandini said teasing him as she rolled her eyes at him, getting comfortable in his arms.

"Don't tell me you didn't miss me. You were waiting for me the whole day.", Manik said back with a smirk and her eyes widen in surprise.

"How do you know that? Did Ishaan tell you? That traitor, Sometimes he acts more of your best friend than mine. I won't let him off easi..", Nandini was cut off when Manik leaned closer and pecked her lips.

" You are so cute.", Manik said staring at her, his thumb caressing her cheekbones. He leaned closer again and kissed her properly this time.

She sighed moving her hands to his neck as she kissed him back.

"I missed this too.", Manik whispered pulling back a little moving close to her ear and she sighed in satisfaction at the small kisses he dropped down her jaw.

"Let's be honest here. You just missed kissing me.", Nandini said softly and he chuckled hugging her close.

"I got you something.", Nandini whispered after a while and he looked down at her still holding her in his arms.

"What?", he asked and she grabbed his hand taking him to her office.

He sat down on the sofa and looked at her, eyeing her outfit for the first time.

"You look hot.", he said seeing her wearing a caramel color suit with a black tube top.

Nandini smiled as she walked to her drawer and took out a small box.

She forwarded it to him and he looked at her curiously.

He opened it slowly and saw it had accessories to add to his suit. It had collar pins with cufflinks and a chain for his suit too.

" When I was checking accessories for my collection. I got this made for you. You can wear them at the 30th-anniversary event.", Nandini offered as he pulled her to his lap.

"Thank you. I will check with Micheal and find a suit to go with it.", Manik said and Nandini shakes her head.

"I am preparing a suit for you.", She said and he was surprised.

"It's not needed.", Manik said and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"I am just saying you already have a lot in your hands. Don't stress yourself. I can pick a suit from him. It's not a big deal.", Manik said and she nodded in no.

"I know you will pick another black suit and I don't want that. Everyone would be there wearing a black suit. I don't want you to blend in with them.", Nandini said to him with a small pout.

" Do you really think I will blend in with the crowd?", Manik asked raising an eyebrow and she shakes her head.

She knew he could never blend in with the crowd. He would always stand out no matter how he looked or dressed.

"But I still don't want you to wear black or grey. ", Nandini said and he smiled.

"Okay, I will pick blue then or white?", He suggested watching her make a face again.

"Nope. Let me make you a suit.", Nandini asked and he shakes his head.

"I am not going to wear it if it's some weird color.", Manik argued and she narrowed her eyes at him.

" Fine but you have to at least try it out first before rejecting it.", Nandini said and he nodded giving in to her.

"Let's go. I will drop you home.", Manik said kissing her head.

"I don't want to.", Nandini said snuggling close to his chest and he sighed.

She was still adjusting to not seeing Navya at home with the house being so empty.

"You will get used to it. C'mon.", Manik said making her stand, picking her bag as she took the keys and the flowers.

She locked her office and walked out locking the studio too. She nodded at the guards and sat inside Manik's car.

"I will drop you tomorrow so you can get your car.", Manik said as he started driving.

She nodded turning the music on.

" It's Navya's birthday day after tomorrow and your birthday is in a week. I am looking forward to us all getting together.  ", Nandini said and Manik smiled thinking about it and wondering how she would react to his proposal.

Nandini kept asking about his work and the meetings all the way as she told him all about the feedback she received.

Manik stopped the car in front of her apartment and got out opening the door for her.

Nandini looked at the cars parked in front of the apartment and turned to him surprised.

"Is Navya home?", Nandini asked and Manik smiled pulling her to the door cursing his friends for being fools.

"Don't tell me everyone is here.", Nandini asked surprised as Manik opened the door, and she walked inside to find all of them arguing about something in the kitchen.

She looked at Manik who shakes his head at their actions.

"Hey.", Nandini said to get their attention and they looked at her surprised before glaring at Manik.

"You are here? Why didn't you tell us before? We wanted to surprise her.", Cabir whined looking at Manik as everyone glared at him.

"You idiots parked the car at the front. She came to know at once.", Manik said and they pouted at their mistake.

"It's fine. I am still surprised to see all of you here.", Nandini said trying to handle the situation and they smiled.

"We had to celebrate your first step to success.", Ishaan said coming forward and giving her a hug.

Nandini thanked all of them in return.

"We even made the food for you.", Mukti said and Nandini looked at her surprised.

"All of you?", She asked surprised looking at the three friends of hers who don't know a single thing about cooking.

"We helped Cabir out but still it counts.", Navya said making them laugh.

"Thanks a lot.", She said giving all of them a hug as the six of them took a seat for dinner.

Nandini looked at all of them trying to serve her what they made first and muttered a small thank you under her breath for having them in her life.

"Here.", Manik said forwarding her a spoon to feed her the first bite and she blinked composing herself, taking the bite, and smiled wide at all of them praising the food.

They all couldn't stop praising themselves for cooking such delicious food.

After dinner, Navya and Mukti went inside and brought forward a cake with a candle burning on top of it and a bottle of champagne.

Nandini chuckled feeling like she would burst with happiness watching them sing her congratulations as they put the cake on the table.

"Go on make a wish.", Manik whispered and she kneeled down in front of the cake and looked at all of them before closing her eyes for a brief second and blowing the candle.

She chuckled seeing the cake and Mukti elbowed Ishaan.

"What? You were the one who spoiled the icing.", Ishaan said and Mukti glared at him.

"I didn't. You spoiled it by interfering.", Mukti blamed him and Ishaan rolled his eyes.

"If I didn't you would have never made that dress.", Ishaan said proudly pointing at the icing dress on the white cake with Meraki written beautifully.

"That's a dress. I thought... never mind.", Manik asked pointing at the bad attempt at making a dress.

Nandini chuckled and cut the cake before forwarding a bite to all of them.

Mukti forwarded her a glass as all of them took a seat.

"Let's watch something.", Navya suggested excited and they all nodded.

"Start something. Let me get changed into something comfortable.", Nandini said looking at the suit she was wearing and they nodded.

She quickly changed into her night shorts and top and came back to see Mukti, Navya, and Cabir sitting on the couch, She took a seat in front of Navya and lifted her hand to her head.

Navya chucked lightly massaging her head.

"What are we watching?", She asked looking at the tv screen.

"Romance.", Navya said and Nandini nodded.

Manik and Ishaan walked out from the kitchen with popcorn and bowls of chips.

"We all have work tomorrow. So drink wisely.", Manik said giving a stern look to Nandini and Mukti who nodded carelessly and picked the beer cans.

Manik took a seat on the floor beside Nandini and Ishaan sat on the other side.

It was a college romance with the typical storyline of a nerd girl and a bad boy and Manik groaned getting an idea about it.

"Why are we watching this?", He asked watching the new girl being forced by her roommates to come to a party.

"Shush", He heard from Navya and frowned dropping his head on Nandini's shoulder.

"It's not that bad.", Nandini defended watching the girl being awkward at the party and the bad boy pranking her.

Manik looked around and saw all of them watching with so much interest and sat there with no choice.

"Here comes the popular girl and her friends.", Manik muttered under his breath when he saw the nerd with the bad boy and right on cue three girls appeared on the screen.

Manik kept commenting under his breath to entertain himself and Nandini laughed hearing him.

The nerd girl was no more a nerd and was trying to be popular because she was dressing herself up for a party after a fight with the bad boy who have apparently gone soft for her.

Manik groaned loudly when he saw the boy dancing with someone else to make the girl jealous.

"This is nonsense.", Manik said loudly having enough to watch the bullshit anymore.

"What's wrong now?", Navya asked finally pausing the movie.

"It was getting to the good part.", Mukti said munching the chips.

"You are liking this shit. I mean they had a fight before because the girl didn't trust him enough and was scared he would not be loyal and go after other girls and the boy is doing exactly that to make her jealous and realize her feelings that's nonsense.", Manik said her and Cabir frowned.

"Well, he is making her jealous to make her realize she likes him too. So they can get together and she can stop running away.", Cabir said and Manik rolled his eyes.

"It's not about realizing her love for him. She knows she loves him but she is scared to trust him. Instead of helping her with that, he is doing exactly what she is scared about just after claiming he likes her.", Manik tried to explain them but they were still a little confused.

"Okay in easy terms. It's like you confessed your feelings for me and asked me to trust you. Now, instead of waiting for me to answer. You flirt around with other girls to make me jealous. Do you think that will make me trust you? One minute you confess your love and the next you are flirting with someone else.", Nandini explained to them getting an idea about what Manik wants to tell.

"Yes Exactly. Thanks Darling. These guys are idiots.", Manik said happy to have someone understand his point as he kissed her surprising her to no end. It was the first time they had kissed infront of their friends willingly.

He was awarded by pillows and popcorns hitting him making him glare at them.

"Nonsense or not. We are still watching.", Cabir said and Manik sighed pulling Nandini closer.

He looked up at Mukti to ask for chips but saw her lost somewhere.

"Mukti", Manik said concerned and she shakes her head and forwards the bowl.

He watched her for a second more to ensure she is okay before looking back at the TV.

"Finally", Manik muttered as the movie came to an end and stretched his arms and legs standing up.

"You guys are staying right?", Nandini asked not comfortable having them drive home at this time. She also didn't want to be alone.

"I will leave, I have an important meeting tomorrow.", Ishaan said to her and she frowned.

"It's quite late. Ask someone to get your files for you. Please you can get freshened up here.", Nandini said looking up at him and he thought over it before looking at everyone and nodding.

"Great, Navya and Cabir can sleep in Navya's room. Mukti and I can sleep in mine and you both can take the guest room.", Nandini said looking at all of them. Manik frowns a little as Navya and Cabir bid everyone bye and went to their room.

"Nah. I will be more comfortable here. ", Ishaan said lying down on the sofa and Nandini looked at him surprised.

"But", She tried to deny as Ishaan waved her off.

"I will be fine. I am not much sleepy and would likely watch something before falling asleep.", Ishaan convinced her and she finally nodded.

"I can take the guest room. ", Mukti said with a wink going upstairs and Manik smiled looking at Nandini.

"I will get you blankets and pillows.", Nandini muttered and brought him a blanket and pillow.

She saw him sitting there alone and realized Manik went to her room.

"Are you okay?", Nandini asked him concerned and he gave her a smile.

" I have so many things going on and a lot of work to do. There's nothing serious.", Ishaan assured her and She nodded.

"Goodnight.", Ishaan greeted and she smiled kissing his head to which he gave her a grin.

"Sleep well and if you want to talk about anything. I am here.", Nandini said and he nodded.

Nandini shut the door to her room and looked around for Manik walking inside her closet.

She found him shirtless searching inside her closet.

"You need something?", Nandini asked raising an eyebrow.

"Some comfortable pants.", Manik said searching for it and she walked closer.

"I have some loose shorts. They will fit you.", Nandini said looking around before picking it up and showing him.

"They will look like boxers for me.", Manik said and she grinned forwarding him to change as she lay down on the bed.

Manik walked out of the closet and Nandini burst into giggles seeing him uncomfortable.

"Shut up.", He said getting inside the covers and she grinned immediately moving closer to him.

"They are like mini shorts for you. You look so cute.", Nandini said amused seeing him in her pink shorts.

"I will go and put back the pants.", Manik groaned and moved to get up but she doesn't let him.

"or you can remove it.", Nandini flirted moving her hand to the hem of his shorts and he rolled his eyes at her.

She brushed her fingers over his thighs just like he does with hers and he raised an eyebrow warning her. She giggled running her fingers again and Manik smirked before flipping them around making her shut up immediately.

"Don't you have something to say now?", Manik asked looking down at her and she gulped at the way his eyes burn through hers, intense, scrutinizing almost making her shy away and embarrassed. She wasn't one who got embarrassed from showing her feelings towards him. If any she likes expressing her love for him but it felt different this time. She could tell he felt the same with the way his eyes keep flitting to her lips.

Nandini glanced at his lips and wondered if it will be those innocent kisses again or this time they will actually take a step ahead. Was she ready if they do? Will he be okay with it? He did say he wants to wait till he confess the last time they had a talk about it. But then he agreed later on.

She lifted her chin to move closer to him and Manik's eyes flashed with something suggestive. Maybe he could actually hear her thoughts.

"Nandini", he whispers. His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck contracted as he is trying to stop himself.

His voice was low, deep, and had a slight plead in his tone as if she could free him from the restrain he has for himself.

Nandini knew what he wanted, he wanted her to tell him to stop. Give him reasons on why they should wait till he explained everything to her. So she did the opposite of it because for her nothing would change with what he had to say to her. She loved him now and she would still love him.

Manik took a sharp intake of breath the moment their lips touched. She smiled finally surprising him with a kiss but it doesn't last long. Manik moves his hand around her waist and pulls her into him, kissing her back. She could feel every inch of his press against her, hard and rippled but warm, strong. His tongue runs along with hers, tender at first, but then urgency kicks in. He kisses her harder than he had ever before.

Nandini's breathing was ragged and a little out of control. His mouth leaves her lips and she lets out a whimper as he moves to her neck, sucking at the skin near her jaw. She tilts her head back and lets out a moan that makes him growl into her neck.

"Nandini", Manik says it with his mouth still on her skin, his voice all muffled.

He moves his hands from her waist to her back pulling her more into him, his chest rising and falling as rapidly as her own. He eyed the strap of her top and pushed it aside nibbling his teeth on her skin.

Nandini held his biceps too distracted with the way his hand is creeping up his back, sending shivers down her spine. She could already feel him pressed against her thigh, hard and ready. It terrified her but excited her at the same time.

Manik pulled apart and stared at her as he rests his hand on the back of her head. His eyes were dark and hooded as he looked down at her. Nandini looked up at him maintaining eye contact as she stroked his back, running along his spine. His skin felt so soft, so supple, that it glides against her fingers. He brings his other hand up, sliding it up her stomach lifting her satin pajama top along with it as he stopped just below her bra line.

Nandini took a sharp intake of breath as she tried hard to keep eye contact. She knew she wanted it and they were more than ready to move to the next step. It was all on him now.

"Manik", She whispered. As if that was all he needed to hear. He tugged her top and she lifts herself as he pulled the top right off her, throwing it to the floor before pulling back to look at her.

Manik moves his mouth near her still watching her as if giving her a chance to pull away. His fingers were gentle as they brush along her arms. She could feel his bare skin on hers and almost moan at the sparks that jolted off her skin.

His eyes drop from her lips to her chest, taking her in for the first time. His eyes were clouded with so many feelings in them as he trailed her body like he was memorizing it. Not able to hold herself further she leaned up to kiss him but felt short and pouts in the air making him laugh. He leaned closer still wearing that sweet, boyish grin, and finally kissed her.

His hand explored her body while hers did the same trailing their bare skin.

Manik nibbled over her neck before looking up at her once and dropping kisses down her neck to her chest covered in the plain black bra of hers.

Nandini dug her nails on his shoulders as she let out a small breath of air at every kiss he dropped on her chest.

They jumped apart hearing a loud thud from outside the room.

"I will check.", Manik said after they both calmed down and kissed her head as he stood up uncomfortably.

Nandini giggled seeing him walk with a hard-on in her pink shorts and Manik glared at her.

Manik slowly opened the door to her room and looked outside calling for Ishaan.

"Sorry. I fell from the sofa.", Ishaan said looking around uncomfortably and Manik nodded before narrowing his eyes.

He smirked seeing the long hair hanging out of the sofa armrest.

He locked the door and found Nandini looking at him curiously.

"Nothing. Ishaan fell from the sofa.", Manik said as he sat back on the bed beside her.

"He should have slept with you in the guest room.", Nandini said a little worried about him.

"You sure about that? You would have missed all this.", Manik said trailing his finger up her arm to her shoulder as he hooked his finger on the bra strap and pulled it before leaving it with a smack.

Nandini blushed at his remarks recalling what they were doing before getting interrupted.

"You weren't being shy a minute ago.", Manik teased her more and she pushed him away.

"Give me my top.", Nandini asked and he picked it up but didn't give it to her.

"I like this better.", He said and she blushed more snatching it up from his arms.

"It's not comfortable to sleep with.", She said as she wore the top and removed the bra from underneath.

Manik was watching her with his mouth open and she gave him a sheepish grin.

"So are you going to sleep like this?", Manik asked looking at her and she nodded with a shrug.

"I have always slept without a bra on.", Nandini confessed and Manik groaned and lay down on his side.

"What happened?", She asked leaning above him, and he sighed before looking up at her.

"Why did you have to tell me this?", Manik asked closing his eyes as if in pain and Nandini chuckled at him being extra and lay down on his chest.

He wrapped his hand around her waist moving it inside her top as he rubbed her skin softly.

"I can't stop thinking about it.", Manik admitted as his palms traced up, on her body inside her top and she slapped his hands lightly.

"Behave", Nandini warned and he sighed before pulling his hands out and keeping it on the top.

"Tease", Manik muttered under his breath and kissed her forehead softly.

She smiled and pecked his lips lightly and closed her eyes to sleep.

The next morning, Manik dropped Nandini at her store, before leaving for his office.

Nandini was glad it was Thursday and the weekend is near. If it was up to her she would have slept the two days but she had promised to treat Nikhil and Aditya and all of them are going to a club to celebrate Manik and Navya's birthday too the next day.

She got busy with her work and the designs she was working on.

Manik was working on his laptop inside his office when Sara walks in greeting him.

"How did the meeting go in Delhi?", Sara asked him and he nodded looking up at her.

"It went well. I cleared their misunderstandings. You remember Mr. Mehta one of our regular clients that tried to manipulate the contract putting loopholes and we terminated the contract and dropped him once we got to know. Well, he spread out some rumors so the other clients were worried I wasn't trustworthy anymore. Hopefully, things are good now.", Manik said with a sigh and Sara nodded.

"I came to give you the speech.", Sara said and Manik nodded taking it from her.

"Do you need me to get you a suit?", Sara asked and he shakes his head in no.

"Okay, I heard there will be a board meeting before the event.", Sara asked and he nodded.

"Yes, they weren't clear with the agenda but it's about the chairman position only. They may announce the date.", Manik said thinking about it and Sara looked at him concerned.

"Do you think they will choose him?", Sara asked and he thought over it.

"A part of them yes. I am not sure about the results at the end.", Manik said playing with his paper stand.

"Don't worry. They would be making a big mistake if they choose him. Also, I think Chairman would suggest your name as he knows about his actions.", Sara said and Manik thought over it before shaking his head and she nodded leaving him alone.

He knew the chairman wouldn't choose him. He was a coward for whom his reputation and image came first. He would never appoint the chairman position to his adopted son instead of his real one. No matter how much the jerk affected the reputation of the company with his actions.

Trying to get distracted with the past memories that came back. He thought about the proposal he was planning for Nandini and smiled.

"Just a week.", He muttered under his breath nervous and excited at the same time.

For the first time in years, he was looking forward to his birthday. He can't wait to confess everything. His feelings, His past, and everything about him.

He smiled to himself before getting back to work.