Conditions Applied?!

12~ Broken Strings

1:05pm

I sat there on that uncomfortable stool in my cabin going through those files I had taken from Manik's workplace.

I didn't bother seeing the time but I felt hungry not having eaten since last night.

I hid those files in a paper bag and kept them at one unnoticed corner of my cabin.

"Nandini.... " the door opened.

I looked in the direction of the voice.

"Come in.... "

I sat back at that stool, dropping the idea of  eating cause I knew this ten minutes promised talk would consume much more time than required.

I saw Madhyaam coming slowly taking baby steps towards my desk.

He finally sat down on that single accommodation opposite to mine.

"Batao.... " I said trying to finish this as fast as possible.

"Nandini... Pehle Toh I am sorry... I know... Maine bohot galat kiya.... I shouldn't have vanished like that.... "

"Haan yeh accha hai... Galati karo phir sorry bolo" I snapped at him.

"Nandini pehle just hear me out.... "

I rolled my eyes allowing him to continue.

"Nandini.... That year.. It was a mess for me.... I know Maine tumhe bohot hurt kiya... Lekin the fact is I had to go.... Meri mom....  she had a severe heart attack after knowing my father's business had gone haywire... And I guess you remember at that point humari family ka financial condition was too weak... They called me on one night notice and I had to leave..... And Maine tumhe nahi bataya cause Nandini.. Tum pareshaan ho jati and I had realised that... That I never deserved you... Tum mere saath khush nahi rehti.... And I Still feel the same.... "

I looked at him having nothing to say.

"Nandini..... Yehi reason tha I left... I mean like come on yaar just look at me..... Neither am I well off and I didn't even have a job then.... And I didn't want to spoil your life...... So.... I"

"You left.... " I said with tears in my eyes.

He looked down.

I stood up from my place and walked in his direction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was nearly lunch time when I reentered the building.

I had made up my mind to apologize but only for today and that hadn't actually changed my mind on the fact that she wasn't returning home before 10.

I took the lift and soon the door opened to my floor.

"Chal Manik!! " I said motivating myself and rubbing my palms as I walked to her room.

I stopped at the door hearing voices speaking inside. And suddenly I had this Sherlock Holmes attitude and decided peeking in.

" tum ek baar aake mujhe bolte... I would have let you go..... Lekin nahi.. Tumhe apna ego satisfy karna tha na...yehi socha hoga na tumne... Ladki hai what will she do.... "She said

I saw Madhyaam standing up and hold her by her shoulders.

" You really think I would think so..... "

"Madhyaam..... You could have told me.... "

"Nandini.. I am sorry..... "

He stepped closer to her and pulled her into a hug. And that was the end of it. I shut the door behind me. I dropped the idea of apologising.

This felt kinda weird. I felt as if she had just broken my trust. Felt betrayed.

I went back to my room and walked upto the window.....

I heard different voices in my head.

"Manik why the hell do you even bother if she hugs anyone... Let her be.... You have a girlfriend..... Girlfriend... Girlfriend... " they kept saying...

"Wait a second!!  Where is Alya!! " I asked looking around the room.

I checked my phone hurriedly. No messages. No missed calls.

Was she kidding me. She just vanished after that phone call. What the hell was going on.

I called her immediately.

No answer.

"Shit Alya!  Where the hell are you..... I am loosing it now.... " I screamed.

"First that Nandini and now Alya... And why was even Nandini bothering me... She was just supposed to be a piece of furniture lying wherever and here I was giving her importance......I needed a break ....... Arrrgh....  Manik you need a break..... Manik.... You do......."

I sat down putting those earphones and listened to some music. I felt it would calm me down. And as soon as I closed my eyes.. There she was standing in front of me hugging Madhyaam.

"Damn.... " I threw them away

~~~~~~~~~~~

"I am sorry Nandini..... "

I broke the hug and smiled at him.

"This time don't.... " I said.

"Pakka.... Toh friends?! "

He held out his hand in my direction.

I nodded shaking hands with him.

"Friends.... "

He smiled.

"Tumhe bhook lagi hogi na.... Come let's go to the cafeteria!! "

"Bhook Toh bohot lagi hai Madhyaam... "

"Toh chalo.... Aur Hhaan.. Madhyaam nahi Maddy!! " he said taking my hand and winking.

"Hahah okay.... "

A/N:
Hope you guys like it. And thanks for those 78 votes on the last chapter. That really was unexpected.
Do vote and drop in your precious comments this time too 😘😍.
Adiós 😁.