MANAN - Cloud with a Silver Lining

27.1 - A Mixed Bag

A quick recap - Nandini meets her long lost friends when her brother Abhi decides to marry one of them, Mukti. After some initial apprehensions, the bond shared five years before reinstates itself and the gang comes back together with Manik and Nandini becoming friends again. After several moments of being with one another and a slight push by the family and friends, Manik and and Nandini are finally hope for a "future together"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Chapter -27, Part 1, 3000 words, unedited, ignore the mistakes and errors)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The clock had struck 5 and anxiousness was taking over Manik's mind and heart leaving him helpless and restless. He continued to utter curses for the client who out of all days decided to meet him today. Not that Nandini needed him but he wanted to be by Nandini's side today and therefore despite of being seated in the conference room, his thoughts wandered miles away to the city of Gurgaon where the most important girl of life was giving probably the most important exam of her life. He remembered the conversation they had last week

(Flashback – On call)

Nandini – Manik listen to me..!!

Manik – No Nandini, I will postpone the meeting..!!

Nandini – You and I both know, there isn't any scope for postponement, you will lose the contract Manik...a contract which is very important for your firm..a contract that not only concerns you but also the people who work for you...!!

Manik – But..

Nandini – Okay...Hold on...take a deep breath....Come 'on I can't hear it...A little deeper and louder....(Nandini paused the conversation and continue only once she heard him taking a deep sigh)...Good...now listen to me...I know you want to be here but tell me something even if you come here all you would be able to do is sit outside and get worried for almost four and an half hours...I know you want to come here to support me but Manik my heart is already aware of your support and trust me that takes away all my worries...I am not kidding...!!

Manik – You sure you'll be fine

Nandini – one hundred percent and plus you would call me before the exam and I would give you a call once its ends so no worries..!!

Manik – Make sure you call me as soon as the exam gets over..!!

Nandini – I will

(Flashback ends)

Manik's train of thought was broken when his assistant nudged him. He checked his cellphone but sadly even after ten minutes of the scheduled end time, there wasn't a single call or message from her. Not able to contain his worry anymore, he excused himself for a while to call her but to his dismay her number was switched off. He kept taking rounds of the corridor with his hands folded and lips praying for everything to go well. About ten minutes later, his phone rang and the caller was exactly whom he wanted to be

Manik (picking up the call) - Where were you Nandini...??...You were supposed to call me 20 min ago..!!

Nandini - Manik...!!

Manik's senses altered him as soon as he heard her shaky voice

Manik - Hey...hey...what happened...Listen it is not the end okay...relax, we will give another try...Don't cry...Don't stress yourself...nothing has changed..and nothing will change...!!