I want u to be there... For a little more than always
Part 8
The next day Nandini's sweet sleep was disturbed by her daily alarm. She switched it off and said to herself,
Nandini: Ayiappa... Mrng so soon!! I'll get up in 5.
She again went back to sleep, it was about half an hour layer that she decided to get up finally. Thinking about it she put her head on the pillow and pulled up her leg to get comfortable when a striking pain stuck though her entire body starting from her right leg.
Nandini straightened up her leg again and waited for the pain to cease, but it was not in her hands. She immediately revived all the incidents of the previous day. And she knew she wasn't going to be able to get up from her bed. She thought about calling someone for help as she needed to get up anyhow and at least freshen up. But she wasn't truly comfortable with ordering the staff to help her. While she sat there feeling hopeless, there was a knock at the door and one of the cook was standing there. She peaked into the room and smiled seeing Nandini awake,
Nandini: Good mrng simi...
Simi: I knew... U wouldn't call anyone for help. Plz mam feel free to call me anytime for the nxt few days till u r not completely well.
Nandini gave her a shy smile as she walked towards her,
Simi: Now?? Anything?
Nandini: Can u plz help me to get to the washroom?
Simi gave her a warm smile and said,
Simi: Sure!!
It took 15mins before nandini was back on her bed, after freshing up.
Simi: U take rest and call me some time ltr... I'll help u hv a bath.
Nandini: Simi really thanks a lot... U don't actually hv to do this i-
Simi: I do... Coz u do a lot for all of us... Now u be here and take rest okay?
Nandini smiled at her and nodded and then looked at her bedside watch.
Nandini: Simi... Plz can u check if Manik sir's breakfast is ready and on the table... Its only 15 mins before he gets down stairs.
Simi: Oh yes... I better get going.
Nandini sat there and picked up her phone from her side. She picked up a paper and started preparing something on it. As she had said,
Manik got down on time and noticed her breakfast ready on the table, he immediately knew Nandini had been ordering the staff from his side. As he sat at the table a servant went closer to serve him and Manik asked,
Manik: Is Miss Moorthy up??
Servant: Yes sir!!
Manik: Hmn... Did she have her breakfast??
Servant: um... No
Manik's lips changed into a hard line as he heard it and said,
Manik: Serve two plates together and get it in her room in five.
Saying so he got up and moved to Nandini's room. He knocked at the door and Nandini said,
Nandini: Yes!!
Manik opened the door and stepped in.
Nandini: Sir?? Good morning sir...
Manik: Good mrng Ms. Moorthy!!
Manik moved in further and stood in front of her.
Manik: So Ms. Moorthy how r u feeling today??
Nandini: Much better sir.. Thank u!
Manik: Ohk so now that u r-
Nandini: Er... Excuse me sir!! I m really sry for interrupting u but may i plz request u to sit. I m not exactly comfortable with myself sitting and u standing here...
Manik eyes grew in surprise suddenly listening to this but being what he is, he hid it immediately.
He simply took a seat the sides of my bed and then said,
Manik: Ohk so now that u r feeling much better... I hv something to ask u that i hv been wanting to from the time u came back home yesterday?
Nandini: Anything important sir??
Manik looked up at her and then said in a slow, calm but stern voice.
Manik: What was the reason behind everything that happened yesterday?
Nandini immediately looked into his eyes and she could see his cold question, shit, he is angry she thought.
Nandini: Sir i... Actually I-
Manik: Coz u didn't hv any regards towards personal health and u forgot to eat anything for breakfast as well as lunch even when u were suffering from fever and yet working.
Nandini's eyes broadened listening to his words. She seemed like a 10 year old being scolded for her carelessness.
Manik: Ms. Moorthy... I m warning u for once and for all... The next tym u put on such a stunt or mess, i'll not leave u so easily.
Nandini lowered her eyes a bit and then said,
Nandini: I m sorry sir!!
Manik: Remember that...
Manik clenched his fists to control his laughter which didn't go unnoticed by Nandini.
Just then he heard a faint knock at the door, as he called the person in. He saw the servant pushing the food trolley towards them which had their breakfast served within the lids.
Manik saw Nandini's confused expression and said,
Manik: U need to eat well to get up soon... Eat.
And listening him Nandini immediately knew this wasn't a request. It was an order. She pressed her lips together as they both started their breakfast and continued eating in an awkward silence. It was some time later that Nandini finally decided to speak up.
Nandini: Sir would u be having ur practice today... Other than that i have prepared ur schedule.
Manik didn't say anything at that and Nandini continued,
Nandini: U hv a meeting with the new investers this morning at 10. I was willing to brief u about that before u leave. After that you hv a meet with the marketing head of Fab5's coming event. And the day at office would be a little buay, the team is waiting to get ur conformation for the few news works and ideas. The evenin is free if u wish to hv practice.
Manik heard all of it without replying and then finally raised up his hand. Nandini looked at him confused as he pointed at the list of his schedule that Nandini had.
Nandini simply passed him the sheet of paper. Manik took the paper and checked it out before finally tearing the paper apart.
Nandini: Sir??
Manik: Cancel every office meeting today!! I m going for the investers meeting and then back. The marketing head can come to the Malhotra Mansion for the meeting. Other than that all canceled. I m not wrking today.
Nandini looked at him in a shocked expression.
Manik: Ms. Moorthy.. Finish ur breakfast while its still hot!! I want a brief for the meeting.
Nandini immediately diverted her gaze and started eating. As she finished, she kept her to a side and bent to the other side to get something,
Manik: Ms moorthy?? What r u doing?
Nandini didn't reply to him as her fingers reached the stack of files kept on her bed side table. She willed to pull one of it towards herself when the entire stack fell down.
Manik: Ms. Moorthy u can ask for help!!
Nandini straightened up on her back and then whispered,
Nandini: I m the one supposed to be working on ur commands sir?
Manik heard her and took a deep sigh. He got up from the bed and collected the files keeping the files on her bed as he got back to his place.
Manik: Ohk... So lets negotiate a deal over here.
Nandini: Negotiate??
Manik: Of course... Thats one thing we both are good at... So ready??
Nandini: Er.. Um yes i guess.
Manik: So from today..... U r no more my secretary.
Nandini's fear immediately shot up at him listening to this.
Manik: Ms. Moorthy... Relax!! I m not talking about firing u. I m just saying that for the next few days, by the time u get completely well, I won't be ur boss.
Nandini: Sir I'm still not getting u.
Manik: Ms. Moorthy i m just saying that don't think of me as ur boss instead I'll be ur friend. Just a friend from whom u can accept help, and everything that a friend is for.
Nandini couldn't believe her ears as he said this,
Nandini: Friend???
Manik: Ms. Moorthy... Why r u so shocked by this??
Nandini didn't say anything and immediately looked down, manik could see her still thinking about it.
Manik: Ohk Ms. Moorthy... I take that u feel ur friendship a bit too valuable for me.
Nandini: No sir.. I just-
Manik: Ohk Ms. Moorthy take ur time think about it... U hv enough time but i have to go for a meeting so i would appreciate a brief for it.
With this they got to the wrk and Nandini returned back to her usual self. In a more comfortable territory. While all of Manik's comfort had evaporated, he was eagerly waiting for her reply now.