THE PASSIONATE EGO

24: DREAM

Nandini looked around for the familiar figure but couldn't find him anywhere. She turns towards the stair area but instead finds Katie talking to some associates and not to piss her off more or well piss Manik off more, Nandini decides to take the other way when her back bangs with a familiar masculine figure.

" care explaining your little vanishment adventure" came a husky voice that she maybe could hear forever.

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Nandini turned around to look deep the only oceanic eyes that made her heart flutter. Manik raised his eyebrows as he sneaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

"I thought you were busy." Nandini smiled at his touch.

"No i wasn't. Never for you." Manik kissed the tip of her nose as she blushes so hard. Recently he had been loving how a slightest touch from him could have so much effect on her.

"And also because your sweet ex was ready to kill me" Nandini played with his tie regaining her composture and getting back in the game.

"Oh common that's stupid." Manik bluffed the entire idea of jealousy when Nandini turned his face to the other side

"See for yourself" There she was , Katie, looking right through the couples soul and as soon as she saw Manik, there was a sweet fake smile on his face.

Manik faced back Nandini and both laughed at Katie's expression.

"So do you like to dance?" Manik asked Nandini

"Only if i am asked properly." Nandini smirked back.

"OKay so Miss. Nandini, would you like to dance with me?" Manik asked in a proper gentleman way putting his hand infront of her.

"Yes sir you may" Nandini gave her approval and both of them walked to the dance floor. 

Her arms around his neck while his hands were safely places around her waist holding her up closer to him as they swayed to the current song's beats. Nandini smiled at the site of Edward who stood behind at the other end of the, visible behind Manik.

Edward mouthed a "I told you" to her while she just rolled her eyes which actually didn't go unnoticed by Manik's ever so eagle eyes.

"Stop rolling those pretty eyes or it may bulge out" he teased her.

"No i wasn't" Nandini denied.

"Yes you were. And if may i ask to whom?" he asked her.

"No i wasn't and to no one. Remember i don't know anyone here" Nandini lied even though she didn't wanted to but letting Manik in to this small world of hers where friends like Edward existed. She just wasn't sure because Manik's personality was still unpredictable to her.

"Okay" Manik replied as he continued staring at the blue eye guy through the mirror  arrangement behind Nandini. He hated secrets.

After the song ended Nandini decided it was time to go since she was started to get a little hungry. Pulling herself out from the clutches of this strong man she started headed to the food table when she was pulled back with a much greater force.

"I am hungry let's go back" Nandini told Manik.

"I don't want to" Manik replied.

"But everyone's left and also the music stopped" she replied looking around the couples leaving the dance floor to enjoy the rest of the party.

"No it didn't" Manik held his hand up and gave some gesture in the air. Suddenly it was just them in the spotlight with all dark around aand a soft music hit her ears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtlgYxa6BMU

The song ended with Nandini's head over his heart where she could easily hear the erratic up and down of the most rhythmic beat she had ever heard until a fake cough pulled her out of her trance and there stood the devil herelf.

Katie smiled at her and then turned to the handsome man pulling out her hand towards him.

"I think you owe me one." she asked in a sugar coated voice. Oh how much Nandini wanted to drain out that diabetic syrup but she wasnt letting this go so easily.

"Sorry but we are not done here." Nandini snapped back even though she wanted it to come out in a polite way.

Oh shut up who are we kidding. It came out exactly the way it was supposed to be.

"I guess i can give you a dance." Manik spoke looking at Katie and sooner his hand slipped down Nandini's waist and moved towards Katie.

To say that Nandini felt humiliated would be an understatement. The look Katie was giving her made her want to dig a hole right in the middle of this ball room and bury herself inside it.

The couples were back on floor and in seconds she was kicked out off the dance floor while Katie laughed at something Manik spoke and about the villain himself, well he never looked at her.

It was the first day of them being together and he had already managed to make her look pathetic and like a trash infront of hundreds of people. 

Slipping out from the dance floor Nandini couldn't stand this indifferene anymore so she made her way to the only place in this party where she felt comfortable.

At the patio, the scene now was ever so mesmerable than before since the fireworks were out. It felt like a meteor shower in the sky and also in her heart. A meteor shower of sadness and anger. She wasn't even aware when a lone tear espaced her eye even without her perission but never made it to a floor as a palm caught it and in seconds a hankerchief was placed in front of her.

"I am fine" Nandini denied as she turned to the owner of this sympathy only to feel relieved to see a familiar face.

"I saw what happened but you don't have to feel bad or pathetic about it. He is an i***t to let you go like that." Edward tried lighting the aura around the place.

"He is right to choose her. She is pretty." Nandini smiled looking through the glass at the couple who now danced in the very centre.

"But you are beatiful and gorgeous." Edward complemented her.

"Thank you for the compliment but i guess i'll leave now." Nandini returned his hanky back.

"Hey you searched for the perfect dress, got yourself ready and came here not to just walk away like this. Remember you came here for fun and to dance." Edward spoke holding her back even without touching her.

"I had my share of dance and i-" Nandini started to reason out but Edwad beat her to that

"But can i have mine" he extended his hand out to her.

Nandini looked at the couple inside and back to him, "I don't like this song"

"We can take care of that." Edward took out a pair of earpods from his pocket and held out one for her , Nandini laughed at his act and took it from him, putting it in her ear.

"I may warn you that i am not a fan of soft ballroom songs so you'll have to bear with my choice." Edward acted being serious.

"i won't judge you because you didn't judge me" Nandini looked at him with sincerity in her eyes because she meant it.

Even in a span of few hours Edward was one of the most genuine friend she had ever made in her life.

"Because friends don't judge each other." Edward pulled out a hand for her while she happily took it as he played the song on his phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouEezpuPc3A

"Seriously you're an i***t" Nandini laughed, "But i love this. My vibe."

They both laughed dancing wierdly on the oh so not romantic couple dance song.

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