THE PASSIONATE EGO

22: THE BALL I

Nandini kept adorning herself infront of the trial room mirror. This was it. This was the dress that was going to outcast every other women at the gala. She gave herself a light pat on the back and headed over to the salon. This day meant spending and Nandini was definitely going to do that. Walking inside the big gorgeous salon she smiled at the women ahead her with pink curly hair remodeling a client, the women turned and beamed a full teeth smile with excitement written all over her eyes and figure.

"Nanz!!" the women shouted in astonishment.

"Hey Sofie princess. Long time no see" Nandini hugged her mate from college.

"I should be the one saying that to you. You ditched me last time at the party." Sofia exclaimed.

"Yeah sorry about that but hey you ditched me first in college to get this salon started and i must say quite work you did here." Nandini replied being pleased with the surroundings.

"Thank you." Sofia beamed with pride written all over her face, " So did you just miss me or going for a rampwalk."

"I'll go with the latter one. Actually there is a ball that i have to attend and Mukti is not in town so i thought maybe you can help me out." Nandini asked

"Ofcourse! Hey you know i have always been meaning to do that so who's the hot date?" Sofia wiggled her eyebrows.

"No hot date" Nandini kept the shopping bags on the waiting sofa and made herself comfortable on it.

"Babe don't fool me. A gala without a hot date. Not possible." Sofia sat opposite to her staring clear dead. Damn that always works.

"Okay it's Manik Malhotra and i just want to outcast his ex or something." Nandini shrugged her shoulders trying to not make it obvious that she is jealous here.

"The Manik Malhotra. You are dating The Manik Malhotra?" Sofia exclaimed jumping up and down.

"No we are just good friends and he wanted a plus one so i said yes." Nandini replied fixing her nails trying not to be caught.

"Holy b***h! I am going to make you the hottest girl in town. Show me your outfit and leave the rest to me." Sofia smirked.

"yeah it's in that bag, you check it out and till then i'll just make a call."  Nandini spoke excusing herself to call Manik.

Ring.

No reply came from the other side so she assumed that he must be busy with a meeting. What if he ditched her again.

Are we still on for today?

                            - Nandini

As if i have any choice. I hope you dress well babe.

                            - Manik

Don't call me babe. And get ready to get your eyes popped out.

                             - Nandini

Waiting.

                        - Manik

"Babe this dress is amazing" Sofia exclaimed.

"I know right so you think you can help me out with this?" Nandini asked

"Oh i am so inn." Sofia smirked.

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Nandini stood before the mirror with Sofia behind her with an achivement look.

"You sure this is me?" Nandini asked not being able to believe her eyes.

"Yes babe that is you. I am so proud of myself." Sofia walked awy patted her back to a client.

Nandini adorned herself.  She looked stunning in the silver satin dress, which was a long formal evening prom gown, featuring figure hugging mermaid/trumpet silhouette, with halter neckline that criss-crossed at the back.

She do hell had a great choice and the way Sofia did her subtle yet sexy look with a low bun. Manik was in for some shock and remembering him it was a great idea that Nandini asked him to pick her up from the salon instead of her going all the way back to the mansion.

A simple message of I am here  threw her overboard with butterflies in her stomach and she walked out the salon bidding her buddy a final goodbye and thanking her for the last time today.

Maniik had his gaze on his cell phone. The stocks had been going down alot recently but he was glad he invested in the right one and was ona high peak in his business. A gush of cold air from the salon building made him look up and his breath got stuck at the sight of the most beautiful women walking down the stairs clad in a perfect silver dress made for her. The way her outfit hugged her made Manik's mind wander to the things he wants to do to her but alas they were in public and hadn't reached that stage of relationship yet. Hell they had just been going out for a day or two and they were already making appearances together.

A set of fingers snapped him out of his reverie thoughts and he saw Nandini standing right opposite to him with a smirk on her face as if she knew she was makig him all weak even though he never gives up.

"where are you lost? Don't we have a ball to attend, you know how much i hate being late." Nandini spoke with a glint of mischief in her eyes walking right past him to get seated in the car.

"Ofcourse you do and especially right now" Manik murmured softly getting inside the car.

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The supposed villa was subtly lit with soft lights and light colors, adorned by an amazing landscaping. The cars rushed in, dropped their companions and swed past to the parking area. Manik got down first and held out a hand for Nandini to grab on. She was ccompletely pleased with the decorations put forth her and also the fact that apparently everyone here knew Manik, he was easily slided in with out any card check or even a name heck. Sometimes she can't help herself but adore this man who had made his name so much in the business world at such a young age that for some reasons she felt proud holding his arm and walking with a high chin, not to brag but to say that yes i am with this self built man and i am proud of him but her soft happy bubble was broken as soon as Katie walked right towards them with her lost puppy companion behind.

"Hey guys i am so glad you could make it" She faked a laugh and hugged Nandini.

"Couldn't have missed it for a million dollors." Manik smiled at her.

What was up with him and always smiling with a change in attitude infront of her. Like he was a completely different person with her and then there was a different person around Katie and well Nandini did not like it so she jumped in between the business convo that they started without even acknowledging her presence.

"The place looks amazing Katie. You do have a nice taste." Nandini complimented her.

"Oh i know right! I always choose the best" Katie replied looking lusciously at Manik.

"Exactly so what happened with the dress fiasco here. I genuinely think you can do better" Nandini spoke with concern in her voice.

"Excuse me i have guests to attend. See you later or maybe never" Katie said grittening her teeths and walking away.

"Can you stop pissing her off for sometime" Manik turned to Nandini with a cold stare.

"What, excuse me she was being a b***h here." Nandini replied knowing that it was not true.

"Yeah sure-" before Manik could complete his sentence a few delegates walked upto him and the non stop business deal bickering started. It was not that Manik abandoned nandini he did try to involve her by introducing her to the group of the people, even she tried mendling with them but the crowd just kept getting bigger and bigger and soon the hands were ripped apart.

Nandini walked out the building to a well lit patio area looking right at the stars abover her. This party was supposed to be amazing but maybe she could never fit in. They both had different professions but for some reason unknown to her Nandini wanted people to know that well Manik was taken and that they were happy and she meant something to her.

10 minutes passed with an inner turmoil of deciding if she wanted to stay here or leave so that she didn't disturb Manik's important evening by taking him away from people when she heard the door behind her click open and voice soon after "Abandoning people. Are we?"