THE PASSIONATE EGO

8: THE NICE HIM

Manik's POV was not at all planned but alot people asked me to put it so here it goes.

Manik's POV

I don't know how and why but this girl is driving me crazy.I had never thought that i'll ever feel something like this again. This strange feeling, strange because I have never been so much desperate around anyone. But I guess its all because of her. She's irresistible and the more she rejects me the more urge i get to feel her under my grasp.

The strangest part is instead of getting angry and f*****g the s**t out of her i enjoy, i enjoy when I am with her. I live every nano second with her. I enjoy to irritate her , to annoy her.

I had been missing her as hell around me even if we have met just a couple of times. Even during the last few busy days no matter what i did or where i went, she was there, 24x7 on my mind. Even in my meetings ,in my dreams , everywhere.

I was hell angry with cabir's trip plan because i haven't been out instead on my meetings. Boy trips haven't been a thing in my life. I had no family before and i have no family now, no vacations with parents or siblings, the relatives i have want money and not affection. Such things never crossed my mind but now Cabir was the only family i had so i came along and looks like the man above all of us really wants me to be happy now and i found Nandini here.

But the only thing that gave me mixed feelings was "Abhi". Happy because it was abhi that I'll be spending days with, a true friend and irritated because he called her princess. But why the f**k am I getting irritated? He may call her whatever he wants because i am the only one who's gonna call her MINE.

                                                ______________________________________

FLIPPING THE PAGE OF MY DIARY I WROTE -

I don't know why I am here on this stupid trip

I don't know why I am here all behind Nandini

I don't know why I am so desperate for her

I don't know what's there in her that I can't stop thinking about her

I don't know why I am being so soft with her 

Why I am just not being all harsh on her?

May be because she's not like other girls who throw themselves on me or who are weak.

She's strong and she very well know how to fight for herself

I just know that I want her.

I want her near me

______________________________________

Nanz POV

I was having a very good sleep when the sharp rays of sun passed through the widnow. I opened my eyes and realized that I was properly wrapped in a blanket in my room. But the last thing i remember was sitting outside in the balcony with Manik.

Yeah Manik.Maybe he was the one who got me here.

I got up and went in the bathroom to freshen up and get ready. Within half an hour i was ready and heading towards the lobby of the hotel to join others.

______________________________________

Abhi informed us that he won't be able to spend time with us todaysince he had a stupid meeting to attend. Well even Manik had some work in that but he just simply mailed them so moral of the story, he was staying. Bad Luck.

I was initially angry at Abhi but i guess i can spare him a day atleast.

______________________________________

Damn. Remind me why am i at such a height and why am i risking my life?

Let's rewind.

An i***t i.e. Cabir suggested that we all did paragliding and observe the entire city at a wide glance so that when we explore those places later Abhi doesn't feel left out. Great idea but definitely not for me.

Mukti and Navya are aware about my phobia of heights and so they stood at corner with pity in their eyes because it was me who landed myself into trouble AGAIN, when i accepted Manik's challenge of going out there in the air. They looked scared for me and even i was but i assured them that i was fine and i can do it.

Trust me i know i can't.

The instructor came over and provided us with the necessary instructions and reminding us that it was to be done in pairs. We can either take up a trainer with us or go pairs together. Everyone apart from me here had done it before so the decision was a couple.

Pretty obvious that Navya and Cabir paired up while Mukti rejected cause of her arm injury and I was left with that jerk.

" I won't go with him " I said aloud and clear for everyone to hear. 

" Woah! As if I am dying to go with you. " Manik said rolling his eyes.

 " I know how much you are dying to come with me" I muttered under my breath and I am aware that he heard me. Right back at you Malhotra. 

" OK then i can provide you a trainer" our instructor suggested.

" why can't I go alone? " I asked annoyed at the thought of going with some unknown strange man.

Could be a killer, who knows. 

" No. You have to go with someone that's the rule. " the instructor said.

Looks like my idea is working.

 "Too bad i can't go then. I accompany Mukti here" I spoke happily.

A happiness that lasted for a couple of seconds. 

" Why? Are you scared Miss Murthy" Manik said and now it was his turn to smirk. I guess he saw the restlessness and nervousness in me when we arrived here but how can I show him my weakness. 

" Offcourse not. " I snapped back at him.

I am not letting thing man win and get his satisfaction. 

" Nandu you please acoompany Manik. He's better than going with some stranger " Navya just entered the chat. 

" Navya. " I began to refuse but her pleading eyes stopped me and finally giving up I agreed to go with this i***t.

First was Navya and Cabir's turn and hell they went smoothly. Looks like Navya got herself an adventurer. But what about me. I am scared as a cat, nervous as a student, restless as a hospital patient and angry as a red chilli.

I was fiddling my fingers out of nervousness when Manik's voice caught me offgaurd. 

"Let's go." he said cheerfully. 

I guess he likes adventure cause his eyes shone like a kid getting his chocolate. I nervously nodded and headed ahead with him with slow steps. I could feel goosebumps all over my body when a soft hand gripped mine. I looked at those fingers and then the owner. Manik's eyes bore into mine. Did I just say Manik instead of jerk. Well leave that. 

His cold hands gripped mine and i just looked at those beautiful hazel brown eyes. They are actually beautiful. This is the first time I am observing them. Why haven't i done that before. I am a sucker for eyes, remember Ian Somerhalder.

I felt like time stopped. Those eyes held so many emotions. Why has he been hiding them? Why hide them behind a fake mask? I was so lost in his eyes that I hadn't realized when we were in the sky flying like a free bird. Realizing the surroundings I became stiff.

Manik got hold of my waist and whispered in the crook of my neck " Relax. There's nothing to worry about. I am here. I won't let you fall. Ever " he continued 

And I was lost in his word ' ever '. Did he mean it ? Was i just overthinking. Nah he obviously didn't mean it but why can i see the sincerity in his eyes that he meant each and every word that came out of his mouth. I don't know why but I trusted him, his words and it's the first time instead of getting scared i am enjoying heights, enjoying with him. I was so fascinated with the surrounding that my eyes brightened with gleam.

A few minutes into exploring the beauty of nature and we were finally on the ground. But still his hands never left my figure.

" Manik you can leave me now, we've landed " I reminded him. 

" yeah sorry" he immediately left me, removed his gears and turned to me when I caught hold of his hand.

He stared in my eyes as if trying to figure out my intentions.

" Thank you " I whispered and left from there. I had no courage to look back. I don't know how  but i felt him smiling hearing my thank you. I was actually expecting him to tease me and take advantage of my fear but he did nothing. He's somewhat nice but that doesn't change the fact that he is a play boy. He is self centered and wants my body.

As soon as i neared the others, Navya started blabbering her experience but Ipaid no heed. I was so lost in his touch. The touch which made me forget my nervousness, my fear.

After a while mManik too joined us and we went back to our hotel for resting since we all were tired and had an exploring plan for tomorrow.At night we ate our dinner while Abhi to joined us at the table and we shared our experience with him.

We ate our dinner and stood up to retire to our rooms when Abhi came to give me a goodnight hug, kissed my cheek and murmured " good night princess" while I smiled at him and his gesture and went to my room while others also followed us.

......................

It was late and still no sleep. Let's talk about being jet lagged now so to clear my mind and get some fresh air I stepped out of my room and went to my balcony when i saw Manik already sitting on the couch working on his laptop at his side.

Well I must say this jerk is one hell of a good businessman. I have heard about his business a lot. He has built the entire Malhotra empire on his own with his hardwork and intelligence.

I went and closed his laptop and sat beside him. He angrily looked up to see who interrupted his work and finding me being that person just sighed and kept the laptop on the side and sat there quietly.

Something's wrong it's not him. I can see the constant frown on his forehead. After a couple of minutes I decided to break the silence. 

" I need a break " I said and listening to me he looked up at me, may be confirming what he heard is true or not. He nodded me to continue.

 " What happened Manik? You look tensed." I asked him. 

" Nothing just some office work. " he said.

A few minutes passed by and nobody spoke. Manik turned to me and said" can I ask you something ?" he asked. 

I nodded asking him to continue. 

" Who's Abhi to you ?" he asked curiously.

 " why? Jealous much?" I asked mischievously.

 "Oh hello i am not jealous. He keeps calling you princess like you are some kid and takes so much care of you ,sticks to you and you also stick to him " he asked kind of frustrated.

Definitely jealous no matter how much he tried to hide.

 "well Abhi is my-" I took a break as i was enjoying his jealous state.

 " is? " he repeated, expecting me to continue further. 

" is- . You know what i'll tell you tomorrow. Too sleepy right now." I said mischievously covering up a fake yawn and his face truned into a frown.

"Manik you are so cute " i laughed at his silly expression. 

"Don't call me cute. Call me handsome, hot, sexy but not cute. " he cribbed like a child.

And once again there was silence between us but not the awkward one but a comfortable silence.

" why do you hide yourself manik " I asked him out of nowhere. Looks like i caught him offguard.

He sighed and said " some things are good when they are untold " 

" but sharing reduces the pain you are holding within yourself " I said to him. 

But instead of answering me he asked me " why do you hate men Nandini? " 

I avoided eye contact with him. I saw anywhere but him. 

" It's nothing like that" I replied.

 " Stop lying Nandini. I have observed you enough to know that you have something with men species " He waited for me to answer but i guess we both are on the same boat. 

Neither he could answer my question nor i. 

After about 5 minutes he said " its 2 a.m you must be tired. Go get some sleep." I nodded and walked to my side of the balcony and before entering my room I said to manik 

" Don't work now. You look tired too. Good night " and entered my room not before hearing him mumbling " good night" 

He too got up to leave but before entering his room he shouted loudly so that I could hear him from my room " the break is over babe". 

I smiled hearing him and mumbled " pagal " and slept with a satisfying smile playing on my lips.