Alia was interrupted by the roar of Manik.
" HOW BLOODY DARE YOU? " Manik stepped dangerously towards her and uttered the words.
" THE SAME WAY YOU BLOODY DARED TO REJECT ME FOR THIS BITCH" Alia whispered pulling him closed holding his collar.
" ALIA" Manik shouted with anger in his voice.
" Manik how can you choose her without even trying me. Trust me I am better than her in everything. This commoner can never quench your thirst like I can." Alia softly caressed the button of his shirt, saying the latter part seductively.
" KEEP YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF ME" Manik pushed her uttering these words in a loud tone.
" AND HOW DARE YOU QUESTION NANDINI'S CHARACTER. SHE IS HERE BECAUSE SHE DESERVES IT. HER TALENT HAS BROUGHT HER HERE BUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU, WHO HAVE SUCH A FILTHY MIND THAT IS FULL OF CHEAP THOUGHTS CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND THIS ALIA SINGHANIA."
" Stop lying Manik, the truth is out." Alia said winking at him.
"TRUTH RIGHT, I'LL GET IT OUT. JUST WAIT AND WATCH YOU DADDY'S LITTLE PRINCESS, TCH TCH TCH"
"MANIK MALHOTRA, HOW THE FUCKIN' HELL DID YOU REJECT MY DAUGHTER AND CHOSE THAT UGLY BI"
" Not a word Singhania. It would be better if you get your dear daughter admitted in some good acting school instead of yelling at me. That cake faced woman doesn't know how to do anything except throwing herself on men."
I will finish you and that newbie for whom you rejected my daughter, what was her name, ya, N-A-N-D"
The voice of Mukesh Singhania echoed from Manik's phone.
" This recording will be mailed to all the media channels. Be ready to print the new headline, THE GOOD FOR NOTHING PRODUCER MUKESH SINGHANIA AND HIS LITTLE SPOILED BRAT ALIA SINGHANIA HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THE INDUSTRY AFTER BEING BRUTALLY EXPOSED BY THE MANIK MALHOTRA" Manik commanded with authority and the media left from the venue, all ready to publish this next big news before the other channels to win the trp race.
" I WON'T SPARE YOU MANIK. AND I WILL TEACH THIS GIRL A LESSON, A LESSON WHICH SHE WILL BEVER EVER BE ABLE TO FORGET IN HER WHOLE DAMN LIFE. YOU BOTH WILL REGRET FOR HAVING MESSED UP WITH THE SINGHANIAS" Alia yelled at the top of her voice pointing her finger at Manik and Nandini and then harshly kicked the stone in front of her with frustration.
" First plan to save yourself and your dear father Ms. Singhania. Leave now and ya, hope to see you never ever again" Manik said with a smirk resting on his face.
Alia left from there muttering colorful profanities.
" Manik" Manik heard the whisper of Nandini and turned back to face her. His worry doubled as he glanced at her wobbling lips and eyes filled with tears.
" I am sorry for all this drama. I really had no idea that these Singhanias will stoop so low otherwise I wouldn't have had let you go through this.", said Manik sincerely.
Nandini threw herself in his arms without thinking twice. She hugged him tightly like her life depended on it.
" I am sorry for doubting you. Please forgive me." Came the meek whisper of Nandini.
"Hey, it's not your fault. That's fine" Manik broke the hug and wiped her tears away. He would have felt better if she would have atleast asked for an explanation before blaming it all on him but then he was mature enough to understand that she was not in a state to play this blame game. Moreover, he realised that they just met recently so trusting someone in such a short span of time might not have been possible for her. And most importantly, he simply couldn't even think of leaving the hand of the woman standing before him ever, let alone at a time like this when she actually needed his support and care the most.
" No it's not fine." She said hicupping, breaking his chain of thoughts.
" I...I should have trusted you specially after what we share. I should have believed my heart that said that you can't do this to me but I thought that this heart is anyways on your side because it likes you so.." Nandini abruptly stopped realizing what she said.
While Manik smiled genuinely and nudged her to continue. She looked down shyly. Manik held her waist and pulled her closer, making her shiver lightly. He adoringly kept looking at her cuteness. He bent down to her level and honestly confessed, " I like you Nandini."
"Li..like me, As a co-star, right?" Asked Nandini nervously.
" WHAT NO!" Manik screamed horrified by her assumption.
" I like you as a man likes a woman." He immediately clarified what he felt for her. Nandini looked down and a deep shade of red crept up her cheeks.
"I really don't want any commitment right now. I know we have just met and we should take it slow. Let's just go with the flow. But I wanted to come clean with this. I like you in fact I like you a lot Nandini." Said Manik with utmost honesty.
"I like you too Manik. You know, I feel this strong pull towards you and I know it's not just simple attraction that will fade with time but I don't want to name these feelings as of now. You are right we should give ourselves time. We should spend time with one another and get to know each other better." Nandini said with a beaming smile. Manik hummed and joined their foreheads, closing his eyes in peace and contentment.
Nandini closely observed his heavenly beautiful features. After a comfortable moment of silence, she took a step back, and stood on her toes holding his shoulders for support. Whereas, Manik looked at her puzzled. She lightly brushed her lips against his forehead which made him close his eyes in bliss. Bending back, she whispered," You are special to me Manik, very special. And that's not only because you make me feel special but also because, more than anything, you make me feel protected and safe even this chaotic mess."
Her words made Manik smile. "I promise Nandini, I will make every moment memorable for us." He uttered.
"I trust you Manik." Nandini said these words directly looking into his eyes and it didn't take more than a second for Manik to understand that this trust was not only for the statement that he had just said but because of the whole dramatic scene that had taken place a few minutes ago. Her words made Manik's lips stretch upwards and he held her hand, intertwining their fingers. He raised their intertwined hand and softly kissed the backside of her palm, staring into her eyes with affection and care.
" Guys the director is calling, it's time for the most important scene where the hero and heroine have to confess their love to each other, come fast." Nikhil called Manik and Nandini for the shoot. "What happened to them?" He looked at them with utter confusion as they both smiled to the fullest hearing the narrative of the scene that they had to shoot.
●●●●THE END●●●●
HEY!
So here is where the book ends. Although I feel there was a scope to write more but then I had planned it this way only.
Anyway, how was the update?
All drama sorted with Singhanias being exposed 😌
I hope you guys are satisfied with how the book turned out!
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Any thoughts about any moment from the book or any particular character?
Do drop in your feedback, maybe just a word about how the book was!
Anyone up for some bonus chapters??
Or maybe if a good plot hits my mind, then I could think of a sequel. So how many of you are interested?
But whether I go with bonus chapters or the sequel, I can say one thing that they won't be coming very soon as I have another book planned which would be coming up shortly!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for supporting this book and being a part of this short journey. I am grateful to each one of you.
Would love to have you all as readers of my other books as well, whether ongoing or the upcoming ones, do check them out (self promotion hehe).
I'll miss this book *teary eyes*
Thank you,
Best Wishes
Inaayat