Chapter 49

"I know it is still not going to be easy. But we will work it out," Mukti promised.

And Nandani realized this time, they would. She then excused herself to use the washroom. She had pulled her gloss out of her clutch to touch up when a vaguely familiar face appeared in the mirror.

It took her a moment to recognize her. She was the college cheerleader Maria, long blond, straight hair left to hang down her back, a gold dress showing off her curves. She was talking to another girl accompanying her as she reapplied lipstick.

"Yes, my boyfriend is the designer's brother," Maria said, oblivious to Nandani's presence.

Nandani nearly dropped her gloss in the sink. What the fuck? Then, chased by another thought quick on its heels-- 'Is he here?'

Her insides contracted at the news that Manik and Maria were dating. But the biggest part of her just wanted to see him, in the flesh. She did not know what she would do once she saw him but would worry about that later.

She dashed out of the washroom as quickly as her four-inch heels would carry her. It was hard to recognize people out, especially guys, in the dark lighting. While the women sparkled in every shade of the rainbow, the men were a mass of faceless, dark suits.

Except for Neil (Manik's friend.) She saw his blond head by the bar and started to make her way over. She wanted to ask whether he had seen Manik. Neil spotted her and grinned, came over, and grabbed her hand. "Let us dance," he said.

He knew she had been in the washroom so she could hardly make the excuse she had to go back. "Sure," she replied.

Neil pulled her onto the dance floor in the center of the loft. It was just turning into a slower song, and he took one of her hands in his and wrapped the other around her waist. Suddenly it did not feel right and she could not keep it in any longer.

"Neil, don't read too much into this, okay? But is Manik here?"

He pulled back so his hands were resting only lightly on her. His blue eyes looked at her with an expression that looked slightly resigned. "Yeah, I think he came. Nandani, I have to ask you something." He paused. "Are you and Manik...? I always kind of thought there was something, but after Christmas, he was a total bear for a month. I kind of figured you had ended it."

"We did. But it was a mistake. I just need to talk to him, have you seen him?" she asked.

"Ahh... yes. But you might not like what you see." He inclined his head and she turned to follow. She would give anything just for a glimpse of Manik.

Suddenly there he was. Her gaze locked with an achingly familiar one. He was on the dance floor about twenty feet away, dancing with Maria. Manik turned fully to look at her and she stopped breathing.

His dark hair was longer than she had remembered, curling against the collar of his tailored suit. It was the first time she had seen him in anything formal and it fit him perfectly.

Manik held her gaze for a moment and he was too far away for her to tell if there was anything in it. Then he turned back to her.

No. This was not happening, Nandani thought. But what had she expected? That he would be alone? That he would take one look at her and come racing to her side, murmuring admissions of love or need or anything?

"Do you want to..." Neil trailed off, reminding her that they were still in the middle of a song. She nodded tightly and resumed moving with him and the music. But her eyes were unfocused, looking over his shoulder at the wall, or people, or the DJ. Neil seemed to get the message and just went with it.

When the song ended she looked around again. Were they kissing? Nandani kept on thinking.

It took her a moment to realize she could not find Manik but saw Maria at the bar chatting to another girl. Where was Manik? Now that she knew what he was wearing, that it was burned into the back of her eyes, she quickly confirmed he was not in the room. Had he left?

"Neil, I am sorry, I just have to. Um. Sorry." Nandani pulled herself out of a surprised Neil's grasp and turned to dash the door. There was no reasoning in her mind, just that she needed to find him.

Pausing in the corridor by the washrooms, she glimpsed the back of his head and suit. He seemed to be going outside. "Manik!" She caught up with him at the coat closet by the door and nearly rolled him over in her haste to get to him.

Manik turned, surprise on his handsome-as-ever face. She grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and tugged him indelicately into the closet.

Now, what was the plan? she was unprepared. The closet was all but empty given it was May there. The odd shawl and light jacket hung around them but her back was up against the door. He was looking at her like he did not know if she was going to jump at him, or murder him, or yell at him.

"Nandani?"

"You came," she started lamely.

"I did," he replied.

"You were leaving. You did not even..." her breath hitched, "...you did not even say hello."

"I was just going outside to make a call. The receptionist is crazy, in there," he replied.

"Oh." her voice trailed off. "Manik, I need to talk to you. I mean, obviously. As evidenced by the, um..." She gestured to their surroundings "...closet."

Why had she dragged him in here again? She was nervous now. How would she break the ice? He waited, his eyes on her, and folded his hands into his pockets. He was standing looking tall and cool and delicious, in the center of the small room, just a few feet away. He did not make any move to get closer to or further from her.

A/N: To be continued...