Hey friends!✋

Here I am, as promised, as soon as I got 100 votes!  Happy? 😉

But, honestly, you took a lot of time and also the number of votes per 100 views is just 22%.😡  There is a slight improvement though! So, I'm happy😊... but I expect from all the silent viewers to at least vote 🙏 if you like this story. Your votes motivate me to write sooner... and make you happy.

💕 And my special thanks to all those voters and commenters who support me and like my stories. Thank you all... 💕

Now, I won't take more of ur time and let you know what happened after Lots of kisses!

Curious? 👀
Then Happy reading!!

Mumbai, Morning

Dhruv's POV

"Tailors have started their work and will complete it in 8 days. " My PA is announcing the progress of our remake. We all; I, my PA, Alya, and two more of my trusted and cross-checked employees, are sitting in my private cabin.

"All the designs are almost ready! Miss. Murty will be done in 3 more days." She added while Alya handed me the completed designs.

Our fingers touched in the process making me feel a jerk of electric shock and I pulled my hand immediately...
She too looked here and there pulling her hand as if she felt it too.

I cleared my throat and nodded for my PA, Swati to continue.

 "Our models are already contacted. Some of then are asking for more fees as RK house is also calling them." She added.

"get me the list of them and Mrs.Deol, you contact them personally," I order one of them and she nodded.

"And our stage booking is done in the same place. Its decoration and management is handed over to Mr.Sethy." Swati continued and goes on telling about our progress.

Even though we managed to make to correct in this short period of time, but still the traitor is not caught and he/she must be trying to get into our information now also. So, we need to catch him/her soon and at the same time, continue with our renewed work effectively. I've to supervise everything personally, tit by bit!

Walking out of the cabin, I spotted Alya dumping to one of my junior employees who spilled all the files he's holding and they both bend down helping with the file. She said sorry and smiled at something he said before walking ahead.

But strangely I didn't like her passing smile to that junior guy. Something felt differently strange! Weird!

I've never felt this strong spark with Nandini nor this feeling when Nanz pass smiles to any guy.
Yes! I don't like boys flirting with Nanz as she's my girlfriend.

But what is Alya to me that I felt such strange thing for her?

New York, Evening

Manik's POV

I applied the break when a troop of people along with Nandini standing beside a black Lamborgini, came in my view.

She instantly knocked the glass n gestured to unlock to get her in. As soon as I did, Nandini jumped in the passenger seat and two of the girls standing along got in the middle seat in a hurry and scooped making space for another one.

I was like 'What's going on? Who are they?' to which Nandini just blinked n turn her head towards the Lamborgini.

"Come fast" She shouted causing me to look past her to whom she's calling. And a blond girl in a white wedding gown climbed down n jumped in my car closing the door behind.

"Just drive fast to the St. Jesus Church. I'll explain u everything!" Nandu said with excitement n thrill in her voice, looking back. I obeyed her with a confused mind.

I just got out of our New York branch where I was since this morning before she woke up, and now at 4 in the evening, I was heading back home when she called n asked me to come here urgently. I wondered what happened?

"I hope Jack reaches there safely." the blond girl voiced worried.

"Don't worry Ally, Arya's driving him. I just pray ur brothers r not following us anymore" A girl who looked Asian with black cut hair said looking back at the road.

"Chill, Naina. my plan will definitely work. They'll be puzzled n lost track of us." the third girl assured.

"Can u tell me, what's going on?" I asked impatiently, being clueless with my surrounding.

"Oh! Hi handsome! U just passed my eyes in this chaos. I'm Emily." The third girl voiced noticing me.

"I'm Manik!" I just smiled through the rearview mirror.

"We're helping in Ally's elopement n marriage with Jack without consent of her brothers. For that focus on driving speedy" Nandini's words gain my attention n I looked at her who's face is turned to the window side.

Shrugging I drove to the church and there was already a guy dressed in a tuxedo waiting at the center along with four of his friends and the church father started the vows when the bride arrives.

I smiled thinking that I took part in this adventurous eloped marriage and got them married successfully.

"U may kiss the bride" He announced n they kissed passionately while all of their friends including Nandu hooted.

Watching them kiss, my mind drifts to our kiss; Nandini & my kiss, underwater, so passionate and mind-blowing kiss ever. I could still feel the spark that prevailed between us when our lips met.

And most importantly, she recalled our first kiss and questioned me with a shocked expression.

I was so delighted that- like finally she remembers the kiss that nearly made me crazy and mad... But her facial expression suddenly made me conscious: what might she be thinking about it? Will she be mad at me? Would she blame me for taking advantage of her drunk state? Will she regret it; our kissing?

With no words coming from my mouth, I just nodded in her reply.
She just keeps on searching something in my eyes... for sometimes I couldn't figure out, before pulling apart n walking away from the pool leaving me alone with my questions. 'What she means by walking away? Did she regret? Or is she shy? What could be going on in her mind? and what should I conclude?'

The next morning, means today, I went off avoiding her and then, now she's behaving like nothing happened between us and like she's again forgotten everything.
Wait! Don't tell me she's the disease of forgetting kisses?

When this weird question arose in my mind, my eyes turned from the couples to Nandini, who might have felt my glares as she too caught my eyes. During the eye-lock, she passed a smile; My God! She looks ethereal beauty in black mid-thigh one piece with a white shrug on and the charming smile on her pink luscious lips... Haayyee!

What the!

I shot glares when suddenly she's pulled by a guy in a tight hug which she responded grinning wide.

I was standing a bit away to hear their talks but I could hear their laughs n teasings making me jealous of him.

Wait. Jealous?

How? I mean, Why?  I......

"Hey! U helped us a lot!" The bride came forward to me locking arms her husband "He drove me here" She said to her husband who smiled listening to this.

"Thanks a lot, Dude!" he shook hands with me.

"No problem, bro! Congratulations on ur wedding!" I wished him a smile.

"Come, join our friends." He pulled me to the group talking, teasing n laughing.

"Here comes the newly wedded couple! I thought ur kiss will directly lead to makeout session" commented the guy who had hugged Nandu a time ago. All laughed at this n the couple blushes.

"Shut up Arya! Why r u pulling their legs?" She hit that Arya guy's stomach making a serious face.

"That too without me?" She added with a playful smirk making all their friends burst into laughter. Her playful side is what pulls me more!

"Oh! Okh! I guess u should get going to ur home and meet ur mother & those angry brothers before leaving for the honeymoon. What say?" Naina said to the newly-weds, after all, stop laughing.

"Ya! We should meet them. Since we r married, I hope there won't be any problem." The bride said concerned looking at the groom, who nodded side hugging her.

"Cool then, here is my car's key! help yourself as I don't wanna see adult scene while I'd drive n you'd be in the backseat." Arya handed them the keys n after biding byes, hugging, wishing, they left.

"So, the night is still young. Let's hang out." Arya suggested chirping after only I, Nandu, Naina n Arya are left outside the church.

"I'm always in" Nandu cheered then turn to me "By the way, Manik, he's Aryaman and she's Naina my BFFs. and guys, He's Manik, my friend, and boss too."

"Ohhh! having Boss as a friend is beneficial!" Arya commented to which she rolled her eyes.

"Where'll we go? and How?" Naina questioned.

"Luna Park"

"Great!"

"In Manik's Mercedes"

Then what? We all are in front of Luna Park entrance in Coney Island, NY.

After getting entry tickets, girls rushed in with full excitement. The lightings are on as it's dark in the evening giving it a great view. All around there are many people, mostly youngsters riding all shots of adventurous rides, many swings, giant wheel...

"Let's start with that Chair Swing... come'on" Naina shouted for me & Aryaman while she & Nandini ran ahead and sat together... And the swing started... we're like flying in the air, cool breeze hitting our face and I can see in front seat Nandini's black hairs dancing with the air while she's laughing with Naina.

Then ride after ride, we rode almost everything with sometimes Naina & Nandu sitting together, sometimes Nandu & Arya together(Much to my dismay), or I & Nandu together (much to my delight).

Dodgems

Merry-Go-Round

Pirate ship

Scrambler ride

Tea Cup Ride

NebulaZ ride

Ferris Wheel ride

And then my fear, Thunderbolt Roller Coaster... With its 90-degree lift hill and drop, multiple inversions, and perky 65 mph speed, it is clearly a ride for thrill enthusiasts. Which I'm noottt!

Once in my childhood, I'd got sick, vomiting n nauseatic after this ride... and after that, I never rode it ever.

"What happened? let's go!" Aryaman spoke and got on adjacent to Naina.

Nandini looked at my face while I'm eyeing the Roller coaster anxiously...

"Are you afraid of riding it?" She asked with a playful smirk.

"No! Not at all. Let's go!" I manage to pull a brave face n get into the seat. She smiled sitting adjacent to me and the seat got locked. God! Save me!

To my bad luck, I'm sitting at the very first seat, from where the stiff height the slanted slope is clearly visible. The roller started and we shouted, but I shouted the loudest probably.

"Oh my God! I'm afraid, save me!" I screamed along with other shouts so maybe no one heard it.

"Manik! Don't look down.   Look into my eyes" I heard Nandini's shout as she grabbed my hand tightly.

Not wanting to die soon... I got hold of her hand as tightly as I can and turn my head to face her. the wind is blowing so speedily that our hairs are blowing back... but I maintained my eye contact with her...

Her eyes are captivatingly beautiful, not only because of the color but also because of the words they hold within them...They are so deep and beautiful that my whole world seems reflected in them..... as deep as the ocean, .....as dreamy as a starry night, .....as pretty as lotus petals,.....as mesmerizing as the sunrise,....as serene as a morning dew,.....are intriguing, but also are as innocent as a child's laughter...
Her smiling eyes with fluttering eyelashes, make me escape a few heartbeats, bring solace to my soul.

"Get down slowly... Thanks for your ride!" We heard the shouts; looked around to see, we r already down and people are walking off. I couldn't realize when this whole ride I'm lost in her eyes...

How is that possible? I...

"Oh! Jesus! That was hell of a ride!" Naina exclaimed happily shooking her head.

"Right! Now, that 360-degree Pendulum ride is waiting for us. ...Let's go!" Arya said dragging us on to it.

And after getting down, Whole world and everything is just spinning round n round all around!
Wah! What a poem!

"Who am I? Where am I? Why are u all dancing round n round?" Arya asked holding his head between his palms.

"My head is spinning" Naina yelled.

"Let's sit down for a while" Nandini gave a brilliant idea and we all walked sticking and holding each other to the nearest bench and seated there till we get the world straight!

----------------------

"Wahh! That was so much fun, hai na?" Nandini asked walking in the door of my bungalow after dropping then. It's 11 pm and I'm hell tired after so many swings.

"Right!" I said locking the door and walking to the hall. We four had our dinner in a restaurant so, I'll just hit the bed now.

"And you are frightened of sitting in Roller Coaster, Right?" She teasing showed her white straight teeth.

"No. I'm not afraid of anything!" I denied looking at her. Suddenly so much energy got into me as I wanna prove to her that I'm brave one!

"Hahaha... You should have looked at ur face when u look at Roller Coaster. That's amazing!" She laughed making me narrow my eyes.

"And 'Oh my God! I'm afraid, save me!'... I heard that." She mocked mimicking my words and burst into laughs holding her stomach.

"That was damn funny... oh god! I'll faint" She panted gasping for breath our of laughing, holding her stomach.

"As if you are not scared of anything!" I spoked with attitude to save my face... She stopped laughing and looked at me with her face red and pinkish-red nose tip. So Cute! I feel like biting it.

"Acchha! Then what am I afraid of, tell me?" She raised her brow stepping a foot towards me in a challenging way.

But little did she know, I'd seen her yelling out of fear and running around my office storeroom... with the fear of a RAT!!! Haha! Now, you wait n watch Murty! *Evil smirk*

"U r afraid of... ..." I trailed n looked down behind her. She rose one of her brows in a questioning way and stood crossing her arms on her chest.

"Nandu, don't move" She narrowed her eyes in confusion while I faked a fear look on my face looking at her back floor.

"What?" She muttered n started to turn her head back but I held it in my palm

"Don't look back... there is a...." I again paused to which she mouthed 'what' a bit curious by my expressions.

"Rat!" I completed and after a second of processing my words in her head, she screamed n jumped on me causing me to stumble back in impact.

Her legs wrapped around my hips and her arms encircling my neck tightly, her eyes shut in fear while she's only shouting "Rat! rat! Shu! shuu!" hiding her face on my side.

I was shocked n surprised at first but then encircled my arm around her waist tightly holding her securely and smiling at her childish words... she's so cuteee!

After a few minutes...
She bobbed her head n looked around at the floor to find the rat to which I smiled at the kid inside her.

"You said u r not afraid!" She turns to face me listening to me speak.

"You pranked!" She said uncertainly. I chuckled confirming her.

"You Monster!" She bit my back with her light fist making me whirl around holding her so as to stop her beating. I laughed at her unpainful strikes.

"You are such a monster Manik!" She complained pouting looking at my face.

As I'm still holding her in the same position, our face is very... very close. And her cute, pouty lips didn't help but gain my attention... my eyes went on them. She, knowing my eyes, stopped pouting and parted her lips a bit. I can feel her hot breaths on my lips and I'm sure our breaths mixing.

Holding an urge to kiss those lips of hers, I wanna confirm my mind first, "Did you regret our kiss?"

She pulled away and got down on her legs, not looking into my eyes, she tucked her free strands of hairs behind her ear. So she does!

"But I'm NOT sorry about that!" I added watching her every little movement. I mean what I said!
I felt different around her, kissing her!

She looked up hearing me... directly into my eyes.

"But we are engaged ... Not to each other!" She stated while her eyes saying differently.

"So you love Dhruv?" I asked while my heartbeat rose.

"My sister loves you!" She said instead.

"I didn't... not yet!" Instantly I replied.

"What about u? Do you reciprocate the same feeling as Dhruv?" I asked looking deeply into her eyes and her eyes telling the truth I wanna hear. But I want her to say it too.

"I can't... Yet!" she whispered making happy butterfly dance in me.

"Then did you not like our kiss? Will you blame me for what happened? Do u regret it?"

"No no! I won't! I didn't!" She answered louder. I sighed liking the answer. Actually loving it!

"But this is wrong! Don't you feel that! Alya loves you.
Before I saw u, I've portraited you from what she talked about you. Every time she calls me, she used to talk about you; Manik is like this, Manik did this, Manik doesn't like that, I'd a date with Manik, Coffee date, Movie date, Dinner date... So many things like you are in her prayers, in her breath, in her every talk." She said it all in one breath and paused for a breath.

"I know it's sounding like a crazy romantic film dialogue, but you too know, everyone knew how much she claims to like you, loves you. And now, you both are engaged and your wedding is in less than three months...
While here I'm kissing my own sister's would-be-husband. How does it sound to you? ... ...I feel like a culprit to like our kisses. I feel like betraying my sister, my parents, your parents, Dhruv, Uncle; everyone!"

She completed looking at me and shaking her hands n head.

I know, when Alya says how much she loves me. Even I've said to her that I like her but don't feel the same. We've thought as we know each other perfectly, we can spend our life together. She's more than happy and I was happy too...
But ever since Nandini came into my life, she's attracting me... I'm forgetting everything when it comes to her...

Even I ignored the feeling of betraying someone and got lost in our kiss, our moments, and finding answers about us; Nandini & me.

She's right! How can I betray Alya? I'm not someone like this!

What's happening to me?

A ringtone broke my self-thoughts and Nandini took out her phone from her purse. She glanced at the screen and then looked up...

"It's Alya" She took a deep breath in, before answering cheerfully

"Hi! Alya! you finally remember ur twin?"

But soon her smile dropped... downed n downer and tears rolled her eyes vigorously... her hand dropped down her side and she falls on the sofa with a thud... as if her life ended...

What's wrong? I'm confused.

Any guess? What suddenly Nandini heard from the other side of the call that made her a crying-mess??

What do you think, now will happen to Manan? Will they forget everything and focus on each other's life partners? OR There will be conflict?

Any words for Nandini?

Anything for Manik?

One more request:

I've penned down a short 'one-shot' story based on a disabled n anxious musician. She practices and when she finishes her piece, she heard someone clapping for her. Although she's alone...
(Not a horror story!) Do give it a read and let me know how you feel?

Story name- Putting Hands Together!

My Id Link-  EmpireBlueBB

Now once again, I'd like my silent viewers, do hit the 'Star button' before leaving! I'll not expect more but the same, 100 votes but this faster, this time. Only if you need an early update!

So, hurry up! I'm waiting! Waiting!!

Stay tuned......