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I like it when you smile, it's cute.

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Next Day.....

Nandini's outfit

I don't want to loose this nandini. Not now. Not ever. I like you. I like you more than a friend Nandini.

His words still kept ringing in my ears. I could still feel his deep and intense whispers. Each time I thought about yesterday my face turned red and felt jelly from within. His long and slender fingers gripping my waist and clutching it tightly. His breathe fanning my face while I clutched his shoulder tightly. His lips almost touching mine. Our eyes closed in pure bliss.

I was totally lost in the moment. God bless manik's friend who called him at the right time causing us to move away. I was totally embarrassed while manik groaned. He literally blasted in his friend who had called him. Poor him.

I was still lost thinking about yesterday when I heard the bell near the bell ring indicating the arrival of some one. How can someone enter when I still hadn't turned the board to open? Without looking up who it was I started saying. I m sorry but the cafe is still not open you will have to wait for some time. My voice echoed in the empty cafe.

Well, Good morning to you too beautiful! That voice was enough to stop me in my tracks. Manik. I didn't dare look up. Flashes from yesterday made its way back and I wanted to hide my face somewhere. I was standing near the counter. I could smell his manly scent telling me that he was somewhere very close to me.

I was not wrong, I felt his fingers under my chin pulling my face up. I closed my eyes. I didn't have any courage in me to face him. Open your eyes. My body responded immediately to his words. My eyes shot open.

He looked so handsome. He was leaning on the counter. Hey! He whisper reached my ears. I smiled, Hi. He smiled and moved away from me. My friends wanted to meet me so we decided to meet at your cafe.

Your friends decided or you decided? I smirked. He looked away. There was a small smile on his face. I bit my lower lip. Seeing him blush was so cute. He looked at me. I decided. His answer caught me off guard. I hadn't expected him to reply back. But if that's what he wanted then ok. Two can play the game.

And may I ask why my cafe only? He smirked. Why was he smirking? It should be who should have that teasing look on my face. He leaned closer with his hands on the counter. My eyes widened and I took a step back. Cause I wanted to meet my special "FRIEND". He spoke air quoting the word friend.

His statement made me feel embarrassed. Never ever play with Mr. Malhotra. He knows how to turn the tables. I looked away. He chuckled which made me close my eyes and I turned around facing my back towards him. There is still time for the cafe to open.

Don't worry I haven't called them any time soon. They are coming at lunch time so that you can spend time with us. Also I have an interview to attend before lunch. At the mention of interview I turned around to look at his face. He had the look of defeat and failure on his face. I walked around the counter and stood exactly in front of him.

He looked at me with questioning eyes. I cupped his cheeks and pulled his face closer causing his to bend a little due to the height difference.

I placed a small kiss on his forehead. All the best! I whispered. He seemed shocked. He too cupped my cheeks and kissed my foreheadand whispered back, Thanks.

I smiled. He too smiled. We kept looking at each other before he walked away waving his hand. I saw him kick start his bike and speed away. Sighing in bliss I got back at work. The time till lunch time passed usually. Attending a few customers and rest of the time me trying to cook some new and experimental dishes.

Around 12:30 I heard my door open. I looked up at the door to see manik walk in with a gloomy face. Seeing his gloomy face the smile from my face disappeared. What if he didn't get this job? No no nandini don't think negative. I walked towards him and looked at him with my eye brows raised. My heart hammering against my chest.

He looked down and nodded his head. I sighed. It's ok manik don't worry. I am sure you wi....my words were stuck in my throat when he picked my up and twirled my around. MANIKKK. WHAT ARE YOU DOING. PUT ME DOWN. He didn't even listen to me, rather kept laughing and twirling me around.

I got the job. Can you believe it nandini after so many rejections I finally got this job.....Oh my god nandini. I am so happy I can't tell you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. I was so happy for him. Forgetting everything I hugged him tightly with my hands wrapped around his neck. He too took me in a tight hug. I was still in his arms while he kept rotating. I m so happy for you manik. Congratulations.

This is all possible because of you. My lucky charm. He spoke in my ears. I moved my face away and looked in his eyes. His eyes had this shine in them while his smile was so big. I too smiled looking at him. You are my lucky charm Nandini. Never leave me.

Reflexively words escaped my mouth, Never Ever Manik. With him around my body was not under my control anymore. It was like he ruled over all my movements and senses. My body reacted totally opposite to my will. Dhokebaaz senses. My hand cupped his cheek while my fingers slowly caressed his face.

Our trance was broken when we heard click. We both turned our heads to see two girls and a boy standing there looking at us with goofy smiles. It was then I realised that I was still in maniks arms. I poked his biceps. He looked at me and I eyed him to put me down. He immediately put me down and we straightened ourselves.

Manik's jaw tightened and I could hear faint curses. He looked at the three people standing in front of us and glared at them. I wonder how did we not hear the bell when the door opened. Strange. The three of them were still smirking looking at manik while manik was glaring at all three of them.

Mujhe ni lagta manik humara introduction karwayega. Hum khud hi kr dete hai. The boy said and moved forward in my direction. I looked at manik confusingly. He rolled his eyes and by his face I could tell that he was all set to strangle the guy. Hi Nandini! I m Cabir. Cabir Dhawan. Manik ka eklauta aur jigri yaar.

How did he know my name! Nevertheless I smiled. Manik was still burning holes in him. Suddenly the two girls pushed Cabir away and engulfed me in a tight hug, totally squeezing me. They almost choked me. GUYS! Manik yelled. He pulled me away. Are you okay? I nodded. What is wrong with you two? Manik screamed at them. I patted his arm and smiled at them. They mouthed a sorry. It's ok. And nice meeting you guys.

It was nice meeting you too nandini. She is navya, cabir's girlfriend, and I am mukti, manik's friend. I smiled at them. I turned towards manik and asked him, How do they know me?

Manik's eyes widened. He smiled sheepishly and rubbed his forehead. Did I forget to mention that I already told them about you and about us. My jaw dropped open. Though he whispered the last part to himself I still heard him. Passing him a deathly glare I turned to the other three. Come na have a seat. Giving a cold shoulder to manik I walked past him.

I settled with them. Manik walked over. There was no empty chair left. He grabbed a chair from the next table and sat beside me. He poked my arms. I ignored and Continued talking to the three. What would you guys have?

We were thinking to go out for lunch. How does that sound? Navya, I suppose, spoke. Manik who was sitting next to me jumped in his seat. Excellent idea. Chalo then let's go what say nandini. I again glared at him.

I know what he was trying to do. Yes I was shocked and angry initially but I realised that not even 5 minutes had passed and I felt my anger had gone as if it never existed. I could never be angry with him. But how could I let him know this. I decided to pretend that I am angry. It's fun seeing him make cute faces just to melt my non-existing anger.

Currently I was sitting behind him on his bike and we were going to some hotel of Mukti's choice. Mukti and navya wanted me to tag along with them in their car but manik didn't let me go and rather pulled me on the bike with him. I could see his grumpy face through the rear view mirror. I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing.

We reached the hotel and I got off the bike. Cabir's car had still not arrived and we were waiting outside. Manik was trying all ways to grab my attention. He kept making cute faces. I chuckled escaped my lips. Shit!

Manik pulled me with a jerk. He smirked and looked at me. Teasing me, eh? I nodded and started giggling. You look so cute manik. I pulled his cheeks. He swatted my hands that were on his cheeks. I am anything but cute. Call me hot, sexy, handsome, charming anything but cute. It sounds so girly and kidding manh.

I started giggling. Bohot hasi aa rhi hai, ni? He jerked me closer. Rather than shutting up I started giggling more as manik tickled me. He kept tickling me. Man...Manik....stop.

Nope. He too laughed along with me. He was leaning against his bike while I stood totally caged by him. I was standing in between his legs while his hands rested on my hip. His nose nuzzling on my cheeks making me feel ticklish.

Kuch toh sharam karo. Public place main khade ho. Tch tch tch Tch. Aaj kal ke bacche. Besharam kahi ke. I hid my face in maniks chest. Manik punched cabir's stomach. Navya and mukti giggled while cabir and manik kept bickering. I like this. I like it all.

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Do you know what's on the menu? Me-n-u.

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Hey! Hope you guys liked it. Do leave your views. Thanks.❤

P.S. The credits for the new cover goes to ImLilMissComplicated. Thanks😻💙