Manik

"Mummaa. Can you please make black coffee for me? My head....it's breaking" i was crying walking downstairs.

Alya and her friends are desperate drunkards. Mein peeta hoon par utna nai.

They forced me bottoms up with 5 vodka shots and then while we were playing truth or dare, i had to take another 3 shots.

Totally forgot that I had to go pick Nandini. Aur jab tak yaad aaya, it was too late.

They didn't let me go from there.

"Mummaaa...kaha ho yaar? Please make some coffee for me" i was literally screaming but there wasn't any reply.

I went to her room to find it already empty.

Already? Nandini? Wohh kaha gayi? Raat ko toh yahi thi.

I looked around in the kitchen if i could find something, atleast a slice of lemon. But then, i see a fully filled coffee jug under the machine and a sticky.

"Re-heat it for 1 minute. Not less not more"

My mom is the sweetest.

I heated for a minute, just as she said and filled my coffee mug.

This coffee tastes like heaven.

I hate waking up to hangovers. Haan yeh baat bhi hain ki i get to drink this super special black coffee mumma makes for me whenever i drink. Even though i am not high.

Maa ka pyaar.

Pyaar se yaad aaya, i have to go check on Nandini. Uss ka toh abhi time nai hua office jaane ka. Mera phone...phone kaha reh gaya?

I went back upstairs to my room and searched for it everywhere. Guess where i found it!

Bathroom!

Kal raat ko i took it inside when i went to trim my stubble and left it on the wash-basin. Great!

So many missed callls from Mummaa and Nandini last night. Tu toh bohot badi problem mein phas gaya Manik.

I called Nandini first, but then expected reaction...she didn't pick up.

"Are you home?" i sent her a text.

No blue tick even after 5 minutes.

Okay i guess i need to go to her home and see if she's still there.

Pulling on my t-shirt, i locked the door and left to her apartment.

The watchman was there, "Nandini office chali gayi kya?" i asked him.

"Nai saabji. Abhi tak nai gayi hain" he said.

"Thanks" i said and took the stairs.

Ding dong!

Okay! I have everything planned, the moment she opens the door, i am going to swoo her with my charm. I know, it's too much for her to take it subah subah, par pyar mein sab kuch karna padta hain, specially jab aapki priyatame naaraaz hain.

I rang the bell twice already and third time and she opened the door.

"Morning sunshine" i said giving a kiss on her right cheek.

Her eyes, as bright as 1000 watt bulbs and as huge as ....okay imagine karlo ab. You know how Nandini reacts when she is shocked right?

"Kya mein andar aa sakta hoon?" i asked. She moved aside giving me way, now her hand reached her cheek, the spot where i just kissed.

"Breakfast mein kya hain?" i asked checking the stuff on the dining table.

"Sandwich" she said, her hand still on her cheek.

"I love sandwiches. Kaunse waale?" i asked.

"Egg and cheese with veggies" she said staring at me.

"Kya hua? Why did you put your hand on your cheek? Don't worry aur kiss nai karoonga..." i said and she removed her hand, before i completed, "Dhoosra cheek buraa maan jayega na, toh next time us kaa turn" i said winking.

"Haaaaww" she said covering both her cheeks.

"Make yourself another one, i am going to grab this" i said and started eating the sandwich.

"Hmmmm...yummyyy" i said enjoying every bite of it.

"Manik that's mine" she said coming closer.

"It was yours, ab yeh mera hain" i said and took another bite.

"Maanik....give it to me" she said trying to grab it from my hand.

"Naaayyy" i said and continued with it.

And now when she tried to grab it again, her fingers accidentally touched my lips.

And then we froze, typical bollywood slash daily soap scene with some romantic background music.

Her fingers were now moving over my lower lip.....Stop doing it to me Nandini.

"Nandini" i said.

She was still continuing with what she was doing....and i was losing it with every slightest move of her fingers.

And then, she rubbed something off from the corner of my lip.

I held her hand, stopping her right there.

Involuntarily, my our faces started getting closer. And closer. And closer....and she instantly backed off.

"Sauce tha" she said and ran into the kitchen.

What was that?

Kya karne jaa raha tha mein? Nai Manik. Get a grip of yourself, tujhe raat ki abhit ak uthri nai hain shaayad.

Is she embarrassed? God no!

"Are you going to make another one for yourself" i asked.

"Hmmm" she replied.

"Acha Nandini listen" i started to apologise. But i have to do it looking at her.

I walked into the kitchen.

"Nandini i am sorry for last night. Dil se. I was going to come to you, i took a nap and then by the time i got up, i got a call about this party i had to attend" i said.

"It's okay. Kabhi kabhi ho jata hain" she said packing her lunch box.

"Nai, aisa nai hona chahiye tha, i kept you waiting aur kuch inform bhi nai kiya. That's not right" i said.

"It's okay Manik. I am anyway not upset because you didn't show up, i was upset because you didn't tell me you had commitments. Ek baar bol dete toh mein khud tumhe mana karti, par haan mein kaun hoti hoon, you don't have to say everything to me right" she said.

Mein kaun hothi hoon? Yaar apni biwi banaana chahta hoon tumhe.

"Aisa mat bolo" i said.

"Ab jao Manik, i need to go to work" she said.

"Yaar maaf toh kardo. And don't say such harsh things, mein kaun hoti hoon and all. Tum jaanti ho tum kya ho mere liye" I took the courage.

"Nai toh. Oh yeah, i am your Fangirl" she said.

Is she gone mad? Piya meine hain aur behki behki baatein yeh kar ri hain.

"Nandini have you gone mad? Kaha ki baat kaha le jaa rahi ho tum?" i asked.

"Manik, ab tum jao please. And yes, jo abhi hua, dining table ke paas, it was totally my mistake. And i will hold myself so that won't happen again" she said.

"Mistake? Nandini mein kal ke liye sorry bol raha tha and you instead of forgiving me or may be not forgiving me...kuch aur hi bol rahi ho" I said.

"Okay you are forgiven" she said.

"Thanks" i am mad too.

"Bye?" she asked, indicating me to leave.

Okay if that's what she wants, "Bye" i said and walked out from there.

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Nandini

I was mad at him last night for being late, for not telling me about the party, for making me wait and for making aunty wait. We were very much worried about him, but he didn't even bother to give a call.

Fine, aisa kabhi kabhi hota hain. I totally understand. It happens with me too, Mein bhi apni phone bhool jaati hoon..even i tend to ignore appa's calls at times. So i was okay with it by morning, only until i read the newspaper.

"Celebs spotted at an event last night" was the headlines.

I dug more into it, and in the entertainment page there were pictures, a lot of pictures.

There were girls hanging around him, and he seemed to enjoy their company.

Two pictures particularly caught my attention. There was this girl, and this Man was back hugging her...all cozy cozy. Blood totally boiled under my nerves.

And now when i think of what just happened at the dining table....i hate myself for being such a despo in front of him.

"Many fangirls tried to enter into the party venue and meet the Stars, particularly singing sensation Manik Malhotra. But they were not allowed inside as it was a private party" it read.

I then got to know, what it is exactly like to be a fangirl.. Those news story lines flashed up in my mind, and i immediately figured out what i was doing.

I know it is difficult for him to accept or recognise the relationship between us already. But then i wondered what if i made the wrong choice...what if i did a mistake by letting him come into my life so easily. He is a star. His life..his status is entirely different from mine. I am regular 9 to 5 working employee. And my father is a simple man. Is it too much of me to expect him do what a normal guy does?

Why am i so confused!? That girl, really messed up my mind. I was happy in my own small world with him, and then she comes, blasting that happy bubble.

Appa was so confident that i did the right thing, considering Manik. I don't want to let him down.

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Manik

What is wrong with her? Why did she have to say all those things?

And why was her house so messed up.

The newspaper was laid on the table, open. The cereal she had for breakfast, the carton was kept open. And the cup was still on the table. The sauce in the sandwich was also not proper. It was too much. Eggs weren't cooked well.

Okay! There's much more than food that you noticed Manik.

The newspaper caught my attention. Coz she has this little cute newspaper stacker that i once complimented. She said she hates if the paper is left unfolded.

Wonder why!

I had to go to shoot today and then to mom's office, unhe bhi toh manaana hain.

Quickly took a shower and got ready to leave when my phone buzzed. It was a text from my manager.

"Check today's newspaper" it read.

I know if i am in it, it's going to be in the entertainment page.

Shit! Where did these pictures come from?

And what the hell was i doing? Mumma is going to freak out if she sees them.

I immediately called up my manager.

"Sir, yeh kya ho gaya? Aap ne toh kaha tha it's a private party and there won't be any news about that. Par poora paper mein wahi hain" he said worriedly.

"Listen, i will look into it, Tum yeh pata lagao who gave the news and those pictures of mine. Don't worry i will settle this my way" I said.

"Okay sir, but make sure you don't land up into more trouble" he warned.

Alya! This is so not done.

I was driving to her dad's office when this newspaper thing hit my mind.

Nandini was behaving like that this morning because she must have seen those pictures and read the article in the newspaper.

It was written there that fans tried to intrude but they weren't as it was a private party. That is why she brought up the 'I'm just your Fangirl' thing,

Nandini kitna sochti ho yaar tum. Ek baar pooch leti mujh se.

I tried calling her up but no response.

I was considering to go see her at work and explain everything but then seeing Alya is more important for now.

I reached the Saxenas office.

I don't have to take an appointment since they are considering to work with me.

I just told at the front desk that i wanted to see Alya and they let me in.

There she was sitting in her cabin, fiddling with her phone.

"What the hell was that Alya?" i stormed right into her cabin.

"Manik? Tum yaha? What a pleasant surprise" she said.

Do i sound like a pleasant surprise to her?

"You said it was a private party and there isn't going to be any news about it. Then what was that in the newspaper today?" i asked.

"What are you talking about Manik? Wait, first relax, have a seat. Let me order you a cold coffee or something" she said.

Mental case lagti hain yeh ladki.

"I am least interested in your coffee. You first explain this to me" i said throwing the paper on her desk.

"We look so cute together right?" she asked looking at the paper.

Okay! I guess i need to call the asylum.

"Alya. Do you even understand what i am trying to ask? I am a celebrity and getting into news like this does no good to me, In fact it can harm my career. How dare you mess up with me and my career?" i yelled at her this time.

"Listen Manik. I have no idea how these pictures got viral. Manisha promised me nothing of that sort would happen, Now how can you blame me if someone tried to pull such a trick? And come on, nothing is going to happen with just one article. You know you can cover it up. Dad can help you in case you would want to" she offered.

"I am not going to sign any kind of deal with you and your company. Get this straight. Also tell your dad about the same" i said and walked out of the cabin.

I saw the PR person who came along that day.

"Listen you. Wohh jo deal ke papers leke aaye the uss din mere paas, i am not going to sign on them. I have told your madam already aur apne boss ko bhi bata dena. And don't ever try to reach me again, for there's no coming back" i warned him and left from there.

Before i left the building Mr. Saxena called.

S: What did i just hear from Alya?

Wow! Itni jaldi information transfer

M: That i am not going to work with you on the contract

S: What's the issue?

M: Well, you gave me a choice and i chose not to do it. You don't have to know why

S: Of course i have to. Pata toh chalein kami kya hain

M: I thought you were professionals and it would be a great opportunity for me to work with you. But i don't have that opinion anymore. And if you please excuse me, i have more important things to do

S: I think we should have another meeting

M: No thankyou. As i said, i have many other important things to do. And Manik never gives a second chance. Thankyou for your interest, but this is not going to happen.

I said and hung up. I love it when i give such exit clauses. It makes me feel powerful.

I drove straight to Mumma's office.

People were looking at me weirdly. I am usually known for my good boy types image. But today it's all gone.

I cant even imagine how awkward mumma must be feeling.

She was in her cabin, busy drawing something, may be a new design.

"Mumma" i knocked on the door.

"Get in" she said.

I pulled a chair next to hers.

"Mumma listen, that was not my fault. I trusted her when she said it was going to be a private party. Upar se mumma i was drunk, like terribly. I didn't even realise that i was posing for those pictures. Trust me Mumma. Meine jaan boochke nai kiya. You know mw right" i said with pleading eyes.

She comes to know it immediately, if the feelings are genuine.

"I trust you Manik. Aur mujhe uss baat ka dhukh nai hain. I was upset because you didn't even bother about both of us, who were sitting there worried about you,. Nandini had to wait for you for 30 minutes, countless calls. She was so worried about you. Meine toh bataya bhi tha, ki uske parties aise hi hote hain, but still she was worried" she said.

So she was worried for me. Jhooti kahi ki.

"I am really sorry. I promise aisa aage kabhi nai hoga" i said.

"Did you talk to her?" she asked.

"I tried, I guess she has seen those pictures. Ajeeb behave kar rahi thi. Mujhe pata hi nai tha about the article, jab mein aap ke paas nikal raha tha manager ka call aaya and then i got to know about it" i said.

"What are you going to do with the contract then?" she asked.

"I drove to you after seeing Alya. I said i am not going to work with them, Mom they seem to be really different, you know the dangerous kind. I talked to her dad as well. He was insisting on another meeting, meine manaa kar diya" i said,

"Acha kiya. You did the good thing, yeh nai toh kuch aur mil jayega. But you should never compromise. Okay?" she asked.

My professional guru.

"Okay!" i said.

"Nandini ko kaise manaoon?" i asked her.

Women sab ek jaise hote haina, one woman can be the key to find the solution for how to please another one.

"Mujhe nai pata. She is not like every other girl. I guess you need to put up a little patience with it" she said.

"Should i take her out?" i asked.

"If she agrees to go with you. By the way, wohh aaj gadi nai leke gayi. She said she didn't want to drive" mom gave me a hint..

"Mein jaoonga use pick karne. Thanks mumma" i said.

"Acha listen, iss se pehle kuch aur ho jaye aur kuch aur misunderstanding aa jaye, talk to her. Tell her about Kirti and everything else you wanted to. The sooner the better" she said.

"I will" I said.

"Acha do you time? Kuch naya collection aaya hain and i want you to try them out, for a basic shoot. Photographer bhi hain. It shouldn't take you too long" she said.

"Okay. But i need to leave by 1" i said.

"Tab tak ho jayega" she said and called up Raghu.

He guided me to the changing room.

There were 10 shirts, they all looked super cool. I tried them one after the other and the photographer clicked a few pictures.

I personally liked one so i asked if he could share that with me.

And he did.

I forwarded that to Nandini.

"Achaa haina? 😉 Keep seeing these kind of pictures, newspaper waale kuch bhi daal dete hain😅" i said.

I was trying to be funny.

"That was not at all funny 😑😕" she replied with a meh emoji.

"It was supposed to be. Anyway, i am going to come pick you up tonight" i replied.

"Aaj koi party nai hain?🤔" she sent. This girl really!

"Oh hello! You don't have to taunt me okay? Yahi umar hain baba" i sent

"Umar for what?" she replied.

"Wohh haina gaana, yahi umar hain karle...galti se mistake. Toh galti se mistake ho gaya. Ab kaan pakadke sorry 🙁😓"

"You have your own ways. Khush ho jao meri face pe smile aa gayi. Real waali 😃" she replied with a smiling emoji...

Yyaaaaay!!!! Thank you Ranbir Kapoor.

"What time are you done at work?" i sent.

"6" she replied.

"I will be there by 5:30, to cover up for the 30 minutes you had to wait for me last night" i replied.

"That's really so thoughful but aisa mat karna" she sent.

"But whaaayyyy?"

"Because since the moment you reach i can't focus on my work anymore. Be there by 6 and now stop texting, i need to work"

"Oh so i affect you so much huh! Nice nice....accha laga sunn ke, i mean padh ke" i replied.

Waited for 2 minutes, blue tickets toh aa gaye but she didn't reply, matlab sachh mein kaam hain.

I picked up subway for lunch and drove to the location. It's for the promo of my upcoming album.

They took 30 minutes to explain what it's going to be like.

And the next one and half hours we were shooting.

I had my sub, in the break in between. Didn't even have time to check my phone.

And finally i heard the most awaited word for the day, "Pack Up"

I was supposed to come back after two more days.

It was just 3 o' clock.

One of the members from the shoot team asked if i wanted to have coffee.

So we drove to the nearby coffee shop.

"So Manik how is it going? Do you like the work?" he asked. He is the cameraman.

"Yes sir. I like it" i said.

"Call me Uday. That's fine" he said.

"So, what do you do when you are off work?" he asked.

"Nothing much. I spend time with my mom. I help her at work: i said.

"What about the news article this morning?" he asked.

"Look Uday, I really wasn't going to attend the party, i still did. I was high. And i totally didn't know what i was doing there" i tried to explain.

"These are the little things you need to take care of Manik. Just be cautious...you know about people you hangout with, you often meet with and all. It's really not a good place to be. But since we are passionate about it we are still there" he said.

"You're right" i had to agree.

"So, girlfriends?" he asked.

"Not yet" i said smiling.

"Well your smile doesn't agree with what your are saying" he said.

"I don't know, i like someone. But yeah i didn't propose yet. So it's not official" I said.

"Okay" he said.

We had the coffee, i dropped him back at the location as he left his car there.

"Nice talking to you. And yes, i will see you later" he said.

"Sure. Bye"

I started for Nandini's office.

It was 5:30 already.

I was thinking about everything i wanted to tallk to her.

She is easy-going, so i need not worry about that. I can just say it. I need not have to create a scene before talking. That's the best part about her.

"I am here" i sent her a text.

"Count ten and you see me" she replied.

I really started counting. This girl brings out the kid, the adult, the lover boy and the romantic one inside me so easily.

She knocked on the window.

I unlocked the car and she got in.

"Before time. Impressive" she said patting my back.

Iss ke moods aise kaise change ho jaate hain? God knows!

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You don't want to go home?" i asked. I thought she might be tired after work.

"No. i didn't have too much to do today. So i am not tired. Mujhe kuch khaana hain i am hungry" she said.

"Kya khaana hain?" i asked.

"Sweets. I want to eat laddoo" she said.

Yeh kaisa craving hain?

"Sweets? Abhi?" i asked.

"Nai, dho ghante se. I tried to order par hua nai" she said checking her mobile.

I drove to the closest mithai waala from our location and asked her to go get what she wanted..

15 minutes and she still didn't come back.

I called her up.

"Mithaai laane gayi ho ya banaane?" i asked.

"Aa aaaiii ooooo" she said. Phir se yeh ajeeb language.

"Khaakar batao" i said.

"Aa rahi hoon" she then said.

"Fast. i am bored" i said and hung up.

This girl....Alya se bhi badi mental case. Two covers in her hand. Inti saari mithaaiyaan?

"Poori mumbai ke liye khareedke aayi ho kya?" i asked.

"Nai, i was unable to decide, so 10 varities leke aayi thoda thoda" she said putting the bags in the back seat.

"It was my fault to let you go inside" i said. She came back and sat down, with a sweet box in her hand,

"Iss mein kya hain?" i asked.

"Motichooor laddooo" she said licking her lips.

Don't do that!

Facepalm!

"Ho gaya? Ab chalein?"

"Yes yes. Ab jaha tum le chalo waha hum jaayenge. Khushi khushi" she said settling down, with her legs folded on the seat.

(I know this is similar to ABTMM. Few things about my version of Nandini will always remain unchanged. Apologies if you have a difference of opinion)

I drove to the park in our neighbourhood.

"Yaha kyun? Koi dhekh lega" she said.

"It's okay. Chalo" I said getting down.

She made sure to get the laddoo dabbaa and another namkeen packet from the cover.

"Zyaada sweet ho jayega na is liye yeh, to cover it up" she said with a grin.

Who is going to believe if i say, she is a 23 and a half year old software professional at Microsoft who develops products!!!

"Tumhaara kuch nai ho sakta" i said and opened the gate.

We walked upto my favorite spot where there's this bench and a big bushy tree.

Mumma and i hang out here when either of us feels low.

"I have never been to this part of the park" she said sitting on the bench.

"This is our favorite spot, i mean mumma and mine" i said.

"Nice" she said.

"Acha Nandini, i wanted to talk to you about something..something i believe you have to know" i started.

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Rest of the talks, in the next update :)