Recap: Abhiram returning back from Bangalore.

Daksh's PoV
I was at office waiting for her to come. Well, you guessed it right. I am waiting for Meenakshi. Where the hell she is? It's been 10 am and still she didn't reach. Punctuality and she dont have any connection. It's more like this is her office and I am her employee. Stupid Girl.

Come fast girl...

Abhi, you are the reason for all this. It's all because of you now I am doing this. Only because of the promise I have given to you.

"Daksh if you don't solve all problems with Meenakshi soon and didn't start friendship with her, then I am not going to talk with you again. This is sure."
I remembered how my best friend blackmailed me for his Meenakshi.

I laughed at the thought. He knows that I will do anything for him. And it's true. I want to see him smiling always. And I can do anything to see that smile.

But is it necessary that I should make his Meenakshi too smile? Dont know. God will decide my fate hereafter.

I got a call from my accounts section that she is here since I already instructed them to inform me when she comes. I took the land phone and asked her to meet me in my cabin.

Daksh, take care. Anything can happen now.
Before I finish my thinking, she barged into the cabin with an angry face and took a seat infront of me.

"Excuse me this is an office and there is a minimum manner of asking permission before entering into the cabin.. atleast when you are called to your boss's cabin."I asked unknowingly.

Damn it..my tongue deceived me. Now get ready to hear her lecture.

"Yes I know..There are a lot of manners and rules here. Do you know how difficult it is to follow all?"she asked me back.
I looked at her showing my big eyes.
She was muttering something under her breathe.
"What happened to you Ms.Meenakshi?"I asked in an attempt to make her calm.

"That accounts section head. Are you gonna fire her or should I do it myself?"she asked making me widen my eyes.

Did Abhi register the company on her name without my knowledge?

"Who is she to question me for coming late? Yesterday she left the office at 4:55 pm when the actual leaving time is 5 pm. No one questioned her. Then why should she question me for coming late for an hour?"she started playing with the pen on the table and surprisingly it was my pen. Now she started drawing something on the paper infront of her and yes that was exactly the file I was checking.

"All are jealous.."she declared.
"Jealous?? For you?"I asked shockingly.
"Yes. They all are jealous since you are giving me special consideration. I hope their evil eyes won't fall on us.. atleast on you.."she said and I wanted to laugh at her theory of jealousy.

I looked at her drawing. It looks like she have drawn her own picture. A woman with two horns and two of her teeth are bulging out of her mouth.

"How is it?"she asked showing me the paper which is actually my office file.
"Looking beautiful."I said smiling.
"This is exactly what your accounts section head looking like."she said and I started sweating.

"If you really liked this, I will try to draw your face next time."she said.

Oh god.. What would I look like if she draw my picture?

I opened a water bottle and emptied half into my mouth.

"Sir I forgot to ask you. Why did you call me?"she asked showing her full teeth smile.

Yes, I also forgot. Why did I call you? Yeah..got it.. Abhiram..

"I am not a boss who always command my staffs."I said and she pouted.
"Not commanding, you don't even talk with me properly."she had a sad expression.

"That's what I was about to say. Actually I was observing you for past few weeks. Thankfully I came to know that you are such an efficient staff. I can't treat you as a staff anymore."I said and her face changed.

"So are you going to fire me?? No sir..I haven't done anything. Instead of that accounts head you are now firing me. This is not acceptable."she said with shock.
"Arey pls allow me to finish. You are not a staff. A friend."I said and she stopped. I was relaxed.

"Friend??"she asked raising her eye brows.
"Yeah..you are a nice girl. Why can't we be good friends? I liked your attitude."I said trying to be calm.

"Are you flirting with me?"she asked almost giving me an heart attack.

Flirting??? Abhi come back fast. I am resigning this job and running away from her. Where did you meet her the first time? I hope the beach is still there.

"I hate flirts"she declared glaring at me

"Excuse me. I am not that much cheap to flirt with my own staffs. What do you think about me? Do your all friends flirt with you? Damn it. What do you think about yourself?" This time I lost my temper and I shouted at her.
She stood up scaring.

"I used to treat all my staffs as friends because I respect them. Thankfully I didn't get such an idiot staff like you till now."I hitted on table and this time she slightly jumped on her place.

"I am sorry..I am sorry..I am sorry..."suddenly she started begging holding her ears.
I was surprised.
"I misunderstood you..you are right. I am an idiot. Pls forgive me. If you want just slap me...or do you want me to write imposition that you are not a flirt?"she said making me chuckle.

This Meenakshi is completely different from what I saw till now. I was wondered seeing her sudden change. I understood that she is not that much dangerous. She too have an innocent heart as Abhi always say.

"I accepted your apology. So friends?"I asked forwarding my hand to her.
"I will accept your friendship only if you offer me a cup of coffee."she said.

I nodded smilingly and she shook hands with me.

Beginning of an epic friendship!!!
*****
Meenakshi and Daksh are now sitting at a coffee shop. He looked at her who was studying the menu sheet carefully like she is having exams tomorrow.

"Excuse me, what do you want?" The waiter asked and they both looked up at him.
"Two cup of coffees." Daksh ordered.
"Anything else sir?"the waiter asked.
"Then...."Daksh looked at Meenakshi.
"A Burger for me" both Daksh and Meenakshi said together and then they looked at each other surprisingly.

"Same pinch.."Meenakshi pinched Daksh's arm excitedly. He screamed while she bursted into laughter.
The waiter chuckled and that gained Meenakshi's attention.
"Hello..he is not my boyfriend to look at us like this. He is my boss. Don't you know how to behave infront of a boss? Atleast show some minimum manners. By the way where are our Burgers?" She asked and the waiter went away.

"So do you like Burger?"he asked.
"Like?? You know what. I am the biggest fan of Burger on earth."she said proudly.
Daksh smiled in an happiness that he and his bestie got the perfect company.

"You know what. Burger is my life. I can live 50 years by eating only Burgers. I love Burger."he stated happily.

"This is strange. Hereafter you are Mr.Burger for me."she said making him scowl.
"I would like you to call me sir or boss."he said in a serious tone.
"That will be cliche. Why so much formalities between friends? If you want I can call you Burger Boss."she said.
"No..first one will be better."he said immediately with a frown. No one can control this girl and her tongue. He cursed under his breathe.
"That's my Burger."she smiled.

As soon as the waiter placed the order on table, she started eating without waiting for him. He smirked at her.
"Didn't you eat for last two weeks?"he asked.
"Very funny. But jokes are not allowed infront of food. Meenakshi's rule. If you don't stop this now, I will eat your Burger too"she replied.
"No..."with a shocking face he started eating.

Her mobile started ringing and she attended the call while eating.
"Hai Ram.."she said excitedly.
Daksh looked at her carefully.
"I am here at a coffee shop. Not at office. You know what.. I got a new friend." She said and heard a shout from the other hand.

"What the hell are you saying Meenu? New friend? Is he trustable?? What is his name? From which planet he suddenly came?"Abhi asked worried.

"Arey relax. My new friend is that same bald..sorry burger boss."she said and Daksh glared at her. She heard a long relieved breathe from the other end.
"Dont worry. He is a nice guy. Even if he is not, I will make him nice and good. We are now having Burger together."she said and Daksh caught his head in his hands. He is now sure that his friend will kill him anytime soon for eating Burger without him. That too with his Meenakshi.

"Burger ah??"she heard Ram's yelling. With that he ended the call making Meenakshi confused. She continued enjoying her Burger while Daksh sighed.

Next second, Daksh's phone started ringing and he attended the call with a pale face.
"You moron, you are eating Burger without me ah? You idiot....I am not talking with you anymore. Have your last Burger now. I will kill you the moment you come infront of me." Before Daksh say anything Abhiram started yelling.

"Arey man..relax.. this is just for the beginning of a smooth friendship..you know what. I am doing all this for you and your Meenakshi"Daksh said in a low voice so that Meenakshi won't hear them.

"She is not my Meenakshi."Abhi corrected him.
"Ok...I will make you eat enough Burgers when I return back. Promise. Now smile."Daksh said and Abhi smiled.
"Ok take care of her."Abhi said.
"What's this? You should say to me to take care of myself since I am with this crazy mad girl." Daksh pouted.
"Do what you want. Dont forget about my Burger" With that Abhiram ended the call.

Daksh again started eating while Meenakshi was enjoying her share happily.
"Who called you?" Daksh asked her.
"My Superman friend. You know what. He is very protective for me. A nice guy."she said honestly.
Daksh had a smile on his face hearing her words about Abhiram.
"But not more nice than me."she added making him chuckle.

They peacefully finished their Burgers and Daksh stood up to pay the bill. His gaze fall on the face of the girl standing at the reception and he lost all his happiness. He immediately sat down with a jerk. Meenakshi didn't understand anything.

"What happened?"she asked seeing him angry.
"Nothing. We can go after sometime. After she goes."he said.
"Which she?"Meenakshi asked watching around her.
"That pizza..."he pointed his hand towards the reception where the girl is standing.
But her eyes fall on the pizza packets getting ready on the reception table.
"I don't like Pizza. If you want I will wait till you eat it"she said.

"Arey I am talking about that girl..."he said loudly.
She looked at the girl wearing a long skirt and top and was talking with the staffs.
"Her name is pizza ah?"Meenakshi asked.
"Liza...that's her name."he said with a frown.
"How do you know her?"came next question from her.
"She was my EX" he said making her surprised.

"Ex???"she screamed in amusement and he nodded.
"Wow..so she is no more anyone to you?" she asked with widened eyes.
"We broke up."he said scrolling through his phone to avoid Liza.
"Oh that's so sad. She is a nice girl. See, you both are perfect match."Meenakshi commented looking at the girl.

Daksh didn't say anything.
"Hey Burger. This face not suits you. Tell me why did you break up with such a nice handsome girl?"Meenakshi asked and he looked up.

"She dont like Burger. She is a pizza lover. One day we fought over what to eat during our date. I suggested burger and she came with her stupid pizza as usual. She blamed Burger for my - not so fat - fat body. She asked me to stop eating Burgers. She even said that she won't allow me to eat Burgers after marriage."He said and Meenakshi clenched her fist.

"And what about you? Didn't you say anything in return when she abused our poor Burger?"Meenakshi asked glaring at the girl.

"I said that I love Burger more than her and said a final good bye to her."he replied innocently.
"And then?" She rolled her eyes.
"She left after slapping my cheek" Daksh said caressing his cheek.
"You are good for nothing. How could you leave her so easily even after she said all this about our favourite Burger?"she shouted at him and he was shocked.

She looked at her thinking something serious.
"Can I handle her?"she asked waiting for Daksh's permission.
"Yes. But don't manhandle her..please."he requested.
"This is the problem with this teenage love. Can't even see her getting hurted even after she slapped you shamelessly. Idiotic Romance."she sighed.

"Hello, I am not a teenager. See I am a young man. And coming to my request, I don't want to create an issue that too from one of my company staff. It will definitely affect our reputation. That's all..I hate her the moment she asked me to stop eating Burgers."he made his point clear much to the relief of Meenakshi.

"Ok give me a minute. Just watch the show"she stood up and moved towards the reception. Daksh watched them holding his breathe. On the other hand he got ready with his car key to escape instantly if anything bad happens.

Meenakshi bumped her shoulder on Liza and pushed her aside. Liza looked at her angrily but she didn't mind it.
"Bhai it's been 15 minutes I am standing here. When would you finish packing the food?" Liza asked bit irritated.
"Yes ma'am.. just two minutes. Everything is getting ready."the staff informed her.
"What's the delay again? I only asked for one pizza and would it take this much time?"Liza lost her temper this time.

"What??? Pizza? Did you seriously order for pizza?" Meenakshi asked with a shocked face.
"Yeah..can't I eat pizza?" Liza asked back.
"Are you sure?"Meenakshi asked again faking worry.
"Yes girl. pizza is my favourite and whats your problem?"Liza leaned to the reception table uninterested in the conversation.

"Do you know why your hairs are looking like this? Do you know why your skin is this oily?" Meenakshi asked touching her hair and face.
"What's the connection between pizza and all this?"Liza glared

"You don't know. That's why. By the way when did you have a body check up last time? Are you sure that you are fine. What doctor said?" Meenakshi asked enthusiastically.

"Hey girl. Why are you worrying for me? What's your problem?" Liza almost shouted pushing her back.
Daksh was shocked. He was about to come when Meenakshi gestured him that she is ok.
"I am not only worrying for you. But for everyone who eats pizza. Because my 98 year old grandma died last year due to excessive eating of pizza. She missed her century just in a difference of two years. All thanks to pizza."Meenakshi showed a sad expression making Daksh chuckle.

"Who said that your grandma died because of eating too much pizzas?"Liza asked
"Arey no one need to tell. We all know it. She got an heart attack while eating pizza and you know what pizza killed my grandma. How can I allow you to get heart attack?"she faked crying.

Daksh was laughing uncontrollably.

"I can relax since my grandma was an old lady and 98 years. But you seems to be in your 40's only. Too young to die."Meenakshi said and Liza rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me. I am just 28."Liza snarled.
"Ok do you have boy friends?" Meenakshi asked her next question making Liza widen her eyes.
"I had one. We broke up few months ago." Liza said and Daksh frowned.
"I know the reason must be your pizza. Am I right?" Meenakshi asked raising her eyebrows.
"How do you know?"Liza was surprised.
"However it is..your pizza made you a widow..can't you understand how dangerous your pizza is?" Meenakshi's question made Liza sigh.
"And I am sure you didn't get a boyfriend after that. The reason is still pizza."Meenakshi was sure more than anyone.

"How can you tell that?"Liza shouted.
"Arey because of excessive eating of pizza, your face became like a pizza. That's why you are a Liza. No wonder no man getting attracted to this oily sticky face."Meenakshi said making her sad. She pouted.

"You know what. Pizza contains high amount of fat, salt and everything that is injurious to health. You are only 28 and still looking like 48. All because of your pizza."Meenakshi said trying to console her.

"I won't eat pizza anymore."Liza declared and Daksh giggled at a distance.
"Good. This will be the most wise decision of your life."she said holding Liza's shoulder.
"Madam, your pizza is ready."the staff said forwarding a packet.
"Bhai, the order is cancelled. Give her two Burgers instead of that pizza. Dont worry, she will pay for both."Meenakshi announced on behalf of Liza.

"Honey, did you pay for our Burgers?" Meenakshi asked turning to Daksh and he widened his eyes.
Liza got the biggest shock seeing Daksh along with her.
"Yes I will pay" Daksh moved towards the reception avoiding both ladies.
"Excuse me, who is he?" Liza asked Meenakshi.
"My sweet cutie handsome Burger. My boyfriend."she replied blushing and held Daksh's hand. Daksh had no option other than holding her hand back.
Liza narrowed her eyes at both.
"Honey, can we go?" Meenakshi asked and he nodded.

They both walked outside holding their hands together while Liza was glaring at them in shock. They got out of the coffee shop only to burst into a laughter. He couldn't even control.

"Meenakshi, you are the best. You have no idea how much happy I am today. You are just crazy. "He exchanged an high five with her and they again laughed. Probably he didn't laugh like this in his entire life.
He was waiting to share all this with Abhiram. He deserves a special thanks. And he knows that Abhiram will be more happy hearing all this.
*****
Missed Abhiram? Next chapter is special and exclusively for Abhiram & Meenakshi.

The response I am getting for this book, I can't even describe how much happy I am. Your comments, messages, votes everything making me smile. Meenakshi is one of those character who is very close to my heart. Thank you for loving her craziness & madness.
Love you all,
Teju