Hello readers!

Thanks for choosing this story!

Hope you enjoy the read! Do let me know how you feel about the first chapter! :D

~ A.

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S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2011

(Common kitchen, S.P.A.C.E. Residency)

Nandini Murthy

"Damn you! You, dumb, useless, silly, stupid pancakes" I cursed the runny batter in sheer frustration, as I saw it spread all over, as I poured a small amount of it on the pan. It was supposed to settle in one place, like a blob, and I was supposed to smear it a little to make a perfect circle, then let it heat. At least that's what I was supposed to be doing, according to the lame pancake making video I was referring to on YouTube since the last one hour. But, of course, how could anything ever work out smoothly, when it involves me, The Nandini Murthy!

It was a Saturday, and the start of Christmas vacations in our college. Yes, I know, what was I doing in the hostel kitchen fighting runny pancake batter zombies, when I could have flown back home and simply asked 'chachi' to make it for me; but, there is a catch here, a small, tiny one really. So, last month while I was video chatting with my family, they were hardly listening to me, all thanks to my deranged, overly happy, unnecessarily optimistic and ridiculously talented brother Abhi. That ass had gone and got himself a Rhodes Scholarship! Rhodes, for crying out loud! Why, why, why!? Mom, Dad, I ask you why, why do you always favour that jackass over me? I know you are laughing your head off seeing me pissed from high up there, but seriously? Calm down Nandu, relax, breathe.

So yes, when I was talking to my folks last month, they were hardly paying attention to my glow-in-the-dark nail paints that I was enthusiastically trying to show them by flashing my hand before the camera; all they could gush about was Abhi this, Abhi that! Abhi my foot! Hmph. Of all the people who could notice my grumpy face on the call, guess who actually did? The same self proclaimed Mr. Smarty Pants himself, Abhi. He kept peering at me and smirking at my frown, and as soon as I started protesting he began his own hail glory song of greatness. Argh!

"You don't even need it silly, we can afford Oxford; then why did you even apply? Show off." I scoffed at him, and he laughed me off saying I was jealous. Not that I was jealous, to hell with jealousy, I am not even that ambitious - you know, that is the only perk of being born rich; you don't have to worry your life out for making money, you can just chill.

I was only annoyed because that ass was getting more attention from ''chacha', 'chachi' than me, and I was never up for that. Wasn't I, Nandini freaking Murthy their princess? Anyway, point being, when I was busy arguing with His Glorious Assness, 'chachu' heard me and went on to preach me on the difference between affording something by inheritance and earning the same thing with grit and hard work.

"Nandu beta, how can you say that? What Abhi achieved is brilliance. Rhodes means not only high pedigree but respect, and independence both in finances and lifestyle, because he has earned it for himself!" he explained lovingly, clearly not getting it that I was pissed!

"Chachu you are too much, you expect Miss Haughty Taughty to understand all this? She is happy with her pocket money and silly makeup accessories" smirked Abhi clearly enjoying himself at my expenses.

"Really, like really? You think I need a silly scholarship to be independent? I can be that even without one!" there I had started digging my own grave at this point without realising then.

"Acha, can you now? Prove it." said Abhi trying hard to control his laughter as 'chachu' sighed seeing us bicker. I rolled my eyes, not that I needed to prove anything, but this ass needed a lesson. He needed to know that Nandini Murthy is no less, hence I said what I regret terribly right now.

"Fine, I will prove it to you. I can be independent without a silly scholarship too"

"How?" Abhi asked with an amused face.

"Let's see, I can.." I begun, only to be cut of by 'chachi'

"Hein, you both think my Nandu can't manage? Nandu beta don't listen to them, I will tell you how. You take up a small job after classes, and save money and buy your own flight ticket back from New York during your Christmas break and show these men what we Murthy women are made of!" She finished with great spirit, and I caught 'chachu' trying hard to hide his snort and Abhi, well he was guffawing like an idiot. Men I tell you.

And 'chachi' seriously, she could tell me to not pay attention to them and chill, right? But no, she had to bring in the Murthy woman angle here; you know I am a bit touchy there. Ahem.

"Done. Deal" I mouthed, having no escape.

"So long Nandu, see you in March!" yelled Abhi from behind and disconnected the call.

"Wait, March?! Arghh. Jerk."

Now, in my defence, one month before Christmas is a difficult time to look for a job, that too for a college goer. I mean, you have all the carnivals, and Christmas markets happening around this time of the year, and instead of attending them, The Nandini Murthy will do a job?! But for the love of strong and brave hearted Murthy women, I had decided to take one for the team. I tried searching for odd jobs, and ended up even getting one in a cafe close to our residency. But, as mentioned earlier, if it was easy, it wouldn't be laid in Nandini Murthy's path in life! There was this Indian guy, short-ish, lanky, sharp eyes and hair spiked with a lot of gel. He was from my college but a different department, I don't know his name but let's call him Spikey. So after a week of my joining, Spikey started coming to my cafe everyday and not to mention only during my shift! So I shared my shift with Robert who handled the cash counter and the heating, so that left me with the charge of coffees, shakes, smoothies and the nightmare called waffles!

I loved waffles, but I kid you not, making them is a nightmare! You are already aware of my slight 'batter inconsistency problem' right, now imagine me making waffles like a pro. So to cut a long story short, my batter was either runny or too thick and if I managed that, I would screw up the heating time and my waffles would come out really stoked! But the good thing was, this place wasn't really known for its waffles (can you blame the customers, when I am the chef!), so not many waffle orders came my way; I was doing well. But when is life a bed of roses, so coming back to Spikey; well ever since he came in one day and ordered waffles and I kind of screwed it up, he has been coming in every single day during my shift and ordering waffles! Every single day he'd eat it, and then leave a poor feedback! Every single freaking day! When I consistently got 'no stars' in my feedback along with a weeks worth of red angry emojis (I set a record there straight!), my employer lost his faith in my culinary skills and relieved me from the job (Okay fine, I got kicked out!).

So, thanks to Mr. Annoying Freak Spikey, I am jobless and more importantly ticketless and hence making my own pancake (since I hate waffles now!) to celebrate the starting of Christmas holidays sitting in New York; as Mr. Dufus Murthy had accurately predicted a month ago. No, no, don't get worked up, my folks aren't villains, if I told them what happened, they'd buy me my ticket back home, but for the honour of lion hearted Murthy women I didn't kind of tell them.

So here goes the official story which I told 'chacha', 'chachi' and Mr. Jackass Murthy; the owner of my cafe, Mr. Alistair was so happy with my dedication towards my job and sense of responsibility, that he requested me to cover for him during Christmas when the sales are high and the shop is super crowded. Being the kind person I am, I obliged and hence I am not going back home for Christmas. If not financial stability, The Nandini Murthy is rocking professionally! Watch out Murthy Men! (Although I doubt Abhi bought this, at least he didn't argue too much. Strangely, the ass didn't seem as excited about winning this either, he seemed a little lost! Rhodes chicken, huh? Serves him right!)

"Woah, you just don't give up, do you?" I jerked my head up and looked back, coming out of all these conversations in my head. Well a quick status update on my pancake breakfast : The runny batter is still runny but due to all the heating its brown now, and emitting a strong smell; aah the smell of burnt vanilla essence.

Anyway, I turned around to see a new guy. I mean this floor of the dorm, I share with Alisah, Jane, Luke and Patrick, so other than me only these folks access the kitchen. But this guy was new, he was Indian (what's with me attracting all the Indians from the university, here!) and he was tall, like tall-tall kinda tall, the closest inanimate object he'd resemble would be a watchtower. He was sporting an NY baseball team cap, along with a tee that hinted at tough abs and lean but tough shoulders, and a pair of joggers. He had an empty water can in his hand and he was sweating as he stood by the kitchen door eyeing me. He was kinda hot, and despite his question and confusion in my head about his identity, here I was staring at him and chatting inside my head! Uff.

"Well if you're done checking me out, I'd really appreciate it if you let me use the burner for a few minutes, I need to boil eggs" he spoke again. Damn his eyes, those molten chocolate brown orbs, I could pour it in vanilla ice cream and ravish it...

"Excuse me, woman, are you for real?" this time I reacted seeing him snap his fingers before me in impatience.

"Aah. Yes, of course, what's so unreal about me?" I managed to mutter; damn he will now think I am stupid.

"Nothing, other than the fact that you were staring at me for a full five minutes before opening your mouth" he smirked, as he walked into the kitchen shutting the door.

"I..I..well, actually" oh God, Nandu get a grip already! I scolded myself and focused once more before talking.

"I wasn't staring, I was surprised. You are not from this dorm, so I was wondering how you have the access keys. I definitely didn't let you in, and none of my dormies are there for this month, so?" I asked with full confidence this time (you can startle a Murthy for a moment, you can't defeat her! Hmph)

"Well, I swapped with Alisah before she left for the holidays, so hello new dormie!" he smiled politely looking at me. Aah damn those lips. Stop it, focus Nandu!

"Swap? I mean you're allocated rooms here Mister, you cannot just swap!" I replied back with suave.

"You totally can Miss Rule Book, you just need to pull in a plug here and there" he winked. Hayee he's so cute!

"Whatever!" I replied, trying to hold on to my fast slipping attitude. As he walked past me towards the burner and peeped into the fatal mortal remains of my waffles.

"You're that bad, huh?" he laughed, nodding at my pan and gesturing for me to remove it so he can boil his silly eggs.

"If only it were as easy as boiling eggs" I replied coolly as he rolled his eyes.

"I am sure it isn't as tough as you make it seem, struggling at it for what, hours now?" pat came his reply.

"Excuse me, how'd you know I have been trying for hours?" I asked him surprised, as I looked at him.

"Well, I came in the morning to get my coffee, you were battling with the batter then, I came back to get my fruits, you were staring at the batter and what seemed like talking with it. I totally judged you for that and left for jogging; but what do I see after coming back an hour later after my jog? Mademoiselle is still at it! Zero marks for skills but full marks for dedication" he sniggered, as I scowled at him. But really this gorgeous man dropped in twice and I was so busy talking in my head that I didn't notice? See Nandu, this is why you're single!

"Fine, whatever. So does my annoying dormie have a name or should I give you a title for my reference?" I asked, rolling my eyes and making a face; he laughed hearing me.

"This annoying dormie, is worshipped by the name of Manik Malhotra" he replied. Worship, yes sure, but Manik, that kind of sounds nice..there is a nice ring to his name, isn't it? Pff. Stop.

"Hi Manik, I am Nandini" I replied, finally smiling and holding my hand out for a shake.

"No, you're not. You're Miss Rule Book" he replied with a friendly smile as he took in my hand for a shake. Miss Rule Book, really? Ayappa, why are hot men, such terrible talkers? Why!?

As I silently pushed my pan away from the burner and let my defeated culinary skills run amok, he poured some water in a pot and put two eggs to boil. Ordinarily I would be frustrated by now and dump the pan next to the sink and step back to my room to order food, but with Mr. Food for my Heart standing right here, I didn't feel like leaving right now, so I focussed on cleaning my utensils, that had the last remains of my waffle stuck on it like glue!

"That mission really went down now, didn't it?" he smirked eyeing my pan, that I was scrubbing with all my might now, "Unless you're ordering, I could throw in two more eggs to boil for you, dormie! Wow, he is caring too! This is a sin Nandu.

"Umm, sure! This could be your housewarming treat!" I replied with a smile as he laughed and walked to the shelf to get more eggs.

"Bread?" I asked him, while pulling them out of the refrigerator, to toast.

"Two slices, toasted golden brown" he replied, eyeing me. Ayappa, does this man know what effect he has on the female genotype, when he looks at them like that? Shit, I should breathe.

In about another fifteen minutes, I fixed the toasts for us, while he put himself to use by making coffee for both of us while the eggs boiled. Then we sat down for breakfast together and had a nice time talking. I learnt that he swapped with Alisah because she is one of his close friends and was also dating his dormie; they wanted to stay together, and he apparently gifted Alisah this opportunity as a Christmas present! Lucky me. Hush.

"So, why aren't you flying home for the holidays?" I asked him, making conversation.

"S.P.A.C.E. is home" he replied nonchalantly, but if I am not mistaken, I saw his eyes darken for a moment.

"What about you?" he asked me casually.

"Well, I decided to spend this Christmas here" I replied. What, someone expected me to start with my saga all over again? And what impression would he have of me, hearing that anyway? Not that he seems much impressed either ways, but hell who cares. Shit I do. Pff.

"Just like that, all alone?" he asked, amused. Urgh. Why does he have to be so nosey!?

"Yes, I like it this way" I replied quickly.

"Aah, so Miss Rule Book, is also a loner." there he passed judgement #2. First one was, when he heard me talking to myself in the morning, in case it needs reminding.

I scowled at him and muttered, "in your dreams" and focused on the food. Ayappa, one hot guy you sent my way in such a long time, that too a nosey, arrogant, giant. Hmph. What has happened to your sensibility!?

But on the slightly brighter side, I didn't need to spend the entire Christmas break alone like a ghost in this empty residency; however annoying, at least I had the company of Mr. Big Mouth here.

Correction, Mr. Hot Big Mouth.

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Next update on 20th Dec, 2020