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Malhotra Mansion, Morning

Nandini woke up early and got ready. While going for breakfast, she met Raj. Wishing him a good morning, they went for breakfast. On their way, they saw Manik pacing in the living room, staring at his mobile. They went towards him.

Raj(concerned): Manik, what happened? Why are you tensed?

Hearing his Dad's voice, he turned towards him and found Nandu beside Raj. Manik strolled towards her.

Manik(sighed): Nandu..

Nandu(rubbing his arm): Manik, calm down. Everything will be fine.

Manik(holding his head in frustration): Uska call nahi lag raha hai. She is missing since yesterday.

Making him sit, Nandu held his hand in assurance.

Nandu(assured): Manik, she will be fine.

Manik(frowned): Nandu, lekin..

Nandu(softly): You trust me, right?

Manik nods.

Nandu(smiled): Trust me, she's fine.

Raj(puzzled): Nandu beta, is there any problem?

Nandu: No, Uncle. It's

Before she could complete, they heard a scream.

"Heyya, loverrr boyyy. Surprise"

They turned towards the door and found a grinning Mukti.

As Nandu smiled, Raj went to her and hugged her. Manik was gaping at Mukti and Nandini.

Manik(whispered to Nandini): Tumhe pehle se pata tha kya? Isliye tum itni cool thi na?

Nandu winked and went towards Mukti to greet her, who was now talking to Raj. After their talks, when Mukti saw Manik silent, she went to him.

Mukti(slapping his head lightly): Tu itna shant kyun hai?

Manik(wiping his fake tears): Khushi ke aansu aa rahe hai.

Mukti glared at him. Ignoring her, Manik hugged her tight and twirled her around making Mukti giggle.

Manik(pouts): Tujhe pata hai, main kitna darr gaya tha? Kal se tera call nahi lag raha tha.

Mukti(pulling his cheek): Aww..meri jaan ko maine dara diya? I am so sorry. Lekin main tujhe surprise dene wali thi na.

She ruffled his hair making him grin.

Raj(chuckles): Acha bahut batein ho gayi. Mukti beta, tum fresh hokar aa jao. Breakfast karte hai.

Mukti(nods): Ji, uncle. Main abhi aayi.

She leaves for her room.

Nandu(raising an eyebrow): Happy now?

Manik(suspiciously): How do you know?

Nandu(smirked): I am your boss. Agar tum smart ho toh main tumse bhi smart hoon na? I asked one of our persons to track her number. It was near the airport yesterday.

Manik(whines): Toh mujhe bataya kyu nahi?

Nandu(smiles): woh tumhe surprise karna chahti hai toh how can I spoil it?

After breakfast, Nandu and Raj left for office while Manik took a half day leave.

Mukti's Room(/Guest room)

They were now in Mukti's room, facing each other.

Mukti(grinned): So lover boy, what's happening?

Manik(in a serious tone): I have something to tell you.

Mukti(concerned): Is everything fine? Tu kal se call kar raha tha?

Manik(tensed): No actually.

He explains everything about Dhruv's proposal and the unknown person.

Mukti(fuming): I guess, I need to kill him.

Manik(furious): But before that, we need to teach him a lesson.

Mukti(joked): Ab main aa gayi na. Sabko thikane mein laga denge. I am staying here. Dad is busy with his new branch. Bataya na maine. Instead of staying there alone, I will spend time with you.

Manik(grins): Very good. Hum maze karenge. Kya kya karen?

Mukti(chuckles): Pehle tu office ja. Kahi teri boss tujhe job se na nikal de. Phir devdas bankar ghumna padega.

Manik sticks his tongue out and runs from her room to get ready for office.

Next Day, Morning

Raj and Nandu reached office early as they had meetings. Mukti decided to accompany Manik and hence was getting ready.

Mukti's Room

Manik barged into her room.

Manik(impatiently): Mukti, jaldi chal. We are getting late.

Mukti(chuckles): Tu kya itna darta hai Nandu se?

Manik(scared): Main Nandu se nahi uske gusse se darta hun. If she decides to fire me, Dad support karenge and I have to find a new job.

Mukti(laughs): Chill, Majnu. Teri Laila se maine permission le liya. She won't say anything even if we are late.

Manik(whines): phir bhi chalte hai na. Aur kitna time lagega tujhe?

Mukti(teased): Loverboy, mujhe aisa kyu lag raha hai ki you aren't concerned about your job but tujhe Nandu se jaldi milna hai?

Manik(declares): Kyunki woh sach hai.

Mukti(smiles disbelievingly): are you serious? Tu ek second Nandu se dur reh sakta hai kya?

Manik(glares): Nahi reh sakta. Ab KBC khatam and office chal.

He drags Mukti without waiting for her making her burst out laughing.

Malhotra Industries

As soon as Manik and Mukti enter the office, Mukti bumps into someone and the flowers fall down from the other person's hand.

Mukti(politely): Hey, I am sorry. Are you okay?

The person stands up after picking up the flowers. He gets shocked seeing an already shocked Mukti there. Composing themselves, they both spoke together.

Mukti(baffled): Tum yahan.

Abhi(dreamily): Am I dreaming?

Mukti(composing herself): Mr. Thakkar?

Abhi(cheekily): I would rather love 'tum' coming from you. If you want to make me on cloud nine, you can call me Abhimanyu or Abhi.

Mukti(rolling her eyes): You didn't change even a bit. Did you?

Abhi(teased): Change ho gaya toh tum mujhe pehchanogi kaise, Ms.Tour guide?

Mukti(glared): Listen, Mr. Thakkar. That's my job. Don't you dare comment about it again.

Abhi(blushed): Usi job ke meherbaani. Hume tum jo mil gayi.

Mukti(helplessly): Arghh..

Abhi(rubbing his nape): Argh..nahi. Abhi, Abhimanyu naam hai mera. Acha naam hai waise. Bula sakti ho tum.

Manik(sarcastically): Okay guys, I guess you both know each other too well. But this is office and we can't afford to have a drama here.

Abhi(grinned): Manik, buddy. How are you?

Abhimanyu, without waiting for an answer, pulls Manik into a hug making Manik cringe.

Abhi(winked): Sorry, bro. Bas Inhe dekh kar, aas paas sab bhul jate hai. Anyways, Ms. Tour guide, let's get out of here and talk over a cup of coffee.

Mukti(sarcastically): Sure, why not?

They both turn to leave when Manik stops Mukti by holding her hand which was noticed by Abhimanyu.

Abhi(coolly): Main bahar wait kar raha hun. Tum buddy se baat kar ke aa jao.

Taking a nod from Mukti, Abhimanyu leaves.

Manik(furious): Mukti, tu jaanti hai use? I feel like punching him but agar woh tera friend hua toh you might feel bad. Isliye I stopped myself.

Mukti(informs): We aren't friends. I met him 2-3 times in various places I traveled. He was apparently on a world tour and I was his tour guide for those times.

Manik(worried): Then why did you agree to go for coffee? Tu mat ja kahin.

Mukti(gritting her teeth): I need to get it sorted. I will go and ask him what his problem is.

Manik(cupping her face): You are always so calm and composed. Aaj itna gussa? Tu mat jana, Mukti, please.

Mukti(assured): He just brings out all my anger and frustration. I always lose my cool around him. But I will be fine. Main apni martial arts bhuli nahi. So stop worrying now and go meet your boss now. You are already too late.

Manik(slapping his head): Oh no. Main marr gaya.

He runs but turns back after taking two steps to hug Mukti. Breaking the hug, he pecks her forehead and leaves after muttering 'take care' to her.

Reaching towards Nandu's cabin, he sees her with a guy, his back facing Manik. Manik got tensed seeing the frowns on Nandu's face and went towards them. Ignoring her reaction, Manik stood in between them, almost covering her, as a shield from the person and smiles at him. 

Please do concentrate on the last sentence to understand a different shade of Manik other than the cute person he always has been. ;)

Abhimanyu and Mukti mil gaye. Can you hear any background music? :P 

[A/N -  Itz_Me_Adi Le kara diya, Mukti aur Abhimanyu ka look look. :P]