Firstly, Thank you so much for your constant love n support & the patient wait... and also, Sorry for being late.

Happy reading!
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Nandini's POV

With a throbbing head, my slumber dilutes, and I scrunched my eyes adjusting to the light. Putting a hand on my hammering-head, I sat up the bed.

Wait! -Bed?

How did I land up on the bed when I was sitting on the floor, as far as I remember? I scanned my surrounding to see any possibilities of being kidnapped or something.

"This is my room in Malhotra mansion" I murmured when I forced my brain to recall how exactly did I end up here when I was in my old house. Shutting my eyes closed, I saw the flashes of flashbacks of yesterday-
I was fully drunk; Arya came and we're... then Abhi & Manik came... Then I kissed M-

"Oh no!" I yelled as the realization hit me. I kissed Manik! that too in front of Abhi & Arya. Holy shit!

"Now, they'll tease me to hell. God save me!" I made a puppy face praying to god when the headache exhilarate.

Getting up the bed, I first took a hangover tablet and then walked to the bathroom for a soothing bath.

"Nandu" Mukti shouted as her eyes caught me waking down the stairs. Everyone is present at the dining table, including Arya.

"You're finally up." She said while running towards me and pulling me along to the dining. "How much did you drink? We all are here worried for you!" she added making a concerned face.

"Sorry" I murmured holding my ears while looking at her eyes and she instantly smiled shaking her head.

"You should have called me na, it has been years since I drank!" she voiced cheerfully lightening the air and pulled the chair right next to Manik. I pulled the empty chair next to Arya.

"Is your hangover fine now?" Navya asked to which I nodded affirmatively.

"Thank god you're back to normal now. Your drunk side is terrible!" Arya commented with exclamation eyes. I turned my head to him as he continued. "You know what all you did? Crazy man! Right Abhi?"

Arya had an eye contact with Abhi and I knew!- this is the sign- that they have joined hands against me! Oh God!

I took a glass of water to quench my dry throat and wait for their attack.

"You said you love Manik!"

These words came so suddenly from Arya's mouth that I chocked on the water and coughed badly. Arya patted my back whilst holding that evil grin of his face, while others have surprised looks. I steal a brief glance at Manik to find him already staring at me with those dark eyes of his. 'What he must be thinking?'

As my cough subsidized, I turn to shot draggers at Arya, who has his lips pressed as if he'll burst out any moment. "Nonsense! I never said that!" I opened my mouth to justify.

"Instead, I said, I love Y.O.U like you love meee- Wait!" there it strikes me as I fully recall myself saying the same yesterday night and his face was telling he's in love.

An evil smirk appeared on my lips as now it's my turn to attack. 'Hahaha...Arya! Who'll save you from Nandini Murty? tsk-tsk-tsk'

Arya narrowed his eyes watching my evil smirk. I smiled devilishly sending 'I-remember-everything' look and his eyes widen. So, he realized what I mean! hehe! The game is on!

"No! Actually- I think- you said something about love..." I acted as if I'm trying to recall. "...something about whom do you L.o.v.e" I stressed my words enjoying Arya's pleading expression to my fullest.

'Now don't plead me, Arya. Tit for tat!' i thought in my devil mind and turn towards Abhi "Abhi, do you remember what he said... about his love?" I asked innocently to which Abhi shook his head. Of course, he doesn't as he came afterward!

I pressed my head acting to recall "Ah- I remember now!" I exclaimed and passed a smirk at Arya "He is in lov-ummm" I words died before I could complete, with a horse hand palming my mouth.
You know who's hand is it, right?

"Of course, I love you as you love me, Nandu! We're best buddies after all!" Arya voiced laughingly while stopping me to say anything. I glared at him as I wriggled to free his hand and say the truth 'How can I leave this monkey so easily?', but before I could do anything Nyonika Aunty came out of the kitchen.

"Bacchoo... Food is ready! Sorry for the wait!" She voiced sweetly as she served everyone along with Alya and Navya helped too.

Arya loosens his grip on my mouth upon seeing Aunty and I gave him 'Aunty-saved-you-this-time' look.

"Here... your favorite Alo-paratha, I made it with my hands" Nyo aunty said while serving Alo-parathas in Manik's plate. Manik looked at them and then at his mom before taking a bit and automatically closing his eyes in bliss.

As he opened his eyes, Aunty was staring at him to know how-is-it? "yummy!" he cooed causing a bright smile to break on Aunty's lips and she served him a few more.

"Arey! Mukti, take some more fried-rice! look how thin you've become." Aunty said in between our dinner.

"No mom! I'm almost full." Mukti pouted at her.

"What full?! Here, take one more scoop rice, and this- your favorite panner" Aunty forcibly served her more while she resisted and made faces.

This is how mothers are!

I remember my Maa is no different. No matter how much I eat, for her, I'm always thin & undernutrition. No matter how full my stomach is, she'll add one more scoop. Just one more!

A faint smiled appeared on my lips at her thoughts.

"Arey, Nandini beta! You haven't taken chili mushroom. It's very tasty. Take some" Aunty's voice grabbed my attention pulling me from my memories.

"No no, Aunty. Nandu is allergic to mushroom!" Navya replied before I could. Aunty made a sorry face hearing it, feeling bad that I couldn't taste a dish she made.

"No problem Aunty. Paneer masala is very tasty." I smiled praising the taste of her dishes. She too smiled. "Then have some more," she said serving me more before I could resist! Phew!

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Manik's POV

"Yes! I need you to investigate the news of the death of Mr.Malhotra 17yrs back. I've sent you the information I knew. Just get me the truth!"

I cut the phone after ordering one of my best detectives to dig into that matter. I highly doubt, now after hearing the truth from Mom and Mukti, that my so-called Dad, he couldn't commit suicide! No way!

Closing the file, I leaned back at my royal chair and closed my eyes. A flash of Nandini & that Aryaman on her top crossed my eyes. Damn!

That thing is not leaving my mind making me restless! If only it would have been any random guy, he'd be dead by now. But he's her & Mukti's friend and team-mates. I never knew they have another teammate, named Aryaman .a.k.a Arya, who's apparently more close to Nandini. Was Abhi not enough that one more guy popped up? Damn man!

On the top, they're opening saying 'i love you's at the dining. How can she tell that?
My blooded boiled at them, that only I knew how I manage to hold myself from breaking his jaw.

What if they're best friends? That doesn't mean they'll go around saying -I love you- I love you.

'Enough! I'll show her, whom she belongs to!' i stood up from the chair in a jerk with a determination to claim what is mine and rushed out of the study room.

Pushing the knob to Nandini's room, I scanned the room for her... only to see her standing at the balcony looking at the night sky. I strode forward.

Sensing the heavy footsteps, she just turned around when I locked her pushing her between the railing and me, with my hands at either side. She held her questioning eyes at me which goes wide open as I claimed her lips without prior talking.

I smooched her lips with all my passion and anger while she didn't react out of shock. being frustrated I bit her upper lip causing her to get her sense back and open her mouth to permit my entry. I ran my tongue ravishing the nook and corner of her mouth and tasting her sweet saliva and she moaned joining in. My hands came up to her nape and my kisses trailed along her jawline to her collar bone. All she is doing is moaning under the sweet pleasure I'm giving, and her moans motivate me. I trailed till her earlobe and sucked her skin below her ear, finally giving her a bite.

She hissed with the bite and I pulled apart from her skin. We both are breathing heavily and I looked at her partially closed eyes and flushed face, then at my mark below her ears. Satisfied with my art-work for now, I voiced firmly before leaving

"You're Mine!"

*****

How's the update? What is your favorite part?

How do you like Arya-Nandu?

Also, when we're talking about food; what's your favorite dish?
I love Alo-paratha, Paneer masala, and Fried-rice too.

Stay tuned!
Love ya!!

... 👉👉👉ON HOLD👈👈👈 ...