Hello Fam :)

Happy Reading...

It has been a week since their truce. Since then, Manik has cooked the food but during every meal, Nandini would eye him suspiciously and wait for him to have the first bite. When Manik noticed this for the first time, he rolled his eyes at her which pissed her even more. Right now, he was on a video call with his mother when he got a call from the office.

"Mom, will you be on hold for a few minutes? I got a call from the office or shall I call you a little later?", he asked. Taking his permission, Manik went to his room to talk. It was Abhimanyu.

"Manik, I have seen the report you have sent me. It's perfect. I am mailing you some images. Add them at the end and send me the updated one", said Abhimanyu.

"Okay, sir. I will send you right away", said Manik.

"Good. Listen, I wanted to ask you about Nandini."

Manik eyed around the room. Abhimanyu still didn't know Nandini was his roommate. "What about her?"

"Are you two getting along? Workwise?"

Manik bit his lip. "We didn't talk about work. She didn't contact me about it", he said.

"This girl and her stubbornness", muttered Abhimanyu. "Listen, just because she is my friend doesn't mean you have to be lenient with her. She is your co-project leader and if she isn't contacting you about work, you talk to her and if she isn't listening to you, just tell me."

"Sure. I will talk to her today."

"Good. Just keep me updated", said Abhimanyu. He then asked about how Manik was coping during the pandemic and the well-being of his family before hanging up.

When Manik returned to the living room, he was shocked at the sight before him.

XXX

Nandini peeked out of the room and stepped outside when she didn't find Manik outside. Sure, the man was cooking for her and had yet to poison her but then looks can be deceiving and he might be lulling her into a fall sense of security. Huffing, she went to the kitchen and filled her water bottle before returning to her room. On the way, she saw Manik's laptop and a really pretty woman sitting on the other side of the screen. "You are so pretty", she blurted out, startling the lady.

"And you must be Nandini", she said before waving with a huge smile. "I am Nyonika. Manik's mother."

Nandini took a seat. She was bored out of her mind staying in her room and avoiding humans. She really hoped Nyonika could entertain her for some time. "Don't lie to me. You look like his elder sister. Did your parents force you into a child marriage?"

Nyonika laughed. "I can see the chaotic trait from miles away, young lady. Nope, I was not forced into a child marriage. You don't need to put a case on my parents."

Nandini gasped. "How did you know I was thinking about that? Did that idiot Manik complain to you about me? Whatever he said is false. He is a lying liar who lies."

"And why do you think I would believe anything a man says about a lady?"

Nandini grinned. "There was a reason I was instantly in love with you. Can you feel my love from miles too?"

"Definitely", said Nyonika.

XXX

Manik saw Nandini talking to his mother, laughing and explaining some stupid story. "What are you doing with my mom?"

"Your mom is way cooler than you", said Nandini, without taking her eyes off his laptop.

"Glad you approve, your majesty", said Manik, sarcastically.

Nandini glared at him before turning to Nyonika. "Hey, gorgeous lady. Tell me, you have an ugly husband and this guy looks just like him because he is in no way related to you."

"Unfortunately, people say Manik looks like me", said Nyonika.

"People are blind", said Nandini. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you. We should do it again." She waved at Nyonika before leaving for the room and shut the door with a loud thud.

Manik glared at the closed door until he heard his mother clearing her throat. Huffing, he sat down and plugged in his earphones again which were removed by the crazy girl.

"So, that's Nandini", said Nyonika.

"Yes, mom. Totally crazy. She is trouble. If she doesn't find any trouble, she will create one. And then argues as if everything is our fault", ranted Manik.

"What's up, Manik?", asked Nyonika, a teasing glint in her eyes. "I never heard you talking about a girl like this. You are always polite to them."

Instead of brushing it off, Manik pondered on her question before sighing. "I don't know, mom. She brings a side that I never knew I had. If she is arguing, I argue back. If she is screaming, I scream right back. It's as if we are meant to be enemies from the previous birth and are now forced to live together."

"At least, she is introducing you to a newer side of yours", said Nyonika. "Hey, don't worry about her. From what I talked to her, she is fun. Once, she cools down enough to understand you, she will stop being difficult."

"I don't believe it. I am surprised she even talked to you without screaming", said Manik.

Manik talked some more before cutting the call. He needs to scheme a plan to force the devil to work along with him. 

See you soon :)