Here's the new cover made by the one and only, spectacularly talented and a very good friend of mine, Angeline (Angiee).

Thanks again for the cover babe! ❤ ImLilMissComplicated

Manik's POV

The girls bursted through the room door.

"You morons!" Alya shouted.

"We know what you did!" Navya shouted after her and threw the teddy right on Cabir's face. Eek! What's with these girls shouting so loud.

"Ek toh we let you guys be here, inspite of you all knowing that it was supposed to be a girls' night. And then you go behind our backs doing this!" Nandini spoke furiously.

"Guys, it was just a small prank-" Varun tried to say.

"Prank!"
"Small" The girls yelled together.

"Yaar him sirf masti karna ch-" It was now Cabir who was trying to reason it out but failed.

"Shut up! We don't want your explanations! What you guys did was so mean and how can you guys even think of listening to our secrets." Mukti yelled looking genuinely upset.

"And we are not going to forgive you for this!" Sanjana said as the all stormed off.

"Shit! Yaar I never thought they'll be so upset!" Cabir said holding his head between his hands.

"Me too." I said.

"I'm going to go to Mukti. Wo bohot stress leti hai, which is not good at this time." Abhi told us and went downstairs.

"Yaa I'm gonna go to Alya too." Dhruv too went behind Abhi.

"I think we should all handle our girls. Saath mein toh bhai, rakshaso ki sena hai yeh log. Manik tu Nandu ko sambhal aur Varun tu Sanju ko. Main toh chala apni Navya ke paas." He got up and left.

After sometime, I also walked down and saw Nandu cuddled up with a blanket on the couch.

"Nandu, I'm- I mean We're all really sorry..." I said but when I looked at her I realized she was asleep. I sighed. Now I'll have to wait till tomorrow.

"She'll just crash here, don't worry." Alya told me with her arms crossed. I nodded and drove to my house. I seriously have to think of something to make it up.

Next Morning

I got ready and went to Murthy Office. Today we were going to start the new project. I took my wallet, phone, car keys and..yes here it is, my guitar. I have everything planned to manofy my girl. I just hope Miss. Hothead maan jaaye!

Nandini's POV

"Ugh, where the hell are my shoes?!" I yelled in exasperation.
Currently, I was running late for office and my mood wasn't exactly pleasant. It was quite the opposite actually.

"Nandu, kya hua? Kyu chilla rahi hai.." Chachi came through the door asking, and I slumped down on the bed.

"First of all my mood is totally off because of last night, then I see that I'm late also aur ab upar se I can't find those stupid shoes!" I huffed like a little kid. Chachi found the exact pair I had been finding within seconds and my mouth hung open. "Chachi, what.. how.. I mean.."

She gently hit my forehead and said, "Jab dil mein kuch ho aur dimaag mein kuch aur toh aisa hi hota hai.."

I couldn't comprehend what she was actually implying because it was obviously not about me not finding my shoes, "Matlab?", I asked as I stared at her confused.
"Matlab yeh ki Tere dil ne toh Manik ko maaf kr diya par tera dimaag dekhna chahta hai ki woh kya kya kar sakta hai tere liye." She winked at me.

"Chachi aapko kaise.." I looked at her, dumbfounded.

"Main tere mann ki baat bina bataye hi samajh jaati hu!" She said and I gave her a 'yeh-kuch-zyada-ho-gaya-look'.

"Mujhe Mukti ne bataya." She laughed.

I shook my head at my childish Chachi, still smiling,"Mukti maan gayi kya chachi?"

"Haan. Bohot pehle hi. Wo dono toh Mukti ki sonography ke liye gaye hain. Ab tak pohonch bhi gaye honge! Tu bhi ja aur maaf karde apne majnu ko.." She told me giggling, while I blushed.

"Chaachii.. Main ja rahi hu, I'm getting late. Bye. Love you!"

I kissed her cheek and rushed taking my bag.

****

"Good Morning mam."

"Good Morning mam!"

I greeted them all with a nod and a smile.

"Hello mam. It's so good to see you at work!" Laksh my assistant told me.

"Yeah. Holidays khatam and work shuru." I said taking off my sunglasses. "How are you doing Laksh? How is your studies going?"

He was not only my assistant but like a brother to me. He joined as a peon here but wasn't interested at all. He was 18 at that time and was supposed to go to college. So I sent him to college and took care of his finances. Now he's 20, my P.A. and is doing a great job.

"I'm fine mam and studies are also pretty well. I'm really excited for the last semester." He beamed and I smiled at his excitement taking place on my seat. "Mam, Mr. Malhotra has been waiting for you for quite a few minutes."

"Manik!?" Why is he here? Maybe to apologize!? But in the office! Oh no..

"Yes mam. And mam I wanted to ask if I could take the rest of the day off, I have to take mom for checkup." His mom had leukemia and the doctors have lost hope in her case. But still, I support him if he thinks she'll be alright.

"Ok, Laksh you can go. And here take this" I reached out in my bag and handed him some money. He was about to refuse when I gave him a stern expression which said there's no point arguing. As he went thanking me, I went to the cabin where Manik was.

I opened the door to find him talking on his phone in a hushed tone.

"...Manik" I called him with uncertainty and he jumped in his place.

"Oh- Uh.. I-I'll talk to you later." I spoke hastily and hung up the phone, then composing himself he spoke, "Good morning Ms. Murthy."

"Manik what-"

"Ms. Murthy, it'd be better if we behave professionally. And I want the file with all the details of our project."
I can't believe this man! I stared at him in disbelief and my jaw probably touched the ground. I was already annoyed by their yesterday's stunt, and now this frustrated me to another level.

He smirked at me as he spoke, "Ms. murthy, will you please come out of your daydream. I'm quite a busy person, you know. I don't have all day."

I clenched my jaw and my lips were set in a tight line. Oh, I'll show you how to be busy! I nodded at him curtly and stormed out of there.

"Laksh! LAKSH!" It wasn't fair of me to yell at him, when he isn't even at fault. But I was furious. Very furious. "Where the hell is Laksh?!"

"Ma-Mam, w-we thought y-you sent him.." An intern spoke stuttering, even she knew about my anger. I took a deep breath and nodded at her.

"Aditi, bring me the UK project's file from the file room." I told her but noticed her staring behind me nervously. "Aditi!?"

"Y-yes mam. I-I mean n-no mam.." She fumbled then cleared her throat and said, "I mean, mam you gave us Mr. Ahuja's project and our deadline ends tomorrow and a lot of work is still left and-" She rambled but I couldn't take it anymore.

"FINE! Fine. I'll go myself. Just go and do your work." I ordered her and went to the file room.

"Pata nahi samajhta kya hai khudko! Ms. Murthy, I'm quite a busy person.. Busy my a*s!! And now my employees!"

Great! Just Great. It's like the day just keeps getting better. Note the sarcasm.

I entered the file room and my lips involuntarily let out a gasp.
A group of small kids, around 4-5 years, stood there in front of me grinning. My heart melted at their smiles.. They were looking so cute.

Then one boy came forward, who was wearing a white T-shirt with 'S' written on it and gave me a rose. I was confused at first but nonetheless took the flower. Another one came and again gave me a rose but he was wearing a T-shirt with 'O' written on it.
One by one all of them gave me their roses and in the end all of them stood in a line who's t-shirts said 'S-O-R-R-Y'. Their t-shirts finally gave away, exactly who has sent them.

I stared in awe at the adorable tiny touts in front of me when I heard guitar strumming.

Let it be, Let it be jaane de
Muskura, ro liya jaane de
Itna toh haq banta hai ik chance toh de de zindagi

Manik came behind me, gently swaying as he sang.

Ghalatiyo’n wali list mitane de
Life mein ek twist toh aane de
Itna toh haq banta hai ik chance toh de de zindagi

He circled around me and slightly nudged my shoulder with his', when he sang about haq.

Meri majbooriyon ki hai tujhko kasam (tujhko kasam)

He stood exactly in front of me.

Chhod bhi de ye narazagi

Slowly he took a step back with the rhythm.

Apno se kab tak yahaan koi rootha hai

He took one more step back.

Kya sahi kya nahi ye sikha de na

Another step.

Bhoole hum raste pe toh aane de

Another step. And he was now standing together with the kids. 

Itna toh haq banta hai ik chance toh de de zindagi

They all raised their index finger showing one and made a cute puppy face as if really asking for 1 chance. I couldn't help but crack a small smile at that. But I quickly recovered, not wanting to show him.

Let it be, Let it be jaane de
Muskura, ro liya jaane de
Itna toh haq banta hai ik chance toh de de zindagi

As soon as he finished the song, I was attacted by tiny hands tickling me.

"Aah.." I screamed (not that loud though 😜) and fell into fits of giggles, "No.. Please." I said between my laughs.

"Manik! ...You moron! ..Stop them." I panted hard when he finally decided to stop them instead of standing and smirking, enjoying the scene.

"Bas bacho. Your work's done! Thank you so much guys. Now quickly go to the cafeteria, Aditi didi is waiting there for you guys." They all let out a chorus of 'yays' and cheers as they ran out of the room.

I fake scowled and stood up dusting the imaginary dust from myself, ignoring him completely.

I turned to the door ready to go when he pulled me by my arm towards him making me crash onto his chest. I was still not looking at him so he gently lifted my face by placing his finger under my chin.

"Gussa ho?" I turned my head to the other side, "Ab bhi.. Matlab meri saari mehnat PaNi mein gayi." I looked at his face to see if he was just acting, but instead saw that he was actually sad about his plan being failed.

"Itna sab kar sakte ho mere liye? Just cause I'm a little upset with you, that too on such a stupid reason.." I asked in a small cute voice.

"You have no idea what all I can do for you. I can literally do anything for you. I'll even bring the stars at your feet, all you have to do is just ask!" He said dramatically exaggerating the typical 'I'll bring stars for you' line.

I raised my eyebrow at him and he asked, "Thoda zyada ho gaya na?!" He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly while I laughed at his flustered face.

"Aw, Manik you're so cute! But unfortunately your attempt to be romantic failed. Like Seriously!? Stars! I mean, how much more cheesy can you be? That was so cliché!" I giggled as he pouted.

"Ya ya, tease all you want!" He spoke in an annoyed tone.

"Achha baba, you know I was joking." I said and he gave me a small smile in return.

"Ok now give me something in return. Um, like a return gift for all that I did for you apology" He said and smirked.

I gave him a confused glance, "A return gift? Kya chahiye tumhe?"
He leaned forward, his hot breath hitting my neck giving me goosebumps, "A kiss!"

My eyes widened at his demand, "Manik! We're in the office!"

"So?! C'mon Nandu, nobody's gonna come.." He said and leaned forward, this time towards my lips.

But before his lips could touch mine, I brought my palm in front of his lips causing him to frown.

"Nanduu.." He whined.

"Don't Nandu me! You were the one na who said and I quote, 'Ms. Murthy it's better if we behave professionally!'. So I'm sorry Mr. Malhotra, but I think now you're the one who's behaving unprofessional now." I had already let go, whatever he said, because now I understood he did that just to avoid suspicions about his plan. But, it wouldn't cost anything to get a payback from him, would it?

"Nandu, you know I didn't mean that! I just said that so that you could come and see this. And how the hell can we behave professionally!-" I couldn't hold back anymore and I burst out laughing seeing him frantically speaking. "You were taking the piss out of me?! That is evil..!"

"Oh hush! Stop whining like a baby. You got me all irritated and all toh itna toh banta hai." I winked at him and from his smile I knew that even he was amused by my teasing.

"Ok now shall we go? We have to start the project.." He asked forwarding his arm which i gladly accepted.

"C'mon Malhotra! Let's rock this project!" I said fist pumping in the air by my other hand.
____________________________________

#2359 words

Author : Hello Bello! I'm here, with the next update!

Alya : *Glares at Anya* Yes, but you're late!

Dhruv : Sorry Anya, it's just her hormones are making her really angry these days.

Nandu : Ok moving on, how was the update guys?? Are you also awestruck like I am, at Manik's sweet efforts for an apology! *Sighs dreamily*

Manik : *blushes behind the curtains then composing himself comes out* That's nothing babe. As I said I can do anything for you.

Nandu : Aww, Mani.. *Nandini cooes*

Manik : *He too stares at her lovingly and they go behind the curtain to share a little kiss.*

Cabir : Yeah right! You guys are so cute......that I feel like throwing up. *makes a gagging sound*

Varun : And you could have just given her a box of chocolates, she would've fell in your arms in an instant. *Rolls his eyes at Manik*

*Nandini and Manik come out from behind the curtain and glare at them*

Cabir : *Raises his hands in defense* Calm down guys.. I was jus kidding!

Navya : *slaps his head lightly* Why are you coming between them?! Look at them, how cute they are looking! If you aren't romantic then atleast don't spoil other's romance!

Cabir smirks at her and pulls her behind the curtain with a jerk.

Nandu : *narrows her eyes at Cabir's shadow on the curtain* Look now who's being 'CUTE' now.

Manik : *wiggles his eyebrows giving a naughty smile* Wanna go for a round two?

Nandu : *Blushes hard* Shut up Mani!

Author : *clears her throat* Agar tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh please vote apeal kare??

Varun : Thanks Anya, finally meri baari aa gayi.. Toh guys please vot-

Manik : *scoffs from behind* Oh please tu vote appeal karne laga na, toh poor Anya would never get any vote or comment!

Varun : *Glares at him* Achha itna hai, toh let's see what you can do.

Manik : *Flexes his arms* (Few girls from the readers faint)

Varun : *Removes his shirt* (Half of the readers faint on the spot)

Manik : *Removes his shirt and gives his signature smile* (All the readers swoon over his body and drop down unconscious due to his hotness.. P.S. - including the author 😜😉)

Manik : So guys please vote and comment. Humari writer jaisi bhi ho, she tries so hard to take time to write the update. And ya do tell if you want us to come next week also! We love you all!! 💞