"Ancient lovers believed that a kiss literally unite their souls, because the spirit was said to be carried in one's breath!"
                  (Eve Glicksman)
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"Don't go..!"

"Am sorry! I have to..!"

"Can't you see the feelings I have for you!"

"I know Berry! But..!"

"You will come back right?"

"Sorry..!"

"It is announced sadly that the plan boarded from Mumbai,India couldn't make to London. It crashed in the way due to bad weather! Neither of the passengers survived!"

Tringgg tringggg!

Stupid alarm...

"Oh God!" I got up with a jerk sweating badly under the covers.

Sh!t! It was a dream again. The nightmare I was having since last 12 years. He was dead! He was no more! He bloody apologized and left. I have to move on and I will move on.

Ok since last 12 years I am ranting the same thing..
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I jingle the keys of my coffee shop 'The Berry Coffee Shop' because strawberries were the specialty of my all the dishes. I fumbled with the lock for sometime and finally made it inside. The door chime rang as I opened it and turned on the lights. The hall immediately filled with the dim serene lights. The white metal painted chairs with matching round table covered with baby pink cloth covers were adding to the beauty. Tulips all around as it was my favorite flower. Suddenly my eyes fell on the table exactly beside the window and I inhaled a sharp breath as those eyes under the hat once again roamed in my mind exactly the same. He used to sit there since last 15 days. Unknowingly I was waiting for him today too! Maybe I was getting over my crush now..

Alass..

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I tied my apron standing in front of the mirror and ran my fingers through my messy hair.

Arghh this Mumbai traffic not at all favorable for hair..

Then I pursed my lips to merge the lipstick I was wearing and pinched my cheeks a little to maintain the blush which was already there.

God! Why am I so nervous?

It was a normal day having something really special in it. Ok not much special but yes HE was gonna be there again for sure. I don't know whether it was attraction or something but he was so umm what should I say! I think he was different! Yes!

His eyes remind me of HIM! But he can't be him. He had left exactly 12 years ago and his plan crashed. He and his parents didn't made to the London.

My neighbor! My first and last crush!

I am Nandini Murthy! Orphan! 27 year old! Well not that old but yeah a little! I have no blood relation left in the world. Papa Mama left me alone in this world when I was twenty. So these seven years seriously I had struggled like a donkey to fulfill my needs. I had worked so hard. Papa had left money but it wasn't that enough you know! Anyways I still live for myself cuz that's me.

Yes I was telling you all about my crush. He was my neighbor. Two year older than me but he was so handsome. We never talked like that but as neighbors. We never shared what we feel for each other neither ever talked about it, but It was clear in our eyes .He used to exercise in his garden and I used to  peek through my window. His dashing tattoo which he had on his broad back always made me numb. Whenever he used to smile he made my heart flutter. He used to come our house for breakfast to eat my mother's special strawberry pancakes. Strawberries were his favorite! He had so many berry vines in his garden. He used to call me Berry!

I know that's funny but that's how he was. Neither I objected nor he asked me if I feel offended on this...

And then one day I heard that they were shifting. Shifting to London forever. It made me sad I cried whole night. He had became my habit. I was a fool I know a teenager who was mad. The night before departure he came to me to say a bye and then he left. I tried to stop him but he left. His death news broke me but I survived.

I used to thought that I will get over him but today still he was on my nerves it's been 12 years I had last seen him and I knew I won't be able to see him again.

Now this stranger! Who used to come in my coffee shop. He was coming here since last 15 days and I never saw his face clearly cuz he was always wearing a black felt hat which was enough to hide most of his face. But still I never failed to miss his piercing gaze on my back. He was mysterious! A mystery man!

"Nandini! Customers are here!" Lucy, the cashier, shouted from the counter and I gave myself a final look in the mirror, taking a deep breath, I came out of the dressing room.

"Morning Lucy!" I greeted her with my ever charming voice and Lucy too smiled in response. I quickly roamed my eyes on the few customers who were there for dinner but he wasn't there yet. Disappointment washed over me and I sadly picked up the noting pad with my gel pen to take the orders of the customers sitting.

That stranger! His gaze! His gaze used to burn me! His gaze used to made me blush profusely! In start his gaze used to made me uncomfortable! But eventually I become used to it not only used but also habitual. He used to order the same food daily. Black coffee and strawberry syrup pancakes with whip cream. I was pro in cooking these two things as the strawberry pancakes was my mother's recipe and I used to serve him daily. He had never spoken a word to me! Even during ordering the things he just placed his fingers on the menu card.

So it was 11 already but he wasn't there yet. My anxiety increased and I committed mistakes in that tension. Whole day passed but he didn't come.

That was super unusual..

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"Your stranger didn't come today!" Lucy teased me playfully when I was changing the dress in dressing room after putting a 'We are closed' board on the main door.

"Stranger who?" I love to act innocent, tying the laces of my shoes.

"Don't act innocent! The way you look at him na! I doubt that someday you will ask him to kiss you!" She was a bitch..

"Shut up Lucy! There is nothing of that sort!" I said sternly..

Liars liars! Pants on fire...

"Ahan! But I pray to God that he must come tomorrow or else you will be in coma! Cuz the tension and anxiety was on your face na! It didn't gave me good vibes!" She said in a serious tone but I was determined to ignore her.

Yes she was right. I was tensed for him. Why am I behaving so stupid for a stranger? He hadn't showed his face. I should get him out of my head! This is not right! Yes it wasn't right!!!

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"Yes?" I asked politely as I opened the door of my flat on the call bell.

"Flowers for miss Nandini Murthy!" There was a delivery boy.

"Flowers? For me?" I asked hell shocked.

Who will send flowers to me? I didn't had any boyfriend either..

"Yes Mam! We have been asked to deliver these flowers to your apartment! Pink Tulips!" He said obediently and handed over me a bouquet of Pink Tulips.

"Who? I mean who asked you to deliver these?" I asked signing the paper and he shook his head.

"I am just a delivery boy Mam! Maybe there will be name on the greeting card! Have a good night!" He said softly and without waiting for my response he left.

This is strange. Who sent me flowers? Pink tulips were my favorite when I was a teenager! I had planted so many of these in garden when my parents were alive. I lost that house after their death!

I slumped on the couch and stared at the flowers. The bouquet was exceptionally beautiful. Then I searched the greeting card and opened it. The statement made me more confuse and a little scared too it was..

"Hey! Beautiful! Missed me?
Yours sincerely; Mystery man!"
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"I think it's the same stranger who comes to our coffee shop!" Lucy solved the mystery next morning when I told her about the flowers.

"But how can it be possible?" I asked vividly..

"Ok let's do one thing! Next time whenever he will come you will ask him that did he sent you those flowers!" Lucy said enthusiastically clicking her fingers and I frowned..

"Idiot! How am gonna ask him? No way! Just forget it! That stranger means nothing to me!" I said sternly and she shook her head.

"You know what Nandini! Teri life me ya strawberry pancakes he banana likha hai!" She said in dismay pointing towards the batter I had prepared for pancakes and I turned my face dejectedly.

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He didn't come today either. Now my tension and anxiety was increasing. What the hell was wrong with me! That idiot! How much peaceful I was before he came to my life but he ruined everything ! I just wish I could rip that hat off his head to see his face! Who was he!!!!

Ok blaming others for my problems was my habit.

I reached my apartment and was about to open it when my eyes fell on another bouquet of pink tulips just near my door. This time the statement made me lost my breath it was..

"I just love the strawberry pancakes you cook!
Yours sincerely; Mystery man!"

It was him I was sure now...
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The days passed and I used to found the same bouquet everyday on my doorstep with a greeting card and there used to be few praising words for the pancakes I cook.

Aann aann not just pancakes! Strawberry pancakes!!

Why the hell he was doing all this? What he wanted? Who was he? He didn't showed up to the shop since last month. But the flower bouquet was regular..

"Let's go to Charlie's hangout tonight!" Lucy suggested as we closed the door Of the shop walking out. It was one of the famous night club in our city.

"Lucy! Am not in a mood!" I said lowly putting my hands in my hoodie pockets..

"Nandini! Come on! Us stranger pay aa kar sari dunya khtm ni hoti!" Lucy said gritting her teeth as we stood on the bus stop to wait for the bus. "You even didn't saw his face!" She reasoned.

"Will you please stop?" I tried meekly.

"No I won't! Tell me what's so special in that mystery man rather than he sending you tulips everyday!" She said popping her bubble gum and I scratched the footpath tile with the tip of my sneaks boat.

"He reminds me of HIM!" I choked at the thought of him being dead..

"Him? Your 12 years long crush?" She exclaimed and I nodded weakly. "Seriously Nandini! He is dead and this mystery man! He hasn't shown you his face how can he remind you off him? You are seriously being ridiculous!" She was showing no mercy..

"Please Lucy!" I begged her to stop..

"Fine! But you are coming with me! Tonight!" She announced her final verdict and I sighed...

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Manik's POV..

I stared at the girl dressed in red short skinny skirt when she danced with her friend on the dance floor totally drunk but still looking sober. I was here for her...

It feels so good to be back to India after 12 long years. It was hell of a task to find her. Finally I made it to 'The Berry Coffee shop'..

She remembers...

I missed her. I missed her secret gazes. I missed her giggles! Her pink flushed cheeks whenever we accidentally bumped into each other. I missed those yummy strawberry pancakes her mother used to cook for me. I was really a strawberry lover and Aunty knew it. I mostly sneak in their house with the excuse of eating strawberry syrup pancakes but my real agenda was always been to steal even a single glance of hers...

I never wanted to leave but Mom Dad they wanted me to accompany them. They left me no choice but to leave her. We were known of each others feelings but never tried to share. The relation was silent but yet beautiful. We never hanged out together neither expressed what we used to feel..

I went to meet her the night before my departure and she cried. For the first time she held my hand by saying..

"Don't go..!"

"Am sorry! I have to..!" I was really helpless..

"Can't you see the feelings I have for you!" She spoke weakly as the tears trickled down her cheeks..

"I know Berry! But..!" I said softly wiping the tears off her cheeks. Yes I just loved to call her 'Berry' cuz she was all pink whenever I was close to her..

"You will come back right?" The hope in her voice made my body shudder..

"Sorry..!" I whispered and freed my hand...

Then in the journey plan crashed but I opened my eyes in the hospital of Manchester after being in coma for more then 6 years. My recovery was more then a miracle to doctors they told me that they were almost hopeless from my side but I had someone in the world to live for and that was my Nandini. I got discharged after a month and stood doomed in the thronged alley of Manchester city. No parents! No money! The only hope for me was go back to India and get her. But it took me 6 long long painful years to come back..

The few years after that were dreadful I had nothing! I worked! So hard to earn my living and complete my studies. Now I run a small business there which gives me pretty good earning. Then finally I decided to come back and find the lost piece of my soul so here I was! Well end of my story.

Now I was back to get her! She was as charming as she used to be. I became her mystery man. I wanted to test her patience. Just for fun actually exactly after one week was her birthday so I wanted to surprise her that day only. I sent her daily, her favorite tulips. But tonight when I saw her dancing exotically on the dance floor in Charlie's hangout I felt like losing control. Whatever passion I was holding for her since last 12 years feared to escape out and reveal the real me.

Suddenly her friend hooked up with the boy next to her and she was left alone. I immediately gulped the shot which I was holding in my hand and walked closer to her. She was shaking her hips lightly and was smiling to herself, she wasn't attentive towards me at all.

I couldn't resist but to snake my arm around her waist pulling her closer. She banged in my chest and her drowsy eyes scanned my face in amazement. She was totally not in her senses. Holding her close to me I pushed her against a wall, dark corner, and she was still staring at me with unsure expressions. I stared in her eyes deeply. It felt so good to have her in my arms. I gawked at her luscious lips and she drowsily raised her hand to cup my one cheek.

"Manik...!" A whisper left her lips and my heart flutter. She remembered!

"Berry!" I whispered back and noticed wetness in her eyes. The pool of emotions she had in her eyes make me loss my control and didn't wait further to seal our lips. She gasped loudly enough opportunity for me to slid my tongue inside her mouth. She replied slowly and her hands were now pinned with the wall by mine. I kissed her madly. The passion I was holding for her since last 12 years didn't let me take a single second pause for a second I kissed her until she was collapsing in my arms. I left her now swollen lips and kissed her forehead. I needed to go! I wanted to surprise her when she was sober.

"Nandini!" Suddenly I heard someone calling her. I immediately left her and she still had her eyes closed. Before giving her anytime to register things I hide behind a pillar while her friend approached her. I peeked through the pillar to see what will be her reaction.

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Nandini's POV..

His kiss was so intoxicating. I felt like melting away and drowned in his passion. He broke the kiss and I felt it difficult to even open my eyes and suddenly he left me. Before I could do anything his warmth was lost..

"Nandini? What are you doing here?" It was Lucy. My eyes snapped open and I stared at her. Where was he? "What? What are you staring at?" She asked with wide eyes..

"Manik! Where is he?" I asked vividly still unable to figure out what just happened..

"Manik? He is dead Nandini! What are you talking about?" Lucy said worriedly and I shook my head..

"No he was there! Just a moment ago! He called me Berry! He was holding me!" I ranted still unsure of my own thoughts..

"Nandini! There is no one! You must be hallucinating!" She said holding my hand and I jerked her hand away..

"I fu**ing kissed him and you are saying am hallucinating?" I roared pushing her away and she looked at me helplessly. "Listen Lucy you have to believe me! He was there! He was right there!!!" I tried to make her believe as tears threatened to fall off my eyes and she hugged me..

"Let's get you home Nandini!" She said lowly stroking my hair and I sobbed hugging her tighter..

Was I really hallucinating?

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"What's the plan for birthday?" Lucy asked casually as I sipped my coffee. It's been an exact one week since I 'hallucinated' a kiss with Manik..

"Whose birthday?" I asked absentmindedly and Lucy choked..

"Your birthday of course you dumb!" She exclaimed slapping my head and I stared at her for a while..

"No plans!" I said lowly and she made a bad face..

"I wish Manik comes from heaven! Then At least you will be normal!" She mumbled under her breath and I completely ignored her comment.

Yes Manik was dead and he won't be back! I just wish this could be a lie..

Whatever happening was because of that idiot mystery man! He was the one to dug out Manik's memories which I was trying to bury deep somewhere since last 12 years...

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'!Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly!'
             (Rose Franken)
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It was 11:45 pm when I unlocked the door of my apartment. I had cut my birthday cake with Lucy and her boyfriend, Edward. They were the only friends I had! They were sweet and caring towards me. Though it was one day earlier but Edward had to leave for Dubai so he forced me cut the cake early I was least interested in cutting cakes but they were stubborn.

I walked inside my apartment and turned on the lights. Exactly near the switch board was a decor mirror. I stared at my reflection in it and touched my lips with the pad of my thumb. I was sure that I was kissed by HIM but how could it possible that he was Manik..

"Berry!" His whisper again lingered in my thoughts and I helplessly untied my hair. Pulling the ribbon off I let them fall off my shoulder and suddenly my eyes wide opened when I saw someone other's reflection in the mirror..

Mystery man?

I immediately turned and stared at his back. He still had the hat on and he was standing near the window. How did he get in? What the hell is he doing here?

"Wh-who are you?" I screamed loudly and he chuckled but didn't turned to me. It annoyed me..! Seriously offended me!!! "Who are you?" I shouted and this time sternly. But he still didn't turned. "You scoundrel!" I shouted angrily and run towards him. I grabbed his arm and with a jerk I made him turn towards me with that I pulled that 'mystery' hat off his head.

Ahhh! I wanted to do it from so long...

Wait what???

"Manik?" I spoke with wide eyes as I stared at his face. He was standing in front of him with a smirk on his face. I backed off and his smirk turned into serious expressions..

"No! It's not true! You! You are not real! Stop playing with my head! Just stop it!" I shouted backing off until my back touched the wall behind. He was looking worried now..

No! This is not real! It's a dream! It's a dream...

"Berry!" He whispered softly taking a step towards me..

"Shut up! Just go away! You are not real! Don't hurt me!!! Please no! Please!!!! My Manik is dead! Don't do this!" I shouted loudly that my throat hurt and collapsed on the floor..

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Manik's POV..

Finally it was her birthday night. I sneaked in her house with a master key. I thought that when she will see me she will be happy and will come running in my arms but here the table turned. I was staring at a shattered Nandini who was crying like a baby and asking me to stop playing with her head.

Did I cross my limits in teasing her?

"Berry!" I whispered softly taking a step towards her..

"Shut up! Just go away! You are not real! Don't hurt me!!! Please no! Please!!!! My Manik is dead! Don't do this!" She shouted loudly and collapsed on the floor.

"I am real Berry!" I said loudly as I reached her but she got up and tried to run. I immediately held her hand and she banged in my chest..

"You are not real!" She whispered shaking her head and looked away closing her eyes..

"I am real Nandini!" I said sternly and she pushed me away...

"Then prove it!" She yelled loudly staring in my eyes and I was taken aback by the determine tone she had.

Wait! She wants me to prove myself?

"Fine!" I mumbled and pulled off my blazer. Her gaze didn't left my eyes not even for second! I opened the buttons of my shirt. "You think am not real right? Then tell me! Do you remember this? Or is this also fake?" I said gritting my teeth and threw my shirt away. Then I turned my back to her and she gasped audibly loud.

The tattoo was still the same and real!

I didn't turned but she stepped forward and soon I felt her cold fingers traced my tattoo..

"How?" She mumbled...

"I survived the crash!" I mumbled back as soon as these words left my mouth her fingers replaced with her lips. And suddenly she had back hugged me...

"Manikkkk!" She wailed loudly and her wet tears touched my bare back. I immediately turned and cupped her cheeks.

"Hey! My strawberry! Don't cry! Am back na!" tried to shush her but she wailed more loudly..

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you so much! You have single Idea how much I missed you!" She said slapping my chest and I couldn't help but to chuckle on her cuteness.

She was still the same!

"Acha! Do you really hate me?" I asked cupping her cheeks and she shook her head like a baby..

"You know am just angry on you!" She said sniffing a little and I smiled more..

"So you liked my surprise?" I asked pulling her closer and she frowned..

"No! You almost proved me retarded in front of my friend! I was so upset! Aagy say aisa kbhi mat krna!" She said lowly and I bit my lower lip.

"Am sorry! I thought it was cool! I thought you will be happy and---!" I was ranting and suddenly she interrupted me by her words which were...

"I love you!"

I stared at her for a while before pinning her with the window..

"Say it again!" I whispered in her ear hoarsely and she breathed heavily..

"I love you Manik!" She whispered again and I look in her eyes again..

"I love you too!" The words left my lips and her eyes twinkled with a never ending happiness. She leaned forward for a kiss when I remembered that it was 12 am..

"Wait one sec!" I stopped her and she looked irritated..

"What?" She said a little annoyed..

"It's 12 am! Happy birthday!" I said lovingly and she smiled.

"Thank you!" She said ruffling my hair and again leaned forward but..

"Hey one sec!" I again interrupted her and this time she gave me a deadly glare..

"What is it now?" She was looking so angry..

"Wo! Will you cook strawberry pancakes for me daily?" I asked innocently and She stared at me with wide eyes..

"Seriously Manik! At such an intimate moment tmhy apny strawberry pancakes yad aa rahy hain?" She asked in disbelief and I shook my head..

"Wo you know--!" I tried to explain but she stopped me by placing her lips on mine.

"Shut up and just kiss me!" She muttered over my lips. I chuckled twirling around with her in my arms kissing her madly and finally fell on the couch with her over me. The room filled with her giggles making me feel peace...

***************

"Don't you want to touch me!?" I whispered....

"More than I want to breathe!"...

**************

THE END!