Scene 1:

A triumphant smile appears on that person's lips. He instantly flips to see a pretty gleeful face.

"I didn't know that you called me here for a test and not on a coffee date, Ms Nandini."

The person retorts. Nandini keeps the dripping umbrella in a corner and walks towards him with a smiling face.

"No, Mr Manik. I invited you on a coffee date only but you know I don't want to go with the proverb, the first impression is the last impression."

Nandini nears Manik's towering frame and mouths with determination and indulgence. Jester dances in Manik's eyes. He replies amusedly,

"And my first impression to you was not very pleasant, isn't it, Ms Murthy? That's why you want to make new impressions."

Nandini doesn't say anything but rather keeps on smiling at Manik. He continues,

"Hence this punctuality test. Am I right?"

This time Nandini speaks,

"Absolutely right and I am impressed. You passed the intelligence test too."

"Ha...ha...ha...hold on hold on, Ms Murthy. Otherwise, our coffee date will be spent like an exam only and that won't be any worthwhile."

Manik sounds amused. Nandini folds her hands against her chest and says,

"Okay, then let's make it worthwhile."

She saunters to an empty table and sits gesturing for Manik to occupy the other chair. Manik nods with a grin and takes the seat.

"Cappuccino, Latte or Cortado?"

Manik asks cordially. Nandini takes out a kerchief from her handbag and dabs her face carefully to soak the water droplets.

"Black. I prefer black coffee."

She mouths. Manik smirks which doesn't go unnoticed by Nandini. She raises her brow and asks with vaunt,

"Why? Girls can't drink black coffee?"

Manik beckons the waitress and orders a black coffee and a cappuccino for him along with some light snacks.

"No...no, Ms Murthy..."

He tries to clarify when Nandini intervenes,

"Nandini. You can call me Nandini."

"Thank you. Nandini, please don't judge me on my expression. Actually, I have never seen a beautiful girl like you having black coffee. You know, it doesn't suit their...what should I say...umm aura. Black coffee and all should be our drink. Black...bitter...strong...rough...tough and unromantic. See they perfectly go with boys' traits."

Manik sounds frolic. Nandini was observing him minutely. This boy is not only handsome but also knows how to use that charm on others. Meanwhile, the waitress brings the order. Nandini sips on her black coffee and chuckles at Manik's words.

"First, thank you for the compliment. Secondly, I don't think traits are gender-based. Today's girls are more than just beautiful, soft and loving. They are independent, intelligent, confident and sometimes stronger than men. I don't like to be typecasted as only a pretty girl. I am more than that."

Nandini shrugs proudly and utters. Manik bites his lower lip while stirring his steamy coffee.

"Then I have to prove you wrong, Ms Nandini confident Murthy."

He says inwardly. Nandini immediately asks,

"Did you say something?"

Manik replies with a gentle wobble,

"Nothing...I think this topic is a bit heavy for this coffee date. Why don't we try to know each other more because till now, we don't know much except our names? Okay, let's start with me. I turned 25 this month. I am a banker, earn a good salary, live with my elder brother and sis-in-law. My parents passed away when I was very young. I like playing soccer, kickboxing and video games. I have four close friends and I can't live without them. Now, your turn."

Nandini feels amused and retorts,

"It sounded like a biodata of a would-be groom...he...he...okay, so I live with my four close friends as PG. My parents live on the outskirts of Kolkata. I work with Kolkata corporation and I earn sufficient to at least take care of my parents and me...I like watching drama and theatre and I am 22."

Both giggle at each other's way of introduction. Let them enjoy their coffee date and let's focus on another date which was not planned at all.

.........................................

Scene 2:

Mukti comes out of Madhusudan Mancha auditorium. She had a musical workshop here. However, she was not prepared for this torrential rain as the morning was not that rainy and stormy. She is not carrying an umbrella either. Mukti looks at the cloudy gloomy sky and curses her helplessness. Generally, some autos wait near the premises but today, maybe due to the bad weather, she can't find any of them.

"Damn..!"

She expresses her annoyance. As she was about to step out of the shed, covering her head with the guitar bag, a person riding a bike pulled up in front of her. She flinches a bit and is about to scold the person when he slides up the face shield.

"Abhimanyu, you!"

Mukti yells in surprise. Since they met outside of Mukti's bar and Abhimanyu made her listen to his poetry and got rewarded with a kiss from Mukti, they haven't met again. So, it is a pleasant surprise for both indeed. Abhimanyu mouths with a bright smile,

"Come! I will drop you. You won't get an auto or bus now. IMD announced an orange alert. I am surprised you stepped out of home today."

Mukti doesn't hesitate much and rides in the back seat. She comfortably grabs Abhimanyu from behind and retorts,

"Even you stepped out and I am thankful for that. By the way, I had a musical workshop and unfortunately, it got cancelled."

"And I had a meeting with a theatre director. He wanted to see my story. But it got cancelled too. It seems we both are unlucky today...ha...ha..."

Abhimanyu mouths amusedly while balancing his ride amidst the water-clogged roads. Mukti pats his shoulder and replies,

"Not that much, Dude. Look, we met again."

Both guffaw and after half an hour ride, Abhimanyu enters their ally to home. Till now, he didn't know where Mukti lives but the acquainted place makes him realise that he has reached the same location where Manik lives. Mukti gets off the bike and Abhimanyu observes the adjacent building of Manik's house. With surprise, he asks,

"You live here?"

"Yes! Why?"

Mukti enquires. Abhimanyu takes out the helmet and wobbles with an impish grin.

"Nothing...it seems it's a day of surprises. By the way, you still haven't answered my question. Will you sing my songs?"

He asks raising his brows. Mukti wipes her face with her sleeves and retorts,

"Wasn't that kiss an answer?"

"Can I get a reassurance?"

Abhimanyu leans towards her and asks huskily. Mukti gives a mischievous smile and in the blink of an eye, kisses his wet lips. Before Abhimanyu can reciprocate or react, she rushes towards the building. Abhimanyu heard her fading voice,

"Coming Saturday night, at my bar. Mukti Vardhan will perform your song."

Abhimanyu licks his lips and puts on the helmet.

"Does she always say a yes in this way?"

He mumbles and turns the bike to leave. His cheeks turn red and hot. Even a boy feels shy sometimes. Okay now, let's check on Manik and Nandini again. They must have had their coffee till now.

...........................................

Scene 3:

The rain has eased a bit. A yellow taxi stops near the taxi stand. Manik and Nandini get down after paying the fare. The taxi passes by. Because of the heavy rain, no taxis are waiting in the stand. The roads are also empty and silent. A few shops on the opposite side of the road are closed. Manik and Nandini's houses are 5 minutes' walking distance from here. However, they must cross a park to reach there. Both enter the park. As usual, it is also void of any people. Only the pitter-patter sound of rain falling on the leaves and ground can be heard. Manik roams his eyes all around and gets satisfied with the solitude of the surroundings. They almost reached the middle of the park when Manik abruptly pulls Nandini towards him by grabbing her wrist. She dashes on his hard chest like a sack. Manik encircles her upper torso and presses her to his chest. Nandini looks up with wide-open eyes. She is utterly dumbfounded. Manik's handsome face has turned into a predator one. With gritted jaws, he mouths huskily,

"Ms Nandini confident Murthy. Now, if I kiss you forcefully, will you be able to stop me? Are you stronger than me to save yourself?"

Author's note: Manik just became friends with Nandini. Will Manik's next step ruin things again? Keep reading to find out.