Long chapter ahead.
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Chapter - 26
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Manik's POV:

Twilight melted away allowing the tender, childlike sun rays to conquer the sky adding an orangish hue to its blue undertone. The tender sun rays hit the grass tendrils condensing and forming dew drops which shone like tiny diamonds in the presence of light. The sun rays travelled through my curtains and kissed my face slowly bringing a smile - wait this is all bullshit! I mean who likes mornings and who in the world describes mornings as if they are artistic wonders of the world? I think if mornings were a person I would jail it for the crime of destroying my perfect sleep.

I am generally a morning person. And I do like waking up early since my daily routine starts with going to gym. But today is different. Today I am grumpier than the grumpy cat and I really lack energy and patience. I am so irritated that I can shoot lasers at people who are excited early in the morning.

"It's funny that you say you lack patience and energy this morning but still were able to describe mornings like any average writer" Monkey Manik says groggily wiping his eyes and yawning.

"I hate those idiots so much for not letting me sleep" I mutter to him and move to the dining room to drink some water.

"Good morning Manik" I hear Chipmunk whose voice was so cheerful that I might die due to an overdose of cheerfulness early in the morning.

"You are too bright for me to face early in the morning, move away chale jao kahi aur" I mutter sleepily.

"Woah! Seems like you are too energetic for this pleasant morning" she says sarcastically and steps into the kitchen to make breakfast.

"It will be a pleasant morning if it will start 10 hours late" I say sitting down and laying my head on the dining table.

"Utna time nahi hein tumhare pass. So get up and bath. I will make coffee so that you will feel better" Chipmunk says nudging my shoulders and I get up still sleepy.

"Only if I had Doraemon who could make a night last for 24 hrs" Monkey Manik mumbles and I nod at him. And he goes back to sleep. Lucky him he can sleep how much ever he wants while I work.

After taking bath and dressing up I go to the dining room and smile to myself happily on finding hot dosas along with coconut chutney served for me. Filter coffee and south Indian breakfast such a yummy combo!

1. She loves cooking and can cook anything with ease.

"Bless your soul Chipmunk for making me such yummy breakfast" I tell to Chipmunk who is busy making dosas for herself.

"Thank you! Now tell me why were you so grumpy early in the morning? You generally wake up early for gym and all don't you?" Chipmunk asks after joining me on the dining table for breakfast.

"Well you definitely can't sleep at night if your bestfriends make it a mission to disturb you" I say taking a huge bite of my dosa.

"Details please" Chipmunk asks drinking her coffee.

" Well Dhruv and Aryaman decided to not let me sleep at night by calling me turn by turn to ask me silly doubts" I say to her and she laughs amused listening to it.

2. Has this kind of laughter which is melodious to hear.

"I mean I can't believe it ok. Aryaman called me and asked if he can file a missing report in PS because his underwear was missing. I thought he was drunk or something and explained to him politely that he can't and he should go to sleep. Then half an hour later I get a call from Dhruv and he asked me ' if chicken came first or egg came first ?' I hung up on him and went back to sleep. Then half an later I get a call from Aryaman now saying that he forgot to breath and I should teach him. And then Dhruv called and asked me the classic question ' melody itna chocolatey kyu hein?' . They repeated this the whole night and didn't even let me sleep, those childish assholes" I complain to her and she starts laughing listening my son story.

"I can't believe this! You bestfriends are really crazy in an awesome way" She says amidst her laughter and I roll my eyes at her. And then my eyes land at DJ Nandini holding a water sprayer and tiptoeing towards Monkey Manik who's sleeping peacefully.

3. Thinks that my bestfriends are awesome.

"This is how you disturb someone" She murmurs to me and sprays some water on his face.

"What the fuc-" Monkey Manik gets up angrily and glares at DJ Nandini who runs away laughing loudly.

"Stop there you idiot, you sprayed Colin on my face" Monkey Manik shouts and runs after her rubbing his eyes furiously trying to ease the burning.

I wince and chuckle at the same time. Someone's having fun at least.

" Tumne phone switch off kyu nahi kiya? It would have been easier na!" Chipmunk asks looking amused and curious.

"That nikammas threatened me that they will reveal all my embarrassing photos and secrets in SNS. More so it seemed like they were having fun so I let them be" I say and continue chewing on my food.

"Awww! You wanted them to have fun ah? That's so cute kiddo" She coos and pats my hair as if I am one year old.

4. Loves irritating me by using term 'kiddo'.

"You know I think it's you who is the kid. You were jumping in happiness after getting the ostrich soft toy" I say to her and she shows her tongue to me. Now it's confirmed she's the kiddo!

5. Has a childish side but desperately tries to hide it.

"Anyways thanks a lot for that soft toy. It was thoughtful of you" She says getting up to put our plates in the sink.

"Accha Chipmunk why an ostrich toy out of everything there were many others cuter than that toy na" I ask her as she packs our lunch.

"I like Ostriches." She says too quickly and shrugs her shoulders. That is fishy. I just nod along making a mental note of this behavior of hers.

6. Likes Ostriches. (Weird taste).

"Acha Manik I packed your box don't forget taking it ok. I will go and get ready" She says and rushes into her room. Why did she pack three boxes though? Ignoring it I take my box and bike keys and head towards the dance studio.

"Manik wait" I heard a soft voice and saw Chipmunk running towards me while I was taking out my bike from the parking lot. She was dressed up to leave for her office.

"You forgot taking this idiot" She says panting heavily and hands me another box.

"Chipmunk I know I eat a lot. That doesn't mean you pack two lunch boxes for me" I say and chuckle at her panting form.

"It's for Aryaman you idiot. Seems like all you guys eat is take out for lunch which is very unhealthy. So I packed a box for him too. Now bye I got to go. I am already late" She says and rushes towards her car as I stare at her awestruck.

7. Very kind.

She was never under the obligation to take care of my friends. But the fact that she did without even me asking her to seemed she perfectly knew how much they mattered to me. It was small thing, her little act of kindness, did make my heart skip a beat.

The dance classes were done smoothly without any disturbances and by lunch time I was eager to meet Aryaman to show him his lunch box. He will be so happy!

"Manik mein aaj dumplings order kar raha hun lunch ke liye. Tu bhi wahi khaayegana? Nahi toh kuch aur order kar lun tere liye?" He asks me as usual stepping inside y class.

"Nahi Chipmunk ne mere liye lunch pack kiya hein, so don't order anything for me" I say to him and chuckle inwardly as his expression turns a bit sad. He is definitely feeling left out that he has no one to pack his lunch.

"Haww! That is so rude of you tell him na that Nandini packed lunch for him too" DJ Nandini says throwing an accusatory glance at me.

"He and Dhruv idiot disturbed my sleep and I missed gym today let me get my revenge!" I say winking at her and shrugging my shoulder.

"Acha teek hain toh me mere liye order kar leta hun" he says quietly. You know what throw all that revenge shit aside. I can't see that sad expression on his face.

"Abe nikamma jyada senti mat ban aur yeh le Chipmunk ne tere liye bhi lunch pack kiya" I say hitting on backside of his head and handing him his lunch box.

"Wait what usne mere liye bhi lunch pack kiya? You asked her to do this?" He asks all his sadness gone and his face morphing to a merry one.

"Nahi, she did it herself. She was saying that takeout everyday for lunch is unhealthy and all " I explain opening my bag.

"Ohh... that's that's so sweet of her" Aryaman says and I nod at him. He looks happy and grabs my hand followed by a tight hug. " You know what Manik you did the right thing marrying her. She is so so nice yaar. I mean I have no words to say" he says on releasing me from the hug. "Acha ab rona mat shuru kar aur khana kha le" I say to him and he nods opening his bag. One thing about Aryaman is that he's very emotional. He can be cold as stone until he hides his feelings. And once he lets open his feelings it's like a dam being broken. He won't stop until he has a complete meltdown and submerged an entire room with his tears.

On taking out my lunch box from my bag my eyes land on a sticky note stuck to it.

Hey husband cum kiddo! Don't waste anything or else I will go all 'carrate' on you ;)

(It's a carrot pun if you ain't puntastic enough to understand it)

I chuckled seeing the note and carefully slid it into my pocket.

8. Does cute stuff which is completely unexpected.

"She wrote you a note she freaking wrote you a note that's so cute" DJ Nandini coos and I nod at her grinning from ear to ear.

"Not to burst your happy bubble but maybe she wrote a note for Aryaman too and not you alone" Monkey Manik adds and I glare at him. Why is he ever so ready to spoil my happiness huh? Stupid Monkey Manik who still thinks that broken teeth can turn to coins.

"Wait he actually thinks that?" DJ Nandini asks amused by the fact and I stare at her shocked as I just let out a secret of Monkey Manik.

"How could you do that to me? You let out secret. I hate you so much! I hate all of you" Monkey Manik yells and leaves stomping his feet.

"Ignore him! Now you just check if Aryaman is holding any note or not" DJ Nandini reminds me and I nod at her alerted. I discreetly stare at Aryaman to see to check but to my luck he already started eating and his bag was closed.

"Manik if you are checking for any lunch notes. Then nope I didn't get any. Your wife wrote them exclusively for you ok?" Aryaman teases as I stare at him like a deer caught in headlights.

"You don't know the meaning of discreet do you?" DJ Nandini asks glumly and I smile sheepishly.

"Acha tujhe kaise pata ki I was staring at you for the note?" I ask taking a bite of my lunch. Yum! She cooks so well man.

"Well while reading the note your face was glowing as if you got a chance to kiss Gal Gadot! And baap hun tera toh definitely samaj jaunga" He said in a know it all tone and I nodded.

"You know I am in a mood for being DJ today . It's been so long since I played songs according to situations in the story. I am gonna play a song now" DJ Nandini exclaims after lunch and starts searching through her list as I stare at her surprised.

Suddenly 'kuch toh hua hai' starts playing in the background and I stare at with a you got to be kidding me look DJ Nandini.

"Please this song is too cheesy for the situation. I mean I am happy and all but not as jumpy as the heroine in the movie" I assert.

"Just enjoy the song and stop complaining idiot" She says and I roll my eyes at her. Where is this Monkey Manik by the way?

When I reached home later Chipmunk was already present busy typing something on her laptop.

"Hey! Chipmunk what are you working on?" I ask sitting beside her and switching on the TV. I made sure to lower the volume to not disturb her.

"We have this new food franchise opening in the mall. So I am editing the contract regarding it" She says pushing the spectacles back on her nose bridge.

9. Very serious about her work.

"Oh so what are all the centres you will be having?" I ask staring at her spectacles. They were definitely not a new design. It seemed like she bought it some 10 years ago and never changed it.

"Well the same KFC, Dominoes, Pizza hut and maybe Joey's Pizza too" She adds.

"Wait Joey's Pizza? That's my favorite! I mean the pizza there is nothing but a piece of heaven. " I exclaim happily and she smiles.

"Accha Chipmunk why can't you get a laser surgery done or maybe use contact lenses carrying glasses around is less convenient na" I ask her touching the frame of her spectacles.

10. Wears her glasses a lot. ( Like they are her freaking second skin)

"Well for me moving around with glasses is more convenient. I don't know but for some reason I am very attached to them " She explains taking out her glasses and caressing them tenderly.

"At least change the frame na. There are better frames available" I nag taking her glasses.

"Well remember one thing kiddo. In life there are few things which you can't replace however old fashioned they are. It's like they hold a lot memories. These spectacles are like that for me. I can't replace them even if there are other better ones" She explains with a passion in her voice and for a second I feel that she's a total different person.

11. She loves her glasses!

"I think she sounded like a grandma though. You know grandmas who tell us moral stories to you and your cousins during summer nights" DJ Nandini says in a duh tone.

"You actually sounded like a grandma" I say scratching my ear hoping that isn't offended by my words.

"Lol. Actually yeah now that I replay it in my mind I do sound like that. And here I thought I can sound all cool saying few words of wisdom" She says sheepishly.

12. Looks cute when she is sheepish.

"How do I look? Totally like a hot professor or Nerd who you would totally love to bang huh?" I ask playfully putting on her specs as she giggles at me.

"No you look like a creepy guy who I would love to stay away from" She says getting up and putting her laptop away.

13. Knows perfectly how to hurt my ego.

"You won't loose anything if you accept the fact that I am hot for once in your life" I say groaning at her.

"Remember kiddo there's only one hot nerd in this world ok and that's Professor Sergio" She says and walks into her room. ( Professor Sergio is a character from the series Money heist)

14. Maybe has a crush on Professor Sergio or whatever. ( I don't care though)

"Chipmunk wait you know that lunch note you wrote, it was really cute. Especially the puns you used" I say smiling remembering the note.

"Oh yeah! That note. Shit I forgot writing one for Aryaman. I should write him one too from onwards" She says and I stare at her dumbfounded.

"Why why would you write him a lunch note?" I manage to ask her.

"Because people like getting lunch notes duh! And you know if I wasn't into managing the mall I would do a business of delivering lunch boxes with cute lunch notes stuck on them" She says merrily and steps inside the washroom.

"So that means she just forgot to write him a note and it wasn't specially for you" DJ Nandini says equally shocked as me as I glare at her.

"You know it's all your fault. I stupidly believed your words even when Monkey Manik was trying to make a point" I say glaring at her as she looks at me sadly.

"Haha! Acha hua ! Bahut acha hua. Jo Monkey Manik ka baate nahi sunta hein woh chakna choor ho jaata hein" Monkey Manik says proudly putting on his shades as I stare at him not having a proper comeback.

"Now it's time to change the background song" He says and starts playing ' Jag soona soona lage'.

We both glare at him and leave the room to get rid of our disappointment.

The next day was Aryaman's birthday and me and Dhruv were super excited. It was the only day we both had full rights to post all of his embarrassing photos and shoe away any of the potential dates he could get. That day I have him a tight hug as soon as I met him and also 23 birthday bombs since he turned 23 this year. Dhruv called me and said that he and Alia will meet me and Aryaman in my flat after work where we all could spend some time together before meeting everyone else in the club for a party. After work we all met in my flat and gifted Aryaman a limited edition Beatles Vinyls and sat down to watch our favorite episodes of ' Taarak Mehta ka oltah chashma' as we do every year on Aryaman's birthday.

"Why did you guys get me that limited edition records though? It's kinda costly" Aryaman asks watching the show and I shrug.

"We pooled money for it. So individually it wasn't much of a burden for us" Alia says eating popcorn and Dhruv nods at her. Aryaman could have easily bought the records if he used the money his father gave him every month but he refused to do so. Hence we three planned to gift him that. Something is odd though every year he is excited af on his birthday. But today he's very silent. Is something bothering him?

"Guys I ..I have something to say" Aryaman says and we three look at him curiously ready to listen.

"Suhana is getting married to Shravan Tiwari" he says trying to hide the fact that it's not affecting him but it was clear that he is worried for his sister.

"Shravan Tiwari? That name kinda sounds familiar doesn't it Manik" Monkey Manik asks and I try to remember where I heard his name.

Wait! This guy is the same asshole Chipmunk dated during her university days. He doesn't seem like a decent choice for Suhana though.

"Aren't the Tiwaris the same family you hate a lot because they don't give the good vibes?" Alia asks Aryaman bringing me out of my thoughts and he nods at her.

"Is Suhana ok with this?" I ask him as he looks distraught.

"Obviously she won't be. Wasn't she dating that Harshad guy?" Dhruv adds.

"She was. But I think she will marry Shravan because dad wants her to. She has always been dad's pet" Aryaman explains with a sigh. Aryaman hated his dad a lot and he always did the opposite of what his dad wanted. But Suhana was totally different in that case and always listened to her father as if she was a puppet in his hands.

"The worst worst part is I know that Shravan is not the right guy for her but still I can't do anything about it because dad and her never cared about my decisions. And sometimes I wonder if my family could have been any different if mom was alive and if dad took few right decisions." Aryaman exclaims trying to not break into tears.

"You can just say what's right and what's not right for people Aryaman. You can't change their decisions even if they are related to you by blood when they are adamant about it." Alia explains and I nod at her. She was right we can just say our opinion on the decisions people take. And we can't force them to have the same opinion as us because at the end it's their life and it's their choice.

"I know I can't change her decision. But sometimes I think that maybe if I was close to her like I was during our childhood maybe life could have been different and maybe she would care about my opinions too." He says and starts crying. Something happened in his past which Aryaman considered to be dirty. And he never talked about it to us. Maybe he was not proud of it and maybe it scared him and maybe he never accepted it. Hence we never forced him to talk about it until he accepted it.

We all have few dark spots in life which we try to hide from world and suffer carrying it's burden. I think the first step to lessen that burden is to accept those dark spots equally as we accept the bright spots.

Alia and Dhruv hug him tightly telling him that it will be fine. " Buddy, stop thinking about the what ifs ok? The what ifs are the one which burden us the most. And honestly you did try to repair your relationship with them but they never tried. And anyways if Shravan really is an asshole as you believe him to be we all will work together and castrate his balls so he won't be fit for marrying any girl" I explain holding his hand and he nods with a hint of smile.

"Or else maybe on the day of marriage I can walk into the wedding hall and create scene saying that he is dad of my unborn baby. That always works" Alia says winking at us and Aryaman laughs.

"Or else I can barge in saying that he's a gay and he was in a relationship with me. It's very simple you see" Dhruv adds and Aryaman bursts into laughter.

"Obviously it is simple for you Dhruv! You totally have hots for guys don't you?" I ask teasing him and he glares at me "Oh yeah baby! right now I have am turned on seeing you" he says and settles on my lap making weird kissing noises as I try to push him away.

"Get this elephant off me guys" I shout trying to push him away as both Alia and Aryaman just laugh without doing anything.

"Hey guys! It's nice to see..." Chipmunk walks inside and stares at me and Dhruv shocked.

"Seems like I was interrupting something" She says with a teasing grin on her face.

"Not really Nandini! Both of them love PDA" Aryaman says and I glare at him.

"Hey Alia! It's been awhile since we met" She says and hugs Alia.

"Chipmunk tumhara bharat milap hogaya toh help me to get off this elephant" I say grunting at Dhruv who settled on my lap comfortably.

"Oh no! Separating lovers is a sin. Nandini doesn't want to be a sinner" Alia exclaims and hifives Chipmunk.

"Ikr! Manik and Dhruv you guys have our permission to do whatever you want. We all are very broad minded and don't mind PDA at all so please continue" Chipmunk says and laughs at us.

15. Has fun while embarrassing me.

"Acha Nandini you are coming to the club with us na?" Aryaman asks getting up from the couch dusting his.

"What for? Is someone giving a party today?" She asks ignoring my pleas of help.

"Of course it's Aryaman's birthday today " Alia exclaims and Nandini glares at me. " I am so sorry Aryaman I didn't knew and yeah happy birthday I wish Manik could have told me before itself" She says hugging Aryaman.

"It's alright! Now I suggest you ladies to get ready. Even I will get ready" He says and goes towards the washroom to freshen up.

The ladies live me alone with Dhruv and go inside Nandini's room giggling to themselves. After several tries I was able to push the elephant I mean Dhruv from lap. Then we both went to my room ( about which I conveniently lied to the guys saying that I only keep my stuff here and sleep in Chipmunk's room while Alia was smirking at me) for getting ready.

"Guys I have something for us" Dhruv says excitedly fetching out a bottle from his bag which had the name baby facial. ( It really did with a pink packing)

"Are you suggesting that we should get a facial now?" Aryaman questions looking a bit unsure and Dhruv nods. " We don't have that much time dude" I say doubtful about the facial thing.

"Please guys the ladies will definitely take an hour or two to get ready which gives us enough time to use this. And come on we all have oily faces and we can rid of it" Dhruv asserts.

Guess what maybe we should do it. There are few men outside who claim that beauty care products are only for woman and make fun of men who use it. But let's accept a fact people even men have oily skins and there's nothing wrong in trying to get rid of it. There's nothing wrong in men using beauty care products.

"Lets do it" Aryaman and I say together. One hour later we three had our faces covered in facial which almost dried and we were dancing on the song 'mein toh Superman' only wearing our boxers. I stop in my tracks when I hear a feminine giggle and to my utter horror I realise that Alia was on the other side of the door with her phone peeking at us and recording all the crazy shit we just did. The other two realise this soon enough and stop dancing.

"Why did you guys stop dancing? It was super funny recording that stuff" Alia says stepping inside after we stopped.

"Delete it you idiot or else I will steal your makeup kit" Dhruv tries threatening her but we realize that it's a fail since she laughs evilly.

"Do whatever you want people but I am not gonna delete it. Consider it my revenge for going to the fair without me" She says grabbing my leather jacket from the cupboard.

"And I am taking your jacket. Your wife needs it" She says getting out.

"Arree what could we do if you were busy you mad women" Dhruv yells as she leaves.

"Maybe make plans according to my schedule next time" Alya yells back and we all huff at her.

I just hope Chipmunk doesn't sees the video.

After getting ready as if we weren't caught doing some embarrassing dance in our boxers we head outside. I don't see Alia anywhere so I guess she went down. Dhruv and Aryaman also go down asking me to come along with Chipmunk.

"Damn these jeans it sucks that they stick to me like second skin. I hope I look fine though if not Alia and Navya are dead meat in my hands for forcing me to wear this" She says to herself applying some lip balm and I let out a chuckle.

"Are you ready?" I ask her stepping inside the room and discreetly looking at her from head to toe not making it obvious that I was staring at her.

"Yeah, Just gimme 5" she says wearing her boots and then stands in front of me.

"You look hot" I say normally pointing at her outfit consisting of a white crop top, jeans and my leather jacket which was a bit loose but suited her anyways. I almost curse myself saying that as I notice that she felt uncomfortable due to my compliment.

16. Doesn't handle compliments well.

Wait was I involuntarily taking mental notes of little things about her? Man that's creepy. It's not like I am gonna write a book named ' Little things about Chipmunk'.

"You know it's pretty messed up that we compare people to temperature? I mean they are people and not things to measure their temperature and tell if they are hot or cold. I think people are hypocrites they say that we shouldn't compare people to non living things but yet decide if you are hot or cold. But wait that makes me a hypocrite too-" My eyes widen in surprise as I notice that she was blabbering because she didn't know how handle a compliment.

"Chipmunk! It's ok calm down. Take deep breath" I say stepping closer to her and patting her shoulders. Nice smell!

17. Has a good taste in cologne.

I am not supposed to do this. It's really creepy.

18. Rambles when nervous. Uses words from thesaurus too.

Stop noticing them you idiot!

I dragged her downstairs after the closing all the doors and locking them. And within no time we reached ' The Trilogy Super Club' which is known for its amazing ambience and delicious food. Cabir Bhai and Navya joined us there and together we all walked towards the seats reserved for us.

"So Nandini tell us about how you met Manik and how did you guys even get committed? This idiot was quite a ladies man before" Alia asks Nandini and I almost spit out my drink and glare at her. She already knew that our marriage isn't real man!

You know every gang has that friend who looks timid and decent. But only you and your gang know that they aren't as silent as they look and they are the greatest troublemakers. Alia was that person in our gang. She might look timid but she definitely how to stir up trouble.

"Oh yeah why didn't I have that doubt before?" Dhruv asks downing his shot as I roll my eyes at him. "Coz tera top floor empty hein" Cabir Bhai answers and then continues "Ab tu bata Nandu tune isse pataya nahi toh Manik ne tujhe pataya?"

"Tu mera topic chod Cabir aur tu bata tujhe meri behen mili kaha? Aur tune meri prankster behen pataya kaise?" Chipmunk asks wrapping an arm around Navya and skillfully changing the topic. I smile at her and smirk at Alia.

19. She has a good presence of mind.

Wow! I did it again. Maybe I should join a psychopath team.

Cabir Bhai blushes listening to her and before he could answer Navya answers. " The credit goes to me didi. Yeh tho bahut phattu te pahle. Mujhe unhe follow karna padha everytime. You know when I asked him for a date for the first time he thought I was asking for dates and bought me a box of dates" Navya chirps and we all laugh listening to her.

"Oye itna bhi phattu nahi tha mein I know I bought dates for the first time but then again I even did all the crazy ideas you had on your bucket list! You know guys one of her ideas included me going crazy on streets and running around shouting ' I committed robbery ' and I even did that for her. I was lucky that people didn't take me seriously and handed over me to the police" Cabir Bhai says without taking a breath and we stare at him amused.

"That was a funny story. Now Nandini back to you guys tell us how you people met na. I am really curious" Aryaman asks and I think of any possible ideas.

"Well I met him in a trial room for the first time" Chipmunk adds coolly.

"Ooo sounds spicy continue continue" Dhruv adds excitedly.

"Yeah I think he was with his girlfriend of that time. He has mistaken for his girlfriend and pulled me inside the trial room. And then he tried flirting with me but I punched him on his face" Chipmunk says and I glare at her. She didn't have to add the story of how we actually met and embarrass me.

"And me being the kind women I am I felt sorry for punching him so I offered him a coffee. He joined me and somehow we exchanged our numbers and within no time he was head over heels in love with me. And eventually I gave in" She exaggerates with a little sigh at end.

"So he was always behind like the Vodafone puppy?" Aryaman asks a bit surprised about whatever Chipmunk said and Chipmunk nods her head.

"You know he would follow me around so much that for once I felt I got my own personal Vodafone puppy. I mean everyday he used to wait for me outside my office and wouldn't leave until he saw me" She continues rather dreamily and everyone stare at me with a teasing grin.

"Huh! Who knew that my younger brother will be a full on joru ka gulaam. Nandu what did you feed that yeh tera deewana bangaya?" Cabir Bhai asks Chipmunk while ruffling my hair and she shrugs it off as if it's not a big deal.

"Acha Nandu di what about that time when I found you and Manik together in the trial room and you left angrily?" Navya asks remembering the first time we met.

"Woh kya hein na Navya that time na Chipmunk and I had a fight. You know she has a thing about romancing in trial rooms. And she totally loves trial room romances but I didn't kiss her properly that day hence she left angry at me"I answer immediately and I notice that Chipmunk was full on glaring at me.

"Nandu tu toh badi chupa rustom nikli. Who knew you had such varied tastes in romance huh?" Cabir Bhai teased her and I could see the tips of her ears turning red. Haa! She was totally embarrassed.

Take that Chipmunk my payback for embarrassing me in front of my. friends.

Embarrassment for embarrassment.

Tit for tat.

"I have got a call guys, I need to take it" Chipmunk gets up clearing her throat. She goes outside but not before pinching me tightly on my shoulder.

She returns back after few minutes and stares at me with a smirk on her face. You know that kinda smirk which means 'you are so gonna end up in trouble now' and I looked at her suspiciously thinking what's going on in her tiny head.

"You know guys I feel that after marriage Manik changed a lot" She says and all the others frown at her. " I mean I feel that he lost all his charm. He doesn't even flirt with me like before. It's like he even forgot the ABC of flirting" She exaggerates and everyone nod in understanding.

"Chipmunk please don't lie ok! I am Manik Malhotra dude and I am known for my charm and flirting. If you want I can prove it right now" I say scoffing at her.

"Acha then prove it to me by flirting with that girl" She says pointing at the girl few feet away from us busy downing her shots.

"Why should I flirt with someone I don't know?" I ask not getting her point.

"That's the point na Manik. You can easily flirt with someone you already know. We will accept that you are really good at flirting if you are able to flirt with unknown girls. Am I right Nandini?" Dhruv says and asks Chipmunk as she nods her head excitedly at him.

" Ok if that's what you want" I say doubtfully and walk towards the girl Chipmunk pointed.

I put in my all time charming smirk and slide into the chair beside her. The girl looked like she highly drunk though. I wanted to back out looking at how drunk the girl looked but then I looked over my shoulder and saw Chipmunk looking at me with a challenging smirk.There's no looking back now Manik! Just go ahead.

"Hey! How you doing?" I ask with a crooked grin on my face and the girl stares blankly at me. Then suddenly she starts yelling at me. "Youuuu You are him! You are the same donkey who broke up with me! You left me alone for that bitch right. How dare you leave me alone huh? You dead rat smelling idiot! You rotten egg smelling idiot! You tasteless wolf! You frog leg eating creature.... " The women continues scolding me thinking that I am her ex boyfriend and I look upon my shoulder only to find my gang laughing at my plight. That's why Chipmunk asked me  to flirt with this girl in particular. That sly fox!

My attention is diverted towards girl as she stands up and starts pulling my hair vigorously. I try to gently move her  away telling that I am not her ex-boyfriend but the lady doesn't listen to me at all. My eyes widen as she tries pouring the drink she was having at me and I close my eyes waiting for myself to get drenched. But as nothing happens I open my eyes to find that lady moved away from me and her hands held securely by Chipmunk.

"What the hell do you think you were doing miss? Come back to your senses ok. This guy is not your ex-boyfriend he's my husband" Chipmunk yells at the drunk women and grabs my hand walking outside.

20. Highly unpredictable!

Should notice stuff at this kind of situation too? I am definitely crazy.

"Are you okay? I hope that women didn't pull your hair too vigorously?" She asks and stands on her tippy toes trying to set my hair properly.

"What was that about?" I ask totally confused by her behavior.

"I am sorry. Somehow we started this competition who embarrasses more and I kinda got away with it. When you told everyone about the trial room and stuff I was way too angry at you and wanted to make fun of you by asking you to flirt with that women.But then that women started pulling your hair and I lost my calm. I am really sorry though I didn't know that the women will turn violent" She explains quietly and looks down.

"Why though? You wanted to make fun of me na so you could have gone all the way and let the women have her way with me?" I ask curiously folding my hands and she takes a long sigh.

"As I said I didn't like it. I respect you a lot and I hate it the most if someone behaves in that way with you." She confessed honestly and I stared at her surprised.

"I think we should go inside now" She said and walked inside as I followed her.

"I respect you a lot and I hate it the most if someone behaves in that way with you." Her words played in my mind and I liked listening to them.

21. Says stuff which flutter my heart at the most unexpected times.

Guess what I like noticing all these little things about her and mentally noting them down. So I am gonna do it. I don't care if people think that I am creep.

On the other side:

"Oyeee you didn't talk to me properly from morning why are you ignoring me? " DJ Nandini asked Monkey Manik who was sitting quietly in a corner.

"Well you woke me up by spraying window cleaner and then you also got to know my secret which is kinda embarrassing. I don't know how to face you after this"  Money Manik explained wringing his hands.

"Aiyyo for such a little thing you stopped talking to me huh? Listen none of those secrets  matter to me ok? I like talking to you. And I am sorry for spraying window cleaner. I even bought you a chocolate as token for sorry" DJ Nandini says handing Monkey Manik a chocolate as he grins fully at her.

"Lets share" He says opening the wrapper and giving her a piece.

And they spend their time sharing chocolates and making memories.

                ******************
~The little things, The little moments, they aren't little~