Tadah! I am back with a new update!
#6375 words
Chapter 31
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Thanks for almost 300 comments on the previous chapter. Don't freak out or think that I am creep if you find replies to month old comments in your notification box lol 😅😅.

Writer's POV

"So this it huh? We are gonna end whatever we had without a closure?" Harshad implored Suhana as he rolled off the bed and buttoned his shirt.

"Closure is a very simple thing to achieve Harshad. You just have to shut off yourself emotionally. That's it, that's the closure." Suhana replied stoically covering herself with the sheets.

"Why would you prefer marrying Shravan when you guys share no rapport at all?" Harshad asked impatiently expecting a reasonable response which will help him move on.

"Let's just say I am paying a price for all the choices I and my dad made long long ago." Suhana replied gathering her hair in a bun and bending down to pluck out the cigarette pack from her purse.

"Can't you stop smoking? Why do you have to be self-destructive always?" Harshad chides her and she lets out a humourless chuckle.

"Old habits die hard Harshad. I lived destroying myself since I was 14 years and it's tough to stop these tendencies now. " She stated lighting the cigarette.

"You might never know but your self-destruction could destroy people around you." Harshad mumbled observing the cigarette smoke vaporising into thin air oddly reminding him of the memories he had with Suhana which vaporised with every passing second.

"It already did Harshad. It destroyed lots of people. I attempted to undo the destruction but it was too late." Suhana muttered absent-mindedly staring into space. Harshad gasped at her words and moved closer to her expecting an explanation.

"Leave Harshad! I am already tired and you are making me talk too much." Suhana ordered and Harshad sighed. Why was everything so messed up?

"Goodbye Suhana! I wish you have a happy life from now onwards." He said staring at her lovingly and left the room within seconds.

"Year's ago I chose to walk down the path of self destruction to escape from reality only if I knew that the path of self destruction narrowed into flames sins which would burn me and torment me forever." Suhana muttered to herself gazing at the door through which Harshad left and pulled out another cigarette to numb her pain and distract herself from the incidents of that horrible night.

8 years since that incident but still her memory of that night was crystal clear. She remembered everything the shattered glass, the blood and the perished look of his face. The fear of entire world knowing about her secrets and crimes made her shudder every passing day.

"The truth will never be out! What I did was a perfect crime without any cracks and loopholes. And I am paying heavily to keep it hidden. It will be hidden forever." She whispered to herself like a lunatic assuring that everything will be fine even though her trembling body told a different tale altogether.

Everything in life has a price. And hidden truths are the costliest. Once she pays the costly price she and her family will be safe again. That's what Suhana taught.

Little did she knew that hiding behind a wall of lies cemented with an illusion of perfect crime would lead to her downfall eventually. Coz all the truth needed to leak out was a little crack. A tiny little crack.

Nandini's POV:

"Should I spread my hands and face the sun so that the photo will turn out natural or stand under the tree and do a quirky pose so that the photo will be an epitome of cuteness ?" Manik asked excitedly raising his eyebrows as I grumbled adjusting the camera settings.

"Do the facing the sun pose! I really want to drool on your edible sunkissed back muscles." DJ Nandini answered flirtatiously throwing Manik a flying kiss.

Edible?! Is he a freaking snack or what to be called edible?

"Manik Malhotra indeed is a snacc!" She adds again winking at me as I blush at her words. Shit! No dirty thoughts girl!

"Someone take my photo too! Look at me I am hanging to the tree branch!" Monkey Manik says waving frantically at DJ Nandini and I wonder how did he manage to reach that high branch.

"Ahh! That monkey face always goes around creating trouble for me." DJ Nandini groans and glares at Monkey Manik who offers her a toothy grin and her glare falters seeing him smile and her cheeks turn pink.

Wait! Did she just blush because of him? Well maybe I should start teasing her regarding this.

"Chipmunk yaar batao which pose should I do?" Manik nags interrupting my thoughts and I widen my eyes surprised that he made me click around 90 photos of his and he isn't satisfied with even one yet.

When did I sign up to be a sasta wala Daboo Ratnani for him?

"What about coloring your face and dancing like a clown the quirkiest pose of all ?" I offer sarcastically and he pouts at me.

"Why can't you be like other boyfriends who click photos of their girlfriend s without any complaints?" He whines and I scoff.

"Umm....coz I am not a boy basically?!" I say in a no-nonsense tone and he makes mock surprised wala face.

"Eureka! I finally got to know that you aren't a boy. I was confused for so long." He replies sarcastically and I kick his leg.

"Whatever! Just click this photo and I am done with you. Life mein phir kabhi puchunga nahi help ke liye! Mark my words." He adds dramatically removing his jacket and I gasp looking at him.

I would be lying if I say that he's not looking good in that red drop armhole tank but still it attracts a lot of attention from everyone damn it!

"What the heck are you wearing?" I hiss at him and he grins looking around as he has successfully gained the attention of all the surrounding ladies.

Does he consider himself to be a veritable mac daddy or what?

"Well I would take this off too but Cabir Bhai will kill me if I expose too much!" He answers coolly pointing at his tank and I look at Cabir and Navya who are busy doing a Titanic pose while a stranger clicks their photo.

God?!! As far as I remember we were on this trip to Tamgaon to convince Multi to come back. But thanks to stupid Manik and idiot Navya we are here taking photos as they found the surroundings here quite scenic.

"Manik put on your jacket! Everyone is staring at you." I say glaring at him as he grins again.

"Not my problem! Click a photo soon and be careful to not drop my jacket down it's pricey." he says hanging his jacket on my shoulder and walks forward facing the sun.

Wow! Along with his personal photographer, I am his jacket hanger too? I feel so blessed!

"Manik Malhotra! Come back here and put on your jacket or else I am gonna throw it down and stamp on it." I threaten as I get irritated with everyone staring at him.

"Yaar! Can't you let me pose for a photo peacefully?" He mewls stomping his legs and I shake my head in a no protruding my arm out letting the jacket to slip out of my grip.

Should I just burn all of his clothes and buy him new clothes which cover every freaking inch of his body? Or maybe I can hide his tanks and order him to only wear full-sleeved shirts while we are out? And maybe even cover his face so no one can stare at him.

"You are behaving like a boyfriend now!" Monkey Manik points out like a wise grandpa adjusting glasses on his nose bridge and I clear my throat.

I wasn't! It's just that the stupid ostrich head is too much into conserving clothes and I am impeding it from happening.

"Don't! Just don't drop it you know I stood under the sun for two hours and bargained with the salesman to buy this on 60% off!" He says scurrying to me and I smile evilly at him.

Wait, Why would he stand under the sun and bargain? Dude branded showrooms provide the best facilities for their customers!

"My poor poor baby! I am sorry I left you with a lunatic." Manik says glaring at me hugging his jacket as I put two and two together. It doesn't look like a fake branded jacket though.

"Manik why would you buy a ZARA branded jacket while standing under the sun?" I inquire and he passed me a mischievous smile.

"Cause its a fake branded one! You couldn't spot it out could you?" He asks proudly and I nod.

"Why would you buy fake brands though? You earn a decent amount of money every month." I state and he shakes his head in a no offering me a little smile.

"Every month isn't always the same Chipmunk! There are times we have many students interested to learn dancing and sometimes the count hardly reaches 20. And I don't get modelling assignments every month. I and Aryaman should manage paying the rent and also save some money. So spending recklessly isn't even acceptable for me. " He explains quietly and I gape at him without blinking my eyes.

"He's so cool!" DJ Nandini declares the exact words I had in my mind and I nod along crazily.

"Still what's the need of shopping under the sun? I am sure your father does give you some allowance. You should shop in showrooms which have AC and other facilities fully provided." I question and also order feeling bitter about the fact that he had to go through all these despite having a rich background.

"Dad did offer to help me financially but at times he loses his calm and shoves it on my face saying that I still need his help and all so..." He trails off and I sigh trying to keep myself together. All of a sudden I felt this anger and irritation bubbling within me towards Raj uncle.

"Your dad can be too-" I raised my voice to complain but Manik interrupted me placing his palm over my mouth gently.

"Don't say anything about my dad, please. Even though we might not get along I don't like it when people complain about him. He has been a good person to you so just take that into consideration. I love him a lot and I am also very much possessive about him so, all the rights of complaining about my dad only belong to me!" He explained to me honestly and I nodded wordlessly.

"Ek hi dil hein Manik! Kitne baar jitoge?" DJ Nandini exclaimed getting emotional and I handed her a box of tissues.

How does he manage to surprise me always? I have dealt with different kinds of people in my life and I have noticed that people lacked loyalty. Given the way Raj uncle's behaviour is towards him, it was human instinct to continue complaining and bitching just to satisfy his ego. But Manik proved me completely wrong and this spoke volumes about his maturity and loyalty towards his loved ones. And the way he claimed his rights to complain about his dad just made me go all awe at him. His innocence felt like a breath of fresh air amongst the artificial scents of deception and made me feel more protective of him.

"Cabir bhai! I am hungry feed me breakfast please." His chirpy voice brought me out of my thoughts and my eyes followed him as he waved at Cabir and Navya who were checking the photos they clicked.

I had been staying with Manik for almost more than a month now and I was pleased by the fact that we both went along so well without any conflicts. In fact never in my wildest dreams did I expect to get this close to Manik. But I always marvelled and envied how easily he can show his vulnerabilities to me whereas I struggled to share my details.

With Manik, my days were filled with warm sunrises, lots of giggles and hope so much unlike the days I had which were nothing but a mixture of dark clouds, sobs and extreme pessimism.

What's gonna happen to us by the end of 12 months? Will I end up sharing every detail of my life with him? Will I drive him away if I dare to take the risk of opening up to him?

My train of thoughts were once again broken as Manik held my hand and tugged me with him. I guess for now I should just walk with him and go with the flow. Who knows if god permits I might end up gaining one more trustworthy friend like Cabir and Abhimanyu.

"Nandu eat properly and stop playing with your food." Cabir orders as I stare at the food hesitantly. We can't always trust restaurants we rarely visit to provide clean and healthy food. Navya almost had food poisoning the last time we had food in a random restaurant.

"Cabir you could have told me I would have prepared something for us!" I assert and he stares at Manik for an explanation.

"Chipmunk you came home late yesterday and you looked really fatigued too. I didn't want you to exert yourself more that's why I asked Cabir bhai not to ask you for anything." Manik answers munching on his toast.

"Nandu di I know you are worried about me but tension mat lo. My immunity is much better now and I can handle it." Navya ensures me and I smile at her while Manik places the egg whites from his boiled egg on my plate in exchange for the yolk.

How does he know that I don't eat the yolk part?

"I guess on the night before our wedding you told me that you don't like eating yolk Chipmunk," Manik answers my queries and I nod in realisation.

"He remembers such tiny details? Whoa, that's so sweet of him." DJ Nandini coos and I stare at him surprised.

"Girl just compliment him about it! Manik is really the sweetest person I ever met." DJ Nandini advised and I smirked at her.

Well complimenting him and all is nice but I am in a mood to tease Manik Malhotra a bit now. It's so fun to see him all irritated because of me.

"You remember all that stuff Manik? That's so so.." I trail off as he looks at me expectantly.

"Sweet right?" He asks grinning at me and I shake my head in a no.

"Nah! It's creepy." I state blankly and he huffs.

"You can't expect Nandu di to flirt with you Manik! She's a tough nut to crack. She doesn't know romance and you gotta work very hard to teach her that!" Navya explains and I glare at her. Well, she might be right.

"My little brother is stuck with a khadoos and sadu women forever! So sad!" Cabir cries out and munches into his food grumpily and I giggle.

"Enough with your giggles and trying to irritate me Chipmunk! Now eat! And yeah you gotta try harder to irritate me" Manik advises while stuffing the food into my mouth and I wonder if I am thinking out loud. It's not like he can listen to what I am thinking.

"That guy knows you too well! I am impressed " DJ Nandini fangirls at Manik and I sigh. What's going on? Does Manik really notice everything about me?

"Waise Cabirji don't you think this meeting plan is quite impromptu? Will Mukti di be fine with our unannounced arrival?" Navya asked Cabir and he let out a sigh.

"She will be shocked that's for sure but we gotta meet her one or the other day. There's a lot we have to sort out with her Navya. And she belongs with our family she doesn't need to live like an orphan." Cabir emphasised with a thick voice unable to hide the grief.

"Cabir bhai aap bhi na! Baat baat pe senti hojate hein! Listen everything will be fine ok! After all there's nothing that will be left unresolved when Cabir and Manik are together!" Manik ensures chirpily and Cabir smiles at him.

"Yeah, we sure can! Ladies complete your breakfast quickly we gotta reach the training centre soon! Navya you are gonna love Mukthi!" Cabir announces excitedly.

"Excuse me, we are here to meet Ms. Mukthi Malhotra she is one of the junior track instructors." Cabir enquired the receptionist who was busy scrolling through her phone. I looked around the area taking note of its not so posh exterior and the air around smelled like grease and petrol. I could hear the incoherent sounds of motorcycles buzzing on the track.

"Are you here for any training or do you know her personally and if you are here to meet her for any personal issues suggest you people to leave." The receptionist replied bluntly and Cabir looked taken aback.

"Umm we both are here for training and we heard Ms. Malhotra trains very well so it would be nice if we can talk to her." Manik lied conveniently and we all put on a straight face since the receptionist gave us suspicious looks as we weren't dressed like people who are into bike racing and stuff.

I and Navya should have thought better wearing sarees to a motorcycle training centre isn't exactly a good choice. But again we didn't expect the receptionist to be strict.

My phone started ringing and it was a call from Abhimanyu. He knew I was out on a personal emergency so he wouldn't call until it's urgent. I told Navya about the call and moved outside as the guys tried to draw out some information from the receptionist.

"Yeah Abhimanyu is everything alright there?" I asked hoping that Madhyam did the task I assigned to him. There are few important files he has to check regarding the least of several shops.

"Nandini mam Madhyam sir called me now and said he won't be able to attend the office today since he has important business to take care of." Abhi replied hastily and sighed cursing Madhyam inwardly. Isn't he satisfied with the number of leaves he already took? I don't even understand what are we paying him for.

"I will call Madhyam and ask him to reach the office soon and Abhimanyu can you just do me a favour and start checking those files yourself until he reaches?" I asked Abhimanyu leaning on the railing and observing the racing track.

"Yes, Mam. Consider the job done. I will get back to work then!" He assured me and I let out a sigh of relief.

Bless Abhimanyu's soul for being hardworking and professional in his job I thought to myself and my eyes landed on tall, lean women dressed in a bike racing suit instructing a rookie racer who stood out particularly because of her loud voice. There were other women aroundd so I couldn't say if she was Mukti.

"Nandu is it any emergency work call?" Cabir asked me stepping out of the lobby and I affirmed that it wasn't anything urgent.

"What happened about Mukti? Is she here?" I questioned as he leaned on the wall wearily.

"They are saying that she's on a sick leave bro! And Manik is trying to persuade the receptionist to give her address." Cabir answered quietly and I stepped closer to him patting his shoulder.

"Bhai I got the address!" Manik and Navya came running to us grinning proudly.

"Wasn't she being an obstinate bull few minutes ago?" Cabir questioned as Manik raised his imaginary collars.

"My Devarji sweet-talked with her Cabirji! Uff! Nandu di Manik flirts so well! Devarji tussi great go! Teach me some flirting later on ok!" Navya went on and on handing Cabir a note in which the address was written as I hurled accusatory glances at him.

Flirting and sweet-talking huh?

" Hawww! He's not even wearing the jacket Nandu." DJ Nandini whispered like a neighbourhood indian aunty and I took a deep breath.

Ghar toh aane do isse dekhlungi mein. Manik Malhotra get ready to eat aeroplane floaters for dinner.

"Maybe I should get a first aid box ready! Boss pitne wala hein!" Monkey Manik exclaimed nervously.

"Mukti!?" Cabir exclaimed loudly snapping me out of my thoughts and we three stared at the lean women he was pointing at who in turn looked at us wide-eyed.

She immediately starts running away like a thief caught by police and Manik sprints behind her exclaiming profanities.

Me, Cabir and Navya rush behind him and within no time Manik gets a hold of Mukti as he traps her in his arms and restricts her movements.

"Let go of me you brat! How dare you touch me! Get your filthy hands off me!" Mukti starts screaming on top of her voice and Manik closes her mouth with his hand before she could create a huge commotion attracting everyone's attention.

"How long will you keep running away from us? Don't you have enough guts to face us directly?" Manik questions her angrily and her face which was full of wrath moulds to one of remorse for a split second and then she lets out muffled screams and kicks her legs in the air.

"Manik free her and let's converse properly somewhere else. People might believe we are kidnapping her if this continues." Cabir suggests and Manik nods his head letting her free and she stares at Manik astonished.

"Wait! He is Laddoo? Wasn't laddoo some 95 kgs lad with a flabby stomach and fat thighs? Yeh toh miracle hogaya!" she says to herself rather loudly and Manik rolls his eyes as we three let out a chuckle.

"Laddoo huh? Nandu remember this ok! We gotta tease him a lot with this name." DJ Nandini points out and I nod excitedly.

"Well, you see 6 years mein bahut kuch ho sakta hein! You would have witnessed it yourself if you wouldn't run away from home like a coward." Manik taunts her harshly and she shudders at this.

"Manik please let's just talk it out like grown-ups. Taunting each other won't help." Cabir says patiently pulling them towards a secluded area of the lobby as I and Navya follow unsure of the consequences.

"I am not going to beat around the bush and waste any more time Mukti. We have been searching for you from a long time and now that we found you all I request is for you to come back." Cabir states hopefully and Mukti exhales leaning back on her chair.

"I don't know if I can come back Cabir Bhai. As Laddoo said a lot can change in 6 years. Even if I return back nothing will be the same anymore." Mukti answers passively swallowing her tears.

"Mukti di I do accept that a lot can change with time. But what didn't change is the pain dad carries inside him every day because he couldn't stop you from leaving. What didn't change is Neyonika mom feeling like a bad mother because she didn't understand you. What didn't change is Cabir bhai feeling like an irresponsible brother because he couldn't protect you. What didn't change is the absolute emptiness I experience because you aren't there with me." Manik explained ardently and Mukti held back a sob rising in her throat.

Navya held my hand gently quite anxious of what to do and I stared at Cabir whose face was getting redder with each passing second distress evident on the creases of his forehead.

"Manik I just..just don't know what to do ok. I accept honestly how wrong and foolish it was of me to run away from home. At times I felt so lost and alone that I wanted to return but then I was scared of how dad will react. What if dad was furious of my decision and he would completely disown me? Or what if you guys completely forgot about me and were leading a normal life? I had so many thoughts going on in my mind. " Mukti trailed off breaking into tears and Manik engulfed her in a hug running his hands through her hair.

"Mukti how can we ever forget you? You are an integral part of our childhood and the only link to all the happiest memories I and Manik had!" Cabir answers patting her shoulders.

"Mukti di after mom's death it was you who took care of me. Remember how I couldn't fall asleep for most of the nights because of my nightmares so even you stayed awake with me watching cartoons even though you had tons of assignments to complete? Or how used to beat up all the bullies who teased me about my weight? Or how you used to hold my hand warmly while riding elevators so that I won't be scared? Or how you learnt knitting so that you can knit me socks of all the bright colors? Mom's death could have easily scarred me for life but it was your love for me that saved me. So forgetting someone so precious as you is impossible!" Manik explained to her in the most lovable tone as Mukti moved her face away from his shoulder and stared at him trying to gauge the truth in his words.

"I was reluctant about joining boarding school and I thought I would have to sacrifice my freedom if I keep on listening to dad. But I was so so wrong! Dad just wanted to prevent me from the wrong steps I was taking. Now that I introspect whatever decisions I took were rash and stupid." Mukti said and both the brothers nodded in understanding.

"Stop feeling guilty about the decisions that are already made. All I can say that the timing wasn't right and somehow everyone of us messed up." Cabir asserted and Mukti sighed.

"Cabir Bhai I really did create a huge mess and I don't know how to deal with dad." Mukti exclaimed.

"Mukti di there's nothing like a mess which can never be sorted! And you know Dad is like a coconut, hard from outside and tender from inside! You can easily deal him. All you gotta do is pack your luggage and come back home!" Manik exclaims and Cabir chortled at his words.

"Exactly Mukti! Me and Manik will also be there na so there's nothing to be worried about. Just ghar ajaa ab!" Cabir mutters hopefully.

"Mukti bhabhi aap na jaldi se jaldi yes bol do nahi toh mein aapko kidnap karke Mumbai le jaungi! Cabirji aur Devarji ne aapko bahut miss kiya!" Navya chirps before Mukti could answer and we all break into rumbles of laughter.

"Umm..that drama queen there is my wife, Navya!" Cabir tells pointing at Navya who is pouting at him as Mukti nods staring at both of us curiously.

Manik opens his mouth to introduce me only to get interrupted by my phone which starts vibrating. Noticing that Madhyam finally called me I excuse myself smiling apologetically and step out for a proper network.

"Thank goodness! Mr. Singania has finally to grace us with his presence!" picking up the call I answer scornfully and he chuckles listening to me.

"Chill Nandu! I suggest you should learn how to have some fun in life. And yeah I am in a golf match right now so I won't be able to complete the documents you asked me to." Madhyam answers recklessly and I control my urge to slap the shit out of him.

"Mr. Singania what I suggest you is to learn some office ethics and professionalism. And yeah please refer to me as Mrs.Malhotra I guess it's not mandatory that you prove each and every freaking time that you are a disgrace to the position you hold." I reply sharply throwing a pointed look at few men sitting few metres away whistling and snickering at me.

"Nandini don't you think you are being ill-mannered right now? I am sure the board of directors won't like such behavior from your side." He threatens indirectly reminding me that his father is an important member of the board. I close my eyes controlling my nerves as the whistling in the background gets louder.

" What the board of directors-" words get stuck in my throat as a pair of familiar muscular arms wrap around my midriff tucking the pallu of my saree inside my underskirt. I gulp and shiver slightly as Manik's fingers come in contact with my bare waist leaving behind a trail of goosebumps on my soft skin. As if caught in a trance I lean more into him greedy to breathe in more of his tantalizing scent.

"Get the fuck out off here before I misplace your jaws and knock out all the teeth of your mouths for whistling and staring at my wife indecently." Manik seethed staring at the group menacingly. The men shake in fear and vacate the place within matter of few seconds.

"Nandu! Now might be an extremely improper situation to say this but trust me when I say that, Manik is a perfect daddy material kinda guy" DJ Nandini whispers and I blush to beet red listening to her words.

"Chipmunk! Call!" Manik tells me tapping on my shoulder and I nod absent mindedly returning back to the call.

"I am sorry Manik! I should have been more careful or better not worn a saree at all. I didn't think at all." I apologize after ending the call worrying that I might have irritated him.

"Why are you saying sorry for this Chipmunk? It's those creeps who are in fault and not you. And remember don't ever say sorry for wearing what you are comfortable in." He explains gently caressing my cheeks and I nod as my brain reminds me a particular memory when Shravan ordered me to not wear anything that exposes too much of my skin.

Manik never restricted me like Shravan did. In fact he encourages me to do whatever I am happy with.

Ohk! What's wrong with me why am I comparing both?

"You know in movies the heroine also compares the hero to her shitty ex and then both the hero, heroine end up together." DJ Nandini points out writing down something in her diary and I roll my eyes ignoring her words.

I am sure she is high on sasta nasha!

"Chipmunk! Hello! You there?" Manik asks waving his hands in front of my face and I nod snapping myself out of the senseless thoughts I had.

"Where are you lost?" he asks curiously and I shrug my shoulders.

"Chipmunk is lost in your thoughts boss!" Monkey Manik yells into a blow horn and I glare at him.

"What are you doing here though?" I question unclipping my hair and tying them into a bun. Ah! Heaven finally!

Trust me once you start tying your hair into a bun there's no going back!

Manik's POV :

"What are you doing here though?" Chipmunk asks me tying her hair into a bun as my eyes wander through her neckline and stop at the mole she has on her right collarbone which is more prominent now.

33. She has a pretty neckline and the mole on her collar bone is cherry on top!

"Your ass is grass if Chipmunk ever gets to listen to your thoughts." Monkey Manik points and I guffaw at his words.

"You didn't meet Mukti di yet na so..." I trail off lazily dropping my arm on her shoulder. I grin happily and wave at Mukti di and Cabir Bhai who came out laughing at something.

34. The height difference we have is so perfect! Dropping my arm on her shoulder is comfort redefined!

"Mukti di meet my permanent roommate, Chipmunk!" I introduce while beaming at Chipmunk who rolls her eyes at my excessive use of her nickname.

"I am Nandini and please ignore the stupid nickname Manik uses!" Chipmunk said politely forwarding her hand and Mukti di grabbed it excitedly scrutinising her from head to toe. Stupid Nickname huh? Wasn't she fussing and pouting the entire week when I used her actual name. She and her mood tsunamis!

"Manik you chose such a good nickname for her bro! It suits her personality perfectly!" Mukti di announced pulling Chipmunk's cheeks startling her and I chuckled proud of my deeds.

Only Mukti di could understand how perfect that nickname was! Well the craziness we share is unmatchable by anyone and I am sure we both are gonna create lots of chaos together.

"Cabir Bhai and Di are you guys going somewhere kya?" I question both of them gently separating Mukti di's hands from Chipmunk's cheeks. Yaar I get it that she has soft cheeks but itna bhi pull mat karo! Lagega bechari ko!

"Yeah! We both are going to my flat so that I can few clothes and stuff. Jo bhi remaining hein woh baad mein aake le jaungi." Mukti di explained and I nodded.

"Accha Mukti this is your address na. The receptionist gave us." Cabir Bhai asked showing her the paper which had her address written.

"I strictly told her not to share my address with anyone." Mukti di added and I shrugged my shoulders proudly well you see girls break few rules as they start falling for my charms!

"Oh Teri! That sly fox she gave you guys the wrong address." Mukti di exclaimed and Chipmunk started laughing at looking me.

"Manik Malhotra weren't you saying that no one can resist your charms? Well you have been proven wrong!" She says amidst the fits of laughter and I sigh.

Mere saath hi aisa kyu hota hein! Chipmunk is such a sadist , meri dukh mein madam ko khushi milti hein.

Cabir Bhai and Mukti di along with Navya bhabhi left for her flat and I followed Chipmunk to sit on the stone bench as she continued laughing at my expense.

She quieted down after sometime letting out small chuckles and playing with the pallu of her saree as I stared at her thinking of a solid plan.

"Acha Chipmunk did I ever tell you how distracting your cuteness is?" I ask her candidly playing with her fingers as she gaped at me taken aback for a bit. But the surprise on her face changes to a little smile and she turns away trying to hide the redness of her cheeks.

"Manik what do you think your doing?" She asks smiling widely struggling to control her blush.

"So you see that's where the trouble began, that smile, that damned smile of yours!" I said leaning on her shoulder as a darker shade of rosiness painted her face and she bit her lower lip to not smile anymore.

Placing my head on her shoulder I turned my torso towards her and my vision veered through her face as I made mental notes of her perfectly threaded brows, her tender eyes, her ample cheeks finally ceasing at her lustrous lips which were moist and scarlet due to her ministrations on them.

"Kiss me if I'm wrong but 2+2 is 5 right?" I asked in a tiny whisper smirking at her as she looked into my eyes carefully interpreting my words. Her gaze was enough to make me loose my rationality.

I don't know what took over me but I found myself leaning more into her face as my fingers tugged her lips freeing them from the tortures of her teeth. My vision caressed every little curve of her mouth and she let out a sigh as my rough fingers demurely traced her lower lip spreading the moisture all over her mouth.

30 seconds.

Her palms which were lying freely on her lap ascended upwards and fisted my shirt as my forehead touched hers.

20 seconds.

My free arm wrapped itself around her petite torso trying to come in contact with her bare warm skin.

10 seconds.

She inhaled huge amount of air letting go of my shirt and moving away from me as I loosened my grip snapping myself out the moment we just had.

"We...we have to go to gym tomorrow. My happy days came to an end so quickly." Chipmunk adds laughing noisily and I nod thankful that we didn't do anything that would make stuff awkward for us.

What the hell was wrong with me?

"Well you have to do lots of cardio madam! Acha tell me were you in a track team or what? You winning was totally unexpected!" I ask curiously moving away from her and maintaining a considerable amount of distance between us.

"I was in my college track team for one year Manik and then I quit for few reasons. It was so much fun while it lasted though." She explained smiling sheepishly and I nodded thinking if Shravan forced her to quit it.

Chipmunk is such a strong and independent girl. I still don't understand what made her choose a guy like Shravan. Was she very lonely and had no one to lean on up so she chose a guy like Shravan? Only time will answer these questions.

"Did you really enjoy track running?" I ask her noticing how quickly my question lit up an excited flame in her eyes.

"I was the happiest when I was on running track Manik! It made me feel so free and high on energy that I never had negative thoughts while running." She explained cheerfully smiling widely at me.

"Let us run track for 30 mins from tomorrow then! It's really important that you get back to track running that made you feel so free." I suggest to her and she nods happily.

Her innocent excitement over such a trivial thing erased all the awkwardness I felt. At that moment I made a silent promise to her, a promise that until I exist Chipmunk is never alone. A promise where she will always me by her side during the tough times of her life.

-----------------------

~बातें कुछ अनकही सी, कुछ अनसुनी सी होने लगी
क़ाबू दिल पे रहा ना, हस्ती हमारी खोने लगी~

Author's Note :

Please do excuse me if this update was not up to the mark. I will be back with a new chapter by Tuesday!