Hello people

How are you all wasiyoooo?

Okay, just type like / dislike in your partner:

Six pack

Easy going

Romantic

Funny

Skinny

Beard

Clean shaved

Tattooed

Good looking

Has a pet

Gamer

A good cook

Mere pyar beheno aur desh bhar ke bhaiyo!

Why is it only during exam time mera mood Banta hai likhne ko?

System hi kuch kharab lag rha🥲🥲

Anyways...

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*unedited*

Anurag:

"You can do this Anu." I said for the nth time, taking in a deep breath. But nothing could help me at this moment. I was standing there on the door steps of my house, while mom fed me dahi shakkar, bhabhi handed me the file, and Bhai and dad stood beside me, letting me have the moment.

"You'll do great Anu." Maa said, as I bent to touch her feet. She softly placed her hand on my head and smiled, "Don't worry. Hmm?" I smiled and nodded. I stepped aside quickly checked my office bag for the stuffs I needed today. Ones satisfied, we moved out not before Bhai bidding a proper bye to bhabhi.

We sat in, just when my phone pinged.

From Minion,
All the best mere sher. Chak de phatte *confetti emoji*

My smiled widened, and fingers typed a quick reply.

To Minion,
I'd like to hear those Punjabi words practically *laughing emoji*

From Minion,
Jao jao *scoffs*

I chuckled and kept my phone aside, before shifting my eyes to the laptop on my lap. My heartbeat was at its peak, even though her message brought soothing sense along, but that mere thought of failing today wasn't helping me.

My hands were too cold to type. I exhaled inaudibly and clicked save after pre-viewing my presentation.

"Nothing will go wrong Anu." Bhai spoke beside me, to which I nodded.

Right.

What can even go wrong?

Car skidded and we got down, before my feet chose to freeze.

"No Anurag, you're prepared."

"Even jiju trusts you, because of which you are handling this project nah baba."

"Neither he, nor your father and definitely not me, who doubts your caliber."

"Failing after working hard hurts, but it gives satisfaction that we tried, otherwise, it only comes with regret."

Her words rang in my ears, erupting goosebumps all over my skin. I took a deep breath, and stepped in the office. We wished the staff and straightway entered in the conference room. Dad took his seat while me and Bhai were taking care of presentation and projector.

We slid the pendrive in and pre-viewed the presentation for the last time. Yeah! It's all perfect. I slid out the drive again as our turn was after the opposite company. I exhaled shakily, and rubbed my palms together.

Manik patted my back in strange and smiled, "You'll do great." I nodded with a small smile as we walked towards our respective seats.

Not more than a minute when clients and the opposite company entered. We introduced ourselves formally and initiated the meeting. Nevertheless, my eyes dint miss that small smirk adorning Mr. Verma, Ahaan's face. Doubts creeper in like fine soil, but I chose to ignore my inner gut.

The presentation was to be given by the other company, for which the respective person stepped ahead and slid his pendrive in.

I sipped water to calm down my raging heartbeats as I saw him clicking enter. But what I saw next froze blood in my body. My breath shortened and heart beat accelerated. My palms felt sweaty and mind went blank.

The presentation they prepared was exact copy of ours. Word to word. Picture to picture. Theme to theme.

Every fucking single thing!

My eyes immediately went to dad and Bhai who looked equally dumbfounded.

No no no, this shouldn't have happened. My breath went vigorous, and my body shivered thinking the consequences. How is it possible that their entire project is, just a perfect replica of ours.

My jaws clenched as he began his presentation. I fisted to control my raging anger but something in me provoked, "Wait a second, Mr. Ahaan Verma." I heard myself speaking even before I was aware of my actions. The meeting was halted abruptly. Cheating is not acceptable.

And I don't give a fuck who you are!

Bhai stood beside me and rest thirteen eyes were on me. I flared at the representative, and stepped ahead to walk towards him any stand parallel. "May I know who prepared this presentation?"

His eyes lost all its colors evidently but truth is something our lips hate to utter but eyes love to depict. "Our... team members."

I tucked my hands in my pocket, "All of the team members are here Mr. Verma. Be specific."

The client, Mr. Sen from behind stood, "Why this sudden interpretation Mr. Malhotra? Its a disrespect towards the meeting room and people in it."

My tooth grind, which is why, I did nothing but turned towards him and spoke, "Sir, honestly, my hardwork matters to me. And this company and stolen our hardwork. Which isn't acceptable."

I could feel Manik smirking their and dad still in his chair. Rest of the eyes widened at my statement. Some in shock, while some in fear. "This is a very serious accusation Mr. Malhotra!"

"And we are aware of it, Mr. Sen!" This time dad spoke up. Manik walked towards our laptop after taking pen drive and inserted it and showed it to them. "You can clearly see it."

"What is this Mr. Verma?" Mr. Sen, after analyzing the project, inquired.

The owner of the company, Mr. Ahaan Verma spoke, chuckling, "You believe them? They would've copied us. Of course, worst copies best."

I scoffed, and ended up chuckling sarcastically, "I understand that human is bound to have misconception, but Mr. Ahaan." I walked towards him dangerously, stood parallel with my eyes spitting fire and jaws clenched, "Do not force me to prove you wrong. Won't take me a second. Believe me." I whispered the last part, and stepped back with stern look.

That specimen smirked, "Bring it on, Malhotra."

"Okay that's enough." Mr. Sen interrupted us with a loud voice. "Mr. Ahaan, is it true that your company has followed this fraudulent trend?"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, "Why the hell will they agree Mr. Sen?"

"We did not. And it's them who are accusing. Ask them to prove it. We aren't bound to prove anything." Ahaan's stern voice reached.

My tooth gritted, "We will!" I announced and evidently dad and Manik did look shocked.

"We are sorry for inconvenience sir." He said to Mr. Sen, who gave us an understanding look, "Meeting is dismissed for the day." Dad announced, his eyes stuck on me. People started leaving, until that jerk approached.

"Was a pleasure meeting you sir." He spoke with that smirk.

I dint budge. My innerself was quivering with this defeat. The decision lies pending but someone else holding my share of hardwork is not acceptable. "Twenty four hours Mr. Verma. Twenty four hours!"

He chuckled unbelievably, "I'd like to see you try, Mr. Malhotra." His eyes roamed across three of us and our team standing behind, before making a move towards the door along with his team.

I'd make sure to kill down his smirk before tomorrow's sun sets.

A hand came from behind, patting me slowly, "Calm down Anu." Dad. I sighed and rubbed my palm on my face.

"How is it possible-"

"I said everyone is dismissed." Dad's loud voice roared in the cabin, scaring all of us. The team behind flinched and immediately made a move to exit the room leaving us alone.

Next moment, we were in his cabin, with me leaning against the couch, Dad on his chair and Manik near the window. "Someone has leaked it out." Manik said, his eyes still stuck on the window.

I nodded, "But this project was known to no one except three of us." And her.

Me and Manik looked towards dad, who was playing with the paper weight and had this slight smirk on his lips. We shared a confused look, before dad chose to clear the air, "It took me fifty years to build this empire bache! I'm aware of every nerve working in this office." His eyes snapped to us. He stood up and walked towards the center of the table, with him still holding the paper weight. "Kissi ped ke patte me itni himmat nahi, ki Raj Malhotra ko uski halchal ka andaza na lage."

[No leaf of any tree here has courage to even move without Raj Malhotra's knowledge]

"So..it's someone from out?" Manik asked, joining the dots.

Dad chuckled, "Someone among us who has dared to challenge Malhotras."

I subconsciously uttered, "Someone from our office, but away from our premises."

"Now you're thinking son." Dad said, eyes stuck between me and Manik. "We need possibilities, and then jumping into conclusions won't be difficult."

"But we are not having time." Manik reminded, to which dad nodded, "I'm aware. But it's my duty to make sure my son's words are kept." His gaze came to me, "And it shall be." We smirked, before I nodded. I'm going to find the person even if he's hidden in the darkest corners of earth.

Bhai's phone took our attention. It was quite evident who it was as a small smile took its place when he saw the caller's name.

"Ladies can be kept away from this, I guess?" I hesitantly spoke. Dad looked at Manik with eyebrows raised.

Bhai chuckled, "Teri bhabhi phone uthate yahi puchegi. And jhooth me bolne se raha." He shrugged, before bidding bye to dad and walking away with phone attached to his ears.

"He's the same Manik, Anu?" Dad asked, chuckling at his son's whipped behavior.

I nodded laughing, "I know right."

At least something is good today...

End:

Mannat:

Things have started falling in its place. My book is doing wonders. Amma appa are healthy happy. Nandini is contented. I'm happy. It feels good to wake up with a smile and not a frown. It feels good to await positive things and having no room for negativity.

The evolution in the daily routine, ranging with my behavior to mood. I've started to be happy.

My innerself screamed, asking, "What changed?" I chuckled and replied, "Something did. And did for good."

This feeling is surreal. Something that I dint feel even with . And the weird part is that I'm not scared of this feeling. Probably more than like. Definitely not just friends. Definitely not one sided.

What do we name it?

Love?

Does love feel this way?

Because whatever I was feeling isn't what I've ever felt before. Right now I was in my cabin, with screen shining with the interviews and reviews and wall decorated with, what not? I needed answers. Answers to my cloudy brain. And right now, I only knew one person who could help me.

I quickly dialed the person and placed before between my ear and shoulder, "Helloooooooooo." I sang stretching the word, while my hands moving to clean my messed up desk.

"Hello to you to madam." Nandini spoke from the other side.

"You're busy?" I asked, taking phone in my hand.

"Just got free. Long day." She sighed tiredly. "How's Amma Appa?"

"They're great. They miss you baba. Just drop by someday."

"I will. Soon."

"By the way, I did transfer monthly end money in their account. They received it right?"

I replied, "They did. And it's funny how they are still reluctant to it."

She chuckled from the other end, "Their reluctance won't stop us." I couldn't agree less. "So madam, meri yaad kaise aayi?"

[How did you remember me?]

I frowned, "Areh, I was free, so thought to have some sisters chat." She hummed, and I could feel she was still suspicious. But sister, I'm also Mannat Murthy, huh. I blew my non existent French, resulting in nothing. "How's everyone there?"

"Oh they are great. Maa papa Manik." And him?

I swallowed my question, "Did you guys hit the second base?" I heard her coughing vigorously.

Gadi aage badhi hai matlab

She composed herself, "And why would I tell you that?"

I pouted, "You're so mean. Boring ladki."

"By the way you tell me. I'm seeing you lost everyday. Smiling to yourself. Phone always busy. What's going on madam." Her tone dripped tease.

"Mein.." I chuckled nervously. "Mera kya hoga?"

[What's happening with me?]

"Hmm hmm. Sab samajh rahi hu me." I bit my lips, praying to escape from this drill.

[I'm understanding everything.]

"But tell me something Nandu, you are happy there right?"

She chuckled at my question, "After a month you're asking me this? Of course I am. Everything has molded perfectly. It's.. all great." I smiled and immediately touched wood.

"So.. you love jiju?" I asked slowly, only to find line going silent.

"May be." My eyes widened, "Really?"

She hesitated, "I mean, yeah. He makes me happy Manu. At end of the day I just need him. That's it and even my worst days get a perfect ending. Surreal but..real apparently." My sister is in love.

"So..how does love make you feel?" I asked, my most awaited question.

"Honestly, it's not just explainable. You just feel certainly with someone and only with that someone. You won't even be able to name it." I chuckled, my eyes stuck to the blank paper in front of me. "You won't be able to name it. With him, even in chaos, you'll feel as if, even for that one moment, everything is fine. Because he is there."

My heart was thumping, as those words poured out of her mouth. Everything she was speaking felt as if I'm familiarized with it. As if I know how that feels and as if I'm feeling it.

He makes me happy. Even when I was in my worst phase, his Emre presence made me forget the issues I was surrounded with.

Damn it Anurag!

My system is foreign to me. Only because of you!

We were silent for next few minutes, just absorbing the moment until something struck my mind, "How was their meeting today?" I blurted out.

"How do you know about that?" Phass gayi mein.

Aur bol. Duffer!

"Uh, I had small chat with Anurag. He told me. So.." I tired sounding casual.

"Oh, alright." And I did sound. She sighed, "Everything just messed up." My heart thumped, but I dint force her for details. It won't look appropriate to gather information about a family's business problems with whom I have no connection with.

"That's...sad." I muttered.

"It is. Specially Anurag. He was working so hard for it." I know. Which is scaring me even more. "Acha Manu, he's here to pick me up. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yes yes. Dhyaan rakhna ha." We bid byes and ended the call.

[Take care of yourself.]

As I ended the call, and immediately picked up my stuffs and rushed out of my office. I hurried towards my car and rushed towards a place.

I know where he'll be. Amidst all these chaos, one place that will provide him his space. But alone time is the last thing I can give him now.

And thus, I'll give him a part of me no one knows.

In Mumbai traffic, I covered thirty minutes way in ten minutes. I parked my car and picked up my phone to open our chat log.

To Jerk,
Come out.

Sent two minutes ago
Read just now

From Jerk,
You're here?

He was shocked I assume.

To Jerk,
Yes Anu, come out.

From Jerk,
Zaroori hai?

To Jerk,
Hanji. Bohot

From Jerk,
Aa gaya

And very next second, door of my passenger seat opened and he sat beside me. Nevertheless, I couldn't miss that frown. Those messy hairs reaching till his forehead. Untucked shirt and coat hanging by his shoulder.

My heart ached at his look. The lips which always uttered words to make me smile at my dullest moments were zipped.

I bit my lips, and started the engine, "Want to share?" I asked slowly.

His gaze was stuck on the tinted window, fist clenched and breath uneven. I dint think twice before parking car nearby in an isolated area and held his hand. He slowly looked at me, to which I smiled and nodded before extending my arms.

His eyes slowly went teary, and he held my hand to pull me closer and dig his face in my neck. Without a word, I enveloped him in a warm embrace.

I let him be, by caressing his nape slowly, gesturing him the acceptance of his weak side. My heart broke as his sobs were evident. I never realized when my vision went blur, and his hold on my waist tightened. Under the canvas of a starlit night,
I listened, his complaints and vulnerability behind those sobs.

I felt him going calmer, as he parted ways. Our hands still connected. In fact, I intertwined it. He gaze up to me while I smiled slowly. "Better?"

He nodded weakly, before shifting back and leaning his back against the gate with his eyes still on me. He weakly began narrating day's events and I listened quietly without interrupting. He told me about Ahaan Verma, his project leak out, disappointed, anger, guilt, everything. It took nearly twenty minutes for him to speak. He spoke and spoke and spoke, while all I did was to analyze the defeat he's going through. His confidence has shattered down. The only hope that kept him going.

"We have planned this, but I don't know how it is going to work." He ended, with a deep exhale and dropped shoulders. I leaned back and picked up the water bottle before passing him. He sipped it slowly while I again started the engine. He turned forward, his heart beat yet loud and predominant enough.

I cleared my throat, "Waise Anu."

"Haanji?" His weak voice made me go w weak on my knees.

Damn it, Mannat focus!

"You shared it to me, about the project. May be I would've leaked it? You dint ask me?" I winked and asked, while he dint look pleased with my question.

He rolled his eyes and muttered, "I'll answer this later." He continued, "But how did you know where I was? Juhu?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, " I just knew."

He sighed, and this one wasn't out of tiredness, "And where are we going?" I looked at him, and grinned before winking. Another five minutes and I parked my car in front of a huge building. We got down, and I collected my things before gesturing Anu to follow me.

I pressed lift buttons and pushed it to the twentieth floor, "Are we trespassing?"

I laughed, "No no. It's my apartment." Elevator pinged and we moved out. I fished out my keys and opened the door.

Ah, my home.

I switched on lights and drew away curtains. Homely smell reached my nostrils as I stepped in. My house. My apartment.

"Your apartment?" I turned towards him and nodded. I threw my stuffs on couch and plopped before patting space beside me, gesturing him to sit. He obliged.

"I bought it when I needed space and when things weren't going good. So this apartment was my chat wala kamra. No one knows about it."

His gaze snapped at mine, "What?" I nodded, smiling, "Then why me?"

"Because I think I've found someone to trust with my space." I shrugged.

His eyes bored into mine, "Likewise Minion." He said softly, "Doubting you with it was doubting myself. Mera bhagwan janta hai waha khade ho kar aisa ek pal nahi hoga jab meine yeh socha bhi ho."

[My god knows Minion, that standing there not even for ones this thought crossed my mind.]

Huge smile touched my lips, "Beware Mr. Malhotra, you might fall for me." I giggled, before standing up and walking towards the cabinet and pulled out Maggi packets.

He stood up with his hands tucked in his pocket, and his lips finally holding a smile, "We are beyond that Minion at this point." I blinked my eyes to stop that damn smile, but failed brutally.

I chose not to answer and concentrate on my Maggi. I took out the pan and poured required amount of water before adding the masala. Anurag sat on the chair in front, doing nothing but staring at me. I tried not to let that effect me, and continue my work. I added momo chutney and good amount of Chilli powder. Ones disturbances were noticed, I added Maggi cakes and covered the pan with the lid.

"By the way." I started in order to gain his attention, and I was quite successful in it, "In books, when hero's stuffs are leaked, first doubt goes towards the person closest to that thing."

He sighed, "Minion I'm not doubt-"

I interrupted him, "Not me baba. But wild thought. Someone who was a common link between you three."

I saw him going silent, in deep thoughts until his eyes again came to mine, and with a smirk adorning his lips, "I think I know what to do." I smiled and blinked in assurance.

Serving Maggi in two bowls, we sat out in balcony. In silence. Witnessing the world moving around us. Bowls emptied but reasons to stay beside dint. We needed to read to just be with each other.

"Thank you." He whispered beside me. I just shifted towards him, placing my hands on his. He, in response just entwined our hands and pulled me close to his chest. I shut my eyes in bliss, letting myself lean over him and his arms wrapped around my shoulders pulling me closer, swiftly. I heard him sighing in content. I clutched his hand tighter as he placed a chaste kiss on my forehead.

Content

That was you Malhotra!

Damn you!

End

Precap: Jealousy at its finest

I know I'm not in position to apologize, so as a compensation, it's a 4k+ word update!

So how was it?

I know you all are missing our Manik and His Nandini. So I have some good plans for them.

I said I'll make things go down, but a little spicy would compensate 👀
Not sure though

Stay tuned for more

~
Mahak