Ola people! How do you do? I missed you.
It's dedicated to @_ShiningStar and her loving advice.

It's a Loooong update! Unedited.

Well muje bhi inline comments achieved lagti hai yar....
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Time it flies. And with this flying time flied my and his, Manik's relationship. Like he's good. Like good good. Not the sexy type good. Like a friend, may be.

We talk, we laugh, and we laugh more. Mostly me on silly things that i do and say to embarrass myself.

We discuss anything, movies; he seem much of a hollywood fan unlike me. And politics, and cricket, and now the plastic ban too.

My train journeys from Banaras to Mugalsarai and back to Banaras are not just confined to listening to the other ladies cursing their mother-in-laws. Now i too am the member of 'using the phone and giggling' girl's squad.

Not that Manik's much of a romantic types. It's the time when we both are a bit free. He isn't much of a long lovey dovey chat person. We talk normal stuff, but it's special normal not just normal normal.

But today is special, I am so excited that I can't even stress how much. I am going to Mumbai tomorrow.

Today there was a meeting and that informed that the particular employees need to attend the particular seminar which was gonna be held in Mumbai. I was already ready and if I wasn't on the list I would have begged my way into it. But, it was my lucky day.

So there I was. Going to Mumbai. And I couldn't wait to tell him, Manik about it. But he wasn't picking up my calls.

When I reach home. Mummy isn't home. And papa isn't back yet. I made chai for me after having a warm shower. Prepared my list of the stuff I wanted to pack. I have this habit. I just can't do without lists.

The accommodation, travel and food was arranged by the company itself. It's like a paid vacation with a class to attend.

Just when i was about to finish my list my mummy came in with papa.

"Aagai tu?" She asked. Like she couldn't see, but she has to, everyday. She went in and kept the groceries in the kitchen and fetched water for papa.

"What is this list about?" My mummy ask, though My papa had a seat beside me, he wasn't interested. "I am going to Mumbai tomorrow." I announced.

"Why?" Now my papa was interested.

"Seminar." I said.

"Ooh.." like my mummy finding a little relief that I wasn't running into his,Manik's arms shamelessly.

"When will you be leaving?" My papa asked.

"Tomorrow morning. It's a 7 am flight. From here, banaras." And papa nodded to my answer.

"Aur kon kon ja raha hai?" My mummy had some really different queries every time I went out somewhere.

And the next 15 minutes were spent in me giving them a seminar about my seminar. And finally heading towards my room.

I went in my room and again called him, Manik. But he still didn't receive. I don't call him back to back because he gets irritated if he's really busy.

I start with the packing a bit before dinner and a bit later. And at the end I am having a bag full. Like how is it possible? One day or one month, a girl's bag is always full while traveling.

The people who were going to come had already made a group on watsapp discussing everything to be done in Mumbai apart from the seminar. We had one day! Just one day and everybody is suggesting everything. Just one glance away from the phone and there is miles of conversation you missed. I still have packing to do yet this is so contagious. So I cross my heart and put my phone aside and pack.

"This one i will wear in the morning. And for seminar? Vahi pehen lungi... kon change kre... and evening, i'll meet him, Manik' maybe, no definitely i'll meet him. So then i'll have to change. So this one is good. But what if we go go for dinner too? Then i'll take this too. But if it's kind off pub type? I have seen his pictures of that kind of ambience. I can wear that expensive dress which i have bought hiding from mummy. I'll take that too, you know safe side. But there's beach too. What if we go there? I have shorts too. But I don't like them. Arggghhh.... I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR."

I have this so little and so innocent conversation with myself and ended up packing 4 pair of clothes, one night wear, 3 pair of foot wear and other accessories. And I had to practically sit on it to close the small bag.

It was almost 10 when I glanced at my phone. The watssapp group had how 458 messages to be read, the photo library is full of the photographs and screenshots recently sent in the group and they have changed the plans atlest 150 times. And now the guys are discussing about PRO KABBADI.

And yes there is ONE message of him,Manik.; "I will call back once free."
And seems like he isn't free yet and I need to sleep, i have to wake up early and try not be that one person who is super late. So I just texted him ; " Hey! I'll be attending a seminar in Mumbai tomorrow. And staying in Mumbai for tomorrow."

Should I ask him to meet me? No Nandani; attitude. Let him ask.

But what if he doesn't? Watsapp group zindabad.

And keep my phone under my pillow and sleep.
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"Nandu" I heard my mom mumble. "Nandu uth na... you'll be late." I flicked my eye open and see the time. The alarm is yet to ring. It doesn't matter if I am 3 or 23 she will be waking me up before my alarm. My personal alarm, my mommaaa...

Today without any tantrums I woke up and got ready.

"Dhayan se jana... aur vaha sidhe sidhe rehna Nandu." My mummy said and I rolled my eyes. The same lines when I used to go to school picnic.

My papa dropped me to the airport. A few had arrived and we waited for the other until
bordering the flight.

Manik had texted me at night. " Wow great. Tell me the timings of your flight. I'll try and take an off. Where are you staying?"

I replied him about the seminar timings and about the company cab.
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It was fifth yawn sitting in the auditorium. The seminar was conducted by an multinational IT company about- Marketing and IT ~ current scope and there were quite a few hot foreigners.

It was interesting, but a lecture is a lecture after all and the AC wasn't helping at all. I looked at others. Padmini was using Facebook on her laptop. There was a guy playing solitaire. Yashistha was literally dozing off. While i was waiting time to pass out.

My phone pinged.

"Hello! Lunch?" He,Manik asked.

"It's arranged here. Seminar will be continued till 4."

"Where would you like to go tonight?" He asked.

"Anywhere, you suggest..." I insisted.

" clubbing?" He suggested.

"Cool!" I said.

"See you soon then..." he said.

Ooohh I can't wait. I wanted to say but didn't.

"Sure!" I said. And had some heavy jitters in my stomach. Oohhj myyy godd i am soo desperate to see him.

And with those jitters i was again listening to a 60 year old marketing person who was just moaning how poor communication was in 90's. Grow up dude!
—————

The accommodation given to us was THE JW MARRIOT. The hotel was so good that for once we thought we were at the wrong place.

I was all ready. Decked up. Make up done. Hair done. Perfume done. God i am soo excited. Is he feeling the same? He better.

I left a long sigh I shaked my hands which here sweating. I picked my silver metal sling back and kept my weapons like lipstick, eyeliner and tissues. And also the cell phone.

Manik called, "hey, I am downstairs. You ready?"

"Yaa... i'll be there." I said and went down.

I saw Padmini and others downstairs. "Woaah you look hot"

"Thanks!" I said and waved her a bye and left not without noticing the other two staff guys ogling at me. Wow! I like it! Keep it up boys.

And there he was! Him, Manik. In his uniform, using his phone and wearing aviators. This is the first time i saw him in uniform. He-looks-hot-in-uniform. Oh man those biceps, i didn't notice them in sherwani and the time he came to see me. My to be husband is better than those foreigners in morning. Yeaahh!!!

And just when I was about to reach next to him. He saw up and his mouth did pop open for a second but he closed it. Wow I am impressed by myself.

"Hi!" He said removing his aviators.

"Hiiee" i criped too and waved my hand.

"How's you??" He asked and forwarded his hand to for a handshake.

And i like a dumb fiancé shook his hand saying, "goodd..." idiot you could have hugged me.

"Sorry, i got the police jeeb. Vo actually I directly came from work." He explained the reason of the off white yellowish not well maintained jeep he got.

"It's not an issue!" I said smiling.

He walked me to the other side and helped me in the jeep, while I was thankful that I didn't trip in heels. The Jeep was more old from inside than from outside. No wonder he was sorry. It wasn't something you would love to travel in.

He climbed in and started the ignition. The jeep was even more badly maintained. Rohit Sheety is a liar. If Ajay Devgan would have chased Jaykant Shikhre in this, the movie would have been a sad story.

"How was the seminar?" Out of everything he wants to know that?

"Good.." i said.

"Amm... actually my friends are coming over too, if you don't mind. Going out with them... I mean if you don't mind then only...." he sounded a bit unsure.

But his friends.... like all men? I thought and saw him turning my neck and he looked my side too and i gave a nervous smile.

"Ooh, there is my one friend and his girlfriend. Just us four." He assured.

"Ooh" i was relived. "Yaa no problem."

He smiled too. "Sorry, vo there's no air conditioner. Sorry." He said.

"It's Okay.... and stop saying Sorry, you don't need to." I said with a chuckle.

And suddenly there was a voice and I jumped at my place. "Sorry.... vo walkie talkie...." He said again and he was about to switch it off but I just poked my hand in a hurry. "Oohh noo Don't, chalega." I said and our hands clashed.

And we took them back with awkward smiles. Well mine wasn't awkward. I liked it, kind off.

Blushing I looked out to the roads of Mumbai through the down windows. The people outside were giving me awkward looks and i was curious why. But the. I saw myself in the rear view mirror. Girl in a police van with red lipstick was enough reason to stare.

"So have you been to Mumbai before?" He asked.

"School trip, once in senventh standard."

"Nandani..." he called out my name. I love it. Call me once more.

"Yaa..."

"We are going to my place now. I want to change. Is that okay naa?"

"Yaa ... it's fine."

"And from there we can go ahead on my bike. Amm I actually don't have a car here. It's just the jeep. Soo... if you want we can....."

"Bike is cool..." I interrupted his worries and he smiled. A good smile that gave me cute jitters.

I never had a chance to look at him so keenly. I wanted too. But I felt unsure that how it would turn out to ogle him, meaninglessly.

I didn't want the conversation to die so I wanted to come up with something good. Like good good.

"You like in here? In Mumbai?" I asked.

"Yaa... i mean i have work and that keeps me busy, but i also have more of friends in here too. We meet too less but it's good."

"You did your college in Mumbai?" I asked.

"Noo, Delhi university. And you?" He was also making effort to have a good conversation. I like it.

"BHU." I said.

"Ooh hoo topperr....." He had big teasing grin.

"No I wasn't a topper as such..." I tried to be modest, but i was fucking proud of my result. A topper never accepts that they are toppers, just on face.

"You are also a Delhi university. And you cracked UPSC too, that is something I can never do." And then you compliment back even if you don't mean it. But i did mean it this time. Okay, just the second part.

"I was commerce student Nandani, and UPSC was unexpected." He said.

"You are a commerce student?" I laughed.

"So judgemental yar, typical science student." He said and we laughed more.

"Now please don't tell me you were a state board student" I said and we laughed more. Geek talks never fail.

And just like that laughing we reached his apartment. It was like a semi old building. Not too fancy types but tall. As we entered the watchman stood up seeing him, Manik.

We walked to the lift after parking the jeep. Manik punched 8th floor. The lift was old and dirty. The light was dim. The silver walls around were full of imprints and corners were muddy. There was a weird music in the background which seemed familiar but I couldn't remember which old Bollywood song was it.

The lift journey was awkward. Like real awkward. I imagined it to be some fifty shades of grey types, or atlest good Bollywood types. But it wasn't even near to that.

The lift pinged at the floor. There were four flats on that floor and an middle aged auntey was already at the door peeking from her door grills with a super weird expression.

She glanced me right from top to bottom twice. I was wearing sparkling leggings and had lipstick. RED LIPSTICK. Her glance traveled from me to him, manik and back to me. I was dead sure she was thinking me as a prostitute. And don't know what got into me that i gave an awkward smile to her. She didn't smile back. Embarrassing it is.

Finally when Manik unlocked the door, I walk in and closes the door behind.

"Sorry the house isn't that tempting." He said rubbing the nape of his neck and smiled cutely. Cute police man.

"Oh no! It's good!" I lied. It wasn't.

"Water?" He asked, but rushed to get it before I could answer and I followed him.

The fridge was empty. Almost empty. This refrigerator is a women's nightmare and so was the kitchen. There were only three glasses in total. All three different in shape and size. But there was a set of four similar whiskey glasses. Men.

He poured me some water. I took the glass thanking and turned looking around as if I was looking at the house. But actually wanted to see if the glass was clean or not. It was. Thankfully.

I walked back to the living room while he went to have a shower and change. I was loitering around in the apartment . The apartment wasn't messy but just a bit dirty. Like because of faulted maid.

I moved around and found found a door, opened it and it was a balcony. It was facing the slums. I was standing when I heard voice of shower. It was the adjacent wall, it's the bathroom wall. Oh! It's really awkward when you here someone you like having shower. Like he's naked in there. It was the first thought that passed my mind and I blushed. Badly. I had goosebumps.

I went around to explore more. Not that there was more to explore. Just one room. I wanted to see his bedroom so I peeked in. It was simple. Such a pervert I am. I was reminded of my mom's sanskars and backed off. Nandani get a hold.

———

It was some club cum dinner place. It's ambiance is really good. People were having food in dim disco type lights. Drinking bar was at the end. This was the first time I had seen a bar like this. A real bar. We just arrived and were waiting for his, Manik's friends.

"You want to order something?" Manik said in my ear. He was so close I could feel his lips move and it sent shivers down my spine.

I turned my neck to see him. He was close. He is so good looking. Love you shaddi.com.

I could shout and say. But i like ear talking. So i too leaned in. "Your friends?" Our cheeks were so close. His face was almost between my neck and shoulder. I could feel his beard. And I felt him smell my hair. Who cares about noise pollution, I love loud noises.

I mentally thanked the pathetic kareok singer.

"It's Okay! They won't mind." He replied and this time his lips were even more close to my ears and I clutched the leather seat tightly.

"I am fine waiting until they arrive..." I said. Even I couldn't believe the elegance of my voice.

"Okay cool. Tell me if you are hungry." He said and we bother parted apart dishearteningly. And I nodded in answer.

Let's talk more.....

And we both looked around awkwardly.

"You like the place?" He asked and I smiled and nodded.

Just then a guy of same as his, Manik's physic came and patted his back.

"Aur bhaii...." he shouted. And we looked back and stood up. They were his friends.

"Hey!" He said and took the other guy in a manly hug and side hugged the girl with him. Its just me this idiot couldn't hug!

" Nandani, this is Abhimanyu." He, Manik introduced.

Abhimanyu shook hands with me, "Call me Abhi." And I reciprocated with a smile.

"And this is Mukti. His girlfriend." He, Manik introduced the girl with fantastic curly hair.

We too shook hands with hellos.

They both sat on the couch opposite to us.

"We guys were in college together." Mukti said.

"Ooh that's great." I said.

" Abhi is also an IPS. He's in pune. And Mukti is an accountant." He, Manik says.

"Wow that's great. You came all the way from Pune?" I asked.

"Yaa... I mean we often come here, and this time you were here too, and we are really sorry we couldn't come for the engagement." Abhimanyu apologised.

And we talked more. And ordered food and beer. This was the first time I was having alcohol. The other three seemed to have it like they were having coke. He, Manik gulped half glass in one go, like it was water. My eye almost popped out, but I shoved them back in before anyone noticed.

We all had a really light hearted conversation. About work and food. Abhi was a funny guy and he, Manik looked amazing when he laughed.

Just at a moment, while laughing he, Manik extended his hand and kept on the rim of the back of the couch behind me. And my world stopped. There were jitters in my stomach and couldn't control my blush.

The food arrived. And it was served. They had already finished one pitcher of beer and ordered another one. While I didn't even had a sip.

I took one sip keeping a brave heart. One big sip. And it was pathetic. Bitter. And I could feel it travel down my throat. I kept the glass back and hurriedly stuffed a big piece of bread in my mouth. No wonder people have snacks while drinking.

Just then I felt Manik lean near me, and he said in my ear, "don't drink if you don't want to..." he said.

And I turned my neck to see him. His eyes met mine. His one hand was still behind my back on the couch. His eyes were shining in the dim lights. And we just looked at each other, for few seconds until he again leaned in, " first time?"

And I nodded. "Drink only if you feel like to..." he said politely.

"Mukti enough for you now. You had two glasses this is the last. Then tuje chad jati hai." Abhi said to Mukti.

"Tu chup krr.." she snapped and I laughed.

"You say Nandani, when's the weeding?" She asked and I felt butterflies in my tummy. Marriage, I thought.

"Amm diwali se pehle..." I said and I could feel him, Manik loose his track of talk with Abhi. He has the same effect.... and that made me blush.

"I am definitely coming at the wedding, this Abhi toh never gets leave only. You beware han Nandani, this Manik is also the same. Abhi se kam chutti marta hai.... start his training right away." She said and i laughed to hide my blush.

I turned to look at him, Manik. But just as I did he and Abhi stopped the animated conversation they were having.

"Wow What a song man! I love it. Muki..... you look drunk ree... leave.... Nandani come let's dance." Abhi asked forwarding his hand to me. It was then I realised that the karoke was over and it was a dj playing.

"Aaa....Mee??" I was unsure and looked at him,Manik. But he had his lips pressed in a tine line and was shaking his head looking at Abhi.

"Don't look at Manik, come come." Abhi said. And, he,Manik took the half drunk beer glass from my hand and moved aside to let us move out.

I couldn't deny so joined Abhi. Couples were dancing around. Some drunk boys too
Were dancing in melancholy.

It was some sweet and soft English song which I didn't knew. But it was good.

I glanced at the table and Manik was talking to Mukti now and sipping beet from my glass. It makes me blush too.

"You both seem to like each other..." Abhi started the conversation.

"Maybe, we haven't known each other from a long time." I said politely.

"It's true! It grows with time..." he said.

"Yaa. You and Mukti are adorable." I shifted the topic, I wasn't much into discussing my relationships.

"Love itself is adorable, trust me. We are more like friends who are in love." He said.

"How sweet." And the conversation is killed.

And before he could say anything more I felt him, Manik beside me.

"May I?" He asked Abhi who laughed and passed my hand elegantly to Manik's and said, "it was my pleasure."

He,Manik took my both hands in his. It's the first time he's holding my hands. He placed both my hands on his shoulders and placed his on my waist. While we looked in each other's eyes.

The song changed to - the scientist. It's a sad but beautiful song.

"You like it here?" He asked inching close to my ears. I wore heals but still he had to bend a little.

"Mmm hmmm" and I nodded while swaying on the song a little with him. And my hair left their place from behind my right ear, to my cheeks.

He then slowly brushed his two fingers near my forehead and slide the hair back. Oh so filmy.

"Your hair is really soft!" He complimented, while his eyes roamed over my face.

Even I wanted to feel his hair....

I slowly slide my hand from on his shoulders to around his neck stepping a step towards his, while he to intertwined his own fingers around my waist.

I couldn't believe we were so close. And the song had too changed to now. It's one of my favourite songs, from the movie Aaisha- Shaam.

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