Ola my loves!!!! I LOVE YOU for the amazing response to the last chapter!!
From 36 comments to 136. I love you people.

This early update is on a special demand of a reader.
******

I was looking at him. He looked so adorable. I could stare him for eternity. This feeling. This creepy need of wanting to stare at someone was so good.

I was so close to him. Last time we met wasn't difficult to say goodbye but this time, tomorrow morning, will it be easy? I didn't wanted to think about it. I just wanted to be here, in the moment. I left a heavy sigh and inhaled the beast smell of the night. His, Manik's cologne. It has faded with time but it's still there, and it's so good.

I turned my neck around and saw Mukti and Abhimanyu. They were dancing too, just the difference was Mukti was standing bare foot on Abhi's shoes removing her own. Making them even more close. Abhi was whispering in her ears and Mukti was blushing. So cute. Do we look cute too? Or just a tall guy and tiny girl together.

I looked back to him, Manik. And he was looking at me with a smile. And I just blushing looked down.

"You want to finish food?" He spoke in my ear. The music was soft, I could easily hear him, but I guessed he just wanted to be close, just like me.

I nodded and we went to the couch back.

"You like the food?" He asked tilting his head to me.

"I have lived all my life in Banaras. This pasta is heaven." I said lifting up the fork. And he laughed.

But the was actually really good. He too eat a mouthful of pasta and bread. From what I noticed, Manik ate large bites. Like big ones. I wondered how could he fit so much in his mouth at once.

I was looking at him eating, while he was looking for something on the table. Then I noticed it's beer he's looking for, but the pitcher was empty.

"You'll have more beer?" He asked and I nodded in a no. "You want more beer?" I asked and he shrugged like it's obviously bro!

"Abhi beer piyega?" He shouted.

And the love birds turned their heads to us. Mukti was smiling way too much. Abhi was sane. "Nope!" I sighed in relief. "Whiskey? Ek ek?" He suggested and my breath hitched. "Yaa sure!" Manik affirmed. These people were real alcoholics.

"No whiskey! I won't kiss if you have whiskey." Mukti threatens making me chuckle. While Abhi nagged, but she was adamant so finally he gave into her.

He, Manik shook his head negatively seeing them and asked the waiter to bring, "one corona premium and a bacardi or breezer- cranaberry, lemon will also do." He ordered. Two two beers.

"Don't you get....." I lifted my index finger in air and rolled it. Drunk. I wanted to ask but couldn't. 

He laughed and said, "it's beer. Beer kisko chadhti hai?"

Mukti ko. I wanted to say but I didn't say that either.

The waiter got two bottles. One was red. He, Manik passed the bottle to me.

"Mmm... not me..." I said shaking my head.

"This one's not bitter!"

I was unsure but took it. We clicked the bottles and I took a sip. It wasn't bitter.

"You liked it?" He asked.

"It tastes like a cough syrup!" I said and we laughed.
————

We four were walking out of the place. "Nandani you wait. Me bike leke aata hun.." he, Manik said while I waited with Abhi and Mukti near their car.

"You enjoyed?" Abhi asked.

"Yes. Very much. Come to Banaras now, Mumbai jitna happening nai hai but, it's good." I said.

"Are pakka !" Abhi said giving a manly handshake.

And he, Manik was back with his bike. He had a olive green mat finished Royal Enfeild. Nice bike. But too much space. Not meant for couples. Darling bike, you are going on OLX.

"Sun, me Nandani ko hotel chod k aata hun. Ye le chabbi." He, Manik threw the keys towards Abhi which he caught gracefully.

"Byee..." I waved at both of them and sat on the bike.

"Amm... Manik. Why don't you and Nandani... you know.. show her the beach. Go you should show her the beach." Abhi said stammering.

"Really??" Manik over stretched his really. And Mukti blushed hiding her face in Abhi's shoulder.

Ooh! And I know exactly why! Even i had a light blush.

"Noo, Nandani is too tired.... hai na Nandani?" He, Manik asked looking back at me folding his hands to his chest with a teasing grin.

"Are go na... don't speak on Nandani's behalf. Go!" Abhi said.

"Please naa Manik yar !" This time Mukti too Said making me gasp but Manik laughed.

"Fine. I was just kidding. Just don't use the living room." Manik said leaving me shocked and hit him lightly on his shoulder. These three were really bold.

"Kya yar Manik! I really like that table of yours, You just spoilt my plan!" Mukti's comeback made me blush and look away. They were really really bold.

"Bye." He, Manik shouted and accelerated the bike and I waved back too.

"You want to go to the beach?" He asked tilting his head sideways. I heard what he said but still acted that I didn't and leaned forward. "Jii kya bole?" This was my bold.

"You want to see the Juhu beech?" He asked again this time he leaned back too. His back touched my shoulders and our faces was too close. I tilted my neck a little and was dumbstruck to see him so close to me. Like I would pout and i will be kissing his cheek. How would it fell to kiss him?

"Nandani if I stay like this, we'll meet an accident." He said and broke my trance.

"Haan, chalo...." I looked away and he straightened himself with a teasing smiled that I could feel. And I suddenly felt a jerk and in an reflex I placed my hands on his shoulders. And saw him grinning more and that made me blush to deep red. But this time I didn't take my hands back. They were still there on his shoulders, where they were supposed to be.

The beach wasn't completely empty. There were very few people here and there. Some drunk, some tourists, some just roaming. There was police jeep taking turns and ensureing people stay away from water.

The winds were cold and it was uncomfortable to walk in those heels.

"Ammm.... could you just hold this for a moment?" I asked him, extending my silver clutch. And he held it with an unsure expression while i tried to remove my heels. I was almost going to stumble but he held my hand just in time and I giggled.

I removed my heels and I huffed leaving a long breath, taking my clutch back. While he watched me with a really cute expression on his face.

He came forward and removed hair from my face. His fingers played with my hair more then necessary and I liked it.

"Let's walk..." He suggested and I happily accepted. And we walked, me barefoot with cold beach air around.

"You like the beaches?" He asked.

"I haven't been to much beeches."

"These beeches are really beautiful. I love them.. but people make it dirty." He said kicking a beer can, and his hands in his jeans pockets.

"So, when's your flight?" He asked. And i felt my heart sink.

"Tomorrow morning..." I said in a low tone.

"Ooh!" He seemed to be sad too.. awww. I want to ruffle his hair.

And we walked in silence for a while. A comfortable silence. Until I saw a tea stall.

"Tea?" I gleefully asked.

"Sure." He said looking at the stall and then me.

"Bhau do chaa ghay mala!" He said in Marathi.

"You speak Marathi?" My lips curve in a appreciating smile.

"We have to learn the language of the state wherever we are posted before joining service."

"And we have to learn C language!" I said and we laughed.

I passed him the glass of tea taking one for myself. And I sipped finding that satisfaction in my heart. I haven't had tea all day today. I missed you baby! I am sorry I neglected you.

"You were secretly making faces and checking weather the glass was clean or not at my home and you are drinking from this glass?" He lifted his glass up.

"You saw?" I almost shouted unbelievably.

"I am in police. This my job. Of course i saw." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Sorry....." I blushed. "But this is tea...." I said in midst of smiling.

We laughed and walked a little ahead, facing the beech.

"You always wanted to join the police force?" I asked him.

"Not.. exactly. Dad wanted me to join his business.  And i was in college, hot headed new adult. So me Abhi and Mukti joined coaching. Mukti was the first one to ditch. Call it lucky but I cleared in one go. But we really really worked very hard. I was schocked for myself. And then Abhi after a year." He stopped in between and looked at me. I was smiling. And he smiled too.

"But, I joined the force and made many blunders and embarrassed myself many times." He said scratching his back of his neck with an innocent smile. Making me laugh throwing my head back. "I can't believe you made blunders."

"You want to go near the water?"He asked and I nodded in a yes.

I finished my tea and he was still playing with it. "Please Don't tell me you don't drink tea!" I exclaimed. And he just smiled. I don't like that smile of his. How????

I mean how???

"I like coffee." He shrugged his shoulders. I hate coffee.

I took the glass from his hand. And drank the luke warm tea in one go. "Well it's my beer!" I said and winked. It's my kind of bold. And i saw him blush. Ooh he blushes too.

We walked towards the sea. The water touch our feet and the gully feeling is mesmerising.

We stayed there for a while. "I should leave you to your hotel back.." He suggested and I nodded in a yes.
————

We were standing at the entrance of the hotel  J W MARRIOT. He, Manik gave a impressive smile.

"It feels amazing seeing this smile on people's face but I should tell you that this provided by the MNC that held the seminar." I clarified and we laughed, but the laughter died in few eseconds into an awkward silence. We don't like this bye...

"So, what time is the flight?" He asked lightly tapping his fingers on the petrol tank of his bike. He was  on his bike while I was standing beside him.

"Ammm... 7:15 in the morning." I said

"Okk-aay, so, I'll see you in the morning?"

And said a "bye." Not even audible to me.

Hug me. Please hug me. And I could see his eyes say this too. Both of us wanted the same thing, both of us knew we wanted the same thing, but both of us ended up forwarding our hands, for a handshake. Ooh we both are idiots!

We shook hands and I stepped a little closer, so when he would kick start the bike, we would be close.

Passing sad smiles he turned the keys and cell started the bike. Ooh shit! Popat! How could you be so dumb Nandu.

Please stay. How do I tell him to stay. What do I call him? I can't say his name it gives me electrifying heart beats. Insane but True.

"Bye...." He said for a final time and accelerated the bike.

"Suniyeee....." I shouted before he could run far away. And he immediately stopped and looked back like he always wanted too. My heart thumping like I was going for a viva.

"Ammm..... come up na... stay tonight." I said finally. Ooh gosh I'll faint.

And he smiled. A good smile. He's staying vala smile. And made me smile too. But, abb kya? Ooh gosh I'll definitely faint.
—————

We walk into the corridors to the room. I always thought that celebrities would be like roaming around like puppies in Mumbai; atlest in such posh places. Not even a tv star.

Well actually the whole place was so quiet. Like dead silence. And I with this new found boldness of mine, had asked him, Manik to stay. Does he think we are going to boom boom tonight?

We entered the room with the card. Wow. Everything is so fancy about this place!

"I love hotel room!" I whisper shouted.

"Me too." He said and we grinned.

The place is soo good and the fact that I know maybe I won't be coming here back ever again makes me want to like sit everywhere for five minutes and use everything that's provided. Even if I don't need it.

"Bathrooms are my favourite! Like they are so clean we can even sleep in there." He said the little secret of his.

"And yes the lighting is sooo good that I can't help myself but staring at myself in the mirror. It's makes me look more pretty you know...." I said winking.

"Oh! You are pretty!" And so are you..... the inner me was drooling.

But modesty is the best policy!!

"Oh no! You just say that...." I said rolling my eyes.

"You might if I change?" I asked.

"Absolutely not. You go, I'll just sneak around."

I changed into pajamas and loose sleeve less crop top. Make up was removed hair was brushed smooth. But I applied the perfume again. Because as the novelists says You should always smell good.

I walked out and saw Manik watching tv. He was watching news. I don't mind watching news, but I never, never switch on the tv with a purpose to watch news.

"Nandani your phone was ringing somewhere I tried to find but I couldn't." He, Manik said and went back to tv screen. It was some local news channel.

And my phone rang again. I grabbed the clutch to fish it out and it was papa. It's 11:43. It's definitely mummy from Papa's phone. I picked it up walking to the balcony.

"Hello!" I said.

"Hello... kya kr rai thi? Why didn't you pick up the call?" Mummy asked.

"I was in the washroom and I'm just about to sleep.."

"Ooh. Had dinner?"

"Han."

"What did you eat?"

"Pasta."

"Meet Manikji?" There was the main question.

"Han. We took me for dinner. With his friends and his fiancée.." Sorry but my mummy isn't so cool with girlfriends and boyfriend.

"Ooh..." She said.

"Where he now?" She asked after a little pause.

"Voo..... voo toh gaye.. he went home after dropping me.." And I lied! A LIE. I always wanted to say.

"Aachhaaa Okay Okay..." my mummy was secretly relieved I know. But little did she knew.

After finishing the call I disconnected it and walked in to see him, Manik's stretching his arms.

"Don't sit on the couch. Sit ok the bed." I suggested.

"Ohh! No it's fine!" He shrugged. Bed are uncomfortable objects between two people who are into each other but not toooooo into each other.

"Look practically, at some point you'll have to. The couch is too small for your height. So, it's cool." And he nodded in agreement. I made myself comfortable on the bed. While he removed his shoes and socks. He was just about to sit on the bed but stopped.

"Ammm... I'll just wash my legs and come..." I said and I sighed in relief. Thank god. I have a problem with dirty legs on beds.

While he was in there i saw the tv. Some reporter was talking about the murder and murder. There were people around who just wanted to be on tv so they were loitering around with useless grins.

Then they showed some footage of a man in black Mercedes going in the police station. And policemen. The guy looks like him. Oooh no it's him. Him on tv.

"Hey!!!You are on tv!" I exclaimed. I have never been on tv.

And he came out fast asking kya hua??

"Are look, ap tv pe hain. See!" I was now questioning my judgment. It better don't be another popat.

"Ooh haa. This!" He was very casual. Oh i wasn't supposed to be excited!

"It's a high profile case. Includes this politician so."he clarified.

"Ohh yaa. This the case you are stressing about?"

"Amm hmm. His wife got murdered. And I am dead sure it's him. Well not by his own hands but definitely his mind." He while speaking got on the bed extending his legs trying to make it casual but it hard to ignore that he's gonna sleep beside me for the night.

"So but you have to find the actual murderer to prove it, right?" I always wanted to become CID. Well not always, but maybe at some point of my life.

"We know who it is. But as usual. Lack of evidence. I even tried to get him intimidated too but he's a powerful man and goes in the media being all Devdas about his wife's death and police not doing anything. And then the seniors come after me because of the media." It's not that tempting to be on tv, I realised.

"Should I change?" I asked making the mood light.

"Yaa sure." He said. And get his feet under the blanket removing his jacket and putting it aside. His biceps. "You have really great muscles." Ooh! Shit i said that loud. And he smirked.

"Thanks! Satisfies my manly ego!" He says and I laugh freely. He didn't let me feel embarrassed. I like him.

I switch on STAR GOLD. They were showing ALL THE BEST. The scene where Sanjay Dutt is coming was going on. We were laughing and talking. Well I was laughing but he, Manik didn't find it funny but still he was forcefully trying to laugh not to make it awkward.

The movie was over and we were lying staring the ceiling. I wasn't sleepy. The room was filled with the soft light of the night lamp. And I could here ourselves breathe. And I could make out that he wasn't sleeping either. But still I asked, "so gaye?"

"No." He replied.

I turned to his side faceing him. He too did the same. It's a delight watching him.

He ran his fingers in my hair so delicately pushing them away from my face a little. He's doing it for the third time and he seems to like that. And I like it even more. And I blushed looking down.

I lift my eyes up. His lips. The look so soft. Soo soft. Please kiss me. But We met for the first time properly. But I don't know when we will meet next time like this. I wanted to be close.

I inched a little further on my pillow. He too inched close. And then I did the same. Until our foreheads touched.

We were looking in each other's eyes. My heart was thumping. I inched my lips a little forward and he too did the same. And then I closed my eyes seeing him do the same. I clutched my pillow in my fist tightly. And I felt lips on my lips. And my heart literally skipped a beat. I could feel it. I wasn't a kiss but a long peck. Five second long. But when his left mine. I didn't have strength to open my eyes. And I didn't. And god knows when I slept.

It was 4:53 when I opened my eyes. He,Manik was beside me. Just in the position i last saw him. Making me blush. He looked so serene. I wanted to touch his face but I resisted. And with a heavy heart went to the bathroom.

I quickly had a warm shower and washed my hair with the awesome smelling hotel shampoo.

Towel drying my hair I wrapped a towel around my body tightly I walked out. And find the lights switched on and he, Manik was awake but still lying on the bed.

His eyes traveled to me in an instinct but seeing me in a towel he quickly averts his gaze. I bit my inner cheek to supress the erupting smile, and walk to my bag to pull out my clothes. I see him stealing a glance of me from the mirror that reflects me. And it makes me dance inside. Yes Embarrassed but happy embarrassment.

But then realisation struck me like a lightning. Nandani, you. Are. Naked. In. A. Towel. And I quickly rushed into the bathroom with my clothes.

Leaning to the closed door i face palmed myself. What the fuck was I thinking? I knew he wakes up at 5. Hitting my head with palm and muttering shits. I dressed up.

It was awkward until we walked down because it was time for the flight. I am going to miss him, badly this time. And I know it.

Half of our staff was already near the reception when me and him, Manik walked for checking out. Some of the girls were giggling secretly. Ooh perfect. I rolled my eyes to them and checked out.

"Can I drop you to the airport?" He asked.

And I didn't know what to answer and looked at my staff and back at him, but Padmini said, "see you at the airport then. Terminal 3." She said with a smile. And I conveyed my thank you through my eyes.

We walked out and the chauffeur got the bike. I never knew they did this too. I had already gave my luggage to Padmini. Manik sat on the bike and I behind him. This time a little closer. And when he accelerated I kept my hands on his waist with and with a blush too. But the bike journey that started with me resting my hands on the seat to then his shoulders and now is ending at his waist.

As he nears the airport i know that i'll have to leave with a heavy heart and my new found boldness. My heart has literally sank down to my stomach and I get to know why good byes are sad.

*******
Advice.
Comment.
Vote.
Read.
Love❤️.