"We will take, auto." Manal picked up her purse, but Raza stopped her.

"Wait, Boss."

Her eyes widened as he unbuttoned his shirt. She gulped, her heart rate picking up the pace with each button.

"Wha---are—you—do—"

"Boss, today was a lovely day to wear white." Raza peeled the shirt off his muscular torso. Manal gulped again, her eyes trailing over his toned chest to his ripped abs. From the outside, no one can say he had a hot bod.

"Boss—Boss."

Manal subtly shook her head, mentally jotting down to advise Asim to train with him. Raza passed her his wet shirt. She threw it around her, snuggling her arms into his sleeves, which were so baggy that she seemed to be drowned in them.

"That Auto-wala will think wrong." She removed the shirt and shoved it at him. Raza thought for a second and nodded.

"Now?" He titled his head.

"Go out. I will stay here. You be out till our clothes dried."

Raza vigorously shook his head, - "No way, Boss. There are lots of rats and---even bats. Nah, ah!"

Manal huffed. The wet clothes sticking to her body was another annoyance. She glanced around the cabin. There was a white jhali partition separating the sitting and the office table, and chair.

"Okay, you be in that corner behind that. Stay there and—and take these stupid samosas and chai." She snapped, motioning with her head. Raza nervously nodded and picked up his stuff. Once he went to the other side and placed the take-away on a round coffee table. Manal eyed him briefly, then turned.

Swiftly, she removed her shirt and glanced behind, then wriggled out from her skirt. Manal ran her palms over her wet t-shirt, bra, and panties and sighed. She flinched hearing unzipping of trousers.

"Are you getting completely naked?"

Raza spoke uncertainly, - "Um, can you see me?"

Manal turned her head and eyed the glimpse of the contour of his back. She could see, but she shook her head, "No."

A second later, she called, - "Toss your shirt this side."

Raza did as he said. Manal scurried as though she were walking on coals and grabbed the shirt. She got behind her desk, ducked under it, and unhooked her bra.

Raza placed a cushion over his crotch and, humming to himself, he poured tea into his paper cup.

Manal moved her head and arms from under the table. She blinked at him, casually munching on the samosas.

"Everything is cool, Boss?"

Quickly, she ducked back under and winced as her head hit the table.

"You didn't let me take the chutney."

Manal rolled her eyes, massaging the top of her head.

Again, she carefully took her paper cup and cussed, realizing it had got cold. Raza was right; she shouldn't have stayed here.

After her coffee, Manal picked up his wet shirt and contemplated. A strong musky whiff from the shirt was tantalizing. She closed her eyes, thinking of Asim; reminding herself that she was engaged. Her fingers brushed over the single pearl, gold ring, and Manal slowly opened her eyes.

A loud burp interrupted her. She frowned, cringing.

"Sorry, Boss."

Manal slapped her forehead, getting a lighting idea. Swiftly, she wore his shirt and leaped from under the table. Raza consciously pressed the cushion against him.

"Call Mappila." She rummaged through the files for her phone.

"Mine got water in it." He cried.

Manal rolled her eyes.

"Why didn't I think of this before—you hurt my head. Wear your pants." She ordered, dialing the manager's number.

Raza stuffed the remaining samosa into his mouth and picked up his pants. "Boss, turn around," he said.

Manal huffed, turning around. The phone rang, but no one picked up the call.

"Where did he die?"

Raza patted his hands over his trousers and walked out from behind the partition.

"He was telling me today was his tenth anniversary and his in-laws were coming. His wife is very strict."

Manal cussed, slamming her phone on the table. Raza flinched.

"Dummy." She held her forehead with both her hands.

"Don't worry, Boss. Our clothes are a little dry, " he assured her. Manal aggressively tugged up the baggy sleeves of the shirt to her elbows and held the edges of the table.

She breathed heavily, her mind hatching new ideas.

Raza faltered, asking if he could get something else. Before Manal could answer, they heard a squeak. Raza yelped, jumping on the spot. His altitudinous frame clashed against her soft back. They winced in unison.

"Boss." Raza stammered.

"Don't think about wrapping your arms around me," Manal warned. Just then, something soft and squishing passed by her feet. She squealed, jumping into Raza's arms. He grabbed her waist with one arm and winced as his injured arm supported both her bare, long legs.

"Eww... it touched me."

"Boss—Boss."

"Take us out..." she cried, slapping his bare shoulder. Raza flinched, nodding.

"Boss, if you don't mind. Can I carry you with one arm?"

Manal blinked, loosening her arms from around his neck.

"How?"

Raza hesitated.

"Hurry. My ankle still hurts."

He nodded, licking his lips. Cautiously, he pulled her up and winced using his other arm. Manal gasped when he placed her on his shoulder. Consciously, she tugged on the helm of the shirt, avoiding a glimpse of her butt.

"Put me down, put me down. Idiot."

He huffed, placing her down. There was another sequel. She leaped, clinging to him.

"Yikes."

"Boss. Please let's get out of here. I will faint..." He breathed heavily.

Manal shook her head. She can't afford that.

"On the count of three." Manal clutched his hand. Raza nodded. Then, in a flash, they dashed out of the room. Her twisted ankle pained, and she fell just out of the door.

"Boss."

Raza helped her. Manal glanced at the bluish bruise on the back of his forearm.

This side of the resort was dark with cool breeze and crickets. Manal held her head with both her hands, - "Shit." She exclaimed, - "My phone is inside."

She demanded Raza to go get it. He refused, - "My samosa is also there, am I crying? No."

"Idiot. There is a difference between phones and samosas." Manal slapped her forehead. This was going to be a long night. With much coaxing, and arguing later, Manal pushed Raza back into the room. Tip-toeing, and trembling, he hurried into the room. Minutes later, he toppled out with her phone in his hands. Manal snatched it from him, and once again dialed Mappila.

Raza placed his hand over his heaving chest. As Manal counted the number of rings, once again she felt something soft near her feet. She squealed, falling over Raza. He stumbled but held her shoulders. Her phone fell from her hand and cascaded into the deep dried, algae-infested pool.

"Shit." Both gasped together.

"I am not going in there, boss. Kill me alive, but I am not going down there."

"This resort is cursed. I am telling you." Manal shook her head. She glared at him, - "You, you. You were the one who was proclaiming my dad's idea was epic and all--it is your fault." She reprimanded him, taking steps towards him while he moved back.

"Boss--" His back hit the pillar, and his foot slipped. He grabbed Manal's waist for support. She clenched his muscled arms.

"Are you okay, Boss?"

Manal blinked at him. Their faces came in proximity. She could feel his breath on her face. Her gaze slipped to his bow-shaped, naturally light lips.

"Your mouth is so sexy."

"Seriously. You are the first person to say so."

"Ain't I the first and I will be the only person to kiss these sensual lips."

"Oh, Zayan, you know how to make a girl swoon."

Manal flinched, stepping back. There was silence between them. She looked away, rubbing her arms over his shirt.

"Boss, enough. Come with me?"

Manal skeptically followed him.

In the backyard, Raza collected fallen branches and twigs. Using rocks and stones, he lit a bonfire. Manal sighed, eyeing the blazing woods. This will ward off pests and keep them warm. They sat on either side of the fire. Manal sat with her legs clenched together and randomly drew on sand with a twig.

"I was just born--when my mother passed away--"

Manal looked up. Through flames, she can see his fallen face. The flicker from the bonfire shone in his deep expressive eyes. The golden warmth from the sparks of the burning woods highlighted his handsome features.

Raza licked his trembling lips and looked up at her.

"From childbirth complications."

Manal recoiled in her place, noticing his brown moist eyes.

"I never knew her. My dad raised me. In the clumsy way, but the best he could do. He didn't remarry-- his brother evilly schemed and took his property as well. Now we aren't financially well-off. Else I wouldn't be someone's assistant. I would be a CEO or a billionaire, too." His expressions hardened in the passing.

Manal shrugged, trying to be unaffected, - "Why are you telling me this?"

He sighed, ruffling his wet strands, - "You and others taunt me to be Chamcha, and whatnot. But this job--this is my necessity. This is my survival. That is why I can't afford to lose this. I try my best to keep you and sir happy."

Manal sighed, - "Okay. But you are still annoying." She leaned against the tea trunk.

Razasmiled, watching her sleeping figure.

Do you think Sohail's idea to send them for resort restoration was a blessing in disguise? And poor Raza. Uske saath bahut bura hua *Heartbreak..*

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Is this the start of something new between them? Drop your thoughts lots, lots and lots. 

Love you all *muaah* Stay Tuned for the next update ;)