In the morning ,

It was a crazy morning , with mischievous Nandini planning something in her mind , while walking on a path to reached desired destination  Malhotra Mansion.

But before reaching destination she stopped in the middle , she purchased something and continued her walking.

After 10 mins she reached at Mansion , and entered inside the house , and saw Neyonika reading Newspaper seating on a sofa .

"Good morningggg Malhotra's " she said loudly in enthusiastic voice gaining Neyonika's attention with beautiful welcoming smile.

"Good morning" Neyonika respond happily and kept newspaper aside to greet Nandu.

"I am so happy finally u came..... U know u should come here more often house seems happy with ur presence" Neyonika said lovingly , off course she missed Nandu's prank played on Manik , and moreover she is happy that everything is sorted between them.

"I hope Manik will not give me the reasons for not coming here " Nandu replied casually but Neyonika's face fell instantly because she knew how her son is . And it would be last thing Nandini wanted to ruin her mood.

"Well where is ur monster son ...... Did he woke up or should I do the honour" she said dramatically and it worked on Neyonika she chuckled.

"I think he is getting ready...... Nowadays he is getting up all by himself " Neyonika said.

"How this happened?..... I am surprised " Nandini asked.

"I don't know..... But he was saying he had found kind of alarm clock which wakes him up instantly " Neyonika said shrugging her shoulders. Before Nandu could understand and react ,

"Yeah I had found one " Manik said climbing down from stairs.

"Ohh fuckk....I am sad " she pouted .

"Why?"  Mom and son frowned at her.

"Yaar I love to wake you up with my sweet techniques " again she pouted and Neyonika chuckled.

"I too like ur ways Nandini " Neyonika praised her and Nandini bowed down accepting praises .

"Ha  Ha very very sweet " Manik mocked with liped tight smile over there drama.

" Okay guys now move ..... We need to do breakfast......And Nandini ur going to have something with us ..... No more arguments" Neyonika said .

"I knew this already , that's why I brought this " she showed a bag in her hand.

"What is it ?" Both of them asked.

"It's punishment for Manik , let's move towards dinning table I will show you " she chirped happily and marched towards dinning table , Neyonika shook her head in disbelief but followed her. And manik was like ' hey bhagwan subah subah me hi mila tha kya aapko entertainment ke liye ' he sighed and followed them.

They settled on dinning table and Neyonika ordered her servants to bring breakfast. He served breakfast to Manik and Neyonika. And was about served Nandini ,

"No ..... I had my breakfast...... Just brought boiled milk for me " she asked sweetly and servant nodded. He brought Jug of boiled milk and left after keeping  Jug on dinning table.

"Nandini please now show us what is it ?"  Neyonika was excited but Manik was scared.

"Off course" she chirped and took two things out from her shopping bag .

"Thissss" both of them said in unison and Nandini nodded.

"Why?" Manik whined.

"It's ur punishment from now onwards u will not drink black coffee" she said in authoritative tone.

"What?.....Why?" again he argued.

"Because I don't want u to drink that.....U have to listen to me or else I will not forgive you..... And if ur going to deny then bye " she stated her firm statement.

"Didn't u forgave me last night ?" he asked.

"I did but that wasn't for my fingers....U need punishment for hurting my fingers in anger and also for hurting ur fingers purposely....My little fingers too were hurt " she said cutely looking at her fingers just like she is talking with them .

"Okay.....But why this two things ?" and now this cute face was enough for Manik to melt.

"Because if you don't like bourn vita u can drink milk by adding Chocos and vice versa " she explained.

" Accha..... Complan nahi mila ?" he asked sarcastically.

"Noo ..... Actually I don't like Complan that's why I didn't brought " she said innocently.

"Haa.....I can see that " he said looking at her from top to bottom pointing at her height.

"U dumbass ..... Katti " she made a bad face ,  fold her arms crossed over her chest and turned her face at one side . 

"Manik don't tease her " Neyonika scold him . She was all happy to see them like this and was highly impressed with Nandini because she figured out the reason behind why Nandini is doing this . She remembered there talks of that day about coffee and Manik.

"Okay fine" he finally agreed , took Bourn vita nd added two spoons in mug and poured milk .

"Now can we start miss drama queen?.....We need to go to academy too" Manik said.

"Why not ?" instantly she was happy with her victory nd Manik shook his head in disbelief.

Manik and Neyonika started there breakfast but Nandini was confused with what to choose.

"What happened Nandini ?" Neyonika asked seeing her frowns.

"I am confused with chocos and Bourn vita I like both " she pouted.

"Then take both " Neyonika suggested but she denied and try to found something on table she saw coffee mug but it was plane so she stared at that for few seconds , then took one bowl added milk and chocos , and started eating with a spoon.

"Such a baby " manik murmured to himself and smiled because he have noticed her every move and he knew why she choosed chocos because mug was simple and plane .

............||

In Neyonika constructions ,

"Ma'am Mr. Murthy is here ...... Should I asked him to wait or should I...." receptionist had called Neyonika who was in her cabinet.

"No ..... Asked him to come in " Neyonika permitted she is professional much.

He came in , settled down on his seat and Neyonika did the formality by asking him water or cold drink but he denied.

"So when our company will get ordered consignment " Neyonika asked.

"It's ready just waiting for u to start ur project ..... And actually I am here for that only.... Which location have u decided so that we can send consignment directly at that place." Raman too was professional and punctual with time and work.

"I have decided Aundh in Pune , it's a developed area so it would be better to open branch there and our company will work on the rural sides of Haveli Tehsil in Pune so that area will developed , and it will be profitable for us and convenient to  those people " Neyonika told her purpose.

"That's great thought and selected area is perfect....But can u tell me actual location so that I will personally checked before sending consignment " He asked her.

"Yeah sure ...... It's near to Deshmukh Industry..... About 1/2 km away " she told.

"I got it then...... Sachin Deshmukh , right?" He asked and she nodded.

"He is father in law of my daughter's best friend ..... I know him I have attended Abir , his son's marriage "  he shared piece of information.

"He is my brother.....I was there too even I have seen you guys......Ur nandini's parents , right?" now there informal conversation started.

"U knew my daughter ?" he asked proudly.

"Off course....She is so sweet , and now My son and she is learning in same academy ..... I met her in the morning only" she said with a smile.

"So Manik is ur son?" he asked.

"Yeah"

"Ohhh I met him yesterday morning" he too faked smile because he didn't liked Manik so much because his daughter was grumpy because of him. She smiled back at him.

"So I will personally check the location in next week and then u can visit that later in next to next week"  she suggested and he agreed .
And then he left from there .

..........||

In the academy there was a break of an hour after completing first session of day.

"Guys I am bored " Aayan said

"Yeah it's been long we didn't did anything interesting " Rohan said

"I second u guys " Naina joined them.

"So let's do something interesting then " Nandini smirked.

"What u wanna do?" Manik instantly asked her .

"Let me think" and she started thinking. She started giving expressions like she was in deep thoughts and after five minutes of thinking ,

"umm I think.....umm "

"U think?" all said in unison.

"I don't know " she said sheepishly nd lowered her head and others were like 'WTF' .

"So u were thinking nothing from long 5 mins ?" Manik mocked her.

"I was thinking but nothing brilliant came to my mind ..... And if ur so smart then why don't u suggest.....Let us witness ur wit " she retorted challenging him.

"Okay then "

"How about cooking something interesting 😋?" he asked after thinking for 30 secs .

"Bhukkad ..... U can think about food only na " Nandini mocked him.

"Well thanks for complement....... But u shouldn't have underestimate the power of my thinking " he said with a smirk

"What do you mean?"

"I can think anythingggg ( he said huskily near her ear) U wanna hear or may be u want to do that " he added. So Miss Hitler was right this man was big flirt Nandini thought.

"U pervert" she poked him and he laughed loudly and originally.

"Haaye me marjaavaan " she said with blinking her eyes and doing that particular action with broad smile.

"Aaah my bad " he hissed over her flirting and she smiled proudly because again she won in irritating him.

"Guys stop this and think what we can cook " Rohan said , he was bored with there fights.

"Biryani " Manik chirped.

"Yeah I can cook best biryani" Nandini said raising her invisible collar.

"Ohhh madam we want biryani for ourselves to eat and not for prisoners in prison " Manik commented.

"Manikkkk" she hissed over his sarcasm.

"But on a serious note Manik..... She really cooks best biryani " Naina praised her and Nandini smirked.

"Ohhh but on a serious note Naina , Manik, Nandini nd Rohan ..... Where the hell we gonna cook?" Aayan emphasized on each word.

"On a serious note.... don't tell me u guys don't know about big kitchen of this academy " Manik laughed and all of them nodded yes innocently.

"We haven't seen yet , but even if u r right then also , who will gonna allow us to cook ?" Rohan said with liped tight smile.

"Miss Ruby " he said and everyone laughed at his audacity to even think that way .

"Where?" Nandini asked as she saw him moving.

"To arrange equipments for ur BEST Biryani.....So be ready to prepare and haa it should be worthy enough for my efforts... okay?" he winked at her and leave from there.

Everyone thought he is day dreaming and will be back with disappointed face . So they were waiting for him to share that he failed to convince Ruby.

After 5/10 mins he came back with neutral face and stood amongst them . All of them gave him sympathetic look but Nandini was smirking and laughing a little.

"Guys  listen..... Today u all are going to do something interesting and something which u haven't done in academy.....As many of u must be unaware of the big kitchen in academy.....We used to use kitchen for preparing food for students of night batch few years ago.....But in last five years we had stopped taking night batches so kitchen is not in use since then , but still it is well maintained by cleaning staff " She shared piece of information with B batch .

Nandini and frnds looked at Manik with amusement.

"So Manik suggested me that cooking is day to day activity and many youngsters don't know how to cook ....But act of cooking is very popular , mainly in daily soap ..... So he suggested me to allow groups of u guys , to make real food..... And I think u should take this as an competition , and it will also help the people who don't know cooking , at least they can learn how to act of cooking " She announced the competition.

Now it was Manik who was smirking proudly over his victory and was earning glares from Nandini and praises from others.

"What will be the prize miss ?" Nandini asked.

"I don't think , this is the right question for u Nandiniii " Miss Ruby mocked her , as according to her Nandini can't do anything better than playing pranks.

.
"That we will see Ma'ammmm ..... But first u tell what you will give  " Nandini too retorted sweetly.

"Okay.....Prize and winner will be announced tomorrow ..... I need to think of prize " Ruby said.

"So we should start then .... let's go " Naina said

"But there is a problem there is no grocery in kitchen..... so at least one person from ur group need to buy all items which will be needed.....U can cook whatever u want but u have only 3hours for cooking ......And half hour for purchasing.....Ur time starts now " Miss Ruby declared.

...........||

"Impressive man " Aayan praised Manik.

"Don't waste ur time on praising me  ..... I know I am witty ... Haina?" Manik winked at Nandini .

"But let's start with making list of items which will be needing ..... Nandini msg me all the things which will be required , on What's app " She nodded at him and started typing.

"And Ayan u come with me ..... I know the nearest grocery shop..... I will purchase things from shop ..... And u will purchase vegetables from market.....Matket is too near to that shop ....And it will reduce our time if we two go" Manik said.

"okay I am in"

"And u two .... no actually u three go to the kitchen and and grabbed counter number 3 for us as there are total 7 counters in kitchen " Manik assigned work for everyone.

............||

Everyone followed his instructions and Manik and Ayan were back from the market with all groceries nd vegetables.

"Let's start " Manik said nd everyone agreed.

"Okay so Manik will marinate chicken ..... Naina u will chop all vegetables.....Rohan u will grind them....Aayan u will look after rice " Nandini distributed work in them.

"Oye if we will do everything what will u do " Aayan said.

"I will be doing main work .... U all are doing basic things....okay " she replied.

"And also she is helping me in marination " Manik replied on her behalf and she was like 'yeh kab hua' . Before she could say anything Manik dragged her with him.

"U have to help me " he said.

"Why?"

"I don't know how to clean chicken.....I haven't done that.....And also I will be needing instructions " he pouted and he looked so cute that she couldn't resist herself from helping him.

But she realised her mistake very soon when she found herself doing everything , and he was giving all wrong instructions adding  much irritation to her. Moreover he was eating dry fruits which were for Biryani.

"Manikk" finally she lost her patience.

"What?"

"Stop eating.... Biryani me dalne ke liye bhi rakho kuch .....  And help me or else do everything on ur own .... I am not helping" with this she started moving back but he was quick . He shoved palm full of dry fruits in his mouth. And stopped her.

She was marinating the chicken with curd and other ingredients , her hands were busy mixing elements then she felt two familiar arms moving over her arms and then finally holding her palms in his palms he too started mixing elements , but her heartbeats catched up the speed of light when his breathe fanned her neck and he started nuzzling in the crook of her neck.

" wh ... What are u doing " she said in daze of his touches around her body.

"Helping u " he said huskily over her neck and started kneading chicken with his fingers holding her , there fingers were dancing there own dance intertwined with each other , over the chicken . She skipped a breath when his lips pressed over her neck.

"Oouch " he hissed when her elbow met his stomach.

"U better eat dry fruits I don't want help " she spoke holding her uncontrolled breathing and hiding unnecessary blush.

"Why didn't u liked my help? .... ummm" he teased her and she glared try to look less embarrassed with her red cheeks.

After that he didn't troubled her much and she too stayed away from him. Everyone did there job and there friends were busy in there work so they didn't noticed Manik , Nandini , but a pair of eyes did noticed but remained silent.

After complete three hours , everyone started there eating , but first they served there food to miss Ruby , and then started eating there own made food. Some of them exchanged little amount with others too . Miss Ruby enjoyed everyone's food but she didn't declared winner.

...........||

Outside the academy,

"Man ur idea was fab " Aayan praised Manik

"And Nandu's Biryani was awesome" Rohan praised Nandini.

"Then it's credit goes to me ..... Haina Nandini ?"  Manik teased Nandini and she glared him.

"How? ..... U were toh doing nothing " Naina said innocently.

"Didn't you saw magic of my hands Naina ?..... When I was marinating.....U can ask Nandini , she had witnessed .... Haina ?" he asked with a most innocent face as if of new born baby .

"Ummm .... Wo ...wo .....I don't know" Nandini was little embarrassed.

"It's already late today because of ur brilliant idea of cooking....We should leave now " Rohan said suggestively. And everyone agreed and left the place.

In the whole drive Manik was teasing her and she was all irritated with him and her red cheeks who were blushing hard and he was making her fun . Such a monster he was she thought and she was all grumpy.

"Aaaaa.....Not again" he screamed out of pain when she went out her all frustration through solid punch in his stomach , when car stopped in front of her house.

"U deserved this " she finally smiled and climbed down from car with victorious grin all over her face.

"U little minion " he groaned

"Bye ... Good night monster " she ran into her house and left smiling Manik behind.

He too went his home but not before buying something from nearest shop.

...........||

In Murthy Mansion,

Raman Ishita were having there dinner with Nandini seating beside them who's stomach was full with Biryani. So she was just talking about her eventful day and they were listening her rant.

"So it was Manik's idea ..... Boy is smart " Ishita said as Nandini completed her story.

"Unfortunately yes " she pouted.

"Manik se yaad aya.....Our company is working with 'Neyonika construction' ..... His mother owned this company " Raman said.

" Yeah I know and I am so happy....U guys are working together..... she is very sweet unlike her son " Nandini was happy.

"She is intelligent businesswoman" Raman said.

"Like mother like son " Nandini shrugged her shoulders.

"So we should invite them for dinner , what's say?" Ishita suggested.

"We should invite her mom " Nandini agreed.

"And him too " Ishita corrected her.

"Okay then we should invite them on Sunday.....for informal dinner " Raman said .

"Haaa.....Nandu ur going to invite them when u will visit there home, and if needed u can call me, I will ask her .... okay?" Ishita asked.

"Hmmm....Okay "

With this there dinner ended and they went to there respected rooms.

Two souls sleep with the curiosity of meeting each other in the morning.

......... End.........||

If u found any mistake let me know.

How was the chap?

.......... Aish ❣️.........