After a short stopover at London's Heathrow airport to board the connecting flight to los Angeles, MaNan reached their destination and headed to the Facebook office.

They had started from Mumbai in noon and when they reached California it was still noon. So they both were suffering from headache due to jetlag.

They showed their appointment letters in the front office. They were handed with the separate id cards, sim cards,stationary and the key to the rooms because they were going to live in the house provided by company.

They grabbed the stuff and left in search of their houses. The houses were all alike. They realised that their houses were separated by a few blocks. First was nandini's house so they entered inside her 1 BHK flat. All the necessary stuff was there already, they had to just arrange their cloth.

Nandini's house interior
Bedroom,hall, kitchen and balcony

A study table in bedroom for office work

Manik sat down on the couch after putting down the bags.

" Manik...Yaha fridge toh h par koi stuff Ni h" Nandini said from the kitchen.

" I think we will have to order outside food for today. Later you can shop and stock the pantry. Yaar my head is throbbing! "

" Kuch v Ni h...I can't even make coffee for you" she said coming to him.

" I think I should just sleep" he said rubbing his forehead.

" Lao main daba dun..." She offered.

" No yaar you are tired yourself..."

" No I am okay!"

" No you are not. I know that..."he glared and she cowered. He closed his eyes resting his head on the back of the couch.

" Ok. If you want you can sleep here" she said softly but a blush crept on her cheek.

" And where will you sleep??" He said not catching her tone.

" We can sleep on the same bed. It's not like we haven't before" she said smiling and he opened his eyes, looking speculatively at her, then shook his head as if brushing away some thought.

" No you sleep here, I will go to mine. I will come back at dinner time, we will eat out then" he declared and got up. She too got up "ok".

He collected his bag and left from there. Both undressed and then dozed off.
......
" What ? You were still sleeping? Dinner ni karna?" Manik asked as she opened the door. Her hair all mushed up and eyes still drooping. He stared at her for a long moment.

She nodded sleepily and asked " how are you feeling?"

" Feeling ??" He asked, startled ,as if she had given voice to his secret thought.

" Haan you had headache na??" She asked frowning.

" Oh...Yeah . I am fine now" he said casually.

" Ok. Give me 2 minutes. Main ready ho kar ati Hun"

" Ready ? What ready? You are looking beautiful...Ase hi chalo" he said surprising Nandini. She looked at herself. She is wearing shorts and tank top.

" I am looking beautiful?" She asked blushing from his unconscious compliment.

Manik frowned at her blush and then realised that he had complimented her , which he doesn't do often.

" Yes, you always look beautiful to me, Nandini. Though it's my fault that I fail to convey my feelings , often" he said sincerely and Nandini smiled clearly flattered.

" Ok then let's go" she radiated excitement. He followed in her wake smiling to himself.

Out on the road, he held her hand and they walked together to the nearby eatery.

Suddenly Nandini halted on the road, and Manik looked at her perplexed. It seemed she had remembered something.

" Manik!"

" Haan??"

" Tell me something...Yaha food olive oil mein cook hota h na?"

"Haan, mainly. But why are you asking?"

"Manik I am allergic to olive!!" She said widening her eyes.

" Oh!" This was news for Manik. He didn't know this fact about her because this topic never came up before.

" Ok koi baat ni!" She said suddenly, probably she had found out a solution. And he stood there like a dummy! " I will eat roasted or air fried food item jisme oil use Ni karte ho!" She announced and started walking again. Manik shook his head at her incredulous behaviour. But it also made him smile. She is a child sometimes!
......
After eating the dinner, they were coming out of the food joint when they witnessed a couple kissing noisily in the dark alley beside the building. Nandini walked faster in embarrassment while he followed with a smirk.

They both didn't talk about the kiss till they reached nandini's place. He leaned against the door frame with his hands in his Jean's pocket, while she fiddled with the key and the lock. He was staring blatantly and Nandini was growing nervous with each passing second. Finally she managed to open the door, but his stance didn't change. When she was on the other side of the door, she gathered courage and looked him in the eye to ask " will you not come in??"

He shook his head and said " I don't think I should"

" What do you mean?" She asked totally confused by his reply. Her eyes ran down his entire frame as he stood with the support of the door. He is looking so ummmm sexy!

" Nothing. Tell me kal ka kya plan h?" He asked to distract her.

" Manik hum ye baatein andar akar v kar sakte hain" she said chiding him.

" Ni I have to go...So tell me" he was adamant. She huffed " ok fine I want to go and shop for groceries and some utensils."

" Ok then I will be here by 10, tomorrow" he said and she nodded irritably. He surprised her by planting a quick though chaste kiss on her lips before turning on his heels and walking off. He didn't let her see his face splitting grin which he had watching her reaction. The way her eyes grew wider and rounder. Oh how he loves to surprise her!

Nandini stood there frozen for several seconds. Her fingers automatically moved to caress her lip where she could still feel his lips. And then the telltale blush crept up her cheeks bringing along a smile.

She loves his surprises!