Nandini and Manik had great fun with everyone. But the only problem Manik faced was the cake attack by the K-sisters on him. They had a lot of fun playing cake holi with Manik as it has been long they did any prank on him or irritated him.

Manik-" what the he'll is wrong with you girls!!!!!! Are you forgetting that I'm also your boss. Jab dekho tab mujhpe prank karte ho. Leave me yaar." He said in his monster mode but it was evident from his expression that how scared he was of these 2 evil twins.

Sharanya and Neha laughed hi-fing each other. Nandini saw Manik laughing and cribbing like a kid. She just wanted to protect this smile of her monster and she knew she will do that at any cost.

Manik saw Nandini lost somewhere staring at him. He slowly went towards her back and rubbed his cake smudged cheeks with hers.

Nan-" MANIK!!! What the!!! Yeh Kya Kiya." Her eyes popped out as she touched her face which had cream. manik was just laughing. Nandini just pouted and went towards the table where the tissues were kept.

 Manik went behind her and back hugged her -" Jaan, sorry come on ab tum iske liye gussa nahi ho sakti. You were lost somewhere so I though that I should do something to cheer you up. Koi baat hai kya?" he said strocking his tumb on her shoulder gently while Nandini just didn't know what to say rather, how to say. She took a deep breath and 

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smudged some left over creame on his nose. Manik couldn't decipher what exactly happened but then he grabbed her hand making a cute face-" Tumhe abhi nahi batana toh matt batao, but why this creame on my face? Jo aa raha hai mujhe creame lagake chala jaa raha hai."

Nandini-" I will tell you Manik when the right time comes. And about the putting creame on you, then Mr Monster this is called tit for tat. Chalo lets go home." She gave a peak on his cheeks which instantly lighten up his face. 

(MaNan  are romancing here, but whats happening on the other side? Lets check)

Shantanu looked around and saw that everyone was busy in the cake fight. He stealthily went to preethi's side who was crouching behind a table to avoid getting splashed.

Shan - psssh!! preeyu chal mere Saath. He took her hand and dragged her to his car.

Pr -" haat chod mera, I am not coming with u. I don't fancy being kidnapped second time and that to on my b'day" she dugged her heels on the ground and crossed her arms with an i-am-going-to-scream-bloody-murder-if-you-drag-me-around expression

Shantanu whined but when Preethi didn't budge he gave an exaggerated sigh " I have planned a surprise for u Isle pipe chada tha lekin girls ne pehle tume kidnap karliya. Abhi chalogi, Sherlock Holmes gaadi Mai ban Jana abhi time Nahin hai

"...Fine, Mai aati hi tumhare Saath but just remember k Mai karate Mai black belt hu and agar mujhe Kuch hua toh meri girl gang tumhara bharta Bana degi especially Manu marke vapas revive karegi and then Sharu tumpar phir alag alag torture theory experiment karegi. So, now I am ur responsibility"

Shan - *thinking* Lagta hai permanently Bhai k room Mai shift hone k din aagaye hai. I am going to have nightmares now. Bhai ko bye bhi Nahi bola, Bappa agar aaj Mera last day hai toh pls mere Bhai Ka dhyan rakhna and ha and mughe jalna Nahi Pasand so unko bolna k mughe bury kare with lots of chocolates.

Lake view Garden

Shan flashed on mobile torchlight and grabbed preethi's hand and started entering the jungle.

Preethi - "Shan have u been reading those b grade romance novels?"

"...er... Just ek hi padha and that too till chap 4. Mummy promise"

Preethi sighed loudly "Shan, baby kitni baar Kahan hai tumse k vo cheap thrash mat padha karo. Jo Bache kuche brain cells hai tumhare paas usey bhi fry Kar dega aur Yaad kar kya Bola tha Maine?"

Shan scratched his chin "um... K Mai hero Nahi hu and Nahi tum heroine ho and agar isme se ideas liye tumhe impress Karne k liye toh u will break up with me"

Preethi- "Exactly, and u should know k bhale hi vo books Kuch bhi bole but real life mai jungle Mai Raat ko sirf mobile torchlight k saath chalna is not at all romantic. It's creepy, stupid and also mughe maarne Ka perfect example hai. And I don't know about u but mughe Apne b'day k din jaanwaro Ka dinner baneka koi shauk Nahi hai."

"But preeyu hum jungle Mai Nahi jaa rahe hai"

Preethi gave a sweet smile while internally asking for patience. She didn't want to kill her bf on her birthday. It is supposed to be a happy day. "Shan, tumhare dictionary Mai jungle Ka matlab Kuch aur hoga but I am fairly sure k hum jungle Mai hi hai"

"Obviously ye jungle hai preeyu but this is not the surprise. Apni aankhe band Karo"

Preethi narrowed her eyes "I swear Shan k agar main yahan kisika dinner banina toh I am gonna haunt ur sorry ass for rest of ur life until u go mental" she threatened but did as said.

Shan guided her and at last they came to stop. He told her to keep her eyes closed and moved away. After a few minutes of standing in god-knows-where like an idiot she was about to shout when a sweet melody reached her ears.

The place was beautiful. They were standing in a clearing between the forest. A river was flowing  glinting in the moonlight which cast silvery shadows on it. A table was set up under the banyan tree. Small lanterns were hanging from the branches casting reddish yellow light on the overall setup. It was simple and sweet.
(Sorry guys, I suck at such description)

Shan was sitting in the other corner and playing jeena jeena on piano.

By the time, Shan completed the song, Preethi was mesmerized by it.

He walked to her and took her hand looking sincerely into her eyes. "Preeyu, I don't remember how I fell for you. Before you, I had a lot of relationships but none were serious. I never understood how someone can get committed to a single person for rest of life. To me, it was a cliché. A fairytale that will not sustain in reality. But you were my opposite. You believe in marriage and  wanted a stable, committed partner. But still you stayed with me. Even when I didn't share your views, you grounded me.

I still don't believe in forevers. I can't promise you an eternity and I won't promise that  I will always make you happy. Because I won't. I will fight with you, argue with you, scream at each other. There are going to be tears. But anything I do will be with you, only you. It's going to be a roller coaster. But I can promise you one thing, that we will be together. I will always be by your side, in tears and in happiness both until you don't want me to be."

He sat on his knees "This is a promise band. I promise that I will always be faithful to you, will stand by your side, and hold your hand until you no longer want me to."

Preethi just looked at him dumbdound with her hands covering her mouth but eyes glittering with happy tears, she knew Shantanu's shakky believe in commitments and this was the reason she was a bit insecure that what if he leaves her and last couple of days made her angey with him but now this surprise and open declaration of his undying love made her very happy. 

Preethi saw Shantanu holding her hand gently in his and making her wear the platinum love bracelet and kissed her wrist softly. Preeti too made him stand and then made him wear the other band and just hugged him tight with a mesmerising smile on her face and Shantanu just engulfed her peaking her crown.  

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A guy was working out in the gym totally unaware of his surrounding concentrating on his gyming. At the side table his phone was constantly ringing. He completed his workout and saw his phone ringing, grabbling a towel in one hand and phone in another he sat on the beanbag near him. " Hello, who's this?"

" Saale... who is this jaaye kullhad mein, kahan tha tu Keede? Main yahn last 10 mins se call kar raha hoon and not to forget I had to listen to that ' covid-19 prevention janhit mein jaari voice message for so many times aur tu hai li ek phone nahi pick kar sakta." 

Yes it was Cabir on the line and the person in the gym was Karan. 

karan-" Ohhhh.... cookie  jeeeezzzzz my ears!! stop shouting Rj. And I was working out with music on toh nahi sunai diya big deal. By the way how did you remember me?" he asked being surprised as Cabir and karan only talk when they are forced to that too because of Manik. 

Cabir-" Excuse me!!!! Musibat mein gadhe ko bhi apna baap banana padta hai, iss liye tujhe yaad kiya. Nahi mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai tere phatte hue dhol jaise aawaz sunne ki. Aur itne baar call karke apne phone ka bill badhwane ki faltu mein."

Karan-" Phata hua dhol ki tarah aawaz teri hai Cookie meri nahi. And Tu kya abhi bhi woh limitted talk time plan use karta hai? Yaar unlimitted calls wala postpaid pack dalwa le, fixed amount and unlimitted talk. tab tujhe itna problem nahi hoga logon ko call karne mein."

cabir-* sarcastically*- " Keede!!! Tune bataya nahi that tune KabTak news channel chodke Mobile data pack bechne ka kaam shuru kiya hai? Aur agar kiya bhi hai toh keep it to yourself, Main apne phone mein jo bhi pack dalwau its non of your business. Acha woh sab baad mein pehle Important baat sunn for which I called, its about Manik and Mama ji. Nandini needs your help." 

Karan at once became serious. when it comes to Manik even these two opposite poles come  together. 

Karan-" Manik ko kya hua? And uss Buddhe ne kuch kiya kya? I met Nandini 2 days back tab toh sab sahi tha. Waise uss Roy ke rehte mujhe toh nahi lagta kuch sahi hoga. Cabir bol na kya kua? muh mein dahi jam gayi kya tere?" 

Cabir-" Tu apni question train band karega tab main bolunga na. Actually yes, woh shakunni mama is planning something against manik. Nandini has put some people to this searching work but we wanted to know that what has he done so much for Manik that he doesnt even want to listen a work against him.  Tu Manik ke saath tha after Uncle and Aunty's demise toh tujhe koi idea hai kya? We would need your help." He gave a gist and as he was saying all the things he got to know from Nandini Karan was getting more and more angry listening to all this. 

Karan-" Haan I know that manipulator he is too good with it. Par tu tension naa le ham milke isko sabak sikhayenge. You tell Nandini bhabhi I will meet her. He is too cunning we need to be careful."

Cabir-" Okay chal phir ab phone rakh mera itna time waste kiya tu."

Karan-"Main kyun rakhu? Tune call kia tha na toh ab tu phone cut kar cookie. And time kya waste kiya maine?"

cabir-" Mujhe cookie bolna band kar tu keede. Aur mere paas na bohot kaam hai tere jiase nhai sirf gym mein timepass karke body ke muscles phulayega aur ladkiyon ke saath flirt karega. Waise itna body banake fayda kya? Shakal phir bhi mare hue keede ki tarah hai teri."

Karan-" Cookie isliye because khaane ke alawa toh tujhe kuch soojhta nahi hai. Aur mere muscular body and shakal par har ladki fidda hoti hai. Woh baat alag hai that tu iss sab se jalta hai. Mujhe toh abhi bhi yakeen nahi hota that Navi ne tujhe kaise choose kiya."

Cabir-" uska name Navya Cabir Dhawan hai dare you call her Navi. Aur mujhe body buliding ki zaroorat nahi, mera World class Sense of humour hi kaafi hai ladkiyon ko mera deewana banane ke liye. "

Karan-" CHAL HATT!!! jOKER COOKIE." 

Cabir-" MARA hua KEEDA......rakh phone."

saying this both cut the call together.

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MALHOTRA HEIGHTS

Manik was in his cabin and taking a detailed report of the ongoing project from Yash who was just handing him one file after another. Manik had got to know that the consignment sent to Mr. watson had some issues while getting unloaded at the factory, but thanks to Cabir who handled the things at last moment with the help of Yash. Righ now Manik was completely in Monster mode and the wrath of it was being awarded to Yash.

Manik-" What hell do you people do being in the office? Is it a college fest or an amusement park in which you all come to enjoy, flirt and gossip?I need the whole team of this project in my cabin in half n hr with their report, otherwise you will be fired Yash."

Yash-" But sir in half n hour? How will they get it ready so soon." Manik glared at yash which made Yash agree -"Ye..yes Sir, It will be done."

He came out and called all the members of the team and told them to prepare the report of the project work done till now asap and meet Manik in his cabin. Sharanya who was standing in the corridor saw him going frantic.

Shar-" Yash, are you ok? iss baar kya kiya Sexy teddybear?" She asked him tapping on his shoulder sipping her coffee. 

Yash-" Kya kiya??? Are yeh puch kya nahi kiya woh, aaj toh lagta hai main pakka gaya apni naukri se. That consignment Mr watson wala usmein  kuch last minute issues ho gaye. Cabir sir and Maine sambhal toh liya but now Manik sir is in his monster mode. Project report mangi hai team se and agar time par nahi mila toh  mujhe nikal denge job se, aise kaun karta hai?" He cribbed and made a crying face at last. 

Sharanya just felt bad for him. He was always the one who had to bear manik's anger even if it was not his mistake. 

Shar-" Relax Yash, kuch nahi hoga. And Manik is just worried, but we need to findout how this problem arised. As far as I know it has never happened before in MH. Kahi woh Mr. Roy toh nahi? You go and check on the team nahi toh problem hoga."Yash just tapped his head and ran to check whether the things were done or not.

K- sisters cabin 

Neha had searched all the records in the company systems but couldnt find anything wrong or any clue by which they can prove Mr. Roy being guilty. She was really frustrated on not getting any major thing That was when Sharanya came inside.

Shar-" Cutie kuch mila? Tu subhe se lagi hui hai kahan tak khoji tu?"

Neha-" Nahi mila kuch Sharu. Company ka pura record check kar liya hai jo system mein tha. last 7yrs ke record mein toh aisa kuch nahi milla jisse yeh lage that Mr. Roy koi wrong kaam kar rahe hai. bank details, Company accounts sab sahi hai. Tu bol tujhe kuch mila hamare record room se?"

Shar-" uhmm.. kuch nahi mila. waha toh saare purane files hai. And isse pehle main aur ache se dekhti tabtak woh Shashank aa gaya tha finance dept ka he needed some files toh mujhe waha se nikalna pada. Par ek second tune kaha 7yrs ka record, toh usse pehle ke records toh dekhne honge na woh sab kaise nikale?"

Neha-" Haan, usse pehle toh Manik sir ke father ke under ke jo company work hai woh documnets computerised nahi hai. I think ek baar wapas dekhna hoga store. Shaam ko dekhte hai jab Manik will go home na tab try karenge office bhi mostly khali rahega."

It was 8 in the evening

Manik had a meeting with all the members and had warned them not to make mistake from next time. He made yash run from one corner to another corner of the entire Office and was in complete workholic mode. 

Neha and Sharanya were still in their cabin waiting for Manik to leave so that they can get into the store attached to his cabin and search for some evidence or proof against Mr. Roy. 

Yash entered the cabin along with Prithvi who came when he saw Neha's text.

Prithvi-" Nehu tune bulaya? What are you both doing here so late, working time toh over ho gaya na?" 

Neha-" Woh handsome, hame thoda searching work karna hai. Remember Mr. Roy and Mr malhotra ke baare mein previous connections. We are waiting for manik to leave taaki ham aaram se jaa sake andar in that store."

Yash-" Neha, I dont think aaj ho payega. Manik sir is in complete work mode. Woh lagta hai aaj tabtak ghar nahi jayenge jabtak pura cross-checking of all department nahi kar lete."He said slipping tiredly on the couch in their cabin. He had been running all day because of Manik. 

Neha-" Tum na apna muh band karo. Kuch acha nahi kar sakte toh bura matt bolo yaar yash. Kaise toh karke unko yahan se nikalna hoga na. We dont have much time. Prithvi bro, do something na. Tum ekbaar try karo Manik ko bolo na tumhare saath chale. You are his friend also na woh teri baat manega."

Shar-" Cutie, do you seriously think Manik iski baat manega. I still doubt that how the hell Manik became his friend. Yeh sirf Manik ki tarah chilla sakta hai aur kuch nahi. Iske saath jaane se acha hai he works here all night."

Prithvi-" Hello Miss Kapoor, Manik mera dost kaise hai woh mujhe aapko batane ki zaroorat nahi, and about Manik meri kitni baat manta hai toh woh dekha jayega. Neha I will try to take manik with me." Prithvi said still galring at Sharanya who was giving him equal angry+ irritated looks.  

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Manik's Cabin

Yash, Neha and Sharanya were peaking from the sliding window outside Manik's cabin as Prithvi entered Manik's Cabin knocking once.

Prithvi-" Manik, buddy tu abhi bhi kaam kar raha hai? Wrap it yaar, saara kaam aaj hi karna hai kya?" He entered smiling looking at Manik whos eyes were on the laptop screen.

Manik looked at Prithvi and asked him to sit and sighed giving him a smile

" Buddy, kya karu main bol tu, that project is very dear to me and I cant take any risk. isliye Im thinking of handling everything. Bas thoda kaam aur hai phir I will leave. Par tu achanak yahan? I mean you never get in my cabin so casually when I say you to do stating that You are an employee here and not my friend."

Pri-" Are yaar, thats true Im an employee and we should maintain that in office. And rahi baat abhi ki toh I came like your friend because Mr malhotra its past office hours, so maine socha why not hangout with you today like old times. Lets go yeh sab band kar tu." Prithvi had always been very clear with maintaining his personal relation with manik and his professional commitments. Only some people in office knew about Manik and Prithvi being friends and also that they were very clear when it came to work.

Outside the cabin 

Shar-" Isko hamne Manik ko jaldi bahar nikalne bheja tha wahan baithke kitty party karne nahi. Aunties ki tarh wahan baithke kya bakwaas kar raha hai yeh? Maine kaha tha tujhe cutie dont send him yeh kisi kaam ka nahi hai." She whispered to Neha who was leaning over her back to look what was happening. 

Neha-" Choco moco, wait na Prithvi zaroor manik ko leke niklega dont worry. Mujhe yeh samajh nahi aata why do you two dislike eachother so much. Jab dekho toh ekdusre ke saath ladne lagte ho."

suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder poking her. She slapped the hand and again looked what was happening inside. 

Yash-" Neha!!!" Yash whispered this time again poking her shoulder.

Neha-" Dekh yash if you dont want your hands to be broken so stop poking my shoulder."

"uhhu!!! uhu!!!" both the girls heard someone clearing throat. They turned to see....

Nandini standing there with hands folded and giving them  a *whats-happening look* 

Sharanya dragged her a bit away from Manik's cabin and told her that they wanted to get into Mnaik's cabin and thats why they were waiting for him to leave. At the same time manik and Prithvi came out of the cabin talking when they saw Nandini there. 

Manik-" Are nandini, tum yahan, aur abhi?"

Nandini-" Kya karu? Tum toh apna phone uthaoge nahi, I was so worried toh bas aa gayi yahn."She said making an angry face. Manik looked at his phone which had 50 missed calls of nandini and also messages. He looked at her pleadingly while she ignorred him.

Prithvi-"I think manik we can have our Bro-time some other day, aaj tu nandini ko dekh. She is really angry."

Manik just hugged him tight and looked at Nandini who was standing there facing the opposite side.

Manik-" Nandini, Im sorry I was really busy and maine dekha hi nahi phone. it was in silent mode. Last time sorry." He started going behind her not before telling Yash to close his cabin and keep the files for the next day in his drawer. 

Nandini-" You marry this Office only Manik malhotra. Main apne liye kisi aur ko dhundh lungi"She said getting pissed. 

Shar-" Married to office. Shaadi ka card kya mast lagega na " Sexy Teddy bear weds Office" As soon as she said this neha laughed loudly while manik just glared at the twins who had no effect of his glare on them. 

Manik looked at Nandini but she just gave him a hard glare and started moving out but before that she winked at K-sisters which gave them the hint that it was to help them. They smiled looking at each other. 

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A  guy was watching a car moving out of MH. He called someone." Sir, kaam ho gaya hai. Woh log nikal gaye."

"Tumhe tumhare paise mil jayenge, par yeh yaad rakhna ki tum pakde naa jaao. Tum mujhe nahi jaante ho aur naa hi main tumhe." from the other side there came a reply and then he cut the call.

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Precap-

" Yeh car kyun nahi rukk rahi. What hell is wrong with this damit!!!" the car was going in full speed while the guy was trying to control it but it was not happening .

" Hey, aage dekho.. TRUCK!!" 

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BOOM!!!!!!!!
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

SO, hope you liked this chapter. 

Who is in the car?????

funny, romantic, suspense!!!! do let us know what you felt.

Shantanu and Preethi aka PreeShaan 

Cabir and Karan's banter. Are you excited to see their nok-jhok?

Will K- sisters find any proof?

What will happen to MaNan? 

See you all soonish. Till then keep thinking what happens next. 

Guys pray for Parth. He needs all our blessings for his speedy recovery. 

with love,

Your crazy writer duo,

Neha and Sleepy_headd