Chapter 9
1206 Words
Walking side by side, misty cold wind touching their skin, stars shining bright up above, both remained silent.. leaves brushing with one another and the whistling sound of the wind, altogether made a soothing melodious sound. She, warmly wrapped around by his jacket, which had the smell of him still intact with it, that thought only made her fuzzy.
Both were walking in silence, when Manik broke the ice, "Umm.. Nandini, you talked to him at the party, right?" He finally asked the question he had been dying to ask her since the time she came back from the lawn in the middle of the party.
He had seen her going out with him, he had seen the way she literally ordered him to dance with her, when her eyes fell on Aryaman. He had no idea what might've happened back then, that she was behaving that way. Not that he wanted to miss the chance of dancing with The Nandini Murthy after all haha.
She came out of her thoughts, when she heard him ask what she wasn't still prepared to answer. Her mind went back to that mess again, dragging her out those few moments of peace she was having right now.
She didn't know what to say, where to start from. "Err.."
She closed her eyes tightly and sighed deeply, opening them again. She pursued to say something, but not a word came out of them.
Manik was reading her change of facial expressions. Turning to her completely as they reached Murthys' bungalow, he asked in an ever so soft, deep, husky, concerned voice, "What happened Nandini? All OK right?!"
She almost had goosebumps as his tone hit her ear drums. Her eyes snapped at him. His ocean-like, deep eyes made her calm down all the storms building up inside her.
As she managed to say, "Manik, can we meet and talk tomorrow? I'm very much tired and exhausted right now."
He could understand something was bothering her, so he didn't deny to her proposal and nodded in agreement.
"Ok so.. Dream pies, tomorrow at 4 pm?"
He again nodded, saying, "Cool."
He kept standing there until she stepped into her home. Just before she entered, much to his surprise, she turned back, smiled at him, waved him a bye and left.
He ruffled his hair before turning to make his way back to the wardroom. And a stupid, sheepish grin never left his face.
"Uhm uhm!", she heard a manly voice clearing his throat loudly to gain her attention.
"You aren't asleep yet?", she said, making her way to him.
"Nandini Murthy, what is that?", cringing his brows, pointing at her dress.
She then realised she was still in his jacket. Looking back at the man she said, "Long story Pops. You won't wanna hear, you aren't tired?"
"Am I looking like an old, fragile man to you? I'm The Rear Admiral Anant Murthy you're talking to.", he said in full attitude.
"And by the way, Nandini Murthy in a guy's jacket? Seems like breaking news!", he said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes, and said in a bored tone, "Such a drama queen you are."
He laughed at that statement. "So... who's the lucky guy, huh?!"
"Don't get ideas Dad.", she said.
"Ok ok little tigress. You go and get some rest.", he said and kissed her forehead, to which she smiled.
"And I just can't wait till tomorrow morning to inform this breaking news to Tara.", he said in childlike excitement.
She giggled, shaking her head, mumbling 'You won't ever change na?' before leaving.
And chuckled as she heard him say loudly, "Never!!"
Anant's sarcastic expression turned into a beautiful smile and adoration in his eyes, "Bless you both.", he mumbled to himself.
She reached her room, freshened up and was all ready to crash into her comfy, soft bed, when her eyes fell on the jacket lying on the couch, his jacket.
Momentarily, her legs themselves took her to the jacket. She held it delicately in her hands, and the flashes of them dancing, his care, his concern for her, made her feel giddy..
He too returned to his wardroom. All the way, mentally praying not to bump into any of his officer colleagues.. since he didn't want them to see him that way. Shirt & trousers without a tux, disheveled hair, him continuously grinning like a fool, anyone would think that the oh-so-perfect Manik Malhotra was drunk.
He made his bed, freshened himself up and the curve of his lips never left his face, as he recalled the snaps of him and her at the party tonight.
With a smile, both went off to get some sleep and drown in the pool of peaceful dreams after the long, yet beautiful night. Unsure of what tomorrow holds in store for them. She didn't know how or what she'd say to him about Aryaman, whereas he could sense something had been bothering her, he was worried.
Nonetheless, these pity thoughts can't succeed in spoiling their mood. 'Go with the flow' is always the best option rather than spoiling your own mood thinking about what hasn't even happened yet.
So chucking those negative thoughts, both slipped into deep slumber, with a smile adorning their faces.
New day, first day of the year, definitely a hectic day for Nandini. Because of, the number of customers is higher on this day. She was busy in her cafe, unaware of the time.
When she felt a pair of eyes on her.
Raising her lashes, she found the same old pair, the same guy standing right in front of her.
Her eyes widened in sudden astonishment, as she said, "You?"
"Umm yaa. I feel it's me.." he said with a hint of humour. And joked, "Wasn't I expected?"
She came back from the spell, and quickly gauged her surroundings as she realised the clock showed it was exactly 4 pm and he was supposed to come. She only proposed the idea of meeting and forgot due to the work load.
Before she could say anything, he said humorously, "I think I wasn't expected here.. it's OK Nandini, I'm going."
"Urghh shut up, OK? I was just shocked to see you in front of me all on a sudden.", she justified herself.
He laughed out loud.
"Come let's seat. What would you have though?", she asked.
"Nopes nothing."
"You're visiting my cafe for the first time ever, and won't have anything? Not at all Malhotra!"
"Here's the menu, select whatever you want.", she ordered him, all over again.
He was staring at the menu and scratching his head like an illiterate man, who couldn't read anything.
After a good 5 minutes, she said, "Tumse nhi hoga." and giggled.
He flashed a sheepish smile.
"I'm getting my favorite, fresh blueberry cheesecake for both of us. You'll love it, I can guarantee!"
Both made their way to a cozy corner, sitting with each other, munching on the cheesecake.
The golden evening sunrays, hair tied up in a loose messy bun, made her look ethereal.
Skipping his precious workout session for meeting a girl and having cheesecake with her at a cafe? Made him laugh at his own thoughts.
- Writer
