MANIK POV

Things really have change between me and Nandini after I rescued her and I am really happy about it, I still am shocked thinking about todays morning incident. It was like I couldn't believe my eyes and ears.

It was like every morning I sent delivered flowers and chocolate with a note asking her out for coffee continuing my tradition to woo this special girl and waited for her to come and threw flowers on my face swearing me and it happened she came in my room with flowers in her hands, looking beautiful like fresh rose and I waited for her to throw that flower on my face but nothing happened of that sort but her next step shocked me and I shook to the core when she smiled a genuine smiled at me thanking me for flowers , I rubbed my eyes multiple time and she chuckled but her next words threw me out of the window in surprise. When she said she will go out with me on a coffee date just this time as a thankyou for saving her life and not to expect nothing more nothing less. But I ignored her those last threatening words concentrating and try to adapt with those words where she accepted my proposal. I did a happy excited dance mentally on my first victory.

And here now I am getting ready for this coffee date with her, I don't care how many times she gonna remind me this is the first and last date she is accompanying me because deep down I know this is the start and there are hundred more to come.

I cant believe I am taking time to get ready for a simple coffee date like a school girl on her first date, I mean who sane guy takes twenty minutes for shower, thirty minutes just to select what to wear, ten minutes to select a perfect hairstyle, five minutes for a perfect pair of shoes and five minutes for watch and perfume. This is insane, man!! and I am insane because I am the one doing all this.

huh!!what are you doing to me miss murthy???

I styled my look wearing navy blue shirt style jumper and creme pants with blue loafers. I quickly took my wallet and phone before rushing outside the room after checking the time in my watch and it was almost up. I rushed to living area and there was still no sign of Nandini, I huffed thumping my body on sofa and impatiently waitng for her and soon less than a minute she stepping down stairs looking smoky hot in her white high low length dress ,her hairs let down the way I taking my breath. If she wanted she could be a model with her sexy long legs but again I wouldn't have like her showing off her body so casually and shamelessly.

and again I want to ask the same question..

how can someone be this beautiful..

''you look beautiful!!'' I complimented while approaching her and she blushed. She freaking blushed and she looked more angelic when she blushed.

''thanks!!''she mumbled.

''shall we?'' I asked and she nodded.

''lead the way.''

I leaded her to my car, I brought my landrover discovery sport this time because I am taking her to a hilly area fifty kilometer away from here.

''exactly !!how many cars you have?'' she asked eyeing my landrover and I am sure she fancied car because she never hide her excitement whenever she sees any car of mine. I didn't replied anything but just shrugged casually feeling a little uneasy to answer her question. She didn't mind and I opened the passenger side door for her.

''my lady!!'' I acted bowing my head and she chuckled.

Am I returning alive tonight, I don't thinks so because there is a saying never trust a woman who suddenly turn all nice and cheerful. I took my seat locking her side of door and rushed to my side taking the seat and drove of. After thirty minute of comfortably silent drive we reached the hill tops of Chandigarh. It is at the outskirt of the city surrounded by nature. I halted the car in front of the café and rushed to open Nandini side door, she climbed out looking at the surrounding and looking pleased.

''these is a beautiful place.'' she admired.

''and peaceful too.'' I added. ''now come'' I asked her to follow me leading the way and she obliged.

I opened the café glass door for her to go in first and she mumbling a thankyou stepped in, soon we took the seat near the window which has a beautiful river view and hills. This isn't some high class rich café, it is simple for simple people and peaceful unlike those rich cafes where you'll find snobbish materialistic people around you and the best part is no one can recognize me here. I raised my hands to signal the waiter to calling on our table and soon he turned on our table wearing white shirt and black pant with red checked apron, his café uniform with a pen and pad in his hand.

''yes sir!!''he acknowledged.

''aah!!what you want to have Nandini.'' i asked the beautiful lady in front of me. Of course i wanted to call her that aloud but i know it will piss her off. So I am trying to suppress my flirty side keeping it inside for now.

''A steamy cup of cappuccino .''she replied with a casual smile.

''okey then.. a cup of cappuccino for her and strong black coffee for me with the best snack you have and surprise us.'' i joked ordering him.

''right away. sir.'' waiter replied with a genuine smile turning on his heels and i turn my attention back on the diva in front of me.

''so, why we are here far away from city just for a cup of coffee.''she asked out of nowhere.

''because I wanted our date simple and proper , just you and me, no one hitting on you and girls throwing themselves on me. Why you didn't like it?'' I asked looking a little nervous.

''of course I do and the thought behind this.'' she chuckled.

''so tell me something about you, it has been a month since we know each other or to say the right words we just know nothing about each other.'' I tried to have a conversation ,trying to know more about her.

''may I know , who are you and what you did to that pervert Manik.?''she joked and I laughed.

''Why? missing him already.'' I flirted winking at her and she rolled her eyes.

''whatever.''she waved her hands dismissing it.

''don't change the topic and tell me something about you ?'' i demanded playfully.

''well, I am a journalist, live in Mumbai, completed education from Orchid the International School with Abhi of course, then went to Symbiosis Pune for media studies and now working in Abhi's company that's it.''she stated.

''that's it.!!'' i asked baffled.

''yeah why.?''

''no boyfriend ,no relationship, no family nothing.'' i asked and i think her face fell.

God!!!kill me..

''no i wasn't a relationship type person.'' she sounded distant and she quickly sipped her coffee which waiter left between our conversation avoiding looking at me.

''nandini!!!! we be friends.?'' I asked hesitantly taking her off guard.

''huh!!''she sighed keeping her cup back on the table. ''well Manik, this is why I never wanted to give you a wrong hint. This is the last time I'm clearing this we cant be friends ever. We are nothing just professionals and I don't think I will be seeing you again after I'm over with my journal.''she tried to sound stern and polite but still it hurted and I hided it quite well to show it own my face reminding my self ,it just a start.

'' I still gonna try.'' I replied with determination. She didn't said anything but again started to sip her coffee ignoring any kind of eye contact with me.

We were sipping our coffee in comfortable silence ignoring conversation, enjoying the weather ,view, coffee and ofcourse each others company. When my went off, I pulled out to see call from my secretary, I think she has something urgent to say, so I excused my self from there to answer the call in hurry.

''yeah,ok fine. I will be there in an hour'' well I already decided to take a leave but seems like I have work today. My secretary called me to inform that I have to sign some important papers which have to send to the contracters and client till tomorrow.

I went inside the café to found Nandini already finished with her coffee and there is something in her hands which she is watching closely. When she say me heading towards our table she quickly stood up with thatg black thing.

''Manik!! your wallet.''she so it was my wallet she staring closely'' you dropped it when you rushed out in hurry.''she stated.

''thanks.''

''you welcome''she replied with a small smile.

''well, Nandini are you ready to leave.'' I asked and she nodded in affirmation.

She walked ahead of me while I was behind her trail like a gentleman and we reached my car, I opened the door for her but she was looking lost so I have to call her nameto get her attention and signaling at the open door. She mumbled sorry and sat inside and I felt a little weird.

We drove in a complete silence but this time her quiteness was little weird, it wasn't peaceful or normal quietness. This time her quiteness felt weird. I observed the moment I stepped inside the café after the call I saw her lost somewhere, now still she is staring out the window but her mind isn't here she is still lost thinking a little too far. She is perfect when it comes to hide emotions and how to keep her face straight so that no one can read you, but after spending so much time with her ,I little can read her when I observe her closely and there it is , she is disturbed about something because she hasn't that peaceful look like when we came here with the same silence, I figured out after observing her closely but I still cant be entirely sure. She even stolen a look at me under her lashes it seems like she is in some kind of dilemma and wanted to ask something.

but one thing is sure, something is off.

******************

Its been three days to our date , Nandini still seems lost as if trying to find out something, she is quitter than before always zooned out on dinning table or walking down stairs with lost or disturbed look. Its just not me everyone noticed her this behavior and worried about her, even Abhi has no idea. Nobody knows whats going on in her mind. When Abhi tried to ask her she excused it saying everything is alright , just not feeling well that's it, but ofcourse no one bought it.

But in all these things the thing surprised me most it, she approached me so many times, called me in office but sounds hesitant then dropped the conversation. I think she want to ask or tell me something but she never dared to complete her conversation. She sometimes came to my room at midnight knocking hard with a disturbed face and when I asked her to continue what she wants she again excused that making some story. This all things now started to worry me but I don't know how to find what is wrong what is disturbing her. her this activities giving me sleepless nights. I hope she gather her courage soon.

''knock!! knock!!'' a hard knock on my bedroom door pulled me out from my disturbing thoughts. I frowned, who can be here this early in the morning on my door. I don't having much sleep since three days so I am the only one who wake up early even before servants. I rushed to open the door and found Nandini at 6 o'clock in the morning looking as fresh as like flower in her military print yoga pants and black tanktop, looking hot as ever, and I wanted to do nothing but to grab her inside,throw her on my bed and do things with her for turning me on early in the morning, I mentally slapped myself and puhed the thought side gulping down to compose myself and raised my brows questioningly but she was busy playing with her fingers in nervousness, not helping my little friend who desperately wanted to come out from the pants

''can I come in?'' She asked hesitantly taking me of guard nevertheless I nodded opening door widely for her.

She stepped inside looking around trying to avoid eye contact, combing her hairs with her fingers; I noticed her this habit when she is nervous whereas I stare at her waiting for her to speak.

''Nandini!!!'' I called her name softly for attention when its been five minutes for her looking around my room and she snapped her head at me sheepishly. ''are you going to speak or what.'' I asked a little irritated and she gulped.

''CAN WE BE FRIENDS??'' and there I stood in shock, not believing my ears.

''what?''i asked to confirm myself after covering up from the shock.

''i asked..can we be friends?''she repeated. I for the first time really don't know what to say, is this what bothering her since three days. Then why she was disturbed. ''are you going to answer me.?''her impatient voice retrieve me from my thoughts and I grin widely.

''ofcourse.!!! we can be.'' I replied with a stupid grin extending my hands to shake for our new found friendship and she quickly accepted it with same big smile. I really thing, I am happiest man alive that I am still feeling it like a dream waking up so early in the morning and if it is one then please i never wanted to wake up.

FINALLYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOUR BROKEN ANGEL AND WOUNDED PRINCE STARTED TO GET ALONG, BUT STILL WAIT FOR THE NEW TURNS AND SHOCK. *evil laugh*