A/N: Selfishly hoping you all remember me and missed my story.🙈
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Entering the office premises, he rushed to his cabin. As he was already running late of time. But unknown to himself, he didn't curse himself for being late this time.

Just as he was going to step in, a hand blocked his way. Looking up to have a look at the owner of that hand, his expression turned into a bored one. Rolling his eyes, he jerked the hand away muttering, "Move."

"One second one second. Why to hurry?", said Cabir with a visible smirk playing on his lips.

"What man? Aren't you getting late? Lunch break is over almost 5 minutes back!", Manik said in a tired tone.

"Nada! I ain't getting late boy!!", he replied. As if he was the chief, making Manik roll his eyes.

"Admin sir has called us in his cabin.. he wanted discus a few issues. And that means, we have more 5 minutes in our hands.", he said smirking, since the admin's office was on the building in front and they can easily make excuses for reaching a bit late. "So? Anything you wanna inform?", he asked.

Manik raised his brows, shrugging his shoulders, "What are you talking about?"

"The Manik The Malhotra wasn't found in the mess during lunch break today.. Where was he?"

Manik straightened himself. "Err I was out for some important work..", he replied looking here and there.

"What 'important' work came that you readily accepted to skip your lunch for that?"

"Why are you asking so many questions? We don't have time, let's go.", saying he made his way to the Admin's office, not giving another chance for him to speak.

"You went to meet Nandu bro. But that's not the thing.. the thing is, why are you trying to hide it? Agent Cabir, get ready for your duty!", Cabir said staring at Manik's retreating figure, scratching his chin.

Flashback:

"Why are you so callous Nandu?", Cabir groaned in irritation. Cause he had to spend his only free time during office hours to deliver the house keys to his sister, as she forgot to take it while leaving for work in a hurry.

Cabir who was almost running to save some time for having lunch, came to a halt and eyes almost popped out of the sockets. He couldn't trust his own eyes. THE 'NEVER BEING WITH A GIRL' MANIK MALHOTRA HOLDING THE 'NEVER GIVING A DAMN TO ANY GUY' NANDINI MURTHY THAT WAY?? AND DRAGGING HER TO A SECLUDED PLACE??? It was definitely giving him a hell lot of feels. It was surely a breaking news!!

He walked ahead smirking at the new found 'hot news', reached her counter, kept the keys in the locker and made his way back. Whatever was going on, he needed to find out. Cause it was definitely not the Manik and Nandini he knew, or maybe, what they showed..

Back to the present:

Nandini was attending the customers absentmindedly.. Seeing her out of the zone, Jeff said being concerned, "You don't seem alright. What's wrong bro?"

Firstly, it was her first day of the cycle and secondly, she still couldn't figure out and was confused about what he meant by the last lines he spoke before leaving.

So she informed her that she was feeling a bit unwell and was tired. To which Jeff immediately replied, "Go home, take some rest. There aren't much customers for now, I can handle. You go!"

She left bidding adieu, giving a flying kiss and muttering an 'I love you'.

Reaching almost half the way, she realized she didn't take the keys which she had asked Cabir to bring. She didn't even see him at the cafe, and was confused if he even came or that slipped out of his mind..

She was now too lazy to walk all the way back to grab the keys, and decided to crash at Navya's as it was just at a 5 minutes distance from her's and wait until the office hours were over.

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It was almost night time now as she opened her eyelids. She didn't even realize when her eyes closed while chatting with Navya, who was now sitting by the other side of her bed, scrolling through the phone. Being asked, Navya replied that she didn't have the heart to wake her up as she was looking quite tired and gloomy.

Stretching her arms after a refreshing nap she said, "You're such a sweetheart yaa. I gotta go now, it's pretty late. Bye!!"

She was finally back to her normal self. Walking back to her place, she heard someone calling out her name. It was a manly voice.. she knew that voice quite well now.. it was his.. Manik's.

"Nandiniii!!!!", she heard her name again and turned to the source, just to see the same tall guy in white uniform.

"Hey!", he said catching his breathe.

She smiled in response. "Night duty?", she asked pointing at his uniform.

"Yep. It's my turn of duty today.", he informed.

She said candidly, "So you have a long night ahead eh?" as, common sense, nights are comparatively longer during falls.

Laughing out loud he said, "Heck yeah. Really long night ahead!!"

After a moment of pause, walking side by side, he asked, "Where are you up to?"

And she informed that she was returning back home finally after a long day.

"So late?", he asked curiously.

"Haha yaa. Long story, you don't wanna hear." She just then remembered the question that had been bothering her, "Oh and btw what did you mean by that "You never have to act nice in front of me Nandini, just remain yourself. And that'll make me the happiest." of yours?!", she mimicked him, making Manik laugh.

Composing himself, he answered, "Okay so... you had said earlier this day that you were trying to 'act nice' when you had asked me to move back right? That's the reason why I-"

Her laughter stopped him from speaking further. He raised his brows as if asking which part of his speech felt funny to her.

"Are you serious?!" and burst out in laughter again. "Arre I was just kidding when I said that, buddhu." and smacked his forehead.

He didn''t laugh or smile this time.. and uttered, "But I wasn't joking when I replied to that."

That soft, husky baritone made her get goosebumps all over. Indeed the night was cold, but the warmth radiating from his words along with his presence compensated the temperature, made her comfortable.

His voice held an emotion of their own, which always managed to make her heart wobble every single time.

Both made their way to the Murthys'.

She didn't ask him to,

He didn't mention he would..

Yet none questioned the other.. as if it was supposed to happen that way.. as if their minds had already planned for that long back.

Walking side by side in silence, on the way to the destination.. the weather was so misty and cold, that anyone would feel the urge to curl up inside the comforter in order to seek some warmth. But the two people walking down the streets unknowingly wished for the exact opposite.

This time, their silence was a comfortable one. In between the freezing cold, both felt a warmth embracing them, comforting every nerve cell in their bodies. None wanted to reach their destination any earlier.

Much to their dissent, they finally reached the bungalow. Turning to face each other upon reaching, she muttered softly, "Good night.."

Smiling slightly, he replied, "Night. Take care."

That 'take care' had something.. that made her feel giddy and his tone just added up to that. White smoke came out from his mouth as he breathe.. making him look even more irresistible.

Slight red hue crawled all over her cheeks. Not willing to make him see her that way, she lowered her face and moved inside.

She didn't turn back.. for she knew he won't be leaving before ensuring that she's safely entered.

~•~
A/N: Extremely sorry to keep you all waiting for so long! My phone is alright now, so I'll get back to normal updating schedule hopefully.❤️

And and do check out a new Instagram filter that I uploaded!! A MaNan filter! Link in my message board! Hope you all like it🙈❤️