CHAPTER THIRTEEN

MANIK'S POV

CHAPTER SONG: SUPERMARKET FLOWERS BY ED SHEERAN

Happy Reading!

Nandini! That's the only name coming in my mind these days. This girl! Ugh! She is really something. She is the most irritating girl I have ever seen. What irritates me the most is that she is different from the girls I have met. All the girls that I have met are clingy and demanding. They never get satisfied by whatever they get. And most of all they throw themselves at me.

But Nandini is different. She is caring and innocent and all the things that I am not and I'll never be. Since the day she has come to live with me I don't know why but I have felt something.

I want to come home just to check and make sure she is alright. I cook for her. Which is really rare because I don't cook for anyone.

I loved to cook and sing. When my dad was alive, him and I used to cook a lot. He taught me how to cook my first dish when I was 7 . But I always saw how he cooked and learned form far. My mom used to love when dad cooked for her.

On Sundays he wouldn't let mom get into the kitchen and he would make all the meals of the day. My mom used to be ecstatic to see that.

Even when I cooked for the first time she was so happy. I could see it in her eyes. Her eyes we're welled up in tears but I knew they were happy tears. I didn't make it too well. I had put a lot of salt but then too they ate it without complaining. When I tasted it I was about to vomit it.

Then my mom said.

It's the efforts that shine, not the outcome. You tried hard and that's all that matters. Try harder next time and I am sure you'll do great.

Her and my dad were really my idols.

Those were the days....

I didn't cook a lot because something happened which made me stop cooking. I had grown hate towards cooking but when Nandini came, I felt like cooking again.

Because obviously, she couldn't cook to save a life. When she asked me for the first time to cook for her, I was going to tell her no immediately. But then, she made a really really... Cute face and I couldn't tell her no. And I hurt her with my words after that so I had to cook.

It was really weird for me to make something on my own. I always used to order takeouts or eat at Cabir's house. But now I'll have to cook.

I have started coming home after Nandini started living here. I didn't like to come home from work before. I don't know why all this is happening to me now. It's really confusing and it's irritating the fuck out of me.

So here I was with Alya in her bed. She was one of the girls who used to work with me. We all were a group but the only person I talk to is Cabir. He is my main mate and only friend. We know each other since we were kids and he since then he has been my best mate. I may not admit it but he is my brother and my only family.

So yeah, back to Alya. We have been fuck buddies since forever. It was not only because of me. She even wanted it. I may be very ruthless but I do respect women and their dignity. She willingly wanted to do it too. So whenever she is stressed or I am stressed we fuck each other. It helps, sometimes.

I don't feel anything for her. She was never my type and I told her that from the first day. But I know that she likes me. I can see it on her face and in her eyes. But I can never reciprocate.

Love is not meant for me. Or I am not meant to be loved. I think it's just an illusion. It is fake thing which only gives pain and numbness. I don't want to fall in love with anyone. I loved my parents and I paid the prize for loving them and I don't want to experience that again.

I sat on her bed. She looked at me and smiled.

"Hi Manik."

"Hey."

There was silence between us for some minutes before she leaned forward. Now she was getting to the point. I smirked, knowingly.

She put her lips on mine. I reciprocate immediately. I cupped her face. Her skin didn't feel like Nandini. Her skin felt really soft, nothing like Alya's.

Are you seriously thinking about Nandini while making out with Alya?

My mind mocked. Yeah that's right why am thinking about her. I shouldn't be. That's why I came here, to distract myself.

I gripped Alya's hips and yanked her on the bed but careful not to hit the headboard. I started kissing her harshly. My lips left hers and made it's way to her neck. I was trailing soft yet firm kisses down her neck. Her breathing was really heavy. I smirked knowing the effect on her.

My hands roamed around her body and started moving South and South. I reached her underwear but then sudden guilt washed over me. Nandini's face again came in front of my eyes. I shut my eyes and pulled away. I was really frustrated and angry. Alya looked at me as if I had grown two heads. I gave a final look and got up from her bed.

"Manik-"

"Bye. I'll talk to you later." With that I left her room. I excited her apartment and went to my car, sat in it and drove off.

I was driving rashly but I was beyond pissed. I was pissed at Nandini and mostly on me because I let her affect me. Never in all the years, a girl had affected me and this girl did it just in a matter of days.

I arrived at Starbucks and I knew that Cabir would be there because he worked here as a part time job.

I went inside and was hit by a strong scent of coffee. I went to take a seat near the window. I didn't see Cabir. I waited for sometime and then went to the counter to order.

The girl at the counter smiled at me. I reciprocated it.

"Hi what can I get for you?" She asked seductively.

I resisted my urge to roll my eyes at her.

"A black coffee with no suger. That's all. " I answered curtly.

I paid my amount and went to sit at my place. I looked out of the window to see the busy city. Everyone is rushing to reach somewhere or the other.

Someone put a hand on my shoulder. I was startled by it. I jumped at the contact. I moved my face to see a grinning Cabir looking at me, a coffee in his hand. I assumed it was my coffee and took it from his hand and shot him a glare.

"Hello to you too. I see you have woken up on the wrong side of the bed today. Or may I assume that you haven't slept at all?" He smirked at me.

"Shut up. I am already in a very bad mood. I will chop your balls off if you even try to irritate me slightly."

"Oh so what happened? Nandini?"

I wasn't going to tell him but I don't know how a small "yes" slipped from my mouth. His eyes widened.

"Really?"

"No. I don't know what you're talking about." But I knew he won't buy this shit. He knew something was wrong.

He raised his eyebrow. I knew that I will have to tell him now. I sighed and told him everything that happened with Alya.

His eyes widened.

"You're so whipped man. Even the whipped cream isn't as whipped as you are. I mean, she is not your girlfriend also and you're not able to get her off you mind, just imagine what will happen when she will become your girl-"

"That will never happen."

"I didn't say that I'll haven I said 'imagine'. I know you want it to happen badly but patience is the key, Manik." He smirked at me and then started laughing at my face.

I face palmed myself.

"Can you shut up for once-"

"Nope."

"Ugh! Shut up. I am already in the worst possible mood and you're not helping either. I don't know what the fuck is happening to me. I can't get her out of my head. I couldn't do anything with Alya and this has never happened. I have never been this confused in my life!" I said.

I looked at him to see him smiling at me. I gave him a confused look and he just shook his head.

"You like her. It's simple."

My eyes widened. "What? Of course not. How can I like someone in a span of some days?"

"No my friend. You can't like someone. You like 'Nandini'."

I shook my head again. "No. I don't like her. I CAN'T like her. I don't want to destroy her. She's too innocent and kind for someone like me. I can't risk that."

He smiled at me.

"You care about her-"

"No."

"Let me finish. You do care about her and you can't deny it. This is a sign that you like her. You care about her too much to bring her to your world."

I was going to interrupt him but he didn't let me.

"And you didn't tell me that you started to cook? You didn't tell your brother. I am hurt. You can cook for her but never cooked for me. I always have to cook or order take outs."

"That's because she can't cook. No wait, how did you know I cook for her? You went to my house? Did you talk to her? I hope you didn't scar her away."

"Oh now I can't even go to your house, is it? Yes I did go to your place but you weren't home. That's when she told me that you cook for her. I nearly had a cardiac arrest at that time listening that, you MANIK MALHOTRA cook for her. Woah!"

"Yeah so what? She can't cook so I can't let her starve. And for how many days will she eat all the take-outs. It's not good for her health."

"So when you told me to order take-outs, at that time you didn't think of my health but now suddenly you're thinking of her health. What should I name this? Isn't this called care?" He air quoted the care part.

"I don't know, the only thing that I know is that I can't let her eat take-outs everyday and I most certainty cannot let her cook because either she'll burn herself or my house." I said, firmly.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Okay whatever you say. Just don't hurt her or push her away. Don't be the Monster Manik Malhotra."

My eyes widened at the nickname he used for me. Nandini called me that no one else can call me Monster.

"You can't call me that. Only she can so don't call me Monster again. And she told you this too? What else has she told you?"

"I don't remember." He grinned at me.

"Never mind."

I got up from the table and went to the door when I heard Cabir shout.

"Goodbye, Monster Manik."

I turned and gave him a glare. I went out and a smile broke off my face. That name reminded me of her.

And she always brought a smile on my face.

Why?

Do I really like her??

--xx--

Hello people!

This was a Manik's POV to know what's going on inside that head of him.

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Spread Love, Always!

~Maitri.