Chapter 7

It had been already three months and Nandini was enjoying every bit of her work. She was a workaholic and maintained her reputation as one of the most efficient employee. She had made some friends and they used to enjoy pulling each others leg. The work environment in general was a good one and Nandini was really contenteded.

But her equation with Maddy changed drastically as in they were at loggerheads. They had tiff even with smallest things. They fought over a seat in cafeteria, a coffee mug and even over a pencil in meeting room. They were like kindergartners always at each others neck. Nobody bothered as they didn't let their equation affect their work. Nandini was still unaware of fact that Maddy was Manik's brother.

One evening their whole team headed to the cafeteria along with Maddy. They all were busy chatting and ordered their food. Nandini ordered cheese sandwich and Maddy, a veg sandwich. All were near the food counter to collect their food. The server placed veg sandwich on the table and Nandini noticed Maddy was busy talking on phone so she slowly took the sauce bottle and his sandwich, poured half bottle of hottest Chilli sauce and left from there to wash her hands. As soon as she left the waiter placed her cheese sandwich on table and left. Suddenly, Maddy smiled wickedly seeing her absence. He took the same chilli sauce bottle and poured over her sandwich.

So it was 1-1 both unaware of each others tantrums. It was gonna be one heck of a hot chilli day for both.

Nandini settled in her place and she gazed at Maddy. He had some weird devilish smirk. She felt he is upto something but then she smiled thinking that he would be a hot mess in in next few minutes. Take that Mr. Manager. Everyone started eating.

Since Nandini and Maddy were too hungry they just hogged on food continuously taking four or five bites and then both stood up and literally started jumping saying ouuuchhhhh my toungue burns, my throat burns and my tummy burns. They were acting like maniacs rest were just getting entertained. They were not in a position to talk. They ran to the food counter and ordered lemon juice.

Nandini started stomping her feet, she managed to say "You idiot what did you do? I am dying, my mouth is burning. That stinging sensation is all over my body. What do I do, why did you put chilli sauce, you mad Maddy. Oh my God!! save me!!" She was blabbering and was trying to hold his neck. But he too was in the same condition so he gave her back "You little Miss. Arrogant what did you do? My intestines are crying and cursing you, you are no less. You will pay for this." They were fighting like kids.

By then the waiter gave one glass of lemon water and Nandini grabbed it and started gulping down but Maddy soon grabbed it and tried to drink but Nandini again tried to get that glass and in that process entire lemon juice spilled on Maddy's shirt. He yelled "You pathetic creature what did you do? Are you mad?" Saying this he ran to washroom and Nandini helplessly got back to her cubicle and tried to munch on her chocolate.

Her momentary bliss was taken away as Manik called her in his cabin. She felt hopeless. She thought she should run away from the office. But kept her cool and entered Manik's cabin. She tried to look presentable by washing her face.

Manik looked at her. Her eyes were red with tears still fresh, her nose, cheeks, ears everything had turned red like tomato. He sensed something was wrong. "Are you okay, what's wrong?" He asked in a worried tone.

Nandini choked "I....ii....ii haaaad spiciest sandwichhhhh." She was continuously choking and was unable to talk. Manik stood up, held her elbow and took her to his private cabin. He opened the fridge and gave her glass of chilled milk. He made her sit on the couch and handed over her the glass. She slowly started sipping and continued gulping down which was giving her instant relief. She was still in no position to talk.

Manik kept staring at her intensely. He was sitting beside her and was really very close. He saw her struggling to stop sobbing. She was now having hiccups. He was really feeling bad for her. Slowly he moved his hand on her back trying to calm her down. She felt as if she was on fire. His touch had sent shivers down her spine, she looked at him and Manik too looked at her trying to control her tears and still with hiccups. Somehow he couldn't control his urge to kiss her cheeks as she looked just like an innocent baby. Manik slowly moved towards her cheeks. She was busy thinking something unaware of his close proximity. He suddenly kissed her left cheek. A peck. He felt like it was pecking a cotton candy. How can one have this soft cheeks? He was wondering.

Nandini was shell shocked. She turned towards him. She went blank. She went mad. She was breathing hard. She was angry. She was grumpy. She was shaking. All million emotions at once. She had no idea what to do. She stood up, she glanced the table which had some office supplies. Grabbed a black marker and scribbled on his most expensive white blazer. She just went on scribbling until she was tired.

Manik was stunned and just couldn't react

"Hey you mad girl what did you do? " He scowled.

Nandini said "Ohh really Mr. Manik Malhotra? What did I do?? Really?? Like seriously?? Why did you ki......." She stopped talking, threw the marker and ran away. She was done with this madness. She came back to her desk, gathered all her belongings and fled from that place.

Manik was dumbstruck he had no idea what and why all this happened. He was clueless why he had kissed her. He was coming up with excuses. He couldn't find one reasonable excuse except for the fact that he really wanted to kiss those pink cheeks. So much for self control.