chocolate kiss

Manan was driving the car, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, while Shivanji sat beside him, completely engrossed in her phone, watching her favorite serial. Manan glanced at his mom, shaking his head in frustration, knowing she couldn't resist her daily dose of drama. He thought to himself, "Why does she love these serials so much?"

As he continued driving, Manan's thoughts drifted to Nia, his childhood friend. He remembered the promises they made to each other, the laughter they shared, and the memories they created. A smile spread across his face as he thought, "Nia, you forgot me, but I'll remind you." He was determined to rekindle their lost connection.

The next morning, at Nia's house, Nia was still sleeping in her room, her bed a mess, and her blanket half on the floor. Her mom, Jia, entered the room, noticing Nia's disheveled state. Jia thought to herself, "What will happen to this girl? Her husband won't be able to handle her carefree nature." She shook off the unnecessary thoughts and woke Nia up.

"Nia, wake up! You have a three-day break from work, and you'll spend it at Shivanji's house," Jia said, her voice firm but gentle.

Nia, still drowsy, sat up with a start, her eyes wide with surprise. "Mummy, why are you sending me there? I'm not your childhood friend," she protested.

Jia reminded Nia, "You used to talk more to Shivanji than me when you were young. And your father is also good friends with Manan's father. It's time you reconnected with them." Nia nodded reluctantly.

As Nia quickly freshened up and packed her bags, Jia called Shivanji to confirm the arrangements. The two friends had remained close over the years, despite their children growing apart.

An hour later, the doorbell rang. Jia, watching Crime Patrol in the hall, got up to answer it. As she reached the door, the TV host warned, "Always check the peephole before opening the door; you never know who might be waiting to harm you." Jia checked the peephole and saw Manan standing outside, looking handsome in his casual attire. She took a deep breath, smiled, and opened the door.

Manan entered and sat on the sofa, noticing the Crime Patrol episode still playing on TV. He shook his head, amused by Jia's fascination with crime dramas.

Jia offered him water and sat beside him. Just then, her phone rang. She answered and quickly got up, saying, "Manan, wait here. Nia will come soon. I have some urgent work." Manan nodded and continued scrolling through his phone.

Soon, Nia came downstairs, her hair still wrapped in a towel. She wore a pretty pink Barbie dress and had only applied face cream and lip balm. Without noticing Manan, Nia headed to the kitchen, dropping her towel on the sofa where Manan sat.

Manan picked it up, walked into the kitchen, and spun Nia around, kissing her. Nia's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing with surprise.

"Chocolate Kiss," Manan whispered, his lips still on hers.

Nia's mind went blank, her thoughts consumed by the sweetness of the kiss.

To be continued

For my hindi readers

Manan car drive kar raha tha, Shivani Ji uske bagal mein baithi apne phone mein serial dekh rahi thi.

Manan apni mom ko ek nazar dekhata hai aur lachari se apna sir hilata hai.

Manan vapas drive par dhyan deta hai aur khud se bolta hai, "Bachpan mein tumne mujhse jo vada kiya tha Niya, tumhe pura karna hoga, par tumhe dekhte huye lagta hai tumhe vada to kya, mujhe bhi bhool gayi ho. Par don't worry, main tumhe sab jaldi hi yaad dilaoonga."

Manan muskarata hai.

Aage...

Niya ka ghar, Niya apne room mein so rahi thi.

Jiya Ji Niya ke room mein aati hai aur use jagaati hai.

Niya jiya Ji se kehti hai, "Mujhe teen din ki chhutti mili hai, main so jaun."

Jiya Ji Niya ko samjhati hai ki woh Shivani ke yahan jayegi.

Niya sadme mein aa jaati hai aur kehti hai, "Main nahin jaungi."

Jiya Ji Niya ko ek nazar dekhati hai aur kehti hai, "Tumhari yaadashat kamzor ho gayi hai. Tum Shivani ke saath bachpan mein khelti thi."

Niya jiya Ji ki baat sunkar ghabra jaati hai aur tyar hona shuru kar deti hai.

Ek ghante baad, Niya ke ghar ki doorbell bajti hai.

Jiya Ji darwaza kholti hai aur Manan ko andar bulati hai.

Manan sofa par baith jaata hai aur TV par Crime Patrol dekhta hai.

Jiya Ji Manan ko paani deti hai aur kuch zaroori kaam ke liye jaane lagti hai.

Niya neeche utarti hai aur Manan ko nahin dekhti.

Niya kitchen mein jaati hai aur apne baalon mein se towel nikalti hai aur Manan ke upar fek deti hai.

Manan ka chehra black ho jaata hai.

Manan Niya ke peeche kitchen mein chala jaata hai aur use kiss karta hai.

Niya hairan ho jaati hai aur Manan ko dekhti rehti hai.

Niya ke chehre par shock aur hairani ki nishani hai.

Manan Niya ko dekhta hai aur muskarata hai.

To be continue...