The Impulsive Soul-Mates

Chapter 9 - Punishment Time

I was upset, the whole day was a disaster and still it had not ended. When I came back home in the evening, alone of course, I realised that I didn't have my keys. I raided my bag upside down but couldn't locate it. I must have lost it in the office or somewhere when I literally fought with my bag to take that credit card out.. It was hell frustrating. I felt like tearing the bag apart and crying. I thought of calling Manik but then dropped the idea. I didn't want to talk to him and not even see his face and as I was contemplating what to do my eyes stopped at Neerja Aunty's door, Manik's immediate neighbour.

I was not wrong when I thought of her to be a nice lady. She was sweet enough to let me wait at her place till the monster came home. The lady was full of motherly affection, she sensed that I was tired with empty stomach and immediately made some coffee and snacks for me. I had called the watchman to inform me as soon as Manik came and he did just that as soon as he saw Manik's car at the building entrance. I found Manik at the door as I came out. He looked at me inquisitively and then looked away for a moment.

"What were you doing there?? I had told you to.." he said as he looked back at me.

"Waiting.." I cut him midway and replied not looking at him.

"For what??.. and you don't seem to have changed after you came.", he rolled his eyes over me to find me in the same outfit.

Huh!! so Mr. Malhotra notices so much about me only he cannot see how annoyed I am with him, I thought to myself. I didn't want to beat around the bush so I answered directly.

"I lost my keys"

"Why didn't you call me then I would have come early", he sounded genuine though.

"Huh.. I suppose I don't know how to use a phone", I taunted him to remind him of his invaluable remarks that he had passed earlier in the day.

I felt like breaking his nose when I saw him trying to control his laughter at my comment. I pushed him aside to get in. Manik didn't react though but i suppose he was still smiling. He straight went to the room and shouted back.

"Listen don't make anything now. I have ordered for dinner okay" and went for a shower.

"As if I was going to cook and feed him after what he had done today, high hopes this guy has", I mumbled to myself.

He behaved as if nothing had happened and that irked my irritation even more. But I tried cooling myself. Okay I should give him a benefit of doubt ..God knows for what but I still gave him. May be office was not the right place to apologize, that's the place where bosses are meant to thrash their employees even if it is not their fault but definitely not a place for them to say sorry. So I waited that may be now he will make it up besides he had made efforts by ordering for dinner.

I was deciding on my punishment for him. I calculated in my mind how many sit up's I would make him do.. 100. No that will be a bit too much and after a lot of bargaining with myself I settled for 20 but he would do it holding his ears. I sat waiting for Manik to come out. He came out after killing my patience for a good 20 minutes. He was wrapped in a low waist single length cloth. He smelt fresh, I saw him change into a vest and his tracks in front of me. I should have been used to it by now but still I shut my eyes to escape the gorgeous view for a moment plus I couldn't afford to lose myself to his charm. He had to apologize period as I reminded myself crossing both my arms tightly against my body. I found my grip loose on myself as he walked close to me drying his hair with another towel. He jerked the water droplets from his hair on my face.

"Manik", I squealed in irritation.

"I couldn't afford to risk it with you today..I mean you are so angry you could feed me a bowl of chillies hence I played it safe." It seemed he had suddenly bumped into his sense of humour.