HER SECRET HUSBAND

3.

It was almost a couple of months later that Manik walked into RS Software, twenty minutes before closing time. Nandini’s heart stopped for a couple of seconds before picking up beat at double pace, as she stared at the man walking towards her. He had grown a thick moustache that sat well on his handsome features. She couldn’t stop the wide smile of welcome that flashed on her features. “Hello, Mr. Malhotra, how can I help you today?” she asked. “Hi Nandini.” His sexy baritone sent a shiver down her spine. “Will you have a cup of coffee with me once you’re done here?” She stared at him, unable to believe her ears. She had given up on meeting him ever again after the day he had walked out of the office with his brother, following the meeting with Abhimanyu. Though, for a few days, she had hoped in vain that he would contact her. And here he was, after so long. Nandini nodded her head vigorously. “Sure. Do you mind waiting? I can leave at 5.30.” “Let me do something. I’ll wait for you at the Starbucks outlet nearby.” He looked at her intensely, his black eyes studying her minutely. She looked gorgeous, her coffee brown eyes sparkling, her rosy-red lips free of lipstick. Nandini nodded again, feeling breathless under his heated scrutiny. It didn’t stop her from returning the compliment as she studied him from behind half-closed eyelids. He was leaner than before, appearing taller than ever. Dark fuzz covered his cheeks, giving him a rakish appearance. And she simply loved his luxuriant moustache. “I’ll see you there in twenty,” she said, crossing her fingers behind the desk. She hoped no one stopped her from leaving. She watched his long strides towards the lift, her hands trembling with excitement as she began putting her things away. He stopped at the lift to turn and look at her, his hand rising in a wave, bringing colour rushing to her cheeks. Nandini walked into Starbucks, her eyes darting around to check where manik was, before she caught him standing near a table set next to a luxurious double sofa. Her long legs carried her swiftly in his direction. “I hope you don’t mind having a mocaccino or a caffè latte. I’ve ordered both.” He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He didn’t want to waste time away from her, picking up stuff from the counter. “I’m good with either,” said Nandini, settling down on one half of the sofa, tucking her long legs under the table, “as long as it’s hot. It’s so cold outside.” “Would you like something to eat?” asked Manik politely, still standing. “No, unless you want something,” said Nandini, impatient to know him better. “Not for me,” said Manik, settling down beside her. They pretended to sip their hot beverages, their eyes devouring each other. Fed up of waiting, Nandini asked him, “So, where’ve you been all this long?” “I live in Jaipur. You know that, right?” “Okay. No, I didn’t. I knew you were from outside Delhi, though.” “Chanda’s my sister,” he declared baldly. Nandini gave him a startled look, beginning to connect the dots. “Oh my God! You’re my boss’s brother-in-law.” Manik shrugged. “That’s one way of putting it, I suppose.” He placed his half-full cup of coffee down before taking her hand in his. “I’ve been meaning to meet you since so long. But I was caught up in family issues. I...” Nandini smiled, turning pink again. “I did wonder if I had imagined your interest.” “You didn’t call me either.” Her eyes clung to his, even as she felt the gentle brush of his thumb against her palm. “I...I wasn’t sure.” “Of me or you?” he asked with a smile in his eyes. He lifted her hand to press his lips to the centre of her palm, shaking her to the core. The texture of his moustache against her skin drove her nuts. “Manik...” she sighed, shaking her head. She didn’t know what to say. She had thought a lot about him over a couple of weeks. But she had pushed those thoughts away when she realised that he wasn’t coming back. He sat back, still holding her hand between both of his. “I missed you, Nandini.” She felt choked hearing the emotion in his voice. They had barely exchanged a few words. She pulled her hand out of his hold. While she was attracted to him, it was all happening too fast. “I...umm...” she looked up at him. She wasn’t the dithering type. “Do you think we should get to know each other better first?” she asked firmly. “Of course. Go on, tell me about yourself.” She shrugged. “I’m Nandini Kapoor, born and brought up right here in Delhi. My parents are pretty orthodox while my Grandma is a darling. I get my own way mostly because I’m kind of pampered,” she grinned. “My elder sister Saloni is married and lives in California. My brothers Ryan and Shaan are younger to me. Ryan is doing his third year BMM while Shaan is in final year ISC. I’ve done my B.A. and my job at RS Software is my first. I have loads of friends that I hang out with. I love to travel but haven’t had many opportunities. And...what else? Let me see,” she bit on her lower lip. “Oh yeah, I love Facebook and spend a lot of time there. Now, it’s your turn. I know you’re Chanda’s brother. You also have an elder brother who came with you the last time. Who else in your family? And what do you do?” Manik watched her avidly, not missing her pearly white teeth digging into her luscious lip. She was quite the chatterbox. “Ram is the eldest while I’m second. I have twin brothers Bharat and Shatrughan after that. Chanda’s the youngest of us all. My parents are old school but pretty open-minded. And I’m a baker.” Nandini gave him a startled look. “Baker means?” Manik smiled, his eyes twinkling. “I bake breads and sometimes cakes.” “You do? You mean you’ve made a profession of it?” He nodded. “Yes.” “Do tell me more. I’ve always been fascinated with baking. What all can you make?” He shrugged. “The usual—white, brown and multi-grain bread, rolls, buns, croissants, puffs and a few types of cakes. I got to know that cakes aren’t really my forte. So, I hired a chef who makes them these days.” “Hired a chef...how big is your operation?” asked Nandini, catching on that it was no small business he was talking about. She watched in fascination when the handsome dude turned a ruddy colour. “What?” “Tell you what! Come over to Jaipur and I’ll show you what MM Bakes does.” His voice had gone softer than ever as he gazed at her intently, as if he was willing her to accept his invitation.  “Hmm.” Nandini refused to reply to that one. It required a lot of thinking. They had met for a few seconds a couple of times with hardly any interaction before today. Yeah, they seemed to get along well. But she still needed to get to know him better before she decided to visit him in his hometown. He was a handsome devil and seemed to run his own business too! She couldn’t deny that she found him sexier by the second. “It started as a fun activity, actually,” he continued, grimacing. “I always loved to play with dough, the different textures. And the varied aromas and tastes got me hooked for life.” Sensual! Nandini nodded, totally fascinated. “How long do you plan to stay this time?” she asked. “A couple of days. Do you work on Saturdays?” “Nope.” “Any plans for tomorrow?” he asked. She had lots of friends, she said. “Yeah, there was this vague plan to go out with my gang. Nothing that I...” “Oh, okay.” He should have called her first. But this was the first weekend he was free since Chanda’s wedding. “Listen,” she placed a hand on his arm. “It’s nothing I can’t get out of. So what do you want to do?” He smiled, his coal black eyes glowing with warmth at the touch of her fingers. “What would you like to do? Better yet, are you free to have dinner with me tonight?” “Yes, of course.”