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Sonakshi was sitting in her cabin with a patient, when Manik walked in, holding an envelope in his hand. He excused himself and told Sonakshi, in a rather belligerent tone, "Papa k naye clinic ki opening hai pata haina, toh aajana opening ceremony mein." He handed her the invitation and left, without looking back at her, not giving her a chance to reply. Sonakshi wasn't surprised, she expected him to behave that way, because even after that lunch, she hadn't called him, and he was The Manik Malhotra after all, such a petty thing was enough to anger him. Why would Manik Malhotra talk to someone-specifically a girl- who showed such disinterest in talking to him? She also knew Manik would royally ignore her at the opening ceremony...as if she cared. He's the one craving for her attention for a stupid stupid reason, 'Mr.Obhodro' she whispered under her breath and went back to her patient.

The following weekend, Sonakshi dressed herself in a simple yet elegant outfit for Ashok's opening ceremony. She carried a small bouquet of flowers as a congratulatory token for the Malhotras.

She walked in with grace, and as soon as she did, Manik's eyes fell on her. He had decided to ignore her, but as soon as he saw her, all of that just disappeared. 'She looks beautiful, undoubtedly she is the prettiest girl in the room today.' He thought to himself, infact being at two parties with her, had made him realise that she could be the most beautiful girl in most rooms out there,also the sweetest... Wait what? Manik shook his head in disapproval, 'Prettiest? Sweetest? When did I start noticing all this in a a girl? When did I start noticing a girl so much in the first place?! No.. No no no, she's just attractive because she's acting distant, nothing else...she's no one special..she's the same, a girl, who'll eventually come up to you...' Manik reminded himself. He quickly shifted his gaze as he found himself staring at her for 5 minutes straight.

Sonakshi quickly skimmed through the room until her eyes fell on Manik, who was looking here and there, probably waiting for someone who could help him pass this 'boring' party as well. Little did she know that she was the only one who could do that, and Sonakshi finally making the first move wouldn't hurt anyone. She met and greeted Mr. & Mrs. Malhotra, and then made her way towards Manik, who noticed her do so. Before Sonakshi could say anything, Manik remarked, "Nahi reh payi na mere bina, mujhe pata tha tum bhi aa hi jaogi!" Sonakshi was prepared for this, "Ha ha ab mazze le lo, kyuki tum toh accept karoge nahi ki tumhe bhi company chahiye thi." Manik looked on, was she a face reader? "Kya aise kya dekh rahe ho?" Sonakshi questioned. "Nahi kuch nahi, waise ye accept karna mere sentiments ke khilaf hai but yes, bore hogaya hu woh sab cheesy aur forced interactions se...and tumhare saath it's completely different, so I'd rather prefer your company." Manik himself couldn't believe that he said what he said. Sonakshi let out a little laugh and said "Wow, what happened to all that attitude now huh? Am I actually speaking to MANIK MALHOTRA?" 'I might as well ask myself the same thing', he thought to himself, before answering, "See, this is exactly what I'm talking about... Koi aur ladki hoti toh she'd go like 'aw Manik how sweet' but tumne toh uska bhi sarcastic reply diya!" Sonakshi answered, "Itna indirect compliment tha, toh direct thank you kyu bolu?" Manik smiled, he found himself having a sarcastic-yet-serious conversation with Sonakshi, because before her, his normal conversations would go like 'Babe you look stunning today

-Well so do you! Mind sharing a dance with me?' and then he would lead the way from the dance floor to the bedroom. And he loved that, even when things didn't end up in the bedroom, he enjoyed the flatter sessions... Until Sonakshi came. Manik realised that and asked her, "Is it weird that the only girl I've had a next-to serious conversation with is a girl I've hardly met 3-4 times?" Sonakshi simply answered, "YOU are weird Manik." "No seriously, I started to find all this boring after my first conversation with you. Probably let's just say because you can match my level of sarcasm and wit. All those other girls just wanted me so that they can boast that they slept with a Malhotra, and they chose to behave dumb to get in my bed." Sonakshi was surprised to find Manik talking to her this way, about what he actually felt. "If you knew that it was because of your fame then-" Manik cut her off, and questioned coldly "Are you trying to say I don't look good?" "Ok fine, fame and looks," Sonakhi gave in and continued, "so if it was just because of your name then, you technically let them use you?" "While obviously both parties benefit from 'it' , I used my name and my charm to get things done, nothing wrong with that I guess." Manik answered. "Cheap!" Sonakshi remarked. "Ya whatever, that's the way I'm darling." "You're different with me, otherwise I'd be in your bed by now." Sonakshi asked in a rather serious tone. Manik replied, with equal seriousness, "Because you're different, you are not made for something casual or temporary, you deserve something pure and precious." 'Are you actually saying this words?'Manik thought...He was surprised with hismelf, it was as if a new side of him that he didn't know existed suddenly appear out of nowhere. Sonakshi smiled and said, "Hm, way too serious, given this is just our third conversation." "Ya.." Manik agreed. There was a weird silence between the two for a while...

Soon couples started making their way to the dance floor, and that's when Manik took Sonakshi's hand in his and pulled her towards the dance floor. 'Mr.Obhodro. Soti!! Couldn't just pretend to be a gentleman and ask her!' Sonakshi thought to herself. Manik turned her around and placed his hand on her waist, and came face to face with a 'what do you think you're doing?' face. Manik softly joked, "I deserve to enjoy a dance without being molested!" Sonakshi rolled her eyes at him and followed his lead till the end of the song. Truth to be told Manik was enjoying irritating her and those expressions she shot at him each time he tried to tease her.

The party ended and Manik offered to drop Sonakshi home. Manik had managed to surprise Sonakshi AND himself with his behaviour that night. While in the car, Sonakshi told him, "It felt like I met a different Manik today." "Me too." Manik responded, and the rest of the ride home was spent in silence.

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So clearly, Manik and Sonakshi's thoughts about the other have begun to change gradually yet suddenly...

Stay tuned for what's next 😋