"Do you know yesterday I had meeting with my new manager?", Virat said as they were walking towards team room.

"And how was the manager?", Rohit asked in return.

"She was good, don't know about the work yet. But she was nice and friendly. And you know the best part"

"What's the best part?", Rohit asked seeing his excited face.

"She is Punjabi! Isn't that great?", virat said.

Rohit shook his head at that and said, "it's not a compatibility test you idiot"

"Ro, pagal compatibility mai kon yeh sochta hai! That's why you don't have a girlfriend", virat said.

"Besides she is just a friend", virat added to that.

Girlfriend, only reminded him of Ritika though she was not.

He wanted to spend time with her but they were busy with work.

"If I tell Virat then he can definitely help me. But is it safe or will he broadcast it", Rohit thought.

They reached the team room and got seated.

"Rohit, today you will meet the new manager. Virat already met yesterday", Mahi informed.

"Arey Ritika? What are you doing here?", Yuvi said as she entered the room.

"You know her Yuvi pa?", Virat asked.

Rohit was too surprised and lost seeing her.

Yuvi being suspicious asked, "How do u know her Cheeku?"

"She is my new manager Yuvi pa", Virat said.

"What?", Rohit said coming out of staring session of Ritika.

"And she is also manager of Rohit now", Mahi said interrupting their question session.

"Really?", Rohit asked excited like a kid.

"You both dare you do anything or behave stupidly with her, I will not spare you. She is my Rakhi sister", Yuvi pa warned them.

"What?", Rohit got another shock in the day.

"Ro why are you stuck on what today? Are you okay? Do u need some rest?", Virat asked concerned now.

Rohit was shifting his mood in seconds which got Virat worried.

"No I am okay", he assured back to Virat.

Rohit looked at Ritika who was also looking at him with concerned eyes.

"You okay?", she mouthed inaudibly to which Rohit just nodded.

As much as they tried to hide it there was a pair of eagle eyes who was watching each and every moment of Rohit.

"Cheeku come here", Mahi called Virat which gave Rohit the opportunity to go to Ritika as they could talk.

"Hey, I know this is a lot. I was trying to convey all this yesterday on the phone but it seemed impossible", she said softly.

"It's okay. Would you like to grab a coffee so that we could talk?", Rohit asked.

"Sure, I will just tell Yuvi pa that we are discussing work", she said and they left after she informed.

Rohit messaged Virat the same.

Rohit purposely took her a little far from the hotel at a non crowded place, so that no one could disturb them.

Rohit asked for a closed place where no one can see them, he wanted to avoid any controversy.

Soon their coffees arrived for them to begin their conversation.

"Rohit, are you like angry with me? I didn't tell you about yesterday's meet with Virat", she asked as they got seated.

She knew that he was not her boyfriend or something but she herself didn't know why she needed to ask that.

May be she wanted to clear that Virat was just a friend even more like a Punjabi sibling.

"Why would I be? It's completely normal, it's your work", he said softly.

"Rohit can I ask you something?", she asked being nervous.

Rohit looked at her and said, "you can ask me anything"

She questioned, "Rohit, are you not afraid if anyone sees you with me like an ordinary girl as me."

As soon as he heard her say, "Who said you are ordinary?," he questioned.

Ritika looked at him confused.

"Arey you are the most special and beautiful girl I have ever met", Rohit said seeing her confused face.

Ritika asked, "Are you buttering me with these praises?"

"No Ritika, look I am not at all good with words, I often forget what I have to say-- but I really like you and I love spending time with you. I look forward to seeing you, you are really nice and beautiful", he said sheepishly scratching his neck blushing.

"I should blush at this comments, and here--", she said laughing and she pulled his cheeks as he looked extremely cute.

"dont tease me now", he said back.

"Rohit, i love spending time with you too. But now Yuvi pa said that, what are we gonna do", she said remembering the morning convo.

"I was also thinking that, already it is so tough to hide from Virat", rohit said feeling bad about hiding from his bestie.

They shared everything, Virat told him about every date experience of his.

Rohit was experiencing this for the first time, he was dying to share it with him.

"I know you feel bad about it, but it is too early to share dont you think", Ritika said.

She was scared about people judging her being with the Rohit Sharma, even as friends.

"Rohit I--"

"Ritika, don't worry. I won't share it with anyone till you are comfortable", Rohit said keeping his hand on hers.

"We like each other, let's go with the flow, okay?", he said caressing her knuckles with his thumb.

"You like me?, she asked shocked and surprised.

"And you don't like me?", he asked making a sad face.

"No I mean-- I thought-- I like you ofcourse", she said fumbling.

Rohit smiled at the red cheeks of hers as he was staring her.

"stop looking at me like that", she blushed as she could not handle the gaze of Rohit.

"Like what?", he asked and continued the gazing session.

"Rohit"

"Ritikaa", he mimicked her.

"I am going", she said and got up but Rohit instantly held her hand.

"Arey don't go, I was just teasing you pls Sit"

She turned her face.

"Rits pls sit, we hardly get time together", he said seeing her angry.

She asked in surprise, "What did you call me?"

"Rits-- umm is it okay? If I call you that--"

"Its okay, Ro", she said and smiled at the nickname thing.

That sounded so perfect from her.

Virat ko pata chala that she called me Ro toh I am dead.

"Chale ab, I have to work with you and Virat for your ad shoots and everything", she said seeing him lost in thoughts.

"Ha ek min, you have something here on your cheek", he said.

"What?", she said rubbing it with her hands.

"Wait-- let me help", he took the tissue.

He held her hand, moved close to her-- held out the tissue but instead of feeling the tissue on her face, Ritika felt warm lips on it.

He kissed her on the cheeks.

Her eyes would fall out of socket in surprise.

"This blush suits you so much", Rohit said with husky voice in her ear which send shivers down her spine.

Before she could react, Rohit held her hand and they sat in the car. She was still in daze.

Rohit loved that look on her face. He held her hand while driving back.

What a beautiful morning, he thought.

_______

Here is the next update!

Drop your comments and suggestions if any. Will look forward to in-line reactions. Do tell me how u like it or is it too cringe?

ictxscribbler I hope this refreshes you!

See u in next one.