Sonakshi changed in her light kurti and was just about to hit the bed, when she heard a knock on the door.

She opened the door to find Manik standing there, he looked at her in her nightwear and asked, "Kya? Sone jaa rahi thi? Maine woh extra chair dalva di hai, chalo upar." Sonakshi made a puppy face and said, "Nahi aaj nahi! Dekho maine travel kiya hai mai thak gayi hu aaj, mujhe sone do aur tum bhi so jao." Manik gave her angry stare and said, "I hate listening to no. And I hope you know there are consequences of saying no to me." Sonakshi nodded sideways and said, "You developed so many good habits over the years, but still gussa tumhare naak pe hi rehta hai na!" Manik paid no attention to her cribbing and ordered, "Chalo!" When Sonakshi refused to move, he took her hand in his and led the way to his room.

***

Sonakshi sat on the chair besides the one she saw earlier that day, her face still oozing disappointment.

Manik took his place besides her and tried to appease her, he said, "Sonakshi, itne nakhre mat karo chalo," but she refused to listen.

Manik sighed angrily and swiftly moved close to her face, making her shift. "Ek toh tumne mujhe na bola, aur ab mera patience test kar rahi ho? Bhul gayi kya Manik Malhotra ka gussa? Hm? Ya tumhe kuch yaad dilau?" Sonakshi pushed him away and said, "Ye gusse ka kuch karo tum. Ek minute nahi lagti aur Monster ban jaate ho! Daitya!" Manik smiled and teased, "Sab kuch ignore kar sakti ho, but meri closeness nahi. Tch tch tch."

Sonakshi almost ignored his comment and said, "Ab jaldi khatam karo." Manik replied, "Shuru toh karne do kuch." "Manik. Tumhare woh lecture on what special there is in the sky, etc etc. Uski baat kar rahi thi."

"Aise toh special kuch nahi hai sky mein, but there's something special under the sky... You are with me." Manik replied. "Still flirting." Manik made a puppy face and said, "Sonaaa! Itna generous comment tumhe flirt lagta hai. Something's honestly wrong with you." He then turned his face towards the sky, pretending to be angry, but that didn't last...

He patted Sonakshi's shoulder like a baby and excited, he exclaimed, "Shooting star!" Sonakshi looked up and closed her eyes. Whereas Manik's focus was still on that star, "You know, scientifically toh no one or nothing mentions that shooting stars fulfil your wishes, but I personally feel it works at times. Because you know Sonakshi, all these years I made only wish,to have you back besides me like this, and see here you are and-"

Manik stopped speaking as he suddenly felt some weight on his shoulder. He turned sideways to find Sonakshi lying on his shoulder, indeed she WAS very tired.

'The serenity of the night sky and the peaceful aura that surrounds Sona as she sleeps, so tranquil..." Manik thought to himself. He then slowly moved her head away, and very gently picked her up, being careful not to wake her up.

He smirked thinking of the consequences if he would put Sonakshi to sleep on his bed instead of the room below! She would completely freak out and her flustered expression would be such a treat! And he'd love to do that, only if his mom wasn't there.

When they reached the guest room, Manik gently put her down, covered her with a comforter, kissed her forehead and whispered a soft, 'Good night Sona', before leaving.

***

I seriously hope this one was better than the previous one! 😬 Do drop in your comments❤