Chapter 6

The Apple

I was home alone for 5 days. My aunt and Nandini decided to go visit Nandini's other cousin in Toronto because she was acting very depressed ever since the New Years Bash.
As i stood behind the cashier of my store i sighed. Man was this boring.
And then Maan walked in grinning. I groaned. Why was here?

"Hi there blushing queen." Maan said grinning with his elbows on the counter.
I blushed and he laughed. "I'm a genius." He mumbled picking up an apple near my lunch bag and rolling it around in his hand. I rolled my eyes reaching for it but he moved his hand away with a smirk. I glared at him. "I'm hungry." I snapped.
His face softened and then a devilish grin spread across his face. "Aww, is my baby hungry? Does she want the apple?" He asked. I really felt like slapping him.
"Yes i do." I said. He stepped back holding out the apple. "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." He sang. I groaned.
I grabbed the apple, turned him around and started pushing him towards the door.
"And an insult a day, keeps Maan away. So, how about you go before i DO insult you?" I said cheekily and he rose his eyebrows in surprise, obviously amused.

Grinning, i turned around and walked back to the counter once he was gone. As i was walking back, the bells above the door jingled and i assumed Maan had returned again so i spun around and the threw the apple at him laughing. "OUCH! Now you're hitting me?" I turned around and saw Vikram standing there rubbing his arm. My mouth dropped open. What the heck was he doing here?
"What are you doing here?" I demanded. He glared at me. "A sorry would be nice you know." He said and i shook my head laughing bitterly. "Get out." I said.
He stared at me for a long time before speaking. "Trying to trap Maan are you? Of course you would. What else could a girl like you do? He's rich, powerful. Money is all you want right?" He sneered walking up to me and caressing my cheek. My eyes burned with the unshed tears and i slapped his hand away. "What are you saying?" I snapped.
He laughed. "C'mon Geet. We both know why you're always around Maan. You even knew that Nandini likes him and her mother even talked to Annie about their marriage! Yet, why would that matter to you? Why would your cousin's happiness matter? You just care about yourself. Greedy little gold digger!" He spat. I opened to say something but due to the lump in my throat, i kept quiet. He gave me a disgusted look and stormed out. I bit my lip to keep from crying but a tear slid down anyway.
And then Maan stepped in and i gasped. I hastily started to wipe away the tear. "Geet, i heard everything." He mumbled walking over to me. He lifted his hand and wiped away the tear. I felt my heart skip a beat. "Why do you care what someone like Vikram has to say about you?" He asked me gently. I stepped away from him and stood behind the counter. "Did you need something?" I asked.
He sighed and then nodded. "Yeah, i had completely forgotten what i had came here to buy. I needed an antique for someone. But you distracted me." He laughed. I smiled slightly, almost forgetting about the Vikram incident.
After i had helped him choose out an antique and he had paid, he said goodbye and left. I watched him leave with a heavy heart. How come i never noticed how sweet he was before?

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In the evening, i got a call from Annie demanding for to come over for dinner. I quickly changed into a red Punjabi salwar suit. Looking in the mirror, for the first time ever, i applied some blush and then lip gloss. I wanted to look good.

I walked to Annie's house and then rang the doorbell nervously. Maan opened the door dressed in a black t-shirt and sweat pants. I bit my lip and he smirked. "I've noticed you do that a lot." He said and i looked at him confused.
"You bite your lip a lot. Especially when you're nervous." He stated grinning. I blushed and he burst out into more laughter. "I love that blush. Seriously."
I looked up at him and frowned pushing him away as i entered.

Annie grinned as soon as she saw me. "We're having pizza. I was too lazy to cook." I laughed. "Pizza sounds fine." I said.

The 3 of us sat down in the living room on the carpet in a circle with the 2 boxes of pizza in the middle. Annie opened up both. "Geet, what do you want? Veg or non-veg?"
Maan laughed and spoke before i could. "She wants an apple." He said.
I glared at him and Annie looked at us confused. "By the way, i forgot to say, you've got good aim even when you're not looking. Do you have eyes on the back of your head? Poor Vikram." He laughed. I picked up a veg pizza and bit into it ignoring him.
Annie just giggled. "You 2 are so cute." She gushed taking a sip of her coke and i blushed causing Maan to laugh again.

"So, Annie. When are you and Arjun planning to get married?" I asked and Annie turned red. "Soon." She mumbled looking at the carpet shyly. Maan bit into his pizza smirking. "I need to have a good chat with that boyfriend of yours before he proposes." Maan said and Annie rolled her eyes at him.

Around 1 AM, we were done joking around and were extremely tired. I yawned stretching. "Well, i'll leave. It's late." I said getting up. Annie grabbed my arm forcing me down again. "It's 1 Am. You're not going anywhere. Stay here tonight."
Both brother and sister somehow managed to convince me and i ended up spending the night with Annie in her room.

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In the morning, i woke up and went to the bathroom washing my face. After a quick rinse of my mouth, i went downstairs to the kitchen only to bump into Maan. He turned to look at me and then turned around, making his coffee again. I shook my head yawning. He offered me a cup of coffee and i took it. Without a word, we drank our coffees and i washed both cups when he started texting on his phone.

And then Annie walked down the stairs and grinned at me. "Morning Bhai, morning Geet."
Maan and i said a quick good morning and she laughed. After i had washed the few dishes lying in the sink, i turned to Annie, hugged her and left the house.

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Woo! You ready for this guys? Love in 5 days? 🤣

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-Jot.