Hey people...
Here's my attempt at a story for our lovely ManVik 
Disclaimer: It is majorly written from Puneet's POV and the version of Puneet is inspired from Meera's story and Asiyah's group chat wala Puneet.
Part 1 - page 1
Part 2 - page 3
Part 3 - page 4
Part 4 - page 5
-------------------
Part I
Location: Mezbaani
Puneet walks in having been called by Ronnie at Mezbaani for a meeting.
He sees Vikrant sitting there, looking forlorn.
Unwittingly Puneet finds himself chuckling and expertly hides it while recalling the recent stunt his cousin pulled off…. Right from pretending to propose to Malla and then finally giving in to say that it was all a ruse…. Why? And he couldn't answer…. Quite simply there was no answer… Puneet was as dumbfounded as everyone else at the so-called prank Vikrant manufactured for the family.
Puneet suddenly finds himself feeling some brotherly affection for Vikrant after the idiotic stunt his cousin did.
He goes and sits next to him, Vikrant is still lost in his thoughts, fidgeting nervously. Ronnie is observing both of them as well and looks quite occupied in his own thoughts.
There are some papers lying in front of him yet he seems to be waiting for someone to join them.
And join they do… in comes Mannat, carrying a tray of refreshments. She joins them at the table and looks around for a place to sit.
Puneet notices the immediate ruffle on his left, it seems Vikrant has suddenly sprung to life. He shifts his chair slightly and nods to the empty chair his left when Mannat looks at him.
An angry glare from Mannat and Vikrant's ashamed look does not go unnoticed by Puneet.
Mannat pulls up a chair and sits next to Puneet, much to his own surprise. He also realizes that Mannat has made her place so that Puneet acts as a barrier when he notices she is actively avoiding Vikrant's line of sight.
Yet another chuckle threatens to form at the back of this throat and Puneet has a light bulb moment.
He recalls the multiple longing looks Vikrant had been throwing at Mannat since the past few months. The way his eyes would lit up seeing Mannat, the innumerable excuses he would cook up just to be around Mannat and he himself had called Vikrant lattoo at one point. Then he remembers the prank and wonders how he could have misread Vikrant so much unless Vikrant is desperately hiding something.
The chuckle is dangerously close to bursting out when he feels a touch on his hand.
Mannat is gently nudging him and Ronnie is looking at him in surprise. Puneet quickly comes to his senses and asks Ronnie…
“Haan Tauji… bataiye”
“Are main to kab se bol raha hun beta… tum kis soch main the…”
Puneet can't answer and finds himself stared at from all three sides.
Ronnie continues…”Chalo jaane do…. What I was thinking is… let's do business diversification… what do you say?”
Before Puneet can question further, Vikrant adds “Dad is saying.. Lets start a new business… as in not entirely new but something allied with our food business and Ms. Mannat has suggested a wonderful idea…”
Puneet doesn't miss the pride in Vikrant's voice when he says this….
He turns his attention to Mannat now who is looking very cheerful and excited but immediately resigns herself when she finds him looking at her.
Seeing his surprise, Ronnie continues, “I knew Mannat would have some interesting ideas and that's why I invited her here... Mannat has suggested that we diversify into the packed food business.. Something that we can continue from the Mezbaani kitchen initially till we can expand and afford a new space…”
Puneet turns to look at Vikrant, and he seems to be onboard with the idea too.
Mannat, a little hesitantly at first, says to him, “Sir… the lavash bread that you make, as the bar snack, could be a good starting point. The hint of Kasoori Methi … which is your innovation makes it nicely Indianized… we can add such similar items initially which have a long shelf life and then tweak them according to the response…”
Puneet stares at Mannat… her animated expressions when she talks about food are something else… he realizes he has never noticed them… and then to be complimented for his recipe… that hasn't happened either….
Puneet did not even know Mannat had tasted his lavash recipe and had liked it so much. His ego satisfied, a tiny smile forms on his lips which is reciprocated by Mannat after a momentary shock.
Puneet turns to look around the table, his imaginary collar straightened up, to find Vikrant leaning down trying to catch a glimpse of Mannat, but then looks at him with a surprise mixed with a tinge of anger or frustration, Puneet can't decipher.
A wicked thought forms in Puneet's mind and he smiles wholeheartedly at Mannat again much to the chagrin of Vikrant.
Puneet then looks at Ronnie and says “that's a nice idea Tauji… I think Mannat ko ye responsibility deni chahiye… for identifying our specialties which can be added to the inventory … what say Mannat? Ready for it?”
Mannat nods happily and looks at Ronnie for approval. Ronnie looks at Vikrant as does Puneet and his face is laced with a certain pained look.
Ronnie, ignores Vikrant and smiles at Mannat … “Tumne mere mann ki baat keh di Puneet… let Mannat handle the food aspect while you deal with the financials and rest”
Puneet can only manage, “Me???”
“Haan to… kya dikkat hai…. Vikrant is anyway busy in Mezbani… and that's the whole point of this diversification na…. You both can handle your own ventures while sharing some responsibilities together…”
Puneet and Vikrant both look at each other, unable to comprehend what's going on in Ronnie's mind.
He doesn't look like he is going to reveal much.
Ronnie quickly continues, “I am going to ask the lawyer to start on the paperwork, but remember you two are to work together even if you may lead in your individual verticals… I am not proposing separation of the business… just an exploration of the market…”
Vikrant and Puneet nod but stay back confused.
Mannat quickly leaves the table before Vikrant can even stop her.
-----
To be continued...
Real Estate
11