8 years later...

BELA

'Look Vanita....We have to make sure to close those 2 positions before this month end. And you just can't get resume from any random websites...It's for the VP position for Mainframe engineering department and you know we just don't hire simply management folks. We appreciate technical expertise as well. So I am sorry I don't go with the opinion of just getting random resume from these websites and get an internal movement done without blunt experience in this domain...I hope I'm clear ..
So it's simple...
Let's get more resume and specially ask Anahita the current engineering software team lead to refer some good profiles as well please' I instructed and went to pick my cup of tea.

I was working in a multinational CMM level 5 company currently as a HR Development Lead for South India and I was in extreme pressure of hiring new resources for both Chennai and Bangalore team for the mainframe engineering space. Mainframes being a rare skill had very few strong skilled folks in this domain.

Sometimes I think I must just resign and go back handling dad's business. Because I'm simply not happy with the job profile here. There's so much of politics here. But then I don't want to get into dad's conventional business. I love what I do but the politics in here is what I hate.

***

Picking my cup of strong tea I sat pressing my forehead and I see a chocolate muffin pushed towards me. I lift my head and see Vish standing there.
'Headache again????' she asked and I smiled.

'Yaaaaar Bela...why does it bother you so much yaar... it's just your job...why do you calculate so much' she said sitting next to me...

'I don't know Vish...it's not fair you know...it's just not fair ...they want to hire outsiders they are ok to pay them like 30 lakhs...there are their own team mates...they won't pay them even a little hike...I feel like a liar and a fraud every year while I announce these folks with their papers ..Anahita deserves the VP position...they were not even considering it...If I argue they say ...they want someone more experienced but the fact is they don't want to promote her because she's a girl...

Then they tell about equality. Huhhh!!! I hate this yaar ..I can't tolerate anymore... Mainframes is a rare skill yaar... They must invest into the training...but they want to mint money bringing in more clients but don't want to upskill their resources...I swear yaar...why take up new clients without resources...they they get fed up, they resign, then comes their bond... urghhh...I am frustrated with these politics. And my boss that Kukreja...he says... 'Manage it"...how do I???? To add on they think a HR is just for organising diwali, Christmas events and send dummy calendars...no dude...we do much more...but they just don't want to give us a free hand...not even while hiring...damn...'

I kicked the wall in frustration.

To which Vish smiled saying ..

'Bela .. you are done with this organisation...you must really consider the opportunity at MS Framework...they have reached you out thrice already Bela...'

'No Vish...it requires me shifting to London and you know I can't do that...Mumma Dadda are already cursing me for not joining their business and then every weekend I go to Madikeri because Bangalore isn't too far away ..but if I say them London they'll strangle me' I said and she giggled.

'Bela they love you yaar...Maan jayenge (they will agree)'

'Hmmm let's see'

***

I seriously sat thinking about the offer I had from MS Framework...

Maybe Vish is right. It's a smaller organization but a fast growing one I heard. But then what about the thing Mumma told me last Sunday...

4 days ago...

Achala and Mohan (Bela's parents) were sitting with Bela on the dining table...

'Bela... We wanted to talk to you...this weekend we have guests coming in...to specially meet you'

I looked up to see my parents smiling creepily.
I swallowed nervously. I know that smile!!!
And not again!!!

'Mumma Dadda ...if this is yet another wedding proposal then you know my answer' I told them and got up to wash my hands while I heard my mother say...

'Bela ...it's Mr and Mrs Sehgal who has sent a proposal for their son...

Mahir Sehgal!!!'

And my breath hitched!!!
My eyes filled with tears

🥺

I didn't know how to react...it's been years...I was 20 then...Mahir was 21!!!
We haven't spoken since then...
Mahir abided by all what I said...
We both completely lost touch...
The only communication we had was...

He would wish me on my birthday via a simple whatsapp wish...

I would return the same on his birthday...

8 years... I don't know if he would like me even... I was an immature kid then... something which began on a childish note of following my favorite book author on Wattpad had begun the spark between us...

I maintained so much distance from him that I even stopped using Wattpad!!! Everything that brought me to him...
Was put at a full stop!!!

'Bela I hope you will be here by next Saturday... I didn't want media to make it a big deal...so I invited Sehgal's at our new resort inaugration near Abbey Falls.

Mahir will also be there. I know you both were classmates and it maybe a bit awkward for you...but Mahir is a good man. And I know Sehgal's are extremely good human beings they will take care of you like their own.'

I was back from my thoughts when I felt someone tap on my shoulder. And I saw Vish smiling...

'Again worried about this Saturday?' she asked and I smiled back.

Vish held my hand and said...
'Bela ...Mahi is my bestie...I never speak about him to you because you had restricted me but shall I tell you something... You both are no different... He is equally nervous as you are... I so can't wait to see the Behir Milaap' she said giggling.

I don't know how to tell Vish. Mahir is meeting me after years. But now if I tell him I have an open offer from MS Framework will he let me take that offer specially because taking it up means travelling to London. Will Mahir be ok with that?

It's not so easy...
I am happy and nervous to face Mahir but this confusion within is also consuming me internally.

***

Finally it was Saturday and I had dressed up in a blue salwar kameez. We reached the resort in the morning by 9:00 am. The inaugural ceremony was at 11:30 am. Dad was giving interview bytes to media and I was waiting for Yuvi, Vish, Adi, Anu. My bestie's for life. Vish and Yuvi told me they would reach only by afternoon as their daughter Yuvika was a brat and she was only 4 years old. Her sleep once ruined she would make to screw up everyone's head.

Anu and Adi were as usual late due to their office commitments. They had got engaged last year and had also began an a start up organization which kept them busy.

I went to freshen up and while coming back I saw Sumi aunty and Andy uncle hugging my parents. Soon Sumi aunty came near me and cupped my face.

'Be... Bela??? Wooow... You look so so different' she said and I smiled...

I bent to take their blessings. She asked me a few things like what do I do and I say about my MBA and about my current job profile and that's when my mom asks

'Where is Mahir Sumi?'

And the mention of his name makes my blood gush faster in my body. But I try to maintain a straight face.

'Ohhh he got a call from Anu asking the address, seems like they lost their route. Mahir is guiding them on call' Sumi aunty said.

Just then I heard Sumi aunty saying...
'Look here he is... Mahir...come here Beta (son)...'

And my heart begins thumping louder like a gong!!!

He's here!!!

Mahir is here!!!

I breathe deeply.

While he bends towards my mother's feet and takes her blessings.

Oh my god...he's next to me...

And I see him. Blue jeans, leather jacket, tshirt and sneakers. Slight beard but he's grown a bit muscular.

He looks so handsome. My throat went dry and the minute my eyes meet those chocolate brown eyes after 8 long years I feel a sudden jolt.

So many years went in a fly...

He has grown much more handsome. Does he still remember me? Oh God...

And he is as stunned as I am...but he curves his lips upward saying...

'Hi Bela...how are you'

Flashing me his killer dimples, drop dead good looks in his husky deep voice and I'm officially dead.

But then does he also feel this same pull or has tbe equation between us changed was the question here.

***

I took the Prashad post the pooja performed by our family priest. Mahir looked busy, he was on a call probably an office call because Anu and Adi had already reached the venue.
My friends were too excited shipping us both. For them we were still #MuffinKiTiffin.
I rolled my eyes thinking they were still stuck on the same old history of ours.

Our parents were behaving like it's all finalised and we are here for a formality meeting but I didn't know what should I talk to Mahir.... I mean...it's not just a few days or weeks...it's 8 long years!!!

And just because I still feel that pull towards him doesn't mean he should feel the same...

What if he's found someone else...

He may have a girlfriend???

Worse he's come to say a No to me... maybe that's why he's busy...

Eating the Prashad I went near the window and began looking outside, just then I heard a ...

'Hi Bela'

And my heart stopped!!!
My eyes welled up ...
Only I know how tough were all these years for me...

Blinking through my tears I turned around and saw him passing a killer smile to me...

I smiled back...

'How are you?' he asked and I nodded...

'Good... and...you' I managed to ask and he said

'Im awesome' and we both smiled.

Just then our parents called us for the inaugural event. Post inaugration we got busy with our parents introducing us to guests and family. Just then Vish-Yuvi joined us with their daughter Yuvika. I was playing with Yuvika while I could feel two eyes on me...

I felt him looking at me every now and then it looked like he wanted to talk to me but we weren't getting a chance.

Our friends tried but our families were busy pulling us like goats with them.

Post lunch our families planned to visit the Abbey Falls.

Expecting we would get some time for ourselves but Sumi aunty began talking to me. And he got busy with my parents.
We walked together while visiting the falls which was a long way into the greens of Coorg. Our parents being busy in their own world, I heard Mahir say...

'So...How is life'

And I see him next to me...

'Good... and yours'

'Not good... Im not happy' he said and next minute his dad calls him...
And he leaves...

And my heart feels heavy!!!
So he's not happy!
So...it looks like hes going to say a No!!!

My eyes began welling up at that very thought...
But I controlled my tears...

Reaching back our resort. Our parents offered Sehgal's to stay with us tonight. Soon we all joined for a dinner and I noticed Mahir looked quite disturbed. I see him irritated. This since we are back from Abbey Falls. He's probably going to say a No!!!

While having a dinner Andy uncle said...
'So are we going to keep an engagement or its a direct wedding? And I am stumped. I see Mahir looking equally shocked.

While they had already began discussing this I heard Mahir stand up 'Ummm Mohan uncle Achala aunty...if you don't mind...can I talk to Bela seperately please'

And the soup spoon almost falls back into the bowl from my hands...
Wooow now he's probably going to blow me off officially!!!

Greaaaaat!!! Congrats Bela!!!
Now regret!!!
After all tujhe hi chahiye tha na (you wanted this all)...
Let's stay seperate... Let's test our bond!!!
God!!!
I love this man and he now has a girlfriend maybe...
A blondie ..pretty...sexy one...
Woooow!!!

No go find a corner for yourself to cry...
Your tiffin is forever going to stay empty!!!
Maybe this muffin now belongs to some English Irish European British bakery!!!
Wooow ...

Tu mar sali...akele hi ...(you die alone...)
Mahir had named you so perfectly...

Tiffin!!!

Hindi me...Dibba!!! (Dibba in hindi)

Because that's what you are...

Dibba!!! Dhakkan!!! Gadhi!!!
(Dumb ass)

While I was still in my thoughts I heard Mahir say...

'Bela... can we talk seperately'

I nodd and we walk towards the terrace infinity pool area...

There was complete silence and I looked at him. He was looking at the sky. I was worried with his silence ...

'Mahir...I know...it... it's tough for you...I understand...you may have someone back in London...it's ...it's fine ...I think Sumi aunty and Andy uncle just sent the proposal and you didn't even'

'Bela can we talk?'

And I narrowed my eyebrows...
'Su...sure Mahir...I mean it's nor necessary that whatever happened during our college days must still remain the same...people change... emotions change'

'Bela can we talk now???' he asked in a rougher voice...his back still facing me...

What's wrong with him...

'We already are Mahir'

And next second he turns around and his eyes are filled with tears...

'No we are not Bela... You had stopped our conversation 8 years 1 month 17 days and 5 hrs approximately 32 minutes before...and I want to begin from there...right there' he said and my heart begins melting...

I swallowed the lump in my throat while he covers the distance between us in 3 long strands and stands exactly infront of me...

'Are you feeling shy, avoiding me or no longer interested in me' he asks keeping hand on his waist and my eyes widen in shock...

'Mahir...no....I thought you are not interested...you.. weren't talking...you said at Abbey Falls that you are not good and not happy'

And next second he held me by my shoulders and said...

'Obviously Bela...if you tell Vish not to talk anything about me to her...but I see the longing in your eyes yet you don't express it even after 8 long years you think I'll be happy Bela...'

And my heart tears at his words...

I whisper 'Mahir....' with a lot of difficulty...

And next second he cups my face and says...

'I love you Bela... I love you my tiffin... I love you so very much... You are my love...wait .. pain... emotion and devotion too...

You are my happiness, success, achievements...

You are everything Bela...

I so so love you meri Tiffin.. my box full of happiness...my sweetheart' he pours it all while pressing his forehead to mine and all I manage to do is...

Break down in his arms hugging him tightly...

'I ....I thought I lost you Mahir...you are my life...I love you so much Mahir...you are all I always wanted...I love you ...I just...I was scared... what if'

Snaking my arms around his waist I looked at his face while he looked into my eyes and said...

'You thought I found someone...huhh...you know meri Tiffin...this muffins sweetness is overloaded with fragrance of love which lies in the box of happiness... which is you my tiffin...I love you...had loved only you...will forever love you...only you...' saying he kissed my forehead and I hugged him tightly.

His embrace was all the peace I always wanted.

MAHIR

She was the same but a little overemotional and sacrificing now!!!
She thought I found someone else!

Stupid girl!!
Doesn't know she's my breath!!! How can I live without breathing her...
She's my oxygen...my heart...my soul!
My life!!!

She was crying continuously in my arms...
I cooed her like a little baby and she gradually calmed down.

Rubbing her face she looked at me...

'So....' she asked...

'So!!!'

'What next?' she asked

'Ummm. Let's see' I pulled her closer and moved closer to her face...

'Well next...Muffin would get packed with this Tiffin Forever and soon would want to bake cute little mini muffins with this Tiffin...

I even have names for them...

Sweetplum... Honeybun... Creamfill...

Let's open our love bakery... after all 8 years of staying away from you...don't blame me if this tiffin is always having a new muffin baking every year...I'll be more than Happy having a soccer team, cricket team or for that matter have dozens and tons of them...' I announced shamelessly

And she hit my chest... I giggled and she hides her face in my chest like a baby.

'But Mahir there's a problem' she says...

I lift her chin up asking...
'Whats the issue'

'I have an offer from a new multinational... MS Framework for the role of HR Development Senior manager position...but for that I have to go to London...I love ny career...so you may again have to wait'

'Take it up..but this time no waiting' he says and I look at him...

'Mahir but the marriage...Look...I love you. But I will have to shift to London...And it's not easy staying away... specially...after... marriage...you know...it's......it's tough" she says drawing circles on my chest... blushing hard and I bite insides of my mouth at her naughty tracing...

So I decided to give her some jolts!!!

'Exactly... and that's what I want....you to shift to London for another year...till the business stabilizes there and then we can come back to India' saying I narrow my eyebrows...

'MS Framework...Mahir Sehgal Framework... I own the company Bela...and we badly need someone as good as you and my heart needs only you...so 2 in 1...
Biwi bhi... Employee bhi...
Romance at home... Romance in office...
8 years of love with high interest rates !!!" I break the bomb and her mouth hangs wide open...

My eyes look at those lush pink lips and I go crazy....
Again!!!

Only I know how many pillows have I squeezed to death all these years dreaming about her...

Now that she's here... looking so breathtakingly gorgeous...
My brains don't work straight!!!

So I bend more towards her lips huskily asking her...

'Now is that an invitation...

Because I am so much in love with your new look although I still miss my 'Chashmish' tiffin but your mouth and those lips are my life ...

May I??? Mrs Future Muffin Mahir Sehgal' saying I see her cheeks go crimson pink and I bend to meet her lips...

I softly kiss her lower lip and take control of both her petals in my mouth and suck the sweet nectar out of them. A meek sound in her throat. I am deprived of this for years. I am thirsty. I need her. She is my sanity. I kept nibbling her lower lip while I feel her hands on my neck and her long fingers reaching the nape of my neck and raking through my hair...

I groan like a mad man and squeeze her by her waist and she crashes hard into my chest and I can feel her breathing uneasily... I squeeze her waist pinching her lightly and she gasps more air while I enter her mouth and relish every corner of her mouth.

We kept kissing to our heart's content.

The moon... stars were all the witness of our long awaited thirsty kiss and warmth...

***
Our parents were too excited and couldn't wait longer. Honestly neither could I...

So a week later was our engagement and 15 days from then we got married.

Today is our wedding night and I was sent into my room which was decorated with flowers and candles.

I was expecting my bride fully dressed in Indian wear all decked up to kill me with her sexy looks...

But the scene I see infront of me leaves my jaws hitting the floor...

I see a Bela...

Who is wearing her Black pajama and a grey hoodie tshirt...

With a pony tail and her glasses were on...

With a box full of chocolate muffins she was lying on my bed with a tablet reading something on Wattpad. One leg on the pillows other on the head stand of the bed.

I rolled my eyes.

'Bela...you are impossible...we got married today... aren't you supposed to atleast pretend like a shy bride'

To which she narrows her eyebrows saying...
'You have written 18 full books, 3 short stories, 2 fanfictions and 2 of your books are on-going...I must read them all ..and I'm beginning tonight Muffin Diiiiiiii' she said passing me her dimple packed smile.

And I was annoyed...

'What the hell...I'm not letting you screw up my first night Bela...' pushing her aside I jumped next to her.

But the baby she was she began stuffing more muffins in her mouth showing me her chocolaty teeth and continued reading my other books like she didn't care at all...

Rolling my eyes and being annoyed...

'Fineeee' I yelled and changed into my Pajamas and slept next to her silently.

In the middle of the night...I feel something husky in my ears 'Open your eyes my sexy muffin' and I open my eyes in one go

And my eyes are wide open as I see her dressed in a red saree with bangles, long dangling jhumkas, bindi anklets...her long hair left open...

She stood seductively next to the cupboard and began walking towards me ...

I swallowed hard but kept my calm gulping dry!!!

But next second she lost her balance and bam fell on floor...

I burst out laughing.

That's when I noticed she had tangled the saree in the name of wearing it. She had zero knowledge on saree

She was unable to even stand up. I lifted her up and made her sit on bed trying to control my laughter fit which was nowhere ready to stop!!!
It was like someone had switched on a laughing gas cylinder.

'What was that??? Why did you wear this if you aren't comfortable' I asked her still trying to control my laughter holding my stomach and she said with tears in her eyes...

'Your book the female lead wears a saree and seduces her boyfriend...but I don't even know to wear a saree forget seducing my husband...I'm useless'

My eyes popped out and I caged her against the bed asking...
'You wanted to seduce me?'

And her eyes widen more and she swallows her saliva again.

I smile pulling the saree off her body. And next minute she was in her shorts and blouse. I took her near the mirror and made her stand there still looking into the mirror. I removed her bangles. her bindi...her jhumkas and her anklets.

I tied her hair into a pony.
Kept glasses back on her nose.
And made her wear her hoody!!!

'This is the Bela I love...
My Tiffin...
Cute... sexy without her knowledge...
My girl and I love you the way you are...
You are yourself Bela and that's why you are special.'

Saying I back hugged her digging her shoulders with my stubbled chin and she blushed hard.

'And dare you call me Di...I'll make sure you keep screaming my name so loudly that you will never forget it.' I said huskily whispering in her ears while my lips touched her lobes and she shivered.

'I love you My Tiffin Girl' I said kissing her collar bone...
And she smiled saying...
'I love you too My Tiffin boy'
And I began showering kisses on her neck and jaws finally drowning into our longest and most awaited night filled with passion, emotion and love...

With that Muffin was locked with Tiffin
Forever After...

After all... We began as
#MuffinKiTiffin

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This book is dedicated to

Kahlilia-k ❤️
__aaaarya__❤️

Thank you being the inspiration for this book ❤️

I love you both ❤️

Thank you dearest readers for your immense love for this book ❤️

I have started yet another book which is 4 shots+epilogue called Bond - A Wattpad Lovestory...hope you will like Saiyoni and Samarth as much as you liked Muffin and Tiffin ❤️

Keep Reading Keep Supporting ❤️

Loads of Muffin_Love
Vpsisthename20 💖