A/N: Hello, readers! So, as I had promised, I'm delivering my Diwali gift to all of you today! That's right, we are on to another chapter! Also, let me tell you, I'm NOT updating early this week, I am giving you an EXTRA chapter! :D So yes, there will be another update coming on Sunday, as always! Now, that doesn't mean I'm going to be giving you a double update every week okay!

No naughty thoughts! :P 

On that note, wish you all a very very very happy Diwali & festive holiday season! Let there be light, warmth, joy & peace in your heart, good health for your loved ones and food on the table of every hungry person. Amen. 

Now, about this story. It is slightly more fast paced than my other stores (well, at least that's what I am aiming for, you can tell me if that's working!) so yes, the storyline will keep giving you whiplashes! I am sure while that will hook you more to my story, I will also pick up a fast paced style of writing on the way! :D 

So, with all the chatter out of the way, happy reading, folks!

***

"Just let me go, you monster!" screamed Nandini in perturbation, as she found herself being blindfolded and hauled into a vehicle. Why was this happening to her? She had acted according to Abhimanyu's plan only! She hadn't contacted a soul, till his man, Mahesh ji knocked on her door early in the morning. Mahesh ji was taking her towards his parked car when someone knocked him out by hitting him on the head and she was captured. Was the actress Soha Khurana really kidnapping her?!

"Sir, we have her with us. We will bring her to the address you shared. Anything else?" one of her captors spoke on the phone, as they drove off with her. She stopped struggling to hear more and get some information about what was going on.

"Yes sir, she is conscious" the man spoke again.

"No sir, she's not injured" he reassured his boss and Nandini was surprised, as to why would Soha's men want to ensure she is okay? Maybe she was an exclusive Soha Khurana bait? Who knew how weird these obnoxiously rich and egoistic people could get.

"Let me go, you moron! I've got people looking for me!" Nandini bellowed, trying to intimidate these men, but it had no effect on them. Soon the car parked and she was brought out of it, not before taping her mouth & tightening her blindfold further. She was pulled to what felt like an elevator & after what felt like fifteen seconds the elevator dinged letting them out. Nandini wanted to struggle further, but she was tired from all the fights she put up throughout the journey. Add to that, she skipped dinner last night. She only just wanted to sit down and rest, but her captors weren't done yet.

Soon a doorbell rang, and Nandini was surprised at that. Which kidnapper rang a doorbell? Before she could ponder further, the sound of a door opening had her attention.

"Seriously, why'd you blindfold her?" came a familiar exasperated voice. She knew him of course, but why would he kidnap her? She decided to keep quiet, until she saw her kidnapper's face. Maybe they had similar voices?

"Sir, she'd see us otherwise, and the place where we got her" Nandini's captor replied, professionally.

"So? It's not like she doesn't know this place!" came their bosses' reply & this time Nandini had no doubt about the voice. As soon as he quickly removed the tape from Nandini's mouth, she shot at him in vexation.

"Cabir?! Why have you gotten me kidnapped!?"

"One second, Nandini." Cabir replied, while taking off her blindfold and looking at her face to ensure she was not hurt. Then he turned to her captors.

"I thought I said, kidnap her gently!" he snapped at them and the kidnappers looked at him dumbfounded.

"Boss, how much more gently?" mumbled one, before looking at Nandini and muttering an apology. Nandini stared at them confused, not sure how to react!

***

"Nandini, I know a lot is going on in your head and I assure you, you will have all your answers. Just go get some rest for now, okay?" Cabir requested her gently, after Cabir's men left, keeping Nandini in his custody.

"Cabir, are you for real? You freaking kidnapped me & expect me to rest before asking for answers?!" shouted Nandini.

"Nandini, I know this may look like.." Cabir began, but Nandini was in no mood to listen.

"Cabir, it doesn't only look like, but you HAVE kidnapped me. Why? All because I decided to help Manik? I got involved because you requested me, Cabir. Now you are punishing me for that? Nothing has changed here, has it?" she cried out in anguish & tears rolled down her eyes. She realised, somewhere deep down she still trusted Cabir, but this?

"Nandini, if you must know, I didn't kidnap you. I saved you from being kidnapped in fact! That Mahesh, you were walking with, he is Soha Khurana's man, he was about to abduct you. I had to save you & yet not make it look like we as in team Manik is involved in it, so it was made to look like a kidnap! You are not kidnapped! Look around you! Does it look like a kidnapper's den to you? You are in Manik's penthouse for heaven sake! You've got to be here for sometime, till it's safe out there & Soha's men are called off. Then you will be sent to wherever you want to go." answered Cabir, trying to pacify her.

"You were trying to save me from Mahesh ji? God Cabir, he was trying to save me from Soha Khurana too!" exclaimed Nandini in shock.

"What?" Cabir spat out in surprise. "Why would he, Nandini?"

"He was helping me because Abhimanyu wanted him to. Remember Abhimanyu? My security in-charge when I used to err..my rakhi brother? He is working with Soha Khurana now, and she had ordered him to find me, but he was breaching her command to save me! So you just added to the trouble because now Abhimanyu doesn't know where I am and he will be in trouble if Soha finds out what he was doing!" bellowed Nandini, she was anxious for Abhimanyu's well being now.

"Nandini, how were we supposed to know of all this, we were only trying to save you" Cabir tried justifying.

"You needn't break your head trying to save me, Cabir, it's not your job! I can take care of myself, please let me go. I need to find Abhimanyu." Nandini tried moving out but Cabir stopped him.

"Just trust us, Nandini. It's not safe for you outside. If you want, I can look for Abhimanyu too, and ensure his safety from.." Cabir tried again.

"Why should I trust you, Cabir? I trusted you once & look where it landed me & Abhimanyu. I was faraway from all this, leading my life. I got meddled into all this because of you & Manik Malhotra! I don't trust you guys anymore. Just let me go" cried Nandini, in desperation. She remembered, she hadn't contacted Smaran & Navya either, they must be worried for her too.

"Then trust me Nandu beta, you know I will do only what is in best interest for you" came a soft voice from the corridor leading towards the bedrooms.

"Mom" Nandini whispered and shut her eyes.

"Yes, Nandu, it's me. Your mom. I know you have many reasons to not trust Cabir & Manik, but you trust me right? I am requesting you to stay back and let us take care of your safety." Nyonica gently spoke to her, and Nandini quickly turned around and ran to her and embraced her. She had missed her a lot in these years.

"Beta, Soha Khurana is bad news and you wouldn't be stuck in it if you didn't decide to help clear Manik's name, despite the history you both have. Now it is not only Manik's turn but also his responsibility to ensure your & Abhimanyu's safety. Please let him do the right thing for once? I promise you, he will not come before you throughout your stay here & no one you dislike will be around. Not even Cabir & for that matter me, if you'd like it, but just stay & let us at least thank you for saving my son's sorry ass, if not help you?" Nyonica requested softly, and Nandini knew there was no way out. She loved Nyonica too much to decline her request.

"I have one condition though" she mumbled, now wiping her tears off her cheeks & Nyonica raised her eyebrows in question.

"I need you to visit me sometimes so I don't feel lonely & I need to contact my friends & tell them I am fine" she replied softly, as Nyonica nodded and pecked her softly on the forehead before motioning for Cabir to carry on.

***

Manik was standing in his study, waiting for Cabir's update. He had overheard Nyonica talking to Cabir the other day, but he didn't stop her. He knew he would need Nyonica's help in convincing Nandini to stay. He had realised she wasn't the same docile Nandini anymore who did whatever she was asked to do. He respected that. He didn't want to have to do anything with her either, but she did help him unconditionally again, didn't she? The least he owed her was security in return & he was doing just that.

"It's sorted, Manik. Nandini is stationed at your pent-house. The security has been beefed up & Abhimanyu has been traced too. We've put security around him & we have insider news that Soha Khurana is still trying to look for Nandini, but has no clue of her whereabouts." Cabir stated, formally as Manik nodded in acknowledgement.

"What about her boss? That Hebbar guy? Is he informed about her well being?" he asked, crisply.

"She wanted to talk to him, herself. Manik, I think we should let her. Seems like they are close..er..personally..so maybe if she told him she is fine, it would be better?" Cabir expressed his point of view cautiously. With Nandini, no one knew how Manik would react. She was a strangely sore spot in his life.

"No need. It's too risky. The more people know about her whereabouts, the higher are the chances for Soha to find out. Hack her email ID and send a resignation email." snapped Manik.

"..but Manik, they are close. He will not accept it. He will come questioning." began Cabir.

"It's for that Hebbar boy's safety, Cabir. The more he knows, the more are the chances of him being Soha's torture bait. We cannot hide Nandini's action from Soha for long. She will find out today or tomorrow. When she does, she will come looking for her & then the fewer people know about her the lesser are her chances of finding Nandini. Now we don't want the Hebbar boy giving out her location when tortured by Soha, do we?" Manik defended his point. Cabir nodded.

"..also Manik, your mom promised her that during her stay at your pent-house, you won't ever visit her" Cabir was uncomfortable saying it. Somewhere he knew Manik would want to meet her once at least to question her about her great escape from him, three years back. Whether he acknowledged it or not, Cabir knew he needed closure too.

"That won't be a problem. I will be in outdoor shoots from next week anyway for two weeks. By then, this should be sorted & she'd be on her way back home" Manik replied nonchalantly. Cabir nodded in surprise. Seems like Nandini really didn't mean anything to Manik at all.

"Also, Cabir, I want the papps to find me & Alia at the VIP lounge of Air19 tomorrow evening. Please get some content on us, before our interview airs next week on Koffee with Kushal, it will help with the MaLia brand" he added before continuing to read his script, as Cabir nodded and was about to leave when Manik stopped him again.

"..err..Cabir, make sure Abhimanyu is okay. Put his travel/ hideout expenses on our accounts but make it discreet" Manik requested & Cabir looked at him surprised.

"Why Manik, is it because he was helping Nandini?" Cabir enquired. Manik shook his head in exasperation before replying, "No; because Mukti was with me when you told us about Abhimanyu and she looked rather disturbed."

Cabir's thoughts ran back to Mukti. True, Mukti was never really over Abhimanyu, was she? Cabir nodded and left.

***

Word Count: 1,912

A/N : Okay, so how was the chapter? When you saw the title, who'd you think kidnapped Nandini at first? Any thoughts on Manik, Nandini, Cabir or Abhimanyu's character here? Have your thoughts evolved for any character yet?

So, let me tell you, the story will officially take a HUGE turn in the next chapter & guess what, you don't have to wait for a week to read it! I hope your enthusiasm on this chapter or the number of votes don't drop because you will be getting another chapter in 2 days; please don't make me regret giving you a double update? :) :*

Lastly, readers, I LOVE in-line comments as well as after thoughts on the whole chapter at one go. Please be generous in posting those :)

Okay, enough now, see you day after, AGAIN! :D

Love always,

Your writer.