Helo sweeties, I hope you all are fine. For all my readers who showed so much patience, I would say I love you. And who didn't show any patience specially my silent readers, thanks to you too. I wrote update but by mistake it got deleted. After that I lost my stamina to write it again. I needed a break. And for readers who are angry that why I started new story Justice Or Destiny, I would say this story I started writing when I found you was half written. And cause of some matching theme and story line I didn't want to post it because I don't want my own ideas look like a copy paste material. I thought I deleted it but after checking my online saved files it was still there. So now when I wasn't in condition to write new part I posted those few things I wrote year ago. So never jump at conclusions without knowing the reason behind anything. And Last thing you dont need to do anything, read silently and go away. Please make me disappointed like you guys always do. Write as much hateful comments as you want. After all I deserve it. Best of luck.
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This was the day when everything was going to be back to normal. After attending meeting in the afternoon all four of them were going to attend one business conference at night. It was already 7pm and exactly half hour later they were leaving. Finally tomorrow morning all of them going back to India. Nandni would be away from manik and she would pretend like nothing happened at this trip. She never been harassed by harshad. She never been saved by Victoria or may be she will pretend that she and manik never shared one passionate night in this cold city.

Going away from manik making nandni sickening depressed. She don’t know when he will recover and when he will realise how these distances between them were hurting her. When he will remember there is his family, who needs him. His disable dad, his helpless mother and one little cute baby who doesn’t deserve such childhood. After going back Manik have his appointment with best Neurologists. They were going to check his injuries and how much he is recovering. Since the time daniel told her, she felt like time going really slow.

Nandni took a deep breath and moved her fingers from her straight hairs to settle them on place. Glancing one last time at herself she left her room. Nandni was sure, she would be last one. Other three must be already in the living room waiting for her. It’s not like she was taking too much time to get ready, infect she didn’t want to be ready at all. She didn’t want this last night to end really soon. Swallowing her anxiety, she made her way through the stairs.

Reaching at the edge of last step of stairs she stopped. She lifted her gaze up and her eyes spotted tall muscular figure. Her heart immediately skipped the beat. He was casually leaning against a chest of drawers looking straight aimlessly. He was wearing grey suit with black shirt. His features reserved heart squeezing intensity. His hands were inside of his pants pockets. Sensing her presence he looked up. His dark chocolaty eyes met her golden ones. She couldn’t deny that his simple stare quickened her heartbeat.

Whenever he placed his eyes at her, she can see clearly that there was still a flicker of love in them. That unforgettable attraction, his heart still feels for her.

He was just staring at her. His mysterious expressions were intense but unreadable. Nandni felt self conscious like he was seeing through her. She was wearing black gown which was making her milky skin more bright and delicate. Today she wanted to be perfect and presentable. His eyes roamed from her head-to-toe and then again back towards her eyes. His soul piercing eyes kept holding her gaze.

She opened her lips to say something but she couldn't even gather her voice. She placed her foot at floor leaving the last step of stairs as well. Except the noise of her long heel, there was pin drop silence. It means Daniel and Victoria already left.

Holding her chest, she watched him to cover the distance between them. The closer he came, the faster her heart fluttered. She once again looked up and his gaze was still on her. Each step he took towards her, was painfully slow. She kept thinking what to say when he steadily just passed by her. She couldn't tell either she felt disappointed or relieved. She felt her cheeks were burning hot due to embarrassment.

Feeling speechless she followed him towards the elevator. As the doors opened he gave way to let her enter first. She went and facing the door she stood far away in the corner. To her surprise manik stood leaning against the right side wall of the elevator. She kept her senses busy while counting pearls in her bracelet. She was totally aware of his stare boring holes into her skin.

She looked up and immediately she regretted because his gaze was pure blend of storm and sin. Melting pool of his dark eyes were seemed to be devouring every inch of her. Click sound of elevator showed they reached parking floor. She inhaled almost breathlessly when she saw a glimpse of a self satisfied smirk appeared at his lips. He was very well aware about the effect he was leaving at her. As soon door was opened she left the elevator to hid away from his searching gaze.

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Both reached in parking, manik stopped next to a shiny expensive car. In white uniform driver opened the door for manik. The moment manik slid inside the car, realisation dawned on her that not only she left alone with him but he was the only companion for tonight also. And now she needs to face awkwardness for that one hour drive also. He didn’t say a single word since they left the hotel parking. His cold and domineering personality was making difficult for her to sit easily in this car.

“How’s Aaron now....?” he asked when his eyes never left the road. Nandni dragged her head around to face him. In last half hour just these were the words he spoke.

“He’s fine...!” giving him the same way a shortest answer once again atmosphere in the car became like a silent war.

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As their car stopped nandni got a real shock. The whole parking was full of cars, quit expensive cars. It seemed like no one wanted to miss this conference. Obviously its best opportunity for all businessmen to create beneficial links. Red carpet was leading into huge hall. Paparazzi was all round the entrance. Most expensive classy shiny cars all around were screaming the people gathered in the conference must be from highest status. It took her few seconds to catch her breath. She looked around and realised manik was already out of the car and waiting for her to join him.

“Looks like a big gathering...!” She whispered, trying not to appear too self conscious. He started walking towards main entrance.

“Yes, businessmen from all around the world are invited...!” his dark brown eyes were serious, and looked like It will penetrate into any soul. With one look he will know all deepest secrets. No doubt in the world of betrayals and lies he was one of top successful businessmen. Who earned each penny by doing hard work day and night. He reached the main door and two guards opened the door for him.

Walking into one of biggest hall, there were huge gathering, all wearing expensive suits and gowns. Everything was so perfect. Nandni noticed a couple of lustful eyes staring at her already. She unknowingly slipped little closer to manik. He looked at her but following her troubled gaze he understood her discomfort. When he didn’t walk any more, she looked up towards him. He was looking at her like a predator with annoying yet understood expressions. She wanted to hold his arm tightly but creating little distance she steadily positioned on her feet. After all she was an employee of multinational company and wife of its owner. She should be confident and strong.

“May be I don’t belong here...!” She whispered like she was telling this to her own self. But as she diverted her eyes back towards manik, she saw visible disappointment at his stern features. He isn’t a person who judges people by their shiny appearances or amount of money in their banks. He looked at her for few seconds before heading to meet the people of his business world.

Nandni’s eyes were roaming around the hall when they settled on the only known female here, Victoria. At the left side of stage she was sitting at one table. She was talking to some other lady. Daniel was also busy somewhere else with few men. Nandni went straight towards her. Victoria introduced nandni to the lady who was class fellow of her elder brother and daughter of one family friend.

Every one shifted their eyes towards stage.  A man who was hosting conference tonight, asked for their attention. He asked every one to have their seats so that they can start the conference. Very next moment manik and Daniel came and sat at the same table. The only chair between Daniel and nandni, left for manik. As manik sat besides nandni she looked up and directly her eyes met with Daniel’s mischievous ones. He winked at her and then diverted his gaze towards stage where initial introduction have been started. 

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Time was going really slow or maybe all around business talk wasn’t pleasing for every participant. Nandni was checking time every two seconds. Though Aaron was with one Manik's Assistant but still nandni was worried for him. Every person here was for common interest and that is business.

One by one owners of companies all around the world coming and exchanging the most cutting-edge ideas in their fields. She looked at manik and the way he was listening to every one’s speech, she felt her heart swelled in proud. He is same, so pure, loyal and passionate towards his career.

“The next I would like to call the very successful man who came from india and running a chain of hotels in many countries. Mr Alexander come on the stage and share your key ideas to run a successful business....!” in the loudest round of applause manik stood up from his seat and went towards the stage. The way he glided up the stairs of stage. The way he spoken his confident words, were enough to skip the beats of many female hearts. Nandni kept looking at his handsome yet dangerous personality and his voice was deep full of authority like a real king. No doubt he was the king of business world. Manik tried to keep his speech short and beneficial.

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As the dinner was at its finishing stage, nandni poured herself a glass of juice and made her way through the crowd. Her feet felt tired from standing up and wearing a long heal. She went straight to have a seat at side. Her eyes caught Victoria and Daniel standing really close in one corner. Victoria was rotating her glass in her palms like trying to ignore whatever Daniel was saying. But the mischievous spark in his eyes was enough to tell that he was giving her tough time. Nandni smiled seeing their new developing relation. Nandni kept looking at them with eyes full of adoration.

“May I ask this beautiful lady’s name....!” a deep manly voice touched her ears and she almost jumped at her seat. Nandni placed her hand at her chest to calm her beating heart. Apologetic expressions at that stranger’s face were showing that it was unintentionally. She felt that face very familiar. Narrowing her curious eyes she tried to remember but she couldn’t recognise him. Looking at his amused expressions she composed her shocked state.

“Sorry. You just scared me...!” nandni whispered. Feeling little embarrassed. She took few deep breaths to calm her beating heart. After composing herself she realised that he was asking her name.

  “My name is Nandni manik Malhotra...!” clearing her throat nandni replied to that stranger.

“Im chris. So my guess was right. Its you. You have changed so much. Mature and more beautiful....!” that man replied with recognition. After listening his words nandni became more confused.

“Have we met already somewhere...?” nandni asked while giving pressure at her memory. Listening her question chris chuckled and nodded his head.

“May be you forgot but the punch your husband gave me at your honeymoon, I didn’t forget, not yet....!” He chuckled while inserting his both hands in his pockets. Nandni frowned her eyes while trying to remember. And then suddenly realisation dawned on her. It was the same man, who tried to misbehave in his drunken state and manik punched him. Cause of that punch manik went in jail. Suddenly her uneasy expressions changed into extreme anger.

“Yes I remember how a jerk like you placed charges against him. How can I forget how he spent time in jail.....!” She replied through her greeted teeth. Chris looked down and a light but warm smile was still at his lips.

“I apologise for that. I was really wrong. That time I was caught in drugs and alcohol. Totally wasted man. Infect shameful version of a man. I really want to apologise for that...!” He whispered looking around in the hall. From his words and face expressions she can tell he was really ashamed at his deeds.

I think I missed so much. I got late....!” listening his words nandni realised he was just coming now. She simply nodded her head.

She looked up and behind that man her quick glance fell at Manik. Realisation hit her really bad. She felt her grip around her glass became more tight. Her palms started being sweaty and cold. She inhaled deeply, when she realised that what if this man recognised manik. He knew we are husband wife but manik forgot everything. And next his words really made her head spin painfully. 

“I listened about Mr malhotra, I’m really sorry for your lose...!” chris whispered and nandni’s shocked eyes diverted back towards him. So like the other business associates he also didn’t recognised manik. Then again realisation dawned at her that he came late it means he missed the introduction. Damn it. Everyone in the hall who listened introduction, knows manik as Alexander except this man.

“I...I need to go....” Nandni tried to move away but that man wasn’t in mood to end their conversation. She looked back towards manik and Judging from his firm thinly pressed lips, she was sure that he didn’t like a man around her. Nothing have changed. Her husband was still jealous of any man, who unnecessarily comes close to her. Same drunkard around her and in huge crowd still her man’s eyes were just only on her. Same like old days when she dared to dance with Chris and manik was so angry at her. From this distance she can tell manik's piercing gaze at chris.

Suddenly manik stated good bye to men he was talking to and started walking towards her. For few seconds She tried to give attention at Chris but manik’s slow steps were being painful. She turned around and started looking for Daniel. She needed him but he was no where around.

“Listen Mr Chris I need to go. I think...!” she didn’t even completed her words that she felt warmth of thick figure behind herself.

“Is every thing ok here...!” His low voice sent waves of shivers throughout her body. She jerked around and found manik really close. Infect just few inches away from her. Chris kept looking all baffled at both of them.

Nandni felt thick tension suffocating her as she stood deadly still. An intense tightness in her lungs made a simple inhale painful. She looked back at Chris who was looking at Manik all lost in deep thoughts. Seeing curiosity at his features, nandni knew it, this night wasn’t going to end at any pleasant phase. Chris's eyes were showing clearly that he was trying to recognise that face. Suddenly an arrogant grin appeared at his face and his brows creased a bit like he was contemplating his next move. Nandni knew it something evil running in his mind.

“So you are alive. It means news of your lost body were just fake rumours. Anyways nice to meet you Mr Manik Malhotra....!” as Chris took his name Nandni couldn’t suppress her loud gasp. She was shocked how could he possibly recognise manik when Chris never seen him in years. After these two years he have changed so much.

Her senses warned her that it was already too late because now this situation was gonna put manik’s nerves on overdrive. She snapped her head back towards manik and watched his muscles clenched and his jaw was stiff. 
It was clear Manik couldn’t ignore his name. Many times in his nightmares that name played with his sanity. Though he doesn’t know who’s manik but he couldn’t ignore the pull towards this name. In the dead of silence frantic acceleration of her pulse was loud in her ears.

“You know me, who I am....?” Manik asked narrowing his intimidating eyes at Chris. Chris laughed because he took his question more like a threat. At the other hand manik was really shocked listening an unknown name for himself.

Nandni felt her heart leaped when she saw a bit of hope in manik’s restless eyes. She kept looking at Manik that may be he could remember any thing. But deep frowns at his face she knjew it, he was giving so much pressure at his mind. Annoyance was evident at his features as he continued to stare at Chris.

“I can't forget you Manik Malhotra....!” as Chris took his name once again and nandni saw how manik's fingers tense tight into his palms, like he was trying to hold himself.

“Listen Mr Chris, may be you don’t know him. Please...!” Nandni tried to make Chris stop but he cut her off before she could even finish her sentence. Two long lost enemies were face to face. One wanted to make this meeting spicy and the other one doesn’t even know him.

“I can’t forget my biggest rival and even I can't forget the punch you gave me at your honeymoon...!” as Chris kept talking nandni started looking for Daniel. She needs him. Situation was getting suffocating for her and her pulse begin to race in worry.

“You were always this much possessive for your wife. Why won’t you. Mrs malhotra is the lady with beauty and brain....!” chris replied looking at nandni. His peculiar choice of words made her body dead cold. Manik's extremely perplexed expressions could describe the restlessness in manik’s head.

“Listen you Mr whatever, first thing she isn’t my wife and second thing don’t try to mess up with me or my employees....!” this time manik’s voice was dangerously low but enough to make Chris silent and confused. Suddenly manik raised his hand and started rubbing his temple.

As manik refused to accept her as his wife Nandni felt deep inside something broken. Her heart sank and she tried to blink her tears away. She can’t make this situation more confusing and depressing for manik. It’s not good for him. His veins were popping out of his temples and his jaw line was so tight.

“Please Mr Chris leave us alone. Please....!” She said in a tone conveying her helpless annoyance. She held manik’s hand and started dragging him away.

She wanted manik to remember every thing but not this way. She was going to plan any safest way but at the moment everything was slipping from her hands.

“Leave my hand....!” Just few steps away and manik pulled his hand from her weak hold. She can’t blame him for being irritated. After all some one trying to bring his lost memory back. She was sure all the meeting with Chris shaken his head badly. His pale face was showing he wasn’t ok.

“You know him. Isn’t you...?” manik asked angrily looking towards nandni.

“Forget him. It was just....!” nandni tried to divert manik’s attention from this Chris. But manik put her off, before she could make any excuse.

“At your honeymoon....?” manik once again asked her and now nandni gulped the lump in her squeezing throat.

“Yes at our honeymoon we met him. He...He just misbehave with me and my husband punched him. So he filed charges against my husband to send him in jail. He was just...apologising now....!” nandni told bravely, attempting to take the heavy weight off of her heart as she shifted at her feet uncomfortably. She wanted him to leave this topic. 

“Hey what happened...!” listening that voice nandni felt relieved. How badly she needed him. Daniel was the only one who can handle manik at best.

“Is every thing ok. Why you looking so pale....!” Daniel whispered leaning closer to manik. Looking at nandni’s pleading eyes, Daniel knew it something was really wrong.

“I’m having severe headache. I’m leaving...!” manik turned around and without giving any reply he left the hall.
“What happened to him...!” Daniel asked nandni who was trembling visibly. She took deep breath and closing her eyes, she shook her head. After a moment of silence she looked at Daniel helplessly.

“Please can we leave also....?” nandni asked Daniel. She felt bad for spoiling their time but the only person who can give her lift was Daniel.

“Of course. Let’s go. It’s really boring here....!” Daniel said placing his half filled glass back at table and wrapped his arm around nandni’s shoulder.

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Nandni sat in the back seat of the car as they drive back. After knowing the reason behind manik’s anger, Daniel was thrilled but nandni knew it manik was just fighting his inner turmoil.

As they entered in the living room they found manik sitting at sofa. His head was resting at the back of sofa. He felt their presence and sat straight. His eyes remained only glued to the coffee table as he never for once looked at any one. His eyes were all gloomy and stiff body gesture was showing an open warning like do-not-mess-with-me. So no one dared to start the conversation with him.

“Aaron must be sleeping so you also go and take rest....!” Nandni's head snapped to Daniel as He wished her a good night.

“Huh...?” nandni questioned him like she didn’t hear exactly what he was saying.  As she realised what Daniel was saying, with heavy heart she left for her room. As she entered Aaron was sleeping in his baby-cot. Nandni gave a thankful smile to the assistant who was here to handle Aaron. Both bade their goodbyes and the other lady left. Recalling manik’s grim expressions, nandni felt her tears will be flowed out anytime. She went straight in her washroom and splashed cold water at her face.

After getting fresh and changing into her night dress, nandni fell at her bed. She tried to sleep hugging the pillow really tight for she was too afraid that if she wouldn’t hold anything, her soul might shatter into pieces. She tried to calm her nerves but few tears were too stubborn to be stopped. 

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She tried to sleep but the day he left her alone to fight her fears, Since then peaceful slumber also have gone far away. She turned around, her eyes flickered towards window, where full moon was making night more cool and brighter. Taking her shawl at her shoulders she stood up and left her room. She needed a cup of coffee. In the middle of the night it wasn’t a good choice if you already not able to sleep but it’s best option when you fed up of your headache.

As she entered in living room she heard very low whimpering like some one wailing in so much pain. She tried to listen where this noise is coming from. She got shocked when she came closer to manik’s room. Then for few seconds she didn’t feel any more noise. She walked away and was going to enter the kitchen when she listened a faint scream again.

“Manik...!” She turned around and ran towards his door. Pushing the door open she entered in his dark room. As she came closer to his bed she realised, he was having any nightmare. He was seeing something, which was making him such vulnerable. His whole face was covered with beads of sweat. His both hands laying flat at bed clutching blanket in tight fists. Then next words escaped his lips snatched the earth beneath her feet.

“Baby girl. come back baby girl.....!” the vulnerability in his words watering her eyes before she could even bite them back. As she took few steps closer, her whole body was shaken.

“Don’t leave me...!” He once again mumbled in wail of anguish. Banking on the fact that tears were falling from his eyes, like his heart was in so much pain. She palmed her mouth, suppressing her squeal of torment. His condition tore her heart into million pieces. She couldn’t move. Her both feet were stuck on the floor like she was under some enchantment.

She took a step closer to his bed and sat beside his waist. She raised her trembling hand up and moved gently into his hairs, which were falling at his forehead. With all courage she rested her hand at his cheek where the thickness of his scar lay softly under her finger tips.

She came closer and kissed his forehead so gently that suddenly his uneasy movement stopped. She moved little back when she felt his even breaths, clearly no more nightmare troubling his slumber. There was peace at his face. Her eyes roamed at his features and found herself so closed that just two inches distance needed to cover and she can taste those lips.

Her breath got hitched when he opened her eyes slowly. Realising the position they were in, her pulse in her chest grew painfully louder. He raised his hand up and touched his right cheek. She looked down at his fingertips, warmth crawled up her face with the realisation, these were her tears at his face which woken him up.

His eyes flickered to her teary ones. The confusion was clearly visible at his features. As her numbly wandering mind came into senses, she felt it would be best to run. She stood up, but very deep in her heart she knew it very well that she wasn’t going out of his room without explaining her presence in his room.

And same happened what she was expecting. His long fingers enclosed around her wrist pulling her flat on himself. She let out a squeal of shock at the sudden fall. She froze at the sudden contact of warm fingers gliding softly at her arms. It was the time she realised she was wearing sleeveless shirt. With quick reflexes she once again attempted to leap up out of his hold, only to be encircled with solid arms around her waist, forcing her body to spring back down into more closer position.

Pressing her both palms against his chest she pulled herself with as much strength as she could muster. The more she struggled, the more he tightened his grip around her. She sighed completely defeated, and dared to look up into his darkening eyes.

“What are you doing in my room...?” listening the most awaited question, a trail of goosebumps springing to life at her body. His breath tickling her face as he waited for her answer. She kept running her mind to gather any reasonable words but nothing might be an excuse to be in his room, in the middle of the night, kissing his forehead while leaning against his chest and then waking him up with sprinkling her tears at his face.

“Let me go Aaron would be crying...!” She tried to present best excuse to run away from his accusing interrogation. Leaving her waist his left hand picked some thing from bed which she dropped while falling at him.

“I think baby monitor is for any reason...!” He showed her the receiver unit linked with the monitor near baby cot. Now she realised she was holding the audio monitor in her one hand. Her both hands wrapped around the collar of his T-shirt, the last thing for her cold hands to hold onto.

“Now tell me why were you here...!” His repeated question only frustrated her more. With a quick motion she tried to push herself up to get free from his hold when within seconds she was thrown flat at the mattress, crushing under his body. She shrieked in sudden shock when his weight felt like a tone of bricks pinning her down. She got sandwiched between his heavy body and the mattress as he settled his thick legs beside his thighs. She was trapped fully, no more place to move and no more chance to escape. His one arm was spread over her head at the pillow while other holding her shoulder. She tried to push him little away so that she can breath, but he leaned more down to stop the movement of her wiggling form.

“Don’t test my patience...!” He growled showing how he wasn't liking her to challenge his dominance. In his room, at his bed, obviously he was fully in charge. She knew it that painful silence was for her to reply his question. But the truth is what she can’t tell at the moment. He won’t understand. She looked up and his already impatient stare was holding her captivated. Finally being able to gather her voice lodged in her throat, she breathed heavily under his weight.

“I was passing by your room and you...you were having a na..nightmare....!” as she finished her hesitated words manik flinched, his body froze. Closing his eyes tightly, he leaned down to the level where his hairs were tickling against her forehead. His jaw was tightly clenched and chest moving with deep breaths. She wasn’t a fool who can’t see how he was controlling his rage. She didn’t even dare to inhale properly, scared that if she made a little move it will urge him to kill her on the spot.

He shifted at his back, making her free from his heavy weight. With quick movement he threw his blanket away and leaped down of the bed. Holding her wrist with full force manik tugged her out of his bed and pushed her towards the door.

“Leave...!” one word in his devilishly low voice was enough to warn her. Stumbling at her feet she looked back at the receiver of baby monitor,  which fell at floor near his feet. She looked up and saw manik sitting back at bed clutching his silky black hairs in tight fists.

First she thought to leave silently but then she thought to try her luck. May be he could allow her to see deep into himself. To touch the scars he was hiding under his arrogance.

“who’s the baby girl....!” as soon these words escaped her lips, she felt suffocating with hope and perhaps with regret. Within second his face predictably raised up. Unknowingly she took a small step back, at the God forsaken rage flooding his eyes. His look was so freakishly still and threatening.

“What you said, come again....!” the darkness that had coated his blazing orbs, pinned her with a burning hold.

“You, you were screaming something about any baby girl. Do you know who...who she is...! She tried to refrain herself from shuttering but the way she was digging into his messed up head, wasn’t good for both of them. He stood up from the bed and started covering the distance between themselves. She bit the inside of her lip, her heart beating like a frantic bird trying to escape from the cage. Her breathing was shaky as he stopped just few inches away from her. 

“And who are you to interfere in my personal life....!” His fire spitting words had her squirming on the spot. His orbs mesmerized by rage and darkness kept holding hers which were battling between hope and pain.

“Please you can share with me. I...I will listen you....!” Her words floated out in a pleading. His red eyes taking their time in wandering over her words.

“Did you listen to a single word I said....!” He screamed at her, covering the remaining inches between their bodies. Nandni felt herself shaken from head to toe. She knew it, she was playing with fire, but was there any other option for her, simply no.

“But I think you should....!” She didn’t even complete her words, when his hand gripped her waist, crushing her body into himself with sheer strength. His thick long fingers enclosed around her waist and arm.

“Shhh. Not a single More word, otherwise what I will do with you, we both will regret later...! He spoke breathlessly, his voice hooded and laced with wrath. Nandni swallowed down her agitation and fear as she tried to do something, what she was used to do. She placed her trembling hand at his chest. At his eradicated heart, it was beating wildly. It always worked in their past. Whenever he was angry just a simple touch at his heart always calmed his anger.

“Listen, you need to open up, may be it will help you to recover your lost memory...!” Her words were soft but fell at him like a thunder. He paused, totally stunned. His deep sharp breaths falling against her face. Holding her into a death grip he pressed himself deeper into her.

“Who told you about my memory lose....!” these were simple seven words but sense of vexation and danger in them was enough to freeze her in his grasp. In just few seconds how serious atmosphere had grown around them.

The silence was deadly killing and most definitely terrifying. She tried to push him away, but each attempt to squirm out of his grasp was like it will break her bones. Her body got deadly still as his face came little closer. She stopped struggling, when it was impossible to win against him.

“Who told you...!” manik shouted repeating his words. His voice much louder and ruthless than before. She could feel manik’s body, how tens it was against her small shaken form. Nandni's eyes widened at his such response, she wasn’t expecting this. His face was showing nothing except rage, it seemed like he wasn’t capable of any kind of emotion.  Manik knew the answer already but still he wanted to listen in her words. After waiting for painful silence, his hands dug deep into her skin.

“it’s Daniel...?” he gritted out, his jaw clenched and frustration clearly visible on his face.

“He cares about you. We want to help you...!” she sucked up the courage but seemed like she pushed herself further into deep trouble.

“Last warning, DON'T interfere in my personal life....!” He stressed every word angrily, shoving both of her shoulders with his strong hands. His each word stroking her really hard. Clutching her arm he begin dragging her towards the door.

“Please listen to me...!” she was struggling in his steel grip until she found herself quite viciously thrown away. She didn’t have time to pick her chance to stable herself. She sucked in a sharp breath when her body slammed at the floor. Manik who was about to walk away, halted on the spot. His eyes flickered to her shocked face.

A sudden wash of few emotions absorbed him, when he realised how strongly he pushed her away. Next moment someone stopped near nandni and with gentle grip made her stand at her feet.

“Are you ok princess...!” Daniel asked softly rubbing her back. She nodded her head and daniel shifted his killing stare back towards manik. Nandni felt relieved, someone was there to hold her when her soul was shattering into pieces. She looked back towards manik.

Manik kept looking at both of them, fisting his hands tightly like stopping himself from doing any thing further. Inhaling deeply he turned around and slammed the door shut. Nandni felt a sharp pain in her chest, like a sack of bricks hit her really hard. Her tolerance to this whole situation was starting to make her vulnerable and weak.

“Everything would be ok...!” daniel felt urge to console that lady, who was going through a living hell. It was then her eyes felt heavy under her tears. Heart squeezing pain overcame her before she couldn’t even attempt to protect against stubborn sobs.

“I’m sure everything will be ok. But whatever is written in my fate, no one can change that. No one. Neither me nor manik...!” She mumbled lowly, wiping her tears she left for her room.

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Manik was sitting at chair near the window. Cold wind of the night was making curtains flutter gently. Silently he was just watching a sea of stars and the mystical full moon like this was the only pure and bright thing left in his murky life. Besides every strike of clock, he heard one more noise in his room. Sitting straight he looked around and when he realised what it is, he felt someone ripping his heart out of his chest. His mind was becoming hazy.

Her painful sobs were echoing in his silent room through baby monitor receiver. It was still there at floor near his bed. He stood up from his chair and with heavy steps he stopped near this device which was sucking oxygen out of him. Holding receiver in his hands he slid down along his bed helplessly.

“How could you do this...!” Her very distant voice was enough louder to give him stinging pain. Manik felt suddenly there was suffocating all around him. He couldn’t breath. His throat felt so dry. Everything was just coming to halt. No sound at all, in painful silence her sobs were like someone prickling thousand needles in his chest.

“You hurt me manik Malhotra, you hurting me....!” this time receiver fell in his lap. His mind was numb. He kept looking at the audio device which was scribbling that familiar name at his heart with thousand shattered pieces.

Manik scoffed throwing receiver away at his bed. After bouncing at bed receiver fell across the room. As it hit the floor everything got stopped, her sobs, her words, but it couldn’t stop the pain which was rising deep inside him.

“She was crying for him, her manik Malhotra. She loves him....!” throwing his head back against the bed frame he chuckled darkly. He couldn’t help the traitor tear that escaped his eye.

“Everything around me is just gloomy. There isn’t a single ray of hope. My life is a hole, nameless, deep and dark....!” He mumbled under his shallow breaths and lifting his lifeless body he fell at his bed. Pulling blanket at himself, he tried to sleep, which was surely miles away.

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