Super late! But internal exams sucks and Ramzaan wouldn't ket be write. Not that i'm complaining about Ramzaan haa, exams ka toh I can complain 24/7

3191 words (without note)

Enjoy!

Kindly ignore the mistakes 🥺😌

"I'm dead" Manik mumbled in daze looking at nervous Nandini. 

"Should I dig a grave for you Manik? How many feet? 7ft or 10ft or better 20ft You can have fun with Hades you know, both of you are same, the only difference is he is the god of death in underworld and you are here." Cabir who heard his sentence asked with an exciting grin bringing makin out of his 'admiring Nandini land'

"Cabir," Manik gave him a forced smile "Sure, dig a grave but not for me, for you. Because I'm very close to burry you alive and then you can have fun with insects you know, both of you are same, the only difference is they look slightly better than you." Manik mirrored the grin which Cabir had few seconds ago as he repeated his sentence. Cabir raised his hand sin surrender mumbling under his breath "No one can win against you" though Manik heard it but he choose to ignore and concentrate on more important work that is - Admiring Nandini. 

"Bhai?" Meher whispered

'Here we go again, can anyone let him look at Nandini in peace?'  Manik closed his eyes in annoyance and thought 

He then looked at his baby sister and raised his eyebrow asking, "What?"   

"Did you notice something?" Meher asked with an mischievous grin 

"Are you people giving me a chance to even see her for me to notice something?" Manik asked giving her a sarcastic smile with equally sarcastic remark. 

"Tch, you are just so slow Bhai. Look at her dress and look at your attire." Meher signaled and both of their attires and then it clicked Manik that both Nandini and him and wearing similar floral attire. He hated wearing something like this, it was not according to his taste but his sister can be persistent, hence he had to wear the floral blazer instead of his regular brown, black or blue one but boy was he glad that he agreed to his sister. 

"Meher." Manik called her in a sweet voice, 

"What?" Meher asked haughtily knowing her brother was happy with her. 'Hush! I can finally get my chocolates back now.'  She thought still passing the smirks to her brother. 

"You know..." He started but was cut off when Abhimanyu and Rehaan who were keenly listening to the duo, whispered together, 

"Tch Tch Tch, Manik such a bad brother you are!" They nodded their head is disbelieve 

"I know right Meher is the best Malhotra sibling. Such a sweet heart she is." Cabir acted as if agreeing to the duo. 

"Aw, thank you so much brothers only true people can value this gem." Meher reckoned with a sad face while Manik rolled his eyes at their acting. 

"Pink clothes, cow dung smell, Mehendi designs, and no credit card, ring a bell people or should I..." Manik began with a sarcastic smile but was interrupted by Mukti.  

"Nandini! Oh. My. God. You look so beautiful, I swear  this dress is made for you!" Mukti who gushed was the first to come out of daze,  while the other four thanked their stars for saving them. 

"Kisi ki nazar na lage mere baccha." Shikha came forward with moist eyes and kissed her forehead. 

"Nandini, I'm so gonna add this attire to my special catalogue book with your picture. You look like a model!" Aparna hugged her with an ear to ear grin on her face. 

"Thank you bhabhi, and you can call me doll, I won't mind." Nandini whispered and Shikha who was standing near them heard it and a smile appeared on her face. She saw a starting. staring of something grave and beautiful, while Aparna looked at Nandini with twinkling yes and asked if she was sure which only Aparna, Nandini and Shikha could hear and all Nandini could do was give a slight nod. 

"I swear bella boys are gonna die seeing you!" Meher grinned and said looking at Manik while pitying the boys who will literally die if they look at Nandini more then 10 seconds.

"Thank you so much guys, for not only showering me with such lovely gifts but also those sweet messages. I..." Nandini was at loss of words. All the emotions she was trying to hid from so many days hit her all at once. Never in her life someone had done so much for her. It was just her and her maa and their small world. Coming out of that safe world and thrown into brutal and crude world and then meeting new people who treat you with respect was overwhelming and astounding at the same time for her. 

She was confused, scared, nervous, happy when she woke up today or rather she never slept for more than an hour or two yesterday, but those sweet messages and the gifts, their gestures did rose her confidence a little. 

After everyone praised her they all sat for the breakfast with few of the Nandini's favourite dishes laid on the table. She looked at the ladies with gratitude who gave warm smiled in return. 

After having a hearty breakfast all were standing in the leaving room giving some tips to Nandini or keeping her positive energy high as much as they could. 

"Here" Shikha came out of the kitchen with a bowl of dahi chini. It was looking like a typical Ekta Kapoor serial's scene but Nandini loved every bit of it. 

"You are going to write a new beginning of your life on a new page of your book and all I can pray from the Aaiyappa is to give you strength and bless you with his choicest blessings. Nandini, baccha traces of your past will reflect on your present and future and you cannot run away from it, you will need to fight them and I'm sure my daughter will and she will come out of this stronger and as a winner and if something happens, your maa is always there for you no matter what." Shikha spoke softly with her vacant hand cupping left side of Nandini's cheek.

"We are with you too" The whole family chorused with some blowing flying kisses to her and some with thumbs up and Manik stood in the corner watching the scene unfold with a small yet satisfied smile on his lips. 

"Thank you guys." Nandini spoke with moist eyes and this lead to a big group hug while Manik stealthily captured the moment in his camera. 

"Guys we need to move if we don't want to get late." Manik decided to interject if not this group hug would last long.  

"Yeah come on Nandini and Manik get going. We are just a call away if any of you need anything." Rehaan gave her a comforting smile and what amazed Nandini was the fellow feeling she found. She returned the small one and nodded in affirmation.  

"Everything will be fine Shikha Ji" Deven gave reassuring smile looking at her worry filled eyes and Shikha nodded with a sigh looking at the retiring figure of Nandini. 

"I hope so Deven ji. I hope so." while they were looking at the exist door others were looking at the duo with confused and doubtful eyes and the people who knew it were passing each others looks filled with amusement. 

⋆✦⋆ 

7 Days Later

It's been a week since NAndini started to work here and to say she was comfortable with how she was working would be an understatement. Though no one knew yet that she was working for MAnik Malhotra nor has anyone seen her due to Manik's extra care aka the body guards and working with Manik was... okay? Maybe? The only thing she was grateful about was Manik never made her feel uncomfortable in anyway.  

Currently Nandini was sitting in her cabin with various thoughts surrounding her mind.  As soon as she entered the premises of her cabin she was informed about her schedule which also included her meeting with one of the important and potential client of her firm she has earlier worked with. 

And all the obvious questions that they will be asking Nandini, terrified her. She got up from her chair and faced the huge window in her cabin which gave her the phenomenal view of beach and nature. 

'What if they asked me where was I all this months?' 'What if they don't want to work with me anymore?'  But then why will the come here Nandini? What if  I fail We got you?' 'What if I'm not made for this?' 'What if Nishant was right?'  'What if i will disappoint maa and Malhotras?' 

"...dini. Nandini." Manik knocked her cabin but got no response, worried he opened the door to find Nandini busy in her thoughts. He called her few more times and finally on the last call she heard him. 

"Manik?" Nandini looked around to see Manik standing next to her with a frown on his face.

"Yeah, where are you lost? I'm calling you since eternity." He thrust his hands in his pockets and looked at her for answers. 

Nandini rolled her eyes at his exaggeration and mentally shook her head with a small smile. 

"Nothing. You needed something?"  Nandini shook her head and looked at him for answers. 

"Umm... Actually yeah, I wanted to..." Manik hesitated as his tongue stuttered to give answers. He closed his eyes took a deep breath and looked at Nandini and all this while Nandini had an amused with confused look on her face. 

"First come with me." Manik gently took her hand and brought her towards the couch. 

"Sit." he whispered, Nandini obligated to him and sat without any questions and Manik gave her an appreciating smile which we waved of with her rolling eyes.  

"This..." 

Nandini looked at the velvety box and then at Manik and then again at the box. 

"This?" Manik opened the casing of the box and revealed his gift for her. - The charms bracelet 

Manik gently removed the bracelet out of the box and took it into his hands. He admired the bracelet and then looked at Nandini who was looking at him with her eyes wide. 

"Manik?" This time her voice held uncertainty as she saw the most beautiful yet elegant bracelet in his hand. 

"Nandini. This was the most beautiful charms bracelet in their catalouge, when i saw this for the first time i knew this was made for you." He had a small smile on his face and his eyes still trained on the bracelet. 

"You see this" He forwarded his hands and showed his wrist which was cladded with a bracelet. "This was my last birthday gift from my mother- the charms bracelet. She herself made this. You know while she was tying this around my wrist she said that I'm the protector of this family." Manik pointed at the three little dolls made of this bracelet as he remembered his mother's words. 

(Imagine it to be two girls. Extreme left - Manik, his Meher besides him and their mom) 

He had a small smile on his lips, 'Might be reliving the memory' Nandini thought looking at him as he continued still not looking at her. 

"And this bracelet will protect me, will give me the strength and keep me sane when I'm about take an insane decision that could risk me or my family members, it was as if she knew she that something was going to happen and she was preparing me for the battle, for the cruel world." He too a pause as his breath went uneven when he remembered his past. 

"Manik." Nandini's alert voice rang in his ears as she saw his breath becoming uneven and he came back from his memories. 

"Manik its okay, why are you doing this?" Nandini didn't recognised but she was scared looking at his uneven breath. She was worried and even more worried as he still wasn't looking at her. He haven't for once looked up since the time he began talking. 

"Its fine... Its fine. I'm fine." Manik assured her and caught hold of her palms. 

"And luckily the bracelet did its work. It always made me feel protected like my mother was protecting me, stopped me from taking insane decisions," Manik chuckled and nodded his head in disbelief  as if he remembered insane he was gonna do but stopped himself. 

Composing himself he continued, "this bracelet gave me strength to fight for myself, for Meher, for the people..." This time Manik looked straight into Nandini's eyes and whispered, "For the people  I care for." The intensity in Manik's eyes and the silent promise of him protecting her knocked the air out of her lungs and made her breath in relief at the same time. 

The zoo of butterflies fluttering in her stomach didn't help the situation  either. She was confused with own body, with how her body was reacting with just the mere whisper and silent promise of his. 

"May I?" Manik asked for the permission to tie the bracelet on her hands and Nandini absentmindedly nodded still in shock due hs actions. 

"Thank you." Manik whispered and gently took her wrist in his hold. 

"This will protect you too Nandini when I'm not there, give you strength and keep you away from taking any insane decision. Whatever happened to you wasn't your mistake and you need to stop being harsh on yourself. Just believe in yourself and bring that old business women Nandini out who was passionate for her work. Passionate to make important days of people's life memorable. I believe in you Nandini, you got this. Don't let any bastards words take your life's decisions." 

"Easier said than done Manik." Nandini looked down in process trying to conceal her tears from him. 

"The hard the work is, the more value it has Nandini." Manik cupped her face and made her look up. 

"The thoughts are aren't in my hand. I can't control them." Nandini muttred helplessly looking into his eyes. 

"But you can control your actions, you can control to not to give in other people's opinion about you. Right?" 

"People will judge me, what if i fail? What if I embarrass myself. What if?" 

"The what if's will never stop Nandini.  People will keep on judging you no matter if you do something good or bad and you will embarrass yourself at some point of time, you will fail in your life. But you can never stop your life with the only fear of getting embarrass in front of anyone. We are humans Nandini and we tend to get ourselves embarrass at some point of time, people laugh let them too but the only opinion that should matter to you is your loved ones, who have supported to through your thick and thins and not the people who were there in your good times and to laugh at you in your bad times and if you are scared to fail the people who love you then you are wrong, the people who love you will see the efforts and not the end results. We all fail at some point of our life Nandini, there is no success without failure as cliche as it sounds. I know failure never tastes good but we cannot fear that and not move on or try right?  I failed number of times Nandini, i still do and believe me when i say that the success taste sweetest after failure." Manik tried explaining her as best as he can and nandini was just staring at him without bilking . 

'This person has the ability to make impossible things possible.' She thought still looking at him.  

The knock on the door disturbed them and Nandini allowed the person to come in after both of them straightened themselves, "Ma'am the clients are here." 

"I'll be there in few" Nandini nooded. 

"Go. I know you'll do it." Manik squeezed her hands and watched her exist the room. 

⋆✦⋆

Manik was observing Nandini and the clients through one way glass so that if anything happens he can take control but luckily everything went smoothly, the earlier panicky Nandini now seemed less stressed though the frowns were still visible on her forehead.  Manik kept chanting 'be strong Nandini' in his heart while tapping his foot on the floor in concern. 

The meeting got complete and Nandini had a huge smile on her face and with the same smile she shook the hands with clients and bid the adieu as soon as she did it she rushed towards Manik's cabin who was all ready to open the door. 

"Come" Manik said mirroring her smile. 

"How did it go?" Manik asked raising his eyebrow though he already knew the answer looking at her smile. 

"Well, I can say your charms bracelet did it's work and your words did came handy. I handled them as graciously i can and seeing that i got a yes from them confirms it and all the credit goes to you. So thank you... friend." Nandini beamed 

"You don't need to Nandini... wait WHAT?" Manik started speaking but stopped when he realised something. seeing him in shock Nandini decided to talk. 

"Umm... i know this is unexpected and shocking. It's for me too, but my heart says that I should offer you me friendship. So... friends?" Nandini was bit her lips and forwarded her hands and her head slightly tilted. 

"Are you sure? Please tell me you are joking so that i don't get admitted in the hospital" Manik teased 

"Hundred and five percent." Nandini glared at him playfully 

"So finally I'm worthy enough to have you as my friend. huh?" Manik asked playfully and shook his hand with hers. 

"I think i'm a little strong enough to offer you my friendship." There was no sign of playfulness in her word or eyes which made Manik to keep staring at her eyes. 

"I think I should get back." Nandini softly shifted her baby locks behind her ears. getting a nod from Manik she moved to go to her cabin. 

"Manik." she stopped and looked at him with silight pleading eyes. "I..." 

"I won't Nandini. I wouldn't even dream of it." Manik assured with a soft eyes. 

"Please and Thank you." Nandini gave him a grateful look. 

⋆✦⋆

Manik gave two three punches in air muttering "Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. This calls for party and for someone to lose the bet! Someone should know Manik malhotra's charm always works. nandini and I are friends! Shit!"

'Friendship ke liye haa bola hai I love you nahi, itna nacho mat budhe ho rahe ho kamar lachak gyi toh Nandini chali jayegi haath se.' His conscience mocked 

"The moment when I thought I can be happy!" Manik shook his head and got back to his work but with a huge, massive, charming swoon worthy smile but that soon turned into thin line and angry eyes when a message popped up on his screen. 

'Hope my priceless possession is safe with you Mr. Malhotra.'

I know I'm updating after so long that to with this crappy chapter and i'm not blaming this on anyone this is completely upon me. I wanted thie first step to be special and all i could write was this! I'm sorry to disappoint you people and I also assure you guys that i'm trying hard to be atleast good with what i'm writing if not better. Hope to give you a good content to read in next chapter.

Thank you so much each one of you fir giving FF a chance ans for following my account.

Also KYY S3 turned 3 today. 😍😍
So happy three years guys. 🥳🥳

I hope those who celebrated idd yesterday had a good one.

Stay safe and please please please pray for India and Palestinians we all really need it. ❤❤