NOT EDITED

******

"What?"

Manik didn't answer anything, he just forwarded the contract papers. Nandini in confusion took the papers from him and started reading it.

"You are free Nandini, free from the prostitution business! And this is proof of your freedom."

Manik said while she was looking at him like deer caught in headlights!

"Wha... how..." Nandini couldn't utter a word, and when she tried her words struck due to the shock.  

Silence prevailed in the room for a minute. None of them spoke anything, only the dripping sound from the saline bottle's voice was echoing in the room. 

Nandini was trying to decipher Manik's words while Manik was busy deciphering her emotions behind her blank face. 

After a minute Nandini finally looked up from the papers to Manik who gave her a small smile and then again at the papers lying on her lap. 

"What is today's date?" Nandini asked, her voice on the edge. 

"Excuse me?" 

"Excused, now tell me the date." 

Manik looked at her as if she was an alien. 

'Oh! The sequel of My girlfriend is an Alien. But with a slight change, your title would be 'My would-be girlfriend is an Alien'  Manik's conscience moved at him, making him mentally roll his eyes.

"1st April," Manik thought to better answer Nandini than his conscience.

"That's what I thought!" Mandini said giving him a menacing glare, making him furthermore confuse.

"Was I the only person you got to fool on this day, and that on this topic when I'm admitted to the hospital and my mother is lying on the ICU bed. You are such......."

"Shhh! Chup bilkul Chup! Just shut your mouth and your overthinking brain too, which is filled with non-stop nonsensical blabbering." Manik kept his fingers on Nandini's lips shushing her up and making her pout on his sentence. 

"Stop assuming things, will you?" Manik continued. 

"And these papers are real  I'm not playing any prank or trick over you, this is genuine Nandini, you are really out of it, now no one will force you to.... sleep with anyone or be their escort." 

 "You can.." 

"Why?" Nandini asked 

"Yeh tumhari sui hamesha 'kyu ya why' par aatak kyu jati hai." Manik asked irritated
("Why do you always end up asking 'why' every time?") 

"Tumhari wajh se! Tum hamesha Mujhe yeh question puchne ke liye majbur karte ho." Nandini scowled

(Because of you, you always force me to ask this type of questions)

Nandini accused making Manik gape at her. 

Okay, Scratch the above statement.

Manik can handle his conscience for once but not this lady sitting in front of him. 

"You know what, I feel you are still under the effect of sedatives that's why your brain has stopped WORKING!" Manik started off calmly but in the last not able to control his frustration, his voice got loud making Nandini flinch. 

 Manik calmed himself down seeing fear in Nandini's eyes, he never wants to see fear for himself in his eyes ever. 

'Then stop acting like an idiot Malhotra'  

Okay, his conscience really needs to stop before he losses his shit! 

"Sleep Nandini will talk again once you get up," Manik spoke gently making Nandini look at him weirdly.

"Dude, you really have a bipolar disorder! You change your mood before the chameleon can even change its colour!" Nandini spoke while making herself more comfortable on the bed.

Manik gritted his teeth looking at the audacity of this woman lying in front of him.  

Where most of the women would run away from him after knowing the fact that he in Mafia or some of them throw themselves on him seeing his personality.

But never in his whole freaking life, he came across such a woman who is witty and at the same time innocent, she is different..... Different from all the other women he has met in his life.

And that makes her more special...

More special to him!

"Thanks for the humble compliment pretty lady, now would you do me a favour? Please just go to sleep so that you and me both can have sine peaceful time." Sarcasm was dripping from his words making Nandini scowl at him.

"Who do you think you are to dictate me?!"

"Your everything in future" Manik muttered under his breath while rubbing his nape.

"Huh? What did you say?" Nandini questioned, hearing to her silent murmur.

Manik shook his head with a nervous smile on his face.

'Great now Malhotra is nervous too'
he said to himself.

"I said, I'm your well-wisher, now stop your rants and sleep." Manik commanded again.

But Nandini been the stubborn one denied again by nodding her head in denial.

"Not before you say me, what the hell is this," Nandini said shoving papers in Manik's hand.

A frustrated sigh escaped from Manik's lips.

"Nandini this the last time I'm saying so listen to me and listen good I'm not going to repeat the same thing again." Manik said turning on his monster mode. 

Something in his voice warned Nandini not to speak but she did the best she could, glaring at him. She glared at him folding her both the arms across her chest and turned her face opposite to him, while Manik was gawking at her in amusement. 

He never saw this side of Nandini, She behaving like a baby was a sight to watch and his lips twitched upwards in response. 

"Well, this is new!" Manik murmured under his breath. 

Listening to his murmuring Nandini gazed at Manik through her side-eye, only to see him with a small smile gracing her lips. For a moment she got confused seeing him smiling but then got her answer. 

The antic she did a few moments back was the reason for Manik Malhotra's precious smile. Nandini got conscious of her surroundings being embarrassed by her doings. She slowly removed her hands and tucked the fringes of her hairs behind her ears. 

The light pinkish hue of embarrassment graced her cheeks and she bit the bottom of her lips, cursing herself for her doings, which was observed by Manik. 

'Damn don't bite your lips... don't bite your lips!' Manik chanted in his heart seeing Nandini unconsciously torturing her plump lips. 

To save herself from further embarrassment and also to remove awkward silence she cleared her throat breaking Manik's trance. 

"You... Uh..." she sturred 

"Huh?" Confused Manik questioned

Clearing her throat she spoke again "I mean you were saying something." 

"Oh yeah! *Clearing throat* I was saying that I'm serious about these papers. This isn't a joke Nandini. Your property which includes your orphanages and your event management company both, which was under Neha's name is under my custody and soon I'll transfer it under your name." Manik explained calmly. 

"How" Nandini's sore voice touched Manik's ears. Her throat was dry with the information she was receiving.  

"That's a long story Nandini, get well soon, I'll tell you everything." Manik's voice held promise. promise to tell her everything. 

"But..." 

"Nandini, I'll tell you everything once you are well but for now you need to rest," Manik said in a stern voice that worked on her. 

"Now sleep." Saying Mnaik stood up from his seat and helped Nandini to lye down on the bed.  

Manik caressed her hair giving her a gentle smile and Nandini was looking him with thousands of emotions swirling in her eyes. 

"Sleep, if you want anything just press that emergency button I'll be here, I'm just waiting outside," Manik said smiling at and Nandini nodded in affirmation.  

Manik turned to leave but stopped when he felt tug on his wrist.  He turned to look at Nandini with questioning eyes asking why was she tugging him? 

"What do you want?" Nandini asked in a soft unarmed voice. It was still difficult for her to cope up with the news Manik gave her. 

"In this period of 8 months staying with Nishant, surely taught me one thing that no person in your life does a favor without seeing his or her interest in it. So what is your interest Mr. Malhotra?" Nandini asked. 

Manik smiled at her and answered. 

"You are right Nandini."  

It pinched and pinched really hard! for once her heart wanted to believe that at least Manik is a nice person not like others, sure he is arrogant, dangerous but good at heart, and she wanted to believe it but her brain was right, he is also like others, he wanted something in return from her.  

Oh! How she wished she hasn't asked this previous question. 

"You want to know what do I want from you?" Manik's voice brought her out of her trance. 

Nandini answered in 'no' by shaking her head in negative, nit beliving her voice at that moment.

"Give me your friendship Nandini."   

If not the previous statement of her being out of the prostitution world, this statement of his surely knocked the air out of her lungs. 

She stared at Manik in shock which was prominent on her face causing Manik to chuckle a little and enough for Nandini to bring out of her thinking world. 

"Wh..at?" Nandini whisper stuttered still looking at Manik in a daze. 

"Give me your friendship Nandini." Manik stated again. 

Not hearing any reply from her he continued

"What did you thought that I would ask something different from you or something beneficial for me right?" Manik asked gently to which nodded in positive making him chuckle. 

"No and Yes are my answers Nandini." Manik said making her more confused. 

"Tch! Manik you are making me more confused." Nandini unknowingly pouted at him making him amused at her act again but he covered up quickly not wanting to embarrass her once more. 

"No because Nandini, I don't want anything other than friendship from you and Yes because Nandini gaining your friendship is a benefit for me." Manik cleared her confusion causing her to make and understanding face with muttering an 'oh' 

"So?" Manik asked in anticipation of being the impatient soul he is. 

"Hmm?" Nandini questioned back not understanding what was he asking. 

"Friends?" Manik raised his naturally arched eyebrow while forwarding his hand. 

Nandini looked at Manik then at his forwarded hand and then again at Manik, she hesitantly started taking her left hand up for handshake and Manik's eyes shined with happiness but Nandini stopped when Nishant's image flashed in front of his eyes. 

He also said the same, he also asked for her friendship, he also saved her and admitted her in hospital, he also behaved goody two shoes and at the last left her broken, used her for his benefits, broke her trust. 

Nandini felt as if history was repeating itself, she was thinking that Manik would do the same with her. How could she trust him? How should she bring herself to trust another man even if its for friendship? It was seeming an impossible task for her. 

Nandini clutched her bedsheet as tightly as she can trying to not to break down in front of Manik. She turned her face another side while lone traitor tear said goodbye to her eyes and drooped on her cheeks. 

"Friendship means trusting Manik and I... i need time for that! Sorry Manik." Nandini whispered choking her words in the starting trying hard to control her tears, which Manik knew but he also knew that he needs to give her space, space to cry, to understand and cope up with the things and issues going on in her life and Manik respected it. 

He unwillingly took his hand back and gave a small smile thought Nandini can't see him. 

"I respect your decision Nandini, accept me as your friend whenever your heart and brain both agree. till then don't take the stress and get well soon." Saying he went of the room not wanting to wait more because if he did he would surely take Nandini in his arms and try to soothe her wounded heart which will do nothing but create more drift between them and Manik didn't want to go back to square one.   

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

After talking to Nandini Manik came out when his phone rang with Cabir's name on the screen. Cabir informed Manik to come home for an hour as Mishti was being stubborn and not eating food without her handsome.

Manik sighed knowing neither his sister nor his niece would eat without him, he gave a positive reply to Cabir and asked him to send more guards in the hospital for the mother-daughter duo's protection. 

After both his CID officers inquiring about his whereabouts had their food with him and everyone dispersed to their works while Vihan, Cabir and Manik moved towards Manik's home office for yesterday night's discussion. 

"Thank god you sent me there as Nandini's neighbour to keeping eye on Khattar's and Nandini and her mother, if not for you, something bad would have happened today," Vihan said to Manik.

"I know, can't even imagine what would have happened, Thank you for taking her mother to the hospital at the right time Vihan, if not ....

And that's when they heard a voice... 

I mean... 

"YOU CHEATER!!!!!" 

Someone's yelling!

Meher shouted startling the trio who was is Manik's home office. 

"The hell, what was that Meher and what with you bragging in people's room have to some courtesy to knock the door," Vihan said looking like a scared mouse who has seen a wild cat ready to swallow him alive, though that's the other thing that Meher was looking like one. 

"Bhai, he met Nandini Bhabhi," She said pointing and Vihan and before the one them could speak she butted.

"Cabir Bhai too met Nandini Bhabhi" her voice held accusation and before Manik could speak she butted again. 

"When I should be the one, who should have met her first," Meher said furiously making all of the gulp. 

"She is my Bhabhi first, so it was my right to meet her first!" She declared stubbornly causing the trio's mouths to hung open. 

"BHABHI?" 

"How you know Nandini?" 

"How do you know Nandini is your Bhabhi?" 

Came the questions simultaneously, first one was Mnaik though who was extra shock hearing his little daughter like sister referring Nandini as Bhabhi. 

She looked at Manik and nodded in affirmation before answering his question. 

"Haa Bhai, Bhabhi!" 

She that looked at Cabir who asked the second question 

"I found her picture in bhai's phone and below that, her bio-data was written I didn't read the whole biodata but I read her name, which was Nandini Murthy. 

"And answer to your question Mr. Cabir, Bhai was hugging and sleeping with his mobile near his heart and there was a small yet peaceful smile on his face and when I saw her picture in bhai's mobile I instantly knew she was my Bhabhi, simple" Meher answered while the three of them were gawking at her especially on her observing skills. 

"Your sister is intelligent than you Malhotra," Cabir commented to Manik causing him to glare at him, though it was only for Manik to hear but he was audible to all. 

"I know right" Meher smirked rasing and imaginary collar making the men roll their eyes at her, but she remembered what she heard before entering the room and glared at Manik. 

"You said you were on some mission yesterday, so how come this hospital thing came up?" 

"Meher wo..." 

"And I'm here for no bullshit Bhai, I want the truth so before you make Birbal's khichadi I would like to warn you, Don't. Even. Try." Meher warned causing the two men to crack up but they immediately kept quite seeing both brother and sister duo glaring at them murderously. 

"What is the relation between Birbal's Khichadi and this?" Vihan whispered to Cabir while the bro-sis duo was busy with themselves.

"That's Meher Vi, she and her examples are out of the world, actually no, both thd Malhotras are out of the world" Cabir said and Vihan nooded in understading giving him 'point hai' look.

"Bhai, start speaking, if not I'll tell each and every member of the house that you like a girl," Meher warned and it surely worked, because Manik was in no mood to handle his family member's teasing gaze and words, especially Aparna, Sharanya and Alia's. 

"Aggghh...... Fine." Manik agreed unwilling 

He then narrated everything from the starting to the trio as none of them know the whole truth. 

From his meeting to Nandini much to his embarrassment and their glaring gazes, them Navya asking him for help, Nandini being Mishti's Masi and owner of the orphanage, Manik and Nandini's conversation, him being restless for her, them meeting at the party and then him seeing her marks on her body, her hiding the marks and making his doubt more strong, him sending Vihan as Nandini's neighbour for keeping eye on Nandini and Khattars as Vihan was the only one bachelor and Manik could have made some excuse of him being on the mission and rest happened was the history. 

There was a thick silence in the room and Manik was just looking at his baby sister for some reaction or emotion but her face was devoid of any. 

 Meher spoke cutting through the thick silence in the room. 

"You have to leave Nandini Bhai!" 

Tadaaaaa!!!

I'm so happy, I updated. 

feels good coming back after a month and a half. 

I hope you people have missed me or at least the story. 

Do tell me how you find the update!

Till then,

This is me
Amaya.K
Saying,

Khuda hafiz ❤