Manik was patiently waiting for his guards to come with their work done.

His wait soon came to end, when he saw one of his two guards coming towards his direction. Manik excused himself from the people he was talking to and reached the guard.

"Sir the work is done. We have sent Mr.Danish to his home."

"How?" Manik asked curiously, as he messaged his guards saying just a sentence 'I want Danish out' which I know is barely a sentence.

"We just fabricated an attack in his house and as expected his wife called him, telling him about the attack and as soon as he heard he was out." The guard explained.

Manik gave him an impressed look and the guard bowed in front of him.

"Consider all of your's promotion done," Manik said still maintaining his emotionless face. But in this facade of blank look, he was delighted with the fact that Nandini is very much alone now.

Thinking about Nandini, his eyes started searching for her, it when she didn't come in his sight, a pang of fear ran through him.

'What if Danish took Nandini with him?' and this mere thought was enough to lit a monster in him.

"Where is the lady, that came with Danish?" Manik asked the guard. The guard gulped looking at his angry face and authoritative voice.

"Sh.. She... She is out searching for Mr. Danish."

Manik heavied an inaudible sigh. Relief washed over his heart. He then looked at the guard and just nodded his head and moved towards the direction where the guard last saw Nandini.

Manik's eyes wavered around the lawn and parking area, looking for the familiar face which he has grown affectionate with.

Manik without waiting much time walked towards Nandini's direction where she was busy searching something rather... someone.

"Any problem Miss Murthy?"

A deep, husky voice startled Nandini's already scared soul.

She turned around thinking she might have landed with some other jerk but a little relief crossed her features knowing at least the man standing here has a known face.

"No problem, Mr...

"Manik. Not Mr Strong." Manik interrupted her with a genuine smile.

Nandini nodded and continued

"No problem Mr. Manik" Manik rolled his eyes hearing her adding 'Mr' against his name.

He let go of this 'Mr' topic for time being and concentrate his focus on his main motive.

"I can clearly see, tension written on your face, Miss Murthy."

"I didn't know you were a mind reader too, other than being a criminal," Nandini said sarcastically.

For one she was already disturbed with her happenings in the life and now, the person she came with is nowhere to be seen and on top of that she is standing with the person who was her "client" week ago and also who demanded to help her who is a criminal, but in all, she was in relief unknown to her.

Manik presence was giving her the required feeling of protectiveness which was missing minutes ago.

She just wanted to get out, out of here, out of her nightmarish reality, but the fact was she can't which frustrated her more.

Her mere sentence caused Manik's jaw to twitched in anger. He gritted his teeth while his fingers turning into a fist. He knows what she said was true, he was a criminal but that sentence coming from Nandini enraged him.

"I would request you to stop judging someone if you know nothing about the person. I just asked you a simple question Miss Murthy, you didn't need to show the attitude to me." Manik sneered.

Nandini gulped looking at his face with jaw clenched giving her a sight of his perfect jawline. Though Nandini showed no emotion of fear or nervousness on her face but an eye reader like Manik would definitely tell how, scared she was, which did satisfy his ego.

"Now Miss Murthy will do it again, and this time want a proper answer, hmm?" Manik asked but they both knew Nandini had no say in this.

"What happened?" Manik repeated his question.

Nandini gulped audibly and answered "Nothing much, Mr. Danish is nowhere to be found. So I'm searching for him." She thanked her stars for not stuttering and embarrassing herself.

"Now, it was no that hard isn't it?" Manik mocked but Nandini chose to keep her mouth shut even if every cell in her body was sass back an answer to him.

Seeing no moment from Nandini Manik chose to bring Nandini's search for Danish to an end.

"Danish left the party."

"WHAT??" Nandini shrieked as soon as she heard him.

Manik rolled his eyes and repeated his sentence.

"I. Said. Danish. Left. The. Party!"

Nandini looked at him cross-eyed, trying to keep her anger at bay.

"I can hear you Mr. Mahlhotra. My ears are working properly, Thank you very much. I think the problem is with your brain who cant understand reflex human reactions. When you here any shocking news, 'What' is the very first reaction or word escapes from your mouth,"

... But ended up being angry.

Manik cocked his eyebrow and her and shrugged his shoulders.

Okay...

Let me rephrase my sentence, Nandini was not angry she was infuriated his nonchalant behavior.

She stared at him for a moment and Manik did the same with a small yet invisible smile on his face, seeing her getting red in anger.

"Fucking cute" Manik muttered under his breath and fortunately for him, Nandini didn't hear as she was busy taking deep breaths to calm herself down, otherwise Manik Malhotra would surely have a black eye today knowing that he was enjoying the situation she was in.

"Now what?" Nandini asked to herself.

Manik shrugged his shoulders smirking a little, this was a moment he was waiting for,

"Now, nothing you'll be staying by my side for the remaining evening and I shall be dropping you wherever you want after the night is over," Manik said and Nandini was looking at him like he is some insane standing here and blabbering things which did not make any sense.

"Are you out of your mind, I have no energy left in myself to handle you!" and the sassy queen was back.

"Excuse me!" Manik said in 'repeat the sentence, I dare you' tone.

Nandini closed her eyes and gave him a sickly sweet sarcastic smile,

"Nothing Mr Manik, I was saying that thank you for the help, but no thank you, I'll be seeing myself out now." Saying Nandini turned to move out and leave the party.

"And do what, get raped?" Manik asked

Nandini chocked her saliva, she turned and squinted her eyes at manic again "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Miss. Murthy. There is no way, this place is 4 km away from the human existence of Miss Murthy. You'll not be getting any accommodation at this time of night from here. So you have two options, either to walk four kilometers, with the threat hanging of getting raped or getting eaten by any wild animals or two say here with me safe, and I shall be dropping you wherever you want."

Manik completed with a lopsided smirk on his face, which Nandini wanted to wipe it off so badly.

After a moment of silence or two, Manik asked questioned,

"Are we there on any decision yet Miss Murthy?"

"You know the answer Mr Manik!" Nandini said through gritting her teeth but sighing at her fate.

"Very well then." Manik said keeping the neutral face though he was fervent from inside forwarding his elbow to her Manik silently asked her to link her hands with him.

"What are we, a couple?" Nandini asked

"Fine then, I'm done being good to you," Manik said and wrapped his arms around her waist and without waiting for her reaction he dragged her inside.

Today is gonna be a long night!

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

"Hey Vihaaaan"

An annoying voice called Vihan causing him to choke his Martini and Meher to scrutinize her gaze at the girl probably in her mid-twenties, standing behind Vihan with a dress barely reaching her mid-thighs and face caked up with makeup having a lustful smile on her dark red-tinted lips.

Vihan turned around and found a girl, who was the daughter of one of the associates. He gave her a small smile.

"Hello, Reena." Vihan greeted back.

"How is my baby doing?" Rim asked keeping her hand around Vihan's chest attempting to side hug him.

Meher.....

Needless to say, Meher was infuriated with the girl standing in front of her.

Without thinking she moved towards Vihan and pushed Reena a little to create a little space for herself.

Now the equation was, startled and confused yet relieved Vihan -not for much time though-, Jealous and infuriated Meher in the middle side hugging Vihan with his arms wrapped around his waist and at last confused, jealous and angry Reena who was now standing aside looking at Meher.

"My baby is doing very much fine, thank you!" Meher answered the question directed to Vihan leaving surprised and happy and Reena shocked.

"Huh? Your baby?"

"Oh I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce, Reena meet my girlfriend Ahanaa" Vihan interjected.

"You mean your new flavor of the month," Reem smirked

Meher's eyes snapped at Vihan as soon as Reena completed her sentence and for Vihan that poor soul was shocked but anger toped the most for calling his Meher as his new 'flavour of the month' but before Vihan could even open his mouth to speak, Meher beat him to it,

"People like you are meant for 'flavours' baby, I'm his whole meal." Meher snapped at her causing her to fume in anger.

"You...." Reena started but Meher cut her off,

"Now if you'll excuse us, we have a lot more work to do, then wasting time on some..... Let it be you won't like it." Saying she dragged Vihan out of the party, leaving an open mouth, fuming Reena behind.

"Flavour of the month huh? You said you never had a girlfriend, but here I'm getting to know that forget about a girlfriend you are using flings and changing them like a manwhore, like seriously Vihan. I never imag....."

"STOP! Women let me at least speak."

"Speak then who is stopping you!" Meher retorted back.

Vihan sighed and gave her a look of disbelieve, which of course she didn't notice in her anger.

"Reena was lying, she is behind me since years, not leaving any single opportunity to come near me, and when she saw you with me she obviously got jealous and lied to you so that she can cause any type of rift between us and she'll use that chance to drive us apart."

Vihan took a long breath of relief after explaining everything to Meher.

And a look of satisfaction passed Meher's facial structure.

"That bitch!!!" Meher cursed causing him to clear his throat.

"WHAT" Meher reacted to his clearing throat voice

"Nothing" *Shrugging shoulders* "just don't curse."

Meher looked at him for a good second or two raising her eyebrow, and then questioned him, pointing her index finger towards him,

"Who are you? My brother?"

"WHAT, NO. NO. Of course not! Why would you say that?" Vihan questioned, in shocked nodding his head frantically in 'no'

Meher gave him a sarcastic smile and replied

"Then stop behaving like one."

"Let's go inside, I'll show her- her place right now." She said dragging Vihan with him.

Vihan stopped Meher and himself with great force. He didn't want any scene, right now in front of everyone, which will definitely bring Meher in the spotlight, more than she is right now, which he or Manik can't risk.

"Stop... Stop... Stop, lady hulk stop! There is no need to get angry about petty things." Vihan said and Meher's anger raised haywire hearing him.

"Petty things... petty things, you think her trying to create rift between us is petty?"

"She was trying to create a rift between Ahanaa and Vihan, who are a couple, girlfriend boyfriend, but in reality, we aren't anything but best friends Meher so what is the use of fighting over things which never exsist," Vihan explained, and this reality caused some kind of pain in Meher's heart which she was unable to recognize due to her jealousy and anger.

"Oh so you like her don't you?" Meher's voice held accusation with anger.

"Whaa.... Wait a minute." Vihan's eyes snapped at her and he observed something which made him go on a trip to heaven.

"You.Are.Jealous." VIhan asked though it wasn't a question.

And all at once, Meher's anger drained including her face colour too and the realization hit her, she was indeed jealous.

"N..No.. No. Of course not idiot. Stop speaking bullshit Vihan." Meher answered, without facing Vihan.

"Mmhhmm. And Cabir bhai is dieting for a month!" Vihan said sarcastically.

"Huh? Impossible!" Meher laughed

"Yeah exactly, it's impossible to miss the jealous you Meher, especially from eyes," Vihan said

Smirking devilishly he slowly moved towards her "But now the question is why?"

He moved a bit closer to her causing her to move back in reflex,

"Hmmm, Meher why? Why are you felling jealous?"

Meher grew more tensed seeing him coming more closer to her, it was like she wanted this and didn't want it all the same time.

She was confused, confused with her own behavior, confused with the whole jungle of butterflies fluttering in her stomach, whenever Vihan comes closer to her, confused about how her body reacts to his touch, how she enjoys his touch.

"I.. Viahn.. I"

"Yes, Meher I'm listening, you... you what?" By now Meher's in Vihan's arms with his hands wrapped around her waist.

Meher gulped with realizing their proximity and the state they are standing in.

"Vihan.. I... BHAI!!!!"

"I DID NOT DO ANYTHING." As soon as Vihan heard Bhai from Meher's mouth he jerked her a little, creating a safe distance between them and shouted in fear and as a reflex action closed his eyes immediately.

Meher was gaping at him with astonishment, was he the same guy who was flirting with her some times back?

Vihan turned around to face Manik, dreading that today will be his last day on the earth. Cursing his stupid stunts, and memory, how could he forget Manik was in the same party?

"Bhai, I'm sorry, actually.. I... I was just... just..."

His blabbering stopped when he felt someone tapping on his shoulders, he looked sideways to see Meher controlling her laughter with great difficulty.

She took a deep breath multiple times to control the laughter ready to burst out, Vihan looked at her confused, deciphering about her actions.

He then remembered of Manik and again looked in his front to see no one was standing there, he blinked his eyes.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

.

.

.

.

After infinity

He was finally believed that Manik was not standing here, in fact, he was nowhere in their vicinity, seeing his reaction, Meher couldn't control anymore. She burst out laughing waving her hands in the air.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Vi..han.. Vihan, you... you" she caught hold of her stomach, it started paining due to her continuous laughing.

While Meher was enjoying his state, he was still making himself believe that Manik isn't here or anywhere near him, ready to take his breath away.

After a good laugh of 10 minutes, Meher finally looked at Vihan who was still looking like a scared puppy, and again burst out laughing.

"That was hilarious.... Your.. your expressions.... Oh my god, please save me." Meher exclaimed

Vihan narrowed his eyes in anger and said

"Hahahaha, it's so funny, as if you didn't give me a heart attack a few moments back."

"I didn't do anything Vihan, it's you who has AzrailoPhobia not me." Meher said with a chuckle and Vihan, made face because of the term is she used to define his fear 'AzrailoPhobia.'

"Why did you lie to me, Bhai isn't here. Oh! Now it clicked me, taking your bhai's support to escape from the truth." Vihan said passing her a meaning glare.

"Shut up bhai was here, I jus...... OH, SHIT! MOVE ASIDE."

Meher started to give him an explanation but stopped suddenly when remembered something.

She pushed Vihan aside.... Like literally pushed him causing him to stumble a little. He balanced himself and looked at Meher who was looking at something with her hawk eyes glued on something rather someone.

"What the heck, idiot, I would have got but right now."

"Oye, Barbie princess stop your melodrama nothing would have happened to you glass doll and talk slowly or better yet don't talk and let me concentrate."

Vihan made a confused face and looked at Meher who was now hiding herself behind the tree and looking at someone trying to hear there conversation.

"Meher what are you...." Viahn started but he cut himself when Meher pulled him towards her and glared at him. Vihan gave her 'what' expression asking what the hell is he doing. She sighed at showed her index finger in the direction she was previously looking at.

Vihan followed her finger and looked at the pointed direction to see Manik talking with a girl in a black dress. Vihan looked at Manik and then at Meher who was looking at his brother with scrutinizing gaze.

"Meher, what's the 9th wonder in this. Bhai is just talking to a girl." Vihan said shrugging her shoulders.

Meher looked at Vihan with 'oh really face' and glared at him.

"It's the 9th wonder, she is not any girl, she is the girl." Meher stressed on 'she is the girl'

"Meaning?" Vihan asked

"Meaning she the same girl bhai likes." as soon as Meher utters the word 'like' Vihan chocked his own air and started coughing uncontrollably.

"He what?" He shouted.

"Shhh idiot, shout one more time and I'll make sure to shoot you with bhai's AK 47." Meher whispered.

"Sorry! But how are you sure, that she is the same girl Bhai likes?"

Meher rolled her eyes and explained to him, how on the other day she saw her pic in Manik's mobile and how he was hugging his mobile to chest with her pic on the screen and sleeping.

"So you concluded bhai, likes her?" Vihan asked and Meher gave him a 'duh' look.

"Duh! Have you seen bhai huggling a girl's photo ever?" Vihan nodded his head in no.

"Then! And I can see it in his eyes." Meher said and Vihan slowly nodded his head in understanding.

"So now what?" Vihan asked looking in the same direction as Meher and she was staring at his brother and the girl standing in front of him, trying to decipher their conversation.

Eyes still trained on them Meher answered: "Now nothing, we just have to wait and spy on bhai, and wait for his next move."

Vihan excitedly bumped his shoulders with Meher causing her to scowl.

"I'm so excited about it, I'm feeling like I'm in C.I.D right now. Yes!!" Vihan fist-bumped in air and continued his excited blabbering.

"We can make a cool team Meher, I'll be A.C.P Pradyuman and you'll be my Daya. What say? Good idea na?"

Meher looked at him for a good 10 seconds and then at herself and then again at grinning like Cheshire cat Vihan.

"Bakwas idea," Meher yelled causing his grin to falter immediately.

"I cannot kick doors like Daya, so I'll be A.C.P Pradyuman and you'll be my Daya."

"FYI A.C.P Pradyuman was a male, not female." Vihan taunted.

"This is my C.I.D, so A.C.P Pradyuman is a female here. If you want to stay, then accept me as A.C.P otherwise out of my bureau." Meher snarled.

"Okay fine." Vihan surrendered with a bad face, causing Meher to jump a little on her little victory.

"Hey wait,one more question, if this is the 9th wonder, then which is 8th one?" Vivan asked being confuse.

Meher made a surprised face as if he was not from this planet.

"How can you not know the 8th wonder of the world. You really gave to increase your general knowledge Vihan"

Vihan made a bad face and tch (ed) "Tch, are you going to tell me or not.

"Ofcourse it's Parth Samthaan dumbo."

Viahn was confused again, looking at his confused face Meher scowled at him and said,

"Don't tell me you don't know who is Path Samthaan!"

Seeing her scowling face, Vihan knew better so he meekly nooded his head in 'yes'

"Of course Meher! Who doesn't know Partn Samthaan."

Satisfied with his answer she turned around, but her smile downturned when she saw her brother and the girl coming towards their direction with the girl's hand looped around her brother's.

"Oh shit!!" Meher exclaimed and pushed herself more into Vihan's body, causing his body to stiffen for a moment, but relaxed when Meher buried her face in his chest to hide herself more.

Vihan held her protectively in his arms as if protecting him from the world. He was feeling blissful, he knew this moment probably won't come in his life ever again, or if fortunately, if stars were in a good mood he can see this day again but he knew it would take years for that, so he was enjoying this moment.

Having her in his arms so close to his heart, her harsh breath of nervousness fanning on his chest all these things were sending blissful chills down his spine.

'God, how did I got so lucky today!'

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

After discussing some important things with his associates and addressing the people by giving short and curt congratulations speech as the , Manik moved towards the direction where his plus one for the night was standing.

Slowing sipping from her nonalcoholic drink, which she was lucky to find amidst the different variety of wines and champagne glasses kept around.

She was gazing towards the dance floor or to be precise the couples present on the dance floor, dancing slowly on the romantic beats of the romantic music, enjoying protective arms warped around each other, warmth of love radiating through it.

She wanted that. She always dreamed to be in the place where the couples on the dance floor are now. But the dreams once she dream-ed of, are now nothing but shattered pieces of glass, which will hurt her more, because some dreams are only seen never fulfilled. So its better to forget about them, the less she thinks about it, the less she will get hurt.

But whom she was kidding, the moment she'll enter that hell (Nishnat's house) all the past memories will come crashing down in front of her like a flashback, shattering her already shattered heart.

"Dance with me Miss Murthy."

Manik asked putting forward his hand asking for her hands. Nandini looked at his hand and then at his smirking self.

'Why is he smirking now? Though the smirk looks hot on his handsome face, I want to rub it off, for some reason'

She snapped out of her conscience talks when Manik coughed lightly, his hands still hanging in the air.

"No thanks, I'm fine here," Nandini said.

Manik narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head in disbelieve and took hold of her hands and mumbled "I wasn't asking you, Miss Murthy",

Surprising Nandini and also the duo standing at a distance observing them.

"Oh my god Meher, this is serious then I was imaging it to be," Vihan said and Meher hummed in response. Her eyes still glued on his brother and the black dress girl.

Manik caught hold of Nandini's waist, pulling her closer to him, but in a comfortable position. Nandini's hand automatically found their place on Manik's shoulder.

He took Nandini's right hand in his left, interviewing them, he slowly started swaying on the beats of music.

(Song in the media box, kindly tune in.)

Shaayad Kabhi Na Keh Saku Me Tumko,

Kahee Bina Samjah Lo Tum Shayad,

Shayad Mere Khyaal Me Tum ek Din,

Milo Mujhe Kahi Pe Gum Shaayad..

"Nandini..." Manik called her and Nandini just hummed. Not getting any reply Nandini looked up to see him staring at her intensely as if trying to read her emotions.

Nandini immediately averted her eyes fro him, she didn't want anyone to read her, especially him.

Jo Tum Na Ho..Rahenge Hum Nahi,

Jo Tum Na Hoo ohhoo..Rahenge Hum Nahi,

Na Chahiye Kuch Tumse Jyada Tumse Kam Nahi..

Jo Tum Na Hoooohoo.. To Hum Bhi Hum Nahi,

Jo Tum Na Hoooohoo..To Hum Bhi Hum Nahi,

Na Chahiye Kuch Tumse Jyada Tumse Kam Nahi..

Manik twirled Nandini gracefully, back hugging her he again started swaying slowly.

Her intoxicating smell causing havoc in his mind and heart. This was the second time he was holding her so close without being intoxicated by alcoholic drinks.

Nandini though was feeling very different from him, she didn't want to feel anything especially anything good or positive from this person she was dancing with.

He was making her heart flutter in a way no one has ever done, which dreaded her, hence she suppressing her feelings which was suffocating her. taking a deep breath Nandini tried to control her emotions, still, a lone tear slipped from her eyes.

She was tried, thoroughly tires with the happening in her life. It's being months a genuine smiled graced her face.

Still in a back hug Manik eyes on the girl in front of him as well as his surroundings, Mafia king, after all, has to be alert 24/7. His eyes searched for his sister, to see her dancing with Vihan.

Ankhon ko Khawab Dena,

Khud hi Sawal Karke,

Khud hi Jawab Denaa,

Teri Taraf se..

He twirled her again and this time she was facing him. Nandini looked up to see Manik glaring at someone behind her. She turned a little to see at whom he is glaring, to find a man gazing at her with lustful eyes, which was easy to notice.

"You should stop wearing this type of dress."

Manik's crisp voice made her look back at him again to notice his eyes were still glaring at the man behind her.

Manik was enjoying the little moment he was having with Nandini, but his moment was ruined when he saw a man looking at Nandini with lustful eyes. He noticed his eyes were on her ass and especially her smooth tanned legs which were visible through the slit of the dress.

Unknowingly Manik whispered words, which he shouldn't have, words which trigged anger in already frustrated and angry Nandini.

Manik was still glaring at the man, who's attention now was on Manik. Manik's piercing gaze caused him to squirm under the seat. His glaring session came to an end when Nandini's voice snapped him out.

"Excuse me," Nandini said

"This isn't a choice for me Mr. Malhotra, you know that very well. If it was for me, I would have never come here wearing this type of dress, where I can be a fucking candy to men's eyes." Nandini seethed in anger.

"Nandini.."

But before Manik could continue Nandini already left the floor moving out leaving Manik alone.

Bin Kaam, Kaam Karna,

Jaan Kahi Ho Chahe,

Har Baar He Guzarna,

Teri Taraf seee..

Ye koshishein toh hongi kam nahin

Ye koshishein toh hongi kam nahin

Na chahiye kuch tum se zyada tum se kam nahin

"Meher, I never said, but you are looking beautiful tonight."

Vihan whispered while dancing on the song.

Meher was having a difficult time handling her blush. She didn't want to give the hint that she has feelings for him. She was enjoying this little game they both were playing.

Jo tum na ho... rahenge hum nahin

Jo tum na ho... toh hum bhi hum nahin

Na chahiye kuch tum se zyada tum se kam nahin

"Thank you, you are looking no less," Meher whispered looking straight into her eyes.

And Vihan put no efforts to hide his the little blush covering his cheeks, causing Mehr to go all 'aww' on him. She so wanted to pull his cheeks right now.

Jo tum na ho...

Jo tum na ho...

Jo tum na ho...

(Note: capitalization of words indicate yelling in anger)

"Nandini, listening to me."

"LISTENING TO m WHAT MANIK?"

Nandini yelled while glaring at him.

"Listen to what, so you can mock at me and give your fucking pieces of advice to not wear "these" types of dresses as if I'm having a FUCKING CHOICE."

"What do you think huh Mr. Malhotra, I love seeing people looking at me as if they are ready to fuck me at any chance they get, I love keeping my self-respect at stake and do the things I'm doing right now huh?" Nandini asked with rage clear in her eyes and voice, though

Manik wanted to shut her up in his way for talking ill about herself he kept quiet, knowing Nandini has to let it out, let out her frustration, anger stored in her.

Nandini wiped her eyes furiously and continued, "But guess what Mr. Malhotra, I DON'T, I despise myself, my body, my soul for doing the things I'm doing right now."

She walked closer to him and poked her finger on his chest plenty of time and whispered

"And above all, I despise people like you who need women to fulfil their shitty desires. So you better don't advise me what to do!" Nandini stated.

Manik was still quiet though her words pierced him, he knew he too was at a mistake, but he lost it when Nandini spoke her last sentence.

"You wanted to help me right? Help me hmm... for what, why you want to help me, no one helps others when there is no benefit of their own. So Mr Malhotra kindly tell me what befit you are getting by rescuing me, oh wait I know, you'll also use me like others right! By making me your mistress, or better yet by selling me to your very rich client. What are you planning to do Mr. Malhotra,"

"STOP"

Nandini flinched hearing his fury filled voice.

Manik held Nandini through her shoulder causing her to hiss a little but Manik was oblivious to it.

"I'm not saying anything that doesn't mean you can keeping on speaking bullshit Nandini, I know it's very difficult for you to trust anyone and I'm not asking for one, I will gain it and speaking about rescuing that I will for sure and without asking anything in return from you."

Manik completed and jerked her a little, anger was still visible on his face but his features soften when he saw something on Nandini's shoulder.

It was a mark which was now turning black, Manik thought for a moment it was because his tight hold on her shoulders but then noticed that the mark was looking 2 to 3 days old, that means it was caused not by him but by...... someone else, but who?

"Nandini that Mark?" Manik asked in suspicion, he wanted to clear that it was caused by someone else or he is just overthinking.

Nandini who was till now in shock with Manik's words visibly stiffened listening about the mark and looked at her shoulder where Manik was looking at tried to hide it with her hands.

"No..nothing, that's.... That's nothing Mr Malhotra, I just fall down from the stair case."

Manik could see the complete lie Nandini was speaking through her teeth, her stuttering and visibly stiffened body confirmed it.

"But...."

"I want to go to Manik," Nandini said before Manik can even complete his sentence.

"But..."

"Now Manik, please" Nandini again cut him off with her pleading voice. Seeing her pleading face Manik sighed and nodded in affirmation

"Come then, I'll drop you," Manik said moving towards the valet's direction.

"NO" Nandini yelled

Manik looked at her with a confused face.

"No, you, I don't want to go with you." Nandini stated, she knew if Manik comes with her, he will definitely ask a question about her marks so to avoid his interrogation she denied going with him.

Manik smiled at her sarcastically knowing her strategy to avoid his questions very well.

"You want me to call Shahrukh khan to drop you off my queen," Manik asked sarcastically causing Nandini to roll her eyes.

"That would have been better, but he might be sleeping soundly in his house, so no, arrange someone else." Nandini too commented back and now its was Manik's time to roll her eyes.

Manik sighed and tried to convince her once again "Nandini listen to me..."

"I said no Manik," Nandini said.

"FINE" Manik yelled at her stubbornness.

He fished out his phone from his pants pocket and called his bodyguard with the driver.

He asked them to drop Nandini safely on the address she'll provide. Manik also assigned two bodyguards with the driver and asked them to go with her and guard the area and keep eye on every single moment happening there.

After assigning the works to his guards he came towards Nandini who was staring at him, while he was talking to his guards. He opened the car door and asked her silently to sit inside.

"Manik" Nandini called and he looked into her eyes which was swirling with different emotions.

"Stop your madness of helping me it won't lead you anywhere, it's my life and I'll sort it out." Saying she sat inside and closed the car door with a thud.

"They say, don't give the privilege to anyone,
To make you sad or happy or angry,
It can ruin you.
But you, my love, are an exception."

Manik whispered standing there looking at the car zooming at of his sight with determination on his face.

5772 words to be precise!

I hope I have been forgiven now.

So how did you find the update?

Few words for our very own MaNan

Few words for Meher and Vihan

BTW #MeHan or #ViHer or #HerVi or #MehVi, which one would suit the most as their ship name.

Few words on Nandini's outburst.

Manik's Determination?

Precap: "Manik please help me" Nandini cried hugging Manik.

(And nope, this is not what you people are thinking of, Nandini isn't begging for herself, you'll get to know soon 😉)

And I forgot to mention one more thing that, the voting process will end on 13th February 12:00 am and the result will be announced on the 14th of February..... and yes also on the day of my birthday! 🙈🙈

Next update on 14th of February.

Pyaar ke diwas par 😂😂

And also a heartiest thank you to Angelangela08 for making such a beautiful cover❤
Thank you so much dear, for taking out time through your busy schedule and helping me out.
Also wish you all the very best for your boards ❤