A/N: Hello readers, welcome to the 50th chapter of Hustle For Love! Never have I ever imagined while starting this story that we will come this far! Thank you for staying with me, even though we are a small bunch, but as I always say, I value quality over quantity!

As promised, we are celebrating the week of 'Love' and Chapter 50 together, so this will be a 'dhamaka' chapter! Lot's of confrontations, lots of MaNan and something special coming your way! ;)

I won't say more here, but let you read and find out the rest! Meet you on the other side, folks!

Happy Reading!

***

24 Warren Street, Palm Cove, Cairns, Australia circa 2019

(Manik's Living Room, Poolside Villa)

Nandini Murthy

Soha, Roo & I had just returned back to Manik's place after Mrs. N's reception. Manik had gone with Appa to drop him at his, since he managed to get quite drunk in the party & Manik worried he might get all emotional and create some drama! I wonder what Manik was protecting, Appa's stride or his mum's special evening? I mean, he'd justify himself with Appa, but in the deepest trench of my heart, I felt for some reason he had softened a little towards Mrs. N too. If he hadn't, he'd never go to Dubai to attend her wedding, whatever be his reason behind it!

Anyway, since Roo was sleepy, Manik insisted on sending her home too and since he was going to drop Appa, he requested Soha to be with her till he came back home. I suppose, I could bring Roo back home too, but Manik was probably right, she wasn't as open with me yet & a sleepy, grumpy kid could throw a tantrum anytime!

So one hour later, our unlikely trio reached Manik's and Soha immediately excused herself to take Roo to her room to change her clothes and put her to bed. I nodded. I was thankful that Soha & I didn't exchange many words throughout our journey home; to be honest she looked a little miffed, but maybe it was Roo's presence that kept her sharp tongue at bay? I'm not complaining, Ayappa!

I was sitting in the living room, and massaging my head, as I was ruminating about the strange conversation I had with Abhi & Arya that evening, as I waited for Manik to come back and also for Soha to leave. However, as you must have noticed, the running theme of my life is 'no moment of peace' and as if just to prove this right, Soha walked into the living room and sat opposite me; I looked up to find her eyeing me like a hawk. Now what?

"Soha, you wanted to talk about something?" I asked in a bored yet polite tone.

"Yes, but I'm wondering if there's any point in talking to you about it" she replied, sharply.

"Yes, we should always listen to our instinct. Let's not talk. It's been a long day, it's best we let it pass now. I was just waiting for Manik to come.." I began, trying to cut, what I anticipated to be another brawl, short. I didn't have the energy for another draining conversation at this point; however, Soha didn't let me complete.

"Waiting for Manik, is it? Finally. About time, I should say" she replied, with a sarcasm laden voice, rolling her eyes dramatically. I frowned. Excuse me, what was she hinting at? I didn't care for Manik?

"What do you mean?" I asked, straight on her face.

"Nothing. I'm just surprised that you finally managed to schedule in some time to wait for Manik, in your extremely long and, what seems like, busy day!" she drawled back.

"Soha, why are you always itching to get on a verbal spat with me? What have you got against me?" I asked it out loud today. Finally. I was too exhausted for a meandering conversation tonight.

"I could also ask, why are you never putting a little effort for the man, who considers you his world?" she asked silkily.

"Seriously, is that what you think of me? I don't put in the effort for Manik? What the f*ck am I doing here, a couple of continents away from home, if I didn't care for him?" I asked, incredulously.

"Oh, let's not pretend you are here because you care for him. He was in LA for all that time because he cared for you. He went there to ensure you were fine, you found happiness, that you chose the right person which may or maynot be him. That is care, Nandini. Ask yourself for once why you're here? Are you here to ensure Manik's happiness, or are you here because you missed him & somewhere felt insecure about his relationships here?" she sneered back at me with visible hate.

"I love Manik, Soha. Never doubt that" I replied coldly; completely avoiding her question. I mean, her interpretation may be wrong, since I did love Manik, but it was not his well-being that pulled me here. I came here for me, I came here because I missed him. Could I deny that? Maybe I was not as selfless as Manik, but did that mean I didn't love him?

"I don't doubt that, Nandini. My question is, do you love him enough? Would you have come here to ensure Manik's happiness no matter who he chooses, even if it's not you? Would you do that for him?" she asked firmly, eyeing me. She was smart, she didn't fail to notice I dodged her question.

I knew the answer to this. I wouldn't. Not because I didn't love him enough, but I couldn't bear to see him choose someone else in place of me. That would kill me. But Soha was right somewhere, Manik had done that too. For me. Was I deserving of such deep love, when I couldn't swim through fire for him & he'd do it for me at the drop of a hat? Were we equals in this? Although, I didn't let Soha see through my cracks yet. I didn't trust her either but her questions pulled out an age old insecurity that Manik had successfully eradicated from my heart at LA. Did Soha love Manik?

"You know Soha, what do they say about preaching? You gotta practise before you preach. So, would you do it for Manik? You know, be around to ensure his happiness even if that makes your life go kaput?" I asked, coldly.

Soha was quiet for a moment as she looked at me. I shivered because for the first time I saw vulnerability in her eyes. It was momentary & it came and went, but suddenly, I feared her answer now.

"What do you think I'm doing, Nandini?" she asked quietly and looked away. I slowly let out a breath I was holding. I was right.

Soha loved Manik.

"...Yes, Nandini, if Soha loved me the way I loved you all these years, then I wouldn't have broken her heart. Not because I ever reciprocated to her feelings, but because I love her in a different way, and in that way, I love her way too much to break her heart, especially if I had no clue that I could have you in my life, like I have you now..."

Manik's words from our conversation from Santa Monica Pier flashed in my mind. This was my biggest fear, and here I saw it materializing right before my eyes.

"You love him" I stuttered, more to myself.

"That's not important Nandini, the question is, do you love him enough? I doubt this because I was really surprised to see you spend the entire evening between your brother & ex lover when Manik needed you the most tonight. Let's not pretend you don't know how rocky his relationship is with his mother, right? Did you for f*cks sake, ask him once if he is fine? Why did he go to the wedding in Dubai? How was he feeling about this wedding? What does he feel about this newly revamped version of his mother? You were busy nursing the heart of the man who got a step-mum, the mum who never cared for her own son, but to impress her new husband, went out of the way to convince the same said son to give up the love of his life, alias you, so she could whisk you for her new son, who was in love with you. How are you different than Mrs. N, Nandini? You both prioritized Aryamann over Manik." she fired away in fury as I stared at her agape.

Each of her blames made me feel revolted at the inaccuracy of it, but I couldn't notice some logic in it. I knew Arya was upset & he needed a friend, but Manik? Did I really not think about him? Of course I loved him, but was I not able to see his pain? Was I not being able to understand him the way Soha understood him & Arya understood me? I had a hundred arguments playing in my head & a thousand doubts on my ability to love Manik enough. Soha had successfully shaken my faith in my ability to love Manik today.

"Nandini doesn't need to ask me these questions, Soha, because she knows, I would tell her everything anyway. She doesn't need to verbally prioritize me or validate my priority in her actions for me to know what I mean to her, or how much she loves me. I just know it." I snapped my head towards the entrance of the living room area, to see Manik standing there. When did he come back?

"...but Manik, I was only.." began Soha, as she noticed Manik at the same time I did, but he didn't let her speak.

"..Soha, I understand Nandini, and no matter who she prioritizes in life, I know her entire world revolves around me & at the end of a long day I am who she needs & I am who she will heal. I'm in no hurry to be on the top of her list, because no matter who conquers that spot, her list will be incomplete until I feature in it." Manik explained to Soha patiently & my eyes teared up hearing him. Was this the same Manik? When did he change so much?

"Manik, I am worried for you. You see it that way, but will she be able to handle being 'not your first' priority? How is it fair? I know you love her, but you're literally putting your heart out there to be stamped on again. Today you're in love and you're accepting this. Will you be as happy & content if you stay in her lower list of priorities for life?" Soha half screamed at Manik in frustration.

"Soh, as long as I am with Nandini, I'd be happy. No matter what. Also to answer your question, you are worried about me being in second spot in her priorities but have you noticed my priorities? You asked right now right, if she will be okay not being my first priority, the answer to that is yes, Soha. Can't you see it, she already is right there. You know, Nandini & I cannot freely be ourselves at home with Rooh around because we haven't told her anything about us yet. You think that's not belittling her love for me? You think I'm not prioritizing Roo over us? Do you think I will ever be able to de-prioritize Roo for Nandini? No right? Then Nandini is the one, who actually got the deal of living all her life as 'not my first priority' but do you see her complaining? She loves me despite that right? And you are all worked up & charging her for prioritizing a friend, a peer, a family member over me for one evening? It's not fair Soh." finished Manik, with a plea in his voice. I could see that it was cutting him to stand in between Soha & me and take a side; yet he did. He chose me. I loved him to my bones always, but today my respect for him reached a new level of high.

"Manik, I agree..but.." Soha sounded frustrated.

"Soh, that's enough" Manik spoke firmly this time.

"I suppose my time is up now. I should go." Soha muttered, hearing Manik's tone. It bothered me to see tears in her eyes. Manik affected her, she loved him. The thought flew right back in my head, but I kept quiet.

"Oh come on Soha." Manik snapped as Soha walked towards the door without glancing at us, and Manik quickly held her wrist to stop her. I know Manik was doing it as a friend, but now that I knew it was not just friendship from Soha's side, this little intimacy & their emotional attachment bothered me.

"Manik, please let me go" she mumbled.

"Soh, please don't be upset. You know what you mean to me, right?" Manik's pleading voice irked me.

"I thought I did." she whispered back.

"Stop being such a drama queen, Soh" Manik mumbled trying to make her laugh and it worked. She laughed through her tears & while every bit of this happened before me & I knew Manik's emotions were pure here, but each exchange was like a stab to my chest.

"I'm sorry for being so overbearing, Manik. I know it's your life and Nandini..well.." she didn't finish her sentence, then she glanced at me.

"Please give her a chance?" Manik requested, softly, caressing her cheeks gently. Soha looked at Manik with love filled eyes & nodded a little before leaving. Manik stood there sighing as he watched Soha walk out of the door. Did he even remember, I was standing right there?

24 Warren Street, Palm Cove, Cairns, Australia circa 2019

(Manik's Bedroom, Poolside Villa)

Manik and I were in bed, I was applying moisturizer and he was scrolling through his phone. After Soha had left, he had turned to me & hugged me while profusely apologizing for Soha's words. He looked distracted even while apologizing & I couldn't help feeling, all he could think of right then was about Soha.

"Manik?" I called out with uncertainty and he looked up from his phone towards me.

"What would you do, if Soha decided to not give me a chance?" I asked, softly, not meeting his eyes; from the corner of my eyes, I could tell he had frozen at my question.

"What...no no don't worry Nandu, Soha is tough with words, but a softie at heart. She will get over this. We needn't get worked up" he stammered in response but tried sounding light.

"I'm sure she will, Manik. I'm asking what if she doesn't?" I pushed that button again.

Manik was quiet for a while before he sighed, "What do you want me to say Nandu? I..I don't know" he mumbled, sounding tired.

"..but her approval means something to you.." I murmured.

"It does." he replied, curtly. "Nandu, do you know she was the one who convinced me to pursue you?" he added after a moment.

"Oh, so you needed convincing" I retorted; it came out sharper than I wanted it to sound.

"What? No. No. I just thought with the setup here..maybe..plus you were probably in love with AK.." he mumbled incoherently.

"So you basically needed her to allow you to have me in your life?" I asked again, each moment my irritation getting the better of me.

"Look Nandini, I think we both are tired tonight, and this isn't the best time to tease such a delicate topic." Manik spoke, sensing the tension in the room suddenly.

"No Manik, your best friend claimed I don't love you enough & know when you're hurting so i'm just taking her advice. I want to know. Did you need your 'almost' wife's permission to be with me?" I snapped this time.

"What the hell, Nandini? Can't you be a little patient with Soha? I mean, I know she isn't in the right frame of mind & have said some sh*t, but I rectified her, right? She is obviously insecure..but" Manik replied with irritation, but my temper for some reason was soaring through the roof. Maybe it was an outcome of all the inhibitions & small let downs I have been holding up inside me, since I came here?

"Oh so you understand she is insecure? Good, at least we are not playing dumb here" I snapped.

"Of course she is. Isn't it obvious? I mean, for my sake she pushed me to find my happiness, but what about the years of setup we had here? The sense of belonging she felt here with me and Roo? Who do you think took the brunt of our coming together? She did. I'm not saying we are wrong to be together, when we can't breathe a second without each other's love, but can't we be a bit accommodating to the person who has lost a lot in the process? I am not saying let's stay mum and let her say cr*p but let's not let her words cause a rift between us? Let's give her time to settle in the new order of things, and not hold her words to our heart, baby?" requested Manik, shutting his eyes tightly.

"Manik, if you're so guilty of Soha's loss of family with you, doesn't it indicate that deep inside you, you regret our coming together, because this is what caused her the loss" I whispered this time, scared of what his answer might be. Tears were pooling at the corner of my eyes already.

"Nandu, get a grip, alright?" Manik snapped this time. I shut my eyes tightly and my tears leaked out.

"Baby.." I heard him whisper and felt him caress my cheeks, but at the same time I remembered how he was caressing her cheeks too. It revolted me & I immediately pulled back. Manik was shocked at my reaction.

"Nandu?" he called out dejectedly. I didn't respond.

"Manik, Soha loves you" was all I could whisper, still not opening my eyes. I didn't dare look into his eyes and see regret.

"What?" he whispered, shocked. "There's some miscommunication here, Nandini.." he began, but I nodded my head dejectedly. There was no confusion there.

"...I know Manik, you have told me back in SoCal too, that if Soha loved you the way you love me, you'd not let her go..turns out she does, Manik. She loves you, that's why she let you go, to seek your happiness. Even you regret taking her family from her, for us to happen. So where does that put us Manik?" I whispered, shakily. I didn't know what'd happen to my life if Manik left me again, but I had to do this. I had to tell him the truth. I loved him right, then I should also want him to do what makes him happy. If I withheld this information, I'd feel like I was trapping him for the rest of my life. I couldn't live that way either. Did I not have an iota of love & happiness written in my destiny?

"Why are you telling me all this?" I could hear his voice crack in tension. "Do you want me to go to Soha?" he added, in an eerie voice.

"Isn't that what you'd want to do anyway now? Now you know right, that she loves you? Rooh is settled with her & you guys can go back to.." I looked at him, my soul crushing with every word I uttered, and somehow I couldn't complete the sentence.

Manik roughly put both his hands at the back of my neck and pulled my face closer to him. He looked a little mad and torn between possibilities at that moment. "Is that what you want?" he asked me in a grave, menacing voice.

"Manik, maybe it is for the best.." I tried whispering, but choked in my own tears.

"So should I go to her right now?" he whisper-barked at me, pulling my face closer to his. I kept quiet. My heart was hammering inside my chest cavity & I felt I'd die of a heart attack right then.

"Hmm" I managed to agree, without crashing and disintegrating to shards.

"Fine. I'm leaving then." he replied, in a dark tone after a few seconds. Then he promptly got off the bed and walked out of the door, shutting the door behind him. I stared at the door transfixed. Did he just..?

I sat on the bed, staring at the shut door for a few minutes, before it came crashing down on me. Manik had left me for Soha. That easily? Again?

Suddenly I felt hollow inside. It felt like someone had sucked my life out of my body, there was a complete light out inside me. I jumped off the bed and ran to the door. I clutched the knob of the door and howled out in agony. I don't remember ever having cried out so miserably in all my years of existence. Not even when I lost my parents. My insides were charred and I felt like I was burning & drowning at the same time.

"Manik, please don't leave me" I howled and let out a blood curdling cry and crashed on the floor on my knees. No sooner had I crashed on the floor in my disheveled state, the door to the room flew open and a pair of hands lifted me from the floor and engulfed me into a tight embrace. I realized I had lost the ability to even support my own weight, and was sliding down despite the grip on my shoulders. The next moment I was lifted off the ground in bridal style, and before I realized what happened, everything around me turned black. The last thing I remembered hearing, before I lost consciousness was, "Nandu, baby, I'm right here. You will be fine, we will be fine."

Cairns Private Hospital, 1 Upward Street, Australia circa 2019

(Nandini's Private Room)

There was this heavy, foggy feeling in me along with a sense of displacement. I tried turning on my bed, but was unable to do so, because of a sense of weight on all my body. I tried opening my eyes to find myself in an unfamiliar room; it was dark & the weight over my body that I felt a few moments back, was the weight of someone. Someone who was lying beside me, clutching my body like his life depended on me. Manik.

I tried adjusting my eyes & recalling how I ended up here, and slowly I recalled it. He had left right, I was in our..erm..his bedroom when he left me for Soha. I was crying terribly and then..

"..and then.." I muttered out loud & instantly, I felt the weight on me lift.

"Baby, you're awake? Oh thank heavens'! Nandini's Ayappa, I owe you everything" Manik whispered in rushes as he quickly lifted his torso and turned to face me. I was looking at him calmly, but I could feel my tears pooling before my eyes.

"Manik.." I whispered weakly.

"So this is what you plan to do with yourself, after driving me away" he asked me sternly, before adding, "Thank God, I hadn't gone to the guest room, and decided to stay right outside the door for sometime" he added, in vexation.

"Guest room? Weren't you going to Soha's?" I asked, in surprise.

"..and I thought she was smart" he mumbled to himself, before responding, "Thankfully I am not as stup*d as you, baby. I was mad to hear your preposterous proposition but wasn't stup*d enough to follow! I just wanted to push the conversation for later since I figured you were tired and jittery & decided to give you some space. So I was going to the other bedroom" he replied in an amused tone.

"Such a monster" I mumbled, pulling him close.

"Achha, I am the monster? What were you saying? Manik, go to Soha, that's the best thing for us..blah blah" he mimicked me rolling his eyes. I couldn't help giggling a little.

"So, you're not going?" I asked, my voice sounded hopeful.

"Going was not even on the consideration set, Nandini; but what happened sometime back showed me the bigger picture clearly" he responded, thoughtfully, still holding me close to him.

"..but Manik, Soha.." I began, but he didn't let me go that way again.

"..Soha loves me the way AK loves you. As a friend, as someone who has stuck by us in our darkest times, as someone who spent more time with us than we have with each other. These are folks who get us better, know us better & we are very comfortable around them. Nandini, we grew up apart from each other but we grew up with them. They know us inside out, and that makes us both affectionate of our respective friends. If you and I had never met, we'd have settled with them and maybe stayed happy too, but the point is Nandu, we did meet. You and I. However twisted & evil the charade it was that led to our meeting, but we did end up meeting & we happened, right? Once we happened, how can there ever be a scope of any one else claiming this place, you tell me?" Manik patiently explained to me.

"..but Manik.." I began, but he was not done speaking. He quickly pecked on my lip softly to shush me.

"Nandini Murthy, I love you. I am not going anywhere. Not today, not ever. I just need one promise from you, just promise me that you're not going anywhere either." he asked me earnestly.

"I promise, I will stay, Manik" I whispered back and pecked his lips in assurance. He breathed out in relief.

"Do you know how I freaked out, seeing you collapse like that?" he whisper-scolded me after a while.

"I'm sorry" I mumbled guiltily.

"Don't ever pull that stunt on me. You are my life" he mumbled and softly pecked my cheeks.

"Manik.." I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I love you." I whispered.

"I know," he sighed.

"Manik?" I called out again, and he looked at me with so much attention and love.

"What do we do about Soha?" I whispered.

"I have thought about it, I may have something...but you don't worry about it now. Rest out properly, so we can discharge you tomorrow" he mumbled, but even in this darkness I could see the discomfort in his voice. Whatever he thought, wasn't going to be good news for him.

"Is Roo at home alone, right now?" Suddenly, I remembered.

"No. I got her a baby-sitter. Although she's sleeping now." he replied casually.

"How long have I been here?" I wondered aloud suddenly.

"An hour and half," he replied. "It's only been a couple of hours since you blacked out"

"Hey, how'd you get a baby-sitter in the middle of the night?" I asked, suddenly as an after thought.

"I didn't, she was booked early" he replied cautiously. I looked at him confused as an awkward smile played on his lip.

"This night wasn't going to go down this way, Nandini" he whispered with a beatific smile.

"Matlab?" I asked, surprised.

"What's today's date?" he asked, smiling.

"20th Dec" I replied, after mentally calculating.

"Rings a bell?" he asked, curiously. What was so special about the date? It wasn't either of our birthdays, milestones in our relationship? No it's not been a year since he proposed to me in LA..then?

"Happy 7th anniversary, baby" Manik whispered and crushed his lips on mine. I got lost in the immediate impact of the kiss and gently pulled him close to me. I missed kissing these soft lips all day. As we pulled out from the kiss, he looked at me with mesmerized eyes.

"Today was the first time I saw you at the S.P.A.C.E. dorm kitchen, the first time your voice reached my ears, your smile touched my heart. I know what followed thereafter was.." before his tone turned guilty I stopped him with a deep kiss.

"Let's not think of what happened thereafter, but celebrate the fact that we met & seven years down the line, we are each other's whole world? I whispered lovingly. He nodded genially and nuzzled his nose onto my neck.

"What had you initially planned for tonight?" I asked, suddenly curious about what could have been our very own day of love. I could feel him smile near my neck, as he lovingly bit my earlobe and looked up at me.

"You know Nandu, it is said in psychology that if a person manages to be in your heart for seven years without leaving, then it means that person will stay right there forever...so on that note, I was going to give you a gift." he whispered playfully.

"What gift?" I asked, smilingly.

"Damn, it's at home. In the hurry of bringing you here, I forgot about it" he face palmed.

"It's okay, you can give it to me tomorrow morning, when I'm discharged, but you can tell me now!" I snuggled closer to him.

"..umm..it may or maynot be a petition paper with my signature on it" he whispered, smirking.

"Petition for?" I asked, surprised. Trust this man to choose an unromantic gift!

"Petition form for the registration of marriage" he replied, looking deeply into my eyes and smiling contently. I was stumped.

"Manik.." I whispered.

"Nandini, I know there are complications. We aren't in the easiest relationship in the world; but there will always be some complications, some road blocks, such is life, isn't it? When we know we'd be together for life no matter what, then why wait? I have gotten us a petition and I have signed it keeping the date blank. I want you to have it. Whenever you feel like you're ready, just sign it and put the date and return it to me, I will send it off; we will get a date for marriage registration within fifteen working days thereon.

I wanted to say a lot of things, but nothing came out. I was overwhelmed and choked in emotions. I had dreamt of this day for so damn long and now finally when it came, I didn't know how to react!

"Nandini, you know, if you think it's too soon, no stress, okay..say something. Did I freak you out?" Manik sounded nervous when I didn't say anything for some time. I just laughed hearing his nervous voice and pulled him into an urgent kiss, looping my legs around his waist. I let him go, only when we both were breathless and even then I pulled him closer still.

"Manik, do you want your anniversary gift?" I asked, breathlessly, with a huge grin on my face. Manik finally seemed relaxed seeing my positive reaction.

"Well considering you forgot the date, I'm not expecting one; but once you're out maybe you could get me a new phone? I err..broke the one on the way here. It was on my hand and so were you..too much weight, I had to let go of one, you see" he smirked. That idi*t!

"Shut up, Manik!" I rolled my eyes. "However, I can think of a gift I can give right now" I had a lopsided grin playing on my lips.

"What?" he asked, curiously.

"Make love to me, Manik" I whispered, looking straight into his eyes. Eyes, unwavering, just like my desire and decision, to finally open up to him fully.

Manik froze on his spot, his eyes never leaving mine. "Are..are you sure? I mean, I can wait, Nandu. I know your inhibitions..we discussed in LA.." he mumbled, but his clutch on my waist tightened.

"I'm sure now, Manik. I truly am. I am all yours. This is my gift for you" I whispered softly and softly kissed his forehead.

***

A/N : Now, now don't go before reading this part!

So do you want to help me celebrate 50 chapters of this book? Then you've gotta make it special for me too! I want every reader to vote today, as a mark of coming together for 50 weeks straight! Will you do this for your writer? :)

Okay about the chapter, do you think Soha at some level makes sense in her argument?

So, Manik defended Nandini - tell me your thoughts on this. Did you like it? Anything more you wanted him to say?

Manik also defended Soha before Nandini in privacy - any thoughts on that?

Nandini's insecurity after learning Soha loves Manik, is she justified? Did you like Manik's explanation on this?

So, what do you think Manik has thought for him, Soha & Nandini? Any ideas? I'm curious!

Please try & answer all of the qns, I am eagerly waiting to read all your comments!

Much love,

A.

Next update on Sunday (27th Feb)