Manik's eyes followed her going away from him. He was still at back seat have no courage to even move. Cabir came out and opened door of his side.

"Manik...!!" cabir called manik's name after placing his hand at manik's shoulder. Manik saw back towards cabir having no idea what was happening.

"Manik go she need you" cabir said bringing him out from his shock and vulnerable state. Manik nodded his head and came out. He asked one driver to drop cabir and alya at their hotel. Manik went inside and fell at one chair as he have no strength to bear his weight.

"RAJ sir have slept after taking their dinner. They thought you will be late. Sir if you need anything you can tell me..?" Aleeza asked manik before going back in her room to sleep.

"No I don't need. Go and take rest" manik said in low voice before leaving for his room. He went and entered directly inside washroom. He turned on shower after removing his clothes. He lifted his face up to warm water. All incident at club started circling in his mind. He opened his eyes with jerk when her wretched weakest condition came in his mind.

"I need to talk with her. I cant leave her in this situation alone" he turned off the shower and after drying his hairs he changed in track pent and T-shirt. He came out and directly went towards her room. As he reached her door he could listen her weak sobs. He raised his hand and touched her door that was already opened. He entered inside silently. Pain threatened to clutch his heart tightly. Nandni was sobbing laying at her stomach hiding her face in her arms. Manik went near her bed. When he sat at bed, her sobs stopped for few seconds may be she wasn't expecting him in her room.

"Nandni...!!" manik called her name softly touching her shoulder. Her body got stiffen and her shoulders again started shaking with her silent cries. Manik after waiting for more few seconds he tried to grab her shoulders but she jerked his hands away. Manik took a deep breath and forcefully pulled her in his arms with using his all strength. Leaving her whole weight in his lap she sobbed hiding her face in his neck .

After crying her heart out she pushed him using all strength and ran inside washroom. She closed door and after few seconds manik listened voice of shower turned on. Manik waited for 20 mints but shower was continiously on. He waited more 10 mints she still hadn't come out. Now manik was beginning to look worried glancing at washroom door. He got up and knocked door of washroom but got no response.

He was moving back and forth at front of washroom that may be she will come out. But after waiting 5 mints more he again knocked door.
"Nandni open the door. Please come out. Are you ok. Atleast door tou open kr do. Nandni....nandni" manik was continiously banging door calling her name. But after getting no response he was becoming worried.

"What if something have happend to her, I should break the door" manik thought in panicked state. After getting no response he was going to kick the door to open but he listened sound of door opening. He entered hurriedly pushing the door open and became shocked after seeing her condition. She was drenched from head to toe. She was shivering and water was dripping from her clothes.

"Nandni... what are you doing with yourself" He came towards her and cupped her freezing cold cheeks in his hands. Why are you punishing yourself this way.

"Wait just one mint I give you dry clothes change and come out" manik said worryingly and wrapped her in big dry towel. He came running towards her wardrobe. He was looking at everything like alien. He took her clothes and was looking at all drawers like confused soul. He rubbed his forehead and then took a deep breath.

"I can do it. I have to do" he was ensuring himself as he was going at battle. He opened drawers and started to search all other stuff to wear under her clothes. After effort of two mints he came inside and found nandni was still at the spot where he left her.

"Nandni please change your clothes otherwise you will become sick. It's already so cold today" manik requested politely extending clothes towards her. She didn't reply nor she looked towards him. After waiting few seconds he gently pulled her hand up and placed clothes at her hand.

"Change your clothes asap" manik said this time in little serious tone. Manik turned to leave washroom.
"What if I won't. What you will do?" Nandni said greeting her teeth with mixture of anger and pain. Manik stopped at door and looked back towards her shockingly.

"Just 5 mints and I want you to come out with dry clothes. Otherwise I will change your clothes myself. Just 5 mints otherwise I definitely can do whatever I said" he said looking straight in her red fire spitting eyes. After listening his threat her grip at clothes became tight while a burning pain started in her heart and ended up in her moist eyes. She turned her face at other side, not bearing heat of his determined possessive eyes.

"Sooo... will you change yourself or should I...." manik said taking a small step towards her.
"Nooo... I...will...do myself..." she said with scared flushed face taking step back.

"Good girl" change asap. I'm waiting for you outside. As manik left the washroom nandni raised her hand up to throw clothes but his threatening words came in her mind. She took deep defeated sigh and removed towel. She went to hang her clothes at hook. Her eyes popped out with shock and embarrassment when she saw he brought everything she needed to wear under clothes. She palmed her mouth just imagining he opened her drawer to search undergarments. And then banged her forehead with her palm when she remembered there were lots of other things also to use monthly.

"Oh God why I didn't think before wetting my clothes" she was thinking shockingly still stood in wet clothes.
"Nandni already 3 mints have been passed" manik's voice brought her back from her frozen state. She changed her clothes and came out. She saw manik lying at her bed as it's his own. He was looking at her placing one hand at his stomach and other was under his head. She fisted her shirt at both sides when she felt he was checking her out openly.

"why I always feel so different whenever I see her around me. Why my desires become out of control. Why my heart and mind start thinking stuff to do with her I never even imagined before. Why these feelings making me insane" manik was looking at her. Her heart fluttered when she noticed darkness and little glimpse of possession in his captivating eyes.

"I want to sleep. Please leave my room" Nandni said in serious cold voice removing her gaze from his face. When she felt he didn't move an inch from her bad and have no plan to leaver her alone she went straight towards couch. She spread shawl all over her from head to toe. She curled up into ball under shawl and more snuggled into soft surface of couch to get little warmth.

Her wet hairs and cold body needed heavy blanket over her and warm mattress beneath. When she didn't get enough warmth at couch, she cried silently at her helplessness. Manik saw her shaking shoulders with cold and suppressed sobs. He got up from bed and went near her. He removed shawl and picked her up in his arms.
"Leave me. What's your problem. Leave me" she was struggling in his arms crying. But his hold was firm and strong. He squeezed her in his chest while going towards bed.

She buried herself in his chest hiding her face in her palms. He reached her bad and put her down at soft mattress. She quickly turned on her side again pulling her knees near her stomach. Manik was facing her back and saw her wet back of shirt due to water dripping from her hairs. He covered her with blanket and went to lock the door before switching off the lights. Nandni sucked sharp breath when mattress pressed down with his weight.

"Nandni...! We need to talk" manik said so lovingly after laying beside her. She had pulled blanket over her head. Manik shifted more closer after placing his head close to hers at same pillow. Manik raised his hand to pull blanket but her grip was tight. He preferred to rub her wet cold back over blanket instead of pulling blanket forcefully.

"Nandni whatever you saw in club it wasn't true. I swear to God I don't know who was she. Trust me. But why she did it I will find out soon. She will bear consequences. Just keep your trust at me" manik was whispering near her with having all sweetness in his words and voice. Her sobs have been stopped. She was taking slow and steady breaths while listening him carefully. He removed blanket from her face and for his luck she let him to pull.

Without opening her eyes she clutched blanket from inside when his breaths touched her face. Her lungs forgot to suck further oxygen when she realised his face was so close to her. He raised his hand which one was rubbing her back and cupped her cheek.

"Nandni open your eyes" manik asked caressing her skin under his thumb. She just shook her head knowing well that if she saw in his eyes he will come to know his closeness was making her vulnerable.

"Nandni please look at me once" manik again asked politely still stroking her cheek with his thumb. Nandni opened her eyes slowly and first thing her eyes witnessed were his pink soft lips. She raised her lashes up and found his burning gaze already setting her at fire.

"Nandni I never allowed any girl to even touch me. You saw that album, those pics and girls are nothing to me. Neither I miss them nor I liked them. How can I allow these type girls to kiss me, no way. I will give all rights just to my partner to do whatever she wants and would like to do everything just with her" he confessed peering into her eyes shamelessly. During his whole confession neither he left her eyes nor his words let her to blink.

Nandni lowered her eyes blushing in crimson red. She didn't want him to see that just his words can effect her this much then what will happen when he will use his rights. A Smile appeared at his face when he studied her expressions. He doesn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

"Now sleep. You need rest then from tomorrow you gonna handle many things" he once again moved his fingertips at her cheek lightly. Nandni buried her face again in blanket to hide herself from him and to compose her disturbed breaths. Manik's eyes were becoming heavy but he didn't close until he felt she have been slept peacefully. As soon he felt her slow even breaths under blanket he also closed eyes and slipped into sleep.

-----------------------

It was midnight when nandni was dreaming of whole horrible incident happened with her. She got up with jerk. Beads of sweat appeared at her forehead. She became relaxed after seeing manik sleeping beside her. She cleaned sweat from her face with shivering hands. After composing herself, she realised manik sleeping without blanket. She pulled extra blanket towards him. After covering him she again laid back. As she closed her eyes again face of that drunkard made her scared. Nandni felt need of his embrace to ensure her she was safe and secure.

She slipped herself towards him after gathering little courage. Soft tickling touch at his chest woke him up from his sleep. Smile appeared at his lips when he found her snuggling into his chest. Next moment he felt she placed her tiny hand very carefully at his heart. Strong and steady pulse of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips were enough to ensure her that he was with her. After getting needed peace she again slipped into sleep.

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"Kaka..!! What are you doing?" Nandni asked one Gardner named Darsh in age of 50.
"bittiya I'm weeding this flower bed" darsh replied with all respect and kindness.
"let me help you..!" Nandni said sitting on the grass at her folded knees near flower bed.
"No dear don't touch them, few weeds are so itchy, and you didn't wear gloves also" darsh replied immediately.
"But I want to do. Plz tell me what I can do..?" Nandni asked in such cute way that darsh smiled.

"Ok if you want then fill this flowerpot with mud. I'm going to plant seeds of flowers in this pot" darsh showed her on flowerpot near him. Nandni was so happy. She folded her sleeves up and started to fill pot with mud.
"You are same like Karan, pure and down to earth" darsh said while doing his work. Nandni suddenly looked at him surprisingly.

"You know baba..?" Nandni asked with twinkling eyes leaving her work.
"Yes, he was my good friend. We both started job at same time in this mansion. He done lots of favours at me and my family. He was a brave, honest and kind man. I can see his reflection in you" darsh said looking towards nandni who was listening him like a child listening interesting story.

Nandni again started her work with a sad proud smile at her lips. Her hairs were coming at her eyes with morning breeze. She was moving them back with her arms. But again with wind they came at her eyes. She annoyingly tucked them behind ears with muddy hands leaving wet mud at her hairs, forehead and ears. But she kept continue her work totally care free about mess she decorated at herself.

Someone was smiling at her cute acts standing at balcony. Yes manik was sipping his morning coffee and came at balcony. Morning became more shiny after seeing her messing with mud like a nursery child. Nandni once again annoyingly looked up when her fringe stopped her view. She stood up and sat behind a huge plant of flowers. She did it purposely when she saw manik was smiling at her. He was leaning keeping elbows over railing. He stood up straight and his grin faded away when he saw her hiding behind bush.

"Nandni madam manik sir is calling you" one guard came towards her and showed direction where he was sitting at couch in lawn. He sat putting one folded leg at knee of other leg. Spreading his one arm at back of couch sipping his coffee. Nandni observed his masterfull stance. She nodded at guard and asked him to leave. After few mints more wait manik realised she didn't come. He looked towards her and saw her still busy filling pot and ignoring him. Nandni was enjoying his shocked plus bewildered expressions.

"Kaka aap jaien. Baki kaam kal kr lain" manik said to darsh. Her heart start pounding by his sudden appearance at her head. Darsh nodded his head and left to wash his hands under tap in corner of garden.
"Kaka plz rukiye mery bhi hath wash krwa dain" Nandni stopped darsh knowing manik's intensions of sending him away.

"Han han kyun ni bittiya aao main dhulwaa deta hun" darsh stoped and signalled her to come with him. She walked towards darsh leaving manik at his place with shocked face. Manik was looking at her direction, too shocked to even move. After few mints she walked back towards him looking at her wet hands. Manik was happy she is coming back to him. Nandni crossed him as he wasn't even visible. He became statue with wide open mouth when she went away ignoring like boss.

She entered her room and smiled widely when manik's demented face came in her mind.
"Mr manik malhotra aap ny mujhy bohat rulaya. I was thinking you really like all those girls in revealing clothes. But you were enjoying making me worry" Nandni was thinking standing at front of mirror. She saw mud at her face and hairs. She took her clothes and went to take shower.

Nandni came downstairs and found both father son ready to go for office waiting for her at breakfast. Nandni took her breakfast silently. Manik all the time staring at her. He was trying to understand what's cooking in her mind. After completing breakfast she went in kitchen where Aleeza was busy cleaning shelves. Nandni was busy looking out from kitchen window.

"Why are you avoiding me. I'm trying to talk with you and you are ignoring me" Nandni jumped at her place when she listened his manly voice near her ear. She turned back facing him. She was looking every where for Aleeza.
"I sent her out" manik told about Aleeza. Nandni again became shocked that how he knows she is looking for Aleeza.

"Im giving you free time to miss your model type friends from London universty" Nandni gave him a taste of his own medicine. She again left him there in frozen state. Nandni's this daring side was new for him. He moved fingers from his hairs annoyingly.

Raj gathered all servants in living area to tell them about engagement ceremony.
"I know you all are noticing some preparations are going on outside. Now I want to tell you that next turn is all house members to handle remaining work. Tomorrow mery dono bachon manik and nandni ki engagement hony ja rahi hey. I hope you will handle every thing nicely" raj wanted to inform all servants before leaving for office.

Nandni's face was serious yet nervous. She was twisting her fingers mercilessly looking down. After saying good by both father son went outside and sat in car. If looks can kill then nandni have passed away till now. His desperate eyes were full of anger and annoyance looking at her. Nandni turned facing her back. His dominating eyes were warning her that she took wrong step.

As nandni entered living room Aleeza pulled her in tight hug.
"Wao. You are going to be fiance of manik sir. It's dream or its really gonna happen. By the way mujhy already doubt tha kuch tou chal raha hey. There was always a different shine whenever sir looked at you" Aleeza was chirping happily after dragging nandni at dining table. Nandni was just smiling blushing hard.

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Today in malhotra office all employers were facing his mood coming like summer storm. Manik was releasing anger of someone's ignorance at poor employers. After hectic meeting raj called manik in his cabin.

"Manik you can leave after one hr. I have booked appointment at boutique. You will take nandni with you and you both have to done shopping for tomorrow ceremony" raj informed manik. After informing manik raj called at land line number at home and informed nandni to be ready. suddenly manik's grumpy face changed into smirking. He went in his cabin and called directly at nandni's personal number.

"Hello.." Nandni wispered with fumbling tone at other side seeing manik's number.
"hello..! So dad told you about shopping. So I called you to say be ready" nandni's heart fluttered at his double meaning words.

"Dad booked appointment with my favourite designer. You know why..!! Bcz His boutique gives full privacy. You feel like home. Private changing rooms. Specially for couples no disturbance at all. You made me run behind you now be ready to pay for this chase. Time to settle some scores soon-to-be miss fiance malhotra" nandni gulped audibly when she felt knot in her throat. Her mouth went dry and she involuntarily licked her lips. Manik smirked before disconnecting call when he listened nothing but just her disturbed pattern of breaths. Nandni sat at bed looking at mobile screen remembering his determined warning.

"Nandni what happend. What sir was saying" Aleeza asked winking at her.
"Nothing manik is coming to take me for shopping with him" Nandni told Aleeza hiding the whole hide and seek game between them.

"Then it's good, why are you looking so nervous. Come let's make you ready" Aleeza said excitingly pulling nandni with her towards her wardrobe. Aleeza chose a royal blue dress with nice embroidery. Nandni biting nails standing near her looking at dress like alien.

"Nandni where are you lost. Take your dress and go change. Already we have wasted so much time" Aleeza almost pushed her in washroom and started to select accessories to wear with dress. She selected matching bangles, small jhumkas and simple but nice sandals to wear. After 15 mints nandni came out after taking shower. Aleeza ran towards her and dragged her to sit at front of dressing table.

She gave nandni to wear accessories and herself started drying her hairs with dryer. After drying and brushing her hairs neatly. Aleeza left her hairs opened swaying at her back.
"Beautiful. You are looking irresistible. You are going to give him tough time" aleeza winked after keeping her chin at her shoulder.

"Aleeza you are making me more nervous" Nandni said with cutest face.
"Hahaha.. don't be nervous. He is nice man. Will not do anything" Aleeza was laughing and kept her teasing mode on. She was unknown about nandni's hands turning cold.
"I wish main tumhy sath ley ja sakti" nanndi said holding Aleeza's hand.

"Awww you are so innocent. What I will do between two love birds" Aleeza replied after pulling her cheeks gently and smiled at her cuteness. Horn of car brought them back. Manik was home. Pulse of her heart shuddered like leaves in autumn. Manik was going to end the game in his champion style which she started without any experience.

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