Hey again! It's Thursday so... 😉 I'm so so glad you guys are appreciating this story! It's something like I have never written before so it really means so much that I'm not getting hate for the different characters in the story! ❤️  Tons of love to you. Thank you so much for the votes and comments ❤️ please keep showering them because the kickstart is going to come in soon! 😏 You can read now! 😂)

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Nandini

I tapped on my Excel budget sheet, making changes to the document sent to me by my team. I didn't have as bad a hangover the previous night, which was shocking because I'd never been that drunk before. I was sober, but had only vague flashes of the incidents. I was momentarily disturbed by someone's knock on my door. I was about to shout the visitor out but to my surprise, it was Manik. "Madam, your reports. Please check if they are satisfactory, otherwise I'll send a notice to my team to personally look into it." He said, in a rather professional tone and turned to the exit. Did nothing about the previous night matter to him? I couldn't recollect a lot, but I did remember stumbling into him and letting him into my unguarded soul. So many changes in just a few months?

"Manik..." He stopped in his trail and looked over his shoulder. He knew we weren't on professional terms whenever I addressed him that way, Manik. I hated his indifference towards me and my presence. I walked towards him and he shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid me perhaps. Maybe I did affect him. I stopped right then and faced him, possibly demanding for his attention with my body language. "If you need help with the baby, I can..."

"I don't. Thank you for your concern, Madam!" He snapped with a seemingly fake smile, not even ready to listen to what I was going to say. He was so shrewd, it hurt. He left the room, slamming the door behind him and I was certain he wasn't feeling very good either. I suddenly felt empty. I hated to be rejected. Yes, it was what I was expecting, he was a very particular man when it came to his daughter, but I did not think he'd be that mean to me. He'd become so cold, so heartless, so distant.

He must've obviously thought that I was suddenly so concerned about Naina, or worse, doing him monetary favors, which would obviously bother him. It might seem that way, but there hasn't been a day after our separation that I regretted letting go of him, letting go of my baby. Probably maternal instinct, but the fact that she grew inside me for 9 entire months, and was pushed out of my body made me so protective of her. Sure, Manik could be a good father, but my daughter deserved the best. He couldn't give her the best. That was what I'd thought.

"Why didn't I see the refusal coming?" I groaned to myself, prodding my head in my hands.

I slammed the buttons on my desk phone and ordered my PA to get me an iced tea and some cinnamon-sugar cookies as soon as possible. A couple of minutes later, I began munching on the cookies, deeply affected and annoyed. More than anything, my ego being crushed and Manik's reaction bothered me. As such we weren't on good terms, and I didn't want things to worsen between us. Until the other day, I didn't know Manik still worked there. Upon engaging Mr. Mehta with my requirements, I learned that Manik was still there. Instantly, I'd caught onto that and didn't relieve the opportunity to persuade that old man to hire Manik for my project.

I'd been missing his presence in my life for a while. A strange feeling of possessiveness engulfed me when I saw him with my daughter. I felt a relief, that somewhere deep down, he was still mine to cherish, mine to keep. I didn't want to let go, not again. I stared at the budget sheet, lost again, but it didn't click. I needed some time off work. I tapped the 'away' button on my system and headed out of work.

I chugged my driver out of the car and drove over the streets of Mumbai, furiously and aggressively. I shouted at random people who pissed me off and made my day worse, still driving aimlessly. Just being in control of something, even just the streets for once, gave me momentary peace.

I began brainstorming for ways to make up for the guilt I was experiencing. For a moment, a thought crossed my mind. I should see him. He's a father too, right? Above all, Manik would be happy if he knew I visited his father. So merely in an attempt to impress, I took a sharp turn, deviating from the main road. I drove to the Global Hospital and got some roses on the way, impression two. I spotted the receptionist at the entrance of the hospital and bustled to her.

"Yes Ma'am, how can I help you?"

"Mr. Malhotra? He's in the medical ward." I gasped for breath, panting heavily. She gave me a suspicious look as I didn't look panicked at all at the fact of him being in the hospital. Shouldn't it be out of her business to judge me?

"Ma'am, I'm afraid you will have to fill this form." I grit my teeth in anger and fisted my hands.

"Listen woman, my father-in-law is fucking ill. Can you just let me see him or should I show you how things work around me?" She withdrew in fear as I banged my fists on her desk. I began dialing a number and she freaked out.

"I'm so sorry, Ma'am. Can you give me your name and phone number, please?" I grabbed a pen, wrote those details on the form and shoved it at her face. I stormed into the hospital, finding a familiar face. I lamented a moment afterward, because I didn't even know where he was and the place was huge, it'd take me a day to find him. Why can't you think for once, Nandini!? I headed back to the reception shamelessly and made an unsatisfactory face at the woman. "Left side, second room, 103." She smiled awkwardly. I dismissed it. I pushed through the ward and began peeking into each room, to find that face. I spotted one, but then debated on how to address him. Dad? Appa? Papa? I resorted to what sounded best to me.

"Papa..." I called out and he looked down at me. I walked in slowly and sat beside him, unaware of what to do to make him feel better. As long as I remembered, I didn't know how my parents were, how they looked or even what they believed in. He looked at me for a moment and then stretched a finger towards me, questioning me. "Main Nandini... Manik..." (I'm Nandini... Manik...) I couldn't seem to say further but he smiled and withdrew his hand. I was thankful that he didn't ask me any further questions. He sat up slowly and I helped him up. It was the least help I could be of, for all the trouble I put his son through.

"How are you, beta? Beti kaisi hai, hai na?" (How are you, my child? How's your daughter, you have a daughter, right?) I held his weak hand and assured him with a small smile.

"Haan Papa, ek bacchhi. Next time usse leke aaungi." (Yes Papa, one baby girl. I'll bring her next time.) Yeah right. As if the father will let me! I didn't know what to tell him and so I spoke about what we had in common. Manik. "Actually Papa... Main ek question puchne aayi thi..." (Actually Papa... I came to ask you a question...) Wow! You told him you're here for a purpose? Superb! Good impression! "I mean... like... aap mere Papa jaise hi ho na?" (I mean... like... you're like my Papa too right?) Annoyed with my fumbles, I sat on his bed, holding his hand. He just smiled. I'd realized where Manik got that charming smile from. 

"For example, aapki ek beti hoti aur kisi aur ne suggest kiya hoga ki 'helper rakhwalo, aasan hoga aapke liye', aapko kaisa lagega?" (For example, if you had a daughter and someone suggested to keep a helper to look after her, how would you feel?) I blurted faster than an express train. Maybe the stress of creating a good first impression took over me. I put my query in the most ridiculous way possible and I sensed that he didn't comprehend a word, from his expression. I couldn't help but notice that he was so much like Manik. As such he was old and ill, and I was adding to his burden with my stupid problems.

"Matlab?" (What do you mean?)Forget the indirect talk! I didn't even feel like I'd come to him just to complain about his son, maybe because that wasn't just it. He was fighting a battle of his own there, and I felt like I was fighting mine. I had come there for reassurance, but I babbled about my petty arguments with Manik, who apparently wasn't even mine and make a hill out of a mole regarding something stupid I'd done.

"Like meri aur Manik ki ladai ho gayi thi. Maine usko bola 'dekho hum dono kaam main busy hai, bacchhi ke liye helper rakhwa lenge' aur voh gussa hoke chala gaya, ab baat nahi kar raha mujhse." (Like Manik and I got into a fight. I told him 'we both are busy at work. Let's appoint a helper for the baby' and he got angry and left, now he isn't talking to me.) He smirked at me, sensing my dejection. Maybe it was what he expected of anyone who was dealing with his son, or particularly me, because Manik wasn't the problem. Did he know about Manik and me?

"Baby ka dhyaan kaun rakhta hai zyaada time?" (Who looks after the baby for the most part?)

"Manik hi..." (Manik only...)

"Beta, tum abhi tak usse samajh nahi paayi ho. Koshish karo, you'll get your answer." (You haven't been able to understand him yet. Try, you'll get your answer.) I sighed in disbelief. That would never happen. "He loves his daughter, and he might've thought you're questioning his ability to handle her." All my doubts were confirmed. It was pretty obvious, but I hadn't any idea of how father-baby relationships worked. He was offended. I'd ruined things for us, yet again. Beyond that, it seemed like what his father said had something deeper hidden behind it, but I couldn't ponder further.

"Ab kya karu main? Damage control." (Now what do I do? Damage control.)

"Manao!" (Woo him!) He chuckled, as if it was so obvious. "Dekho, yeh sab toh tum jaanti hi ho, mujhse kya puch rahi ho!" (Look, you already know this, why are you asking me?!) I felt embarrassed. I turned away and flushed. I was never so good with people and discussions like those were way out of my league. "Usko kuch bhi laa do, something money can't buy." (Get him anything, something money can't buy.) That hit me hard again. I smiled at him and left. He was a nice man and he made perfect sense but I didn't like how he hurt my conscience. I didn't know why exactly I'd approached him but either way; I got to know something about Manik he never revealed when he was with me.

***

I scooped some sand in my hand and poured it back down. I remembered when Manik and I kissed on that same beach about a year ago. We were speaking about relationships and how when one hand clasps the sand, it slips away but when two hands, shielding and supporting each other hold the sand together, it remains intact. Our relationship was slightly different. I was the sand that settled with him until it was comfortable enough. When things slightly deformed, I slipped away despite his attempts to hold on to me tightly. I tried his theory again as I reminisced the past. I was missing him, and the feeling of being with him. The loneliness sunk in.

At home, I was always alone. I was one person living in a huge mansion, with tons of helpers, that's all. I'd work and work and work all day. Then, Manik came and everything changed. There was love and there was happiness, though short-lived. When he left, he took every bit of emotion along. The mansion I lived in was devoid of feelings. My world seemed dead. In contrast to my life, the beach before me lived a tale I didn't. The tides were high and energetic, hitting the sand with passion, taking it away along with it. That was Manik, full of energy and passion, taking a part of me away with him every time I saw him. My analogies halted when my phone buzzed.

*You've been offline the entire day, Madam. We are awaiting your status reports.* ~Manik

I hopped into the car, heading back to work. I halted on the way back, hoping to find something to impress him. I wrapped the present and then walked straight into Manik's cabin. I didn't knock, which I regretted later as I was welcomed to an image of Manik with another woman, in an unpleasant position. I shut the door urgently, not even slightly interested to delve further. I didn't see what they were doing but I'd already framed some ideas in my mind. The woman walked out of his cabin, a little flushed and red as Manik opened the door for me. His appearance looked messy, further making me suspicious. He didn't deserve the present anymore. I quickly slipped it into my office bag.

"Yahi status report ke liye wait karne ka tareeka hai?" (Is this how you wait for a status report?) I charged as soon as I was given the chance to. He crossed his arms and gave me a boring look as he leaned on the hinge of the door. His reaction irked me further. Why wasn't he defending himself? "What the hell was that woman doing in your cabin?" I sounded authoritative, just like I almost always did. He gave me a disapproving look and went back in, sorting the documents in his cabin. Our daughter laid in her detachable car-seat on the little couch, that just a few seconds back staged a compromising scene. I'd taken all the pain in trying to make him feel better but Manik was having the time of his life with someone else, and that raged me. I held his arm and turned him around to face me. "Tell me..."

"You are my boss, for God's sake!" He cringed as he walked away from me. I didn't know what I was even doing. It was I who'd decided to let him go and he was chasing me back then, unlike how things seemed at that moment. I followed him like a love-deprived puppy and only to hike his already tested temper. "Do you not trust me?" He growled into my face and I stood silently. I was abashed with the sudden question that seemed like an allegation to me. His eyes penetrated through mine and my body shook, unable to face him. He let out a sarcastic chuckle as his arms rested on his waist and he jolted his head backwards in disbelief, with a sigh. "Right... you do not trust me!"

***

Manik

I cradled my little one restlessly, unable to do anything to help her. I was panic-stricken and I knew I had to call the doctor. I woke up to feel her body, which was blazing hot and ever since, I'd been agitated and ill at ease, to put it right. She would drink her milk, and then puke it all out, and start crying loudly at the discomfort she was feeling. I felt like my heart was pounding in my mouth, yet I couldn't gather enough courage to call the doctor, because I feared I'd failed to take proper care of her. I feared I'd lose her.

For a moment, I even considered calling Nandini, hoping that she'd have the ability to save my daughter. I was reminded of our last confrontation, that didn't end really well. Yet, I was willing to let it go, to let my ego fail me, if it meant Naina would be healthy and happy again. Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I answered restlessly, without checking who dialed.

"Manik..." Her voice caught me at once and I was literally venting.

"Navya, actually my baby is running temperature. I'm really freaked out. Mujhe kuch karna hoga. What do babies eat when they're sick? She's been throwing up all morning! I'm really..." (I'm really freaked out. I have to do something.)

"Manik, Manik... relax, please?" She suggested I take deep breaths and she made it a point to hear me demonstrate after her. She gave me a few tips and I ran around the house, desperately. I put a moist cloth over her head, wrapping it around. I warmed her baby hands in mine and pat her back gently. She'd calmed down a little and I couldn't thank the heavens more than I did that day. A persistent charisma adorned her face. Her serene being warmed my heart.

"Acchha aur... Tum ek kaam karogi? Mr. Mehta ko bata dena ek baar? He must be worried." (And yeah, can you do me a favor? Can you just inform Mr. Mehta?) I felt her smile over the phone. Well, I was one hell of a man when it came to my work and obviously, after my baby, my job was what concerned me most. That was the only thing that could keep us alive, my baby and me.

"Are you sure you can take care of her? Do you want me to come over?"

"Navya, if you spend more time with me than at work, your husband will murder me!" I joked, trying to ease the stress that was building within me. I was hyperventilating, with the shocking array of events that I'd experienced. The last I remembered I was so stressed was when Nandini was screaming during labor. I literally felt like I'd lose her because of the pain she was going through and I didn't like that feeling one bit. "Do you think she'll be okay?" I was on the verge of crying and if anything happened to her, I'd really lose myself. I'd blame myself for it forever, and I would have proven to be an irresponsible father, who cannot take care of his own baby. She was literally the breathing reason for my existence.

"Manik, I'll call my family doctor. Don't worry so much. Keep her warm and close to you, which I don't have to mention, you will!" She giggled as my voice turned silent. I didn't know how true that 'don't worry' part was. I prayed to the heavens to make me suffer instead of her. I undressed her and placed her over my bare chest, covering the two of us with my t-shirt, and rocking her as I felt her heart beat on mine. I found it to be relaxing to me and to her, when we were in need of assurance and comfort, to have skin-to-skin contact. I kept rubbing her body, preserving her body heat as she trembled like a little leaf against my skin.

The doctor arrived, checked her temperature and shot some injections into her. Watching those sharp needles pierce into her tender baby skin was torturous. The aftereffects, her cries, pained me further, like needles through my heart. I tried my best to control my emotions and put her to sleep. The doctor looked at me with awe. "It's a fever; I suspect it's from the climate change. Keep her warm. She'll be okay in about 2 hours. Where's the mother?"

"Umm... She's at work, doctor. She has an important meeting to attend to." I covered up for her, slightly embarrassed for making up such a pathetic excuse. Will any mother ditch her sick baby for a meeting? The doctor, however, seemed to understand, hopefully.

"Let me know if she doesn't seem to be recovering." I nodded, kissing my sleeping baby and swaying her slowly in my arms. It seemed to me that the doctor couldn't have enough of the wonder. She quickly glanced at my hand and concluded. "You are so responsible. Your wife is so lucky. My husband hardly takes care of the household when I'm away." I faked a smile at her at the mention of the word 'wife'. Not all men are careless with the ones they love. If they were, they probably didn't love them enough. I wanted to say that to her, but I couldn't gather the courage to do so, when I, myself, had failed as a husband. The woman left and I supported my 3-layer-clad baby on my chest, running my fingers through her hair.

"Baby, you don't know how thankful I am to have you in my life. When you were being born, the pain your mother went through was massive and I didn't ever think I'd be put into a situation where I'd choose between you and her. Then, it happened, and she left us. I thought I could raise you alone, but today... you scared me, baby. Never ever do that to me ever again!" I cried, holding her against me. She always seemed to listen to her Daddy talk to her, that too with attention and in tranquility. That time, her Daddy needed her more than anything else. My baby alone had managed to shatter all of my confidence in a matter of seconds. I rocked her back and forth and kissed her head several times, to assure myself of her safety. I placed her next to me on the bed and allowed sleep to take over me after hours, as I held my baby protectively by her side.

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I hope you guys didn't cry, please don't 😩 let me know in the comments section if you liked it :') It is going to be dark, but it'll be beautiful. How many of you liked Nandini's attempt? What about Manik's fatherhood? :P

Question: Why do you think Manik and Nandini split up? (Hint: some information is given in this chapter! :P)

Also, try reading between the lines, okay? :P Thank you so much again! Have a wonderful week, babies! ❤️ I'll see you on "Monstrous" Monday! 🙈