Hey again! It's Saturday and I'm relatively free :P This is an early update, just because there's so much love for a little baby in this story-who has a major part in this chapter specifically :P I hope it's a treat for you all! Don't forget to shower your love for her, yo!

I heard so many of you had no idea what is happening in the story, so if you have problems figuring that out, please check the previous chapter, or just inline comment it in here, so I can help you out! :3 There is a little behind the scenes, but I'm trying to show as much of the 'couple' as possible because their responses are what matters here. I'm always happy to hear your feedback, whether it is positive or negative so please don't hesitate! Thank you so much for the constant appreciation and care! Your love makes me want to dedicate everything to you :3 

Spammers, I love you guys so much! I'm going to be replying to everyone today. :3 Also, I can't wait to know what you think about today's update! 

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Nandini

Everything's a blur. A baby's laugh. A man admiring. Sagging cheeks but modern glass frames are all I can see from the side. Then the blur got clearer, though still vague and with increased clarity, I could now see the admiring smile turn into a wild, wicked smirk. My heart stung as I could almost vocalize my horror, but no words left my mouth.

I jumped up, breathing heavily. I was surrounded by darkness. My shaky palms felt wet against the bony projection over my throat. My hands ran through my loose hair, pushing it away from my face. It was just a dream. I leaned to my left, grabbing Manik's water bottle and consuming mouthfuls in a row. My eyes closed shut, as if flushing my horrid dream along and cleansing myself.

Letting go is much easier said than done. In order to forget something, you must disregard any association with it. To move on, you must forget. This is the tricky part. You cannot forget someone you see every day. You cannot forget fears associated with them when they flash before your eyes every night. You cannot forget the pain you endured because of them, especially when they call your baby with your name.

Every little piece of my heart shattered then. I cannot really explain why, but when I see Manik treat Naina like the most precious thing he owns, I instantly compare. Those little comparisons made it harder for me to relieve myself of the burden. Manik was exactly the father I never had.

Beside me lay a warm little body. I could hear the soft baby breaths that left her system. Her limbs were spread out on either side, as she slept unguarded between the two of us. Of course she could be unguarded, she was with Manik... her protector. The insides of my body warmed up at the thought. His love was so contagious; his love for my baby made me love my baby more-after all I had to meet her Daddy's standards. His love was so powerful, that maybe if he still loves me, I can love myself again.

I stared at his palm that was over her tummy, and over the blanket covering her. Her body shuddered once, and his hand moved up and down her torso, as if calming her down. I remembered the zillion times his hand was over mine, caressing the little baby inside. Maybe he knew that gave her peace. Fathers know a lot of things, don't they?

Not all fathers, just my baby's father.

And then a random fear struck me. Mr. Mehta had the slightest clue about Naina. Maybe after that day, he'd want to be more aware about my whereabouts. Maybe he'd spread rumors about Manik and I, the way he did about his daughter and Manik.

Maybe I should leave for good.

Maybe then, that venomous snake wouldn't reach out to my little one, at least. Maybe then, my baby won't be poisoned, like I am. Manik knows what's best for her. In fact, Manik is the only one I know who won't harm my girl. Wasn't that why I left in the first place? Last time, I left them for me, my selfish fears; this time I'm going to leave them for their peace and happiness. A mother can do that much for her baby, can't she?

What about Manik? What would he do without me? Actually, where were we heading? If it weren't for Navya, we would've freaking kissed, lip-to-lip. My hormones would've been at ease, for once! If only that happened, the thought of leaving them wouldn't have crossed me. A gesture of reassurance, that he and I still had a chance was all I needed. Maybe we weren't destined to be.

Carefully, I slipped a hand under my baby's head and touched Manik's restless hand with the other. Running my fingers, along the contours of his, limited his movements too. I put another hand under my baby's body and lifted her to my chest, kissing her beautiful round head and feeling her fine baby curls that flew as the air-conditioned air blew towards us. Her baby fists opened and then moved around to find a comfortable spot, as they tugged the bands of my bra.

I felt heavy tears leave my eyes as I inhaled her baby lotion, that made my heart race. I'll miss my girl so much. I craned my neck until my cheek touched her head and my lips were a few inches away from her ears. I allowed an entire arm to envelope her tiny figure. "Naina, if Mommy leaves, will you stop her?" I whispered as she breathed over me, in serenity. She didn't say a word, nor did she move a muscle. Somewhere deep down, I feared she wouldn't give me an answer, and would just let go. After all, she was too little to understand what I wanted to convey.

"Mommy loves you, always."

***

Nandini

As I left the hospital with my files, I made a mental note to myself to let go. I'd mentally prepared myself for the departure. It had to end, the pain. After all, what were we for me to hold on? I couldn't be the only one who wants what Manik and I had and if only I wanted it, a relationship wouldn't exist between us. In fact, it would be best for him if he and I weren't together. He didn't need a mess in his life. His life was good without me in it. After all, that was why I left in the first place, right?

I headed back to office but Manik was making his way out. Our baby was cuddled over his shoulder, sucking on a pacifier. He halted midway after I questioned. "Kahan jaa rahe ho?" (Where are you off to?) He rubbed our baby's back gently, assuring her that she was taken care of, and that Daddy would put her to sleep soon. He asked me a few questions about my hospital visit and then reverted to my question. Thank God it wasn't an awkward conversation, especially after that kiss.

"Mandir jaana hai, we've never taken Naina there and I think... after that day... I need to make a visit." (I have to go to the temple.) He took a deep breath after he was done. In the midst of all those reasons, I was praying with my fingers crossed that I was on his priority list. Did he ever think about me as much as I did? Manik, do you still love me?

Nevertheless, I needed my heart to settle and adjust without him. Nandini, these are your last few moments with your family. I didn't know if I, tagging along with them, would really help the letting go part because I was always my unguarded self with him, but I did it anyways. Temporary happiness is better than none at all. Will you miss me when I'm gone?

Initially, even I wasn't a believer of God. I didn't really have any reason to believe there was someone who cared for me in that world. Not to be dramatic, but the first person who cared that much for me was Manik. Then by analogy, he was my God.

Anyways, after Manik's entry in my life, my perspective towards life definitely changed. I did believe there was a power above us all, capable of controlling us and our destiny; and so, as a family, we headed home for me to change and then go to the temple. Our departure didn't go unnoticed though.

***

Sonali was infuriated with how nasty things turned out. She'd planned so much to spend time with Manik but thanks to his overprotective-parent side, nothing went in her favor. She wanted to take him out and stealthily progress a non-existent relationship from there. It was her plan to entertain Naina in Manik's absence, but the whole incident scarred us as a family. Manik would never leave Naina alone for one second after that. She never had all his attention so she was back to bitching about someone stealing Manik from her-that someone had to be me. My father was pissed too about his daughter not having her ways, only until he learned Sonali was referring to me.

"What? Nandini? Nandini aisa kar hi nahi sakti hai." (Nandini cannot do this.) He was confident, God knew why. He didn't know Manik and I were a thing long before his 'second-daughter' came into the story, our story. Hence, it wasn't me stealing Manik from her, but she trying to steal Manik from me. Keyword: trying.

"Of course, aap toh usse hi defend karoge na! For you, she can never be wrong." (Of course, obviously you'll defend her!) She was in tears and if I were there, I'd burst laughing. Woman, you're crying because one man didn't love you back? Only one man loves me in this entire world, but somehow, I feel I'm stronger than the rest of the world.

Okay, one man and one baby.

"Sonali, come on. Look... They are co-workers, no in fact, she is the boss." Fathers can't see their daughters crying. I wasn't saying that taking my father as an example but considering Manik's care for Naina, he really cannot go one moment without worrying about her. His love for her is so pure, even in such a cruel world.

"I know Nandini. She hates me, and she's surely stealing Manik away from me." 

***

Manik

Nandini and I had managed to shower, not together, and change a sleeping Naina too, into comfortable clothes. I sprayed some deodorant and was setting my hair when I heard the bathroom door click open. Nandini was wearing a high-necked, olive-green colored elegant salwar sleeveless top, colored red on the shoulders and split at the collarbone with golden shimmery dots, bordered with a conventional thin maroon South Indian style border along the hems. She wore beige crepe palazzos with mango shaped red and green prints to complement her outfit. She looked like a queen. She knew good fashion.

(--BEWARE! :P--)

She was adjusting her tresses, shifting some parts to either side. I hate to admit I was shamelessly ogling at her, to say the least. Her eyeliner and mascara defined her eyes, accentuating them. She was jaw-dropping gorgeous. She rubbed her wet feet on the mat, unaware of the effect she had on me.

Generally, they say modern clothes-like ripped jeans and crop tops-are turn-ons, but for me it was the other way around. Nandini was too much of a city girl to ever wear something traditional and ethnic. Only once, on our wedding day at the temple, did I see her wearing a red, heavily adorned salwar, not even a lehenga and I melted right there.

The man inside me roared in appreciation. The sane part of my mind shut down. I was entranced by the way she presented herself. I paced towards her as if I was drugged, grabbing her with both my hands and pinning her to the wall adjacent to her in a millisecond. "Manik..." She breathed my name at the sudden act, her beautiful eyelids feeling heavy on her eyes at the impact. My heartbeat raced to an unreasonable speed. Having a wonderfully sculpted woman under your captives does something to every man.

To my advantage, I was shirtless and smelled just how she liked. I felt weak at my knees, but she wasn't any less. I took deep breaths, closing in against her one centimeter at a time, my eyes lowering on her plump nude rose lips. She was restricted; and that made her vulnerable and helpless. Her lips quivered under my gaze, which tempted me further. She felt like a forbidden possession. I couldn't hold back.

"You're... breathtaking." I just felt the need to say it to her. I breathed the words over her forehead and then crouched desperately, to reach my aim.

"You're no less." She helped me a bit by tilting her head upwards. She wanted it just as much as I did. I gulped once, hard and then closed my eyes, to give into the moment. Our lips touched and Nandini leaned into me in reflex. She always craved physical contact when she was being kissed. She tried to angle herself just right to get the most she could have in the heat of the moment. My whole body succumbed to numbness, with the familiarity. Time rewound, to a time in history when Nandini and I were everything for each other.

Her body molded into mine, almost like a lump of clay. The restrictions made her whine once into my mouth, before I felt my hands loosen around her wrists, snaking around her little waist to lift her. As our lips blended together beautifully, one of her hands ran over my naked shoulder and clipped onto the back of my neck, while the other made its way between the two of us, cupping my cheek. That moment was just perfect.

She was the sun, too powerful for me. It was hard to tell if time could heal, or if time could intensify. The charm in her kisses hadn't changed one bit. If it was possible, the passion had just reached another level. Maybe there is no healing in love. Maybe love was all about desire, chivalry and passion.

Forget staying away from her, I cannot. Please forgive me, God, for not keeping my word.

My soul finally felt at peace. She was my temple; she was my Goddess; she was home.

Yet, we managed to make it to the actual temple, I'll explain how. The kiss led onto me being pushed on the bed with her over me, and knees on both sides of my waistline. She was fully clad, but my hands were inside her salwar, on her warm, exposed waist. We were still kissing when we felt our baby move on the other side of the bed. She probably wanted to give her parents some privacy; instead, she frightened us. We sprung off each other instantly, to check on her and then the moment was ruined.

Nandini fed her on the way to the temple by waking her up and seeing Mommy and Daddy well dressed and happy made the baby excited. Of course, happy girls don't disappoint me, but excited girls are a level above, especially babies. She just wouldn't go back to sleep, and the entire car-ride went about with her yelling at the top of her voice for no reason. I wasn't surprised at her tantrums. Nandini and I were slightly awkward with each other after being caught up in the heat of the moment; but when it came to the baby, everything was okay.

Nandini led the way and Naina and I followed her without protests. It was a Friday and there was a puja going on in the temple. Nandini and I took a seat amongst the crowd, on the carpeted floor. Naina was on my lap, drooling and touching my kurta buttons. I never knew buttons fascinated her so much. She'd bring her face close to lick them too and I'd hold her to stand on her feet as punishment. I certainly did not rely on her baby legs to support her entire weight. She enjoyed the hovering game as she would slightly kick herself off the floor and then shoot a gummy smile at me. I pat her baby body on my shoulder. Nandini admired the two of us and so did a few aunties who sat there with us.

"You make such a beautiful family." One of those aunties commented in Hindi. Poor woman was stuck with two toddlers to handle, who were distracted by two mobile phones in their hands. I smiled at them and then at Nandini, who was admiring me for God knew what. She looked away as soon as my eyes met hers. We hadn't spoken a word to each other since that moment we shared.

Naina was bored, and also figured her Mommy got more attention than she did. She reached out to Nandini's hair and held it in her little fist, pulling gently.

"Ahh..."

"Naina, no! Bad manners. Say 'sorry' to Mommy." I tried loosening the hair from her fist, which she eventually did. As she was growing up, she was learning to trouble me a lot more. Especially now that she was learning to explore her body, she was always doing things I forbade her to, and giggled in the end to just save herself. I held her in front of me and talked to her face-to-face. "If you don't say sorry, I'll send you to that Uncle, dekho unke paas toh aag hai." (I'll send you to that Uncle, see he has fire with him.) I blew into her ears with a smile, trying to scare her. She shuddered and then almost punched her ear and began giggling at me.

The bells rang and we were made to stand. Nandini stood up first, carried Naina from me and then I stood up, marking my territory behind her and not letting creeps get close. Nandini and I joined our palms, making Naina rest on Nandini's shoulder but Naina didn't leave me unoccupied for long. She was constantly moving her hands around and gurgling non-stop, perhaps scolding me for being so commanding.

"Baby, come let's pray." I held both her hands between my joined hands and kissed her cheeks a couple of times. She let me do whatever I wanted to, as long as I was showering her with my love. I prayed for one little wish. I want us to be a family, not just now, but forever.

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FEELS FEELS FEELS FEELS FEELS FEELS :) 

ANYONE OKAY? :P I had fun writing that, FINALLY their relationship is picking pace <3 Ah! I'm so excited to hear what you guys think! HOW WAS THAT?

THE SECOND HALF WAS THE DEATH OF ME :)))))))

SHIT! Anyways... okay serious talk... what I observed is some of you misinterpreted Manik's and Nandini's reactions to not finding Naina. I think something we all have to understand is Manik and Nandini have different trigger points, and react to them at different intensities. For Manik, the second Naina went out of his range of vision, he lost all sanity. It goes to show how protective he is of his daughter, *happy tears*! Nandini, on the other hand, was calm because she rationally could think the situation through, and she knew her baby wouldn't be harmed, until... she saw her with Mr. Mehta. I don't know if you agree, but this is my explanation from the way I see it. 

Thank you for your time :3 don't forget to drop your opinions too! Please tap the star for me if you liked this part <3 It's going to be exciting to know from you. Much love xx