Hey girls, and possibly guys! :P Happy Sunday :3 First of all, give me the privilege to acknowledge how wonderful you guys are, really I'm not lying. I have some of the sanest and best readers on Wattpad :P (no offense) who are super understanding of my schedule and appreciate my efforts. I don't know how to repay you guys, you are my support system :')

Also, has anyone watched Kasauti? Is it interesting? How is Parth doing? I'm not in India so I  cannot even view the episodes, dang! :( Any free VPN suggestions?

Now, it's been a long time since I've updated, I recently realised. So I began typing this chapter last Tuesday but lol, this is the longest I've spent typing a chapter guys, I genuinely apologise! Anyways, yeah, I'm super keen to hear about what you guys have to say! :P Don't forget to drop your shining stars and feedback, yo!

Also, I didn't have enough time to add translations, so if you guys have time to spare, if you can inline comment the Hindi sentences and help me out, I can treat you some virtual Lindt bars :') Can you? *puppy face* Hehe... You guys are the best!

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Nandini

I put a little dot of vermillion on our baby's forehead, right between her two eyebrows while blowing the excess off her baby nose-bridge. Naina shyly put her hand in her mouth, smiling. I lost my mind around her smile. Manik clicked a picture of that, me and her in the same frame, smiling. Aww... Wasn't she the cutest baby that existed? I'm going to miss you, angel.

Detaching was going to be hard. I prayed to God for minimal pain. What kind of a mother would I be if I couldn't protect my own daughter? Even then, deep down, a little part of me wanted me to stay... to be with Manik... forever and humesha ke liye.

My eyes darted to him, while he stood checking a few messages. He looked stunning in his green kurta. It was very simple, only buttoned down the front with an asymmetrical cut in the front, fitting with the modern trend. It was hard for me to control myself around him and knowing the old Manik and Nandini, we were known for never keeping our hands to ourselves.

The temple was where our marriage began, and the temple was the place that was going to see us part. I'm sorry, it breaks my heart, but I have to do this, for my daughter. That was going to be a sacrifice to protect her, I could do that. Manik will have to understand. He loves her more than me anyways. I was just a baggage in their lives. I smiled to myself as I registered and enjoyed those last few moments with him, and her.

"Chalo Naina, there's a meeting happening in 30 minutes, we have to make it in time." He addressed me indirectly, obviously my baby hardly understood, and he and I were not exactly on talking terms. After some PDA with our child, Manik and I made our way to work, not paying much attention to our attire. "I was in a puja, Naina ke liye," was his response to the whole situation.

"I just came from a puja, ghar main." I said if anyone really dared question me, which hardly a couple of people did. I didn't, in the slightest sense, think our answers would be so similar. Hopefully, it wouldn't bring us trouble. Anyways, I was backing off so probably, this was the last time he and I were seeing each other.

As I plopped myself onto my chair, visions of our afternoon together flooded my mind. It felt like the last 18 months of my life had been rewound, paused and then played before my eyes. Back off, Nandini... it's too late to think about the past. You left him once, you're going to have to leave him again, history repeats itself, remember? Your history was the reason behind all the pain, and you cannot let your daughter suffer your history.

"But Manik... does he still love me?" I whispered to myself as if questioning myself of the reliability of my thoughts, feeling my heart skip a beat at the mention of it. I was so deprived of that feeling, his tender lips and for too long. He meant more to me than I could ever admit. I touched my plump ones in reminiscence of the intimate moment we shared that evening. If anyone walked in, they'd totally think something was up with me. My cheeks hurt with the extensive smiling and it wasn't until that pain that I realized how goofy I looked.

And you're leaving this man, the man who means the world to you...

The smile on my face disappeared instantly. What if I stayed now, and completely recovered, and he decided to leave? Maybe that's why I'm leaving first. Destiny never wanted us together. Destructive thoughts about our relationship fed into my sane mind. I didn't pay much attention to myself for the next few minutes. When I did, I found a quote I'd made up myself, scribbled onto a fresh page in a notebook placed on my desk.

Behind my smile is a hurting heart, behind my laugh, I'm falling apart, look closely at me and you will see; the girl I am isn't me.

I blinked once, and carefully ran my fingers along those words again. What a masterpiece was that? I shook my head in disbelief as I re-read those lines. I'm masked by incompetence, insecurity, and fear. Suddenly, I felt an emotional disconnection within me. Are you looking closely, Manik? I couldn't explain exactly what I was feeling, but I was feeling everything at once. A question arose within. Am I the woman you fell in love with?

I stared at the blank black screen on my computer, seeking myself in that faintly colored reflection. "I'm not even myself anymore." Manik, I need you now.

***

Manik

The warm water droplets that hit my scalp did not soothe me in any way. I was standing underneath the shower head, preparing myself for the 'talk'. She texted me earlier that day and notified me when I was off campus. Maybe I needed to give some explanations for my behavior in the bedroom that afternoon. We almost lost ourselves there. It freaked me to know what would've happened if Naina wasn't there. My ego would've been tossed around and toyed with.

Nandini had just come back from work, and while she played with Naina, I excused myself to come up with decent justifications for my actions. If only I had any!

The main doorbell rang, and my body froze. "Manik, koi aaya hai!" The coarse hair on my skin stood up. I clumsily jumped out of the shower, grabbed a towel from the towel rack and wrapped myself with fidgety hands.

"Aa raha hoon!" I screamed to make my presence known. I hurried outside while ruffling my hair and almost slipping in the process. At the door stood Nandini, standing on her tiptoes and trying to peek through the peephole. Sadly, she couldn't reach. I ran like a mad hound, yanked her from the door and then peeped through. Shit! Shit! I slammed the door from inside, in desperation. What was she doing here? My focus quickly darted to Nandini, who was now furious and curious, ha that rhymed! Okay, no time for jokes, young man!

I grabbed her by her arm and took her inside my room despite her dabs and disapproval for my force. I shut the bedroom door behind me

"Shh... Sonali's here." I grunted at her, for being so rebellious all the time. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"WHAT? What the..." The doorbell rang again, twice consecutively this time.

"Shh... Main jaa raha hoon. You DON'T step out! Do you understand me?" I warned, pointing my index finger at her. Clearly, that was not the right way to get her to listen to me. For her, that was a challenge! Should I pat myself on the back for understanding her so well, or hate myself for being so involved? Main kya karu iss ladki ka?!

"Kyoon? Main darrti hoon kya usse? Huh? Why should I hide?" She was almost yelling, and I had to slam her mouth shut with my palm and resort to some drama.

"Please, please! PLEASE! Stay put." It came out as a plea. If Sonali got to know, I'd have to bear the deadly consequences. I wasn't daring enough to take them upon myself at that moment. She softened and didn't protest further, thankfully. I rushed back to the living room to check on Naina, who was still sucking on a squeaky toy and hitting it around. Hopefully, those squeaks masked my arguments with Nandini. I tucked my towel properly and then opened the door.

"Manik, hi." She gleamed, as she found me at the door.

"Hey Sonali, you here?" She hugged me tightly for a second, and I shifted uncomfortably, trying to spy on Nandini through the corner of my eyes.

"Actually... you left some files at work, so..." She found me distracted, looking towards the interior of my house, for obviously one reason. "...I'm sorry, were you showering?"

"Huh?" I rubbed my forehead, while secretly glancing inside as if I was just thinking. "I mean... yeah! Yeah, I'm wet and in a towel... yeah."

"I'm so sorry... umm... main andhar aaun?"

"Uh... Sure... yeah, of course! Come in..." I chuckled awkwardly, opening the door out for her. The clonk of her sharp heels on the ceramic steps got Nandini fuming and Naina frightened. She approached my baby with a smile, which Naina didn't like. She let out a loud cry, distancing me from Sonali. I picked her up very carefully but awkwardly, as I held onto my towel with one hand. Dono taraf se izzat ka sawaal hai! Literally, every awkward moment happens only when Nandini's family members are around!

I couldn't even tuck my towel in place anymore. Naina seemed to calm down after being held and cuddled with and noting that both her Daddy's hands were occupied, so Sonali had none to cling onto. Nandini was praying to the Gods above for having gifted a guardian angel to her. I heard a few curses from the bedroom and then some victory chants. FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! Nandini couldn't shut up for a few minutes, could she? Sonali was suspicious, and I'd never been more pissed off!

"Wha..." I cut Sonali off, trying to distract her.

"HEY... Would you like to have something?"

"No, it's..." I needed a moment to check on Nandini.

"Arre... no! You SHOULD have something." I gave her a pathetic grin as I said those words. It was so hard to deal with those two girls together-sisters! Sonali gave me a surprised look. Quick, Manik. Explain yourself. "Hehe...You know... Tum pure din office main hi busy rehti ho... na? Hai na?" It was more like I was forcing her to accept my own excuses, and being the desperate woman she was, she was convinced. "So... you should have something. YEAH!" I was about to leave, heaving a huge sigh behind her back but my elbow was in hers.

"Hehe... sure! Tumko itni fikr hai meri?" Not again, man. I mentally rolled my eyes at her.

"Uh... HAAN YAAR! How... aise kaise bol..." I was being dramatic, but it didn't go too well because I heard the bedroom door slam. Oh God!

"Manik... What was that?"

"I'll just... be back, yeah?" Before she could say anything, I rushed in with Naina, pressing my back to the closed door. Nandini was seething in anger, and though she looked small-damn, her anger was nasty. "What the hell is your problem, Nandini?" Naina was comparatively easier to deal with, though she was an infant. Nandini was just one difficult woman.

"You tell me, yeh yahan kya kar rahi hai?" She was literally breathing fire. I got the idea, she hated Sonali, they are half-sisters but Nandini should know Sonali doesn't have a chance. Doesn't she know me or what? "Why is she always behind you? Can't she get the fucking hint?" She crossed her arms, facing sideways, and rolling her eyes at the wall. As much as I wanted to smirk at her language and choice of words, especially because she was getting jealous of her own half-sister, there was a saner part of me that wanted to use the speech I was preparing.

"Haan toh aise hi ek choti si baat pe koi choddta nahi hai na kisiko!" I blurted without a second thought. I didn't know why I said that, but I regretted immediately. She darted her charming eyes to look at me. She looked guilty, which was bad enough. Speech use karna chahiye tha na buddhu!

"Manik?" Sonali cooed from outside and Nandini stared at me in shock and annoyance now. I handed Naina over to her quickly, retied my towel properly and walked out, almost closing the door behind me. Though Nandini had some company now, she knew nobody could save me from her wicked sister. Nobody would be there to watch out for me and she was way too possessive to let it slip by.

As I exited the room, the witch was standing before me. I thought for a second and then grinned like an idiot and waved. "Hey!"

"What happened? Where's Naina?" She was going to peek, but I grasped her arm, hoping to prevent any scary revelations. "Nand-?" She didn't see her, did she?

"Nand? Who's Nand?" Somehow, a lame chuckle automatically fit in with my dialogue, making me all the more susceptible to being caught. I suck! She scrutinized through the small opening.

"Is that Nandini?"

"Who Nandini? You mean our boss? WHAT? Haha... are you kidding me?" Trust me, lying to save yourself is the hardest thing to do when there's so much at stake, especially the money to buy atta and diapers. I moved my fingers awkwardly over her wrist.

"Actually... Naina's stomach was grumbling toh maine bas caretaker ko..." I observed if I really needed to give an explanation. She seemed smitten just because I was touching her. "Arre... kitne sawaal puchti ho tum! Chalo." I nudged her to the living room, after accepting a few silent curses from Nandini. "Thank you so much for the files." I said, walking her to the main door.

"But you said you'll get me something, that's why you went?" My God, how do they remember every single detail?

"Oh yeah..." I fake-laughed, pointing at my own brain and then at her, making exaggerated expressions which meant 'oh-wow-you're-smart-haan-Sonali'. "Yes, I'll be back." I tried to casually enter the room. I popped my torso inside.

"Nandini, give me something." She gave me a confused, plus angry plus hurt look.

"WHAT? Sorry, Miss. Caretaker ke paas kuch dene ke liye HAI NAHI!" Oh God! Not with me, please. I don't have the time or the energy.

"Woh jaa nahi rahi hai, kuch dedo yaar." I was impatient. Nandini was on a roll though.

"Yeah! She's only fit for receiving second-hand things. First, my father now this..." She headed to her office bag, pulled out a half-consumed Frooti bottle and threw it at me. Naina dropped the squeaky in excitement and Mommy and Baby gave each other a victorious smile. She was also cheering for her step-aunt's aukaat.

"Frooti? Seriously, Nandini?" I rolled my eyes. Ab issi se kaam chalaana padhega.

"Sonali, here! Sorry, I drank some of it on the way!" I felt like laughing at my own statement. Haan haan, jaise ki bedroom ghar se 500 kilometre duur hai! She seemed pleased, though. Women! All that struggling paid off when she left, coyly and craggily smirking at me while sipping the rim of the bottle.

PHEW! That was close!

I hopped back into my room to see Nandini whispering something to our child. "Daddy thinks Mommy is just a caretaker. Servant. Huh!" I pressed my smile. She was so defiant always. Maybe that was what made her more irresistible! I joined in, to add my share of taunts. Yeah... I had a few too.

"Mommy ko toh Daddy taxiwale 'bhaiyya' lagte hai!" I rolled my eyes, emphasizing on the word 'bhaiyya' out of spite. Which husband would like to be called 'bhaiyya'? That's just the worst name of them all! Nandini gave me a scowl.

"Daddy saari ladkiyon ko apna ghar ka address de deta hai!"

"Mommy ko emergency situations handle karna nahi aata hai, bas harr baat pe gussa karna hota hai!"

And then Nandini pulled out the most trivial argument ever. "Daddy kapde nahi pehan sakte guests ke saamne, he thinks he's so hot and charming!" I could feel the ends of my lips curve automatically as she just stated the obvious. Pushing the tip of my tongue against the walls of one of my cheeks, I approached her slowly.

"Really?" I lowered my voice, to threaten.

"Yeah but let me tell you... y-you aren't."

"Acchha? Yes yes, my 'hotness' DIDN'T cause the series of events that happened this afternoon." I smirked, leaving Nandini flabbergasted. She didn't anticipate how casually the 'talk' would be out in the air. "Let's talk about that?"

"There's nothing to talk about. Not anymore." She snapped, placing Naina on the bed. She slipped off the baby's pants and made Naina wear some shorts instead. She held our baby's hands and kissed her delicate fists. I was anyways sick and tired, after the long day. I changed into tracks and a casual tee; I pulled my laptop out, threw myself on the couch in the living room and began working.

***

Nandini

It had been long since Manik left the room. The baby was asleep, finally. Naina was cradled in one of my arms, with her body pressed against mine completely. Her head fit between the curve of my elbow and my torso, giving enough space for her to breathe and also stay close to Mommy. I'd come to learn that that was how she loved to sleep when she was with me. My other arm supported her lower body.

I clicked the room door open and headed out to the living room. His legs were stretched on the coffee table and his heels fell off-courtesy his height. With one leg over the other, his legs locked at his ankles and the laptop sat firmly on his lap. His head tilted back on the couch cushion as he had dozed off, with the laptop light shimmering on his face, accentuating his jawline. A flaky smile extended from both ends of my lips. He was the most beautiful man in the world; he knew how to deal with me and my unnecessary bickering. I approached him, slipping Naina off my body and onto his chest. As soon as he felt her, he snugged her protectively with both his arms.

Even in his sleep, he knew his priorities and responsibilities. How could I not smile? He was raised by a good family.

Filled with affection, I shut his laptop, kept it in his laptop bag and zipped it up carefully: doing the 'wife duties'. I brought a huge blanket and a little one from inside his room wrapped one around his stomach and the little one over our daughter. The cushions sunk as I placed myself beside him, admiring him from a small distance.

How did I actually make peace with the idea of letting them go? Until two hours ago, I was painfully cherishing some of the last moments I'd be spending with my little one. Forget it, I'm not going anywhere. Yeah, after the whole Sonali-coming-over drama, I was never leaving him alone, NO! My baby will be just fine even if her Mommy's around. Toxic people can go to hell, her Mommy will drive those toxic people to hell. After all, Naina couldn't be the only one looking after her Daddy and the crazy women who have a crush on him! Yes, Naina needs some help-that's why I'm staying. Now that my reasons are clear...

I shut my thought process. I wanted some sleep too. It'd been a long time since I had a peaceful night's sleep. I slowly placed my head over his chest and hugged Manik around his waist. In his sleep, he adjusted himself to give me some place to fit into his body. How is it possible to not love him? He looked so worry-free. Maybe that was what middle-class people felt. Peace. Complacence.

I was a rich, spoilt brat, with a messy life, hooked on fake merciless relationships. I was so obsessed with status, and class that I'd forgotten there was life beyond money and luxuries. I studied his charming face again. For a moment, I didn't even blame Sonali. Manik is just... so lovable.

In admiration and appreciation, I raised myself with difficulty, giving him a small peck on the side of his forehead, followed by Naina's head.

"I love you, Manik. I really do." I whispered the words I feared to tell him when he was awake. He gave no signs of acknowledgment; he really was asleep. "You too, baby." I closed my eyes to feel another family moment, not remembering when I fell asleep.

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Thanks a ton for sticking around! 

If you have any scene that you really loved, inline comment this line and I will make sure I see it. <3 So much gratitude to those who've made it this far.

So far, is there something I can improve on? Something I can add to tie some strings together? Please feel free to let me know :3

If you are a tad confused, I would suggest rereading the first few and final lines of the previous chapters to reestablish a connection with the current storyline.

I can't wait to be back here again, on a regular basis. Should I keep the momentum going, or cut down on the storyline? Let me know please? Tons and tons of love! :3 See you soon!