Yo, it's Monday and we're #143 in Fanfiction now. We're gradually dropping but I hope we get back into the race soon! I'm so happy about the response, lovelies! I think last chapter also got close to 200 votes, and 100+ comments which is super amazing! :') I love that so many of you are commenting, some spamming too and that just means you're enjoying this as much as I am!

Special thanks to @elysiancoral for the fan-made cover, (media box) I love her so much! <3

Thank you all so much for the support and continue doing so because... it's heartwarming! <3 Now, prep yourselves for some... nah, let's hold it. ;) Ha! 3... 2... 1... Go!

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Manik

On the 14th of July, my daughter turned 4 months old. I swapped through the channels on the television to catch up on something interesting and also celebrate with her. It was a Tuesday and I was up the previous night working and putting Naina to sleep so I managed to finish that day's deadlines early, which meant baby time! My baby was on the floor after a warm relaxing bath, throwing her fists and feet in the air to touch me, or rather punch and kick!

"Punch maarna seekhna hai toh Mommy se puchna! Zabardast punches maarti hai! Yeah, even I've received a handful..." (If you want to learn how to punch, ask Mommy to teach you! Her punches are out of the world! Yeah, even I've received a handful...) I explained my sad story to her as I sat beside her, watching her move around.

She looked at me, smiled and turned to the side. She could roll half-way but her entire body would be supported on just one of her arms and losing balance, she'd rest on her back again. In that instant, she looked exactly like a shy Nandini, smiling dreamily. Welcome to my side of our story.

We were in the delivery room, panicking and shrieking like crazy. I genuinely regretted saying 'yes' to stay with her in the room. I couldn't watch her shout and cry, and she did for 2 hours straight, mostly because she was hormonal and some doctor injected her, despite her demands otherwise.

After hour long battles, Naina took birth after a loud scream from Nandini, who was shaking from the experience. I was hugging her, and trying to not freak out but she was making it so difficult for me. The baby was pulled out and put over her chest, quickly wrapping her with a replaceable sheath. Nandini panted and the baby let out a loud wail. At that moment, Nandini burst out crying too. The doctors cleaned the baby with some clean towels and warm water. Nandini fed the little one, cuddling her tightly.

Nandini went on whispering beautiful words to the baby, assuring her of lots of love and happiness. She made a few promises to herself to do everything a mother can that day too. Naina didn't feed at all so Nandini figured she wasn't hungry and called me over. I held her for the first time, 15 minutes after her birth. She was shorter than the length of my arm, and her tiny head fit in the cups of my joined palms. She was so tiny and so pink and pale. Her wrist held a tag, with her name, her gender, date and time of birth. I kissed the baby palm and ended up crying when her bright baby eyes opened once, she blinked, and then yawned, twitching her nose in the process.

I couldn't believe she'd grown from the size of a pea to the length of my arm, all inside her Mommy. Nandini was happy too. She touched the baby's head. I placed Naina beside Nandini, and Nandini put a protective arm around her.

"I promise I'll always protect the two of you, always." I whispered, slipping my hand into hers and kissing it.  

I was broken off when my phone buzzed on the dining table. I pat Naina's tummy twice and then hurried to attend to it. "Hello, Mr. Mehta. Is everything okay?" I came back to check on Naina but sensing Daddy's distance, she began hitting and kicking roughly, sometimes squealing too.

"I'm so sorry to trouble you, Manik but actually, Sonali came to bid me goodbye at work but I am on the way to the airport so I couldn't meet her. Now she is stuck there." I furrowed my eyebrows in disbelief. Not her again, God please.

"Acchha... main taxi book kar deta hoon na..." (Okay... I'll book her a taxi...) He cut me mid-sentence.

"No. I mean... it would be great favor for me if you could go pick her up. I don't trust anyone else." Ahh... the trust card! He really seemed to know the game.

"Sir, I..."

"Okay, I'll let her know you're on your way. Thanks." He ended the call before I could say a word. I blatantly stared at my child and she giggled, putting her hand in her mouth. Daddy's problems were always fun to her! I scooped her in my arms, showered her with a zillion kisses all over her face and she squirmed and laughed, making the journey less dreadful.

Naina and I drove to work again to pick up Sonali. Isse accha toh taxi driver ban sakta hai tu! (I could really become a taxi-driver instead!) In about 15 minutes, we were at the main gate of HyLyte Web Services. I saw a woman wearing an extremely tight white dress, hugging her curves, approaching us. Damn it, couldn't she dress more appropriately? For a second I thought she was Nandini but then Nandini wouldn't dress that way, at least in public! Also, she was way taller than Nandini, not judging.

I scooted to the other side of the door and opened it. She got in and leaned into me, giving me a quick tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, soon enough for me to react. "Thank you so much for coming, Manik." I gave her a cringe-worthy smile and nodded. "Those men were staring at me so dirtily, ew!" Ab dress aise pehnogi toh kyoon nahi? (If you wear such clothes to work, why not?) I kept the comment to myself though.

She shuffled her legs on purpose and put on over the other, making her dress ride up. When a person sitting next to you does something that explicit, you can't help but notice! That woman was literally doing everything she could to make the atmosphere more uncomfortable.

I turned the AC up a notch. She was hot. I wasn't even ashamed. I'd probably date her if I was emotionally available but I had had a 'good' share of experiences with relationships. They were enough to frighten me. I crossed the main gate of the campus, and Sonali put her hand over my thigh, slowly drawing circles. I stiffened uncomfortably, braking the car abruptly. To my diagonal right stood Nandini, who was lost in her own world.

As realization struck her, her eyes bulged out at the sight of another woman beside me, not to mention, the woman she hated. With two sharp jerks, she approached the car and just hopped in.

"Bhaiyya, Andheri jaana hai, aapko pata hi hoga..." (Brother, I need to go to Andheri, you must be knowing...) She snapped as she banged the door in frustration, glaring out of the window. Sonali was taken aback by Nandini's actions yet again. I was glad she was there. I couldn't save myself from the witch otherwise. I almost smirked. She was so jealous. Oh wait, she doesn't care about you either.

"Oh sorry, yeh taxi service nahi hai? Aww... too bad!" (Oh sorry, this isn't a taxi service? Aww... too bad!) Nandini was some drama, especially around people she was insecure about. She made faces at Sonali and settled. I figured she wouldn't get out anytime soon, at least until I dropped Sonali. Too bad for Sonali, her attempts to seduce me wouldn't work anymore! She wasn't pleased.

"Nandini, you don't just barge into some co-worker's car like this." She nagged like she was my wife and Nandini had ruined our private moment. I pressed my lips together at the irony. Nandini shot a darting glare at me as I started the car, paying no heed to any of the girls.

"Why? Is he entitled to do personal jobs only for you and your father?" Almost cheering for her Mommy, a coo escaped my daughter's lips. Nandini was instantly smitten. She gazed at the little one that was hooked onto her car seat, in a relaxed posture, exploring her little hands in close-up. Naina looked like a baby potato sack, leaning against a wall! Don't judge me, I had ridiculous phrases in my head to describe my daughter but above all, I loved her more than anything. Her Mommy gazed at her in admiration and instantly, Naina was emanating a glee, putting her baby fingers in her mouth. Nandini unbuckled the baby and I couldn't help but slow the car down.

"Sambhaalke!" (Careful!) She nodded to God knew who. She carried the baby and placed her on her lap, supporting her with her head on the length of her arm, along her body, securely wrapping her fingers around the baby thigh. Naina gaped at Mommy and gave her another breathtaking smile with a squeal, and Nandini was totally flat.

"Manik, she's smiling at me!" She shrieked impulsively, not yet registering the presence of an intruder in the middle of a cute family moment.

"I wonder how she's smiling at a face like that. Always so khadoos." (Always so agitated.) Sonali muttered loud enough for me to hear. To an extent, I agreed to that. Nandini was always a mad woman around me. Nandini shot another lethal stare at her, and then me. I was enjoying the cold war. Women and fighting was entertainment to me and when both come together, why would I miss the chance?

"Maybe because I mind my business and don't hit on married men!" Savage! I was momentarily proud at the taunts she was hurling at Sonali. Clearly, Sonali was highly offended, because what came after was something I couldn't really stand.

"Maybe his wife was as dumb as-" I braked the car in one jerky motion.

"Sonali, enough!" All three of them watched me in astonishment; Nandini, because I was supposedly defending her, my baby because she caught Daddy seriously angry, and not to mention Sonali, who couldn't finish with her comeback. To add to some trouble, Sonali gave me a suspicious look. Last thing I needed was me being thrown out of the company for yelling at my boss' daughter.

"Enough, both of you!" I quickly managed to escape, covering up. By then, Naina found something more fascinating, Nandini's shirt buttons. She touched them at first and then tried grabbing them. When all failed, she poked her face into her Mommy's body to latch onto the buttons with her mouth. While my baby tried to keep the tension below bars, I drove faster to drop Sonali off.

We parked in front of her house and she got out after shooting a small smile at me. I hopped out behind her and obviously, Nandini was furious. She could be dealt with later.

"I'm... sorry about that. It's just that... when somebody says something about Na-" My eyes widened at the information I was about to reveal. Sonali was eager to know too. "-my wife, I lose my head."

"You shouldn't be, Manik. In fact, I should be... sorry... I mean I am." She flustered and then shoved her hair behind her ears shyly, looking at the ground. Ahh... cringy. "Thank you again." She leaned in for a hug. My eyes swept in Nandini's direction, while she glowered in jealousy. The window lowered hastily.

"Aaj raat yahi rukhna padega kya?" (Are we going to stay here all night?) Sonali let go of me. I smiled awkwardly at her. She gave a pathetic look at Nandini who seemed to be in total control of me. Sonali was agitated. Nandini seemed proud. I knew for a fact that there was more to come. I buckled myself and through the rear mirror, I found Naina spread out on Nandini's chest. Nandini was holding her affectionately, with motherly concern in her expressions, as she pulled one of Naina's arms from an uncomfortable position to a more relaxed one. After a little kiss on her head, her attention shifted to me. Ab toh tu gaya, Manik. (Now you're dead, Manik.)

***

Nandini

Manik halted at my house. I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep. I found my baby lying on my chest, with one of her baby hands gripping the front band of my bra. I placed a hand over Naina's head and tried to put her in the car seat but she squirmed and clung onto me. Nobody ever wanted me like that, maybe Manik did but I didn't pay much heed then. You don't realize the value of things when you have them. I felt the need to hold her longer. Manik sighed and then turned the ignition off.

"She does that often, rock her gently; she'll let go." Despite my yearning, I leaned forward to get her in my arms as I began slowly swaying. Yet, she didn't let go. I desperately looked at Manik. He opened the backdoor and held her, forcefully withdrawing her from me. As soon as she was lifted, she let out a loud cry and my heart sunk. Can't I be with her? "Don't worry, she'll be fine." He assured as he tried to calm down my wailing child. I felt my eyes become moist.

"Manik, give her to me?" It sounded like a plea, but in my eyes he could see something. It was the same feeling I saw in him when I shoved him out of my life despite his futile attempts to hold on to me. He wouldn't do what I did to him; it was how we were different from each other. I'd hurt him for mistakes others had done to me, but he would never do that, even to me. He knew how much it hurt. Without a second thought, he handed her over to me.

I embraced the little one with both my arms wrapped around her tiny body. I kissed her a couple of times and then spoke softly, to soothe her. Within moments, she was calm and tired. She missed me; and I, I couldn't stop... thinking about them. My eyes welled up in tears. For the first time, I'd broken down that way in front of Manik, for them. Maybe for the first time, Manik was seeing what I truly felt behind this strong mask of mine. He just didn't know how to handle me.

He took a moment to think and then headed to the trunk of the car and got out a bag. He signaled it towards me. "Nandini, tum... take care of her. This is her formula; mix about 1 scoop in warm water in about... 10 minutes. If she starts crying..." He couldn't stay away from his daughter. I knew that and I didn't want to give him that pain of separating him from the only person he truly loved, more than me. She was the only one he had. 

"Manik... can you also stay? I don't... trust myself." Manik took a deep breath once and then checked his phone. Then he looked back at me, and then the baby. Even he knew he couldn't stay away from his daughter. He knew that I knew his weakness. Eventually, he did give in. Maybe, this is a new beginning to our old end?

***

Manik

As I walked inside the building, the helpers at Nandini's house gave me a welcoming smile. With just Nandini bossing around the house, it must've certainly been hard for them. The place looked as good as I last remembered. The furniture was rearranged a bit and the dining table was new. I'd broken the last one, made of intricate glass designs, when we'd broken up. I walked upstairs with Nandini leading the way.

In that room I'd spent my best and most intimate moments with Nandini; our, now her, bedroom. It felt good to be back there. Nandini slowly sat on the bed, removing her heels. Tactfully, she managed to make it to the headboard. She sat against it, causing not the slightest discomfort to the baby. I headed downstairs to get Naina her milk. Over the days, I'd learned that if she was woken from sleep with a bottle instantly fed, she wouldn't get cranky.

Nandini began unbuttoning her shirt in discomfort and removing it from her body. Naina squirmed, but didn't cry, thankfully. She used the same shirt to wipe out saliva and saliva traces from my baby's mouth. Exactly then, I had to enter, and in swift defense, she covered herself with Naina.

"Manik! What the hell?" She whisper-yelled, tucking some hair behind her ear, clearly annoyed by my sudden entry. The infamous Manik Malhotra smirk adorned my face. I'd seen more than she could cover anyways. I just headed to her closet, pulled out the familiar night dress she wore, and threw it at her. She smiled at me. "Kuch badla nahi..." (Nothing has changed...) She was referring to my savior attempts to control myself after our love-making sessions, when I'd force her to dress up.

"Nahi, sab... badal gaya hai." (No, everything's... changed.) I murmured at her through the mirror, as I grabbed the bottle that I needed to feed the baby with. She threw her night shirt on, and over the baby too. I threw myself on the bed, stretching and lying with my elbow's support as reached out for Naina. Nandini scooted below and nudged her to wake up. I, however, swept her off Nandini in one quick go, feeling jitters down my spine as my fingers came in contact of her warm skin. Shit! This feeling will never change, would it? I had other things to worry about though. Even before Naina could cry, she was fed by Daddy dearest, who cuddled her on the bed. Nandini pressed her forehead for a brief moment as her eyes closed in distress. When she was a little better, she went to the bathroom to change into her palazzo pajama pants.

Oh God Manik, this is going to be one tough night for you!

Later that night, I was lazing in the balcony in Nandini's room, with my first baby, a tomato sapling. It had grown, given rise to another sapling and the parent was gone. Nandini and I had planted it after the completion of our first official project together. That was about a year ago. How fast time flies...

A phone on the nightstand buzzed. By the ringtone, it clearly wasn't mine. I waited for two rings, to check if she was going to wake up and pick the call. After that, I did myself. I didn't want to deal with a cranky baby. Meera. Who's Meera?

"Hello?"

"Nandini, I'm Dr. Meera, voh-Nandini?" Doctor? Why, what's wrong? I studied Nandini's face for some clues. She was sleeping soundly, with a hand over Naina's tummy.

"Nahi, main... Nandini so rahi hai. Any message I can take over? I'm Manik Malhotra."

"Sorry Mr. Malhotra, disturb karne ke liye. Actually, the reports are out and it would be better if I can meet you both in person tomorrow morning." (Sorry Mr. Malhotra, for disturbing you.) What reports? Was it something serious? I was praying otherwise.

"Kaun-kaunsa report?" (Wh-what report?) There was fear in my voice, and I was curious to know more.

"Post-partum post-traumatic stress disorder."

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Was it good? For those who don't know about post-partum depression, it is a form of depression that affects people post-pregnancy and messes with the physical and emotional balance of the woman. It is pretty common, but PTSD isn't easily triggered so there's a backstory again ;)

Question: What do you think Manik would do now?

Share your opinions, and also let me know which part was the best! I wanna know what you think will happen next! Thanks honeycups. (I'm as weird as Manik when it comes to nicknames 😂 but it's because I love you.) See you Thursday!