"U have got company Lovebirds!!"

Rishab spoke up looking at Manan, pulling them out of their trance as he noticed Nandini immediately wipe off her eyes while Manik pulled her closer into a hug as she hid her face into his chest, getting herself together.

Rishab frowned at it and walked closer,
Rishab: Di.... What happened? Jiju??

Manik: Hey champ.... Come on sit!
Manik said smiling a bit at him as he still held Nandini closer.

Rishab: No tell me... What happened Di??

Nandini finally broke away from Manik, looking up at him as she smiled slightly,
Nandini: Nothing at all!! I was just being too damn emotional with all this and Manik was trying to cheer me up....

Manik: As always!
Manik said teasing her making Nandini roll her eyes as she swatted his arm when her gaze fell on the girl lurking behind Rishab. Almost immediately a broad smile crept over her face as she looked at Rishab.

Nandini: Hey... U got her to meet meeee!!!!

Rishab chuckled at her nodding as he turned towards the girl and forwarded his hand to her, pulling her forward to stand beside him.
Rishab: Ash, this is my sister!

Nandini smiled broadly at her forwarding her left arm forward as her right shoulder was not fine.
Nandini: Hi, I m Nandini....

The girl held her hand smiling sweetly and replied,
"Ashita..."

Nandini: That's a nice name.... I would hv hugged u or atleast have had a proper handshake but I m not exactly at the best of my abilities right now...

Ashita: Ohh no that completely alright Di... I mean Ma'am... Mrs. Malhotra... Umn, ma'am!!!

Nandini chuckled at her nervousness before shaking her head,
Nandini: Di is just fine! No need to be formal.

Ashita smiled at her nodding when Manik spoke up,
Manik: Uhm... Buddy! Champ... Just a reminder, I m here too! Or are u going to ignore me the entire time?

Rishab laughed at it before turned towards his girlfriend,
Rishab: And that's Jiju!!

Ashita laughed forwarding her hand forward to shake with him when Rishab smiled at manik,
Rishab: I may or may not have promised her an autograph of urs... So, just to inform u before hand.

Manik: Of course! Why else would u need me here?? God, I feel so used...
Manik said dramatically making Nandini roll her eyes.

Nandini: Ignore him... Hey why are u two standing? Take a seat!

Both Rishab and Ashita took their chairs near her bed as they all sat together and talked. Manik stayed at his place next to her on the bed, holding her close to himself. He was busy in his coversation with Rishab, not even noticing how his hand was securely wrapped around her waist, his palm caressing on her injured ribs to sooth her, while Nandini sat their too much aware of the comfort that he was unknowingly providing her.

It was quite late when Manik's phone beeped with a msg and he stood up making Nandini look at him in confusion,
Manik: The driver is here with our dinner, I'll just go and get it along with ur medicines. U need something?

Nandini: No.. Nothing!
Nandini replied but manik still continued to look at her with concern,

Manik: U r gonna be fine right?

Nandini: Yes Manik, I m fine! I can handle myself for a few minutes, I m not 2, I m 5 years old big girl.

Manik chuckled rolling his eyes and turned to leave when Nandini spoke up,
Nandini: Umn why don't u take rishu along... Rishu?

Rishab: Huh...
Rishab said unsure, his eyes turning towards Ashita.

Nandini: What? I won't eat ur girlfriend up in 10 minutes! Go with him and give us some time alone....

Rishab nodded at her, getting up from his seat as he walked out following Manik. Nandini waited as the door closed before a chuckle escaped her mouth.
Nandini: He is gonna tell Manik to hurry up in like every 2 mins...

Ashita giggled at her before nodding.
Nandini: Ohk... So before he gets back! U wanted to meet me right, anything specific u wanted to know?

Ashita's eyes broadened at her words as she opened up her mouth,
Nandini: Before u ask, he just let it slip that u have been asking him to get to meet me... Now, to what I know, no one just wishes to meet their boyfriend's sister so eagerly just like that!

Ashita looked down at her words and shoke her head,
Ashita: I did not have any specific reason..... Actually I did, but its so stupid and-

Nandini: U can talk to me freely...

Ashita: I know I can.... I really do!! Its just that Rishab just adores u so much, u r practically the one person about whom he would just never get tired of talking. And I don't know why but I just wanted to meet u, to know u personally other than what he tells me, and maybe.. if possible to get u like me somehow...

She spoke the last part slowly looking down making Nandini chuckle.
Ashita: I know its insane and maybe selfish... But I really do like him and somehow I know that ur approval would be that one thing that could actually have chances of making him respond to my feelings.

Nandini smiled at her and asked softly,
Nandini: How long have u know my brother Ashita?

Ashita: From the day he joined SPACE!

Nandini: And in all this time, that u have known him, how many real friends did u see him make?

Ashita thought about her question for a second but Nandini answered it for her,
Nandini: None.... Even though I m not there, I know this!! He may have a number of people around him, he may be quite good with them, but none of them are actually the ones he opens up to and then just the fact that u are standing here makes u way too special for him than anyone else Ashita. No matter how much u or I asked him to, if he finally agreed to get u here then that in itself tells a great deal about his feelings for u....

Ashita: Really??

Ashita asked with an unsure smile making Nandini nod as she asked further,
Nandini: He talked to u about them too, didn't he?

Ashita got uncomfortable about it before nodding softly as Nandini smiled and held her hand,
Nandini: My brother does really like u a good deal then! I think we are gonna get along alright...

Ashita smiled broadly at her words, all her nervousness running out of the window.
Nandini: U seemed to have made ur way through his heart dear!

Ashita: Is that how u found urs??

Nandini frowned at her words confused when ashita cleared her confusion,
Ashita: Jiju! If I may even call him that.... Is that how u got him? Coz he seeped his way into ur heart. Rishab did say he was ur first real friend too!

A small smile came onto Nandini's face, as she nodded,
Nandini: Yes... He was my first friend and he always will be my best one.

Ashita: Well rishab for one, seems to be totally idealising ur lovestory and I just think, I may not be far behind to follow now...

Nandini turned towards the window as she looked at the dark night sky outside. Manik's confession going on and on in her head.
--------------------------------

Manik: What do u mean by away?
Manik asked shocked by Nandini's words the next day as the two of them sat in their room in the Malhotra Mansion, soon after Nandini was discharged by the hospital.

Nandini took a deep breath as she replied softly,
Nandini: A few days away... Far from all of this, this city, these nightmares, these problems, us!!

Manik: Us.... There u go! That is exactly what u r running from.... "Us" Nandini....
Manik snapped at her, startling Nandini as she jumped a little.

Nandini: Manik its just a few days.... I need time plz!! I need some time to think...

Manik: Think what?

Nandini: About everything! U, Me, Us, Ur feelings....
Nandini said slowly with a sigh making Manik follow her actions as he spoke softly.

Manik: I never said I want an answer from u Nandini.... When I told u that I love u, I never expected an answer from u, I still don't. I know u Nandini. U don't have to run away because of that! Plus u r not at all well, u need rest and constant care, u can't just go away and not think about all that...

Nandini: Plz Manik... I just need to go!  Plz understand..
Nandini almost pleaded but Manik again shook his head.

Manik: No... You are not going anywhere alone!! If u want this freaking away time then I'll go.... I can take that freaking Dubai thing up and u can stay here, Mom will take care of u for sure...
Manik said in the most understanding voice as possible, trying to change up her mind but Nandini stayed firm.

Nandini: And what?? Keep on lying to ur parents? No Manik! I don't want this, I m sick and tired of this drama and I want out of this.

Manik: Drama??
Manik spoke up after what seemed like forever. Hurt flashing through his eyes clearly making Nandini bite back by her lip.

Manik: This is a drama for u?? U have been acting all this while??
He spoke up in a voice so small that it could be mistaken for air. Nandini moved from the bed, wincing at the pain, as she leaned forward holding his hand and taking in a deep breath.

Nandini: U know I didn't mean it that way Manik.... Listen to me, we-

Manik: No, u r right! U r absolutely right....
Manik said giving her the most fakest smile he could muster up before jerking away her hand as he stood up moving towards the door.

Nandini: Where are u going?

Manik: U wanted time to think right? Have it ur way then! U have all the time in the world, but u aren't going anywhere. I'll make sure to give u as much time away as I can, but if its still not enough, just tell me once and I'll take up that Dubai thing moving away before u know it.
He replied to her, with his face completely blank.

Nandini: Manik, I-
Nandini started to say something but was interrupted as Manik moved out of the room, banging the door loudly behind him.

Nandini groaned in frustration before leaning back down on the head rest, looking at the now empty room.

A few minutes later, nyonika entered the room with some food and sat by her side.
Nyonika: Where is Manik?

Nandini: Office... He is trying to cover up for everything that was missed these past few days...
Nandini replied with a small smile, somehow knowing that office is exactly the place Manik would hv gone off to.

Nyonika smiled back at her as the two of them sat and talked while Nyonika continued to feed Nandini. A few hours later, Nandini sat there on the bed reading a novel waiting for Manik to come back. It as already the time for him to be home, but there was no sign for him.

She waited and waited but there was nothing until Harsh came to see her and told her that Manik was gonna work late. She dropped off a simple message to him as Nyonika got dinner for her in the room and practically forced her to eat it all before giving her the medicines.

Changing into one of his T-shirts, Nandini continued with her novel glancing at the door time and again, until sleep took over her.

Manik returned back home at around 11:30 that night, and walked into the room to see Nandini sleeping with a novel open in her hands. He took the book away from her, and helped her lay down properly, before pulling the duvet further up and kissing her forehead softly making sure not to wake her up.

Taking his pillow from the side, he made his bed on the floor, realising the utter need of a couch in his room and soon he too fell asleep from all the exhaustion of the day.

Nandini woke up in the middle of the night, finding him on the floor as small tears came up in her eyes.
Nandini: Ur suffering is not the space that I need Manik.... I don't know when u will understand that!

The same routine went on for the next entire week, with Nandini being stuck to the bed the entire day and Manik making sure not to meet her at all. Nandini spent her days reading novels, working on her designs to cover up for work, and spending time with Nyonika, Rishab and sometimes even Navya. She missed him more than anything, but there was something stopping her from reaching out towards him.

Finally the weekend came around when Nyonika and Harsh had to go to Pune for some charity event. All week Nyonika had been stern on not letting Nandini out of the house as a precaution while all Nandini wanted was to get a day out, and here she got the chance. As soon as they left Nandini changed into something comfortable and moved out of the house after telling the servant that she'll be late.

Not having her car anymore, she looked at all the cars standing outside but decided against driving and took a cab to marine drive. Spending the entire evening just sitting there watching the ocean, she finally smiled for the first time in the entire week. She wanted to go to the hill, but without Manik, it just seemed a waste.
------------------

Manik returned home late that night too, only to find the bed empty. He looked around for Nandini in the entire house as the morning of the accident came back to his mind again.

Manik: Where is Nandini?
He asked the servant, making the old man shiver at his tone.

Servant: She went out this evening and said she would be late. Ur parents left for their charity event in Pune.

Manik: Where did she say she was going?

Servant: She didn't mention anything!!

Manik groaned at it as he pulled out his phone calling Nandini. He waited and waited for her to pick it up, but finally got no answer making him shout out in frustration.
Manik: God, where is this girl!!
-------------------------

Nandini: One more plz!
Nandini called out towards the bar tender as the guy made another drink for her and served it to her.

Bar tender: U know u have had a bit too much by now, right?

Nandini: Yes, I know! But I don't care and neither should u.... Just keep on serving till I ask u!
Nandini snapped at him, making him shake his head at her as he lifted up his hands in surrender.

Bar tender: No ways beautiful.... That is ur last drink! I m not getting u any more than that.
He said as he eyed Nandini taking in the drink glass in a gulp.

Nandini: U can't decide that. I need another one!

Bar tender: I can actually.... The counter is closed for u! U r drunk and alone, I m not serving u anymore....

Nandini: I want another drink and I m paying u for that, just make my drink u shit-head.
Nandini shouted at him over the music while the guy shook his head again.

"Get her one! She isn't alone!"
Nandini heard a voice by her side as a guy stood by her. She turned towards him, narrowing her eyes trying to look at his face but only saw the hazy lights of the place.

Nandini: Hey, I can get my drink myself. I don't need ur help!

The bar tender look between the two of them but then agreed to it as he got a drink for her. Nandini heard the guy buy a drink for himself too before taking a seat by her side. She didn't notice him wrap his arm around her, until a familiar warmth spread through her body. She noticed his hand caressing right above her injured ribs in a soothing motion as she jerked away from him,
Nandini: Hey u can't do that!! Only Manik can...

She noticed the guy's eyes on her for a few moments before he finally nodded and said "Okay!"

None of them said anything for a few minutes before Nandini finally spoke up,
Nandini: U r a good guy... U made him get me a drink!

The guy chuckled at her before taking a sip from his drink.
"Its fine..."

Nandini: I m Nandini by the way!! And u r??

"The good guy!!"
He replied making her laugh.

Nandini: Yes... Good guy!!

"So... Why are u drinking so much? Any specific reason?"

Nandini: I miss him!

"Huh??"

Nandini: Manik... I miss him.... He isn't talking to me. He is never around these days. He keeps on trying to avoid me. I know he is angry, but he never shows it to me and that makes me even more furious at him.

"Ohh... Manik..."

Nandini: Yes, my husband!

"Sounds like a jerk..."

Nandini: HEY..... NOT A WORD AGAINST HIM.... Only I can call him out anything. No one but me!
Nandini snapped at him, almost falling from her seat before he held her hand steadying her.

"Ohk Ohk I get it!! Nothing against him..."

Nandini nodded at him and ordered for another drink. She stayed quite for sometime as the bar tender made her drink and then spoke up,
Nandini: U know he says that he loves me!

"That's good right?"

Nandini: No.... He shouldn't!

"Why?"

Nandini: He shouldn't.....
Nandini repeated simply drowning the entire drink at once.

Nandini: I should go home! He would be worried...

"Yes... He would be! How will u go? Should I drop u??"
The guy asked her making Nandini get up as she nodded at him slowly. She took a few steps towards the exit, only to stumble up at her feet as she held onto some random by-stander.

"Come... I'll help u!"
She heard her company's voice making her nod as she felt his arms wrap around her pulling her up from the ground.

They left the loud night club as the guy walked towards his car in silence. Nandini's eyes stayed open, staring at the wide sky watching the stars twinkle.

Nandini: I can't even tell him that I miss him!
She spoke softly to her dear stranger.

"Why?"

Nandini: Because I m a bad person.... And I don't deserve him.
She replied back to him before breaking her gaze off the sky and looking at the guy.

Nandini: Don't tell him that okay? He'll be angry.

"Who am I Nandini??"
The guy asked her reaching his car.

Nandini: The good guy!

"Okay then I won't tell him anything..."
He replied to her opening the door as he made her settle inside, watching her close her eyes as sleep instantly took over her.
---------------------------------

There u go....

Drop on comments on how was the chapter guys! Hope u all liked it..

Love,
Navya😍