Cover credits : ImLilMissComplicated
Thank you so much Angiee... Love ya ❤

All of them reached Mumbai in the afternoon and decided to take a nap before the reception which was at 8 in the evening.

After a peaceful slumber, they got ready and left to the Reception venue.

Nandini - Mukti - Alya - Sanjana (Sanjana's outfit by freelancer_JS)

Top ~ Manik - Abhimanyu
Bottom ~ Dhruv - Varun

Cabir - Navya

All the relatives and friends of both the families i.e. Singhania's and Dhawan's were present. There were top businessmen present with their families. It was the most graceful evening anyone had seen, with the best venue, best decoration, best food, best arrangements and of course by the best people.

The Aura of the party was very classy and sophisticated yet homely. You could tell just by seeing people's faces that they were fully enjoying it.

Though it was a little boring for Nandini since all her friends left her alone. The guys were busy talking about business, and among girls Mukti & Alya were also talking with the people from music industry and now her only hope Sanjana too had to go with her mom.

Nandini sighed not knowing what to do and went to sit at one of the tables all by herself. She understood that it was important for them to go but they didn't even glance at her or let alone told her they'll be back. No, She's not an attention seeker, she was just like a little kid sometimes, who took small small things to heart. She was swirling her glass of fruit punch, when her friends finally got free and decided to join her.

"Hey babe, wassup?" Varun said casually ruffling her hair, while she just turned her head.

"Oye tujhe kya hua?" It was Abhi who asked this time.. But yet again no response.

"Nandu, bata na hua kya?" "Yeah Nandini, batao na.." Alya and Mukti too tried but again the same silence.

"Nandu, tell us what hap-" Manik was cut off before he could finish his sentence.

"Excuse Me." She mumbled and went to the direction of the restroom despite her friends calling for her. She was inwardly smiling, how they seriously thought that she's angry on them, while she was just teasing them.

She entered the restroom and thanked god that it was empty so she wouldn't have to wrestle with a couple of girls just so she can squeeze herself infront of mirror.

She was on the process of reapplying her lip gloss when someone walked in. She didn't bother turning around to look at the person. But when she heard the door slamming shut, startled she turned around and gasped audibly. She saw an unfamiliar face tumbling, clearly showing that he's drunk, making his way inside.

"Um, excuse me this is women's washroom. I think you have entered the wrong room. Can you please move out?" She politely tried reasoning out but he was in no mood, which made her a little bit scared.

"I-I know baby. And th-that's why I'm here!" He slurred in his drunken state and gave her a toothy smile which disgusted her.

"Dekhiye-"

"Dekh hi raha hu.." He said eyeing her from head to toe. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
A bead of sweat formed on her forehead when she saw him walking closer to her. She stepped to the right and started walking away when he grabbed her arm way too harshly.

"Leave. Me." She said gritting her teeth though she was really scared from inside she couldn't show it to him.
It was as if her words fell into his deaf ears because he only tightened his grip on her causing her to wince in pain. With a swift move he pulled her back cornering her against the wall.

"Leave me alone, you jerk! Help! Help!" She wiggled, pushed and screamed but nothing happened. He brought his face closer to her when she turned away. He angrily kissed her neck harshly trying to leave a mark and tears welled up in her eyes. She suddenly closed her eyes and stopped struggling causing him to loose his grip on her a bit. Taking it as a chance she brought her knee up and kicked him on his crotch. Surprised by her sudden act he fell on ground groaning in pain.

She then ran out of there, running like a maniac and bumped into someone.

"Nandini.." It was Manik, whose voice she recognized almost immediately.

He hugged her instantly, "Oh thank god you're okay, we were all so worried for you. You weren't talking to us and then you suddenly walked away, tum gayi kahan- Wait. Why are you crying?" He stopped abruptly as soon as he noticed tears in her eyes. When she didn't reply he continued, "Nandu, tell me. Why are you crying?" He cupped her cheeks and his voice held authority now.

She just shook her head and went to where others were hastily wiping her tears and leaving a confused & worried Manik behind.

"Yaar Nandu we're sorry na, we would not leave you alone from now.." Varun said as soon as he saw her.

She put up a fake smile and said, "Hmm good, you better be.. by the way guys, um., can I go home?"

"Why?" "Kya hua?" "Are you ok?" They all asked, concern lacing their voices.

"Yeah guys don't worry I'm ok. I just have a small headache, and waise bhi reception's almost over. Tum log please Chacha, Chachi, Ram uncle and Sakshi aunty ko bata dena." She told them and they nodded telling her to take care.

"Chal main tujhe chhod deta hu." Varun volunteered but she rejected his offer.

"Nahi you stay here. Tera yahan hona is more important. I'll go by myself. Driver bhi toh hai." She told him but he wasn't fully convinced.

"But..." Varun started but was interrupted by Manik.

"I'll go with her." He announced to everyone.

"No." She tried saying firmly but somehow her voice shook when she spoke.

"I'm not asking you Nandu. I'm telling you that I'll go with you. And I have some work also, so that won't be a problem. And don't bother guys, I've informed everyone." He told them and pulled her by her hand, from which she immediately backed off. It irked him a bit but he let it slide, while she just walked past him without a word.

He followed her and saw her standing by his car with her face emotionless. His heart broke seeing her like that and he was really desperate to know the reason behind it.

"Nandini.." He called softly, placing his hand on her shoulder and saw her jerking away instantly.

"No.. No please don't t-touch me..." She yelled at him, shocking him to the core.

"Nandu, it's me. Manik.." He told her but she again took a step back, "Nandu. Nandini.. NANDINI!" He shouted to break her stance and it did. She looked at him, recognition reflecting her eyes, and in an instant hugged him.

"M-Manik.. H-He tried to touch me, Manik. Mani-" She choked on her tears and sobbed on his shoulder.

He caressed her head softly, though his jaw was clenching at the thought of someone touching her, "Shhh.. I'm here na. Its ok. Don't cry. Come let's go home."

He placed a tender kiss on her forehead and gently made her sit on the passenger seat then sat on the driver's seat himself. The drive home was nothing but silent. He glanced at her worried and saw her already looking at him with a small smile which relaxed him a bit. After a few minutes he hesitantly asked her what happened and she narrated him the whole incident. At first he was getting really hyper but when he heard what she did, he was quite impressed. They reached her house and she came out of the car, closing the door behind silently.

"Thank you.." She said fidgeting with her fingers.

"Why?"

"For calming me down. And for being there.." She said with a smile which he too returned, "Aur haan please kisi ko mat batana, I don't want them to worry!"

"It's ok. I won't." He said and she turned to go inside when he stopped her again, "Nandini!"

"Haan." She asked turning.

"I'm proud of you!" He told her with utter sincerity, staring at her with a proud smile.

A sweet smile touched her lips causing her to forget the dreadful incident of the night, being replaced by the lovely one she just had with Manik.

He was just about to drive off but this time it was Nandini who stopped her, "Manik." she called and when he turned nodding her to continue she said, "I totally forgot to tell you, kal subah 10 baje in the Singhania mansion. Be there.."

He gave her a smile, a confused one, "Why?"

"Arre kal Raksha Bandhan hai!" She said cheerfully but his whole body tensed when he heard her. His smile wavered and he just drove off without sparing her a second glance. Leaving her in a conflict behind. 'Did I say something wrong?' She asked herself not able to understand the sudden change in his behaviour.
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Heya lovely readers! Missed me..? Coz I missed you guys a lot. I know the chapter's a little small but kya karoon I like leaving you guys in cliff... 😈😉 But to make it up to you guys, I'll be giving double update today!

So why do you think, Manik reacted this way when he heard about 'Raksha Bandhan' ??
Next chapter on the way...! 😄

#OkThanksBye
#KeepSupporting
#StayBlessed

Love y'all,
Anya 😙