Nandini's POV :

It's been 2 weeks since the revelation in the hospital and two days since Varun was discharged. What we got to know about Saanvi that day was heartbreaking and I can't begin to imagine what that poor girl must have went through. And I don't want to think about what Varun and Manik had to go through. Losing a loved one is always painful but losing someone who is so close to your heart is excruciatingly painful.

"Nandini chalo na.." Navya called me momentarily bringing me out of my thoughts and gestured me to go upstairs with her.

"Oh god!" Varun groaned as he saw us bring a tray each, "What have you brought for the hundredth time now?" He asked sarcastically. Navya glared at him while others and I chuckled.

All our friends are here as we didn't want Varun to feel lonely and he himself insisted that he no longer wishes to spend the whole day sleeping. He was pretty bummed when the doctor told him to be on bed rest for another week even though he was discharged now.

"Hey, you know it's only because we care about you!" I told him as Navya fed him the soup despite his protest that he is perfectly capable of eating on his own but he quickly shut up when he saw her stern expression.

He squeezed my hand as he spoke, "I know and I'm grateful for that and to all of you. God knows how bored I would've been, had it not been for you guys."

The room quickly fell into loud chatter as I made my way towards Manik who was casually lying down on the couch.

"Hey you." I said, taking a seat beside him. I placed my hand on his cheek softly caressing the skin beneath his eyes.

He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes, "Hi baby"

"You look so tired, you aren't sleeping much are you?"

He pulled me in a hug, burying his head in the crook of my neck and said, "Mm, it's fine.."

I ran a hand through his hair, "I didn't ask if you were fine, babe. But I got my answer. Do you wanna go home? I could run you a bath and maybe give you a massage.."

He broke the hug to look at me, "Haww Nandu, tch tch! Kaisi kaisi baatein kar rahi ho?" He said dramatically shaking his head at me.

I slapped his shoulder and rolled my eyes, "Manii! Fine, your loss. Main na kisi aur ko hi de dungi massage." I too replied in a dramatized way and was about to get up.

"Oye!" He pulled me back amd wrapped his arms around me, so my back was touching his chest. I suppressed my giggle as he spoke, "No way. Your everything is reserved only for me. Samjhi? You're mine. Nobody else's!"

I let out a chuckle, not being able to hold it anymore, "Really, now?" I asked, acting curious.

He tightened his hold, "Yes. Ab chalogi? I want my free massage!"

I stood up and pulled his hand making him get up, "Who said it's gonna be free?" I winked as we made our way out saying our goodbyes to everyone.

***
"Achha sunshine?"

"Hmm.." I replied distracted by his muscles. Like wow!

"I have something planned for you."

"Sure.." How did I get so lucky?

"Monkeys love bananas."

"Yeah.." Being so hot should be illegal.

"Let's shower together!" He exclaimed.

"What?!" I yelled, looking at him with wide eyes.

"I knew it! Tum kahan kho gayi thi? You weren't even paying attention to what I was saying." He pouted, looking so adorable.

I started blushing, thinking about my thoughts from earlier, "Um, nothing. Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Why are you blushing?" He looked at me suspiciously and suddenly his eyes widened, "You were having dirty thoughts Nandu? Pehle at Varun's house and now! What happened to you!?"

I am sure my face resembled a tomato by now, "Stop teasing me na Mani!" He only laughed at my embarrassment.

"Oh my sweet Nandu!" He was having a little too much fun teasing me, "As long as those thoughts are about me, daydream as much as you like baby!"

I playfully shoved him and handed him his t-shirt to put back on, which he had removed while I gave him a massage. "Ab batao na, what were you saying??"

He held my hand and tucked a loose strand behind my ear, "I was saying that I have a date planned for us. So, Miss Nandini Murthy a.k.a my sunshine, will you go on a date with me?"

I kissed his cheek as I said, "I would love to Mr. Malhotra."

"Done. So I'll pick you up at 8?" He gently pecked my lips as I nodded.

"Okay, I'm going now. Tum rest karo and if I find out you weren't sleeping then.." I told him in my most stern voice.

"Haan Haan, I'll rest. Don't worry baby!" He kissed my forehead, "Now, drive safe and text me when you reach home."

I left after stealing a few kisses from him. The thought of what he might've planned was making me giddy, as if it was our first date. When I reached home it was 5 already. So I decided to take a small nap before getting ready and set the alarm on my phone.

By the time I woke up it was 6 pm, that means I still had 2 hours to get ready. I threw my hair in a bun because I had washed it in the morning and took a quick shower. I stood in my walk-in closet deciding what to wear when someone knocked on my door.

"Nandini?" It was Mukti.

"I'm in here!" She came inside and saw me in my robe, shaking her head.

"Why aren't you ready yet? I got a text from Manik asking me to tell you and I quote, 'not to stress over what you're wearing because you'll look beautiful no matter what' unquote." She said wiggling her eyebrows at me in a suggestive manner.

My cheeks turned red, hearing that and I quickly turned around to avoid looking at her. "But phir bhi! I know I don't need to look good but I want to. So will you please help me decide? I feel like I don't have any clothes!" {A/N : Every girl's problem, right?!}

"Um, hello! I don't know if you have noticed but we're kinda in a closet literally filled with clothes. So stop whining and step aside. Let Mukti Murthy do her magic!" She said shoving me aside lightly and rummaging through my clothes.

Barely two minutes later she picked an outfit for me and left me to try it on. She gave me an off white bodycon dress that I didn't even remember buying. It was classy and sexy but not too revealing. And it was perfect!

I went out and hugged Mukti, "Muktii! You're a genius! This dress is perfect."

She only smirked in return, "I know!"

I completed my outfit with a pair of black heels and let Mukti do my hair and makeup. She pulled my hair in an effortless ponytail with a few loose curls left and kept the makeup natural.

I quickly wore my cuff bracelet without Mukti noticing, "Achha Mukti, give my munchkins a goodnight kiss from me.. I might come a little late!"

"Haan baba! I'll do that." I said and was putting my phone and wallet in a purse just as the doorbell rang. I was walking down the stairs and saw Manik playing with the twins who were in Chacha-Chachi's arms and couldn't help but stare longer at him.

He looked so handsome, like always, in his signature blazer.

{P.S. : Nick Bateman's hotness level probably exceeds the meter!}

Manik looked up and when our eyes locked, it was as if we were both in a trance.

We both came back to the real world when Manik suddenly said, "Wow." Everybody in the room broke into a chorus of chuckles listening to him and Manik face turned red when he realized that he said it aloud.

"Manik, there's something on your chin.." Mukti told him and he hastily touched his chin. He gave her a confused glance when nothing was there, and she spoke again, "There was some drool since you were just now drooling at her."

They started laughing again, and I enjoyed a slightest bit seeing Manik blushing as it was a rare scene for me. "Achha guys stop teasing him. Look how red his face is!" They eventually stopped laughing and Manik almost immediately grabbed my hand pulling me outside after saying a quick bye.

I was still giggling as I pinched his cheek, when we were sat in his car. "Tumhe bada mazaa aa raha hai!?" He huffed and playfully swatted my hand off his cheek.

I shrugged, grinning "Maybe."

"Achha!" He said with a smirk and before I could comprehend anything, he pulled my closer leaving just a hair's length between us. "Did I tell you how ravishing you look Miss Murthy?" He said huskily.

I could smell his minty breath and saw his tongue dart out licking his lips, "N-No, but thanks." I knew I was blushing and just when I thought he's gonna kiss me, he pulled back.

"Seatbelt pehno baby, it's getting late!" He said acting innocent but I saw his lips twitching.

"I hate you!" I said feigning anger and turned my face towards the window.

"Sunshine?" He called softly taking my hand but I pulled back huffing.

"Baby suno na.." I crossed my arms and tried to hide my smile by facing the window again.

"Nahi baat karogi? I'm sorry na baby.. I was only teasing you." He stopped at a red light and turned my face towards me, holding my chin. He was holding his ears while making an exaggerated pout.

I giggled and placed a chaste kiss on his lips, not being able to resist. "And I was teasing you back!" I leaned back laughing and this time he too joined me shaking his head at my actions.

He placed his hand on my knee, and gave me an affectionate smile. The rest of the drive went smoothly in comfortable silence.
The car came to a halt after some time.

"Manik.." His name left my lips in a whisper, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

He intertwined our fingers, squeezing them in reassurance. "I know baby. It's their anniversary tomorrow and I thought it will be amazing to come to the restaurant-"

"Where they went for their first date!" I completed his sentence and he nodded. "I remember. Papa & Mama told us that story like a 100 times.." I chuckled while a tear threatened to fall from my eye.

"Hey! Hey.. Sunshine. Listen to me." He cupped my face as he spoke, "They would want you to remember them with a smile not with tears. Okay? I want us to go in there and reminisce our happy memories with them, yeah? I love you sunshine! I really love you! And I know they want their Manu to keep their daughter happy and smiling. So smile!"

My lips tilted upwards, gradually turning into a grin and I hugged him tightly burying my face in his shirt. He kissed my head a few times and we stayed like that for god knows how much time.

When we pulled apart, I held his face in my hands, "I love you. I love you so god damn much, Mani. You have no idea how much it means to me, how much you mean to me! Thank you!" I pressed my forehead against his as he gently stroked my cheek with his thumb and kissed me. It was slow and soft, full of emotions.

He pulled back slowly, tucking my hair behind my ear. "As much as I love kissing you," I blushed hearing him, "You are probably starving and we have reservations so let's go." I probably looked a like a fool, with a big goofy grin etched on my face.

And you know what, I still had it it when we entered the restaurant but honestly I didn't care because when Manik looked at me, he had the same one on his face matching mine.

________________________________

Hey my sweet readers. First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🎉🎊 Thank you so much to those of you who are still here, it means a lot. ❤

I know I have been MIA since the past few months but I was caught up in my studies. But now I promise to give weekly updates. (Or maybe even twice a week sometimes 😉)

Anyway I really missed you guys! Hope you all like this chapter.. 

Question of the day :
Who is your celebrity crush???
Mine is Nick Bateman! 😍 (As you all must have gotten by now) 😅

Lots of Love,
Anya 💕