"Cabir, just listen to me. He doesn't deserve you", told Manik, his voice not at all masking his desperation.

Nandini rubbed her head. It was almost a month after she went to Manik's place and since then they fell into a routine. Whenever there was an unsuccessful day at the hospital, he ended up at their door. Nandini would make him hot chocolate or whatever drink was available at that time and hugged Manik as he came back to normal. Sometime later, Cabir joined in the hug when she was out for a meeting and since then both the men found a strange dynamic between a friend and a brother. Cabir would tease him for everything, riling him up but if Nandini said something to Manik, he would give his disappointed 'mom' look. He is a Prince for god's sake, Nandini. Give him some respect, he would say. Manik was equally protective of him but would never come between Nandini and Cabir.

Today though, the Prince came around evening after his shift, yelling Cabir's name and asking him to break up with his boyfriend without giving him an explanation. Cabir would have done that if it were Nandini because he had a blind trust in her but it would take some time with Manik. It was an hour and she was getting a headache because of all their passive-aggressive arguments without actually making a real point.

"For the hundredth time, no, Manik. At least give me a reason. What am I supposed to say to him? That my friend asked me to break up with you because he thinks I am too good for you", told Cabir, scrolling through the channels of the television. The nonchalance in him was riling Manik even more.

"Why can't you trust me on this? Do you think I would intentionally hurt you?", asked Manik.

"Is this because it's a boy?", asked Cabir, even though he knew Manik didn't care about his sexuality.

Nandini held a hand before Manik could explain himself. He didn't have to, not when he had always supported him. Her best friend was just being mean deliberately. "Okay, children. Time's up. Cabir, shut up for a second and you would understand you are spouting nonsense just to get Manik to back off. Manik, he deserves an explanation for breaking up when their relationship is going well. Raghav is a decent human and he makes Cabir happy", she told. She saw the hurt look pass over his face and shook her head. "But I know you have a solid reason for asking him to do that", she told, silently promising him that she trusted him, "so, whatever reason it is, just out with it."

"Cabir would be hurt", muttered Manik.

It drew Cabir's attention as he pushed the remote away and pulled Manik beside him on the couch. "I would trust you even if you said we were aliens from a multiverse and know that you would never hurt me, Manik. If I am hurt, Nandini is right there and I know you both would take care of me. So, let it out."

Manik took a deep breath. "Raghav is married."

"What?", asked Cabir.

"He is married. His wife is pregnant and he brought her to the hospital today. He didn't see me when I saw them leaving the hospital. I asked the doctor who checked them and he showed me the reports. She was into her fifth month."

"What the hell", yelled Nandini. Fifth month? They started dating only a month back which means his wife was already carrying his child when he started his affair with her best friend.

"How could that be?", muttered Cabir. "I have been to his house several times and there was no hint of him being married."

"I don't know, Cabir. They said they had changed their doctor because of some issues at the previous hospital. I don't know exactly."

"I need a moment", Cabir said and grabbed his car keys.

Before he could run out, Nandini pulled him into a hug. "Don't let him hurt you. He doesn't deserve you if what Manik said was true", she whispered in his hair.

Cabir nodded once and pulled Manik into a brief half-hug before leaving the apartment.

"I am sorry", said Manik.

"Don't be. You might have saved his heart", she told. "Coffee?"

When two hours later, Cabir returned home, looking like a mess, Manik was the first one to pull him into a hug. Nandini followed, dragging him towards the couch without breaking the awkward group hug. When it was close to midnight, she asked if they needed any caffeine. Cabir relaxed after draining his first cup of coffee and helping a second one for himself. "He was feeling alone while his wife was at her parents' house. I was just a time pass for him, an experiment. Apparently, there was an issue at the hospital and his wife decided to come back home to deliver the kid with her husband. God, how could I be so stupid?"

"You couldn't have known", told Nandini. "He is our colleague. Don't you think I should have been equally known as you?"

Her best friend nodded. Raghav had fooled everyone. "He was smart, I agree but he isn't taking anymore of my time", he said, with determination. "Thank you, Manik."

"You don't have to thank me", told Manik, ducking his head. If Nandini wasn't wrong, she thought he was blaming himself for the Cabir's heartbreak.

XXX

A week later, Cabir had taken a leave and went to visit his parents to get his mind off with everything. Raghav avoided Nandini at the office which she thought was a safe move. With her best friend gone, Harshad decided it would be fun to give his work to Nandini too, doubling her workload. Going back to her apartment was another torture since it was the first time when Cabir was gone for this long. Usually, they take their leaves together with Cabir spending a few of the last days at Nandini's place. There was a deadline coming up and Harshad would bite her head off if she didn't submit it. Without overthinking much, she packed her laptop, a pair of work clothes and left for Manik's place in her pajamas.

"Nandini, is everything okay?", Manik asked when he saw her with a bag hanging on her shoulder.

"I need a distraction from Cabir and a place to work. I have a deadline and my apartment reminds me of the way he left all of a sudden."

"He would come back, you know that, right?", said Manik, taking her bag and pulling her inside the house.

"I know but before he comes Harshad would kill me for sure", she told.

Manik put her bag at the dining table where he had all the papers spread out. He cleared some to make space for Nandini. "Sit down. I will get you coffee. It would help you concentrate on your work."

Nandini sighed and flopped down on the chair. "Princess, you are my goddamn angel", she said, as he rolled his eyes with a smile.

They worked in silence for some time. Nandini didn't realize it was already twelve at night until Manik called her. "Hey, I have an early shift tomorrow. So, I am going to sleep. There's enough coffee in the kitchen. Just reheat it whenever you want. The guest room is clean too whenever you want to sleep. Make yourself comfortable and if you need anything, feel free to wake me up."

Nandini nodded without replying. She had almost six to seven hours at hand if she had to leave for the meeting in the morning. It was an hour later when she noticed Manik disappeared into his room. God, she prayed she didn't come off rude or ungrateful for her royal host.

Hours later, when Manik shook her awake, it took her a moment to realize she had slept on the table. "Have you finished your work?", he asked, almost panicking for her.

Nandini nodded, resting her head down and closing her eyes for a few extra minutes.

"When did you go to sleep?", asked Manik again.

"One hour back. Half, maybe. I don't know."

"Oh my god, Nandini. You can't survive on an hour's sleep. Why don't you take a leave today? Anyways, you have completed the work."

"Harshad would mess up. Need to go."

"Okay, freshen up. I will drop you on my way."

It was after he had dropped her did she remember that Manik had an early shift but since he had dropped her, maybe he took permission for a few hours. She didn't like forcing him to do that but it felt good to be taken care of without asking. Especially when Manik absolutely didn't have to.

XXX

The meeting was done and she really needed to sleep now. Thankfully, it was the last hour of the day and Nandini packed her bag to leave. The meeting extended for a few minutes and it was only Harshad along with a handful of people who had attended the meeting were present.

"I am dropping you home", Harshad declared and started walking without giving her a chance to reply.

She jogged after him. "Harshad, wait", she called, "don't take the trouble. I will go on my own."

"Nandini, you are looking dead on your feet", commented her boss.

I would if I had to stay up all night doing the work of two people, she thought. Instead of saying it out loud and exhausting her remaining energy, she faked a smile. "I have a friend coming to pick me up."

"Really? Okay, then. I will walk you out to your friend's", he said.

The way he said it made her feel as if he didn't believe her. Maybe because Cabir wasn't here and Nandini wasn't as close with her colleagues. Sure, they shared a cordial relationship but she doesn't have a heart-to-heart with them. She tried calling Manik's number but it seemed like he was on another call. She cursed. If she had to bear Harshad all the way to her place, she would murder him before reaching her apartment. She thought of an excuse, anything, but the tiredness was catching up to her and her brain refused to work at the moment.

"Where's your friend?", asked Harshad, after they reached down.

"Harshad, listen", she started but then her eyes fell on a car and like a wish granted straight from heaven, she spotted Manik talking to someone on his mobile. It explained why his number was busy but she didn't know what he was doing here. She didn't think much. Manik was here and for once her damsel in distress was going to save Nandini from committing murder and going to jail. Her dad might bail her out but she wanted to sleep instead of all the paperwork. "There, that's my friend", she told, pointing towards the car. Manik was sitting inside and hadn't yet noticed her. She waved at her boss and escaped from his vicinity.

Going to the car, Nandini knocked on Manik's side of the window. "You are my savior", she whispered.

Manik put a finger on his lips, asking her to be quiet and get in. She nodded and slid inside.

"What the hell, Abhimanyu? She is my friend and her car isn't working. I am dropping her home. Even if it is hard to believe, I do have friends here that aren't the people I am dating", said Manik into the phone. He waited for the other person to speak before rolling his eyes. "You know what, idiot? Have fun and do whatever you want. I am hanging up."

After cutting the call, Manik turned to her. "I am sorry about that. How was your meeting?"

"Good. Can we leave? Harshad wanted to drop me and I wanted to murder him. You saved me. Let's leave", she told.

Manik laughed and started the car.

"Anyways, what were you doing at my office?", she asked.

"I dropped you in the morning. I thought I am supposed to pick you up", he told, unsure because of Nandini's question. "I am sorry. Did you have any other plans?"

"No, of course not. I thought I had to use public transport."

"With running an hour of sleep? No chance I am going to leave you like that", he said.

Nandini didn't protest. She might later for compromising on his work timings but right now she is tired.

"Hey, rest your eyes. I will wake you up when we reach home", told Manik.

Nandini nodded and she did without realizing when she drifted to sleep.

XXX

When Nandini woke up again, it was to an unfamiliar room. She had her bag from last night there. So it was the guest room that she didn't use last night. She went out to find Manik reading something on the couch.

"You could have woken me up", she told, taking a seat beside him. He must have carried her from all the way down to his apartment.

"You were tired", he told, as if it was sufficient. "You hungry?"

"Starving", she told. "But I need to take a shower."

"I have put your pajamas in the laundry. It must have dried by now. Let me get them", said Manik and left the room.

Bringing her to his apartment was one thing but laundering for her was a whole different level. She didn't know if she should feel good about it or ask him to stop right away. Even if it didn't matter to her, he was a Prince for a goddamn region. She took the clothes silently when Manik returned and went to take a shower. It relaxed her muscles. She returned to an aroma coming from the kitchen and followed the smell.

"Food is almost ready", said Manik. "Do you want any drink?"

"What do you have?", she asked.

"Help yourself", he told, pointing towards the refrigerator.

There were cartons of fruit juices along with a bottle of beer and wine. "Didn't know Dr. Malhotra keeps alcoholic drinks in his house", she teased.

Manik laughed, shaking his head. "My friends come over sometimes. I usually prefer a fruit punch to alcohol."

Nandini nodded and took two cartons of orange juices for them. She didn't need alcohol with the lack of proper sleep.

"By the way, Nandini, your dad called. He was calling repeatedly, so I picked it up. Said you were taking a shower."

"Oh, God, Manik", she said, groaning. "Did you tell who you were? Your name?"

"I said I am your friend", he muttered, a frown appearing on his face.

Nandini rubbed her head, grabbed her mobile, and left to the balcony to call her dad. "Hey, Dad, what's up?", she asked, faking a cheer.

"Nandini? You're alive", he asked.

The relief was clear in his voice. Why was he worried? "Haven't drowned myself in caffeine. Still breathing. Dad, are you okay?"

"You tell me, kid. You don't talk to me properly for days and when I am calling you, some guy is picking up, saying he is your friend and you are taking a shower? It's almost ten in the night. What's going on there? Who the hell is this friend that I don't know about?", he told.

If her dad was ranting, it was clear, he was panicking. Because of her stupid extra work, she hardly got any time to talk to her father but she thought he was okay as she sent him a message every day, telling him that she was fine. "Dad, calm down, please. I am sorry for not calling", she said. "Because Cabir's on leave, I had to do his work too and it's taking a toll on me. Had a meeting today."

"So, this friend?", he asked.

"Yeah, he picked me up and because of all the exhaustion, I slept in his car, so he took me to his place. I woke up a while back and went to take a shower. I am just tired. I am sorry", she told, distracting him from Manik.

"Why don't you quit there, Nandini?", he asked instead.

"Dad, not now, please? Cabir will be back in a day or two and I will take tomorrow's off. I will rest and will be fine", she promised.

"So, this friend, do I know him? Does Cabir know him? Is he taking advantage of you?"

"Oh my god, dad, no. He is a friend from work and he is a nice guy. Of course, he is closer to Cabir than me", she told. She didn't know if it was correct or not but it would assure his dad even if he might think Manik was gay. Not like her father would meet him. "And taking advantage? Seriously, Dad? I can take care of myself. You know that."

"Yeah, I know. But I worry."

"Don't be. He is fine. Anyways, it's getting late. Why don't you go to sleep? Text me whenever you are free tomorrow, I will video call you. Meanwhile, I will catch up on my sleep."

"And food. Make sure some solid food is getting into your system other than the caffeine", he told.

"Sure, Dad. Love you."

"Love you too, baby girl. Good night, kid."

Nandini sighed. It was okay. Her dad didn't suspect it. She went to the kitchen and found Manik lost in his thoughts. She noticed his hand close to the Burner. "Manik", she yelled and pulled his hand away.

He blinked his eyes at her before looking at his fingers. Thankfully, nothing happened.

"Where was your concentration, Manik. You could have burnt your hand", she told, inspecting his fingers for any possible hurt.

"I am fine", he muttered. "Nandini, I am sorry for picking up your call."

"It's okay, Manik. It's fine. Dad's fine. He panicked because I didn't talk to him properly and with Cabir's out of town, so he couldn't call him to ask about me", she told.

The dinner was a silent affair. Manik didn't talk and Nandini was too tired to start a conversation. After putting away the dishes, they sat on the couch. She just woke up and it would take some more time for her to go back to sleep again. Instead, there was something bothering her. "Manik", she called and glanced at him when he didn't reply. He was lost in his thoughts again. "Is everything okay with you?", she asked.

He nodded, faking a smile. She didn't understand what's bothering him but it was clear he wasn't fine. Shaking her head to give him time to open up, she concentrated on the thing that bothered her. "I wanted to ask you something. Did you take permission to go late to the hospital to drop me at the office?"

Manik nodded.

Nandini was surprised at the casual way he agreed to it. "Why? You didn't have to, Manik", she told. "Why should you compromise on your work hours for me?"

"Because you were too tired to function properly", he said.

"And again to pick me up? Manik, it's your work. You didn't have to do that? I am not trying to be ungrateful. I really appreciate it but I would have been fine. You don't owe me anything and you're a doctor. You have lives to save."

"I thought we were friends", he muttered. He hesitated for a moment before glancing up at Nandini. She saw the hurt in his eyes. "Are you ashamed of me?", he asked. It was barely a whisper and the most vulnerable she had ever seen him.

"What the hell?", said Nandini. "Why would I be ashamed of you, Manik? Where did that even come from?", she asked. When he didn't answer, she reached out to squeeze his shoulder. "Manik, what happened?"

"Your dad", he started, "I just told him I was your friend and..."

It took a few minutes for Nandini to recall her conversation. God, did she make him feel like some dirty little secret? "Shit, Manik", she muttered. It broke her heart to see the vulnerability on his face. Instead of saying anything, she wrapped her hands around him. "I am sorry. It's not what you are thinking. Manik, you are so amazing and anyone would be proud to be your friend. I am not ashamed of you. I would never be ashamed of you."

She broke the hug to look at him, the doubt and hesitancy not leaving him entirely but he was somewhat relaxed. "Do you know why I left abruptly during your party?"

Manik shook his head.

"I wasn't invited because I have been here in Delhi for a few years, not in your official records. And dad thought I didn't know how to be polite with royalty so he asked me to stay back. My sister hates me, she provoked me. To prove her a point, I sneaked in. Look Manik, my dad deals with some of your legal issues and he maintains a professional relationship with them. He doesn't know I have sneaked into a party and he asked me not to go. So, according to him, I never met the Prince of Amritpuri, okay? I just...I am not ashamed of you. It was his reaction I was not sure."

"I am sorry", he said.

"No, I am sorry. You aren't a dirty little secret. You are one of the most beautiful people I have met and I wouldn't be spending so much time with you if I thought otherwise", she told.

"No, I overreacted."

"Okay, Princess. Truce? It was a misunderstanding and no more arguments over this", she said. "Why don't you tell me about your dad instead?"

Manik laughed. "Nothing to say there. He doesn't understand me. I don't feel like trying with him. It's messed up."

"He is most loved around your place. It's no less than a festival when he visits our village. Why don't you get along?", asked Nandini. After losing her mom, her dad had been her everything. She didn't understand how Raj Malhotra could keep his children away?

"He is a great king, Nandini. I would never deny it. Just not a good father."

They didn't talk after that. When she told she was taking the day off, Manik said he could do that too. When Nandini protested, he said he could use a break too. She didn't say anything to that. If he was willing to spend a day with her after she made him feel like a dirty secret, they were fine.

"I would hate to lose you as a friend, Manik", she told him when they parted their ways to sleep.

"Me too", he said.

She didn't know why she felt relieved just like how she didn't know why she didn't want to end her night all those months back when they first went to dinner together.

XXX

Manik made breakfast by the time she was ready. They went to a movie after that and then to a restaurant to grab a late lunch. Manik drove the car aimlessly, a comfortable silence between them, neither of them willing to end the day. It was around six when they reached Nandini's apartment and just stayed in the car without saying anything.

Finally, it was Manik who broke the silence. "I don't want to make you feel weird but you make me feel happy, Nandini. I have had friends before but I haven't had this much fun with anyone else. Every time I go home after spending any time with you, I feel like-"

"Like you can't wait to be with me again?", finished Nandini for him because she felt the same. By the surprise of his look, she was right. "This never happened to me either. Even with Cabir, he was a stranger when we met with whom I was sharing an apartment."

Something about Manik was different. She had hated him even before meeting him just because he was royalty. And when she met him, when she got to know him, her whole perspective had changed. Hell, she even wanted to know Mukti just by hearing about her several times from Manik.

She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a warm sensation on her cheek. Manik had kissed her. If it were someone else, she would have punched the guy but with Manik, it somehow felt nice?

"Thank you for coming into my life and being you, being so genuine. I have people who respect me because of my family. They want to be with me because I am the Prince. I have friends here who don't know anything about me and a part of me is afraid to tell them because it would change the way they look at me. With them, there's always something missing because I have been hiding half of my existence. And then there's you, who know everything about me but still don't treat me differently. Thank you", he said.

Nandini shook her head and pulled him into a hug. "You don't have to thank me for treating you human. I just-", she said and halted when a call on her mobile interrupted her. It was her dad. "Let me take this."

"Hey, Dad", she greeted.

"Nandini, I want you home by tomorrow", he said.

"What? Is everything okay? Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Everything is fine. Physically. There has been a situation and I need you here. I can't discuss this over the phone."

"Okay, Dad. Calm down. I will talk to my boss and see if he agrees."

"Nandini, quit the job if he doesn't agree but come home. This is important."

"Okay?", she said and cut the call.

"Is everything okay?", asked Manik.

"I don't know, Manik. Dad wants me home tomorrow. I don't know what the emergency is."

"Is he okay? Should I come with you?"

"No, no. It's fine. He is okay. Said there's been a situation. I will go and come back. Don't worry."

Manik nodded.

"I will go now. I will pack a few clothes. Don't know how much time I have to stay there", she told and got down the car.

Manik followed her. After saying goodbye he grabbed her hand before she could leave. "Text me if there's an issue there. Let me know, please", he said and relaxed slightly when Nandini agreed. "And call me when you get there."

Nandini chuckled. "Calm down, Princess. I will be fine."

XXX

Her room was a mess and Cabir was about to come in a day or two. She called him to update him about the plan and cleaned the house on the side. Once she was done, she went to pack her bag. When even Cabir was out of his wits ends to guess the reason behind Yash's frantic call, they gave up. Yash would tell her himself. Doesn't make sense to worry unnecessarily.

She called Harshad to ask about the permission but it went to his voicemail. His phone was switched off. She could try in the morning again. If not, she will just go to his place and talk.

XXX

Harshad's mobile was off even in the morning. Seriously, he was the boss. If he makes himself unavailable, who was he expecting to look after the company?

She would miss her bus if she was waiting for the office to open and decided to go to his home. The butler had let her in without a question and asked her to sit down while he went to call her boss.

"Nandini, what are you doing here?", asked Harshad, coming down the stairs.

"Your mobile was off", she told.

"Yeah, it's not working since yesterday. Is that why you are here?", he asked.

Nandini held back a groan. She wouldn't care if he was jumping off a cliff. Why would she bother if his mobile was off? "Sir, I need a leave. I have to go home."

"You just came back from home", he told.

"I went home six months back", she retorted. It has been six months since she went home. Six months since Manik came into her life.

"Is this home anything to do with the guy from that hospital?", he asked, glaring at the floor.

Nandini was surprised at the point he was trying to make. Every time she talked to him, he proved himself that he doesn't deserve her respect. "Harshad, you are my boss. You have no business in commenting on what I do outside your office. My dad wanted me home for an emergency. In his words, he wanted me to quit if you are refusing to grant me leave. Do you want me to quit?", she asked, not even trying to hide her glare.

Calm down, Nandini.

She glanced up to find their chairman coming down. Thank God, for sending someone reasonable at this point. "Good morning, Sir."

"Morning, kid. I apologize on his behalf. He crossed a line there", he said pointing towards Harshad. Her boss was still staring at the floor. Good. "Now tell me, you said an emergency? Is everything okay at home?"

"I don't know, Sir. Dad called me last night and he wanted to talk to me in person about this. I just...I don't know what's happening", she told.

The Chairman nodded. "When are you leaving? Are the travel arrangements done? Are you traveling safely?"

"Yeah, it's all done. I have a bus at 10 today. I will reach by tonight."

"Okay, just inform me if you need anything. Any issue, any requirement, don't hesitate to call me, okay?", told the Chairman.

It brought a smile to her face. He had always treated her as his daughter, even going against his son sometimes. "I will. Thank you so much."

"Have a safe journey."

On her way out, she heard him talking to Harshad and the sternness in his voice was even clear to her.

XXX

When Nandini reached her apartment, she found Manik pacing in front of her door. "Manik, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Breakfast?", he said.

Nandini could see the tension in his body. She didn't question him and unlocked the door. They had their breakfast in silence before cleaning the dishes. He helped her load her bag in his car and they reached the bus station. She didn't tell him her journey details but there was only one bus that takes from Delhi to her place and Manik might have traveled by it.

"Manik, we are running out of time. Let it out, whatever is bothering you", she told when he didn't try making any conversation. The bus was already on the platform.

He sighed heavily. "Is the reason you had to leave because I picked up your dad's call?"

"What? No, Manik", she told. "He knows I have friends, just haven't met anyone except Cabir. And he isn't the type of person to overthink a day and then ask me to come home just for a phone call."

"I don't want you in trouble because of me", he muttered.

"Manik, it's not because of you. Even if it was, I would talk to him. Okay? He is a lawyer, Princess. Do you think he would call me to quit my job over a phone call? No, right?", she asked.

Manik stayed silent for a moment before letting out a breath.

"Have you even slept last night?", she asked, looking at his track pants and messy hair.

"I'll sleep after dropping you", he told.

Nandini shook her head and wrapped her arms around him. "Don't make yourself sick, Princess. I would hate to find you in the hospital as a patient instead of being an Angel saving the lives of people", she whispered in his ear. When she broke the hug, there was the smile she started loving lately on his face.

It was time to meet Daddy dearest.