(A/N: Thanks a lot for making me get 150+ comments. Let me know what you think in the comments, I can look into improving too. Thanks!)

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"Nandini, what is that? Show me." He tried removing the jacket but I shrugged. I repeatedly tried to jerk him away and he had had enough. He pulled me towards him, making sure our bodies were touching and wrapped one arm tight around my waist tightly. He tried to lock my arms between our chests and he put the other hand under the jacket. I tried protesting but he passed a glare.

"Stand still for a moment, will you?" I rolled my eyes at him. He touched my bare back and a gasp escaped my lips. It sounded more like a cry.

"Does it hurt? I think it's bleeding." He tried to run his hand along but I pushed him away with all my force.

"I don't need anyone to care about me." I grabbed my clutch from the bar counter and despite his calls, I walked out. I didn't care about Navya anymore. I just walked towards my car. I wiped my fast-flowing tears and bumped into a person. I was tired of myself. I just wanted to go home and sleep.

"Nandini, are you fine?" He cupped my cheeks and I nodded slowly, without even looking. I knew who it was. He pulled me into his arms and wrapped his arms around me tight. "I'm sorry. I really am." He whispered into my ear and I couldn't stop crying.

"It's okay. I understand." I said, as I broke apart. He tried looking at me but I just walked away. "Madhyam, Navya's inside." I said without looking at him and got into my car. He ran back and opened the door.

"Where are you going? Come with me." He pulled my hand and I refused. I really wanted to go home. I looked through the windshield and saw Manik clenching his fists tight. I immediately got out and walked with him inside.

"Nandini, it's bleeding, damn it. It's gonna hurt." He tried stopping me but I snapped back.

"Not more than how much you hurt me." I walked inside without looking at him again and I heard him kicking a rock. I showed Madhyam the way but I was losing balance. Madhyam looked at me suspiciously and I tried to act like I was okay. We went to the empty party hall again and the sight shocked me. Navya was on Cabir's lap and the others were laughing their asses off. I looked at Madhyam and he looked all the more shocked.

"Navya!" He shouted and she lazily looked at him. He stomped towards her in a couple of steps and grabbed her hand and dragged her out of there. He put her into the backseat of my car and he took the driver seat. Manik looked at me and I completely ignored his presence. Madhyam drove us to Navya's house. Neither of us said a word. He secretly put her in her room and came back to the car.

"Umm... Nandini?" He asked with a little doubt clear in his voice.

"Hmm..."

"What was Navya doing with that guy there? Is she interested in him?" I looked at him. He was heartbroken looking at them like that. Just how I felt when that idiot kissed her.

"I don't know, Madhyam. I don't even know how to sort my life here." I sighed as a tear escaped my eye. Somehow the topic we were discussing was so relatable to what had happened to me a few minutes ago. He looked at me suspiciously.

"Are you okay?" I nodded and smiled faintly. "You don't love Manik, do you?" He shot the question and my eyes focused on him. I didn't know what to say. Of course I didn't love him. He brought out the worst in me. But I couldn't tell him that. I would sound weak. He would take advantage of it.

"I don't know. I need this wedding to happen though." I said, honestly. He turned towards me and held my hands in his.

"Nandini, look. You know... and even I know that we both love each other. Then..." I couldn't believe he said that. He said he loved Navya. Then how? I took a deep breath.

"Madhyam, I don't... anymore." I closed my eyes as the words slipped out of my mouth. His hands immediately let mine and a moment later, he started the car.

I couldn't bear how he had lied to me. He said he loved me. When I told him about Navya's feelings for him, he ditched me. He claimed he loved Navya. And now, after he saw her almost cheating on him, he said he loved me. I couldn't take it. We didn't say anything after that. He dropped me home and walked to his place.

"Nandu, where were you?" Amma asked, a little worried as it was almost 11. Appa was sitting on the couch, with his laptop. As soon as they saw me, they shifted their attention to me.

"Amma, voh... I went with Navya to a party." I wasn't totally lying either. Navya and I were at a party. Manik's party.

"And whose jacket is that?" Amma pointed at me and I looked down at myself. I felt a little nervous. If I would tell them about me ripping my dress, they would be even worried. They might not even let me step out alone after that.

"Umm... Actually Manik was there at that party and I felt cold so..." I lied effortlessly and Amma and Appa pressed their smile. Rishabh burst into giggles and Amma hit his head playfully. I was just standing there, clueless.

"Okay okay. Get changed and come for dinner." Appa pat my head and I smiled faintly. I walked upstairs with difficulty and shut the door. I removed the jacket and put it on the dressing table. I stood with my back facing the mirror and tried to make out the cut.

It was a deep slit running straight from just below my arm to just above my bra clasp. The blood leaked onto my white dress too but I couldn't care much. I grabbed a bottle of antiseptic and some cotton from my bedside table and dabbed the soaked cotton onto my wound. I winced in pain as the antiseptic touched my wound. I cleaned the wound and changed into a black tshirt to prevent the blood stains from being seen and animal printed pyjama pants.

I had dinner quickly and came back to my room. The clothing was burning my wound. I changed into a black halter top and thankfully, it allowed me to expose the wound. I slipped into bed. Just then my phone rang.

Manik.

I rejected the call. I was sick and tired of that idiot. I need peace. I spoke to myself and kept my phone on the bedside table. It rang again and I grunted.

Manik.

I rejected it again and put my phone on silent. Let him keep calling. I won't pick up. I pledged to myself and fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning because of the alarm. 8:30. I touched my wound again but all I could feel was fluff. I walked over to the mirror and saw a long strip of cotton and bandage attached to my back. The pain had subsided to a great extent. In fact, I could arch my back to a decent level. A smile appeared on my lips. I checked my phone and saw 42 missed calls from Manik and a few text messages. Was he worried about me? No, he wasn't. If you've forgotten, then let me remind you, he kissed Alya in front of you, yesterday.

I recollected and tried to rip the bandage off. Just then, my phone rang and this time, it was a different number. I picked the call and put it on speaker, and walked away.

"Nandini? Nandini beta." I heard a worried voice and I was sure it wasn't Manik. It was Nyonika Aunty.
"Yeah Aunty. Tell me."
"Thank God you picked up. Are you fine now? Are you feeling better? Did the dressing help?"
"Haan Aunty, it feels better now. Thank you."
"Thank Goodness. I got so worried when I saw Manik restless last night." Manik? Urgh. Moron.
"Aunty, I am fine. Don't worry about me." I tried to calm her down. She was a little frantic and I liked that someone cared at least.
"I am glad you are. I'm sorry I couldn't come to see you last night. I was a little busy with S.P.A.C.E. records. So sorry beta." She said with a sigh and I felt a little bad.
"Aunty, it's alright. I understand. It's so sweet of you to call. Thank you." She was so sweet. God knew how she had such a terrible son.
"No problem. If you need anything, call me okay?"
"Sure Aunty. Bye."
"Bye beta."

I cut the call and looked at the wound again. I smiled at myself. I liked the fact that he couldn't see me in pain. But he did hurtful things in front of me. The smile was immediately replaced with a frown. "Manik Moron Malhotra, I hate you." I screamed at the mirror and threw my phone on the bed. I just prayed that my family was still unaware of the incident. If they would come to know, I would be in deep shit.

"Nandini, kanna. Wake up. Get ready quick. People are waiting." I sighed. How would I wear a saree with that big cut there? Plus it was a lehenga saree which meant I needed someone else to fasten my hooks. I muttered a few abuses in my head and went to take a shower. I was careful enough to not soak the dressing. I picked one of the lehenga sarees from my closet. After looking through them, I decided to go with a regular saree. It was a light-emerald green saree with a grand golden border.

I draped it with a lot of difficulty and went downstairs, with my pallu covering my back. I welcomed the guests and ate brunch with them. The house was jam-packed with people running around, rummaging through stuff and kids playing around. At 11 a.m., Manik's friends also came over.

"Nandu, these are Manik's friends." Amma introduced me to the people I already knew. I smiled faintly and Mukti and Alya hugged me. They were dressed in grand vibrant attires. We took a lot of pictures together, both selfies and with the photographers. Everyone in the house were excited and began clicking pictures with me.

At 1 p.m., we headed towards the destination. It was Amma's and Appa's idea to bring a little South Indian touch to the wedding and have all the ceremonies there. The artists came soon later and all the girls assembled at a side of the hall. I, being the bride, got priority over the others.

"Kiska naam likhu?" I was so engrossed in trying to cover my back that I didn't realize she stopped. Navya popped from the side and nudged me.

"Uhh... Manik." I fumbled after a pause and the girls around pressed their smile and teased me. I glanced the hall to see Manik on the other side, carrying a baby and kissing her cheek. He flicked his finger over her nose and she smiled and touched his face. For a moment, I visualized our baby in place of that girl. My cheeks flushed immediately and I awkwardly shifted my focus elsewhere.

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