(A/N: Sorry for the delay. I have an exam tomorrow but then because of the delay, I am taking my time out to write. As I mentioned, the next parts will all be private. Do follow to read. Thanks for all your support. Love, your writer.)

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I felt a little guilty for making him search for me in college. Knowing him, he would be so worried if he didn't find me there. I was lost in deep thought, until the oven clicked. I opened the door, slid the cake out and onto the countertop. It looked perfectly baked. I slid a skewer slowly in, and withdrew to check if it had cooked enough. To my pleasure, it was just perfect. With a small smile, I pulled out an icing bag and began decorating the cake. Though it was going to be a grand birthday party, Zyrah loved anything her uncle did for her. She would love this too.

I piped the icing over the cake and spread it evenly to form a coat. I put it in the blast chiller after the icing was done and began to clear the countertop, still thinking about Manik. Maybe I should just, call him? No. It'll ruin Mom's plan.

I walked slowly to the room again and sat in front of the mirror. I thought of touching up on makeup, but thought against it. I was in a dilemma. I just was worried about Manik. I went back to Nyonika Mom and restlessly asked her to call Manik and ask him to return.

"Manik..."
"Mom, Nandini college main nahi hai. Raghav Sir final year students ke liye class le rahe hai. I don't know where Nandini is. I have searched for her everywhere." He was on the verge of breaking down, but not literally crying. He sounded so down and I felt sad. I signaled Mom to tell him. She nodded and smiled.
"Manik, Nandini ghar aagayi. Tum bhi aajao." She said and looked at me for assurance. A mild smile played along my lips.
"Kab? Kaise aayi? Is she fine now? Phone do usse." He spoke all in a jiffy and I knew he would be so mad at me.
"Tum pehle aa jao."
"Mom, mujhe Nandini ki awaaz sunni hai." He stressed, trying to stay as calm as he could.
"Manik... Just come home." She snapped and cut the call.

"Mom, aapne phone kyun kaata? He will be so angry at me now." My heart literally sank hearing him. I knew he was so worried about me. Maybe I just crossed the line this time. All I wanted to do was surprise him and tease him a little but this had crossed limits.

"He'll be okay, beta. Relax." She pat my shoulder gently and went away, leaving me alone, thinking of him. Just then, the door burst open and Manik came running, all disheveled.

"Nandini kahan hai? NANDINI!" He spotted me and literally reached me in two steps and grabbed me tight in his arms. He held me tight for a few seconds and then breaking apart, gathered my face along with my hair, cupping my head in his hands, he looked at me to register that I was with him.

"Nandini... Do you know I searched for you the entire college and when I couldn't find you... I just... I almost died, Nandini. I can't..." He began to act a little strange. Probably I had got him to worry deeply about me. Shit! I am such a terrible wife.

"Ssshhh... Main teek hu. Dekho. I am fine. Kuch nahi hua mujhe." I wrapped my arms around his waist, shoving my head into his body, snuggling with him. He lifted me effortlessly like he carried a baby by wrapping his arms around my waist. My body was still clinging onto him which made it a little hard for him to move, nevertheless he did.

He lifted me up the stairs to our room, slammed the door behind him and pushing me against it, kissed me ferociously. We broke momentarily for air and he again began to dominate over his possession.

"Nandini... You have no idea how scared I was..." He kissed me again, biting my lip gently to allow his tongue to slide in. We were literally into the moment. My hands were gripping the hair at his nape and his was ensuring the door remained shut with the pressure of his hands.

"Nandini beta..." I heard a call and I hit Manik gently to let go of me. He left my lips and leaned into my shoulder, sucking me there.

"Aayi..." I called in a controlled tone. I gently tried to push Manik off me but that man was worse than a kid when he was deprived of what he needed. I ran my fingers through his hair and cupped his face tactfully. "Manik, I am fine na? Choddo ab. Kaam hai."

"Stay for some more time... Please." He pleaded, deeply inhaling my scent. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck as he kissed mine. He slowly faced me again, resting his forehead on mine. A few moments later, we broke contact.

"Acchha Manik... Yeh dress kaisa hai?" I said, to divert the extensive need for me to submit myself to him that moment. He glanced at me from head to toe and then smiled faintly.

"You look beautiful, Nandini but why didn't you even tell me? You could've sent me a message at least? You got me so worried." He cringed his facial muscles in worry and I felt guilty.

"Nahi, it was Mom's idea to do that drama to keep you away from me but mujhe toh..." In that fit of guilt, I blabbered shit out to him and only after he cut me, I realized what I said.

"Drama? So you knew about this?" He looked at me in disbelief and I shook in disapproval. He was getting the wrong idea.

"Nahi Manik..." I tried to explain but he didn't even listen.

"Just answer my question. Did you know this was all intentional?" He spoke in a louder, more authoritative tone.

"Ma..."

"I said, answer my question." He shouted and I felt helpless.

"Haan... Par..." He signaled his hand to him and I didn't continue.

"Enough. I don't wanna hear anything more." He let go of me and pushed the door open. He stormed out of the room without looking back at me.

"Manik, meri baat toh suno..." I called but he had already left.

***

Manik was sitting in a corner, away from everything. I kept glancing at him to see if he was okay but he didn't bother to look at me. His friends propped themselves next to him and he rolled his eyes seeing them.

"Tu itna dull kyun baitha hai? Maar padi kya biwi se?" Cabir nudged and got a death glare from Manik.

"Cabir, just shut up okay? I am not in the mood for all this." He shrugged indifferently and shot a look at me and looked away immediately.

"Tera mood toh kabhi nahi rehta Nandini ke baare main baat karne ko." Cabir slapped his shoulder and Manik grunted in annoyance.

"Hua kya hai?" Mukti skid closer to him and my eyes were fixed at how close she was sitting next to him. I shot a few scowls at him but he just ignored. He put his arm around her and began speaking in a soft tone, and my curiosity didn't allow me to ignore that.

"Guys, leave na? I don't want to talk about it." He said and cuddled with Mukti, that got me fuming. Just then, the baby brought her large Doraemon teddy and struggled to reach Manik.

"Dekh, Zyrah aa gayi. Chalo. Go celebrate with her." Mukti nudged and the baby walked towards Manik. With a huge smile, he jumped off the couch, grabbed her in his arms, raised her in the air and pressed his lips onto her cheek for a loving kiss.

***

It was almost cake-cutting time and Manik was behaving almost the same with his mother, as he was behaving with me. Nyonika Mom was a little upset seeing Manik behave ignorant with her but I felt the same too. I could bear anything but his silence towards me.

"Cake cut karte hai baby, chalo." He carried her in his arms and stood with her in front of the cake. His eyes searched for me but as soon as he saw me, he ignored my presence. I was really upset but I knew explaining myself to Manik was a herculean task.

"Nandini, go join na? Jao jao." Manik's friends pushed me and I fell onto him. He grabbed me by my waist, to hold me from falling and was carrying the toddler on his other arm.

"Sambhal ke." He said accidentally, in concern but as soon as he realized, he just let go and turned away. "Happy Birthday gao sab, baby ke liye." He hooted and they all began singing. He held the little one's hand as she cut the cake and Mukti held my hand along with hers, such that my hand was over Manik's. He looked at me and I focused on the cake, to avoid his attention.

The baby grabbed some of the cream, smudged it on Manik and ate the rest that was on her fingers. Her parents fed her some cake too and she tried feeding a little piece to Manik. Their antics were extremely cute. I just smiled watching them have fun. Manik smiled and took a piece, feeding it to her and then feeding the rest of that piece to me. My heart flipped in joy, in an indescribable way.

His fingers lingered around my mouth for longer than it was supposed to and we were brought back to reality as Cabir cleared his throat. Manik immediately looked away to avoid the awkwardness and I took the cake to cut it and serve.

***

I was standing near the countertop, all fuming in anger while filling glasses with alcohol for the guests. Great. Ab bartender ka kaam bhi karliya. What more do I need from life? I sulked to myself and glanced at Manik, who was acting cozy with some other random hoe who was supposedly Rakesh Dad's best friend's bitch of a daughter.

Stupid Manya. What kind of a name is that anyways?

I cringed my facial muscles in anger and grabbed the tray of drinks. I scooted out of the kitchen to serve the drinks to the guests. I stopped at my place when I saw her run her hand along Manik's chest. He glanced at me uneasily and I felt my heart break. He could push her away but the moment he saw me looking, he shifted his focus to her and smiled attractively. His behavior was going beyond limits. I just shook my head and walked away, crying.

Manik watched me go and there was pain in his eyes. He was never that man who took revenge no matter what happened to him. He excused himself and came to look for me. I closed the door and locked it from inside, as tears rolled down my cheeks. He came running upstairs and finding the door locked, he used the key to open it. As soon as he unlocked the room, I ran to the balcony and wiped my tears. He isn't worth crying for. He can't accept your apology.

He followed me to the balcony and grabbed me furiously. He slammed me against the wall and I avoided eye-contact. He leaned into me and rightfully took my lips in his mouth, trying to express his feelings for me. I hit his chest to let me go and he did, only after I couldn't breathe anymore.

"Nandini, tum..." He tried to calm his voice down as I was crying. He hated it when I cried and it just pained him to see me that way. He tried to compose himself.  I shrugged his hand off, as he tried to touch me.

"Manik, don't touch me. You are disgusting." I shrugged and stepped away and he blocked me as he banged his hand against the wall, to hold me under his captive body.

"What? What the fuck is wrong with you now?" He shouted as he closed in against me. I cringed my facial muscles and slapped him lightly.

"Don't swear in front of me." I snapped and he sighed.

"Nandini, you're acting unreasonable." He whined and I made a ridiculous face. This man!

"Oh really? So how were you acting when Manya was clinging to you? Bolo." I pushed him lightly as I shot out all my insecurities.

"She's just a friend." He flapped helplessly.

"Friend... Friend right? Alright. She's a friend." I kept pushing him and hitting his chest and he tried to stop me. I shook my head in disappointment and I ran downstairs before Manik could stop me and bumped into a man who was perhaps in his twenties. I gaped at him for a second, as my thoughts were all consumed by Manik. I didn't realize what had happened. He was saying something but I couldn't care more.

"Excuse me..." He snapped his fingers at me and I blinked to register my surroundings.

"I'm sorry, I was..." I remorsefully looked down and I heard him chuckle lightly.

"It's alright. It happens. Besides, though I don't know you, I have to tell you this, you look beautiful." He gazed into my eyes and I flushed. Manik's selections, obviously.

"Hehe... thanks. You are..." I searched for words to address him and he completed for me.

"I'm Nyonika ma'am's secretary." He smiled slightly and I smirked inwardly. Best opportunity. Go for it Nandu!

"Oh... Nice to meet you. I am her daughter-in-law, but it's alright. Wanna join me for a drink?" I spoke with a sexy smile as I sensed Manik looking at me.

"Umm... Sure? Lead the way, ma'am." He raised his hand gracefully in gentlemanly manner and I walked away, followed by him.

"Now what the hell is she up to? Damn." Manik ran his fingers through his hair in despair and then kicked the stairway railing. He followed the two of us.

***

Soothing music was playing in the background and Nyonika Mom's secretary, Rehan and I were relaxing in the bar that was set up for the guests. Rehan was a bit drunk and was trying to throw himself on me while my eyes searched for that one man who I longed to be touched by.

Through a corner in the room, Manik barged in and putting his hands on his waist, he looked around for me. He searched and was stopped by a drunk Manya who was clinging onto him.

"Maaaanikkk..." She called in a seductive tone as she fell into his arms.

"Manya, are you fine? You are drunk." He could smell the alcohol from that distance. She just smiled.

"Manik, mujhse pyaar karte ho?" She blinked and Manik scowled.

"Pyaar?"

"Manik, main tumse... Itna..." She tried to stand but toppled into his arms again. "Pyaar karti hun." Manik rolled his eyes.

"Manya, tumhe ghar jaana chahiye. I'll call my driver and tell him to drop you home." He slid his phone out but she grabbed it off his hands.

"Manik, noooo... I want to be with you. Like this... Always in your arms, your breath over mine, hearing your heartbeat, inhaling your scent, hearing that sexy voice, the way you say my name..." She smiled dreamily as she rested her chin on his chest. She grabbed another glass from the waiter's tray and shoved it down her throat.

"Enough now. Let's get you home." He grabbed the glass out but Manya grabbed his collar.

"Manik... Fuck me. Hard. I wanna be sore tomorrow. I shouldn't be able to walk. I want to give you my everything..." She spoke in her drunk haze and I had had enough.

"Manik!" I shouted as I stormed towards them.

"Nandini... Help me na?" He tried to get her off him but she was all over. Seeing her like that, made my blood boil.

"You called her a FRIEND right? Which friend asks for sex? 'Fuck me hard.' You know what? Go do that..." I screamed, as the little alcohol I had made me lose my senses seeing a girl with him. Manik grabbed me and held me.

"Nandini, have you lost your mind? Are you even listening to what you're saying?" He shouted in a louder, more authoritative tone.

"Manik, tum apne friends ke liye kuch bhi karte ho na, ab yeh bhi kardo. Or better, mujhe divorce karlena." I felt my eyes well up. It was just too much to take. Manik pulled me into him.

"Nandiniiiii... I'm trying very bad to control my temper." He said as he gripped my waist tight.

"Manik, tum dono kitne acchhe honge ek dusre ke saath... Abhi bhi, itna sab kuch kehne ke baad bhi she's in your arms, as she always wished..." I freed myself from him and looked at him one last time as I ran away.

"Nandini..." He called but I didn't stop. "Kya karun main iss ladki ka."

"Manik, mujhse shaadi karlo." He shook his head hopelessly and began texting the only person who could help him out.

*Cabir, meet me at the bar ASAP.*

***

Manik ranted the entire story to him as he sat there, distressed with Cabir, who was smoking a cigarette.

"Yaar, shaadi main toh yeh sab hota rehta hai. She's insecure, that's it." He shrugged as he placed the cigarette over his mouth again.

"What do you mean she's insecure? Doesn't she trust me?" Manik banged the table and murmured a few curse words to himself.

"Of course she does, she's just scared though. It happens, bro. Girls psychology." Manik didn't pay any heed. He thought over my words again and began to charge at his best friend.

"How can she think I would do that... That too with Manya!? That's bloody stupid." He kicked the table and a glass of wine fell to the floor. Cabir chuckled and drew in some smoke.

"Just go apologize na? She was just trying to have some fun. You know she wouldn't have meant to scare you by doing that." He spoke as he blew out the smoke. Manik flapped his hand in the air to push the smoke away.

"But does she have ANY clue how worried I was? I fucking love her. She knows that. Still she decides to team up with Mom against me, to worry me." He sighed and Cabir smirked.

"Come on bro, you still took it too far." Cabir giggled as Manik's face changed.

"Kamine, tu bol hi mat. Humesha uski side leta hai tu." He slapped Cabir and scowled.

"Dude, she has more sense than you. It's obvious I'd take her side over yours anytime. By the way, you said you were worried about her. What about now? You haven't even seen her in the last half an hour."

"Hogi uski saas ke saath, mere khilaf plans plot karne ke liye." He spat and rolled his eyes.

"Manik, dude!" Cabir spoke in despair.

"She won't pick my call if I call her, asshole."

"So go search for her. What if something happens?" Manik thought about it and then sighed.

"You know what? I guess I should." He stood up and looked around the room for me.

"Nandiniii..." He called out loudly and then spotted me with Rehan. I was holding his hand, and he was trying to get close to me. Manik huffed and ran to reach me. He towered over me the second he came and his familiar scent made me clasp his shirt.

"Nandini... Nandini... Idhar dekho. Please yahan dekho." He was calling for a drunk me to respond to him. I was still subconsciously saying something though my senses stopped working.

"Manik mujhse pyaar nahi karta, Rehan. Itni si galti ke liye itna bada saza de raha hai. Usse pata hai I can't live without talking to him. Phir bhi... Aur ab voh uss Manya ke saath hoga... And she'll be trying to touch..." I was crying loudly and Rehan sympathized with me. Manik pulled my body into his and wrapped a protective arm over me.

"Ssshhh Nandini..."

"She is drunk. I think I'll help her upstairs." Rehan said, as he clasped my hand assuringly. Manik glared at my hand in his. I knew if I was in my senses, Manik would've bashed the shit out of that poor guy.

"No thanks. I can take care of her." He spat rudely as he raised me to come along with him. My hand was still in Rehan's and Manik raged. "Dude, I told you I'll manage. Leave her hand."

"But..." Manik had had enough. It was about time Rehan should've got the signal.

"I'm her husband. She's my love. Don't touch her." He screamed at Rehan and Rehan left my hand. Both my hands clasped Manik's shirt and I constantly murmured something.

"Nandini... Your Manik is here. Manik humesha apni Nandini se hi pyaar karta hai. Humesha kiya aur humesha ke liye karta rahega." He assured as he put me over his shoulder and carried me back to the living room. I spotted a little baby and subconsciously, I called for Manik.

"Manik, humara baby... Manik stop. Put me down." Manik slowly put me down but still held onto me for he knew I needed his support.

"Nandini..." He tried to warn me to come upstairs with him but I was totally fascinated by the baby.

"Manik, humara bacchha..." I gleamed as I went closer to her and picked her up carefully. "Aaule baby... Tum akele yahan kya kar rahi ho? Mama ke saath chalo. Manik, take us back." I ran to Manik with that little one and Manik looked surprised.

"Nandini, tum kya kar rahi ho?" Manik called out.

"Manik, dekho. Our cute baby. Nina babyyy..." I gleed and kissed the baby's cheek. The baby touched my face in awe.

"Nina?"

"Haan... Tumhe yaad nahi hai? Manik ka ni and Nandini ka na. Nina." I smiled wide and that smile reflected on Manik's face too.

"Nanduuu..."

"Aunty, ek photo lijiye na? Manik, come. Stand with me." I pulled him close to me and held the baby properly. Manik put his arm around my waist. "Baby, vahan dekho." I pointed at the camera and she pointed too.

"Yaay! So cute na, our family?" I pushed the phone extremely close to him and he gaped at it. We indeed looked really cute.

"Of course. Ab chalo. We need to get you to sleep." Manik carried me bridal style but my eyes turned innocent and wide.

"Par humara baby?"

"Mom dekh legi baby ko. Tum chalo." He smiled and I dangled my legs.

"Okay. Ek minute... Put me down." Manik did as I told. I went close to the baby. "Baby, Dadi ko tang mat karna okay? Tum aa jaayenge jaldi. Okay?" She gaped at me and began to cry loudly. I frowned and looked at Manik.

"Manik, ro rahi hai." I nagged and he sighed. He threw me over his shoulder and took me away forcefully.

"Chalo ab." He pushed our room door open and put me on the bed.

"Tum Manya se pyaar karte ho?" I asked innocently and to my surprise, he wasn't sad or upset. He had a little smile plastered on his face.

"Tum Maddy se pyaar karti ho?" He asked in the same innocent tone and my eyes widened. I covered my mouth and made a disgusted face.

"Cheeee nahiii." He smirked.

"Main bhi nahi karta Manya se. Tumhe insecure hone ki zarurat nahi hai. I love you." He leaned into me and I pulled him over me boldly. 

"Manik, aaj kuch naya try karte hai..." I whispered and he looked at me with lust.

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(Hope you guys liked it. They are pure bliss. Who agrees? 🙈 Okay kal last paper hai. I'll learn and come and uske baad if I have time, I'll write you guys a part. Loads of love.)