(A/N: Hello peeps. 😘 Parth ka birthday aa raha hai so I was a little busy with that. I'm sorry. Can you believe how far we've made it with PS? He deserves the world. On a tribute to him, this is your update 😎 Hope you'll like this update. Beech beech main thoda masti hoga 😍 Vote, comment aur share karo? Thanks for that spam! ❤ Keep loving Parth Samthaan.)

-------------

Manik was smirking and I was upset. It wasn't funny. I was really hurt and Manik was being so sarcastic and rude. I already had enough going on, for God's sake. Manik wasn't helping me feel any better. I was struggling in his grip, as he tried to exercise power over me.

"Samajhte kya ho apne aap ko? Tumhe lagta hai ki Nandini will miss the class and talk to me and love me? If that's the case, you're highly mistaken, Mr. Manik Malhotra. Mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni hai!" I screamed into his face, hitting him and pushing him away, trying to distance him from myself. I was behaving so hypocritical, talking nonstop but saying otherwise. His smirk only got wider.

"Acchha... toh abhi tak kya kar rahi thi?" He cringed his eyebrows cutely and examined my face while I blinked, completely lost. I was so vulnerable but Manik just had to make fun of me. I breathed and hit him again. No matter how many times I'd hit and scold him, I'd be inflicting pain on him which would just hurt me in the end. However, no amount of physical pain could suffice the emotional pain I was going through, having the love of my life right before me but not with me.

"Problem kya hai tumhari?" I whined, and  I was manhandled effortlessly.

"Tum ho meri problem. You and your stupid antics. Pehle toh nahi lagati thi makeup! Now you're just trying to impress other guys and divorce me!" He was spitting into my face, aggression clear in his actions. He didn't like my behavior one bit. He never liked it when I shouted at him. I was tired now. I couldn't fight longer. I was beginning to give up. Tears pooled in my eyes.

"Seriously, Manik? Do you want to know something? I DO NOT WANT TO DIVORCE YOU! Mujhe divorce nahi chahiye, okay? For heaven sake, just stop it!" I was crying quite miserably and Manik was just watching. I was one hell of a woman. I would scream and shout and cry myself at the end, and he was stuck with an overemotional Nandini, that just made him weak. "You never think about me... samjhte bahut kuch ho but you don't care... About how I am, how I feel... You're so selfish, Manik. I hate you..." I cried as I held onto his waist and placed my head onto his chest.

He took a deep breath, bit his lip and pushed his hands into his pocket. His heart was bleeding and he was trying his best to be tough and rough like the usual him. He was controlling his urge to hug me but if he did, he'd give in and lose his ego to me. I was so so sad and he didn't know what to do to calm me down. Every sniff of mine hurt his heart.

"Stop. Crying. Nandini... Nandini, just stop it!" He paused as he controlled himself. He was equally hurt, my tears made him weak but he was drowned immensely in his own ego to accept and mend things between us. His shirt was drenched with my tears.

"Kyun pareshaan karte ho mujhe? Kyun karte ho aisa mere saath?" I added to get his attention desperately and he couldn't hold himself back any longer. He knew I needed it. He pulled his hands out and wrapped them around me protectively, snuggling me closer to him while I gave in to the moment.

***

I went back home after bunking the first class in the morning, all thanks to Manik. Even my home didn't really feel homely with those cold glares and silent glances. I locked myself in the room and pulled the blanket over myself, trying to sleep my pain through.

I tried for some minutes, turning and twisting in bed but nothing did any good. I felt so helpless. I was badly in need of sleep but my mind was not at peace. I was worried about so many things, my family, my in-laws, Manik, Alya... I NEED A BREAK. I decided to hit the shower. I filled some hot-water up in my bathtub and dipped into it, feeling relieved.

It was like all the stress from my muscles weakened. I wrapped my wet hair with a towel and set it over my head as I thought about what I needed to do. I stepped out with another towel clinging onto my body. I grabbed my phone and dialed his number.

On the other end, Manik was irritated and lonely and he was trying to contact me, all in vain. He dialed my number too, right when I dialed his, and our calls couldn't connect.

"Why isn't he receiving the call? Zarur Alya ke saath hoga!" I snapped and tossed that phone on the bed. I glanced at myself in the mirror. I was sad, angry and helpless for rest.

"Why is she not answering, damn it? Apne naye boyfriend ke saath hogi! Saale ki toh... kya karu main!" Manik shouted, running his fingers through his head, jumping up onto his feet, walking across the room and propping himself back onto the bed, in an attempt to sleep. "I can't even SLEEP. I need peace!" He howled. He turned to the bedside table, to find his car keys.

He looked at them for a while as he made up his mind. He grabbed them and threw on some comfy tracks and grabbed a few clothes and took a blanket along.

***

I stepped into my room after the awkward silence during dinner. Nobody wanted to speak to me, it was evident. I didn't make much efforts too. I locked the door as I propped myself on the bed, confused and hurt. I didn't know how long I could survive that way. I really needed things to get better between Manik and I and our families.

I jumped into bed. Though I knew sleep was too far away, I still tried. I didn't even bother changing. I pulled the sheets over me and turned on the ceiling fan. I really missed Manik's bed. My bed was so uncomfortable after sleeping on his luxury one. I missed Manik, a lot more than I would actually accept to miss. I unlocked my phone and re-read his messages while turning to one of my sides.

Meanwhile, the window clicked open and someone slowly slipped into the room after the coast was clear. My back was facing the window. I was totally oblivious. I felt someone sneak next to me and I was about to shriek when a familiar hand clasped my mouth shut and a face appeared inches away from my face.

"Nandini... it's me... chillao mat." He whispered into my cheekbone, leaning over my body. I turned a bit and he let go of his hand. I was so damn close to him. My eyes were focusing on his weary face and drowsy eyes while his were eyeing my lips. Of course, he would never change. He leaned closer to me and I jerked away.

"Manik..." I breathed. A finger was placed on my lips to shut me up.

"Shh... Kuch mat bolo." I still felt the urge to get my answers and I was quite determined to get them.

"Tum yahan..."

"Bola na... don't say anything. You need to sleep." He said the last sentence without meeting my eyes. It was so stupid how he had such a huge ego. Even he couldn't sleep without me, but he had to conveniently pass the blame onto me, to save his ego.

"Huh?" I made an exasperated unbelievable expression almost impossible to comprehend. Manik was one hell of a man.

"Shh..." He shushed me and pushed his head into the space between my face and neck. He grabbed me protectively with one arm and snuggled into my hair, smelling it. "I missed this." He said in a trance. He was such an innocent soul. I was overwhelmed by his presence. I said just what came to my mind.

"Me too, Manik." I turned and faced him, face to face, his breath on mine, our eyes wandering around each other's eyes and lips. He placed his hand on my cheek, cupping it very carefully. His hands were trembling against my skin and I knew how hard it must've been for him. My eyes softened.

"Nandini, change karlo?" He knew I need quality sleep. He didn't want me uncomfortably waking up in the middle of the night because of that kurti. His concern made me smile a little. He held that tank top of his before me along with some baggy shorts and his gaze intensified. I took it slowly and walked into the bathroom to change. Had it been any other situation, Manik would've not allowed me to do so, but given we were fighting and on a break; he couldn't say anything either.

I quickly changed into his shirt and slipped on those shorts. I brushed my hair with my fingers into a messy bun and dabbed my makeup off. I stepped out and Manik laid on the bed on his elbow, watching me.

"Now you look like the girl I married..." He smiled but I paid no heed at all. We were pissed at each other, at least I was at him, and no amount of his teasing did any good. I hopped into bed again and an arm tightened around me as his face dug into my back. I turned to the side away from Manik, trying to loosen his hold on me.

"Nandini... I need a break; please?" I felt really sad to see such a vulnerable Manik before me. Suddenly, it struck to me how careless he was about me when I was vulnerably trying to commit suicide. A sudden pang of anger and pain struck me. I turned to see him but in a matter of split seconds, I was tamed. I knew I could not treat him the way he treated me, no matter what. If we loved at extremes, we hated at extremes too; but his love for me was different from mine and his anger on me was different from mine too.

"Hmm..." I hummed and pulled his arm towards me. I could sense him smile as he snuggled with me, shoving his head into the nape of my neck. I pulled the blanket over us as we drifted into a peaceful sleep.

***

Part-2:
(A/N: Heyyyy! I wrote this part on request so please if you guys could comment or maybe even spam me, I'd be really really happy. Sorry, I have like zero time off school these days. 12th has begun and it's chaos this year. Hope you all understand. Your support can take this story a long way and it has, already. Thanks a ton. Please vote, comment and share and and... don't be SO eager for the patch-up! There are awesome things coming up in this phase! 🙊 Enjoy!)

------------

"Nandini... college ke liye late ho raha hai, kya kar rahi ho? Nandini?" I woke up to the constant yelling and knocking outside my room door. I vaguely smelled Manik's scent, which made me feel more at home. I rubbed my eyes and registered myself to my surroundings.

Manik had dug his head onto the side of my collarbone and his hair brushed and tickled my jawline. His arms and legs were bound around me, not willing to let me go. I wondered how he ended up sleeping like that, it seemed pretty uncomfortable to me. He was so disturbed without me, not to mention, I was nothing different. He was one overprotective and clingy man; and I had slipped out of his hands. There was no way he could be okay. I smiled and put arm around his neck, pressing my cheek to his head sideways in affection. I pressed the power button on my phone to check the time. 8:34.

"Shit! It's 8:30! What the hell? How did I fall asleep for that long?" I jumped and Manik whined in his sleep, suddenly feeling a lot of discomfort. He turned to the other side, laid on his stomach, pulled the blanket over him and kept himself warm.

"Nandu, teek ho? Why is the door locked?" Amma sure heard me respond, though I wasn't sure which part or how much of my sentence she listened to.

"Haan, I'm okay, Amma... I'm in the bathroom." I spoke in a feeble tone, to seem like I was showering. I heard faint footsteps leave the hallway and I tried to get out of bed. My hand was grabbed, as I was stopped from moving any further.

"Kahan jaa rahi ho?"

"Manik... it's late, ready ho jao. College ke liye 30 minute hi baaki hai." I spoke kindly to him. A sleepy Manik was always my weakness. I could never pretend in front of a sleeping Manik at least. He was the most vulnerable and yet the cutest when he was sleepy.

"Rehne do college. Mujhe nahi jaana. Aao, so jao mere saath. Bahut dino ke baad soya main acchese. Aao tum." He nagged like a toddler who didn't want to go to school. A smile creeped on my face as he cringed to open his eyes completely. I grabbed a cushion and almost smirked.

"Tum na..." I tossed it onto him and he opened his eyes. His shirt, my loose shorts and messy hair probably led to desires that creeped into his head. A straight face was plastered on him as I was pulled effortlessly onto the bed. I fell on my stomach, as he turned towards me and my breasts were propped together next to him, giving him the perfect view.

"Main..." He wasn't even being subtle. He was eyeing my cleavage with such intensity, not to mention how my nuptial chain reminded him of his possession; me. Seriously, like people say, testosterone levels are the highest in the mornings; and I had more than one 'evidence' to prove it. I could feel him get turned on as he pushed against my stomach.

"Ma..." I gasped. I was suddenly so embarrassed, because we weren't together and more so because Amma was probably standing right outside the door.

"Shh..." He shushed me as he closed his eyes, cupped my face and inched closer to my lips.  I was lost in the moment. I loved Manik. I missed him. So. Fucking. Much.

"NANDINI!" I heard a loud scream and I knew I had to get ready, real quick.

"Haan Amma... Manik, please uth jao, If Amma sees..." I chattered in a whisper and Manik frowned. 

"Kahan jaaun main? Who do I have in this world apart from you?" I smiled and slid my hand under his back, attempting to get him to sit up. He didn't want to trouble me, I suppose, because he helped himself up. He adjusted his hair in the mirror and I was frantic.

"Manik... Jao tum. Bye." I pushed him out of the room, into the balcony. I shut the curtains, scurried into the bathroom with a change of clothes, flushed the toilet to fake my presence and ran out after washing my face, with a towel around my neck. I unlocked the door.

"Kar kya rahi thi andhar?" Amma peeked inside suspiciously. I never locked the door when I lived here and God knew what ideas she had. 

"Voh... I was going to take bath and..." Amma walked into the room as she saw a foreign blanket, Manik's blanket.

"Whose is this?" She pointed and I fumbled to make an excuse.

"Umm... I accidentally packed it along with me... it's ou... Manik's... I mean..." I smiled awkwardly and Amma just walked out.

"Okay, just get ready quickly. Breakfast has been prepared." I replied positively and closed the door. I hurried to the balcony and peeped through the curtains to see Manik's face pressed against the glass doors. He smiled at me, still half-asleep. He breathed a 'Hey' excitedly and closed his eyes.

"Manik... why haven't you left yet?" I pulled one of the doors open and shot a few glares at him.

"Hey... tell me one thing honestly. Did you sleep well last night?" He seemed a bit serious and even I was tired of begging him to leave. I rolled my eyes at him. "Hmm..." He hummed for my attention.

"Hmm..."

"Hmm kya hota hai?" I huffed irritably and pushed him back. He hit the balcony rails and immediately turned me, so that I was pushed against it. His arms were on either sides of me on the railings and I was caged.

"Ma-anik, jus-st go..." He leaned closer, his body dangerously approaching mine.

"Tell me, Nandini." He whispered and I realized I was falling apart. I pushed him away with all my force.

"No, I am not that dependent on you."

"Yeah, I can see that." He smirked, as he dusted his hands. I stepped inside the room but he followed.

"What?"

"Give me my blanket back! It's my favorite one." He groaned as he jumped into the room, pulled his blanket off my bed and bundled it in his arms.

"Whatever. Wait... Where are you going?" I stopped him as he was going to the balcony. I peeked down to see how he could possibly get down. The ledges on the balcony and windows made a somewhat effective staircase which freaked me out more, because it could be inviting for thieves too. Manik gave a dirty look; almost irritated.

"How strange? You just threw me out of the house and now you're acting like you care... what's with you?"

"Shut up!"

"I'm going to college."

"Eww... without brushing or bathing?" He gave me a 'you're-impossible' look and turned towards me, properly facing me.

"Do I look like I carry a bathroom along with me everywhere?" He spat sarcastically and I pressed my lips angrily. Even his lamest jokes couldn't melt me.

"You know what, you're disgusting. Get inside and brush with my toothbrush. Go!"

"Your toothbrush?" He gave a ridiculous stare. I looked at him with indifference. That man was one hell of a person.

"Haven't you kissed me in your life?" I growled and my jaw dropped as I realized what I'd said, and I saw Manik's face beginning to develop a smirk.

"You want me to kiss you, Nandini?" He creeped closer to me and grabbed me in his arms. He made his eyes look excited and he leaned closer.

"N-no... no... I never... I never said an-anything... like that!" I stumbled and fumbled; pressing my hand against his mouth.

"Aww come on, now you're just shy!"

"Shut up and go!" I pushed him into the bathroom and he stood by the door, clinging.

"What about you?"

"I'm going to shower! Don't you DARE peek or else..." I snapped as I attempted to threaten him.

"Hah, I don't have to! I've already seen you enough to visualize right fro...!" I was shocked. I hit him hard on his bicep and he yelped.

"Ugh... You're SICK!"

"Nandini!" I heard a call again and I knew I had to hurry.

"Brush before I come out, please!" He nodded and I pulled the shower curtain as I stepped into the bathtub. I took a quick bath, more so because Manik was outside, and threw on my robe. Manik was eyeing me dirtily, scanning my legs and God knew what else.

"Listen, ask Cabir to get you some clothes maybe to college; you shower until then and I will get you some breakfast." I said, handing a towel over to him and pulling the door behind me. Manik held the doorknob tight from inside the bathroom and flung the door open again, making me cling onto him with the impact. His hands tightened around my waist momentarily and I was then pushed a step backward.

"Look, there's no need for you to do all that for me. I don't want fake sympathy. I'm not dying to eat food from your house. My mother makes much tastier food. I'll ask Cabir to get some." He shrugged and I nudged away. It was just momentarily things could be okay between us. Then in a matter of milliseconds, BAM! He was back to being the moron he was and I, the careless one.

"Okay fine, whatever. You eat or just die, I don't even care!" I hopped out of the bathroom, swiftly jerking the clothes in my closet from side to side, picking an outfit to wear.

"Fine with me!" He growled as he slammed the door shut. I felt really dejected. I just wore my kurti, pulled on some leggings, untied my hair, brushed my tangles, threw on some eyeliner and kohl and braided my hair back. After I was done, I went downstairs, quickly had some breakfast and then stole some for Manik. I sneaked back into the room and opened it.

"Here..." I said, scanning the room for traces of Manik. I kept the bread slices on the bedside table and went to search for him. I checked the bathroom, the balcony, hell even the closet. All I could find was his tank top I wore and my baggy shorts lying in the corner of the room. I peeked through my balcony to check if his car was there. He is gone. He left.

***

Manik drove to college, texting Cabir on his way. He had a football prelims match that afternoon and he'd totally forgotten about it. He requested his mother to get his clothes for him, and surprisingly, she didn't even question his absence. Manik stepped into college, trying to type a text to me.

*Manik: Thanks for the night; I...*

He thought over it again and shook his head absentmindedly as he backspaced the message.

*Manik: I miss you so m...*

"Manik, where were you last night?" Mukti came running towards him, alarmed by his sudden escape. Manik instantly turned his phone away from them and locked the screen. Cabir gave him a steady glance and Manik caught him, but acted indifferent, to conceal any ideas.

"Why do you care, Mukti?"

"Are you seriously so in love with her Manik, that you can't see anything beyond her? Us, your friends; what about us? You love Nandini more than us?" Mukti seemed really pissed off and Cabir wasn't liking it one bit.

"Mukti!"

"No, I don't." Manik cut them both and shook his head again, to stand by what he had just said.

"Manik, what's wrong with you?"

"Cabir, what's with you? Why are you protecting her so much? Have you forgotten? She is the one who's made our best friend so vulnerable." She was literally screaming and Cabir slapped her hard, right across her cheek.

"Mukti, don't test my patience. You can't go saying whatever you want and expect me to shut up!" Mukti was hurt and Manik pulled her into his chest. Of course, Mukti was like his sister and though she was disapproving of me, it was only because she knew me too less and she was worried about me interfering with their friendship. Manik pat her cheek softly, caressing the heated cheek as he consoled her and held her close to himself.

"Guys, stop it! Just stop! Nandini is past... She's not a part of my life, anymore. Okay? We've broken up. That's it. It has always been you guys, and will always be." Manik stated with no doubt or confusion on his face. He was dead sure about what he wanted and I'd just made his choice easier.

"Fucking hell..." Cabir groaned as he ran his fingers through his hair and left the hall, shaking his head in disapproval.

***

Manik was running around the court, for warming up. Cabir followed him and Harshad was on the other team, trying to impress his juniors.

"So you sneaked into her bedroom? Are you serious? One day you say you don't want her in your life and then the next day, you're sleeping with her?" Cabir spat, as he turned from one side to another. Manik did the same, giving Cabir horrible looks. He never thought his best friend was so dumb.

"Dude... I wasn't sleeping with her!" He shouted loud enough for half the people in his team to hear. It was a bit awkward for him but he managed to divert himself.

"Of course of course... A man and a woman who are 'married' and alone in a locked dark room play hide and seek, hai na?" Cabir mocked in a low tone, making fun of his friend. Manik cringed.

"You're gross!" Cabir laughed out real loud.

"Look who's talking, you were the one hugging her and sleeping."

"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?" Manik took a moment off his alternate toe-touching exercise as he gaped at how ridiculous Cabir was.

"Why don't you just sort things out, with her family?"

"She... Nandini... I don't know dude... I should move on, I guess. No, I can't. We both want different things, have different ideas and outlooks about things but I want her, I need her." He sighed. It was true, we were different; but not different enough to let our differences affect our relationship.

"So? Do you not love her anymore?"

"I do. I do. It's just... we're probably not meant to be." Probably.

"Bullshit!" It was only Cabir who could put some sense into Manik sometimes. Manik was really one hell of an over-thinker and was hell impulsive. "I'm telling you, just talk to her family!"

"I could, I would; if she really wanted me in her life." Manik was back to square one again. This pissed Cabir off further.

"Oh my God, you guys! You're ruining the most beautiful thing you have because of some stupid misunderstandings. Everybody is different. Some are even poles apart, like look at me and..." Cabir paused and Manik stared at him. He was expecting Cabir to complete his sentence but that pause was just getting longer and longer by the second.

"Huh?"

"Me and Mukti for example... I just slapped her. She's gonna be upset for a while, but eventually we'll be fine; right?" He shrugged and Manik shook negatively again.

"You and Mukti aren't Nandini and I! You love her romantically?"

"Wha... what is the matter with you?" Cabir was horrified by the conclusions Manik was deriving. Obviously Cabir and Mukti were like siblings and it was sick.

"What I'm trying to say is... It's a totally different situation with us. I just want her to tell me that she needs me, she's not doing that. Every time I ask her; she diverts the topic."

"Give it some time, think about it but don't move on. You can't, I know that too." Cabir pat his shoulder a couple of times and got into the field. Manik thought for a moment and followed, lost in thought.

----------------

(How good was this? Ahh... there's so much more to go in this phase. Along with pain, you'll see different shades of them; so just stay tuned.
Question of the chapter: What would be a really good dare for you to do? Like what could be the most challenging thing?
Let me know in the comments below and the person who writes the one I like the most will feature a character in this story! 🙊 Vote, comment and share. Thanks to all the spammers and supporters. I love you all. Okaythanksbye.)