Manik's POV

"Ya Mom, I'm at the hospital now, Nandini is just coming n then we'll drive there. .... Okay, we'll call u as we reach... bye" I ended the call n looked at my wristwatch. It's 6:30 pm in the evening. I looked up at the entrance of the through the car window as I'm waiting in my car for Nandini. I can't go out to attract fans, u see!

Oh! We; I and Nandini r suppose to go to the amusement park... Actually, it's to cheer up Ishita and made her agree to return back to her school. She's still frightened n nervous to face the talks n pressure. Even Nandini is taking care of her medicines for few days prescribed my the pediatrics, Jeff.
So, to lighten her mood, Mom suggests taking her park. And with Arjun, Mom she's now in Amusement park. Abhi n Mukti r busy, Cabir stayed with Navya but Dhruv agreed to come along and Alya is super excited to revisit it after a long time; the last time was when we siblings hangout after my 12th finals. Now, we r going to join them after our works.

The knock on the window snaps me out of my blank stares n unmindful thoughts. it's Nandini! I unlocked the car's door to let her in.

"Sorry! I got involved in checking a patient." she gave an apologizing look. 

"That's okay! Let's go" I smiled and pulled on the gas and drove towards the destination.

As I'm driving, I looked in my peripheral view to find her reading something attentively in her 6.5-inch iPhone 11. I wonder what she's involved in. but I shrugged thinking maybe something work-related. And suddenly her phone rang causing her smile widely.

"Hey Rishu!" She chirped as soon as she lifted the call. Oh! It's her brother, Rishab. I thought...

"I'm good!... Everything's great... How'r u? and Mom-Dad?" I heard her one-sided talk.

"Ya! I'm on my way to amusement park... with Manik." She said looking at me briefly. "Oh! no... not a date. Others will be there too." She smiled looking down at her lap. Cute!

"Shut up Rishu!" She blushes... Rishab must be teasing her. I should thank him for making her blush!

"Yes! I was just going through it before u call... The terms look fine with me, but it would be better if I could get the majority or else it might create a problem in future. ... Right, talk to Dad. he told, he'll take care of it. ... ... Okay bye! Good night!" She cut the call. What is she talking about?

I'm in thoughts when I spotted jam in the middle of the road and applied a sudden break. We both jolted forward.

"What happened?" She asked after recovering from the jolt.

"I think there's an accident ahead." I eyed to the road jam where people r gathered and vehicles r parked on the road.

"Oh god!" She sounded worried n ran out opening the car door. I called her name but she didn't stop. Sighing, I too walked out wearing mask and cap, cutting through the crowd to the accident spot, only to find Nandini kneeling down near the injured man who's wearing a helmet but bleeding profusely while he's broken honda bike at his side.

"Mr. Blue shirt, call the ambulance please" she said while not at all looking at the crowd but at the injured man.

"I'd called already. it's coming!" voiced one.

"Hey, what r u doing? u'll hurt him." shouted one of the crowd when she's checking on him and turning him carefully.

"I'm a doctor!" This made the crowd silent.

She checked his pulse after turning her carefully, opening the glass of the helmet but not taking it out, she then pressed his chest with both her hands in a special fist. After 5-6 times, the man inhaled a deep breath with rasing his chest and moving his hand... and she left a breath backing away from her. There is a relieving sense in her face. The crowd too gossiped seeing his breath, when they though him death or near dead.

Soon the ambulance arrived, taking the man with them. She talked with them about him before they left taking him to the nearest hospital. The crowd dispersed and we walked into our car.

I started driving as the jam cleared while she rested her head on the head-rest closing her eyes n keeping her hands on her lap.

She opened her eyes when I stopped the car. " Where r we?" she asked not seeing amusement park around.

"Shopping mall. U need to change ur dress." I said pointing to her dress. She looked down to see bloodstains on it.

Changing the dress, we directly drive to the park without wasting any time. We walked inside parking my car n I texted Mom about our arrival.

"Are u okay?" I asked while we r walking past the crowd into the lighted and decorated amusement park. She's an unusual pale, white, mixed emotioned face all throughout.

"Y-yes! I'm fine! Just hoping for the betterment of that man." She answered looking ahead to the stalls and swings while my eyes are on her.

"U really care for the injured one and patients, don't u?" I asked softly. She turned her face briefly to me then looked ahead without any words.

"I...I'm sorry for saying such harsh words about ur work n passion. I'm just- worried for Navya n her baby and I just lash out on u. I'm really sorry about that." She looked into my eyes while I into hers.

"The way u r dedicated to ur work is hardly anyone could be. Ur kindness, ur concern, ur care for someone unknown to u, is not just anyone has... U r different. Someone special!" I spoke softly while we r lost in each other. But soon our trance is broke by loud voices calling me.

"Oh my god! Omg! Manik Malhotra!" one voice lead to another and girls surround me asking for autograph n photographs in no time. I plaster a forced smile to my fans and started to fulfill their request. I saw Nandini getting pushed back from me and when my eyes meet her, she gestures that she's going to Mom n Ishita. I nodded and get my fan wishes to fulfill soon so that I can walk out of here.

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At night, in Malhotra Mansion

Nandini's going through some case file in her study room when the door clicked open and Ishita ran in shouting...

"Angel!"

Nandu looked up from her file n placed it at the desk " Yes Princess, What happened?"

"Angel, Do I need to go back to school tomorrow?" Ishita sounds sad. Nandu got her mindstate n picked her up in her lap.

"Everyone needs to go to school so that they can learn many new things n become a great person in the future. Even u wanna be a great person, don't u?" She asked looking at her face. Ishita just nodded looking down.

"So, no problem. U don't need to listen to those who talk bad about u. People talk badly becoz they r jealous of u. Even they r jealous that Isita is class topped, and she plays the violin so good. Ishita is a good girl, very good girl. So, let them talk, but u know how beautiful u r from inside" Nandu makes her understand her each and every word, giving her positive thoughts. And she eventually understood n agreed.

"Okay, now go n sleep, tomorrow at 10 am we'll catch the flight. And I'll talk to ur classmates n make them understand, okay. So don't worry n sleep sound. Go!" Ishita left saying goodnights n with that Nandu too left for her room as it's almost past 11.

Manan Room

"U came?" Manik spoke as soon as Nandini enters the room locking the door behind. He was sitting on the bed and going through the script.

"Ya! U didn't sleep yet?" Nandini walked to the bed n asked with a smile. They both r having casual friendship & r now comfortably talking with each other.

"No! Waiting for u" He smiled she reciprocate n sat on the other side of the bed.

"Are u reading ur script? Which scene?" She asked showing interest.

"Hmm... It's a scene when me & the female lead r missing each other badly n remembering our times together."

"Oh! That's good" She said not knowing what more to tell.

"So, Do u like my acting? Are u fan too?" He asked raising brows n waiting for her reaction.

She laughed shaking her hands "Oh no! I'm not ur fan." Her eyes met mine which was not so happy that she's not my fan. Maybe she read my eyes so spoke "Actually, I didn't have that much time for watching serials. I usually prefer movies over series becoz of its lengthy n bulkiness. ... But I'd scroll through some of ur scenes, I mean clips...." She paused while looking into my eyes "And I like them... Not bad!" She complimented, even though not like my fans who keep on says 'I loved it, I'll die for u' etc. etc... but that little compliment from her felt too good to hear.

"But, I love ur voice, ur band, Fab5... and I mean it." She sounds excited which made me smile widely. She does love something about me!

The clock clicked 12 and we snapped our head to see the time then looked at each other.

"We should sleep now" She said. I nodded putting the papers on the side table.

"Yes! U r going to Delhi with Ishita tomorrow. Do u need me to come along?" I asked even if I'd a shoot, but I'd love to tag along.

"No no... That's fine. I'll just talk with her friends, classmates n seniors about the issue and also with teachers n principal. Then will buy some necessary thing for her n will come back in the night's fight." She explained her plan.

"Okay! But call me in need. I'll be just a call away." I ordered.

"Sure Sir!" She replied chuckling. I chuckle too.

"Oh right! Mom was saying that the issue in the company is over now, and my previous show is also finished. So now, we can plan our reception party." I informed what Mom and we; sibling discussed a while ago before coming to the room.

"Yes! My mom called saying so that mom was discussing it. ... I'm ok with any date but on the holidays." She said while pulling her legs onto the bed.

"I know, so I suggested for coming Sunday" he waited for her reply while she rolls her eyes thinking her schedule.

"Fine with me" she replied smiling.

"Great! I'll confirm that. Now, let's sleep. I need to wake up early for the flight." He said switching off the lights n pulling the duvet over them. Soon the slumber enveloped them both.

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Morning

"All ready to go?" Manik came out of the washroom after the morning shower, looking fresh. While Nandini's zipping her bag.

"Yup! Just Ishu needs to finish up her breakfast, we'll leave." She said walking to the dressing table n picking up her lipstick, small brush, and foundation creams into her vanity bag.

Manik came to her back and stood behind her. She looked up to see him close, through the mirror. Her breath got uneven for a while... she raised her eyebrows asking him what happened.

He looked at her reflection directly into her eyes before back hugging her suddenly. He hides his face in her thick, black long hairs inhaling her fragrance and encircling his hands over her tops on her stomach. Nandini's body initially stiffened due to sudden act by her husband, but soon she relaxed, with erratic breaths, she put her palm over his hand resting over her stomach. They both r feeling the new sensation flowing in their blood becoz of each other's touch n closeness.

"Ishu is ready, Nandduuuuuu.... I didn't see anything" The sudden voice broke their moment n they broke apart hastily looking here n there.

"can I turn now?" Came the question making both looks at the door only to see Alya standing showing her back.

"Ya!" Manik spoke irritatedly n embarrassed.

Alya turned to see Nandini pulling her bag down the bed, looking down while Manik standing at a distance with his towel.

"U should close the door before romancing. ... At least think about Arjun n Ishita!" Alya spoke teasingly. Nandini got red in embarrassment while Manik is no less.

"What r u here for?" Manik avoided her comment.

"Ok okay... I came to inform, Ishu is done eating, the driver is waiting." Alya paused looking at both Manan "Finish goodbye kiss fast n come soon" Alya run away giggling leaving red Manan.

"Umm-I'll go now" Nandini said but not looking at Manik's eyes and pulled her bag to the door. Manik too walks behind her.

"Take care..." He steps close to her, cupped her face n placed a kiss on her forehead mumbling "I'll miss u" She closed her eyes feeling it.

That's it for now! Wait for the upcoming reception party n Arya... (Ooppss... Spoiler alert!)

Okay, Any words for Unusual emotions in Nandini's face knowing the accident. Is it normal or any story behind it?

And How's a bit of Our Manan moment??

Let's wait n see...

Till then, Don't forget to vote, comment, and share ur views.

Stay Healthy! Stay blessed!