Here's another chapter.

Before that.....new cover...

Dive in to enjoy...

(And yes...inline comments are must.)

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It had been around 6 hours to their final outbursts and no one spoke about it after that. Nandini being highly tired after exhausting herself emotionally and mentally, had slept in Manik's arms after crying for a long time. Manik after carefully tucking her in the bed, had come out only to witness four worried people walking to and fro around the living room. Seeing him, they immediately rushed to him asking how did it go and he assured them that everything was fine between them now....hopefully.

George and Lexie finally left to their home, taking a promise from Manik to call them if some problem arises and to keep them updated on Nandini's condition. Arya and Maddy too left for Singhania House in NYC, to give the couple some privacy.

So presently, Manik and Nandini sat in each other's embrace in Nandini's balcony, after Nandini woke up with another nightmare an hour ago. No words were being spoken. They were just trying to feel each other's presence after such a long time.

Nandini was time to time looking back at Manik's face to make sure that he was with her and not vanished. This act of her's pierced Manik's heart seeing the amount of fear she had. He could feel her tense sometimes when his hands stopped caressing her hairs, maybe thinking that he was a mere imagination and that he would leave her. There he would just bend down to place a soft kiss on her forehead to assure her that everything was fine and that he was with her in real.

After a long silence, Manik finally decided to break it. " Shona.", and Nandini closed her eyes to take in the moment when she heard this endearment after so long. When he encountered her last, he not for once called her with this name and that had settled an unknown fear in her. She feared that maybe their love has reduced. She feared that maybe they would never be the same again.

Manik noticed this change in her and decided to make things clear for once. He adjusted Nandini comfortably on his lap inspite of her protests that it would affect his wound and made her look at him.

" Tell me Shona. What are you thinking? You want me heal you na? So Bacha you have to tell me everything thats going on in this stupid mind of yours. Trust me, I won't judge you.", he said, clicking her forehead playfully, earning a slightest flick in her lips. The slightest smile he has ever seen. It pained him to see the girl who used to give him the widest and most beautiful smiles ever, the girl whose laughs and giggles would literally make his day, struggle to even smile once now. But he can't blame her. She has probably not smiled for about two months now, and with the level of depression she had, we can't expect her to change suddenly. But she was making efforts and that gave him assurance that she was still his Shona.

She remained silent for some time, trying to gather every courage to speak up her heart out in front of him. Finally raising her eyes to meet his, she spoke out, " I am scared Manik. I know I shouldn't be. But I can't control this feeling. Everytime I close my eyes, I fear that you'll disappear. Everytime your hands stop, I fear that one of my nightmares are coming true. Everytime you shift at your place, I fear that you are going to leave me. I fear losing you Manik. What if you don't approve of me anymore for what I have done? What if you give up on me being frustrated? I don't know Manik from where is it coming from. But it feels as if every happiness is going to end and I won't be able to do anything to stop it."

Tears had started falling from her eyes as she spoke her heart out in front of him, and he just held her close to himself, carefully listening to every word she spoke. After she was done, she hid herself in his embrace and he gave her time to settle, meanwhile thinking of ways to make her understand the truth. He was badly hurt seeing her broken state but equally determined to bring her back together.

" Shona. Can I ask you something?", he asked making her look at him curiously. " Right now, what do you feel being in my arms?", he asked and she gazed at his intense eyes. Just one word escaped her lips, " Peace.", and Manik's lips broke into a beautiful smile.

" So if this has not changed, rest assured that nothing else has. You are mine and I'm yours and nothing is gonna change this fact. And about me giving up on you, don't you remember your first gift to me? I keep that with me always. So even if that thought ever crosses my mind, that keychain will remind me of my promise to you. Rest assured Baby, tumne toh mujhe puri zindagi ke liye khud se bandh liya hai. (You have bound me to yourself for the whole life.)", he said placing peppery kisses on on her neck and cheek make her giggle a bit and that giggle of hers brought tears in his eyes, having heard them after so long. Wiping them without her notice, he continued to place kisses on her, along with tickling her, and a squeal of laughter errupted from her, giving peace to his heart as he too laughed with her to his heart's content.

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He entered the room to see it empty and looked around searching for her. Finally spotting her in the balcony, he walked up to her, taking her in a back hug, as she snuggled back into him.

" Whats up wifey? Any food for thought?", he asked nuzzling in her neck and she smiled, placing her head on his shoulder. This was her peace which she had been missing from the past two months.

After Manik's heart beat revived that day, it took him several hours to partially come out of the comatosed state. He could see them, hear them, even speak a little, though not clearly, but his body from below his lips was paralysed. He couldn't move even an inch.

Although everyone were happy that he was finally up, it broke their hearts seeing him in that condition. Especially Cabir.

Cabir was broken seeing his Veere's state. The jolly prankster in him had died suddenly and the Cabir in front of her only knew two things. Managing the bussiness, and looking after Manik. He almost lost himself in those few days when Manik was slowly recovering.

And those days were like a nightmare for Navya. She had never imagined that she would ever see her husband in that state. But being Navya, she never broke. The last time she broke down was when she cried in Abhi's arms after Manik revived. But after that, she made herself strong enough to handle her family. She took the responsibility of the house with Neyonika being in a state of shock. She used to take care of both Raj and Neyonika, along with managing her cases in the hospital. And the most difficult moments were when Cabir used to break down time to time and she had to console him and make him stand up to his responsibilities again. Her heart used to break badly seeing her Cabir in such a state,but she would console herself by saying that those were just bad times that would pass soon.

Fab 3 were of the best help in those days along with Hidden 5. The girls would help Navya in managing things and would be there to support her.

Aliya and Mukti took the sole responsibility of the Fab 5 studio, while Cabir indulged himself completely in bussiness. With Manik in hospital and Raj not in a state to work, Cabir had to single-handedly look after the whole empire, leading to increasing load of stress on him, Manik's condition not at all helping a bit emotionally. Thats when Dhruv and Abhi stepped in to help him along with Avantika who managed some small works in the office to reduce the workload on her son-in-law. With their help, Cabir could finally take out sometime to visit his brother everyday and thats what gave him some peace.

The worst thing that happened with Navya was Nandini's disappearance. She feared of her taking some wrong step and that increased her tension. Relief had washed over her when she finally heard from Maddy about Nandini being in NYC. She wanted to be there with her, knowing very well what her condition would be, but her responsibilities didn't allow her to. That broke her more. It was only when Yug and Vishal went to NYC to be with her, that she finally breathed in relief. Little did she know that Yug couldn't be there to help his Shia.

Yes its true that Yug and Vishal went to meet Nandini. But just a sight of them, and Nandini's condition worsened. That was the phase when Nandini was in her worst state and seeing her brothers just triggered her more, reminding her of all those horrible events of her past, worsening her condition. So with a heavy heart, they decided to stay away from her. Vishal came back to India to take care of the bussiness so that Yug could stay back.

All the time Yug was there in NYC, keeping a watch on Nandini, not coming into her notice. According to George's advice, he could meet her when she become a bit lucid. But to his bad luck, half a month back when her condition started improving, he had to come back given to an emergency in his company and after that Manik went there promising him to bring his Shia back.

Coming back to CaVya, it was only when Manik started recovering, he started walking and talking almost normal again, that Cabir started coming back to normal, much to Navya's relief. He would smile whole heartedly now, giving immense pleasure to Navya's heart. Even she started feeling free now, with most of the stress releasing from her. Neyonika finally recovered from shock and almost everything came back to normal after a long time.
But the fact that remained was that after MaNan, the couple who suffered the most in this was CaVya.

" I was thinking of Nanhi. She will be fine na? I mean Manik and her...", she spoke out her concern and Cabir just tightened his hold on her, snuggling more.

" They are our MaNan Navya. They are bound to be alright. You think Manik will let there relationship break? It was a hard phase for them, but soon its gonna end. Dekhna tum, aakhir mein dilwale dulhaniyan lekar hi jayenge.", he said dramatically, making her laugh. After so long, she was having this carefree laugh. After so long, she was seeing this carefree Cabir. Her heart soared in ecstacy.

Turning to him she joined their foreheads together. " I missed you.", she muttered softly making Cabir kiss her forhead to assure her. " I am here with you Jaan. Always.", he said with all his love, making her heart flutter after a long time.

" Love me Cabir. Please love me."

And that was it. He joined their lips together, taking her in a passionate kiss, sending shivers down her spine, as she hung on to him, completely surrendering to his sweet torcher. Breaking the kiss, he scooped her in his arms, taking her inside and placed her on the bed, switching off the lights.

Soon after, their clothes were scattered in the room whose walls echoed moans and groans, as the couple drowned in their own world of pleasure, once again marking their love under the moonlight.

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" Hey babe. Why not asleep till now? Thinking about meee?", Abhi asked cheekily as soon as he picked up the call, earning a giggle from the other side that soothed his heart.

" Why would I even think about you idiot? I have other important works you know?", said Mukti making Abhi whine. " When will you stop calling me idiot? I'm your boyfriend for God's sake!", he said childishly making her laugh more.

" Never. You are an idiot. My idiot. ", she said making him smile heartily.

These two months have been very hard on them with their close ones suffering. Mukti was badly broken by Manik's condition and Abhi was shaken by Nandini's disapperance. But the two souls decided to be each other's support and help their family cope with this bad phase. In all this they never knew when they came so close, and finally named their feelings when Abhi by mistake confessed.

Well it was hillarious though....Abhi's confession. It was one of those days when Mukti returned home highly tired after a press confereence where continuous questions were pressed on her about Manik's health and what actually happened to him and what would be the impact on fab5. It broke her patience when someone asked her if Fab 5 was going to break and she just stormed off from there giving no heed to the requests from their manager.

She entered her home but froze at the doorstep when she heard some noise from the kitchen. The whole house was dark, increasing her fears more. She first tried to switch on the lights but failed. So she did what she was best at. Taking out the boxing gloves that she had carried in her bag for her practice in the morning, she headed towards the kitchen, putting them on, ready to beat the shit out of the thieve that she thought was there.

Entering the kitchen with tip toes, she saw a figure moving around in the dark, trying to find something with his mobile torch light. Approaching him from the back, she suddenly, without any warning, attacked him with her fierce punches, making him shriek in shock as well as pain.

" Aaaahhhhhhh!"

" DHISHOOMMM! DISHOOM......"

" Bloody thieve! Coming to steal from my house han? Mukti Vardhan's house! Teri itni himmat?",

" Aaahhhhh! Leave me! Please Chhodo mujhe! Aaaaahhhhh! Aaai Bachao! Baba! "

And that was it. Mukti immediately stopped, recognising his voice. And fortunately, the lights came back the very moment, making her gasp as she saw Abhi sitting there groaning in pain. There were marks on his body showing our Lady Bheem's brutal assault, making her gasp.

" OMG! Abhimanyu! What are you doing here?", she asked clueless making him groan more. Seriously? He was all balck-eyed over here and all she has to ask is what he is doing here?

" Boxing mein tumhara naam itna suna hai. To socha ek baar ye check karlu tum marti kaise ho. ( I heard your name a lot in boxing. So thought to check once how you hit.) ", he said making Mukti more confused.

" What? Really? ", she asked, looking at her hands clad with the boxing gloves, making him shout frustratedly.

" Arre jahil aurat! Ek toh itna maara...aaah! Aur uparse puch rahi hai 'really'? Uthale bhagwaan! Iss nacheez ko apni sharan mein lele! ( Oh hopelessly ignorant woman! First hit me so much. And then asking 'really'? Oh God! Take this innocent me into your shelter!) ", he said ever dramatically making Mukti scrunch her nose in irritation. She kneeled in front of him, she touched his wound only for him to wince to which she apologised and immediately started searching for the first-aid box.

Making Abhi sit on the sofa, she carefully started applying the ointment on his wounds, blowing air everytime he winced. Some tears had started forming in her eyes seeing him in so much pain which didn't go unnoticed by Abhi. He was admiring her with all his love when suddenly, without his knowledge, the words left his mouth, " I love you so much.", making Mukti's all movements stop as she stared at him. He came out of his la la land, realising what blunder he had created and started looking here and there nervously.

" What did you just say?", she asked making him more nervous as he started stammering, " No..Nothing. Wh...what did I s..say? N..nothing..."

Getting irritated by his constant stammering, Mukti picked up her gloves once again and pointed at him dangerously, " Tell me what you said a few moments back or I'll beat the shit out of you!", she growled making him shiver in fear. He immediately held her hand and looked into her eyes, his gaze suddenly turning intense as he stared into them.

" I love you Mukti. I really love you. I don't know when this happened. Maybe when I first saw you in Navya's Roka. Or maybe when we both fought for Cabir's shoes in his wedding. Or maybe when you consoled me at the time I broke down with guilt. Ya phir tab jab you decided to stand strong for this family even after you were so broken seeing Manik's condition. I just....I fell for you. And I fell so hard that.....I can't imagine a life without you now.

I know this is not the way I should have confessed. But trust me, I may not have made any special arrangements, but my feelings are the most honest ones. I...", he was cut off by a sudden attack by Mukti as she pounced on him, hugging him tight. He was shocked by this sudden act, when suddenly his trance broke by sobs.

He immediately broke the hug cupping Mukti's face, worry written all over his. " What happened Mukti? Why are you crying? I'm so sorry if I hurt you. There's no force Mukti. No force on you to reciprocate. These are just my feelings and I will keep loving you till my last breath.", his every word just touched her heart. No one had till now made her feel so special. Not even her parents who just disowned her because of one mistake. Yes, her friends were always there for her. But still she felt lonely at times. Lonely in life. Today she was sure that that void in her life has been filled.

She immediately hit his hand making him wince and look at her wide-eyed. " Idiot! What took you so long han? Idiot! Duffer! Stupid!...", she continued to hit him, surprising him with her words. He just took her in another hug to calm her down and she melted in his embrace.

" I love you.", he heard her wishper making his heart flutter with joy.

" Kya yaar! Koi izzat hi nahin hai hamari toh. Yaar boyfriend hain hum aapke. Kuch toh sharam karo.( What is this yaar! No respect I have. Yaar I'm you boyfriend. Have some shame.) ", he whined making her laugh.

" Shut up. Pati ban jaoge na, tab bhi koi izzat nahin rahegi. ( Shut up! Even when you become my husband, you won't have any respect.)", she said making him whine more, but soon his frowns turned into smirk as he processed what she said.

" Iska matlab tumhare taraf se rishta manzoor hai? Pandit ko bulaun? ( Does this mean you are ready for marriage? Should I call the pandit?) ", he asked teasingly, making her blush hard. " Shut up!", she said making him laugh this time.

After some time of peaceful silence, Abhi finally asked.

" Mukku."

" Hmm?"

" When will we tell others about our relationship?", he asked as its been a month and they haven't even told their friends. Although the situation was not good, but Abhi just wanted to shout out to the world that he was in love. In love with the lady bheem. But Mukti had other plans.

" Even I want to tell them Abhi. But I just...I don't want our happiness to be incomplete. I want to make it official when everyone of us would be together. I just want Nandini and Manik also to be there, happily standing hand-in-hand, when I declare my heart out to them. I want to share the happiest news of my life to my whole family together.", she said, making Abhi thank God for blessing him with this angel. He was so happy seeing her love for their family. Agreeing whole-heartedly to her, they talked for some more time before drifting to deep slumbers, dreaming of each other.

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Manik's sleep broke as he felt his throat dry and he searched for water on the bedside table when his eyes fell on Nandini who was lying beside him. But what made him frown was that she wasn't asleep. Her eyes were wide open as she stared at the ceiling. He looked at the wall clock to find it was past three and remembered that they went to sleep at around ten-thirty.

" Shona?", he called her softly but she didn't respond. He again called her shaking her a bit and she finally looked at him, flinching a little.

" Why aren't asleep Shona? Its too late.", he asked and she just shook her head. " I can't sleep Manik. I'll again get those nightmares.", she said nonchalantly making his heart break seeing her suffering.

Taking her in his embrace, he kissed her forehead softly, " This time you won't. Promise. And even if you do, then don't forget, I'm with you now. I'll catch you in time. Okay.", he said softly, carressing her hairs with utmost love.

" Manik.", she called for him, vulnerability clearing audible in her voice which made his heart pain.

" You won't leave me na?", she asked and he just shook his head in no, silently wiping the tears that had formed in his eyes. Kissing her forehead, he started singing with all the love he had for her,

( Do plug on to the song to have the feel. Well its one of my favourites and it fits Manan's condition in so many ways.)

Pal.. do pal.. ki hi kyun hai zindagi
Is pyar ko hai sadiyan kaafi nahin
To khuda se maang loon
Mohlat main ek nayi
Rehna hai bas yahan
Ab door tujh se jana nahin..

He tried conveying from his words that he would even ask for extra time from God to love her. So how can he leave her? And maybe, she very well understood his words as she tightened her hold on him.

Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai

He beautifully explained her that he can bear any pain if she is with him, indirectly asking her to never leave him like she did before. She understood it and nodded at him making smile to the fullest.

Teri muskurahatein hain taaqat meri
Mujhko inhi se ummeed mili
Chaahe kare koi sitam ye jahaan
Inme hi hai sadaa hifaazat meri

Her smile was his strength and that he can fight with the whole world if she was there by him, giving him her magical smile. This made her look at him as her lips twitched in a beautiful curve making his heart flutter. He immediately pecked that smile making her blush as he continued.

Zindagani badi khoobsurat hui
Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai

He sang telling her how beautiful life is with her in it and that he doesn't even want heaven if this is his life. She was so overwhelmed by his confession, that she suddenly kissed on his chest where his heart beat, making him sigh in finding his peace after so long.

He hummed the rest of the song as he found her trying hard to keep her eyes open. His voice had really did the effect on her, putting her mind into a peaceful tuning. He softly placed his hand on her eyes, closing them as he hummed, till she fell into deep slumber. Feeling her even breaths, he finally adjusted her properly, and he too slipped into his dreamland, holding her tight in his embrace.

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So......another update done.....this one a bit happy one.

I just wanted to show how the others were also affected by the tragedy and how they coped with it.

CaVya's struggle?

Navya's strong demeanour actually helped in the most difficult of situation. What do you think?

Another new couple added to the list..😁😁

Did you like MukBhi?

How was Abhi's confession?

Mukti's punches were awesome na?

Lastly how about Manan? Nandini is so broken and scared. But Manik will heal her right?

Keep thinking.

And ya....I want you guys to suggest some scenes you want to see between Manan in this phase. If I find any of your suggestion applicable in my story I would surely love to include it in the upcoming updates with credits to the user.

So.....dive in to write your suggestion and post them in my comment box.

And another request....if you really find this story worth a good read...please give a shoutout if you can. Would be highly obliged for it.

Till the next update then...

Keep voting...

Stay safe

Stay healthy

Yours Writer.