Manik re-entered the lounge with Vaibhav at the same time when Nandini made her exit but he could not see her leaving.

He searched for her everywhere in the lounge but could not find her.

He even looked for those two who were talking to Nandini and saw them on the dance floor.

He searched the sitting area but all his tries were in vain.

Manik was getting worried and restless as to where she had gone. He then suddenly realised something and went out of the lounge and as per his intuition he saw Nandini standing in the open area taking the support of the wall and holding her head from one hand. It was not tough for him to realise she was not fine. He ran towards her and stood in front.

"Nandiniii...!!" he shouted as he was shocked to see her condition.

She had sweated badly and was still sweating. Her breaths were now even more heavier and pain was clearly visible on her face.

Manik took her hand in his in which she had her clutch and had kept it on the wall for support ; just to be sure that she doesn't falls down in that state.
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Manik became restless seeing her in that condition. Since long he has been working with her but he has never seen her in that condition.

"Nandiniii...!! Are you ok..? Kya hua hai tumhe..?" He asked her in a panic mode checking her forehead which was burning like a frying pan.

"Pani..!!! Please " Nandini said in a heavy tone. She was completely out of her breath. Manik who was almost out of his senses seeing her like that ; came back to them when she cried for water.

He carefully took her and made her sit on stairs and ran inside to the lounge for water. Nandini kept her head on the railing of the staircase.

She was in her terrible state. Her eyes were also becoming heavy and it was difficult for her to keep them open.
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Manik rushed back to her in his fastest speed. "Nandini ... Here.. Take it.."

He handed the water bottle to her. She slightly opened her eyes and forwarded her hand to take it but instead Manik came to her side and made her drink water by holding the bottle himself.

His worry was clearly visible on his face ; seeing her in that condition and being clueless as to what had happened to her.

Nandini gulped down half the bottle in one go. After removing her mouth from the bottle ; she tried to recollect her breath. She was slowly becoming fine.

"Better..???" Manik asked her as he saw her breaths getting normal. She just nodded her head in a yes. Manik got up from her side and stood in front. Nandini was now near her Normal state.

"Wash your face if you want" Manik Said to her as it was drenched in sweat.

She was trying to get up from the staircase when Manik forwarded his hand for support. She looked at the hand and then at Manik.

She could easily make out from his face that her condition almost gave him a mini heart attack. She gave her hand into his and Manik made her stand up.

She splashed water on face and her arms which were bare as the gown was sleeveless. Manik gave her his handkerchief and she wiped off the water from her face and arms.
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Nandini was now all fine and back to normal. "Thanks a lot " she said to Manik.

"Hua Kya tha tumhe..? Your forehead was burning. Tumhe fever hai Kya..?"

"Nahi Manik ; fever nahi hai. I am fine. Woh I get this att..." Nandini stopped in between for her sentence as she realised that she was about to reveal something.

"Get what..?" Manik asked her again bit suspiciously.

Nandini was taken aback as he crossed questioned on her unfinished statement.

"Get..." She was fumbling as she had to find a good excuse for it.

"Get uncomfortable in such loud music. I just can't handle it." ... Manik was looking at her with suspicion.

Nandini noticed that he was staring her and actually looking into her eyes. She got uncomfortable and turned her face ; but Manik was still looking at her.

"Manik..." She called out ; but Manik still didn't turned his gaze ; instead he pointed his finger towards her saying ; "tumne Kya piya hai..?"

Nandini was surprised at his question and she frowned her forehead. "Whattt...??"

"Tumne kuch piya ..?? Did you drank something..?" ... "Haannn... Pani piya abhi tumhare saamne." ... "Pani nahi usse pehle kuch piya tha..??" ... "Haan wo counter par se 2 drinks pee thi" ... "Kaisi drinks..?? Kya tha unmein..?" ... "I don't know Kya tha.. Maine bas pee liya as my throat was drying."

Manik rolled his eyes and nodded in disappointment.

"Jo bhi tha tumne pee liya... Didn't even asked the waiter ki wo Kya tha..?" ... "Waiter was not there ; and besides problem Kya hai if I drank something" ... "problem yeh hai ki tumne Jo bhi piya tha wo ya to pure alcohol thi ya alcohol mixed in something ; cocktail thi and now you are high"... "Whattt...?? Alcohol..??? How can you say that...?? Aur main tumhare saamne hoon ; standing all straight and still ; what makes you think I am high...?" ... "Your eyes" ..., "whattt...??? My eyes...?? What rubbish Manik..??" ... "Any one who drinks and knows its symptoms can easily make out from your eyes that you are drunk. Aur waise bhi ; aise lounges mein bahut high quality alcohol hoti hai jo itni jaldi nahi chad jati. Yeh reality hai madam ; drinks apna Asar itni jaldi bhi nahi dikhati hain jitna jaldi unn mein dikhaya jata hai but haan tumne by mistake hi sahi but piya hai jo abhi tumhe maloom nahi de raha hai par Maloom dega. It will create heaviness in your head."
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Nandini was surprised to the revelation Manik made about her. She looked at Manik who was just observing her condition.

"Ab pee liya to pee liya ; now nothing can be done...I have to go now ; bye" Nandini just wanted to reach home as she was not feeling completely ok.

"Let me drop you. It's not safe for you to drive." Manik didn't wanted her to go alone in that high state as on any moment the effects would start.

"Nahi Manik ; I fine , I will manage"... "Listen I know you are fine right now but you never know kab tum uske affect mein aajao. It's your first time and may be you cannot handle it. Its not safe for you to drive like this . So ; let me drop you."...

"Ok I will take the cab ; you don't worry ; go to party ; I'll manage" ...

"You really don't trust anyone na..?? Sab tumhare dushman nahi hain Nandini ; don't judge everyone on the same parameters. Har koi ek jaisa nahi Hota hai ; at least give a chance to someone." ... Manik furiously said to her.

Nandini just looked at him in a confusing state. She was not able to decide what actually Manik meant.

Manik was annoyed from her denial of taking his help. Both were looking to each other with hundreds of thoughts in their minds.

"Okay...!! Fine" Nandini allowed him to drop her home after thinking a bit and Manik's face gained relaxing expressions when she agreed.

"Fine... You wait here ; I'll be right back" and Manik rushed inside the lounge to find kabir.

"Kabir ... Yeh le keys ; gaadi ki.." Kabir looked at him in a confused state.

"Tu gaadi le ja apne ghar ; main kal aake le loonga. Woh kuch friends mil Gaye hain Bahar to I am going with them. Soo you take the car.. Ok...bye" Manik hugged kabir and rushed out of the lounge not allowing him to speak anything.

Manik and kabir came together and had to leave together only as Manik needed to drop him. Now that he was going to drop Nandini ; he could not abandon kabir also ; so gave his car kyes so that he reaches home safely.
Manik came rushing out of the lounge to find Nandini who was standing taking the support of the wall.

"Come ; let's go. Waise I hope you don't mind me driving your car..??" ...

"I don't mind but tumhari car..?" ...

"Woh kabir le jayega apne saath as he came with me only.. Ab chale..?" Manik asked her and she nodded in a yes. Both left in Nandini's car towards her home.

Manik and Nandini were in the car heading towards her home. As Nandini was not feeling completely well she leaned to the window and kept her head on the pane. There was a complete silence. Since it was Nandini's car ; Manik didn't turned on the music also without her permission.
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Nandini was feeling completely drained out. Harshad and Soha kept coming to her mind. Their smiling and laughing faces were flashing in front of her eyes every now and then. She felt the need to cry but was controlling herself.

Manik was noticing her silence. Her dull and sad face was clearly telling that she was into deep thoughts. Manik so wanted to talk to her but was just too hesitant seeing her condition.
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Nandini's VO -
"Why are these two after my life. Mann nahi Bhara tha inka itna kuch kar ke ki ab bhi ye mere peeche hain. Aise baat kar rahe the jaise kabhi kuch hua hi nahi. Kaise inko kisi bhi baat se koi fark nahi pada.. Kaise..? Kya bigaad diya tha Maine inka ki inhone mere saath itna kuch kar diya uske baad bhi Inhe chain nahi hai. What to do ..?? Kahan jaaun main..?? Where to find my peace..?? Kahan...??" ...
~~~~~~~~~~

With these thoughts tears started clouding her eyes and she quietly closed them not to let those come out.
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Here Manik was also worried as to what exactly happened to her. When she came to the party she was all fine and now when he saw her ; she was so dull. Her face was easily describing her situation.

Finally Manik gathered courage to ask her. He cleared his throat and spoke ; "Nandini .." .

She opened her eyes and looked towards him and with eyes asked him what.

He was then and now looking at her and towards the road. "Kya Manik.?" ...

"Wooh .. Tumhe Kya hua tha..?? I mean you were all fine Aur all of a sudden ... Kya ho Gaya tha..??" ... Nandini turned her face to the other side and bit her lower lip.

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Nandini's VO-
I can't tell it to anyone. Mujhe kisi ki sympathy nahi Chahiye. I need to be more careful from next time. But abhi Manik ko Kya bolu.?
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"Nandini...!!! Kya hua..??" Manik said from other side which broke her thought process.

She was looking in front and at times at Manik ; who himself was confused as to what is wrong with her that she is not answering.

Nandini was not able to get what to say to Manik when she suddenly saw something.

"Stoppp .. Stoppp.. Stoppp.. Manik.." She shouted looking back at something.

Manik got scared from her sudden shout and pushed the breaks all of a sudden.

"Kya hua ...??" He was in utter shock and his mouth big open.

Nandini didn't bothered to look at him or tell him what happened and moved out of the car as soon as Manik stopped the car.
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She hurriedly run towards back but her wedges were creating problem .

Manik was still in car trying to know what was happening. Nandini came back to the car , opened her wedges and left them in car. He was just looking at her confusingly but she was not bothered.

She bare foot ran back and Manik parked the car on the side the stepped out. He started looking for her and when he saw her he was all irritated and confused.

He kept his hands on his waist and stared her annoyingly. But she had no idea about it as she was too busy talking to the vendor of the pav bhaji stall.

Nandini was hungry and seeing her favourite food her appetite Increased and all she could see in front of her was food.

Manik walked to her and stood beside her looking at her annoyingly. She turned her face and saw him looking at her.

With eyes she asked him what and he with full irritation replied ; "tumne iske liye car rukwai..? Like seriously ..??" ...

"Haan toh..?? I love it..!! Mujhe Khana tha to Maine rukwa di .. par tumne kyun muuh banaya hai..?? Kya hua..??" She asked him innocently as if nothing happened.

He grinned and raised his finger to say something ; "yooo..!! ... Forget it...!" He didn't said anything to her and giving her irritating looks turned around to leave.

Nandini was confused seeing his reaction. But when she saw him going she called him from back ; "Manik Kahan ja rahe ho.?" ... He turned around in anger and said "car mein Aur Kahan" .

Nandini went to him and very politely said ; "Manik I made u stop the car as I was hungry and am sure tumne bhi party mein kuch nahi khaya tha to come have something tumhe bhi bhook Lagi hogi kyunki mujhe bahut tez bhook lagi hai ; aacha atleast give me a company."

Manik realised that she actually didn't had anything except for the drink in the party and at this hour she would surely be hungry.

He too realised that his stomach was demanding something . His irritation and anger was slowly flying away and he asked her to continue in gestures.

Nandini moved ahead and Manik followed her. While walking behind her he was trying to know who exactly she is. In the party she was not willing to talk to him and now she noticed that he was also hungry and made sure that he eats something.

Her changing behaviour was nothing less than a mystery to him. Though he knew the reason behind this , Yet she was always there , ready to surprise him.
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"Bhaiya .. Do plate ... Aachi waali.." Nandini said to the vendor. Manik seated himself on the bench near the stall but Nandini walked behind the stall.

She saw the view and a tiny smile found its place on her face. There were big residential buildings that were shining with the lights of different houses and since that area was a lower surface it seemed like a farm filled with light plants from a height were nandini was standing. It was looking really pretty. Her eyes had a twinkle seeing that and face wore a beautiful smile.

Her thought process was interrupted when Manik called her from back. He held two plates in both his hands. She took one from him and started eating.

"Nandini .. Let's sit and eat.." Manik said and Nandini nooded. Both of them came to the bench and started eating. "Wow... It's yummy.." Manik exclaimed and Nandini smiled with joy ; "I know ; I love it".
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Both were quietly eating when Manik saw Nadnini is bare foot. "Nandini wear your sandals , it can hurt." He said to her. "I am fine Manik." She said without looking at him and suddenly she started taking hiccups.

Manik left his plate on bench and asked the Vendor for water but he didn't had. Manik came back to her and saw she was still in hiccups. "Nandini... Relax..!!" He said to her in panic .

He kept his one hand on her shoulder and with other he was about rub her back but he stopped himself from keeping his hand on her back as without her permission he felt awkward to her touch her back. Suddenly her hiccups stooped and he saw her looking on the ground and smiling. Her plate was still in her hand and she was eating in a slow motion looking at ground. Manik was confused looking at her.

"Nandini ...!! Hass kyun Rahi ho..?? And what are you watching there..?"

Manik asked her out of his curiosity and sat next to her.

She did not said anything but just kept smiling looking on the ground and pointed her finger towards what she was actually looking at. Manik looked there.

It was a frog hoping here and there and Nandini was finding it amusing. "Those two are sooo cute.." Nandini exclaimed in full excitement.

Manik was confused as to how can anyone find a frog cute. He looked at her and she was smiling widely looking at it. "I want them.. They are too cute.."

Manik was all confused looking at Nandini and then at the frog every time. He then realised there is only one frog . "Nandini wahan 2 nahi 1 frog hai.," he tried to explain. But she nodded her head in no and raised her hand making a "v" indicating two in no. "2 hain.." She said.

Manik did not paid much attention to that as he thought may be other went away. He stood with the plates and gave it back to vendor and settled his bill.

"Come let's go.." He said to her and noticed that she is constantly rubbing her eyes. "Kya hua..?? Are you ok..?" He asked .

"Haan" she replied without looking at him.

"Ok then chalo." Manik asked her to get up.

"Nai meko nai jaana..!!" She made face and said.

"What..?? Nandini listen its already late ; come let's go please fast." He tried to hold her hand to make her get up but she jerked his hand and said ; "bola na.. I don't want to go . It's sooo lonely there. No one to talk with. Akela feel Hota hai. I am not going." She said in a heavy tone making Manik realise that she's not normal.

He sat in front of her and looked at her "soo I was right ; tumne galat drink hi piya tha. Thank God I didn't let you go all alone."

He said to her who was least bothered to listen what he was saying but his last word entered her ear.

"Alone... Yes... Alone...!! I am alone Manik. Yahan sabse door ek dum akele . Alll alone...!!" She said leaning back on the bench and watching the sky with a long and dull face.

Manik noticed her reaction. Nandini said her heart's feelings without even knowing that who is in front of him.

Manik understood what she meant to say from that. He kept on looking at her and she kept on looking at the sky.
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"Nandini you are high ; let's go home. Chalo.." He broke the silence after a while and again tried to make her get up.

"Arre Manik .. Sit na...what home home..?? That's not home. Nai jaana." She again refused to go.

Manik got a tough time. "So are you gonna stay here the whole night.?" He asked her and she nodded in a yes.

"Why you don't wanna go home Nandini.?" He asked her very politely sitting beside her.

"Because I feel alone . Koi nahi hai wahan . I don't like it." She said making faces.

"You will not be alone ; I will be there. Ab chalo" he said to her looking at her. Listening this she had a big smile on her face. "You will be there..?? Pakka..??" ...

"Pakka..!" He assured her. "Promise..?" She again asked like a small kid keeping her hand on her neck as the sign of promise.

Manik smiled at his gesture and repeated her action .. "Promise.!" He said.

"Ok then chalo..!!" She got up in excitement and started moving towards the car but stopped in the way looking at the sky here and there.

Manik was confused as to what is she upto now. He too looked up at the sky but could not figure out what she was looking for.
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"Nandini .. Kya hua..??? Kya Dekh Rahi ho ooper..? He asked her.

"My friend...!! He has not come today. Kabse dhoond Rahi hoon.." She replied .

"Friend .???? Who..???" Manik was confused.

"Arre my friend ... Moon...! Dekho aaj nahi aaya." She held Manik's face and made him look up.

"See.. Nahi aaya..!!! " she made a face. Manik looked down at her and took a deep breath after raising his eyes.

She again looked at him and made a sad pout. "Nandini. Aaj moon nahi aayega.." he tried to explain her. " kyun nahi aayega..?? Roz aata hai.. I talk to him. Aaj bhi aayega." She made an angry pout and looked up in the sky.

"Nandini aaj no moon night hai aaj moon nahi aayega." Manik was trying hard on her .

"No moon night...?? What's that..?? Honey moon night suna tha ye no moon night Kya Hota hai..??" She asked him making faces and looking straight into him and waited for an answer.

Manik was at sudden surprise on her statement but then he was all irritated as he saw that she is waiting for an answer.

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Manik's VO-
"Ab Kya main ise astronomy padhau..?? Madam ko honeymoon night pata hai but no moon night nahi...!! Superbbb..!!! Kahan fhass Gaya main yaar...!!!!" "
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"Arre bolo na..!! I'm waiting Manik..!" She shook him from his shoulder.

"Woh actually moon daily aata hai na to thak jaata hai isliye month mein 1 baar wo off par Hota hai jaise hum log hote hain aur jis din wo nahi aata wo no moon night hoti hai.." Manik tried to explain her and she looked straight into his eyes.

"Ab Kya ...? Bata to diya ab chalo.." Manik again tried to pull her to car.

"But Manik wo karta Kya hai uss din..??" And there was Nandini again firing her questions on Manik and the poor guy face palmed himself and looked up in a silent prayer.

He was now full irritated and pulled her up as strongly he could in the car. "Mujhe nahi pata Kya karta hai.. Ask him yourself when he comes tomorrow and now stop irritating me.."!! He shouted at her while pulling her and she kept on resisting.

With a jerk she freed her hand and started rubbing her eyes then and now and looking here and there. Manik banged his head on the car roof in disappointment.

"Sab kala kala kyun hai Manik..?? ... Manik raised his head and saw her looking here and there in surprise.

"Kyun ki Nandini iss waqt raat hai Aur raat mein andhera Hota hai jo kala Hota hai..!! " He said in a low and lazy tone and he was now tired of her questions.

"Ohhh ..!! ." She exclaimed as if she came to know about a big revelation. "Manik you copy cat ; tumne Meri jaisi car le li ; u toh had different na..?? " she shouted on Manik .

"Ye tumhari hi car hai Nandini...!!". He was shocked on her shouting as well as on her words.

"To wo kiss ki car hai..?? " She pointed out on empty road.

"Nandini yahan ek hi car hai " Manik tried to calm her down..

"Nahi 2 hain ; can't u see..!!!" She again shouted holding his face and turning it on other side.

Manik was now done. He was fully irritated and frustrated on her behaviour but she had no idea about it.

"Ohhh God ye Gabbar hi aachi thi.. Kahan main iske chakkar mein fass Gaya..!!! " He said to himself grinning his teeth and hitted the car wheel in anger.

"Tumne mujhe Gabbar bola..???? How dare you Manik ..?? Can't you see I am sooo cute..!! " she said while cute faces.

He was just looking at her. "Aur tum dance kyun kar rahe ho..?? Stand still..!!!" SHe again made his furiousity level increase.

"That's it .. Stop it now..!!" He was now done with her drama.

He opened the car door and made her sit in the car tucking the seat belt into its place.

While he was doing so she again started to say something but he shouted ; "quite.. Not a single word till your home.!" And Nandini kept a finger on her lips , nooded her head and twinkled her eyes to say yes.

Manik came to the driving seat and drove off to her home.