*Peeking from under the table* You guys remember me? 🙈

Okay so. Firstly, heartiest apologies for the delay. I promise I'll try to post the next chapter asap. Thanks for your patience and love.😬

Secondly, Thankyou for such an overwhelming response on the previous chapter. Means the world to me.❤️

And lastly, I honestly don't know what have I written in this update. It's just..something.😂

So a super long update of 5700 words! *Hope* you like it.😘

Do drop in your valuable reviews.
Happy Reading! 💖

_______

After Manik dropped off Nandini to her place, he came home and dozed off almost immediately due to all the tiredness of the day. It was 6 AM in the morning, when Manik was sleeping soundly, his phone rang, which snapped him out of his deep sleep. Groaningly, he picked up the phone, just to find his secretary Aman calling which left him confused. He immediately picked up the call,

" What is the reason to call at this time, Aman? It better be something serious, otherwise you're fired." Manik said sternly, making the poor guy shiver with fright on the other side.

As soon as Aman told what the problem was, Manik was left bewildered.

" I hope you've got it taken down." He said angrily and immediately jumped off the bed to which he got a positive reply from Aman.

" Shit Nandini. I hope you're fine." He muttered in an unsure tone which clearly showed how scared he was. He hurriedly wore his slippers and made his way towards his car.

~~~

Within a couple of minutes he halted his car outside Nandini's building. He hurriedly got out of his car and ran towards her house with raging breaths.

He rang the bell of her house twice, but she didn't opened which left him horror-struck. He immediately got his hands on the spare key which was behind the nameplate and opened the door in a haste.

He scanned around the living room and kitchen just to find it empty. He moved towards her room, just to find her in a state he would never wish to see her in. She was curled up like a ball at the corner of the bed, her slight sobs were audible to him. He moved towards her, with every step his heat breaking to see her like this. He sat beside her in the little space which was there. He softly ran his hand on her hair, making her jerk up immediately to which he just simply engulfed her safely in his warm embrace making her cry even more.

" Shh baby girl. I've got you. You're fine." He kept murmuring in her ear as he cradled her back and forth in his arms while she held onto him with her life.

" Manik.. how can they even say something like this?" She said while hiccuping to which he rubbed her back soothingly. She immediately got out of his grip and handed him her phone on which an article was opened. He held the phone in his hands while Nandini was still in his arms. The article had a picture of Manik and Nandini with a caption - JMD or just another bed warmer? - making Manik's insides erupt with anger. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down.

"Nandini, the article has been taken down now. See?" Manik said as he clicked on the reload option - Error, the page showed.

" But Manik, my.. my parents, my family.. how am I gonna face them? No.. no." She went frantic with tears still flowing from her eyes.

" Nandini, nobody will know about this. Trust me. It's been taken down." He said as he rubbed her back a little.

" Manik..this..this isn't right. Hume saath nahi rehna chahiye. I..I don't want you to suffer." She hiccuped making him lose his calm.

" Nandini Murthy, listen to me loud and clear. I am not letting go of you, not today. Not ever. I don't fucking care what people think." He said sternly as he held her shoulders.

" And besides, all these people who write such articles don't bother about emotions. They just care about gossip and money. I've dealt with this. I know. Please don't stress yourself so much. Everything is under control. Don't worry." He said softly as she clung more to him. He sighed softly and scooped her up in his arms and made his way towards the bathroom. He slowly made her stand on her feet. Her hair disheveled, eyes swollen, lips dried and her soft, pink cheeks having dried tear stains. He slowly opened the tap, making the sound of water flowing echo in the bathroom. He softly took a handful of water and wiped her face with it, careful enough not to hurt her, to which she just closed her eyes as she felt a fresh stream of salt water flowing through her cheek. Manik gently wiped her face with the towel , making her open her eyes slowly. He softly combed her disheveled hair with his fingers, fixing them a little - just when he heard her speak.

" Manik..d..do you think that I..I'm a b..bed w..arm.." she was cut of by his finger on her lips, shutting her out.

" Pehli aur aakhri baar keh raha hun. Apni Nandini ke khilaaf ek shabd bhi bardasht nahi karunga. Even if I have to set the world on fire for it." He said in a stern voice yet a blank face. He again scooped her up in his arms while she hid her face in his neck. He softly laid her down on the bed and settled beside her.

" Sleep. You need rest." He said as he brushed her forehead, to which she moved close to him and kept her head on his chest. She knew that he was her solace. He kept running his fingers through her hair till the time she wasn't sound asleep.

" I'm always gonna be here for you, baby girl." He whispered as pecked her forehead softly and got out of her hold.

He made his way towards the balcony attached to her room and immediately called someone ~

" Mr. Suresh Kumar, owner of glamworld.com, am i right?" Manik said getting a positive reply from the other side.

" So let me come straight to the point. I am going to ruin you. From your family to your career. You will be finished." Manik said in a dangerous voice.

" Bol kon rahe hain aap?" The man from the other side blurted in anger.

" Manik Malhotra. Naam toh suna hi hoga. Toh ab pate ki baat, I want you along with your editor and the person who wrote this article to release a public apology ON MY NAME, and if you don't do it, say goodbye to this beloved media portal of yours, your family and all your money! If by ay chance Nandini's name comes up again, I swear you won't even know what happened with you! Oh and yes, I want a personal apology as well. My guards have their eyes on you. Aur agar koi bhi chalaki karne ki koshish kari toh saari police force tere ghar ke bahar hogi. Sirf do ghante hain tere paas, tick tock tick tock." Manik said with a smirk and disconnected the call.

" Not so easy, chicken." Manik said to himself with a dangerous smile.

" Peter, file a case against that website under defamation. Let's see how far they can go." He ordered over the phone and immediately hung up. He moved inside just to find her snuggled properly into the duvet, making him smile a little. He again laid down beside, and unknowingly dozed off.

~~~

After an hour or so, Manik woke up just to see the other side of the bed empty. He immediately jumped out of the bed in worry, when he noticed the door of the balcony open. He sighed softly and moved towards the balcony, just to see her sitting on the wide couch like chair with a coffee mug in her hand as she looked deep into nowhere. He silently settled beside her, making her snap out of her trance.

" Good morning, sunshine." Manik said with a smile and gently kissed her hair, making her rest her head on his shoulder.

" Coffee thandi hogayi hai." He said with a smile as he took the mug from her hand and kept on the floor.

" Nandini. It's over. It's done." He said as he held her entwined his fingers with hers.

" Manik..this is honestly too much for me to take." She sighed defeatedly.

" I know. But you need to know that it's over. And it's fine. Don't stress yourself unnecessarily. Please. For me?" He said softly to which she nodded with a little smile.

" You know what?" He said suddenly as he jumped up and stood in front of her.

" Today, The Great Manik Malhotra will cook breakfast for you." He said with a wide grin which she looked at him with her mouth hanging wide.

" Manik, I really don't want a disaster to hit my kitchen. Tum chodh do. Mein kar lungi." She said with a small smile as she was about to stand up when he held her shoulders and made her sit again.

" Arrey aise kaise? Today Manik Malhotra is at your service. Tum aaraam se baitho. I promise that I won't do anything to your kitchen. Aur vaise bhi, tumhe pata nahi hai ki mein kitna talented hoon toh socha tumhe ek demo du." He said as he lifted his invisible collar making Nandini laugh a little.

" I'll be back in no time. And you're not allowed to get up from here." He said and softly kissed away her hair and moved out of her room.

After about fifteen minutes, he called out for her to sit at the dining table, which she readily did. She settled herself on the chair when Manik came out of the kitchen with a plate and a glass of orange juice. He placed the plate in front of her making her eyes twinkle in happiness. Cheese omelette! Her favourite.

" Mujhe nahi pata kaisa bana hai. I've honestly cooked something after ages. Literally. Tum khaa ke batao?" He said as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

" Tumhaari plate kahan hai?" She asked before eating.

" Tum pehle khaao. Fir mein khaaunga." He said as he sat beside her and immediately took off a bite with the help of a fork and knife and forwarded it towards her mouth which she happily had. He kept making her eat patiently while she kept eating with a constant smile on her face. He finished making her eat the omelette and gestured her to drink the juice which she gulped down in a single sip making him make an 'I'm impressed' face.

" Thank you for the best breakfast ever." She said softly and immediately hugged him, hiding her face in his chest while he just smiled and affectionately patted her hair. Even though it was just a simple cheese omelette and a loaf of bread, but what made it special was his love, car, concern and efforts, which happened to be the only thing which made her heart soar with happiness.

" Tumhe kaise banana aata hai yeh sab?" She asked him while still in his arms.

" When I was in London for my MBA, toh vahan saare students ko campus hostel mein hi rehna padhta thaa and the hostel's mess timings were very odd. Toh yeh sikhnaa pada YouTube baba se. Even though there's one of our mansions there in London, jahan I was allowed to go only on weekends." He said with a wide grin while she gave an impressed look.

" Waise aur kya aata hai tumhe banana?" She asked as she looked at him.

" Abhi tak toh sirf eggs, noodles aur pasta. Baaki tumse seekh lunga." He said sheepishly making her laugh a little.

" Accha tum pehle apna breakfast karo jaldi se." She said as they broke the hug while Manik warmed up his breakfast in the microwave. Nandini moved from there towards her room as ate. He was done eating a quick span of five minutes. He entered her room while sipping the orange juice when he saw her sitting with her legs upwards and her head resting above them making him sigh deeply. His gaze was averted to the portable speakers on the bedside table. He sneakily paired his phone to the speakers via Bluetooth and it was done. He immediately picked out a song from his library and played it, jerking her out of her trance.

Maine Jise Abhi Abhi Dekha Hai
Kaun Hai Woh Anjaani
Use Jitna Dekhon Utna Sochon
Kya Use Main Keh Doon

[ he lip synced softly with a comb in his hand as a mic, making her laugh a little.]

Woh Hai Koi Kali Ya Koi Kiran
Ya Hai Koi Kahani
Use Jitna Dekhon Utna Sochon
Kya Use Main Keh Doon
Pretty Woman, Hey Pretty Woman
Dekho Dekho Na Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman
Dekhte Ho Na Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman
Tum Bhi Kaho Naa Pretty Woman

[ He lipsynced as he danced around the room a little making her giggle silently.]

Sone Ka Rang Hai
Sheeshe Ka Ang Hai
Jo Dekhe Dang Hai Kya Kahon
Hairaan Main Bhi Hoon
Yeh Kya Andaaz Hai
Itna Kyun Naaz Hai
Ismein Kya Raaz Hain Kya Kahoon

[ He sung dreamily as he supported his chin with his palm while looking right through her eyes.]

Woh To Pal Mein Khush Hai Pal Mein Khafa
Badle Woh Rang Har Ghadi
Par Jabhi Dekhoon Roop Uskea
Lagti Hai Hai Pyaari Badi
Use Jitna Dekhon Utna Sochon
Kya Use Main Keh Doon
Pretty Woman Tum Bhi Kaho Naa Pretty Woman..

[ He sung dramatically while making both happy and grumpy expressions making her smile.]

Aankhon Mein Hai Nasha
Zulfon Mein Hai Ghata
Pehle Hamne Ada Yeh Haseen
Dekhi Na Thi Kahin
Dekhi Jo Yeh Pari
Masti Dil Mein Bhari
Hai Yeh Jadogari Ya Nahi

[ He sung as he moved towards her and twirled her hair a little on his finger.]

Ho Na To Janu Kya Hain Naam Na Janu Main Pata
Par Itna Hai Maine Jana Jise Dekhle Ek Nazar Bhar Ke
Us Ko Karde Woh Diwana
Use Jitna Dekhon Utna Sochon
Kya Use Main Keh Doon
Pretty womannn..

[ He sung and did some bhangra steps making her laugh loudly. And finally his heart was at peace.]

~~~

" Manik Malhotra, agar tumhare fans ne tumhe aise naachte hue dekh liya naa, toh shock ke maare marr jaayenge sab." Nandini said as he fell on the bed beside her, panting and sweating.

" I don't care as long as you're happy." He said with a small smile, still breathing heavily as he kissed her knuckles softly.

" Ab toh chalogi mere saath?" He asked to which she nodded her head lightly making him smile a little.

" Go freshen up. Oh wait, I've got something to do." He said and jumped out of the bead and moved towards her cupboard making her confused as she followed him.

He opened the cupboard and had a quick view of all the clothes stacked and after a minute, he laid his hands on a short black denim dungaree along with a grey plain tee shirt and handed it over to her.

" Manik.. yeh." Nandini said as she looked at the clothes.

" Wear this." He said with a smile. Thank heavens that her undergarments were stacked in a drawer and not with other clothes. Just got saved from another embarrassing situation. Phew!

" Manik, are you sure I should wear this.. i mean.." she stuttered.

" Your clothes do not define you. Always remember this." He said as he cupped her face in his huge palms making her nod in appreciation. What more does a woman want? Respect is all she wants and when it comes from the person who means the world to her, it adds up to her smile.

She entered the bathroom while Manik attended a few important calls from the office while Nandini came dressed out looking adorable and pretty as always in the black dungaree he selected with a high ponytail.

" As much as I like this high ponytail look of yours, I want your hair to fall free." He said softly in her ear and within a second, her long hair were flowing down.

" Perfect now. Accha idhar baitho." He asked her to sit on the bed and picked up a comb, confusing her yet again. He softly ran the comb in her silky tresses, careful enough not to even hurt her a bit while she kept looking deep into his eyes to search for the unfathomable, about which her heart knew already. Her heart knew that he was the one and he will always be the one.

" And done!" he exclaimed happily as he combed her hair properly, keeping in mind that not even a single hair strand of hers should be bent.

" Now..shoesss." He said excitedly and moved towards the shoe rack.

" Manik, please you don't have to do this." She said helplessly as she saw him having a look at her shoes.

" Tum mujhe batado, mein nikaal lungi but please don't touch my shoes. Mujhe accha nahi lagega." She said politely.

" Okay madam. Wear those." He said as he point towards her favourite white converse which she wore within a minute.

" But Manik where are we going?" She asked as they locked the house and went down the elevator towards the parking lot.

" Patience baby. Patience." He muttered as he pecked her hair softly.

" But Manik, is it safe for us to go out like this... I mean together.. media and.." she stammered nervously.

" Don't worry. My guards have got us covered. You relax." He said as he patted her head softly as he held her hand and made her sit in his car.

He ignited the engine and vroomed through the roads with his guards surrounding his car due to security concerns. He immediately switched the car to auto gear, with his one hand on the steering wheel and the other clutching her hand tightly, which made her look at him away from the window to which he just smiled softly while she returned it back beautifully.

~~~

Manik drove his car down the underground parking of a high rise multi storey building leaving Nandini bewildered.

" Manik, yeh konsi jagah hai?" She asked with her face shaped 'o' making him chuckle a little as he parked his car.

" Chalo pehle." He said as they got down the car. They moved towards the glass elevator, as the elevator kept moving higher, Nandini clutched his hand even more tightly to which he just simply smiled. The doors of the elvator opened with a slight ting sound on the 35th floor, with a house in front of them. A penthouse. Manik Malhotra, the name plate said. A house made of huge glass windows, a small sitting area and of course, a swimming pool on the exterior.

" Manik, yeh kiska ghar hai?" Nandini asked a she looked at the exterior of the penthouse.

" Nandini Genius Murthy, vahan mera naam likha hai toh ghar bhi mera hi hoga naa." He said while laughing a little to which she made a bad face.

" Come on. there is a surprise for you inside." He said and immediately she was alerted. I mean, who doesn't like surprises? C'mon!

He unlocked the door through the biometric lock on the door. They entered the living room, which had a subtle, elegant brown tone, reflecting his taste completely - being simple yet too elegant.

Just as they entered, there was a soft yet loud woof. There she was. Ginger. Her golden fur shining even in the yellow lights, so brightly. Her eyes pouring with happiness after seeing her master, her best buddy after so long. She ran and jumped onto Manik, as he sat on his knees with his arms wide open. Ginger was one of the most friendliest dogs ever, she loved when people pampered her, just like Manik. Ginger wasn't just a dog for him, she meant the world. While Manik kept petting her head softly while she kept woofing a little and snuggling more into him.

" I missed you so much, my baby." Manik said as he rubbed her head lovingly while she just barked loudly in response. And suddenly, she started barking continously sensing the presnece of a stranger, which happened to be Nandini. She bent down and started rubbing her head and tickling her a little in between making Ginger bark back at her happily as Nandini softly kissed her tiny little nose to which she immediately calmed down leaving Manik amazed.

" Jo, can you please take her. She's just back from the hospital, she needs proper care and rest." Manik said with a smile to which the caretaker just took her with him.

" She just came back from the hospital this morning. Toh socha sabse pehle tumse hi mila dun." He said with a smile.

" She's such a sweet baby." Nandini said to which Manik nodded in agreement.

" You know I'm kinda amazed how Ginger mingled so easily with you. She's not a dog who mingles with strangers so easily." He said with a small smile.

" Nandini Murthy's magic, you know." Nandini replied with a grin.

" That's true though." He said as he encircled his arm around her shoulders.

" Manik, why do have this house?" she finallly asked as they walked towards this bedroom, which was a perfect combination of off white, grey and brown with polished furniture, A small sitting area and a walk in closet. She knew that Manik had a decorous taste when it came to such things, and this was just another example for it.

" Whenever i wish to spend some alone time, I come here. I know yeh 'alone time' waali jagahyein usually bahar hoti hain logon ki, but I can't risk my life by spending some alone time outside." He said and chuckled making her laugh a little too as they settled themselves on the the three-seater sofa. They talked for a while, with Manik telling her how there's a gym and with Nandini making fun of him by calling him a gym freak.

" Toh ab kya karein?" He asked after an hour of chatting about anything and everything with her.

" Lets watch a movie. Beauty And The Beast!" she shouted a little in excitement.

" A Disney movie? Seriously Nandini? Are you five or something?" He said with an irritated face.

" You're never too old to watch Disney movies, always remember that Manik Malhotra." She said as he pointed a finger at him.

" Okay. I rest my case." he said and lifted both his hands up, a little dramatically while chuckling to which she narrowed her eyes at home and switched on the TV and connected the pen drive.

They started watching the movie, while Manik had no interest whatsoever with the movie and kept playing with Nandini's hair all that while. Whereas Nandini chose not to pay any heed to whatever he was doing. After about two hours, the movie came to an end, Nandini turned towards Manik just to find him looking at her already. She raised her eyebrows asking 'what' to which he just shook his head a little with a small smile.

" So Miss. Beauty. Ab kya karna hai?" He asked as Nandini rested her head on his shoulder.

" Beauty? " She asked while chuckling a little.

" Aur kyaa? Tum beauty ho aur mein tumhara beast." He said with a cheeky smile making her laugh a little.

" You know, tum beast nahi ho. Monster ho. Monster Prince." She said while chuckling a little making him laugh.

" Only for you." He said and nuzzled his face in her hair making her giggle softly.

" This isn't a place to laze around. Bed par so jao." He said to which she just made a grumpy face.

" Mujhe nahi sona." She said blankly, all of a sudden and sat on the bed.

" Iska mood aise nahi theek hoga." he murmured to himself and moved towards the kitchen. Within a minute he came back to the room with a plate in his hand.

" Khaao." He said which made her look at the plate.

" Nutella cheesecake. Tumhaara favourite. Kisi aur cheez se nahi to kam se kam isse toh theek hojayega tumhara mood." he said with a small smile.

" Aaaa." Nandini made a sound as she opened her mouth, asking him to feed her making him smile. Within a couple of minutes, the cheesecake was done and dusted.

While Nandini was playing softly with Manik's fingers, he immediately got up and started looking for something in the room which confused Nandini.

" Manik kya dhundh rahe ho?" she asked in a confused tone but he didn't reply. He sat in front of her and lifted her hair a little, looked at her wrists carefully and peaked from both the sides of her waist making Nandini confuse and laugh at the same time.

" Tumne meri Nandini ki smile dekhi kya? Mujhe nahi mil rahi." He said with a bad face while he looked at her shoulders as he 'searched' for her smile.

" Milgayiii." He shouted happily as he reached down her waist again and within a second, the entire room only echoed with her melodious laugher while his fingers did some magic again.

" Yeh waali Nandini chahiye mujhe. Vo Nandini jo khudh hasti hai aur dusron ko bhi hasaati hai. Vo Nandini jisse sirf khush rehna aata aur dusron ko khush rakhna bhi. Vo Nandini jo humesha hasti hai aur muskuraati hai. Nandini aisi choti problems life mein humesha aayengi par iska yeh matlab toh nahi hai naa ki vo problems kabhi khatam nahi hongi? I know you're hurt. I know you're blaming yourself for all that has happened. But its not your fault, baby girl. People are like this in this world. Unko kisi ki emotions aur feelings ki koi parvah nahi hai. But you have to hold yourself together because you're strong. Bohot strong ho tum, mujhse bhi zyada. But please never lose yourself because of all this. And these media people, they're fucking paid for this nonsense! Unhe kuch farak nahi padhta hai. And I am always going to be there by your side, you know that. Please don't be upset." He spoke as she kept looking into his eyes while streams of tears kept flowing down her eyes which he lovingly kissed away.

" Promise me that, you're gonna be the same old Nandini for me. You won't cry on such things ever. Yeh jo aasu hai na, inhe bacha ke rakho. Jab Mumbai mein water scarcity hogi naa, tab hum tumhaara yeh tanker use karenge." He said as he diverted the topic making her giggle amidst her tears, which he softly wiped off with his thumb.

" You're too precious." He whispered as she snuggled a bit more in his chest while he stroked her hair warmly.

~~~

" Manik, will you sing for me?" she asked suddenly making him smile.

" The pleasure is all mine." he said as she moved aside a little while he got up from the bed asking her to hold his hand.

Sun mere humsafar

Kya tujhe itni si bhi khabar

Ki teri saanse chalti jidhar

Rahunga bas wahi umrr bhar

Rahunga bas wahi umrr bhar haaye

[ He sung softly as he made Nandini stand on his feet as they swayed softly while his one hand encircled her petite waist while the other held her hand firmly as they swayed on the music.]

Jitni haseen ye mulakatein hai

Unse bhi pyari teri baatein hai

Baaton mein teri jo kho jaate hai

Aaun na hosh mein main kabhi

Baahon mein hai teri zindagi haaye

[ He recalled their first meeting in the grocery store which made him smile. He recalled how they used to fight on the tiniest things possible and how he always managed to find his solace in her arms.]

Main toh yoon khada kis

Soch mein pada tha

Kaise jee raha tha main deewana

Chupke se aake tune

Dil mein sama ke tune

Chhed diya kaisa ye fasana

[ He sung looking right into her eyes as he realised how drastically his life changed after she came. How she changed him completely, without even him knowing.]

Oh muskurana bhi tujhi se sikha hai

Dil lagane ka tu hi tareeka hai

Aitbaar bhi tujhi se hota hai

Aaun na hosh mein main kabhi

Bahon mein hai teri zindagi haaye

[ He sung earnestly making her eyes water with the depth of the lyrics while he softly kissed her forehead, making her hug him a little more.]

Hai nahi tha pata

Ke tujhe maan lunga khuda

Ki teri galliyon mein iss kadar

Aaunga har paher

[ He sung conveying her how she would always be the person he would reach out to, no matter what making her smile between tears.]

Sun mere humsafar

Kya tujhe itni si bhi khabar

Ki teri saanse chalti jidhar

Rahunga bas wahi umrr bhar

Rahunga bas wahi umrr bhar haaye

[ He ended the song and embraced her tightly in his arms making her sniff a little with the overwhelmed emotions building up making him sigh.]

He immediately scooped her up in his arms and made her sit on the bed while she clung to him making him smile a little.

" Arrey isme rone waal kya baat hai hmm?" he asked her lovingly as he rubbed off her tears softly.

" Aasu ruk hi nahi rahe, mein kya karun?" she spoke in a babyish tone making go all aww on her cuteness.

" Nannuu, kyun ho tum into cute?" He said as he pulled her cheeks a little and softly kissed them making her giggle as she wiped off her tears.

" I love it when you giggle." He said and kissed her hair when suddenly his phone pinged with a text message. He picked up his phone, and his expressions were changed almost immediately which didn't go unnoticed by Nandini.

" Okay Nandini. Remember that you're very strong and very brave! You have to fight for yourself like you always do. Alright?" He explained as he cupped her cheeks.

" But Manik, hua kya hai?" She asked.

" The media house who published the article are here. The owner, the writer and the editor are here. To apologise." He told her as he held her hands in his.

" Manik, no. I can't do this. I won't be able to. Please rehneydo naa. I don't want." She blabbered frantically.

" Nandini. Listen to me very carefully. Tum yeh karogi. Tumhe karna padega. For your own self respect! Jo mann mein hai vo bolna unhe! They can't do anything. Trust me, I have the control. Nothing is going to happen. You can do it, baby." He said softly making her exhale a sigh.

" Okay. I will do it." She said in a determined tone.

" My strong girl." He said with a smile and lead her to the living room.

There they were. Three people sitting on their knees with blindfolds covering their eyes to which Nandini just clutched Manik's hand in her tight grip to which he just simply blinked his eyes in assurance.

" Tch tch tch. Bola tha na meine ki tere paas sirf do ghante hain, do ghante toh khatam. Ab kya karein?" Manik cockily said as he kneeled down in front of the owner of the portal while the man just shivered with fear.

" Aur aap, being an woman how can you even publish such things? You think a woman's self respect is a bloody joke?! Aap ek aurat hote hue e aurat ke baare mein aisi cheezain likh sakti hain toh kisi aur se toh koi ummeed bhi nahi rakhni chahiye nahi? Sharam aani chahiye aapko. Sirf paise ke liye aap kuch bhi karengi? This shows your shit mentality." Nandini screamed her lungs out in anger and hurt at the lady editor while Manik just held her steady.

" I want a public apology. Because vaise bhi tum sabka journalism license cancel ho chuka hai for a term of five years. Toh agar apologise nahi kara toh paanch ke dus ya fir pandrah saal bhi ho sakte hain." Manik said with an innocent face while the three people chose to fall down to his and Nandini's feet begging for an apology.

" Agli baar kisi aurat ke character ko question karne se pehle dus baar sochna. Kyunki uski jagah aapki behen, beti, biwii ya fir aapki maa bhi ho sakti hai." Nandini said as fresh tears flowed down her eyes while Manik gestured his bodyguards to take them away.

" Nandini.." Manik whispered as he held her close in his arms.

" Manik.. I can't.. this is so embarrassing and hurtful. I can't deal with this." She cried.

" Nandini, you are not this weak! You are a goddamn fighter! This is not you! Everything is under control. Sab theek hai. But please, don't demoralise yourself like this. You don't deserve this. Please." He said while she kept sniffing a little as he rubbed her hair softly.

" Here.." he said and handed her a glass of water while she looked at him with teary eyes as he made her sit on the couch.

" Come on, little fighter." He said with a smile as she drank the water silently.

" Bass baba. Ab toh rona bandh kardo. Nandini mere ghar mein floods aajayenge. Mein kya karunga fir?" He said with a sad face making her punch his arm to which he made a fake 'oww' sound making her giggle a little.

" Looks like my warrior princess is back." He said while kissing her hair softly, as she hugged him again.

" Tum mujhe kabhi chodh ke nahi jaaoge naa?" She asked as she raised her head up a little to look at him.

" Never in a million years, baby girl. Even if I could, I never will. Because it looks like my heart likes you a lot." He said softly with a smile and left a chaste kiss on her forehead.

" Mine too." She meekly whispered as she dug her face cozily in his chest making him give his best smile while the heavens chose to bless them silently.

~*~*~*~

Falling for him wasn't falling at all. It was like walking into a house and suddenly knowing that you're home.

______

Thanks for reading! Much love.❤️
~Vx.