"Manik", I clenched my jaws together and called him.

He nuzzled a bit on my waist but didn't respond while his hand was comfortable inside my top enjoying the warmth of my body.

"Manik", I called again digging my nails on his shoulder but he didn't react. When I tried moving his hand out he protested and pushed it further up tracing my ribs. I surely knew what his next destination was. He had locked my body under his arm and torso, the only free hand I was left with had to be put to use. I used that to drag his other hand from under his head. I pulled it till my mouth and gave a wild bite on his finger.

"Aaawwwooo..what the hell is wrong with you Nandu aaise uthata hai koi subah subah", he lifted his head with a jerk and hissed in pain. I was zero percent apologetic to what I had done instead frowned at him with full glare.

"Why weren't you getting up then?", I countered him flaring my nostrils and he irritated me further rubbing his nose on my waist to break his slumber. I was waiting for him to watch his hand out but he did everything else ignoring that completely. Finally giving up on his stupid tricks I pointed out.

"Manik where is your hand?"

"Attached to my body..where else", he said in a still sleepy tone.

"Really", I tugged his engaged hand to make him notice. He looked at it and his eye brows shot up immediately in one second and receded in the next. He cleared his throat annoyingly.

"So what...sote sote yahan wahan chala jata hai haath..whats the big deal in it", he drew his hand out disinterestedly as if I had dethroned him from his rightful place, he sulked like a child and mumbled random stuff.

I sat up on the bed, "And what the hell am I doing here...you got me over na..Are you crazy Manik? You left Manini in the room alone...you know na wo raat mein darr k uth jati hai", I peeled the blanket off the rest of my body and attempted to get down when Manik stopped me.

"Relax!!! I know my daughter okay I was there with her all night...I came to you early in the morning only...I was sleepy so I slept by your side and as far as getting you over here is concerned toh when I went to check on you guys I saw Manini flipping a number of times I thought she might hurt your foot so I..."

"Yeah rite you couldn't think of carrying your 4 year old daughter here but me"

"There is not much of a difference you see", he sniggered like a boar at is lame joke and thumped down on the mattress once again.

"Jerk"

"What did you say?", he grabbed my hand and pulled me with such force that I fell back on the pillow, "Come again", he dared me

"You think I am scared of you..JERK JERK JERK", I repeated thrice for him to hear and react of course. He slid over me swiftly, "Say it again", his voice being low and seductive making me all the more conscious of his proximity.

"Je..Jer..Jerk", I fumbled nervously as I saw his head swaying over my face.

"Say it again", he was dangerously close and testing my patience to the last bit. I knew he was teasing me again; he will again make fun of me. I kept quite letting him over power me. He realized I was miffed from last night. I didn't look at him purposely. He held my jaw lightly in between his fingers and made me face him. He looked at me intently as if seeking my permission to go on. I didn't give him a hint though but he knew I wouldn't stop him and he finally answered my wait as he fused his lips tenderly with mine and we kissed and kissed just kissed forgetting everything else around us, all the differences, the war, the surroundings, Manini and even ourselves.

He shifted his head from one direction to another to be comfortable and to make me comfortable. Both his hands were busy managing my head while in the kiss, he held me tight as if I was a fish who would just slip out of his grip. He sucked my lips; he left them for a second to take notice of my luscious lips and dug back again. I wheezed in his mouth for breath and he finally left me.

"Why were you so annoyed when I spoke to Rewa last night?", he huffed a little before letting the undesirable question flow out of his mouth.

Manik was such an idiot. I had almost forgotten about last night but he had to remind me.

"If you are so bothered about her...go and kiss her... I give a damn", I was really pissed and looked away to hide the disgust.

A chuckle escaped his lips as he saw me getting irritated over Rewa, "You don't like her right"

"I hate her", I retorted confidently.

"I love to see you this jealous...you almost behave like my wife when you are jealous", he gave a quick peck on my nose tip.

I struggled to get out of his grip. I had let him mock me enough for the day that too early in the morning. But as usual he wasn't satisfied because somewhere he knew that letting me out of his hold now will again have him waiting for another golden opportunity when he can be this close to me.

He had to make me indulge in him. He dragged the top off my shoulder and planted soft kisses traveling from my shoulder to collar bone to my neck and down. I was losing it slowly, I fisted on his vest as much as I could and squeaked softly feeling neglected. He knew whenever I did that I wanted to be kissed and he answered my wish as he drew back to my lips for another passionate and invigorate kiss. I contributed with equal enthusiasm but in the process lost to his intensity. The sane part of the brain kept on saying stop..stop but we were going far. With Manik around, shackling my desires was a difficult task but I had to do it some how as I found his hand fiddling inside my top once again. He wanted everything now and if I led him more it would be impossible to stop.

"Manik please stop", I pleaded in his mouth. He shook his head in a no and deepened his kiss. He was adamant and forceful maybe because he knew he might not get it again so he wanted to live all of it in the moment.

"Manik please its morning..Manini will get up now please", he was unstoppable. He grabbed my body in both his arms and flipped me over him.

"Do you really hate me?", he asked with inquisitive eyes to which I had no answer. I was of course mad at him, mad enough to stay away from him. But did I hate him? I repeated that question in my mind again to ask my conscience and it gave me no answer and questioned me instead. Why have I let him so close to me? How could I possibly explain to my mind and body that with Manik around everything functioned in reverse. I was mad at him still I didn't mind his kisses, his touches, his warmth and his comfort.

"Will you hate me if I say something?", he asked in an almost innocent self deprecating tone. He confused me again with another complex question.

"What??"

I waited for him to say further but he just continued gaping at my face. I tried moving a little out of his grip but he wasn't ready to leave me either, when the door bell rang. Manik left me reluctantly and I got off the bed to get the door. He too waited for a second and got off and went to check on Manini. It was Manda Tai, she was as such a chatter box and started blabbering stuff from the second I opened the door and she saw the bandage on my foot.

She half heard my reply while proceeding to the kitchen and the moment she saw the devastated state of the area, she screamed as if she was pushed in a graveyard in the middle of the night. I saw her going every shade of expression from confusion to shock to realization and annoyance. But before she could charge me, Manik came out with a sleepy Manini in his arms. Manda Tai was ecstatic to see him. She was also among the people who were deeply hurt by our separation. No matter what equation I had with her as Manik's girlfriend but since the time I had become his wife I got my due respect from her that didn't change with time.

"How are you Tai?", Manik asked her with a warm smile.

"I am good saab...it is so good to see you here", she replied excitedly

"Wo kitchen...", Manik pointed to the kitchen making ridiculous apologetic faces and she was smart enough to understand that the honours were done by Manik.

"It's okay saab I will clean it up quickly and make you all your favourite breakfast"

She happily delved into the kitchen while Manik moved to our room and I followed him. Manini had once again gone to sleep in her Daddy's arms. I felt a little shy probably as I found myself trying to steal looks from him after the morning moment we shared together. But it was good to see him around.

Does your leg hurt now?"

"No its fine now..the medicines and the spray has worked very well...amm give her to me...she does lots of tantrums before getting up", I held my arms out for my baby and Manik led her to me.

"Mommy no sthool pleashhh"

"Kadduu you have already missed school twice last week now chalo get up we have to do brushy"

"Nooo Daddy", she nagged and extended her hands to go to Manik knowing very well that her Daddy won't say no to her. Manik looked at me to give in but I nodded my head in denial.

"No Manik you don't need to say yes to her every time...she has to be disciplined about certain things", I tried to be little strict but her teary eyes and wobbling lips made my task difficult. It was really tough to be strict with this cute little thing in my arms. I caressed her hair lightly and gave her morning kisses on both her chubby cheeks.

"Okay so Daddy and Princess will do nau nau together", Manik stepped in and handled her in his way. She happily went to him excited to bathe with her Daddy.

I let them be, so far she was not skipping school I was okay. Both of them went for shower while I arranged for her uniform and school bag. I looked into the cupboard for something for Manik. I pulled out a shirt, blazer and trouser for him, for a moment it felt like I had flown back to our life 6 months before. It was my routine to arrange for their stuff and run behind both of them to manage things in the morning mess. The shirt had cringes on it so I went ahead and ironed it and placed it neatly on the bed. A strange smile had glued on my lips since morning and I knew the reason.

Manik was surprised to see the things that he would need kept in an order, obviously he was out of habit to see these things done for him. I felt Manik looking at me while I dressed Manini for school, there was a sort of hesitation in his movements and actions but nothing that he expressed in words. The family had a lovely breakfast together. I fed Manini while she was busy playing with Manik's tie. He proposed to drop her to school and she chomped her sandwich happily. Well it was not only her but her mother was also elated. Yes I was happy even if I tried hard not to express it but I knew I liked Manik around us, loving us and taking care of us.

Manini kissed me goodbye holding Manik's hand and they stepped out. I saw them off till the door when Manik took two steps back and pecked me on the head and went off. I smiled like an idiot on his sudden kiss, the moment from the morning made me blush into a tomato just then I saw Mom peeping from her door and admiring my smile.

"So I was right you didn't have to go anywhere", I pretended to be miffed on her.

"And if I had not done that how could I have seen this smile and glow on your face", she answered my deduction with another, "I so knew if you guys are made to stay together there is nothing on earth that can keep you apart and I can totally see the magic."

"Really!!", I tried to counter her, knowing very well that she was right. May be if he didn't decide to walk out or may be if I had stopped him we would have been the same couple as we were.

Mom walked up to me, "Nandini seriously I think you guys should talk about it and fix the differences...its just a stupid ego tussle between the both of you...one night together and you are all smiling and gushing..you deserve this happiness beta"

"Why don't you talk to your son?", I asked making a grumpy face.

"If only if he listened to me but I have my faith in you..do it beta for you and your daughter"

It was strange how we had gone separate ways months back and not a single time the thought of divorcing him and moving on had crossed my mind. I was still happy to carry his name with mine. May be Mom was right and maybe we should try to resolve our differences.

***

"Navya have you double checked everything for the presentation", Manik walked past her cubicle and she nodded her head relentlessly.

The whole of AURA seemed to be on their toes and why not it was an important day. Both AURA and Panache had a presentation and meeting with Steve in AURA's office. Everyone put in their bits that they were needed to do.

"Manik I am still not getting why we have done the last minute changes in our designs..it was not needed and these new designs...I know they are really good but", Cabir asked with a tinge of confusion in his head.

"Relax Cabir...anyways I am doing the presentation so you just sit back and watch out", Manik tried to silence Cabir's concerns and Cabir and Mukti exchanged some puzzled looks and geared up for the meeting.

The meeting was held in AURA so we i.e. Mr. Arora and me reached before time. My boss seemed a little nervous, he knew it was an important project and would fetch real good business for Panache besides Manik and his suave approach made him a little more anxious. Since the time he had come to know that Manik was my husband it became all the more difficult for me. I assured him to calm down as I was confident of my designs. Just as we entered the office I saw Rewa standing in the middle and as we walked past her, she interrupted.

"I suppose you owe me an apology", she turned back and looked at me.

I led Mr. Arora to the conference hall and got back to the woman, "I owe you nothing.. absolutely nothing Ms. Rewa Khurana"

"Listen Nandini you cannot get away with me with that tone"

"Really you can get away with just about everything and I can't...I am not Manik who will get influenced by your sweet talks...ammm and yes there is something I suppose you don't know..last Thursday night when you had called Manik and he said he was busy...he was indeed.. with his wife and daughter in our home", I added more salt to her wounds

I could see virtual smoke come out of Rewa's ears on the piece of information. No matter how much she tried to cling to Manik but somehow fell short. I could see she wanted to blow up the entire office but somehow controlled. Meanwhile Manik spotted us and she sensed danger was lingering.

He reached us in two leaps and blurted a casual and under confident, "Hi"

I drew my eyes at him and smiled a little. I had missed him since that day and today I was more excited to see him than the meeting. I saw something stuck on his collar and went ahead and cleaned it, Rewa rolled her eyes at my action and walked off. Manik looked at me questioningly; even he could see the change in my behavior. Mom had made me promise that I will talk to him about us and I too had given it a thought in the past few days .I had made up my mind that I will talk to him but after the meeting. I noticed Manik trying to decipher the reason of the smile on my face and he was clearly unaware that it was him.

We were interrupted when Steve came in. As expected he came and gave me a hug much to Manik's annoyance and this time I just smiled formally to Steve's advances. All of us proceeded to the conference room for the meeting. Manik wanted to present first and we agreed without qualms. I wished him all the luck and he nodded without a smile.

He began with a small introduction about his vision on the project and then proceeded with the slideshows of the designs and the moment the first slide came I got the shock of my life with only the shocks to increase more with each of the coming slides. Those were ditto my designs in his presentation with slight variation in color and patterns. I was astounded so much that I couldn't move my head and look at Mr. Arora but I could feel his hisses and his stiff body language. For a moment I couldn't understand what was happening and why, I fixed my gaze at Manik for answers.

But Manik went on without a glint of guilt and finished his presentation and the moments the lights went on I couldn't help looking up. Everyone else clapped in appreciation, Manik gave me a sly smile and occupied his seat. Now it was my turn to present but what could I do. I looked at my boss for support but he was in severe dismay. I stood up wryly and walked up to the center crossing Manik who blurted a sarcastic - all the best. Everyone looked at me with anticipated eyes and I was falling in short of words.

"Come on Nandini..we all are waiting for you to start", Steve signaled me to start as he saw me fidgeting with the pen drive

"I am sorry Steve but we can't present today there is some issue with the chip", I said looking down at the table. Steve laughed a little assuming that I was kidding but when he saw I just stood there like a rock he understood.

"Is this some kind of a joke Nandini...you knew we had a meeting today that too a very important one..how could you be so reckless Mr. Arora...this was surely not something I was expecting from your team..how can you come up with such lame excuses after wasting my time", Steve was royally offended on our conduct.

"We are really sorry Mr. George but...", he really had nothing to apologize with.

"I had already told you Steve business is not just about pretty faces", Manik tapped his pen on the table and looked at me. Rewa was the only one who found it amusing and was finding it hard to control her smile while Cabir and Mukti seemed equally confused.

Steve was extremely upset. He gave us a piece of mind for our lack of professionalism and we listened to him quietly. Steve departed with his agent followed by Cabir, Mukti and Rewa

"Good riddance", Manik mumbled under his breath

It was just the three of us left in the hall and Mr. Arora turned to me for certain allegations and explanations.

"I am ashamed of you Nandini...highly disappointed...this is how you payback to me for having faith in you...even after knowing you are his wife I gave you this opportunity to work on this project and what did you do? you went ahead and gave all our designs to him...you back stabber", Mr Arora blasted me pointing a finger on my face. I really didn't have any excuses and even if I had I didn't want to come up with them. I wanted to punish myself for having these stupid feelings for Manik.

"Hang on!!! How dare you talk to her like that", Manik who was enjoying the whole scenario until now left his seat and came by my side.

"Stay out of this Mr. Malhotra...I am talking to my employee"

"No you are talking to my wife", Manik declared authoritatively

Amidst their argument I was quiet absolutely silent. The feeling of being cheated was pinching me awfully. I was still trying to give myself fake consolations but it slowly settled that all of it was for real. Everything he did, everything he said that night and the morning following it was a part of his plan. He conveniently stayed back because he had to accomplish his mission. I wanted to cry out loud to see my love and faith in him shattered into pieces.

"Fine then you can keep your wife with you..Panache doesn't require spy's...even after all this I don't feel like firing you Nandini...so just send me your resignation Mrs. Nandini Manik Malhotra", Mr. Arora spoke his final words and made his exit. Manik waited for me to react but I had become almost stoned and when I didn't he touched my arms lightly and I just pushed his hand away.

"You are the most disgusting man I can ever come across", I blew up at him in the loudest pitch without caring about the surrounding.

Manik was pleased to see me react at least even and he had exactly expected me to erupt at him like this. He smiled wickedly and licked his dry lips, "What have I done to deserve such hatred", he held his head up and made an innocent sheep face.

I wanted to rip his head off at those words. I really didn't know how I was controlling my anger. A few things flashed in front of my eyes and I knew what had happened and how. He had conveniently carried me to Manini's room so that he could go through my files and the presentation.

"Now I know why had you come to my place...you had no intention of helping me...you didn't care about me...you had come to do this...you got me to Manini's room so that you would be able to execute this...gosh!!! I was so stupid how could I ever think that you can ever change", tears pricked my eyes as realization struck me.

I finally got the desired reaction as Manik's eyes shot up at my allegation.

"What??"

"Yes...yes Mr. Manik Malhotra...you heard it right...you always had problems with that fact that I was doing good in my career in fact better than you...you stooped so low in your race of jealousy that you didn't think twice before playing with my feelings...all of it was a part of your plan right and I was such a fool that I fell into your trap", no matter how hard I tried but I couldn't hold back the tears.

"You really think that what happened between us this morning was for a reason... Huh...how can you even think like that Nandini", Manik said in disbelief.

"I can't believe I made such a big fool out of myself...when I was looking for excuses to give a second chance to our relationship you were busy hatching plans to cheat me so you finally got what you wanted...congratulations Mr. Malhotra for the successful execution of your plan"

"Why are you making a mole out of a hill?...", of course he still thought he had done nothing major and I couldn't believe his audacity to defend himself on this.

Manik obviously had not thought that I would draw out these conclusions; he tried to be a little soft as he saw me crying. I really didn't want to listen to any of his excuses after what he had done. I was not even looking at him and even if I did I wouldn't be able to see him because of the tears blocking my view. I felt humiliated and let down that too because of him. Manik unable to get through to me held my arms and pulled me against him and when I still didn't look at him he held my chin to meet my eyes.

"Listen Mrs. Malhotra never ever say that I was with you for a reason...yes I did what I did and have no qualms in admitting that...you want to work with these jerks who have zero faith in you and it's just a stupid project and most importantly I don't want you to work with that leech", he stated angrily. His remorseless and unapologetic eyes hurt me more.

He raised his hand to wipe my tears but I stopped him. I removed his other hand from my arm and glowered at him, "You really know how to make me hate you". I understood now what he was talking about in the morning. There was a lot that I had to say but I felt so disgusted at the moment that I didn't want to see his face.

I moved away and went out banging the door while Manik hissed gritting his jaws together. He looked at the swaying door that led me far from him and he grabbed the chair by his side and thwarted it onto the floor in rage.

Guys the response is lessening I dont know why  but the comments in the last two updates have been marginally low which upsets me. I see almost 1.5k views but there are barely a few people who comment regularly. Guys thank u who all read and drop their feedback.