Hello Fam :)

Warning 1: I have been writing this chapter for a long period of time and now I am bored of all the rereading I had to do to get the flow back. If you find any errors, let me know. I will get back to the rereading part later. 

Warning 2: This chapter is a roller-coaster of emotions. Maybe because it was reflecting my own mood. Hopefully, the logic isn't lost. 

Warning 3: ~5500 words of pure Manan :)

Happy Reading...

Cabir thought he was a talented human being and had the potential of being the best cupid in the world. He has a track record of accurately predicting the possible couples or the couple who are not meant to be during his school, internships, and later in college. It was with this talent did he predict that Manik and Nandini were meant to be together. Thanks to the weird fate of these two idiots, they got married in a huge melodrama and finally were together. Even his plan of making them realize their feelings were going on the path of huge success. That's what he had an illusion of until yesterday.

But today, waking up beside his brother in the morning planted a doubt in his brain that maybe he wasn't the best cupid if his brother was still sneaking beside him during nights. Cabir huffed. The only reason he wasn't kicking his brother out of his bed was because of the way Manik was gripping Cabir's hand close to his chest. That usually happened when Manik was either stressed out about something or was overthinking about some non-existent issue. Suddenly, he wanted to check upon Nandini too because she was as much a part of their family as Manik was but for that to happen he needs to have his hand back in his control.

Hence, Cabir used his brain to come up with a brilliant plan of violently shaking Manik awake. "Rise and shine, love of my life", he shouted with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "How does it feel to be woken up by your brother instead of your wife in the morning after being married only for a few weeks?"

Manik threw a pillow at him and rubbed his eyes. "Where do you get the energy to be dramatic this early in the morning, baby?"

Cabir rolled his eyes. "Seriously Manik, stop sneaking beside me now that you are married unless you are fighting with Nandini. Wait a second. Are you fighting with Nandini?"

Manik frowned at him before sitting up. "Kid, why would I fight with Nandini?", he asked.

As if I know what goes inside the head of you two?, thought Cabir but instead of saying that aloud, he shrugged to annoy him.

"What time is it?", asked his brother.

"Seven", said Cabir.

The frown on Manik's head disappeared and his whole face had lit up as he grinned at Cabir. "Baby, get ready and come down. It's time for Nandini's surprise." Without giving him any time to reply, Manik jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room.

Cabir rolled his eyes again. "Ladies and gentlemen. He is Mr. Manik Malhotra. Manik Malhotra's whole life revolves around Nandini throughout the day. At night, Manik Malhotra sneaks into his brother's room to avoid his wife. Manik Malhotra is a stupid nerd who is a hazard to the confidence of all the cupid's in the world. Don't be like Manik Malhotra", he announced in the empty room, glaring in the direction where Manik left a few minutes back.

It was when the word surprise struck him that the gears inside his head started turning. Manik was excited about this surprise yesterday. He wouldn't be excited for a few bars of chocolates or something unimportant. Cabir decided to freshen up to check what his favorite nerd had come up with that twisted brain of his.

XXX

Nandini was mindlessly scrolling through a document. She had been rereading the same line for the past fifteen minutes but her mind was drifting back to the time when Manik had left the room hurriedly after their conversation last night. It felt as if he was running away from her. She might be overthinking and it might not be serious because Manik just wanted to be with Cabir but it had hurt her nonetheless. All the overthinking didn't allow her to sleep properly and by the time she decided to let it go or to wait for Manik to explain his behavior, it was already the morning. She had an early morning meeting with one of the clients online and was in the middle of the meeting when the man in question returned to the room, going straight to have a shower.

When Manik came back after freshening up, he glanced at her and asked wordlessly if her meeting was over. After taking a nod from Nandini, he gave her a smile. "Good morning, Nandini", said Manik and sat down facing her.

The smile on his face was comforting if not anything. After yesterday, Nandini questioned herself thinking back if she had said something wrong or crossed a line with Manik but seeing him smile again while directly addressing her felt like she could breathe again, that she was forgiven for whatever mistake she had committed without realizing. "Manik", she muttered, letting herself infected by that precious smile.

"Are you free now?"

"Yeah, I just finished my meeting", told Nandini. "Do you need me for something?"

"Your surprise", said Manik. "It's time for your surprise. Come with me downstairs, please."

"Surprise?", she asked.

"Yeah, I told you yesterday, didn't I?"

"But I thought it was to shut Cabir up", told Nandini. Of course, Manik had told about his surprise but he looked more irritated when Cabir constantly flaunted about his surprise. She didn't think her husband was actually serious about the surprise.

Manik frowned at her. "Nandini, I wouldn't lie to shut up Cabir. And I had planned this even before Cabir's surprise."

Of course. How could Manik lie about something? She mentally slapped herself before brushing a finger across the frown on his head. "I am sorry to even think you have the ability to lie about something", she teased, making the smile return back on his face. It should be one expression that should be present on Manik's face at all times. "So, what's this surprise about?"

As an answer, Manik grabbed her hand, pulling her up along with him gently. If she was expecting something or someone in the living room, it was devoid of any human beings. She wondered where Cabir was because he was more excited about the surprise than herself. Only because you thought Manik was bluffing about the surprise, supplied her brain. Because who wouldn't be excited about Manik's surprises or the explanations that followed the surprises. That's how a mini chocolate factory became a part of her life. As she thought about it, she wouldn't be surprised if Manik was starting a venture in the chocolate business to gift her.

When she laughed at her own thought, gaining Manik's attention, he freed her hand and closed her eyes instead, his other hand coming to her arm, guiding her to walk. He ignored her when she protested that it wasn't really necessary.

"Surprise", whispered Manik in Nandini's ear as he removed his hand from her eyes.

Right in front of his eyes was a brand new sleek black car. Nyonika and Cabir were standing beside the car with identical grins on their faces. Nandini chuckled looking at them. "Did you buy a new car? Is that all the hype about?", she asked Manik.

Rolling his eyes, Manik gave her the key. "It's yours. You don't have to ask anyone to let you drive again, Nandini."

The words caught in her throat as she glanced between the car and her husband. She asked him to let her drive when they went to the beach and two days later there was a car of her own. She wanted to cry, wanted to scream her heart out. Her knees were giving up trying to think about the last time she had owned a car of her own.

Maybe Manik really was a god-sent because he had slipped an arm around her waist, grounding her to the present. "Nandini?", he whispered, his voice unsure, probably because Nandini didn't squeal in delight or at least thanked him in return.

She should be doing that in principle but Manik Malhotra has a way of throwing her into situations where she wants to cry her heart out because how could such a blessing be written in her life? Nandini felt the sting in her eyes and the warning of her eyes watering. To hide them from everyone, she turned around in his arms to bury her head in Manik's shoulders, clutching his shirt in her fists. Instead of complaining about ruining his shirt, he wrapped his hands around her in a loose grip.

"Nandini, are you crying? We can change the model if you don't like it", he told, getting frantic with every second.

As good as Manik was at logic, he was always bad at guessing the reason when Nandini was crying. It's as if the logical part of his brain switches off when she's upset or crying. It was only Nandini's assumption but she felt better to think she had that kind of effect on him.

"I am calling the company right now", said Manik again when Nandini didn't leave him.

Beside her, she heard Nyonika laugh. "She might be overwhelmed and too happy, Manik."

Finally, someone who uses their brain. To show her appreciation, Nandini raised a thumb in an arbitrary direction where she thought Nyonika was standing without taking her head from Manik's shoulder, making the older woman burst out laughing. She felt her caress Nandini's head and Manik relaxing, as he tightened the hug.

"You aren't losing any more freedom to race on the roads, Nandini", announced Manik.

"Nandini races?", asked Nyonika.

"Like a pro", said Cabir.

"She could any day take on Cabir and win the race", said Manik.

"Is that what you were doing in Cabir during your late-night outings all those years back? Losing to a girl? I am ashamed of you. I would have understood your thrill behind all this if you could have at least won the race", teased Nyonika.

"It was intentional. I couldn't win over my future Bhabhi", said Cabir.

"Mom, the first time he lost to Nandini, he didn't even know it was her in the car or it was a girl in fact", told Manik.

All the drama gave Nandini the time to compose herself. Not to forget the hand that was constantly caressing her hair or the thumb that was rubbing circles on her arm. Breaking the cocoon of comfort, she wiped her eyes and gave a smile to Manik. Manik opened his mouth to say something but then closed it, shook his head, and placed a small kiss on her head. It was the first in front of the family and going by the surprised look on Nyonika and the shit-eating grin on Cabir, it didn't go unnoticed with either of them. After their entwining fingers, Manik's forehead kisses were becoming her next favorite. There was something calming about them as if she deserved to be loved by someone as precious as Manik Malhotra, even if it was a casual affection he shared with Cabir and once in a while with his mother.

Nandini mouthed a thank you to Nyonika, who winked at her in reply. She then turned to Manik. "Do you want to accompany me for a test drive?"

Manik glanced at his mom before saying yes. Nandini grinned and wrapped an arm around Manik's arm and let him open the door for her. As he took his time to come around to the other side of the car, she caressed the car. True, she had driven Manik's car after all these years but this beauty was all hers. She thanked the universe for bringing Manik back into her life. Uncharacteristically, instead of racing the car on the empty roads, she maintained the speed, treasuring every moment with the man beside her.

XXX

"I didn't expect this when you said it was a surprise", said Nandini.

They ended up again in front of the beach. As it was morning, instead of going inside, they glanced at the waves from the parking. Nandini was sitting on the bonnet and Manik was leaning beside her.

"This was one of the normals in your life, Nandini. The freedom to race on empty roads or the peace you get after a long rush of speed. How can you come back to normal without having one of your essentials?", explained Manik.

"I have stopped trying to understand how your brain connects the missing dots or where do you get your logic from."

"If it's making you smile, it doesn't matter. If you are happy, it's all that matters to me", said Manik.

"I am more than happy Manik. No one could make me smile as you do", she confessed and rested her head on his shoulder, pulling them into a weird half-hug.

Manik wrapped his hand around her waist, to balance her properly. Right at this moment, Nandini didn't care about anyone. If she was falling down, Manik would be there to catch her. If she was crying, Manik would be there to wipe her tears and make her smile. If she was falling apart, Manik would hold her tight until she felt better and then later help her in picking up her broken pieces. She felt she could fight the world with Manik beside her and when it's getting too much, she could always hide in Manik's arms and let him shield her from the world until she feels the strength to try again. Right at this moment, she thought she could decide on something.

"Manik, I want to physically join Murthy Industries", she muttered.

She felt Manik going still beside her and waited for him to sort his thoughts. "Are you really sure about this? You know, right, there is no pressure from anywhere on you?", asked Manik.

"I am sure and I know there is no pressure but I can't keep running away from what I have to do. Murthy Industries is my responsibility and I can't hide from my people, right?", she asked. "And if something happens, you would be there with me, right?", she added a bit later, although a bit hesitant.

Manik shook his head. "I would always be there with you. You don't have to ever question that, Nandini. But you are comfortable right?"

Nandini nodded. "I have been thinking about this for a few days. Just didn't find the strength to say it out loud."

"What changed today?", asked Manik.

"I trust someone to pick me up when something's going wrong or when I am falling apart", said Nandini. The blush that crept on Manik's face was a very good reward for her courage to take that decision.

It was after some time when Manik's phone buzzed that they realized it was almost ten in the morning and it was a weekday. "It's Meera", said Manik, apologetically.

Nandini nodded, giving him a smile saying it was okay. She didn't want a random person to ruin her relationship with Manik especially when it wasn't necessary. She heard Manik talking. He had to leave for office. She sighed and rested her head on her knees, glancing at the sea waves. She didn't want to leave this moment with Manik yet.

"I have to go to the office", said Manik. "There is something I had to look after."

Nandini sighed and straightened up before getting down. "I will drop you at your office."

Before she could reach for the door, Manik grabbed her hand. "Are you busy today?"

She shook her head. "I had one meeting and it was done already in the morning. Why?"

"Would you stay with me at the office? I would take an hour or two and then we can go somewhere", said Manik. When Nandini raised an eyebrow in question, Manik ducked his head. "Today already feels special. I don't want to leave this memory yet."

Nandini nodded and wondered if Manik could somehow read minds. It wouldn't surprise her if the nerd had learned it by reading some book of his.

XXX

Manik had engrossed himself in work as soon as they reached his cabin and after making sure Nandini was comfortable. Somewhere in the middle, Meera joined them and they both started discussing something about the work. Unlike all other times, Meera avoided Nandini's gaze completely and she could feel the nervousness radiated from the girl, probably due to her presence. Manik had to correct her twice already due to her discomfort in front of Nandini.

This would only end up getting all of them frustrated, she thought. "Manik, I will go meet Cabir." When she saw the regret on Manik's face, she blinked her eyes at him before leaving to meet the younger twin. He might be the perfect person she wanted to be with the way the thoughts were spinning inside her head.

When she reached Cabir's cabin, he was pacing, just finishing a call. "How are we lucky to grace with the presence of the CEO of Murthy Industries", said Cabir, smirking.

Instead of replying to her, Nandini walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She could use a big brother hug and who better than Cabir to ask it for. "Can I stay here for some time?", she asked and felt Cabir nodding, resting his head on top of hers as he wrapped one arm around her shoulder and stroked her hair with the other. Manik's hugs were more passionate and protective as if he were hiding her from the world. It was the safest she felt where she could forget the whole world for a few moments.

Cabir's hugs on the other hand felt more like a sibling, sometimes teasing, sometimes protective, or like this time when she needed someone to lean on to. In the safety of his arms, Nandini let the dam break as she cried her heart out, letting out all the emotions she had been controlling since morning. It was a long time when Nandini broke the hug, feeling calmer than she felt since morning. She was thankful that Manik's meeting went longer and to Cabir who wordlessly allowed her a few private moments to compose herself in the pretext of bringing her some water. She wiped her tears and took a few deep breaths and thanked the younger twin when he gave a glass of water along with a wet wipe to clean her face. She didn't know where he had got that from but his thoughtfulness warmed her heart.

"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?", he asked softly.

"That human. How could he exist in real life? After all the kind of people written in my fate to deal with, I had accepted that I have nothing to deal with people, that I am not lucky enough to get a minimum amount of affection. I never complained to anyone and then he barges into my life contradicting every person I have ever met. He had toppled my whole belief system once and he is doing all over it once again", she said. How could she deserve to even share her best days with Manik Malhotra? "It feels as if he is straight out of books, out of his stupid fictions and so unreal."

When she raised her head, Cabir grinned so wide that she thought his face would burst out. "Guess, even the universe got tired of the people in your life and trying to make up for them by giving Manik to you."

"I don't want to lose him, Cabir", she muttered.

"Do you think he would let you go this time unless you want him to?"

Nandini wished he was right and if his words were really true, she wouldn't ever want to wish for anything else again.

They drifted back to a harmless casual topic when Manik uncharacteristically barged inside the cabin. "Bhai, you didn't knock", teased Cabir.

Ignoring his brother, Manik grabbed both of Nandini's hands and knelt in front of her. "I apologize, Nandini. I didn't want you to leave the cabin."

"Don't be stupid, Manik. I was the extra person while you are discussing your work with Meera. I told you, I would never willingly mix your personal life with your profession."

Manik shook his head. "I told her that you were the sweetest person. I don't know why she is still nervous around you. I promise, I have talked to her", he said, kissing the knuckles of her hands and resting them on his forehead. "I am sorry. I am so sorry. You shouldn't have to leave the cabin where I had given you the freedom to barge in anytime."

Nandini withdraws her hand from Manik's hold to shove his hands away. "Stop overthinking. It's fine. And stop saying sorry. It feels wrong."

"You are spoiling him", screamed Cabir, raising an accusing finger at her.

When Manik chuckled, it broke out the tension that he was creating unknowingly. Nandini muttered a thank you to Cabir to which he winked. Taking a glass of water to drink, Manik sighed and sat down in a chair properly.

"I am done with my work. Do you want to leave?", asked Manik. When Nandini nodded, Manik glanced at Cabir.

"It's fine, Manik. I will handle it here. Anyways, there isn't much work here too", he assured. "Oh, by the way, I need your signatures in these papers."

"What are these?", asked Manik.

"Oh, just the corrections you asked from yesterday's meeting."

"Have you cross-checked them properly?", asked Manik and proceeded to sign them before giving them to his brother.

He then briefly hugged Cabir on his way out as Nandini followed him. She would regret missing the evil smirk on the face of the younger twin as he glanced at the papers.

Once they reached the car, Nandini turned to Manik.

"Where do you want to go?", she asked.

Manik shrugged. "I don't know. Can you take us somewhere random? We could grab lunch in between."

XXX

They were exhausting the fuel by hitting random roads. Nandini stopped the car when she spotted a Vada Pav stall and forced Manik to have one. If she was expecting him to protest, he surprised her by accepting it without a word. They drove for some time aimlessly before stopping for lunch. Manik was somewhat silent but the little smiles he was giving in between and the constant answers to whatever Nandini was asking him assured her that he was okay. Probably, overthinking about some theory in his mind, she thought.

They went to a restaurant. Manik asked them for a corner table for privacy and the waiter disappeared after giving them the menus.

"Will you order for the both of us?", asked Manik.

It surprised her but Nandini chuckled. "Still living in the fictional world, Malhotra?", she teased. The blush that graced his cheeks was more beautiful than the ambiance of their surroundings.

XXX

The lunch was fun, although a bit weird. Something was troubling Manik and she couldn't point out the reason. She filled in the gaps during their conversations and often found him staring at her as if she would disappear if he allowed himself to blink. She can't push him to let out his thoughts because as far as Nandini knew, he would take his time to untangle his thoughts and then speak his mind.

"I am here if you want to talk about something. Anything", she told, after their lunch near the parking lot.

Manik gave her a brilliant smile and it diminished some of her worries.

Nandini

Someone screamed her name and in an instant, she felt Manik alert as his hand came around her. Nandini turned around in the direction of the shout and found a guy, jogging in their direction.

"Ma'am, how are you? I am-"

"Vishal? You changed your hairstyle", she said.

"You remember me?", he asked.

Nandini chuckled. "Of course. I owe you a hike, right?"

"I am sorry for quitting the company", he said. "I just couldn't work there when they announced themselves as the bosses of the company. They said you were not interested in taking over the company even though we knew you were handling some of the projects. I am just, I am sorry", said Vishal.

It didn't surprise her. That might be the reason why no one from Murthy Industry raised a question when she worked anonymously. She smiled at him. "I am sorry you had to quit because of them."

"You don't owe anyone an apology. Anyways, how are you doing now?"

"I am good", said Nandini before glancing at Manik beside her. Once she had recognized Vishal, Manik relaxed and took a step aside to let them have a conversation. She pulled him beside her, wrapping her hand around his. "Meet my husband, Manik Malhotra. Manik, this is Vishal, the best tech guy Murthy Industries ever had. Give him a laptop and an internet connection, he could burn empires without moving from his chair."

"You are exaggerating", said Vishal. "The only Empire I tried to burn was Murthy Industry when your parents were in charge of it."

In all modesty, Manik forwarded his hand and gave him a brilliant smile. "It's so great meeting you, Vishal."

"Sir, it's my pleasure. I have been a fan of your work ever since you started your career with Malhotra Industries. You inspire me and sometimes it's really difficult to believe someone is so grounded even after achieving so much", said Vishal.

"You are exaggerating", muttered Manik.

Nandini would have given Vishal a bonus for making Manik blush so hard if he were still working with them. Instead, she wrapped an arm around Manik's waist, giving him a discrete pat on the back. "He doesn't do well with compliments but we don't need to stop them", she told Vishal, winking at him. She could feel Manik rolling his eyes at her but ignored him.

Vishal forwarded his hand for a handshake with her. "I wouldn't interfere in your plans, Nandini. It was so nice seeing you after years."

"Same. Meet me sometime later, yeah? We can have a proper talk", she told him. If she was lucky enough, she could manipulate him to join her company once again. Her parents were idiots to have disagreements with the best tech guy.

XXX

It was almost in the evening when Nandini got tired and they stopped in front of the beach. This time as they stepped in, Manik stopped her.

"Can I remove my shoes?", he asked.

"Wouldn't that tickle your feet?", teased Nandini.

He let out an embarrassed laugh before entwining their free hands. They strolled towards the end of the beach and sat down where there were no humans. It was everything to sit beside Manik at the end of the day. The cool breeze, the waves teasing their feet, and the distant carefree laughter of children was a peaceful addition.

Moments of silence later, she took her eyes off the waves to glance at her husband. He was staring at their entwined fingers, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Manik, is something bothering you?", asked Nandini.

Manik shook his head and kissed her hand before resting his head on her shoulder. She brushed his hair, letting her fingers linger there. She felt the action so familiar and intimate that it ached her heart.

"Once upon a time when we came back here, you were troubled after taking a decision against your parents for your company", said Manik.

Nandini carded his fingers in his hair, encouraging him to speak up. "It was hazardous to the environment." And harmful for so many people. She took the right decision on moral grounds but Manik's opinion confirmed that she actually had done the correct thing. Maybe she trusted him and his opinion a lot earlier than she had realized it herself.

"Have you realized, you had today under your control?", muttered Manik.

"What?"

"You made every decision on your choice. You chose to ask me to accompany you for a test drive instead of going alone. You chose to leave my cabin when Meera was feeling uncomfortable in your presence. The restaurant to have lunch, the food we ate, and even while talking to Vishal when you introduced me to him without ever having to take permission for anything. You were in your element, Nandini. Seeing you behind the steering wheel and driving through the roads as if you own them, it was going back to the college days."

Her hands stilled in his hair. She hadn't realized a thing and there she was worried about the reason behind his silent demeanor. She slapped his head lightly. "Were you planning all this since morning, you idiot?"

In a reply, Manik pressed his head more into her shoulder. "I missed you so much", he whispered.

She heard him sniff and felt the tears dropping in her hand. "Manik?"

"Give me a minute, please", he said.

Even though it broke her heart to see him cry, she wanted to laugh at the irony. A few hours earlier, she was in his place, using Cabir to stabilize her emotions and now Manik found her to stabilize his. She caressed his cheek without disturbing him, allowing him to let out the emotions. To divert her attention from him and to stop herself from having another breakdown, she glanced at the waves.

The tides were moving slowly, almost hesitant to touch them. Maybe they didn't want to disturb Manik either. The first star of the night had just appeared in the sky. She loved that one. It was as if that was guiding all the other stars to follow it as the night went darker. When she was a kid, Nandini used to stare at that star and wished to guide her too. Years later, when Manik came into her life, he had really guided her back to humanity, to believe that the good still existed in the world. And now, he was guiding her back to her own self and giving back the life she had lost. When she glanced at him, she wondered, why did every thought of hers was bouncing back to Manik again.

She was startled when Manik straightened up abruptly before rubbing his hand over his face. He glanced at the sea waves and she waited for him to break the silence whenever he was ready. It was almost ten minutes later when he sighed longingly. "When are you planning to start up at Murthy Industries?"

Nandini couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. How could she forget the subtle art of Manik Malhotra to divert any attention from him to the other person? "After Abhimanyu and Mukti wedding. It wouldn't make sense if I am going for three days and then take a leave for the wedding", she told. She can't believe her two best friends would be getting married next week. They have been everything to her while growing up and she intended to make this wedding as memorable as she could for them.

Beside her, Manik nodded and then went silent. Since it was getting dark, they decided to go home. Before starting the car, Nandini turned in her seat to look at him. "If it helps to know, today was really overwhelming right from the morning and my emotions were a roller-coaster. I had a mild breakdown and Cabir held me when I was in his cabin. If it's the same with you, you don't have to explain anything. If not, you can talk to me whenever you are feeling like it. But I promise, I am really happy right now and almost the entire reason might be you coming back into my life."

Manik's face turned from a confused frown when she had started to a general confusion to a brilliant smile by the time she had finished talking. "I am happy to have you back in my life too", he said, almost shyly before it disappeared into a wistful smile as if he quite can't believe she was with him in real. "There hasn't been anyone close to the headstrong head girl that would make the world dance on her fingertips, the one who has always been the guiding light to me. I have missed you every time I had to learn something new at work or nervous about a particular meeting. I had you beside me when I started at the college and learned to live in the world and then when I started work at Malhotra Industries, there were a number of times I wished I could learn from you all over again. I hope I don't have to miss you again."

Nandini cupped his cheek and caressed it with her thumb, feeling her heart flutter when Manik leaned into the touch before withdrawing it. He sighed and leaned back on the seat, closing his eyes. Nandini thought he might have been really tired of letting all the words out of him. The raw emotion in his words pulled the strings of her heart and she wanted to cry all over again knowing she was the reason to cause all the pain to this beautiful, precious person.

But there was something that struck her like a bullet from her subconscious memory. Manik was always the one insisting she gets back to normal whenever she was down. Even though he used to speak his mind freely when she was feeling down, he used to insist he felt her a different person when she wasn't her usual rude self. She didn't know how she would do it but if Manik Malhotra wanted his headstrong head girl, she would damn well try to get her life together to punch the shit out of the world. She would push herself out of the darkness of her mind to become his guiding light again. 

This chapter wasn't there in the initial drafts. It's an entirely new part. I was in love with Manik before but I don't even what to word the affection I feel for this boy. I wish everyone has at least one person close to this Manik who would understand them and support them. 

Spoiler: I bet you to guess what's next. Before you say wedding, there are still three days for it. :P

Also, I haven't written the chapter but hopefully, I will write it soon. This writing helped me in getting myself out of my head so let's hope.