Hello Fam :)

A/N - So, I haven't noted down the date when I had actually started writing my story because I never knew I would continue writing this long. The original app where I had started writing was also lost after I had shifted all my documents to drive. Hence, let's just rely on whatever wattpad had saved. :P

The point is, according to wattpad, I had first published my work (Introvert) on Oct 15, 2017. It's been three years since I had started writing fictions officially. I don't know how many more to come, but as of now, the past few years have been few of the best days in my life. You keep me going in life and I am not exaggerating. Thank you  everyone for being part of this journey. Hopefully, there would be many more. :)

Chapter warning: More drama. :P

Happy Reading...

On Monday, when Manik woke up at seven in the morning, his legs got tangled between an extra pair of blankets. He smiled to himself upon realizing who had covered him up in the middle of the night. The girl was sleeping on the bed, in front of him, in his direct line of sight.

A few years back, Manik wanted to give her a place where she could escape when staying at her house felt too much. He would have been excited at the prospect of Nandini having his home as her escape, or if he could help her in having a few peaceful moments.

Years later, more than being excited, Manik was content. His head girl, one of the strongest girls he had known ever, was safe and in front of his eyes. He had come so closer to losing her. They were light-years away from being normal and a whole stack of problems to be solved but at least they could do it together without having to think about the other's safety.

He mentally sighed before getting ready for the office, making sure not to make a sound. Nandini needed her sleep.

It was around nine when she woke up. Manik was setting his hair. "Morning. Why don't you sleep a few more hours? I didn't see you on the bed before dawn."

"Can't sleep more", she said.

Manik tried assessing if the Murthys had any say in it or it's just a general habit. When he couldn't, without asking her and making her sad, he gave her a brilliant smile along with a new mobile phone. "I have saved all the important numbers. You can give me a call if you need anything else, don't bother about the time."

She nodded and scrolled through her device. "I need to get updated on Android."

"I am damn sure you would master it in a few days. Give it some time. Nandini, regarding your laptop, I have had it checked with my tech team and they have found a tracking device installed to it to access whatever you are doing. I am getting all the data transferred to a new one. It will get ready in a day or two and then you can resume your work. Is that okay?", he asked.

"Only you could think about a possible tracking device, Bhai", said Cabir, entering in. "Morning, gorgeous."

She smiled at him.

"Bhai, I am hungry."

Manik sighed. "Nandini, why don't you get to freshen up? We could go to breakfast together. After that, we will leave for the office. I haven't gone there since forever."

"Forever means Friday and Saturday, Nandini", his brother said. "Sunday was a holiday."

Manik rolled his eyes. If it brought a smile on their head girl's face, it was a win.

When she left the room, Cabir pulled Manik's sleeve. "Bhai, she didn't comment when I said I was hungry or threaten when I called her gorgeous."

"Don't bait her, baby. She would punch you in no time", he said and sighed. It bothered him too but it wasn't her fault. "There are wounds that need to be healed before she comes close to her previous self, kid. Let's give her some time?"

To distract themselves from her, they discussed work.

XXX

Manik was about to leave for office when his head butler came to them, running. He looked panicked as he talked to Nyonika.

"Ma'am, there's the police here for Manik baba."

The quiet stance of Nandini had broken down and Manik silently slipped a hand under the table to hold hers.

"What the hell are they doing here?", asked Cabir.

Nyonika sighed in front of them. "Cabir, keep your emotions in check. Manik, why don't we go address them?"

He nodded and looked at Nandini and again at his mother. He didn't want to leave her alone when she was on the verge of another panic attack. Despite the situation, there was a slight smile on Nyonika's face as she shook her head and looked at the butler.

"Ask Ramu kaka to look after Nandini while we are there", she told him. "Nandini, we will close the matter in some time. Manik could never do anything wrong."

"Then why do we have to meet them even?", protested Cabir.

Nyonika rolled her eyes. "Please, don't open your questionnaire in front of them."

On their way to the living room, she wrapped an arm around Manik. "Is it okay with you if I handle this one?"

Manik chuckled. "Lead the way, Queen."

Hence, there was a pure mean smirk on her face as they went to meet the cops but it was Nyonika Malhotra, with years of experience at handling emotions, and she hid it well.

"Good morning, Officer. Please have a seat", she said, addressing the Inspector. Once they sat down comfortably, Nyonika threw another pleasant smile at him. "May I know what brings you here?"

The officer was clearly thrown aback by her. If Manik didn't know better, she looked almost welcoming.

"Ma'am, we have a complaint registered against your son, Manik Malhotra, about kidnapping Ms. Nandini Murthy, forcefully marrying her, and threatening her for her property. We have a search warrant and if she's found and accepts these claims, we need to arrest your son."

Manik rolled his eyes at the Murthys. He would have given them a point if they had registered a complaint before Manik had transferred everything to Nandini's name. Now it's doesn't make any sense. Unfortunately for him, his action didn't go well with the Inspector.

"Mr. Malhotra, you need to keep your attitude in check or at least give an explanation for it", he said.

Manik lowered his head and apologized before looking back at the officer. "Sir, every Murthy property is on Nandini's name as of now", he informed.

"As of now?", asked the inspector, raising an eyebrow.

Manik nodded. "She wants to transfer everything to Murthy-trust." He noticed his statement had surprised both Nyonika and the officer. After being tired last night, he didn't get around to tell his mother about Nandini's decision.

The inspector chuckled at him. "So, you are accepting that Ms. Nandini Murthy is here."

Was that a mistake?, thought Manik but refrained himself from commenting. It was Nyonika who interrupted the stare the inspector was giving him as if he wanted Manik to admit all his crimes under the pressure of his gaze.

"Inspector, Nandini is here, we never denied it. But she's here on her own. Manik hasn't forced her into doing something she didn't want to", she told.

"Your statement would be valid if she could come in person and agrees to it."

His mother nodded and looked at her elder twin. "Manik, why don't you bring her in?", she asked.

"Mrs. Malhotra, he needs to stay here."

Nyonika sighed before turning to Cabir and tilting her head. Manik hadn't noticed it but his brother was angry. He just hoped he doesn't frighten Nandini in his anger. He realized his hope went into the drain when returned minutes later and Nandini sweating. Cabir was angrier. It was making him more restless. He had just found Nandini sweating last night. He prayed she would look at him so that he could assure her but were eyes kept wandering between the bunch of constables and the Inspector, some of them around Manik, keeping her away from Nandini.

The inspector himself was delighted. He looked as if he found the missing piece of his mystery puzzle. "Ms. Murthy, are you here on your own, or did Manik Malhotra forced you into marrying him. Did he threaten you for your property? Are you under pressure here? Is anyone trying to harm you?", he blurted the questions one after another.

"Officer, you are scaring her", yelled Cabir. "My brother wouldn't do anything wrong. Better you enquire before you take up a case."

"Mister, we are doing our duty. It's advisable if you let us do that otherwise we would be forced to take you in", he warned.

"Cabir, shut up", scolded Nyonika. "Officer, I am sorry on his behalf", she told, as she tried to justify his brother's words.

In between all the chaos, Nandini was standing there like a lost child and Manik had his eyes on her. She was sweating and it wasn't calming him down. When he had enough, Manik took a step towards her but was stopped by one of the constables. "She's having a panic attack. Can't you see?", he almost screamed. Almost.

His voice brought everyone's attention to him, including Nandini. Her eyes only widened when they landed on Manik. He tried telling her to breath but his message wasn't reaching across. Manik couldn't have been more grateful to the inspector when he asked his constable to let the boy go.

He was in front of Nandini in a moment and forced her to sit down. "Cabir, water", he ordered and knelt down before the girl. "Nandini, look at me, please", he told forcing her gaze away from everyone but him. "Try breathing with me. Forget everyone. Just look at me."

It took them a few minutes until Nandini was coherent enough to speak. "They would take you away from me. I told you they can't see me at peace", she muttered to Manik.

It broke his heart to see the tears in her eyes and he wiped them away. "They can try but no one would take you away from me, Nandini. I promise", he assured her. It calmed her a bit and in return him. "The police is here to record your statement. They just want to know if I have forced you into marriage or into living here. Tell them that and we can leave to our room. They wouldn't bother you again. Is that okay?"

"Bhai, she isn't in a condition to give a statement", protested his brother.

"Cabir, it's better to clear this out instead of postponing", he told without taking his eyes off the girl. "Nandini, give me ten minutes and we could forget all this."

Manik felt a sigh of relief when she nodded but as he took a step away to let the inspector talk, she grabbed his hand. "Stay, please?", she asked.

He looked at the officer helplessly.

"It's okay, Mr. Malhotra. We will take our statement."

Manik muttered a thank you at his silent permission. He entwined their fingers while she answered their questions, putting the pressure wherever he felt she needed it. It felt ages before the inspector was satisfied with Nandini's answers.

"Mrs. Malhotra, we will close the case and Mr. Murthy would be sent a warning for wasting our time", he told to Nyonika.

"I don't want you to close the case yet, Inspector", she told. "Manik, why don't you take Nandini inside?"

He didn't need more reason and wrapped an arm around Nandini to help her to their room. On their way, when she stumbled, he picked her up, bridal style, earning a faint protest from her. "Don't argue. You have drained your energy from the little breakfast you had."

When Nandini really didn't protest, he realized how tired she was. When they reached their room, he placed her gently on the bed but her hands around his neck didn't loosen up. "Don't leave", she muttered.

Manik smiled. It didn't matter what he was feeling inside, but he felt she needed, the way she was holding on to him. He got into the bed with her before wrapping his hand around her as he stroked her hair with another. "Sleep for a while. I am here."

It was how they were when Cabir lingered at his room's door a while later. Since when did his brother hesitate to enter his room? He forwarded his hand towards him, the one that's not wrapped around Nandini. Since Manik can't change his position without waking Nandini up, Cabir climbed into his other side, burying his head on his brother's shoulders. Manik pecked his head. "Baby, are you okay?"

"I hate them for doing this to her, bhai. They aren't stopping even when they have nothing", he muttered.

"Kid, they aren't stopping because they have nothing. What do they have to lose now?"

"I am sorry for reacting the way I did downstairs."

"It's okay, baby. You were just worried", he assured. Cabir wasn't his original self ever since Nandini came back. They all have to recover together from what the Murthys had done to their head girl.

The peaceful environment disturbed when Manik's phone rang. Cabir sat up, freeing Manik to take his call. When he saw it was Meera, he glanced at the time. They were way past their office time. "Morning, Meera. Yeah, tell me."

"Sir, I wanted to know if you are coming to the office or not. There's a meeting after lunch and a few files you need to check", she told.

"I apologize for not dropping a message. Actually, something has come up and I totally forgot about it."

"Do you want me to reschedule the meeting?"

"No need. I will be there in an hour", he told and cut the call.

"Was that Meera?", asked Cabir, bringing him out of his thoughts.

Manik nodded.

"Isn't she missing you a lot nowadays?", teased his brother.

"Cabir, yaar", he said, groaning. He liked to tease Manik with every other girl he talked to and Meera was a constant because they have been working for four years now but the joke was getting old.

"Okay, I will ignore it. Bhai, why don't you stay here and I will handle things at the office?"

"You will?", asked Manik, surprised. Cabir's the one would always whine at waking up early for work.

"You aren't even pretending to go to work", he complained.

Manik sighed, looking at Nandini. "I want to but not leaving her like this."

"Manik, it's fine. Let me be the boss for the day. Will you be fine taking care of Nandini alone?"

"I would try my best."

"Your try is the best, bhai. See you later."

After Cabir left his room, Manik ran his fingers through Nandini's hair until he drifted to sleep himself.

XXX

Manik's sleep got disturbed by a movement beside him. He glanced at Nandini, who was trying to free herself from his grip, and removed his hands. "You okay?"

"Water?"

Manik nodded and went to the kitchen to bring a bottle of water. The trip helped him clear out his further action plan. He gave the bottle to Nandini and waited until she stopped drinking. "We are going for a full body checkup." When she choked on the water, going into a fitful cough, he patted her back after taking out the bottle from her hands. "Careful, Nandini", he muttered. "Are you okay?", he asked again.

"I am a virgin."

He frowned. "Okay, but why are we discussing that now?"

"No need to go to the hospital. I would understand if you don't believe me, Manik."

"Hey, I believe you", interrupted Manik. "Who planted that idea inside your head now?", he asked. She looked confused as if he was the one that wasn't making any sense. "Nandini, I would believe whatever you say to the word. But why would I even want to know if you are a virgin or not? That's none of my business."

She frowned. "They said they would tell you that to make you leave me."

Manik rubbed his face in frustration. 'They' were really testing his patience. When he looked at Nandini again, she was twisting her fingers. He sighed at her nervousness and took her hand into his, giving it a little squeeze. "Nandini, I don't care if you are with a hundred people before unless you are forced into something. I wouldn't want anyone to force you into doing something you don't want to. Didn't you tell me that a few years back?", he said, and gave her a moment to process his words. "I don't know what had happened in that house but you are weighing as a child. Your weight loss is visible but I never thought it would be this less. This is not healthy. It would be better if we can do a full-body checkup and we would see what to do after the result."

When she didn't answer, he tugged at their joined hands. "Hey, if there's something wrong with the reports, we will recover together. Okay?" He only got a nod in return but Manik thought it was better than Nandini refusing to answer. "Why don't you get ready? Meanwhile, I will go and talk to mom."

XXX

"Look, who's here? My lovely son", announced Nyonika, as soon as Manik reached her room.

The boy just rolled his eyes. He knew his mother. It was just a distraction. "Mom, what did you do?"

"What? Can't I just love my son?"

"One, you asked the police officer not to close the case yet. Two, you sent me away along with Nandini. Though Cabir followed a while later, maybe, he was sneaking around to get a hint, I am not sure. Most importantly, you are being over-dramatic right now."

The woman huffed and glared at him. "Where did you even get your observation skills? My husband never had any and I was never a nerd to start with."

Manik grinned at her. "Even though I could give most of the credits to my books, but mom, you were a topper throughout your academics, student leader, and helped dad restructure the entire company, brains behind so many schemes in it. Also, you read books whenever you want to quieten down and if you really didn't have your observation skills, the company wouldn't be this successful. Don't blame me."

She gasped. "How did you know about all this? Don't go leaking around. I don't want my baby twin to disown me."

He burst out laughing. He couldn't ever match up with their drama. "I am taking Nandini for a full-body checkup."

"You are? That's good, Manik. Get it done", she said. "She's not the girl I have met once and it's breaking my heart to see her like this. You have known her better and longer and I understand how difficult it must be for you. If it's getting too much, just reach out to one of us. Cabir or I, we are always available. Though, you are doing an amazing job yourself. You really love her, don't you?"

Manik sighed. He did. A long time ago, when he didn't know what love was, he had loved her in the only way he knew. By accepting her for who she was. He still might not know what love is but he knew it has something to do with getting his head girl back to her original self, even if he has to fight with the whole world. "There was a time when I want her to be a part of our family."

"And now?", asked Nyonika.

"I want to give her a family she could live with."

She patted his cheek."Stop being so gloomy about it, kid. The family is here waiting for her to accept them. One step at a time. Yeah?", she told.

He hugged her. She didn't know how much it means for him for Nyonika to accept Nandini. Sure, Nandini has a road to recovery but accepting everything for Manik's sake, Nyonika was being the most supportive and the best mother he could ever have. "I used to be scared about your reaction or that you would never accept her even as my friend because she's a Murthy. Thank you, mom."

Nyonika patted his back, twice, before breaking the hug. "Okay, so clarify me if I am wrong. Nandini doesn't have a single property on her name?"

Manik chuckled. How could he forget? His mother didn't do emotional stuff. She would do anything to divert the emotional talk. "Except for the company, no. Why?", he asked.

She grinned. "That would be my top second reason for loving her."

"What's first?"

She waved her hand offhandedly. "I would reserve it for when she would realize her love for you."

Yeah, right. How could he ever think his mom would be any different than Cabir? "Mom, for Nandini to realize her love for me, she needs to be in love with me first which is so out of context right now to even talk about", he told.

She smirked. "You are just twisting the words. Who wouldn't even love you, kid? The way she's trusting you after all this time, I know there's love somewhere. Call it a mother's instinct."

Manik couldn't argue with a mother's greatest weapon, her instinct. Even if he didn't understand any logic behind it, he had realized it early enough not to question. They wouldn't let you live down if that turns out to be true. So, he simply raised his hands in surrender. "By the way, Cabir went to the office to 'handle' the things there."

"I hope my office isn't falling down by evening", she muttered. "I will check on him, don't worry, Manik. And don't worry about Murthys too. They will be behind the bars within a day or two."

"Did you file a complaint against them?", he asked and frowned when Nyonika nodded. "I told them not to drag the issue until you are involved."

"You can't change some people by mere words, Manik. And I won't be sitting quiet when they file false allegations against my son. They crave for actions and that's what they would get. Much needed action", she said, her well-known smirk to the point. "They might be as good as out of Nandini's life. Concentrate on her recovery now."

He thanked her once more before leaving. No one should drag it till the breaking point. They should have known, Nyonika is their breaking point. 

Spoiler - Few more reveleations. :)

Also, if you have questions, put them here. I am sorry if I am missing out any. I am trying not to though.