Note- Poor Response = No Update, I swear!!

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"कुछ न था मेरे पास खोने को,
एक तुझे मिला हूं तो डर सा गया हूं!"

"I think kids are here, omg I'm so excited." Fab Five chuckled at Ishita's excitement as she was looking more enthusiastic than the birthday girl itself. They saw her opening the door and a few kids of Anahita age entered as she welcomed them. They all smiled seeing the overdose of cuteness everywhere and they too got busy in entertaining the kids. It was after ten minutes when they looked in the direction of room from where Anahita came dressed up in the royal blue princess dress, looking just like a Princess. She was looking so cute with all the added accessories and her smile was obviously enhancing her look. She grinned widely seeing her classmates and waved her hand to them before coming in front of Manik who smiled and kneeled in front of her.

"Loktal!! How is Iti lookin?

"Just what I call you, A Princess."

"Sachi?"

"Muchi meri jaan." Anahita scrunched her nose as he flicked it but giggled later. Everyone else too complimented her and she was on her shy mode now getting too much praises. Soon she got mingled with the kids and Manik smiled looking at her when his breath hitched as his gaze landed on someone else. Nandini. He saw her setting her dupatta on her shoulder. She was wearing a white embroidery full sleeves kurti paired up with white pants, her hair open and her face devoid of any other makeup except for the kajal in her doe shaped eyes making them looking big and might be lipgloss on her lips. He kept looking at her as she met the kids with a smile on her face.

"Bas kar pagle, usko pata chal jayega just how crazy you're in love with her." Manik looked at his left to saw Cabir smirking at him which he ignored and looked here and there when his gaze stopped at Anahita who was standing near the door with a frown on her face. He went towards her and patted her head making her look at him. He smiled at Anahita before picking her up in his arms.

"What happen Princess? You waiting for someone?" When Anahita bobbed her head in yes Manik looked confused.

"Whom bacha?"

"Aan Bhaiya!!" Manik frowned but both of them looked at the entrance from where they saw a boy of around six years standing there nervously. He was shifting on his feet while fidgeting with the small gift wrapped thing in his hand. Manik dropped Anahita on the floor as she asked him to and ran to the boy.

"Aan Bhaiya." Manik saw the boy getting relax as Anahita held his hand in her small palms. He saw the ghost smile appearing on the boy's nervous face.

"How would I not?" Manik smiled as Anahita grinned and then kissed the bandage in the boy's wrist and the facial features of the boy's face softened, while Manik frowned as he saw his forehead has also a cut which wasn't even treated maybe. And now when he looked at the boy closely he could see some faint scars on his face or neck, although his arms were covered with sleeves but he could see some burnt marks on his hand and the bandage on his wrist which was done so messily, as treated by someone unprofessional.

"Hey Champ, what happen to your hand? And this wound, what this, are you hurt somewhere else too?" Manik stopped in midway as he was about to hold the kid's hand but the kid backed off, making him pause his action. He saw the fear in the kid's eyes and he also saw how he clutched Anahita's hand before shielding her with his body. Manik was surprised by his actions but not wanting to scare the child he gave a smile to him and stood up.

"It's okay champ. Relax yeah? Princess, won't you take your Aan Bhaiya in?"

"Ompho, main bhi na budhu hu. Come Aan Bhaiya, we will eat tasy tasy food." Manik chuckled and saw the boy also smiling a little. He kept looking at both of them especially the boy with frowns on his face. His gaze then fell on Nandini with whom Anahita was introducing that boy, and he could see frowns on her face too, but he saw the boy relaxing when Nandini caressed her hair with affection.

(Offo! I am so stupid. | Tasy- tasty)

Soon it was cake cutting time and every child was looking at the cake with so eagerness, except one boy ofcourse. Manik and even Nandini were looking at the boy again and again with concern, as he wasn't looking even a cent enthusiastic as the other kids.

"Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday Dear Anahita, Happy Birthday To You!" Everyone sang in chorus as Anahita was cutting the cake, alongwith Manik and Nandini. Yes, before cutting the cake where she was standing in front of it with Nandini on her left side, she roamed her gaze around her before they landed on her Rockstar who was standing there with a camera. Fab Five, Ishita and even Nandini were surprised when Anahita ran to him and asked him to hold her hand along with her mother. Both Nandini and Manik tried to deny but she didn't listened and at last they had to agree. While Nandini wrapped her hand around Anahita's, Manik hovered his hand around Nandini's not wrapping it fully making Nandini look at him with respect and something akin to adoration. After cutting the cake Anahita fed the first piece to her mother and kissed her cheeks saying Thank You making Nandini smiled and feeding her the same piece. Then Anahita did the same with Manik who also fed her and kissed her forehead with love.

Anahita then fed Ishita followed by Fab Four and then to her Aan Bhaiya. Nandini was surprised seeing their bond. She could see that the boy was fond of Anahita as he would only talk with her or let her held his hand. She was concerned for the boy seeing the wounds on his body. And his off behaviour wasn't helping either. Breaking off her thoughts process, Nandini took the cake to the kitchen to cut slices and distribute to the children. Meanwhile, Fab Five and Ishita too started giving snacks to the children. Nandini came out and with the help of Navya and Mukti gave the slices of cake to the kids, when she saw her daughter pleading Manik to sing a song. And she saw Manik ruffling her hairs before nodding and moved out of the house. She frowned as she doesn't know where he went when she saw him coming back with his guitar. The kids sat on their places and Manik tuned his guitar and sand the song Taare Zameen Par. He also sang some other songs for the kids making them happy and Anahita all jumpy. And why not? Her Rockstar was singing song on her birthday. Nandini chuckled internally when she saw Anahita making a puppy face silently asking him to sing one more, and Manik shaked his head in disbelief before his gaze landed on her who was standing right in front of him but a bit far.

Aa chal ke tujhe mein leke chalo
E

k aise gagan ke tale
Jaha ghum bhi na hon, asoon bhi na hon
Bas pyar hi pyar pale

Nandini didn't averted his gaze as he sang those lines looking directly into her eyes. She wanted to look somewhere else, her brain was asking her to look anywhere but him, but it was like her eyes were fixed, on him, looking into his black orbs.

Manik was looking at her like he meant those lines, like he was asking her to come with him, where there is no pain, no grief, no sorrows, no tears, nothing but love.

Suraj ki pehle kiran se aasha ka savera jaage
Suraj ki pehle kiran se aasha ka savera jaage
Chanda ki kiran se dhulkar aganghor andhera bhage
Chanda ki kiran se dhulkar ghanghor andhera bhage
Kabhi dhoop khile, kabhi chaao mile
Lambi si dagar na khale

Manik kept looking in her eyes. He could see her eyes flowing with emotions. For the first time he felt that she was allowing him to see her raw self through her eyes, her tainted self, her broken self. And he found himself being determined to bring the lost peace in her life back. He was determined to bring back the lost happiness in her life.

Nandini inhaled a sharp breath and averted her eyes as she felt her eyes pooling with tears, reason- unknown to herself. She kept telling her mind to relax while his words from their car ride, rang in her ears.

"I see a beautiful girl with an amazing heart and a corrupted mind." Confusion marred her otherwise flawless features. And Manik too completely looked at her as he stopped the car in front of the cafe.

And she again looked at him to saw him singing with eyes closed.

Jaha ghum bhi na hon, asoon bhi na hon
Bas pyar hi pyar pale

Manik closed his eyes as he saw Nandini averting her gaze from him. He visioned a Nandini who was laughing freely, giggling softly while running through the beautiful nature, in his mind. And that image was enough to bring a smile on his face. He opened his eyes as everyone clapped and he smiled at the kids. From his peripheral vision, he saw Nandini moving out of the house silently. He smiled at Anahita who hugged his legs and caressed her hairs lovingly still looking at the door from where Nandini went.

It was already ten minutes past seven, a few kids were going while some were still there waiting for their parents and Cabir and Abhi were handling them. Anahita was busy with her Aan Bhaiya showing him her gifts that the kids bought. While Ishita alongwith Mukti and Navya were wrapping up the things. Manik again looked at the door and silently moved out. He saw Nandini sitting on the bench in the small lawn and after having a debate with himself to go to her or not he finally decided to moved towards her and stood behind the bench.

Feeling someone's presence Nandini wiped the tears from her eyes. And surprisingly she knew who was behind her. And to be honest, for the first time she didn't liked his presence. Not because it was uncomfortable for her, but for entirely opposite reasons. Her heart, which she thought was now just a piece of organ that pumps blood, was craving for his presence. It wanted to feel secure enough, and only his presence was able to do so. And this was scaring Nandini. She was scared of this. As Ironical, as it was, she is scared to feel safe around him. She is scared of the way he looks at her. She is scared of the fact that he understands her. She is scared because she feels that he can read her like an open book. She is scared because her heart is feeling something apart from fear, grief and pain. And it's not good for her. It's not fair to him.

She stiffened when she saw him kneeling in front of her on his both knees. Manik could see her dried tears and Nandini could see the concern in his eyes. And this is what made her heart beat fastened. No-one was ever concerned for her. All these years, she was all by herself. Her world revolves around her daughter. Though Ishita has always supported Nandini, but she never felt this feeling of warmth from her concerned look. She looked at Manik who was looking at her back with eyes full of worry. Why? Why was he here? Why was he so concerned about her? Why?

"What happen Sunshine?" And Nandini's heart flipped, literally. This, this is the reason she feels secured around him. Because he was there when she was slipping into the abyss of darkness. His voice, his one word, the way he called her- Sunshine. The night she had almost a panic attack when she saw a girl was being forced, when again he came as a light, saving a girl's life, he called her Sunshine again. That night Nandini realized that it was Him. It was the same voice that had called her Sunshine on the phone that night too. And she realised that why she never felt uncomfortable or unsafe around him. Because her heart trusted him.

"Nandini!" Manik was now tensed for her. He knew something was troubling her, and he wanted to know what. He was not liking the look of her face, which was scared. He knew she was going through a mental trumoil, and all he wanted to do at this moment was to take her into his arms and tell her that's it's all right, but he fisted his hand when he realised he can't do that. He can't do anything just see her fighting her own demons.

"Nandini please tell me, what's troubling you? Don't do this to yourself Sunshine. We can cure it right? Whatever it is." Manik spoke softly and Nandini kept looking at him fighting with her heart and brain. And then suddenly she stood up and took two steps aside, which made Manik frown and he too stood up on his feet looking at her who was now staring at nothingness and an emotionless face, which scared Manik.

"It's nothing! And there is nothing to cure. You are not my cure. Nobody has that power. Anyway, the party is over, Thank you for coming, but I think now you should leave." And to say Manik was hurt with her words would be less. He kept looking at Nandini to get an ounce of emotions on her face but she kept standing there with a blank one. As if she had locked all her emotions in a spur of moment. He didn't wanted to leave her, not now at least, but he didn't have any reason too. He took back steps still looking at her who was still looking ahead, not meeting his eyes. He took a sudden turn and bumped into Cabir. And with the look on Cabir's face, he knew that he heard everything. But without saying anything to him he moved out even without meeting Anahita.

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"Manik, as much as I want you and her together, I'm not ready to see a heartbroken you. The pain you were going through when you got to know that she has a daughter, I can't see you going through a version more intense than that."

Manik looked at Cabir who was looking at him with concerned face. Right now he was in his room, and as he expected Cabir followed him. He knew why Cabir was saying this. Looking at her today, Manik was also afraid, for the first time he felt that scary feeling, like he would never be it for her. But sitting in his room, thinking about this he realised that this was bound to happen. He can't expect her to love him back and that too, this soon. When he hasn't even tried to make her feel loved. He should be ready for her every rejection, for her every rudeness, for the every heartbreak she gives to him. And he is ready, if these all will lead him to her heart. He is ready.

"Manik! You know how much ever I have understood Nandini naa, She is definitely not the kind of girls who will say Love You to you, She is gonna fucking break you into pieces and then see if you still love her."

"And if I still do, she is going to love, each and every piece of mine like nobody ever would." Cabir chuckled at his platonic friend and wished in his heart'that he gets what he dearies. Manik stood up and walked to his balcony followed by Cabir. Cabir saw Manik gazing at the stars and he too stood beside him. After a minute of silence Cabir heard Manik speaking.

"I know you are worried for me Cabir. And as much as you want to see my happily in love you don't want me to be broken. But, I can't just give up right? There are a lot of things you can give up on in this life, but love is not one of them. There are a lot of things you can let go of, a lot of things you're allowed to say you were wrong or a little too hopeful about. There are a lot of things you can age out of, phase through, and move on from, but love is not one of them. You have to believe in love up until the very end-real love, true love, honest love. To not give up on love is to be open to how it may come, and when. To not give up on love is to accept that the deepest possible experience of it might not look exactly as you pictured. To not give up on love is to realize that it will not be something that sweeps you off your path, but helps you stand more firmly on your own two feet. It is not something that idealizes an idea of you but does not support the person you are becoming - love is willing to care for you in the most constant, simple, human ways. In the end, love is not something you find one day, it's something you learn to see surrounding you already, it's something you heal yourself into being able to fully receive. And for me, Love is Her, Nandini. If it was upto me, I would have name love after her." Cabir chuckled followed by Manik and both kept standing there gazing at the stars, until they were disturbed by a knock. Both turned around to saw Arijit entered followed by Abhi. Cabir and Manik entered in the room and took seats.

"Manu, my friend - Abhishek Jindal, he is in IPS, Delhi. He is ready to help us." Manik smiled at Arijit who smiled back at him and continued, "Tomorrow Abhi will go Delhi." Abhi nodded when Manik looked at him, and he further added, "I would have gone too but Mrunal has appointment with doctor tomorrow, so need to be with her."

"What happen to Bhabhi?" Manik asked with concern.

"Nothing Mann, just some regular checkup, that's all!" Manik heaved a sigh of relief and felt guilty as he is not giving proper time to his family but Arijit ruffled his hairs nodding in No, as if knowing his thoughts already.

"Just a minute, what's happening? Am I missing something? What IPS? Why Delhi?" Arijit raised his brows at Manik who nodded and Arijit smiled before moving out of the room.

"Guys!! Tell me no!!" Cabir whined and Abhi and Manik rolled their eyes.

"Nothing much Cabir, it's time to punish the culprits."

"Huh?" Abhi rolled his eyes and smacked Abhi while Manik took out the pendant from his shirt pocket which had Mercy engraved into it and looked at it.

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Nandini was standing at the terrace wrapped up in a wollen shawal, as the weather was quite chilly. It was midnight already but sleep was far away from her eyes. Everytime she would close her eyes, Manik's look of hurt would come in front of her eyes. She was getting frustrated now. Why was life so hell bent on being so difficult on her, she wondered. First, she wanted him to stay away from her for their own goods, and now when she said it, the fact that it might have hurted him, wasn't letting him rest. This is what she is afraid of now, hurting him. And she knows, if he stays close to him, this is the only feeling he would be getting - Hurt!

Well, Nandini is not a fool who can't see his feelings which reflects so bright through his eyes, through his gestures, and through his actions. She is not oblivious of the fact that maybe he is attracted to her. And the thing that even after knowing that she has a daughter he is feeling infatuated to her? Her, who is broken beyond repair. Her, who can give nothing to him except her own baggage. Her, whose soul is tainted and she is as what the society says 'Impure'. And, hence, this all should end even before it starts.

Even if it means she telling him, her reality, he would distance himself away from her. At least, he would be saved from pain. He is the person who is born to spread light, and her darkness should never sheild his way.

He had protected her from her demons unknowingly, so many times, this time, she will be protecting him from her demons.

And this thought made her heart feel empty.

But this emptiness, was very heavy.

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Yo people!!!

Too much in this chapter no?

So what do you guys think, how was it?

Don't you think our Iti is also being the cupid that she is?

Btw who is this Aan Bhaiya? Any guesses about his role, and yes he is here to stay.

And now, your thoughts on MaNan are -----

What do you guys think Manik is upto?

And Nandini?

Will be waiting for your reviews!!

Next update - Next Sunday >>

3612 words!

~A ♡