Man: r u sure Nandini u want to spend ur night here in orphanage? I mean u knw ryt mom dad wud b glad to have u at our place..

After dropping Navya to her hostel..Manik n Nandini were sitting in his car in front of the orphanage, where Manik was still trying to convince Nandini to go with him to his place.

Nan: i knw Manik..but i really want to stay back here tonight. Dont worry..i will b fine here..after all, I was living here since 2 yrs. Its like a home to me.

Man: hmmm..

Nan: thanx for the lift..I think u shud go back too. Its quite late..everyone must b waiting for u at home. Good nyt.

Man: Nandini..r u sure? I mean..u can still come with me to my place. Think about it again plz.

Nan (irritated): Manik mene kaha na mujhe yahi rehna hai. Plz irritate mat karo tum.

Manik was taken aback by seeing Nandini's irritation. It was the first time since he has known Nandini tht he saw her irritation. He wasnt hurt or upset with her..but just taken aback on seeing some different emotion of Nandini for the first time...n somewhere he was happy too..to be the first person to see her new emotion, thou it was "irritation".

Here..on realizing how she vented out her irritation on Manik..Nandini was feeling guilty now.

Nan: m so sorry Manik. I ddnt mean it that way. I know u want my well being only..n its very sweet of u to think about me so much. I dont knw why i m behaving like this today. Aisa lag raha hai jaise mood flutuate horahe hai mere. May be its just tht i m not feeling well..n now i really want to go n hug Ruhi n sleep. Bas isiliye i told u i want to sleep here tonight.

Man: not feeling well matlab? R u sick? Why ddnt u tell me before Nandini? I would have taken u to the doctor immediately. Whats wrong u tell me? U feel feverish? (Checking her neck n forehead for fever) do u have headache? Or is it paining somewhere? Ur right shoulder? It is weak ryt? Is it paining? What happened tell me Nandini.

Nan: relax relax Manik. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Bas..feeling a bit uneasy. N u dnt wry..i dnt need a doctor. I just want to sleep n i will b all okay again. So stop worrying.

Man: wahi to nahi hota mujhse.

Nan: huh?

Man: i..i mean k..wo..haan...promise me Nandini..if u need anything..even if its past midnight..u would call me. Kuch b zarurat ho to I will b ur SOS. Promise me?

Nan: ok babba..i promise. Ab khush? Ab final gud nyt bole?

Man: hmmm..thts like a good girl. Ok then..i ll come n pick u up tmrw. Gud nyt.

Nan: gud nyt Manik.

Saying so..Nandini bids him bye n goes into the orphanage.

Man: kaise bataau tumhe Nandini.. tumhe akele chodne ka bilkul b mann nahi hai. With every passing second i m falling for u deeper. Mann kerta hai tumhe har pal apne nazro k saamne rakhu. But i knw.. u need ur space too. Lekin i cant leave u here alone..not esp after knowing that u still get those nightmares. I dnt knw whats the reason of ur nightmares Nandini..but i truly hope that Abhi gets to knw the reason of it. Aaj tumhari aankho me ek ajeeb se insecurity dekhi mene..i saw ur vulnerability..i couldnt believe tht the ever so strong Nandini Murthy bhi vulnerable ho sakti hai. I wish i could do something to ease u out of ur pain. But uske liye i need to knw what pain r u going thru..aur wo ab Abhi hee bata sakta hai.. tab tak k liye..i will just take care of u n shower my love on u. Bas ab sahi chance dekh k i will confess my love for u Nandini.
Chal beta Manik..tab tak k liye tu isi car me soja. There is no chance m leaving Nandini alone here. Use kisi b waqt meri zarurat padh sakti hai.

*******

Choti maa: Nanda..tu theek hai? Tera chehra kaafi utra huwa lag raha hai.

Nan: pata nai choti maa..ajeeb sa feel horaha hai. My stomach n back hurts. Uneasiness b hai. I will just go n sleep next to Ruhi. Wo sogai hai so i wont wake her up.

Nandini goes to Arohi's room n finds her sleeping on the bed..holding her doll closely to her. Her innocent sight was enough to bring a pure smile on Nandini's face. She slowly approaches her n silently lies down next to her..taking her in her arms. Kissing her on her forehead, she tries to fall asleep. But she was still uneasy. After tossing on the bed for about 1 hour, Nandini gave up on sleeping.

Nan (self talk): kyu aaj itna pain horaha hai. Mere date me to abhi bhi time hai..but this pain is killing me. Ufff Aiyappa..it hurts like hell. I guess better i go back home. In case mother nature knocks my door, i have nothing here to keep myself prepared..haala k i still have 10 days more.

Nandini slowly leaves Arohi's room n goes out of the orphanage. She was squeezing her stomach due to the intense pain she was feeling. She just wanted to rush to her place n try to fall asleep. As soon as she comes out..she finds Manik's car still parked there. Surprised..she goes towards the car only to find Manik sleeping in an uncomfortable position in the car.

Nan: manik abhi tak yaha kya kar rahe hai?!

She knocks the window of the car..waking up Manik. On seeing Nandini standing there looking at him, Manik immediately comes out of the car.

Man: Nandini..r u fine? Itni raat ko tum baahar kyu aayi? Sab theek hai na? Tum theek ho na? Kahi phirse nightmare to nahi aaya? Shit! I shud have known..mujhe tumhe akela nahi chodna chahiye tha..m so sorry Nandini. But dnt wry..i m here..n i...

Nan: shut up Manik! Kabse baat kiye jaa rahe ho. Meri sun hee nai rahe. Ab me bolungi aur tum sunoge. Me theek hu. Mujhe koi nightmare nahi aaya. Neend nai aarahi aur mera mann chocolate khaane ka ker raha tha. Socha chocolate leke ghar chali jaau. Baahar nikli aur dekha k tum abhi tak yahi ho. So will u care to explain what r u still doing here?

Man (exhaling deeply): God Nandini..i got scared..

Nan: u ddnt answer me Manik. Y r u still here?

Man: wo..wo i just...wo me..actually..

Nan: were u..waiting for me?

Man: wo..i thought u myt need something..so i just..

Nan: isliye u were waiting here..just because u thought i myt need something?

Manik looks into her eyes..n gives a small nod. Nandini gets touched with his sweet gesture..her eyes well up with tears and a beautiful smile forms on her face. She immediately hugs Manik, taking Manik by surprise. Manik too wraps his arms around her n takes her in his embrace.

Nan: thank u Manik. Thank u for caring for me..

Manik only tightens his hold as his response.

Man: come..i will drop u to ur place.

Breaking the hug, Nandini nods at him n both sit in the car to drive towards Nandini's place. All the while Nandini was trying to hold onto her pain..but it seemed like the pain was hell bent to make Nandini suffer. Her pain was clearly seen on her face..yet she was trying her best to remain as nonchalant as she could. But Manik observed every move and every expression of her.

Man: What's wrong Nandini? U dont seem to b fine. Bohot pale b lag rahi ho. I think we shud just go to a doctor once.

Nan: no Manik i m fine. Bas thodi tired hu to shayad isliye. I just want to go home n have a gud hot water shower. I ll b ok then...hopefully.

Man: r u sure?

Nan: yes Manik. Bas plz..tum mujhe kahi se ek chocolate laa do. I really need one ryt now. Pleasee

Man: Nandini..raat k 1 baj rahe hai..itni late kaha se koi chocolate laaunga. I ll get u in the morning..aur ek nai bohot saare..ok?

Nan: Manik y dont u understand..i really badly need a chocolate..n ryt now means ryt now. Please.. aur me jaanti hu na kaha se milega. Wo ghar k paas waala pharmacy hai na..waha mil jaayga. So tum pehle wahi chalna.

Man: Nandini..raat k 1 baj gaye hai..wo pharmacy 12 tak hee khula hota hai. Mene kaha na i ll get u in the morning. Please abhi ghar chale? Tumhari tabiyat b theek nahi lag rahi.

Nan (crying face): Manik tum nahi samaj rahe ho. Kaise samjhaau me tumhe how badly i need a chocolate. Me chocolate k bina ghar nahi jaaungi.

Man (shocked): Nan..Nandini? Tum..chocolate k liye ro rahi ho?

Nan: tum nai samjhoge. U just drop me here. I will go n get a chocolate for myself.

Man: Nandini yaar..ro mat plz. Chocolate hee chahiye na. Theek hai..hum pehle chocolate lenge n then ghar jaayenge..ok?

Nan (smilingly): Thank u Manik.

Man (self talk): Ise kya hogaya hai? Y is she so adamant about having a chocolate ryt now? It feels as if she is craving for it. But y wud she have cravings now!! i mean come on..pregnant hoti to me samajh jaata..but abhi?! But jo b hai..i m glad i m the one who is fulfilling her cravings..aaj b..aur aage in future bhi. Oh God..agar iske cravings non pregnancy me aise hai..to pregnancy me kaise honge? Me un sab ko poora to kar paaunga na! Wow Manik Malhotra..abhi tak pyaar ka confession kiya nai..propose b nahi kiya..aur direct bacho tak pohoch gaya.. ab to jald hee propose kerna padhega.

Nan: Manik..tum khud me kyu muskuraa rahe ho?

Man: haan? Me..? Na..nahi to. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Arre wo dekho..ek supermarket dikha. Chalo chalke tumhare liye chocolate le lete hai.

Nan: emmm..Manik..plz can u go alone? I m not feeling like getting down. Plz.

Man: ok madam..ur wish my command. Any specific one?

Nandini just shakes her head in a no.
Manik gets down to buy her chocolates and gets her a bag full of them. Nandini happily takes them n opens one immediately n eats it. Manik smiles at her n resumes his drive. Both soon reach Nandini's apartment. Nandini gets down n waits for him while cleaning her hands, and Manik had gone to park his car. All of a sudden she felt Manik's arm holding her waist from behind..standing glued to her back..

Nan (shocked): Ma..Manik..w-what r u doing?

Man: Nandini..just stay close to me .

Nan::Manik..sab dekh rahe hai..acha nahi lagta..chodo mujhe.

Man: Nandini try n understand..i cant leave u alone in this condition.

Nan: this condition matlab?

Man: ahh..wo..wo actually

Nan: Manik plz..sabki nazre hum per hai. .galat ideas aarahe honge unhe. Plz leave me.

Man: Nandini..why dont u understand i cant. Acha tell me..do u trust me?

Nan: huh?

Man: do u trust me?

Nan: of course i do.

Man: then just listen to me.. i cant let u go.

Saying so Manik pushes Nandini a little forward, gesturing her to move. Nandini walks with Manik still glued to her back with both his arms wrapped around her waist. The watchman standing there looked at them n passed an awkward smile to Nandini..to which Nandini just lowered her gaze down. Finally they reach Nandini's apartment.

Nan: Manik ab to chodo..

Man: haan..haan wo..

Nan: Manik..wud u plz now tell me what was tht?

Man: i will Nandini. But first u promise me..u wont feel embarrassed.

Nan: embarrassed? Ok fine..whatever u say.

Man: wo..wo actually..there..there is..

Nan: Manik y r u stammering? Plz jaldi bolo. I want to go to washroom too.

Man: haan to theek hai..u go to washroom. Haan..wahi sahi hai. Go.

Nan: what? NO! I wont go unless u tell me what was tht ?

Man: oh God..Nandini wo...bolne k liye me boldunga..but..u wont feel comfortable..n this is the last thing i want..U being uncomfortable around me.

Nan: Manik..plz stop talking in riddles n tell me what is it.

Man: okay! Ehemm..Nandini..u..U need to use the washroom.

Nan (irritated): Manikkkk!!u r really irritating me now. Bolo na kya hai..jaldi..plz. pehle hee mujhe dard hai aur tum..

Man: hmmm..i..i knw tumhe dard kyu hai. N i now knw y u badly needed a chocolate. M so sorry i was being stupid earlier. Coz now i knw that...

Nan: u knw what?

Man (going closer to her ear): its..ur that time of month.

To say tht all colors drained out from Nandini would b an understatement. She was too embarrassed to hear this from Manik. Her doubt was right..yet she couldnt understand how could mother nature knock her door 10 days before her date. She was flushed n ddnt have the courage to face Manik.

Man: u dnt need to feel embarrassed. Just go n have a hot water shower.

Nandini without replying rushes to her room n closes the door behind her.

Nan(self talk): Aiyappa!! Ye kya hogaya? Y did it have to happen like this?? Oh God..me Manik k saamne kaise jaaungi? No..i wont b able to face him now. Shit..mere pant pe stain b padh gaya..isiliye Manik mujhse chipak k tha.. ohh God..how embarrassing. (Holding her stomach) uff..upar se terrible cramps..i should have guessed it. Aiyappa..its terrible. Oooh... i think i really need hot water bath.

Nandini goes n takes a hot water bath n comes out wearing her pajamas which was a black polka dots one with a lose t-shirt. She was drained out due to the terrible pain. Her eyes even held few unshed tears due to the intensity of the cramps.

Nan: aah..its so terrible. Agar aise hee raha..how ll i go to college kal? Last month was the only time jab mujhe itna pain nahi huwa..or else usse pehle to..i had to skip college on 1st day every month. Thank God Navya thi mere saath last time..aur uske nuskhe ne mujhe pain me relief b diya. But ab kya karu. Aah Maaa...y such terrible cramps.

She rolls herself into a ball on her bed holding her stomach when she hears a knock on her door.

Nan: shit! Manik! How m i supposed to face him? God...he saw me in my worst condition.

Here..on not finding any response after knocking, Manik slowly opens the door n pushes it..only to find Nandini rolled up into a ball on the bed. Manik clears his throat to gain her attention. Nandini snaps out of her thoughts n immediately sits straight..but folds her legs to maintain a pressure on her stomach. She wasnt looking at Manik..she couldnt.
Manik felt her hesistancy..n so he himself came up to her n sat next to her on the bed. He had got a tray with him which he kept on the side table.

Man: Nandini...

Nan: hmmm

Man (raising her chin to make her come face to face with him): u dont have to feel embarrassed Nandini. It was me..only me with u. N trust me..No one saw u down. So stop feeling embarrassed..coz it was UR MIKKU..no one else.

Nan: u toh hate it na..when i call u Mikku.

Man: i dnt hate it Nandini. I can never hate anything coming from u.

Nan: why?

Man:  one can never hate its own soul Nandini.. n U..R MY SOUL.

(Background music: teri deewani)

Preet Ki Lath Mohe Aaisi Laagi
Ho Gayi Main Matwaari
Bal Bal Jaaun Apane Piya Ko
He Main Jaaun Vaari Vaari
Mohe Sudh Budh Naa Rahi Tan Mann Ki
Yeh Toh Jaane Duniya Saari
Bebas Aur Laachar Phiru Main
Haari Main Dil Haari
Haari Main Dil Haari

His sweet confession made Nandini's eyes wet. N one tear drop even managed to roll down her cheek..which Manik wiped it off with his thumb. Nandini's cramps again intensify, making her close her eyes in pain.

Man: cramps bohot hai?

Nandini just shakes her head in a no, trying to give him a smile.

Man: i dnt need to hear it from u Nandini, esp about ur pain...coz i can feel it without u telling me.

Tere Naam Se Jee Loon
Tere Naam Se Jee Loon
Tere Naam Se Marr Jaaun
Tere Naam Se Marr Jaaun

Man: here..have this..net me padha mene..wo cramps me doodh with haldi n ginger is good..so take this..hopefully ur cramps would reduce.

Teri Jaan Ke Sadke Mein Kuchh Aaisa Kar Jaaun
Tune Kya Kar Dala Marr Gayi Main Mitt Gayi Main
Ho Ji Ha Ji Ho Gayi Main
Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani

Nandini was lost in Manik..as if she was hypnotized by him and his care. She silently took the glass and drank it..while keeping her eyes on Manik.

Tune Kya Kar Dala Marr Gayi Main Mitt Gayi Main
Ho Ji Ha Ji Ho Gayi Main
Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani

Man: good girl.. now tell me..where do u keep hot water bag..net me padha tht even tht helps to reduce the cramps.

Nandini shakes her head in no as if telling him no need. But Manik doesnt pay heed to her. He himself got up n went to check it in the washroom. After 5 mins he came out with hot water bag. He makes Nandini lie down n keeps the bag close to her stomach. Spreading the duvet on her..he sits by his side n pats her head to make her fall asleep.

Ishq Junoon Jab Hadh Se Badh Jaaye
Ishq Junoon Jab Hadh Se Badh Jaaye
Haste Haste Aashiq Suli Chadh Jaaye

Nandini all the time was just looking at him..drowning in his love and care. She slowly closes her eyes after entrapping him in her gaze, with a small smile playing on her face. Manik bends down to kiss her forehead and stands up to leave when Nandini holds his hand. She opens her eyes n slightly pulls his hand.

Ishq Ka Jaadu Sara Chadha Kara Bole
Ishq Ka Jaadu Sara Chadha Kara Bole
Khoob Laga Lo Pehre Raste Rab Khole

Understanding what she wants, Manik removes his shoes and removes Nandini's hold from his hand. He walks around the bed n comes behind Nandini. Climbing on the bed, he lies down behind Nandini from over the duvet. He pulls Nandini behind to spoon her in his arms.

Nandini smiles fully and interwines her fingers with Manik's n closes her eyes to fall asleep.

Yahi Ishq Di Marzi Hain
Yahi Rab Di Marzi Hain
Yahi Ishq Di Marzi Hain
Yahi Rab Di Marzi Hain

Nandini wakes up in the middle of the night due to her terrible cramps, she tries to untangle herself from Manik and go n refill the hot water bag. But Manik wakes up n sees Nandini in pain.

Man: relax..just lay back. I will refill it.

Manik goes n refills the bag n comes back to Nandini. All the time Nandini couldnt avert her gaze from him. How caring and understanding he was. Handing her the bag..he again takes her in his arms n hums a sweet melody to put her to sleep.

Tere Bin Jeena Kaisa
Haan Khudgarzi Hai
Tune Kya Kar Dala Marr Gayi Main Mitt Gayi Main
Ho Ji Ha Ji Ho Gayi Main
Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani

Next morning Nandini woke up feeling the sun rays on her. She turns around to see Manik still holding her n sleeping. A smile plays on her lips on recalling the last night. She further moves towards Manik n smilingly hugs him in his sleep..to which Manik responds by tightening his hold on her.

Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani

5 days just pass by in this manner.. with manik being extra careful and extra sweet with Nandini during her difficult days. He ddnt allow Nandini to attend the college on her 1st day n he himself took an off too. He tried several homemade recipes for her cramps and cooked them himself. He rarely left her alone..even if Navya came to live at her place 2 days later..he would b the last person to leave the apartment, After making sure Nandini is free of cramps and is soundly sleeping. All this while..Nandini just had her eyes fixed on him..she couldnt move her eyes away. She had no idea what everyone else were talking whenever her friends came to her place. She even used to talk to Abhi in lost trance..lost in Manik's land..which was as beautiful as a dream yet was a reality.

He Main Rang Rangeeli Deewani
He Main Rang Rangeeli Deewani
Ke Main Albeli Main Mastani
Gaaun Bajaaun Sabko Rijhaaun
He Main Deen Dhram Se Begaani
Ke Main Deewani Main Deewani

In college canteen..Nandini n Navya were sitting on a table waiting for fab5, who had gone to meet the principal. They were approaching them when Nandini saw them n automatically her eyes got fixed on Manik.

Nav: Nandu..Manik ko aise mat dekho..werna sab ko pata chal jaayga k tum usse beintehaa mohabbat kerti ho.

Nan: wo to me kerti hu.

Her confession brings a huge smile on Navya's fsce.

Nav: haay sachi!! Hume to shuru se hee pata tha..jaise Manik tumhe dekhta hai usse b saaf pata chalta hai k lattoo hai wo tum per. Aaj pata chala aag dono taraf baraa bar hai.

Nandini was again lost in Manik when he came n sat down next to her. She couldnt turn her gaze..it was like a magnet was holding her glued to Manik.

Tere Naam Se Jee Loon Tere Naam Se Marr Jaaun
Tere Naam Se Jee Loon Tere Naam Se Marr Jaaun

After lunch, everyone were going towards their class, Manik n Nandini walking side by side.

Nan (self talk while lost in Manik): pichle dino jitna tumne mera khayaal rakha hai utna shayad kabhi kisi ne nahi rakha. Ab aur chuppi nahi sahi jaaygi. Tonight Manik..tonight i will confess my love to U.

Tere Jaan Ke Sadke Mein Kuchh Aaisa Kar Jaaun
Tune Kya Kar Dala Marr Gayi Main Mitt Gayi Main
Ho Ri Ha Ri Ho Gayi Main

Manik hits Nandini with his shoulder n raises his eyebrows..asking her where she is lost. Nandini just smiles n interwines her fingers with his n gently squeezes his hand, bringing a bright smile on his face too.

Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani
Teri Deewani Deewani...

Both enter the class n were standing next to each other..with Manik facing the professor and Nandini's gaze fixed on Manik.

On feeling her gaze, Manik looks at her n smirks..

Man (whispering): aise mat dekho Nandini..werna pyaar hojaayga.

Nan: aur agar hogaya ho tou?

This catches Manik's attention. He gives her his breathtaking smile n was about to say something when they were interrupted by the principal.

P: hello students! i know u all r really working hard, esp for one particular subject since u ddnt have yr professor with u. But now..there is no need for u all to panic. Because the college committee have managed to arrange a professor for u in such a short notice. N today, ur professor wud b joining us.

Nandini was still looking at Manik..it was like she was helpless..she couldnt move her gaze from him even if she wanted to.

Man: Nandini..saamne dekho. Me nahi chahta k is naye professor pe tumhara first impression hee kharab padhe. U have always been at the top n i want u to b there always. Aur me kahi bhaag nahi raha..tum mujhe baad me bhi jee bhar k dekh sakti ho.(winking at her)

Nandini chuckles at him n was about to turn towards the principal when she heard the principal introducing the professor to the class

P: so students..plz welcome yr new professor..MR. HARSHAD MEHRA!!

On hearing the name, Nandini got frozen at her place. All the color left her face and she all of a sudden became pale. Her breathing started getting heavy. She slowly turned towards the principal..n when she saw the professor in front of her..her face had gone complete blank. She had gone numb..her hands n feet turned cold. Feeling her cold hands in his hold, Manik turns around to see Nandini n gets confused on seeing Nandini breathing heavily.

Man: Nandini..r u ok?

Nandini wasnt in her senses now. She couldnt hear or see anything apart from the professor in front of her. All her numbness got melted into darkness when her mind finally gave up n she fainted!!