Part 4

The birds were chirping as it was a very pleasant morning after a dreadful night of waiting. The danger was already passed and the things are in control now.
Manik felt his body stiffened as he was sleeping in the same position. He opened his eyes to see that Nandini is sleeping in his arms resting her head on his chest.

A very sweet smile crept on his lips and he felt content and complete. But than he realized that she is still not in her senses and she didn't know what happened last night.

The flashes of last night came to him. But he jerked all the thoughts away and slowly moved Nandini from him without disturbing her. He rest her head on the pillow and got up from the bed. He went into the washroom to get fresh.

The warmth of Manik's closeness was gone and Nandini felt a cold chill around her and it disturbs her sweet sleep , she moved in her sleep. She felt uneasy and restless and slowly she was moving her fingers and hands.

She lift her hand to her head and cringe her closed eyes. Her head was heavy and she felt pain in her arm. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for some time. All of a sudden she felt a very bitter taste in her mouth which is unbearable. She sat up putting her palm on her mouth. Her head is spinning but she has to get out of the bed to release this nauseating feeling. She somehow managed to get out of the bed and stand and dragging herself to the washroom door she was about to open it , when it opens itself..
Manik came out wiping off his face.

As soon as he saw Nandini who was ready to fall because of her dizziness he hold her by her elbows.

"Nandini... What happened... Are you ok... Aise kyun uth ke aagayi..." he bend down and asked.

Without answering she pushed him and rushed inside holding the door and the walls. She puked a greenish and bluish water that came out.

Manik freaked out and followed her inside. He hold his head in his hands worried looking at the stuff that's making him scared , But gathering himself he gave support to her and washed her face with clean water and making her stand properly he hold her. She was just watching him and letting  him do what ever he is doing as she don't have the energy to say anything or resist his help.

Seeing her that she couldn't walk properly he lift her in his arms and brought her out of the washroom.
Nandini was shocked by his care and concern. She couldn't believe that he is taking care of her when he was so skeptical in the first place to even hire her.

'Why this concern.' She asked Herself.
'What happened to me .. Where am I ... This is not even my room...' She looked around and thought.

He made her sit on the bed with the help of the head rest.
He sat opposite her and cleared her face. He puts the hair strands out of the way.

She was registering herself. Her head was still spinning maybe it was the after effects of the poison which was in her body. When she was fully awake she noticed that she was not in her room. She felt that Manik holding  her hands.

"How are you feeling now... " she heard him.
She gave a very weak smile.

'How did I came hear... Last thing... I remember was... I fell off from jack and my head was hit by the tree trunk...' She thought. Thinking of which she felt pain in her head.

"How... Who... How did... I ca... Came here..." She asked in a broken voice stumbling on the words.

"You were unconscious in the woods... You were also bitten by a deadly insect... " he just informed her about her whereabouts but didn't say the details of how he brought her here.

All of a sudden she noticed that she is not in the same clothes she was wearing yesterday..

She sat up again and pulled the blanket to cover herself.
"My clothes... How come... Who changed..." She couldn't
complete the sentences .

Manik's stands up from the bed and there was an awkward silence between them.

"I'll check with hakim Saab  and be right back..." He said in a haste and barged out from his own room.

Nandini realized that something severe happened. She couldn't figure out what but she is sure that this has something to do with her and Manik.
She also noticed that her clothes were changed totally. Even her inners. She blushed and felt embarrassed.

.....

Manik came out of his room and was breathing heavy. He didn't know what to say and how to deal with her and how to even deal with his own feelings. Thinking something he took out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hello..." From The other side.
"Hello, hakim Saab main Manik..."

"Ji Saab... Boliye kaisi hai aapki begum ab..." He asked.
"Wow..." And he cleared his throat hearing the word begum again.

"Usse hosh aa Gaya hai... Par usne ulti kar Di hai... Woh bhi Kuch ajeeb  tarha ki..."  Manik said.

"Neele ya hare rang ki Kari hogi...Chalo Acha hua uske ander ka  zeher nikal Gaya... Shukr hai Allah ka... " hakim Saab answers.

"Ab aapki begum bilkul theek hai par... Woh Bahut kamzor hain is waqt... Unka ache se khayal rakhiye..." And after giving some more instructions they hang up the phone.

Manik came down and went to check  Nanu. She was still sleeping. He went to see if the maid arrived from her quarters. And she was present in the kitchen kneading  the dough for roti.

He came and gave  the instructions to her to make some healthy , light and soft food for Nandini and went hurried back to his room but , he was surprised to see Nandini standing at the top of the stairs.
First he didn't react. But he suddenly got mad.

"Why did you come out of the room, you are still week , you couldn't even walk properly... " saying that he was about to lift her in his arms.

But she stopped him with her one hand while she was holding the railing of the stairs very tight with other.

"I want... To go... To my room... To get fresh... I smell bad..." She Hesitantly said in broken sentence. 

He felt sad hearing her that she will not be staying with him in his room anymore. And with what relation or right she will stay. With what right he will stop her to stay.

"Ok... I'll take you down to your room... And I'm not hearing any arguments..." Keeping aside his thoughts he ordered.

She couldn't argue further... Because she was not in a condition.

He lift her in his arms and slowly took the steps down.
Her arms were wrapped around his neck and her head was resting in his chest.
It feels like home to her, she felt like this is meant to be the feeling of being in his arms , the secured and safe feeling which she feels after a long time is something cannot be described in words. She can hear his heartbeat. It's so calm and relaxed.
She thought

'will this strong arms be mine for the rest of my life to be there for me and to protect me..' Than she jerked away the thought.

'Nandini you've gone mad... You hit your head from the tree but it's effecting on your brain... You are thinking weird things...' She thought.

Nandini came out of her trance when he make her sit on the bed. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her head again.

"Ouch..." She rubbed the back of her head with her palm.

"What happen... Are you ok...
Let me see..." Manik removed her hand and check on the back  of her head.

"Oh my God.. How did you get this bruise... It looks like you got hit by something and there's a big bump and dried blood patch here..."

He make her face him by cupping her face.
"Nandini... Tell me clearly... Is there any other part on your body that you got hurt or get hit... " he was looking seriously into her eyes.

She nodded her head in a no.
"Are you sure.."
"Yes..."
"Ok.. Get ready fast... Eat something and I'm taking you to the doctor in the city..."

Nandini couldn't say anything seeing the seriousness in his eyes.

He got up to leave the room but than turn again on a noise.
Nandini got up from the bed to go in the washroom but because of her weakness she tripped but saved herself from the headboard.

Manik came back again and said.
"Tumse nahi hoga... " he make her sit again and went to the cupboard to take her clothes out.

Than he takes a towel and went inside the washroom to puts all her things

Nandini was watching his moves and thought.
'How did he change so much in just one night... Chalo Aiyyappa at least this accident makes me see his softer side... Otherwise Mujhe tou pata hi nahi chalta.. Mr.  Khutub minar ke chest mein bhi Ek soft heart hai... He is not heartless..' She was smiling to herself.

"Why are you smiling..." He asked coming out from the washroom and saw her smiling to herself.

"Anything amusing..."
"No..."  She became serious again.

"Ok you take the shower , but keep the washroom door unlock , so that if in case of any mishap than someone will be here..." He said.

"Jeee..." She popped her eyes out.
"How can I take a shower with the door open.." She composed herself feeling embarrassed.

'You forgot that yesterday you were not even in your senses when I...' He thought and.

"No one is gonna come inside... What if you fall and hurt yourself again.. Otherwise I will call the maid to accompany you inside to help you..." He said being very serious in a firm  tone.

"Noo... Noo... " she said aloud.

"I don't need any help.. I can do it..." She got up and started walking to the cupboard to get her inner garments.

"Woh.. I... Maine... I have kept everything..." Noticing her he said being hesitant.

Her cheeks turned red due to the shyness and the situation she is in. She couldn't imagine that Manik doing all this work for her including keeping her private things too.

She couldn't make an Eye contact with him and went straight into the washroom.
He walked with her and makes sure that the Door is unlock.
He knocked the door again. She peaked from the door.

"Now what..." She asked.
"I kept a stool there in case you need it..." He said turning away from her.
"Thanks you..." She said closed the door.

Manik came and sat on the bed.
'What happens to me , why am I acting like this , as if she is my wife or something , I'm trying to show that she matters to me so much...' He pulled his hair back with his hands and took a deep sigh.

'Well she matters to me that's a given... But what will she think , that I'm some kinda freak , who is mad on her on one day , and acting good and caring on another day... Maaahn Manik Tu paagal ho gaya hai... Sach mein...' He was fighting with his own thoughts.

He waits for her in her room until she closed the water. When she was coming out he stood up and walked out and stand near the door.

" if you need anything just let me know. Main Nanu ko check karke aata hoon..." He said and without hearing her reply he went away.

She was startled first by his voice that he was waiting for her.
'Aiyyappa inhe Kya ho Gaya hai... He's taking care of me like I'm his wife or something... But I liked it... The softer side of his heart.., par if I get used to his softer side than what will happen when hi becomes back to khadoos again..,, no no... I should be ware..' She was talking to herself drying her hair. She still felt the pain on the back of her head.

'Kal Kya hua tha.., main Mr. Eiffel Tower ke room mein... On his bed... With changed clothes... Mere clothes kisne change kiye... Kahin uss Qutub minar ne tou nahi... Haww... '  she covered her mouth with her hands , her cheeks flushed turning red. A heat wave ran through her body...

'Kaise pata karun...' She thought.
'Shall I ask him... Yes I will ask him...' She talked to herself again. She combed her hair and planned to go out of the room.

Manik entered in Nanu's room to see she was sitting on her bed wide awake.

"Good morning..," Manik went forward with a wide smile and hugged her and kissed her on her cheek.
"Namaste Bol..," Nanu said as usual in her cheerful mood.
Manik lie down beside her resting his head on her lap.

"Bahut thaka thaka lag raha hai,., " it clicked her all of a sudden about Nandini..
"Nandini kaisi hai.., usse hosh aaya ki nahi..." She asked combing his hair with her fingers.

"Haan usse hosh AA Gaya hai.. Par Nanu pata nahi usse kahan chot aayi... Isiliye main usse Sonya ke paas le jaa raha hoon... Uska pura check up karwane..,  " he said closing his eyes.

"Maano.. Tu theek Tou  hai naa... Kya baat hai puttar..," she saw the lines of worrying on his face.
He takes Nanu's hand in his and gave a kiss on her knuckles.

"Main theek hoon Nanu... But main usko iss haalath mein nahi dekh sakta... Woh Bahut weak ho gayi hai Nanu.." He closed his eyes.

"Tu fikar na kar puttar.. Sab theek ho jaayega... Woh hai na wahe guru ji Woh sab theek kar denge.." She traced his forehead and pecked on it..

"Acha main jaldi se munh haath dho kar aati hoon , Mujhe Nandini se milna hai.. Chal... Uth Abhi..." He got up from her lap and kissed her cheek again.

"I love you Nanu..." And he took
her to the washroom. Nanu smiled wide by his cuteness.

Nanu came out from her room to go and check on Nandini first ,but Nandini already was out and sitting on the couch holding her head.

Nanu came near and puts a hand on her shoulder.
Nandini looked up to see Nanu standing with the support of her stick in her hand.

"Arey Nanu namaste.. Aap yahan , Mujhe bula lete..." She tried to get up.

"Baithi reh... Ab kaisi Tabiyat hai Teri.., " she asked sitting beside her.

"Main theek hoon Nanu... Pata nahi kyun thodi chakkar AA rahi hai ...," she answered.

"Woh issliye kyun ki kal se tune Kuch khaya nahi hai.. Aur tujhe chotein bhi aayi hai... Pehle Kuch kha le Phir Doctor ke paas chali jaana..." Nanu caresses her hair and face.

Manik came from his room getting ready straight into the kitchen to instruct the maid to arrange the breakfast in the living room itself.

Today Nanu and Nandini was eating the same breakfast. Light khichdi with boiled eggs and cut fruits.

Nandini makes face seeing the khichdi because she was very picky eater. Seeing Manik's angry face she didn't say anything and gulped down the khichdi without any complaints.
He also makes her finished her fruits and drink some milk after that.
Manik sat beside Nanu and said.

"Nanu Mujhe aane mein agar Der ho gayi tou aap time se Khana kha lengi naa... "

"Haan puttar Tu befikar ho
ke jaa... Main theek hoon..," Nanu said touching his cheek.

"Theek hai apna khayal rakhiye..." And he bend forward to give a kiss on her cheek.
He got up to leave. Nandini also bend and kissed Nanu's cheek.

"Apna dhyaan rakhna puttar... Aur Maano agar kisi baat per daant de tou Bura mutt manana ... Theek hai..." Nanu said.
Nandini nodded and gave a very weak smile.

Just than chotu came running.
"Saabji... Woh Jack... Bahut bechain ho raha hai.. Bahar aana chah raha hai... Aur kisi se nahi sambhal raha hai..." He was breathing heavily.

"Ab isse subah subah Kya ho gaya..." Manik was about to went out than turned to look at Nandini.

"Can you go to the car by yourself.. I'll go and check Jack once..." He asked her.

"No I will come too... I want to meet him..." Nandini insisted.

"Look at you , you can't even walk properly... How can you handle Jack.. He is being aggressive... What if he hits you..," he don't want Nandini to get hit again.

"Please..." She just pleaded.

"Ok let me take you..." He helps her by holding her arm and she puts all her weight on him.

As soon as they enters the stable Jack neighed looking at Nandini lifting his front feet.

Nandini wants to went close to Jack and caresses his nose. But Manik stopped her by her elbows.

"Wait Woh hurt karega tumhe..." He said.
"Nahi he won't.. He is just very upset , yesterday I got hurt in front of him , so he wants to see if I'm ok or not... Let me atleast touch him..." Nandini explained.
Manik leaves her but stayed very close to her if in case anything happens.

Nandini walked taking slow steps and puts her hand on Jack's neck and started caressing it.
"Hey jack how are you buddy... See I'm fine.. Nothing happened... I'm perfectly alright.

She asked chotu to give the sugar cubes she saved for Jack.
She feeds him the sugar cube and said.

"I'm going to see the doctor and I'll be right back , so you be a good boy and behave yourself ok... " she gave few kisses on Jack's neck and patted him.

Manik was literally shocked to see the bond created between Jack and her.

'Wow , she really had that in her how  to make people as well as animals her crazy.. I never saw Jack being this concern and worried for anyone except Nanu and me... Wow...' He thought.

"Chalein..." He came back from his trance with her voice.
"Haan.. Yes.. Let's go..." He said holding her  hand and walked to the car.

The ride to the hospital was quiet and not that long as it was early in the morning and was very less traffic.

The hospital was a big one but Manik already informed Dr. Sonya so she was already waiting for her on 5th floor in her office.

"Good morning Manik... How are you.." As soon as they enter a lady with good looks and a nice physique in her upper thirties greeted him cheerfully.

"Good morning Sonya... How are you doing..." He too greeted her by giving her a hug...

"Who do we have here..." She asked.
"She... Is my friend.. She came to visit Nanu and she hurt herself when she was horse back riding..." Manik introduced Nandini as a friend.

Nandini looded at him with a blank face.
'Aiyyappa how many times are you going to surprise me... ME... HIS FRIEND... Chal Nandini Teri promotion ho gayi hai...' She thought and hide her smile.
Sonya took her In the examine room and checked her. Nandini told her what happened till she fell from Jack. After that she fell unconscious.
Sonya smiled they came out.

She asked Manik what happened after she fell from jack. Manik gave her the details excluding how he changed her and all that.
"I don't think there's anything serious... But we have to take her blood to check if there's any traits of poison left in her. And I'll give her some prescription medication for her head it just the bruise , it will heal in a day or two..." Sonya said.
"But manik she's weak so if you want I can give her an energy shot... She will feel ok... But yea she will be hungry..can you handle it... " Sonya asked.

Manik looked at Nandini to ask if she's fine. She nodded her head in a yes.

Sonya gave her the energy shot , after taking all the prescription they left from there.

As soon as they came out from the hospital Nandini's stomach started growling.

"I'm hungry... " she said softly.
"I think that energy shot already started working... I'm feeling hungry..." She said.
He looked at her in disbelief..

"What... Why are you looking at me like that... Bhook lagi hai.." She said not getting scared by his eyes.

"And I don't want to eat that mareezon wala Khana... Pheeka aur badmaza... Kuch chat pata Khana hai..," he hide her smile by turning his face.

"Theek hai.. Let's go..," he took her to a very high fi restaurant for lunch. They have a nice and tasty but healthy lunch , they left to go back to their house.

On the way Nandini wanted to ask him about her change of clothes. When they were out of city limits and the traffic was very less she asked in a hesitant tone.

"Woh... I wanted to ask you something..."
"Hmm..." He just hmmed.
"Yesterday... How... I end up... In your room and who changed  my clothes..." She was fidgeting with her fingers while she said all. But he stopped the car with a sudden break to a side as he heard her.

He makes fist out of his hands remembering what all he went through yesterday and it triggers his patience level.
He didn't say anything.
" boliye na.. Did you change my clothes ...,"she asked again.
That's it for him. All the feeling which he was suppressing inside was trying to explode. He turned towards her and held her shoulders and pulled her to him.

"Haan... I changed your clothes... You know when Jack came back alone without you how I felt , my heartbeat stopped , I forgot to breathe, I didn't know what to do.., I searched for you everywhere I couldn't find you... Paagalon ki tarha tumhe doondh raha tha... And when I find you.., you were unconscious... And you were so blue... I got scared... " he tighten his hold on her.

"I told you not to go over there, not to go deep inside the forest...but you didn't listen and see where you ended up..." He was spitting his frustration which he was holding since long.
"But Maine Kya kiya... Jack was riding nicely... All of a sudden he panicked... And I fell... It's not my fault..." She defended herself.

"Jack is a very emotional horse and he loves you , I saw it in the morning but he is afraid of snakes... And maybe he saw a snake that's why he panicked... But you are matured enough, you would've atleast listen to me... But nahi tumhe apni manmaani Karni hai... Meri baat nahi Sunni na tumhe..," he pulled her more closer. He didn't realize that his breath is fanning her face.

Her heartbeat is going unstable by his closeness.
Her stomach is playing somersault.
"Sorry..," she whispered.
"Huh sorry..," he scoffed..
"Kal se lekar subah tak kaise Maine time bitaya hai tumhe iska andaaza bhi nahi hai... Tum behosh thi... Tumhe hosh nahi tha ..., Aur tumhari Woh haalath ko dekh kar meri jaan nikli jaa rahi thi..,"

Her heart rate was racing hearing his confession. She didn't realized that she matters him that much. Her life is so important to him. Her existence effects him that much. She was so overwhelmed hearing his deeply touching words.

"I... I... Just... " she gulped and continued.
"Just forgot the... W... Way in excitement... I'm..,, sorry..." She was feeling really guilty imagining his turmoil.

"Sorry is not enough...isiliye... That's why I wanted you to stay away from me... I never wanted you to effect me... And you... "He left the sentence in the middle. He pulled her so close that both of their faces were only inches away.

"Kyun Meri zindagi mushkil kar rahi ho... It's so difficult to stay away from you and you... You are making it worst by coming closer to me..." He spats in a frustrated tone holding her shoulders.

"Who ask you to stay away... I didn't... " she whispered. Her face was so close that he can feel her warm breadth on his face.
She touched his cheek with her right hand.

"Kyun aap khud Ko Rok rahe hain... " she asked looking deep into his dark brown eyes for the first time. Being this close.

'Gawd this girl... She will make me crazy for sure... I just can't resist her... Her innocent face... Her almond shape doe like eyes... Her chubby yet very cute cheeks... Her pointy nose and the most explicit feature on her was ,
her perfectly carved fully luscious lips which is so irresistible... ' and before he knew it his lips were  already onto hers when his both hands were traveling on to her neck from her shoulders. Grabbing her nape closer with his fingers his lips were capturing the ever soft lips of hers into a very loveable and exploring kiss. This is not the first time he is kissing someone but the feeling is something which he cannot describe. He never felt this comfortable and relaxed while he is being close to her.

She was shocked with his action. She closed her eyes giving in to his kiss. She was not expecting this from him... At least not so soon. But alas as she was feeling the same things in her heart about him... Fighting with her own feelings.. May be he's going through same.

'MY FIRST KISS...' The thought came in her mind... As soon as she felt his lips on hers before she closes her eyes.

Her hands went slowly at the back of his neck in his soft but roughly settled hair.. Her fingers were doing all kinds of designs in his hair loosing herself in his kiss.

He wanted to explore her mouth going inside. But he felt that she is very naive  in this. He sucked her lips thoroughly without letting her breath. She moaned within his mouth. And he felt  the urge to enter her mouth, he slid his tongue inside exploring  the sweetness of her.  The delicious taste is driving him insane. The texture of her mouth is taking him to another level of fantasy from where he don't want to return. She was feeling dizzy because of lack of breath.. He felt her uneasiness and pulled himself from her lips very delicately and softly and rest his forehead on hers.
Than he kissed her forehead and get back on his seat. Settling himself he started the car and drove again.

"My eyes were closed... And I even closed the lights and make the room dark..." He said softly.
"When I changed your... I have to do it otherwise you could've caught cold..." He continued.

Nandini still didn't came out of the spell of the kiss. She didn't responded to his argument.
She rest her head on the back of the seat and and trying to avoid  more eye contact with him she closed her eyes.
'Aiyyappa... What just happened...  Mr tall guy itna confuse kyun kar rahe hai... If he likes me... Than why don't he say it... Khud bhi confuse ho rahe hai Aur Mujhe bhi kar rahe hai... Seedha seedha Bol dete na... Ki Nandini I like you... Aur main bhi Bol deti... I like you too...' She stooped her thought process...

'What... I like him... Really Nandini... yes you are right... You liked him... Aaj tak Tu ne kisi ko apne paas aane nahi diya... Tera profession tujhe kitne logon se milata hai per Tu ne kisi ke baare mein aisa nahi socha... Phir yeh... Your first kiss...' Thinking  all this when sleep took over she didn't know.

When they reached it was already late in the evening. Manik noticed that Nandini slept so he reduced the speed of the car and took his time to reach home.
Actually the fact is he wanted to spend more time with her. The way he just captured her lips. The way he couldn't stopped himself , feels as if he wanted to stop the time.
That feeling he want to feel it again.

He looked at her and was lost in her innocence. Even while sleeping she looks like an angel. Pure free of worldly stress. He wanted to wake her up but because of the medication and pain killers he forced her to take after lunch she was in deep sleep.

He stepped out of the car and come around to open her door. He slowly lifted her up in his arms and pulled her so close to his chest.

In her deep sleep she felt secure and wrapped her arms around him like she belongs there.

Choto came and Manik passed on the keys to him and instructed him to park the car and asked about Nanu. Chotu informed that Nanu is taking a nap.

Manik went inside , the sun was about to set and the atmosphere has bacame golden in color. He went straight to her room and make her lie down. He moved away from her but a sudden pull stopped him from moving. He noticed that Nandini was holding on to his collar very tight. He smiled at her and tried to open her grip but her grip was tight. He settled himself beside her and lie down.

Nandini snuggled more in his chest and was fast asleep.
Manik kissed her head and puts his arm around her shoulders and closed his eyes.

It was around nine in the night when Nanu came out getting worried for both Manik and Nandini. But the maid told her that they are already home. Nanu thought to check on Nandini and walked to her room.

When she entered her room a very big smile appeared on her lips which automatically reached her eyes. She liked what she saw. Nandini sleeping on Manik's chest with his arms wrapped around her.

'  Pata nahi yeh bachi  mein aisa Kya hai Ki yeh sab ke dil mein utar jaati hai... Insaan Tou Insaan janwar Ko bhi apna bana liya... mere puttar ke dil mein bhi Isne jagah banali... Mera maano kayi saal baad khush hua hai... Uske dil ne phir se dhadakna  seekha hai... Waheguru Ji agar yeh dono ek doosre ke liye hi bane hai... Tou sahi maaiyno mein inko miladena... Mere Marne se pehle main apne puttar Ki khushi dekhna chahti hoon...' Nanu was mesmerized by their  attachment and how they were unaware of their own feelings and sleeping peacefully in each other's arms.
She came near and gave a light peck on Manik's forehead without disturbing him and walked from there out of the room with a smiling face. 

End of part 4

Hello my beautiful people
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About both of there past and Nandini's family
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