Hello people!

As promised the chapter is here and I am so desperately waiting for you people to comment just like the way you guys used to do earlier.

I updated last chapter of Befikra and comments were so less! I felt so sad it's like am starting from zero! I know it's my fault I wasn't regular but please guys!

Just forgive me and be back! Please! :(

Enjoy the chapter and please do loads of inline comments!

#WaitingWaiting

#IgnoreMistakes

Happy Reading!

Manik's POV...

I brushed my hair carefully as I saw Nandini's reflection in the mirror. She was sitting on the bed her head lowered, her legs dangling down as she stared at her feet and the shoes which were lying near.

She was mentally lost somewhere.

I knew what her dilemma was.

She was scared if her father will forgive her or not.

She was so innocent and child heart.

We were getting ready to go to Khurana mansion as we had to meet Mohit Uncle.

Nandini had quietly worn the white Lilly frock with red belt and matching accessories which her father had brought her once.

I knew it was her way of dealing the situation. So I didn't question her and let her do whatever she was doing.

She must be thinking that she wearing the dress of her father will make his heart melt a little quickly; I knew what she had in her mind.

But now since last 10 minutes she was sitting motionless staring at the white and red flower pumps.

I placed the brush back on the dressing shelf and turned to her picking up my jacket from the couch.

I reached her and placed my jacket on the bed beside her. This also didn't help to break her trance and I sighed.

Quietly I knelt on the floor and held her hands which were knotted in her lap.

She jerked me away the very next second and that also surprised me.

"Hey?" I was worried on her delusional state and quickly her eyes found mine.

All the panic settled down and she let out a heavy breath before shaking her head.

"Did I scare you?" I asked lowly...feeling awkward the way she backed off and she again frantically shook her head.

"So—sorry Manik!" She spoke in a little voice and held my hands herself. "I didn't mean to push you away!" She added holding my hands near her heart and I stared at her worried face. "Please forgive me!" She continued in a crying tone and squeezed my hands.

"Ap mj say naraz nahi hoon! Please!" She again pleaded without giving me a chance to say an its okay.

"Meri jaan!" I spoke with a sigh, so much worried on her insecurities and got up to sit beside her to which she hugged me tightly.

"Nandini!" I spoke helplessly holding her close and she sniffed in my neck.

"Manik I am a horrible daughter!" She whimpered over my skin and I closed my eyes just to open them back.

God! Help me to stay strong for her.

"Nandini listen to me, baby! Look at me!" I spoke gently patting her head and coaxing her to look at me.

She parted a little away to look at my face and I gave her a smile, wiping her tears gently with my fingers.

"You know you are the purest, prettiest and most beautiful soul I have ever met! You are not a horrible! You are love baby! You are the best girl any man could get!" I spoke lovingly caressing her cheek with my knuckles all the time and she heard my words like a holy sermon. That's what she always does. It made her look extra cute.

"Look into my eyes!" I continued cupping her cheek more and she did. "Meri ankhon main dekho...jaan jaoa ge kay tum kya ho!" I added to it more by placing my lips on her eyes.

"Dad will forgive me na?" She let out a whimper wrapping her hands in my hair as we rested our foreheads together.

"He's your Dad...he has no other option!" I said softly and she hiccupped. "Moreover it was never your fault! You are not to be blamed! I know he'll understand it! And trust me he'll welcome you with open arms!" I assured her and she opened her eyes to look at my face.

"Paka esy he hoga na Manik?" She asked with her favorite baby pout and this made me chuckle.

"Of course Manik ki jaan!" I spoke pulling her nose and she made an irritated face.

"Ni Karen!" She said with a distasted face and I frowned.

"Kiun ji? Kiun na karon?" I asked tapping her nose playfully and she just shook her head waving her hands off.

"Kiun kay bus nahi Karen!" Her irritation was still the same and obviously I was least affected.

"Main tou karon ga!" I spoke in my typicalhaq-jatana tone and pulled her nose again to which she shrieked pushing me away.

"Manik!" She screeched angrily and before she could run away I pulled her back on the bed pinning her hands over her head.

"Haan kya keh ri the tum?" I asked raising my eyebrow and she stared at me with a pout.

A little distraction was compulsory for her of course.

"Yahi kay don't pull my nose!" She huffed angrily and my mouth opened in a perfect 'O'.

"And I asked why shouldn't I?" I asked softly tucking her hair behind her ear and she made a small face before getting up a little, she rubbed her nose with mine gently.

"Because dard hota!" She whispered softly, almost secretly and rubbed our noses more.

"Ohhh!" I whispered in the same tone and her head fell back on the pillow while I stared in her beautiful eyes.

"Dard ka ilaaj hai mery pass!" I added to the secrecy and she let out a small giggle, I freed her hands, to which she wrapped them around my neck.

"Oh I forgot! My husband is a doctor too!" She spoke lovingly, setting my hair gently.

"Ajkal ap bhoolny lagi hain Mrs. Malhotra!" I spoke with a fake sadness.

"Aray tou! Ap yad karwa dain naa?" She said with a small smile and it truly reached her eyes.

"Yad karwa doon?" I asked innocently, giving her lips a glance and she let out a laugh before palming my lips.

"Mr. Malhotra!" She warned me with playful eyes and I raised my eyebrows to ask what. "Stop being so romantic and stop distracting me!" She said with a sigh and I too sighed.

"I was just trying to lift your mood a little, baby!" I said un-palming my mouth and sat straight, pulling her with me.

"I know Manik!" She said hugging me side-ways and I hugged her back. "And I love you for that!" She confessed with her pure heart and I smiled.

"I love you too! Much more!" I told her back and pecked her forehead, caressing to her hair.

Before we could converse further there was a knock on the door with Tiger's voice.

"Manik? Nandini!? Ready? Let's go guys!"

"Ready?" I asked to Nandini who nodded slowly as she stood up holding my hand to slip in her shoes and after that she stood in front of me.

I caressed her hair and cupped her cheek.

She gave me a bright smile and I too smiled back.

"Did I ever tell you? That how much I am proud of you?" I asked lovingly and she stood on her toes just to kiss my cheek hard.

"Many times!" She whispered in my ear before backing off and I smiled more.

"Then am telling you again baby! I am so so soooo proud of you! You are my brave girl! And I promise to be with you in everything!" I told her in an emotional tone and she held my hand over her cheek nodding her head again and again.

"I know hubby! I know!" She whispered back frantically and hugged me once again.

We'll come out stronger! I was sure!

________________________-

My car came to a halt with a jerk just behind Tiger's car and I could feel Nandini holding her breath out loud. I turned off the engine and tilted my head to see her sitting all stiff, her hands fisted to her sides her lips pursed together.

I suddenly felt so much of remorse and sadness for my pure, innocent woman. Quickly I took off my seat belt and held her both hands in mine. Her posture didn't change.

"Nandini look at me!" I whispered lowly coaxing her to look at me, to which she did and stared at my face with longing.

"You can do this!" I spoke in a determined tone and she gulped looking down.

"You are strong, you are my girl! You have to do this and you'll do this!" I forced my words and squeezed her hands a little to make my point clear.

"Ma—Manik!" She whimpered looking back at me and I nodded assuring her that I was here. "Be with me if I fall weak please!" She spoke in a broken tone and I sighed pulling her in a hug.

"I am always here with you, for you! You don't have to say it baby love!" I spoke lovingly kissing her hair and she let out a broken breath before nodding in my neck.

I would have said something more but Tiger tapped the window and we backed off from the hug. Tiger opened the side of Nandini's door and she looked at him. I also got down and saw Tiger pulling her out by holding her hand.

"Bhai, Daddy!" She spoke in a small tone and Tiger shook his head while cupping to her cheeks.

"Bacha it's gonna be ok! Hum hain na sab tery sath! Why are you so scared? Don't be! Dad is gonna be so happy when you'll be with him I am sure!" He was assuring her and Mukti too patted her head.

"Chotti! Ya jo Dads hoty hain na! They have a very custard kind of strategy for their daughters! He's gonna forgive you dekhna tu!" Well my dear Mukti has her own ways of cheering people up.

I took a deep breath and walked to the trio.

"Chalo, let's do this!" I spoke in a cheerful tone patting to Tiger's shoulder to which he nodded. He held Nandini's hand once again and started leading her in the house while I and Mukti followed him with hot steps.

I just hope it goes just like the way I have imagined but still I have a low deep irritating feeling in my gut. My vibes were not giving me good predictions. But I kept my mouth shut.

We reached the staircase and Nandini stopped. We all too stopped behind her.

"What happened Nandini?" Tiger asked bending to her height and she paused for a moment before shaking her head.

"Nothing let's go!" She mewed lowly and stepped forward.

I knew. I knew she was scared. Scared of what will be coming her way but I was also determined on my place to help her out of the mess.

Soon we reached upstairs and Tiger guided us to Khurana Uncle's room.

All three of us slowly came to a stop while Nandini kept walking and walking until she reached the door.

Reaching the door she stopped. The Trio kept in check her every move, her every gesture the inner fight she was having, everything.

She looked back at me for assurance and I nodded with a smile.

"Go for it!" I coaxed gesturing her to knock the door and she looked reluctant but my smile made her smile too, though a broken one. But it was there only.

She turned back to the door took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock.

I could notice her hand shivering but I didn't move forward. I wanted her to do this with her way.

"Daddy?" She whimpered softly and knocked slowly. "Dad?" She again spoke and tapped louder.

"Daddy, Open the door?" Her teary voice got louder as she knocked more. "Daddy see, I am here!" She spoke in a broken voice staring at the door and Mukti held my arm for support.

I could hear her sniffing.

"Dad main aa gai!" Nandini continued talking hiccupping with tears. "Apki Neha aa gai, Ap...ap mjy maaaf kar den!" She sobbed resting her head with the door. "Apni Neha ko maaf kar den! I said mean words to you na! That's not a way a daughter should talk to her father!" She was crying, and was speaking out loud.

My heart was constricting with pain. I wish my sacred woman wouldn't have to go through all this.

"Ap mjy dant lo Daddy! But please talk to me na, open the door!" She screamed loudly knocking the door madly. "You can't do this to me! You have to forgive me Dad!" She again shouted in pain but still there was no response from inside.

My forehead creased in confusion as my heart dipped with an unknown fear.

Why wasn't he opening the door?

I looked at Tiger and he had the same expressions on his face as mine. He too looked at me and we gulped.

Something wasn't right...

"Daddy I was wrong, Please forgive me! Agar bhi mjy maaf nai karo gay tou main kahan jaon ge!" Nandini continued sobbing and Tiger stood numb so was I.

"Daddy you can't do this to your daughter!" She screamed again punching the door and let out a ear shattering cry.

I had it enough quickly I walked forward and held Nandini from her shoulders pulling her back into me.

"Man—Manik!" She whimpered turning to face me and I stared at the door.

"Ap bolo na Dad ko! To open the door wo apki baat sunain gay!" She begged me clutching to my shirt tightly as she hide her face in my chest crying to no extent.

"Baby, just stand back!" I told her softly wiping to her cheeks hastily and she stared at me with confused eyes as I made her stand aside.

"Mr. Khuranna?!" I called out loudly tapping to the door and Tiger too came beside me.

"Something is not right!" He muttered worriedly and punched the door with full force as he also shouted for Mr. Khuranna.

"Is he okay?" Mukti retorted from behind and I could hear Nandini's hiccups coming to a pause.

"He has to be!" I announced loudly and looked at Tiger who was almost crazily banging it.

Come on Oldie! You can't die!!!

You gotta live for my Baby's happiness!!

"Tiger! Let's break the door!" I called him and he looked at me.

"You sure!?" He asked still numb and worried to react.

"Ofcourse buddy what the hell are you waiting for?" I shouted at him to knock some senses and he nodded his head frantically.

You gotta live Khuranna! You have to! I was literally screaming in my head as Tiger and I took positions to break the door.

"Carefull Manik!" I heard Nandini whispering softly behind my back and in such a worried moment she made me fall for herself more.

"One, Two, Three!" We spoke together and pushed the door with full force via our shoulders.

All the gym training paid off and the door splattered away the very next moment.

But the inside scene made I scared to death...

Mr. Khuranna was lying on the floor motionless...

"NOO! DAD!" Tiger screamed like a maniac as he run towards his Dad followed by Mukti and I turned to see Nandini standing in the door pale.

It felt there was no blood in her body she was turning white and I my heartbeat stopped.

I looked at her and she looked at me.

"It's all my fault!" She whispered ghostly and I frantically shook my head reaching her hastily.

"Manik! It's all my fault!" She again whimpered and I tried to reach her hand but she pushed me away.

"I am horrible! I don't deserve sympathy!" She cried backing off and my head pained.

"Baby no, it's ok!" I spoke in a broken tone shaking my head, trying to get hold of her but she was staring at her father whose head was in Mukti's lap and Tiger was screaming for an ambulance on the phone.

Ignoring me, she past by slowly and with trembling steps she reached Mukti. She slumped on the floor near her Dad.

I fisted my hands tightly and so wanted to grab that old man's collar who was the reason of my best friend's and wife's tears now.

Manik he's your elder for God sake! My subconscious scolded me and I made a face before going to Tiger.

"Ambulance?" I asked to him placing my hand on his shoulder and he nodded with a worried scared face.

"It's coming!" He whispered softly now looking at Nandini who was sitting motionless near her father.

My heart was literally busting with pain as I saw Nandini holding to her father's hand and kissing it softly.

I'll kill you if you die! I shouted at Mr. Khuranna in my head giving him a dealy look and Tiger went to Nandini hugging her to his chest.

"It's my fault!" She whispered the same thing to Tiger and I sighed shaking my head.

"No bacha it isn't your fault! He's gonna be okay!" He was whispering to her ear and she kept crying.

Next few hours are going to be difficult for my baby love.

I closed my eyes to take a deep breath.

____________________________________-

"Nandu thora sa mera bacha! Just drink this juice! Ya tou tera favorite hai!" Tiger once again tried to coax Nandini who just turned her face refusing to Tiger as she hugged her knees more close to her chest and keep crying with silent tears. Since the time we got here in the hospital she was sitting on the bench and was crying.

She didn't talk, she didn't eat, she didn't drink.

Doctors took Mr. Khurrana in the I.C.U because he had a heart attack and his condition was critical because god knows since how long he was lying in his room.

We were late, I just hope we weren't late enough.

I stared at the siblings and sighed resting my head back with the wall.

Only Jack was here and Mukti. Max and Cabir stayed at home with other girls though all were dying to be here with Tiger and Nandini but I told everyone not to make a crowd here.

I also told Jack the same but he refused by saying,

"Tu mjy mat bata k mjy kya karna hai!"

So I kept quiet and he came.

Now he was standing beside me and staring at the siblings too.

"Manik!" Suddenly his chirpy little voice brought my attention.

"Haan?" I spoke softly almost lost in my own train of thoughts and he made a face.

"Ya jo Khuranna hai!" He spoke clearing his throat and I looked at him finally because his tone was bored.

"Tameez say naam lay he's my father in law!" I tried to act noble and Tiger gave me a dirty look to which I looked away.

"Tu jesy bohat izzat karta hai na unki! Anyways main kya kehra tha k ya jo Khuranna hai iska wahen kaam khatam kar dena tha kitna rulaya hai isny Nandu ko!" Jack spoke in a hell serious tone and my widened on his lame words.

Kaam Khatam!!

"Tera dimag chal gaya hai?" I whispered shouted at him and he gave me a bored look.

"What? Roz roz kay ronay say aik bari ka rona better nahi? Haven't you seen how many times Nandini has cried because of this oldie?" He was angry and sad while I sighed shaking my head.

"Jack har problem ka solution maar pitai nahi hota!" I told him in a low tone and he too rested his head with the wall.

"I know you can't bear Nandini's tears! So do I! But do you have any idea if today something happens to Mr. Khuranna Nandini won't be able to forgive herself! She's such a pure soul! Wo abhi bhi yai smjh rahi hai kay it's all her fault! She's considering herself the criminal of this whole scenario! Although, she is the most innocent one!" I kept speaking and speaking while Jack kept quiet.

"Meri Nandini is guilt k bojh k neechy dab k mar jye ge Jack!" I let out the painful words which were so difficult to utter and Jack swore under his breath.

"That's why brother! That old man has to live! For Nandini's sake!" I spoke with a sigh looking at Jack's face who nodded understanding my words.

"Choti please! Thora sa!" I heard Mukti pleading once again and turned to see Mukti holding a box of French fries.

"Bhabi mjy nahi khana! Aik dafa bola smjh nahi ata!" Suddenly she screamed her lungs out and threw the box away leaving Mukti shocked.

I immediately stepped forward and Nandini stood with her hand on her mouth.

"I...I am sorry bhabi!" She whispered in an ashamed tone shaking her head and I reached her.

"It's okay Nandini!" Mukti said in a small voice and sat on the floor to collect the now discarded chips from the floor while Nandini stood ashamed.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean it that way! I...Manik!" She spoke crying once again as she turned to me.

"I don't deserve all this why are you guys being so...so nice to me?" She cried hiding her face in her palm and I wrapped my arms around her pulling her into me.

"Nandini it's not your fault! Stop saying that again and again! Stop hurting us and yourself!" Tiger came forward and patted Nandini's head from back. While she turned to him.

"Bhai it's my fault of course! Dad ko heart attack meri waja say hua! I said mean words to him! Wo cheekh cheekh kay bol ray thy kay he's innocent and I? Mjy sirf apna dukh nazar aya! I only saw the things which I wanted to see! Khud kay aagy ni dikha mjy kuch!" She had so much in her heart to say and I sighed.

"Nandu! You didn't know the truth! Neither do I! We both are equally responsible! It's just not you bacha!" Tiger again tried to make her understand and she shook her head.

"Please tell him that I am sorry!" She pleaded to all four of us holding her hands to her chest and my heart once again squeezed with pain.

"Please tell him to come back! Ask him to give me chance!" She cried again and I pulled her back in my arms as she almost fell in my chest.

"Manik! Manik!" She whispered for her anchor and I held her close.

"Jee Manik ki jaan!" I whispered back lovingly and she cried in my arms.

"Dad ko wapas lay ayen! I'll die if something happen to him!" She told me almost punching in my chest and I pressed my lips over her hair.

"He's gonna be okay Nandini! He will be fine! Hey look at me!" I spoke affectionately and patted her hair to coax her to look into my eyes to which she did.

"Do you trust your Aiyappa?" I asked cupping to her cheeks and she nodded frantically as her chin wobbled. "Do you trust me?" Her frantic nod confirmed my question and I carefully wiped her cheeks. "Then you gotta trust your Dad! He will be okay!" I assured her and she stared at me sad eyes.

"Promise?" She asked in her most innocent tone ever and I smiled softly.

"Promise!" I told her back and pecked her forehead.

Nandini kay Aiyappa! Please you have to keep my promise! I prayed in my head and Nandini once again hugged me.

"Let's sit here!" I coaxed her to sit on the bench and she followed me.

Other three sighed in relief and they also sat on the benches around to wait.

Nandini kept hugging with her eyes dropping with heaviness and sleep as she rested her head on my shoulder, while I kept running my fingers through her hair pecking her head time to time.

"You sleepy babe?" I asked after a long pause when I noticed her head falling off my shoulder.

"No...am...fine!" She spoke in a small tone but I knew she wanted to sleep.

"Come...lie down!" The bench was big enough for her to lie down. She quietly obeyed me as I helped her in adjusting her head in my lap and covered her with my blazer.

She held my hand in her death grip and closed her near her chest.

"Manik?!" She called me softly and I bent over to her face caressing her hair with my free hand.

"Haan?" I was ready to set everything on fire with her single wish.

"Ap...ap mery pass rehna acha na?" She and her insecurities always make my heart bust with pain. "Ap kahen ni jana! Mjy chorr k ni jana apny!" Tears shinned in her eyes and I let out a painful smile before nodding my head.

"Main kahen ni ja raha meri jaan! Tum tou meri jeeny ki waja ho...main tumhy chorr kar kahan jaon ga hmm?" I asked her lovingly patting to her hair and she finally smiled with heart.

"Papa theek ho jyen gay na?" She asked with a small face as her eyes dropped with sleep and constant crying.

"Yes Papa bilkul theek ho jyen gay! When you'll wake up he'll be all ready to greet you baby! But this will happen only if you'll sleep!" I told her in an assuring tone and she trusted me blindly.

"Aur...he'll forgive me too haina? When I'll wake up?" Her small baby questions were heart breaking too.

"Yes! My love, you are the purest soul on this planet! Who can be stay angry with you hmm? And he's your father! He loves you! Maybe he's not even angry!" I told her in a matter of fact tone and she nodded to herself.

"Now sleep!" I ordered palming her eyes but she un-palmed them quickly.

"Ni Manik sunain na!" She had something else to say too...

"Jee sunayen?!" I asked lovingly pulling to her nose as she looked so innocent.

"Than—thank you! And...I...love you!" She spoke in a small tone and immediately closed her eyes to sleep because she had the thing in my mind that if she'll sleep then everything will be ok.

I let out a small chuckle and kissed her forehead.

"Never grow up Nandini! I love you too!" I whispered in her ear but she didn't hear me she was already fast asleep.

Jack came back with two coffee cups in his hand.

I realized Tiger and Mukti were gone too.

Mukti must have taken him with her.

"Bro, Coffee!" Jack offered me the other cup and I was so thankful to him...

"Thanks yar!" I mouthed and he nodded now looking at Nandini.

"So gai?" He asked in whisper so that Nandini's sleep don't get disturb.

"Yeah! I told her if she'll sleep tou her father will be okay! And she believed me!" I told him in a sad tone and he smiled sadly.

"So innocent...!" He whispered softly and sat on his knees near her.

He carefully caressed her hair and pecked her forehead.

"Be brave meri Churail! Jack loves you so much!" He whispered in her ear and got up to sit on the next bench....it made me smile and I looked at him in proud...

Wearing a ripped jeans and black buttoned up shirt...he made me so happy.

I was sure we all were going to come out stronger.

______________________-

Okay so here is the chapter and ayeeee! I love Jack sooo much!

I mean oh my God he's so sweet I want a Devar-come-brother like him! :(

Haha okay kidding!

Tell me how was the chapter! Did you enjoy it?

Mr. Khurana is gonna be fine and happy days are coming that's my promise.

And guys! Tiger Mukti's wedding is also very near!

Team Bride or Team Groom?

Tell me yess!

I am waiting do tag me in your comments!

Love, Cheers! Mawara