Majority of you voted for Yogita Bihani to play the role of Naina so here it is. I think she is perfect for this role especially because I've seen her play the role of a Doctor/Physiotherapist in her previous show Dil hi toh hai.

Author's P.O.V:

The journey from New Zealand to Australia had been a weird one for Nandini. While she was excited about visiting a new country with the man she loves next to her, she was also nervous about meeting the woman he once loved. How will Manik react when he faces her again? How will Naina react? How will Nandini herself react? All these questions were going through her mind and she was waiting for the answers.

Once team India landed in Melbourne, they were taken straight to the hotel where they would be staying along with team Australia. Great! So now we have to be in the same hotel as Naina as well, thought Nandini. She told herself it didn't bother her, but deep down it did. For the first time in her life, she found a man who loved her with all her insecurities, a man who understood her like no other, a man who loved her selflessly. And for the first time in her life, she opened up to a man, she put her walls down and gave love a chance. She didn't want to risk losing any of this and right now Manik's past was slowly creeping up on their relationship. She had full trust on their relationship, full trust on their love but what she didn't trust was the circumstances. The circumstances around you can sometime force you to do things you never thought you would ever do.

Nandini was sat in the hotel coffee shop alone lost in all these thoughts when a meow noise broke her out of her thoughts.

"Hi there cutie!" She said as she patted the cat that snuggled around her feet.

"Snow, what have I said about running away from me like this?" She heard a voice. She turned around to see a woman standing behind her trying to catch her breath. She was staring at the cat that snuggled around her feet. She finally looked up towards Nandini and gave her a slight smile.

"I'm really sorry about Snow, my cat. She loves to explore new places. We just got here this morning and Snow wants to explore the whole hotel. I've been running behind her for the past half an hour. I'm sorry if she's bothered you at all." The girl said apologetically.

"Hey don't worry about it. Snow has been wonderful. But you look like you need a breather. Please sit down." Nandini offered her a seat

"Thank you, I will collapse any minute now if I don't sit down." The girl said to which Nandini simply giggled.

"Can I get you something hun?" The waitress asked the mysterious woman.

"An iced tea would be perfect." She replied with a smile.

"So what are you doing here at 11 in the night? Shouldn't you be sleeping or something? I have Snow keeping me busy but you?" She asked Nandini.

"Nothing really, I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd come down here and chill." Nandini's thoughts did not allow her to sleep and so she was sat here in the coffee shop drinking away her sorrows.

"The coffee isn't going to help with the sleep issue." The girl said with a smile.

"I know but I really needed this. It's been a long day." Nandini replied.

"I get it, so what brings you to Melbourne?" She questioned.

"Work." Nandini replied.

"Nice, are you originally from Australia or else where?" She asked as she took a sip of her iced tea.

"I'm actually from India and I work there too. I'm just doing a work placement here in Australia for the next few weeks." Nandini replied.

"Nice, I used to live in India too but I moved here 5 years ago."

"Really? That's amazing. Do you miss India?" Nandini questioned as she started to stroke Snow.

"A lot! I miss my family and friends there but works allows me to travel to India at least once every year, so it's not all bad." She replied with a smile.

"That's really good. Did you move because of work?" Nandini further asked.

"You could say that. I mean partly because of work but mainly because of love. My boyfriend is Australian, he's the main reason why I moved to Australia."

"Awh that's adorable. You must really love him if you moved half way across the world."

"I do, I really do." She replied with a smile. Just then her phone rang and she excused herself from the conversation.

"Hi babe, Snow tried to escape again so I was chasing after her. I'm just in the coffee shop right now. Will come up in 5. Love you!" The girl said to an unknown voice. Babe? Might be her boyfriend thought Nandini.

"That's my cue to leave, my boyfriend is wondering where Snow and I disappeared to. Hun it was really nice to meet you, hope to bump into you again soon. Take care." She said as she walked away with her cat.

"It was lovely to meet you too and Snow as well. See you around." Nandini replied as she finished the last of her coffee. She then made her own way to her room.

As Nandini unlocked her hotel room and went inside, she saw a figure lying on her sofa. She smiled at the man laying peacefully on her sofa.

"Manik." She softly whispered as she tried to wake him up. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled upon seeing her face.

"What are you doing here? And how did you get in?" Nandini questioned.

"I came to see you but you weren't in your room so I thought of waiting here to surprise you. I forgot to tell you but our rooms have adjoined rooms in between so I can come into your room whenever I want as long as it's unlocked."

"Seriously? Now I'll have to make sure it's locked." Nandini said sternly.

"You're being mean!" He whined.

"You're being dramatic." She replied.

"Being dramatic is what I do. By the way, where were you?"

"I couldn't sleep so I went down to the coffee shop and I met the cutest cat and her lovely owner. We had a little chit chat." Nandini said as she threw herself on the sofa next to him.

"That's nice, anyways I love you and I would love to sit and chit chat but we have practice tomorrow and I don't want to be exhausted. You also go to sleep, you'll need to be there too." He said as he kissed her forehead.

"I know, I know. Good night. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night babe." He replied as he got up to leave

"Cringe!" Nandini shouted.

"Whatever Doc."

"Now that's more like it, VC." She said with a smirk

Next day:

Team Australia had finishing practicing and it was now India's turn to use the pitch for training. Nandini was conducting a physio session with Rohit Sharma while the other players were out on the field practicing.

"You think I'll be okay to play the next match?" Rohit asked worriedly.

"Of course. Your leg is still a little stiff but one more of our physio session and you'll be good to go." Nandini replied.

"That's great news. Thank you. You're pretty good at this sports physio thing you know. I mean considering you've never worked in the sports industry before." Rohit praised her.

"Thank you. I'm used to treating sport injuries at the hospital but definitely not as much as I do here." Nandini said as she helped Rohit stretch his injured leg.

"Would you consider doing this permanently?" Rohit questioned.

"I love it here. The team is amazing, the perseverance and dedication I see in this team is unmatched, I get to meet so many different people from across the world, I basically get to travel the world while working, and of course I get to spend more time with Manik, that's always a bonus. But as much as all these things are absolutely amazing, the hospital is where I truly feel my best self. I get to treat people of all ages, religion, cast, gender, and class. I get to meet new people every single day. I get to hear about their stories, their struggles, and their achievements. It's honestly so rewarding working at the hospital. Don't get me wrong, this job is equally rewarding but the hospital is where I'm at my best." Nandini explained.

"Fair enough. It's good that you know exactly what you want and you're not afraid to fulfil those dreams." Rohit said with a smile.

"Nandini, we need you on the field quickly." Hardik rushed in.

"What's the matter Hardik?" Nandini asked worriedly.

"It's Manik, he's sprained his ankle in practice. It's the same leg that was fractured a few months back. Coach is worried it may be serious." Hardik explained.

"I'm coming. Rohit, I'll catch up with you later."

"I'll come down with you." Rohit said as he followed Nandini and Hardik down.

The three of them rushed down to the field were Manik was injured. Let it not be anything serious thought Nandini.

As she rushed onto the field, she saw a sight which caused a mix of emotions. Manik was there in front of her comfortably moving his ankle as the woman next to him supported him.

"Slowly lift it again. You can do it." The mysterious woman said.

"I'm fine." Manik replied.

"You say that all the time. You don't always have to put an image of the strong boy." The woman stated. This is exactly what Nandini used to say to Manik.

"Aray I'm not putting up any image. I'm fine. I'm able to walk. You just want to rule me out of the team because I'm obviously a threat to your team." Manik said with a smirk.

"Manik Malhotra, egoistic as always. Theek ho tum, just ice it and it should be fine." The woman replied. They both seemed to share a good rapport with each other, but who is this woman thought Nandini.

"Thanks Doc, I mean Naina." Manik replied and this shocked Nandini. He was with Naina, the Naina. And how could he call her Doc? That was his nickname for Nandini.

"Naina?" Nandini mumbled. Hardik realised the emotions Nandini must be feeling and so like a good friend, he put his arm around her shoulder and comforted her.

"Hey Manik, everything okay?" Rohit immediately spoke. He knew this encounter would be hurting Nandini and he wanted it to be over as soon as possible.

"I'm fine bro, Nandini? When did you come?" Manik said as he noticed Nandini standing there in shock.

"Woh Hardik said you were hurt so I came to help but I can see you already have been helped. Thanks Naina." Nandini replied softly.

It is at this moment that Naina turned around and faced Nandini.

"Tum?" Nandini said in shock.

"Hey, it's good to see you again." Naina replied with a smile.

"You guys know each other?" Manik questioned.

"Not really. We bumped into each other at the coffee shop last night. Acha Nandini, how do you know all these guys?" Naina questioned.

"I work with Team India. I'm their physiotherapist." Nandini replied.

"That's cool. So you're my replacement!" Naina said with a smirk.

"Excuse me. I'm not your replacement." Nandini said defensively.

"Aray, I was joking. Anyway, it was lovely to meet you Nandini. I'll see you around. And Manik, ice it! Don't forget." Naina said with a smile as she left the field. After sensing the tension between the couple, Rohit and Hardik too walked off.

"Nandini woh...." Manik tried to explain.

"She's nice, achi hai woh." Nandini said softly.

"I had hurt my foot and she was on the field. Team Australia had just finished practicing, she saw me and she came to help. I didn't know how to react." Manik said.

"It's okay Manik, you don't have to explain anything. She's a doctor, it was her duty to help you. She did the right thing. But why did you call her Doc? That's my nickname nah." Nandini said softly.

"Sorry Nandini, it just slipped out of my mouth. I didn't mean for it to come out like that." Manik said apologetically.

"Hmmm. I guess you don't need my help anymore so I'll see you later." Nandini said as she turned to walk away.

"Nandini, I'm sorry." Manik called out.

"For what?" She questioned.

"I don't know. I just feel like I've upset you and I should apologise." Manik said.

"Manik you were going to come face to face with her eventually and ignoring would be hard. We're all grown ups here, we can't act childish and decide not to speak to people. That's not how adulting works. So I don't have a problem that you spoke to her. I guess I'm just a little insecure. I know I have nothing to worry about but kya karu, dil suntaa hi nahi." Nandini said honestly.

"Iss dil ko samjaho that my heart only beats for yours. I love you Nandini. She was my past and let's leave it there. You are my present and hopefully my future. I don't want to or need to think about anyone else. Understand?" Manik said as he cupped her face.

"Got it. I love you Manik." She said as she placed a kiss on his cheeks.

"And I love you. Bohat zyaada! Trust me when I say this, when I started to love you, I realised I have never loved anyone like this before." He said as he pecked her forehead.

A/N: Chapter 38 updated. I'm so sorry this has taken so long. I've had a busy few months and found it hard to take time out to write. I can't promise I'll be able to update regularly but I will try to update when and where I can. Hope you enjoyed this sweet chapter and I hope you're all well. ☺️❤️ Lots of love xxx