Precap: 

Manik gave two three punches in air muttering "Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. This calls for party and for someone to lose the bet! Someone should know Manik malhotra's charm always works. nandini and I are friends! Shit!"

'Friendship ke liye haa bola hai I love you nahi, itna nacho mat budhe ho rahe ho kamar lachak gyi toh Nandini chali jayegi haath se.' His conscience mocked

"The moment when I thought I can be happy!" Manik shook his head and got back to his work but with a huge, massive, charming swoon worthy smile but that soon turned into thin line and angry eyes when a message popped up on his screen.

'Hope my priceless possession is safe with you Mr. Malhotra.'

⋆✦⋆ 

"Sir, we have a problem." Curse spoke as soon as he came into Manik's cabin after he allowed him.

"And I might know what the problem is Curse."  Manik's jaw clenched looking at his phone's screen.  'She is not yours, never was, never will be.' he whispered dialing the  first number in his speed dial. 

"Cabir I want you and the guys here. Now." Hearing his reply Manik cut the call. 

Manik rushed towards Nandini's cabin, though he knew she was safe but his heart won't calm down unless and until he sees her. He was about to knock but the door opened revealing the lady of the time herself. 

Nandini was surprised  to see him there but she wavered it off thinking he was here to know about his meeting which was half hour away, "Manik? What happened? I was coming to you. Your meeting is scheduled..." 

"Nandini cancel all the meetings,  I will be busy for few hours with some crucial work and I want you stay here in your cabin, okay? Do not and I repeat do not go out without telling me and you are taking Ace and Spade with you wherever you go. Clear?" His voice was calm yet on the edge which caused frown lines on Nandini's forehead.  

"Manik? What happened?" Nandini asked slowly looking deep into his eyes unconsciously looking for answers and Manik had allowed her to read his eyes. She was the only person he wanted to read his eyes. 

"I'll tell you about it Nandini but first promise me you'll abide by whatever I have said." He badly wanted to cup her cheeks and give her the assurance but he k ew his limits, she has accepted him as his friend  but did not give that right yet. All he had to do now is work hard and smart to get her love. 

"I promise." Nandani's answer gave him the much needed satisfaction. He knew she'll abide by the promise, he had read her eyes just like she did and the only person Nandini allowed to do so unknown to her and him as well.  

"Good, I'll see you in few. Be in your cabin only if possible." Manik gave her a small smile with a slight nod and turned to him when a small whisper stopped 

"Manik?" 

"Yeah?" He somewhere knew that what Nandini was going to ask, the worry on her face gave away the hint. 

"Its Nishant, right?" Nandini asked the only question Manik had no answer about. How will he answer that it was true.

Manik looked at her without answering but she got the answer she wanted. It was about Nishant and the mere word caused her palms sweaty and her body shaking. Manik looked at her shaking at figure which was trying to control the anxiety by fiddling with the fingers, the sweat beads noticeable on her forehead, the worry in her nice everything pointed at how vulnerable she was right now and how hard she was trying not to breakdown and burst into tears. 

She was happy today but Nishant didn't let her, staying with Malhotras and feeling safe she momentarily forgot that Nishant was still out their waiting for a chance to get his hands back on her and this time she'll prefer killing him and going jail over going through that pain, torcher and humiliation again. 

Manik couldn't resists himself from touching and soothing her with assurance and she was snapped out of her revere when she felt a pair of protective palms cupping her cheeks. She didn't knew how but a traitor tear slipped from her eyes, the only thing she dreaded about. Manik makes her feel protective, the shoulder she can lean on to, but she didn't wanted to. it felt like burdening him as well as letting her guards down, she couldn't afford to do that especially when her future was not stable but... but she didn't know how long she'll be able to resists it. for how long she'll be able to say no to acknowledge how she and he feels because she knew the day she does that Manik will let the world be on fire but never leave her, this much toh she have understood about him but she will ruin him, his happiness, his peace and above all the fire that Manik will let world be on they live in the same world and they won't be the exception of that fire but the question was, were the strong enough and will Nandini let the fire consume them knowing the result will come out nothing but disastrous?

"Can I go home please?"

⋆✦⋆ 

"Curse, call Spade and ask him to escort Nandini to Meher mansion safely ask for more guards to accompany them." Manik ordered as soon as he came inside his Cabin after having a conversation with Nandini.

"Azrael." Curse bowed down and left to fulfil his boss's orders. 

"Curse. Not a single scratch or I will burn you alive. Ask the body guards to do their work properly especially Ace and Spade. Any danger near Nandini and I repeat any danger near Nandini destroy and don't let any suspicious activity or person go." 

He heard Manik warning him before he could leave the cabin. Curse turned around and gave a invisibly small smile to Manik, this face which was only reserved for him. Cursed was his first supporter other than his family who wanted Manik to run the Mafia when his mentor and former head of the Indian Mafia or as people address Bombay underworld  forwarded Manik's name as the next head. Other than his family that includes Nandini the only person Manik could trust blindly was Curse and he had earned it he wasn't rewarded with this just because he was the first person to support Manik.   

"Yes Azrael. You can trust me on that. I won't let anything happen to your happiness even if it is at the stake of my life." That man was in his early 40s, with the look of late 20s and loyalty and bravery that cannot match. Manik still wonders why did he choose to be with him then going to others who offered him great deals. 

"I believe you Curse but I won't go back on my words no matter how much ever I believe you. one scratch and you know where you will belong." Manik joked but both of them knew how serious he was, Curse knew his chief has found his happiness and he will try as hard as he can to keep his happiness intact that was one of the promises he made to him. 

⋆✦⋆ 

A plan was forming in Manik's mind when a sudden opening of the door startle him, he passed an angry glare to the person but the person being who she is, she grinned at him as if nothing happened while Manik was looking at her as if she has committed a crime which made her roll her eyes and that provoked him more. 

"What the hell happened? And where is Bhabhi, I went to see her nut she wasn't in her cabin."

"A knock Meher Malhotra." Meher glared at hos brother and stomped her feet towards the exit of his Cabin and knocked the door  knowing her brother wouldn't let her live unless she knock the door. 

"Come in." Manik smirked looking at pouting with red cheeks Meher sitting in front of him. "It wasn't that hard now, was it?"  Meher's pouted intensified more if it was even possible causing Manik to mentally chuckle, but he cannot fail to think what's with his women pouting every time he orders them something to do and they put at him with red cheeks may I add.  

"Where are others? And Don't roll your eyes at me." Manik asked now observing that only Meher came in and also the number of times she rolled her eyes at him.  

"On the way and you stop avoiding my questions I'll stop rolling my eyes." Both brother and sister frowned at each other for different reasons. 

"And you came here running, didn't you? I have told you hundred times Meher not go alone anywhere." Manik raised his eyebrows and looked into her eyes  making Meher know he was really pissed at her making her squirm in her chair. 

"Bhai, I'm safe here." Meher said softly looking at her brother with puppy eyes, seeing no change in his brother's figure even after seeing her puppy eyes se huffed at him, "C'mon its Malhotra heights you have guards and cameras at every coroner." 

"Meher when I say something for you to follow why is it so hard for you to follow?" Manik skimmed his fingers through his hair in frustration. 

"Why are you so annoyed?" Meher questioned looking at her brother's frustrated and annoyed look. By now everybody entered Manik's Cabin without knocking when they heard both brother and sister yelling at each other. 

"Because you make me annoyed." Manik raised his voice a little making Meher's eyes water automatically. No matter how old she gets, she still doesn't like when her brother shouts at her, hence its rare for Manik to lose his control when Meher is around and the people who entered glared at Manik for making Meher cry and now that was another reason that he didn't falter his attention from his sister. 

When she sniffed a little and wiped her nose through back of her hand that's when Manik came to his senses while others occupied the space where they can sit and were busy chatting wither each other. They knew the brother sister will solve it out and they gave them their space. 

"Manik sighed heavily moved to his sister taking her in a warm hug and Meher readily snuggled into his brother's warmth, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you." 

Meher looked at him with teary eyes and with a pout of course, Manik wiped her tears and smiled a little looking at his cute sister. She meant the world to him and he'll be hapless (doomed) if he lost her because of the profession he was in. 

"I'm sorry too, from next time I'll make one of them is there with me all the times when I go out. Wo we were coming to the office na so I couldn't control my excitement to meet Bhabhi."  Meher promised and explained herself when suddenly it clicked her but before she could utter anything Cabir spoke,

"Okay guys time out." Cabir stood up from his place and moved near the mini refrigerator, taking out a juice carton he settled down on his previous place and looked at the people who till now were observing his every move. 

"What? You people also ask something, sab kaam mei hi karu kya?" Cabir looked at the other four that is, Ansh, Rehaan, Dhruv and Vihaan and all the people present their just rolled their eyes while shaking their head, its of no use. Cabir Dhawan can never  straighten out. 

"Why are we here Manik?" Ansh took the lead and got Manik's attention. 

"Why is she here?" But before answering Manik looked at the five men in the room and asked why was his sister involved in this. 

"Umm... I thought she is the part of the plan? And..." Cabir spoke but Meher stopped him before he could continue. 

"I'll answer! One because I'm joining your Mafia as an assistant hacker, two if its about Nandini I'm ought to be here because I'm her best friend."  and that irked Manik more, as crazy as he may sound he was jealous too. Today only Nandini offered her friendship to him and he was happy but his sister had to rub it on his face that she (Nandini) already has a best friend! 

But she herself offered him something and that was friendship. He was happy with it, their relation was growing even if he is friend-zoned right now, his hope was growing and that mere thought made him happy vanishing his worries and jealousy. He just looked at Meher and gave her a small smile and to say not only Meher but others present there too were surprised will be an understatement. They expected Manik to get angry, they expected everything but not this! 

What was happening that they didn't knew? 

"We will talk about you joining my team at home Meher Malhotra but for now..." Manik went back to his and passed his cell phone to Cabir who read the message and a blank look married his features, he passed the cell phone to others and they wore the same look as him and looked at Manik who sat leisurely on his chair revolving the paper weight and a winning smirk on his face.

"Time to make him taste his own medicine." Ansh was the first one to speak, he was staring at the window behind Manik. 

"Mhhm, Nishant Khattar should start counting his days, shouldn't he buddy?" Dhruv looked at him with a gilt of craze and happiness but his face was still blank like others.  

"He is doing what we expected him to! Right Big bear?" Meher spoke excitedly and looked at others but frowned seeing their blank faces. 

"That day isn't far when Nandini will give him the punishment he deserves." Vihaan spoke remembering how he saw Nandini for the first time. There was something about this girl which broke his heart seeing her tear filled eyes begging. He knew if Manik had sent him here then that girl must be special but he didn't knew he will also vouch to protect that girl with his life the moment he saw her unconscious in Manik's arms. 

"Manik why are so quite. Speak something."  Cabir was the last one to speak, Manik silence was irking him, he knew some plan was brewing in his mind. 

They wanted  Nishant to contact Manik. Hence Nishant had Manik's number with him right now. He made it easy for Nishant's spies to get his number, but he never told them the plan and they one better than questioning him friend and family or not you do not question your chief unless you want to die or challenge him for his position or take the case to the camber. 

"Time to prepare Nandini, its her battle and she'll be fighting it. She'll be getting her own justice. I want her to be the Shining Armor of her story." They nodded understandingly. 

"For now just increase the security around her without getting suspicious, further plan I'll discuss with you guys we need to involve Nandini in this now." They again nodded again with Cabir messaging the team which was on stand by for Nandini with his old model of Nokia, after showing the reply he got from them he removed the sim card destroyed it and flung it out of the window.  

All this while Meher was looking at Cabir with wide surprised eyes, its not like she didn't knew this all happens but seeing it happening in reality was slightly overwhelming for her, but boy she enjoyed seeing this, she blinked twice cleared her throat and looked at her big bear who was till now observing her, she raised her eyebrows and looked at him. now it was her time to observe her brother though Manik didn't show any expression he was sure his sister was reading him and knowing her she will be asking thousands of questions.

"By the way, what changed?" and there, he didn't even complete what he was thinking and she was ready with her questions. 

"What?" Manik gave her a confused look though he knew what she was asking

"That's what, what?" Meher kept her hand on her waist and was tapping her foot on the floor looking at him for answers. Hearing Manik's counter question no all the men in the room had their attention directed towards the duo, c'mon who will let go the opportunity of seeing Manik Malhotra aka Azrael tongue tied! 

"What's what... what, Meher?" Manik rolled his eyes and looked into his file to avoid the eye contact with anyone. The one thing everyone knew was he cannot lie to his sister even if he tried Meher would know. If he had brought up Meher like his own daughter then she has also given him the position of her father, her king, her super hero and she knew him better, may be not best but at least to the pint where she can tell if he is lying. 

"Meher!" 

"Manik" 

The both different heard the voice at the same time calling which belonged to Dhruv and Ansh respectively, each one of them asking the either one to keep quite and spill the beans asking the other three groan who where enjoying the scene. 

"Okay fine." Taking a deep breath he spoke. He had to tell them at some point of time so why not now, anything for keeping Meher quite. 

"Nandini offered her friendship to be all by herself." There he said it. He peaked from his file to look at everyone's emotions and they did not disappoint him, they were all dumbstruck just like he was few moments back when Nandini all by herself asked him to be her friend. Can this day get any better!  

"Matlab aap friend zone hogye?" Vihaan who still looked appalled causing all the person excluding Manik to wallow themselves in the fits of laughter! 

"Shahbash Kohli, you proved me that you are my best friend and not with him." Meher and Cabir cheered at the same time and laughed more looking at Manik who was giving murderous glared to Vihaan and Ansh and Dhruv who was  consoling Manik and our Rehaan Baba recording everything and sending to his wife! 

⋆✦⋆ 

"Hello" Nandini was sitting in the garden. her mom wasn't feeling well today and she was resting and at home no one was present other than Navya and Mishti and of course the guards. The silence in the mansion was suffocating her it felt like it was silent before the storm and she did not wanted to feel it, it was causing her to loose her sanity hence she decided to take a walk in the beautiful garden of Meher Mansion and sooth her nerves but that didn't worked too. feeling tires she took a seat on the couch present there staring at nothing in particular when he heard a timid baby voice. 

"Nan-ini massi ki Mishti. What are you doing here baby?"  Nandini smiled looking at the little doll standing in front of her with a box of Gulab Jamun in her hands. Nandini forwarded her hands inviting Mishti in her arms. Mishti smiled and willingly ran towards Nandini and sat on her lap making Nandini to protectively wrap her hands around her. 

"I'm sorry baby, I didn't spend time with you since the time I came here, please forgave your maasi." Nandini kissed her baby soft cheeks and hugged her more tightly making sure she isn't hurting Mishti.

"Don't worry Nan-ini maasi Navi said that I should give you thodu sa time and not disturb you ishiliye Mishti became a good girl and not come to you, but now toh Mishti saw you sad na toh she went inside and brought this for you, with the help of kaka, okay? Don't tell Navi she'll shout, papa says Navi only knows to shout." Mishti giggled at her own words making Nandini giggled with her too and going aww on her cuteness. Children can make you happy with their one smile just like Mishti did to her. 

Nandini then looked at the box of Gulab Jamun in Mishti's hands and then looked at her with questioning smile, "Gulab jamun...why Baby?"

"Because its my and chocolate boy's and Meher Bui also favorite, he says whenever you are sad eat Gulab Jamun. Imagine your this blacky ball as your sadness" he opened the box with Nandini help and pointed at the black Jamun and continued speaking, "which is dipped into this sweet sticky water which is your happiness, which means if you are sad your happiness in w-crap in that sadness toh eat your sadness and let the sweet taste of sticky water stay in your mouth just like happiness does. If you are sad that means your happiness is on the way." 

Mishti tried her best remembering Manik's words and explaining Nandini, and she succeeded too, Nandini understood all her words and also that how she mispronounced wrap has crap. She didn't wanted to correct her now though, sometimes later may be, she just wanted to enjoy the feeling this little munchkin was giving. 

"Thank you so much mera baccha. you helped your nan-ini massi a lot." Nandini kissed her forehead and cheeks and blew raspberries on her cheeks causing her to shriek in happiness and burst into giggles, and Nandini was enjoying her expressions with giggles. 

'Unknowingly today too you helped me Manik. Thank you.' Nandini thought to here3lf with a smiled on her face.

"But Nan-ini massi Not me, chocolate boy, thank him."  Mishti said eating another Gulab Jamun bringing back Nandini from her thoughts but then she asked something which made Nandini flabbergasted,  "Do you like chocolate boy nan-ni maasi?" Mishti looed at Nandini for answers with her innocent eyes and Nandini didn't knew what to say. it was a simple question with simple meaning though she was finding it hard to answer, of course she liked Manik as a person but this questioned seems different to her as if Mishti was hinting towards something different but Nandini knew Mishti wasn't capable of thinking such things. 

"umm... He is good?" Nandini tire to answer keeping her irrational thoughts aside but it still came our as a question. 

"Not best?" Mishti pouted at Nandini's answer as it was not what Mishti expected but then she smiled and spoke before Nandini who was trying to come up with an answer could say something. 

"Don't worry, you just met him na slowly slowly you'll get to know why he is the best." Nandini smiled and nodded at her, she didn't knew how to response to this situation but one thing that Mishti told stuck in her mind, She needed to thank Manik more than need she wanted to thank him for what he has done for her till now despite of her bring stubborn, irrational, irritating and sometimes acting indifferently. 

"Mishti, will you help me?" Suddenly an idea stuck her and she asked Mishti for her help. 

"Will I get an ice-cream?" Mishti asked innocently. 

"Only after your Mumma says yes." hearing this she made a crying face but agreed nonetheless. 

4112 words, N number of time clicking back button, four times deleting the whole chapter which consisted above 2000 words by the way and numerous amounts of self doubt and self criticism after I present you all this chapter.  

The excitement of saying bye bye to my exams gave me the motivation to write this chapter again hope it fulfils your expectations, if not believe me I'm trying harder. Maybe next time? May be. 

Any words for Mishti and Nandini, I forgot to add their scenes and show their bond pardon my tardiness again and I hope you enjoyed their moment.

Nandini and Manik's moment?  Nandini is trying to come out of her shell unknowingly because of Manik and for Manik. At least she is trying to name her emotions, right? I hope I did justice their too. That was the hardest scene for me to write in this part, I wanted to show both Nandini's and  Manik's emotions at the same time. 

Thank you for reading and bearing with my irregular updates. 

I'll try to see you guys soon. 

Much love,

Amaya Kashaf.