Hi guys, as we all know Niti is participating in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa this year, we are going to trend for her on twitter today, 8 p.m.

Do join the trend.

More details you can see in the media box. Also, I have no idea why didn't media picture showed in the previous chapter. I will check it once.

Enjoy Reading :)
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Nandini frowned when she opened her eyes. Unlike how she slept, she was not on her bed. Instead she was standing in the middle of the hall in her very home.

She looked around, her eyes fell on Niyonika who was sitting on the couch wearing a grey coloured saree, a colour Nandini knew Niyonika never wears for she calls it dull and lifeless. So why now?

Her father in law was sitting beside her, his glasses on and reading a newspaper, something he did whenever he wanted to escape.

They both looked tired and gloomy. Nandini frowned and walked forward. She passed from the corridor coming across Cabir and Navya's room. The door was ajar open and Mukti stood outside crying while palming her mouth. Nandini looked inside and Cabir and Navya are fighting aloud, shouting and screaming until Cabir broke a vase and left while Navya only cried louder.

Nandini walked to her room. Manik was sitting on the couch working on his laptop.

Nandini: Manik-

Nandini stopped in mid. A baby's cries echoed in the room. Nandini's head snaped in the direction where her baby laid in the baby cot, crying and needy for attention.

Her eyes widened as she walked to the baby and tried to pick him up but is unable to.
She looked at Manik, who seemed to have stiffened but never moved. His fingers worked more than faster on the laptop keyboard.

Nandini looked around, their wedding frame which always adored the wall behind their bed, was misssing. Moreover, there was not even a single picture in the whole room. Where was she?

What was she seeing?

Nandini moved out of the room, going back in the hall. She saw Manik now standing there from some distance.

Nandini: Manik?

She called out but he didn't turn like always. He shifted from one foot to another and Nandini frowned. What was he seeing with so much concentration? She walked forward and her breathe hitched in her throat.

There, hung a big portrait of her with a flower garland around it. She looked at Manik, and found him smiling, his smile so bitter that she felt her stomach churning. He was breathing in a world, she didn't stay in anymore. And he hated her for it.

Nandini: Manik!

She cried this time but Manik didn't hear again. He walked to their room. Nandini smiled this time. Her baby won't cry anymore. So what if she was not here, Manik was there.

But she frowned again when Manik only glanced at the baby before walking to the couch where he sat previously. He sat there working, his forehead tense and the baby cried louder every passing second.

He must be hungry.

He must want something!

Why was Manik not attending to him?

Nandini saw when he abruptly got up and walked to the cot. She stared in hope but it all came crashing down the next moment.

Manik: Shut up!

Manik yelled loudly. Nandini flinched and the baby cried louder than ever.

Nandini gasped, everything hitting her at once she opened her eyes. She let out a strangled cry, gasping for air and coughed. Manik who sleeping beside her woke up the next moment.

Manik: Nandini? God! Baba, kya hua?

His first reaction was panick but as he processed everything, he realised she might have seen a bad dream. Turning on the lights, he wiped the sweat from her face and filled up a glass of water for her. She gulped down half of it in large sips and he carressed her back gently.

Manik: It is okay, relax. Bura sapna dekha?

She looked at him, silent and scared. Her whole figure was shivering and he wondered what scared her like this.

Nandini: Y-You- You yelled at our baby.

It was an accusation. Manik's eyes soften, realising what it was. He gently held her hand and tried to cup her cheek.

Manik: Nandini- I am sorry.

Nandini: No! O-our baby, he was crying so much and- and you didn't hold him. You yelled at him to shut up. You- you didn't love our baby.

She accused again pushing him away and tried to stand up. Her mind was so messed up that she couldn't differentiate between reality and a dream. For her, it had happened. She saw it with her own eyes. Manik didn't get up. He hated her baby as he said he would. How could he?

Manik: Nandini, baby- it was a dream. Please calm down.

Nandini: no, our baby- he was here, Manik.

She pointed at the particular spot where she had seen the baby cot. Manik stood up too to hold her but she moved back wiping her face harshly and walked to the couch before he could do so. She pointed at the couch and gulped before looking at Manik.

Nandini: Y-You were sitting here. You didn't get up when our baby was crying. He- He was crying so much. I- I couldn't even hold him, Manik.

And with that, she broke out into sobs. Manik felt the moisture hitting his eyes as he stared at her. He slowly walked to her, scared she would push him away but was glad when she didn't. He held her tightly, close to his heart which was thudding so loud.

He had no idea what was happening to them. In the middle of the night, they were crying and breaking apart.

Manik: It was a dream, only a dream. Nothing real baby.

Nandini: but it felt so real, Manik. You didn't even hear me. I called you. Why didn't you, Manik?  I was so helpless. I wanted to hold him. He was crying so much.

She couldn't stop muttering under her breathe. Manik didn't even know what was she crying for now, was she crying because she couldn't hold the baby? Or was it because she called out for him and he didn't hear her? He always did, how dare he not in her dream?

He wanted to go back in her dream and hug her tight, tell her sorry for he made her cry but he was helpless. All he could do was hold her as she cried her heart out.

As the time passed, her cries subsided to mere sniffs. Manik slowly took her to the bed and helped her lay down. He left her hand for a moment to turn off the light and get on the bed, when she held his hand immediately.

Nandini: Don't go, please.

Manik smiled, amidst the tears as he kept his palm over her hand.

Manik: I am here, just a moment?

Nandini left his hand slowly and watched as he switched off the lights before walking to the washroom. He came out within few minutes, eyes red from all the rubbing and crying he did inside and laid beside her quietly.

Nandini: Are you okay?

Manik: Yess, as long as you are fine, I am too. Sleep now, you cry so much.

He frowned at the end while patting her head. Nandini didn't say anything as he continued to speak about the things that made no sense until she fell sleep.

And even when she did, Manik couldn't.

He sat there, all night thinking of everything, trying to find any solution. He was sure the God has something planned for them and he hoped it would be in his favour.

The next morning, Nandini was normal or atleast she tried too. She didn't mention anything about the dream from the last night but Manik saw her looking in the direction she said was the baby cot.

Her eyes would wander to everyone else and at him again. He wanted to go to the office to get some distraction but then, his father told him to stay at home. He was right too, Nandini needed him. He couldn't leave her alone at this point.

He let out a tiring sigh as he came back to the room. Last night had exhausted him. Nandini was sitting on the bed writing something. She looked startled at his sudden entry.

Manik: What?

Nandini: Why did you come back?

Manik: I didn't go. Dad suggested not to go so I took a leave.

Nandini: and work?

Manik shrugged, walking to her and she hid whatever she was writing quickly. Manik's eyes narrowed at her actions but he didn't say anything.

Manik: Dad is there, and Cabir is helping too.

Nandini: Is he fine now?

Manik: He is, though he says he goes to office only to share the workload, I know he is doing this for Navya and equally enjoys it.

Nandini smiled.

Nandini: He is a nice husband.

Manik: Excuse me? You should say this for me.

Nandini: Should I?

She teased. He looked at her open mouthed.

Manik: You- Let our baby come out I will tell you, what should you say.

Nandini laughed throwing her head back and as Manik stared at her, he couldn't help the smile at his own face. This moment - he wanted to pause it here and cherish it forever.

Life had thrown the hardest struggle at them. If not slaying it, they were passing it well, always giving their best and being happy.

Nandini: You are too much, Manik!

Manik: Ofcourse, you are not even happy your husband is at home.

Nandini: I am, ofcourse. See,

She grinned, the teasing glint never leaving her eyes and he shook his head in disbelief. Nandini chuckled and took his hand only to keep it on her swollen belly.

Manik waited and a second later the baby kicked. Manik jumped, staring at her wide eyed and she laughed. It was not the first time, but Manik's reaction was always the same.

Manik: He kicks.

Nandini: yes.

Manik: Damn, he is growing up. He was just a tiny seed before.

Nandini: Ofcourse, Manik.

She laughed more as he stared at her.

Manik: Nandini.

Nandini: yes?

Manik: Let's go on a date.

Nandini blinked, processing his words before blushing red and Manik let out a small chuckle.

Manik: You have our baby inside you, seven months Nandini but you still blush with the word date alone.

Nandini: Manik! Don't tease me no!

She blushed more and he laughed out loud.

Manik: Okay Okay, Get ready or shall I help you?

Nandini: No, I will call Navya. I need her help anyways.

Manik nodded, and waited patiently as she called Navya and both the ladies walked away. Manik sat there for a few moments, his eyes travelling to what she was writing on.

Letters.

He picked them up, and went through a few. Each letter was addressed to every member of their family. There were eleven of them.

There was one addressed to him too. But it only had two words "Dear Manik."

Either she stopped writing because he came in unannounced or she had nothing to write for him.

Manik chuckled in between the tears. Stupid woman. She had no idea how much it will break his heart.

He wanted to go and reprimand her for such stupidity but it would be just a call for an another break down and today he wanted to make her smile.

Keeping the letters back on their previous place, he left the room too.

Dates were always special. They didn't do anything fancy on a date. Max, they would get a beach decorated for the other person and spend some quality time.

Normally, it included going to a fancy restaurant and having a conversation over their favourite food. Manik would bring her flowers, and they would talk about anything and everything, even petite things like discussing the color of the wall behind them, or how the texture of the table cloth was not upto the mark.

A date was just a way to steal time for each other from the long run of life and today was no different.

Nandini looked on as Manik talked to a client over the phone. He had been explaining from the past five minutes that he was out with his wife and would talk later or they could contact his father but the client wouldn't budge.

At the end, he ended up yelling at him and hung up the phone. He looked up, Nandini looked him worried and seeing this he shook his head and smiled gently.

Manik: Sorry, I didn't mean to yell.

Nandini: Is everything okay?

Manik: Ofcourse, they will contact dad.

Nandini: It won't cause problems?

Manik shrugged, leaving the matter and the waiter came with their order. The next half hour they enjoyed their food with all the concentration.

Manik: Vaise, I just realised we didn't even name our baby!

Nandini paused before looking up. Her eyes twinkled and Manik chuckled inwardly at her self control. She had a name, but she would ask him first.

Nandini: Do you have one?

Manik: I don't. Do you?

She nodded excitedly and Manik leaned on the table to hear, as excited as she was.

Nandini: Rohan.

She grinned and with that, all the excitement Manik had vanished in the thin air. He scowled before leaning back.

Manik: There are two Rohan in our office already. I don't want a third one. Besides, it is not even cool.

Nandini: But it is no, it is pretty cool. Rohan.

Manik: I don't know. My baby will not have this name. And don't take my employess name with so much love! I will fire both of them!

Nandini rolled her eyes, ignoring what he said at the last.

Nandini: He is my baby too.

Manik: Yes, and we have equal rights. I disagree to your name.

Nandini made a bad face, upset and Manik thought for a moment.

Manik: How about Ruh-

Nandini: No!

Manik: What?

Nandini: I don't like it.

Manik: You didn't even hear the full name.

Nandini: I don't need to. I disagree to it. You said we have equal rights.

Manik looked at her in disbelief. Okay, he needed to calm down. They were outside. She was pregnant. She was having mood swings. It was completely normal for her to behave this way.

Manik: Fine. Equal rights. Let's find another name.

Nandini shrugged and went back on eating as if nothing happened while all he could do was scoff in anger.

Paying the bill and having a little icecream date on their way, they came back home. Since it was time to sleep already, they decided to freshen up and call the day.

By the time Manik came out of the washroom, Nandini was already sound sleep on the bed. He chuckled at the way she was sleeping, with her blanket half on the floor and half on bed. The lazy woman didn't even remove any jewellery.

Manik sighed as he walked to her. He removed her earings, a bracelet she was wearing and the safety pins from her hair. He set the blanket right, and was going to stand up when his eyes fell on the side table where the empty letter from earlier peeked out. This time, it had words.

Manik picked it up.

Dear Manik,

Be happy. I love you always.

Also, Ruhaan is not a cool name either so we can keep Ahaan, it is cool and fifty fifty?

He chuckled, wiping the tears from his eyes and looked back at her.

Manik: Stupid.

Nandini moved in sleep, and mumbled under her breathe.

Nandini: Ahaan is not stupid. It is cool.

Manik: Right, Ahaan is a very cool name.

Nandini: you don't like it.

Manik: I do.

Nandini: So like Ahaan too. Love him, he is pretty cool too.

Manik fell silent, eyes softening further and Nandini whined in sleep on hearing no reply. He patted her head and looked back at the letter.

Manik: How can I not like Ahaan? He is your other half Nandini and no matter what, I will always love him.

Nandini: I love you, Manik.

Manik: I wonder if you are actually sleeping but still, I love you more.

She snuggled in the blanket, satisfied and Manik smiled bending down to kiss her head.

To Be Continued.

One more chapter to go..

Also, I was wondering if you guys will be interested in a general fiction?
I have a concept in my mind.. so do tell me if you are willing to read.

Thankyou,

I will be updating next week only..