He was pacing just outside the bathroom and asking her again n again about her being ok or not.This time he asked again"Nandini!! You are OK na??!! Itna time kyun lag raha hai shona ?? Should I come or send Navya??Bachha kuch toh bolo!? You are making me worried honey!!"

No response again.

He knows that she was crying,crying her heart out but the thing that was making him worried was her being alone and the way of her facing the situation; not giving him any chance to stand by her side to held her firmly in his embrace.And one more important thing which was making him worried was her health.

"What if she cries under the shower!!! She will catch cold !!! And..and that breathing trouble ... O God !! Nandini please open the door honey..Don't to this to me !!" Manik begged from outside.

But Nandini !! She was standing like a lifeless statue under the chilled water;She let her all the flaws drain with the water!!

"What if this happens to me again !!!"

"What if I couldn't get the oxygen at right time !!!"

"What if Manik couldn't hear me,fir Kya hota!!!"

"Do I have to live with help of that oxygen all my life"

"I will become a burden for Manik"

"What happened to me ??"

Nandini's mind was working overtime with all the unreasonable thoughts.And why won't !!?? She is a girl full of life.She spreads happiness wherever she goes,She has the supernatural power to melt the toughest stones,She has a magical wand,her smile which can solve the biggest troubles. She spreads positivity all around her.No one can ever make her sit at one place for a long time,,she is a bunny,she hops everywhere.She wants to live her life to the fullest,She is a free bird but these medical equipments makes her feel suffocated,She feels like someone is caging her.She won't be able to fly anymore.She won't be able to breathe in fresh air.She will be a burden.

But deep down she knows that When Manik is there nothing can harm her,her thoughts broke when the he knocked the door loud enough & she heard him,she heard her MAN,she heard the voice which only holds only love for her,concern for her "Please Nandini open the door,,main hoon na,kuch nehi hoga!! Maat ro meri jaan ,, You trust me right ?? Then darwaza kholo please"

She laughed on her own thoughts,Here she was thinking of being a burden on a man who can't even take a breathe without her..Who's day starts with her and ends with her.

She opened the door all drenched.She was wearing the same clothes from last night,she didn't dried herself,she didn't change.Her eyes were red due to constant crying.She was shivering due to the chilled water.

Manik died thousand deaths seeing her like this,he never in his wildest dreams thought of Nandini being this much helpless.Her this state is killing him.He hurriedly turned off the shower and draped her in a big towel and hugged her tightly in his warmth.

"Why are you doing this to yourself bolo,Kya Itna bhi bharosa nahi hai apni Mani par??" Manik said hurtfully.

She shot a look at him and raised her hand to hold his cheek,while caressing it she said painfully "I am alive !! Isn't it enough to understand for you that how much I trust you"

"Then why are giving pain to yourself !!! It hurts Nandini,,main maar raha hoon tumhe aise dekh kar !!! Maaf kardo apni Mani ko,,main Nahi protect kar paya tumhe,I failed you" He almost broke down.

"You can never fail me,My Mani is my magician remember that!! Never blame yourself for anything Manik!! I told you before also that You can't control everything,after all you are a human being!! Aur rahi baat protect karne Ki then hear me loud and clear Mr.Malhotra *You are the reason behind my existence,Jaab taak tumhari saansein chalegi tab tak main hoon,kuch bhi nahi ho sakta mujhey" She said sternly looking at his hazel orbs.

He didn't waste a min and kissed her to death,she responded with equal favour. There was a desperation,there was an urgency,there was a dominance in that kiss,& she was letting him do whatever he wants;ruffling his hair to calm down his emotions,His emotions which was tensed,he needed assurance,he needed love,he needed her.After what feels like eternity they broke apart and without wasting a min he scooped her in his arms and walked towards the dresser to change her clothes.After changing her clothes,he made her seat on the bed "Baby you sip on the juice till then I will take a quick shower,,and don't say no to the juice"

"Agar fresh juice hai toh main toh nai pee rai" She made her point clear just to earn a glare from him.

But who cares!!! Nandini she is right !!?? 😉😜

"Nai matlab nai,,fresh juice nah Mani woh ek smell athi hai ganda wala" She tried her best.

"Nandini!!! Stop this ok ?? And have the juice" Manik glared at her.

"Bhai ko bulaa lein??" Nandini tried her trick.

But!! If she is Nandini then she is dealing with Manik Malhotra too 😝

"No bhai abhi Nandini !!! Finish the juice or else you are not leaving the room for today !!! Am I clear ??" Manik warned her.He didn't allowed Her to call Cabir as he knows how these evil twins are !!! Somehow she will manage Cabir to skip her juice.

She frowned listening to his warnings and crunched her nose & earned a peck from Manik.

He pecked her nose & made her take a sip from the glass "You finish this I will be back just give me 15mins" and he runs into the bathroom.

4mins

"Manik Aur kitni time lagega?"

6mins

"Mani main niche jaau??"

"Nandini don't you dare step out,am coming!! Stay here" Manik said loud enough for her to hear.

"Main bore ho rahi hoon,sabke pass jaau??" Gaawd!!Nandini is restless kid.

"Let me come,you won't step out alone !! Achha do one thing !! you take my mobile,there's angry bird..aap khelo bachha!! I am coming" Manik said.

10mins

Nandini got bored and after gazing her surroundings that Manik isn't coming,she slowly makes a move and without making any sound she tip toeing went towards the door and tried to open but *Alas !!! That tiny frame !!*

She was trying from every angle to reach the top lock of the door but failed.She tip toed but failed,She jumped to reach but failed again.She looked at the lock angrily "Aayee Malhotra ke chamche niche aao,,Achha yeh samaz na aaraha k tum zyada lambein ho yaa main choti ??!!"

She was in deep thought.But it hit her mind suddenly "Chamche ho Na Malhotra k ??fir toh laambein hi hoge !! Paar come down,I can't reach!!"she made faces at the lock.

She waited tapping her foot,looking at everywhere but it didn't came down "Areh!! Haadh hai yeh toh !! Dikhta nei main ek nannhi si jaan hoon" & jumped again to reach but couldn't but a long hand opened the lock.She didn't look around knowing who's it!!

But a tap on her shoulder;she palmed her eyes.

Second tap on shoulder,she sighed.

Third tap on shoulder still she didn't move.

Fourth ..!!! Nyaah!!! It didn't come ...

After not getting any response she peeked from her fingers and There he's standing tall,hands on his waist,looking at her.

She showed her tooth and smiled. But he didn't.

She looked at everywhere and again looked at him smilingly but again he didn't ...

He raised his eye brows at her as if asking what's going on to which she replied "Noo.nothing!!! Baasss aise hii... The room is very safe .. Isn't it!! Wohi dekh rahi thi bass.. Lamba na hou toh nehi khol sakte,Goo..good it is" She said while walking towards the bed and sat down on the same place Manik had made her sit.

Manik was observing this sweet from a long time suppressing his laughs on her antics & thinking "Can someone be more cute than this !!" He wanted to gobble up the sweetness at once but stayed quite to watch till the end.But seeing her failing again n again he couldn't hold back himself.

"Yeah that I can see" He said moving towards the dressing table.

She made faces which he saw through the mirror as he was combing his hair then.

She was tapping her foot restlessly,mingling her fingers with one another and again n again looking at lock;cursing it.Manik was watching her restless baby and enjoying her state but finally decided not to annoy her more.

"You know right you are the cutest" Manik said gritting his teeth out of love & give a smacker on her cheek.

"Haan,,Pata hai!! Par abhi chalo na..Kaha hai saab?? Ekbar bhi nai aayein mujhsey milney" She was annoyed.

"Ok,chalo..Lets see why No one came to meet my baby??" He said taking her in his arms.

As they came downstairs the scene in front made them surprised.

Cabir was sleeping,sitting on the couch,Navya was lying keeping her head on Cabir's left leg and Mukti was sleeping;sitting on the floor keeping her head on Cabir's right knee.Alya was sleeping on the other couch in Dhruv's embrace keeping her head on his heart.

Manik made Nandini stand and she walked towards Cabir and ruffles his hairs "Bhai!!"

And everyone got up with a sudden jerk that Nandini got scared and tumbled back in Manik's arm.Manik wrapped his arms around her.

"Bunny!!! Choti !!! Nandu !!! Nandini !!! Kaisi ho??" Everyone's voice echoed together.

Nandini's eyes got moistened,she comes out of Manik's grip and said "Main thik hoon lekin tum logon ke room ko Kya huya??Yaha aise kyun?"

She knew the reason but asked what if what she is thinking isn't the right reason but she knew deep down that she is right.She is precious to them !!!

Cabir noticed her tears and looked at Manik who nodded his head saying "Everything is fine"

Before anyone could say something which can remind her the dreadful incident, Cabir jumped in saying "Woh yeh Mukti Ki bakwas sunte sunte tired ho gaye Aur kab sogaye pata hi nehi chala!!! Tu bata thik hai Na tu??"

Mukti understood and to lighten the atmosphere she jumped on Cabir "Kaminey!!! Main bakwas karti hu??"

"Kisne kaha Mukti bakwas karti hain ??" Cabir said as if nothing.

And Mukti started beating Cabir and Cabir was running in the hall behind Mukti chasing him.And leaving a laughing Nandini.She was laughing her heart out. And everyone was watching her praying in their mind to keep this little soul safe,sound & happy.

_________________

Ok!! That's it for now.Thank you so much for 1k stars and 5k views lovelies ❤️
Trust me never ever thought in my wildest dreams that my story will get even your attention.But you guys are amazing truly. Thank you for your support and hope you'll support me throughout. I need that.And sorry if the update didn't match upto your expectations.

Sorry for the mistakes 🙏🏻