* flashback continues, two years before the prologue scene *

I walked past the footpath, a bit uncomfortable with my clothes.

I never really minded western clothes, intact I love them, but I didn't really like wearing very short clothes and high heels which made me clumpsy and uncomfortable.

But I had to wear it today, since Aliya had personally sent stylists to dress me up. According to her, when they sign the deal, were all going to go to a high profile party to celebrate their success. What a stupid way to end my birthday!

But well, my only friends didn't actually even remember that it was my birthday today.

I pitied myself to be precise.

I sighed and just as I thought about that, I tripped.

Oh-God No!

Just when I was about to land on the ground and get some weak bones broken, I felt two strong arms griping on my waist and I could feel my body bag against someone's chest.

Convinced that it was not the ground, I opened my eyes.

I saw a tall muscular man in front of me, smiling with amused eyes. His jawline was so sharp, I wondered if I would cut my finger if I would touch him.

I wouldn't disagree he was incredibly hot.

"I'm so sorry. And thank you!" I said with a polite smile pulling myself away from him.

"It's a pleasure pretty lady", he said returning back the smile. He smiled at me too.

Oh. He isn't just a flirt, he sounded genuine. I like him already.

"I'm Nandini. Nandini Murthy" I introduce myself to him. He smiled at me and took my hand for a handshake.

"Aryamman, Aryamman Khurrana", he says as we shake hands. I feel I have heard the name earlier but I quietly brace away those thoughts as I focus back on the beautiful person in front of me.

Aryamman Khurrana

"If you don't mind me intruding in your personal space, you seemed distracted. If you considered me as a friend already, you can tell me what's bothering you. Or maybe, I can drop you to your destination?" He smiles.

I was almost hesitant. How can I take help or trust a person I barely know for seconds.

"It's nothing like that. Actually, it's my birthday today and I'm stuck up in my work and meetings, so that's all about it", I say the half truth.

"Oh, Happy Birthday to you!" He says as he side hugs me and I instantly feel some connection with him.

I don't know why, but that instinct wouldn't go down that I And Aryamman are somewhere connected.

"So then, I can drop you to your destination. A birthday treat maybe?" He winks.

I gave a small nod. He seemed happy and immediately called for the driver.

And the next minute, a very big black polished BMW stood in front of our feet.

He smiled as he opened the passenger door for me. I gave him a gratitude smile and get inside.

So chivalry isn't dead. Being with Manik and dreaming about him all the time, I have forgot that there was something called chivalry too. All I have known is monstrous nature and shoutings and cold glares all the time.

Okay, never mind.

"So where is your destination?" He smiled at me.

I inwardly smiled at myself.

"My destination... Manik!" I gasped. I smile took over my lips with the mere thought of Manik.

The way he smiles is threatening. His cold voice is a trap. His mind is a web and I fall for it, a little every day.

Wait, was I just comparing my hot Manik to a disgusting spider?

"Earth to nandini!" He almost shouted and I gapped. Did I just zone out again?

I looked away embarrassed. "Malhotra headquarters", I said and he drove off.

Our journey included a bit of talks. And just when I got down, I turned back to thank him and wondered if he would want my number.

"Goodbye, till destiny wants us to meet again, pretty lady!" He said with a salute and I giggled. He never stopped amusing me.

I entered the huge mansion which was unusually dark.

With each step inside, I heard my heart beating in my chest.

"Cabir?" I called out nervously. There was no answer.

Suddenly, I saw a note stuck on a huge balloon there. I immediately ran to it.

~you know where to find us~

Where could I find them? Or probably I knew where to go.

Without a second thought, I ran to the posh area of the mansion. That was where they practiced, they laughed, thy cried, they fought, they overcame and they stepped into success. And I was with them, all this while.

But it was empty again. Just when I was going to leave disappointed, they emerged from behind the sofas and screamed.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANDINI!", they screamed in my ears and I almost jumped on my place.

When I say they, it excludes Manik of course. I hug all four of them and thank them individually.

I was happy, extremely happy but I wouldn't deny the fact that my eyes wandered around to find just that one person.

And just then, Aliya dragged a huge cake in front of me.

As my eyes fell on the cake, my mouth fell onto the ground.

It was kiddish, simple, and beautiful, just like me. Okay, I'm not self appreciating.

But this was too much. I never expected Fab5-... umm Fab4 to do this for me. Simple was just not their style and they going an extra mile for me meant the world to me. Or maybe even beyond. Just if it could also be Manik.......

"About your birthday gift Nandini, we have a birthday gift for you. But you will get it tomorrow", Dhruv said and I smiled. They exchanged evil smirks, making me confused.

Never mind. Aliya hands me the knife and they put candles on the cake. Dhruv dins the lights a bit.

"Make a wishhh, and wish about a beautiful future for me and you", Cabir instructs me dramatically and Mukti smacks him. I so wanted Manik SIR to be here to but I never hope for him to get involved with me personally, leave that on my birthday alone.I close my eyes to make my wish.

"Manik!" I whispered as my wish.

I open my eyes and bend down to cut the cake while they sing for me.

I had just cut the first piece when I hear a husky voice.

"Happy Birthday Miss. Murthy", in my ears.

My hands stop where it was and I close my eyes. My heart beats non chalantly and I try my best to absorb this moment.

I don't want to open my eyes because the moment I do, he will disappear and this would be just another dream.

However, I do open my eyes, only to see him in front of me, giving me his breath taking smile.

Oh!

My heart skipped a beat again.

If it continues skipping beats in such a manner everything I look at him, I might end up in coma or just die or something.

I smile back in return nervously. I go ahead and make Mukti eat the cake first, then Cabir, Aliya and the Dhruv, just in the order they were standing around me.

I take steps slowly towards Manik Sir. I wasn't sure if I should make him eat the cake.

A breath taking and a flashing smile that he just gave me was already more then enough for me and I doubt I will spoilt it all.

As usual, my brain warns me to retreat my steps backwards, and run away from the monsters den.

But as usual, I go against it.

I go to him and stand in front of me like a dumb ass.

I wasn't sure if I should offer him the piece of cake or not.

Probably understanding my inner turmoil, he takes the piece of cake from my hand.

And much to my surprise, he breaks a small bite out of it from his hand and keeps the rest back in the plate.

I was confused about his actions before I felt his warm hand on my cheek.

My world just stopped. My breath hitched and my heart just died out of happiness. And my brain? Well it died out of jealousy.

His warm fingers traced my cheeks and the cake spread on my cheek.

I was shocked. Surprised. Happy. Confused. Nervous. Excited. So much ran into me at the same time.

"Happiest Birthday Miss. Murthy", he whispered. His voice was warm and welcoming with that same old huskiness in it which drives me crazy.

He didn't have to mention the word 'happiest', because this was already the happiest Birthday I could ever get. Things couldn't even get better.

The Manik Malhotra just wished me. And oh yes, even touched me.

I might just die, the fangirl inside me was already doing a form of dance that I didn't know even existed.

He wasn't smirking, his lips had a small smile. I was captivated by his brown eyes.

Even though I knew how to swim, I could drown in his eyes and find my forever in it.

I was so shocked by his gesture that my mouth was still open.

Coughs behind me brought me out of my Lala land as I stepped away.

Fab5 decided to perform me. Although I had never expected this, it was beautiful. I hadn't expected Manik to even be around owing to his reserved nature. But he wished me, he took the lead of the song and sang looking at me exactly. It's more than what I want. More than what I could ever wish for.

Tu Humsafar Hai, Phir Kya Fikar Hai,
Jeene Ki Wajah Hi Yahi Hai Marna Issi Ke Liye,
Kehte Hain Khuda Ne Iss Jahan Mein Sabhi Ke Liye,
Kisi Na Kisi Ko Hai Banaya Har Kisi Ke Liye........

He ended the song. His voice was slow and exactly made for the song. Dhruv gave the last beats along with Aliya and Cabir gave the bang indicating the song had completed.

Manik's eyes were still glued to mine, giving butterflies in my stomach.

Butterflies? Well there is a complete insect world inside it.

I got up as I clapped loudly and blushed profusely. My eyes had welled up with all the happiness and Mukti came ahead and hugged me.

We all sat for dinner in the living room with basic cabir's banterings.

"Vaise Nandini, we were waiting for your arrival kabse. What got you so late?" Dhruv asked as I took a sip of the drink and coughed immediately.

The thought of Aryamman crossed my mind and I smiled immediately. It was wonderous how I felt some instant connection with him, as if I have known him since forever.

"Oh my god who is it Nandiniiii?" Aliya screamed.

I coughed louder. Manik Sir handed me a glass of water gently rubbing my back since he was the nearest to me. I gave him a small smile and a thumbs up showing I am fine. He cares....

Little did he know, his hand on my back did more magic than anything else.

"Nobody guys!" I smiled. Aliya pouted.

Just then, a brown haired brunette entered inside running and snaked her hand around Manik's neck.

I clutched the fork in my hand tighter and concentrated on my food trying to not choke her off. How even dare she?

"Hi Manik!" She said in the most sugary voice I have ever heard. While sir? He gave he fakest smile trying to entangle him from her.

"Hi Nisha!" He said slowly and he girl seemed furious.

"I'm not Nisha I'm Kiara!" She screamed with a disgusted face and left.

"same thing" he murmured under his breath.

Not only me, everyone there rolled his eyes at Manik.

But there was a hole in my heart. How many girls has Manik been with that he doesn't even remember their names?

Soon, it was time to leave. Since Cabir and Mukti lived close by, they left together, and Dhruv and Aliya in Dhruv's bike with Manik Sir having to drop me.

My phone nudged and there was one new message from Mukti.

"take this as a birthday gift. Enjoy your time 😉"

I blushed.

He led me to his car and I opened the door, sitting into the passengers seat, while he got in the drivers seat.

I don't know why, I remembered how Aryamman had opened the door for me and then there is manik sir. But never mind.

Just then, another message, again from Mukti.

"Just stay careful and safe. And remember, Manik just messes around with girls. I'm just a phone call away."

I love her so much.

We drove in silence, soft music playing in the background. I meant on the radio.

There was silence, an awkward silence. "So Miss. Murthy, did you enjoy your birthday?" He said giving a small smile.

"More than ever!" I replied enthusiastically looking at him.

His perfect jawline, his hot face, beautiful voice. I was so much in love with everything.

My trance was broken with the timing of Manik's phone. His expressions changed looking at the caller ID and he parked the car on the side.

He picked up the phone and I gave him his time as I looked at the beautiful sea link across the road.

"Wasn't destroying my life once enough? Why do you want to do it again?" He shouted on the phone.

I gulped my saliva as he cute the call furiously. He was no more smiling. The monster in him was back making me hell afraid.

I slowly kept a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay sir? You could share it if you like?" I said slowly but he kept staring ahead.

"WHY?", He shouted. I jumped on my place and a shiver passed through me.

"Why the hell should I tell you anything? Who are you to me? My friend? My girlfriend? My mother? Who the fuck are you? You're a no body Miss. Murthy, know your limits. Don't. Ever. Try. To. Intrude. My. Personal. Space" he shouted looking at me in the eye.

Ouch! That hurt.

I was shocked, shocked beyond limits. I could feel my eyes well up and my voice choking.

I didn't want to cry near him, looking at him suffocated me.

I slowly got off his parked car.

He followed me and banged the door loudly as he closed it.

"What the hell are you up to?" He shouted.

"I'm sorry sir, I just tried to help you. And I don't think a miss nobody should be with you at this moment in your car. My house is just a lane away, I will walk it away. I thank you for everything you have done for a no body like me", I said slowly. I tried not to sound broken but it came out that way.

"I'm sorry I showed a bit of care", I smiled lightly, sarcastically.

"You care?", he asked. His eyes softened and he looked shocked.

Is he blind?

"You're heartless", I snapped.

I walked away. I crossed the road and sat slowly on the rocks by the sea link.

One lone tear escaped my eye. I have never cried before, why now? Why for him?

I felt someone's presence besides me. He followed me here.

"I... I... I am...." He stammered.

"sorry?" I completed his statement looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"Yes I am that word" he said looking away.

Arghhh! His male ego!

I looked away too. I stared at the peaceful waters and he at the stars.

"You're right. I am heartless. Because I had already fallen in love, in love with someone who destroyed me. Someone whom I shouldn't have ever trusted. Her love fucked me up", he said slowly.

My heart stopped beating and I stopped breathing.

He... already loved someone?