Hello Fam :)

I have enjoyed writing Manik in this book so much that I have randomly written a few scenes. I couldn't fit it in the story and I won't probably write any book where Manik is this childish/cute. Hence, the bonus chapters.

Happy Reading...

A/N - This chapter is written in a very vague manner, 'shit' to be precise but it's cute in its own way. Sorry in Advance. :P

Nandu's cabin

Nandu was working in her cabin when Kavya comes in for some signatures.

Nandu: Hey, how are you?

Kavya: I am fine, ma'am. The signatures.

She was signing some papers when there was a knock. The peon comes in but Nandu finds him unfamiliar.

Nandu: Who are you?

Peon: The old peon is on leave. I have permission.

Nandu: Fine. Kaam kya hai?

Peon: I was asked to give you this.

He shows her the envelope. To give the envelope, he walks closer to her. As Nandu's concentration was on the file, he removes a knife, pulls her from her chair and stabs it in her stomach. Kavya, who was shocked, tried to stop him but he pushes both the girls and runs away. Kavya panics seeing her boss in such a state but somehow calls Manik into the cabin. He comes running.

(Note- This is the stupidest description I have written. The reason why it didn't go to the main story. But we are concentrating on the further part. :P)

Manik: Nandu. Kya hua? (turning towards Kavya) What did you do? Hospital.

He carries her in his arms. Nandu smiles seeing him and was trying to touch his face. The driver drives the car to the hospital.

Nandu: Manik..

Manik: Nandu, stop talking. Just calm down. Nothing will happen to you.

Nandu: Manik, I can feel it. If I will die, just move on.

Manik: You won't die. I won't let you die.

Nandu: Manik, listen to me. My last wish. I don't want to die in regrets.

Manik: Stop it, Nandu.

Nandu: Come here.

She asks him to bend down. As Manik obliges, she pecks his lips.

Manik: Nandu?

Nandu: Manik, I love you. I love you. I don't have any regrets from life.

Manik: Nandini, Shut up. This isn't the last time you are saying this to me. Understand. Remember, we have to get old together.

They reach the hospital. When Manik was tensed and scared, Nandu was smiling without looking away from Manik as if trying to capture his image.

2 and half hours later

Manik didn't sit even for a minute. Kavya was beside Raj providing him the support he needed, but Raj was sitting there motionless. Tears were flowing from the eyes of both the Malhotra men but Manik was unaware of his. As for Kavya is concerned, she was shaken badly. The incident happened just in front of her to the lady she started to admire. Manik didn't utter any word and was pacing to and fro. He was glancing at his dad from time to time but didn't spare a glance towards the girl sitting beside him.

The doctor came when they all stood up.

Manik: Nandini?

Doc: Manik, she is fine. But due to heavy blood loss, she is..

Manik: Is she in a coma? Or memory loss?

Doc: Manik, she was stabbed in her stomach. She can't have a memory loss. It isn't serious. She is under sedatives so she will be sleeping mostly.

Raj: Can we see her?

Doc: Yes, Mr. Malhotra. You can. But one at a time and maintain silence. I will come back in some time and check her.

Manik slumps down on a chair as he started sobbing heavily. Raj puts his hand on Manik's shoulder. Manik hugs him tight and starts crying bitterly.

Raj: Manik, calm down. Our Princess is back. She can't just leave us.

Manik: I am not talking to your princess again. She can't pull up this stunt and rest there on the bed when I am suffocating here. Dad, I feel as if someone is taking the life out of me.

Raj: Manik, we need to be strong. For her. Promise me, you won't cry in front of her. It will stress her. You know right, how much she cares for us.

Manik: Aap bhi mat rona. She loves you more than me. She will be worried.

Raj goes to see her first as Manik refuses to go in. Once done, Manik asks him about her condition. When he was satisfied, Nandu was sleeping peacefully, Manik goes in. After coming back, Manik glances towards Kavya who was talking to Raj.

Manik: Dad, she isn't going in until Nandu gets conscious.

Raj: Manik, it isn't her fault. It's the peon.

Manik: I don't know, dad. I have carried her in my arms jab woh marne ki baat kar rahi thi. She told me, her last wish. I can't lose her once again, papa.

Kavya: Sir, I will meet her after she is conscious.

He walks away to meet the doctor as Kavya cries being hurt.

A few hours later

Nandu gains her conscious. She flutters her eyes and looks around the room. She feels someone beside her and finds Manik sleeping on a chair beside her, keeping his head near her and holding her hand. She ruffles his hair and he wakes up abruptly.

Manik: Nandu.

A fresh stream of tears starts flowing from his eyes.

Manik: Don't do this again. I can't handle it. Please.

She brushes her thumb on his cheek.

Next Day

Nandu: Manik, I need to meet Kavya.

Manik(sternly): You aren't meeting anyone.

Nandu: Manik, what's wrong with you.

Manik: she is the reason because of who you are in hospital.

Nandu: No. It was the peon. He isn't the peon even. Someone else. Kavya was there for signatures and she tried fighting with him. She called you on time to my cabin, Manik. How can you accuse that innocent girl?

Manik: I did a mistake. I didn't even listen to her.

Nandu: Just call her. I need to talk.

He messages her to come to the hospital.

Nandu: Kavya, thank you. If not you, I wouldn't be able to survive. I have fallen down aur jab tak koi nahi aa jata, I would have died.

Manik: Nandu.

Nandu: It's a fact, Manik. Kavya, Thank you.

Kavya: I am just happy, you are back. You are special to me and I don't know agar aapko kuch ho jata toh, I couldn't forgive myself.

Nandu: You didn't do anything wrong for asking forgiveness. Instead, I am sorry for Manik's behavior. He just stops using his brain sometimes and messes up things.

Kavya: It isn't his fault. You are way too special for him. He wasn't even in a proper state of mind.

Manik: Kavya, I am sorry. I ..

Kavya: Sir, can we please forget everything? Ma'am is back and I can't be happier.

Outside the room

Manik: Kavya

Kavya: Sir?

Manik: I badly need a coffee. Will you accompany me?

Kavya: Sir, ma'am is alone. Agar phir se koi..

Manik: Dad is there with her. And also the guards around the hospital. He won't compromise on his princess's safety.

Kavya: Fine.

Hospital canteen

Sipping the coffee, Manik turns looks straight.

Manik: I have known Nandu since the age of 5.

Kavya: What? Matlab aap dono?

Manik: Family friends. She was my best friend, an angel, and my guide. Dad's princess and mom's doll. Bachpan mein she was even cuter.

Kavya: She still is.

Manik: We lost her parents and my mom in an accident. We were shattered. From then on, she lives with us. I stopped having conversations with people. Even dad and Nandu. But somehow Nandu gathered herself back. She protected us. She helped dad with his business. She helped the company from getting closed. And she has done everything while still in college. She overworked herself. I was away from them. I couldn't live here. They both became friends. Dad loved her like anything. Maybe more than he loves me. She deserves it. She is our princess. She is our everything. My everything. Seeing her in such a state...

He shivers at the thought and Kavya places an assuring hand on his.

Manik: I am sorry.

Kavya: I thought aap apni aur ma'am ke bare bata rahe the. Sorry ke liye itna kuch bola? You really know how to make someone listen to you, right?

Manik: You don't know how it feels to see death and get your life back.

Kavya: And she is your life. You love her. Don't you?

Manik: Is it that obvious?

Kavya: I can see the twinkle in your eyes when you were talking about her.

Manik: Aur Nandu ko lagta hai she can see the twinkle in my eyes when little things make me happy. She does those little things for me just to see that. Use yeh nahi pata she is that little thing who has filled herself all my heart.

Kavya: Aapne bataya unhe?

They were disturbed by a call by Raj. They leave thinking of it as an emergency. Going to the room, they find Nandu smiling peacefully with Raj.

Manik(fake glares): You scared me, dad. I thought it was an emergency.

Raj: My princess was missing you. And it is an emergency.

He just looks at her before giving her a smile and pecks her forehead.

Manik: So, my Nandu was missing me?

Nandu: Are you planning to ditch me?

Manik: Do you mean ditching my life?

Nandu: Manik.

Manik: Sleep, princess. You are tired. I am here beside you.

Soon she sleeps due to the effect of sedatives. Smiling at them, Kavya leaves for home. Manik stays back with Nandu.

*********

Manik: How is my princess doing?

Nandu: Manik, you don't have to come here every afternoon. Just look at you. You are tired.

Manik: kisne bola? I am perfectly fine.

A month later.

Office, Nandu's cabin

Kavya comes for some signatures from Nandu.

Nandu: Hey.

Kavya: Signatures.

Nandu: It feels nostalgic.

Kavya: ma'am.

Nandu: Kavya, close the door.

Kavya: What?

Nandu: Close the door. We need to talk.

She locks the door confusedly before taking her seat.

Nandu: Kavya, I know, you have been helping Manik since the past one month with his works. Right?

Kavya: Ma'am, he was doing the maximum work. He isn't neglecting his work.

Nandu: He never does. Kavya, I need to know about a few personal things. I am not spying on him or getting clingy but these are required for me to know.

Kavya: Did I do something wrong? We had a few conversations. He shared about his personal things with me but Manik sir treats me as his sister.

Nandu: I am not doubting your relationship girl. I know, Manik treats you as his sister. He told me. But I want to know about Manik. What happened in my absence. He looks tired and so restless.

Kavya: Ma'am, no one has seen Manik sir smiling in the office for the past one month. He just keeps on running from here and there till lunch time. After that, he used to leave the office. Sometimes with files and sometimes without. Whenever I have visited you, that's the only time he used to smile. When he was beside you. He is different after the incident. Aapke samne bhi he is acting. That isn't his real smile.

Nandu: I know. Hence, I wanted to know it. But, don't tell him about our conversation.

Kavya: No, ma'am. I won't tell anything.

Nandu: I need to talk to him. This guy just over reacts even if something happens to me.

Kavya(hesitantly): He is scared to lose you.

Nandu: what?

Kavya: Yes, the incident shook him badly. Ma'am, can I say something? I know, it might cost me my job but..

Nandu: You aren't losing your job. Batao, kya bolna hai.

Kavya: You are very special to him. I know it's your personal life but he loves you a lot. I know love can't be forced. I don't know if he has confessed it to you or not.

Nandu: Relax. We are already...

There was knock on her cabin. The person was banging the door.

Nandu: I am sure, it's Manik. Just open it.

Kavya opens the door. Manik looks at Nandu and sighs in relief seeing her normal.

Manik: Why do you have to lock the door? Do you want to kill me out of tension?

Nandu: Manik, relax. I asked her to lock the door. Kavya, meet my caring, possessive, cute, easily panicked boyfriend.

Manik gapes at her in shock due to the sudden declaration. Kavya squeals in excitement.

Kavya: I can't believe this. The two people I have started to admire are already in a relationship.

Nandu: Calm down, girl. Mr. Malhotra, don't behave as if I have just proposed you.

Manik: How can you just declare like that?

Nandu: Kyun? Newspaper mein adv dekar announce karu?

Manik: I thought you would be uncomfortable. Isiliye I didn't tell her.

Nandu: I am not. And I am not uncomfortable declaring it to the world, Manik. I just want to protect our love from rumors, unwanted news, and gossips. If I am not comfortable main papa ko bhi nahi batati.

Kavya: You guys are too cute together. Raj sir ko bhi pata hai?

Nandu: Trust me. He was more excited than you and even Manik.

Kavya: Thank you for trusting me with this news. It means a lot.

Nandu: You have earned it. And Mr. Boyfriend, is this how you take care of your recently discharged girlfriend?

Manik: What do you want? Mujhe ek call kar deti. Shall I get you some juice? Do you want to sleep? Are you hungry?

Nandu: I want to go home. Dad se permission lo na. I am too tired.

Manik: I told you not to come to office. Tumhe meri baat sunni hi nahi.

Call

Manik: Papa. Nandu is tired. I am taking her home....nahi aap tension mat lo. She is fine. Just a bit tired...haanji. I will take good care of your princess.

Call Ends

Nandu's room, After getting changed into a pair of casuals.

Manik: Just sleep now.

Nandu: Dude, I was in the hospital for a month and you forgot who the boss is.

Manik: I am sorry. You are still the boss. Boss, I Manik Malhotra, the assistant of Nandini Murthy, request you politely to rest a bit and give some peace to my heart.

Nandu: Am I hurting your heart.

Manik: No way, princess. You are not hurting me. But you know right, this insane guy can't see his girl tired. So, please sleep.

Nandu: Manik, I am not tired. I am. But not too much. I am mentally drained.

Manik: Are you thinking something?

Nandu: Yes. About you.

Manik: Me? Maine kya kiya?

Nandu: Tum mere liye ek kaam karoge?

Manik: You don't have to ask, Nandu. Batao kya karna hai.

Nandu: Smile.

Manik: What?

Nandu: Smile for me. I am missing your smile.

Manik: Nandu, I am smiling.

Nandu: And you think your princess can't see the real smile of her Aarav?

Manik: Nandu. Aisa nahi hai.

Nandu: Manik, let's talk. Stop hiding your pain inside. You can't think straight when something is going inside your head. If you think you will be stressing me by saying it, then you are stressing me more by hiding it. Because I am hell worried about you. I am missing my Manik. My kiddo Manik. Who just smiles and spread smiles.

Manik breaks down. He had built up all his pain since the past one month.

Manik: I hate you. I hate you so much. You always want me to get hurt haina. How can you even think about leaving me? How can you say your last 'I love you' when I was scared for you? How could you even think I will survive without you? I can't even breathe without you.

Nandu: I am sorry, baba. I am so sorry for hurting my Aaru. Calm down, baby. I am here in front of you. Manik.

After Manik calms down,

Nandu: Manik, I am sorry. Even if I trust you, I don't trust death. I am scared. We can't fight death, right. And we don't stop living when someone dies.

Manik: Lekin

Nandu: That day, the pain I have felt, I thought I couldn't survive. If it all I am dying, I wanted to in your arms. In the arms of the person I love. Looking at my favorite face. Isliye maine aisa bola.

Manik: I got scared.

Nandu: Even I don't want to live without you. I mean, I don't want to die so early when I have my whole life to spend with you.

Manik: Can I be back to normal? I can't stay strong anymore.

Nandu: You don't have to act strong anymore, baby. Your princess is here to take care of you. To love you even more.

Putting his head in her lap,

Manik: Dad asked me not to show you any emotion except a smile until you are completely fine.

Nandu: Dad was just worried for me. Unhe nahi pata hai na how much his Manik is straining himself just to put that smile on.

Manik: I love you so much. Much more than I have ever imagined.

Nandu: I love you too Manik. I just wanted to see you when I was dying. That's how much you mean to me, Manik.

Manik: Don't talk about death na. I had wished, I was there in your place.

Nandu(with slight tears): Maybe I would have died if something happens to you.

Manik: Nandu. You are my strong girl. You can survive.

Nandu: I realized I am not when it comes to you. Seeing you happy flutters my heart. But seeing you hurt just feels as if someone is twisting my heart and taking it out.

Manik: Nandu.

Nandu: I am sorry. I am talking cruelly.

Manik: Why are we talking about this sad things.

Nandu: I don't know. Maybe the mood is so gloomy. Maybe because my baby isn't smiling. Sorry. Baby nahi bulana hai na tumhe.

Manik: I am your baby. Your Aarav. Your Aaru. And your Manik. bas. Aur kisi ka nahi.