Everyone reached at the parking of "AISHWARYA RESTAURANT". Everyone got down from there respective car or bike . Manik and Nandini also climbed down from his car.

(Actually this restaurant is in my city and it's my fav from childhood and also my name is Aishwarya too 😅🤭).

"Let's get going guys" Rohan said as all of them were standing in a circle in parking lot.

"Yes and I hope u have done reservation for our fav and regular table , right Aayan ?" Nandini asked looking at Aayan , as it's his duty to book there fav spot in this restaurant.

"Woh... Actually...woh .....umm sry guys...I ....I forgot " he stammered  because he knows how his friends are obsessed with that spot .

"Ohhh Aayan ....How could you " everyone screamed at him except Manik. As he is new so he remained silent while others were thinking what they can do . suddenly an idea pop up in Nandini's mind and she smirked looking at Manik.

"Manik u remember na some time back in academy what u said? " Nandini asked him with her fav smirk on her face . Seeing her smirk Manik sense that something is coming in his way.

"What?" he asked trying to compose himself.

"That ur willing to do anything for your 'new friends' " She said with a big smile and evil intentions. And Manik was like 'kaha fas gaya'.

"Ha but I said that only for u and besides that u don't consider me ur friend ...right?" Manik also smirked at her and tried to save him. But how he can forget she is Nandini she always have her own ways.

"That's true we can't be just frnds" she said blinking her eyes and looking at him giving him cute dreamy look " But u know guys it hurts seeing ur new frnd don't care for u when u have already accepted him with all his flaws" she said dramatically looking at her frnds. And they all looked towards Manik with accusing eyes.

"Guys listen it's nothing like that " Manik tried to explain.

" Ohh that means ur ready ....haina ?" Nandini asked with excitement and whispered near his ear "Say yes ....It's ur punishment for ur rude  behaviour in the morning"  and Manik looked at her and he remembered that she doesn't leave anyone without punishment.

"Yes" Manik nodded with fake smile and thought ' Ab ye nahi chodegi' ufff. He sighed .

"So today.... it's up to u to get that table for us , anyhow... okay" she said and Manik agreed . He can't refuse her , actually he can but he didn't feel to disobey her , and it was first time for him in these years that he is listening someone after Neyonika.

...........||

Nandini's POV,

We all entered in restaurant and I showed him our fav table. Today I was shocked , literally shocked because of Manik first he himself approach us to be frnds with him then he agreed to get that table , but I am feeling proud of myself 😎 , off course why would I not.
Because he is the great Rude monster who never listened to others , but today he agreed to me .

"Manik see there are some girls who are sitting there ". Rohan said.

"Ha but there food is not arrived yet " Ayan said.

"So Manik go there and use ur charm ....I know they will melt by seeing you" Naina said playfully and he looked at her with a small smile and nodded . She said right he is really a charmer.

Manik went near there table and we also followed him but stopped at a some distance from table.

"Hey hii beautiful girls" He said in extra sweet voice and all those girls turned there attention towards him.

"Hii .... Handsome"  one of them said and winked at him. He smiled.

"Well I need ur help " Manik said.

"Yeah sure....But about what?" other girl asked him , now there full attention is on him.

"It's about this table ....u know .." before he could continue,

"Yeah sure u can join us " all of them said with a bright smile on there faces , I think they all are interested in him.

"U know I would love to join u....But at the same time I can't ..... U all can see there( pointed towards his frnds) .....They are my friends and they want this table...So can u guys..." Manik said with a hopeful eyes.

"But u can get another table also na " one girl said with little sad smile and he leaned down,  resting his one hand on there table ,

"I can get.... but u know it's a kind of bet between us ....And for winning that bet I need to make  beautiful girls agree to shift themselves from one  to other table " He was in playful mood , he further added " and u know what.... I didn't found any other girls more beautiful than u guys... So I thought...".

"ohh. ...How it is possible to resist ur charm handsome....So tell them that u have won the bet"  one girl said and other agreed to her . They all got up from there place and started leaving.

"Thanks for making me win then " he winked at her and I was shocked again , seeing his carefree nature. As they leave from there places we all came near the table and settled down. Manik was about to sit,

"Hey are you single?" One girl asked him before going and he turned back to see her .

"I think so " he said looking at me . I don't know what to feel and also don't know what I am feeling but this feeling is different. All the feelings are different whenever he is concerned.

"Yaa he is single....But he is not ready to mingle...so take it as a no for u " I answered her rudely I don't know why but I felt that right. And he was confused. I shrugged my shoulders. That girl left from there giving hurtful smile to him.

He also settled down on his seat "That was rude" Manik whispered.

"Ohh really ... Can't u see I helped her.... By saving her from ur monstrous attitude" I said.

"ohh ...I thought  u don't like her " he said teasingly.

"Whatever" I ignored.

"Manik really ur a charmer " Naina praised him .

"Yeah ...But I never thought that Manik can do this also " Rohan said .

"I second u bro" Aayan added.

"Yeah even I was shocked....As I always saw him behaving like a jerk monster "I said and everyone giggled but he glared me .

"Well u guys don't know many things about me...or no one tries to know about me " He said with little low voice and he just whispered last line to himself but I heard that and I felt how lonely he is .

Waiter took our orders and went from there . Now we are seating here waiting for food to come.

"Manik let's know about u " I suggested he was little surprised by my statement. I know he is alone and he himself won't take step towards anything so I think I should take a initiative.

"What u want to know about me?" he asked with uncertainty.

"Let's start with ur name, education , profession or something u were doing before u joined academy ...In short ur basic information " Naina said.

"I am Manik Malhotra....I am an Civil Engineer and co-owner of 'Neyonika construction' "  he said very casually but all other three were gawking at him .

"Ur the great Manik Malhotra , the rude and arrogant businessman?" Aayan asked as he was shocked.

"Yeah even I heard about u , that u r handsome and rude businessman.....And look I heard it right" Naina said dreamily looking at him but Rohan was sad by seeing her .

"Yes " Manik gave small answer to there questions.

"So ur the only heir of Malhotra's ....Haina?" Rohan asked and Manik didn't said anything but his expression were changing now he was getting little angry.

"And u know guys his father Shrikant Malhotra he is a great businessman and he have another branch in London too.... Haina Manik" Aayan praised his father and his wealth.

I was tensed now , because I know he don't like topic related to his father, I looked at him and saw his fist clenching I know he must be very angry and hurt too .

"Manik ur a rich man" Rohan said.

" Very rich " Naina supported him. Three of them was busy discussing his personal and professional life. But he was going in his monster land.

I  lowered my hand and took his fist in my hands and opening his fist I intertwined my fingers with him and squeeze his hand below the table. He looked at me and I nodded no indicating him not to get angry.  But he was  looking at me with expression less face.

"Guys stop this na ....U know na I hate 'rich'  topics.....And besides that food can't wait " I said pointing my finger towards waiter . Who is coming with a food tray. They all agreed.

I looked at Manik and now his anger is reduced. I know he always covered his hurt by his anger . And don't let anyone come near him . But I know he is hurt and he needed someone to hold him. He needed to be protected.

"Food is here " my chain of thoughts broken by Ayan's voice and I saw food. I freed my hand from Manik's hand and feeling emptiness he instantly looked at me with questioning eyes.

"What ?....I want to eat my food" I shrugged my shoulder and answered his unasked question. And he smiled awkwardly , and we all started eating our dinner .

"Yaar guys I am confused" Ayan said in the middle of dinner.

"About what " we all asked.

"That what is more soft ?.... Paneer or Nandu's cheeks" he said pulling my cheek with his one hand , earning glare from me. Everyone chuckled at his pathetic joke even Manik too.

"ohhh....Ab ae kha ke bata" I said taking a black pepper can and sprinkled black pepper powder on his food.

"Nanduuu " he made a bad face and everyone started laughing on him .

Our dinner went well with little masti and normal talks. After paying bill we headed towards exit.

End of POV.......||

Now all of them are standing in the parking lot . Everyone is ready to go home but Nandini have some other plans.

"Guys let's go there" she said pointing her finger towards one shop.

"Where and Why?" Manik asked he was confused.

"There is a 'Paan Shop' and it's our ritual to eat 'chocolate paan ' after dinner" ahe said excitedly and all of them supported her except Manik . It's usual thing for them so they agreed to her quickly.

" I am not coming u guys carry on " Manik said because he wasn't interested in eating paan.

"Come na Manik " Naina said .

"I don't want to eat....u guys go ....till then I will get my car out from parking lot " Manik said and everyone agreed to him , even Nandini thought not to push him more as he was already doing so many things which are new for him. And all of them crossed the road and stood outside the shop . Rohan went inside the shop to buy a paan for them . And others were waiting outside.

Here Manik came near to his car but didn't found his keys , then he remembered keys are with Nandini . So he called her , asked her about keys and told her he is coming to get them.

Seeing him coming towards her she also thought to reduce distance between them , she started moving in his direction and he was also coming to her direction. He was alert with the road and vehicles but Nandini was not attentive towards surrounding.

"Manikk ur keys " she screamed happily showing his keys to him standing in the middle of the road , it was her carefree nature. But she haven't seen a car coming towards her way .

But Manik saw a car coming towards her , she wasn't attentive , and he was little far from her he moved rapidly towards her , but car was more faster than him , he screamed with a fear "Nandiniiii". He forgot to breathe by seeing the scene in front of him.

But in mean time Aayan who have seen car coming towards her so before car could hit her he ran towards her and  " Nandinii" he pulled her towards him and hugged her. She was totally numb she didn't realised what happened with her .

By hearing Ayan's voice Naina and Rohan also reached there and they also hugged her . And Manik released his breathe by seeing her safe and sound but still he was so scared. He also reached near them but stood silent.

All of them broke the hug and ,
"Hey are you okay?" Rohan asked she nodded with a smile and he again side hugged her . He was also scared.

"U scared us Nandu" Naina said patting Nandini's back .

"U should have been more careful Nandu " Aayan scolded her.

"I am sry ....I will be careful from next time... Guys relax I am fit and fine " Nandu said with sry smile and made a cute face and as usual her friends melted.

But Manik didn't said any word or anything he just kept staring at her. Meanwhile all of them scold Nandini  again and gave her long lecture. She listened them carefully and now they are ready to go after earning numerous sorry from her.

"Chalo ...I think we all should leave it's late now"  Rohan said and all of them agreed to him and moved towards parking lot , taking there vehicle they leave from there , but Manik and Nandini was still there at that place.

Nandini also have noticed Manik from the time of accident and she also knew that he must be scared so she went near him kept her hand on his shoulder and said,

"Manik" he hugged her so tightly and hide his face in the crook of her neck . His grip on her was so tight that his fear of losing her was visible through his hug . Sensing his fear she hugged him back and tried to soothe him by rubbing his back with her palm.

Feeling her touch he relaxed in her arms. Finding his breathing normal Nandini said "Manik I am fine ". He broke the hug and looked at her with questioning eyes and she again nodded , assuring him that she is fine and she is with him . He again hugged her but this time his hug wasn't out of fear but was peaceful one.

"Leave me Manik ....We need to go home " she said and he broke the hug. She knew he is still not over with this so she thought of lightning his mood.

"I never knew that u were so desperate to hug me " she teased him .

"And I never knew u were so desperate to die " he mocked her with angry expression.

"Whatever" she said making ignorant face😒
"We need to go  ..... and I am driving" she further added.

" Noo....Actually I am not taking u with me ...So bye" he smiled tight and move towards his car .

"What?...Why?" Nandu instantly asked him. He turned back .

"Because it's ur punishment for that stunt.... And ur so unpredictable.....I can't live with fear that what will be ur  next stunt " he mocked her but both of them knew that he is scared of losing people in his life. So he always tries to stay away from people before they became important for him . Similarly he is avoiding Nandini.

"Are you sure ?" Nandini asked with a smirk and he confidently nodded . and started going towards his car . Meanwhile Nandini saw crowd of some old people and moved in there direction and stood  at some distance from them .

"Aaa ann mm aa" She started crying loudly like a small kid and every one turned in her direction and saw her crying they came near her. Manik also turned back hearing her voice and moved near that crowd and stood at some distance.

"Beta what happened ......why are you crying?" one old uncle asked her trying to console her.

"Woh...woh ...My husband" and she cried more.

"What about your husband beta ?" Uncle asked her .

"He left me here ....all alone in the middle of the road" she said very dramatically looking at Manik who was standing at some distance away from her . Everyone followed her gaze and looked at him suspiciously and Manik was like 'Mujhe ab ye pakka fasayegi , kuch karna padega' .

"Hey Nandini ur here?" he asked her as if he was meeting her after ages. She was still crying but her voice is low now.

"U know her beta" One man asked Manik.

"Yes ....I mean I saw her many times and met once ....So kind of I knew her " Manik said casually.

"Then u must be knowing her husband ....haina?" Uncle asked.

"Ohh no .... Again she got panic attack" Manik said with scared face and Nandu was shocked she was clueless what he was saying.

"What about panic attack beta ?" uncle asked as he was worried.

"Woh... Actually na , her ex boyfriend , was first boyfriend , of my ex girlfriend " Manik said.

"So?" uncle was confused.

"So last year they both met  each other and they realised there love for each other and they both eloped" Manik told them .

"Ohh ....Then what happened next?" One old man asked him.

"But before that he had promised Nandini that he will marry her .....But he eloped with my ex....They both cheated on us....And this was so shocking for Nandini....she was so sensitive that she couldn't bear that .....She went into trauma and from that day she got these panic attacks.... sometimes she considers herself as a married woman" Manik explained them her 'dukh bhari gathan' very dramatically to which Nandini rolled her eyes at him.

"No uncle he is lying....He is my hus " Nandini tried to win her side battle but Manik was quick.

"I think her situation is getting worse ....We need to do something or else she will start calling anyone as her husband.....May be she will call me her husband" Manik said worriedly.

"Yes uncle he is my husband" Nandini again tried her luck .

"U see I told u na she needs help....I think I should take her with me before she starts calling random boys as her husband " Manik tried to make them understand. They all agreed to him and secretly he winked at her and went near her.

"But how do you know my address....As we toh met only once na .... According to you " Nandini tried to save her for last time. And Manik was in trouble now.

"Woh...woh...umm....Ha my ex gf told me once , that her ex bf's , present gf stays here , as we were passing through that area....And that's how I know you and your address" Manik won the battle. Every person agreed to him . Holding Nandini's hand he moved further.

"Beta both of urs life's were complicated before.... But I think u guys should give chance to each other for your future....U look perfect together" Old uncle said with a smile and both of them turned back and smiled awkwardly looking at each other. And again started walking .

Manik settled in the car , with a grumpy Nandini on passenger seat . Yes she was angry with him that he made her mental patient.

Manik started laughing loudly as they seated in car "Nandini what u think that only u can act ? ..Haha 😂.....How u forgot I am also learning in same academy..... Haha"  he laughed and she glared him making her face more angry. He started driving.

"U look cute little minion with angry pout " Manik complimented her while driving. But still he was smiling because of his little victory.

"And u know what....Ur smile is worth dying for " she said dreamily looking at him. She knows how to irritate him .

"Euuu.....So cheesey man" Manik shrugged his shoulders.

"But u liked it " she winked at him and he smiled accepting his defeat.

They reached outside her home. Manik was smiling but still he was afraid because of that small incident. He was staring at her she climbed down from car and went near gate of her house but she turned back and ,

"Manikkk....I won't leave you....Not this soon...U have to bear me " She screamed and Manik felt assurance in her words and he was relaxed. She knew he just started to moving out of his zone and she can't let him go there again.

"Hey don't come to my place tommorow....I will come to pick u in the morning " he also screamed . She smiled widely and nodded. She entered in her house and after spending some time with her family she went to sleep.

He went from there to his home and after some chit chat session with Neyonika he slept but before that he asked her to wake him up in the morning.

........ End.......||

If u found any mistake let me know.

How was the chap??

......Aish❣️.......