Today exact at 9.45 am Nandini reached outside the Malhotra Mansion for her duty , today when Abhimanyu called in the morning to tell her about timings she felt it professional and therefore she reached 15mins earlier than her time of reporting . It's must be important for Manik that without wasting time or torturing her he sat inside the car and asked her to take him to Half Note .

"I hope u remember ur job of driver ..... I mean u r definitely not priest or we r not going to temple or wedding " He was in hurry that he didn't eat his breakfast today but the new look of his driver didn't go unnoticed by him . She gave him bored look and made bad face .

"I know I look good in Indian " she said and smirked while looking in the front mirror where she caught him staring at her for long time. 

"Ohh really but I thought u r looking more pathetic today" she cursed him in annoyance and kept driving without saying anything . Unknown to her he smiled a little , very little bit at her reaction. 

Half Note looked more crowded than usual , there were many reporters from different news channels were standing outside with their cameramen , having media outside the Half Note is not surprising but for the first time Nandini saw people in bunch instead of one or two .

Swiftly he pulled himself out of the car and wearing his sunglasses entered inside Half Note with Abhimanyu following him behind , he discussed something with Abhimanyu and exact at 11am he was outside the Half Note in front of media .

"Very good morning to all " with his firm voice there was end of murmuring of reporters .

"And no it's not about any new album launch or any expected collaboration..... The subject is sensitive as well as it's public and not professional " he said keeping his voice nd tone in intact according to the subject .

"So what it is ? .... Is it related to public's safety or any sort of danger ? .....We all are curious as well as worried " he heard one of reporter asking him .

"How ironic it may sound but it's related to both of it " he said with serious expressions.

"Please elaborate it ...... Nation wants to know " he heard one of reporter saying this because this conference is live telecast.

"One well wisher or I may say one social worker came to me yesterday requested me if I can donate some amount so that it could help to import some important nd expensive equipments for a hospital so it will help doctors to save lives of patients ...... Nd listening to this I was so overwhelmed that I am really capable of doing something good ..... It was like a god chose me for this nd I agreed but as I wanted to make sure where I am investing my money. ....... So last night I sent my P.A. to check hospital but then he found someone was almost dieing due to lack of attention so he tried to help that person but as hospital is small so there are limited surgeons , so one of senior doctor who is heart surgeon was absent probably he was busy in attending his daughter's wedding ...... My assistant nd other doctors tried contacting him and but he didn't received call nd when he did then also he denied saying he is on leave ...... So I tried contacting him, even I personally went to that hotel so I could ask for help but unfortunately that person died before I could do anything " though Manik never cries be it fake cry or real one but while speaking this he didn't leave any chance in showing how sad nd helpless he was sounding while speaking . Without crying he really convinced them that how much he cares , even Abhimanyu was awestruck seeing his acting.

"This is such shame for any doctor"

"How we can be safe when doctors will start behaving like heartless jerks "

"How , we Indians can be safe if doctors , our saviors are selfish "

"It's heartbreaking that person lost his life because of ignorance "

Manik smirked inwardly after getting expected reactions from the people, it's easy for him to play mind games . U just have to be good at pretendence, also u should have power of manipulating people . How people are so dumb they didn't thought about other sides but who cares , it's beneficial for him.

"But don't u think that doctor has taken leave already and it's not unprofessional ...... Even doctors have personal life ..... U guys could have asked for any other doctor for emergency " he groaned from inside after hearing his smart driver speaking against his plan , why she has to be like this ? Can't she just leave Manik, for once and try not to be hurdle in his way ? .

"Exactly miss Murthy ...... It was an emergency case ...... There's no such personal life exists for a people who have taken oath of saving lives ...... And as he is the one senior doctor nd mainly only one heart surgeon in their hospital then his responsibility is bigger ...... Even I will suggest to their board committee to suspend his license for some yrs for not being responsible " Manik tried to control the situation while cameramen and reporters were busy in covering the whole scene.

"I understand u and it's sad ...... He should have attended that person but still he don't deserve this ...... I mean he had taken leave, so it's not unprofessional " Nandini tried to save father in law of her friend who was also a person who saved her father's life.

Last night Nandini went to meet bride as groom dragged her , Manik too followed her but stayed away at some distance , away from their eyes . The bride was daughter of that doctor and she herself was a gynecologist. Couple looked very happy , Nandini wished them but when bride was introducing her father to Nandini , something changed in Manik and he didn't like the love between father nd child , he never felt how it feels to get love from father . So whatever goodness in him was stopping him from executing his plan that was killed by that scene.

"In some cases board committee can take descions specially when it's a private hospital ...... I don't know about u or ur connection with doctor that u r trying to save him ...... But Miss u can't understand or no one can understand untill it happens with them ...... Not only one person died but his whole family suffered , he was the only source of income for them ...... Nd it's a very shameful for any hospital or doctor that patient lost his life due to lack of service " seeing nd hearing this much sorrow from Manik , Nandini too felt bad and she did thought if this is the same mean Manik or he is like really a nice person as he trying to show . She couldn't say anything more and people hyped Manik , he knew people are emotional fools . Nandini wanted to do something but at that moment she couldn't take stand for him because Manik wasn't wrong either.

For that doctor who was watching news on television , his whole world collapsed in front of his eyes , he cursed himself for thinking about blackmailing powerful person. He don't know Manik is real game planner or he is helping Abhimanyu . But he knew there is no way he can protect his job , because even if he will go to court this person will buy everyone . He accepted everything by keeping stone at his heart nd he is satisfied at least his hospital will get some help .

"So what u have thought about it Mr Malhotra ? ...... Are you going to donate for hospital or have u changed ur plan after seeing how irresponsible doctors are ? ...... Are you going to help that family ?" He heard sequence of questions and he chose to answer all of them calmly .

"Yeah I have already helped them , I really couldn't imagine what will his children nd wife do ? ...... So I did small favor to them by giving them 5 lakh rupees , I hope this little help will be useful for them to build their lives ...... And second thing I am more interested to donate money for same hospital , because one doctor is irresponsible that doesn't mean others are same ....... I think in this case that particular hospital needs more attention like they should hire other doctors too ...... I would love to help them by giving small amount of 15crores to the hospital ...... Even if anyone is in need do contact me , I will try to help as much as I can ....... But I have honest request to main authorities please don't give patient's life in wrong or in irresponsible hands , don't ignore it because next time it can be anyone at that man's place "he heard lots of praises for him and how people actually thought of him being angel on earth who is saving lives. His image was always cleared in industry but he was never in controversies that normal people will know him but after today he will be at every home nd mind at least for a week . And for that he lied about helping poor family , he did gave them 1 lakh but now he will give 5 lakhs too for maintaining his image nd keeping their mouths shut .

"This nation really needs real life heroes like you " someone said.

"Actually I think it's every individual's duty to do something for our country, for our fellows so I am doing nothing different....... So I don't think I am being any hero or something but I think I am doing a job of good human ...... Now I think we all are cleared , I called this press conference to deliver this message nd now I think I have done my job ..... So I will take leave ...... Please stay aware nd do help people " after joining his hands in front of cameras for last time , he left his place and as everyone knows he don't like to be in limelight so they gave him space . Before leaving he surely left his good remark in viewers hearts .

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Last night after coming home he couldn't sleep as usual but he didn't take any supplement either, instead he wasted his whole night in painting that surreal moment between them where her touch over his heart gave him peace probably for the first time after so many years. Due to conference in morning he didn't had his breakfast too and he was feeling little bit dissy from long time but he didn't showed it on his face . He did few important things and when he was sure that no one is outside the Half Note , he thought of going home.

From last one hour Nandini was waiting for him , she thought may be she could talk with him nd ask for second chance because she can't forget that man have saved her father that night in same hospital.

She couldn't go inside the Half Note so she stayed inside the car only but when she saw Manik coming out , she hurriedly came out nd he also almost reached there . But his steps were uncertain nd as if he fumbled many times .

"Mr Malhotra I want to talk with you" she said after crossing her hands on her chest , she also noticed something is wrong in him .

"Take me home " he managed to say that . She saw him loosing his balance and she instantly held him from his waist though he was very heavy but still she hold him .

"What happened to you ? " She was worried for him . She was trying to hold him but he was slipping from her grip .

"Karma" the last word he said before darkness engulfed him and his whole body collapsed on her nd she fell over the car's bonnet with him on top .

"Somebody help ..... Please fast " two guards instantly ran towards them and helped her to put Manik's body inside the car . She thanked them and took Manik to the Malhotra Mansion . Meanwhile she called Abhimanyu nd he called Manik's doctor and asked him to be there outside the Malhotra Mansion in 15 mins.

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"Doctor why he fainted ?" Abhimanyu asked , he also came to Malhotra Mansion after Nandini's call . Though he was angry with Manik but he still cares for him . Last night after doing the sin which Manik asked him to do , he went to his girlfriend as he was feeling very low but he returned just after hugging her, leaving her all perplexed because she did heard numerous murmurs of sorry when he was hugging her .

"Because he haven't slept for days ..... He is insomniac" listening to this Nandini came forward and Abhimanyu stayed mum .

"But he was looking all fresh in the morning and even everyday he looks healthy nd fresh ...... I don't think so he have insomnia " doctor really felt like laughing on her innocence but he didn't.

"He has been insomniac since years , dear ...... He is habitual with it so he never looks sleepy or dizzy ....... Even after staying awake all night he can look fresh like a flower the other day ...... But he use some help like sleeping pills or something to complete his required sleep but it seems he haven't slept for days ...... No matter how he is okay with his insomnia but his body needs sleep..... We may can ignore body needs but body can't , so finally his body gave up nd he fainted ..... As he does exercise nd eats pretty well so he is healthy for now ...... Nd he is young so for now he is safe but if he keeps doing it then one day it will go out of control " after listening this she questioned herself did she really knows who Manik Malhotra is ? Why he is so complicate ? When she loved him he was a different person for her nd when she met him in real he is different person nd when she started to accepting that then again he is different .

"Is there any solution for this ?" She asked being concerned .

"Make him sleep anyhow ..... U may need to use sleeping pills " doctor said helplessly .

"Aren't they dangerous for him ?"

"They are , not only they but other drugs too"

"Then what's the solution for it ?"

"Insomnia is a result of mental illness ...... May be something drastic happened with him in past which is not letting him sleep ..... It can be anything and I will suggest take him to the psychiatrist ....... U shouldn't ignore mental illness like he is ignoring it " he said , she nodded in acknowledgement and he left with Abhimanyu . He knew about Manik's insomnia nd he have told him many times to visit some counselor but Manik never agreed so today he thought may be Nandini can do that .

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

"Hello ..... Why u called ?" Nandini spoke after receiving Diya's call.

"Swaroop's bday is coming and don't u think we should plan something " she said over the call.

"Yup we should ..... So what u have in mind?" Nandini asked after coming out of Manik's room.

"Nothing special but we can go to mall nd can decide something " she suggested and Nandini realized it's evening , already.

"May be we can go ...... Tomorrow afternoon"

"Okay done " she disconnected the call and returned to Manik's room .

After doctor left she stayed there in Malhotra Mansion , waiting for him to wake up . Due to medicine's effect he slept for good two hours and meanwhile she spend her time with Sahil nd Sandesh who were worried about Manik , even they helped her to bring him to room .

"How r u feeling now?" When she entered inside the room she saw him getting his consious back . He was trying to get up from bed .

"What r u doing here ?" He asked her and she made bad face after looking at his arrogant face .

"I will cook something for u " ignoring his previous question she held his shoulder nd pushed him back on bed. Because he wasn't fully consious .

"Why r u doing this?" He asked softly this time.

"Why ? ...... Only Manik Malhotra have right to do charity ?" She asked playfully and even in that condition he chuckled making her frown .

"Do u seriously think I can care for anyone without completing my selfish motive " he asked .

"What do u mean?"

"See everyday, like every day someone dies or something happens where family suffers ...... Nd u simply can't help everyone out of pity because it's not even possible ..... So if u r gushing over my goodness then you don't know but I am most selfish man ..... I did that to maintain my image nd prove my point " he don't know why but he explained her , he never felt the need of hiding his nature in front of her .

"Why u have to be so evil ?" She asked with disgust and hurt . She also thought why middle class people are so helpless in front of rich jerks .

"U can't live until nd unless u r evil ...... There is no one in the world who is going to pick ur battles , u r alone nd you should fight like a warrior ...... Nd you know the rule , everything is fair in war " he keeps changing her feelings for him , few seconds back she was disgusted with him but now she could see a survivor in him , like he went through something which and he survived .

"U rest ...... I will make something for us ...... U haven't yet breakfast too " before he could say anything she was out of the room and he just closed his eyes. Why she always cast some spell around him which seems difficult to break nd he becomes so helpless that why he can't push her away from his life like he had always done with others.

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"How nd why all the heroine's of daily soap makes soup for the patient like it's the most healthiest dish ....... Which I have no idea how to make ? ...... Ohh God ...... Can't they show it's receipe or process of making it ..... Dumbasses " she cursed all the actors , directors nd writers because she don't know how to make simple soup , because she never made it.

After wasting time , food nd her brain she left the idea of soup and made khichdi. Because it has been always second preference for sick people in tv though she never made it but she has idea how to cook khichdi . Her ph rang showing her mother's calling.

"When you will come back? ...... I saw you in news channel today " Ishita asked when Nandini received her call .

"Umm maybe before dinner and we will talk about news later " Nandini said.

"Okay we r waiting " she said and cutted the call.

"Hmm take this nd eat " she kept food tray on bed near him and he just stared at her.

"Okay okay ...... Don't worry ...... I will pay the bill of my khichdi ...... I am also hungry yaar " she pouted at the last . She spoke this when she found him staring at her without any particular expression and doing nothing . She took one ate of khichdi for her to eat.

"In that case I should pay u ..... For making it" he said and took other plate of khichdi from food tray.

"No need ...... U don't but I do have feelings ..... I know how to care for others without any returns" she taunted him and it really hit him .

"I may conclude that u r not best cook " he said after eating first bite , he never disrespects food but he can't change the fact that she don't make awesome food. Sandwiches were better but this khichdi is really unbearable.

"Don't show tantrums ...... I am not chef and I made it for first time so it's best for first time " she said confidently but her tongue betrayed her nd she couldn't eat another bite.

"It's okay ...... I will eat fruits ...... U enjoy your khichdi nd take mine too " he moved out of the bed and bring some fruits for him . He was about to take a bite of apple but before that Nandini snatched it nd started eating , he glared her hard.

He didn't did anything bad instead he let her eat nd he also ate other fruits and just like that they ate some food. When she looked at clock it showed 8.30 pm .

"Ohh fuck I am going to be a late " she started moving fastly and he frowned.

"Where are you going?" He asked sternly.

"Obviously at my home " she said but suddenly he didn't liked the idea. May be today he is physically weak that's why he is losing it in front of his mind.

"Listen I will call ur maids they will make food and please do sleep in night ..... Doctor said u need sleep u haven't slept for days that's why u fainted " she said before going towards door and he stood there numb .

"Manik please take care of yourself ...... Please sleep " before going out she ran towards him and softly said this to him while caressing his cheek , like mother is saying this to her small kid . She don't know where that courage came from but she really felt of doing it . Before she could remove her hand he held it back by keeping his palm over her's.

"Then make me sleep " her heart skipped a beat . His voice was so helpless yet demanding and he looked thirsty for her attention nd care . He looked so innocent at that moment that she didn't had a heart to break his .

"Why ?" She questioned in husky voice nd drowned in his eyes .

"Because u care for me ..... Please" she loved him , didn't she ? Then how could she refused him .

Every nerve in her body nd mind was against her and there were many reasons for them she shouldn't have listened him but there her heart kept holding on her for no reason and she agreed .

She bend her morals in front of her heart.

"Okay go nd try to sleep ..... I will call my mother " and in second he was laying on bed .

She called her mother nd lied to her that she is busy in some work which came urgently nd it will end after midnight so she is going to stay in hotel .

She came inside to see him drowned in his own thoughts then he was calm because he couldn't think anymore , overthinking was messing his mind .

"Manik " she called him softly and it was the first time she took his name and sitted on his bed , she have no idea how she is going to make him sleep so she sat there . He was looking so different and soft that she called him by his name . Because after years she felt she is seeing that Manik with whom she fell in love .

"I have no idea ...... How to make u sleep ?" She said her real concern and without wasting anymore second he shifted his head on her lap . She was so shocked by his act , she never thought or imagined him to be like this .

"Just be like this" he snuggled in her tummy and she find him vulnerable. She had many questions and insecurities in her mind , even she knew he will start behaving like monster the next day . But she let her heart move with flow and she ruffled his hair .

"Now sleep" with the softness of her lips she kissed his forehead and he closed his eyes and was touched by her act , so many emotions were flooding his heart . She slightly started pressing his scalps trying to soothe his stress . It's a first time after his mother , someone is making him sleep . The ever so strong Manik Malhotra melted like a wax in her touch .

In those moments he forgot every other thing , nothing scared him or made him worried . She consumed all of him , including his thoughts , his mind and he let her control him.

Her fingers did their magic and he really and naturally slept like a human in her embrace because she didn't left place for any other thing which will keep him awake . Her lap gave him the peace for which he starved .

"He looks so beautiful and innocent " she couldn't resist his baby face and kissed his face again . She really thought about his insomnia , what would be troubling the person who troubles almost everyone in his life . No one is born devil , each nd every baby is pure nd innocent  .

She felt like she is living that night again where she fell for his vulnerability and his innocence . She kept caressing and staring at his calm nd peaceful face which certainly became her peace . She couldn't resist her sleep and eventually slept with his head on her lap.

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

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

.............Aish ❣️..............