Sorry for late update ,

"Ishu where is Nandu ? " Raman asked after waking up , it's his routine to ask this question in the morning. He asks in the hope of seeing her, if she is present in house by any chance.

"Umm no ....... She should have come by now but don't know what happened ? ...... Sometimes this girl makes me really worried " Ishita said worried-ly .

"Don't be ...... Our daughter won't let us down ...... She is my pride ...... Leaving her dream, she is filling my responsibilities for our house ...... And it surprises me how , dramatic, demanding nd attention seeker child of mine just changed into responsible woman within months ..... It's good but it hurts me , I have always seen her being moody , I don't like this responsible girl " Ishita slapped her head nd cursed herself in the morning that why she brought this topic . Her husband always does this whenever she speaks about Nandini.

"U are her super dad since the day she was born and she is ur super daughter ..... Let her be ur best daughter and I am worried for her because she is smart , cranky but innocent , caring and persistent , u know she can go to any heights for the people she cares or love ...... I am not worried for mistakes she will do , because I know she is intelligent enough but I am afraid , I don't want anyone to use her innocence ..... She is strong but emotional fool too , just like you " at last line she taunted him and he glared her for that.

"My baby is like me ..... And I am proud of it" he smiled admist his worry .

"She is my baby too " she kept her head on his chest and he kissed her head.

"I guess I am adopted" they heard Rishabh's whining at the doorstep. He came here to call Ishita , he was hungry and getting late for his coaching class.

"Aww ..... Ur my my most handsome boy in whole world ..... come " Ishita opened her arms and Raman rolled his eyes at her complement , 'in whole world' isn't it too much? , she is pathetic sometimes , he chuckled from inside and kept mum . He didn't said anything otherwise he would have to fight against two of them , his partner is missing .

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

"Mumma calm down yaar , I already  had my breakfast and it's really important work ..... I will definitely take care of myself and tell Papa don't take tension ..... U too take care of u both ..... Now bye " she spoke hurriedly without giving chance to her mother to say anything and disconnected the call . She don't like it when she has to lie to her parents , usually she never lies but sometimes life doesn't give you many options. 

She knew her parents will support her they trust her choices but they won't like her to be a driver instead of pilot and they will blame themselves for that . And about Manik there's no story to tell , she knew he is off limits for her and that's one of the reason she never cleared him about Swaroop. 

"Hey why so grumpy ?" Sahil came in front of her and Sandesh also joined him .

"Nothing much ...... Mumma was cribbing and I know she cares for me and mothers are never wrong but I am not always in a mood to hear right things .....  Sometimes it irritates me" she pouted and they agreed instantly .

"All mothers are same " they too said with same expressions .

"But her concern is genuine ..... U were out whole night. ...... Even we were worried for you ...... We were roaming outside the main door almost for whole night ..... U were safe , he didn't troubled u na? " Sandesh asked seriously , they were really worried for her .

"U know Manik ..... He is ur boss from years ..... He did nothing inappropriate " she took Manik's side .

"Yes we know him but no girl ever lived with him ..... And it's not possible to know each and every side of a person ..... We trust him but u know how cruel nd unpredictable world is ...... Everyday we heard new cruelty of men towards women ...... So our concern was genuine too , when it comes to girl's safety no one can be trusted blindly" she felt highly overwhelmed , she knew gentlemen exists in world but after meeting two of them in real she felt blessed . She hugged them both. 

"Thank you ...... I wish every man to be like u both so no stranger girl will be frightened amongst the men " they smiled wholeheartedly and patted her back. 

"Somebody can please stop this PDA " they broke the hug after hearing annoyed groan from Manik , who just came outside the mansion to see them hugging each other , he rolled his eyes at their affection , aren't they extra concerned for her ? .

"Sure Mr Malhotra ...... Come " Nandini came towards car and opened back door for him and he followed her but not before signalling the two of them to do their work.  

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

"From when u r suffering from insomnia ? ..... Please explain it in detail like, when it started " The psychiatrist asked him after certain pause where she felt he is ready to talk . Even Nandini was there sitting beside him as per his order , she was going out so that he won't hesitate but he told her to stay as she braught him here.

"I was 11 yrs old and like any normal child I used to have peaceful sleep and meal ...... But suddenly an incident happened which affected me , even I was in trauma almost for a year and people also helped me to stay in that zone , no one thought of pulling me out of it until my own mother...... But eventually she too died because of her one mistake that she loved her child , me ...... After that, for years I used to sleep out of immense tiredness that any 12yr old child can hardly bare ...... It continued for some years then that child became Manik Malhotra. Slowly , slowly and gradually I achieved everything which I ever wished but luxury snatched that sleep also ..... Nd I became insomniac from last 5 years " he told as much as he could tell without revealing his other secrets like he was in remand home till he turned 18 . He kept his tone nd emotions intact he didn't let them see through him , that he is breaking again and again with whatever he is saying.

"Way too hard for a child ..... I see u r not very comfortable to share some incidents in details but I need to know as I have to work on it ...... U were suffering from very tender age so that lost child in u is what I want to look at so I could heal you ..... I won't force you for now but u have to get comfortable with me as our sessions will proceed " she said knowingly yet professionally with the softness nd assurance that she will help .

"Some things are better to be hidden ..... Because after certain period past doesn't matter ...... It's not going to change anything" he said with emotions and expressionless face . He was trying very hard to be normal , he only shared 1/4th part of his suffering that too because doctor asked otherwise he hate self-pity nd sympathy from others because according to him person or fate is responsible for his / her own deeds  .

"Obviously it won't change but it will help to heal the scars which past have left " it was Nandini she couldn't control herself and spoke with teary eyes looking into his blank eyes . Since the time she heard him , only she knew, how she is holding her tears back . It's so much for a kid to vent through a depression at very early age where any kid hardly knows meaning of it.

"Ahem ....." Counselor coughed breaking their eyelock . Manik immediately looked back at her and Nandini also paid attention to doctor as she needs to behave maturely and not irrationally.

"So what have been ur escape or cure for this insomnia ? ...... I mean something might have helped you to get necessary sleep ...... And be honest with me , I am ur doctor " she said that because she has seen patients hiding things because of the fear of judgement .

"Sometimes sleeping pills ..... Sometimes small amount of drugs and occasionally sex..... And very rarely I drink till I loose my senses nd darkness consumes me " he said without hesitation and Nandini gasped listening about drugs , it's dangerous for his health . It also cleared her doubt that why he drinks every now nd then .

"Okay ...... In this sex is only healthy way others are way too dangerous for ur health ..... But what's the frequency of sex ,do u guys have it regularly or ........ I mean are u sex addicted ?" She asked and this time Nandini's gasped was heard by them , Manik rolled his eyes at her dramatic nd expected reaction but doctor frowned being confused .

"Aaah ..... Do u think this small not so beautiful little doll can please any mankind on earth ? , I wonder how her boyfriend is surviving (he exaggerated and cringed at his words )..... She is my driver ...... I am single and have been in physical relationship with random girls ...... Mostly one night stand ..... Yeah I am not sex addicted " he cleared doctor's frawns and humiliated Nandini , she looked down in embarrassment of her previous act but that was normal for her to react on her imaginary sex life with Manik, but he went too far which made her infuriated .

"Obviously I am not slut to please beast on earth " she too taunted him . She never use such words but he left no choice.

"Umm sorry for my misconception ....... But I expect, u to respect her ...... So moving forward can u explain what makes u sleep after sex ..... I mean how it helps you ? " Saying sorry to them and after warning Manik she started her job.

"When those hormones covers my other senses and thoughts that I don't have to think about anything else other than fullfill ing my sexual needs ...... It keeps me away from stress and finally after being exhausted it helps me to sleep at least for 4-5 hours ..... But I am not addicted to it , I mean it gives me pleasure but it's not addiction even sometimes I am less interested in it , until my body craves as a reflex of sexual actions from other person " he explained it casually but the girl sitting beside him was vulnerable , it did hurted her knowing his sexual relationship status as she loved him but it's not her right to complain about it, but she complained to her Aayiappa that why he suffered so much , what was his fault .

"Sex therapy is good for stress relief but I will suggest , if you to do that everyday it will become ur addiction or may be after particular point u will loose interest to the extent that it won't help you at all and in both cases u r at loss " she explained it to him and he nodded knowingly . He knew this already but here he is sitting because he have given his words to Nandini .

"That's why we r here ? ...... How he can sleep naturally like normal human? " Nandini asked impatiently though she knows nothing is illogical going here , but it's definitely making her nervous which didn't go unnoticed by him .

"So coming to main point ...... I will suggest him to join rehab ...... Because any medicine or drug is injurious to his health ...... He needs rehab so that he can get rid of other bad habits like smoking ,drinking regularly nd taking drugs ...... And he just need to be positive in his life because power of subconscious mind is key to better life ...... So I will give u form nd address just fill this form nd pay advance money ....... I will recommend join it immediately ...... Manik don't think too much just join it " she gave warm smile and he nodded where Nandini was sure his positive nod is fake and he won't join it but she wants him to do this.

"Thank you doctor " saying so he left her cabin , after paying bill at reception he came out of hospital with Nandini following him behind .

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

"Hey what are you doing?" Manik asked her when he saw her scribbling something on paper . They were sitting at cafe in one of the nearest mall, just after coming out of hospital he said he is damn hungry because he haven't eat properly since yesterday nd also in the morning his breakfast was stolen by uninvited two monkeys, so stopping her pestering session over his rehab he asked her to take him to hotel .

"Filling form on ur behalf ..... U just have to sign it " she looked up and after answering his question again resumed her writing. Without wasting anymore energy in talking with her , he started eating . She wasn't hungry so she just ordered cold coffee .

"Umm what's ur age ...... And yes I have changed ur name and address in this form because u r public figure so no one should get to know about it specially media  ..... But I am filling other original personal details like ur habits of drinking , drugs nd etc. ...... So tell me ur age " she asked seriously and he rolled his eyes at her surety , she is so serious as if he is going to join it.

"Why r u wasting ur time , ink nd paper ? ...... Save it " he resumed his eating.

"Ur age Mr Malhotra " ignoring his reply she demanded again .

"26 running " he told to avoid her and she wrote it down though she already had idea about it ,but she wasn't sure.

"Thanks for coming " waitress said when Manik paid the bill and she left from there.

"Now come " he said after getting up from chair and she grabbed her things then drank her remaining cold coffee in one go which left small moustache over her lips then she licked it by her tongue but still some foam was there which she don't know.

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

She came outside and saw him resting his back on the side of car door , waiting for her to open the door , so that he can sit inside. Seeing his behaviour she rolled her eyes and cursed him in mind for being this stubborn and arrogant .

"Can't u open car door all by urself ? ...... At least for a day ?" She asked with lipped tight smile and he smirked.

"Still it doesn't change the fact that u r my driver " he said innocently and she felt like punching him .

"Okay ...... Tell me , u would like to join which batch ? " She asked about the batch of rehab for his treatment.

"Why are you doing this , when u know I am not going ?" He asked seriously , he wiped that foam over her lips and she breathed heavily for a second. His action was smooth yet she felt as if it was sensual act .

"What do u mean by u r not going? ..... Did u forgot that u agreed to do good things for a day ? " She put a brave face and said firmly though she knows how he is .

"U r going to prove me that it's good to do good nd that's only for a day " he pointed out.

"So let me prove it ...... We have a deal for today right ? , So this form is part of today and u can't deny it. ....... U will join rehab too because I am going to submit this form today only ....... U can't go back to your own words " she made it clear to him , he could have easily deny it as he don't care about others and it's not possible to control him but he let her have her ways with him .

"Very first batch of a day " he agreed and smiled evily.

"Okay ..... It starts from 6.00 am " she instantly got happy.

"That means u will have to come at 5 am to pick me " he said innocently and her smile got vanished . She will have to sacrifice her sleep everyday just for him . She is stuck between sleep and Manik , she definitely won't chose sleep over him because she has to win today's game.

"Now let's go back to Mall" she said thoughtfully .

"Why?"

"To buy toys for you "

"Are you mad ?"

"Nope ..... Tell me which toys u used to like ?"

"What r u trying to do ?"

"See from childhood I used to like barbies , unicorns , aeroplanes , helicopter and I have plenty of them in my room ..... So tell me which is ur fav ?"

Immediately he grabbed her arm and pulled her to the next door of car , he opened the door and took his fav toy from dashboard . Closing the door and caging her between that door and himself he spoke ,

"This and all other model of guns and yeah I also love swords from childhood only ..... Even I have two in car and others at mansion " he said coming dangerously close to her and she prayed for her life . He started roaming that gun over her face and she closed her eyes .

"And if u don't want me to use any one of it then stop this " he put the gun just below her chin and raised her chin up, scaring her to death but she is a warrior princess, she opened her eyes to look into his soul piercing gaze. 

"I want to find that broken child inside you .... So that I can heal him " keeping her fear aside she spoke confidently, he came more closer .

"The child is no more broken , he died long back ...... Now only this monster is alive so don't involve urself in my matter ..... I can be ur destruction " he whispered in her ear huskily , the gun in his hand was the only distance between their bodies .

"I don't fear the destruction Manik " his expression changed from smirking to amusement . She is uncovering him each and every time , she is trying to break his walls which he don't like.  He never felt so naked under any woman's gaze.

Before he could say anything her phone rang showing Diya's number and she came out of his hold . She moved far away from him .

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

"Sorry ..... Sorry ..... Sorry Diya ...... But I can't make it for today even tomorrow I am going to be busy " Nandini said immediately after receiving her call .

"Why ? ..... I mean , anything serious?" Diya asked over a call .

"Umm actually I am with Manik ...... I will tell you in details at night " Nandini said .

"Obviously" she said disinterestedly . She was all ready to go with Nandini to buy a gift for Swaroop but now it got cancelled because of Manik .

"See now I am at mall ...... So I will buy dress for him ..... U r also ready so why don't you go and by some gift of ur choice ?" She tried to cheer her and eventually she agreed . She was disappointed that she won't get time to spend with Nandini but anyways she can't ignore Swaroop too . He is their best friend since childhood.

"Umm okay ...... At least meet me at night only if ur Manik allows you to  " she taunted her and Nandini agreed immediately ignoring her taunt.

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

"Which size and colour , ma'am ?" Salesgirl asked her politely when Nandini entered inside the men's wear . Unaware of the fact that Manik also followed her .

"Ummm show me that maroon coloured shirt " she pointed her finger at one particular shirt.  That girl nodded and went there .

"Don't u think it will be lose for that skinny boyfriend of urs ? " She startled when he suddenly whispered in her ear from behind.

"Ma'am " that salesgirl gave that shirt to Nandini and flirtious smile to Manik who was standing behind Nandini.  He too smiled back at her .

"Listen give that white shirt too " Nandini said sternly to that girl who instantly moved her gaze away from Manik . She didn't move from her place so Nandini again glared her hard and finally she went to get that shirt .

"Stop flirting " without looking back at Manik's face , she said and he rolled his eyes at her right prediction.

"Umm that white shirt will be too long for that dwarf " again he made remark on her choice but she ignored him .

"Pack them separately " she also went to billing counter with salesgirl .

"Ouch " he bumped with a lady , she stumbled due to many bags in her hands so Manik saved her from falling by holding her shoulders .

She was beautiful lady who might be 6-7 years elder than him , she looked at his handsome face and thanked him wholeheartedly to which he just nodded. Nandini saw this scene and smiled thinking that he did at least a one kind thing though it's very small but still .

That lady was struggling to separate those bags from him and she had constant smile on her face which didn't go unnoticed by her husband who was following her secretly .

"Finally I caught you ..... Bitch " that lady went numb after hearing that scary voice of her cynical husband . She is modern ,  ambitious woman and loyal to her husband but still he always doubts her , he feels inferior and his inferiority complex is almost breaking their marriage of seven years.

"U r taking it wrong ...... This happened accidentally " she tried to explain but he didn't heard.

"Shut up ...... Here I caught u red handed and u r feeding me stories of accident ..... What do u think , I am dumb ?" He roared with anger which scared Nandini too , she looked at Manik with hopeful eyes but he was standing there casually as if he heard nothing.

"Please believe me ...... If you want, ask this person that it was accident ...... I don't know who is he " she pleaded but he didn't believed her .

"Umm I think I should not involve myself into ur matter ..... Pardon me , I am going " saying so Manik moved back and came to Nandini. 

"See even ur lover boy too left ..... U r unwanted for everyone " that man said wrathfully. 

"No please trust me. ..... Please" she literally cried.

"Aaah" Nandini gasped loudly when that person slapped his wife . He was getting irritated with her cries and she was trying to save her character and her married life.  Manik dragged Nandini out of the mall when he thought she will do something.

"Why the fuck u dragged me here ? " Nandini jerked his hand and asked sternly .

"To stop u from creating a scene " he said casually .

"Seriously ? ...... Don't u feel ashamed of urself ? ...... U could have cleared his misunderstanding but no u chose to increase it " she blamed him.

"I am not social worker and It's not my fault that he don't trust his wife " he said in his defence .

"U also didn't do anything when he slapped her ...... He publically humiliated her  ...... U could have done something " she was very disappointed with him .

"I did which was best for me ...... I don't know anything between them neither their relationship ...... Anyone can be at fault the lady or her husband ...... I have been with way older ladies who has cheated their husbands and also I have seen bastards treating their wives as slave ..... So it's not my right to judge or indulge myself into their matter ...... See person comes to life alone and dies alone ...... Whatever happens in between these two steps it's individual's journey which is not at all related to me " he sounded heartless to her ears but his words were truy and practical . Finally she accepted whatever he is saying and reluctantly gave up on argument . 

"U have been with ladies older than u who were already married??" She asked surprisingly .

"Obviously ..... They all were very rich which has helped me to make my career with the exchange of couple of sex " she don't know how to react , she is numb from all senses, it's too much for her brain to process that they cheated on their husbands for pleasure and he slept with them for money .

"U sold urself to them ?" She questioned. 

"No ..... It was pleasurable from both sides ..... It's just that along with pleasure I got profit ...... And yes don't think I am  victim or anything because I have betrayed some of them .... No one ever used me " she started feeling awful after hearing him .

"U broke hearts?" She feared to hear his yes but he nodded negatively . She felt relieved for a second.

"I broke their trust " he broke her little bit hope of finding goodness inside him .

"U r cold blooded sex maniac who don't have basic morals" she spat venom on his face. 

"U can't blame me for enjoying nd satisfying my body needs ..... I didn't cheated on anyone they did nd they can't think of their husbands in front of their lust then why would I ?" For the first time in his life he was explaining something to someone otherwise no one speaks infront of him . He was restraining himself from doing something bad with her. He never like people questioning him nor he defence himself. 

"People can stoop to any level for sex " she made a disgusting face . She was being judgemental here but she was a girl with pride nd morals and this concept didn't fit in comfort zone of her brain.

"Why r u interested in other's sex life ? ..... Is your boyfriend not good on bed ? " his question made her speechless , shocked, numb and what not but she can't say anything . She don't wish to reveal her being single and definitely not after knowing his interests and doings . Swaroop being her boyfriend will keep her safe even if she goes out of control in the flow of emotions just like he saved her first kiss in the morning.

"It's none of your business " she looked at other side.

"Similarly others sex life is none of your business " this time she realised she shouldn't interfere in other's lives .

"Umm u were trying to give me reasons to be good to the others and even u showed me by doing small small good things with other, right?" He asked her after seeing one known figure coming to their way from a distance of 3metre .

"Yeah and I failed " she gave fake smile and really she failed because whole day she kept doing some or other thing and he kept ignoring her but still she had some hope for his goodness.

"So now I will give you a reason that why u shouldn't care for anyone or do any good thing for them ?" She frawned .

"What do u mean ?" She asked suspiciously and he smiled innocently. He looked at known approaching figure. 

"Driver please open the door " he said louder than usual that people around him easily heard him . She thought he is doing it for showing her place so unknown to the fact that someone is watching her and also heard Manik's words , she opened the door for Manik but before he could sit inside she heard known voice. 

"Diii" she turned to see her brother standing there with astonishment and hurt visible on his face .

"Rishu listen " Nandini went near him and he ran away from there , crying . He couldn't handle the fact his sister is doing job of driver for their family. 

"Nandu " she looked at her side and found Diya looking at her with worry written over her face.

"Diya " Nandini said when Diya hugged her.

"I came here with him to buy a gift ..... I didn't knew u will be here too ..... I am sorry" she apologized .

"It's not ur fault " Nandini said after breaking the hug.  Furiously Diya looked at the Manik who was standing there , resting his back on the door and watching the ongoing show without popcorns .

"Can you please try to calm him ...... I will come to home ASAP...... Till then , please keep him away from my parents " she asked hopefully and Diya nodded affirmatively.  Diya went behind Rishab and Nandini stood there cursing Manik . She really felt he don't deserve kindness , he went beyond humanity. 

She was lost in her thoughts that she didn't noticed what he is doing and where he is ,  until she heard the voice . She turned her gaze to the source of commotion and then she saw car stopping abruptly at the middle of road and small girl engulfed in Manik's arms .

When she was busy cursing him , he saw a small girl of age 6/7 crossing road without paying any attention to signals or cars . She ran away from her brother and car was coming to her way , her brother was screaming her name but she got scared and stood motionless on the middle of road . Her brother must be 3/4 yrs older than her , so he started crying because he was helpless in those few moments as cars didn't gave him chance to save her . Before car could hit her Manik saved her on time . He picked her up and came near his car .

"U r safe baccha ..... Open ur eyes " for the first time in her life Nandini saw this unknown version of Manik Malhotra , she never thought he could be this soft or protective.  He kneeled down in front of that girl and patted her cheeks .

"I am safe ? " she opened her eyes and gleamed in happiness , he blinked his eyes in assurance .

"Thank you bhai " she hugged him and he became stiff for a second and at the next moment he became vulnerable. He hugged more her tightly as if trying to protect her.

Till then that boy and his parents came to this side of road . Actually they were inside the shop so they didn't saw the whole scene but they saw their daughter and Manik on the other side of road .

"Thank you so much for saving her " Manik broke the hug after hearing her parents voice , he stood up from his place . He straighten his dress and maintained his usual attitude .

"I didn't saved her but she did " he pointed a finger towards Nandini who was perplexed with his actions and words . Without getting their response he sat in his car .

Those people thanked Nandini and she just said take care of children . After exchange of few words they left from there and Nandini sat on her driver seat. 

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

"Why u hide this side of urs ?" She asked expected question and he sighed. She was very pleased with his genuine act there was no show off but pure generosity , even he risked his life.

"I didn't do anything special " he shrugged off .

"U saved a kid it's a big thing " she said while driving  .

"I saved another brother getting blamed for killing his own sister for whole lifetime just because of one accident " she sensed uneasiness , guilt , sorrow and disappointment in his tone which he hide from his face .

"I liked this good side of urs ...... U should show it more often, people will glorify it " she spoke softly and looked for his reaction in the front mirror . His eyes were closed .

"If you do good, people will expect good from you and no matter how much good u do to them but ur one mistake can spoil it all ...... Expectations from others suffocates me and it feels like burden ..... I can't live on others expectations " he stated with firmness and opened his eyes to look into her eyes who were fixed on the front mirror.

"U r better the way u r " all over again she couldn't control her heart and she realised her heart loves him for who he is .

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

"I have purchased this for you ...... I don't know if you wear it or not but when I saw it I thought of giving it to you " after coming out from her car , she handed him one shopping bag of her .

"Why ?" He asked surprisingly .

"Idk ...... And u can surely throw it as it doesn't suits ur class but I wanted to gift you  this " she smiled warmly as she couldn't conclude his reaction .

"I will be happy if u wear it tomorrow .... Now bye " she remembered they will have to go to Karan's house because he literally pleaded in front of her , over the call in the afternoon and she agreed to him , half heartedly.  She moved towards exit but still he gave no reaction . She once again looked at him before going out completely but still he stood there like a statue with that shopping bag in his hand .

Indeed it was his first gift ever in his whole life , literally no one ever gifted him anything , not even his mother . He couldn't digest the fact that he can also deserve gift from someone that too without any selfish motive or deal.

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

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chap?

...............Aish ❣️ ...............