Sry for late update,

"Tak tak tak " Manik slowly knocked on her door and she wiped her tears , after coming back from her parents room she layed on her bed and let her tears flow . After so many days she was feeling overwhelmed , hurt and deep down she was waiting for someone to hold on her and tell her what she should done , in both ways she is feeling like she is betraying her parents.

"Manik go away" her voice was heavy and lips were wriggling , she wiped her tears again and he opened the door . She looked at him but didn't make a move from her bed . He locked the door and come to her way .

"Why r u not wearing night dress ? ..... Or u just wear it in day time " this was the first thing he asked her and she looked at him in perplexity. Inspite of numerous tears he has to see her dress first to comment on it ?.

"Manik I am seriously tired ..... Just leave" she said and averted her eyes from him but his next move shocked her , she swallowed a breathe when mattress pressed down with his weight on it , beside her .

"Me too" he turned himself to her side to have look of her , she just remained silent for a moment looking at the ceiling over her head.

"Why are you here ?" She asked looking at him , she just turned her neck to his side.

"I told u reasons already " .

"How many of them were true ?"

"Except one truth everything was a lie " she chuckled awfully .

"What's that ?"

"Ur job as a pilot "

"Why are you doing this Manik?" After a pause she asked . He shifted more closer to look into her eyes which were longing to hold him nd then beat him.

"My life seems simply incomplete without ur presence in it " . He cupped her one cheek and turned her to his side .

"And ur presence makes my life vulnerable " without breaking eye contact she removed his hand on her cheek.

"Give me chance to make it better" a gush of emotions passed through her. 

"How? ..... Inspite of knowing how bad u r still I try to think of the reasons to justify ur deeds but it just lefts me with an answer that how possibly inhuman u r ...... I don't know why you do such things? ..... Don't ur heart shatters thinking about the consequences? " this time she let her tears flow without hesitation . With the thumb of his right hand he wiped her tears and rested his palm on her cheek.

"I can't undo whatever I have done...... But truth is I didn't cared what if ur father will die in the process , I just wanted him to live to make u helpless ...... Even now , I don't feel remotely close to the feelings u had went through ...... I am not even one percent guilty for whatever I did ..... Because I can never relate with those emotions when I never felt loved by father ..... I don't know how child can love his father, whatever I have in me for my father is loathing , tremendous hatred that even tiniest part of me won't feel bad if he dies the next second " goosebumps erupted on her skin after listening to him.

"I didn't felt wrong when I slept with my brother's girl ..... I didn't knew the truth still I didn't thought of ur friend before saving my brother ..... He is the same small mumma's boy who talks secretly with mother before doing any silliest thing , he can never hurt a girl that too sexually ..... None of us can , we have heard or seen our mother getting abused , father never raped her really but number of times it was forceful sex ..... And even in these yrs that poor thing isn't changed a bit for me to not save him ...... I played with u but not with ur feelings  " how her heart was getting heavier with his honesty , how it wished to forget everything nd just let him break the poor walls of her heart. He shifted more closer that his chest was centimetre away from her face .

"Please stop it Manik" she damped her face in his chest not able to control her tears. She wanted to hold him forever but her mind reminded her to throw him out .

"This is how I am Nandini ..... And I can't change it , I know how toxic person I am to not be with you ..... But still, every cell of my body screams for u and I am very selfish to not let u go ...... If I know what it feels to being alive then it's because of u who brings human emotions into me " she crumpled up his shirt in her fist showing her vulnerability where he kept his heart open in front of her and she was scared to save it because it will break her later .

" Accepting u is nothing but becoming u, which is the last thing I would ever want to happen " she said because no matter how much she wants to hold him, she can't be with a person who didn't hesitated to risk her father's life.  And if she will chose him then she will be guilty forever to be associated with him .

"And u r the first and last thing this heart wants and will always want " he caressed her hair and she couldn't help but hear how melodies his rhythm of breathing is and how it affected her normal one.

"U should not be here " she seperated her mind from thoughts of her heart and created a distance between them. He lifted his half body and bend over her , her heartbeats quickened and toe curled into anticipation.

"Bye, till we meet again" his lips pressed over her forehead and lingered over there for more than minute , as if trying to seek her warmth as much as he can at once, may be for a lifetime.

"Kiss me only if you are sure my lips are the one whom u will kiss again nd again"

This kiss on forehead was the last bomb of his visit he dropped on her before going out of her room leaving her soul perplexed and body numb to make any movement .

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

"Monster is with Di" this was the msg Rishabh dropped on their what's app group when Manik went out of his room to reach her's . Then two of her friends came out of their house just to see his exit from Nandini's building .

"Why r u angry on me ? ...... Is it because what I did with Nandini ?" Diya asked when they both were sitting on same bench.

"No I am not angry ...... I am just disappointed with you not because u interfered in her life but because u crossed ur limits ...... And I don't know this Diya , Idk when u turned into this , we three were always together nd idk, how I missed to see the changes in you " he spoke calmly .

"Even I don't know what happened to me ..... Even I am ashamed of myself , it was all my  impulsiveness , I couldn't handle it very well " she accepted her mistakes before he could reply her , they saw Nandini coming out of her building but she didn't notice them .

Nandini ran upto the parking from her room within a minute just after he left her room , she couldn't handle the fact he was going. She was going through a turmoil of feelings , she don't know what relation is between them but at that very moment the urge of not letting him go was too much to resist.

"Manikkk " he turned back only to get stumbled over his feet , trying to balance his weight with her weight on him . She ran into his arms and threw herself on him to hold .

She snaked her arms around his neck and he tightened his hand around her lower back nd another hand on back of her head. They keep pulling each other so close in an attempt to close invisible distance between their bodies.

She wrapped her fears around him and he pulled her into his fearful warmth which is fearless only for her , cause she is not just a pretty girl but a lot more than he would desire.

In this very moment she forgot the world in his arms and he welcomed her to rule his world. Indeed it was his first time to feel loved nd wanted by someone , he never hugged anyone before like he hugged her tonight. If he could control the time then he would freeze this moment for eternity where he won't be alone , struggling with his self to live a peaceful life because in her  embrace life is peaceful .

"Should I assume it as a second chance?" He asked being in hug and she went stiff in hug .

"No I just didn't wished you bye earlier in my room ..... So it was a good bye hug  " she tried to freed her body from his hold .

"Woof woof woof " they broke the hug but didn't seperated their bodies completely from each other . Manik looked down at the intruder to kill him right there for spoiling his moment but before that she kneeled down infront of little one where others two also gathered immediately.

"Woof woof woof" they all were barking at Manik to which she smiled .

"He is badman but for now he is harmless so guys calm down " as if knowing her language they instantly stopped barking may be her caressing on their fur helped to calm them down.

"I know you don't want to chose me over ur parents but by accepting this job u won't be doing any injustice either ..... Infact u will help them to give a better life ...... Whatever happened that time we were strangers nd no matter what happens next or happened between us it meant nothing to u, so it won't make any changes.  ..... We will be strangers or I am ur boss nd u r my pilot+driver " he suggested her this and he watched change of expression on her face , that was his last hit to bring her back , he knows how she can be sensitive yet stubborn so it was difficult but not impossible to manofy her and he is the king of manipulation . Whatever he said and did wasn't a facade but in his mind he already predicted the after effects of his actions .

"Promise me we will be professional ?" Now this way she knew she is not deceiving anyone but her own heart. 

"I will wait for you on breakfast table tomorrow "he said with a smile and in a moment his car was out of her building , she nodded in disbelief , his car was fine . Obviously except one truth everything was lie she chuckled awfully.

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

"Woof woof/ ahem ahem" she heard two different sources of voices , one from dogs nd other one from her friends. She turned to look back and mostly tried to keep normal face like nothing happened or they didn't saw anything .

"Attention seekers ..... Now go nd sleep. ..... I'm fine" she kneeled in front of her pets and looking at them she said that for both , humans nd dogs . But alas only her pets left from there by making one low sound of understanding.

"We hope it wasn't for us but still we are not sleepy " Nandini looked at him in surprised, he said we nd when this happened? , He should have told her too so they both would have forgiven Diya simultaneously . She narrowed her eyes at him .

"Okay Nandu stop killing him ..... We need to talk" Diya said and eventually Nandini agreed with a nod .

They all sat on the bench with Swaroop in the middle because he is on both sides . Poor guy . They were silent but not comforting silent so he decided to speak .

"Let's start with me ...... I have found one beautiful girl , she is in my department, she is so intelligent nd very reserved type of person" he told his tiny winy secret and they looked at him bewilderment.

"And don't try to break our rule ..... We won't ask any questions but we will just share our things  " he again spoke when he saw they were going to bombard him with silly questions but stopped when he reminded them of their childhood rule.

"Today Manik came to our house ..... He offered me a job of Pilot+driver  nd salary is 10lakh ...... Mumma is impressed with him and father is not denying the offer ..... After a incredible war between mind nd heart , I have decided to join but we will be professionals no feelings involved" she spoke and they reluctantly kept their mouths shut .

"To start with ..... I want apology , yes I am ordering you nd not begging because u guys are not giving it since month ..... U know me I am always like this from childhood hot tempered with low patience , totally bitch .... I won't justify my deeds but.... Okay, I will accept whatever I did was wrong but please I am not guilty for everything and you can't be angry forever.... So please forgive me " she said with tears in her eyes and pleading smile on her face . They both nodded in acknowledgement.

"We can't stay angry forever ..... But from now onwards at least discuss with any of us before doing such things in impulsiveness okay ?" Nandini said.

"I will" they three hugged each other like before on that single bench , he wrapped his hands on either side of their shoulders and they kept their heads on his chest.

"Other important thing ..... Me and Abhi we r finally over " she shared the news and they both were about to say something eagerly but she added further "No no , rule is rule ...  u won't ask any questions".

They three kept mum for a while and then all of them opened their mouths at same time ,

"So this girl is not married na like previous girl ? / Hug is a part of professionalism? / U guys are really over ?" Diya asked about girl , Swaroop about hug nd Nandini about break up.  They three laughed together in anticipation of their questions at same time.

"We seriously can't follow the rule ..... So spill the beans " Nandini said this.

"Diya first"

"After that day we both met twice to sort things out. ...... Even he forgave me but we weren't reaching at the point of normalcy ...... He said we are not meant to be ...... First I was in denial but later on , I started to agree on it ..... It's not like I am completely over but it doesn't bother me, I guess I am fine without him " she told them her story.

" Instead of dragging , ending it on good note .... That's pretty good descion " .

"Now Swaroop" Diya said.

"I don't know her background ..... But I am sure she is not married ..... And guys stop teasing me about last incident again nd again " he whined and they chuckled.

"We hope this time u will get a girl " .

"Guys it's late we should go to our homes " Nandini said and stood up from her place .

"No madam. ..... Not before ur answer" they pulled her hands and made her sit back.

"Umm no ...... Rules are rules " this time she was fast , she ran away and stopped before her building.

"This is cheating Nandu" .

" Okay , That was good bye hug ..... Now bye" saying this she went upstairs leaving them behind. She couldn't stop her blush by remembering that hug again and again but she told her self they r professionals now , no place for feelings.

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

Three weeks later,

Today Nandini came home early in the evening because Manik went to his home earlier than usual . Nowadays he doesn't troubles her , he treats her as his driver and calls her only when he is in need . She never thought he would stick to his words when he said they will be professionals but he did . And she was so bored and irritated with this behaviour of him , she knows he is keeping his words but still he don't need to be so indifferent .

Till yesterday her boredom was bearable because her brother was with her but today he is also not here and she is utterly alone in their home . With her parents consent she sent Rishabh to school hostel because it was tiring for him to travel two times in a day and after coming to home sometimes he needs to cook because Nandini used to work till night . Even his cricket coaching is near to hostel, so she sent him to hostel .

After a week of her joining her parents went to manglore she herself dropped them in plane . That was their first flight in a plane which she was flying . That day Manik was going to Manglore because he had meeting with South Indian hero, heroine for his next album , so he gave her permission to bring her parents. They weren't ready but she said she will pay the ticket fare so they agreed and all Murthy family with Manik in same plane went to Manglore.  She remembers how her parents were happy.

"Nandu have this chocolate " Ishita fished out one dairy milk silk from her bag .

"Mumma I don't like plain silk" she whined and Ishita rolled her eyes.

"Don't crib ..... It's for good luck " she forcefully put it into her mouth and Nandini silently ate that.

They reached at the private area where his private jet was placed on ground , a land specifically designed for a plane to takeoff.  She was surrounded by her over excited nd nervous family , Rishabh was also there with them as he also wanted to sit in a plane which his Di is going to drive .

"I'm really proud of you my pilot " her father kissed her forehead after keeping Pilot's hat on her head . She was wearing typical pilot uniform.

"This is the moment I was waiting for all my life ..... This is the best outfit u have wore till now and I am very proud of it " he really had few tears in his which didn't go unnoticed by her .

"I hope U don't want ur pilot having blurry view " she hugged him and he caressed her head.

"And I hope u remember u have mother too who is so much proud of herself for giving a birth to a gem like u " Ishita reminded her.

"Aww Mumma" this time she hugged her Mumma .

"Can we skip this emotional drama and get into the plane ..... Because I am very excited" Rishabh intervened.

"Baby bro ..... I know u also want to hug me " she hugged him too . And that was true .

"Best luck for first fly "

"Thanks"

"Miss Murthy everything is set ? " Here comes her boss , Mr Manik Malhotra. He just came to the field with aviators on his eyes hiding his beautiful eyes from sunlight.

"Yes sir "

"All the best for first flight " he wished her professionally .

"Thank you sir " he just gave a nod.

They three sat together in the same compartment , Manik came and sat beside Rishabh much to his annoyance . He murmured some curses under his breath for Manik . Manik started his acting and as usual Ishita fell for it and Raman was neutral and Rishabh was frustrated .

She was taking long breathes to calm her mind she don't have doubt on her skills but she was nervous as it's going to be her first professional flying. Inside the cabin other crew members were also present to motivate her and even another well trained nd experienced pilot was also there for emergencies , Manik have arranged them all .

"All Flight attendants, prepare for take-off please ..... We will depart about in next five minutes ..... Have a safe journey " and her plane took off from the ground after checking weather conditions.  She flew in the air as private pilot for first time with her family and ex love of her life .

She sighed helplessly she don't have anyone around her even her friends are not at home , Swaroop is still in office and Diya went meet with her new friend . After wasting her time in thinking while eating maggie she decided she will go to any random club today .

She wore a plane, simple, black off shoulder dress , that dress is perfect for pub . She wore simple strapless black heels below it and did some minimal make up to enhance her look. She left her hair open .

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

In the bar ,

It was 11pm and Nandini was having her 3rd drink , she exited herself from dance floor because people over there were so clingy to handle them , they were very drowsy to call them sane or dance between them. So she came out of that zone and started drinking it's her 5th time in pub but it's her first time to come here alone without friends and it was very much boring and cringe worthy .

"Need company or u would prefer being alone?" She looked at her right side to find one similar figure.

"I won't mind familiar company" she smiled at Abhimanyu.

"Drinking to forget pain or to forget someone ?" He took drink for himself and sat beside her .

"Drinking out of boredom" she yawned.

"Hmm ..... Good"

"But u seem to be here to forget someone "she asked looking at him and he looked back at her .

"U know?"

"I do "

"Hmm"

"Hey wait ..... U r drinking too much " he said when she was about to take 5th drink.

"So what? ...... Isn't this the way to get rid of certain thought ? ...... Usually people do it , don't they ?" It was confirmed she is drunk , she was bit tipsy and she started blabbering ridiculous.

"Yeah they do ..... But u certainly don't have that much control over urself to handle it " he said , unsure about her reaction.

"U know what ? fuck this ...... Actually fuck everything ,  I want to fuck someone " she started standing on her feet but her steps were unsteady.

"Ohh .... No ..... U don't need to " he said holding her arms , stopping her from falling.

"Yes I need to ,Manik used to do this ..... This is best way to get rid of thoughts " she was blinking her eyes , she was also smiling for no reason and in next moment she was sad for no reason .

"Nandiniii ..... Come I will drop u home" he said sternly .

"Drop me at his place ..... He is fucking my life nd now I will fuck him " new determination of taking revenge from him glittered in her eyes which surprised him , he suppressed his laugh.

"Not needed ...... That fucker will really fuck you " .

"That's what I wanted " .

"No means no ...... Now come "

"Fine ..... I will fuck u " this made him stopped in his place . She was insane.

"Are you out of ur mind ?"

"Yes, now drop me at Malhotra Mansion " she was stubborn and when she came very close to him that time he really wanted to pull his hair out of head in annoyance .

"Okay come " he finally accepted her demand it's better , he will ask Manik to take care of Nandini. It wouldn't have been big deal to have fun with her as a random girl in pub but fucking ex girlfriend's best friend suddenly felt forbidden to him and he dropped her at backseat and then at Malhotra Mansion.

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

"Umm I thought u won't come" Karan said when Diya appeared in front of him .

"I was free so thought of showing u the city " she said and sat beside him. He was in city from some months but still he haven't discovered it much .

"But I didn't thought u would chose me as a company " she added further.

"Umm I was alone  ...... No way Manik would have showed me city ...... So thought of asking u if u could roam around with me " he said honestly and she nodded.

"So this marine drive is also called as Queen's necklace " she told him and he looked around.

"Actually ..... Because of it's arc-shaped bay-side boulevard lining ..... It looks like necklace " he said excitedly and she chuckled.

"I know" she laughed .

"Katti " he pouted.

"U r cute " she pulled his one cheek , for the first time she saw his baby side otherwise he used to be mature one , all the time.

"Umm thanks" he flashed his teeth. 

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

"Manik Malhotra ...... Manik ..... Manik " standing with keeping one elbow on bonet of car to prevent herself from falling she screamed his name loudly in three different voices first one was loud nd direct , second one was drowsy nd third one was lovely in low pitch .

She kept calling unless she found him coming out of his home. Abhimanyu was giving brief details about her current situation to Sahil nd Sandesh , he also asked them to keep eye on her nd Manik.

"Why the fuck are you shouting? ..... And what the fuck u r doing here ?" He asked in calm tone with hands folded on his chest .

"For the fuck's sake I am here and I am going to fuck you " she started coming to him and she was about to fall but Abhimanyu catched her from waist.  Manik also came forward .

"What's happening?" He asked this to Abhimanyu.

"She is drunk and out of control ..... She wanted to be with you that's why I brought her here " Abhimanyu told this to Manik.

"Yes yes ..... Mr Malhotra, I want to fuck you" she said with stars in her eyes and that made Manik fluttered.

"Shut up" Abhimanyu asked her but she pushed his hand and came to Manik. 

"Please don't take advantage of her " Abhimanyu said in pleading and fearful tone .

"Do you think such low of myself ?" Manik asked being perplexed.

"Obviously" he said very casually .

"I haven't forced anyone nor raped any girl " Manik too said in duh tone .

"U didn't but also u haven't stopped anyone no matter if they were drunk or drugged " Abhimanyu stated the fact. 

"Ohh that's not my problem ..... I'm so irresistible , u can see " he pointed towards Nandini who was almost falling over him .

"It won't be new for u but she will definitely regret in morning ..... So I am hoping she will be safe with you " he said with a hope and little doubt in his mind .

"Ohh okay " he said in disinterested tone .

"Promise me "

"Okay ..... Now disappear , everyone " everyone reluctantly cleared the space in front of his mansion .

"Why r u drunk?" He brought her inside the house and locked the door behind, without answering she pushed him on door. 

"U don't need to be so much professional" she said coming dangerously close to him , she was almost leaning on him .

"Nan-di-ni " he tried maintaining distance.

"Fuck this hesitation" she slammed her lips on his taking him off guard , his eyes widened in the surprise. He never thought she could be this bold and courageous.

She started kissing but she wasn't good kisser he realised that when he came back to his senses then he took the lead and started kissing her like a pro, she also started responding to him in her slow pace.  The softness of her lips melted his conscious , her lips were the lips that anyone would want to kiss over and over again until she faints due to lack of oxygen .

He exchanged their positions swiftly and pushed her on door and himself on her, this time she was surprised by his move , she gasped in kiss and his tongue entered her mouth , he started relishing her alcoholic taste and she kept standing there without any movement.

Her's wasn't the first lips he tasted but those were certainly the lips he would want cherish for lifetime .

Her lips were kind of toxic that he wanted to get intoxicated by them .

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

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chap?

.............. Aish ❣️.............