(I won't say it again but don't make me regret for posting here 🙂🙃)

After returning to home she took the bath where she thought about all the things that happened in past and everything which is happening in present . She realised she is getting close to her dreams , those were ideally beautiful dreams but as they started becoming her reality they are crashing her morals and she really don't know how she should feel for living the most beautiful dream in very complicated way .

She changed into her soft night dress , she was very exhausted but still sleep was far away from her eyes. She was hungry too but she didn't had anyone to cook or anything to eat and she was so tired to do food experiments , she is missing her parents so much .

"So princess is returned to castle" her father said from other side of the call because when she couldn't sleep she called her father in the early morning .

"U r awake ..... I thought u will be sleeping" she said .

"It's 4am ...... Anyways I was going to wake up, u just made it two hours early for me " he yawned .

"I wasn't getting sleep " she pouted sadly.

"I thought so, as u lost the title of Miss Elegant that too when u were looking so gorgeous in that black saree " he teased her and reminded her that she really lost that title .

"U know?" .

"Yeah I am following Diya on instagram and she has posted lots of pic with Swaroop and her crown ...... So I was waiting for ur call last night " she mentally cried on her situation , she didn't even knew who won that competition but now she got to know that both her friends won the title , she have to meet them . She just vanished suddenly, last night.

"U see ..... I was looking gorgeous then also I lost it " she nagged like a baby Nandini, and he chuckled at his cute daughter. 

"We will buy u a crown .... Okay? "

"Dadd" she whined , she is not a child anymore she knows difference between buying and owning a crown.

"By the way.... This cry is sounding as if u r finding reason to cry nd not just normal whining " he suspected the sadness in her voice , yes she can be little bit jealous or sad for losing the crown but she is not someone who will feel deeply hurt or inferior in front of anyone .

"Dad ..... I love him " taking a deep breath she confessed this and her eyes teared up at last. He was startled for a min though it wasn't unexpected but he didn't expected her to say this now in the morning.

"Then what's the problem ?" He said after a pause because she looked disturbed.

"I don't like the way he lives his life.  it's like never ending dark tunnel " she layed on her stomach on her bed .

" Aren't princess supposed to win over darkness? " He knew she is more connected this way. 

"They are, but what if person himself is a dark ?" .

"Then it depends on the love u two share , his darkness will consume u or ur love will consume him ? In anyway u both are going to get hurt , u just have to hold each other."

"I am confused " she knows he feels for her but she don't know the intensity of his emotions .

"Do whatever ur heart says ...... U know the risks so take a wise step ..... And don't force ur heart in anyway .......  If it's scared of holding him then let him go and if it's willing to hold him then let go of fear " .

"My own guilt is holding my love back " she said the main thing which was stopping her from accepting him.

"What is it ?"

"He risked ur life to get me " she sighed , it's hard for her to say the truth.

"Is there any possibility in his defence ? "

"According to his character it's justifiable for him to some extent " .

"Then ?"

"It's not justifiable for a daughter ..... For me".

"Next month it's ur birthday ...... I am forgiving him ..... Ur pre birthday gift from ur father" . He said after thinking about him , nothing matters more than her happiness .

"Dad , u don't need to" she again felt uneasy. 

"I need to because u r not able to separate ur relationships ..... Always remember every relation and person holds different role and worth in ur life ...... U always can't run behind ur father or mother or brother or friend or lover ...... U can't live with just one relation in ur life .... U have to prioritise ur choices according to situations ...... Learn to respect every character and it's importance in ur life , ur love for me is obvious but also respect ur love for him ..... U don't need to chose one or sacrifice other , just learn to maintain ur relations with love and time ..... I love u nd Rishu ,but what I have for Ishita , it's different and irreplaceable ....  I hope u understood it " he explained her.

"Papa I love you" she was overwhelmed.

"How much u love ur future bf ? " He remembered this .

"Future bf ? "

"U r having second thoughts about replacing Manik?"

"Noooo .... ? "

"Then? "

" I haven't loved anyone more than him not even my breathes " it's cliche and over dramatic line but indeed she loved him more than her own life that night when she saved him .

"Ahem ahem. it's cheating with ur parents ."

"Papa yaar at least u don't tease me "

"Okay tell me , do he loves you the way u love him" he wanted to be sure that for whom he is taking this much risk even after knowing he put his life on stake. He forgave him because he trusts Nandini's choice.

"He does the things which he never have done and that too by going out of his way ....... If whatever he feels for me is love then no one can love me the way he do , he has never loved someone like he loves me " she said whatever she has seen in him . He is very different and it's difficult to decode his character though he is very honest with her.

"Dad .... What's ur opinion?" She was curious about it .

"As ur father may be I don't want u with him , he is not someone with whom u can spend peaceful life but I believe in u .... U r someone who can make it better and even u love adventures nd his nature is one kind of biggest adventure for u to deal with " she smiled half heartedly at his honest review and indeed he is right .

"How is mother ?" She changed the topic.

"She is sleeping but she is very angry with me " .

"Why?"

"Because I am spending more times with my ex girlfriends " .

"U know na she gets jealous easily ..... So try to avoid them na "

"U know how handsome ur father is ...... So it's difficult for them to resist my charm ..... And it will be shameful for me to ignore old beauties "

"I hope ur not planning to bring step mother for me at this age "

"I was exactly planning the same "

"Daddd" she whined and cutted the call , both mother nd daughter are same he thought and laughed , his laughter awakened sleeping Ishita then he had to use his another early hour in pacifying his wife.

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

"Good morning" Karan greeted Manik when he met him in Mansion at 10 am . Both of them were out of house, last night. He went to meet Diya after her function and Manik was already with Nandini.

"Good morning" both of them had smile on their faces. But Manik's reply shocked him , how he replied like a normal person that too with soft smile.

"Hey what's the deal man ?" Karan asked suspiciously because Manik's smile was soft nd constant , worth falling for.

"What?" He narrowed his eyes .

"U look different today" he said and Manik got tensed , he is very obsessed with his looks.

"Do I look dead ?" He asked in mocking tone .

"No but u r looking very much alive opposite of ur usual self" Karan said and Manik made a face.

"Whatever" he went near dinning table to have his breakfast.

"Manikk" he turned his neck and raised his eyebrows.

"Nurture the relationship which is keeping u alive ...... Because u look beautiful when u smile for real " Karan said before climbing stairs.

"It's high time ...... I should tell Miss Elegant that her bf is gay " Karan looked back , rolled his eyes and continued climbing his steps . Manik softly chuckled .

He was eating his breakfast made by his maid and just thought crossed his mind , what would be that little bunny eating ? . She must be hungry like always . He was engrossed in eating and his ph rang.

"Why are u calling?" He said while chewing the bite of french toast.

"To inform you that I met the team of new album in Mangalore just a hour ago and everything is perfect according ur test  ...... They just need to improvise their promoting techniques but that's not issue ...... I will stay here till Thursday so I will personally look into the matter " Abhimanyu gave him update about work on the call.

"Okay ..... Anything else" this plain , simple reply was little surprising for Abhimanyu.

"Yeah u must go to half note , ur second phone must be there..... Someone was calling me asking why ur phone is off , that person sounded angry nd kind of desperate .... Is everything fine? " Manik furrowed his eyebrows who is desperate to talk with him then he realised it can be Sattya .

"If u receive such call again then record it  " Abhimanyu nodded from that end and Manik cutted the call.

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

"Diyaaaa" Nandini barged inside her house without knocking because door was already opened as Diya's parents just left the house for their job.

"Where were u? ..... We called you so many times last night ..... U should have at least told us ..... U know how ....." Diya kept ranting and in front of her eyes Nandini lazily sneaked into kitchen. She knows Diya would eat her raw but before that she needs to eat cooked food.

"Wow it's yummy" Nandini tored the piece of aloo paratha and just stuffed that in her mouth , Diya folded her arms on her chest and glared Nandini and she ignored it . She served herself one Paratha in plate .

"Nandini answer me " she demanded and Nandini opened her fridge.

"Where is the sauce and cheese?" She asked she didn't find it in first rack. Diya huffed in annoyance and moved towards the fridge.

"Here take this" she put them on her hand, showing her anger but it bothered Nandini less because she needs to satisfy her hunger first .

"U can continue ur scolding .... I will eat till then " she sat on dinning table and started eating and after some time Diya also sat with her plate and also served one more Paratha to Nandini , she knows she haven't ate anything since last night.

"Where did u just disappeared last night ?" She asked again.

"To see shooting stars " she said thoughtfully and ate another piece.

"With whom?" She already guessed the person but still asked, wanting to confirm her doubt and then only Nandini's ph rang .

"Manik " she whispered looking at phone .

"I knew it" Diya said knowingly as she bit inside of her cheek .

"Manik ..... It's his call ..... He is calling" saying this she answered the call .

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

"Where should I take you today?" She asked him when she reached at the Malhotra Mansion for her job.

"This is the first thing u r asking me?" He was thinking that something might have changed between them after last night but her sincere nod cleared it that nothing has changed.

"Yeah it's my job " she said in obvious tone and he nodded to himself , if she wants this way then be it even he won't put efforts . It's not satisfying his ego so he is not going back to her like love sick puppy who is hungry for attention.

"Take me to half note " he also said in his attitude without looking at her and sat inside the car , she too sat on driver seat and took him to his desired place .

So many things happened and they both are jumbling with their thoughts individually , like they are not understanding each other's emotions neither they are trying to do that.

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

After giving nod to all the greetings on his way , he entered inside his cabin and found his second phone which is for outsiders , he usually keep this phone in his cabin. Because almost everyday he visits his music company except when he is out for trips. 

After opening his phone he saw so many missed calls from private number , he shook his head knowing how impatient Sattya is.  Inadvertently the stranger blissful smile on his face started to disappear as he dialled that number and in three rings Sattya received the call .

"Hello" Manik said in normal tone and Sattya groaned from other side.  

"Fuck ur Hello ..... I have called u for deal " he said with irritation because he was desperately calling him since morning.

"Which deal?"

"Free those two bastards from jail that too before election " he said in deep nd determined tone .

"I won't .... I can't and u shouldn't force me ....  U r risking so many lives" Manik tried his luck.

"Nandini is talking with ur workers outside ur company ..... She looks happy and she is looking cute with smile on her face but I am not sure if she will smile after taking bullet just in her heart or head " he trailed his evil thoughts with smile which worked on Manik.

"U won't do anything " Manik greeted his teeth.

"I won't but my man will ..... She is just 20 feet away from gun point " .

"U can't blackmail me " .

"I am blackmailing you Manik " .

"She is innocent ..... She is not part of ur game " Manik tried to use soft side of Sattya because he don't harm anyone unnecessarily.

"My sister was innocent too " his sister was victim of this dirty politics , she also didn't asked for any of suffering still she suffered and he won't be calm until he serves her justice. And for this he can use innocent Nandini too .

"Idk anything ..... Nandini should be safe " his tone was threatening

"Then make sure to keep her safe ..... This time I am calling next time I won't ..... They should be rescued before Friday or I will shoot her on Saturday without any warning and without leaving any chance for her survival " his tone held power and intensity.

"U r not doing it right Sattya " Manik roared over call and clenched his jaw , now he has got a point to trigger Manik and Sattya was exactly doing this because he was being sadiast for getting pleasure by seeing Manik helpless , this is how he felt when his innocent sister died for nothing , he would have done anything for her survival if Manik didn't have killed her. 

"I intend to do bad " he said with equal evil rage and kept his phone inside his pocket , now he got Manik's weak point.

Keeping phone back on it's place Manik heaved , he took deep breaths to calm himself . He gathered his disheveled mind together , he realised he never felt so vulnerable , scared and helpless for anyone in all these years . And these certain feelings are making him powerless , he can't afford to lose his fearless life for anyone , he don't want to live in certain fear of losing something or someone . His colourless and emotionless life is far better than this chaotic life with her . Unknowingly she is making him weak to a point that he is losing his real self , he never needed to bend in front of situations and she is exactly doing that , she is taking away the freedom of being selfish man because he is caring for her more than he should and this is not the way he wants things to be . He will ask her to leave the job nd in compensation he will give the amount she will ask for her further loss . But he don't want her to consume him that he will lose his own dark character which has been keeping him alive all these years that too without any guilt .

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

"Nandini ur jacket is very beautiful " one of the female worker said this to Nandini as she was busy spending her time with his workers , because she gets really very bored inside the car, so it's better to have chat with her fellows sometimes .

"Thank you" she smiled at middle aged woman. 

"My daughter wants same jacket ..... I will buy one for her at the end of this month " she said with a smile because her teenager daughter was asking for same kind of denim jacket since month so she will get one for her after getting her salary.

"U know I just wore it today .... It's really new .... So give this to her " she said while removing her jacket. She don't like giving her things to others but sometimes she goes out of her character whenever she feels right in doing that thing.

Manik was coming out of the half Note with a determination of firing her from her job but before going to her he looked around, trying to find if any suspicious person is there or not then his gaze followed the two people standing very far away, one was holding telescope and other one was holding the gun  , pointing towards her but one of them received a call .

"No dear ..... U don't need to I will really buy one ..... I was just saying it " she denied politely but Nandini knew better so she removed that and as she pulled her hand out of jacket her hand got bruised due to rusted iron of the railing near her .

"Tell her that Nandini Didi gifted her ..... Now don't deny .... Please" she said and put that jacket on her hand.  She was feeling burning sensation but she didn't showed it on her face because it would have made her fellows worried .

"She will love it " she smiled very warmly and caressed Nandini's face to which she smiled and moved away from them to see her wound .

Manik saw that man kept gun in his pocket after they ended the call , indeed Sattya asked them to backed out as he saw them going away then his gaze travelled and he found her face reflecting pain nd she was blowing air on her hand. 

"Ohh aaah mummy" she winced like a baby as she saw her small injury , she blew air on it .

"Aaah" she again winced at forceful hug from Manik. She was busy in blowing air on her wound and he suddenly ran upto her and took her in his arms , making her fold her wounded hand .

"What are you doing to me Nandini? " He relaxed in her hold and sighed on her head as he inhaled smell of her hair which calmed him down . Just the sight of she getting hurt was unbearable for him. His lips kept caressing her hair and his mind was grateful with the feeling of having her safe in his embrace. 

"Umm nothing ..... But u r holding me so tight that I am feeling my diaphragm will break if u apply little more force .... And apart from that ur workers are looking at us ..... So it's kind of weird " she said casually and tried to pull herself out of him , this hug was so sudden that she didn't hugged him back out of embarrassment , she is totally aware of the surrounding unlike him.

"Huh" he broke the hug instantly and looked around and found his gaurds and workers have teasing smile on their faces but when they saw him narrowing his eyes they looked down immediately and he shot one glance at her who was also smiling from inside on his cause . He glared everyone and sat inside his car. 

She passed chuckled to the people who were smiling at her direction Manik saw that nd pressed horn loud enough to bring her back in to the car . She waved them bye and sit inside the car .

"Where?"

"Malhotra Mansion" he said without looking at her , because he knows she is having that playful smile on her face and he don't want to embarrass himself . She started driving and he was silent. 

"Why u hugged me like that?"  He stared at her beautiful and calm face for few seconds.

"Why ?" She raised her eyebrow and again looked in front at the road as she was driving.

"Last night u again kissed me without my consent so I hugged u ..... Simple " somehow he answered trying to be casual about it. 

"Liar" she murmured because she felt him feeling relieved in her arms as if he was seeking comfort .

"We should maintain the professionalism Mr Malhotra" he again looked at her suggestive face , she is really so difficult to understand . After last night she has guts to say about professionalism, like what the fuck man.

"Okay" he gave plain , simple reply.

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

"Come inside" he said before getting out of the car and she frawned, didn't he agreed to be professional ? Then why he is asking her to come inside .

"I thought we r professionals" she said meekly as she followed him inside the house , he tilted his neck back and gave her dangerous look at which she sealed her lips with imaginary zip .

As she followed him she realized she just has seen quarter part of his house and there is so much inside to explore.  He opened the door of the room and she entered after him. It was probably the most biggest study room she ever have witnessed in her life , room is two times wider than his room . Half part of room is covered with a small library inside his house and half part is covered with swords and guns .

Other half part is so fascinating because she never saw many varieties of guns and swords at a time in real life.  She has seen this type of equipments in series nd movies only , she never thought she will see any of them in real. 

"These all are yours?" She was mesmerized with his instruments , she touched the outer glass carefully and looked at every piece minutely.

"Can I touch any of it ..... Pleachh" she said with puppy eyes and small pout , he desired to take that pout in his mouth but he dismissed that thought. 

"Take any of it for u " he whispered in her ear , making her shivered.

"What would I do with any of it ?" Indeed she liked them but she don't want them , she don't even have license to carry a gun neither she has reason to carry it .

"Keep it with u ..... Everyday and Everywhere u go " she took two steps back and turned to see his face .

"Are you high on drug? " She asked .

"It doesn't matter ..... The point is U should listen to me " he took one step towards her .

"There should be valid sense to listen to you" she mocked him , because he is really being weird today , did last night's scenes affected his brain ? She thought.

"I don't speak nonsense" he took one more step towards and she thought , he is right he always do things with some or other motive.

"Choose one" he whispered again as their heads were touching each other. Due to his proximity she turned back without arguing maybe last night's scene really affected him .

She looked around and she liked so many guns, swords , little daggers , blades but she chose wisely . She chose two guns and showed it to him .

"Which one?" He smiled at her choice though she don't know anything about their specifications and clearly chose them because of their appearance , they are smaller than others but she chose one best type in them .

"This is most expensive and ancient gun in this whole collection ..... I have won this in an auction at USA ..... But it's hard to use " he said by taking one gun in his hand . He stared at his favorite piece of weapon in his hand.

"But keep this one with u ..... This one is easy for u to handle as it has been made recently ..... I will teach you personally " he said by taking other gun in his hand and keeping first one back on her palm .

She nodded but he noticed how her eyes were not leaving the first gun on her palm ,the special description he gave, it made that gun more fascinating for her .

"Keep both ..... But use this silver gun " beautiful smile adorned her face making it more brighter.  He never thought he would give that gun just like that to anyone ,on which he has spent million dollars in auction just because he wanted to have that gun in his collection .

"Thank you , thank you so much " out of happiness she kissed his cheek , it happened out of happiness as her involuntary moment but this made his heart twirled inside his chest cavity. 

"I never had any antique piece in my house and winning any from auction was far fetched dream " she pouted at the end it was more like she was talking to herself rather than telling him . He has seen her being absolutely childish but he never saw her being euphoric child, her delightment was pure , she was happy within herself and it was worth sacrificing the expensive, ancient gun. 

"But this must be so much expensive " she realised and placed back on it's place.

"This is yours.... Take it " he said keeping it back on her palm.

"Manik , thank you ..... But u have won it , I can't take ur happiness ..... I don't want it " .

"I'm selfish ...... I am doing what's making me happy " he closed her palm around that gun and her stomach churned inside by hearing his words .

"It will be mine ..... But it will stay here at ur place ..... Don't argue because I don't have safe place for this in my house..... Okay" he reluctantly nodded .

"And don't dare to touch it without my permission " she folded her arms on her chest , raised her toes and head , trying to dominate him . He chuckled at her innocent attempt.

"Okay madam " he acted along with her.

"Now choose one small dagger " his sudden interest in her shooting and fighting made her suspicious but she did it without question . If he is not sharing it means he won't share at any cost , she needs to  be careful around him .

"This ..... But tell me how I am going to carry them daily ..... I don't even have license to use them nor I have reason to carry them " she said after giving very small dagger to him. 

"It's right for u ..... It's made for self defense only..... I will get u belt so u can wear it regularly .... Wear jeans only for few days " he ordered her and she raised her eyebrows at him , he can't decide her clothes .

"Why ? ...... And where will I keep gun , in pockets of my jeans?" She said sarcastically but he took it seriously , he grabbed her arm turned her swiftly and twisted her hand at the back.

She gasped at his sudden move , her back was pressing to his front , he pressed her more on his chest , took that silver gun and lifted her top up from his finger and her toes curled up as his cold hand touched her warm body . He pushed that gun nd his finger inside her jeans , making her breath hitched as his fingers also touched her bare lower abdomen and she prayed that he won't go more down and she sighed in relief as he stopped there only but didn't moved his hand. 

"I will ask designer for customized jeans with pockets inside " she hold her breath as he pressed gun more on her skin , he was so close and his strong manly cologne was filling her nostrils , affecting her  harmones , making her hot from inside .

"Okay leave me " she slapped his hand and he removed it quickly , she maintained distance between their bodies and started taking deep breaths to calm her vigorous breathing he observed his affect on her but didn't said anything.

"Umm instead of living alone ..... U can live here if u want " he said by shrinking his eyes unsure about her response .

"Mr Malhotra u seriously need a doctor ..... Should I take u to one? " she said and checked his forehead.

"Nandini I am serious" he held her hand and pulled it down.

"Yes u r seriously gone  ...... Anyways I am going home " she said and started moving out but again he pulled her back .

"At least keep them with you " he knew she is safe till Saturday so he can take this much risk at least .

"Okay " she took them and they both came out of the his house .

She was going towards her car without looking back at him .

"Nandini" she turned her neck .

"Bye" she smiled.

"Bye" she again started going forward . This few steps became uncomfortable for her because she knew his eyes haven't left sight of her going .

She looked back again to see if he is making any move to stop her , she didn't wanted to stay but she also wanted to stay . It's not making sense similar to her mood , like she is clear that she want him and she also knows he feels something for her but still she is scared of making move but that doesn't mean he shouldn't try . In fact he should try , he should make move and follow her but he is useless jerk to expect anything from him , why this man is so complicated can't he understand one simple thing all by himself? . Why he has to be so dumb , Aayiappa please save her ? That's what she thought and sat inside the car.

He saw two people from afar , they were coming inside the mansion as per his instructions he didn't want her to see them but if she will go out she will surely see them . She was about to start her car but he jumped in front which stopped her .

"What is it Mr Malhotra?" She said after sliding down the window and he looked at the two people , he was signaling them not to come with his hand but she gave him confused look and before she can see them he came near her .

"U can really stay here ...... I mean I won't trouble you ..... U will be having seperate room ..... Even u will have company " he said leaning on the opened window .

"Ur company ? ...... Not interested " she teased him .

"Not mine but Karan's ..... He also stays here , u can bitch about me with him ..... See it's golden opportunity nd also u can have good food ..... I know u cook horrible food" he also pulled out his phone out of his pocket and looking down he typed one simple message . ' Hide somewhere' . He was fast that when she looked outside the window he was done with his work.

"U r insulting me ?" She gave him dangerous look .

"No ..... I am offering u good food "

"U will make it ?" She asked.

"I can think of it "

"Why r u doing this?" She asked this time seriously . She is sure something is happening about which she is unaware.

"U wanna know" he said before checking if those two left the area or not but he saw them looking at their phone , may be they are reading his msg .

"Umm yeah " she said and he moved closer .

"For this " he moved his lips and before he could touch his lips with hers she pressed button and glass window seperated them , she laughed at his cause as he couldn't kissed her but he smirked at her. 

Her lips were sticking to the glass window from inside, he gently rubbed his finger on the reflection of her lips on the window as if touching her lips really and he slowly bent his head and placed his lips on the reflection of her lips , his action felt so pure , surreal and soft for her that her face turned pink in the anticipation. 

He smiled at her pink face and she started the car without looking at him and he looked back to see road is clear . Her car moved ahead and she smiled beautifully without looking back at him , with a increasing distance their heart grew more closer.

She didn't left his house but she took his home with her , her arms .

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

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

.............. Aish ❣️...........