Nandini's POV

Next morning when I opened my eyes I saw the bed empty beside me.

Where did Manik go?

I got up and checked everywhere in the room but he was nowhere. So I immediately freshened up and moved downstairs and finally sighed seeing him sitting on the couch talking with Bhai. I was going to walk towards them when I noticed Navya coming from the other direction holding a bag. My eyes widened and I ran to her.

"Navya! Are you mad! Why are you caring this bag? Give it to me!" I literally snatched it from her hand and she pouted.

"I just wanted to show this to you!" She said cutely and I shook my head.

"Come!" I said and carefully took her to the dining table and made her sit.

"Now say! What did you want to show?" I asked and her eyes gleamed with joy.

"Keep the bag here!" She patted on the table and I did as told.

She opened the bag and took something out. I frowned trying to see what it is but she didn't let me.

"Close your eyes!" She demanded.

"What? Navyaa!" I whined but she stayed put.

"Okay fine!" Saying so I closed my eyes.

"Okay! Now you can open your eyes!" She said in her excited voice and I slowly opened my eyes.

"Aww Navyaa this is soo cuteee!" I gushed seeing the cute thing.

"It is right!" She said in the same tone.

"But why two?" I asked.

"Well Cabir says it will be a girl and I am saying it will be a boy! So let's be prepared!" She winked and I chuckled.

"Okay next!" She said and took out two dresses same one for baby girl and one for baby boy.

While I was with Navya I felt a strong gaze on me and I turned to my left to see Manik staring me with an unnamed emotion. His stare was giving me jitters and he was not ready to look away neither was I. But then Navya called me and I looked away breaking our eyelock. I could still feel his stare but I chose to ignore it.

"See this!" She showed me the cute lil dresses.

"Navya this is all so cutee! Now I can't wait for him/her to come out!" I said placing a hand on her bump.

"Neither can I!" We looked at Bhai who stood right beside us.

"Bhai what if it's a boy!" I teased and he smirked.

"It is a girl!" He said a little to confidently and Navya pouted.

"A boy!" She argued.

"A girl!" He argued back.

I could just giggle seeing their cute fight when I felt a presence behind me. I knew who it was and I don't know why my heart started beating fast.

"Rose!" He whispered and I held my breath.

"Come with me!" He said and held my hand whereas I didn't oppose as he took me upstairs while Cabir bhai and Navya were still bickering.

"What happened?" I asked concerned with what happened yesterday.

He just shook his head and pulled me towards him holding me tight by my waist. I stared in his eyes trying to find the answers to my questions but all I got in return was nothing!

"Manik!" I called softly.

He said nothing but continued to stare at me.

Finally I pressed my palms on his chest and pushed him a little which brought him out of his trance but he didn't let go of me completely.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly and he nodded with a sigh.

"Manik -!"

"I'll just come!" He said and leaving me walked towards the door.

As soon as his hand rested on the door knob to open it I raised a question which I wanted to ask from the time I witnessed it.

"Manik how is music connected to you?" I asked curiously and his body went stiff as his grip on the knob tightened causing his knuckles to turn white.

"Nandini I told you not to ask me anything about my past!" He gritted and it was easily seen how badly he was controlling himself from smashing something.

"But how long Manik? How long? I know you need time but what if tomorrow I'm not there with you? What if you want to share but I'm not with you? You can't rely on tomorrow Manik! No one knows what will happen in the next moment!" I voiced out and neither did he turn nor did his posture change.

"You are not going anywhere Nandini! I won't let that happen!" He said darkly and stormed out of there making me sigh in displeasure.

"When will you open up Manik? You need to trust me!" I whispered.

"Nandini!" I looked up and saw Bhai standing there with a calm expression.

"Bhai! Come inside! Why are you standing there?" I smiled and he stepped inside.

"Is everything alright?" He asked and I sighed.

"I don't know why can't Manik share his past with me!" I said in a low voice.

"Nandini give him some time! He'll come around!" Bhai tried to assure him.

"How much time Bhai? Does he not trust me? Am I not worthy enough to share his past? I understand it must be very difficult for him to remember all those memories all over again but I'm there by his side right?! I promise I won't let him down but atleast he needs to take a step!" I breathed out.

"And Bhai do you really think all those messages I've been getting are just a prank? No right! What if something happens to me tomorr -!" I was cut off when my name was yelled.

"Nandini!" I was startled as I saw Bhai glaring at me.

"Don't you ever say that again! I'm warning you! We won't let anything happen to you!" He said sternly.

"But I was just -!"

"No! I don't want to listen to anything! I know you want to heal Manik! But it won't happen at your cost! You need to understand that!" Saying so he too marched out.

"God! Is there anybody in this mansion who would listen to me!" I said frustrated when I saw Alex who stood at the door staring at me with his innocent eyes.

"I know only you will!" I sighed as I gestured him to come towards me and he happily ran to me.

"I don't what would have I done if you weren't there!" I sighed hugging Alex and kissing him from time to time.

The rest of the day passed like that with me spending my time in the room with Alex by my side. I didn't feel like stepping out of the room neither did anyone disturb me. I didn't feel like talking to anyone or even eating anything.

Manik also didn't come in the room the whole day and I didn't even know if he was home. It was 10 in the night when I stepped out of the room making sure Alex was asleep.

I thought to discover the mansion as I still haven't done that! Although I've seen it but not completely. Roaming around the mansion there were many new things I came across but the one thing that got me curious was a room which was at the end in a dark corner. I got near to it slowly only to meet darkness! There was not even a single ray of light in that particular area.

Still gaining courage I opened the door which made a creaking sound as if not opened in ages and it was true! The room was not opened since ages as I got in all I met was with dust and dirt which made a cough and sneeze.

I found the switchboard somehow and switched the lights on which only made me gasp loudly. I looked around with my shocked eyes not believing what I was seeing.

But then when I raised my hand to touch it I was spun around harshly and the lights were switched off. With my fast heartbeats I could only manage to look up in those raging monster eyes shooting daggers at me in dark.

Without another word he pulled me out from there and dragged me to his room. I didn't say a word but when he jerked me away in the room I winced.

"WHAT IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM??" He yelled loudly making me jump on my place and also Alex ran out of the room being scared.

"Ma -!"

"No! What is your problem? Huh? Why can't you just fucking mind your own business? What are you? Just because I brought you here, I let you and your that brother stay in my house; I'll allow you to bloody interfere in my life? Who gave you the fucking right to interfere in my life?!!" He nothing but yelled making me numb on my place.

"Listen to me and listen to me good! You are no fucking one to poke your bloody nose in my life! Get that!" He screamed painfully loud as I continued to stare at him blankly.

"Just why? Why can't you fucking wait when I clearly said I need some time! I need some time dammit!" He banged the wall but this time it didn't make me flinch.

He stood there trying calm himself down and I turned around and walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" He asked, pain clear in his voice.

"I'm giving you your space and time!" Saying so I moved out and went to another room not before I noticed Bhai standing in the corridor staring at me sorrowfully.

I sat on the floor in one corner in dark as lights wouldn't provide the path! As I rested my head against the wall all his words roamed in my head.

Why can't you just fucking mind your own business?

What are you?

Just because I brought you here, I let you and your that brother stay in my house; I'll allow you to bloody interfere in my life?

Who gave you the fucking right to interfere in my life?!!

Listen to me and listen to me good! You are no fucking one to poke your bloody nose in my life! Get that!

Tears escaped my eyes which I had been trying to hold since then. It fucking hurt! His words pierced directly in my heart breaking it, wounding it bad!

Yet I don't know what pain he must be going through after I had scratched his earlier wounds making him bleed again!

I just hope you are alright Manik!

The night passed with me sitting on the floor and staring at the ceiling trying to absorb the pain! I didn't realise when the sun rose but when the rays hit my face it poked my eyes causing me to hide away!

Adjusting to the surrounding I slowly got up only to stumble! Holding my head I stood in the same place for sometime to steady myself before heading to the bathroom. After I freshened up I moved out when I noticed Alex sitting outside the door waiting for me. I sighed and bent down to pick him up as I knew he was sad too!

Rishabh, Navya and Bhai were already in the living room. I avoided Bhai the whole time and stayed with Navya talking with her. Rishabh tried to play with Alex but he was in no mood.

"Dii he isn't playing!" Rishabh complained whining and pouting.

"Rishabh let him be today! He isn't feeling well!" I said as I got up to pick Alex.

But again as I got up I felt dizzy causing me to stumble and this time Bhai and Rishabh were immediately by my side to steady me.

"I'm fine!" I said and picked Alex and sat with him on the couch.

"Dii are you sure you are okay?" Rishabh asked worriedly.

"Yes Nandini! You don't look okay! You are pale!" Bhai said as he observed me.

"I'm alright guyss!" I said as I avoided both.

"Nandini! You know you can share anything with me right?" Navya asked softly and I nodded smiling.

Just then Manik walked downstairs and I completely avoided looking at him. I pretended to be busy with Alex but I could feel his stare on me. When I couldn't take his stare anymore I handed Alex to Rishabh.

"Uh Navya I'll be at the terrace for sometime!" I said and got up cautiously to not feel dizzy again.

I moved upstairs wanting to spend some alone time.

But something was not right! I felt weak and dizzy over and over again! What was wrong with me? As I reached the terrace I closed my eyes and stood there trying to absorb the peace.

"Nandini!" Manik called from behind and my breath hitched.

Oh shit! Not again!

I felt everything spinning around me as I stumbled back trying to catch on something to steady myself.

"Shit! Nandini!" I heard Manik's panicked voice.

Last thing I heard before everything went black around me.

"No! I can't lose you too!"

~~~