Nandini's POV

After what he spoke no one mentioned a single word and just laid there lost in our thoughts. I was thinking that how much more pain he has buried inside him. This man laying beside me was the strongest man I have ever seen. I know he made mistakes, but who doesn't! We all make mistakes despite of the things we have gone through. And he has gone through a lot more than I can imagine.

"She was 22 years old when one day while going to college she was kidnapped!" He said, his breathing harsh.

"Kidnapped by the Mafia. He kidnapped her because he wanted to use her, fulfill his desires. Mom thought he saw her that day but, he used to follow her everyday. He knew everything about her, every single thing." He paused and then chuckled dryly.

"This is quite similar to our story right? I did the same things to you. Stalked you, kidnapped you, lusted you. Every fucking damn thing just like him. Cabir says this makes no difference between him and me but I don't want to be compared with him, I don't. I'm anything but like him Nandini! I swear I'm not like him!" He said frantically trying to make me believe.

"I know Manik! I know! You are not like him!" I soothed him rubbing his arms.

"I know I did worse things with you, I abused you, asked you to strip before me, threatened to kill your brother, but I am a monster Nandini! Before you I didn't care about anyone's feelings. I didn't care if anyone loathed me or was disgusted by me. Until you. You changed me Nandini! I didn't even realise when I started changing!" He paused and sighed.

"And I'm sorry for everything I did Nandini! I'm sorry! I never wanted to be like him but knowingly or unknowingly I was becoming like him. And I swear I would never do anything what he did Nandini. But I feel ashamed of myself. I hate myself for that!" He cursed himself as his nails dug deeper in my skin but not enough to hurt me.

"But I don't!" I whispered softly and he looked down at me.

"I don't hate you Manik! Yes I did back then when you had asked me to strip. I did hate you when you threatened to kill Rishabh. But I don't now after knowing the real you. I don't now because you never chose this darkness!" I said sincerely looking in his eyes which held admiration.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you Nandini. I don't want to lose you. Not now! Not ever! I'm sorry for everything!" He kept whispering pecking my head from time to time.

"But you keep hurting me. I think you keep finding ways to hurt me!" I sighed sadly pressing my cheek on his chest.

"I promise I won't from now! You can give me any punishment for what I said few days ago to hurt you! I promise I won't complain!" I could hear the honesty in his voice which made me smile.

"Did you really mean it?" I asked.

"Huh?" He said confused.

"Did you really mean it when you said that I am no one to interfere in your life? I mean nothing to you? That I am no one and you are just pitying me and letting me stay here?" I croaked out repeating those words again which once stabbed my heart.

"Rose look at me!" He cupped my face and made me look at him.

"You are the most important person in my life!" He said sternly yet softly.

"You have every damn right on me and you mean the world to me! You are the light in my dark world! My sunshine! And I'm not pitying you by letting you stay here instead I'm pitying myself for hurting such a beautiful soul!" He confessed and tears brimmed in my eyes as I hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry!" He whispered uncountable times and this time I replied.

"I forgive you!" I let it out and his body tensed.

"I forgive you Manik!" I whispered once again as his body relaxed and he looked at me with his bright shining eyes.

"You do?" He asked nervously with a hope. I nodded with a smile snifling as his lips curved into a smile.

"You know I don't deserve your forgiveness!" He said as he pulled me closer.

"You deserve the world Manik!" I whispered and kissed his heart making him smile.

"Good night Rose!" His voice held happiness which made me happy too.

"Good night Manik!" I said with drowsy eyes as I was very tired. I nearly fell asleep when I think I heard him saying something like love or it was my dream I didn't really understand as I slipped into peacful slumber.

Next morning when I woke up Manik wasn't there beside me and just as I was about to get out of the bed the door opened and Manik walked in with a tray. I looked at him confused whereas he smiled.

"Good morning Rose!" He said cheerfully.

"Good morning! Why are you so happy?" I asked raising my eyebrows. He said nothing and just chuckled as he kept the tray aside and sat beside me.

"Because it is a happy day!" He said and leaned in but I backed off showing him eyes.

"What?" He asked clearly irritated.

"I haven't brushed!" I said as a matter of fact and got up but was pulled back with a jerk on his lap.

"I don't care!" He said huskily and crushed his lips on mine kissing me tenderly yet passionately. I couldn't help but respond with equal intensity roaming my hands in his hair. I moaned as his fingers drew circles on my bare waist. I heard him groan in the kiss as I tugged at his hair a little harshly and he angled his head to deepen the kiss.

Breathing harshly we parted and he stared at me with his black eyes which held lust. I shivered as his fingers were still caressing my waist. He dipped his head in my neck and breathed heavily which caused a havoc in my stomach.

"Manik!" I moaned and clutched his shirt in my fists as he grazed his teeth on my neck. I was sure I was a mess till then with my eyes closed and breathing like a bull.

"Yes Rose!" He rasped out continuing his work. I could barely speak anything and he purposely continued doing his work.

"S-Stop! I-I have to ...!" I forgot what I was saying as my breath hitched feeling his hand moving a little higher under my shirt.

"You have to what?" He whispered in my ears, his hot breath tickling me. Suddenly he bit my earlobe making me moan and clutch his hair tightly.

"Say Rose!" He whispered again and I gulped at his tortures. I was still breathing heavily but still I managed to rasp out.

"I-I have to ta-take a bath!"

"You want me to help?" I could feel his smirk although my eyes were closed. I blushed at his comment and didn't dare to open my eyes. But then I was forced to open them when I found his warmth missing. He removed his hands from my waist and I opened my eyes.

"I won't do anything! Not without your consent!" He smiled and I hugged him tightly hiding my face in his neck. But then I had to do that for what he said now so pulling a little away I stared at him and smacked a kiss on his cheek. And if I wasn't wrong I saw a tiny amount of red hue forming on his cheeks.

Aww! He is so cute!

After freshening up I ate the breakfast which Manik had brought for me in the room and went to check on Alex. He was all fine today and jumping around in the whole mansion.

Woof! Woof!

And here comes my baby ...

I picked him up and he licked my whole face making me giggle. He was being too excited today or was probably compensating for yesterday.

"Nandini!" I turned around and saw Bhai standing there smiling.

"Bhai where is Navya?" I asked and he frowned and pouted.

"You don't miss me?" He asked like a kid and I laughed out loud.

"Ofcourse i miss you Bhai!" I said and moved towards him. I hugged him but Alex got jumpy and came in between. He glared at Alex but he ignored him and jumped out of my arms running away.

"So, just a little time. Then you'll be holding a little life in your arms!" I said and he smiled excitedly.

"I can't wait to hold my princess!" He said gleefully and I chuckled.

"But where is Navya?" I asked again and he sighed.

"She is sleeping! Taking a little rest!" He said and I panicked.

"She is fine right?"

"Relax! She is fine. Just a little tired!" He said and I breathed in relief. As we were talking Manik came there and stood beside us. We both looked at him and he raised his eyebrows. I looked at Bhai again and he too shared a look before we looked at Manik and raised our eyebrows. He looked amused and shook his head.

"Crazy brother-sister!" He muttered and we laughed at him.

"Diii!" Rishabh came running and hugged me startling me.

"Rishu! What happened? Are you okay?" I asked as I broke the hug.

"I miss you!" He pouted and I shook my head in disbelief.

"Idiot! You scared me!" I slapped him slightly and he frowned.

"You don't miss me?" He asked the exact same as Cabir bhai did and I couldn't hold my laughter. Bhai chuckled whereas Rishabh and Manik were clueless.

"Oh god Rishu! I miss you alot! And I'm sorry for not giving you time! You know I love you!" I smiled and he grinned hugging me again.

"I love you too Dii! And it's okay!" He pecked my cheeks and soon he walked out with Bhai. I turned and saw Manik still standing there. I looked confused and asked him throw my eyes. He shrugged and walked closer to me. Before I could speak anything he kissed my cheek and walked out leaving me shocked and blushing behind.

But then when I walked inside still blushing I saw something strange. I walked closer to have a proper look. The kitchen window was slightly open and a note was sticked on it.

~WAIT IS OVER~

It was written with blood red color which made me stumble back in fear. Sweat trickled down from my face as I slowly looked around with my fearful eyes. The masion seemed eerily quiet scaring me more.

But then I remembered something and ran upstairs. Opening the door hastily I sighed in relief as I saw Navya sleeping peacefully. I moved in slowly and saw a phone laying there. Without wasting time I picked it up and dialed Manik's number.

"Manik please pick up the phone!" I murmured to myself glancing at Navya's figure every now and then.

"He-Hello! Manik where are you? Please come home! I-I don't feel good! Pl-Please come soon!" I ranted without letting him speak.

But even before he could speak a voice came from behind which made me jump on my place as the phone slipped and shattered on the floor. I noticed Navya moving in her sleep from the corner of my eyes.

"And we finally meet baby!"

~~~