Hello people! I know I'm quite late but tbh, I wasn't in mood to write. I don't feel like writing anymore. We, writers put so much effort but.. It hurts to see such low response.

Anyway, I've somehow written this chapter.

Pls ignore the typos.

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Chapter 18- You let people in, and they destroys you.

Nandini was numb and numb, she knew she was somehow worse..

She was broken. For a moment, all seems like a dream which just got broken into several pieces..

"Hey!" She heard his voice. She looked up to find Manik approaching towards her. She hide the photo frame behind her back instantly

"Actually, I've just got a call from the club. I can't accompany you. I've to go" He said,

"Hmm" She nodded with a smile, but her eyes wanted to shed the unshed tears..

"Are you okay? You look pale." He cupped her face, placing his palm on her forehead to check if she had fever

"Hmm" She hummed again with a smile

Fake smiles., Real tears...

"Call me if you don't feel well okay? Take care" He smiled back at her and dashed out leaving her behind

He couldn't notice how much hurt She was ..

Nandini looked at the photo frame again. This time, she stumbled back and collapsed down onto her knees, still staring blankly at the picture

****

"Yes, ma'am. The person who treated you on the plane was, Manik." Neel revealed.

Nandini was now here, at the restaurant where Neel had asked her to come. He was revealing everything about Manik to her.

"He has known Vishni ma'am for the past 15 years! Anyway.. the reason Manik approached you was very intentional and purposeful." Neel said clearly, Nandini was just listening all like a statue. She was looking at her coffee with a blank expression

"Ma'am!" Neel snapped making her come back to her sense. He knew she was surprised to hear all about this

"Yeah Neel. I'm listening! Please continue." She said,.. and he continued..

****

Vishni was trying outfits, and having some photoshoots on the time being.

The people were complementing her as she was looking great in the bridal attire

At the same time she got a call.

"Hello" she answered, cheerfully

"Hello. Little sister!" Here comes the voice which she was afraid of

It was Atul, her brother! Her cruel, drunkard brother.

She wonder how he got out from the prison..

"Where are you? How's you without your brother? You've forgotten me already huh? I'll find you wherever you are--" She didn't hear on more and just diconnected the call.

Her body trembled, sweat started forming around her forehead.

Her drunkard brother was a big trouble for her.

****

"What the hell! What did just happen?" Manik exclaimed as he saw his house all messed around. The cushions were all on the floor

He saw Aditya and Suhasi sitting on the couch. Aditya was applying something on Suhasi's hand.

"Baby bear!" Manik rushed to her and sat beside her. He freaked out seeing the small cute on her palm. Suhasi had tears.

"Who did this?" Manik asked as he took Suhasi's hand on his and carresed it to lessen her pain

He glanced at Aditya, he had a small cut near his lips as well.

It was obvious now that someone had beaten him and tried to harm his baby bear too.

"I'm asking something! Who did this??" He asked again, staring at Suhasi

"Aditya! Say something!" He yelled out,

"Vishni's brother!.." Suhasi blurted, as Manik looked surprised "He just barged into our house! Aditya was here too. He tried to harm him, bhaiya! I tried to stop him, he pushed me away. He's a jerk!!" Suhasi spoke in disgust while Manik clenched his teeth

Atul was out of the prison.. and this was trouble!

"Why was he here?" Manik asked

"He was asking about.. Vishni!" Aditya said.

"Yes bhaiya. He even took away your phone from your room!" Suhasi said

Manik closed his eyes, trying to control his anger

"Aditya, take out your phone and call on my number. I'm sure he'll pick it up." Aditya nodded and did what Manik said him to. In the meantime, Suhasi went to the kitchen

Manik took the phone as the line went on.

"Hello.. Aditya?" He heard his voice. He sounded drunk though

"Ahh. .. it's not Aditya. It's me, Manik Malhotra! You want to know about Vishni right? I'll tell you. Just tell me where you are, right now?" He fisted his hands as he spoke. Atul gave him the address of the club where he was

"Fine. I'll be there in 10." He then disconnected the call.

"Manik! Are you mad? Why are you going to him?" Aditya asked as he stood up from his seat "Look, he can do anything! Just calm down okay?" He said calmly,

"He harmed you and mostly, he pushed my baby bear! I'll deal with him!" He mumbled dangerously before dashing out.

*****

Here Neel had already revealed all the deeds of Manik

"Manik even a killed a man five years ago! It was an accidental homicide but he was behind the bars for five year! He was expelled from college because of that." The last words which Nandini heard

"That's it?" She asked to which Neel became flustered

"Wha--what?"

"Do you have anything more to tell on him?" She asked blankly

"What I've said so far, wasn't that enough?" He asked in disbelief

"So what now?"

"Ma'am. He was in a serious relationship with Vishni ma'am!"

"Ahh.. you've already said that. Something else..?" She rolled her eyes as she stood up to leave. Neel followed her steps

"Nandini ma'am. How do you want us to handle him?" He asked in a serious tone, making a halt to Nandini's steps

"If you want to seek legal action, I will find a way." He said, determinely

Nandini gave him a glare and moved closer to his face. He looked cnofused but what she said next, was not expected

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!" Her voice was indeed stern

"Ma'am!" Neel was stunned at his place. After so much explanation, she was still believing Manik?!

"Do not touch him! Not even his hand! You get that?" She spoke, rather giving him a warning and walked out of the restaurant

*****

Manik came to meet Atul in the club. He called him behind the other side where there wasn't anyone but just Atul.

"So.. you're looking for Vishni?" He asked casually as he sat on the seat

"Where is she?" He asked, having a sip of beer

"She died five years ago. So just stop looking for her" Manik gave him a deadly glare "Hand me back my cell phone." He said sternly

"Oh yeah. Sure." He handed him back his cell phone "By the way, thanks to you. I finally spoke with Vishni. Her number was kept as well on your cell phone." He blurted as Manik took back his phone from his grip

"Tell me. Do you like Vishni that much? She destroyed your life dude. Do you still want to take her side?" He laughed making Manik hell annoyed

"I don't understand what the heck you're saying. If you just got out of prison after 8 years, I think it would be better for you to hide and stay quiet." Manik said "And don't you dare even lay your eyes on my family! Else it won't be good! This is not a suggestion but a warning." His tone was dangerous though

He stood up to leave when Atul spoke "Manik, you will get your revenge as well! She's the one who used you then ditched you. She's an evil witch that I can't even measure up to. Just tell me where she is. And there was a rumour that she became the mistress of Mr Anirudh Kashyap, the great business man right? Fine, if you won't tell me then I'll myself find her and--" He couldn't complete as Manik pushed him back on the couch, punching him right in his face

"This is for pushing my life, my sister!" He punched him once again while Atul shouted in pain "And this is for harming my best buddy!

"And lastly" He grabbed his chin and made him look into his dangerous eyes "Stay the heck away from Vishni! If not, I'm going to kill you too! Mind my words!" He said and dashed out after pushing him back

Well.. Manik wasn't heartless. He knew how Atul used to scare Vishni and made her life hell. Atul was a total jerk so, he didn't want him to harm Vishni physically again

Humanity still exist somewhere..

*****

"Are you serious Neel? Why do you want me to call her back after what she did!" Mr Anirudh said, while typing on his laptop

Neel was in the study room, talking about Nandini's matter to Mr Anirudh. Nandini was not listening to him and He was afraid that they might lose Nandini forever.

"Sir, please! If you don't call her back, she may give up everything and let it go!" He said, imaging how possesively Nandini talked with him few hours back

"What do you mean?" Mr Adirudh frowned and looked at Neel for an explanation

"She may find something more important and interesting outside your fence! She.. she's becoming crazy sir! We'll lose her! Call her back! If not then, I'll resigned."

"What!"

"Yes! You'll get my resignation letter on your table tomorrow. Goodbye sir." He left without waiting for his answer

Mr Anirudh was flustered. Neel cared so much Nandini! He didn't only considered Nandini as his owner but something more..

Anirudh racked his brain, thinking of should he call her daughter back or not..?

****

It was already evening. Manik was on his way, marching towards his home. He had already send Suhasi to Aditya's place. He knew Atul can do something bad and he didn't want Suhasi to be in any danger.

His phone buzzed and he picked it up instantly

"Hello."

"What a mean person you are, Manik!" It was Vishni

"You're even bringing my brother in this? How could you? So disgusting!" Vishni had misunderstood him!

"If this is how you wanna go on, all right then do whatever you want to. Do what you wish to, Manik. Let's see how far it goes." She retorted and disconnected the call

Manik sighed. All was messy in his life. How his own life was betraying him...

He marched on when "Hey handsome guy!" He heard a voice but then he ignored and marched forward

"Hello, Mr Kharoos!" He heard it again, and this time, he knew who it was! He turned around and found her

Nandini..

"Haww! You're full of yourself haan! Itni baar call kiya phir bhi.." She said while approaching him.

"Come. Let's sit and drink.." she showed him a plasti bag which contained cans of beer

Frowns creased his forehead. He leaned closer to her, placing his palm on her forehead "Are you trying to kill yourself or something?" He asked while she pouted "You have fever Nandini! And still, you want to drink again?" He retorted

"Fine. Tumhai nhi peena then don't drink. Never mind. I will drink it all.. by myself." She pushed him aside and made her way to the road., she walked up to the end when she felt a hand gripping her hand.

"I won't be responsible if you drop dead while drinking." He snapped again, snatching the bag from her hand and walked up.

"Ofcourse not!" She retorted, still smiling

__________

Both were sitting here, on top, having their can of beer.

The city lights were lighting so brightly but inside, Nandini was dying! She had so many questions on her mind right now. But she was determine to show that she was strong!

"You know what Manik? Somewhere in this world na, someone is my future husand.. and your future wife." She slurred with her words.

"When you get married no, give me an invitation. I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it but.. I will definitely send a gift." She said and now Manik gaped at her

"Manik, why are you giving me that expression? Duh. Don't tell me you've think of me as your future partner, did you?" She let out a chuckle "You are way over your head then.."

Manik stood up on his feet and Nandini followed his steps "Manik! Do you know what I'm saying?" She asked

"Can I ask why you're suddenly acting this way?" He asked, bitting his lips in vexation.

He knew something was wrong, with her

"Arrey! It's not suddenly. It was planned from the beginning! I fell for Manik Malhotra because..it felt like a stroke of luck in my lousy life! I knew that it was bound to end at some point. It's going to end sooner or later. It was something which pulled me closer to you. So I decided to let the passion carry me away.." She said distinctly. She kept gawking at Manik, who was mum

"Aww! You must be struck dumb now right? Don't you want to just strangle me or something? I know it will take you time to understand. It's hard." She whispered and he shook his head, chuckling

"No. It's not hard. I understand" He said

"Do you?" She asked as he nodded

"What you saying is to end it, right? End all between us?" He whispered, eyeing at her

"Let's do it then.." He finally said which she didn't wanted. She wanted him close to her but destiny was just playing unfair with both of them.

"Hmm" She smiled, tears springing to her eyes. Who knew she was hurt, mentally and emotionally.

To be continued...

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So..How was the chapter?

Do you think Mr Anirudh will call Nandini back?

Do you think Neel have some pure feelings towards Nandini?

Lastly, what do you think about MaNan relationship? Will Nandini leave him? Will Manik let her go? Will their relationship come to an 'end'?

Next update depends on the response.

Take care♡