Taddaaa! Yupiiie! :D

New long long longgggg chapter! Phew! 6000words!

Thak gai me aur bus itna he manage kar pai!

I was planning to update Befikra too but eid is coming so my guests are!

Tomorrow there will be so many people in my house yes on my birthday so couldn't manage it!

Ise pay guzara karo bcz its long long! Yayee!

INLINE COMMENTS are my gifts! Okay na?

Happy Birthday to me and Happy Reading to you!

Chapter 3

"Good Morning, Sir!" An awaiting Cabir greeted, The Manik Malhotra as soon as he got out of the elevator, pulling off his shades.

"Morning, Cabir!" Manik replied walking forward gesturing his guards to move away and Cabir followed him swiftly.

"How are you this morning?" Cabir kept the conversation going on as he followed Manik very obediently.

In the office, they were boss and employee.

Though, in spite of being best friends their office manners were commendable.

"Am fine, thank you Cabir!" Manik spoke casually reaching his office and Cabir moved quickly to open the door for Manik, to which he shoot a small smile of gratitude and walked in.

"Tell me about the investors who are willing to support our fashion week this year!" Manik spoke in his calm professional tone and unbuttoned his blazer as he got seated on his larger rolling chair behind his big purely black wooden desk covered with his necessities.

"Ohh yes! They want to hold a formal meeting before the fashion week starts from next Monday! All the models who are participating and being practicing will be there too! It's more like a casual dinner just to meet up new people!" Cabir informed him clearly and Manik nodded opening his Mac book.

"Do we have free evening this Friday?" He asked typing the password and Cabir scrolled through his iPad quickly.

"Yes! We do have the evening free!" He told Manik and he looked up with a smile.

"Friday it is then! Bring Annya with you too! I love being around her!" Manik spoke with a small node. It was not a choice for Cabir, it was an order.

"What will she do there?" Cabir asked with a chuckle.

"Oh come on Cabir! The little bug will keep me company! You know how much I hate these parties and dinners!" Manik told him with a small pout and Cabir laughed.

"She'll not just keep you company but will also ruin the party with her bunny jumps!" Cabir tried to warn Manik.

"And to be very honest! I'll be very glad if she does that! Then we will get a chance to run away!" Manik added naughtily and both laughed very loudly remembering Annya's naughtiness.

"And the construction contract with Singhania's?" Manik spoke clearing his throat and looking forward for more of the details.

Managing two different businesses at the same time in the same building was only by the effort of Manik Malhotra.

"Yes! They need time to think!" Cabir spoke waving his hand with a bad face as if needing-time-to-think was a bad thing.

"Hmm! Tell them they have only 12 hours! After that I'll cancel the deal! 12 ghanton say aik minute bhi ziada nahi!" Manik spoke in a strict tone glaring at Cabir and he shrugged nodding his head.

Manik was now attentive towards his email inbox and Cabir was busy in his when suddenly Cabir remembered something.

"Manik main kya ke—!" Cabir was about to say his thoughts when...

"Maám! Bina appointment k ap nahi mil skti Boss say!" They both heard Sabeen, the secretary almost begging outside Manik's office. Manik looked at Cabir in confusion to which he was already smirking.

"Aray tmhry boss ki tou aise ki taisi!!!!!" A familiar voice echoed in the office corridor shushing all other hushes and ManBir looked at each other with evil smile.

Happiest smile broke on Manik's lips and he let out a loud laugh.

"Hi-Five!" Manik exclaimed with a happy chuckle and hi-fived with Cabir who was also laughing.

"Aye Captain!! Target approaching!" Cabir exclaimed back and the door jerked open.

"Maam please!!" Sabeen begged once again and Nandini tried to push her away.

Manik crossed his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair, just enjoying the show.

She was here....plan successful.

"Dekho behen! Ya please wagera keh kar na mera aur apna time waste mat karo!" Nandini spoke to Sabeen in a matter of fact tone and Sabeen looked at Manik for help who was not speaking a word.

Cabir just hide his smile and waited for the scene to unfold.

"Kiun k ander tou main jaon ge he!" Nandini continued, placing her hands on her hips and Sabeen was on verge of crying.

It seems Nandini was torturing Sabeen since the time she got there.

"Maám! Wo sir bethy hain samny! If he tells you to come in I'll get away!" Sabeen was a smart girl, she easily diverted the situation towards Manik and Manik glared at Sabeen who looked down.

"Haan! Tou theek hai na!" Nandini spoke nodding her head. "AP!" She shouted pointing her finger at Manik and Manik smiled at her sweetly.

"Let me in!" She ordered Manik and this time Cabir couldn't help but to laugh out loud again.

Manik also joined Cabir and she as glaring at him with fierce eyes.

She was really in a very very bad mood.

"You are screwed! Badly!" Cabir muttered to Manik with a wink and gathered his files along with his device. He walked towards Sabeen and Nandini.

"Sabeen! Let's go out! Your boss has some serious explanation to do here!" Cabir whispered in Sabeen's ear and she quickly bobbed her head before running out of the office.

Cabir smiled at Nandini sweetly but she ignored him in full anger and he again chuckled before leaving the place.

Nandini looked back at Manik and stormed inside the office without waiting for the permission, slamming the door behind him.

Manik's position was still the same, the lovely smile, his killing attitude.

He was THE slayer.

"What do you even think of yourself?" She shouted at him without any hello, hi and Manik bite back a smile.

"Well! Good morning to you too Nandini!" He spoke with a warm smile and leaned forward on his desk. He adjusted his chin on his folded hands now.

"How dare you to even do that?" Her accusation continued as she didn't bother to his lame time jokes.

"I am fine thank you!" Manik spoke nodding his head with the same smile and this boiled Nandini's blood even more.

"Mr. Malhotra!" She shouted in extreme anger that she failed to make out proper words.

"Yes! Nandini?" Manik spoke innocently, batting his eyes and Nandini was huffing like a bull.

"You don't look so good!" Manik tched with a pout and she glared at him.

"Chaai piyo ge?" He added with the same innocence and Nandini's fist clenched.

"Nahi?" Manik asked shaking his head. "Okay what about Coffee?" He asked cutely and extended his hand towards the intercom to call the receptionist when Nandini reached forward and grabbed his hand in her tight grip.

"Enough!! Take your stupid drama to some other stage!" She screamed in agony and jerked Manik's hand away to which Manik leaned back to his chair.

"Okay I guess no coffee then?" He spoke with a pouty-shrug and Nandini stared at him with open mouth.

What was wrong with him!!!!

He very well knew that what she was talking about still he was pretending.

"Manik! You very well know what I am talking about!" She spoke glaring at him with her most fierce expressions.

"Tmny breakfast kiya?" Manik again changed the topic and Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Don't do this!" She spoke muttering under her breath.

"Do what Nandini?" Manik's innocence was commendable and Nandini just wanted to rip his head off immediately.

"Yai! Sab! Acting innocent when you know why I am here!" She once again showed him her finger and Manik pouted once again before getting up.

"Well well, dear guest! For your information I was born innocent! I don't need to act!" He spoke softly buttoning to his blazer and walked towards the wall length glass window.

He could see the whole Mumbai from there.

"Manik!" This time her voice was breaking but Manik didn't bother to turn. He stood in front of the window and enjoyed the view simply.

"My orphanage!" Her whimper held so much of pain and Manik closed his eyes once before opening them again.

He again quietly adjusted his hands in his jeans pocket and cleared his throat.

"What about it?" He asked casually and Nandini was again aghast.

This man definitely didn't deserve her breaking in to tears.

She composed herself and walked towards him.

"How dare you to buy it and having it replaced with your some bloody shopping mall?" She shouted as loud as she could and Manik calmly turned to her.

"Well! What's the bad in that? I'll do whatever gives me profit!" Manik started nonchalantly leaning closer to Nandini and she couldn't believe he was the same man to whom she thought some angel.

"You know Nandini! First rule of business!" Manik's voice was turning huskier with each word he uttered and he easily trapped Nandini between the window and himself.

Placing his hands flat on her either sides he stared in her hazel ocean which was filled with desperation, anger and sadness.

"Have it...even by hook or crook!" He added with the same husk and Nandini's lower lip trembled but she was strong, she refused to cry, although she failed to figure out the double meaning in Manik's words.

"And what about all those 30 little kids! Who will be homeless just like I was once! Your hook and crook is bigger than their sentiments and emotions?" She spoke with a heavy breath and Manik's heart melted badly on her simple, yet deep words.

But she did need the reality check to come back to Manik of course.

So Manik remained determined.

"So what do you want me to do?" Manik asked masking his face with same dead serious little filled with humor expressions.

Nandini stared in Manik's eyes and he raised his eyebrows to ask what.

"Don't do this? Don't....break my home!" She spoke in a shattered tone and gulped the saliva down.

"Ooo!" Manik muttered innocently and his lips turned perfectly turned into an 'O'.

"If...suppose kar lety hain if I accept your plead and don't break your orphanage! Tou...Mjy kya mily ga?" Manik asked with a cocky grin and extreme innocence spread across Nandini's face.

She was still very much trapped between Manik and the wall.

"Kya chahye apko?" She asked breaking the records of innocence and Manik had a mean smile on his face now.

"Well! Jo bhi tm day sako!" Manik spoke softly and stared at her lazily with hooded eyes.

Nandini's stomach clenched badly...that one look from his eyes and she felt her mind wobbling.

She was very much affected by the man in front of her and there was no denial in that.

Before her fantasies go wild she shook her head and cleared her throat.

Manik smirked as if reading her mind clearly and waited for her to answer.

"I don't have money!" She mewed and Manik shrugged almost immediately.

"I am afraid that money can't bring your home back Nandini!" He spoke, finally coming towards the terms and she bit her lip nervously while Manik's eyes followed her movements.

His hands which were flat on the either side of her head clenched in fists as he tried to control himself from biting those glossy lips of hers by his own teeth.

"Then?" She breathed out and she looked so breathtaking at that moment to Manik.

"Then...!" Manik started seductively and leaned near her ear, with his lips almost touching her skin.

Her breath stopped and she could hear her heart beating loudly in her ears.

"You have to be my very, very personal assistant!" Manik added with the same seductiveness while his lips synced over her ear and stressed on the word very to make his point clear.

Nandini's inside trembled and she closed her eyes to keep herself from falling off.

The more she wanted to stay away from him, the more he was pulling her closer to him just like a honeybee searching for nectar.

She can't accept his offer.

"In your dreams!" She muttered under her breath gritting her teeth and he rolled his eyes before pulling back, looking back in her eyes.

"So I'll consider that you don't want your orphanage back is it?" He asked dangerously and she was in a fix now.

"For how long? I'll have to do that?" She asked with a small face and Manik's mean, cocky grin was back.

He pursed his lips for a second and leaned back, closer to her ear.

"Until, I make you fall for me, HARD!" He muttered in her ear and she gasped out loud.

Placing her hands on his chest she pushed him away with a jerk...

Manik smirked at her flushed face and she looked down, embarrassed.

"What is your problem?" She asked in a trembling, still shy voice and Manik chuckled shaking his head.

"Don't bother about my problem!" He spoke waving his hand off and walking back to his desk.

"Here we are discussing your problem!" He added pulling out a green file from his drawer and she quietly walked reached his desk as he was forwarding the file towards her.

She held it in her tiny hands and Manik sat back on his chair.

"It's a contract! You want your orphanage back! Fine you'll get it but you have to work for me! That to for three months!" He spoke in a row and she just stared at the file.

Manik was getting back to his laptop now and continued.

"You have one day to think about it! Work for me and have your home back!"

She stood frozen, still in a fix of what to do...

When she didn't say anything after a long moment Manik looked up at her and raised his eyebrow.

"Any query?" He asked in a dead serious strange tone Nandini shook her head. "Very well then! You may leave thank you! I have more important things to deal with!" He added dismissing her badly and she looked down on the floor.

She felt insulted.

Of course he has more important things to do! Why would he waste his time with a beggar like me! Nandini thought to herself sadly.

She quietly turned to leave and Manik face palmed on his badtameezi.

Kya zarorat the wo 'more important things to deal with' wali baat karny ki? Sad kar diya na bechari ko! Mr. Subconscious scolded Manik and Manik pouted before sighing.

She was about to reach the door when...

"Suno?" He called her and she stopped but didn't turn.

He made a pleading face and sighed.

"I really want your answer to be yes!" He spoke with a hope and Nandini just nodded before leaving his office.

Manik was in a deep sh!t....

___________________________________-

Nandini laid on her little bed, almost lifelessly as she stared at the clock ticking by.

24 hours has been passed and Nandini hadn't given Manik any response neither did she went to his office.

She was still in a fix regarding the choice Manik had given her?

She can't work around him.

She'll lose herself.

She knew she can't resist that man.

She fell in love with him the very moment she hugged him for the first time in his office.

But she can't defame Manik by being the part of his super-duper luxurious life.

She was a daughter of a prostitute. Whose father disowned her and she got kicked out of the kothaa after the death of her mother at the age of 10.

She still remembered the night she spent under the shade of public benches. The stormy night was still very fresh in her memory.

But she was over it.

She was a strong girl now.

Not a cry baby and she'll definitely find a way to bring her orphanage back.

But will Manik really break the orphanage?

Will these little kids be homeless just like she was once?

No...She can't let that happen.

"Nandu?" Sister Mary, the orphanage keeper who placed her affectionate hand on Nandini's forehead and her eyes snapped open as she was day dreaming.

"Are you okay my child?" She asked politely and Nandini sat up straight giving the space Mary to sit near her.

"Am fine, Mother!" She whispered shaking her head and Mary looked at her curiously.

"You met him?" She asked softly searching something on Nandini's face and she looked at her with sad eyes.

"I did!" She mewed lowly and Mary held her hand.

"Then? Will he let us live here?" Mary asked in a calm voice and Nandini bite her lip nervously before nodding her head.

"But he has a condition!" Nandini added to the anxiety.

"What condition?" Mary asked in her loving affectionate voice and Nandini's chin wobbled before she broke down in front of the only person she had.

"He wants me! He wants me to work for him!" She told sobbing to her heart content and Mary was smiling.

"So?" Mary asked softly and Nandini looked at her with teary eyes.

"I can't do that! I can't work for him! I can't be around him!" She was going frantic and hugged her hands closer to her chest.

"And why is won't you do that Nandu?" Mother asked lovingly trying to get hold of her hands.

"Because Mother! I love him!" She cried out the biggest truth of her life and Mary smiled opening her arms for Nandini to hug her, to which she did immediately.

"I knew it since the day you told me the way he helped you! I know you love him! Then what's the real anxiety?" Mary spoke lovingly caressing Nandini's hair and patted her head.

"Because I am nothing! He'll hate me when he'll get to know that I am daughter of a prostitute! He'll hate me when he'll get to know that I spent 10 years of my life on a Kothaa!" She was crying so loud and Mary was quiet.

Whatever Mary could do...she was unable to remove that complex from Nandini's life that she was the daughter of a prostitute.

She spent a big amount of her life time to gather a broken Nandini.

She got succeed! She did make Nandini stronger but in that matter she forgot to tell her little girl that it was okay for her to love...

It was okay for her to be loved.

It was okay to cry sometimes.

Being a daughter of a prostitute never made her unworthy for anyone's love.

Now...that very moment when her girl was crying in her arms, confessing her love for some man she realized that she made the girl stronger than it was needed.

"Nandini! Listen to me!" Mary spoke lowly, choking over her emotions and made Nandini to look at her.

"It's okay to love my child! It's okay if you have feelings for that man! Its okay! You are worthy! You are a precious gem! Anyone can fall for you!" Mary said wiping her tears strained cheeks and Nandini shook her head.

"You said the same thing to Abhimanyu! But what happened to him? He fell in love...his girlfriend rejected him and he died? He committed suicide Mother!" She let her heart open and Mary's eyes got teary when Abhi's smiling face roamed in front of her eyes.

"What if I tell Manik that I love him and one he gets to know my reality? He'll hate me and I'll have nothing to live for! Mother! Mera bharam! Toot jye ga! Main bhi mar jaoange! Ap smjhti kiun nahi hain?" She cried shaking Mary frantically and Mary shook her head before pulling Nandini back in her arms.

"Don't talk about dying Nandu! I can't afford to lose you too! I lost Abhimanyu! I can't lose you!" She too started crying and Nandini hugged her more tightly.

"I'll find some other way to save us Mother! But I'll not work for Manik!" She told Mary in determined tone and wiped her tears...

_________________________________-

Nandini was standing in her window.

Seeing the sun setting down was one of her favorite thing ever.

The day has passed and there was no call, or message from Manik.

She assumed that he was no more interested in keeping Nandini in his assistance.

But her heart was telling otherwise.

She had a feeling that something was coming.

Knock...knock...

She turned slowly to see little 4 years Rahul peeking into her room with small face.

He had knocked the door.

"Rahul!" She called him lovingly and he looked down still standing in the door.

"Main ander aa jaoan Didi?" He asked in a little voice scratching the wooden floor with his left shoe.

"Of course Didi ki jaan! Come in!" Nandini exclaimed lovingly and sat on the floor over her knees to which Rahul went running in her arms.

As soon as he fell in her arms she picked him up and he clung to her as if his life depended on it.

He was shivering and crying.

Nandini noticed it and held him closer rubbing his back, shushing him.

"Shhh! Kya hua mery bachy ko? Rahul beta why so many tears?" She asked helplessly roaming around the room and Rahul looked at her with his crying adorable face.

"Didi...Misha keh li hai kay wo log hmala olphanage tool dain gay? Hmy yahan say nikaal dain gay! Hum kahan jayen gay Didi?" He asked innocently and his each word fell as a thorn on Nandini's already bleeding heart.

"Nahi beta! Misha galat bool rahi hai! Koi meri jaan ko yahan say nahi nikaly ga! Didi hain na! Main sab theek kar doon ge!" She told him lovingly, but little did the baby boy know that she was assuring herself more then she was assuring him.

"Hum homeless nahi hoon gay na?" He asked wiping his eye which was blurring his vision and Nandini smiled with tears.

"Nahi! I am here na! I'll be your home! Don't cry! You trust didi na?" She asked kissing his forehead and he nodded frantically hugging her once again.

"I trust you didi!" He whispered in her ear and she hugged him back more tightly kissing his hair madly.

There has to be a way to save everything? But what?

Before she could ponder more on that particular question she heard rumbling of so many vehicles outside.

What was happening?

Having Rahul in her arms she run out of her room and reached where all the kids were having their dinner.

"Mother! What's happening?" She asked worriedly making Rahul sit on a chair beside Jiya and Mary shook her head, all clueless.

"Ap ayen mery sath!" Nandini asked her. "Bachon! Koi bahar nahi aye ga!" She warned the kids and all nodded frantically already scared.

She dragged Mary out and locked the kids room.

Then both the ladies run outside towards the yard from where the loud, sound of so many vehicles was coming.

As soon as Nandini came outside and took the scene appearance her blood boiled.

Construction cranes and bulldozers were parked in the yard with many workers around.

A chief was ordering them all something.

"Aaa! What are you doing?" She roared like a lioness and stormed towards the chief who had a wicked smile on his face.

"What we have been told Ma'am!" He spoke with a mean smile and Nandini fisted her hand.

"And what exactly you have been told?" She asked gritting her teeth and the chief shrugged.

"To break the building brick by brick!" He said in a matter of fact tone and cold sweat covered Nandini's whole body.

"You...won't do this!" She screamed at him and he shook his head.

"We have been ordered by the boss! You, can't tell us what we can do or what not!" He spoke in a poisonous tone and Nandini's breath was wild.

"I swear!" She screamed showing him her finger. "Agar mery orphanage ko hath bhi lagaya na! Tou you'll regret!" She gave him a dry threat.

But she knew the reality that he'll not show any mercy.

She looked up at the sky with teary eyes...

This was so unfair.

Christ...you can't do this to us...

"Kaam shuru karo!" The chief gestured his men and one of the crane driver started his vehicle to break the yard wall.

Nandini stared at it numbly before she became frantic.

"NO! You can't do this! You'll not break my home! I won't let you do this!" She shouted coming in front of the chief, begging him from eyes not to do this but he mercilessly jerked her away with full force.

Nandini fell on the hard rocky floor with a thud and hurt her knees.

She sobbed on the floor lying helplessly...staring at the crane which was obviously coming in her direction because she was the only hurdle between wall and the vehicle.

She wanted the crane to kill her right away because she won't be able to see her home shattering like this.

"Nandini! Get up?" Mary's shouting voice hit her ear but she ignored her as she stared at the vehicle approaching her.

The evil chief smiled and stopped his workers who tried to move forward to save Nandini.

Mary started shouting but before she could reach Nandini the chief came in front of her.

"No! NOOO! Nandini get up my child!" She screamed and all the hopes were evaporating from Nandini's life with each approaching step of the vehicle.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The blood from her wounds seeped slowly and she was ready for whatever was coming when suddenly...

The expensive priceless tiers, of a red Ferrari creek near her lying figure,coming between her and the crane. Stopping all the evils coming towards her.

The crane machine driver jerked the brake and the machine came to the halt all of a sudden.

There was a pin drop silence.

The chief's eyes widened and he gulped.

Silently praying to God for his life, because he was absolutely not expecting the BOSS to come himself there.

The door of the Ferrari banged open and the BOSS, wearing a black blazer with white shirt underneath, with the skin jeans jumped down.

Almost crazily he run towards Nandini who was staring at him with blurred eyes.

"Nandini! Oh God!" He shouted worriedly and immediately gathered Nandini in his arms pulling her into his chest.

"Manik!" She cried his name as soon as she felt his familiar warmth her body and she dug in his chest deeper, seeking loads and loads of comfort.

"Are you mad? Kya...karny kya ja rahi the tm?" He shouted-scolded her and she gripped the back on his blazer tightly in her hands, crying in his chest more and more.

"Aagr tmhy kuch ho jata tou? Main mar jata Nandini! Ufff! Pagal! Idiot!" He was scolding her with his heart out and she, in spite of being so angry on him she clung to him only.

"Manik!" She again whimpered his name and suddenly broke the hug looking at him.

He tried wiping her tears but she held his hand shaking her head.

"Mery ghar ko mat toorain! Don't break it!" She begged like a little mad kid and he stared at her with sad eyes.

He wanted to tell her that never in his wildest dream he can imagine breaking Nandini's home but he knew that he needed her in his life more.

He became selfish...

He became selfish for her.

Selfish in his love for her.

Taking a deep breath his expressions turned into dead cold ones.

"You know the condition Nandini!" He told her in a deadly tone and she stared at him in disbelief.

He was still into that condition.

She was begging him and he was bargaining with her?

"Work for me! And your home will be saved!" He added in a matter of fact tone and suddenly Nandini jerked him away with full force.

"You selfish! Idiot! Bastard!" She cried out in agony, slapping to his chest over and over again while Manik just stared at her motionless.

"You are bargaining with me?" She screamed at him but he was not answering.

"Meri...baybasi ka tamasha bana rahy hain ap?" She again shouted slapping his chest.

"Kesy lagay ga apko...kay agar koi apka ghar tood day? Haan? Here my home is shattering and you are still concerned for your stupid condition?" She was shouting so loud, breaking through Manik's eardrums.

Again she tried to slap his chest but this time he held her hands pulling her closer.

"Call me selfish bastard! Anything!" He started cocking his head aside and groaned in her ear.

"But jo cheez mjhy chahye hoti hai na Nandini! Usy main hasil kar kay he rehta hoon! One gesture of my finger and it'll be gone!" His voice was so determined and enough to break Nandini at that moment she decided.

She won't let her orphanage shatter for her stupid ego.

"Okay!" She mewed staring at his face aimlessly and Manik couldn't believe his ears.

"I'll do as you say!" She added with the same weakness and fell back in his chest hugging him once again, to which Manik hugged her back immediately.

Her pride...her ego...

Manik was the first man to break through it and she was determined to take everything back which Manik had snatched from her.

Until darkness clouded her.

__________________________-

Wrapping the last bandage around her elbow Manik wiped his hands with a sanitized wet tissue and closed his eyes to take a deep breath.

She was fast asleep.

He held his head in his hands and threw back the unknow urge of tears.

"Mr. Malhotra?" The affectionate voice of Mary forced him to open his eyes and he looked up to see her standing with a glass of water.

Cabir was standing near the window watching his madly in love friend treating his lady love, who was probably dreaming about so much of hatred towards Manik.

"She's gonna be okay! She's a fighter!" Mary spoke softly handing Manik the glass and he looked back at Nandini who snuggled in her blanket which was maybe not enough to keep her warm.

Without drinking the water he got up and shrugged off his own blazer.

He pulled away the blanket once just to wrap his blazer around her small form.

Then he covered her back with the blanket and her face immediately filled with content.

He caressed her hair carefully away from her forehead and sat beside her holding to her hand.

"You love her?" Mary whispered placing her hand on his shoulder.

"I never meant to break or hurt her! But she's so stubborn!" Manik replied instead holding her hand close to his chest.

"That's what makes her Nandini!" Mary said with a small shrug and Manik too smiled nodding his head.

"Your orphanage is safe Mary! I'll not harm it! I just want Nandini with me!" Manik added to Mary still staring at Nandini and her hand in his soft grip.

"I know Mr. Malhotra!" She nodded with a small smile and Manik pursed his lips.

"Cabir?" He finally called him out to which he was by his side the next second.

"Check book?" Manik spoke looking at him and he nodded pulling out Manik's checkbook from his overcoat's pocket along with a gold pen.

Without releasing Nandini's hand Manik opened the book with his single hand and spread it over his knee-thigh. Then he took the pen from Cabir's hand.

Taking a sigh, he casually filled the check with an amount of 20 lac and signed it lazily.

Then he gave the checkbook back to Cabir along with the pen.

Cabir nodded at the check and tore it from the book, handing it to Mary.

Mary gave Manik an exasperating look and he just smiled.

"Just, a little compensation for the tears of my girl! I know I can't compensate even a bit but please isy rakh lain! The kids all of them needs it! Buy them gifts! Clothes! Anything!" He said in an emotional tone and Mary smiled nodding her head back.

"And please don't let Nandini or anyother of the kid know that I gave you the money!" He added with a plead and Cabir placed his hand on Manik's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"What will I tell the kids? Who brought them the things?" Mary asked in the confusion and Manik was now looking back at Nandini.

"Mary! The Christmas is coming! Tell them that Santa Claus brought them the things!"Cabir said with a wink and smile while she giggled, nodding again.

She left the friends with Nandini telling them a goodnight and Cabir shook Manik.

"Let's get you home buddy! Kal phir aa jana!" He told Manik in his soft warm tone and Manik looked up at Cabir who was smiling.

"Main theek kar raha hoon na?" Manik asked lowly and Cabir scratched his head.

"Well! Jab ghee seedhi ungli say na nikly tou ungli taidhi karni parti hai! Aur us sab me ya kuch tou hona tha! You have all the time in the world to ask for her forgiveness later! Abhi lets go!" He spoke in a confused tone himself and Manik looked back at Nandini.

"Tu chal main ata hoon!" He mewed lowly and Cabir sighed before leaving him alone with Nandini.

"Nandini!" Manik took her name slowly, lovingly and neared her hand to his lips placing a warm kiss over it.

"I am sorry for being such an ass! But I promise! Main sab theek kar doon ga!" He spoke sadly and stared at her serene face.

Then he bent down and paused near her lips.

Thinking for a second he placed his lips over hers just for a moment and then pulled back....

It was small peck but left so many of untold desires in the pit of his stomach.

"I love you!" He whispered lovingly and pecked her forehead now.

Taking another good five minutes in staring at her face he finally got up to leave turning the lights off.

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Manik walked in the compound yard and Cabir was standing with another overcoat for Manik already.

Walking gracefully down the stairs Manik reached Cabir.

Cabir helped Manik wearing the coat because it was literally freezing and Manik had given his blazer to Nandini already.

"Thanks buddy!" Manik mumbled buttoning the coat and again started walking forward followed by Cabir when...

"Boss?" The worried shout of the Chief, Vikram hit Manik's ears and Manik's jaws clenched.

He didn't stop.

"Boss please listen to me!" He again begged and Manik felt his presence behind him.

Breathing through his nose Manik turned back only to punch Vikram hard his jaws.

He fell on the ground and Cabir tched at Vikram, because he knew his end was so near.

"You. Are. Fired!" Manik barked at him and he stared at Manik in disbelief.

"How dare you hurt my woman? Just because of you she got so many wounds!! I just told you to threaten her! But tmny mjy double cross krny ki kohish ki?? " Manik again roared and there was no limit of his anger as he again kicked vikram in ass.

"Cabir! Make sure this man never dares to show his face to me again! or else I'll kill him!" Manik shouted back at Cabir who nodded obediently dragging Vikram away.

He huffed like a bull as he sat inside his car on the passenger seat because he didn't want to drive.

After five minutes Cabir came and sat on the driving seat.

"You are crazy Manik! akhir itne achi kiun lagti hai wo tjy?" He asked with a chuckle, turning the car and Manik leaned his head with the seat closing his eyes with that he muttered only one line.

"Because she's the perfect idiot for me!"

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OMG!!!!!

What a phadooo chapter nii?

Last line took my heart away!

Dhak dhak! So much of dhak dhak! :D

And you liked it?

Kitna? Tell me with your precious comments!

Till then HBD to ME! :)

Love, Cheers! Mawara!