Hello Fam :)

A/N - Nothing Cinderella here. Just an extension of the previous part. :P

Warning: It's roughly 12k words. Feel free to take a break in between if you need. :)

Happy Reading...

"I am going to get lost in this supermall within the next ten minutes. Why is official bonding forced on employees? Who even watches a movie with their boss? That too when the boss is our beloved sadist. Why can't someone kidnap me already?"

"Maybe because your dad might file a case and argue until they are thrown in jail?", said Cabir, interrupting her words.

Nandini has been more or less repeating the same thing over and over again for hours now. Hence, she rolled her eyes and let them wander around the mall for a distraction and she was surprised to find the distraction in the form of the Prince of Amritpuri. He was wearing a full-sleeved sweatshirt, paired with jeans and sneakers and looking nothing like the Prince that he was. There were a bunch of kids surrounding him and two women as they looked at the Prince smiling. The Prince himself was talking to the kids, probably instructing, as the kids kept on nodding at him.

"Interesting. What's he doing here?", asked Cabir, from beside her. He had spotted the Prince too.

"Cabir, my good friend, my savior, my brother from another mother, a piece of my heart-"

He waved his hand, brushing her casually. "Yeah, yeah. Sneak off. I will make up an excuse if Harshad notices you aren't there."

She squealed in delight before pulling him in a hug. "I knew I had a reason why I kept you around for so many years." She turned around and walked towards the Prince, who still hadn't averted his gaze from the kids.

"Hey, there, Princess", said Nandini when she reached near the man. She saw the women frown at her in confusion and it took the Prince a moment to realize her presence before his eyes widened. He looked panicked?

"He is not a Princess. Princess is used for a girl", commented one of the girls from the group.

"He could be a Prince", said another girl and she turned to the Prince. "Are you a Prince?"

Before he could reply, a boy interrupted. "He is not a Prince. Princes are stupid. They carry a sword and ride horses and make stupid decisions. He is a hero", he declared pointing towards the Prince.

"Okay", said Prince Malhotra, somewhat uncomfortably. "Everyone, that's Nandini, my friend. Mishti, no, I am not a Princess but she teases me like that, like how your friends tease you by calling you an 'Angry Bird'". The girl huffed but Prince of Amritpuri only smiled before he turned to the second girl. "Sanya, no, I am not a Prince either", he said and sent a discreet look towards Nandini. Even confused, Nandini nodded. "And Rahul", he continued to the boy, "if you don't like the Princes, why did you agree to a Disney movie?"

"Because I love princesses. They are beautiful and badass", he declared.

"But isn't that-", started Nandini but she was cut off by the Prince.

"No, don't argue with him. He is a menace. You agree with whatever statement Lord Rahul gives. That's what happens here", said the Prince, cuffing the boy lightly on the head which he ducked easily.

Nandini chuckled and bowed low until she was close to the height of the boy. "Of course, your majesty."

Rahul grinned. "Doc, I love your friend."

The Prince rolled his eyes. "Of course, you would", he told, and smiled at Nandini. "Nandini, what are you doing here?"

"Movie. Office bonding session with my sadist boss. I sneaked away."

"Are you comfortable with watching a Disney movie?", he asked.

"Sure. Am I allowed? I don't want to intrude."

Instead of replying to her, he turned to the women who were silent all this time. "Kamala Ma, is that okay? She is safe for the kids and my responsibility, I promise."

"Of course, any friend of yours is safe, Sir", said the woman with a smile.

"Thank you. I will go get the tickets", said the Prince and motioned Nandini to join him. "I am surprised to find you here again", he told once they were far away from the crowd.

"Trust me, Princess, I am more surprised to find the royal Prince here in a lowly mall wearing casual clothes with a bunch of unknown kids."

The Prince turned around such that he was facing her, his arm coming to rest near Nandini's elbow in a gentle yet firm touch. He gazed at her for a moment before removing his hand and forwarding it to her. "Hi, I am Manik Malhotra, Pediatric Cardiologist, working in Sahara Hospital, Karol Bagh, Delhi."

"Pincode?"

"What?"

"You forgot to mention the Pincode", she told.

But then the Prince was laughing, almost similar to the one when he laughed a few days back at the party when they were dancing, and she felt relieved at the absence of the almost hostile voice when he introduced himself.

"Manik is a nice name. Short and sweet. You know I kept on calling you Prince of Amritpuri in my head. Which was long and awkward, by the way."

"You don't know my name?", he asked, resuming their walk towards the ticket counter. "It was there on the card. Wait a minute, were you even invited to the party?"

For the first time since they met, it was the man teasing her instead of the other way round. Nandini shrugged. "My family was invited. I am apparently a Delhi resident so, it was skipped. I sneaked in to prove a point to someone."

"You sneak a lot", he said, teasing again.

"Yeah? My best quality."

XXX

They sit in a row isolated from the kids. When asked, Manik said that they could talk while the kids watched their movie.

"Hey, I didn't want to interrupt your plans. We can still sit with them", she told suddenly, feeling worse for forcing him to change plans because she dropped by unannounced.

"Nandini, relax. It's a kid's film. We will get bored. Anyway, I sit away whenever I am with a friend and they know it", he told. "That way if we are bored and talking in between, they wouldn't be disturbed."

She didn't know how much of it was true but she nodded and let herself relax. "So, what's up with the kids?"

Manik took a while to answer but when he did, he was almost whispering. "They are my hospital kids. Heart ailments, various stages. We are just trying to give as many good memories as they can before they-"

They were all going to die. "Shit", she muttered, exhaling a tense breath.

"I know it's terrible but sometimes I am helpless. When they pass the surgery stage, all we can do is make their remaining lives happy, right?", he asked, his voice slow and laced with the pain he was trying to cover up.

Nandini squeezed his hand. "I am sorry", she said, because what else would one say to that? When he gripped her hand tighter, she thought she said the right words.

It was a few minutes before Manik spoke again. "I am sorry for killing the mood."

An awkward silence crawled between them and Nandini felt guilty for touching a sensitive topic but a part of her was impressed. He was a good human being and it didn't sit well with her to see him fidgeting with his fingers beside her. So she tried changing the topic. "So did anyone steal your heart in the party?"

Manik snapped his head at the sudden change in the topic but then chuckled, relaxing. Good. "I told you I was just humoring my dad? After you left, I met a few people in his close circle and returned to my room. It was stupid to choose."

"Those unfortunate dolls", she teased.

He rolled his eyes. "What about you? What are you doing here?"

"Project manager in Saxena Industries is the official designation."

"Unofficial?"

"My boss is a baby and I am practically looking after the company."

"Somehow I don't doubt it", said Manik.

"No, I am joking. We work between organizations. Mending relationships, striking deals while they pose for the newspapers."

"So, are you not happy working there?"

"What?"

"You skipped your office bonding sessions to watch a movie with a bunch of strangers and a guy you hardly know", he said.

"My boss is a sadist and I deal with it six days a week. I didn't want to deal with him even on Sunday."

"Why don't you quit if you aren't happy?", he asked again.

The concern in Manik's voice almost reminded Nandini of her dad. She sighed. "I want to do something and I am just waiting for the right time to quit it."

He nodded without asking for an explanation. She didn't elaborate. It wasn't something you talk about in dark cinema halls. But then the conversation flowed easily. They didn't realize when it was the interval or even the end credits. To be frank, Nandini wasn't even sure what the story was but she was happy.

Going out, Manik asked the kids if they were hungry and when they jumped in excitement, he suggested going to the food court. "Come with us", he asked Nandini.

She nodded. It was calm being with him even with the whole buzz around the mall. They took a table for themselves before Manik asked one of the women to help him handle the orders. The ladies were the caretakers of the kids from the hospital. And they were a bunch of well-behaved children. It was all new and exciting for her.

"Are you bored?", Manik asked, returning to his seat.

"Don't you want to talk to them? I feel like I am stealing you from them", she told. She didn't feel comfortable about dropping on their plans suddenly.

Manik chuckled. "I talk to them every day at the end of my shift and stay an hour extra for them. They don't mind. I have had a friend come with me almost always. Today no one could make it."

"I am glad I could save my damsel in distress from feeling lonely", she teased. Manik laughed. "I loved it, you know. I have never done anything like this. Taking the kids out or spending time like this. It was all my projects and work and official parties where we get drunk. This is relaxing. Thank you."

"You can visit them any day. They would love it."

They talked some more, nothing close to home. It was still a touchy subject, especially the conversation Nandini had heard between Manik and Abhimanyu at the end of the party. Another thing she noticed was how easy it was to make him laugh and she didn't know why any of them didn't bother trying that at the party. Because Manik Malhotra was a handsome guy and it only escalated when he laughed without the care in the world. He looked free even, nothing like the frustrated Prince at the party.

When it was time to leave, both of them were reluctant to go.

"We can take the kids back, sir", said the caretaker, trying not to look at Nandini.

Manik shook his head and asked for a minute, asking them to get the kids ready. When she left, he turned to Nandini. "I don't want to leave. I really had a good time with you but they are my responsibility. I would be in a lot of trouble if something happens to them. We are not allowed to take them out but the Chief trusts me so I have to bring them back."

Nandini chuckled. "Princess, stop fretting. I had a good time too. And we can meet some other day, right? Now go be a responsible doctor and stay out of trouble when I am not there to save you."

He laughed out at that and left wishing her goodnight. She was surprised when a few kids came to her to give her a hug. It was only when she was at the door of her apartment that she realized they didn't even exchange their numbers. Very smart, Nandini. Super smart.

XXX

She was home earlier than Cabir and started making dinner after freshening up. Two hours later when he returned home, he went straight to his room and she heard him take a shower. She had his coffee ready when he finally made it to the kitchen which he took with a grateful smile.

"How was the movie?" she asked him, taking her cup. It was almost dinner time but coffee goes to the heart.

"Harshad had a tantrum when he realized you left. About company integrity and equally fancy terms. I told you were not well and you didn't want to ruin his plans for all of us. Surprisingly, the hypocrite left during the interval saying something about a family emergency. We had a blast after that", told Cabir. "Did you cook food? You should have waited for me. I would have helped you."

"I was early and I wanted to do that."

"Ahan. So, how was your outing with the Prince? Any juicy gossip?", he asked.

Nandini laughed, cuffing his head. "He is a sweetheart. The kids are his patients at the hospital he works. They all are suffering and he apparently wants to make their last days memorable. And he is so passionate about not being associated with royalty."

"Interesting. The conversation we listened to on that day, I thought he was a good human but going out of his way to treat the children is fantastic."

"Yeah. And he is polite, sensible, and responsible. Nothing like any brat from the royalty I imagined."

They talked some more before the conversation shifted to the next project they were dealing with and it escalated to sharing some ideas over it.

XXX

Nandini was surprised when she found herself near Sahara hospital two weeks after their Sunday outing. One of the companies wanted to sponsor the hospital for conducting some health camps all over the country and in return wanted the hospital to deal with all the advertisements and other technical areas. Hence, the contract landed with Saxena Industries and Nandini has been working on that. In some sick twisted logic, Harshad refused to declare the name of the hospital until now, except for the essential details, because he wanted it to be secret even from her who had done the majority of the work.

They were in the middle of the meeting and one of their interns was giving a presentation when someone opened the door. Even though she knew Manik worked here, she didn't expect him to attend the meeting with all the high-ranking people of the hospital. The chairman and all the head doctors were present when Manik entered the room, gaining the attention of everyone.

"You fool. This isn't someplace to barge in whenever you want", screamed Harshad.

"I am sorry. I was in surgery", told Manik.

He hasn't seen her yet.

"Doesn't give you an excuse to barge in a place you don't belong", said Harshad.

Manik looked so small and out of place under the hatred glare of Harshad and she never wanted to punch her boss more in the face. Before Manik could defend himself, the chairman cleared his throat. "It was a life-threatening situation and my doctor volunteered to save the kid even when he wasn't on duty. I think it's acceptable for him to come a little late. Dr. Malhotra, how's the kid?"

Manik smiled. Small and sweet. "He survived. Breathing for now. I had put him under observation for a few more hours. We will allow the parents in a few minutes."

"Good, Manik. Thank you for taking the necessary action. Please, have a seat."

So apparently Manik was a significant person at the hospital and something tells her it was all his own hard work. The thought made her proud. As Manik took a seat next to her, his eyes landed on Nandini and they widened for a moment. Nandini winked at him, making him smile and something settled inside in her chest that arose when Harshad tried to insult the Prince.

Half an hour later, when the kid reached the last slides, Nandini's anger climbed up so suddenly that she wanted to throw her glass of water on top of her boss's head. He changed the last slides without informing her. Of course, the guy only cared about profits and it was clear from the slides towards the end. Nandini raised her hand, interrupting the intern. The boy panicked for a moment and when she followed his confused stare, she found Manik in front of her, raising his own hand. Beside her, Harshad glared at her for questioning their team. She dropped her hand and asked Manik to go ahead.

"No, please go ahead. I insist", said Manik to her.

She nodded and turned to the intern. "The idea you are pitching in, what's the hospital going to get out of it? Why should they sign you if we are representing some other company instead of the ones who hired us?" Because yeah, it was clear the project favored the company who was sponsoring them more than the hospital and in return theirs.

"Nandini, you should be supporting us instead of them", hissed Harshad.

"They are in the list of best hospitals for five years in a row, Harshad. A contract with them would only increase our reputation. Do you want to throw that for some sponsor who only cares about his benefits?", she muttered back.

Harshad glared at her before turning to the chairman. "Why should we sign with you if we don't have our profits?"

She gave a long-suffering look to Cabir who shrugged because yeah, it was Harshad and he only cared about profits.

"We can sign 3 deal contracts with you", someone said and Nandini turned to find it was Manik answering her boss instead of the chairman. "This project is a free campaign. Out of the goodness of the heart really. But our next two are ambitious ones and we could sign them to you. After you agree to the terms, that is. We could arrange another meeting."

It looked as if Harshad really wanted to question Manik but the chairman beat him to it. "That's an interesting idea, Manik. What do you say, Mr. Saxena?"

Harshad nodded finally. And then it was Nandini discussing the future plans and the strategic details.

Soon the meeting was over and while Nandini thought of having a word with Manik, the boy disappeared towards the end of the meeting because the kid under observation had some breathing issue. She glared at Harshad before he could comment again and continued with the presentation without a single glance towards the Prince as he slipped out of the room.

After the meeting, the Chairman pulled her away, surprising her. "Thank you, young lady. For supporting the good and standing up against your boss."

"Sir, there are some projects where profits shouldn't matter. Hospitals, especially the ones like this, setting up free camps, it's like selling our humanity if we are making profits out of the misery of people's lives."

"The world would be a better place if there were more people like you", he said, smiling. He reminded Nandini of her late grandfather.

She smiled in return and excused herself when Harshad called her.

"Do you know the chairman?", asked her boss, as she went to him.

"Not before today. Why?"

"No, you are all best friends with him, favoring them instead of us."

"Harshad, if you have a problem with my way of working, take up the issue with our Chairman. You want to prove to me that what you want to do is correct? Let's do that in front of him. You don't have the guts to do it? Drop this topic now. I don't want any passive-aggressive arguments over this ever again", she told him, firmly. It shut him for good because however he was, the Chairman, Harshad's father, and the big boss was a decent human being. And he loved and trusted Nandini and her work which was one of the reasons she could get away saying anything to Harshad.

She tried walking out when she heard someone calling her name. They turned around to find Manik jogging towards her.

"You aren't meeting him. We are getting late and I don't want more of the hospital staff manipulating you", hissed Harshad. "Cabir, go check what exactly he wants?"

Cabir took a step towards them but Nandini shook her head. "Fine", she told because he was close to bursting and she was tired of dealing with him for the day. Ignoring Manik, she turned towards the exit door, Harshad following her.

XXX

"Hello, Mr. Malhotra", said Cabir, as he looked at the heartbroken look on the face of the Prince when Nandini walked away without sparing a glance towards him.

"Did I do something wrong?", he asked.

"No. Our boss didn't want the hospital staff to manipulate her. But I can pass your message", he said with a grin.

"Nothing. It's just", he said, before halting, rubbing the back of his neck and biting his lip. For a Prince, he was not even close to looking like one, thought Cabir. "Can I have her number?"

Cabir chuckled. "Of course, you can, Mr. Malhotra. But instead of that, since tomorrow is Nandini's off, how about I ask her to come and meet you here and then you can ask her yourself? When does your shift end tomorrow?"

"Five in the evening?"

"Cool. I will ask her to drop by tomorrow and I am sorry about my boss. He is really a sadist and hardly uses his brain."

"I don't mind and we should be sorry for him for losing his humanity at such an early age", said the Prince with a slight taunt in his voice and Cabir burst out laughing.

"Oh my God, I like you. Let me take leave before he comes back here to lose his remaining sanity too", said Cabir. When the man nodded with all seriousness, Cabir went into hysterics until he was inside the car with his boss. Later that night, Cabir ordered pizzas and they made some more fun of their boss and called Manik a smart little shit in disguise as a dignified Prince.

XXX

"Can I meet Dr. Malhotra? Manik Malhotra?", asked Nandini at the reception. She reached the hospital at five in the evening but neither did she have the number of Manik nor did she know his cabin at the hospital.

"Do you have an appointment, ma'am?"

"No?"

"I am sorry, ma'am, but we have rules and he is off duty right now. We can't call him unless it's an emergency. I can book your appointment for tomorrow if you want", she said.

Nandini sighed. It wasn't her fault really, she was doing her job. "It's okay. I am not a patient", she muttered and was ready to leave when she heard someone calling her name. Relief spread across her face as she saw Manik coming. After the initial hello, he asked her to follow him.

"I am sorry. I forgot to tell them that you would be coming. It has been a busy day since this morning today", said Manik. "And your friend refused to give me your number."

She chuckled. "Yeah, he has a twisted sense of adventure but I am glad you have been saving lives since morning, Princess. You are a doctor and that's what you do for a living but I couldn't help but be amazed by it. The way you so casually mentioned about saving the boy from yesterday."

"I am damn sure you would blow my mind with your strategies too, Nandini", he teased. They walked until they reached the children's ward. "Hello, kids. Look who's here to meet you."

"Nandini", exclaimed Rahul, the guy who hated Princes but loved Princesses.

Nandini bowed down in front of him. "Good to see you again, your majesty."

Manik was beside her in an instant, straightening her up. "Nandini, don't encourage him. He is insufferable as it is. And you, brat, no jumping around here. I told you already."

"Don't be jealous of my fans, Doc. You have yours."

"Brat", muttered Manik.

There was something really peaceful watching Manik interact with the kids or talk about his patients. He looked no less than an Angel descended down on Earth to save the innocent lives of the world. It was just his job but as she told him, it was fascinating. They stayed for an hour before Manik said goodbye to the kids. On their way out, he asked if she was up for an early dinner and she agreed.

XXX

They ordered their food and the conversations flowed as easily as in the mall. She was in the middle of a story when Manik perked up. "Hey, you said you are a Murthy. I guess I met your dad on that day."

Nandini shrugged. "You might have. Yash Murthy. He handles some of your family's legal affairs."

"Yeah. The lawyer my dad was so fond of. Yes, I have met him."

"You met my sister too", she told. When Manik raised an eyebrow, she said, "You danced with her. She was one of those barbie dolls there."

Manik shrugged. "Almost everyone I met on that day was a Barbie doll, Nandini. How can I remember every fake face when I was surrounded completely by them?"

"Chill down, Princess. It wasn't your fault. It's not too much to wish for a decent girl who wouldn't throw herself at you or drown in tons of makeup. Don't let your family rules dictate you."

"I wish it were that easy. I wish my dad would understand this but no, he is more into family, rules, and reputation", said Manik.

It broke her heart at the resigned way he talked about his father. According to her dad, the King was a decent human being and not a royal stuck up once you get to know him. But clearly, either Yash had judged him wrong or Manik was misunderstanding him. She wanted to incline towards the latter because Yash hardly ever was wrong about a person. That's what made him a good lawyer but she didn't want to hurt Manik more by going against his opinion too.

"Hey, what about your mother?", asked Manik, pulling her out of her thoughts. "I have met your whole family except her, I guess."

Nandini chuckled. "You have to compromise on meeting parts of hers instead of the whole person."

"What?"

"Mom died when I was fifteen. After that, it was my dad who took care of us, me and Alya, my twin sister."

"I am sorry, Nandini."

She smiled, looking down at his hand which was squeezing hers in apology. "Don't be. We don't feel sad that she's gone. Dad used to say that it wasn't the best way to remember her. She was the epitome of happiness and brought smiles everywhere she went. Hence, we try to keep her alive in our smiles and conversations. So, yeah, you met me, you met a part of her."

"That's a beautiful thing to say", muttered Manik.

She nodded. "So, your mom too, right? I know about her." The Queen died during childbirth apparently. There was a story about Manik having a twin sister but she didn't know much about it.

The Prince shrugged. "I don't remember her much. I was a premature kid, born a month before Mukti. She died a month after I was born while giving birth to Mukti. After that, it was us really and the servants. Dad immersed himself in the welfare of his people. Mukti is my everything, the only one I was close to. Sometime during our childhood, Abhimanyu came into our lives and claimed a permanent spot in our hearts. He is a bit of a mother hen to both of us. So he is the closest mom to us."

"That's both cute and sad, Manik", said Nandini. Because it sounded so lonely there. She didn't know how two kids, innocent and unknown of the world, have survived in a castle full of people who worked for a salary. Why did the King leave his kids like that? The Malhotra men were famous for their love for their wives. Just like the first King who named the village Amritpuri after his wife Amrita. Even Raj Malhotra was known to be madly in love with his wife and a part of her didn't blame him for grieving for his wife by keeping himself busy with work but it wasn't fair to Manik or Mukti. They were kids for god sake.

"Hey, don't be sad. We both used to have a lot of fun, exploring the castles, getting lost in the vastness of the building, giving a good scare to our caretakers. We rebelled against every rule and because we didn't have mom, they sympathized with us and left us alone. Imagine a whole childhood where you can do whatever you want? My friends in school had time-outs, tv screen times, bedtime, and followed certain rules. We were free", explained the man.

"Somehow this doesn't make me feel any better, Manik. You have a knack to go lookout for trouble", she told more than asked.

"I was bored. But Abhimanyu was there after some time. He used to be scared when something happened to us and he used to rant about our safety. We initially started behaving for the sake of his mental peace. Suddenly, we were on the path of becoming the best kids and when dad got to know about his influence on us, Abhimanyu more or less started spending more time in the castle than his home. Dad was the happiest when he got to know about him falling for Mukti. Mukti did too and their wedding happened so suddenly but Mukti was happy."

"So, you want to have something like theirs?", she asked.

"Maybe? I want to fall in love, of course. I don't know if I am as lucky as them. We have known Abhimanyu for the major part of our lives. And I don't even have friends that long other than him", said Manik.

"Well sneaking away is one thing but guess you can't marry your brother-in-law without betraying your sister, Manik", she said.

Manik took a minute to process but then he laughed out loud. Serves him right for dragging Abhimanyu every half an hour in the party away from the crowd. "Guess, I should find someone for myself", he said, half teasing.

After finishing their food, Manik offered to drop Nandini. She gave her car for servicing and used public transport to go to the hospital. When they reached her apartment, Nandini stayed back. Manik wasn't too eager to leave too. "What is it with you that every time I spend any time with you, I don't feel like ending it", she thought to herself. From the way Manik chuckled, she might have said it aloud. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make it weird."

"No, it's okay. If it assures you, I feel the same. I don't want to go back to being with myself in my lonely apartment", he muttered.

"Oh My God", groaned Nandini before deciding. "Come on, let's have some coffee at my place." Instead of waiting for his answer, she got down and went to the other side but Manik was rooted at his seat behind the wheels. "You don't want to come up?", she asked him when he made no move to get down.

"Nandini, I had a really good time with you and I am looking forward to it but when I offered you dinner, it wasn't meant to-"

"I said coffee, Princess. What are you on about? Why are you panicking?"

"Simple Coffee? Just coffee?"

"Of course. Are you that health-conscious? Don't tell me you only drink the exquisite 'imported from the streets of London or Paris' tea, do you?", she teased.

Manik shook his head. "No, coffee. Simple coffee is fine."

It was weird and Nandini let it slide until they reached her apartment. After asking Manik to make himself comfortable, she went to check Cabir and found him sleeping on the table with his laptop switched on. She rolled her eyes in disbelief and shook him awake. "Sleep on the bed. You will hurt yourself", she told him softly and helped him get into the bed. Before leaving the room, she saved his codes and switched off the laptop, making sure there weren't any background tasks running.

She found Manik in the living room and motioned him silently to go with her. Once the coffee was done, they sat down on the table in the kitchen. It was only half-cup later when Manik relaxed to himself. "You want to talk about what happened sometime before?"

Manik ducked his head down embarrassed. "I went to dinner with one of my visiting Doctors. She was a colleague here before she left and I thought it was catching up on old times but then when I dropped her home, she offered me coffee. When I went to her house she said it was a code language for you know...", he muttered. "I didn't know we were on a date until then. So, coffee after a possible dinner is a nightmare."

Nandini frowned, shaking her head. The guy was surrounded by brainless bimbos. No doubt he wanted to run away from the castle instead of marrying one. "Cabir and I live on caffeine. It keeps us alive during long hours of project nights. It's a comfort drink for us. I am sorry for implying anything else."

Manik had a protest on his tongue but then Cabir entered the room and helped himself to a cup of coffee. "I would worship the ground you walk on for the rest of my lives", muttered Cabir, taking a long sip before sitting down on the table. It was when he noticed the Prince and took a double-take towards him. "I am sorry, Mr. Malhotra, I didn't notice you."

"Can you please call me Manik? Mr. Malhotra is too formal", said the Prince.

"But you are a Prince."

"Cabir, do as he says. I don't want you to make my Princess uncomfortable", said Nandini.

Cabir glared at her. "You horrify me", he said before turning to Manik. "Manik, I am sorry for all the weird nicknames she comes up with."

Manik shrugged. "I don't mind. She is neither scared of me nor does she throw herself at me. Which is good enough for her being a decent friend."

Nandini winked, bringing out a chuckle from the man. "Glad to be of service, Princess."

XXX

It has been a few months since Manik first came to Nandini's apartment and a number of times after that. She felt as if she had known him all her life. Surprisingly, Cabir warmed up to Manik pretty quickly too. She doubted it has something to do with the easy way Manik interacts with them as if he were their best friend and not the Prince that he was. They had gone out for dinner several times within the past month whenever Nandini needed to rant out about Harshad or just escape from the chaos of her work. Cabir was finally acting on his crush on one of their colleagues and he was out most of the nights than he was at their apartment. In his absence, Manik was a calming presence. She couldn't believe at times all the trouble he had gotten into or the tantrums he says he would throw at the castle going by the sweet attitude he has whenever they were together.

Right now though, Nandini had the dinner prepared for them as Cabir was out on another date. Manik was supposed to reach by now but there was no text or call since he last texted in the afternoon confirming his plan for the evening. It was almost nine when she decided to call him one final time but like the past few hours, no one picked the call. It started worrying her because Manik always reached back. Even if he was busy, there would at least be a text of calling later. Frowning, she dialed another number. "Hello, this is Nandini and I am a friend of Dr. Manik Malhotra. I am unable to reach him. Could you please tell me if he is still at the hospital or not?"

"Just a minute, ma'am. Let me check", said the lady.

After their initial encounter, Manik had informed the receptionist about Nandini being his friend and gave his office number if she couldn't reach his mobile anytime.

"Ma'am, Manik sir left early today. In fact, Dr. Mehra was the substitute doctor for him after three in the afternoon."

"Left early?", repeated Nandini. And three? Manik had texted her at two saying he had an operation lined up something about a patient in the ICU. She didn't know what's happening but right now she wanted to make sure he was fine. "Excuse me, but could you please give me his home address?"

"Sorry, ma'am. It's handing over his personal information is against our rules", said the lady on the other side.

"Listen, I just want to make sure he is safe. I told you he hasn't been picking up my calls since the evening. You know I am his friend and visited the hospital a couple of times. Please?", said Nandini, crossing her fingers.

"I could lose my job for this", muttered the woman. "Write it down."

After writing down the address, Nandini sighed. It wouldn't take much time to reach there. "Thank you so much. This is on me. I wouldn't let you lose your job."

Packing the food in a box, she grabbed her keys and left for Manik's place.

XXX

It took her half an hour to reach Manik's apartment. The door was unlocked for some reason and there was no light or noise coming from within the apartment. Nandini switched on the flashlight on her mobile and felt like walking through a really bad horror or crime scene of a movie as she entered. Thankfully, nothing in the apartment was amiss. It was clean and tidy. Not that she would know if anything was missing specifically as it was her first time here. She checked the rooms one by one, holding her breath and just praying for the Prince to be safe. It was the last room when she saw him staring at the wall without any movement. He looked fine, physically and Nandini sighed. At least it wasn't a crime scene anymore. "Manik?"

When he didn't respond, she switched on the lights and walked to him, shaking him to the present. "Nandini?", he whispered, sounding tired and weak. He blinked his eyes at her before as if realizing she was really there. "Nandini?", he said again, his voice breaking.

She sat in front of him, pulling him into a hug, and carded her fingers through her hair when he didn't protest. One of her hands rubbed his back as she heard the sobs coming from him, his body shivering. "It's okay. It's okay. You are fine. You are safe", she said and repeated until he calmed down.

Half an hour later, Nandini helped him to have a glass of water and sat beside him, Manik's head resting on her shoulder and his hand gripping hers. Her free hand was in his hair, running her fingers through his already messed up locks.

"You want to talk about it?", asked Nandini sometime later.

"Rahul. He...", he started choking up in his voice. "In my hands."

"Oh! Manik", muttered Nandini, tightening her arm around Manik and squeezing his hand a little harder. They knew the kids only had days left in their lives but it wasn't easy. She understood why he was a mess.

Sometime later, they had shifted and now Nandini was lying down with Manik's head on her shoulder. He hadn't left her hand ever since. His breathing evened out after the emotional toll he took upon himself. Nandini stared at him not realizing when sleep took over her.

Few hours later, she woke up when Manik was startled awake, disturbing their position. There was a panicked look on his face before he really saw Nandini and sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. "I am sorry", he muttered.

Nandini brushed him away. "Does this happen every time when someone...?", she asked.

Manik nodded, still looking down. "Death is hard every time I fail an operation and lose my patient but those kids, they don't deserve that. I just...I can't...I don't know what to do", he told.

Nandini grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. "Promise me, if something like this happens again, you would either come to my place or text me so that I come to yours. Death is hard but you don't have to go through this alone."

"You don't have to do this, Nandini. I will be fine", he said, giving her a smile, clearly fake.

Nandini removed her hand. "When I came to your home last night, your front door was unlocked, closed but unlocked. It was dark and I had to hold my breath until I saw you safe. You were not reachable for hours before that. Don't even get me started on how stupid you were to drive through that emotional mess and here staying alone when you didn't even realize someone was at your home until I had to shake you up. I am not giving you an option, Malhotra. Text me or come straight to my place but let me know so that I am here for you." When he nodded with his wide eyes, Nandini pulled him into a hug. "There are people who care about you, Manik. Don't go looking for trouble at least for the sake of their hearts."

XXX

"Cabir, just listen to me. He doesn't deserve you", told Manik, his voice not at all masking his desperation.

Nandini rubbed her head. It was almost a month after she went to Manik's place and since then they fell into a routine. Whenever there was an unsuccessful day at the hospital, he ended up at their door. Nandini would make him hot chocolate or whatever drink was available at that time and hugged Manik as he came back to normal. Sometime later, Cabir joined in the hug when she was out for a meeting and since then both the men found a strange dynamic between a friend and a brother. Cabir would tease him for everything, riling him up but if Nandini said something to Manik, he would give his disappointed 'mom' look. He is a Prince for god's sake, Nandini. Give him some respect, he would say. Manik was equally protective of him but would never come between Nandini and Cabir.

Today though, the Prince came around evening after his shift, yelling Cabir's name and asking him to break up with his boyfriend without giving him an explanation. Cabir would have done that if it were Nandini because he had a blind trust in her but it would take some time with Manik. It was an hour and she was getting a headache because of all their passive-aggressive arguments without actually making a real point.

"For the hundredth time, no, Manik. At least give me a reason. What am I supposed to say to him? That my friend asked me to break up with you because he thinks I am too good for you", told Cabir, scrolling through the channels of the television. The nonchalance in him was riling Manik even more.

"Why can't you trust me on this? Do you think I would intentionally hurt you?", asked Manik.

"Is this because it's a boy?", asked Cabir, even though he knew Manik didn't care about his sexuality.

Nandini held a hand before Manik could explain himself. He didn't have to, not when he had always supported him. Her best friend was just being mean deliberately. "Okay, children. Time's up. Cabir, shut up for a second and you would understand you are spouting nonsense just to get Manik to back off. Manik, he deserves an explanation for breaking up when their relationship is going well. Raghav is a decent human and he makes Cabir happy", she told. She saw the hurt look pass over his face and shook her head. "But I know you have a solid reason for asking him to do that", she told, silently promising him that she trusted him, "so, whatever reason it is, just out with it."

"Cabir would be hurt", muttered Manik.

It drew Cabir's attention as he pushed the remote away and pulled Manik beside him on the couch. "I would trust you even if you said we were aliens from a multiverse and know that you would never hurt me, Manik. If I am hurt, Nandini is right there and I know you both would take care of me. So, let it out."

Manik took a deep breath. "Raghav is married."

"What?", asked Cabir.

"He is married. His wife is pregnant and he brought her to the hospital today. He didn't see me when I saw them leaving the hospital. I asked the doctor who checked them and he showed me the reports. She was into her fifth month."

"What the hell", yelled Nandini. Fifth month? They started dating only a month back which means his wife was already carrying his child when he started his affair with her best friend.

"How could that be?", muttered Cabir. "I have been to his house several times and there was no hint of him being married."

"I don't know, Cabir. They said they had changed their doctor because of some issues at the previous hospital. I don't know exactly."

"I need a moment", Cabir said and grabbed his car keys.

Before he could run out, Nandini pulled him into a hug. "Don't let him hurt you. He doesn't deserve you if what Manik said was true", she whispered in his hair.

Cabir nodded once and pulled Manik into a brief half-hug before leaving the apartment.

"I am sorry", said Manik.

"Don't be. You might have saved his heart", she told. "Coffee?"

When two hours later, Cabir returned home, looking like a mess, Manik was the first one to pull him into a hug. Nandini followed, dragging him towards the couch without breaking the awkward group hug. When it was close to midnight, she asked if they needed any caffeine. Cabir relaxed after draining his first cup of coffee and helping a second one for himself. "He was feeling alone while his wife was at her parents' house. I was just a time pass for him, an experiment. Apparently, there was an issue at the hospital and his wife decided to come back home to deliver the kid with her husband. God, how could I be so stupid?"

"You couldn't have known", told Nandini. "He is our colleague. Don't you think I should have been equally known as you?"

Her best friend nodded. Raghav had fooled everyone. "He was smart, I agree but he isn't taking anymore of my time", he said, with determination. "Thank you, Manik."

"You don't have to thank me", told Manik, ducking his head. If Nandini wasn't wrong, she thought he was blaming himself for the Cabir's heartbreak.

XXX

A week later, Cabir had taken a leave and went to visit his parents to get his mind off with everything. Raghav avoided Nandini at the office which she thought was a safe move. With her best friend gone, Harshad decided it would be fun to give his work to Nandini too, doubling her workload. Going back to her apartment was another torture since it was the first time when Cabir was gone for this long. Usually, they take their leaves together with Cabir spending a few of the last days at Nandini's place. There was a deadline coming up and Harshad would bite her head off if she didn't submit it. Without overthinking much, she packed her laptop, a pair of work clothes and left for Manik's place in her pajamas.

"Nandini, is everything okay?", Manik asked when he saw her with a bag hanging on her shoulder.

"I need a distraction from Cabir and a place to work. I have a deadline and my apartment reminds me of the way he left all of a sudden."

"He would come back, you know that, right?", said Manik, taking her bag and pulling her inside the house.

"I know but before he comes Harshad would kill me for sure", she told.

Manik put her bag at the dining table where he had all the papers spread out. He cleared some to make space for Nandini. "Sit down. I will get you coffee. It would help you concentrate on your work."

Nandini sighed and flopped down on the chair. "Princess, you are my goddamn angel", she said, as he rolled his eyes with a smile.

They worked in silence for some time. Nandini didn't realize it was already twelve at night until Manik called her. "Hey, I have an early shift tomorrow. So, I am going to sleep. There's enough coffee in the kitchen. Just reheat it whenever you want. The guest room is clean too whenever you want to sleep. Make yourself comfortable and if you need anything, feel free to wake me up."

Nandini nodded without replying. She had almost six to seven hours at hand if she had to leave for the meeting in the morning. It was an hour later when she noticed Manik disappeared into his room. God, she prayed she didn't come off rude or ungrateful for her royal host.

Hours later, when Manik shook her awake, it took her a moment to realize she had slept on the table. "Have you finished your work?", he asked, almost panicking for her.

Nandini nodded, resting her head down and closing her eyes for a few extra minutes.

"When did you go to sleep?", asked Manik again.

"One hour back. Half, maybe. I don't know."

"Oh my god, Nandini. You can't survive on an hour's sleep. Why don't you take a leave today? Anyways, you have completed the work."

"Harshad would mess up. Need to go."

"Okay, freshen up. I will drop you on my way."

It was after he had dropped her did she remember that Manik had an early shift but since he had dropped her, maybe he took permission for a few hours. She didn't like forcing him to do that but it felt good to be taken care of without asking. Especially when Manik absolutely didn't have to.

XXX

The meeting was done and she really needed to sleep now. Thankfully, it was the last hour of the day and Nandini packed her bag to leave. The meeting extended for a few minutes and it was only Harshad along with a handful of people who had attended the meeting were present.

"I am dropping you home", Harshad declared and started walking without giving her a chance to reply.

She jogged after him. "Harshad, wait", she called, "don't take the trouble. I will go on my own."

"Nandini, you are looking dead on your feet", commented her boss.

I would if I had to stay up all night doing the work of two people, she thought. Instead of saying it out loud and exhausting her remaining energy, she faked a smile. "I have a friend coming to pick me up."

"Really? Okay, then. I will walk you out to your friend's", he said.

The way he said it made her feel as if he didn't believe her. Maybe because Cabir wasn't here and Nandini wasn't as close with her colleagues. Sure, they shared a cordial relationship but she doesn't have a heart-to-heart with them. She tried calling Manik's number but it seemed like he was on another call. She cursed. If she had to bear Harshad all the way to her place, she would murder him before reaching her apartment. She thought of an excuse, anything, but the tiredness was catching up to her and her brain refused to work at the moment.

"Where's your friend?", asked Harshad, after they reached down.

"Harshad, listen", she started but then her eyes fell on a car and like a wish granted straight from heaven, she spotted Manik talking to someone on his mobile. It explained why his number was busy but she didn't know what he was doing here. She didn't think much. Manik was here and for once her damsel in distress was going to save Nandini from committing murder and going to jail. Her dad might bail her out but she wanted to sleep instead of all the paperwork. "There, that's my friend", she told, pointing towards the car. Manik was sitting inside and hadn't yet noticed her. She waved at her boss and escaped from his vicinity.

Going to the car, Nandini knocked on Manik's side of the window. "You are my savior", she whispered.

Manik put a finger on his lips, asking her to be quiet and get in. She nodded and slid inside.

"What the hell, Abhimanyu? She is my friend and her car isn't working. I am dropping her home. Even if it is hard to believe, I do have friends here that aren't the people I am dating", said Manik into the phone. He waited for the other person to speak before rolling his eyes. "You know what, idiot? Have fun and do whatever you want. I am hanging up."

After cutting the call, Manik turned to her. "I am sorry about that. How was your meeting?"

"Good. Can we leave? Harshad wanted to drop me and I wanted to murder him. You saved me. Let's leave", she told.

Manik laughed and started the car.

"Anyways, what were you doing at my office?", she asked.

"I dropped you in the morning. I thought I am supposed to pick you up", he told, unsure because of Nandini's question. "I am sorry. Did you have any other plans?"

"No, of course not. I thought I had to use public transport."

"With running an hour of sleep? No chance I am going to leave you like that", he said.

Nandini didn't protest. She might later for compromising on his work timings but right now she is tired.

"Hey, rest your eyes. I will wake you up when we reach home", told Manik.

Nandini nodded and she did without realizing when she drifted to sleep.

XXX

When Nandini woke up again, it was to an unfamiliar room. She had her bag from last night there. So it was the guest room that she didn't use last night. She went out to find Manik reading something on the couch.

"You could have woken me up", she told, taking a seat beside him. He must have carried her from all the way down to his apartment.

"You were tired", he told, as if it was sufficient. "You hungry?"

"Starving", she told. "But I need to take a shower."

"I have put your pajamas in the laundry. It must have dried by now. Let me get them", said Manik and left the room.

Bringing her to his apartment was one thing but laundering for her was a whole different level. She didn't know if she should feel good about it or ask him to stop right away. Even if it didn't matter to her, he was a Prince for a goddamn region. She took the clothes silently when Manik returned and went to take a shower. It relaxed her muscles. She returned to an aroma coming from the kitchen and followed the smell.

"Food is almost ready", said Manik. "Do you want any drink?"

"What do you have?", she asked.

"Help yourself", he told, pointing towards the refrigerator.

There were cartons of fruit juices along with a bottle of beer and wine. "Didn't know Dr. Malhotra keeps alcoholic drinks in his house", she teased.

Manik laughed, shaking his head. "My friends come over sometimes. I usually prefer a fruit punch to alcohol."

Nandini nodded and took two cartons of orange juices for them. She didn't need alcohol with the lack of proper sleep.

"By the way, Nandini, your dad called. He was calling repeatedly, so I picked it up. Said you were taking a shower."

"Oh, God, Manik", she said, groaning. "Did you tell who you were? Your name?"

"I said I am your friend", he muttered, a frown appearing on his face.

Nandini rubbed her head, grabbed her mobile, and left to the balcony to call her dad. "Hey, Dad, what's up?", she asked, faking a cheer.

"Nandini? You're alive", he asked.

The relief was clear in his voice. Why was he worried? "Haven't drowned myself in caffeine. Still breathing. Dad, are you okay?"

"You tell me, kid. You don't talk to me properly for days and when I am calling you, some guy is picking up, saying he is your friend and you are taking a shower? It's almost ten in the night. What's going on there? Who the hell is this friend that I don't know about?", he told.

If her dad was ranting, it was clear, he was panicking. Because of her stupid extra work, she hardly got any time to talk to her father but she thought he was okay as she sent him a message every day, telling him that she was fine. "Dad, calm down, please. I am sorry for not calling", she said. "Because Cabir's on leave, I had to do his work too and it's taking a toll on me. Had a meeting today."

"So, this friend?", he asked.

"Yeah, he picked me up and because of all the exhaustion, I slept in his car, so he took me to his place. I woke up a while back and went to take a shower. I am just tired. I am sorry", she told, distracting him from Manik.

"Why don't you quit there, Nandini?", he asked instead.

"Dad, not now, please? Cabir will be back in a day or two and I will take tomorrow's off. I will rest and will be fine", she promised.

"So, this friend, do I know him? Does Cabir know him? Is he taking advantage of you?"

"Oh my god, dad, no. He is a friend from work and he is a nice guy. Of course, he is closer to Cabir than me", she told. She didn't know if it was correct or not but it would assure his dad even if he might think Manik was gay. Not like her father would meet him. "And taking advantage? Seriously, Dad? I can take care of myself. You know that."

"Yeah, I know. But I worry."

"Don't be. He is fine. Anyways, it's getting late. Why don't you go to sleep? Text me whenever you are free tomorrow, I will video call you. Meanwhile, I will catch up on my sleep."

"And food. Make sure some solid food is getting into your system other than the caffeine", he told.

"Sure, Dad. Love you."

"Love you too, baby girl. Good night, kid."

Nandini sighed. It was okay. Her dad didn't suspect it. She went to the kitchen and found Manik lost in his thoughts. She noticed his hand close to the Burner. "Manik", she yelled and pulled his hand away.

He blinked his eyes at her before looking at his fingers. Thankfully, nothing happened.

"Where was your concentration, Manik. You could have burnt your hand", she told, inspecting his fingers for any possible hurt.

"I am fine", he muttered. "Nandini, I am sorry for picking up your call."

"It's okay, Manik. It's fine. Dad's fine. He panicked because I didn't talk to him properly and with Cabir's out of town, so he couldn't call him to ask about me", she told.

The dinner was a silent affair. Manik didn't talk and Nandini was too tired to start a conversation. After putting away the dishes, they sat on the couch. She just woke up and it would take some more time for her to go back to sleep again. Instead, there was something bothering her. "Manik", she called and glanced at him when he didn't reply. He was lost in his thoughts again. "Is everything okay with you?", she asked.

He nodded, faking a smile. She didn't understand what's bothering him but it was clear he wasn't fine. Shaking her head to give him time to open up, she concentrated on the thing that bothered her. "I wanted to ask you something. Did you take permission to go late to the hospital to drop me at the office?"

Manik nodded.

Nandini was surprised at the casual way he agreed to it. "Why? You didn't have to, Manik", she told. "Why should you compromise on your work hours for me?"

"Because you were too tired to function properly", he said.

"And again to pick me up? Manik, it's your work. You didn't have to do that? I am not trying to be ungrateful. I really appreciate it but I would have been fine. You don't owe me anything and you're a doctor. You have lives to save."

"I thought we were friends", he muttered. He hesitated for a moment before glancing up at Nandini. She saw the hurt in his eyes. "Are you ashamed of me?", he asked. It was barely a whisper and the most vulnerable she had ever seen him.

"What the hell?", said Nandini. "Why would I be ashamed of you, Manik? Where did that even come from?", she asked. When he didn't answer, she reached out to squeeze his shoulder. "Manik, what happened?"

"Your dad", he started, "I just told him I was your friend and..."

It took a few minutes for Nandini to recall her conversation. God, did she make him feel like some dirty little secret? "Shit, Manik", she muttered. It broke her heart to see the vulnerability on his face. Instead of saying anything, she wrapped her hands around him. "I am sorry. It's not what you are thinking. Manik, you are so amazing and anyone would be proud to be your friend. I am not ashamed of you. I would never be ashamed of you."

She broke the hug to look at him, the doubt and hesitancy not leaving him entirely but he was somewhat relaxed. "Do you know why I left abruptly during your party?"

Manik shook his head.

"I wasn't invited because I have been here in Delhi for a few years, not in your official records. And dad thought I didn't know how to be polite with royalty so he asked me to stay back. My sister hates me, she provoked me. To prove her a point, I sneaked in. Look Manik, my dad deals with some of your legal issues and he maintains a professional relationship with them. He doesn't know I have sneaked into a party and he asked me not to go. So, according to him, I never met the Prince of Amritpuri, okay? I just...I am not ashamed of you. It was his reaction I was not sure."

"I am sorry", he said.

"No, I am sorry. You aren't a dirty little secret. You are one of the most beautiful people I have met and I wouldn't be spending so much time with you if I thought otherwise", she told.

"No, I overreacted."

"Okay, Princess. Truce? It was a misunderstanding and no more arguments over this", she said. "Why don't you tell me about your dad instead?"

Manik laughed. "Nothing to say there. He doesn't understand me. I don't feel like trying with him. It's messed up."

"He is most loved around your place. It's no less than a festival when he visits our village. Why don't you get along?", asked Nandini. After losing her mom, her dad had been her everything. She didn't understand how Raj Malhotra could keep his children away?

"He is a great king, Nandini. I would never deny it. Just not a good father."

They didn't talk after that. When she told she was taking the day off, Manik said he could do that too. When Nandini protested, he said he could use a break too. She didn't say anything to that. If he was willing to spend a day with her after she made him feel like a dirty secret, they were fine.

"I would hate to lose you as a friend, Manik", she told him when they parted their ways to sleep.

"Me too", he said.

She didn't know why she felt relieved just like how she didn't know why she didn't want to end her night all those months back when they first went to dinner together.

XXX

Manik made breakfast by the time she was ready. They went to a movie after that and then to a restaurant to grab a late lunch. Manik drove the car aimlessly, a comfortable silence between them, neither of them willing to end the day. It was around six when they reached Nandini's apartment and just stayed in the car without saying anything.

Finally, it was Manik who broke the silence. "I don't want to make you feel weird but you make me feel happy, Nandini. I have had friends before but I haven't had this much fun with anyone else. Every time I go home after spending any time with you, I feel like-"

"Like you can't wait to be with me again?", finished Nandini for him because she felt the same. By the surprise of his look, she was right. "This never happened to me either. Even with Cabir, he was a stranger when we met with whom I was sharing an apartment."

Something about Manik was different. She had hated him even before meeting him just because he was royalty. And when she met him, when she got to know him, her whole perspective had changed. Hell, she even wanted to know Mukti just by hearing about her several times from Manik.

She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a warm sensation on her cheek. Manik had kissed her. If it were someone else, she would have punched the guy but with Manik, it somehow felt nice?

"Thank you for coming into my life and being you, being so genuine. I have people who respect me because of my family. They want to be with me because I am the Prince. I have friends here who don't know anything about me and a part of me is afraid to tell them because it would change the way they look at me. With them, there's always something missing because I have been hiding half of my existence. And then there's you, who know everything about me but still don't treat me differently. Thank you", he said.

Nandini shook her head and pulled him into a hug. "You don't have to thank me for treating you human. I just-", she said and halted when a call on her mobile interrupted her. It was her dad. "Let me take this."

"Hey, Dad", she greeted.

"Nandini, I want you home by tomorrow", he said.

"What? Is everything okay? Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Everything is fine. Physically. There has been a situation and I need you here. I can't discuss this over the phone."

"Okay, Dad. Calm down. I will talk to my boss and see if he agrees."

"Nandini, quit the job if he doesn't agree but come home. This is important."

"Okay?", she said and cut the call.

"Is everything okay?", asked Manik.

"I don't know, Manik. Dad wants me home tomorrow. I don't know what the emergency is."

"Is he okay? Should I come with you?"

"No, no. It's fine. He is okay. Said there's been a situation. I will go and come back. Don't worry."

Manik nodded.

"I will go now. I will pack a few clothes. Don't know how much time I have to stay there", she told and got down the car.

Manik followed her. After saying goodbye he grabbed her hand before she could leave. "Text me if there's an issue there. Let me know, please", he said and relaxed slightly when Nandini agreed. "And call me when you get there."

Nandini chuckled. "Calm down, Princess. I will be fine."

XXX

Her room was a mess and Cabir was about to come in a day or two. She called him to update him about the plan and cleaned the house on the side. Once she was done, she went to pack her bag. When even Cabir was out of his wits ends to guess the reason behind Yash's frantic call, they gave up. Yash would tell her himself. Doesn't make sense to worry unnecessarily.

She called Harshad to ask about the permission but it went to his voicemail. His phone was switched off. She could try in the morning again. If not, she will just go to his place and talk.

XXX

Harshad's mobile was off even in the morning. Seriously, he was the boss. If he makes himself unavailable, who was he expecting to look after the company?

She would miss her bus if she was waiting for the office to open and decided to go to his home. The butler had let her in without a question and asked her to sit down while he went to call her boss.

"Nandini, what are you doing here?", asked Harshad, coming down the stairs.

"Your mobile was off", she told.

"Yeah, it's not working since yesterday. Is that why you are here?", he asked.

Nandini held back a groan. She wouldn't care if he was jumping off a cliff. Why would she bother if his mobile was off? "Sir, I need a leave. I have to go home."

"You just came back from home", he told.

"I went home six months back", she retorted. It has been six months since she went home. Six months since Manik came into her life.

"Is this home anything to do with the guy from that hospital?", he asked, glaring at the floor.

Nandini was surprised at the point he was trying to make. Every time she talked to him, he proved himself that he doesn't deserve her respect. "Harshad, you are my boss. You have no business in commenting on what I do outside your office. My dad wanted me home for an emergency. In his words, he wanted me to quit if you are refusing to grant me leave. Do you want me to quit?", she asked, not even trying to hide her glare.

Calm down, Nandini.

She glanced up to find their chairman coming down. Thank God, for sending someone reasonable at this point. "Good morning, Sir."

"Morning, kid. I apologize on his behalf. He crossed a line there", he said pointing towards Harshad. Her boss was still staring at the floor. Good. "Now tell me, you said an emergency? Is everything okay at home?"

"I don't know, Sir. Dad called me last night and he wanted to talk to me in person about this. I just...I don't know what's happening", she told.

The Chairman nodded. "When are you leaving? Are the travel arrangements done? Are you traveling safely?"

"Yeah, it's all done. I have a bus at 10 today. I will reach by tonight."

"Okay, just inform me if you need anything. Any issue, any requirement, don't hesitate to call me, okay?", told the Chairman.

It brought a smile to her face. He had always treated her as his daughter, even going against his son sometimes. "I will. Thank you so much."

"Have a safe journey."

On her way out, she heard him talking to Harshad and the sternness in his voice was even clear to her.

XXX

When Nandini reached her apartment, she found Manik pacing in front of her door. "Manik, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Breakfast?", he said.

Nandini could see the tension in his body. She didn't question him and unlocked the door. They had their breakfast in silence before cleaning the dishes. He helped her load her bag in his car and they reached the bus station. She didn't tell him her journey details but there was only one bus that takes from Delhi to her place and Manik might have traveled by it.

"Manik, we are running out of time. Let it out, whatever is bothering you", she told when he didn't try making any conversation. The bus was already on the platform.

He sighed heavily. "Is the reason you had to leave because I picked up your dad's call?"

"What? No, Manik", she told. "He knows I have friends, just haven't met anyone except Cabir. And he isn't the type of person to overthink a day and then ask me to come home just for a phone call."

"I don't want you in trouble because of me", he muttered.

"Manik, it's not because of you. Even if it was, I would talk to him. Okay? He is a lawyer, Princess. Do you think he would call me to quit my job over a phone call? No, right?", she asked.

Manik stayed silent for a moment before letting out a breath.

"Have you even slept last night?", she asked, looking at his track pants and messy hair.

"I'll sleep after dropping you", he told.

Nandini shook her head and wrapped her arms around him. "Don't make yourself sick, Princess. I would hate to find you in the hospital as a patient instead of being an Angel saving the lives of people", she whispered in his ear. When she broke the hug, there was the smile she started loving lately on his face.

It was time to meet Daddy dearest.

A/N: There's another part of them getting together and wrapping up the story. It will take time because I haven't written yet. See you soon. :)