I saw the response is really low for the previous chapter. Aren't you all liking the book? Do let me know. Thank you...

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"We fall in love most deeply with those who have known our demons; with those who have touched our demons, made peace with our demons, made love to them, forgiven them... known them. They are the ones we love the most. Demon whisperers. They are the ones we love with the marrow in our bones. It's not the ones who see the best in us; it's the ones who have stroked the worst in us: these are the ones who stain our veins. These are the ones we call home." ― C. JoyBell C.

U N K N O W N P L A C E
We can see a girl walking to and fro impatiently. It looked like she was having some sort of tension. She was also checking her phone again and again.

"Damn! What's wrong? Why aren't they calling yet? They should have called me till now. I just hope they managed to do the work properly without creating any mess."

She thought in mind and dialed a number. But it was switched off.

"Now his phone is also switched off. Good. Very good. I don't know why did I even hear him. I should have done the work myself without trusting these useless fellows. It doesn't make sense that I failed once so I will fail again. That's a crap."

Few minutes later, she got a call from the person she was waiting all the while. She picked up the call immediately. "What happened? I hope you have finished the work properly?" She asked impatiently.

But she didn't hear anything from other side. "Hello? Say something. What's the update?"

"We are still here at the spot. But we can't spot any of them. They didn't come today."

"What the hell!!!" She shouted on top of her voice. "You are of no work. Useless! I'm sure you must have missed them or didn't find them properly."

"No, mam. We have been here at the entrance from the beginning. They didn't come else we would have seen them."

"F**k off. Don't show me your face again."

Saying so she cut the call and sat on the bed with a thud holding her head. She fisted her hair in her grip tightly and groaned loudly.

"Ahhhh...." She raised her face and her eyes were blood red. "It can't happen. It just can't happen with me. I can't fail every time. She can't be saved all the time. I've to do something. I've to look for some way. I can't trust on anyone about this anymore. I've to take the charge. I will end her time."

The girl laughed out loudly.

M A L H O T R A M A N S I O N
Manik sneaked his hand around her waist and pulled her closer. Her hands landed on his bare chest and the towel fell from her hand. "Because my clothes suit you more. So, I would like to see them on you more often."

Nandini smiled as her arms went around his neck. "And how can you say I will need them more often? It can be the last..." She couldn't finish her line as Manik stopped her pecking on her lips. She looked at him with wide eyes.

His one hand cupped her face. "It isn't. We've a long way to go, Nandini."

Nandini realized the atmosphere is going serious and Manik's mood will be off again. So, she thought if changing the topic. "Leave all that. I need your help with something. Come with me." She said and pulled him with her near the bed.

"What are you planning, Mrs Malhotra?" Manik asked naughtily as he found her going near the bed.

Nandini rolled her eyes looking at him. "Shut up!"

"What shut up? I'm talking about your actions only." He shrugged his shoulders but the smirk was always there on his face.

"Will you please stop your one-track mind for once and see this." Nandini left his hand and took out her vermilion box from her bag. She turned back to Manik and held it in front of him.

Manik smiled. He knew what she is asking for. He took a pinch of the vermilion in between his fingers. Nandini parted her hairs and Manik put the vermilion there and kissed on that place before Nandini hid that with her hair. He cupped her face and pecked on her forehead.

"I love you." Manik joined their forehead together.

Nandini smiled brightly clutching his hands which was on her face.

"You stay here, I'll go and take shower. Don't open the door for anyone."

Nandini nodded her head and Manik went to washroom taking out his change.

Nandini looked around the room and found a lot of pieces of their cloths are still scattered around the room. Manik has only given her dress to wash. She started picking them up and placed them in the basket for washing. Then she fixed the bed and blushed recalling their encounter few hours back. She was done with all this.

"I should call Navya. She had called me in the morning but I couldn't talk to her. There could be something important too. I will also inform her that I am with Manik so couldn't come to college."

Thinking all this, Nandini found her phone and saw it's switched off. She frowned. "Why is my phone off? I had charged it." She switched on the phone and saw Aryaman had called her once.

"Why did he call me? Maybe for asking why I didn't come to college. I'll talk to him later. At first I should talk to Navya. She must be getting worried for me."

Nandini called Navya and talked to her for a while making her understand the scenario that she is with Manik and couldn't attend college obviously leaving their jamming session. Navya heard her and asked Nandini to come to college a little early the next day as she has something really important to tell her. Nandini agreed and hang up the call.

She just cut the call when she felt a warm kiss on her neck from back. "Manik..." She whispered.

"Hmm.." He hummed sliding his hand from her palm till her shoulder and rested them there pulling her backwards sticking her completely with him.

Nandini's back touched with his front. She could feel his warm breath over her neck. Only the thin fabric of Manik's shirt which she was wearing was a barrier between them. He nuzzled his nose in her wet hair.

Nandini turned back to face him.

"Have I told you, you are already behaving like a typical wife?" Manik asked looking into her eyes.

Nandini chuckled. "You did and I am again telling you, I'm your wife, so I'm supposed to behave like that only."

Manik smiled. "I don't have any problem with that. By the way, I was about to tell you that my graduation would be completed in a few days then I'm gonna join Malhotra Industries."

Nandini frowned. "Malhotra Industries? Then what about music? And Nyonika mam was looking after this, right? Did you talk to her already?" She asked in confusion.

They both sat on the bed and Manik wrapped his arm around Nandini's shoulder, taking her in his embrace. She didn't mind being in his arms at all and placed her arms around his stomach.

"I had a conversation with dad a few days back and he wants me to join as soon as possible. I told him that I want to go ahead with music. He said now he is back so he would handle everything but I also have to learn things as in future I've to take over the company. So, I need to train myself from now. Music will be there at it's place only."

Nandini nodded understanding. "What about Nyonika mam?"

Manik shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Dad said he will take care of her that she doesn't create any problem."

"Okay. Did you talk to Fab4?"

He nodded in no. "I didn't get a chance. But I will do that soon."

"Yeah, they should know about it. But I'm sure they won't have any problem."

Then talked about various things along with Manik's teasing and having their own sweet romantic moment. It was time for Nandini to leave. Manik got her dress and she wore them back. Then Manik went to drop her.

Manik stopped his car in front of a chemist shop. Nandini gave him a confused look. "What happened? Are you sick?" She checked his forehead.

"No. I am fine. You wait here. I am coming."

Manik went out to the shop. Nandini was waiting for him in the car only. A few minutes later, Manik came back with a packet and a water bottle in his hand. He passed them to her. "What is it?"

"Umm... We didn't use protection today. So...."

Nandini blushed turning her gaze down. She didn't need to ask anything more. She quietly gulped down the medicine without saying any more word. Then they drove off to Nandini's place.

Manik and Nandini were sitting in Manik's car in front of Nandini's place.

"I will pick you up tomorrow for college."

Nandini nodded. "No need. Navya had called me. She has something important to tell me. I will go to meet her before college."

"But..."

"Manik, I would be fine. Don't worry. I will see you directly in college."

Manik let out a breath and nodded. "Okay."

Nandini smiled. "Then I'm leaving now. Bye." She was about to open the car door but Manik pulled her back. "What?"

"How can you leave like this?"

Nandini frowned. "What? Why can't I leave?"

Manik jerked her near him. Nandini fell on his chest. Manik wrapped his one arm around her waist and with other hand he removed the hair strands falling on her face. "I dropped you safely at your place. So, don't you think I at least deserve a reward from you?"

Nandini smiled. "Really!?" She raised her eyebrows.

Manik nodded his head and pulled her more closer. "Of course."

Nandini wrapped her hand around Manik's neck. Manik looked into her eyes. He was watching her every action keenly, he waited to see what she would do next. Surprising him to the core, Nandini placed her lips on his sucking them slowly. Her eyes were closed. Manik's hand went to cup her face. He deepened the kiss.

Feeling out of breath, they broke the kiss. Manik was the first one to open his eyes. He found Nandini's face all red and her eyes were still closed. The blushy smile on her face was increasing her beauty. He caressed her face softly. Nandini opened her eyes and their gaze met with each other.

"You look beautiful."

Nandini smiled.

"By the way I didn't tell you before."

Nandini raised her eyebrows. "What?"

"That my favorite color is making you more beautiful. I know you wore this one for me but I didn't compliment you before."

"Thank you. Now can I leave? You are getting late for your practice."

Manik nodded. "Bye."

Nandini was about to leave when Manik called her back once again. "What happened again, Manik?"

"Tomorrow after college we are going to visit a doctor. So, be ready."

Nandini frowned. "Why? I'm fine. You are also okay. Then?"

"We are seeing a gynecologist for you. I think we need advice from a doctor. Because I don't want to take any risk. We both are very young and after seeing Navya, I don't think you should have the responsibility of a kid on you at this time. We still have time to plan a baby. You should graduate first and then focus on your career. We will think of everything else after that." Manik explained her.

Nandini heard him carefully. She knew he is right. They both are too young and none of their family or friends are aware of their marriage. They wanted to tell them everything calmly so that they don't take them wrong. She nodded her head agreeing to him.

Manik smiled and cupped her face. "Don't worry. I will always be there for you. We will surely have our kid in future but not now. Now smile for me. I don't want to leave with this look of yours."

Nandini smiled and Manik pecked on her forehead.

Then Nandini went inside and Manik too left for Alya's place where others must be waiting for him.

"Hello, guys." Manik greeted everyone as he walked inside Alya's jam room and Fab4 were already there.

Four of them shared a look between each other before turning towards him.

"Hi, Manik. How are you?" Alya was the first one to speak up.

"I hope you aren't busy now. We are blessed to have you among us. Thank you so much for coming." Mukti joined her.

Cabir got up and hugged Manik. "We are overwhelmed that you joined us taking out time from your busy schedule." He wiped his fake tears.

Manik rolled his eyes seeing their drama.

Dhruv nodded his head in disbelief. "Guys, stop it. He has already apologized for not coming to college. Now end the matter here only." He spoke to others who made a bad face then he turned to look at Manik. "Are you okay?"

Manik nodded. "Thank you, buddy. You are savior."

"Now leave all this and tell us where had you disappeared? You didn't meet us since last night. Where have you been?" Cabir asked.

Manik let out a sigh and he knew it's better to tell them everything. Anyways they will eventually get to know as they go to college. "I met Nyonika yesterday."

"In the jail?" Mukti asked.

"You didn't tell us you are visiting her!" Alya joined her.

"Why?" Dhruv asked stopping others.

"I didn't go to visit her. I met her in the college. She is out now." Manik dropped the bomb on them.

"What!!! How?" All of them shouted at the same time.

"Apparently that pandit denied her involvement in the case. He has given his statement saying Nyonika wasn't there with him in the plans. Due to some coincidences, it's looking like that. So, she is free of the charges." Manik gave them the piece of information.

They looked at each other's face.

"Then?" Cabir asked.

Manik gave him a confused look.

"Don't give me that look. I know something more happened after that else you wouldn't have vanished just like that." Cabir said.

Manik let out a long breath before starring. "Nandini knew about this and she hid the whole matter from me. So, we kind of had an argument. Actually I shouted on her without giving any chance to explain and left from college."

"Then?" This time it was Mukti.

"Then Nandini came to visit me in the morning and..." Manik got lost remembering their morning encounter and a smile formed on his face. He is already missing her.

"Then what?" Alya asked.

Manik came back to his senses. "Then we talked about it and we sorted the matter. She explained her reasons. That's it."

"That's it! Nothing more?" Cabir muttered in a disappointed tone.

Manik glared at him. "Cabir!!!"

"Okay, fine..." Cabir made a bad face.

"Guys, we have only one song left. Let's complete it today so that we can start recording from tomorrow only. The manager had called today to ask about the progress. I said we will come tomorrow. Then he can check the songs." Dhruv informed everyone.

They nodded and started practicing unaware of the storm approaching their lives.

~~•°•~~
That's all for today. I hope you all liked the chapter. Do vote and let me know your opinion.
•Guess who was the lady at the start and what she might be planning?

•Did you like Manan moment?

•Manik Malhotra is being a doting husband, isn't he?

•What do you think Navya wants to tell Nandini? Any guesses?

•How was the Fab4 reaction?

•Share your favourite moment from this part.

27.01.2024