Hello, lovelies. Welcome back to the new chapter. I've three announcements to make before you jump into the new chapter. Don't miss it.

1. Wattpad has removed the DM feature. So, the lovely people who used to DM me, you can do that on insta (ID- theshimmery_star). I'll be active there from now on.

2. I had discontinued 'Kiss Me Under the Moonlight' because of low response. But I have decided to give it another shot as I wanted to write something light-hearted. So, check out that book.

3. I've also started a new book on Goodnovel 'Guilty Pleasure'. Check that out.

That's all. Next chapter will be uploaded after this chapter completes 250+ votes.

👇🏻

"Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky." - Rainer Maria Rilke

A   M O N T H   L A T E R

It's been a month since the night at Nandini's place. After that day Manik has been quite busy with his recording and other formalities. He didn't even come to college regularly so as the whole Fab5. They were always busy practicing and some other stuffs.

As Manik hardly had time to show up in the college, Manik and Nandini also didn't get to meet much during the whole month. Her exams are also approaching so she was busy preparing for it. She did miss his presence around her but she also knew it's urgent else Manik wouldn't have stayed away.

Tomorrow is the day when Fab5's first album is gonna launch officially. Everyone is damn excited for the launch. Knowing Fab5's attitude, they were not at all nervous but they also could not hold back their excitement.

"Guys, are you all ready for tomorrow? I can't wait anymore." Mukti yelled on top of her voice opening a bear bottle.

Fab4 chuckled seeing him.

"I can't either, Mukti. Our dream is coming true." Cabir sipped his already opened drink.

"Yeah. Our launch... Finally." Dhruv smiled shortly.

"I hope this time nothing comes up like last time." Alya uttered letting out a sigh.

Everyone looked at her and they couldn't blame her for this. They all have faced it and somewhere they all have the fear in their heart that what if something goes wrong. They didn't want anymore obstacles in their lives. It's all been a lot dramatic.

"Nothing will happen. Nyonika is not here so as Harshad. We have also solved Aryaman's problem." Manik muttered in a determined tone. He was holding the bear bottle in his hand tightly thinking of the incident happened last time because of their album.

"But, Manik...." Alya was about to say something but she was cut by Cabir.

"Alya, have you decided our costume or not? You have not showed them to us yet."

This time Alya smiled brightly. "Of course, I did. They are at my place. I'll send them tonight at your places. If there is any problem, let me know so that I can fix them immediately."

"I need to leave now. I have an important work. I will see you all tomorrow." Manik gulped down rest of his drink and got up from his place.

"Where are you going at this hour?" Mukti asked with a frown.

"I just remembered of something."

Then he didn't wait there anymore and left.

Manik came out of Alya's place and directly drove to Nandini's place. He didn't get to spend time with her since last one month. He can't explain how much he has missed her these days. He had taken her to his recording at the first day, then they didn't get chance as something or other came on.

He stopped at Nandini's door and rang the door bell. He was hoping Nandini would come to open the door.

To his luck, it was Rishav who came to open the door. As he noticed Manik, he smiled brightly and Manik too smiled seeing him. He has always found a brother in Rishav which he never had. He always felt protective about him. Maybe Rishav could feel that too, that's why he was so fond of him.

Actually Nandini has filled his life with everything which he lacked always. From love to family. She has given him everything and he could never thank God or her Ayaiappa more for it. His life has turned completely since the time she has entered into his life. Now he couldn't even imagine his life without her being a part of it.

"Hi, Rishav. How are you?" Manik ruffled the hair of the little boy in front of him.

Rishav showed a thumbs up to him and dragged him inside with himself. It's not needed to say anymore how much he liked his Manik bhaiya.

"Rishav, who is here?" Manik heard chachi's voice from the kitchen.

"Chachi, it's me." Manik shouted on behalf of Manik.

Hearing his Manik's voice, she came out hurriedly with a big smile on her face. "Manik beta, how are you? I keep asking Nandini to call you but she says the same every time that you are busy with your album. So, how is it?"

Manik smiled at her continuous questions. No one in his life have ever asked him anything like this, with so much of warmth which always flutters his heart. He couldn't hold back the smile on his face. "I'm fine, chachi. I was actually busy with the album preparation else how can I not come here for so long? I was missing you all so much."

"When is your album launching?" Chacha asked Manik as he too came there hearing his voice.

"Tomorrow."

Rishav forwarded his hand to Manik for hand shake.

"Best of luck, Manik. I will pray to Ayaiappa that it will be a huge hit." Chacha patted Manik's back.

"Murthi ji, of course, it will be hit, after all our sona munda is the best."

"Chacha, chachi, it's not going to work. You all have to come tomorrow at the launch. I have come here to invite you." Manik said handing over the passes to Rishav whose eyes saddened seeing it. Manik noticed it. "What happened, Rishav? Aren't you excited for the party?"

"Actually tomorrow we've to go to Delhi for Rishav's treatment. We've got to know of a doctor who can help Rishav with his attacks. So, we're leaving tomorrow morning with Rishav. But don't worry, Nandini'll be here. She'll surely go." Chachi said.

"Okay." Manik turned towards Rishav. "Don't worry, champ. I'm gonna keep the first copy of the album for you. Once you come back, we are gonna have a grand celebration. We will have a blast then. Okay?"

Rishav nodded with a bright smile.

"Where is Nandini, chachi?" Manik couldn't help asking. It's been so long he has been here and she didn't come down yet. It's not so late that she would be sleeping.

"She is in her room. Sleeping maybe. She said she is having a headache." Chachi replied.

Manik nodded but from inside he started feeling restless hearing about Nandini. "If you don't mind, can I go and see her? I won't disturb her, if she is sleeping."

Chachi nodded.

Manik almost ran upstairs to her room. Her room door was closed but it was not locked. He pushed the door and went inside. The dim light was on and as soon as he entered into the room, at one corner, the fireflies started glowing brightly and it caught Manik's attention. A smile appeared on his face seeing it. Then his gaze fell on Nandini who was curled into a ball sleeping on the bed.

Manik moved near her bed and found her sleeping. He pulled the duvet over her covering her completely. He caressed her hair softly and pecked on her forehead. She mumbled something in her sleep and moved a little before going back to sleep again. Manik couldn't understand what she said.

"I love you." Manik muttered into her ear before leaving from the room.

Manik walked back to downstairs where chacha-chachi and Rishav were sitting there. He too went to them and settled beside Rishav.

"Manik, you came back so soon? Where is Nandini?" Chachi asked eyeing behind Manik.

"She is still sleeping, so I didn't wake her up."

"Why is she sleeping at this hour?" Chacha asked looking at them.

Chachi looked at him worriedly. "She said she's having a headache after returning from college. That's why I didn't say her anything."

"Wake her up. It's already dinner time and Manik is here as well. She can go back to sleep after eating." Chacha said.

"Rishav, go and wake up Nandini. I'll set the table till then."

He showed a thumb's up to chanchi and ran to Nandini's room. Chachi too went away from there, Manik was left alone with chacha in the hall. They talked about his album and other things. 

Rishav came back. 

"Is Nandini up?" Chacha asked. 

He nodded.

It was around 15 minutes later when Manik saw Nandini descending down through stairs. She had changed her dress and she looked pretty even when her face was devoid of any makeup. He couldn't take his off eyes her. 

Nandini's eyes too fell on him and she noticed him staring at her. She hurriedly moved her gaze down tucking her strands behind her ear with a red hue creeping her cheeks. She stood beside Rishav. 

"Are you fine now, Nandini? How's your headache?" Chacha asked. 

"I don't feel it anymore."

That time chachi came there and called them for dinner. Manik was sitting in between Nandini and Rishav. Nandini was on his right side. Chachi was continuously asking him questions but his whole concentration was on Nandini only. He was stealing her glances time to time.  

Manik noticed Nandini was playing with her food but having very little of them. It made him frown and he placed his right hand over her left one. Nandini's body stiffened for a while before turning towards Manik with the corner of her eyes.

"What?" Manik mumbled hiding from everyone.

Nandini nodded in no slowly and passed a little smile to him. Even though Manik wasn't convinced with her smile, he gestured her to eat properly. 

"We're leaving for Delhi tomorrow. Navya will stay with Nandini. Also you'll be around her, so I'm not much worried about her." Chachi patted Nandini's shoulder. 

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her." Manik passed a wicked smile to Nandini which she only noticed and only she could understand the meaning behind his plain words. She looked at him with wide eyes biting her lower lip. 

"We trust you, Manik." Chacha smiled. 

"When will you return?" Manik asked.

"It might take a week or a little more than that." Chacha replied.

Manik nodded. 

After dinner, Murthy's went to see off Manik. He drove a little away but got back here again hiding the car in a side so that no one notice it. Then he walked back to the door where Nandini was already waiting for him.

"Are you waiting for me?" Manik whispered in Nandini's ear as her back was facing him. 

Nandini shrieked in fear hearing the sudden murmur. She turned back with a jump. "Manik!!!" She sighed in relief looking at him. "You scared me." She slapped on his chest gently. 

Manik laughed. He placed his both hands either sides on her on the wall trapping her between him and wall. "I never knew I can scare you. I though it's only you who scare Monster Manik." He raised his one eyebrow. 

Nandini nodded her head in disbelief. "Why're you here, Manik? You should be at your home taking rest right now. It's a big day tomorrow." She asked softly.

"I could be there taking rest but my peace is here. With you." He looked into her eyes. Nandini could the sincerity in his eyes and she was out of words. "When will they leave tomorrow?"

"In the morning."

"So, you won't be coming to college, right?"

"No. I'll go to see them off and then I don't think I will be able to go to college after that." Nandini muttered in a matter of fact tone. 

"Okay, I'll pick you up in the evening. Then we'll go to the launch directly." Manik pecked on her neck.

Nandini pushed Manik a little. "Manik, what are you doing? Someone will see us."

Manik pretended to be looking around. "Who will come here at this hour? No one is gonna see us." He removed his hands from the wall and pulled her closer to him holding her waist. Her hands fell on his chest. 

"Manik..."

"Hmm..." He tucked her hair strands behind her ear. "You didn't tell me anything."

"About what?" Nandini frowned.

"About coming with me tomorrow." 

"Manik, I was thinking what will I do coming with you? There will be so many big people, also the media and I don't have much good experience with them. That's why I was thinking...."

Nandini didn't have to finish the whole line for Manik to know what she was trying to mean. He got what must be going in her mind and it's quite reasonable for her to feel uncomfortable with it. He let out a long breath and took both her palms in between his. 

"Nandini, you don't need to explain me anything. I understand. Don't worry about anything. I'll be there with you. I need you to be there by my side on my big day, Nandini. My every success is incomplete without you.You trust me, right?"

Nandini nodded her head slowly. She was overwhelmed by his words. "I do, Manik. I trust you more than anyone. But...."

"No ifs and buts, Nandini. You're coming with me and that's final."

"What if they ask you who am I to you? Then what will you say?" She asked with a mischievous grin on her face.

Manik ran his fingers through his hair and placed his one hand on her back. His other hand was on her cheek. "You say what should I tell them? That you're my friend? Girlfriend?" He moved his face near her ear. He whispered there huskily. "Or wife?"

Nandini's eyes went wide. She looked at Manik for a while before she turned her eyes to the floor with her cheeks turning cherry red.

He chuckled seeing her. "You're still blushing, Mrs. Malhotra?" He sucked her cheek. "After we've done everything?" His tone was hoarse making a shiver ran down through her spine with their proximity. 

"Manik, please." She mumbled. 

He chuckled once again. "Fine."

"I think you should leave now. I'll wait for you tomorrow." Nandini was about to leave but he held her and pulled her near him once again. "What?" She raised her eyebrows. 

"I need something."

"What?"

"I need my energy doze." Manik smiled.

"Manik!!!" She looked around. "You've become really shameless."

"What's about being shameless here? You're my wife and I've all the copyrights to be shameless with you. Now hurry up or I can stay here the whole night. I don't have any problem. I would love to hold you like this whole night."

Nandini nodded her head in disbelief looking at him. She knew he can surely do what he said. So, she hurriedly pecked on his cheek and ran inside the house. 

Manik chuckled placing his palm over his cheek where Nandini had pecked. Then he drove away to Malhotra Mansion. 

~~•°•~~

That's all for today. I hope you liked this chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment.

•How was the Fab5 moment?

•Manik with Murthy family hits different, doesn't it?

•Don't you all love Rishav and Manik?

•How was Manan moment?

•Share you favourite scene.

06.05.2024