Nandini was struggling to free herself from his grip but he was way stronger than her. "Manik, what are you doing? Leave me. The door is open what if someone come inside?"

"So, should I close the door?" He asked naughtily.

Nandini made a bad face hearing him and hit on his chest making him laugh out loud.

Nandini freed herself from Manik's grip and started going away.

But she stopped at some distance and again came back to Manik. She stood close to Manik and was looking directly into his eyes. Manik was confused seeing her moving near him while she had a smirk on her face। She moved her finger from his lips to his chest.

Manik was at first shocked seeing Nandini's behavior, then smiled at her cuteness.

"What were you saying in the morning, Mr Malhotra? Now what will happen to me? You have to give your name to our kid. (sarcastically) Wow!!! I'm going to be mother in just a day?" Nandini had a serious look covering his face.

Nandini raised her eyebrows. Manik knew she is playing around him. So, he thought of doing the same. Manik smirked and winked at her. "Depends on my energy..."

Nandini nodded her head in disbelief and threw an 'are you serious' look to Manik. "Oh! Like that..." 

Manik pulled Nandini more close holding her waist and replied huskily, "Yes. Like that" His face was so close to hers that their noses were touching. He tucked some of her hair strands behind her ears.

"Yesterday night was so fun. I can't forget that ever. It's like a dream, isn't it?" Nandini again mimicked and asked him gritting her teeth.

This time he had a genuine smile on his face as he got the flashback of last night which is no less than a dream to him when she was so close to him. In his arms. He looked at Nandini and nodded his head. "Definitely, Nandini."

Nandini pushed Manik with all her strength. He stumbled a little. "Say again? Last night when nothing happened as such, then how can it be like a dream? How did you have so fun?"

Manik pulled Nandini close with a force and placed his lips on hers kissing her softly. Nandini was stunned at first, then she tried to push Manik. But he was way too strong for her. After a few good minutes, Manik left her.

Nandini was breathing heavily. It took her some moment to get back to normal.

"That's it. It happened last night. It was sweet, tasty and yummy." Manik whispered in her ear. "You know what Nandini, I don't take advantage of drunk girls. Whatever will happen between us, it will happen when you will be in your complete senses."

Nandini looked into Manik's eyes only to find the sincerity of his words. She came into her senses and pulled herself away from Manik.

Manik moved his hand near her and caressed her cheeks. "Don't think so much, Nandini. It's not a pressure. I am not asking for anything right now only. Also I know you can't do all this. So, you don't worry."

Nandini's eyes went wide as she realized what he meant. "Wh... What do you mean by I can't do this?" She fumbled looking at him. "What do you want to say?" Suddenly she got angry. "You mean I can't do anything? Only your London girls can do everything. Tell me."

"Nandini, why are you being so hyper? Relax. I was just kidding." Manik was taken aback seeing her getting angry out of nowhere.

"Excuse me, Mr Malhotra, let me finish first. Listen to me. Your London girls can't do everything. We can do it as well. So, I challenge you, I will come to your room tonight at 12. Then you will see, what Nandini can do."

Nandini threw a sharp look to Manik and then she left from the room. Manik was still standing there being shocked with the new found avatar of Nandini.

"Is this girl crazy or what? How can she just challenge me like this? How is it possible? She can't be serious......" Manik thought in mind.

Thinking about all this Manik came back to his room. He was still in shock that how did Nandini do that.

That time only someone knocked on the door. A servant came in.

"Manik sir, he called you."

"Who?"

"Shreekant sir."

Manik nodded his head. "Fine, you go. I'm coming in a while." 

Manik changed his t shirt and went to his father's room. He was working on some files. So, Manik knocked on the door.

"May I come in, dad?"

"Oh! Come in, Manik." He passed a smile to Manik.

Manik came in and sat beside him.

"So, how are you feeling after coming back? How is everything going on?"

"It's good, dad. It feels great after coming back. I missed everyone a lot."

"I think you know who is handling your Uncle Suket's business."

Manik nodded his head. "I know. Cabir. He has taken over."

Shreekant nodded his head. "Aryaman is also going to join after a few days. So, I was thinking of handing over my business to you. What do you think?"

Manik was not expecting it. He didn't know what to say. "But dad?"

"Is there any problem?"

"Dad, I want to start my own business."

"No problem. For now start working here. Then after some years you can do that too. That won't be any problem. Actually it will help you as you will have some more experience from here."

"Okay, dad."

Nyonika who had come there heard their conversation. She was glad hearing her son joining office. "Fine then Manik, you are going to office from tomorrow. I will do the preparation as well."

Manik was confused so as his father. "Which preparation?"

"For Manik's marriage. What else?" Nyonika shrugged her shoulders.

Manik's ears turned pink in embarrassment. He looked here and there to hide that. "You're unbelievable."

"What unbelievable? I'm sure if I won't make you marry right now, you will get back to London once again and I don't want that."

Manik got up from his place and hugged Nyonika, "No, mom. This time I am not going anywhere again."  

"Promise?" 

Manik smiled nodding his head. "Okay promise. Now I am going and you both can continue your romance"

Nyonika slapped him lightly. "You naughty boy ...."

Manik ran away from there laughing his heart out.

He was crossing the garden door when his eyes fell on Nandini who was giving water to the flower plants. A smiled appeared on his face seeing her. Her hair were moving. She was again and again removing the hair strands falling on her face. He changed his direction and went near her.

Manik stopped just at her back. "Hey, birthday girl, what are you doing here?"

"Shut up." Nandini was still angry for the stunt he pulled on her and scaring her.

Manik smirked seeing her. He bit his inner cheeks. "So, do you remember what you have challenged me?"

"Of course, I remember. I am not cheater like you." Nandini replied gritting her teeth.

Holding Nandini's hand, Manik made her face him, "Miss Teddy Bear, when did I cheat on you?"

Nandini looked at him with thousand of untold emotions in her eyes, "Don't you remember what you used to say in childhood? You used to say - Nandini, you don't need to get scared of anything ever, I will always be with you. I will always protect you from everything. Did you fulfill it?"

Manik suddenly remembered that day from past.

Everyone were playing in the park. There a boy had pulled Nandini's stole. He pulled it with so much force that Nandini's neck got a scratch and it started bleeding. Manik had beaten that boy so badly that he couldn't walk for a month. Manik always had anger issues but he couldn't control them ever when it came to Nandini. He had always been over protective for her and the reason was known to all but he never accepted that in front of anyone.

Manik was in his thoughts when Nandini asked, "Where are you lost?"

Manik nodded his head. "Nowhere. Ummm..... What were you saying?"

Nandini turned her face to other side to hide the tear drop drawing on the corner of her eyes. "You promised me that you will always stand by me. But the very next day only you left me and went to London."

Manik had nothing to say. Every bit of her complaint was true. He was her culprit and he could never deny that.

Suddenly a naughty idea came to his mind. He held Nandini by her waist. Then came more close to her. Nandini's heart started beating fast feeling Manik so close to her.

Nandini was struggling in his hold. "Manik, leave me."

Nandini freed herself from Manik's grip and went from there running as fast as she could.

At noon Manik was looking here and there to find Nandini. But she was no where to be found. So, finding no other option, he asked Alya and got to know that Nandini had gone to pick Pari from school. Manik didn't wait there and he also left for some work.

Precap: Some action, some fun.

Done for today. How was it?

Was it up to the mark?

How was Nandini?

What about Manik?

Can you imagine Nandini completing the challenge? Do you think she can do it?

Where has Manik gone?

What's your favourite moment of this chapter?

Do tell me and don't forget to vote.

By the way did you see the new cover? Isn't it really bright and beautiful? Thank you SamairaRajput and featherymusicclub for this amazing cover. I am literally in love with this one.

Bye.

13.11.2020