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➶-͙˚ ༘✶ ───

❝ I am reading you, my love ❞

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MALHOTRA MANSION [flashback]

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"So FUCKING soft!" Manik breathed against Nandini's skin, trying not to get possessed by the lingering lavender mist around her neck. His hands squeezing around her hips, wishing it to be molded there for an entire eternity.

Her soft whimpers acted as an addiction for him dying to capture those melodies in his ear drums, she was just so perfect. Manik groaned. His index finger tapping at the curve of her hip. While the little angel's attention was partly occupied by the romance novel sprawled on her lap, blessing of Manik Malhotra's personal library shelf at home.

"Manik!" She scolded, when she felt her overly clingy boyfriend drop wet smooches on the crook of her neck, squirming in his lap, her soft form curling into his hard one. She slapped his pervert hand which was trying to flip its way inside her skirt.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Manik cooed at her, his hands still lingering over her stomach, while another one was shamelessly again trying to wave its path inside her skirt. His eyes softening up when his gaze fell on the beauty on his lap, her side profile looked angelically sculpted that he found himself hard to breathe.

"I thought you wanted to read with me." Nandini pouted against him, her form relaxing against him protesting a soft grumble. Manik's warm chuckle made her cheeks warm, his pointed nose smoothed against the warmth of her cheek, making her giggle against his hold. Manik couldn't help when his lips twitched upwards in a very genuine smile. She was just so adorable.

"I am" Manik smirked, which made her roll her eyes at him. "I am reading you, my love". Nandini groaned at his cheeky remarks. The sound making all the blood rush towards his south region. Making her aware of the very evident tent poking her below her. Nandini's eyes widened and color rose through her neck.

"Manik!" She shrieked, "Seriously?" Her hands flowing up to cover her heated face.

"I can't help it! Okay?" Manik argued defending his actions. "You try keeping a pretty girl, squirming in your lap."

"Manik!!!" She shushed him, her small hands covering his mouth, not allowing him to continue his bashful remarks.

WARRIOR HIGH

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Manik!

Hey Manik!

Manik's thought process was rudely interrupted by Cabir, who shook his best friend, when he found lack of attention in the book opened before him. They had their library period now and Cabir loved to sleep in those comfy chairs, but knowing his best friend who had immense interest towards novels. He glanced at Manik expecting him to be engrossed in the book only to find his motionless stance on an adjacent wall. His mind being completely elsewhere.

Cabir knew where his best friend's mind actually was. And he couldn't stop but smack Manik's head with utter irritation. Manik's already frustrated daze gained an elevation at Cabir's idiot display of irritation. He jumped up at him, grabbing his hands to curl them behind his back painfully, making Cabir grimace in pain and cry out for help, resulting in the librarian to throw them both out of the library. Manik's mouth snarled into an evil smirk, inviting Cabir outside with him with fluttery fingers which made the latter gulp , his defense mechanism buckled up almost instantly giving up an excuse of. Headache. Cabir swiftly fled the upcoming crime scene along with librarian with wobbly steps towards the infirmary room.

Manik huffed under his breath. His task of hitting Cabir to empty his frustration was unfortunately for him but fortunately for Cabir unfulfilled. His mind fluctuating back to his gorgeous girlfriend, whom he had last seen almost a week ago. His fingers already itching to feel her soft skin against them.

His actions had ultimately screwed him up. Although they were completely unintentional. Manik himself knew he would rather praise Cabir than ignore Nandini. His actions were strictly limited during the time period, due to his sister and co. Spy gang which was created personally created by his mom, Nyonika Malhotra to keep her eyes on her son's love life. Not to mention his entirely stupid sister was more than willing to help their mom, the idea being initially hers made Manik grit his teeth harshly. He vowed to himself to get that little devil back for her actions soon. Very soon.

His heart dropping in pain and regret when he noticed Nandini's lack of presence in the past week. His multiple visits outside the lane of her house only caused him to worry more when he found her room was never lit from the past week, and the lock outside her house door proved his suspicion right. She went somewhere. But where.

Manik entered inside his almost empty classroom, dropping in his seat and glaring holes at the ceiling, his sharp jawline clenching due to the anger he felt towards him. He groaned and rubbed his face to glance before him. Finding Ritika before him looking at him like a lovesick animal in daze. His anger returned in full force.

"What!" He snapped, his lips curling into a threatening snarl. Making her fled the classroom within seconds.

"Awe! Lover boy is mad." Alya cooed at him, making him flip his middle finger at her with a scary glare.

"Piss off. Saxena!" Manik snapped, his anger control was pretty broken at the moment. Alya chuckled softly and looked at him with a serious expression on her solemn face.

"Today is the day, Manik" she informed him sympathetically. Her eyes boring holes into his angry ones.

"Today is what?" He casted a very disinterested glance at her, causing her to flare her nostrils at him.

"Nandini is back, you brainless moron." She spat at him, Manik immediately straightened his posture, his brown eyes sparkling with thousands emotion.

NANDINI'S HOME

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Nandini sighed out loud, her hands slowly working on to mix her cereals with warm milk. Her mother's distinct murmur went inaudible to her ears, eyes laced still on the bracelet that the boy who hurt her had once gifted her. Her eyes glistened with tears. Even though she cussed Manik with all her knowledge of ill words, her heart didn't allow her to separate anything which connected him to her.

She felt guilty now. Her guts filled with anger and extreme irritation had convinced her to greet Manik with the same amount of pain, she was gifted by his ignorance. And Nandini exactly did that. She hurt him. More than he hurt her.

Navya's revelation towards Manik's behavior made her regret her actions even more. He was just trying to steer her away from Nyonika Malhotra's path but she misjudged him. Her breathing got uneasy when she recalled the amount of times he tried to contact her but she ignored him mercilessly. She never felt sad being mean to anyone before. But how could she be so mean towards her sweet Manik.

"Nandu, I am going for my evening walk. Make sure you lock all the windows properly and stay inside. Alright?" Her mother's shrill vocals made Nandini nod her head and obey her instructions quietly. Archana Murthy knew that her daughter was extremely sad but she didn't question her for she knew Nandini never liked to question on her personal life. If Nandini needed her help she would surely come to her.

Half an hour later, the door was knocked upon twice, frown lines appeared on Nandini's forehead. Her mother always came around one hour later. Is she early today! But then she never knocks, she always had spare keys with her.

The lack of peep-hole in Nandini's door didn't allow her to see who was on the other end of the door. She thought to go to check in the balcony, but still her lack of height wouldn't allow her to peep inside her cash posh. She sighed.

Nandini grunted and marched towards the door. Her hands tightening around the door knob, when she stopped momentarily. Her voice soft when she squeaked, "Who's there?"

Manik's breath hitched when he heard her soft dainty voice for the first time that week. His heart thundered inside his chest as if his salvation was just inches away. Hands curling into fist at the hinge of the door. Itching to break the barrier and snuggle into her warmth. He nearly chuckled at her scared voice, her scared voice reminding him of a conversation with him, she clearly mentioned she despised being alone.

"Nandini" he breathed, his whisper was so soft that he wondered whether she heard him or not. But guess she did when the door clicked and little smooth fingers separated the barrier and made those hazel doe eyes glance at him. Manik nearly groaned out when those innocent yet siren eyes widened looking at him. He cleared his throat. Standing up straight and fidgeting with his bracelet. The same which She was clutching her dear life too. His lips twitched when he glanced at the act. Eyes softening to a friction.

Her eyes were unable to glance at him anymore. The guilt filling her heart up like a starved beast. When Manik cleared his throat again. She opened the door wide allowing him to enter inside her home. His heavy steps made her heart heavier. She glanced at Manik to see him fidgeting with his pockets, eyes stilled at her form.

Tears welled up in her eyes when they locked with his. Nandini felt her breaking point approach when an abrupt sob escaped her wobbly lips. Her eyes met Manik's worried glance. His hands tightening at his sides.

Manik's heart broke when the tears in her eyes broke flew. His stomach feeling heavy with emotions. His hands didn't flick when they landed on her soft cheeks cupping them into his palms, he titled her head towards him.

"Shh! don't cry, darling!" His deep voice pleaded into her eyes. Her lips whimpered when her hands fisted into his T-shirt.

"Manik, I-" another sob broke out of her throat.

Manik practically groaned before he grabbed her hips and pulled her into him. His hands squishing her chubby cheeks, when his warm lips engulfed hers. His tongue entering into her hot mouth, making Nandini grab wrap her arms around his neck. Her fingers ruffling his hair made him moan inside her mouth.

"STOP FUCKING CRYING!" Manik hissed, "Your tears makes me want to destroy something" His hands smoothed into the curve of her hips, pushing her small body more into his.

Nandini sniffed against his chest, whimpering at his strong touches.

"I missed you" she cried holding him into her dear life.

Manik's hand caught the inside of the thighs, picking her up in his arms, her smooth legs wrapping themselves around his waist.

"You missed me!" He spoke looking into her eyes, "I was not even alive without you!" His hand grabbed the back of her hair, pulling it tightly still not tight enough to hurt her.

"Fucking promise me!" He spat into her lips, "you will never leave me again!"

"Never!" She breathed into him, her eyes dropping into his lips, then proceeded to lick her own. Manik's eyes grew darker, and lips didn't waste time before molding into her soft ones. His hands felt every curve and dip of her body. Her subtle moans acting as a catalyst to his desires.

"Those Doe eyes will be the death of me someday!"

❪ 𝙰𝚄𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚁'𝚂 𝙽𝙾𝚃𝙴 ❫

The mood board for the chapter is in the media box.  just a gentle reminder this ff will have specific amount of mature content. kindly refrain yourself from being rude. Sayonara.