Chapter 68

Manik was sitting inside his office working on some files when Sara knocked on his door.

"They all will be here in 15 minutes. The top floor conference room is prepared for the meeting.", Sara informed and Manik nodded leaning back on his chair.

"We will leave at the last. I don't want to be there any minute more than needed.", Manik said and Sara nodded walking out of the door.

Manik went back to work but was distracted and sighed walking to the glass wall and staring at the city view lost in thoughts.

Sara knocked interrupting his thoughts and he picked up his jacket and walked out with her following him.

She gave him a nod as they stood outside the meeting room and he took a deep breath before walking inside.

"Good Morning.", Manik greeted as he walked to his chair on the right side of the head table and saw Shravan sitting in front of him. Sara gave him the files and moved back to join the other assistants.

"For someone who works in the same building, you are late Little Brother.", Shravan said with a smirk as he leaned back on his chair.

"I am right on time. If you missed me so much, you should have dropped by my office.", Manik said with a smile plastered on his face and Shravan rolled his eyes.

"Maybe I would as I will be supervising how you are doing your work very soon.", Shravan said leaning closer and putting his elbows on the table.

"You are being delusional. You should get it checked before it gets worse.", Manik said with a smirk of his own as he tried to be patient.

"You know what, maybe I should. You can even suggest someone to me. You seem to know them well.", Shravan said and Manik's eyes narrowed a little at his words.

Shravan watched in delight and moved closer to comment something else when the door opened and they both stood up straight.

The meeting room grew completely silent as a man walked inside.  For a person in his 60's, he looked hardly a day older than 40. He had a long grey beard trimmed to perfection with his grey hairs combed to one side.

Manik clenched his fists trying to keep his calm and saw Shravan rolling his eyes as well. He never understood why Shravan hated his own dad. He had his reasons to hate the Chairman but he didn't know his reasons.

Yash Malhotra, The founder and chairman of the Malhotra Groups for the last 30 years was a man respected by everyone. He single-handedly made Malhotra Group what it is today, one of the top companies in India.

He took a seat on the head chair and everyone followed taking a seat of their own. Yash waved his hand and his assistant handed a cigar to him as he took a puff before turning to the group of people sitting at the table.

"Let's start.", He said out loud and one of the men nodded before standing up and moving to the small podium as the lights dimmed and the projector started giving a brief overview of the reports for the six months.

They moved to the preparation of the anniversary event and Shravan changed the slides as he explained how things were going on and looking.

"How is the speech coming up?", Yash asked Manik turning to face him.

"Great.", Manik said with a straight face and Yash turned to Shravan.

"You could have done better. It's not just any event. It's the 30th Anniversary of the Malhotra Groups. I want it to highlight in every paper and article. Everyone must keep talking about it for days to come. I want no mistakes and need everything to go by smoothly. You insisted on taking over the responsibility of the event and I hope you don't disappoint me.", Yash said turning to Shravan who clenched his jaw and nodded.

"Trust me, People are going to talk about it for days. You won't be disappointed.", Shravan said and Manik narrowed his eyes.

He had known Shravan for a long time to know people won't be talking about it for good reasons. He was concerned if it was targeted at him or the chairman. He was sure of one thing, Shravan was planning something big.

"I will see.", Yash said before turning to the group of people as the lights were switched back on and the projector was shut.

"As all of you know, we have been discussing who will be the next chairman for a while now and I have decided on a date. At the 30th anniversary, I am going to retire from my position and a week after that we are going to have our meeting to decide who will be the next chairman.", Yash announced and Manik looked at him surprised along with everyone in the room.

A week was early then he expected. It meant just 10 days from today. He wasn't sure of the support he has with him and with what Shravan had been planning he was not prepared for it at all. He didn't want to lose and work under Shravan. He would prefer resigning over that.

"I hope it's clear. The meeting is done. All of you can leave. See you at the event.", Yash said and they all nodded preparing to leave.

"Both of you. Stay.", Yash said out loud crossing his legs as he leaned back on his chair.

Manik eyed Shravan as they took a seat again.

"Rest of you can leave.", He said eyeing their assistants and Sara looked at Manik and nodded before leaving and shutting the door behind her.

"What do you want? ", Shravan asked getting impatient.

"You really need to learn to be patient if you are hoping you would be the next chairman.", Yash remarked and Shravan rolled his eyes.

"I don't need to learn from you. I have other things to do if you are going to waste my time here.", Shravan snapped and Yash turned to him.

"What? Like hanging out with that girl. You hardly do any work.", Yash commented and Shravan frowned seeing him bring Sia into this.

"It's none of your business who I hang out with or not. You don't get a say in that.", Shravan yelled loud and Manik was surprised at his actions.

Whenever they would fight, It was always Manik who lost his cool. Shravan would get annoyed but he never got full-blown angry as he is now. Only the chairman can bring out this side of him.

" I do get a say when it affects my business. Mr. Roy has agreed to give you another chance and if you misbehave with his daughter another time it won't be good for you. ", Yash said his eyes narrowing in annoyance.

"Aren't you retiring in 2 days? Why don't you leave me alone to handle my business? I am not interested to get married for business reasons.", Shravan asked with a stern look taunting him and Yash glared at him in return.

Manik was amazed watching the two of them but he was getting a little bored too and wanted to leave. Shravan caught his eyes and turned to the chairman.

"Why don't you ask your favorite son to marry for business?", Shravan asked sarcastically with a smile as he put more pressure on the word son to taunt him and Manik glared at him for bringing him in this very well knowing he was dating Nandini.

"He will.", Yash replied confidently and Manik frowned.

"Excuse me.", Manik asked him to repeat.

"That girl Murthy won't do any good to you or the business. What does she do? Fashion designing right? It's good till you are messing around but don't take it too seriously. You won't be marrying her in the end.", Yash said taking a puff of his cigar and Manik chuckled with anger in his eyes.

"And who are you to tell me this? You don't even know her name and you have already decided she is not good for me. Who do you think is good then? Someone who comes from a rich business background whose dad would invest in the company and help my business. I am not you Mr. Malhotra. I won't get married for money and stay in a marriage of compromise betraying the girl I love.", Manik said rolling his eyes as he looked straight in his eyes challenging him.

Shravan had a small smile on his face as he watched the chairman frown hard looking lost in thoughts. For the first time in years, he agreed with what Manik had said and sided with him.

"I didn't raise you boys to speak to me in this manner. Don't forget this company that you are working at and being so proud of is what I started with the money that came out of the same marriage of compromise.", Yash glared at the two of them and Manik rolled his eyes and tried to keep his calm. Shravan scoffed hearing him.

"I am sorry? You raised us!! I don't recall you being present in our life other than for business reasons.", Shravan said in disbelief and Manik watched him in surprise hearing him say us. If there's one thing both Shravan and Manik agreed was the fact they hated the Chairman with a passion.

"I am not going to indulge in silly arguments with you two. You both are 30 now. Grow up and think like a man. There's a week for the board meeting, get your act together if either of you wants to replace me. I don't mind giving the company to a third person.", Yash warned them and they sighed.

It's not like Manik was desperate to have the company and be the chairman. He could let it go but he had worked hard for 7 years in the company and he doesn't want to give everything up for a person like him. He didn't know Shravan's reasons for putting up with the chairman, but he was sure it was not because of the same reason as him. He isn't interested to work in the company doing business.

"I don't need any new articles coming up about the company or you two. We have had enough negative publicity and scandals.", Yash said with a warning and Shravan rolled his eyes again.

"Stop with that attitude. Your mother wouldn't have appreciated your behavior towards me.", Yash remarked disappointed and Shravan stood up pushing the chair away.

"Don't take her name with that filthy mouth of yours. I am done here.", Shravan said slamming the file in front of him and moving to the door.

"Mani..", Yash was about to speak but Manik stood up.

"I am done too.", Manik said as he left the room.

He walked inside the elevator signaling Sara to not follow him as he pressed the button for the roof.

He needed some alone time to collect his thoughts.

He walked to the edge of the roof and stood there watching the city silently.

"Did he leave?", He heard someone ask and turned to see Shravan standing a little away from him. He wondered how he failed to see him before when he walked in.

"I am not in the mood to entertain you right now.", Manik said frustrated and Shravan raised his eyebrows.

"Well I am not too.", Shravan said with a shrug and Manik watched him closely.

He really looked tired and for once Manik felt a little pity for him. He decided to let it go and sighed.

"He left.", Manik answered his question before looking away.

"You sounded a lot more serious about Nandini.", Shravan commented and Manik sighed before turning to him. So much for being civil to him and staying in peace.

"What are you getting at? Keep her out of this.", Manik said with a warning.

"I am not getting at anything. I like her.", Shravan said with a shrug and Manik rolled his eyes.

"I swear if you get her in any trouble or bring her into this again.", Manik said taking a step closer and Shravan raised his hands in surrender.

"I haven't done anything to her. I already apologized to her about the scandal incident though it doesn't seem like a lie now. Looks like I had a hand in bringing you two together.", Shravan said amused trying to push Manik's buttons.

"What about the interview thing? You think I don't know about what you are doing.", Manik asked crossing his hands and facing him.

"Well, I was just promoting your girlfriend's success. You should thank me for it instead.", Shravan said with a smirk.

"You really think I would believe your innocent act after all these years. I know you better so drop it.", Manik said looking him in the eye and challenging him.

"You deserved everything I did and more. You are not as innocent as you claim. At least I am honest about who I am and what I did not like you hiding under a fake identity.", Shravan said taking a step closer, his face void of any amusement from earlier.

"You don't know the truth about half of the things.", Manik said narrowing his eyes at him and Shravan smiled leaning closer.

"Trust me, Little Brother, I know more than you think.", Shravan said and smirked as he raised his hand and patted his shoulder.

Manik clenched his fists to compose himself before he pushed his hands away.

"Trust me", Shravan said amused as he walked away to the elevator to go back.

Manik watched him leave before he screamed in annoyance and gripped the railing hard to compose himself.

His phone rang in his pocket and he picked it up to his ear.

"What?", He yelled over the phone and Nandini put the phone away getting a little concerned.

"Manik you okay?", Nandini asked softly and Manik ran a hand down his face to compose himself.

"I will talk to you later.", Manik said knowing he is not in a proper state of mind right now.

"But.. Fine, at least tell me you are okay. Where are you?", Nandini asked worried and he sighed.

"Nandini, I told you I will talk to you later. Can't you understand I don't want to talk right now. Just leave me alone.", Manik said before hanging up the phone harshly.

He took the lift to the parking and drove his car to get away for a while. He didn't have a place in mind to go to but he knew where he was going. He always ended up at that place when he needed to get away from everyone.

Nandini watched her phone in disbelief. It had been a while since he was so rude to her, She had forgotten he had that side too.

More than being angry at him for yelling at her and hanging up when she was worried for him, she was upset he still found it hard to trust her and share with her. Even after all this time, he still didn't share things with her willingly.

Nikhil knocked on her door and she sighed putting her phone away and giving a small smile to him as she started working again. Her mind was distracted as she kept glancing at her phone hoping for a message or a call saying he was okay.

She got a call during lunch and immediately picked it up hoping for Manik but found it to be Ishaan's.

"Hey, I have some news.", Ishaan said and Nandini grew concerned.

"About what?", She asked slowly.

"I found where the model is at. She is away staying at a resort 2 hours away from here. I have got an address as well.", Ishaan said and Nandini smiled.

"Are you serious? We should leave now to get in touch with her before she goes away again.", Nandini said standing up to pack everything.

"Yes, I am. I am leaving my office now. I will be there in 15 minutes. Meet me in the parking.", Ishaan said and Nandini nodded as she quickly wrapped up her work and went to Aditya's and Nikhil's office informing them about her leaving.

She played with her phone wondering if she should message Manik or not. Sighing she messaged him asking if he was okay but the message was not delivered to him yet. It seemed he didn't have a network.

She started typing another message informing him about her leaving when Ishaan horned close to her and she jumped in surprise.

She looked down at her phone and saw she had sent the half message just saying I am leaving.

Nandini walked to the passenger side and took a seat typing the complete message informing him she was leaving with Ishaan and will be home late.

Her phone shut down in the middle and she groaned in annoyance at every bad thing happening at once.

"Do you have a charger?", Nandini asked and Ishaan looked at her concerned.

"What's wrong? you didn't reply to me greeting you hello and have been busy with the phone.", Ishaan asked and she tried to calm down.

"Sorry. I am a little distracted. Do you have a charger? My phone shut down.", Nandini asked and Ishaan thought about it.

"Check the dashboard once but I don't think I have it here. You can use my phone.", Ishaan said giving her his phone and she smiled as she opened Manik's contact and quickly typed a message saying her phone shut down and she will be late.

"Manik?", Ishaan asked and she nodded as she put his phone down and turned the radio on.

"Is Ahana still upset with you?", Nandini asked changing the topic and Ishaan shakes his head.

"No, she forgave me the second I got Manik to watch a movie with us.", Ishaan said with a small chuckle and Nandini smiled.

"Are you doing well?", Nandini asked turning to him trying to distract herself from his thoughts.

"I am trying. I talked with Dad and yesterday Manik helped too. Hopefully, I will be fine.", Ishaan said and Nandini nodded feeling a little relaxed now seeing he was okay.

"Can I ask you something?", Nandini hesitated and Ishaan turned to her.

"You always seem guarded around everyone else but you open up to me. Is it because I force you to?", Nandini asked and Ishaan frowned.

"What do you mean?", He asked confused.

"I mean I keep asking you to share it with me and talk to me if you are not okay or upset about something. So do you feel obliged to share because of my continuous nagging? I don't see you open up to others even when they are your friends.", Nandini asked him and he laughed at her being silly and flicked her head.

" There's something about you that makes me talk. From the day we met, I have felt a connection with you like we are some long-lost friends or something. Talking to you feels like talking to myself and you make it easy to share things with you. Yeah sometimes those nagging can be a little annoying as I have my own insecurities but I know it comes from a place of love and care. It warms my heart having someone who would notice little things about my behavior and care for me. Don't ever feel like I share things with you because I am forced. I like your nagging, talking to you, listening to your advice and silly questions.", Ishaan said and she nodded and looked away after hearing him.

Ishaan grabbed her hand to get her attention.

"Tell me what it is? Did you and Manik have a fight? Are you angry at him for something?", Ishaan asked and she nodded no.

"I am not angry, I won't call it a fight.", Nandini muttered.

"So is it something he did that upset you?", Ishaan asked and Nandini shakes her head.

"More than being upset, I am worried for him and a little disappointed in myself.", Nandini said and Ishaan frowned.

"Whatever it is about, talk to him. If you think it's your nagging he is upset about you don't have to worry or be disappointed in yourself. He knows you love him so it's natural for you to worry over him and nag him a little.", Ishaan said with a smile and Nandini nodded.

"Stop thinking about it now. He will be waiting for you when we get back. You will see.", Ishaan said and she nodded composing herself as they talked more about what he got to know about the model.

Ishaan parked the car in front of the resort and gave the key for parking as they both went inside.

"Wait. How are we going to get to know where she is?", Nandini asked him.

"Watch.", Ishaan said to her as he walked to the receptionist and flirted around a little with her. She was surprised at his actions but kept her mouth shut.

"She booked a cab to the city this morning.", Ishaan informed Nandini and she frowned.

"Any idea when she will be back? ", Nandini asked him.

"Well the receptionist said the last time she went to the city, she came back the next day.  What do you want to do?", Ishaan asked her.

"Let's wait around till we can. Maybe she comes in early this time. If not we have no other choice than to come again tomorrow.", Nandini said and Ishaan nodded as they took a seat in the waiting area.

The receptionist offered snacks and drinks as they both waited for around 4 hours before calling it a day.

Ishaan gave his number at the desk asking them to call him if she checks in again and they got back to his car.

"Want to get dinner in the way?", Ishaan asked and Nandini nodded.

Ishaan stopped the car in front of Nandini's house and walked out.

"I will call you if I get a call or something. We will leave tomorrow. Don't worry, she won't get away again.", Ishaan said and she thanked him.

She gave him a hug and pulled back.

"Let me walk you to the door.", Ishaan suggested.

"It's fine. you should drive back it's getting late.", Nandini insisted and he nodded waving at her as he got inside his car and she started walking to her door.

She took out her key but found the door unlocked and frowned before opening the door wide and stepping in.

"Navya. Is it you? Are you home?", Nandini asked as she slowly walked in and felt the lights dim.

She turned on all the lights looking around a little scared seeing Navya's door locked from outside.

She moved to the kitchen to grab something when she felt heavy footsteps and turned around in surprise.

"Wha..", She couldn't finish her sentence before getting tackled by a hug almost losing her balance.

She lifted her hand slowly to hug him back.

"Manik?", She asked in a whisper and felt him hold her tighter.

"What are you doing here? You scared me. How did you get the key?", She asked trying to pull back from the hug trying to calm her heartbeats but he held her close.

"Manik? Are you okay?", She asked getting worried now.

"Where were you?", Manik asked pulling away and looking at her.

"I..", Nandini hesitated watching how furious he looked suddenly and wondered what happened.

"You weren't in the office or with the girls.", Manik asked again narrowing his eyes that still looked over her trying to see if she was okay.

"Manik, what's wrong? I messaged you.", Nandini said softly a little confused and he frowned hard.

"I am leaving. What should I understand from this? Aditya said you left in a hurry, you didn't take your car. Your phone was switched off. What were you thinking? Do you even have any idea how worried I was? It's midnight now. Nobody knew where you were since afternoon. I thought you were more mature than that. Are you seriously going to leave without informing anyone if I yelled at you a little because I was upset. I agree I was wrong but taking revenge like this and making me worry for the whole day over it is seriously heights of being immature.", Manik yelled at her and she tried to explain but he didn't let her and continued yelling. She knew he was worried about her but she wasn't wrong here. Her eyes were filled with tears by the time he stopped yelling.

"I wasn't... I wasn't taking revenge on you... I messaged you from Ishaan's phone. ", Nandini said trying to calm down before walking out of the door as he was blocking her way to her room. She was too upset to stay with him and argue with him more. She needed to calm down.

"What?", Manik whispered but she walked out of the door.

"Nandini..", He tried calling for her as he took out his phone as he walked out, and saw a message from an unknown number, he had ignored earlier.

"Hi It's Nandini, My phone's battery got drained. I am with Ishaan and going out for some work. I may be a little late. I hope you are okay now. I know you want to be alone but I didn't want you to worry about me. If you want to talk, give me a call. Take care."

He realized it was Ishaan's new number he hadn't saved yet being lazy and frowned as he looked up to see Nandini already a little far away from him.

"Nandini stop.", He yelled as he jogged to get closer.

"I don't want to talk. Leave me alone.", Nandini said wiping her tears before walking fast to get away from him.

"Please I am sorry. I missed the message as it was from an unknown number. I thought it was spam or something.", Manik said as he ran a little to get closer.

"I was worried for you. I don't know what I was thinking. Nandini stop please.", Manik said as he ran fast and reached her side grabbing her arm to stop her.

"Leave my hand.", Nandini said looking down as she sniffed and tried to pull her hands away.

"I am sorry. Look at me.",  Manik said trying to make her look at him, and cursed himself watching her cry.

She jerked his hand away from her and tried to get away but he blocked her way.

"Please don't cry. I was trying to call you all day and it was switched off and nobody knew where you were. I was worried you left or something happened. Try to understand please.", Manik begged, grabbing her hands and she turned to him.

"I do understand Manik. I understand you were worried. I understand how scary it was to not know where I was or if something happened to me. I completely understand your reasons. I always understand but do you?", She asked wiping away her tears harshly and Manik frowned not getting what she was trying to say.

"Did I ask something more from you? I just wanted to know if you were okay.", Nandini continued and Manik nodded trying to calm her down.

"I know I was wrong..", Manik tried to explain but she cut him off shaking her head.

"I still understood you were upset. You didn't mean it. I was actually more annoyed and upset at myself for asking you to talk when you didn't want to. I should have understood and given you the space to come around right?", Nandini said as tears flowed down her cheeks and Manik shakes his head in no trying to wipe her tears feeling his heartbreak watching her cry.

"But you and I both know that you would have never talked or shared with me if I didn't ask. If I hadn't called you then you would have never told me if you were okay or not. You would have left hanging me without a message or call about your whereabouts. I would have spent the whole day waiting and worrying over you and at the end of the day when I would have finally asked you to talk to me, you would have said, you were fine and not to worry over it.", Nandini said her thoughts with a sad smile and Manik couldn't say a word as he looked away finding it difficult to look at her because he knew she was right.

"And you know what's the funny thing about it?", She asked with a small chuckle as she hiccupped and wiped her tears.

"I would have still understood. Even if it breaks my heart a little every time this happens, knowing you still can't trust me. I would have still given you space and waited for you to get comfortable to share things willingly without me forcing it out of you. Do you know why? Because I am so crazy in lo..", Nandini said looking him in the eye as she almost confessed her feelings before getting cut off in the middle as he pulled her in for a kiss cupping her face in between his palms.

Manik tried to express himself with the kiss, desperately showing her how much he loves her and it pains his heart to see her cry because of him. Manik could feel tears of his own in his eyes. It felt like he could actually feel the pain she was feeling and realized that's what love does to you. It was also one of the reasons he didn't want to share things with her. He didn't want her to feel his pain and get hurt.

Manik knew it hurt her whenever he would not share things with her but he only did that because he didn't want to hurt her more. He knew if he would have told her about what happened today she would have spent all her time trying to help him out. She would have gotten more hurt than him if he would have told her about Shravan maybe knowing about his medical condition and trying to use it against him.

It would have hurt her if he would have told her how the chairman was against her being with him. During the meeting, it may have looked like he had won the argument against him but Manik knew the Chairman would do anything to get things his way. All Manik wanted was to keep the pain to himself, he didn't want to share it with her and have her get hurt too. It was his mess and his to sort it out.

Trying to protect her from getting hurt because of him, he realized he was hurting her along the way. She was wrong to think he shared things with her forcibly. It may look like that but it wasn't the truth. He liked talking to her but he wants to wait out till the pain is less so she wouldn't worry much about it and get hurt for him. If she thinks he doesn't trust her then maybe he doesn't trust anyone in this world.

Nandini pulls back from the kiss, staring at him, waiting for him to say something. She was confused why he stopped her from confessing. She was done waiting for him to be on the same page as her. She can wait to hear him say later. She needed to tell him now so he realizes even if she is upset at him for something she would never take petty revenge and make him worried, she loved him too much to trouble him that way.

"Manik I..", She started but he pressed his thumb over her lips stopping her.

"Shush. If you say anything more, I would start crying and we don't want two adults crying like babies in the middle of the road.", Manik said with a small chuckle, wiping her tear-stained cheeks and Nandini knew he was not lying seeing his tear-filled eyes.

"I would like that.", She teased with a small laugh easing the situation and he smiled pulling away from her a little, staring at her.

"I am sorry for yelling at you. Let's go back home.", Manik asked watching her and Nandini just nodded as he grabbed her hand tightly scared she will walk away again.

They walked silently on the way home and Nandini wondered as she calmed down if she overreacted a little. She should have understood the situation better and waited instead of bursting out like that and leaving the house.

They reached home soon and Manik shut the door behind him.

"Have you eaten?", Nandini asked and he shakes his head in no making her feel a little guilty.

"I am not hungry.", Manik said but she still walked over to the fridge and starts pulling out a few things to make something for him.

"Nandini..", Manik tried to deny but she ignored him and he sighed helping her with making a simple grilled sandwich.

Nandini watched him eat and relaxed a little.

"Let's talk now.", Manik said pulling her to sit on the sofa.

"It's quite late now. You have office tomorrow and with the event a day after tomorrow. It will be a long day. We don't have to talk now. I am seriously not mad at you for anything. I was just a little upset that you thought I would take revenge for something like that and knowingly make you worry.", Nandini said looking away from him feeling guilty again for creating more trouble for him. She should support him and decrease his burdens and troubles not add more to it even if she was a little upset she should have been mature about it and let it go.

He made her look at him again.

"Be mad at me. I deserved it. Let me make it up to you.", Manik asked and she smiled at his weird request.

"Come to bed.", Nandini said getting up and pulling him to her room.

"I am serious.", Manik said realizing she was not taking him seriously and Nandini shakes her head at him.

Manik looked around her room and found his journal on her table and took it and came back to see her changed already.

Nandini threw some shorts at him and he looked at them to realize it was new and shakes his head surprised before getting changed and walked closer to bed holding the journal.

"What are you doing?", Nandini asked him seeing his journal and he smiled joining her in the bed.

"Making it up for you.", Manik replied looking at his journal.

"I told you it's not needed. I mostly overreacted. We could have talked properly at home instead of that whole mess because of me. You already have a lot of things going on for you and I don't want to trouble you more with some silly arguments.", Nandini said looking down feeling embarrassed and a little guilty.

Manik turned to her surprised and made her look up at him keeping his journal aside.

"What the hell are you talking about?", He asked in disbelief and she opened her mouth to explain more but he shushed her.

"Are you seriously feeling guilty for expressing how you felt? ", Manik asked holding her hands and she kept quiet.

"C'mon Nandini, you are making me really mad right now. Work or no work, I don't have any right or excuse to yell at you for any reason especially when you were right and I was the one who was wrong.", Manik said watching her looking down, moving closer, and cupping her face.

"Babe listen to me. I had been testing your patience for so long. I expected this to happen a lot sooner. It was not you overreacting but just expressing and I don't mind it at all except the tears. Honestly, I expected a lot more drama than that. You let me off very easily.", Manik made her understand squeezing her cheeks and she narrowed her eyes at him.

" But still..", Nandini opened her mouth to protest but he squeezes her cheeks more making her pout at him like a duck.

" Shush. Be a good girl and let me make it up to you. Save all this for when I ever get upset at you. You will need to do a lot of things to make up to me. So enjoy this while you can. ", Manik said and she finally smiles letting him do what he wants knowing how stubborn he is.

"Come here.", Manik said pulling her closer to him as they lay down and he picks up his journal.

"Okay tell me what should I read first?", Manik asked opening the journal and she traced her finger over his handwriting.

"It's beautiful.", Nandini said turning to face him.

"I will read one of the entries I wrote after I met you.", Manik said and she nodded surprised eagerly waiting for him to read his journal. She knew it was his way of sharing his thoughts, letting her in, and making it up to her.

'There are moments in life when you suddenly realize something.

That night under the stars I knew why we were destined to meet,

At a time in my life when I needed hope,

You gave me strength and allowed me to believe in myself again.

I knew something changed in me that night,

You told me you trusted me to be strong for you,

And for the first time in a while, I was truly happy to be the one for you.

That night you were you and I was I,

We were two before our time.

I was yours before you knew and you have always been mine too'

"If this is your way to make up to me. I think you should really think about something else. I don't think we want a repeat of what happened earlier. I have cried a lot already. ", Nandini said looking away to hide the tears brimming in her eyes.

"Sorry I forgot how emotional my girlfriend can be.", Manik teased pulling her to his chest and wrapping his arms around her tight.

Manik kept the journal aside and switched off the lamp.

"Was it that night when we had ice cream and you took me to the cliff for the first time.", Nandini asked and Manik smiled and nodded.

" So If I understood what you wrote, what you are telling me is it wasn't just me then?", Nandini asked looking up at him waiting for him to answer.

Manik just smiled and kissed her head.

" Manik tell me. Is the journal filled with such notes? Wait I need to check. ", Nandini tried to move but he held her close.

" You had it with you for months. Now you will have to wait a bit longer. I am looking forward to reading it to you now.", Manik said and she frowned in reply.

Manik pecks her lips and one of his hands moved to her back unhooking her bra from outside her tank top.

She looked up at him with eyes wide-eyed surprised at his actions.

" Get comfortable and sleep Darling.", Manik whispered and She turned around letting him spoon her to sleep.