Chapter - 29
#6300 words. ( Sometimes I shock myself with all the long updates I give! ;p)

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Writer's POV:

"Did you guys meet Nandini today? How did it go?" Archana Murthy, Nandini's mother asked Rekha Murthy, Nandini's Chachi grabbing a water bottle from the fridge.

"Yeah, it went quite well you see! My hyperactive daughter who is always loggerheads with me listened to me without any objections. I noticed one thing Archana didi, Navya is reasonable when Nandini is by her side." Rekha explained smiling at the way the talk went.

"That's true. Both of them share a deep friendship. Rekha, how is Nandini doing by the way? Is she happy?" Archana inquired curiously and Rekha grinned at her.

"I guess she is happy. She had a certain glimmer in her eyes. I guess Manik is taking care of her properly." Rekha answered softly passing the carrot and spinach smoothie bowl she previously prepared to Archana.

"Everything is fine is she's happy. And what about cooking? Is she able to manage both cooking and working? If not we can hire a cook also. They already have a maid to clean the house" Archana inquired and Rekha giggled at her motherly curiosity.

"Didi tell me something, you miss Nandini don't you?" Rekha questioned and Archana gazed at her shocked.

"Yeah, I do miss having her here. She was calm and quiet when she was here and our conversations were not as frequent as yours with Navya but I do miss those little talks of ours and the eager smile she had whenever we spoke about Fashion industry" Archana acknowledged and Rekha nodded urging her to continue.

"You know they say na, you know the value of a person only when you lose them I guess that's true." Archana whimpered and Rekha pursed her lips.

"Didi, I guess Navya inspired you a lot to be dramatic! And you didn't lose her ok, she just stays in a different house now. But she will always be a part of our family won't she" Rekha told frankly and Archana sighed

"I know. It's just that I feel maybe now it's too late now to work on it. Maybe I should have talked to her properly in the past itself it's my fault I guess" Archana condemned herself as Rekha tried to cease the way her thoughts were moving.

"Didi, listen to me ok it wasn't your fault. In fact, it was nobody's fault. It was the timing that didn't work out. You obviously had problems to sort out and I guess Nandini did too. Pushing yourself too hard would only make it hard for both of you," Rekha consoled her "and you know from working in the kitchen for these many years I learnt something ok you should handle relationships the same way you handle cooking. Too much of high flame burns the dish just like pushing yourself too many damages you. You should know to maintain a medium flame just like accepting situations step by step" she continued and Archana nodded.

"I guess I should call her now and try to talk even if it is a small conversation. You know baby steps!" Archana concluded and Rekha gave her an encouraging smile.

"Yes! Baby steps. You understood my point di." Rekha meant stroking Archana's shoulders as she grinned at her.

Nandini's POV:

"Abe O ullu ke patte, saand ki aulaad" I wake up screaming these words and gasping for air as Manik stands there grinning proudly at the deed he did.

"Remind me to keep you away from children, you have quite a colourful mouth." DJ Nandini says rubbing her sleepy eyes and I pin her with a death glare.

"Who the hell wakes up a person by splashing milk on their face?" I ask Manik trying to wipe the milk off my face.

"I was trying to wake you up from the past 15 minutes and you wouldn't wake up at all so thought to wake you up this way" Manik retorts shrugging his shoulders as if it's the most normal thing to do while I check to make sure that nothing dropped on my ostrich soft toy.

"Did I ever tell you how weird you are?" I ask checking the time on the wall clock and he grins again. It's only 5:30 why the hell did he wake me up?

"Well, we both share the weirdness level! You kick people to tell that you missed them and I spill milk to wake them up" he states opening my wardrobe and pulling out tracks from them.

"You know you can't barge into someone's room like this? I mean I would be sleeping naked for all you care" I say in exasperation and he rolls his eyes.

"Well, fortunately, I am saved from witnessing such a dreadful scene," he says and I pinch his shoulder for which he shrieks.

"Women are crazy I say! You would tag me as a pervert if I would say the otherwise and now you pinch me when I am being a sanskari ladka." He complains and I drag him away from my closet. Don't tell me he's gonna force me to join the gym!

"Nahiiiiiiiiii!" DJ Nandini shouts dramatically at this and starts running away.

"Areeee rukooooo gym is a fun place to be" Monkey Manik shouts being equally dramatic and chases her.

"Now go get changed today we are gonna have some fun in the gym" he speaks excited and shoves me inside the washroom.

"Manik I am not coming to that monstrous place!" I retort trying to push him away as he stands near the gate stubbornly not letting me out of the washroom.

"Areee Chipmunk! From yesterday it's sure that you hardly walk when you are working and it's not good at all. You know you are bones are prone to breaking easily when you are 50 if you won't work out now. And that's why gymming is important" he claims and I stare at him in disbelief.

"Gym is blahhhh!" DJ Nandini says hiding under a table and I nod at her.

"Gym is a place visited by people suffering from masochism to enjoy pain" I state sternly as Manik sighs.

"Yeah stick to your beliefs Nandu! Don't get persuaded by him." DJ Nandini whispers and I hi-five her.

"Chipmunk please try this for once ok? Just once then it's your wish" he pleads and I ignore his words.

"Does he get paid for forcing members to join the gym?" DJ Nandini doubts and I agree to her.

"Chipmunk I am pleading you this much, can't you just listen to me?" he asks sadly with puppy eyes and I stare at him taken aback.

"Don't! Don't fall for those puppy eyes! Zindagi barbaad hojayegi" DJ Nandini warns me.

"Mere liye itna bhi nahi kar sakte ho kya?" He asks sadly again and I melt at this.

"Gayi bhains paani mein." DJ Nandini declares as I mutter a tiny fine grabbing my clothes from his hold to get changed.

"Manik Malhotra I hate you! You are the destroyer of the love story between me and my bed." DJ Nandini shouts as I drag her along with me while Monkey Manik cheers for her.

"You will do two sets of hip rotations, 3 sets of forward lunges, 3 sets of reverse lunges, 3 sets of burpees, 3 sets of crunches, 3 sets of squats" Manik explained and I wondered if he even took a breath while saying all those.

"I can go home after this?" I questioned hopefully and DJ Nandini looked happy that she can leave early. And Dhruv laughed listening to it.

"This is just warm up Chipmunk then you will do cardio," Manik said as a matter of fact and I stared at him with a 'hein?' face.

"You complete this warmup soon ok? I will be working on the leg press machine" he instructed and left while I kept on staring at him in horror.

Why am I here? Mujhe ghar jaana hein!!

"I told you not to fall for those puppy eyes! But kaha sunti ho tum meri? Ab bhukto" DJ Nandini scolded me checking out the guys in the gym while I made a crying face.

"Let's do it together Nandini!" Dhruv exclaimed and I glanced at him shocked.

"You know I was expecting Manik to bring you here sooner! That idiot loves forcing people to join the gym" Dhruv said and I nodded.

"Dhruv lets bunk gym na! Manik is not here anyway he won't know even if we skipped" I added and he started laughing again.

"That was me when I first came to the gym! But then Manik got to know I didn't warm up and I had to spend 30 more minutes" he shuddered recalling that day.

"Areee Manik is a total goof! Woh kuch nahi karega" I tried persuading him and he chuckled.

"Manik maybe a goof normally! But while dancing and gymming he's a monster" Aryaman said joining us and an idea struck my mind.

"Dhruv and Aryaman if you guys help me today na I will set you up with models I know! You know my mom is a top fashion designer" I suggested smirking evilly and Dhruv smiled hearing this.

"Nandini I have a girlfriend ok..?" Aryaman said and I pouted at him.

"Areee you have a girlfriend but I don't have one na! Ek baar help karlenge look at her she's so naive" Dhruv exclaimed patting my head and I nodded.

"Sorry guys but I don't wanna risk. Aap log na kuch bhi karlo" Aryaman said getting back to dumbbells and I frowned at him.

"Nandini tum na use ignore karo! Mein hoo na! Hum dono na ek team mein hein lets do this together" Dhruv said grinning at me and we both settled down in a corner.

"Nandini look there to your 10 o clock that guy in red tracks is so hot!" DJ Nandini cried drooling at the guy and I checked him out.

"Bure log paap hein ye paap! You shouldn't check out guys like that" Monkey Manik yelled at us and DJ Nandini swatted him away.

"Dhruv you guys look fit then why do you come to the gym every day?" I question him and giggle as he was distracted from his game.

"They both are dancers na Nandini so its necessary for them to maintain strength and then one day Manik tagged me along the end of happy days in my life" he claims making a sad face at the end and I start laughing again.

"Ayee Monkey see that girl in the yellow tank top she seems like your type." DJ Nandini says to Monkey Manik and he frowns at her.

"She's pretty but not my type. No one is my type" Monkey Manik says disinterestedly.

"So you gonna die virgin huh? Without enjoying anything?" DJ Nandini teases him and he blushes to beet red.

Awleee! So cute!

"Hawww! Don't say such words! Now move I should exercise " he says covering his face and DJ Nandini runs behind him shouting the word virgin.

"Die! Die! Die, you idiot. " My attention is diverted to Dhruv who is frantically killing a zombie in the game and I suddenly find myself getting interested in it.

"Yeah! Stab it to death like that! Go for the head that's the weak point." 15 minutes later Dhruv cheers for me as I stab the zombie thrice in the head. Dhruv allowed me to play in his phone and I completed two games each time a few points from his high score. This guy plays so well man!

"Just 7 points away from the high score! This is cheating man" I cry out loud in disappoint and Dhruv laughs.

"It's not easy to beat me!" He says raising his imaginary collar and I pout at him.

"I am gonna beat you next time!" I assert and he shows his tongue to me.

"Yeah, you will definitely beat him next time Chipmunk! Play two more games na" I hear Manik speaking sternly and we both freeze.

"And that was the moment she knew she fucked up!" DJ Nandini adds nervously and Monkey Manik laughs at her.

"Aa gaya mera hero aagaya!" Monkey Manik sings merrily and I gulp looking at Manik who looks serious like very, very, very serious.

"Dhruv you complete your warm-up soon and continue with cardio or else I am gonna kick your ass! And Chipmunk you come with me I can't leave you alone with this idiot." He states with a poker face and drags me along with him.

"Let's meet tomorrow if you are alive Nandini!" Dhruv says sadly and I glare at walking away with Manik.

"I thought we came here to exercise and not for gaming?" Manik points out nearing me and I find myself getting intimidated by him.

"Well...woh woh just hogaya aise hi" I answer quietly and he rolls his eyes at me.

"Let's do some warm-up ok? Let's not waste time" he speaks gently and I nod getting surprised at the gentleness in his tone.

"Manik don't you think aaj Dhruv kuch weird behave kar raha hein?" Aryaman asked walking towards us while I was doing crunches.

"Haa wahi toh daily he exercises for half an hour and then irritates us for remaining time" Manik reasons counting the number of crunches I did.

"But we played a game in his phone and he was fine." I ask trying to raise my tummy up and failing to do so. Crunches are tough!

"He loves gaming and won't stop even if he is upset" Aryaman explains.

"Tu na worry mat kar. He said that uske placements shuru hone wale hein I guess he's nervous about it. He will be back to normal once he attends 2-3 interviews. Then let's talk to him for now just be normal." Manik implied and Aryaman nodded thoughtfully.

We were done with working out for the day and by the time I reached home I was really tired and had to drag my poor self to the office. Manik remains active even after all that strenuous workout and I had to appreciate him for that. That guy has lots of stamina!

My day until lunch passed in a blur coz I was awake yesterday night worried about Manik's sudden breakdown. And then he woke me up early in the morning so I had only slept for 4 hours today.

"Nandini you have a meeting scheduled after lunch, you are prepared na?" Abhi asked stepping into my cabin after knocking the door and I nodded nervously. I had lots of thoughts to process and I didn't know if I could manage to do well in the meeting.

"Can we reschedule it?" I inquired doubtfully and Abhi nodded in a no.

"The manager from the finance department will be busy tomorrow and the day after you have a busy schedule so it's not possible. Why do you ask though?" Abhi enquired and I glanced at him uncertain.

Should I visit him now and talk to him? I definitely can't concentrate on the meeting if this continues.

"Abhi I will be back before the meeting ok? Call me if there's any emergency" I declare grabbing my car keys as he gapes at me.

"You never leave your cabin before meetings until it's an emergency. " he states shocked and I nod collecting my stuff in a rush.

"Well, this is an emergency situation!" I state running through the door leaving behind a surprised Abhimanyu.

I halt at the doorway of Manik's class which was empty as students went for the lunch break and my sight lands on Manik who was absorbed in dancing and didn't notice me. My eyes follow his each and every move and I must accept that he has a certain grace and flexibility attached to his moves. He certainly is a great dancer!

He pauses to take a break and then he beams finding me standing at his doorway. "Aise dekh mat pagli! Pyaar hojayegi!" He comments cheekily and I groan at his cheesy one-liner.

"You know this moment was really going well until you opened that damn mouth of yours to speak!" I complain playfully stepping inside and he pouts at me.

"Whatcha doing here anyway?" He asks sipping some water and I shrug. "I was bored sitting in my cabin without no work to do so thought idhar aake thoda time pass karlu." I state plainly.

"Hayee! Aap toh bade mazakiyon ho! Bade mazaki ho!" DJ Nandini says laughing at my lie and I throw my car keys at her which she tactfully avoids.

"Ok then! Let's have lunch together and talk." Manik declared pulling out his lunch box. Aryaman joined us for lunch and left us by ourselves soon since he had a class.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Manik asks stretching his legs. We both were done with eating and sat beside each other on the floor.

"Well, yesterday night why were you crying? Did you have a fight with your dad?" I ask without beating around the bush "It's completely fine if you don't wanna share with me though! I just want to know if you are ok." I add thoughtfully after a moment.

"As an answer to your second question, I am ok now thanks to all the crying yesterday. You know I feel crying is an underrated emotion. People don't realise its value enough." He states and I urge him to keep going"And no I didn't have a fight with my dad. I was crying because I missed my sister Mukthi." he finished and I glanced at him to know what was he feeling exactly.

To my knowledge, Mukti was the second child among the three. Cabir never spoke much about her and I didn't dare to ask as it seemed like quite a sensitive topic.

"I was on a conference call with my friends yesterday and Dhruv was talking to us about how Paridhi's birthday is coming soon and what all he can gift her. And that made me realise that I can never have this type of conversation with my friends and never gift Mukthi anything. I had this hope that I am gonna meet her somewhere down the road. But as time passes that hope hurts me more."

"What happened to her?" I asked him getting confident that he's finally opening up to me.

"Mom died when I was 7 years old. Dad himself took care of us until I was 14. He did everything so that we couldn't feel that mom wasn't with us but it isn't easy to take care of 3 kids and manage your job too. This damaged our relationship with dad. It mostly affected Mukthi as she couldn't talk to dad openly and at the same time, dad married Neyonika mom. I and Cabir were fine with it but Mukthi wasn't.I tried talking to her many times about it so that she would feel better but it was a futile attempt every time. She grew more volatile and began opposing dad's decisions. One day she was caught drinking alcohol and she was only 18 that time. Dad thought it was the effect of her surroundings and bad friendships. So he decided that Mukhti will study in a boarding school. That didn't go well with her so she left home and ran away. We found her in her friend's house and we tried to bring her back but she chose not to and even dad couldn't do anything since she was a major and she had rights to live by herself. I did meet her once after that but she ignored me." Manik finishes chuckling darkly at the end and I take some time to contemplate on what to say.

"Hey! Chipmunk what's wrong with your face?" Manik asks ruffling my hair and I hold his other free hand.

"I am sorry...it must have been tough na to face all this," I say quietly and he smiles.

"Well it was tough but what's tougher was not knowing what to do correct the situation. And some times I just feel like an idiot for not doing anything. I should have done something so that my family wouldn't be broken like it is now. I should have been a better brother to her. G."He says sadly and I sigh.

" Manik you were only 16 that time so it's not your fault to be completely helpless at that time." I reason and he scoffs.

"16 years are mature enough to know what to do at these situations Chipmunk!" He explains and I roll my eyes at this.

"If 16-year-olds had the maturity to stop someone from running away from homes, then I am confident that 18-year-olds had the maturity that they shouldn't run away from home." I claim and he purses his lips.

"Don't blame Mukthi here Chipmunk." He states getting away.

"I am not blaming her Manik! I am just saying that you blaming yourself isn't right." I say pulling him nearer to me.

"She ran away because she was lonely and insecure at home. I could have assured her that she's not desolate and made her feel secure. She was really close to me Chipmunk. " He reasoned again.

"Manik I have been staying with you for two months and one thing I noticed about you is that you try your best to not make people lonely or unhappy. I am sure you were the same or much better with your sister. And about her insecurities, all I can say is that you can only be by her side and let her fight them. You can't fight her insecurities for her," I answer taking a look at his face.

" Manik whenever we think about the past we always feel that we should have done better. But we should also remember that at that moment we did give our best. Just dwelling on the past will make you sad and I don't want you to live with that sadness. You don't deserve it." I continue and a thought strikes my mind.

"You know that time when Ananya tried running away it reminded you of Mukti right? That's why you were so nervous na?" I ask curiously and he nods.

"Yeah, it did. I was so scared thinking that what if I can't find her. But thanks to your help we did find her. Ananya in many ways reminded me of Mukti both were hot-headed and lonely. That's why I always made sure Ananya wasn't going through what Mukti did. But only if I was capable when the similar happened to Mukti." He explained and I sighed.

"Aiyyo! Kya karu mein tumhara? Manik listen to me ok? You really did well both the times. And I mean it when I say this you are the best brother Mukti or Ananya could ever have! You are only hurting yourself by feeling guilty Manik. Please don't do that." I plead holding his hands and he drops his head on my shoulder.

"I really did well na? At that moment that was the best, I could do na? You are not lying to me na? " he asks and I nod at him.

"I promise I am not lying Manik! It was the best you could do. Want me to do pinky promise to prove it to you?" I ask extending my pinky and he nods in a no.

"Not needed. And sorry I guess I burdened you with my thoughts when you came here to have fun." He says getting up and I roll my eyes at him.

"And also Chipmunk thanks a ton anyway! It felt good talking about it" he says beaming at me and I ruffle his hair.

His smile is so precious! Manik keep smiling like this always, please.

My phone started booming and my face paled as I was reminded about the meeting.

"Shit! I am so late! Manik I gotta go ok! I will see you at home. And stop being sad! " I say to him and rush outside attending the call.

"Drive carefully!" I hear him yelling but I had no time to answer him.

Manik's POV:

"Pagal ladki." I mutter to myself staring at her petite figure as she rushes outside chatting away in her phone.

"Manik tujhe nahi lagta daal mein kuch kala hein? Didn't she say she was free? Then why is she rushing now?" Monkey Manik asks gelling his hair and I scoff at him.

"Do you think she's vele like you 24/7? She's a busy woman ok! Koi unplanned meeting hoga!" I answer neatly folding the lunch note I got today and placing it inside a box.

"Vele toh mai hu! But mujhe strongly lagta hei ki she came because she was worried for you!" He states seriously and I swat him away.

"You know if you did this much thinking for an exam na, you would top in an exam" I retort admiring her handwriting and the quirky figures she drew on the notes.

22. Elegant handwriting!

"Ohhooo! Admiring her handwriting and storing those notes huh! Kuch toh chal raha hai!" He says glancing in the mirror and stupidly smiling at his image.

Why do I store them though?

"Say one more word and I am gonna set your hair on fire" I warn him irritated and his face pales.

"Yeah go ahead do that! I have my fangirls on my side and they are gonna brutally murder you if you even touch a single hair on my body" It was his turn to warn me now and I gulp nervously.

"Whatever! Acha tell me why are you getting ready? You are going out or what?" I ask him inquisitively and he smirks.

"I am getting ready for my fangirls! I know they will like my messy hair look too but ek ek baar ready hona padtha hein!" He announces and I hold myself from laughing loudly.

"Monkeyji! I hope you wake up soon and realise you have no fangirls living in delusions is scary you know !" I state and he makes a mocking face.

"You are living in delusions and you are mocking me huh? I mean who collects lunch notes like that? You are so simple-minded Manik! I am sure Aryaman is throwing them away." He reminds and I clench my teeth at the possibility of it.

Can I for once forget that Aryaman is my best friend and kick his ass? I mean who would have the heart to throw these cute and pretty lunch notes away?

My mind is then deflected to how she told me two weeks ago about Shravan stalking her and how I sat there barely controlling my outrage to hit Shravan.

I certainly wanted to do some damage to Shravan but then I had to control myself because I didn't want Chipmunk to face the consequences.

And neither did I comprehend her reluctance to report about the stalking but then I guess I should wait. What if she had a reason behind it or a few fears attached to it. My rashness towards the matter would just cause more harm. But how am I going to ensure that she won't be stalked again?

My thoughts were disturbed as the students for the upcoming session stepped in. I took a deep breath and started the session.

I was done with the session after an hour and a half. Switching on my cell I frowned to myself as I had two missed calls from Chipmunk's father.

I dialled his number and he picked it up within two rings.

"Hey, Manik! How are you? Seems like you were busy did I call at a wrong time?"

"Hello, dad! I am doing good. And I am not busy now. Just done with the session. We can talk if you are free now."

"Ok beta! I actually called to talk about Nandini. The security officials here told me that a few days back some unknown person intruded into her cabin. I guess that must have scared her so I just wanted to know if she's fine now?"

"Yeah! She did tell me about it, dad. Initially, she was quite nervous but she is holding it well now. She told me that she spoke to security officials and asked them to be vigilant with the checking."

"Yes, the officials said the same. But it kinda worries me Nandini's cabin doesn't have any company-related information and I don't know the reason why it was intruded. Anyway, I am gonna strictly order the security to work well now can't risk her safety."

"Dad umm I have a request. I observed that Nandini drives by herself most of the time and rarely allows her driver to drive. And what if the person wasn't behind the company-related information and was there to harm Nandini? I don't want this repeat again so if possible can you hire a driver cum bodyguard for her who also makes sure that there's no one following her "

"We can do that! Actually, we should do that. I will look into the matter and hire someone soon. Thanks for the suggestion Manik! And yeah let's meet soon. I and Archana have been planning to join you guys for dinner we will let you know after deciding a date."

"No problem Dad! And yeah I and Nandini will be looking forward to meet you and mom."

Hanging up the call I smile happily as one my doubts have been resolved. I am gonna slowly talk to Chipmunk and try to know why is she avoiding to report the stalking and until then I can at least assure myself that she is safe wherever she travels.

"Manik mujhe kuch bolna hein! Mujhe pata nahi if Chipmunk came here cause she was free or cause she was worried. But accha laga when you told her everything and she patiently listened to you." Monkey Manik speaks thoughtfully and I nod at him.

"Woh toh hai! You know it was a first in a long time that someone told me that I did well and didn't deserve to be sad" I told him and he grinned at me.

It's true that I had my best friends and I could have told them about what all was going in my mind. But I simply couldn't share it with them as I was like the mother hen in our group and the strong one. I felt they will worry more if I tell this to them and it will weaken their morals.

23. Listens to me patiently.

I reached home after completing the remaining sessions and was pleasantly surprised to find Chipmunk in the home. Most of the times it's me who reaches first. I could hear few giggles from the balcony so I tiptoed to there and hid in a corner to observe what Chipmunk was doing.

"Awleee my pyaara pyaara little bachas! You all are so adorable!" She said to her plant's gang while spraying some water on the leaves and I silently laughed to myself.

24. Loves her plant's gang.

"You all know na mommy loves you? I will water you guys everyday and feed you with lots of nutrients! Grow up quickly and make mommy happy!" She utters excitedly and I hold my stomach and laugh at the way she refers herself as mommy.

"She's so cute!" Monkey Manik coos and I nod in agreement.

"You know you guys teach mommy so much! By the way, you guys never stop growing you tell mommy to never limit herself and grow as much possible! The way you guys turn towards sunlight you tell mommy to always look at the hopeful side. The way you guys even grow in extreme conditions ranging from deserts to swamps you tell mommy to always fight to live and never be a victim of circumstances. Thank you for inspiring mommy so much!" She finishes and I smile to myself listening to her words.

25. Tries to learn something new from every little thing of life.

"You came home early!" I mutter standing behind her and she gets startled by my unexpected arrival.

"Aish! At least make some noise when you enter." She scolds me placing her palm on her heart and I laugh.

"Talking to plants huh?" I ask glancing at them and she nods merrily.

"Research says that talking to plants helps them grow sooner!" She claims and continues adoring them.

We both stare at them silently and she speaks again "Manik you also speak to them na! I am sure they will love listening to you" she says and I immediately nod in a no.

"Chipmunk please yaar it's awkward for me!" I reason and she glares at me twisting her mouth.

"Idiot! You know what actually you don't deserve talking to them." She complains cutely and I mirror her actions.

"You seem to be really delighted today. Anything special happened?" I asked her and she ignored me caressing the leaves of her plants.

Wow! Itna gussa? Won't she talk to me until I talk to her plants?

"Hey there bacchas! Can you tell me why your mommy looked so happy?" I asked trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Hahaaaa! Lol! I can't believe Manik Malhotra is talking to plants. I should record it and use it to blackmail you in the future lol" Monkey Manik says laughing loudly and I glare at him.

"Dad said to me that I was working well and patted my shoulder. That felt great!" She whispers offering me a little smile and I grin at her.

26. Cares a lot about her parents.

I don't know what happened between her parents and her but I just hoped it's resolved the soonest.

"Don't watch those stupid series of yours and sleep early today ok? We gotta wake up early tomorrow and go to the gym" I grumbled to her after dinner and she made a bad face at me.

"Manik can't I workout at some other place tomorrow? And not along with you? At least I can check out some guys that way!" She murmured the last part but I did hear it.

"Sure Chipmunk! Why not? All you need to do is two more sets of all the warm-up workouts, you can work out anywhere!" I answer and she passes me a murderous glare.

"Ok! I kinda feel that we won't be going to the gym tomorrow though." She says innocently and I stare at her full of suspicions.

Is she planning something? Nah! She's too naive for all the evil plans.

The next day fast-forwarded to lunch cause lunch is my favourite time of the day.

Manik, Your thoughts and emotions matter to me as much as mine does to you! So never say think that you are burdening me with your talks ok? I will be there to listen to you at any time of the day. But don't expect me to be all nice and fluffy to you. If I find your fault I won't hesitate to kick your ass and make you walk through the right path.

I grin widely reading her note and I finally understand why I store her notes. Chipmunk was not the one to vocally express her thoughts like me. And her notes were the only medium through which she was vocal. I had an emotional connection with her notes, to be honest!

And those were the best part of my lunchtime. Of course, the yummy food she cooked for me is the best by default but the notes were like the cherry on top. They made me wait for lunch like an excited kid who waits for school to end. And the more I read, the more I felt special.

27. Her notes are everything!❤

"Oye idiot stop grinning like a creep! The violet colour you have on your teeth makes your smile scary" Aryaman scolds me as I show him my bateesi.

Confused about what actually happened? Well, Chipmunk was not a naive girl I thought her to be and she exchanged my mouth wash with a violet food colour dye. I was shocked today morning after seeing my teeth painted violet and I spent two hours trying to get rid of the colour. I still had its traces on my teeth though. And yeah if you guys are wondering no we couldn't go to the gym.

28. Cute Troublemaker.

*************************
~She was his warmth, he was her peace~

Author's Note:

Suno Suno Suno Dholakpur vaasiyon!

Oh wait hum Dholakpur mein nahi hein🤦🤦. Sorry people was watching too much of Chota Bheem nowadays😂😂.

Anyways I am back with a new update so please read, vote and comment karlena. Please yaaron I really work hard on each and every chapter and your response is the only payment I get! So please vote ok?

And yeah I have one more thing to share. I entered the book in Incendiia Fanfiction awards and I got the 2nd prize in Manan fanfic category😁😁. I got a sticker too but I am too lazy to edit it on my cover🤦‍♀️. Anyway, this wouldn't be possible if not for all my readers so thanks a lot people. Tbh There were times I considered deleting the book cause I was really stressed but your votes and comments gave me the strength to not feel stressed! You guys really don't know how good I feel just because of your one click and few lines of appreciation. Thanks a lot people🤗❤❤