I really didn't edit this chapter, so please ignore if any mistakes :)

Frail fingers carressed the phone and an another debate ran between her heart and mind - Nandini was confused, she was scared and she was absolutely terrified. Of Manik, of the future, of her fate, for her little Ruhi.

What must she do? Call Manik and ask him to not be like Vihaan?

Was she even ready to tell him about Vihaan? No, Nandini was not ready.

The amount of respect Manik held in his eyes for her everytime he looked at her - Nandini didn't want it to change into disgust. Neither did she want him to look at her with pity.

Nandini would never tell Manik about Vihaan. Not today, not tomorrow. Never.

The loud shrill of the ringtone brought her out of her thoughts and Nandini looked at her phone screen. Manik. Eyes flickering and she looked around, was he here? No, how could he be.
Nandini was being stupid.

She gulped, sliding up her thumb on the green button to answer and held the phone against her ear, her heart pounding in her chest all the while.

"Hi," Nandini swear she could imagine him smile wide from the other end hearing her voice.

She chuckled,"Hello."

"Nandini, the first thing I am going to teach you is how to talk on phone!" He joked," You never ask me how I am!"

"Sorry," she looked down, his words pinching het heart but nevertheless she knew he was only teasing yet, Nandini couldn't help her insecurities that ran deeper than Manik's sincerity,"I will learn."

"Ah, Did you take it serious? I was only kidding." He assured, feeling bad for making her feel that way.

"You called for?" She asked.

"Do I need a reason to call you now?" Manik suddenly sounded serious.

Nandini shook her head immediately, afraid she had offended him,"No, Ofcourse not."

"Good," he muttered, satisfied, "You know I was sitting and I realised I want to take you out on a date."

"A date?"

"Yes, A date. Will you go with me?"

"C-Can we meet up at a cafe?" She hesitated. He was asking for a date, but Nandini was more concerned about the issues she had to deal with.

"Yes, ofcourse."

"Manik," Nandini could hardly hear herself. She should stop, Manik would get angry but Nandini let the words escape,"C-Can Ruhi come too?"

She closed her eyes tight, waiting for a tch of disappointed or an angry no but her eyes snapped open when she heard him say,"Yes Ofcourse, Nandini." He smiled,"I wasn't expecting you alone."

Nandini blinked. Really? Was it so easy?

"Thankyou," She muttered, grateful and before Manik could say anything - there was a knock at his cabin door.

"Okay, Nandini. My time's up, dad is calling me," he rushed,"but do one thing, choose a cafe and text me the address and time. I will be there!"

"Okay," Nandini could only stare at her screen in disbelief. Manik didn't get angry. He even let her have the final say.

Was this normal?

By the time Nandini reached the cafe, Manik was already there. She saw him through the glass door, sitting at the centre table with his eyes fixed on the phone, probably reading something.

Her hand held Ruhi's small one in a firm hold. Ruhi although didn't do well with crowds, she loved going outside - another trait she picked from her father. Nandini shook her head at the rememberance.

She walked inside the cafe through the huge door with her heart pounding against her chest. It was Manik. Not Vihaan, she told herself again and again.

Manik's eyes fell on them a moment later when he looked up accidentally. A wide smile spread on his face, and his eyes sparkled as he stood up to greet them.

Nandini gave a small genuine smile, shaking hands with him. Manik looked down at Ruhi who seemed to analysing her surroundings.

From what he had noticed until now, Ruhi was a silent child among strangers, almost an introvert or maybe never had the chance to explore. Manik didn't know but he knew for a fact, the little girl was extremely intelligent and clever.

"Hey," he greeted, but Ruhi didn't reply.  She pouted, looking at the table and eyed the phone that laid there. Manik laughed, amusement clear in his eyes for the obsession of the little one over his phone.

"Do you like it this much?" He asked, and Ruhi bobbed her head. Wide eyes stared at him with sprinkle of sparkle, Manik was learning to read her. She needed the phone but couldn't ask again.

"Why?"

"Itsh pletty." An innocent answer, and Ruhi turned to mother, tugging at her hand and pointed at the phone," Mumma, buy Luhi that." She demanded.

Nandini gasped, eyes wide and mouth open in surprise but Manik only let out a chuckle.

"Why don't you ask Manik if he wants to sell it." Ruhi was aware of the sarcasm in her mother's tone but giggled instead.

"Okay ladies, why don't we sit first?" It was only then Nandini realised where they were standing - in the middle of a cafe and there were many eyes on them. With position and power came fame with little to no privacy - the reason Nandini didn't prefer taking Ruhi anywhere.

It took only a moment for her to become uncomfortable. Manik, as if realising the same helped Ruhi on the chair, distracting Nandini. She just mumbled a thankyou and sat down beside Ruhi.

"Manit," Ruhi spoke, gaining their attention," Do you want to shell the phone to Luhi? Luhi will tate tare of it."

"Ruhi will? I see," Manik nodded, pretending to think of the deal," but what will I get out of it?"

"Luhi hash nothing?" She showed her empty hands, twisting them around to show properly with a sad face and Manik let out a laugh.

"Ah, that's sad," Manik tched in disappointment,"You can't buy it now."

Ruhi turned even more upset at that. White pearls shining in her eyes the next moment and Manik almost panicked.

"Wait, How about I buy you a - a choco shake?"

And that, alone was enough to make Ruhi happy. She loved chocolate, and everything with chocolate in it. She bobbed her in excitement making them smile.

"Nandini," Manik turned his eyes to her, starling her with the sudden attention," What would you like to have?"

"A-anything?"

Manik frowned," I doubt they will have anything in their menu, but let me ask." With that, Manik was already raising his hand to call the waiter. Nandini almost jumped at her place, keeping her hand over his which rested on the table in an attempt to stop him. She shook her head when he looked at her.

"Coffee, Filter coffee." She told this time. Ofcourse, Manik was starting to know how to have his way with her. She was just so easy to read.

Manik could read the worry on her face. It wasn't difficult from the way she was biting her own lower lip, to the point he could see red on them or the way she took back her hand immediately when he looked down, and fidgeted with her fingers clasped together, it all made it easy to know her, to understand her.

He placed their order and dismissed the waiter. Manik placed their order and dismissed the waiter. He helped Ruhi find a cartoon she liked on his YouTube. After he was sure the little one was busy and not listening to them, Manik turned his whole attention to Nandini.

"So, tell me." He started.

"W-What?"

"Whatever you want to talk about. Tell me, I am all ears." He chuckled at her wide eyes. Did she think he would not guess it? Probably she did.

"N-No. There's - There's nothing," the shutter, right there had Manik frowning again.

"Nandini, Relax. I am not going to eat you up. Tell me, is there something bothering you?"

There was, a lot of things bothering her but Nandini was way to scared to tell him. The chit chatter of the people in the background blurred, and the waiter came there with their order. Manik received it while Nandini could only hear her own heartbeat ringing in her ears.

"D-Don't get angry, please." Her words were a mere whisper and Manik's heart broke the way her hands shook in fear.

Fear. Fear was always there, in her eyes in her body language, all over face. She was so scared of him.

"Nandini, Relax." He tried again,"Why would I get angry?"

"I- I have a condition." Nandini was not sure what was she expecting when she looked up at him. Hd didn't look angry, but he looked hurt and she couldn't understand why.

"You think I will get angry hearing your condition?"

She nodded.

"I won't get angry, I promise. Tell me."

Nandini was not convinced still. She glanced at her daughter, and at the people around them. They were all busy. Manik wondered if she thought he will hurt her here, amongst her daughter and these unknown people.

"It is okay," he assured,"Take your time. We can talk on phone if you want."

"No, it is okay. It is- I want to keep working in Murty industries after our marriage."

"And?" Manik asked.

"And - just this."

Manik chuckled, shaking his head and laughed making her frown,"You are really cute." He confessed all of the sudden.

"What?"

"What what? You are so cute. Why would you worry over this! And why would I expect you to not work after our marriage? Ofcourse you will continue working, isn't it a given?"

"Yeah, I- I mean" Nandini had no words to even explain. She looked so shocked that Manik couldn't help but chuckle again.

"Nandini," he smiled, taking her hand in his and pressed it gently,"You know why I am marrying you?"

She shook her head in denial,"Why?"

"Because I like you, I really really like you so much and whenever I look at you, it makes my heart flutter. And I get this feeling from which makes me want to protect you, to see you smile. Is it not the same with you?"

Nandini didn't know. She didn't reply. Manik didn't mind either. He laughed when he looked at Ruhi who had her mouth covered in the chocolate shake now.

He laughed so loud before he took out his hanky and cleaned her mouth and the hand which held hers, it never left.

And it was then Nandini realised, sitting there and looking at him, holding his hand - Manik doesn't only make her heart flutter, but he gives her the warmth she has forgotten what it feels like to receive.

Warmth, that she has always carved. Manik provides her that warmth. He is her warm place, he makes her happy and he makes her want to give up on everything and breathe.

Manik just makes her want to fall in love all over again.