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"Excuse me."

Really? Manik could only mock at his own self. Because while his mind argued with him that it was for the same best his father and Nandini wanted for him and everyone else, at the same time, his heart resented him for treating Nandini with such rudeness.

She looked so hurt. His heart put forth an argument the moment he walked away.

She deserved it. The mind was quick enough to reason. She did not. Manik knew. Fuck.

Even his mind didn't dare argue further. Manik let out a stressed sigh. God. He had very pathetically and successfully made a fool out of himself in front of her once again.

It reminded him of the first time they met when he thought she was a married woman. Manik was such a stupid stupid fool.

Mrs. Fuck. What if she was really seeing an another guy? What if her father had already fixed her wedding somewhere else, with someone else? Is that the reason she was no longer wearing his ring? Manik groaned, hurt catching up and his eyes stung as he stared at her ring on his finger.

They were still engaged, right? Right?

Amidst the chaos between his heart and mind, his eyes fell on Nandini – walking towards him with such determination that made him go pale in an instant.

Panick made him turn away from her, and if Nandini looked heartbroken by that, Manik was sure he looked no less.

If Manik could, he would have avoided Nandini for the rest of the night. He could – technically and oh so well. Nandini for sure would not march up to where his friends were but then, Manik was a fool.

He stood alone, in the corner watching the hundreds stroll around, smile, laugh and mingle up. Night was already a blur for him. He was sure the guilt would catch up with him later when he goes home but he could not worry about that for now.

There was so much he wanted to say, to Nandini. There was so much he wanted to tell her yet when she came near him, all his lips could utter was rubbish meant to hurt her.

"Manik."

Fuck. Manik turned around in an instant, only to meet her desperate eyes. Nandini looked like she was close to panic. She had hope shining so bright in her eyes. Manik looked away.

He step a foot forward to walk away but her delicate hand wrapped around his wrist stopped him at his tracks. Manik felt utterly helpless as he turned to face her.

"Leave my hand."

The grip on his wrist tightened for a few mere seconds before the hold started to loosen up but still, Nandini did not let go of his hand. Only if she would have held on six months back.

"Manik."

"Ms. Murty." Manik looked away at the way hurt replaced that hope in her eyes. "It is Arya and Aliya’s special day today, we should not ruin it."

Yes. Ofcourse. Nandini nodded, agreeing and the next moment the cold of her hand slipped away from his skin. Manik missed it. He stared at her, hard – accusing and with betrayal written all over his face. He was sure she could read it on his face.

"You want to talk?" He asked, unable to stop himself. When had his heart ever listened to him when it came to her anyways?

Nandini had not even nodded before he was holding her wrist and dragging her to the backyard, a little away where there was no one. The music blaring inside the hall could be heard from the spot and pretty lights flashed from behind. There was no one except for a waiter smoking. Manik glared at him and barked at him to leave, the waiter scrambled away at an instant.

Manik turned to look at Nandini when they were alone, "What is it that you want now?"

"Why are you being like this?" Nandini was so so close to panic. Her eyes burned and each time she blinked, tears rolled down her rosy cheeks. God, she will have her makeup ruined in mere moments. She was so embarrassing.

She pushed Manik away first and she didn't know why it hurt so much now. Did she think Manik would be all smiles after all what they went through? Nandini knew she sounded like a hypocrite but she couldn't deny, that's what she was expecting, for Manik to understand, for Manik to tell her that he knew what she was going through too.

Manik always understood her. So, why was he not understanding now that she did it so he could be happy too.

But Manik didn't seem to mirror her thoughts. "Like what?"

"Like this." Nandini held his hand and tugged at it, harsh. "I know you are angry, Manik." She said, trying to find the right words.

Manik interrupted it with a laugh, sarcastic and he still would not look at her in the eye. "I am not angry, Nandini." He was. Manik smiled, not polite and not sweet but mocking, "I didn't know I could do that, can I?"

“Manik!”

Nandini was really crying now, panic catching up to her hard. Manik was not supposed to be like this. This was not the Manik she had fell in love with. Why was he being so rude? Why was he mocking her? He had never talked to her in that before.

Did Nandini do this to him? God. What had she turned him into? Nandini still remembered the first time they met, the sparkle in his eyes and the warmth his smile had, it still warmed her heart at times and now Manik was frowning. He was angry. He was rude, he had changed. Nandini did this to him.

Nandini couldn't breathe, her chest was tight and she was literally gasping. Her heart thumped loudly and his hand slipped away from her hold. Manik’s hand chased hers right away. He grasped it tight, his lips were moving and his eyes – they were wide like hers. Manik’s face was a mirror to her horror.

"Nandini!"

Nandini heard him but why was he so distant. He was standing so near yet his voice was so far. Nandini blinked, she stumbled backwards and Manik’s hand moved to her lower back, resting there - heavy, holding her.

“Fuck.” Manik almost yelled and when Nandini flinched in his arms, he murmured an apology. He moved the hair from her face, patted her cheek lightly and another curse rolled down his tongue when Nandini did not even respond. "I am here. I got you, Nandini. Breath. Everything’s okay. You are fine. Breath. In and out. Breath. Yes. I got you.”

He did because suddenly that was all Nandini could feel. Him. Manik was here, he had his arms wrapped around her. He was so warm against her cold skin. Her head was fuzzy and body screamed in exhaustion. Nandini was sure if not for Manik, she would not even be able to stand on her own feet.

"Ma-Manik –" Her mouth was dry.

Manik bobbed his head. "I am here. I am going to pick you up and get you in my car, okay?"

“N-No. I- I am fine.” Nandini tried to speak but it all came out in stutters. Manik shook his head at her stubborness.

“I am not going to argue with you over this, Nandini.” He said and the next moment Nandini was floating in the air. Manik’s one hand was around her back and one under her knees. "We have all the time to fight and make up, but I am not compromising with your health."

Nandini did not reply. The warm fuzzy feeling had taken over and in the safety of his arms, Nandini let her body go loose, drifting into the darkness.

The moment her eyes closed and head rolled back, Manik panicked himaelf. He ran to his car as fast he could move with her in his arms, ignoring the the stares he got midway. He was sure Aliya and Aryaman would understand that Nandini needed him more.

He made Nandini sit in the passenger seat and took out his phone to call Mr.Murty.

Manik didn't remember seeing Ruhi anywhere the whole time but he was sure Nandini wouldn't leave her daughter behind and come here alone which eventually meant the older Murty was inside with Ruhi.

The call was picked up on the fourth ring and all Manik heard was loud music from behind. He shook his head, rubbing his temples and heard the elder man call his name with surprise from the other end.

Manik had no time for reunions or greetings. He would do it later. "Uncle. Nandini – Nandini needs to leave. She is with me in the parking lot, please come."

“What? What’s wrong?” Mr.Murty asked, worry and panic clear in his tone. He should have known. Nandini left in such a hurry when she told him to take care of Ruhi for sometime. "Is she fine? I am coming. Wait there!"

Mere moments later, Manik saw the man almost running towards him. However, what caught his attention was little Ruhi in his arms.

Shit. Manik had no time for pleasantries but the sight of the little bundle of joy almost made him cry in happiness. He did not think he would ever see Ruhi again.

“Manit!” Ruhi exclaimed loudly as soon as she noticed him and Manik practically snatched her from Mr.Murty who had an unreadable expression on his face. Ruhi wrapped her arms around his neck. "Manit! How ale you?"

He laughed, imagining how many times she must have practiced that to get it so perfect. Her speech was a little clear from the last time he heard her. He missed her so much, the abundance of emotions had his eyes welling up in tears and to avoid showing them, he plastered a small kiss on her cheek. "I am fine. How are you, princess?”

"Luhi’s good too." She giggled, "Whele is mumma?”

Fuck. Manik looked at Mr.Murty who had been waiting for him to tell the same. Manik eyed Ruhi and Mr.Murty didn't need to be told anything else. 

"Ruhi, bacha, Mumma had to leave first. Come, we will go home."

Ruhi pouted but agreed anyways. She did complain Mumma went without her first but Ruhi was an understanding child. Mr.Murty, after taking her back from Manik took out his phone. "I am texting you the address, drive."

"Okay."

Manik let out a sigh, wondering what else the night had in store for him.

Manik was not at all surprised to find out that Nandini had an apartment here in London and it was pretty. Manik would have been all awe over it if not for an unconscious in his arms. He had her bag, so the keys were not a problem. Manik did feel like an intruder as he strode in her house and walked in a random guest house assuming it to be her room. There were three rooms in total and the next one he walked in, thankfully belonged to Nandini.

He made her lay down on the bed and looked around for a moment. Nandini’s room – it was so empty. There were so many colors yet, it appeared to be so alone. Ruhi’s stuff was here and there even though the room was clean.

A groan from Nandini had him moving his hands. He called out her name and when she did not respond, he decided to ease her out a little, by helping her remove the accessories she had been wearing. Nandini was also wearing a choker set and when he went ahead to remove it, it was then he noticed it.

The thin silver chain around her neck. A lump formed in his throat as he trailed his fingers along it, taking it out from under her blouse and his breath hitched in his throat when he saw the ring hanging down from it.

Nandini did not remove his ring. Not really.

"Fuck." He looked down, shaking his head. No, it was not the time for these things.

Manik sniffed and stood up to take out his phone and at the same time, Mr.Murty walked inside the room with Ruhi. Ruhi ran to her mother, calling out for her only to be stopped by Mr.Murty who told her how her mumma was tired and sleeping. Ruhi believed him and when Ruhi argued wanting to play with Manik, he had a hard time convincing her he would play tomorrow and needed to sleep too.

In the end, they managed to have her on the couch with his mobile. And then Mr.Murty was staring at him, "Why were you with Nandini, Manik?"

"Appa, there's no time to explain that. Nandini needs a doctor. She almost had a panic attack!"

Mr.Murty's eyes widened with worry and horror listening to the word panic attack. He immediately walked to the bed and sat beside Nandini, placing a hand on her forehead.

"She might get a fever. I need to take Ruhi away and make her sleep." He turned to Manik, "I will give you our family doctor’s number, he is a close friend so you can talk to him. Tell him about her condition and he will help you, Manik."

"But -"

"He knows you, Manik." Mr.Murty said, "and I trust my daughter with you. If you are willing to take care of her, I am not stopping you."

"You did though." Manik could not help as the bitterness slipped away from his tone. He would probably regret it later. "If you hadn’t taken that decision six months ago, we wouldn’t have been here like this, Appa. I hope you know that.”

"It was not only me, Manik." Manik looked away, clearly angry. "And I never stopped you from going to her, and I never stopped her from contacting you in these six months, Manik. You both chose this at the end." He let out a sigh, looking back at Nandini and then again at Manik. "I don't regret sending her to London, Manik. It was the right decision at the moment."

Manik hated the way a small part of him understood the concern of the father standing in front of him. His family did fail Nandini after all. And Mr. Murty might have done wrong to him, but Manik could not argue with him at this moment. Nandini's health was more nuch more important than his anger. Nandini was more important.

"Send me the number please." So he smiled at the old man instead, "I will take care of Nandini from here."

Mr.Murty did not deny.