CHAPTER TWELVE

NANDINI'S POV

CHAPTER SONG: GAMES BY LENNON STELLA

Happy Reading :)

I looked up to see a worried looking Manik...

I was shocked to see him in the apartment right now. He is never home. I raised my brow and looked at him. His face showed so many emotions. Anger, tiredness, worry. But why was he worried?

All of this happened so fast that I didn't get the time to speak anything. And before I knew anything, BAM! He hugged me. I was so shocked that I didn't reciprocate it for some seconds. As I wasn't reciprocating, his arms tightened around me. Then I hugged him back. He nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck while inhaling my scent. It calmed him down a little.

I also buried my face in his chest. He was radiating so much warmth. Even though the sun was on our heads and his warmth was added, I didn't feel like detaching myself from him. I was still crying. His shirt was probably soaked by now. But I couldn't help but break down in his arms. I closed my eyes and savored the moment.

After a few minutes, which felt like hours to me started to pull away from me. That's when realization struck me. Why did I hug him back? Duh, cause you are an idiot. My brain said. He finally pulled away. I, for some unknown reason, missed his warmth just within few seconds him pulling away.

I kept my eyes closed because I didn't want to see his face right now. I felt him brush the few strands of my hair away. I slowly opened my eyes. I looked at him to again see worry but he was a little bit relaxed. He just kept staring at me so I decided to speak.

"Manik what ha-" but I was immediately cut off.

"What were you thinking before coming here huh? I went to the house to find no one there. Do you even have the slightest idea as to how worried I was. I really thought something happened to you. You are really stupid." He scolded me.

I was taken aback by his sudden outburst. I didn't know why was he so worried. I was just in the garden.

"Manik listen –"

"What listen? How can you be so careless? I was about to call Rahul to ask for help to find you. I even came here in the garden. Who the fuck sits in such a deserted place in the garden? There are so many places available. I really thought you went somewhere. Fuck." He said. His voice softened at the end.

I smiled a little at his worried face. He looked really cute. His whole face was red and his breathing was heavy. His hair was really out of place which made him look even more handsome. I decided to tease him a little.

"Aww is the Monster Manik Malhotra worried for me? That's a first. I should definitely do all this frequently." I said with a teasing smile.

His eyes darkened when I mentioned that I should do this again. He looked at me with a blank face.

"Not funny." He said.

Then he looked at me properly. He saw some tears in my eyes because I was crying. His eyes immediately softened. He brought his hand near my face and caressed my face. He wiped the tears.

"What happened, dollface?" He asked softly.

I thought that should I tell him or not. Because if I tell him I know he will get super angry on that lady. And on top of that I don't want him to ruin his relationship with Amaya.

"Hello I am asking you something." This snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Umm umm. I fell down when I was coming down the apartment. The lift is not working that's why. Yeah." I was trying to convince him and myself also because the whole universe knows I am a terrible liar.

"You shouldn't have come down in the first place. And why would you even come down seven fucking floors? That's awful." He said while getting up.

I didn't answer him. I tried to get up after him but failed because that lady had pushed me and I got hurt in the knee, just where I had burnt myself in the morning.

He looked at me and sighed. He went on his knees and turned his back on me. I looked at his back confused.

"Get on me." He said.

My eyes widened, he was willing to give me a piggy-back ride. Can you believe it Manik freaking Malhotra is on his knees and offering to help me?

"Um no no need. I'll manage on my own. Thank you for your help though."

"You clearly can't even get up. How are you going to climb up to our apartment? Don't be a stubborn ass and take the offer before I leave you here." He said.

I know I couldn't climb up but I cannot even go with him. But I had no other option so without saying anything I tried to get on back. It pained a little, but then I could get on him. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I could again feel his heat on my body. I smiled a little.

He got up and started to make the way out of the garden. I was clinging to him like a monkey. We made past the ladies group. Some of them were still sitting. They saw us like this and started their gossiping again.

"I already knew something was going on between these two. Look at them. I mean who even does this?"

"They think that they are looking cute and all but no they don't. Both look disgusting together."

"I mean it was expected from Manik but this girl will also be like this? I didn't know."

We went past them but we could hear them. Manik was visibly angry. I could tell by now when he was angry. Before I could say anything, he made a u-turn. We stopped in front of the ladies. They looked at us weirdly.

"Shut the fuck up!" Manik roared.

All the eyes widened, including mine.

"Manik-"

"That shut up was for you also, dollface because I knew you will try to stop me. Don't speak anything." He ordered. I immediately shut my mouth.

He again looked at them.

"You aunties don't have any other thing to do instead of gossiping and poking your ugly nose in other people's business huh? Matlab, everytime you have some or the other thing to chat for hours. I don't fucking care. Do whatever you want. I know you talk about me when I am not around and I don't give a fuck but talk about Nandini like this once and I'll end your lives. Go fuck your husband's dick not other's minds!" Manik finished. All the mouths were hanging open and eyes were wide. Even I was shocked because of two reasons

a)He stood up for me even when I didn't ask him too.

b)It was really very very rude of him to say things like this to them.

Lowkey, I was a little bit happy that he had talked them off because they had called me a lot of things. Now I know that I am not going to tell Manik about what they and Amaya's mom called me because just by such a small thing he was so angry then just imagine how angry he will be when I tell him that they called me a whore.

I can imagine. He would be fuming. Smoke would be coming out of his ears and his nostrils would be flared. Looking all hot! Wait did you just call him hot? My brain, obviously, has to speak.

After coming out of my own dream land I decided to talk to Manik. No matter how happy I was, he did not have to talk like this.

"Manik?"

"Hmm?"

"That was very rude of you, you know?"

"I know. And does it look like I give a fuck?"

"Manikkkkkkkkkk." I said, irritated.

"Nandiniiiiiiii." He did the same thing.

"I am serious."

"So am I."

Before I could say anything he spoke again.

"We'll talk about it once we go to the apartment okay?"

I just hummed in response. We reached the stairs that's when I realized that he has to carry me till the 7th floor. His back would hurt because I am not that fat but I am not too skinny either.

"Manik."

"What now, dollface?"

"Um you don't have to carry me you know? I am pretty heavy. It's okay I'll manage. You will sprain you back or ankle. Put me down."

"First of all I am not going to put you down. Second of all, you are not heavy, dollface. You are light as a feather. I don't mind carrying you whether it's 7 floors or 17 floors. So don't worry." He said with a smile and a real one, not a smirk or anything.

I blush at his statement. I don't speak anything and let him carry me to our apartment. I don't know where is the Monster Manik? But I am happy that at least he is softening a little bit. Which gives me hope.

Hope to bring back Cabir's Manik.

Hope to see Amaya's hero.

& Hope to see My Monster become Manik.

--xx--

Hola peeps!

Hope you guys liked the chapter. And what do you think about their hug? Was it expected? How was Manik's worried side? Do let me know.

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~Maitri.