Nandini's POV

When I woke up I felt like someone was hitting me with a hammer on my head. Why the hell is it paining so much?

The events of last night flashed reminding me where Manik had tricked me into drinking the alcohol.

Ugh. Manik Malhotra!!

"Manik!!" I managed to yell through my headache.

I got up from the bed and took a step forward only to wince in pain. I can't fucking handle this headache! The door opened and someone walked in but I was too busy handling myself.

"Rose!" I looked up and glared at him and he smiled sheepishly.

"Well! I know you love roaming in my shirt but only I am allowed to see you in that!" He said smirking and I was confused.

He stared at me from top to bottom and I too looked at myself. That's when I realised I was only in his shirt!



My eyes widened and stumbled to the bed hiding myself under the blanket.

"Manik!" I screeched and he pursed his lips.

"Okay fine! Relax! First drink this lime juice you'll feel better!" He said and I looked at him suspiciously.

"I'm not tricking you this time! I swear!" He said and handed me the glass.

I frowned and inspected the glass properly, sniffing it first and then tasting it by taking a small sip. All the while he stared at me in amusement and I ignored him. When I was sure that it was lime juice I breathed in relief!

"Rose come on now! Drink it fast!" He ordered and I glared at him to which he rolled his eyes.

I drank the lime juice and closed my eyes because of the pain in my head. God! When will this hangover just end?!

"Now take some rest! I'll be leaving for some work! Navya and Rishabh are at home as Cabir is also coming with me!" He informed and turned to leave but stopped and turned again as if he just forgot something.

"Oh yeah! How could I forget! Your love Alex has been going mad on not finding you!" He faked a smile while I grinned at him.

Just as I was about to get off the bed he stopped me.

"Rose! Not now! I swear if you try to even step out of the bed it won't be good for you!" He threatened and I pouted.

I opened my mouth to protest but he beat me again!

"No!" He said sternly showing his eyes and I sulked moving on the bed again.

"Better!" He said and left the room.

"Better!" I mimicked him and made faces at the door.

I bit my lip and shifted the blanket aside getting up and moving towards the door. Just as I was going to quietly open the door Manik's voice startled me.

"Rose listen -!" He entered the room and I was like a deer caught in the headlights.

He glared at me and I smiled sheepishly but what he did next worried me more. He just simply left the room without saying or doing anything! Oh my god! What happened to Manik Malhotra?

Shit! Not the ignoring game!

I ran behind him to apologize and that was the only thing I could do at that moment!

"Manikkk!" I called and he stopped.

"I'm sorry! I know you asked me to rest but Manik I'm really fine now! I'm feeling better!" And that was the truth.

"Sorry!" I pleaded holding my ears and he smiled a little.

"Okay fine! But if you feel like you're having even a slight headache then you will go straight to the bed!" He warned and I nodded smiling.

He pecked my forehead and left with Bhai. I noticed Alex watching them through the glass window which made me smile.



"Dii!" I turned to Rishabh who was still in the living room.

"Rishabh you haven't left for school? What are you doing? Manik and Cabir bhai left! How will you go?" I panicked while he tried to say something.

"Dii relax!" He yelled and I jumped on my place.

"Sorry! But you were not listening! But the thing is I don't have school today! Because it's Sunday!" He said and I realised he was right.

"Seriously Nandini you take tension for no reason!" Navya came from behind and I made her sit carefully.

It was her eight month and she had been showing a lot of tantrums lately. Bhai has been very patient with her and I admire him for that alot! If it had been me and Manik then I don't think he would have been this patient considering his anger issues!

Wait! What?

Did I just think about me and Manik having a ba-!

No! No! No! Nandini Murthy you are going crazy!

"Nandini!" Someone shook me and I looked at Navya to see her staring at me with confusion.

"What are you thinking?" She asked.

"Nothing!" I chucked it not wanting to embarass myself.

"Dii!" Rishabh called and we both looked at him.

"I-I mean Na-Navya dii! Can I call you that?" He asked hesitating.

I saw Navya's eyes tearing up and I sighed due to her pregnancy hormones. She gestured him to sit beside her and he obeyed her.

"I would be glad if you call me that!" She whispered caressing his face and Rishabh smiled brightly.

"Can I touch your belly? I want to just feel the baby!" He said excited making both of us chuckle.

Inspite of saying anything Navya held Rishabh's hand and placed it on her bump. Rishabh's eyes twinkled and his smile widened. I don't know what he understands but the smile on his face was worth seeing.

I was busy in adoring the two when I felt something furry wrapped around my legs. I looked down and saw Alex wrapped around my right leg and staring at me with his innocent eyes.

He wanted attention!

My baby!

I picked him up and cooed him in my arms to which he purred.

"You are such an attention seeker!" I said and he snuggled more in me.

"But I love you!" I kissed his head while hugging him close.

"We love you too!" Navya and Rishabh shouted startling me and then started laughing.

I shook my head in disbelief but smiled seeing the smile on their faces.

"Okay enough! Rishabh you need to study! Today is holiday but your exams are at bay!" I said sternly and he pouted.

"And Navya! You need to rest! You've been careless these days about your health. So today I won't hear any excuse!" Navya too pouted and looked at Rishabh who was still pouting.

"Dii!"

"Nandini!" Both whined at the same time but I ignored concentrating on Alex.

"If you want to whine and cry then don't talk to me!" I said coldly.

"Manik's Monster Rose!" Navya scoffed and I looked at her surprised.

Rishabh stomped his foot and left as I chuckled and then I helped Navya in getting back in her room. Once I tucked her in the bed carefully I asked her if she wanted anything to which she refused. I left the room only to wonder now what would I do!

Woof!

Aww! How could I forget my only love!

"Let's go!" I said excitedly and ran to my room and he followed behind.

Putting on his shirt I cleared my throat and gazed at Alex coldly. He just kept staring at me while I walked to him and picked him up in my arms.

"Rose you are not working! You get that? I won't let you do a job!" I said angrily mimicking Manik glaring at Alex.

"You are only mine! Get that thing in your head!" I continued and Alex suddenly licked my face making me giggle.



I hugged him tightly still giggling when suddenly I heard a noise of something breaking. It made me startle as my heart started beating faster. I slowly moved out and saw Rishabh standing beside a broken vase.

"Rishabh! You scared me!" I sighed feeling relieved.

"Sorry!" He said sheepishly.

"By the way Dii why are you wearing Manik's shirt?" He asked and my eyes widened.

Oh shit! I forgot to change!

"Uh! Ri-Rishabh what were you doing here? And how did this happen?" I tried to change the topic and to my luck he didn't notice it.

"Actually I was just passing by and my hand accidently touched the vase and it fell down! I swear it was a mistake!" He pinched his throat and I smiled.

"It's okay! Now go I'll clean this!" I said and bent down to pick up the broken pieces.

"Dii let me help!" Rishabh said.

"Rishabh no! You'll get hurt! I'll do it! Go in your room!" I ordered and he left quietly.

But while picking up the broken pieces of glass a fear gripped my heart like something bad was about to happen! Will Manik and Bhai be okay? Should I call them? Why is this feeling that something is about to happen not going away? Oh god! Please keep Rishabh, Bhai, Navya, the baby and Manik safe! I don't want anything to happen to any of them!

"Shit!" I hissed as a piece pierced my skin and blood oozed out.

Why can't our lives be normal?!

It was six in the evening and I was still restless! Bhai and Manik had not returned and though it was not the first time they were out but this time it actually frightened me.

"Nandini!" I turned and saw Navya behind.

"Navya are you okay? You need something?" I asked and she frowned.

"Why are you so worried?" She asked and I sighed.

"I don't know Navya! Something is not right! I feel Manik and Bhai are in danger! They aren't even home yet and -!"

"Nandini relax! Nothing will happen to them! They will be home soon!" She assured but today my heart was not ready to listen to anything till it sees Manik and Bhai safe.

"Okay! I'll not take tension but you need to sit down first!" I said not wanting to worry her in this situation.

"Nandini stop worrying so much and sit down!" Navya scolded seeing me pacing to and fro in the living room.

"Navya but -!"

Before I could complete my sentence the door opened with a bang and what we saw made both of us rooted on our places.

Cabir bhai limped in all bruised and bloodied holding the handle of the door!

~~~