Mukti: Why don't we guys plan a trip? Nandini loves travelling I am sure it will distract her mind and we will get our old cheerful Nandini back.

Abhi: I think Mukti is right. We should plan a trip for few days.

Manik: I have no problem I just want my old naughty Nandu back.

Cabir: Manik we have few meetings to attend after that we can plan.

Alia: Yes even we have few orders to complete. How about we plan after 3 days till that time everyone complete their work.

Navya: But where should we plan this time?

Manik: I know a place where Nandini wanted to go from a long time. Let's go Disneyland in California.

Mukti: Awesome. We need to shop for the trip also.

Manik: I dont think Nandini will come for shopping and I cant leave her alone and come.

Alia: Dont worry Manik. I will shop for her.

Cabir: Ok then I will look after the bookings for everything.

Manik: Now that almost everything is planned lets sleep.

Everyone headed towards their room. Manik laid Nandini on bed that's when someone knock the door. He opened the door and saw that Cabir was waiting for him.

Manik: Do you need anything?

Cabir: I actually wanted to ask what about the meetings you have lined up? You need to be present there.

Manik: I can't leave Nandini alone right now. So I was thinking to attend meetings through video calls. You visit office tomorrow and attend meetings. Regarding office I dont think I am going to visit these days. I will work from home and if any documents need my attention just send it over here.

Cabir: OK then take care of yourself and Nandini. Don't stress yourself much. Will meet you tomorrow for breakfast. Good Night.

Saying this he went towards his room and Manik also locked the door and laid beside Nandini.

Manik's POV:

What is all this happening in our life. I cant believe Nandini used to be abused in her school daily. She hates darkness and that bas****d he locked her in that storeroom. Why din't she shared it with me? She kept everything inside her. Din't she trusted me enough to share it with me for once? She suffered alone all this while. I need to talk with tomorrow. She has to answer my questions.

POV end

With that thought he slept hugging her.

Next Morning

Manik woke up first and saw that Nandini was snuggling into he necks which made him smile. He thought to freshen up first then to wake Nandini up. After sometime he released himself from her hold and went inside the bathroom. While he was taking shower Nandini woke up and saw that Manik was not on the bed and could hear the sound of water from the bathroom. She was staring blankly at the bathroom door. After 5 min Manik came outside and saw that Nandini has already woke up. He went towards her.

Manik: Good morning baby. Did you sleep well? (pecked her forehead)

She just nodded in return.

Manik: Chalo then lets get you all cleaned up then we will have our breakfast ok.

They went inside the bathroom and completed their morning routine. After half and hour they both headed towards living room to meet their friends.

Manik: Good morning guys.

Everyone: Good morning. (Nandini just smiled slightly in return)

After having their breakfast everyone settled down in living room to spend some time together.

Navya: Nandu you know we all are going for a trip, aren't you excited?

Nandu just stared at them and then said

Nandini: I dont want to go anywhere.

Mukti: Choti its your favourite destination. You wanted to go for a long time.

Alia: Yes baby we all will enjoy there.

Nandini: I dont want to go anywhere please. Leave me alone for sometime.

Manik: (sternly) Nandini this is not the way to talk to your di. They care for you so they are doing all this just to cheer up.

Nandini: (raising her voice) But I dont want to go anywhere I want to be alone.

Manik: NANDINI... I am not saying anything it doesn't mean you can misbehave.

Cabir: Manik calm down. She is not fine. Dont shout at her.

Manik: Cabir just because she is not fine doesn't mean I will tolerate her behaviour towards others. Can't she see how much everyone is trying to cheer her up. I guess its time to clear up somethings Miss.Nandini.Manik.Malhotra.

Abhi: No Manik its not the right time.

Manik: It is the right time Abhi. So Nandini I will ask you some questions and I want to hear truth from you. Am I clear?

She was just staring at him.

Manik: Can you please tell me when did all this started? (she didn't reply) I AM ASKING YOU NANDINI I will not repeat myself.

She flinched because of his shouting. Cabir went beside her and side hugged her.

Cabir: Manik stop it you are scaring her.

Manik: No one will speak in between today. Nandini answer to my question.

Nandini: Tw...Two we...weeks.

Manik: Wow two weeks... two freaking weeks your suffered and not even for once you felt like sharing it with me. Great. Next question why din't you shared this with me or any of us?

Nandini: (looking at the floor) He... he warned me if.... if I say this to anyone he will ki.... kill you all.

Saying this she started crying Cabir hugged her tight. Manik also felt sad to see her crying but he wanted the truth to be out.

Manik: Don't you trust me Nandini? (see looked at him) Didn't for once you felt to share it with me? Did you thought I am not capable of protecting you and our family?

Nandini: What are you saying Dadda? You know I trust you more than I trust myself.

Mukti: Manik its enough you are taking it too far.

Manik: I am taking it far? Seriously Mukti? You guys will never understand what I felt that day when I found Nandini in that condition. You guys dont know how many times I died in the one moment. You will not understand how I felt when she passed out in my arms. You guys dont know how I felt when I was begging her to wake up but she din't. (now he was a crying mess) You guys dont know anything. You were there yesterday at police station right. You heard what comissioner said HE.WAS.A.FREAKING.HUMAN.TRAFFICKER. (everyone was shocked after listening this) Do you know how I felt after listening his plan. Thoughts about 'what if' were roaming inside my mind. You all know that she is my life. What if he succeed in his plan.... I would have died that moment. (to Nandini) Do you think you are big enough to handle such situation (she shook her head rapidly while crying) You disappointed me Nandini. I failed to protect you.

She went towards him and hugged him tight.

Nandini: (crying) No please dont say this. I made a mistake please forgive me. You can never fail. (he chuckles sarcastically) I am still your small baby who needs you even for brushing her teeth. Please dont blame yourself.

He broke the hug.

Manik: How can I forgive you when I am not able to forgive myself. I want to stay alone for sometime. No one will follow me and dont worry I will comeback after sometime. (saying this he took his car keys and went outside)

Nandini fell on her knees and was crying hysterically. Cabir went towards her and hugged her. He was rubbing her back in order to calm her down.

Cabir: Nandu stop crying. Everything will be fine. Give him sometime he will comeback to you. He has pretended to be strong for a long time. Now he is tired of pretending.

Nandini: Bhai how can he doubt himself? Everyone over her knows that he will even die for me.

Navya went towards her and caress her hairs.

Navya: You dont know Nandini how he went numb when he saw you how broken he looked went you were in hospital fighting for life. Nandu he is trying his best to cheer you up now its time to return whatever he did for you. Nandu he wants you to come out of this trauma and be cheerful Nandu again. You will do this for your dadda right.

Nandini thought for sometime and then nodded her head. Cabir pecked her forehead and took her into her bedroom and made her sleep.

Meanwhile others where in the living room thinking of all that happened few min back. Alia broke the silence.

Alia: Mukti what did Manik meant by Human Trafficking? What happened at police station yesterday? Who was that guy who did all this?

Mukti told whatever that happened yesterday at police station. Everyone we shocked to hear his intentions.

Abhi: Now I get the sudden outburst of Manik. I can understand what he must have felt now.

Navya: How can someone be so cheap? Thank god our Nandu is safe.

Dhruv: But what about Manik? We dont know where he is? He left in anger I just hope he doesn't create a mess.

??: He will not.

They all turned around and saw Cabir standing at the staircase.

Cabir: He will be fine and come home soon. He just needed sometime to clear things up in his mind. Dont worry he cant stay away from Nandini for long time so he will comeback soon. I am in Manan's room I cant leave Nandini alone. If Manik comes home call me.

Everyone nodded their head and Cabir went towards room. He sat beside her holding her one hand and for other caressing her hair.

Cabir's POV

Whatever happened in this two days is really shocking. I never thought something like this would happen. I had always wished for a baby sister and now that I have her I cant even imagine of loosing her.

POV end

While he was lost in his own thoughts someone kept hand on his shoulder. He looked at the person and without wasting time he hugged that person.

That's all for today. Hope you liked it.

What do you think of Manik's sudden outburst?

Meet you guys in next chapter.