Nandini's car smoothly enters the society premises. Nandini looks outside to locate any uncanny movement near the building entrance. However, nothing catches her attention. Diver parks the car in the allotted place. Nandini hastily comes out of the car and storms at the security guard's desk.

"What happened? Why did you abruptly cut the phone? Where is Manik...I mean Manik Malhotra?"

She vents out all possible questions in one go. The security guard gets up from his chair and sheepishly says,

"Madam, my phone's battery got dead. After you left, Manik Sir came to me, asking for the gym. He told me to inform you that he will be in the gym for some time. But after 15 to 20 minutes, I saw some hustle-bustle near the gym area. I immediately go there to know the reason. There I saw Manik Sir lying on the ground. He was maybe unconscious. All people were confusedly shouting and asking for medical help. Some even wanted to call the police as they saw him bleeding. Being helpless I called you as I know he is staying at your flat. I am sorry Madam but I was very confused at that time. He was lying on the ground like a..."

Nandini cuts his words,

"Is he still inside the gym? Any doctor came?"

"I don't know, Madam. That time someone called me and moreover my phone's battery drained out. So, I came back in my place."

He utters unconfidently. Nandini makes an annoyed face and immediately rushes towards the gym. Her heart is throbbing like a bellow. As she is nearing the gym area a small crowd grabs her attention. Simultaneously, a buzz pours some unpleasant words into her ears.

"Are you sure he fainted because of the exercise? He might be drunk. You don't know these filmy heroes. They even start their breakfast with beer. He may be high."

"No,no....can't you see? He has a bandage on his chest. Perhaps he got hurt during the exercise."

"Who told him to do exercise when he is already injured? These heroes! They even die to look good on the screen."

"By the way, he is Manik Malhotra..right? But as per my knowledge, he doesn't stay here. But he was doing gym in his casual dress. Where did he come from?"

The last line alerts Nandini. She approaches the crowd with baby steps. Someone answers the question,

"I heard that he is staying with Nandini Murthy...that film actress. Now, you can imagine why does he need exercise? Stamina and energy, Dude. You need the stamina to satisfy a girl like her. You saw her Bezubaan? She nailed it, man. She is..."

Only then, someone abruptly shuts him up. Perhaps their eyes fall on Nandini. All give her way to enter inside. Nandini steps in with a sinking heart. Her baffled eyes look here and there to find the anticipated view. Eventually, her eyes get fixed on her man. Manik sprawls on the ground reclining on a leg press machine. His eyes are closed. The white vest has blood patches around the stitch area. Some people who were perhaps doing their exercise now are encircling him. Nandini saunters in that direction with a feeble pace. Her limbs are getting numb by tension. As she gets closer, all the men shift their attention to her. Nandini skims her vacant eyes on their faces. She knows some of them but right now she doesn't have the slightest strength to even ask about the incident. However, one of them voluntarily says,

"We gave him first aid. Don't worry. He is alright. He insisted on the dumbbell press and I didn't know that he has an injury on his chest area. Otherwise, I never suggested that exercise."

He is perhaps the gym instructor. Nandini wobbles to appease his consciousness and tenderly replies,

"It's okay. Don't blame yourself. If the patient is so indifferent. (she gives a brief glare at Manik) By the way, can you all do me a favour?"

Most of the men unanimously agree,

"Sure, please tell."

Nandini turns at Manik. He is still sitting in the same position with closed eyes but the movement of his eyeball under his eyelids are indicating that he is in his sense. Nandini hardens her jawline.

"Can you please move him to my flat? I have to call the doctor."

She politely requests. Immediately two men among them give support to Manik's flaccid body and come out of the gym. Nandini also follows them. Until now, she has understood that this stunt is nothing but a preplanned drama created by one and only Manik Malhotra. He just wants to create trouble for her and this was a pseudo attempt to harm himself. Nandini comes out of the gym and immediately startles to see the outsight view.

"Ohhh...so that was his real plan."

Her mind alarms her. Almost 20 to 30 reporters are gathered outside. All are excited to cover the sensational story that superstar Manik Malhotra has fainted inside a gym while exercising and more of that he has been found in a place where his costar and one-time rumoured girlfriend and wife lives. Who can miss this lucrative news? One of the journalists rushes at Nandini and almost pokes the mike to her mouth.

"Ms Murthy, can you tell us what Manik Malhotra was doing in this gym when he has his own gym in his bungalow?"

Nandini can't find any word to answer her but that doesn't bother the journalist much as another reporter comes near and shoots his question,

"Ms Nandini, you both are doing a film together. It is said that lead actors often fake linkups during their shooting just to promote the movie. You can say it's a marketing strategy. So, can we say that this is also a stunt of you both?"

Another person raises the next baseless question.

"It is heard that Manik Malhotra is staying with you in your flat. Does that mean you are living together for a new experience or we can say that the old flame got a push again?"

"Don't you think Bollywood is creating a bad impression on society? If people's role models do such things, then what can we expect from the normal citizen?"

The last question ignites the fire inside her head. These ugly mentalities should get a proper rebuttal. Nandini chides,

"ENOUGH....Stop this utter nonsense..."

Author's note: Is it really Manik's plan to trouble Nandini by informing the media? How will Nandini tackle this chaos? What will be Manik's next plan? Read the next chapter to know all these answers. Today is a double update day. So, no wait for a long. The next chapter will be published shortly...❤❤❤