~I loved the way she changed me before I knew I had been changing ~

N A N D I N I

Mr.Malhotra could smile? I just witnessed it. After the party, he tagged me as his wife in front of Darsh and drove us to his house. I'd never seen this shade of his until today. Indeed he was hot and now, a bit...sweet.

Entering in, I crashed on the sofa being hell tired and the clock striked past eleven.

"Tired?" He asked, taking a seat beside me.

"Yeah."

"Thank you, Mr.Malhotra." I added and he frowned.

"Thank you for taking a stand for me. I heard your conversation with Mr.Khurana." I cleared him and he passed me a smile after forming a 'O' with his mouth.

Silence followed us and it felt a little awkward.

"Umm I asked you to call me Manik. You haven't," he kind of complained.

He was cute.

"You want me to?" I asked again, clearly pissing him off.

"Forget it," he rolled his eyes and turned around to leave.

"Manik," I called him softly and I could see his one side widening as he smiled. He turned and grinned. Did he like it so much that he was grinning?

"Good night, Nandini."

"Bye Manik, good night," I wished back and he disappeared to his room.

M A N I K

I didn't know why I behaved all sweet with her. I can be sweet too? I myself was amused. I missed her so much that I was trying to be in her good books?

I had no idea.

But I knew one thing, this night was beautiful.

                                   —• ☘︎︎ •—

Suprisingly enough, I caught a good sleep that I hadn't had in a long while.

I was already sitting in the dining area, sipping my juice. Where was that woman? Anyways I should get going.

Was she fine?

She might be tired of yesterday. Yeah. But a part of me didn't feel good. My phone beeped pulling me out of thoughts. It was Amms.

"Yeah Amms?" I said, as she didn't speak at all.

"Manik, is Nandini okay?" She sounded worried.

"Yeah Amms. She is." I lied.

"Okay beta. Be with her today if you can. Please," she pleaded and I couldn't get a ounce of her reason being worried.

"Ji Amms."

Ending the call, I took the steps hastily. What was today?

I reached her room and peeked in. It was all dark. She wasn't awake yet? I switched on the lights to clear the darkness around only to witness the dark shade of hers.

I was bewildered. She was sitting beside the bed, knees drawn closer to her face as if she was scared of something or rather someone. Her hair was disheleved and her body shook, indicating that she was sobbing. Her mobile kept ringing but she seemed to be in another world. I had never seen this girl who was a tigeress back then and now being all scared and weak. She didn't seem less than a chaotic being.

Was it her?

I kneeled before her and I could hear my heart beats racing with every second. My hands trembled to touch the withered form of her. I, very slowly, touched her arm and she looked staright in my eyes.

Her eyes were no more black, they were red of constant cries and I hated it. Her forehead was of sweat beads and she gulped her tears, trying to be strong. I cupped her cheek with my one hand and at the moment, I wanted her to be in my arms. I wanted to protect her from all the evils, from all the pain she had been suffering alone. I wanted her to hold me tightly and cry instead of accompanying darkness.

I wiped her tears but new drops cascaded down her now swollen cheeks. Her beautiful face was drained of all colours. Her lips tried to voice out something but couldn't. She looked tired. Tired of being strong. I kept staring at her eyes that screamed vulnerability.

"Nandini," I called her softly as if she was a doll that would break if the sound wafted through was loud. She looked deep into my eyes, seeking assurance. I blinked my eyes, assuring her that I'd hold her broken pieces.

Few seconds passed.

She came crashing to my chest, startling me and hid her existence in my arms. She sobbed hard, fisting my shirt behind. I was perplexed, again. I couldn't take in the surprises she had been giving me but I knew she needed me. I surrounded my arms around her tiny frame securely. I stroked her hair gently and I could sense her giving up the tears. I kept caressing her haid and she calmed down nearly after two minutes. I wondered what might be the reasons behind her precious tears.

I looked down, cautiously loosening my hold. She lifted her face up and looked at me, this time her eyes had a spark. A spark that I was relieved to see.

But then, it was gone.

She stood up as reality dawned upon her. She shivered, rubbing her hands on her arms, trying to calm herself.

"I'm- I'm— so-o sor— sorry," she fumbled on each word she spoke, making me restless. I got up from my knees and stared at her. I held her hand that was digging nails into her arm out of anxiety. I hugged her consciously, telling her that nothing was her fault. Her cries toched my heart, melting it effortlessly.

Her mobile rang again, alerting us. I pulled back and looked beside for her phone. It flashed Darsh, and perhaps, I was suddenly jealous. I answered the call instead of her and she didn't protest.

"Nandini, where are you? You didn't come office today?" he spoke worriedly and the thought that he cares for her only made me dislike him.

"She won't come office today. Don't call her." I said roughly and hung up.

"Nandini." she didn't budge. I tried to read her but she wasn't any book to be read and understood easily. All of a sudden, she trembled badly, panicking me. I held her shoulders but she quivered again. Before I could register anything, she fainted in my arms.

What just happened? I called a doctor and urged her to reach asap.

                                   —• ☘︎︎ •—

"Mr.Malhotra she fainted of weakness. She might have skipped her food several times. Take care or else she will be suffering from Hypoglycemia. It can be dangerous. Insist her to not skip her meals. She needs rest," the doctor informed and I nodded, getting up to drop her out.

What the doctor told enraged me. How could this girl be so careless? What if it was something to be scared of? Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves down, I looked at her tear stained cheeks. I doubt whether she slept or not as her puffy eyes clearly said she didn't. I didn't care about anything else but her. I couldn't erase the firm image of her trembled frame off my mind.

I sat beside her on bed and stroked her cheek that blushed yesterday and the thought made me smile. Her mobile rang yet again but with Jeff's call. I picked it up and responded.

"Nandini? Amms was calling you but you've not attended any of her calls? I know you are hurt of being forced into this marriage but talk to her atleast today." She finally took a breath and the fact that she didn't talk to Amms after this marriage stuck in my mind.

"She is sleeping. Everything is okay." I said coldly and hung up.

There were many calls from Amms but none were answered. I kept her phone aside and again gazed at her swollen face. After minutes, she opened her doe shaped eyes lazily. Her eyes landed on me and a small smile played on her lips, making me to pass the same. I ordered the maid to bring food and chose to be silent than prying her. The food arrived and she dilated her eyes and I gave her a stern look.

"You're eating this and no arguments," I stated coldly. She, like a obdient child, took the food and emptied the plate. I was still sitting there, gazing at her. She was sniffing then and there.

I shook my head furtively. She was cute.

I thought she would be fine after this but it became a question when I noticed tears hitting her pupil.

"Do you need anything else? Should I call Jeff here?" I asked her.

"No No. Jeff is out of town. I'm fine Manik and thank you," she said but something was off.

"Okay then. You're going to work today?"
She nodded negatively and I was sure something wasn't good.

"Nandini. What was it?" I asked.

"It's nothing," shs stated, looking away.

Sighing, I got up to leave but felt a hold on my wrist, it was hers.

"Can you protect me from this world for a day?" she choked. I snapped open my eyes at her and she wasn't Nandini but victim of pain.

My eyes softened. I took long strides and sat beside her, cupping her cheeks and again tears made their way down, gracing my hands. She didn't bother to wipe them but I did. She locked her arms around me, hugging me and I let her be. She wasn't sobbing. Nor crying. She just rested her head on my heart and it lullabied her to sleep. It sounded clichè but I couldn't find any other words to describe this moment at its best. It was around 11 am, she slept in my arms. I lied her down on the bed and decided to not go work place.

—• ☘︎︎ •—

The day passed by. It was a long one as this day welcomed me by silence and horrified me with her sobs. I had many queries which could be answered by only her but she wasn't ready yet. I entered her room with dinner like a good hearted human, only that I was not really. She ate in silence that I'm not used to and looked at me with some expression like she was scrutinizing me.

I made a face, giving her a what look. She darted her eyes away.

"You sleep in my room tonight," I declared.

"Please don't sympathise with me, Manik," she spoke after a minute and it made me clench my jaws.

She thinks that I pity her?

"I'm.not.sympathizing.with.you." I spoke firmly, stressing every word.

"Then?" her eyes twinkled with something like hope.

"I care."

I said, looking intently into her black eyes that were red in the morning and it flickered.

"You do?" she asked uncertainly.

"I do."

She smiled. A smile that reached her eyes and my heart.

I care for her.