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✨ Happy reading!✨

"Careful"

I hurriedly wrapped my right hand around his back, supporting him to walk upstairs.

I led him to his room after coming out of the car driven by Dhruv. Cabir offered to help him to his room but no!

"My wife will help me"

This is what he said and opened his arm gently gesturing me to go & help. I signed and did as he said.

Ever since he woke up, he is behaving really... Weird!

"I'll get you soup. Till then just take rest" I informed adjusting the pillow at his back so that he can sit back resting on the bedpost and keep his bandaged fractured hand carefully.

I looked up to see him staring at me with intensity. His stares made me weak and butterflies started jumping in my stomach. Strange!

"Do- do you need anything, Mr. Malhotra?" I asked turning my eyes away from his. The intense look don't help me either.

He said for the second time already, still looking at me deeply.

The first time was when he opened his eyes... The first thing he asked for is...

"Nandini?"

Everyone was shocked, me included.

But I walked to him and he tried moving his right hand only to hiss in pain. I grabbed his hand with mine, unable to see him in pain. I had dried tears on my cheeks as I was crying looking at his state.

"Come closer" he ordered while his eyes held mine.

"Hun?" I couldn't believe my ears and ask as a reflex.

"Bring your face closer to my hand" he said raising his left, uninjured hand up a bit while he was grabbing my right hand with his, tightly.

Even though I couldn't get what he wanted but I did as said.

Others are just standing right in the hospital room with us, just looking at us.

He raised his hand to wipe my cheeks erasing the dried tears. I looked at his eyes asking for what was that?!

"Don't cry... EVER"

He whispered making me more emotional.

I was feeling so good.

And then I felt that something is wrong with him. It's not the usual him... Is it?

"Mr. Malhotra, you-"

"It's Manik, Manik for you" He cut me making more confirmed to my doubt that something is definitely wrong!

He might have hit his head really strong to forget what he is? Who is he?

Or maybe, Who am I? ... Did he think of me as Veebha?.... But again, why will he call my name?

"Papaaaa" here comes Adi running to meet his father after a day long.

I had come to check on him when Manik was unconscious and made him understand that his Papa got into an accident and will come back after a day.

It took me lot of efforts to make him understand & to make him agree to stay at home welcoming his Papa.

Adi ran and jumped onto Manik making him hiss in pain.

"Adi... Get down! Papa is in pain" I said sternly making him sad but he compailed.

"What happened to you, Papa?"

"Nothing, Adi" he answered and I controlled the urge to roll my eyes.

It is nothing, really? You want to break more of your bones, or what? I wanted to shout.

"Adi, your Papa got hit by a car as he was walking on the roads with his mind elsewhere.

You should always be attentive while on the roads, Okay?"

I somewhat taunted him and expected him to burst out in anger.

"You should always listen to your Mumma" he said to Adi calmly with a smile rather than anger.

Now I'm hell sure, Something is definitely wrong!... I should consult another doctor. I thought while moving out for soup leaving the father-son duo in the room.

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Manik's POV

"I can't take this off"

I said struggling with my shirt as I need to change into nightwear which Nandini placed in front of me. She bobbed her head to me from the cupboard.

"I would just bring Cabir or Dhruv to help you out" She said closing the cupboard.

"NO"

"No... I mean, they must be asleep after so tiring day they had in the hospital waiting for me and all..." I continued while she just stared at me.

"Why don't you help instead?" I suggested what I wanted.

"Me?" She said blinking at me.

"Ya! ... Now, hurry up. I need to rest." I said as I don't want her to come up with another excuse. She just nodded coming to me and helping me out.

I was looking at her face all the while she was engrossed in carefully taking out the shirt not hurting me.

Her cheeks turned red seeing me half-naked, well-build chest. She blinked numerous times and looking here n there while helping me wear the T-shirt.

"You... you should... take rest now" She managed to utter without looking at me and rushed to the washroom with her nightwears.

I grinned thinking of her blushing, red face!

But I instantly stood up carefully and put some water on the sofa and floor.

She came out at the time I was standing with the jar.

I felt caught in the action!

"What are you doing here, Mr. Malhotra?" she instantly ran to me carefully over the wet floor and grabbed the jar from my hand keeping it aside and helping me sit on the bed.

Once again 'Mr. Malhotra'... Hell!

I cursed myself for this!

"Woh.. Ummm... I... I was just trying to get water... Ya!" I managed to come up with a lie while she scanned the surroundings which is all wet with water.

"You could have asked me for it?" she said sighing and nearing the sofa on which she used to sleep.

"Now, where will I sleep?" She murmured to herself but I was very attentive to hear her.

"You can sleep on the bed... I don't mind." I voiced as if I don't care and slide to one side of the bed making space for her in my king-sized bed.

She glanced at the bed then at me...

"No problem. I'll sleep on the couch in Adi's room" she said after using her clever brain and starting to move.

I felt all my plans failing!

"NO" I yelled making her stop and turn with a questioning look.

"I mean... you should sleep here... Ummm- I... Ya! I may need your help at midnight... so..." I try reasoning to which she stood still analyzing.

Please God, Help me once. Please!

Without uttering any word she came forward and lay down on the bed covering herself with the duvet.

That time....

I couldn't explain; how happy I was with the success of my plan.

I saw her turning her back to me after switching off the lights. Time passed when I finally prepared myself to say it...

"I'm really sorry for my hurtful words, Nandini"

I said and waited for the reply. But neither did she replied nor moved.

Maybe fast asleep! After all, she was taking care of me all day.

...

Hours flew, but sleep is nowhere in my eyes!

I was just staring at her petite figure... so thin body drapped in the blue nighty... long black hair till her mid-back...

I wonder if I ever took a glimpse of her in the past 4 years...

How did I ignore such a woman near me all the while?

I was so much into my past... that I completely forget to see around the angel beside me. Even after hearing all those hurtful words, she came back running and shedding tears for me.

She is the purest, kindest and most beautiful one I have ever come across!

"I'll gain your forgiveness!

Even though I couldn't get back in time to undo the past 4 years of my behaviour... But, I promise. I'll make sure to make you the happiest soul ever and give world's all love and care to you; Only you!"

I said in determination knowing that she won't be listening to this... but I'm saying it to make myself heard.

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Nandini's POV

"Nandini... Nandini..."

I heard shouts coming from the washroom and I rushed into it thinking Manik might be in problem.

Hurriedly...

I opened the door to see him standing under the shower with his clothes on... left hand supporting to the wall and right-hand carefully held. Water running down his shirt making it stick to his abs.

"What's wrong?"

I managed to whisper after looking at the Greek god in the form of my husband standing in front of me. And here- I'm still away from him...

"Help me bath... It's paining!"

Helping him bath is not a good idea though... But the fact that he's in pain made me do anything.

I extended my hand to switch off the shower and then helped him take off his shirt with my trembling hands.

I grabbed the bath sponge and soap trying my best to keep myself at control & not to stare shamelessly at his bare chest; Sexy abs!

"You... you should sit down while I'll give you a quick sponge bath." I said looking anywhere but him.

"I prefer it standing" his voice came out huskily.

I, with my ragged breath, started rubbing the sponge on his shoulder, then chest, then back... making sure that I don't touch him at all much.

This is hot over here! Please someone turn on the A.C.

I put aside the sponge and turned to get some water to clean him when suddenly the shower went on making me wet... along with him...

"Ahm... I'd already taken my bath..."

I started turning to switch it off when Manik put his left hand in my waist pulling my close to his chest.

I looked into his eyes which are already on mine... from the very start... and I knew it!

"Don't avoid me Nandini!" His voice held urgency and vulnerability.

"I know, I've been a jerk to ignore you and misunderstood for all these years when you only fulfilled all your duties of being a good wife; a good mother to Adi.

I'm blind to not see 'the true you' all this time.

I regret saying all those hurtful words to you and making you cry when you are not even at fault.

Please... Forgive me!"

His eyes said how much he meant it while saying these words.

I couldn't say any words but just stare at his eyes and listen to him.

Yesterday night too...

I heard his words, pretending to sleep. ... When he said sorry for his hurtful word and behaviour for 4 years and that he would gain my forgiveness and get me the love n care I deserve.

I know whatever he did was due to his past experiences.

And in reality, he's a great guy!

It made me forget and forgive him right away.

But, I wanna see... I wanna experience what all he could do to gain my forgiveness.

I remained quiet while he waited for my answer...

Watching him not say anything, I tried to slip out of his grip and escape...

But he seems adamant not to leave me... he held me more tight jerking me more close so that my palm rested on his chest, above his heart!

"I know; it's not easy to forgive me right away...

But one thing that I wanna tell you... that I'd realized when you are not here, near me;

that I missed you a lot! I missed your presence around me...

I love you"

My eyes went wider and I forgot to blink hearing his confession...

What???

He... missed me?

He love...? ME???...

Am I dreaming?.... maybe Imagining?? Hallucinating???

"Aachoo"

his sneeze pulled me out of my wild haphazard imaginations... Maybe I just imagined everything.

"You should change otherwise you'll catch cold." I said supporting him to walk away and change into clean clothes. After that, change myself too...

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Days passed making Manik recover soon with the care of his loving wife, his son and of course his friends too.

Fab5 had apologized for their behaviors all these years and Nandini forgave them too. They are caring for each other and Nandini too, which made her happy and delighted.

Manik everyday pulls one or more stunts to get Nandini's attention and he never misses any chance to ask for her forgiveness... In this, his friends & his smart son helped too.

It is Aditya's Birthday today and preparations are going on in full swing.

In the evening, the Mansion hall is full of Adi's friends, teachers, relatives... with cake cutting, gifts exchange, music, dance, games and so on.

All the day, Nandini was full busy;

first with preparation, then attending guests and interacting children with bright smiles on her face and occasional laughter...

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Finally, at night, after everyone retards home having the dinner and after Adi got to his bed with his kiss dose and wishes from his Mumma...

Nandini got time for herself and her impatient husband who was trying hard to get a bit of her attention all day long...

The moment she entered the room, she was pinned to the nearby wall... not so harshly like previous time... but gently.

"Mr. Malhotra?" she whispered after she recognizes him.

"It's Manik, Nandu!"

"What are you doing?"

She ignored him telling or literally begging tone to take his name!

'She is so used to call him as Mr. Malhotra that it somewhat comes out automatically', that's what she reasoned him when he asked her before.

"Nandu, I'm really sorry for calling you gold digger; for calling you slu-" He stopped not wanting to use the word for her. His tone, vulnerable, desperate, guilty, lonely and solitaire... Too much hurt in it!

"I badly misunderstood you... I'm very very sorry about that.

You're the most purest & kindest soul I could ever find... I- You had suffered a lot because of me; I made you cry. I regret it so much...

I hate myself for this... I'm such a bastard... You should beat me up...

I deserve the hatred and ignorance that I gave you without your fault... I deserved only hate.. only pain... onl..."

He was so vulnerable, without getting even an ounce of a chance to talk to her all day... and getting only her ignorance all the day after all his tries, that he had tears on his eyes... and he was saying such words for himself until Nandini stopped him taking him with a sudden hug.

"Don't say that!

You deserve love not hate....

You deserve happiness & care, not pain.... " She consoled him while hugging him tightly.

Though he was taken aback with the sudden hug... but he too wrapped his hands around her back pulling her even closer to him.

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She said cupping his face after breaking the hug... and looking deeply into his eyes.

"Say it once again" His eyes twinkled hearing his name from her mouth.

"Manik" She obliged to him.

"Once more" His name felt so right, so different from her mouth.

"Manik" They are smiling with their eye lock.

"I love you" he said slowly sliding his right hand below her ears into her dark silky hairs.

"I love you" she reciprocates which he took as her forgiveness and smiled to the fullest.

He kissed her forehead while she closed her eyes absorbing the moment. He lingered for a while...

"I love you Nandini... so much" He confessed once again looking at her closed eyes.

"I love you too, Mr. Malhotra"

"Nanduu..." He complained faking anger and irritation making a puppy face.

This made Nandu laugh to her eyes as she has got to know how much he got irritated hearing 'Mr.Malhotra' from her mouth.

Looking at the smiling Angel, Manik too smiled brightly...

*********END*********

A/N:

H

Few words for the whole Five shots?