"Aliya, Please don't do this. I love you. Don't leave me. Please!"

Standing at the side of the almost empty road, Manik held the hands of the woman standing infront of him as he begged her to stay. All shame and respect left behind for he was desperate for the love he had never felt all his life before.

She was all he had after his mother and he couldn't afford to lose her. He didn't care how much of a beggar like he sounded, for nothing mattered more than her.

"Manik, Please don't make it difficult for me. You know I can't stay! I can't go against dad. I can't." Aliya could hardly control her own tears that pooled in her eyes and fell freely through her cheeks. It broke her heart too, if not more than him to do this, to give up on a three years of long relationship in a snap this way.

She tried to pull away her hands from his hold but he held tighter, "I-I will talk to him, Aliya. I will make him understand. Please, Don't you love me, Aliya?"

Her hand was slipping from his hold, Manik tightened his grip more.

"I do, Manik. I love you too. But I love my dad too and he is never going to accept you. Please let me go!" It hurt Aliya too, for she hadn't thought there would be a day they will be here, like this - all broken. She loved him, she did but she loved her father more. She couldn't choose him against her father. She just couldn't.

The sky roared from above, and just like that, her hand slipped away from his, like sand does from one's hand. Aliya was walking away and all he could do was watch her fade and cry on his fate.

"No! Don't leave me, Aliya!"

Manik woke up with a jolt, his eyes blown wide and mouth wide open and dry. Tears streamed down his face and sweat drenched his face and neck.

Again. One more night. The same dream. Time passed at its own pace. Two years weren't enough to forget Aliya or those dreadful moments of his life. Manik still had that day re-happening in his head at nights, again and again.

Wiping his tears away with his hand, he looked around in panic. His heart pounded loud in his chest, he could hear it out loud until his eyes fell on his phone kept on the side table.

He grabbed it and punched in a number he had memorized on the tip of his tongue.

"Pick it up, damit! Pick- Nandini! Where the fuck were you?" He shouted, and he was sure he would have woken up the whole mansion if there was actually anyone living with him.

"Manik?"

Confused and a very sleepy voice greeted him from the other end. All the anger he had been feeling flushed down in an instant. His eyes travelled to the wall clock which striked two in the night. All of the sudden, guilt took over him.

"Sorry! I- I didn't see the time!" He rubbed his nape, making her shook her head in disbelief.

Nandini knew what troubled him, not in details but she knew better, having seen him wake up from nightmares herself. The first time she saw it, she cried. The second time, she actually hunt down a doctor that he refused to see.

The third time? She picked up a damn knife and threatened him to see the doctor. He had a hard time convincing her that he didn't want to. He didn't want to talk about his personal life with a stranger. A doctor or not, he didn't trust them. They could never help him. They would never understand him.

Nandini slid the thin comforter away from herself and walked to the balcony. The weather was cool considering the hour of the day.

She shivered, but ignored it, "It is okay, Manik," She smiled, "You do know you can call me anytime, right?"

When Manik hummed in response instead of a verbal reply, she frowned, "Are you okay, Manik?"

No. He was not. He wouldn't even talk about his dreams, or nightmares as she calls it. But it never lessened her worry for worry was all she could do when it came to him.

"I - I will be okay." He tried to assure her, knowing she cared for him. The only person to care for him apart from his mother and her.

"Ofcourse, you will be. Lay down, I will sing you a song."

Manik did whatever she told him to, pulling the blanket and clutching on the edge of it. He kept his phone on speaker near his pillow, so that her voice could fill the empty room.

Nandini took place on the chair kept at the side of the balcony. It was nothing knew. She had spent so many nights here, in the same position humming one or the other song for him.

And while he slept hearing her voice, she stared at the vast sky above. The stars looked like a handful of diamonds someone had threw up, they looked pretty, scattered all over but never enough to cover the whole sky.

And it made her realise, like the stars that could only be a small part of the sky - she could only be a chapter in his life.

That one chapter he would move on from someday.

She hummed, trying to push away the baseless thoughts that had no end. Manik's ears perked up at the other end.

Baatein yeh Kabhi na tu bhulna

Koi tere khaatir hai jee raha

He smiled. He needed this song. It was one of his favourites, and it was only because she made it sound so good.

Manik was not a fan of music, but he could never not listen when it was her singing.

Jaaye tu kahin bhi yeh sochna

Koi tere khaatir hai jee rah

Tu jahan jaaye mehfooz ho

Tu jahan jaaye mehfooz ho

Dil mera maange bas yeh dua

He wondered how did the lyrics fit his situation so well. How did Nandini knew what to sing when?

It was the truth. Manik lived for her.

Manik didn't know, She lived for him too.

Nandini repeated the lyrics, singing them to perfection. Her heart hurt. Every single time Manik called her this way, in panic, unable to sleep in the middle of night - something inside her broke. She couldn't help it.

She wanted him, but he loved her. Why did it have to be so easy and yet so complicated?

Knowing well he would sleep around soon, she softened her tone, standing up from the chair and standing with her hand on the railing.

The stars burned themselves to give others the light. It was her, in his life.

A star, hurting her own self to mend his heart. Making him sleep, and then crying herself to the same.

Humdard hai humdum bhi hai

Tu saath hai toh zindagi..

Tu jo kabhi door rahe

Ye humse ho jaaye ajnabi

Tujhse mohabbat karte hain jo

Tujhse mohabbat karte hain jo

Kaise kare hum usko bayaan

Manik could never forget the day Aliya told him she was getting married. The way her hand slipped from his hands, or the way she didn't try holding it. She pushed him away and left him alone. He should hate her, right? But Manik didn't hate her, he couldn't hate her.

Baatein yeh kabhi na tu bhulna

Koi tere khaatir hai jee raha

Jaaye tu kahin bhi yeh sochna

Koi tere khaatir hai jee raha

The last bit and Nandini was back in her room. A lone tear escaped her eye as a picture of them caught her attention. It was clicked at one of the boring business parties. She didn't want to, but he insisted they should have some memories.

Memories, Nandini didn't want for when one day Manik would go back to her, memories will be all she would be left with.

Jaagi bhi hai royi bhi hai

Aankhein ye raaton mein mere

Kyun har ghadi milke tujhe

Lagti rahe bas teri kami

Hum toh na samjhe tum hi kaho..

She didn't get to complete the song. Manik's even breathe told her he was sleep already. Nandini left it incomplete.

"I love you, Manik."

Manik never heard the whisper of her confession.

"I wish you were mine."

She whispered to the silence, all alone surrounded by the four walls of her room. It was one of those days - she felt alone. She needed someone, and she cried herself to sleep, because that someone couldn't belong to her.

"Nandini! Nandini! Nandini!"

Nandini shook her head in disbelief, running down the stairs and the moment she caught his eye, he grinned.

"Breakfast?"

He had the audacity to smile and ask.

It was not even seven in the morning and this man was already hungry. And then, she could never understand why does he pay the cooks hired in his mansion when he literally ate three times of meal at hers.

Manik walked to her, ruffling her styled hair for no reason and earning a glare from her.

"It took me twenty minutes to style them, you know." She said, as a matter of fact.

"Oh," He spoke,"Do I look like I care?"

"Manik!"

"Fine. I - " Manik paused suddenly, eyes narrowing at her face. Layers of makeup, Nandini hardly wore any normally, "Did something happen?"

"What would happen?" She tried to dismiss it. She had tried her best to hide the red eyes and puffy cheeks. Manik saw it, he felt it and noticed it. He decided to leave it there. She would tell him when she felt like.

"Yeah Yeah, I was just wondering why is your face so white, you look like a joker!" And with that, he laughed out loud.

Nandini only shook her head. If she thought Manik would guess it, she was apparently a fool. He had no idea, he didn't know. He would never know, because she didn't plan on letting him know.

"Manik!" She warned when he didn't stop laughing. He muttered a sorry, hands holding his ears even though his shoulder shook, failing to hold it in.

"Okay, keep laughing. Suit yourself, I won't make you breakfast now." She chided. He looked at her wide eyes, suddenly all the laughter flew away.

"Fine, I am sorry. I won't laugh at you, Ma'am." He bowed, dramatically making a bad face and she grinned this time.

"You know, there's that golden word," She pretended to think, walking to the kitchen and he followed behind.

"You can't tease me like this!"

"But I just did, Manik!"

"Nandini!"

Nandini laughed, facing him and pulled his cheek,"Fine, tell me what do you want to eat?"

His eyes lit up and he licked his lips. Nandini knew the answer even before he voiced it, "Aaloo parantha."

She chuckled, picking up the potatoes to boil them. Manik took the chance to get on slab and sat down.

"You already knew, didn't you?" He grinned.

"Ofcourse, you and your dear Aaloo parantha!"

Manik shrugged with a smile, "It's my favourite."

"I know," she smiled, "and I also know Aliya makes the best parantha in the world. You have told me already."

Manik chuckled, "Yeah right."

By the time the potatoes were being boiled, Nandini prepared the dough and the stuffings for the paranthas.

She was quick, having make them frequently. It didn't take long for her to make them, and she served him one after one, until he couldn't eat anymore.

Although, Nandini didn't know how much a human could eat until she met him. Or maybe it was only about the aloo paranthas.

His mother made it for him. Aliya learned it from his mother as well. Ofcourse, they were special to him. His eyes twinkled whenever he ate them, so she didn't mind really.

Because all that mattered, was his happiness.

"Congratulations, Mr.Chopra. The deal is on. We really look forward to work with you and your team."

Manik flashed a professional smile, staring at the elder man and shook hands with him with a warm smile.

"To you too, Mr.Malhotra. I hope this collaboration will bring us more profits."

Manik returned the smile the older man offered. After completing the formalities, he left the conference room and walked to Nandini's cabin.

He hasn't even knocked when he heard her voice from inside, "Come in!"

He smiled sheepishly, and entered inside the large cabin. Nandini was busy reading a file.

"Congratulations, Manik."

Manik who had his mouth open to tell her about the deal, looked at her with wide eyes.

"Nandini!" He whined. She looked up from the file.

"What?" She questioned. Manik walked forward and snatched the file from her. He threw it around the table mercilessly making her gasp. Ignoring it and the look she was giving him, he dared to sit infront of her as if he did nothing.

"Tell me. How? Like how do you know every single fucking time it is me on the door and I got the deal?"

Nandini chuckled at the amusement on his eyes which only made him frown.

"First, Language," He rolled his eyes, "Don't roll your eyes at me. Second, I am the boss as well. I always know when your meeting is ending and then, Mr, the thing you do after you loss the deal is walk out in between and stomp inside. You don't take time and knock at my door."

Manik didn't realise but she was right. Whenever he bagged any deal, he would knock at her door but whenever he lost any, he would straight away strom inside muttering curses.

"Okay, I lost. You know me too well. I rest my case here." He dramatically raised his hands in the air in defence, leaning back on the chair only to sit straight the next moment, "Wait," He paused, "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the meeting with Mr.Khurana?"

"Ah, that," Nandini's face fell, "The deal is cancelled."

"What? Why?"

Nandini shrugged, "He doesn't want to give away the land. I even offered him thirty percent shares on the same price."

"You know what, let me talk to him. You won't even have to give him the thirty percent shares!" He offered, or more like demanded. He would throw the Khurana or whatever his name is from the top floor of his own building for ruining her mood.

Nandini only shook her head, "No, I know you very well, you won't talk but will kill him at first sight. So, I will try to pursue him on my own."

Manik glared at her, even though he knew she was right. Nandini glared back, remembering the last time how he almost screwed up.

The deal was important. Nandini wanted to build a hospital there in her late mother's memory who was a doctor herself. She died in a road accident when she was coming from a hospital at late night. Nandini remembered the way her mother's eyes shined everytime she told her the stories of saving a life.

She would cry and blame herself when she lost a patient, but she was a calm lady otherwise.

"Fine, do as you wish!"

Manik stood up, clearly upset. He knew how much she had tried to convince Mr.Khurana. The old man was just being stubborn.

However as he neared the door, Nandini called him from behind. He smiled, hiding it before turning to her, "What?"

"Please close the door when you leave?" She smirked inwardly when he looked at her pissed off. Passing her another glare, Manik walked out, but not before slamming the door on his way.

"Such a baby!" Nandini shook her head, picking up the file he had thrown earlier.

"Get out, Stella!"

Manik shouted at the poor secretary who shivered at his loud tone. Although he had temper issues, he hardly shouted at her but now with his wide eyes and nostrils flaring in anger - Manik resembled a green eyed monster.

"S-Sir but -" She tried to explain only to be cut off in between.

"What but? Everything is a mess here! Where are my files? My mobile? Where is it? I can't find a single damn thing! Who told you to mess up with my things?"

He only increased his voice and as it reached outside, the employes decided to inform Nandini about the whole situation, knowing well only she could handle his anger. The others loved their job too much to even try.

"Nandini Ma-am told -" Stella was cut off in between again, this time gasping as he threw a file in her direction with a loud get out.

She closed her eyes, covering her face and waited for the file to hit her but it never did. She looked at the side and found Nandini standing there holding the file he had thrown.

"What is wrong?" Nandini asked calmly. Mank passed an another glare to Stella.

"Ask her," He growled, "How many times have I told her nobody messes with my table! I don't like it."

It was not wrong. Everyone in the office knew he didn't let anyone touch his table except for Nandini. He mostly did it on his own.

"Your table was a mess, Manik. I needed a file urgently, so I told her to clean it. And whatever the reason be, you can't throw things at your employes."

Manik looked away, anger taking the best of him. He knew it was wrong, it wasn't the environment they provided to their employees. He hated such people himself.

He let out a sigh, turning to Stella who looked almost close to crying. The twenty four years old secretary was new in the field but still tried her best. Manik couldn't ignore her efforts. "I am sorry, Stella. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please leave."

Nandini smiled.

"It's okay, Sir."

Stella tried to walk away but Nandini stopped her. Manik looked at her with a frown.

"Stella, you don't have to come office tomorrow and you can leave for today as well." Nandini smiled and saw the girl infront of her panic, thinking she was getting fired. Nandini chuckled, "No, I am not firing you. I am just giving you half and a day vacation. Enjoy your time."

"Oh, thankyou, Mam. Thankyou so much."

Relief washed all over face and she glanced at Manik who stared at Nandini with wide open mouth. Controlling in the smile that was threatening to come over her face at the interaction, she thanked them again and left the cabin.

"And you, Mr. Malhotra, you will be working without your secretary until she comes back. So you can set your own table however you like." Nandini told him. Manik scowled but didn't argue because he knew he was at mistake.

And as soon as Nandini walked out of his cabin, Manik cursed himself for he knew he had upset her yet again.

About an hour later, setting his table how he liked, and making sure to memorize a sorry speech, Manik left his cabin.

He didn't knock at her door, instead barged in, "Nandini - I am sorry -" Manik stopped mid way as his eyes fell on the man, the one he despised with all his heart sitting there infront of Nandini.

"Manik?"

"What is this man doing here, Nandini?"

He was angry and he knew she didn't need to be told.

She frowned, approaching him,"He is Mr.Khanna. Do you know him?" She asked, confused and he gave her a stern nod, "Since Mr.Khurana denied, I checked other possible places and Mr.Khanna owns a land near the supermarket." Manik didn't look at her. He stared at the man with his jaw tight and fists clenched.

Mr.Khanna had a smug smirk on his face,"You haven't changed a bit, Manik. Still the same temper, same mannerless-"

"Mind your language, Mr.Khanna!" Nandini interrupted him in between.

"Ask him to leave, Nandini." Manik asked and even though Nandini wanted to make him understand the need of hour, she decided to do what he was saying.

"Mr.Khanna, I guess you already heard what Manik said. So please leave." Mr.Khanna snickered at Manik making him take a step ahead but Nandini held his hand. She glared at Mr.Khanna instead who left from there with a smug look on his face.

As soon as left, Manik's shoulder thumped down and he sat on the couch. Nandini handed him the glass of water which he took absent minded.

"I won't ask you who he was. Just tell me when you are ready-"

"Aliya's father." He interuppted her in between. A part of him wanted to yell at her for thinking he needed to be ready to share his feelings with her but as she looked at him shocked, he chuckled nodding his head.

But then, he was the one hiding about him and Aliya from her. Even if it was because he didn't want to remember the harsh memories.

"Aliya's father. Who rejected me for his daughter because I was poor." Nandini kept staring at him as he pressed the glass in his hand tighter. Seeing it, she immediately took it from him, knowing how he was even capable of breaking it in his anger.

"It is okay, Manik. He is gone. That phase is gone."

She rubbed his back, consoling him and unable to see him like this. Nandini had seen him in the worst state before.

When she met him, when he broke down or whenever he woke up from his nightmares. She had seen him breaking into pieces and she had seen him gathering his own broken pieces and become the man he was today.

She admired him for the strength he held within. She loved him even if he didn't. Even if it broke her heart.

Manik let out a bitter chuckle. He shook his as he stared down, "You don't get it, Nandini. That phase - it is never gone. It can never be."

Because the wounds his heart took, it still hurt. It hurt when he was called poor, mannerless and incapable of making Aliya happy. It hurt more when he was called a fatherless child, and even more when his sick mother was seen as burden on him.

Manik bore everything, because he loved her but maybe his love wasn't strong enough to stop her.

Nandini's eyes soften as she pressed his shoulder to give him some comfort and it seemed to snap him out of daze.

"Love is so painful, right?" A sad smile took over his face as he looked up at her and Nandini felt something inside her heart breaking.

Who knew it more than her?