You're Still the One Manan Short story COMPLETE

Hi guys here's a new fanfic on Manan..

You're Still the One

Chapter 1

"Oh no, Nandu," Navya said as she stared past her friend towards the entrance of the beautifully adorned room.

Nandini felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise and she knew without turning around exactly who had just arrived. With much effort, she kept her expression neutral and looked ahead.

Tearing her gaze back to her friend, Navya asked, "Want to get out of here?"

Shaking her head firmly, Nandini replied, "It's not like I can avoid him for the rest of my life. If I leave, it would make him think I have something to hide. I'm not going to run."

Navya smiled stiffly at her friend although she was fuming inside. How could Dhruv do something so cold? Even if he didn't know the whole story, he should have known better than to invite Manik to his restaurant's opening. Traitor. Navya knew that Manik was a silent partner in Dhruv's business, but he was very, very silent. Surely Dhruv could have managed to misplace his invitation to the opening. As far as Navya knew, aside from giving a lot of cash to Dhruv, Manik had never shown any interest in this particular investment.

"Is he alone?" Nandini asked, cursing herself for being curious.

Navya frowned at her friend, but glanced back towards the entrance, trying to be discrete. It wasn't an easy task... after several more moments, she sighed and looked back at her friend. "He's with that best friend of his, Cabir, but I don't see anyone else."

Nandini sighed inwardly, careful not to let her relief show. Apparently he didn't have a new girlfriend yet ... ...Manik may have been easy, but he wasn't stupid. Having a new girlfriend so soon after their split wouldn't look good while he tried to plead his case for an annulment.. The wound to his bottom line, if Nandini was able to convince the judge that their marriage had been valid and that he was the one who had broken it, would be far more damaging.

She'd thought it was some horrible joke. She and Manik had been married for seven years. Seven Years. How could you annul seven years? ..but Manik's lawyer had found some loopholes ..It appeared there were ways to annul seven years, to legally decide that they hadn't existed.

Leave it to Manik to kick her when she was down. A divorce was bad enough. But an annulment? She knew how utterly cold he was capable of being. She had seen the horrors his parents ..especially his mother put him through and she knew that his struggles, his pain at such an early age had made him ruthless by necessity. He had done anything necessary to protect himself.

He had to pretend their life together had never existed. Nandini sighed and blinked back tears. Manik was feared but she knew underneath it all that he was defenseless and vulnerable .. He kept people away... He would do anything in his power to keep her out of his life.

So why couldn't she stop loving him?

"What a turnout," Dhruv happily noted almost an hour later to Navya.

"Yeah," she replied sharply, "... All your sucking up to people paid off, I see."

Dhruv frowned as he studied his longtime friend. "Okay," he said slowly, "are you going to tell me what I did wrong?"

Scowling at her friend, Navya hissed, "How could you invite Manik Malhotra, Dhruv? You know that he and Nandini are in the middle of a really messy split. Why do you feel it necessary to make it harder on her?"

Dhruv became pale and studied something on the toe of his shoe. Approaching Nandini's estranged husband to be an investor in his restaurant had been a risky move at the time, but now, with Manik and Nandini no longer simply separated, but actively ending their relationship, his actions seemed even more wrong.

"I just ... " Dhruv began.

"You what?" Navya countered. "You thought it would be fun for Nandini to be stuck in a room with her soon-to-be-ex?"

Dhruv shot her a hard look. "You know that's not true," he said firmly. "It's business. You know I would never do anything to hurt Nandini."

"Trust me," Navya replied, "this hurt her. She's holding up really well, but it's an act."

Dhruv sighed and watched Navya walk away. He knew he had hurt Nandini and Navya, When he had accepted Manik's capital investment he had started the fire. By breaking it off with Aliya two months ago, he had effectively thrown gas on the fire. Dhruv ran a shaky hand through his hair. The evening was a success, but it was a meaningless one. Without Aliya there, it meant nothing.

"How'd it go?" Aliya asked excitedly as Nandini entered the apartment they shared.

"Dhruv had a good night," Nandini replied with fake enthusiasm, biting back tears.

"Oh, Nandini," Aliya said quietly as she hugged her friend...Surrounded by Aliya's comforting embrace, she gave in to the emotions and cried...Long minutes later, Nandini was wrapped in her comfy pajamas, curled up in bed as Aliya handed her a steaming mug of tea. She took it gladly, letting the warmth of the mug seep through her chilled fingers. Manik had often kept her tiny hands tucked safely inside his own, knowing how quickly her fingers turned to ice when left to their own devices. For months she had been forced to get used to having cold fingers again. Roughly pushing away the painful memories, Bella smiled weakly at her friend.

"Want to talk about it?" Aliya asked carefully.

"Manik was at the opening," Nandini said with a sigh followed by a sniffle. "We didn't ... talk or anything . It was just ... Everyone kept staring at me like they were waiting for me to make a scene or something. It was so humiliating."

The evening opened up a lot of wounds, not only for Nandini, but for Aliya as well. Her recent split from Dhruv was extremely raw.. The fact that he seemed to be doing so well in her absence didn't make things any easier.

"Soon to be ex Bhabhi ji was looking beautiful this evening"..Cabir said

"Shutup Cabir" Manik said.."Anyways...I didn't notice"

Cabir laughed lightly under his breath..what a liar

Although Manik had been very discrete about it, Cabir knew he had kept an eye on Nandini for most of the evening and they left only after her departure.

"Afraid someone's going to come in and take her ?" Cabir asked sarcastically. He knew from experience that it wasn't wise to push his best friend on a subject that he didn't want to discuss, but it was simply too tempting to leave alone.

Manik narrowed his gaze at Cabir but held his tongue for almost a minute. When he finally spoke, it was with icy control. "Technically," he said calmly, "Nandini is still my wife. Until the point at which she no longer is, I will treat any advances made towards her without my characteristic patience and understanding."

Cabir bit his tongue knowing full well that Manik was about as far from patient and understanding as a person could get. His temper,jealousy and capacity for revenge were notorious. It appeared that anyone trying to put the make on his soon-to-be-ex would find themselves faced with a war they couldn't possibly hope to win.

Cabir shrugged and then frowned as a thought hit him. "Speaking of which," he drawled, "why exactly *is* she still your wife?

Scowling, Manik did not meet his friends gaze. He rose to pour himself another drink.

After tossing back one drink and pouring himself another, Manik once again took a seat in one of the plush leather chairs that decorated the office of his expensive high-rise apartment. "I'm not divorcing Nandini" he replied evenly.

Cabir frowned. .."Um, no, Manik, I'm really sure that you are getting a divorce. Little Nandu moved out and everything ... and your army of lawyers has been hanging around more than usual."

Manik regarded Cabir carefully. He hated having to explain his actions. "I didn't say we weren't in the process of dissolving our marriage," he clarified. "I said we weren't getting a divorce, at least not if I can help it."

"Come again?" Cabir said, cocking an eyebrow.

"Nandini wants a divorce. I want an annulment," Manik explained.

"What's the diff?" he asked with a snort.

"If Nandini and I get divorced," he explained, "she will be generously compensated for her troubles."

Cabir nodded.

"An annulment, on the other hand, means we go our separate ways like our marriage never happened. No division of property. No alimony. No ex-wife walking off with half of the Malhotra fortune."

"Pretty slick," Cabir said with a low whistle. "Leave it to you to figure a way to screw your wife out of her due. I'll guess she's fighting this."

"Yes," Manik said with a bitter grin swallowing hard, "she's fighting it."

Index

Chapter 1 - pg.1

Chapter 2 - pg.1

Chapter 3 - pg.1

Chapter 4 - pg.2

Chapter 5 - pg.2

Chapter 6 - pg.2

Chapter 7 - pg.3

Chapter 8 - pg.3

Chapter 9 - pg.4

Chapter 10 - pg.5

Chapter 11 - pg.6

Chapter 12(last part) - pg.7

Chapter 2

Nandini sighed as she wrapped the apron around her waist and prepared for another day of serving coffee... Aliya owned a small bookshop and coffee house named The Book 'n Bean in Mumbai and she worked there.

"You sure you're up to this?" Aliya asked quietly, making sure the other employees wouldn't overhear their conversation.

Nandini shrugged and smiled wryly. "It's not like I can let him bring my life to a halt every time I see Manik,. People end their marriages every day. I'll get through it."

As Aliya walked into the storeroom to check on stuff, Nandini smoothed her apron down. It wasn't wrinkled, but she had to keep her hands busy or she would go insane. Eight years ago she thought she had gone through the hardest thing she would ever have to face in her life. How wrong she was. ..she had moved to Mumbai from Mangalore after Aryaman broke off their engagement and she was shattered..she hadnt informed her parents and just left..Nandini walked around in a stupor for weeks. For the first time in her life, her future was unknown...She had lived with her friend Navya for a while in Mumbai and it was Navya who introduced her to Aliya... Nandini had taken to Aliya immediately and They'd been inseparable well ... until Nandini met Manik Malhotra.

Aliya laughed, pulling Nandini into the stock room. "Go see if he needs anything," she goaded.

"I can't," Nandini said, her face burning with a blush as she merely thought about the idea of speaking to the incredibly gorgeous young man sitting at one of the small tables reading a financial newspaper.

"You have to," Aliya said. "He's been watching you all afternoon."

"He has not,and looks mature" Nandini said

Aliya looked around the corner and made a dismissive gesture. "Whatever," she said, "you're nineteen. He's probably twenty-four or twenty-five. Trust me, it's legal."

"I can't," Nandini said, mortified. "Did you see the car he drove up in? It's a BMW. I can't even afford a bus pass."

"He doesn't know that," Aliya said. "Now go on." And with that, she gave Nandini a push out the door towards Manik.

Shaking away the memories, Nandini rubbed her forehead. She needed to keep her mind off Manik. The ding of the bell over the door tore her from her thoughts and she plastered on a fake smile.

Nyonika snorted as she looked at her only child, her expression one of disgust. "Figures," she said harshly. "I knew you would find some way to screw it up, even with someone as mild mannered as Nandini. You always were your father's son."

Manik's face was devoid of emotion. Years of experience taught him well that showing any weakness to his mother would only encourage her more to trouble him."What happened?" she prompted when her son remained silent. ""I see no reason to discuss the specifics," Manik said, his voice betraying none of the rage he felt at his mother's questions.

Nyonika was quiet as she studied her son's face. If Manik hadn't known better, he would have thought it was something close to sadness that momentarily stole over his mother's face. But Manik knew her too well for that. Nyonika Malhotra prided herself on her ruthlessness. There was no room for regret. That was a lesson she had taught her son very early.

Nyonika coughed loudly, clearing her throat. "Well tell me ..was either of you involved with anyone?" she prompted harshly.

Manik bit out. "No third parties, it just didn't work out."

Smiling sardonically, Nyonika. said, "I don't believe you Manik... But keep your secrets, I'll find out the truth eventually."

Manik fumed quietly. He knew it wasn't an idle threat, his mother's network of spies and informers was legendary.

"Nandu?"

She turned quickly, but her spirits sank as she saw who was calling her name. Aryaman was not at the top of her list of people to see. She had long since forgiven him for breaking their engagement - secretly thanking him in fact - but he seemed to bring her nothing but trouble.

"Are you okay?" he asked in concern as he jogged up to where she sat with her economics book.

Cocking an eyebrow at him, Nandini replied, "I'm fine. Why would you think otherwise?"

Beginning to get irritated, Aryaman said, "I know Manik was there at Dhruv's opening. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

Nandini sighed. Aryaman had experienced first hand her husband's capacity for violence as well as hearing some of Manik's more colorful and abusive threats. Manik had attacked Aryaman, and hurt him badly, breaking his nose ... He hadn't even felt bad about it. Nandini was certain that given another go at it, Manik would gladly pound Aryaman a second time..

"He was just angry," she said seriously. "Manik would never hurt me."

Aryaman didn't look convinced, but he backed down. "I just ... I've known you for so long, Nandu... I know how trusting you are. I would hate to see you hurt again."

Picking up her backpack, Nandini quickly shoved her books inside. Aryaman got to his feet and stood around nervously, obviously looking for something to say to lessen her anger. To her eternal relief, he kept his mouth shut. Without a word, Nandini stormed off to her car, the only mutual asset she'd taken with her when her marriage had crumbled.

"Nandini," Aryaman half called, half whined behind her.

She didn't turn, instead piling all of her things in the car and driving off. The irony of the fact that she was furious with Aryaman for making accusations about Manik was not lost on her. She was upset enough with Manik to strangle him herself, but if anyone else tried the same, she'd defend him to the end. Her husband was spoiled and selfish and perfectly capable of acting like an overgrown three-year-old when he didn't get his way,. Underneath it all, he was the terrified little boy looking for someone who would keep their promises, protect him, love him. After she peeled back all the armor, he was hesitant but gentle and sweet and loving ...

But that was all years ago. Before she took the love he had given her in an act of ultimate trust and used it as a weapon... Nandini sighed.

Several years into their marriage, they'd decided to try to have a child...

Nandini's expression was pensive as she looked her husband up and down. He felt her watching him and set down the financial magazine he was leafing through. "What ?" he asked cautiously.

"I've been thinking ... " she said quietly.

Manik nodded, scooting closer to her on the bed. She looked at him, entranced by the way the light played on his bare chest. He pulled her close, cradling her against his body tenderly. He kissed the top of her head.

"Thinking about what baba?" he asked.

He put his finger under her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. He was smiling broadly. "You want to have a baby?" he asked.

Nandini bit into her bottom lip again. Cautiously, she nodded.

His smile grew.

Nandini's brow furrowed as she looked at him and shock played across her features. "Are you ... happy about this?" she asked.

He laughed and squeezed her. "Why are you looking at me like you're waiting for me to get upset?" he asked. "Of course I'm happy about this... Slowly, Nandini smiled at him. "You really want a baby?" she asked.

Manik looked at her seriously. "Yes," he said. "If you do, I do."

Nandini smiled at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too jaan," he replied, pulling her close for a kiss./

They made plans, talked about what they were going to name their son or daughter. ...Things were going wonderfully for the Malhotras which of course was when everything went to Hell...when Manik's old family friend Soha Khurana entered their lives

Chapter 4

Nandini watched in shock as the police officer placed a set of handcuffs around her wrists. ..he said 'Madam, the car you were in ..was reported stolen several weeks ago."

Nandini's brow furrowed and then she growled again as she realized what had happened. "That was a mistake," she explained. "My husband and I are in the middle of a divorce. He was upset when I took the car and he reported it stolen. He said he worked out everything with you guys to take the report back."

"I'm afraid he didn't, Madam ji... We're gonna have to take you to the station for holding until all of this gets sorted out."

Nandini fumed and had no option but to go along with them...cursing Manik all along..

Manik had gone out for a business meeting that evening..which got over early...he walked out and there was a bar right opposite to the restaurant so he decided to get a drink..his mind still distraught with thoughts of Nandini..he sat down at the bar and ordered a scotch

"Drinking alone?" the bartender asked him making polite conversation.

Manik didn't answer.

"Or waiting on your girlfriend or a wife maybe?"

"No," he answered honestly, "she's not here tonight."

The bartender said"What happened? Did you guys had a fight?"

Manik smiled wryly. "Hmmm" he said .. "She was the love of my life and I destroyed her."

The answer definitely wasn't what the bartender had been expecting. so he gave him a sad, pitying smile...and turned away...

Manik went into his thoughts..he blamed himself for the demise of their marriage. He'd been so angry when he had found her with Aryaman... Was it any wonder that she'd turned to another man..that too her former fiance in search of the comfort that her husband was unwilling to provide?

Manik didn't have any idea why he hadn't forced himself to talk to her about it, to ask her openly if she still had any desire for him...or loved him.. Rejection would have crushed him, but at least he would have known. He wouldn't be stuck with the lingering question of "what if".

Tossing back what was left of his drink, he thought back to the first days of their relationship.. She'd been so helpless, so absolutely trusting that it had nearly broken the heart he hadn't known he possessed...He instantly fell in love with her. She was beautiful and young,...

"What's your name?" he asked. He'd been watching her all afternoon as she waited on customers and chatted with friends..at the coffee place... He wasn't used to having to chase women, but for this one, he would make an exception., she was absolutely stunning.

Her smile was blinding as she looked him up and down. He was so handsome, "Nandini," she said with a sweet smile.

He smiled back and her blush intensified and she had to look away. So beautiful, but also so shy. She looked like she was straight off the bus. "What are you doing here, Nandini?" he asked.

She shot him an adorable,angry look. "I *work* here," she said. "Some people do that, you know."

He laughed. "You don't think I work?" he asked.

"It's two o'clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday No. I don't think you work," she said.

Manik whistled softly. Cute and observant.. "You're right," he said, "but that's a good thing because I won't be risking my employment with all the time I'll be spending in here."

"All the time?" she asked doubtfully. "I've worked here for six months and this is the first time I've seen you."

"But not the last," he assured her...loving the blush and smile that lit up her face...Beautiful Nandini..

. The more he got to know Nandini the more amazing she became. There was absolutely no pretense to her, none of the female manipulations with which he was so familiar...especially his Mother... Nandini was the first person in his life who had ever loved him completely, in spite of all his multiple flaws.

She was perfect and for the first time in his life, he didn't screw it up. He didn't play games with her and he didn't lie to her..and fell in love with her...after few blissful months he proposed and they got married...

It was one of the happiest moments of Manik's life, second only to the day Nandini found out she was pregnant..Only now, after he'd lost everything, did the full impact of the situation hit him.

He was alone, utterly and completely.

And now not only was he not with the woman he would always love more than life itself, but he was involved in a bitter war with her for control of his family's fortune. He knew Nandini didn't care about the money, that she was merely making a point.

Surprisingly, he found that when it came down to it, he didn't care about the money either. But his mother did...and he wanted to shield Nandini from her that's why the annulment.

With a weary sigh, Manik paid the tab and headed for his car..his thoughts spoiling his evening and keeping his mood off.. Upon opening the door, he realized his phone was ringing. With much irritation, he answered it...