"No," Raj declared firmly, his voice resolute as he sat in his spacious office cabin, accompanied by Nyonika, Manik, and Nandini. The tension in the room was palpable. Manik had picked up Nandini from the hospital and had asked his mother, Nyonika, to come to the office as well. He had something crucial to discuss, something that clearly required the presence of both his parents.

"But Dad, please listen," Manik pleaded, his tone carrying an urgency that was impossible to ignore. He was determined to make his father understand.

"No, Manik," Raj reiterated, his voice unwavering. "You are not allowed. And that is final."

Manik exhaled sharply, frustration evident on his face. His eyes darted towards Nyonika, seeking the support he knew she often provided. He had always been able to convince her—she had a soft spot for him. But this time, her expression was uncertain, conflicted even.

"Mom, you understand me, don't you?" Manik turned to her, his voice laced with hope. He knew that if there was anyone who could sway his father, it was his mother. Yet, he failed to grasp that this decision came at a cost—the cost of him being away from her.

"Manik, please don't expect anything from me this time, okay?" Nyonika said, her voice gentle but firm. "Why would you think I would agree to this? You always wanted to be independent, right? Then start your business here, in Mumbai. It's as simple as that."

Manik shook his head from side to side, disappointment flashing across his face. "No, Mom, it's not that simple. You're not understanding me. No matter what I do here in India, I'll always have your support in some way. I've seen Dad struggle for years to build his empire, and now that he has achieved success, I want to experience that journey too. I want to learn, grow, and feel proud of myself. Right now, I haven't accomplished anything on my own, but I want to. Dad, you always said you would support me no matter what."

Raj, who had been seated at his grand desk, stood up and walked over to the large glass window that overlooked the city skyline. He remained silent for a few moments, seemingly lost in thought.

"Yes, Manik," Raj finally spoke, his voice softer now. "And I am ready to support you in any business venture you choose to pursue. But—"

Before he could finish, Manik cut him off. "That's exactly the problem, Dad! You'll support me, directly or indirectly, but you will. And that's what I don't want. I know you, Dad. You will make sure I succeed, and that's not what I'm asking for. I want you to support my decision, not my business." His voice was laced with both frustration and determination.

Manik then turned towards his mother, his eyes searching for some semblance of understanding. "Mom, Dad, please trust me. I know that if I start working somewhere else, it will eventually become the place where I spend most of my life. I understand that. But didn't you both leave your hometown and come to Mumbai to build a life? Does that mean you lost touch with Grandma? No, right? We still visit her; she visits us. The love remains the same. Distance never changes relationships, Mom."

He then looked at Nandini, who had been sitting quietly on the couch, observing the conversation unfold without contributing a word.

"Nandini, did I bring you here just to sit silently?" Manik said incredulously. "I brought you because Mom and Dad listen to you. Help me convince them!"

Nandini, startled by his sudden outburst, straightened up. "Um... Yes... Mom, Dad... Please, give Manik a chance," she said, her voice gentle but persuasive. "If you don't, he will always carry this regret in his heart—that he could have been at a better place, that he could have achieved something greater if only he had been given the opportunity. Please, let him try. And don't worry—I will be there with him. I promise I will take good care of him."

Nyonika sighed, her eyes filled with worry. "Nandini, my dear, of course, we know you will take care of him. And yourself too. But..." she hesitated before continuing, "Navya has already disrupted our peace at home. Cabir never speaks up against her, and if you two leave as well, the house will no longer feel like a home."

She lowered her gaze, feeling overwhelmed by the mere thought of an empty house. Manik walked over and sat beside her, gently wiping away the tear that had escaped her eyes.

"Mom, please don't cry," he whispered. "I don't want to leave at the cost of your tears. You both mean the world to me. You've done everything for me, given me the best life possible. Dad, you built this empire from scratch, and I have always admired that. Now, I want to make you proud too. I want to do something for myself and for you, all on my own. That's all I ask. But if you say no, I won't force you." He stood up, his heart heavy yet resolute, leaving Raj and Nyonika deep in thought.

As much as they wanted to see their son thrive, the idea of him being so far away was unbearable. They knew he was right, yet their parental instincts made it impossible to let go so easily.

Manik turned to Nandini. "Come on, I'll drop you back at the hospital."

She nodded, and together they walked out of the cabin, leaving Raj and Nyonika alone in silent contemplation.

Nyonika sighed deeply, her emotions spilling over. "Raj, I want Manik to do this if he is so determined. But how will we live without him?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, laced with sorrow.

Raj rubbed his temple, exhaling slowly. "I know, Nyonika. But from his perspective, he is absolutely right. I left everything behind to build my own life. How can I stop him from doing the same?" He paused, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

Nyonika nodded, understanding his reasoning. "But what about Navya? Things at home are already unbearable. If Manik and Nandini leave, I won't be able to stay in that house anymore. She is constantly ranting, shouting, creating chaos. I won't be able to handle it, Raj. I'm sorry."

She placed her hand on her forehead, exhaustion evident in her posture. The mere thought of dealing with Navya on a daily basis was infuriating. If she faced off against her, she wasn't sure she would be able to hold back. The toxicity Navya brought into their once peaceful household was suffocating.

Raj's expression hardened. "I understand, Nyonika. And to be honest, I no longer want her to live with us either. There's a fine line between insecurity and sheer disrespect, and she has crossed it. She has forgotten her manners and her principles. The only reason I have remained silent is because of Cabir. But I have a plan for that as well."

His words caught Nyonika's attention. She looked at him, curiosity and hope flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean, Raj? What have you thought?"

Raj turned to face her fully, his gaze firm. "It's time we address this once and for all."