A Week of Silence – Manik's Return

Nandini had been working non-stop in the hospital. The day had started early, and by 1 p.m., she was already exhausted from back-to-back surgeries. She decided to call Manik before heading into the OT for her final procedure.

Manik: "Heyyy!" His cheerful voice immediately lifted her spirits.

Nandini, despite her fatigue, smiled hearing his voice. "Done with your packing?"

Manik: "Yep, all set. Leaving for the airport soon."

Nandini: "Good."

Manik: "How are your surgeries going?"

Nandini: "Two are done, just five minutes to go for the last one."

Manik: "All the bestttt!"

Nandini: "Thank youuu."

At that moment, a nurse entered the room. "Nandini Ma'am, everything's ready."

Nandini: "Hmm, coming."

Manik: "Okay, go now. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Nandini: "Hmm, call me once you reach."

Manik: "Okay, ma'am."

As Nandini was about to end the call, Manik's voice came through again, softer this time.

Manik: "Wait, Nandini."

Nandini: "Hmm?"

Manik: "I love you. And I will miss you. Really."

Nandini's heart softened at his words, but she kept her composure. "I will miss you too. I love you. Take care. Bye."

Manik: "Bye."

They hung up, each going back to their respective duties. Manik left for the airport, and Nandini walked into the OT, her mind distracted but focused on the task at hand.

Later that night, Manik arrived and called Nandini. It was already late in India, and he knew she needed rest, so he didn't keep her on the phone for long.

Manik: "Hiiiii."

Nandini: "Hey hey."

Manik: "What's up?"

Nandini: "Dinner's done, bed time. You?"

Manik: "In a meeting."

Nandini: "What? Why are you talking to me then?"

Manik smiled, amused by her reaction. "Well, I want to. Besides, I haven't talked to you all day. You know I've been taking family calls."

Nandini sighed. "Alright, okay. Now get back to your meeting. Bye!"

Manik: "Good nighttt."

Nandini: "Sadly, I can't wish you good night right now. But all the besttt!"

Manik chuckled, and they hung up. The lightness of the conversation stayed with him as he returned to his meeting with a renewed sense of energy.

Meanwhile, Nandini couldn't sleep. After hanging up with Manik, she received a call that kept her awake the entire night, her thoughts restless and clouded.

One Week Later – The Silent Strain

A week passed without a word from Nandini. No calls. No texts. Not a single update. Manik, who had been calling non-stop, grew more and more anxious. Every time he called, the response was the same – she was still at the hospital, working long hours, not coming home for days.

Manik couldn't take it anymore. He was done with the unanswered calls, the silence, the cold distance. He had to go back to India and see for himself what was going on.

After finishing up his work, he took the first flight back to Mumbai.

As soon as he landed, he didn't even go home. He headed straight to the hospital. No one knew he was back.

Manik walked through the familiar hospital halls, his heart racing, a knot forming in his stomach. He arrived at her cabin, only to see Nandini sitting there, tired, holding a cup of coffee, eyes lost in the file in front of her.

The moment she saw him, her eyes widened in shock. It was as if her entire world had shifted.

Manik: "NANDINI."

She froze, a mix of surprise and guilt flooding her. She wanted to run into his arms, to tell him everything, but her body was frozen. She looked down, trying to stop the tears from falling.

Nandini: "When did you come back?"

Manik stepped forward, his frustration boiling over. "Shut up, Nandini. Where have you been for a week? No calls, no messages. What's going on?"

Nandini: "Where was I?"

Manik was now beyond irritated. He stepped closer, grabbing her wrists, pulling her to her feet. His grip was firm, his voice laced with hurt and anger.

Manik: "You didn't bother to call me for one freaking week? Do you even care?"

Nandini: "Why would I care? I have work, Manik. I'm a surgeon, I don't have time for this."

Manik's expression softened, but his voice remained sharp. "Nandini, what's wrong? Tell me. Why are you acting like this?"

Nandini: "Nothing happened, okay? Happy now? I'm fine, Manik. Please, just let go of me."

Her words cut him deep, but the way her eyes glistened with unshed tears told him there was more to this.

Manik: "Are you serious right now? You love me. That's enough reason for you to care about me. What's going on, Nandini?"

But instead of the reassurance he so desperately needed, she said the one thing that shattered his heart.

Nandini: "I don't love you. And I don't want to marry you."

Without another word, she wrenched her wrists free from his grip and walked out of the cabin, leaving him standing there, rooted to the spot, in shock and disbelief.

Manik stood still for a moment, unable to process what had just happened. "What the hell...?" His mind raced. "There's something wrong. She can lie, but her tears can't."

His heart ached as he tried to make sense of the situation. The last time they had talked, she seemed fine. Why was she acting like this now?

Manik walked out of the hospital in a daze, heading for his car. But before he could get in, a ward boy approached him, holding a piece of paper.

Ward boy: "Sir, from Nandini ma'am."

Manik took the paper, his confusion deepening. He unfolded it and read the note:

"I AM SORRY, I LOVE YOU"

His heart skipped a beat. What was going on? One moment, she was rejecting him, and the next, she was apologizing in such a sweet note.

Manik: "What is that supposed to mean?" He muttered under his breath. "First, she's angry with me, and now this sweet note? What the hell is happening?"

Confused and frustrated, he returned to his mansion and immediately called a family meeting.

Nyonika: "Something is wrong. My daughter wouldn't say that unless something was happening. We need to find out what's going on."

Raj: "I agree. Manik, don't worry. We'll handle it, but you need to stay away from Nandini in public. She's been distant in the office, and when you were alone, she sent you this note. Whatever is happening, we need to figure it out."

Manik: "Dad, I can't just sit here while she's being blackmailed. I won't let this happen to her."

Cabir: "But if you meet her now, it might make things worse. Let me call her first. I'll figure out how you can talk to her, okay?"

Manik nodded, pacing back and forth in frustration.

Later that night, he laid in his bed, but sleep wouldn't come. His mind kept replaying the events. The note, her coldness, the pain in her eyes. Everything screamed that something was wrong, and he wasn't going to rest until he found out what it was.

Manik whispered to himself, the words filled with determination. "I'm not letting you slip away from me, Nandini. Whatever it takes, I'll get to the bottom of this. We're in this together."