It had been four days, but Manik and Nandini still hadn't had that conversation. Nandini was on bed rest and had improved a lot. Manik had been doing everything he could to help her recover, from feeding her to giving her medications, accompanying her on the prescribed morning and evening walks, and making sure she slept on time. He was setting the bar high for every man out there.

Despite all this care, Nandini tried to initiate a conversation, but every time she did, Manik would dodge it. Not that he didn't talk to her; he did. But it was always in response to her questions or instructions, and nothing more.

Nandini was completely fine now, aside from the occasional sharp pains, which the medicines helped ease.

Today, at Malhotra Mansion:

Raman spoke up, "Raj, Nandu is well now. We should leave for the Murthys' place. It's all sorted, and we need to continue with the preparations too."

Raj replied, "Arey, Raj, Nandu needs more rest right now."

Nyonika added, "I agree, it gets so quiet around here without her."

Ishita, with a gentle smile, said, "Just a few more months, Nyonika, then she'll be here with you both."

Nyonika, understanding that they both wanted to spend some time with Nandini before her wedding, nodded in agreement, and Raj did too.

Ishita stood up, ready to go, "I'll just go and tell Nandu."

Nandini was resting in the room, lying on the bed while Manik sat beside her, his laptop open in front of him, but his attention clearly divided.

Ishita knocked on the door. Manik looked at Nandini, but she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even hear the knock.

"Yeah?" Manik called out.

"It's me," Ishita responded.

"Come in, Mom," Manik replied, smiling.

Ishita entered the room, her expression warm and kind. "Nandu," she said.

Nandini snapped out of her thoughts and turned to face her mother. "Hmm, Mom?"

Ishita smiled at her. "Sweetheart, we need to leave for the Murthys today evening. Be ready, okay?"

Nandini was caught off guard by the sudden change, unsure how to react. She gave her mother a soft smile and nodded, trying to mask the swirl of emotions in her heart.

Ishita patted her cheek affectionately and gave Manik a knowing smile before leaving.

Nandini remained in her thoughts for a moment, her gaze lingering on Manik. Then she decided to get up, but Manik, ever watchful, stopped her.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

"I need to pack, Manik," Nandini said, her voice low, unsure.

"You don't need to," Manik replied, his tone gentle but insistent. "Rest a little longer. I'll pack for you."

Nandini shook her head softly. "It's okay, Manik. This is not what you should be doing. You're not ready to do what you really need to do."

Manik frowned, his confusion evident. "What I need to do?"

"Exactly," Nandini whispered, staring at him with longing, her eyes full of unspoken words. "You're not ready to talk. You keep dodging me."

They shared a long, intense gaze, as if trying to read each other's soul.

Manik finally broke the silence. "Nandini, you don't need to pack. Just rest for a while." His voice softened, but there was still a distance.

Nandini's heart ached. "Manik," she began, taking a deep breath, "I'm leaving today, and I really need to talk before I go."

Without responding, Manik turned towards the closet, his steps slow and deliberate, as if trying to delay the inevitable.

"Nandini," he said, almost in a whisper, as she stood up, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Her voice trembled as she called his name, and before he could take another step, she rushed toward him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Manik froze for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. The weight of her arms around him was like a confession of everything she had been feeling.

Nandini's body shook slightly as she held him, and he felt her tears soaking into his shirt.

He immediately pulled her closer, cupping the back of her head gently, as if trying to hold her together. "Why are you crying, baby?" His voice was low, full of concern, but the worry was palpable.

"I... I'm not," Nandini replied, her voice muffled as she pulled away slightly to look up at him.

Manik frowned. "Your eyes are sweating, then?"

Nandini chuckled softly, the sound a mix of frustration and affection. She pulled herself out of the hug and wiped her face, trying to control her emotions. "Manik," she started, her voice cracking slightly, "I'm sorry. I know I made you angry—"

"I wasn't angry," Manik cut in, his tone firm but gentle. "I was hurt, Nandini. I felt like I wasn't enough for you. That you didn't trust me enough to tell me you needed to go to the hospital."

Tears welled up in Nandini's eyes again, but she quickly blinked them away. "Manik, no. I trust you with my life. I thought you would stop me from going, and it was an emergency, but when I got to the hospital, there was some confusion. It all happened so fast, and I didn't know what to do. You're taking it all wrong. You're the best anyone could have."

Manik gazed at her, his eyes searching hers for any signs of dishonesty, but all he found was love, vulnerability, and raw honesty.

He cupped her cheeks, his thumb brushing away a tear. "I understand now. You were in a hurry, caught in the moment. You didn't know what to do. And I love you for your dedication, Nandini. I would never stop you from doing what you're passionate about. But I also need you to promise me one thing—you won't do this again. Don't keep things from me."

Nandini's voice was soft but full of sincerity. "I promise. I'm sorry."

Manik kissed her forehead gently, holding her close, as if he never wanted to let her go. "No more apologies, okay?" he whispered. "I don't like hearing you say sorry all the time."

Nandini smiled, a genuine, warm smile that lit up her face. "You're the best, you know that?"

Manik smiled back, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "No, Nandini. You're the reason I try to be better every day. You deserve the best, and I'm selfish enough to want you to stay with me. So, I'll just keep trying to be that."

Nandini chuckled softly. "Hmm, you're getting better day by day too."

Manik grinned, planting a kiss on her hair. "So, we're good now?" he asked, his voice playful but still carrying an underlying seriousness.

Nandini nodded, her eyes filled with love and gratitude. "We are. Let me go pack now."

Manik's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Oh right, you need to leave, don't you?"

Nandini smiled at him, her lips pouting slightly. "Yeah."

Manik chuckled, shaking his head. "No worries. It's not like you're going to be too far away."

"Thank God!" Nandini laughed, rolling her eyes.

Together, they quickly packed Nandini's things. With Manik's help, they were done in no time.

Manik helped Nandini carefully descend the stairs, making sure she didn't overexert herself. When they reached the living room, everyone was already ready.

Manik spoke up, "Kaka, Nandini's bag is upstairs. Can you ask someone to bring it down?"

Kaka nodded. "Of course, Manik beta, I'll let them know."

One of the servants brought her luggage downstairs, and Abhimanyu spoke up. "Dad, your car is here. You, Mom, and Navya can leave with the driver. Nandini and Radhika can come with me."

Radhika immediately ran over to Nandini and hugged her, causing a sharp pain in Nandini's side, but she quickly composed herself and smiled at Radhika.

Manik noticed the pain flash across Nandini's face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Nandini smiled, trying to reassure him. "Yeah, I'm fine."

As everyone prepared to leave, Nyonika kissed Nandini's forehead and gave her a tight hug. "Take care, Nandini."

"Yes, Mom," Nandini replied, her voice soft but strong.

Raj also hugged Nandini, giving her a warm smile. "Take care, dear."

Nyonika and Raj headed back inside, and Cabir, who had been waiting nearby, hugged Nandini too. "Bye, bhabhi," he said, his voice a little more serious than usual.

Nandini smiled at him as he walked back inside.

"Bye, Manik," Nandini said, her voice filled with bittersweet emotion.

Manik stepped forward, taking a moment to kiss her lips gently.

Nandini smiled, then kissed his cheek softly before stepping into the car.

As the car pulled away, Nandini waved her final goodbye, and Manik, standing in the doorway of the mansion, watched her go, his heart heavy but hopeful for what was to come.