"I don't know  Di, we have been facing problems for quite some time now and I don't think its working out and this baby,it is all so complicated now" explained Naira while Nandini just hugged her tights as tears made way in Naira's eyes.

Naira told Nandini how she and Kartik had a fight before coming to India andthe connection was fading away. They were in India and talking to each other in pretence of everything being normal but nor was Naira clearing out her misunderstandings with Kartik and nor was he doing it with Naira. No communication increased the distance further and right after  the wedding when Naira saw Kartik being in an over friendly conversation with someone in Nandini and Manik's wedding,she misunderstood him to be cheating at her with that girl. A huge fight followed and Kartik left for L.A. right from Greece while Naira stayed back and the very next morning,she found out she was pregnant. IT WAS VERY COMPLICATED!

"Naira both of you are equally at fault over here,how do you expect Kartik to react if you accuse him of cheating? and obviously you had your own reasons which he is not ready to hear. Communication can only help you right now and you have to do it. This is not about just you two now,there is a baby involved, your baby involved" Nandini said making him understand 

"Di, I understand but in L.A didn't he accuse me of dating his friend?How can he think that low of me and what if he does not even accept this baby to be his?" countered back Naira.

"Naira, let's not conclude anything go  and talk okay?" suggested Nandini

"Family?Should I tell them?"

"If you wish to"

"I want Kartik to know about this first"

"Then so be it,go to him , okay?" 

Naira hugged Nandini,it was a testing phase for her and how thankful she was to have a sister as supporting as Nandini.

______________________

"I am confused Raj,I just want Cabir to be happy." said Nyonika while doing her makeup for the reception party.

"Same Nyonika but we can't go against Bua,not at all, we will talk to Cabir later" Said Raj while fixing his tie.

__________________________

Naira had left for the venue and Nandini was putting on her jewellery given to her by Nyonika,the vermillion thicker than usual, her chooda, the wedding ring,all of it complimenting her look.

"Look at you" exclaimed Manik who had just entered in the room,putting his phone on charge, he approached Nandini back hugging her while she was busy with her earrings.

"Thankyou husband, go get ready,while I go to Mamma,these earrings are just not my cup of tea" said Nandini giving up with the earrings.

They were quite delicate and Nandini needed a helping hand to put them on.

"Well I am here at your service Madam,give it to me." said Manik , taking the earrings from her hand ,putting her hairs aside towards her front and his mind changed. A little mischief never harms. Smirking, he dropped kisses over her shoulder blades reaching up to her ears when Nandini turned around slapping him on his chest.

"What ha? Pehnana hai to pehnao or I am going to Mamma" said Nandini with an authority in her tone. Manik passing her a fake smile,muttered a "Fine" and made her wear the earrings while Nandini admired him all the while through the mirror.

"You are the best" said Nandini,out of context as Manik was done .

Manik smiled at her and kissed her over her head from the back all the while looking into her eyes through the mirror.

"I am gonna go get ready real quick and we will go" said Manik going into his closet to get ready while Nandini went to bua dadi as she had called her. 

---------------------------------------------------

"May I come in Dadi?" asked Nandini knocking at her door

"Please Nandini" replied Supriya from inside

Nandini entered to see her ready in a green saree carrying her elegance as usual. One thing was for sure, the Malhotra elegance radiated out from everyone in the family effortlessly.

"You look pretty" said Nandini.

"So do you beta,come sit here." said Supriya smiling at her while taking out a box from her cupboard and bringing it to her while Nandini sat on the bed

"You know what this is?" Supriya asked

"A jewellery box if I am not wrong?" asked Nandini unsure

"You are wrong, theses are the blessings passed on to us from our ancestors,right from then these are given to our daughter-in-laws, these are our heritage. Nyonika would have given this to you but nowadays,nothing apart from Cabir strikes her. Nevermind,have these you have the only sole right upon these now." said Supriya passing on the boxes to her

"Dadi , don't you think it would be unfair if you give them all to me?" said Nandini knowing clearly what's happening now. She understood Supriya is not happy with Cabir's and Navya's alliance as she mentioned Cabir, everything made sense now, Dadi's previous comment as well.

"What do you mean Nandini? All these are eventually yours now,these are given to the wives of our sons, I don't have one but I have always considered Manik as one, after me who else would have all this, obviously you . I don't know about Nyonika but seeing her behaviour these days, it is quite evident she would not refrain from giving every right to Cabir, and his wife. You need to have your rights secured beta." said Supriya showing genuine concern

" I agree Dadi,I need to have my rights secured but not on materialistic things, my right on all of you all's love, that's secured isn't it?" said Nandini smiling at her.

"Goodness is not always what helps us beta. We women will always have to fight for ourselves, that used to happen,that happens,that will always have happen. Tell me , what if Nyonika gives everything which should be yours to Navya tomorrow,what will you do? You and Manik will have nothing for yourself even when all of this should be yours. Cabir has absolutely no right over all this phir bhi use milega, nothing unfair will happen to him nor should it happen but Manik should also be treated fairly. I don't want any sort of issues in this house and so am I saying this to you, aaaj se hi sab equally divide ho jaye to usme galat kya hai?" said Supriya

"Bua, aapko sachme lagta hai ki main kisiko bhi Nandini se uske rights cheenne dungi?" said Nyonika unbelievably as she entered the room closing the door behind her back while Nandini got up.

"Mamma that's not what she meant." said Nandini trying to pacify the situation.

"No Nandini she meant this and only this , Bua do you  think I don't care about Manik ? He is my son , my world , why will that happen to him? " said Nyonika calmly

" Really Nyonika? Manik was not at all well in the morning today,Nandini was there for him, we all were there for him. Abhi thoda better hua hai tab ready hone gaya hai. I, Nandini, Raj we were all so worried for him, we almost called off the reception. Tumhe pata chala is baare me? Nahi na? Cause you were with Navya ,on Cabir's insistence. Nandini is new to the house,this is when she needs you and all you care about is Navya." said Supriya , her voice raising with every line.

Nyonika looked at Nandini to ask if that happened. She had tears in her eyes knowing she was not there for Manik,her son.

"Dadi please, there is absolutely no fault of Mamma here. Cabir and Navya are announcing their relationship today,Navya must have been nervous. What's wrong if Cabir wanted his mother to be with his girlfriend?" questioned Nandini softly, making sure she is not disrespecting Supriya.

"No fault of hers beta but what was more important? health of a son or calming down the girlfriend of another son?  She needs to set her priorities right and I know you can do that Nyonika, you have handled this house blissfully since all these years , aaj bhi karo. You also know that Cabir marrying Navya is not the right decision, I am not instigating you all against Navya infact I respect her. She has brought up her daughter alone , she is strong but then I don't think she will be able to be a good daughter-in-law. If ever she claims rights over each and everything, na tum kuch kahogi na Nandini, I don't have to say anything else, Nandini keeping everything aside, I want you to have this jewellery,have it for me please." said Supriya

Looking at Nyonika for assurance , Nandini took the boxes from her and touched her feet taking her blessings

"May you be blessed with sanity and may you know what the right thing is." said Supriya 

"Ek aakhri baat zaroor kahungi Nyonika, just to prove that you have accepted Cabir as your own son,dont wrong the son who really is yours." said Supriya and left outside where Raj and Manik were already waiting for them.

"Mom and Nandini?" asked Manik

"They are coming" replied Supriya before having a glass of water

Nyonika had non stop tears flowing from her eyes.

"She was not wrong Nandini, she was not wrong. I cannot let my Manik be wronged,NO. Mere bacche ki tabiyat nahi sahi thi aur main thi bhi nahi uske liye. I will not let this happen again" said Nyonika assuring herself.

"Nandini I promise you, you will always be you in this house" said Nyonika to Nandini taking her hands in hers.

"Mamma calm down, please, I know and I also know nothing like this is ever gonna happen. I know Navya and she's just not like this. Please don't cry and lets go now" said Nandini passing her a glass of water.

They left downstairs where everyone was waiting for them. Manik raised her eyes looking at Nandini sensing something wrong, who just smiled at her.

Cabir was at the venue already while Raj ,Nyonika and Supriya left in one car while Manik and Nandini left in another.

_______________

Manik was glancing at Nandini time to time who was staring out of the window. Holding her hands into his,

"Why did Mom cry?" asked Manik startling Nandini