Grab the tissues please, :)

And I can't beleive I have my mid sem test tomorrow and I am here updating and replying to comments when I have not even studied a single word!

Wish me luck for this horrifying mid sem test! Pray that the topics I read now, only they come in test tomorrow 😭😂❤️

Anyways, Enjoy Reading!

_____

Abort the baby, Nandini.

No.

Manik had not said that. Nandini refused to beleive her own ears. He had to be kidding her but the way he was standing there with tears in his eyes, Nandini knew her husband was dead serious.

She continued to stare at him in shock as he blinked his eyes in a failed attempt to shoo away his tears. She gasped, and tried to free herself from his hold. Manik held her tight as she struggled more and shook his head at her failed attempts.

Manik: You need to hear me out, Nandini.

Nandini: No!

And with that, she had pushed Manik away from her forcefully. Manik stumbled, standing up to his feet and tried to move to her but she flinched away from him, stopping him in the middle.

He fisted his hand, expecting the reaction but still not able to take it. He hated when she pushed him away.

Manik: Nandini

Nandini: How dare you!

Manik: Listen to me-

Nandini: I don't want to listen to you, Manik! Y-you didn't say that! Y-You- A-Abortion!?

She cried, disbelief running over her as she stared at the man infront of her. He was not her husband. Her Manik would never say anything like that to her.

Manik: Nandini! You need to hear me!

Manik shouted back this time, unable to hold it. She was starting to test his patience now. Her life was at stake and the least she could do was hear him out.

Manik: Nandini, the doctor-

Nandini sat there with horror on her face as Manik narrated the doctor's word. He finished but she didn't say a word. Seeing her state, he came forward and sat infront of her. He cupped her cheek and tried to make her look at him.

Manik: W-we have no other choice, Nandini. Abortion-

Nandini: Leave me alone.

Manik: Nandini- baby you need to-

Nandini: Manik, Please leave me alone.

She requested this time without even giving him any glance. Manik stared at her for a moment before standing up. He wanted to stay and hold her but she was pushing him away.

The indifference on her face, it broke his heart. She was not shouting at him. She didn't even look at him. Her face was devoid of any emotion and she had even refused to look at him.

Manik: I- I will ask the doctor to prepare for a-abortion.

Nandini clenched the bedsheet in her fist, heavy tears pooling in her eyes but she said nothing. She waited for him to leave the room. He did, with slow steps and his eyes glued on her but for the first time, Nandini couldn't look at him.

It was only when she heard the door close, her facade broke and she let the tears fall down her cheeks. She cried, clutching her fists and let the heartbreak consume her.

It was all her mistake.

Manik wanted to shut his eyes at the sound of Nandini crying in her mother's arms. It was heartbreaking to put in simple words. She just would not stop crying.

He clutched his hair wanting nothing more than to pluck them out. Niyonika walked out of the room followed by Raj and Cabir. Manik neither looked up or stood up from the bench he was sitting on as his mother walked to him.

Niyonika: Manik.

Manik: We are going for an abortion, Maa. It is final.

Raj: Did Nandini agree?

Manik remained silent. He turned away his face, letting out a sigh. Ayesha and Karan walked out of the room at the same time with Karan wrapping her arms around her shoulder as she cried in his embrace.

Niyonika: Manik, Look at me and tell me, did Nandini agree?

Manik still didn't dare to look at his mother. It seemed to anger her for she roughly held his shoulder making him stand up. Manik looked down the next moment not being able to stare in her eyes.

Niyonika: Manik.

Manik: She doesn't have to agree, Maa. I have made the decision.

Raj: And you don't find it necessary to ask her once?

Manik: Ask her what, dad? That if she wants to die?

Manik looked at his father this time who fell silent with wide eyes even at the thought of Nandini dying. Everyone understood his point yet they felt it was wrong. Nandini had every right on the baby. Although nobody would support her decision to keep this baby, they couldn't snatch away her rights.

Cabir: Bhai is right, Dad. We can't lose bhabhi.

Mukti: But it is her baby too!

Manik: and she is my wife. I get to decide if her life is on stake. We are not keeping this baby.

Manik sounded adamant. Sure, it hurt to say those words but he told himself, it was important. With Nandini beside him, they could have a baby in the future too, but if Nandini won't be there, the baby would mean nothing to him.

They heard the door open, and an emotional Abhi walked out followed by Rhea. They stared as Abhi came near Manik.

Abhi: Manik- save my sister. Please.

Manik's gaze softened as he heard the plea in his tone. He could only nod at Abhi who tried his best not to cry. Manik knew what Nandini meant to him.

With a heavy sigh, Manik stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the huge man, trying to comfort him while Abhi hugged him back with double force.

Manik: I will. At any cost.

Whatever it may take.

The next morning, Manik entered inside the hospital room only to find both the families inside. Mukti was hugging Nandini and crying, probably apologising for what happened but even Nandini didn't blame her.

They all turned to him while he only looked at the papers in his hands.

Manik: D-Doctor said, we can ab-abort-

Nandini: I refuse for an abortion.

She interrupted. Mukti backed away in shock while everyone else looked at her stunned. Manik only clenched the papers right. He was expecting this. He knew she would react like this.

Manik: What?

Nandini: I am keeping the baby.

Manik's jaw clenched as he stared at her, so stern that Nandini felt her insides trembling. Yet, ignoring everyone else, she looked back at him firmly.

She had decided. She wouldn't let the baby die due to her stupidity.

If their baby didn't survive, she would never be able to live with the guilt of killing her own child. And then, it was her mistake so she should bear the punishment now even if it meant losing her life.

Manik took a step ahead, everyone stood alert to stop him if things went over board. He was angry, so angry that he might not know what he was saying.

Manik: We are not keeping this baby.

Nandini: I won't let you kill our baby.

Manik: Nandini!

He shouted causing her to flinch. Her lower lip trembled, and tears formed in her eyes. Manik felt guilt creeping in his heart the next moment yet, he made sure to guard it.

Niyonika: Calm down, Manik. We can sit and talk about this.

Manik: What is there to talk, Maa? This abortion is necessary. She would die otherwise!

Nandini: So what, Manik? So what? You want me to kill our baby?

Manik: So you want to die?

Nandini: Manik-

Manik: You want to die?

Nandini: If it means giving birth to our child, then yes. I do not mind.

Manik stared at her in anger, while she didn't back down also. As they looked at each other, adamant on their decisions, the families looked at them torn.

Manik couldn't make decision on both of their behalf, but they couldn't let Nandini die too.

Nandini: Cabir, Take me home.

Cabir: Bhabhi-

Nandini: Please, Cabir.

Cabir looked at his mother who nodded silently. Maybe they could sit and talk. They could make Nandini understand. Maybe some miracle could happen.

Cabir sighed and helped her stand up. Navya came ahead to support her and together, they took her home while Manik stood still at his place, breathing fire.

Seeing his state, Raj came ahead and kept his hand on his shoulder.

Raj: Manik, We will make her understand.

Manik: You can't, dad.

Aryaman: So what will we do now?

Manik: I know what to do.

With that Manik walked out of the cabin while all they could do was exchange worried glances.

Nandini was filled with anger when she entered inside the Mansion with Cabir and Navya supporting her. There was a dull ache in her stomach but being a doctor she knew what it was and didn't panick.

She huffed, walking a few steps was tiring. Navya must have sensed it for she took her to the couch while Cabir walked to the kitchen to get her water.

He had just handed her the glass and they heard the loud horn. Nandini didn't even drink a drop and kept the glass back when Manik walked inside with furious steps.

The whole Malhotra family followed after him.

Manik might have asked her family to go back for he couldn't pursue her in their presence. No matter how right it was, it felt wrong being angry with her infront of her own family.

Manik: Nandini.

Nandini looked up and it broke his heart to see her stare at him with such so much pain in her eyes. He looked at her, heartbroken and defeated and the more he looked, the more the pain increased. That ache in his heart was so intense, that for a moment nothing mattered than his own pain.

Their family was not there. They were not standing in the hall. It was only them, trapped within the four walls that seemed to suffocate them.

Manik didn't know when he had reached near her or when his hand held her shoulder or when he pulled her to himself slightly while taking care of her swollen belly.

Manik: So- It is the baby now?

Nandini: Manik.

She tried calmly. Maybe she could make him understand but Manik was having none of it. The heaviness he felt in his heart that moment couldn't be described in words. He needed to do this. She left him no other choice.

His eyes were wet, cheeks were damp from the tears that fell down. Nandini had hurt him. Why didn't she choose him?

He wanted to scold her so bad, or throw a tantrum. He was the one she was supposed to choose. So why didn't she?

Manik: Why didn't you choose me.

He looked at her with so much bitterness in his eyes.

Manik: Why not me.

Manik wanted to know.

Nandini: You need to calm down, Manik.

She tried again but Manik shook his head, more tears falling down his eyes.

Manik: I am calm. I am not shouting. Tell me now.

He was anything but calm. His insides were screaming. He wanted to shout at her and hurt her back with his words but he could do nothing. The woman in his arms held his life.

Nandini: I-I cannot kill our baby, Manik!

Manik: And what about you?

Nandini: Manik!

Manik: What am I supposed to do with the baby after you die?

Manik: You expect me to pamper him after you? Or remember you every time I see him? What do you expect me to do?

Nandini: Manik-

Manik: I won't bear this pain alone, Nandini.

Nandini looked at him with a frown. Manik's muscles twitched as he stared at her. He needed to make her agree. She would agree, she had to.

Manik: If you want this baby, you can't have me.

Nandini gasped and he faked a chuckle.

Manik: You have made a choice, Nandini. Give birth to this baby and if you die, I will hate him forever and if you survive, I would not look at you ever.

Another gasp left her mouth followed by Niyonika's angery voice shouting at Manik.
But Manik was adamant, he had made his decision. He wanted to save her. He wanted to abort this baby and he knew nothing else would made her agree.

Manik: You chose the baby, right. I chose you. The baby, is already dead to me.

Manik had only finished when he was harshly turned around and the next moment he felt the sting on his cheek. He looked up at his father who stared at him with red angry eyes.

Manik lowered his eyes and heard his mother gasp from behind.

Niyonika: Raj!

Raj: Niyo! Let me put some sense into him.  Is that how you talk to a pregnant lady, Manik?

Manik remained silent, fuming in anger. He wanted to say so much but he couldn't.

Raj: She is your wife. Think twice before you speak to her like that!

Manik: It is between me and my wife, dad-

Raj: So solve it in your room! Not in the hall when we are all here! Do you realise what you just told her?

Manik: Yes! I told her I don't want-

Raj: Manik!

Meanwhile, Nandini had stumbled on her own feet hearing him. He couldn't be so bitter. He could never be this harsh on her but it was the truth. He was doing it. He would do it, she knew him a little better.

Somewhere, she knew why he was doing this but she could not ignore the fear that has settled in her heart now. What if he really hated her baby?

Nandini: If you don't want the baby- I will go.

She said, calmly. Manik abruptly turned to her while the others looked at her in shock. Navya and Niyonika were on her side the next moment. Mukti's crying voice reached her tears too followed by the concern in Raj and Cabir's tone.

Manik: What?

Nandini: I will go away- if you don't want us.

And she stepped back, a protective hand palming her belly. Hurt flashed in Manik's eyes and he saw her take another step back. His father's slap stung less than her one step.

Nandini: I- I will leave.

Niyonika: Nandini- what are you saying bacha?

Nandini: Maa- I want to go.

Nandini ignored everyone else and looked at Niyonika who shook her head. Within few minutes, Nandini was walking towards the door followed by Navya, Mukti and Niyonika trying to stop her.

She had reached the threshold when Niyonika gripped her arm.

Niyonika: Nandini, stop bacha. I won't let you leave like this.

Manik: Let her go, Maa.

Niyonika: Manik!

Manik: Let her go.

Manik said firmly this time, daring his mother or anyone else to go against him. If Nandini wanted to leave, she could. He was not going to stop her, not this time. Niyonika shook her head in disappointment.

Nandini didn't turn back, and Manik didn't came ahead to stop her. She let the tears fall freely as she removed Niyonika's hand from hers and stepped out of the mansion she called home once.

To Be Continued.

Opps! Hating Manik right now? How many of you agree with his way of making her agree?

And, do you think Nandini was wrong or right in leaving ?

Do share your views..

The next chapter, might be here on 5th or 6th of May.

Thankyou,
Have a nice sleep guys✨❤️