So as I said I will start updating from 15th of August, here you go with the update.

Also, a little bit of self promotion - Do check out 'What Heart Wants' if you still haven't. It is on my profile only.
Second, I am active on twitter - #Heywtsup_ and #Itsallaboutyu_ (It is my personal) so feel free to contact me there too.

And I am not active on Instagram as of now, so please know if I haven't replied you there, it is because of this reason only.

Enjoy Reading!

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Nandini: Manik, Do you believe in soulmates?

A small smile graced her lips and Manik's eyes shone brighter as he pulled her to his chest. The air was chill as they sat there in their balcony with only a thin shawl draped over them.

Manik: Yes, I do.

Nandini: You know, Amma used to say - soulmates meet when their stars align.

Manik: You beleive in that?

Nandini nodded her head with a small smile and Manik himself couldn't stop the curve forming on his lips.

Nandini: You are my soulmate. My soul loves yours like it has always meant to love you.

Manik rolled his eyes, even when the smile didn't leave his face. He knew she has read all that quotes on Instagram again and is buttering him now. She didn't need anything, it was just a trick to flatter him. Only if she knew how flattered he was already.

Manik: I also heard, Soulmates take birth again and again.. What do you think, how many lives have we already lived together?

Nandini laughed throwing her head back at his chest. Manik pouted dramatically but waited for her answer patiently.

Nandini: I don't know, Manik but it seems like this life is so less to love you. We only have limited time, how do we love each other completely?

Manik: Love isn't dependented on life. Our souls remains connected even after we die, and love it just stays.

Nandini: and what about second marriage?

Manik shrugged, hands sneaking under her t-shirt from behind. He could feel her shudder due to the coldness of his fingers and it only provoked him to dig them further.

Manik: That depends, I have seen many people who never married again, or who did for their family's happiness but never fell in love with their second partner or sometimes, they just fall in love with their second marriage, like never before.

Nandini: It is so difficult, no.

Manik: And who said love is easy darling?

He teased, nibbling on her earlobe with his teeth and tongue making her slap his shoulder.

Nandini: Manik.

Nandini gasped when she felt the cool air hitting her skin. There was a blindfold around her eyes and Manik was holding her hand to guide her somewhere. She griped his fingers tight with every step they took ahead.

It was a surprise, she was told.

Manik: Relax, I got you.-  And, we are here.

He mumbled, going behind her to open her blindfold and when he did, she gasped looking at the sight infront of her. So beautiful, almost as if she was standing in heaven.

(See the picture in the media box for reference :))

Nandini: W-What?

She gaped with wide open mouth and the whole Malhotra family staring at her from front shouted yes before laughing out loud at her reaction. Manik let out a loud chuckle as well as he patted her shoulder, encouraging her to step ahead which she did still in daze.

Nandini: A Baby shower?

She was more shocked then surprise. She had no idea they had been planning all of this behind her back. The hall was fully decorated with white and sky blue ballons, flowers, teddy bears and what not.

There was food arrangement at the side while her special space was decorated to the perfection with white and blue ballons hanging behind. Some gifts were kept on the floor as a part of decor and Nandini knew it could be only her mother's idea although she was not here yet.

Niyonika walked forward with a smile and held her hands.

Niyonika: You liked it, bacha?

Nandini: Haa, Maa. But- what was the need of this?

Niyonika: There was. This is your day, Nandini. It is special. You are special and so is the baby. Now, stop thinking of all this and just enjoy.

Nandini smiled, tears glistening her eyes as she tried to hug Niyonika but couldn't due to the huge belly. Niyonika laughed at her futile attempt and wiped her tears.

Niyonika: Ah. I miss hugging you.

Nandini: Only two more months, Maa.

Niyonika laughed again, nodding her head along.

Nandini felt Manik wrapping his arm behind her and pulling her in his embrace. She blushed red and he looked at his mother.

Manik: Mrs.Mumma Malhotra, You are troubling my wife. She is supposed to be happy, not shedding tears.

Niyonika gasped as the other four joined them quickly.

Niyonika: Excuse me, Behave, Mr.Malhotra. I am your mother.

Manik made a bad face as Niyonika acted like slapping him. Nandini giggled seeing them and it made them smile.

Raj: By the way, Nandini, How's the decorations?

Nandini's eyes gleamed in happiness as she took another quick glance behind before opening her mouth to reply. However, Cabir spoke before she could.

Cabir: And ofcourse, he didn't decide it bhabhi. The ladies did it.

Raj: Excuse me, I made corrections.

Mukti: corrections that sounded more like complaints!

Mukti, Navya, Cabir and even Manik ended up laughing from behind. Niyonika herself could hardly control her own seeing Raj's poker face. He gave her a look and she straightened immediately acting like zipping her mouth making him shake his head in disbelief.

At the same time they heard commotion and the Murty family entered inside. Nandini rushed to them with Manik beside her and greeted them.

The ladies went on another round of emotional ride while the men could only sigh.

Manik: Maa, Amma, not again please! You guys are ruining her make up! Shall I just take her inside please?

Niyonika: Manik, Shameless! Come with me, let me complaint to your father.

She gasped at his audacity and immediately held his ear and dragged him to the other end of the garden where Raj stood with Karan and other boys. He whined all the way and Nandini looked at him concerned but when he pouted dramatically at her, she rolled her eyes.

Soon enough she saw Manik being scolded like a child by Raj. He seemed to be arguing over something with Niyonika. She sighed and walked to them and heard Manik say.

Manik: But if they cause any problem, I won't stop myself!

Nandini:  who is causing trouble?

Manik turned around abruptly and the first thing Nandini noticed was his red ear. She immediately carressed it and he held her hand.

Nandini: Does it hurt?

Manik: No, I am used to it.

Niyonika: Really? Nandini, don't worry, it is just his skin being as dramatic as he is.

Nandini: But Maa-

Manik: It is okay baba, Maa hai.

He eyed her not to say anything as he saw guilt creeping on Niyonika's face. Nandini understood and stopped.

Nandini: But who caused you trouble?

Manik: Who would dare to cause me trouble? Nobody wants to die here, baby.

He winked at her, but Nandini was not a fool either. The underlying worry in his eyes was not hidden from her. She glared at him and he let out a sigh.

Manik: Okay, If anyone caused me trouble, I will tell you. You can beat them up to pulp, okay? I won't even stop you.

Nandini: Okay, Aap mere saath chaliye, I have to show you something.

With that she held his hand and dragged him in other direction while the others stood gaping at the scene.

Raj: When did Nandini turn so possesive?

Cabir: Bhabhi was always possesive. She doesn't even let me and Mukti fight when he is sleeping.

He pouted dramatically remembering how he and Mukti were pushed from there last time for this very reason. All he did was throw a pillow at Mukti and it was her who had to shout like a crazy person but still Nandini threw both of them out saying Manik was sleeping and they were not to disturb him.

While the others only laughed hearing his complaint.

Soon enough the guests started pouring in. The baby shower went on full swings.
Blessing, love, gifts everything flowed through and Manik smiled seeing her beaming in joy among everyone.

The sight of her laughing with others stirred everything inside him. He wanted her like that always. She looked so beautiful laughing. His eyes fell on her bump further, his expressions softened but he looked away at the very moment.

Shaking his head, he walked to her. She looked up as if sensing his presence and smiled at him. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the side of her head. She knew this was the most open he could get before others and it only made her smile more.

Nandini: Manik. Look what Arya bhai and Sia got us.

She showed him a photo frame which had their pictures, as a baby or as an adult while there were two columns empty to complete it with the babies pictures. Manik chuckled and turned to both of them.

Manik: You should have added columns for our pictures in our old days too.

Arya: Ah, yes I didn't think of it.

Sia: And then, it would take so long for you two to get old.

Manik nodded as Aryaman explained Nandini he could get it changed. She tried to say it was okay, but he insisted. Seeing the never ending bickering of the siblings, Manik decided to interfere.

Manik: Aryaa, I think Amma was looking for both of you, you should go.

He eyed them, and it was enough for them to take the hint. They walked away with a teasing glint in their eyes. Manik sat beside Nandini as soon as they were out of sight.

Manik: Are you okay?

Nandini: Yes.

Manik: Tell me or anyone if you need anything, okay?

Nandini nodded as he carressed her cheek. He opened his mouth to say something but before that two arms grabbed Nandini's hand. She panicked but relaxed seeing it was Navya and Rhea while Mukti and Sia stood at the side laughing. Manik stood up glaring at them as they dragged her in a group of ladies. She was standing in between while they all danced around her.

Around half an hour later, Mukti helped Nandini sit on the couch as she huffed from walking all around.

Mukti: Bhabhi, water?

Nandini nodded and Mukti looked around but there was no water, neither was their anyone to serve. She sighed and told her to wait and herself walked to the kitchen.

Nandini let out a tiring sigh and bend down slightly to fix her dress. It was then a conversation from beside her caught her attention.

Lady: Niyonika, We heard about Nandini. Poor child, God can be really cruel sometimes.

Niyonika looked surprised herself. They have tried their best to keep their private matters under covers but seemed like word had got out. She stood there uncomfortably and the lady continued.

Lady: I know it is difficult time for you all but I really think you all should be prepared beforehand.

Niyonika frowned, having an idea where this was heading but hoping it was not that. If anybody heard, their would be unnecessary scene.

Another lady: Yes, Niyonika. Look, Manik is still young and then a baby, baby will need a mother. I have some good girls in my mind who would agree to take care of him and his child.

Niyonika gasped while Nandini went still on her place. She looked up, feeling a presence and a gasp left her lips seeing Manik standing there, his eyes fixed on the ladies and hands in fists. Did he hear it all? Probably, he did.

Niyonika: What? No. We are not looking forward for anything like that, Mrs.Sharma we are positive Nandini would survive.

Lady: I get your point. But what is the harm in being prepared? Mrs.Chatterjee's daughter, Niharika-

The lady couldn't complete as Manik walked upto her and stood infront of her. Niyonika gripped his arm shocked and tensed and it seemed to gain everyone's attention.

Manik: What did you just say?

Lady: Manik- beta we were just-

Manik: You know what, you people don't deserve to be here. Say sorry to my wife right now or else I would really forget all my manners.

Niyonika: Manik, Leave it. They-

Manik: How do I leave it, Maa. They hurt my Nandini means, they hurt me.

Manik's voice cracked at the end as he stared at his mother. She stepped back with a disappointed frown seeing his moist eyes. Manik turned back to the ladies who seemed taken aback by his behaviour.

Manik: She was so happy and you all had to ruin it. Why did you invite them Maa, I told you not to!

He complained and his eyes fell on Nandini who was silently crying looking at him. This is what he was talking about earlier. He knew they would cause trouble.  Manik fumed and turned back to the ladies who looked at him scared.

Manik: Apologize to her for ruining her day right now!

He didn't have to shout to get what he wanted for the ladies trembled under his hard gaze. He looked more than scary. They all hurriedly walked to Nandini and apologised. Nandini knew it was not because they were guilty or something. It was only because they were scared of her husband's anger.

As the ladies walked out she turned to Navya who had came by her side amidst all this and told her to take her inside her room.

The ladies tried to stop her but then, Manik himself came ahead to take her inside.

The baby shower that started with happiness, ended up on a bad note.

Later at night, as they both laid in their bed- silent and exhausted, Manik moved his gaze to her. She had been crying badly and he had a hard time consoling her.

He silently moved to her as she let out a sigh, her hand taking his and he entwined their fingers, eventually bringing it near his lips and pressing a soft kiss on the back of her palm.

Manik: I saw a dream.

He smiled and even though it didn't reach his eyes, Nandini found it unable to look away. She looked at him curious, and he scooted a little more close to her.

Nandini: Was I there?

Manik: Y-Yeah. You were. It was a happy dream.

He didn't look down at her this time. Nandini let out a chuckle as she caressed his cheek.

Nandini: What did you see?

Manik: You, Me and our baby.

Nandini gasped and looked at him.

Manik: He was so tiny and you were instructing me how to make him burp.

Manik let out a chuckle, finding it funny yet so overwhelming.

Manik: And I almost dropped him, but you held him. Then, he grew up and he had school. You were making him ready while we both were only complaining because we couldn't find anything. Oh! It was such a disaster. You had a hard-

Nandini: I wasn't there, right?

The smile on his face faltered. Nandini had caught him red handed. He gulped as he stared at her, so scared to tell her that he didn't see her in that dream. That, he couldn't look at their child. That, he felt he was like a dead man too.

That, her absence had started haunting him in his dreams.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts but they never left. Bad, negative thoughts had started to home his mind, and they wouldn't let him even sit in peace.

Manik: C-Can I talk to him? Please?

Nandini: You don't have to ask my permission, Manik. You have all the rights.

Manik: I had, but I lost them the moment I declared him dead for me.

Nandini: Manik, you were just hurt and angry.

Manik: But I still did. I shouldn't have said that. He must have felt so hurt, that his own father considered him dead. How will I even face him, Nandini?

Manik shook his head yet again, this time sitting on the bed and Nandini sat infront of him. He held her hand and a sob dared to leave his lips as the moment played in his mind.

The baby is already dead to me.

He had said it. These horrifying words, he had uttered on his own. He feared how was her Ayiyappa going to punish him for this huge sin. He would do anything to repent, except for going away from her.

Manik: You were right, Nandini. You were always right.

He paused, gulping the lump in his throat while Nandini could feel her heart beating so loud in her chest.

Manik: I choose you, but I want our baby too. I don't want to lose him too.

He cried with the guilt all over his face. He wanted to save her, but he didn't want to loose their child either. He knew if they had gone for abortion, he would have never been able to forgive himself.

Manik: I am so scared, Nandini. Tell our baby, I love him too. Tell him, papa is sorry because he didn't love him enough. Just tell him, Papa is helpless and had no other choice.

Heartbreak?

Is that how a breaking heart feels like?

Nandini couldn't decide as she stared at her husband's shaking form. He was sobbing. And sure, he had cried infront of her before but this one time, she could feel her heart break in zillion pieces.

And sadly, she could do nothing to ease it.

To Be Continued.

Gosh, This feels like a personal loss now 😭❤️

Only two chapters left, and we will say bye to Forever then.

Thankyou for all the love guys🤧❤️

I will be updating the next one, very soon.