Nandini's car stopped in front of the Eshana's house, the place is beautiful but the construction of the bunglow looks much older than her own age. They both stepped out of the car and Manik stilled for a moment. He observed the surrounding nd turned to Nandini.

"U go ...... I will call Abhimanyu to pick me" he said that to her.

"I will stay with u" she said.

"Ur parents must be waiting ...... U go .....  I will attend the session" he said firmly, leaving no space for denial. And she nodded.

"Sure?"

"Hmm".

"Bye" she said but she didn't want to go. He held back of her neck softly and pulled her.

"Bye" he kissed her forehead and she left reluctantly.

....................||

"Hii" Eshana's husband opened the door and found Manik outside his house.

"U r alone ...... Nandini didn't come" Eshana came from behind to greet him with happy face but he just gave them a silent look.

"I want to have chat with my little sister" he said looking at her husband but his sentence shocked both of them and her husband left the room silently.

"U know? ...... Nandini told u?" She asked raising her one eyebrow.

"Obviously I do ...... What u think I never noticed the similarities in ur external features ?" He was always observant but he used to dismiss the thoughts of her being related to him in any way.

"This is also the exact address for which I threatened someone's mother". After reaching here it instantly clicked him.

"And not to forget the name plate outside the house which clearly states my biological father's name".

"Don't u think I am too smart to get fooled by u nd my girlfriend who thinks she is saving me ..... But little did she know world is not innocent like her and especially .... You". He smirked.

He was sure that at night he woke up nd everything wasn't his nightmare, he can't be this much delusional and her groan in bathtub confirmed that she was hiding it from him so he just played along with her, not wanting to make her worried. He also heard few words from their call in the morning, then this place nd Eshana made it clear that Nandini knows everything but is quiet for his treatment.

"So u knew everything ..... Still why r u here?"

"To know why did u take so much of efforts to reach to me?".

"U r my brother Manik".

"Shut up ...... I'm not Nandini to get manipulate by u ...... So save our time and say the truth directly".

"Fine ....... I want u to find our father" she stated firmly.

"Are you serious?"  He was amused.

"How u can think that I will find a person whom I never saw and obviously the one who never cared for his son?". He chuckled and said unbelievably.

"Come on ...... I don't even have any blames to put on him so that I will find him to clear my grudges and have happy father son moment".

"U will find him because u r the very reason, why he is not here?" She said with hatred.

"What r u talking? ..... We don't even know each other". He just rolled his eyes.

"Ur father has held him captive for yrs" She was angry.

"What?"

"Yes shrikant Malhotra ....... Your namesake father".

"Don't call him that ...... He is not my father ..... He has never been".

"And wait a minute how do u know? ...... How do u even know Shrikant Malhotra?".

"How do u think u got those letters? ...... Obviously he snatched them from me". She said and next moment she was struggling to breathe, he held her neck and pressed her frame on near wall, making it difficult for her to breathe.

"U r involved in my brother's death".

"Stop ur fucking torture" she screamed and managed to hit his arms.

"I have no role in his death ...... I didn't even have idea he was going to do that" freeing herself she said while coughing.

"How u two know each other? ...... Don't u dare to lie".

"Why would I tell you ?" He smirked and sat on chair in living room.

"U don't have any option ....... Now don't test my power or patience ...... Reveal the whole story". He eyed her space on sofa to sit.

"I'm not the only needy person here" she smiled evily.

"I know his location" she too smirked back nd sat on sofa.

"Either start it now or I am leaving" he was done with her.

"Back in college ur mother had crush on my father and even he was smitten by her ..... But they never admitted and then after their farewell party of last year they got carried away in one pub and ended up having .... Umm sex ..... That was drunken mistake, both forgot the scene nd moved on in their lives ..... Within two months ur mother got married and found out she is pregnant ..... She was scared that her one drunken mistake will cost her married life ...... She even tried for abortion but till then she had no chance for that" he was drunken mistake and his mother tried for abortion was the last worst thing he wanted to hear, it strongly hit his chords but he just remained neutral trying to absorb the unending pain.

"After months ur father got to know the truth but he couldn't do anything as his political career was just begun ..... Then u know ur parents love hate story nd how u became victim of his monstrous ways ..... But story changed when ur mother thought of saving u ..... She started finding my father ..... She wrote letters and he like a noble father left everything aside for his suddenly born son" his heart felt a little, very little warmer from inside.

"He told everything to my mother ....... Even she understood him as this has happened before their marriage but she wasn't ready to accept you ...... She asked him to choose between u and us ...... She wasn't going to leave him but she was angry, so she left the country with me in the hope that he will come behind us, he will convince her and we can again start our family. ...... Months passed but he never came ....... Later on even she was ready to accept u with him and she waited. ...... Waited till her last breath and died after two years because of mental illness and depression" her eyes were numb and tone has accusations for Manik. He remained unchanged he can understand her pain but he didn't try, he might have felt happy hearing that her mother was ready to accept him when his own mother was ready to leave him but that kind nd pitiful thought didn't work on this man nd he remained cold, may be that would have worked on 12yrs old boy.

"How he got kidnapped ? ..... How u got to know that it's Shrikant's deed?"

"Two years back after completing my degree ...... I came back to India and started finding my father..... I found some letters nd paintings in this house and gradually I came to know everything ...... I stalked Shrikant nd got to know that my father is kidnapped by him ...... I couldn't fight with him so I started looking out for u nd one day I got to know ur P.A. is finding psychiatrist so here I am" his eyes started wandering around the house after hearing the word painting and stopped at one particular painting.

He couldn't stop himself from admiring that innocent boy in his mother's arms, he don't remember when he again smiled liked that.

"I couldn't throw it away ..... Because my father really loved this painting" she said breaking his trance. He didn't said a word about it but he got to know his painting talent was genetic memory of his father in him.

"U can throw it now" in a moment he was looking straight into nothingness with his cold eyes.

"Sure but ur gf has asked me to send this to her address" last time Nandini demanded this before leaving her house.

.......................||

In one of the farthest corner of Punjab there was a warehouse situated admits few Banyan tree which were covering the construction between them giving the feel of small jungle for outsiders.

Inside the warehouse everything is dark and there is a room which would be the darkest place since the longest time and there lives a man who haven't seen a sun from last 14yrs still surviving on nutrients free meal twice in a day with limited water of 3litres. He is living life worse than a prisoner just because he cared for his own blood and flesh.

"Here ..... Eat ur food" one goon named Billu kept food on the floor near Kaushik's wrinkled feet and he looked up with same hopeless eyes.

"Why don't u mix poison in it?" He said with a grieve while taking the plate in his hand, the man gave him sympathetic look but not more than that.

"Eat ur food" he said arrogantly and turned to leave. But Shrikant's expressions changed seeing him going away.

"Hey wait ...... Won't u eat with ur father?" That man sighed before turning back, it's everyday scene for all the servants because Kaushik is suffering from Amnesia. Years of loneliness affected his mental stability and he hallucinates the scenes also he imagines the characters.

"I had mine..... u eat urs" he said little softly and left the room. He is a tough goon or a heartless to be precise but seeing Kaushik suffering like this from years makes him feel pity for poor father.

After coming out of the room and locking it from outside his ph rang showing the name of his boss.

"Hello boss"

"How is he ? ....... Living or dead"

"Unfortunately living" he really meant his words.

"Keep him alive ....... I'm sensing the movements from his children" Shrikant said from other side, he is also keeping eye on Eshana nd he has slight idea of Nandini knowing the truth of her.

"He is already nothing more than living corpse ..... Don't make it worse for him ...... Let him die peacefully with time".

"Peace is the problem I'm suffering from" he laughed evily.

"Now do ur work nd be prepared for unpredictable situations too ...... I may come there if Manik finds him" he said and disconnected the call.

After keeping ph inside his pocket he switched off the lights of Kaushik's room hoping that he might have finished his food, lights are only allowed while eating or bathing. Nd connections are outside his rooms.

"Manik my son ...... Don't leave me in darkness" Billu heard the innocent plead but ignored it nd walked away, he knew within minutes he will forget Manik.

...................... ||

"Where is ur father and what help u need from me? ..... And main thing why would I help you?" He directly came to the point.

"Though everything is give and take for you but still I thought u would do this selflessly for ur real father who actually cared for you" this time she wasn't manipulating but saying the truth.

"Unfortunately he cared for wrong person" he didn't get any of the things which his father has sacrificed then why should give something of his to him.

"Obviously ..... So here is the deal ..... You will free my father from ur namesake father and I will make u better person without any grudges of the past ..... Just the way ur Nandini wants ....... Nd u won't be away from her".

"So u manipulated her to this point where she was ready to let me go ...... Amazing" he said sarcastically.

"Idk why she chose u but u know I can still find another best doctor ....... Why u?" He was again serious.

"U can but u can't find another real father who is in caged for yrs just because of his son whom he never met" she said her final statement and rest the case. He felt something but let it go.

"It won't make any difference in my life if I won't get the love of father now" he said and started leaving her house.

"He is caged in one of illegal godown of ur father in  Punjab" she got this information from her sources but she don't know exact location. He left without turning back.

......................||

After 18 days,

Abhimanyu and Diya were sitting inside one of her favourite cafe, he forced her to have breakfast with him in this cafe.

"It tastes same ..... Spicy nd tangy ...... Just the way u like" he said enthusiastically while enjoying his chicken nacho poppers and it was working on her, she was smiling. Meanwhile his phone rang twice but again he declined.

"Our lives are not same ...... U can receive the call" reading the name Jenna she gave him liberty from their unnamed equation. She knows he is trying to make her better with his presence and that is really happening but this time she won't do injustice with him, he deserves better.

"Say" he said on the call after coming out of the cafe.

"U know I was thinking about you" Jenna was little hesitant.

"Ohh ..... Yeah ..... So" he said ruffling his hair.

"It's been three months I didn't find better person than you so u can guess I am really not over you ..... So can we date?" he looked at the table where Diya was sitting hopelessly with pained look on her face which also affected him.

"See Jenna ...... Now I am really confused about what I really want nd what I truly deserve ...... Nd in between this confusion I don't want to take any decision which I will regret later" he said calmly.

"So u r saying no" she too sounded little hurt.

"I'm saying don't stop for me ..... Move on with life" asking her wait for him sounds selfish to him so he didn't ask.

"It's okay ...... I will wait till my heart allows" she said with calm suppressing her hurt and he just hmmed not wanting to hurt her more.

"By the way when is the launch of our album ...... It's pending since so long" she asked for real. She really loves her profession.

"Manik is not here ...... Nd it's huge thing so I really can't take decision in his absence so" he said.

"Okay then ...... Inform me whenever he comes" she said and they disconnected the call.

"Let's leave" he turned back to see Diya behind him.

"Hmm" they left the area silently, today she again went into that gloomy zone and he has idea what might be the reason.

.................||

It's been more than two weeks Manik left for his treatment and Nandini has been completely disoriented. She is handling herself and also looking out for Diya who is better than before. Swaroop is there for his friends as well as he is busy with Aura in handling her pregnancy, they wanted to get marry but they are waiting for Diya to become normal and hoping for  Manik's return with positive results. Nandini told him her conversation with Eshana and he is happy that she took wise decision but he also knows she is breaking bit by bit.

Nowadays Nandini is visiting different airlines to pass her time and also she is thinking of taking different job though Manik has told her, her job is constant nd she will get payment at every month end but it's not pleasing her to get free salary for doing nothing. Today also she visited the students from aeronautics.

She was watching how plane flies and her eyes were directly looking into the sky through the glass of her sunglasses and suddenly she fainted, those students helped her and after gaining the consciousness she thought of visiting the doctor, she is having one wild thought since last few days and now she can't ignore it by giving different reasons for her constant sickness.

After a hour she was inside the hospital for her check up, doctor took her urine nd blood samples. Asked her few questions then told her to wait for reports. So currently she is waiting for result which she is almost sure of,

Flashback,

"Where are you going?" Nandini asked to Manik when he came to her with his packed bag. That day after coming back to Eshana's house he stayed alone in his new flat nd her one line disturbed him that he can't find another chance to get real father. So next day he was in front of Nandini.

"For a treatment" he thought of going with her earlier plan, he didn't want to add more tensions in her life, he knew she is already dealing with so many things.

"Will you come back to me na?" It was her insecurity asking for assurance though she knows he will be back but not as her Manik.

"U r my home Nandini ...... Where will I go?" He cupped her face.

"I don't know ...... Just promise me u will come to me" this time she had tears in her eyes.

"I'm bound to come to u" he said wiping her tears.

"What if one day u won't find any reason for coming back?"

"U will always have something which will bring me to you" he kissed her forehead and she felt something.

Her being emotional is reasonable but why he is saying deep words when he don't know the truth nd is only going for treatment that too without her.

"U r not lying na?" she asked suddenly with a fear.

"Why would u say that?" He asked casually.

"Something is wrong ...... I don't feel it right ...... U r ready for treatment that too without any tantrum ...... U stayed alone last night ..... Even u r going alone now ...... This is not my Manik ..... U can't listen to others just like that" this thing was bothering her that how he is so obedient.

"What's ur problem? ....... I'm doing what you want" he said little loudly.

"That's exactly my problem is ...... Nd now looking at u I am sure u r hiding something from me".

"U r overthinking".

"So u won't tell me". She said being dejected.

"Take care" he smooched her lips before going and she stood there looking at his retreating figure, helplessly.

Tears silently slipped down from her eyes, they didn't talk after that day. She was in her own world when wordboy told her that doctor is calling her.

"Is everything fine doctor?" She asked before sitting on the chair.

"Ur health is very much fine ...... U just need to follow good diet nd routine" doctor said with a smile.

"What r the reports?" She asked directly.

"R u married?" Doctor asked with concern.

"Don't worry my boyfriend nd parents are supportive and I am strong enough to handle situations" she already guessed the answer and she is ready to face the truth though it's going to be very unpredictable, uninvited and unprepared decision of her life.

"Good ...... U R 9 Weeks Pregnant" doctor's statement gave chills to her spine though she already had idea about it but still confirmation of the news shook her with the waves of emotion.

"Thanks doctor" she thanked her while caressing her tummy.

Minute before she was unsure and anxious about her feelings because she is just 24 but now this news gave her immense happiness. Within fraction of second her frowns converted into pleasing smile and she couldn't stop herself from remembering the night which might have given her the fruit of their love.

.................. End ................||

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?
( If u remember one bonus chapter is pending so next part will be that bonus chapter but if you are not interested in that chapter then I can continue the story without that chapter ..... U can share ur thoughts freely).

............. Aish ❣️.................