"I'm pregnant" she said in one breath and after a moment his body slipped  down. He kneeled in front of her, outside the police station, he was unbothered about the surrounding but she was conscious yet she ignored them.

He just lifted her top up and kissed her tummy after hiding his face into her top, wetting her soft flesh. She understood his insecurity and fear of accepting the happiness, she can't blame him for being like this because he has received so much evilness nd pain all together to believe in goodness.

"It's real Manik" she caressed back of his head lovingly nd he cried more out of euphoria.

"Marry me" taking his head out of her top he asked directly, shocking her to core. She was numb for a moment then joy hit her all senses making her ecstatic.

"U can never be a sophisticated, gentleman" she laughed with tears of joy.

"I don't want to give u choice of saying no ..... So marry me" he was stubborn like a child.

"I will" bending down to his level she cupped his face nd smooched his lips only for 5secs.

His proposal or order was so sudden that she didn't think of it as a possibility before, somewhere in heart she knew he won't give unpleasant reaction because he always yearned for family but marriage shook her to the core. It was so big decision of her life but when he asked it seemed so simple nd natural for her to say yes without even thinking of future though they are in very crucial phase.

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

Few hours later,

They returned to Mumbai in his plane which she fled and as per his instance she directly took him to her house because he said he don't want to delay talking with her parents though she wanted him to relax for a day.

"Why this urgent meeting? ...... What's the suspense?" Raman asked this to Manik nd Nandini.  Her friends were present too, equally unknown to situation.

"I'm Manik ...... I'm orphan ...... I lost my family in my early life and after that whatever I am, it's real me, totally flawed ...... I won't give excuses of bad past for being me ...... I accept I'm the wrong person nd may be u will find me a worst person for ur daughter ...... But I'm selfish enough to marry her" Swaroop and Diya literally chocked on their saliva, Raman was also stunned by marriage proposal and Ishita, she was still processing with everything he said.

"Why u took this decision so suddenly?" Raman asked and Nandini was nervous, because Manik is anything but predictable. She don't know how he is going to behave, even she wasn't expecting his unfiltered and truthful confession.

"Even I don't know that ...... But when she said she is pregnant and I am going to be a father ...... Then i didn't want to miss the chance of being father and to be able to have family ..... Fortunately or unfortunately I never got the love of family and that thing strike me so much, I don't want my child to live a life which I lived ...... And that was the point where I realised whether I deserve them or not I don't care but I am selfish to keep them ..... I want her nd my child with me forever" this was shocking news for everyone and they gave that exact shocking and questioning look to Nandini to which she bit her lips and closed her eyes for second. By looking at their exchange of expressions he got to know that he just spilled the news before her.

"Whattt ..... U r pregnant???" Everyone asked in unison.

"I wanted to tell him first" she defended in meek voice while looking down.

"Wow amazing ...... Here u r pregnant and I didn't even had idea about u being in relationship ...... Nandu I'm very disappointed" Ishita's eyes were complaining and she had tears in them.

"I'm sorry mumma ...... I know how u was always excited for my relationship but I wanted to be sure about it before telling u guys ....... And so much was happening in our lives because of that I couldn't tell you ..... Sorry" at the end she held her both ears and said cutely to which her mother hugged her.

"I already like him" Nandini smiled at her mother's acceptance.

"Manik see I know what my daughter wants nd I will support her decision too ..... But ur life nd lifestyle is very different from what she is ...... Now u r going to be a father so u may understand this, I have always given my best to her life ...... As u don't want ur child to go through what u went ..... Similarly I also don't want my daughter to go through what u went" Raman's confession shook something in Manik. He was numb and before he could think more of it Nandini broke his silence.

"Dad ..... U always say na everyone's life can't be same ...... Nd here we three r going to be together but with different fate ....... Though our lives may affect each other but still we have our own sets of unique lines on palms ...... So don't worry nd about him ...... I know he will change nd he will be best father ....... He may give tough competition to u" in the last she teased her father. She was saying this words to her father but they were directed towards Manik. Even Raman knew she was telling this to Manik, and seeing such little things between them he couldn't stop from agreeing.

"Be happy" he kissed her forehead and everyone smiled at his acceptance too.

"Thanks" she whispered.

"Sir" Manik called in serious tone.

"Sir sorry for the things I have done knowingly or unknowingly to you and your daughter" he was serious and they three knew why he was asking for forgiveness.

"Keep my daughter the way she is ..... That would be enough for me ..... Never forget her worth nd don't let her face the troubles because I have only one daughter".

"I don't have anyone except her".

"So when is the marriage?".

"In this week?" Manik looked at Nandini asking her if it's right decision.

"Dad ..... Dad ..... I want white wedding please ..... U remember na u have promised me that in childhood" before Raman could react to Manik, she jumped in front him like a his little daughter and demanded this just like 9yr old Nandini.

"How I can forget ...... But u sure u want white wedding? ...... I mean what if Manik want Indian wedding" He knows her craze is still same for fairytale but he teased her for fun.

"If he wants Indian wedding then he can marry alone ...... But I want white wedding only ...... That's it" everyone slapped their head at her stubbornness.

"Nandini ...... I just want you ..... Married or unmarried doesn't matter" he turned her to him and said softly.

"Don't be senti ...... It's our wedding" she circled her arms around his neck and pouted.

"See how shameless she is ...... Now u won't say anything to her" Rishab said this by seeing her pda.

"Aww jealous baby" she teased him nd everyone giggled.

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

Next day,

In the morning Ishita was watching videos of Reiki Shastra on YouTube on their TV in little louder voice which also reached to Nandini's ears who was going to make a coffee.

While sipping her coffee she heard the story of a person whose two legs were paralyzed and he wasn't able to stand, doctor gave upon him and every try also failed. But then once he heard about Reiki he gave it a try nd it actually worked on him and slowly, slowly he got his legs back and now he is working in that field only.

"Mom ..... What is Reiki? ...... Is it medical treatment or spiritual process?" Nandini asked being interested.

"Reiki is a traditional healing technique of Japan, which is based on the principle that everything in the world can be healed with the channelling of energy through touch ..... And u know its origin is also from India as lord Buddha used to heal people with his touch by transferring the energy ..... But now it's known as Japanese healing technique as they followed it nd developed it" Ishita explained in detail and she understood some parts.

"If it can work on physical illness. ...... Then it can also work on mental illness too?" Nandini asked.

"Don't know ..... Mind is involved nd also the nerves of brain ..... It should work but still u should search about it ..... I don't know much ..... But why r u asking, who is the mental patient here?".

"Ur would be son in law ..... Actually he recently lost his brother and his home too ..... So he is little depressed" she tried to share minimum, she could have denied but she wants her parents to have slight idea about his life too. Nd for her mother this news is so sudden.

"Nandini ...... Do u love him?" She asked and Nandini shifted her whole attention to her mother.

"That's why I guess I am pregnant ..... Don't u think?" She joked but her mother was serious, she knows nothing about her daughter's relationship.

"Which type of love it is ...... It's love or true love?" She asked taking Nandini off gaurd.

"I don't understand ur question ...... It's subjective I guess" though she knows the difference but she don't know what answer her mother is expecting.

"See everyone falls in love ...... Many people love each other sincerely ...... That love gives you happiness, fun, respect, comfort and some sadness nd pain too ..... Ur father nd me we love each other nd I guess 90% of the people love each other ...... The love is lovable nd normal and it's pain is also bearable ..... It also reaches a destination" first it was surprising that her mother is speaking something so serious with her, it was always her father with whom she used to share such deep thoughts.

"I guess this is the true love" Nandini said still being unsure of her mother's view.

"I thought so but I don't think so now ...... I think true love is rare nd extreme ..... It gives chills to ur bones with its exuberance and similarly it can crush ur heart so cruelly leaving almost impossible to fit those pieces again ......  And most of the time this love doesn't get it's destination in physical world ...... Sometimes I think it's pure yet surrounded by dirty circumstances which stops it from achieving the destination ..... Nd such stories ends with the void in heart which cannot be replaced ....... It's nature is so passionate that no matter how it hurts u still tend to go near it's illusion" her words struck Nandini's mental nerves, she never thought her mother could say something so deep which left her spell bounded nd quizzical.

"Actually I am confused ...... I don't know which is my type of love, is my love...... But why r u asking suddenly?" She asked.

"Though u think u nd ur father are too smart ...... But still I can see through you, he is not simple as he looks ...... He looks transparent as water but I can see he is a stealth ocean with waves of pain buried in its deepest territory" she left her daughter bewildered.

"Mom how?...... U did search on him or what?" She asked suspiciously.

"Heard some of his past ...... Don't forget I have friends too, Supriya told me about his recently found father and also the hints of his unpleasant childhood ..... Besides that he himself possess such aura" she didn't have courage to tell that he lost his that father too.

"He is best I can ever love ..... And I will tell him when I will find my kind of love" she hugged her mother tightly which she reciprocated equally.

"I just want u safe nd happy"

"Okay ..... Now bye ..... I have some work" she stood up from her place and went out, taking her keys in midway.

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

Nandini and her friends were waiting for Manik who went to Half Note with Abhimanyu. Last night also he stayed with Abhimanyu because Nandini didn't want him to live alone.

"Guys I think we should take my car ...... I have some other work too nd they can directly come there" Nandini suggested.

"That's better ...... Abhi won't have to drive so much" Diya immediately said it and then went silent.

"Actually ..... So Nandini let's go" Swaroop said making the air normal for Diya. They could see her confusion but they don't want to invade her space. She needs time to get clarity of what she needs.

"Yup" nd she drove her car more carefully, obviously she don't want to hurt her baby even a bit by her carelessness.

After 20 mins they were outside the newly built Mansion. Manik nd Abhi were already present there, waiting for them.

"Wow Abhi ..... How did u managed to built such a amazing house in one nd half month?" Swaroop said being amused after seeing the beauty of that mansion.

"It was Manik's order ...... Team of architectures was working day nd night ...... Workers were working in the ships ..... Not for once the work stopped ....... Substitution and back up plans were ready before hand for emergencies..... So it was possible" Abhimanyu told them proudly.

"Finally I am seeing the mansion can be built in a month too ..... Otherwise I have just heard of it" Nandini pouted and Manik looked at her pout.

"Umm there is a Vastushanti (house warming ceremony) just a day before or after ur wedding ...... Then u can start living here ...... Till then all the external touch ups will be done" Abhimanyu informed her more.

"I can't believe this" she said looking at Manik. He decided this because he wants to welcome his family properly nd he knows she slightly believes in these things.

"U r missing something else too" Manik signalled her something by raising his eyebrow upward and she followed it only to get exuberant.

"Seriously Manik?" he nodded.

"Thank you" she ran upto him nd pecked his lips out of excitement.

Her eyes were glittering by seeing the "MANAN MANSION" in bold letters etched on front wall of mansion. The mansion was spacious yet homely smaller than Malhotra Mansion and totally different from it, built in new infrastructure. He didn't want to have Karan's memories which will haunt him because of memories related to similarities.

"U have much more to see ..... Come in" he dragged her inside the house.

"Hey we r also here" Swaroop's voice echoed in the thin air because they were already inside the house.

"Guys just a min" Abhimanyu also went to other side as his ph rang and Diya's face fell knowing who must be calling him.

"Chal" Swaroop wrapped his hand around her shoulder and made her walk with him. She was barely observing the house but mainly she was getting teary with all her thoughts which also includes Karan. He always wanted to build separate mansion for them because Manik never allowed outsiders.

"U stay here ..... I will just take this call ..... It's actually for Aura's sonography" Swaroop gave her sry look and she just nodded. He went to another room for a moment and she went to terrace without anyone's notice.

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

"Manik is this ur really ur house or architectures made a mistake?" Nandini said while admiring his room which was totally

"How u could do this? ...... U r not doing it forcefully na ? ..... Just because I like it ?" The whole room was white, every piece of furniture, carpet, curtains, bed and everything was done in pure white colour. For him white resembles her so he did this.

"Umm ...... I guess ur love is consuming my darkness" he encircled his hands around her stomach from behind.

"U look so hard nd dark but ur words can be cheesey sometimes".

"Ohh?". He pushed her on bed.

"Hmm" he lowered her top.

"And how u find my romance ..... Umm?" and he was already eating soft flesh of her shoulder.

"Ohh Manik" she moaned at his love bite.

"Ohh Nandiniiii ...... Diya is missing" Swaroop barged into room which was already opened which startled her and Manik groaned in annoyance as his romance got disturbed.

"Couldn't u knock it ..... Shameless" she got up from bed and scolded him while adjusting her top.

"For that u should lock it Madam ..... Now don't be embarrassed nd come out" she rolled her eyes at him and stood up from bed.

"Aaah ...... Why me?" They both laughed at Manik's groan and left the room. Manik also followed them.

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

After searching for her in whole mansion they finally reached at the terrace where she was standing silently without any moment, looking out at the blank sky and comparing herself with that blankness.

"Hey Diya ...... Are you fine?" Swaroop kept hand on her shoulder but she didn't turned. So he turned her shoulders only to find her face covered with tears.

"Hey why r crying?" Nandini fastly ran towards her making Manik nervous, though her run won't harm the baby still he couldn't control himself from caring more.

Diya just kept crying while nodding her head in no. They were getting anxious about her.

"What happened ? ..... Please speak to us ..... Please" Nandini pleaded.

"Please don't keep it inside" Abhi was also at her side nd seeing him she couldn't control more.

"I'M NOT FINE ..... I'M NOT"

"I'm so done with my life ...... Even having people around me I find myself alone ....... I can't control myself from feeling miserable whenever I see myself alone and u all busy in ur lives .....  Trust me I am happy for u all but I'm not happy from within ..... I understand u people give me time and care but it's not enough ..... I'm not over with Karan's death ...... I don't hate Manik for his death ...... And I do accept that he is dead but I don't know how to avoid the void of love in my heart".

"I'm not able to pretend anymore that I am strong ...... Because I am not ..... I'm breaking ...... I'm even hating myself from expecting Abhi to be with me all the time when he is in love with someone else ...... I know I have lost him too but I don't know what to do to not feel hurt and selfish ....... How to control my emotions which r betraying me nd everyone" and she sat on the floor crying after venting out everything from her heart.

They always knew she is not healed but they never had any idea that she could be this damaged, she is wrong or right doesn't matter but she is not fine inspite of having them. May be they forgot to think from her view nd they just behaved accordingly to their right behaviour.

"Shh ...... It's okay" Nandini kneeled down nd cupped her face.

"We r sorry" Swaroop too kneeled down with holding his ears to which she nodded her head no, in guilt of saying so much.

"We will make it okay ....... We r together" They three hugged each other with tears in their eyes and Manik smiled at them genuinely. He also couldn't stop himself from remembering Karan which started hammering emotional zone of his heart but he controlled.

"I'm in circle too" Abhimanyu also hugged her from behind. He don't know he did right or wrong but he just went with a flow.

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

At night,

"Diya was in so much pain ...... And we couldn't see it ...... I'm feeling so guilty" Nandini said this too Manik when she was laying naked on his bare stomach, under the white blanket and on his new bed in Mansion.

"U was going through lot of things too ..... U r not god to be there for everyone at everytime ...... U r feeling bad because she is ur friend nd it's normal ...... Even her outburst is ...... So don't be guilty u r not wrong" he said caressing her hair.

"Hmm u r right".

"Manik?"

"Hmm"

"How r u ?" His hand stopped caressing her hair.

"Fine .... Why r u asking?" She pulled his hand on her bare stomach.

"U look happy ...... Abnormally okay even after everything happened ..... I can feel it's not u ..... May be u r pretending to be happy" she said caressing his knuckles on her stomach.

"I'm trying to absorb that this is happening in real ...... I'm trying to make myself understand that I deserve this .... But deep down in my subconscious, I am not accepting it ...... It feels it's temporary and u r illusion u will be disappeared ..... Never in my life I have seen such epitome of peace nd happiness".

"It's like u r white cloud nd one day u will be evaporated, leaving me alone".

"U r afraid of happiness Manik".

"I have strong reasons to be" she shifted herself from his stomach to his pillow with his hand still on her belly.

"Feel this Manik ...... It's real ...... It's urs ..... Our baby ..... Breathing inside my womb ...... It's pure Manik ...... Untouched by ur past nd my mistakes too ...... This life is going to enter in our life ...... And baby don't deserve to live the past u lived nd I'm sure u won't let him or her face that" she was giving him assurance.

"I'm scared Nandini ...... I have failed in every relation ..... Even I have failed u at times ..... I don't want to fail as father too".

"U will be best father ..... U have to be or else I will hit ur ass with stick" he smiled a bit at her warning. He shifted downward in a white blanket.

"Don't leave ur father baby" he kissed her tummy and tear slipped away from her eye seeing his insecurity. She can't oversee it nd she definitely has to do something.

"Manikk ...... Baby's mother is demanding for second round" she said very innocently as if she is asking for chocolate.

"No mumma ...... For seven months no second round ..... Only one round in week" he said strictly nd came up, trying to avoid temptation of other naked parts.

"Ohh ..... Is it so? ...... Let me show you" and in a moment she came upon him and started riding him, leaving him bewildered. But he couldn't control in front of his seductress angel nd gave in to her.

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

"Nandini please ...... See I was just not in my senses yesterday" Diya said this in the morning when Nandini was forcing her to go somewhere.

"Leave that ..... Nd do it just because I am saying. ...... Can't u do this for me?" She made a puppy face with her chirpy attitude.

"But where u r sending us ?..... Specially when u r not coming ...... Nd sending ur friend who can turn mad anytime ..... I can't risk my life" Diya fisted her hands in anger by hearing Manik's comment.

"Abhi is going with you ...... He knows all the details nd also he knows how to handle u both individually ...... Nd my dear soon to be husband I have lots to do ..... So go nd enjoy" Nandini said this happily. She is sending them to get treated by Reiki and those people have also suggested proper psychiatrist for Manik after their sessions to which Nandini agreed. She wants to make everything normal before baby is born.

"I hope u r not giving excuses" Manik said this.

"Even if I am then still I really have so many things in my list .....  I also have to meet my few special friends to invite them" she was convincing enough to make him agree.

"Diya go with a flow ..... Have safe journey" she kissed Diya's forehead.

"U too" Nandini kissed Manik's cheek too when he gave angry glare to Diya. After that they left.

"I'm coming with u" Swaroop said when they left.

"Where?"

"I know u r not going to ur friends ..... Nd u was really giving excuses ...... So where are you going?" He said and she looked down it's not easy to fool him.

"To meet Eshana" she said in low voice and without any explanation he understood why she is going there.

"I'm coming ..... No more arguments" she nodded.

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

"Why r u here?" Eshana said bitterly.

"Look Eshana I can understand how u must be feeling" Nandini entered inside and said softly.

"No u can't ...... No one can" she said in same cold voice without any expressions, her eyes looked dark red because of continuous crying. But now they were totally blank.

"May be u r right ...... But I'm here ..... U can share ur feelings with me ..... And I'm really sorry for whatever happened".

"I lost my father Nandini ...... Who used to love me nd my mom like anything .... For whom I waited for 14 yrs nd couldn't even get to see him for last time ...... Why? because he thought of being father of his son too...... How u can understand my pain when ur boyfriend is a reason why my father is not alive?".

"He didn't cage him neither he killed him" she defended him.

"He was in that situation because of him only".

"Yeah nd that's why he went there to save him too ..... To save a person whom he never knew nd never loved ...... Just in hope to get some love from his father but he couldn't even meet his real father ...... Do u know how heartbreaking it must be for him too?".

"What I do ...... The bottom line is my father is no more ...... My mother is dead too ..... And I'm orphan".

"What difference does it make in ur practical life ...... Think properly u always had father yet u didn't have him ...... So ur life is same since ur mother left ...... Just move on with it ..... U have a husband ...... Be happy nd make ur own family ...... Stop self pity , self loathing or blaming Manik ...... It will take u no where ..... Don't waste ur life .... Be happy for ur parents as they are watching you from heaven".

"Why this much care? ..... Why r u here?"

"I came here to say sorry for ur loss ..... I have forgotten and forgave u .... I'm here to start a new phase ...... I'm pregnant ...... Destiny has given him chance to be happy ...... So I'm just here to beg ..... Let him have the peace ...... Please don't keep grudges, forget him and also forgive him for the things he have or haven't done" she said politely. Her sincere words and care was melting Eshana's insides because she is the first one to console her for her father. But Eshana stood still.

"Have a better life ...... Good bye" she with Swaroop following her started going out.

"Nandini" she stopped.

"U r too good to be true for world ..... I don't know why I am doing this but u reminded me goodness exists nd that's what my parents have taught me ..... I can't spoil there upbringing and hate Manik" Nandini smiled genuinely at her confession.

"Make a move nd save urself ...... Shrikant knows u r pregnant ..... He is behind u guys" this truth snatched land beneath her feet.

"U told him?" Swaroop was agitated with revealed news.

"He told me that I lost my father ...... And also he said he is going to destroy Manik in worst way ..... I'm sure he knows u r pregnant" she said and Nandini fainted because of pressure nd her pregnancy.

"Nandu" he hurriedly took her in his arms.

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

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

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