"Sometimes all you can do is smile. Move on with your day, hold back the tears and pretend you're okay."

~•~•~•~•~•~

The great business man, Mr Anirudh Kashyap's death news became viral. Every person got to knew about his death through the Tv news., and social medias. But, they assume as it was due to his chronic illness that he died.

What more surpising was, the news of Manik and Nandini's accident too was being forecasted on Tv.

It was being said that Ms Nandini was seriously injured in a car crash and the one who was driving the other car, is also in a critical condition.

So.. eventually, these two soul has gone through so much. But was it all over? No, it was just a new beginning for both of them though.

11 Months later..

A man giving out papers to the people who were passing by

"She's really pretty!" Atul exclaimed as he took the paper from the man. It wasn't just a paper though, it had the picture of Nandini, imprinted on it and below it reads 'Missing'

"She still hasn't been found yet?" He asked the man who nodded in a no

"Well, according to the news, she went missing from the hospital right? It's been 11 months already. Rumour says that she's dead as she hasn't contacted anyone for almost one year! Isn't it safe to assume that she is dead?" He said to the man who just shrugged and went away

"If she doesn't come back soon., who will take over the Kashyap company?" He got into his thoughts

In the other way, we could see Vishni, marching like a boss, towards her cabin. Jai was following her. All the employees were greeting her when her gaze stopped at Neel. Jai looked at him too. They could see the hatred for them in his eyes.

Well yes, Neel knew that it was because of them that Mr Anirudh had died. That day when Anirudh was speaking with him through the cellphone, he heard everything about what Vishni and Jai said as Anirudh had forgotten to disconnect the call

But it became worst when Jai noticed the phone. He and Vishni got to know about how Neel had listen to their conversations.

Neel even warned Jai that he would tell the police as their whole conversation was recorded.

But the later gave him a shock instead. Jai revealed to Neel about his father's involvement in Nandini's mother's car accident.

At that moment, Neel didn't believe his words but Jai explained him how his father was responsible for Nandini mother's death. Jai asked him to tell Nandini every thing but at the same time, he would tell her about who was behind her mother's death.

Neel felt so helpless. He knew if Nandini would get to know about this bitter truth, she won't be able to bear it. She would feel totally betrayed and Neel wouldn't be able to face her any longer.

He didn't want to leave her nor he wanted her to go away from him. So, eventually, he felt helpless, and stayed quiet.

But as in for Vishni, she wanted to be the owner of the Kashyap company. As Nandini was missing, all were assuming that she was dead. Vishni wanted all the rights but, there was not any exact evidence that Nandini was no more. So eventually, she couldn't take any step for now.

***

On the other hand, we could see some people were betting on the road. There was one decent man, nearly at 50. He was betting on. But, due to his bad luck, at the last momet, he lost the money which he'd put on the bet

"C'mon now, all the money belongs to me." The leader man said.

The old man felt devasted though, he needed money.

At the same time, someone grabbed the hand of th me of the leader

"What the hell! Who are you? Leave my hand!" That someone was none other than Manik Malhotra

He was here, looking dashing in his shades.

"Oh c'mon. Whom are you fooling to? I know these types of tricks you played, very well" He said, smirking at him and asked the people to take their money.

Later on, he gave that leader a deadly glare, before going away

"Here, your money. Don't do anything like that anymore. You're not the type who is going to win money. No matter what." Manik said, giving the money to the man who was giving him a look

"Excuse me, but who are you?" The man asked

"Ahh.. I'm Manik Malhotra. Let's have lunch together. We can talk then?" He said with a wicked smile

**

"I would have kill mysef if I would lose those money. Thanks to you that my money are safely with me, right now." The man smiled at Manik who was having his drink. Well, both of them was in a restaurant

"Well.. I know a lot about you though." Manik said "Mr John Harry."

"You know my name?" Mr John gaped at him "Who are you?" He asked, having fear in his eyes "I asked, who are you?!" This time he raised his voice

"That's not important." Manik shrugged and Mr John stood up to leave

"I know a little about your wife's illness and that you're going to need more money in future." Manik said, to which made a stop to John's step

"Who sent you?" He asked

"It's about the cancer treatment technology that your laboratory developed. If you bring all the informations to me, you won't have to worry about the money for the rest of your life." Manik spoke in a casual tone. He wasn't the Manik which he used to be! He was totally different., this time

"I don't know which rival company asked you to do this but, how much do you get after you do something like this?" He asked with an amusement

"A lot! I get a lot." Manik smirked lastly. At the same moment, he felt nauseous. His head started aching like hell. He then excused himself

****

"Look. I think you're mistaken. My brother would never do anything like that!" Suhasi explained to the young man who had come to her house. Even Aditya was present there

For Aditya, only Manik and Suhasi was his proper family. Indeed, Aditya was born in a rich family, he was not in good terms with his father or his elder brother. His mother was no more and his father just passed away, a week ago. His father's trusty employees came to bring him back to the mansion but he refused to. He didn't want to get back to the same ruthless world

"Just tell me where is Manik Malhotra?" The young boy yelled.

At the same time, Manik entered the house. He looked at the boy then back at Suhasi

"Bhaiya. Look na, he's saying that his father got ripped off by you. His father attempted suicide and now he's in hospital. It's not what you did, is it?" Suhasi asked Manik. She was sure that Manik wouldn't do something like that. He would not cheat anyone but Aditya was quiet. Perhaps he already knew what was the truth

"Who is your father?" Manik asked the boy

"Actually, his father retired last year. He got involved in the investment scam and lost all his money, a few days ago. It has nothing to do with you right? Tell him na." Suhasi said

"Your father was already dumb and weak person!"

"Bhaiya!" Suhasi gasped as Manik said those words to that boy

"Who would kill themselves if they get scammed? I didn't ask your father to get scammed. It was him who trust me blindly. He knew so little about me yet, how could he trust me?" Manik whispered to the boy, who's eyes were now moist. Manik was behaving like a monster, seriously.

"Your father was such a moron to believe me" At last he said and Suhasi was shattered. Aditya sighed, he knew it

But Suhasi was somewhere hoping that his brother won't do such cheap thing.

"You're going to be this weak?" Manik said as he looked at the boy hand which was fisted. "If you want revenge, then come next time when you're prepared. Okay?" He said, and was turned to leave

"It was better when you were dating woman for their money. You've become so heartless Mr Manik Malhotra." Lastly, he heard the words of Suhasi before going to his room.

****

"Are you asleep?" Aditya asked as he saw Manik resting in his bed.

He sat on the bed, looking at him. Manik was resting to the other side so Aditya could only see his back

"Manik. You know what? Suhasi is thinking that you're not her brother. She thinks that someone else has been living inside your body, since the car accident. The Manik whom we knew back then, had died and some strange soul came and started living inside you body." Aditya took a breath then spoke

"Why are you doing this Manik? We are worried for you, dude. We are so damn worried for you!!" His eyes became moist, while Manik was still awake, listening to his words

"You got through it when Vishni left you. If it would have happened to me then I wouldn't have made it. But you managed to get through it like a miracle. You overcame such thing then, but why are you acting this way now? Don't do this please." He whispered. Getting no response from Manik, he sighed and left his room.

****

After a few hours, Manik was still awake. He was silently staring at Nandini's picture.

"It was my first time.. that I said 'I love you' to someone!"

"I started to enjoy waking up, breathing and living for the first time, because of a guy named, 'Manik Malhotra'.."

"My one and only wish is.. to see you everyday, and say I love you to you, Manik"

"I want to hear you, saying.. 'I love you, Nandini.' and I want to have babies, and raise them..with you. And we grow old together like that.."

"Will that be possible.. Manik?"

All her words which she said to him, echoed in his mind. Her smiling face was playing on his head. Her absence was affecting him so much

Next morning.

"Hello Mr John Harry. So what have you think?" Manik said as he answered Mr John call. Well yes, he agreed to him the information

"Okay so. Let's meet? At the same restaurant. Yeah, am on my way. See you then." He cut the call and got ready. Giving a last glance to himself, he dashed outside. He was walking through the lane

On the other, there we could see a girl, on her heels, walking up to Manik's house when she saw some kids writing something on the wall, with a chalk

A cute smile appeared on her face and she joined them. She started writing something on the wall, while the kids stared at her with confusion

She drew a man's face and next to it she wrote something.

"Malhotra Manik?" One of the kid asked

"No, it's not Malhotra Manik. It's Manik Malhotra!" She said proudly

"What?" The kids started laughing at her. At the same time, Manik was passing through the same lane and he heard his name being pronounced.

He stopped instantly and turned to the side only to witness the kids, with the woman

"Why are you laughing?" She asked with a pout. Manik couldn't to see her face as her back was facing her

"It's not Manik Malhotra. You've written Malhotra Manik. It's reverse." They laughed at her, while she felt embarrassed

Manik gulped as he heard the voice. It was completley like her voice. He marched forward close to the her. Picking up another chalk, he wrote his name properly on the wall whilst the kids ran away

"Ohh. Now I remember. Manik Malhotra. I knew it before." She said, exclaiming like a little kid.

Manik turned to face her, and his breath hitched. His world seemed to stop for a while.

The girl was none other than Nandini Kashyap!

"Manik!" She gasped as she looked at him

________________________

How was the chapter? Ignore the typos if there's any.

So.. Nandini is back! But, why didn't she show up in these 11 months? How did she go missing from the hospital? Any idea?

I know this chapter was boring but, it was important too. Anyway, the further chapters will be interesting. Trust me, you'll like it.

Please do Vote and Comment.

Take care♡

#Okthanksbye