Thank you so much guys for your response in the last update. Although the target was not fulfilled....but its okay. I'm happy.

I know I got late this time. But I got caught up with studies and couldn't take out time to write.

So finally, here is the update.

Target for the next update-450 votes and 100 comments.

Inline comments are loved.....

Enjoy....

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Hell.

Real hell.

Yes, thats what my life has turned into. A complete hell.

I was so close to Dad. He loved me so much. But what happened?

I couldn't even see him for the last time!

I couldn't hug him for the last time!

I....I lost him!

It feels so painful! It hurts. Hurts right over left side of my chest! Thats where I kept him always.

Naren Dix....no no...Naveen Aggarwal. Yes my Uncle. He is my Mamaji. And I never knew it. He had come to destroy our lives. But I never knew it? I let him destroy me? He manipulated me and I let him do it?

You must be thinking how did I come to know about all this? Right? No no no...no one from the family came to tell me. It was the havildar. He saw the news and came to tell me everything. And thats when my world turned upside down.

That day....that day I cursed him. Cursed my own father!

Nandini can have a reason to curse him. Her life was destroyed. She suffered a lot even without any fault of hers.

But me? He toh always loved me. Always pampered me. Kept me like his princess. Fulfilled all my wishes. And when he needed me the most....I left him...I cursed him. Shame on you Soha Murthy!

I don't deserve him!

I don't deserve his love!

I don't even deserve to live!

I deserve to die. Yes.

But those constables! They saved me. With so much of difficulty, I had finally got a blade and cut my wrists. I wanted to die. But they....they saved me. And here I am. Lying on the hospital bed. With two constables on guard.

My left hand is unmovable. I had cut it everywhere aggressively, releasing all my frustration. And now I can't even move it.

" Someone has come to meet you.", said the lady constable and I nodded, turning my head to the other side. After so many days, someone gets to remember me. Oh maybe they heard about my attempt to kill myself. Or else, why would they come to meet me?

I felt someone entering inside the room and settling beside me. But still I didn't turn. I don't want to meet anyone. I don't want people to show fake concern when they didn't remember me for so long.

" I know you are mad at me. You must be hating me. But please....for once turn around. I have something important for you.", I heard a familiar voice. I turned around to get the shock of my life.

What is she doing here? I never expected her to come and meet me after whatever I did to her.

" Nandini?", a wishper left my lips and she smiled faintly. She held my left hand softly and carressed it. I could see some different emotions in her eyes. For the first time after my arrest, I felt peace.

" Is it hurting a lot?", she asked checking all my wounds. Her touch was soothing. Her voice was peaceful. I felt myself relaxing.

" No.", I wisphered again and she gave me another faint smile of hers. Whats with this smile?

" What are you doing here?", I managed to ask among all those storms going inside me. Why was she so calm when I was all distressed?

" You hate me na?", she asked with a sad smile startling me. What does she mean? It should be the other way round right? She should be hating me for what I did to her. I literally hurt her so many times.

" Okay forget it. I have something for you.", she said suddenly and helped me sit up leaning to the headrest. She rummaged through the things in her bag and took out an envelope. She handed it to me and gestured to open.

I looked at the envelope keenly. What was it? Why was she giving me this?

Sweetheart

The name caught my attention. There was only one person who called me with that name. I looked at Nandini with slight tears and she nodded and gestured me to read further.

But I was scared. I had done so bad to him. I....I had cursed him! I was scared to read hatred for me. What if he hated me? What if he hated me for what I did?

" He loved you. He does...still.", Nandini said as if understanding my turmoil. She boosted up my confidence and finally I opened the letter gathering all my courage.

Sweetheart

If you are reading this, that means I'm no more there with you.

I know you hate me for what happened today. But trust me Baby, I can never hate you. I can never think of using you. You are my daughter Sweetheart.

There are some truths you need to know.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
( The same truths that have already been revealed. So I don't want to write  it all again.)

I know why you hated Nandini all the time. I never wanted you to turn out like this Soha. But it was all my fault. I couldn't stop you from getting influenced by Naveen and Vikram. You believed whatever they told you and I couldn't even do anything to correct you. Please forgive me for that Bacha. Please don't hate me. I love you Sweetheart. I love you a lot.

I know you always craved for a big family. You even envied Nandini for having that.

Sweetheart, its your family too. I know after knowing all the truth, you must be regreting whatever you did to her. But trust me, she's a gem. She'll forgive you if you honestly apologize to her.

Don't make it late in realising your mistakes and rectifying it Soha. I did that, and suffered whole of my life. I destroyed my own life as well as so many others'. Don't ever follow my path.

Your mother never supported the wrong doings. Her only fault was that she was weak and couldn't gather the courage to stand for herself. But you are brave and I know that. You will succeed to greater heights in life Sweetheart. But for that, always choose the right path. Never commit the mistake that your parents made.

Nandini is your younger sister Soha. I know all your life, you both have detested each other. But now its time to mend every broken relationship. Ask for her forgiveness and pull her into your protective embrace. Do your duties as a elder sister Baby. I'm sure she'll always be with you as a support.

Thrive high Sweetheart. I'm always there watching you from the sky. I'll be proud to see you moving ahead in your life.

Your Dad

Tears were continuously flowing from my eyes. I was shattered. I don't hate you Dad! I don't hate you! I love you! I love you a lot! Please come back to me! I'm scared to face the world without you.

I found soft fingers wiping away my tears. I looked at her to see tears flowing from her eyes too.

That was it.

I broke down.

I hugged her tight and cried my eyes out. I don't know what are our equations now, but I needed her support. I can't bear this anymore. I need my family.

She was continuously rubbing my back, caressing my hairs and trying to calm me down. I could feel peace in the embrace. Maybe this is what they call ' Sister's love'.

I broke the hug and wiped my tears. There was a sudden awkwardness in the air.  She was looking at me continuously, caressing my injured hand. I think she wants to tell me something. Even I want to. But the awkwardness was not letting me open up.

" You want to say something?", I finally asked gathering all my courage. She nodded, but looked down silently.

" You know you can say it. I won't mind.", I said and she looked up. Her eyes were having tears and it confused me.

" He....he came in front to save me. He took the bullet on himself. It...it was for me...an...and he took it. He di...died because of me. I...I..", she broke down into sobs, but her words shocked me. Was she blaming herself? She was blaming herself for Dad's death? What was her fault that Naveen wanted to kill her? What was her fault that Dad wanted to save her? She was nowhere at fault. Oh God! How broken this girl is!

Don't be shocked with my thinking now. I know you all must be expecting me to act all immature and blame everything on Nandini. Right?

But in jail, I got a lot of time to think. When I got the news of Dad's death, I was broken. I couldn't think straight. I admit, I did blame Nandini in the starting. But then, with time I realised that she was nowhere at fault. Dad would have done this even if I was in her place. Even I would have happily taken the bullet on myself to save Dad. Its just true love, that took me so long to understand.  A father's love and sacrifice for his child can never be the child's fault.

I took her in my embrace just like Dad had asked. I softly caressed her hairs. I wanted to tell her that it was not her fault and console her. But I found my tongue tied. I had always hurt her. Do I have the right to even say anything to her now?

" You hate me for this na? Because of me he died. You hate me na?", she cried and I just shook my head in no. I don't even have the right to hate you Nandini. I have done so bad to you that I don't even have that right.

" You're not at fault Nandini. Please don't cry. I can't hate you anymore. ", I said and she smiled sadly. I think she didn't believe my words. She still thinks that she is responsible for all this. I so wanted to console her, but I don't have that courage.

" Infact you should be hating me. I did so wrong with you.", I said and she shook her head.

" No Soha. I know you must have some reason for this. All these days, all these revelations have taught me not to judge anyone by just what you see.", she said and I sighed. Dad's right. She is truly a gem.

" I was always jealous of you Nandini. You got such a big family when I didn't. I was always alone where you had your siblings with you. Dad loved me a lot. But he was always busy in his bussiness and handling matters. Mom....I don't know why, but when I was around eight, something happened and she started behaving aloof with me. When I met you, I envied you. You had everything that I wanted. A big family, love of siblings, love of a mother....everything. And Vikram Khanna and Nar...Naveen Aggarwaal, they added fuel to the fire. That made me hate you.

I'm sorry for everything Nandini. In my jealousy I hurt you so much. I toh even tried to snatch away your love from you. I'm a bitch.", I said and sobbed. Nandini just held my hand caressing it. Once I calmed down, she smiled at me. A smile that could soothe all your pains. I wonder how I never noticed the peaceful aura that always surrounded her. Maybe I was too full of myself to notice anything good in others.

" Its okay Soha. I understand. No one is at fault here. Everyone of us is just a victim of circumstances.

Dadda had his own faults and sufferings. We also had ours.

Lets forget everything Soha. Its time for some peace and that can't be achieved if we hold on to our past mistakes.

Lets forget and move on. A beautiful future awaits us.

You know, that family is yours too. You just give yourself a chance and they will happily accept you. Niharika Aunty loves you a lot. Its just.....she had her own set of sufferings... her own set of mistakes.

But now, everything can be okay. But only if we forgive everything that was in the past. No painful memories now. Only love. Will you do that?", she said smilingly and I admired her. She was a beautiful person both from outside as well as from inside. I nodded and her smile widened.

We sat in silence for some time, trying to absorb everything in. The revelations and changes were too much. The silence somehow calmed my inner storm.

" You dont die by cutting your wrists. I mean, just so you know. ", she said sarcastically and I laughed. It feels good to be like this. Maybe in my jealousy, I was missing out on many things.

" What can I do? I don't have a doctor's degree you know.", I said in the same tone and she made a bad face. She looks cute.

" Waise....why such a brave step stepsista?", she asked sarcastically, making me chuckle. " I was worn out Nandini. Frustated of what I had made out of my own life. I had destroyed my life with my own hands. And then Dad....I just couldn't handle everything.", I said without looking at her and she sighed. She tightened her hold on my hand and I relaxed.

" He wouldn't ever want you to give up like this.", she said softly and I looked at her. She smiled and continued, " You know he always tried to save you? Save you from all those evils? So how can you let them overpower yourself?

Give life a chance Soha. Dekhna zindagi kaise 2G se seedha 10G banti hai.", she said the last line dramatically making me laugh out loud. She actually knows how to make others happy instantly.

" Thanks.", I wishpered and she looked at me with her eyebrows raised. " For understanding me. For forgiving me. For everything.", I said and she rolled her eyes.

" Dude...don't forget its Nandini Murthy here.", she said in style and I smiled shaking my head in disbelief.

There was another peaceful silence. I was thinking how easily she forgot everything and moved on. Maybe all the sufferings she went through from that tender age itself, has made her strong enough for another breakdown. Just the thought of this, and respect for her increased in my eyes.

" Umm...actually...I wanted to ask...umm..", she stammered looking here and there. Believe me she was looking funny. I so wanted to laugh.

" Ask away already.", I said and she sighed.

" Can I call you Di?"

I was numb for a moment. She really wants to give me that place? Me?

Do I deserve it?

How can I ?

" Nandini?", I wishpered and understanding my dilemma, she smiled at me.

" I know its awkward. But I just.....I just want to move on and be in peace now. I don't want my past to affect me anymore. And for that, I want to make good memories now.

We never had a good relation. Always hating each other. If everything would have been okay, maybe I would be calling you the same and we would be having a beautiful bond.

But its never too late na. I want to have that bond now. I want you to no more feel guilty of what you did and accept our relation. I lost both my parents Soha. Now I don't want to anyone else.

Will you accept me as your younger sister?", she said and I got tears in my eyes. How could I ever hurt this pure soul? She's ready to forget everything so easily?

I finally got a chance to have my own family. I am so happy.

I nodded my head with a wide smile and she hugged me excitedly. It feels good. It feels so good.

" Get ready to bear my tantrums then Di. I irritate the shit out of my siblings okay? And you don't have any chance other than bearing me. Are you ready?", she asked as if warning me and I laughed, nodding my head.

We were having a happy moment when Manik entered in. From his expressions, I can guess he was shocked to see us laughing. I supressed my laugh as he shook his head to make himself believe that he was not in a dream.

He walked up to us and stood beside Nandini. She being the excited soul, blabbered everything out to him. He just smiled seeing her happy.

" Manik.", I called out to him and he looked at me with an expressionless face. " I'm sorry for what I did to you. I was obsessed with jealousy and revenge and didn't realise what I was doing.
Will you forgive me?", I asked and looked at him expecting an answer but none came.

" Manik?", Nandini asked him and he looked at her.

After some moments of silence, he finally spoke. " I can forgive you for what you planned only if you promise not to interfere between us ever again. Promise me that you'll never try to hurt any of us again.", he said and I nodded frantically.

" I won't Manik. I'll never do anything like that ever again. Please forgive me this once. ", I pleaded and he finally nodded his head. I sighed in relief. It feels good to be free of accusations.

" But I'm still angry on you. You beat me so hard with that vase! Blood came out.

You know Nandu, I had a fantasy of seeing you punch Soha in front of me. But how will my fantasy get fulfilled now?", he whined making both of us laugh loudly.

Family is the real happiness. I realised it today.

End of Soha's pov

Manik's pov

We spent some time with Soha, talking about random things to lighten up her mood. Basically it was Shona speaking and both of us just nodding.

I know Nandini was also in pain. Whom will decieve with that happy look on her face? She was just putting up that facade to convince Soha and lessen her guilt.

She was a bit happy for getting a sister and sorting everything out with Soha. But she was still stuck with what happened that day. She still thinks that it was because of her that her father suffered and died. I need to make her understand. Maybe after returning back home,that will be the first thing to do.

After sometime we finally got up to leave when the nurse came in asking Soha to rest. I feel bad for her now. She too lost many things. She needs a second chance. Thats why we forgave her. Maybe she has got her punishment already.

Nandini wanted to talk to Kunal to bail her out. But she refused. She said she needs a lot of time and repentance to clean her soul of all the negativity that she had pented up in herself all these years. She said she doesn't trust herself now and thats why she would complete her full tenure in jail. Nandini was sad but she understood her point and agreed.

We settled in the car and headed towards Murthy Mansion. Shona was looking out of the window blankly. I know, many things were going on in her mind. Her calm demeanour was a complete opposite of what her mind was at the moment.

I just held her right hand in my left one and entwined our fingers. She didn't look at me, but I felt her relax. She needs time to open up and I'm ready to give her that.

We finally reached Murthy Mansion and got out. We walked in to see all the men sitting and discussing something. When they saw us, Nanu got up and walked towards us. He hugged Shona asking her how she was.

But what shocked me...was that she didn't respond. She didn't hug him back. Her expressions suddenly turned cold. She gently shoved him off herself and turned towards the stairs only to be stopped by Dadu.

" Nandu? What happened beta?", he said and I saw her fisting her hands trying to control her anger. Why was she angry? She didn't respond and again started walking.

" Nanhi?", Nanu tried to call her again only to be harshly cut off by Nandini.

" Stop calling me again and again Mr. Parosh Chatterjee! ", she said sternly, shocking all of us. She was never so rude to any of her family members. What happened today.

I was about to go to her, but she showed me a hand and I stopped.

" What do you wanna ask now? If I'm okay or not? Then listen to me carefully. I am not okay!

It hurts.....it so hurts. The person whom I blamed.....we all blamed all these years was only trying to save me. It so hurts.

But how would you understand it? You know what? If someone here is to be blamed for all this....its you Mr. Parosh Chatterjee.. and you Mr. Vinay Murthy!", she roared, stunning all of us. Hearing her shout, all the ladies and girls rushed into the living room. All were shocked to see Nandini so angry. But no one uttered anything.

" How did you know that Naveen Aggarwal tried to kill Niharika Aunty that day? Did you see him deliberately pushing her? Did you see him trying to do that?", she asked and Nanu stood there with wide eyes. He seemed to be realising his fault. Niharika Aunty stood there bewildered. How many truths were left for her to know?

" You accused him of something he never did. Who am I even telling all this? You toh have a habit of accusing people without their fault. You accused the Murthys for not being able to save Mumma without even thinking once, and cut off all your contacts with us. ", she said and Nanu's eyes showed shame.

" Atleast you could have asked him once if what you were thinking was true or not. He was just sixteen. Do you even realise what impact that fake accusation and all that rehab would have had on him? How much vulnerable you made him that he finally joined the mafia to take his revenge? You destroyed everything long back....but my parents and I suffered for it.", she yelled with tears flowing down her eyes. I so wanted to go and take her in my tight embrace. But I stopped. She needs to take it all out of her system today.

" Mr. Vinay Murthy? What did you want from your younger son? Discipline? Patience? Taste of failure?

Do you even know how it is done? Being all strict with your son? Not even appreciating his hardwork? Not giving even a loving pat on his shoulder when he achieved something? Always comparing him with his elder brother? 

You just made him hate you. You made him hate his elder brother. That brother who loved him like his child. Just because of your wrong thinking...you destroyed his life!", she said and Dadu's head bent down in remorse.

" I know I am being harsh at you both. But it was your fault and you need to realise it. Your mistakes cost a lot to our family. And I can never forgive that."

She stormed off to her room leaving all of us baffled. She was right though. It was their mistake and they need to realise it.

Dadu silently walked to his room with Dadi following him while Nanu moved to the garden. They need time to settle themselves.

But I just hope that everything gets sorted out soon. I can't see my Shona suffering anymore.

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So....another chapter over.

I know many of you would be having your questions and differing opinions on what I wrote today. Let me clear out everything first.

Q: How did Soha change so soon?

Soha too suffered her own share of pain. She too lost her father. And she too had her own sets of guilt.

The first realisation of her mistakes occured when she confronted her father outside the court after her arrest. (I would liked you to refer to previous chapters if you don't remember it.)

Getting all the time in jail to analyse her condition...she realised what her mistakes were. When outside, she was always surrounded by negativities like Naveen and Vikram who manipulated her and never let her think sanely. But in jail, she got all the time for herself and thought about her miserable life.

When she got to know all the news about her father's death and all those events related to it from the havildar, she had her second phase of realisation where she finally accepted the fact that Nandini was never wrong and it was she who did wrong to her always.

Soha got ample amount of time and enough pain to make her come to the right path as... she was not born evil. Circumstances and bad companies made her such and some different circumstances and hard realisations finally revived her true self.

Q: How did Nandini forgive her so easily?

Nandini has had enough of all these hatreds. She has realised that everyone was just the victim of circumstances and no one was the culprit.

She wants to live her life peacefully now without any negativity. Thats why she forgave a highly remorseful Soha.

Somewhere she knew that Soha was not really evil and that she has realised her faults and is really guilty. She believes in second chance and truly believed that Soha deserved one.

Having lost both her parents, she now had no one of her own true blood. Maybe that was one reason that she wanted to have Soha as her sister as she had her father's blood in her, making her feel closer to her demised father.

Q: Why did burst out on Parosh and Vinay?

If you have noticed or not, but the roots of all that happened lies in the mistakes of Parosh and Vinay.

She wanted them to realise their mistakes and thats why she had that outburst.
She doesn't hate them. But she can't also so easily forgive them for what they did. Unknowingly they were reasons of her sufferings.

Coming to why she was so rude then, come on...she lost her father and mother both in this. She was raped at a tender age and was emotionally challenged. She is frustrated and in a lot of pain. We can't expect her to be sane everytime.

Q: Will she forgive Naveen too?

No. Never. All the others did realise their mistakes and repented it. But Naveen is still a devil.

He destroyed many lives and doesn't deserve to be forgiven just because he too suffered in the past.

He deserves harsh punishment and will be given that.

Now I think everything is clear.

So coming back to the chapter..

How was Nandini-Soha's moment?

How did you find Manik's childishness?

How many of you wanted Manik's wish of Soha getting a punch from Nandini to be fulfilled? ( Sorry to them 😜😜)

Nandini's outburst?

What do you think should be Naveen's punishment?

If you have any ideas of yours on what to do with Naveen, feel free to comment your views here.

Next update may take some time, given my studies. But I'll post it in a week maybe.

Till then

Keep voting and commenting.

Stay safe

Stay healthy

Yours Writer.