Sau khwaab hain, Ik zindagi

Kaise chune kya chahiye

Shayad teri haan na mile

Phir bhi humein teri na chahiye

Tu hi safar

Tu raasta

Tu hi kaarwaan

Kaise chaloon main tere bina

Zara si dosti kar le

Zara sa humnasheen ban ja

Zara sa saath de bas

Phir chahe ajnabi ban ja

■■■■■■

|  |  s  e v e n  |  |

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India 2005

Nandini was baking chocolate cookies in Malhotra kitchen where as Mr Malhotra was busy romancing. Manik slid an arm around her waist and squeeze it. Nandini jumped in surprise with so close proximity.

He inhale in her fragrance her long hair, he was an addict of her shampoo. Her breath went rugged due to his front pressed against her back. His was hard on there she could feel it.

"Nandini...." he whispered and sucked skin of her neck she instantly turned into jelly. Manik had his strong grip on her stomach orelse she would have collapsed on the well furnished floor

Nandini gave him access to her neck letting him bite her skin and give her hickeys proof of his love. He slid down a sleeve of her dress and started giving open mouth kisses and she moaned loudly.

Suddenly both smelled something burning and Nandini eyes flew open she pushed Manik and went towards the oven. After opening it she found burn chocolate cookies. She glared at Manik who was giving her puppy dog eyes.

"Your not allowed to touch me for a week" she shouted and dashed out of the kitchen.

■■■■■■

Singapore Airport 2016

Nandini sat in the waiting area with a cup of coffee and some chocolate cookies Manik had bought minutes ago. He remembered she baking chocolate cakes and cookies, once upon a time it used to be her favourite food but now those memories just haunt her in ways she don't want them to remember.

She stared at the coffee not having an appetite of having anything. She haven't eaten anything since morning due to rituals but now when again fate played a ridiculous game with her all her hunger was lost with her senses. She didn't knew why she agreed with Manik an hour ago.

In just two hours life showed her several shades of relations. Once loved ones were now enemies and ten years ago long lost love was back again to light her dark life.
She felt numb and motionless without any sign of emotions.

She agreed with Manik's deal to come with him for a better life. The only reason she left with him was freedom. Aryaman was the only person for whom she was still in his house even after his death. Her life was cursed she thought. Whoever she loves has to leave her with choice or without choice.

Suddenly she remembered why was Manik here cause Aryaman asked him too. Did Aryaman knew all this is going to happen? Last month Aryaman and Nandini had came to know about his cancer. They were shattered with the piece of information and after listening it was last stage it broke them more in piece which can never be collected.

"Why did Aryaman asked you to be here?" Nandini felt herself asking the questions after debating with her mind and heart. Her mind was against her decision of going with Manik but her heart has always belong to its owner how can he deny. And Nandini did chose her heart over her mind just she doesn't recognise it.

"Two weeks ago he came to India to meet me at my office" Manik said taking a sip of his coffee and remembering Aryaman's words

"Why?" She choked with tears Aryaman was very dear to her heart

"He said he has cancer and he doesn't have time. He sure can't keep his promises but he wants me to fulfil the promises he made to you" he said while a tear slipped his eye too. Manik too believed if someone loved Nandini more than him then sure it was only Aryaman.

That guy was selfless and his love was passionate.

"Why did you agree??" She didn't wanted to ask but her heart in the deepest and darkest corner wanted an answer

"I've made a big time mistake ten yesrs ago and I want to repay it" he said wiping his tears and brushing off his unshed tears

"I won't ever marry you Manik Malhotra" she said with grave anger. Mistake no he didn't commit a mistake it was sin. Sin for her. The person she loved the most betrayed her and with all his choice he did.

"I know!! That's the reason I don't have any hopes.." he said in a stern voice. It did pinch his heart, with the amount of hatered she said the words gave him heartache but he deserves it

"Then what do you want??" She asked gritting her teeth.

"I need a mother for my daughter..." he was cut by Nandini

"Step Mother" she said

"Yes....." he took a deep breath and continued "I need a step mother for my daughter Piyaa. I can't do the things mother's do nor I can explain. She is still a kid but she is growing turning into a girl and then into a woman. I can't do all those motherly things to her nor can give a motherly affection and main reason is I don't know what's called mother's affection I never got one.." he said with a pinch of sadness Nandini could feel it

"Why me??" She asked being mother to Soha's daughter was like running a bulldozer on her already broken heart. The women who destroyed her life ten years, the women reason behind almost all of her tears.

"You need a protector until you are stable and over Aryaman's death. I need a mother for my daughter. In simple words you need me and I need you" he finished and waited for a her response but when he looked her his heart ripped out of his chest watching her condition.

He was the main reason behind all this.

He fished his hand in the pant pocket and removed his cell phone. Opening a video and passing it to her. She looked at the screen it had Aryaman's picture on it. It was a video "Aryaman left a message for you" he said and handled her the phone. Giving her little privacy he went outside of the waiting room

Nandini stared at the screen for some minutes absorbing what's happening around her surrounding. It's too complicated for her to understand it. She is way too confused with the turn life is taking. She played the video with shaking hands and listening to Aryaman's voice she cried more.

"Nandini please stop crying baby... I know I'm a cheater, lier, faker but baby if I ever knew what's coming in future I wouldn't have ever married you. I wouldn't have ever promised anything I couldn't fulfill in future. I know I ruined big time but trust me it was out of my choice if I could get one more life I would have wished to spend it entirely with you. But I didn't get.

Nandini life is too long to spend alone. You always need a partner in life who can hold you in your bad time, who can hug you when needed and love you like a precious gem. You always need a shoulder to cry on, always need someone whom you can open up all your bottled emotions and feelings. I dreamed of being that partner, that man in your life and I did get chance but I'm not the one baby.

The one is Manik. I know you said you are over him, you said when you kiss me it's only me you never wanted Manik to kiss you instead of me. But it was a big fat lie. True love never fades it increases with time and strength with distance. Deep inside your heart you have always loved and desired only one man and it's Manik.

I'm sure you loved me a lot, you gave me all sort of happiness you made me alive, whole and complete but you were incomplete with out a piece of you. Your heart. It's been long long ago with someone else. It's been a decade it's with Manik and it's time to get it back. I know what I'm asking is tough but trust me it's the best.

I know my family they won't accept you after my death and only person shadow your safe under and free it's Manik. That man will say he needs a mother for his daughter but damn he needs a partner and his long lost love too. Nandini Manik does know his mistake and everybody deserve a second chance.

Give it a try maybe something good can come out of it. Don't think I won't be happy the day you and Manik will sort all your difference and marry each other promising a forever I will the most happiest person in hell and now also while your hearing me I'll be having whisky with the devil for helping me completing an incomplete tale.

I love you baby... always remember but I'm not the correct man for you.. it's him. Manik.

A/N: Hello family!!! Alright are all the questions solved not them please let me know the left ones. I'm little bit disappointed cause after Arya Nandini wedding and romance my views have decreased this proves the lack of trust in me. But forget it I don't care I'm done explaining I love Manan too. If you don't like the plot don't read it and someone told me this book is a masterpiece.. and I'm proud of it.