Hello Fam :)

One of the most important chapters of the story. ;)

Happy Reading...

After half an hour, when Manik and Nandini went to the beach, there was a silence between them and neither did Manik break it nor did he question the conversation he heard. Unlike the awkward silence with Harshad, it was almost relaxing with the sound of the sea waves playing in the background.

Nandini decided, with Manik beside her, she could think and figure about all the chaos in her life. He was the stabilizer to her thoughts which runs in various directions. He was the proton to all the negative energy in her life. She cringed at the example which sounded like something the nerd boy would say, although a smile graced her face.

"My parents hate me", told Nandini, breaking the peaceful silence. She didn't want to. They could have sat there for an hour and Nandini could ignore Manik listening to the call and the boy wouldn't bring it up ever again but she felt he deserved to know. If she had started to trust him, if Manik had to believe his first friends, there shouldn't be secrets between them.

"I know", muttered Manik quietly. "I heard you talking to Cabir on that day."

Nandini felt threatened and betrayed and scared. Instead of following her instincts to punch the boy, she hugged her knees and let the information sink in. "You never said anything", she said after some time. She saw Manik flinch at her words and recollected if her tone was accusing.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop. It was accidental and I had no right of knowing it until you told me yourself. Hence, I never bring it up", he confessed.

Nandini nodded at him. Yes, he didn't bring it up but she was thinking about something else. "It's more than three months since you know and how could you hide it, Manik. You acted as if you don't know my most hated secret at all." Because the only people who knew about her parents were her friends, Abhimanyu's parents, and Cabir. While everyone accepted it, they sometimes behaved as if Nandini would shatter in front of them. They have become a bit overprotective towards her but there wasn't any change in Manik towards her. "Or you don't care?"

Manik shook his head. "I don't care", he confessed, "because you are the same Nandini I know all these months. Just because I know something more personal about you, it wouldn't change any fact about you. You still are the fiercest person in college and I am still a bit scared of you", he said, holding his thumb and index finger together.

It drew out a chuckle from her and Manik relaxed. "You don't think I am weak because the tough head girl can't stand for herself in front of her parents."

"You aren't weak, Nandini", he told. "I couldn't bear them for a few hours. I promise, I spent a whole day with mom to make sure she still loves me and I couldn't stop worrying about you since that day because the will that you were talking about, I know at least ten ways to manipulate it. You aren't safe with them. They aren't good people."

"Manik, relax", she told. It was another reason she didn't want Manik around her parents. They would shatter his trust and belief and Manik was a person for whom trust came easily. "I thought you wouldn't defend me", she teased with one of his lines but he glared at her instead. It was a first.

"I apologize but I don't trust them around you", he told.

"Don't treat me like a glass doll", she muttered.

"No", he said, with a frown. "You aren't a glass doll. I would never do that to you but they affect you, Nandini. You have bad days when they are around and you aren't in a healthy environment." He sighed and the struggle in him defeated as his shoulders sagged. "I am sorry. I wish I could do something to help you. I didn't know people like them existed and it's difficult to digest but they don't define you."

"You said sorry", she told. She had never seen Manik angry and even though he wasn't angry, it was amusing.

"That's not the point", he protested. "If sorry feels wrong to say, they feel more wrong ." He took some time to calm himself and Nandini watched him. "Promise me, you would never think yourself weaker than them", he said, out of the blue.

"Fine", she told, "I promise."

Manik nodded and sighed. "Why couldn't you leave them and live on your own? You can afford everything."

"Manik, stop thinking about them. I can't ignore their existence just because I hate them. And I still don't have Murthy industries on my name. It's still under their guardianship until I complete my studies", she informed.

"Is it so important to have Murthy Industries at the cost of your happiness?", said Manik. "Because you are capable of starting up your own company."

"But Murthy Industries is my grandfather's dream. He had put his life in it and I can't let it go waste in their hands. It's my responsibility. Besides, it's not only about the company. People are working in the company. Lots of jobs would be at stake if I hand it over to them." It was one of the reasons why she was holding on to the company. The people who had trusted Murthy Industries, who have been working in it for years, they don't deserve to have her parents as their permanent bosses or the only sane person alive in the Murthy family to abandon them.

"You think a lot about people. You care about them. Why do you hate love?", he muttered.

"Abhimanyu told you that?"

"Cabir did. I think the reason is absurd. You love your grandfather too much to hate the idea of love", he told.

The sun was setting and there was a cool breeze. People started increasing but hardly anyone came near them. "Imagine, I love someone", she said, quietly. She wasn't ready to break the silence yet. "My parents, they would either manipulate him to listen to them to acquire everything on their name or make him hate himself. When I was a kid, I used to hate myself enough because I didn't know why they hated me. I can't knowingly bring someone into my life and make his life miserable."

"Maybe you are worth it", he told.

"No, Manik. I am not worthy enough for a person to lose his life", said Nandini but she smiled. She might be a good person if Manik thinks she was worth it.

"Is that why you don't love anyone?", he asked.

Nandini nodded. "One of the mains. But if my friends think I hate the idea of love, their reason is better than the truth. Hence, I don't clarify them", she told.

"But you told me the truth."

"Because when I told you I trust you, I wanted to do it without holding back. And your observation skills are too good", she said. "Isn't it the output of all the detective novels?"

He grinned. The smile dropped when Manik remembered something. "I have another question. What did you think of Harshad?"

"Harshad?"

"Before, you punch me, just hear me out", he told.

Nandini bit her lip to hold herself from laughing at him. She couldn't punch him even if she wanted to.

"About forgiving Harshad. I don't have the right to talk about it, not after what I have done to you. I couldn't look at you without feeling all the guilt for days and I understand what he is going through. I am not siding with him but he asked for forgiveness and I feel it would do you loads of good if you forgive him. You could forgive and move on from him rather than burdening yourself with all the hate for him inside your heart", he explained.

"Can I have a few minutes to myself?", she asked.

He nodded. "I understand whatever your decision would be and I apologize for hurting you. I will wait near the car."

Once he left the place, Nandini let out a few tears of pent up frustration. She didn't want to think about Harshad but Manik was right. She can't carry the hate for him and expect to move on. She thought she had moved on but back at her house, there was a lingering fear when Harshad closed the door or took a step towards her while he was talking. She watched the sea waves for a few minutes before wiping her face.

When she went to Manik's car, Manik handed her a bottle of water but otherwise didn't say anything. She splashed some water on her face. It felt refreshing. She drank some before looking at him. "I think I will forgive him and move on."

Manik snapped his head at her. His whole face had lit up when her words registered in his brain and Nandini thought she could forgive a hundred others if it made him this happy. "That's amazing, Nandini", he told and opened his car door to give her a box full of chocolates.

"These many? Are you going on a vacation?", she teased.

"People say, one needs guts to accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness but they need even more guts and the biggest of hearts to forgive someone even after getting hurt by them", he explained.

"What if my answer was no?"

"I would have given you anyway and wish you to be happy."

"Basically, you just need a reason to give me chocolates", she asked.

"Yes."

Nandini was teasing but it surprised her when Manik accepted it. "Why?", she asked.

"Because you deserve happiness. Everyone deserves happiness. Even if my dad isn't with us, I know he loved me and still loves me, wherever he is. But in your case", he trailed off and sighed. "You don't deserve them, Nandini and I can't do anything to stop them. At least you don't have to think about them when you eat these chocolates. Chocolates produce happy hormones which is an added advantage."

Manik was angry on her behalf. He was getting sad for her. He was trying to give her temporary relief at least for a few minutes. Nandini should feel weird at his reason to stuff her from the chocolates but she knew he gives them to Cabir all the time too and he, of course, didn't expect anything in return from his brother. It felt weird that Manik would willingly do something for her without expecting anything. This was the most loved she felt since her grandfather's death.

Nandini pulled him into a hug. When she broke the hug, she kissed his cheek. He was startled enough, possibly about the intensity of her hug, and did not react about the kiss. "If I had the freedom to love, Manik, it would be you but I pray I would never love you." She didn't wait for his reply and got into the car.

When Manik came inside the car after several minutes, he gave a small smile to Nandini and drove her to her house. As always, he didn't question her words and she knew they would be fine without getting awkward.

For Nandini, it's as good as a confession. Remember this, we are gonna talk about it much later. :P

So, we are almost at the end. There is another chapter which is almost a filler but necessary and a final one. Then there is an epilogue. So, three including the epilogue. 

Unfortunately, I thought I could complete it by this weekend but there are still a few parts left to write. Have been busy with some college stuff. Also, I have to attend an online conference on Monday and Tuesday. It was sudden and I am packed with the schedule. So, the next update will be on Wednesday or Thursday, whenever I could complete writing it. I am sorry. :(

I am planning to have discussion session to answer all your questions either before or after the epilogue. Wattpad or Instagram, wherever you are comfortable. Do let me know if I should do it or not and if yes, where do you prefer?