Long chapter ahead!!!
Next part after 200+ votes.

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Manik saw the news. He had mixed feelings. He didn't know whether he should be sad or happy.

"You don't need to show yourself strong all the time. It's okay to fall weak sometimes."

This time Manik nodded with a real smile.

"Come with me. I need to say something important to you."

Manik was shocked and scared as well. He didn't understand why amms wanted to talk to him all of a sudden. But he had no other option than agreeing so he left with her assuring his friends through his eyes that he was okay.

Manik left with amms to her room. It's been hardly 10 minutes when Nandini came down and looked for Manik.

"Ummmm..... Where is Manik?"

"Amms took Manik with her. She said she has something important to talk to him." Navya replied.

Nandini panicked hearing that. She was scared of Manik's anger. Amms already didn't like him what if Manik again said or did something in anger in front of amms. Then she wouldn't be able to handle amms.

Nandini started praying to her Ayaiappa to rescue them from the situation.

"When did they go?"

Alya looked at the time. "Around 10 minutes before."

"What's taking them so long?" Nandini was packing to and fro waiting for them.

"Nandini, why are you taking tension? They'll be back soon. Relax!" Mukti passed a water bottle to her.

"Yes, I don't think there is any problem. Amms seemed to be in a good mood." Cabir shrugged his shoulders.

Nandini still couldn't calm down. "Cabir, you don't know amms. She already doesn't like Manik much because of college incident. If Manik does something now, then I won't be able to handle it."

"Nandini, don't worry. Manik won't do anything. Okay?" Alya patted her back.

Nandini nodded.

That time chachi came, "Kids, come. The food is ready." Then she looked around. "Where are Manik and amms? Manik has left already? He didn't even say anything."

"No, chachi. Manik has gone with amms. They had something to discuss." Navya cleared the air.

Chachi nodded. "The food will be cold. Rishab, go and call them."

Rishab got up and went to call them. Now Nandini calmed down a bit.

At amms room
Manik came behind amms. Manik was nervous. He was confused with amms's behaviour. He gathered all his courage to face her.

"Amms, is everything alright? You wanted to talk about something important." Manik tried to act normally.

"You tell me, is everything okay? Whatever was shown in the news today....."

She couldn't complete before that only Manik stopped her. "I know all this seems weird to you all and maybe you are thinking I am like Nyonika. That's normal but it was bound to happen sooner or later. I am not shocked. Nyonika never acted like a mother actually she never deserved to be a mother."

Amms was quiet. She could feel the depth of his words which was hidden behind his aggression.

Manik too realized what he was speaking in front of whom. He rubbed his palm behind his neck, then spoke, "I'm sorry, amms. I shouldn't have said all this. It's okay, if you are angry on me."

Amms smiled a little and stopped him, "Manik, I never judged a person wrong in my whole life. But I think it's the second time when I'm wrong. I judged you wrong based on the college incident when I didn't know the whole matter. At first, I should have tried to know the reason behind your actions."

Manik was getting more and more confused with amms's changed behaviour. She continued. "I know there are more of you which you don't show in front of the world. Maybe there are some strong reasons it's very rare to find someone who has the guts to stand against his mother without thinking about what the world will say. I won't ask that."

"Thank you, amms. I think now I have a chance to impress you." Manik said looking into her eyes.

Amms smiled. "I don't think there is any need of that. But I wanted to ask something. I hope you will say the truth to me."

Manik nodded his head.

"Whatever you did or doing for Nandini, no one would do this much just for their friend. I have noticed your behaviour and others too. Do you love Nandini?"

Manik was numb hearing her question. He was looking for words to answer her. He was blank about what to say. He knew Nandini wasn't ready yet to disclose about them in front of her family. He was cursing himself for acting all desperate in front of everyone that it got so evident.

That time to his rescue Rishab came there to call them for lunch. Amms was about to ask Rishab to wait. But Manik pleaded him through eyes to help him and how could he not help his rockstar! So, he dragged Manik with him. Amms also moved behind them.

Nandini sighed in relief seeing Manik and amms coming down with Rishab. They sat down to have lunch.

After lunch everyone decided to move back to their respective places. They left when Nandini messaged Manik to wait for her outside. Manik saw the message and stayed back.

Nandini was going outside when chachi stopped her. "Nandu, where are you going?"

"Woh... Woh... Cha... Chachi, Navya has left her phone here only. So, I'm going to give that to her. They are waiting outside."

Chachi nodded and asked her to go.

Manik was waiting for Nandini leaning his back to his car. When he saw Nandini coming out, he stood straight. Nandini moved near him. Manik was looking at her face. For the first time her face was devoid of any emotion. It was cold as ice. His favourite smile was missing.

It pained him to see her like that. But he knew it's not easy for her. She needed time to overcome everything but he was happy that at least she is trying.

"Manik?" She called him for nth time seeing him lost in his own thoughts.

"Ye.. Yes... You called me? is everything alright?" Manik asked composing himself.

"Hmm. Are you okay?" She asked being concerned about him as she too heard about Manik's parents at the lunch time.

"Of course, I am. What will happen to me?" He replied faking a smile.

"Manik, I know you. Why are you trying to hide? I know it's affecting you very much but it's good na now Nyonika maam won't bother you anymore." She spoke softly.

Manik looked at her being surprised as he thought she would ask him to talk to his dad. She would ask him to stop it but she is more concerned about him. She knew how Nyonika treats him so she is thinking departure of her may be good for him.

May be!!!

He tried to hold her hand in his. But suddenly she got panicked and jerked his hands away. It took him some moments to understand what happened. He looked at her face, she was scared. Then he remembered the morning incident when she shivered with his touch.

He gritted his teeth to calm down. He muttered numerous curses to pandit and Nyonika for doing this to her.

But he controlled himself and tried to make her calm too.

"Nandini, look at me." Manik said softly. Nandini moved her eyelashes and looked into his eyes. She was feeling guilty for what she did just now. But she was helpless. It's not at all easy for her. She just hoped Manik understood her situation.

"It's okay to be scared. But always remember that I am just a call away. Whenever you think, you need me, you want to talk to me, just give me a call. I will be here."

Nandini nodded her head softly.

"Now go inside and take rest. I'm also leaving. I'll call you at night. Okay?"

Nandini again nodded and turned back to leave. Manik kept looking at her retreating figure. He drove off when Nandini finally went in.

It's going to be a long night... ... ... ...

Nandini spent the whole day with her family trying to be normal. She spent her times with Rishab as since last few days she was occupied with the thoughts of Manik and the stress of fusion concert so she couldn't give her much time. He was really happy getting her sister.

In between amms tried to talked to her about Manik but every time she gave some excuse and got away from the situation. They didn't talk about pandit or that incident as it would affect her badly. They were trying to keep her stress free.

At dinner time chachi said, "I was thinking why don't we all go for a vacation? It's been so long since we have gone for an outing."

Amms nodded positively. "You're right. But where should we go? Nandini, you say."

Nandini was lost in her thoughts. She was just playing with the food on her plate. Amms voice broke her trance. "I can't go anywhere. I have to attend classes in college. I have already missed so many classes. I can't miss them anymore."

Amms was about to say something when chacha spoke, "But Nandini, what's the hurry? You can join after a few more days."

Amms and chachi also agreed with him.

Nandini held my name and spoke softly, "You all want me to be normal, you want me to forget everything, then let me do this. I will be fine. I am doing all this to forget whatever happened. If I will sit back at home, then I will be a looser which I am not. I can't let anyone break myself."

Amms nodded with happy tears in her eyes, she placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I know my Nandini is very strong. She won't accept her defeat so easily. She will fight back. I will pray that you get all the strength to do whatever you want to do."

Nandini also gave them a smile.

After chit chatting a little more, they all departured to their respective rooms.

Nandini came back to her room. She remembered last night when Manik sang for her to make her sleep. A beautiful smile formed on her face. She sat on the bed waiting for Manik to call her. She closed her eyes and started recalling their moments from last night.

Those beautiful moments......

His sweet cute gestures.........

Most importantly his confession.....

Everything was so beautiful!!!

So perfect!!!

It was their night. The winning of their hope. They were supposed to celebrate the victory of their hope. But one dreadful incident.

Nandini opened her eyes with a jerk thinking about pandit and what he did to her.

She was shivering badly. She was trying to distract herself when Manik's phone came.

She sighes in relief.

He was always there for her as he promised.....

~*~

After leaving from Nandini's place, Manik directly went to police station to meet Nyonika as she was in police custody. He talked to the inspector who took him to her.

There she was sitting on one corner loosing her every pride. Manik never in his life thought that he would see Nyonika in such state. To be truthful it pained him to see her in that condition after all she is her mother and he can't deny the fact.

As Nandini says, he is coconut face. Strong, rough from outside and softest from inside. How much he tries to show that Nyonika doesn't matter to him but deep down he has always wanted her to be his mother like normal one. He wished whatever happened in the past would be just a nightmare and when he would wake up she would be his sweet mother.

But alas! reality is always hard.

"Nyonika!" Manik called out her name trying to sound stern as much as he could.

She looked up and found him standing outside her cell with his all time famous smirk keeping his hands in his jeans pocket. She got up and stood in front of Manik.

"Chhh.... Chhh.... Ch.... Nyonika, what happened to you? Nyonika Malhotra oops sorry my mistake not Malhotra anymore is finally to the place where she belongs. Wow."

Nyonika shot him a glare. "What are doing here, Manik? Didn't you already have enough? What more do you want?"

"You know what, Nyonika, I would have let you go, if it was only about me. But you chose to drag Nandini in between our rivalry. That's your biggest mistake. I had warned you so many times to stay away from Nandini but you didn't pay any heed and see where it got you." Manik said all this in a dangerous tone. His tone was cold as ice.

Manik turned back to leave when Nyonika's voice forced him to stop. "What do you think, Manik? This love and all are so easy? No, it's not. At the age of 19, you don't get your true love or forever kind of love. You think that Nandini is the one for you but in real she is just an experiment for you. Soon you will be bored of her."

Manik turned back and glared at her. If look could kill, Nyonika would have died at the very moment.

"Yeah, just an experiment. You have never dealt with a girl like Nandini in your whole life. You will be bored of her soon and then as usual you will go back to someone like Alya. Nandini is nowhere near your class or test. Most importantly, why will she be with a reckless boy like you? Someone so ruthless, who doesn't know how to control himself! Also why will her family accept a boy whose family background is like this?"

"I pity you, Nyonika. I seriously pity you. For this only, you could never be my mother because you never tried to understand me. Let me tell you one thing, Nandini turned the monster you had created into a human and I think it's enough to reply to your questions. One more thing never try to understand the feeling of love as it's beyond you. You never felt this emotion so you won't understand the depth of it."

Then he didn't give her any chance to say anything more and left from there.

He was driving the car to the top speed. He reached Malhotra Mansion in no time. He directly went to his room and threw his jacket away.

He wanted to talk to Nandini but he didn't want to disturb her. She needs time with her family.

Music!!!

Only music could help him to get rid of every pain. He started tuning his guitar and drinking. He didn't even realize when it turned dark. A phone call broke his trance.

He took out his phone and it's from his dad. He picked up the call.

"Hello, dad."

"Manik, are you okay?" Mr Malhotra asked being all concerned for Manik as he is the only reason he is alive.

"Of course, I am. What will happen to me?" Manik replied trying to sound as normal as he could.

"I heard you had gone to meet Nyonika. I hope she didn't say anything."

"No, dad. I am okay trust me." he assured his dad as he knew he wasn't there for him but he is always tensed for him.

"You have seen the news?" After a pause Shreekant asked. He was gathering all his courage to ask Manik this question knowing his rage.

"Hmm." Manik replied plainly which wasn't the reaction his dad expecting. He thought Manik would be angry, he would shout, but he didn't do anything as such.

"I know I should have discussed it with you before announcing it. But I thought it was the right thing to do at that moment."

Manik cut him in between. "Dad, it's okay. I can understand." He acted all calm which was certainly unlike his nature.

"Are you okay?" His concern fill voice made Manik overwhelmed. He wished if he was here when he needed him the most, then may be his life would have been normal.

"I am... Finally Nyonika is out of my life. What can I want more?" But he could just voice out this.

"Lets chuck it and I have good news for you." He changed the topics to lighten the atmosphere.

"What?" Manik asked being all confused.

"I am moving to Mumbai next week."

"Really? That's great." Manik went all excited in just a blink.

"I know I wasn't there when you needed me the most. But from now on I will be with you."

"Come soon. Bye."

"Bye."

Manik hung up the call finally he was feeling good. He looked at the time and decided to call Nandini.

Nandini picked up the call at the first ring only. Manik smiled fully for the first time since last night.

"Wow. I didn't know that you are so desperate for my call." Manik teased her and a smile broke into her face.

"I always wait for your call no matter what the situation is." Her simple honest statement made his day.

"Had your dinner?"

"Hmm. You?"

Manik was silent for a moment before replying. "I will have now."

"What is this, Manik? You should have it on time. Go fast and have your dinner." Nandini had authority in her voice.

She cared for him.

And our Majnu Malhotra loved it when she claimed her rights on him........

"Okay, baba. I am going. I will come to meet you tomorrow after college."

"No need. I am coming to college tomorrow." Nandini said laying down.

"Why? You should take rest for a few more days." Manik panicked.

At first he wanted to make sure that everything is perfect for her in college. Actually he wants to warn everyone that no one will say or ask anything about this incident to Nandini.

"Manik, mein thik hoon. Don't worry and I know you want me to be in college. Please let me come."

Nandini was right. As much as he wanted to keep her away from everything, it was also right that he wanted her to be by his side always. He can't deny the fact ever.

Sighed!!!

"Fine. But I will come to pick you up."

"Chacha will drop me to college. Don't worry. I will see you directly in the college."

"Okay. But call me as soon as you reach college." Manik warned her. He couldn't take the risk of leaving her alone to college. He feared she might panic thinking of pandit in the college premises.

Nandini smiled at his concern. "I will."

"Now go and sleep. Good night."

"Good night, Manik."

They both hung up the call with a bright smile on their face.

Nandini slept all the while smiling thinking about Manik and Manik started playing guitar once again but this time a romantic soft tune.

Precap: College.

That's all for today. How was it? Was it up to the mark?

So many happenings, like it?

Mr Malhotra is shifting with Manik, will it be good or bad?

What do you thing Nandini's going to college is a good idea or not?

Aren't Manan the cutest?

Did you like little moment of Manan?

Do you think Nandini is right thinking about Manik and Nyonika?

Aren't you liking Manik's little gestures?

Aren't you liking amms? What do you think of her?

Which one is your favourite scene?

Don't forget to do votes and comments.

Bye

13.07.2022