Here you go with the new chapter. Do have a look at my new book "Kiss Me Under the Moonlight" and share your response. It's a pure college romance with the much needed family drama. You'll surely get the essence of "A Journey from Rejection to Forever" here. I'm sure you'll enjoy the new shade of Manik and Nandini.

Next chapter after 240+ votes.

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"If somebody changes their tone about you it generally means that they have discovered or uncovered a truth about you that makes them not want to deal with you." ― Germany Kent

Aryaman's face lost all the color and went pale as the video ended. He was not able to believe his own eyes. He knew whatever was played there in video was reality which means Soha really needed medical help for her mental condition and their father lied to him. His mind was a mess. It was too much for him to believe.

Manik saw him and he too felt pity on him. He could surely feel what Aryaman must be going through. His father had manipulated him and he has also been gone through the same by his own mother. So, he couldn't blame him completely.

Manik took a long breath. "I think the video has cleared your misconception. Now I am gonna show another video which will show how Soha had died actually. Then you won't blame me or Nandini for her death."

Then Manik started another video of storeroom which shows how Soha took Nandini there and she caught in there with fire. The same video that Nyonika had used to manipulate Nandini. But the difference is it had the full scene recorded in it, whereas Nyonika had showed only a part of it to Nandini so that she misunderstood the situation and Manik.

Nandini as well as everyone were dumbfounded seeing the video. They were not able to believe that any girl can be this dangerous. Soha tried to be around them and the reason was Manik. They didn't like her presence nor the way she behaved but they had to bear her for the sake of the album because she was the owner's daughter. That's why they even held Manik back so that he didn't treat her rudely only if they knew what she was actually planning for behind the cover of album.

Manik looked at Nandini who was looking down. He knew she was crying even though her face was hidden behind her hair. He didn't need to see her face to know about her. He slowly wrapped his one arm around her shoulder taking her in his embrace. He placed his other hand on hers which was on her lap.

"It wasn't your fault, Nandini. She was cunning and you are too naive to see her real face." He whispered in her ear.

Nandini slowly turned her face a little to look at her. There were a few tear drops still there. "I... I..." She couldn't say anything.

Manik wiped her tears. "It's okay. You don't need to say anything. I know you. That phase is gone, she is gone but we are together and that's the only thing matters."

Nandini just stared his face.

"Now smile. I hate tears, Mrs. Malhotra." He muttered the last word in her ear so that no one else heard him but her. He also stretched her lips with his fingers.

Nandini smiled shortly.

"I can't believe this!!!" Alya was the first one to break the silence in the room as well the moment between Manik and Nandini.

All the gazes in the room turned towards her except Aryaman who was looking down. He was diving in the pool of guilt and embarrassment. He was blinded by the things which his father told him. Not for once he tried to know the reality. Also he was misguided by Soha's words.

"Yeah... I noticed her acting weird but every time I ignored them thinking she is just a spolit brat. Then I got to know about her problem and trust me I was feeling bad for Manik as we pushed him to behave friendly with her even when he didn't want it. Now I am feeling bad for Nandini too, she had to bear these for our idiocy." Mukti's gaze was still on the screen when she uttered these words.

Somewhere they all felt pity for Soha too. They couldn't blame her completely for her actions. She was mentally unstable and her father knew it. She needed proper treatment and care which she lacked. His father was careless. He was only concerned about his reputation. When she was making these mistakes, her father instead of controlling her tried to cover up for her. It affected her more.

They all turned to look at Aryaman. He didn't utter a single word after watching the video. He was in some other world.

"Aryaman....." Manik called out his name.

His hands curled into a fist as he tried to control himself. He looked up to face others.

"Are you okay?" He asked Aryaman.

Aryaman tried to smile in response but failed miserably. "Maybe."

Fab5 and Nandini looked at each other's face. They knew they could never feel what Aryaman must be feeling. He is like them only belongs to a broken family. But the thing which made them feel bad for him was the outcome. They were always fighting for their choices which Aryaman didn't have to. He was here to fight for something which was completely wrong. He was betrayed by his own sibling whom he loved liked anything.

"I think I should go now." Aryaman didn't stay there any longer and went away not giving them any chance to speak.

"I hope he would be fine." Nandini muttered looking at his retreating figure.

All stared at her. They were thinking the same but Manik was feeling jealous that how could his wife be thinking of someone else ignoring him.

"Guys, I think we should leave now too." Mukti said.

"Okay, come I will drop you all." Alya said.

Navya, Cabir, Mukti and Dhruv were ready to leave.

"What's so hurry, guys? You all stay back. We can party." Manik asked them.

"We would love to but I think for now you should concentrate on yourself than us. You know what I mean." Mukti winked at her.

Manik got what she meant. Nandini who was talking to Navya, so she missed the teasing. They were about to go when Nandini too took her bag. "Alya, will you drop me too?"

Alya was about to agree when Cabir jumped in between. "Sorry, Nandini. We are already 5 here." Then he looked at Manik. "But don't worry. Manik will drop you safe and sound. Right, Manik?" He showed all his teeth.

"Of course." Manik faked a smile to him.

They all went away after bidding bye to Manik and Nandini. As they left, Nandini was about to go as well but Manik stopped her. He pulled her back holding her hand. "Where are you going like this, Mrs. Malhotra?" He nuzzled his nose in her hair.

Nandini pushed him back. "That's none of your concern." She said gritting her teeth.

"How come it's not my concern, Mrs. Malhotra? You are my wife, everything related to you is only my concern." He uttered sweetly.

Nandini glared at him and locked her arms over her chest. "Really!!!"

Manik nodded his head innocently.

"If you had believed this, then you wouldn't have hid about you getting hurt from me. You would have heard me when I was asking you to treat your wounds first. You would have understood how I feel when you are hurt."

Manik felt bad. He made her look at him and held his ear making a baby face. "Sorry. I promise I won't repeat this again. Please forgive me for this time."

Nandini looked at him through the corner of her eyes. She couldn't help going all aww on his cuteness. No matter how mad she was on him but she had to admit that she could never ignore him. Manik noticed her, trying to suppress her smile. He knew she was not angry anymore. That's all he had wanted.

Manik picked her up in his arms without any warning. Nandini shirked in fear at first, she was not expecting it. "Manik, what are you doing? Someone will come and watch us. Put me down." She moved her legs but they had no effect on him.

"Do you think I care? Anyways, you are my wife and there is nothing wrong in picking up my own wife." Manik shrugged his shoulders with a grin on his face.

"Correction, Mr. Malhotra, secret wife."

"So what? I can accept you in front of the whole world right now. I have no problem with it nor am I scared of anyone. I'm already waiting for the day when I'll be able to claim you in front of the whole world. Officially. I'm stopping myself thinking of you only."

Nandini felt like banging her head somewhere seeing him being all cool. She didn't know what to say to him. She looked at his face being all helpless.

"I can put you down in one condition."

"What condition?" Nandini frowned.

"You've to say that you're not angry with me anymore."

"What!"

"Yes, say that and I'll do whatever you want." Manik smirked.

He looked devilishly handsome with the smirk and she had to accept that for sure. Still she wanted to wipe it off his face.

"Think about it, Mrs. Malhotra." His voice broke Nandini's trance who busy in muttering harmless curses to Manik in her mind.

She faked a smile looking at his face. "Fine. I'm not angry on you anymore."

"Chhh!!! Sweetly, wifey."

Nandini glared at him.

"Sweetly, Nandini."

"I'm not angry with you, Manik." Nandini uttered in an extra sugarcoated tone and passed a tight lipped smile to him.

"That's like my Nandini." Manik too smiled brightly.

"Now put me down."

"Sure."

But instead of putting her down, Manik started walking upstairs. Nandini got confused seeing him. "What are you doing, Manik? Why are you taking me upstairs?"

Manik didn't say anything. He kept walking. He stopped after entering into his room. He closed the door with his leg and then put Nandini down reaching near the bed. "I said I will put you down. But I didn't say where."

Nandini nodded her head in disbelief. She was about to walk back to the door when Manik pulled her holding her hands. Nandini was not ready for it. So, she couldn't balance herself. She fell on the bed over Manik. Her face was hidden over his chest with her hands on either side of his shoulder. His hands were around her waist.

Nandini slowly pulled her head up and looked at Manik's face whose eyes were already on her. Her hairs were all over her face. He slid his one hand from her waist to her face. Nandini shivered with his touch and Manik felt it. He tucked her hair strands behind her ear and caressed her face. She snuggling into his touch. He rubbed her lower lip with his thumb. Nandini was forced to close her eyes with the proximity.

Manik watched her every expression keenly. He smiled and turned their position. Now he was over her. Nandini ran her hand from his elbow to his shoulder. Their eyes were locked with each other. Manik moved his face down and kissed on her neck. He went to other side and placed another kiss there. Nandini clutched his shoulder leaving her nail marks there.

"Manik.." A soft moan escape her lips.

Manik removed her hair a little and her vermilion was visible to her. Nandini opened her eyes and she found him admiring the vermilion on her head. She knew he loves it when she wears them for him. He kissed on that place.

"I love you, Nandini. I love you a lot. I can't afford to lose you. I have lost a lot in my whole life. I was forced to make a deal of almost everything related to my life. But I don't want to make a deal of you ever. I want to protect you from all the evil eyes."

Manik said all this looking into her eyes. His eyes held some unknown emotion and she realized how precious she was to him and how much he had loved her. She wondered no matter how much she tries she won't be able to match him the way he loves her.

Nandini cupped his face and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Why are you thinking all this, Manik? You are not losing me ever. I'm your wife and I have vowed to be there with you all my life. I know about you and I also know you won't let any harm ever touch me. You have always protected me and you will do that always. I trust you." She was caressing his face softly.

Manik felt the depth of her words. She trusted him and it's all he can ask from her. Not wasting any moment, Nandini placed her lips on his. She started sucking them slowly. Her eyes automatically went close. Manik started at her face for a few seconds before he started responding to the kiss equally and closed his eyes.

They broke the kiss feeling out of breath. They were lost into each other when they heard Nandini's phone ringing. They came back to their senses. Manik got up from her and Nandini too sat back on the bed. Manik handed over her bag to her.

It's chachi.

"Hello, chachi."

"No, my classes are over."

"Don't worry. I'm fine. I'm coming to home only."

"Yes, chachi. I will be there in half an hour."

"Bye."

Manik was looking at her with bad face.

"Is it necessary to go?"

Nandini smiled nodding her head. "I will meet you tomorrow."

Manik let out a breath. "Fine." He too got up. "Listen Nandini, we are going to hospital tomorrow. We couldn't go today because of all this fiasco. We can't ignore it. So, be ready."

Nandini nodded her head mouthing an okay.

Then Manik dropped Nandini at her place. Nandini had to give him another kiss before leaving.

Precap: Pregnant?

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That's all for today. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and share your thoughts.

Also share your favourite scene from this chapter.

14.03.2024