Here you go with the new chapter. Do have a look at my new wattpad 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.

👇🏻

"Life, he realize, was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile." ― Nicholas Sparks

N E X T   M O R N I N G
Nandini got up at her usual time and she was doing her riwaj after freshening up. She was thinking of yesterday how everything got unfolded in front of everyone. She knew it was bound to happen but the thing she didn't know was it would happen this way. She thought things would take place in a smooth way and she could make Aryaman understand calmly. But he ended up hurting Manik.

She was glad that they reached there at the right time and Manik was not hurt much. Her heart skipped a beat thinking what would have happened, if they were late.

"Nandu..."

Nandini's trance broke when she felt someone shaking her. She was startled for a while before turning to her side where chachi was standing with a confused face looking at her. Nandini took a breath and turned towards her completely.

"Yes, chachi?"

Chachi sat beside her and cupped her face worriedly. "Nandu, are you okay? I have been noticing you from the last few days, you are always lost thinking something. Is everything okay? Has something happened? See I know I'm not your mother but I'm no less than your mother too. You can share anything with me. If there is some problem, tell me, we will look into it together."

Nandini smiled and placed her palms over hers. "Chachi, there is no problem. Actually my exams are coming that's why I was a little worried. There has been so much happening lately so I couldn't focus on my classes a lot."

"Are you sure?" Chachi asked still being unsure.

Nandini nodded her head. "I'm and chachi, you're more than my mother. I don't think anyone could have done so much for Rishav and me the way you do. You are the best."

Chachi wiped a drop of tear from the corner of her eyes as Nandini hugged her. "Okay.. okay... It's enough now. You are getting late for your college. I have already made breakfast. Get ready and come down fast."

"Okay."

Chachi was about to leave but stopped reaching near the door. She slapped her forehead. "I have forgotten to tell why I was here."

"What happened, chachi?"

"Ask Manik to have dinner with us today. He is not coming these days. Have you said anything to him?" Chachi gave Nandini a suspicious look.

Nandini sighed in disbelief. "No, chachi. I told you, he is busy with his album."

"Areh!! Is he so busy that he can't come to visit us for once."

"Okay, chachi. I will ask him to come tonight."

"Good."

Then chachi left and Nandini also went to get ready.

(Nandini's attire)

She had breakfast and she was about to leave. "Chachi, I will be a little late today."

"Why?"

"I will visit a gynecologist." Nandini didn't realize that she actually spilled out the truth. She bit her lower lip as she muttered the word.

"What? Gynecologist? Why? Are you pregnant? Who is the boy, Nandu? Is it Manik? You didn't...." Chachi bombed her with all the questions.

'Why can't you think before speaking, Nandini Murthy? Manik is right. It's me who calls for troubles for myself all the time.' Nandini cursed herself in mind before turning towards chachi and cut her words. "You are thinking wrong, chachi. I'm not going for myself. I will be going with Navya. Cabir is busy so he can't take her."

"Oh... Like that."

Nandini nodded. "Shall I go now?"

"Okay."

Nandini sighed in relief as she stepped out of the house. She was about to call for auto when a car came and stood in front of her. Nandini was taken aback seeing Manik there.

"Manik, what are you doing here at this hour?"

"First, come inside."

Nandini settled on the passenger seat and Manik started driving.

"I was not feeling good so thought of picking you up."

"Why? What happened?" Nandini looked worried.

"Don't worry. Everything is fine. I just felt like seeing you. So, I came here. Anyways, I don't need reasons to come to meet my wife." Manik winked at her.

Nandini chuckled. "By the way, Mr. Malhotra, you have got an invitation for dinner from your in-laws tonight. Chachi has asked you to come and she is not gonna hear any reason. According to her, you have forgotten her as you don't visit us much nowadays."

"Chachi is so sweet unlike you. She calls me, if I don't come. You never ask me to visit you. It's me who lands up to see you shamelessly." Manik was teasing her.

Nandini glared at him. "Really? Then no need to come to me again." She turned her face to the other side.

Manik smiled seeing her face being all puffed up. He resisted the urge to pull her cheeks with great difficulty. "Nandini..." He called her name but she didn't respond. He called her two more times still she didn't respond then Manik pulled her near him with his one arm wrapped around her shoulder.

"Manik... What are you doing? You will kill both of us." Nandini tried to come out of his grip but he didn't leave her.

"Don't move. Stay like this else we will land up in the hospital."

Nandini had no other ways than being in the same position.

They reached the college and Manik parked his car. He was about to get down when Nandini stopped him. Manik gave her a confused look raising his one eyebrow. She smiled softly and took out her vermilion box from her bag. He smiled too. Taking a pinch of it, he made her wear it and placed a kiss there.

"I love you."

"I love you too." Nandini smiled.

Then they got down from the car. Manik went to jam room where Fab5 was already waiting for him and Nandini went to her class only to see Navya sitting in a corner thinking something. She went close to Navya and settled beside her.

"Navya, what are you thinking?" Nandini's voice broke Manik's trance.

"Nothing much. I was thinking since I have come to Mumbai, everything has been so dramatic in my life. I can't believe that all this is happening to me. I have never imagined, I will face this ever."

Nandini placed her one hand around Navya's shoulder. "It's okay, Navya. I can understand. To be honest, my life has also changed so much after coming here. Till the time I was in Mangalore, it was all so simple. Then I shifted here and from the moment I stepped into SPACE, everything changed."

"But you got Manik in your life."

Nandini smiled in response.

"I'm happy for both of them. I wish every girl would get someone like him in their life. Even though he is a monster and scares me, I can't deny it, he is an amazing human being. He doesn't show but he cares for everyone and I have to admit, he loves you a lot. Maybe more than we can imagine. His love for your reflects in his eyes."

'Not bad, Mr husband. Your fan following is increasing day by day. You have even managed to make Madhubala your fan.' Nandini smiled at her own thoughts.

"Where are you lost now?" Navya shook Nandini a little.

That time the teacher came.

J A M R O O M
When Manik entered the room, he found Fab4 glaring at him. He plastered an innocent look.

"Finally Manik Malhotra decided to bless us with his presence." Mukti was the first one to pass the remark.

"Yaar, buddy, you called us at 8 in the morning and it's already past 9. Where have you been?" Dhruv asked calmly.

That time Cabir hit his head from behind. "Stop being biased towards him all the time, Manik's buddy." He went near Manik and checked out of the door. "Nandini isn't here?" He asked.

"Guys, please. I'm sorry for being late. Actually...." He was thinking what to say.

"What happened, Manik? Are you out of excuses?" Alya asked sarcastically.

"Actually last night I had a pain killer as my head was hurting and in the morning too it was hurting. So, I couldn't come early." Manik acted so well that everyone had to believe him.

"Are you okay now?" Dhruv asked in a concern filled tone.

Manik nodded.

"Fine, then. Let's start." Mukti said.

They started preparing for the last song. They have already made a tune and today they just finalized the lyrics but didn't use it thinking of Manik as sound might worsen his condition.

The whole day passed in a jiffy. Nandini was trying to look for Aryaman but he didn't show that she was expecting much. His only reason for joining the college was gone now.

Later that day, as Nandini's classes were finished, she received a text from Manik that he is waiting for her in the parking lot. Nandini bid bye to Navya and went to Manik.

Nandini saw Manik standing with his back leaning to the car. She smiled and moved near him. Manik felt her presence and he looked towards her passing a beautiful smile to her.

"Hello, wifey." Manik gritted her.

Nandini chuckled. "Hello, husband."

Manik sidehugged her pulling her in his embrace. "How was your day?"

"Good. What about you?"

"As always. Let's go now. We are getting late for the appointment."

Nandini nodded and they drove off to the hospital. They entered the hospital. They directly moved to the receptionist who was looking into some files.

"Excuse me." Manik called out for her.

The girl looked up with a frown but as soon as she saw Manik, her face drew a dreamy smile and Nandini noticed it. The girl was continuously gazing at Manik without blinking. Nandini glared at her angrily muttering uncountable curses to her. Then she looked at her very own husband for being so handsome.

"Hello..." Manik moved his hand in front of the receptionist's eyes to break her trance.

"Yes, sir? How may I help you?" She tried to be extra sweet ignoring the presence of Nandini completely.

'By taking off your eyes from him.' Nandini said in mind.

"It's Manik Malhotra. I have an appointment with Dr. Roy for Nandini Malhotra. Where is her cabin?" Manik asked.

"Let me check." The girl saw something on the computer screen. "Yes, sir. You have made an appointment for Nandini Malhotra. Go straight and then left. The 2nd room." She replied.

"Thank you." He was about to leave with Nandini when they heard the girl speaking again.

"Sir, is this your sister?"

"No, wife." Manik replied and without thinking anything, he sneaked his one arm around her waist and left from there.

Nandini could imagine the girl's mouth hung open but it did make her feel good.

"You don't need to feel jealous of other girls. I'm so handsome so what can I do, if they always admire me?" Manik said looking at Nandini who was all ready to pounce on him. "But I admire only one person and I'm already taken by her."

Nandini smiled brightly hearing his words. Manik too smiled back.

They saw the doctor who checked Nandini and prescribed some pills for her. Then they went back.

"Manik, come now only na. You will have to come later only. Then why can't you come now?" Nandini looked at Manik as they were standing in front of her place. Manik has come to drop her but he is leaving saying he would be back later.

"I would love to come now. But I have an important meeting about the album. So, I can't come now." He held her hand.

Nandini sighed but nodded her head knowing it was urgent.

"I promise I will be back as soon as the meeting finishes. But you also have to do something for me."

"What?"

"You will prepare my favorite dessert for me."

"Okay." Nandini smiled beautifully.

Manik pecked on her forehead and left from there.

"Did you tell Manik that I have called him?" Chachi asked Nandini as soon as she opened the door.

Nandini made a bad face as she didn't even ask her about her day. "Yes, chachi, I have told your sona munda that you have called him for dinner. He has some important meetings. He will be here once it's finished."

"Then I need to hurry. I have to make so many things for him." Chachi ran inside the kitchen.

Nandini nodded her head in disbelief. "Chachi, it's okay. You have plenty of time."

"You don't know anything. He is coming after so many days."

"Okay. I will go and freshen up."

Nandini went upstairs and for a change, she decided to wear a saree today. Then she tied her hair in a messy bun making sure the vermilion was not visible. Then she wore a pair of earrings and went down to help chachi.

(Nandini's attire)

"Chachi, let me help you."

"I am almost done with the preparation. Now only the dessert is left. Manik loves chocolate mousse. So, you make that."

Nandini smiled and started making it.

Otherside, Manik too was done with his meeting. They were coming out of O2's office when Mukti invited all of them to her place for a party.

"Umm... Mukti, I have some other plans today." Manik rubbed the back of his neck.

"What plan do you have without us?" Cabir jumped in between.

"Are you taking Nandini out for a date?" Alya teased him.

"or you are gonna watch..." Cabir couldn't continue as Manik cut him before that. "Shut up, Cabir!!!"

"Then what's the matter, Manik?" Dhruv asked calmly.

"Chachi has called me for dinner tonight."

"Oww...." All of them said together.

Manik glared at them but who cares.

"You should have told us earlier, Manik." Alya said.

"Yes, else how would we know you are going to meet your in-laws?" Cabir smirked.

Manik choked hearing his words. "What are you saying?"

"He meant would be. One day you are gonna marry Nandini. Then..." Mukti was speaking.

"Okay. I understand." Manik stopped her. "I'm leaving now."

As he left, Fab4 broke into a fit of laughter.

"Manik looked so cute." Mukti was the first one to speak.

All of them agreed with her.

"I'm happy that he is getting a family in Nandini's. They treat him like one of them. He has always craved for one and God finally decided to bless him with one. I wish they stay the same." Cabir said.

"They can't always be the same." Alya said and everyone looked at her.

Precap: Dinner.

~~•°•~~
That's all for today. Do tell me how's it.

•How was Manik?

•One word for Nandini?

•Don't you all absolutely love chachi?

•A word for Fab5.

•How was Manan moment.

•Which is your favourite moment?

03.04.2024