Nandini came back home after hospital. She saw a lot of hustle bustle going on there. The whole house was decorated. She was confused with all these. Ankita came there seeing Nandini back.

"Where did you go? Have you forgotten what today is?"

"What's there today?" Nandini asked in confusion.

"It's your engagement today, Nandini."

That time it hit Nandini's mind that today she was supposed to get engaged with Smaran. She forgot to tell Manik about it.

Nandini hurriedly went to her room and called Manik. But his phone rang in her bag only. She remembered Manik had left his phone in her cabin. She ran to Cabir's room for help. She barged into Cabir's room. He was shocked seeing Nandini like that.

"What happened, Nandini? Is everything okay?"

"Manik's phone is with me." She was huffing as she had run all the way from her home to his room.

"So what? And how did you get his phone?" Cabir asked not having any idea of the happenings.

"I'll explain everything to you later. Now I don't have much time. I had forgotten that it's my engagement today with Smaran. I didn't tell this to Manik either. I need to inform him of this but his phone is with me."

Cabir realized the situation. "Don't worry. I'll go to Manik and tell him everything. Relax."

Even though Cabir had assured her that everything would be okay but Nandini couldn't calm her nerves. Her heart was beating unusually fast. She was scared thinking what would happen when Manik would come here. Everyone was still angry with him and it was her engagement too. She couldn't imagine everyone's reaction. She was only praying so that things went well.

Cabir went to meet Manik. He told Manik everything. Both of them came to Malhotra Mansion together. Everyone was shocked to see Manik.

"Manik! Where did you go?" Bhavna's eyes teared up seeing Manik.

Manik smiled shortly seeing her. "Chachi, you all are getting Nandini engaged? I....."

His words were cut by Shreekant. "I fixed Nandini's engagement." His voice was stern.

"Dad...."

"Yes, me."

Manik closed his eyes and calmed himself knowing it's not the right time to lose his temper. It would only worsen the situation. He walked towards Shreekant and stood in front of him. "Nandini isn't happy with the relationship."

"You're speaking about Nandini's happiness?" He smiled sarcastically looking at Manik. "Seriously! You shouldn't even take her name. Before commenting on her happiness look at yourself and think what you have done to her."

Nandini came down there hearing all the shouting and Manik's voice. She knew she had to stop them right now else the matter would go out of their hands and then they wouldn't be able to do anything. "Papa, Manik has told me everything."

"He must have cooked some story to you to melt you."

Manik looked at Shreekant in disbelief. "Dad, you are misunderstanding me. Let me explain the situation please."

"Shut up!" Shreekant showed his palm to Manik. "You won't say anything more. I don't want to hear a word from you. You've already humiliated us a lot. Now we don't need you here anymore. Nandini will get engaged to Smaran only. That too today. This is my final decision."

Manik was looking at his father being heartbroken.

"Papa, please hear out Manik once. Give him a chance to explain his situation. You need to hear his side of the story too." Nandini pleaded.

"You won't say anything on behalf of him, Nandini." Shreekant scolded Nandini. "I'm sure he must have told some sad story to you and like always you believed him. When everything will turn good, he will leave once again. Anyways, we can't do anything now. Smaran is coming with his family. Don't forget that it's your engagement." Then he called out Cabir.

"Yes, chachu."

"Ask him to go away from here. I don't want to see him anywhere near Nandini. It's a big day for her and his presence is enough to ruin it."

"Papa, please." Nandini cried.

"Nandini, come with me. You'll stay at our place only till your marriage. I won't hear anything." Ankita held Nandini's hand. She was quiet till now. But seeing her daughter, she couldn't anymore. After all, she was a mother and she didn't want her daughter to be hurt once again.

"Mumma, please hear him once." Nandini pleaded to them once again.

Ankita looked at Nandini angrily. "Enough, Nandini. What did I say? You are coming with me and till the wedding you won't step out of the house."

"You're right, Ankita. I don't trust this guy at all. He can do anything." Shreekant looked at Manik for a while and turned towards Nandini. "Nandini, hear what your mother is saying. You won't go out till the wedding."

Manik knew all this was happening because of his one mistake. Now he has to repent his whole life for that one night.

That horrible night!!!

Ankita was dragging Nandini with her. Nandini didn't want to leave. She was crying looking at Manik. But he couldn't do anything. He couldn't hold her hand and keep her with him. He wasn't able to meet her gaze. He wanted to hug her and cry his heart out.

Ankita went away with Nandini. Shreekant also left from there.

Manik was still standing there quietly. Others were looking at him. They all were asking him to be there but Manik left.

On the other hand Ankita went home and kept Nandini in her room.

"Don't you dare come out of this room let alone home."

"Mumma, please listen to me." Nandini tried to stop her but everything went in vain.

"What should I hear?" Ankita asked angrily. "I don't trust Manik anymore. And what should I say to Smaran and his family?"

Nandini looked down and cried.

Ankita felt bad looking at Nandini. She knew what her daughter must be going through. But her heart was fearing to trust the guy once again who had hurt her daughter already once. She went close to Nandini.

"See Nandini, you've been in that family since you were a kid. After your father's death, they have looked after you more than me. They treat you as their daughter. Already they're hurt because of Manik. It's not that I'm not feeling bad for Manik but now the situation is not in our hand. We can't do anything even if we want to. Let the marriage happen, then you'll see everything will be okay."

Then Ankita left from there. Nandini kept crying.

After sometime Pari came there. "Di."

Nandini turned towards her.

"Di, don't marry this bhaiya. You get married to Manik bhaiya only."

Nandini cried more hugging her.

"I don't like this Smaran bhaiya at all. I don't go near him when he calls me." Pari opened her palm and there was some chocolates. "See. He had given them to me."

"You didn't eat them?" Nandini asked her in confusion.

Pari nodded in no. "I don't like this chocolate. Manik bhaiya knew which chocolate I like."

Nandini smiled in between her tears.

Other side, Manik came back to Soha's place. Soha came running to Manik as soon as she saw him.

"Manik, where were you and where is your phone?"

Manik didn't say anything. He went directly to his room. He didn't pay any heed to what was happening around him. Soha also came behind him.

"Manik!!!" She called him out angrily.

Manik didn't say anything. She just looked at her.

"I'm asking you something."

"Nowhere. I was here only." Manik was frustrated already and her antics were not helping him at all.

Soha sat beside him and kept her head on his shoulder.

"I missed you."

"Soha, I'm not feeling well. I want to be alone for some time. Please. Leave me alone."

Soha made a bad face looking at him. "Okay."

After Soha left his room, Manik closed the door and broke down in tears. He never caused any harm to anyone. Then why did all this happen to him only. He never wanted everything to be like this.

Why is God so cruel to him???

He was here to help someone and all this is happening to him.

Precap: Engagement?

That's all for the time being.

What do you think will Nandini get engaged to Smaran?

What will happen to Manik and Nandini?

Did you like Pari?

Do vote and let me know how it was.

Bye.

24.06.2022