A/N: Hello Readers, I am back with a new chapter again without fail :)

This deals with a little bit of Manik's background & the truth behind his relationship with his parents. The whole chapter just has MaNan, so hoping you'd enjoy that too :)

Happy Reading!

***

Nandini had a very long and tiring Monday, the hearing from the morning got further extended; the prosecution had brought in new evidence that could change the face of judgement; her mentor had coached her for hours on the validation checks to be undertaken before the next date of hearing; some police testimony needed proof checking. Back at the firm a new molestation case had come in and she was put in charge, she had to be in session with a victim, hearing, questioning, reiterating, re-questioning and living the traumatic incident again and again with the victim. She was emotionally drained, mentally exhausted and physically tired, since she hadn't slept properly last night; thanks to the pressure of the case and of course, Manik.

She knew Manik would want to talk to her about the night before, but she really couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want to relive last nights' awkwardness and the rage that she felt. Something had changed inside her from the last nights' incident, she couldn't really blame Manik for not sharing that he had a stable girlfriend, he was the one who had asked if they would share, while making their rules, she had kept it open; he was technically not wrong, she knew it, it was not that she was insecure or jealous, Manik and she didn't share that kind of a relation anyway, but she did feel wronged; maybe as a friend? And she was reacting the only way she had always reacted to hurt, by closing herself. Over the past few weeks, even though she hadn't shared much, but she had reached a level of comfort with Manik, she knew she could share a lot with him; hell she even tried talking about Aryamann, when was the last time she tried that? But that had changed now, she didn't feel as open with him anymore; she was closing and thus she didn't want to see him, meet him, hear him, she was just shutting out. Was she being fair, maybe not – but right now she couldn't help it!

As she went to bed that night, she had realised she had pushed Manik far enough the previous evening, because despite not wanting to talk to him, she was sure he'd try, but that night he didn't.

***

Manik was livid when Nandini had suggested that he go spend the night with Alia; what did she think, what they had, he shared the same connection with every third girl? He wanted to talk to her, explain it to her; yes, initially when they met at Mukti's party, if anybody asked him if he'd tell Nandini about Alia, he'd say 'never' but then he met Nandini again, under dire circumstances, and again under intense circumstances. How many times did they just meet to simply have a great time? On the back of his mind he could count only once, the night before Alia's birthday; otherwise, every time they met, it was so deep, so personal, so real and intimate that Alia never even came to his mind, let alone talking about her to Nandini; hell wasn't it the night before this dinner with Alia, he was contemplating whether he wanted to continue with her? What would he tell Nandini, what was the point? Truth be told, ever since he met Nandini, Alia was hardly a part of his life. It was unfair to Alia, but Manik really didn't have her in his mind. Did he sleep with her after the night of his mother's death? No. Did he contact her? No. Yes, Alia was still officially a part of his life, but did she really exist? No. So what if he missed telling her about Alia? Fine, even then maybe eventually as they were heading towards normalcy, he would, but then that hellish dinner happened and Alia came before Nandini in the worst possible way! He knew Nandini was justified being mad at him, despite all the stupid rules they had drawn. He understood that, but what infuriated him was her insistence that she didn't care about him and Alia being together. Seriously? She didn't care? Was that why she wouldn't let him spend time with her, see her, be with her, hug her, feel secure with her? Were these signs of not caring? He knew Nandini didn't love him, and he didn't love her either, but their 'thing' was different, and being bothered by a stable partner was 'allowed' in it; he allowed it; but what did Nandini do? Instead of hearing him out, instead of accepting she was mad, she asked him to go sleep with Alia? What was that for? So much for not caring.

Manik was furious with Nandini for her outrageous suggestion, and he had decided, he was Manik Malhotra, he wasn't going to run behind her to explain himself, not unless she accepted that she cared; until then he'd stay away.

***

It had been four days since Manik met Nandini; they didn't call each other, they hadn't even texted, slowly Manik's anger was subliming, and what was taking its place was a deep sense of loss, a sense that was telling him, he was at fault, and however Nandini chose to react was justified, he should not wait for her to contact him, he should contact her. He was contemplating whether to go ahead and call her or not that night, when his phone suddenly flashed, he carelessly picked it up and his heart did a double take. There was one notification on his FB Messenger, 'Nandini Murthy has waved at you'. Just like that Manik's four days' worth of angst was gone in a flash and he was grinning from ear to ear. He opened his messenger and looked at the emoticon of a yellow glove waving, never had a sight pleased him more. He thought for a few seconds and sent a 'white flag' emoticon in reply; it was soon followed by a thumb up emoji from Nandini; Manik laughed, it looked like the earth was back to its axis. He was about to call her when he received a text message from her.

[Manik, we need to talk. Please come over to my place at night, around 9PM]

[Hey, of course. I have been waiting to talk to you, explain things. See you]

[No, that's not what we are going to be talking about, this is serious and urgent. Let's not bring that topic up today. Please]

Manik frowned, what was more serious to discuss than their fallout? And she didn't want to discuss it? Did it really not matter? Was she genuinely okay with him sleeping with Alia? What the hell, thought Manik; and just like that his anger was coming back; this woman could make and break him in a fraction of a second. But he tried to calm down; no he wasn't going to lose it before her tonight. Manik would play by the rules, give her a chance to talk, about whatever that was more important than sorting their 'thing' – after all, he couldn't ask her to listen to him unless he set precedence.

***

Nandini was anxious to say the least, she was pacing up and down her hall as she kept glancing at the wall clock every five minutes. It was about time, Manik would be here any minute; she called him over on instinct, back then she didn't think how she'd break it before him, but now as the time approached, she was anxious, how indeed was she going to break this news to him, a news that had the power to actually altercate his life? Change the very fundamental stepping stones of his beliefs and foundations; for a moment she considered whether she should tell him at all or not. What if she didn't? Chances are he wouldn't ever know, and maybe he'd be better off? But then again, she had seen his dilemma, his suffering, he had the right to know; maybe it would be a gateway to a lot of problems in his life, she didn't know, but if the truth was with her, she wouldn't withhold it from him.

Soon enough the bell rang, she hurriedly opened the door and sure enough there he was standing in a pair of deep blue tee and denims.

"Come in Manik" she smiled at him politely, trying hard to mask her anxiety.

"Are you sure?" he asked, with a polite smile in return. Nandini remembered how she had barred his entry last time, she realised Manik wasn't going to make it easy for her this time.

"Yes, please do."

Manik walked into her apartment and sat down on the couch. Nandini was jittery, she wanted to say it all but didn't know where to start from; Manik was quiet too, unlike his other visits when he always had a lot to say.

"You want a drink? I think I have some wine on me" she tried again.

"No thanks, I have to drive back home, I can't drink" he replied politely, just a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Manik, I thought we said 'truce'"

"Sure, when did I negate that?"

"Manik, what I have to tell you is huge, and honestly I don't know where to begin, I am really anxious as it is, please don't add to it right now. Please?" Nandini spoke honestly, and earnestly; she had finally gotten through to him. He looked at her quietly for a moment, she did look a bit disturbed, Manik decided to let go of his anger for a while. He indicated to her to come sit next to him, which she did quietly. He gently held her and looked into her eyes, and then he spoke.

"Tell me Nandini, what is it?"

Nandini unnecessarily gulped once and looked at his eyes, they were calm and encouraging. She didn't know how long they'd stay that way and once this calm was gone, when she'd get to see it again. With a lot of effort, she cleared her throat and began.

"Manik, this is about Nyonica" she said quietly and looked at him, at once his face looked startled.

"What about my mother, Nandini?" he asked after a brief pause, but now Nandini had his rapt attention.

"You know right, I knew her through work, I told you right?"

"Yes, you did."

"Manik, ever since you told me about her, as in that night when you shared your.."

"What 'ever since then', Nandini?" Although he was calm, Nandini could sense the sharpness in his tone, she was a bit intimidated.

"Well, ever since then, I was in touch with my mentor, as you know, he was Nyonica's lawyer representing a case that never saw the light of day."

"Why were you in touch with my mother's lawyer, Nandini?"

"Because, well because I remember my mentor had once shortly briefed me about her case, I didn't remember it well, but after hearing you that night, a little bit of it came back to me, her case had to do with a charge against presenting falsifying evidence to court for influencing judgement"

Manik was losing his patience now, so what, she knew his story right, that's the charge his father had pressed against his mother, what was so crucial in that? Also why did she dig into this and what was the point discussing all this?

"Nandini, I really don't know why you went out of your way to dig this up, but I know this already, that's the charge my dad pressed on my mother, can we not discuss this any further?" He sounded both bothered and irritable. Nandini inhaled deeply, this was where he was wrong.

"No Manik, this charge is not the same charge your father had put on her; the false evidence of your paternity test that Nyonica had provided was just a supporting document to proceed with the divorce, it was never presented to court once you father countered it with another set of both paternity and maternity test claiming otherwise; basis that, their divorce came through. I found out all these from my mentor in the last few days."

"Nandini, seriously, please get to the point. For a person who doesn't care who I sleep with, you have really gone out of your way to dig out my past. What's this supposed to mean?" he was confused, impatient, strangely agitated and could feel his anger rising.

"Manik, please calm down first. And please keep our problems out of this,  don't mix them; I wasn't trying to dig into your past to prove anything, I just felt I had access to the full truth and you deserved to know. Manik in the court of justice we say, every claim has two faces, and as upholders of justice, it is important we see both faces; I just want you to look at the complete picture that's it. Nyonica never made it to her hearing, but at least as her son who loved her at some point, you should give her a chance and hear her out" Nandini finished speaking and looked hopefully at Manik, he looked vulnerable, he sighed for a moment and tried saying something, but nothing came out of his mouth; after a few seconds he cleared his throat and croaked.

"Please continue and finish saying what you started with, Nandini."

"This case that Nyonica was fighting for, was a different case Manik, it was booked a couple of months after your parents' divorce legally came through, and most importantly it was booked by Nyonica and the charges of falsifying evidence was against your father Mr. Shrikant Malhotra" finished Nandini and carefully looked at Manik; he just stared blankly back at her, she realised he had no clue about this; her anxiety was back, because she was yet to tell him the most shocking truth.

"Why did mom press such a charge against dad, what evidence did he falsify? Was it about my identity?" Manik asked, with each question his breathing got heavier, voice level rose and confusion grew further.

"Yes Manik, it was about you." she replied quietly, before she continued, "Manik since the case never had a hearing, there is no official / legal judgement passed on this, no further evidence to share, but my mentor was Nyonica's friend and he knew the details in and out; what I will tell you now, is what he told me. I know I don't have supporting evidence, so please consider it as another perspective; you can choose whether you want to believe it or not. Should I go ahead?"

"Please do" he whispered, his voice weak.

"Manik, after a few months post their mutual separation which finally granted your sole custody to your father, Nyonica realised her mistake, she realised she couldn't live without seeing you; she was allowed to meet Mukti but Mukti had refused to meet her too because of how Nyonica had pushed you away. She had realised her mistake, she wanted to come and meet you, see you, and explain her mistake to you. Nyonica wanted to tell you she didn't care if you were her biological son or not, she loved you nonetheless, you were her Manik, but your father didn't allow that, he had put a legal restraining order on her. Eventually over time, she had even realised that the maternity test provided by your dad was false, she had some evidence, you were indeed the son of Shrikant and Nyonica Malhotra. Ever since then she had been trying to legally prove that you were her son, so that the court nullified the custody issue and restraining order, and reversed its judgement; so that she had proof when she met you, so that you believed her. That's why Nyonica fought for that hearing till her last breath; but it never appeared before the court, because Shrikant Malhotra was more influential, he would never let the case reach the court for a fair trial and hearing." Nandini finished, she had tears in her eyes; she looked at Manik, he was expressionless, sitting still, not talking, not moving, but if you looked carefully, you'd see his chest was moving, indicating he was breathing – he was alive, he hadn't turned to stone.

"Manik" Nandini called out softly, as she gently tugged at his hand; he slowly looked at her.

"Manik, say something, please!"

He stared at her for some more time, before he croaked a reply.

"I need to go now, it's late"

"Please Manik, don't go today. Please stay back. I am here for you, I will be there. Please stay back with me tonight" he didn't answer, he just slowly got up to leave.

"Manik please" Nandini was frantic and almost begging now, she had no idea how he had taken it, she didn't know how he was going to react, what if he took some drastic steps?

"Nandini, not tonight" was all he said before he slowly walked out of her door, leaving a terrified Nandini at her door.

Nandini was also not the one to give up, she couldn't stop Manik, but she didn't let him go on his own either; her car followed him all the way as he drove back home. It was only when he entered into the premises of his house that she silently drove back.

***

A/N : Hey readers! How are we doing? How did you like this chapter? I know it has bounced back to being intense again,  but this story is emotionally taxing so gear up for that already! :)

So a little about this chapter and a few more that are to follow - the recurrent theme of this plot is HEALING and that is what needs to happen to both these wavered souls for them to find each other. This section of the fiction deals with Manik's dilemma, his version, his mother's version and eventually the full truth and how (if at all) it impacts him/ changes his perspective!

Hope you enjoyed it (or you didn't?) either ways do give me a shout out and let me know! :)

Next chapter will be updated on next Sunday (5th June)

Until then,

Much love,

A.