A/N : Hello Readers, firstly the title credit goes to a book I have read in the past, called, 'The Palace of Illusions' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (This is a book based on the Hindu epic of Mahabharata; it is a take on the whole epic from the female protagonist Draupadi's perspective). I loved the book so much, that it made me curious about the actual epic & I was referred to read 'Jaya' by Devdutt Patnaik and later even 'Sita' based on the other Hindu epic, Ramayana by the same writer, this is also a perspective of the epic from the female protagonist's point of view!

Okay, enough digression, now coming back to my story, which you are here to read. (This stands no place before the above mentioned stories, but it does hold a humble place in my readers' heart, for which I am grateful!). Thank you for coming back every week to read it, readers!

On that note, Happy Reading!

***

Nandini woke up with a splitting headache; she quickly turned to the other side of the bed, it was empty; what did she expect, after her assault yesterday, would any sane man stay?

"Shit, Holy Fucking Shit!" she mumbled as she held her head in her hand, what did she do? She loved him, but Manik didn't know! She was confused, not him, she had chosen Aryamann, but then why'd she want to be with him? How would she ever explain this to him? She quickly clutched her phone, and there was a text message from Manik.

[Calm the fuck down okay? ;) You were drunk, it meant nothing. Take an aspirin :)]

Nandini breathed easy after reading the message, Manik always managed to ease her.

[I am so, so, so, shamefully sorry Manik]

She quickly texted back, but there was no response for a while; she slowly got up freshened up and had an aspirin, when he replied back.

[You forget about last night, okay? Delete these messages. It never happened, it won't ever happen again. Clean slate :)]

Her smile flickered a little; she understood that it couldn't happen again but why delete this memory? Why did they need to forget this? Would he be able to forget it just like that? Of course he would. It's not like he's in love with her; but her? Will she be able to, she asked herself. Yes she figured she loved Aryamann more, but even then Manik still meant something. A lot more than just something actually, she still fucking loved him.

Manik's text messages were bothering her. Would she ever be able to forget Manik completely? What if he always lingered in her heart and messed her up like this? Would she be able to just keep friendship with him? What if she completely lost him, would she be able to walk away unscathed? And Mani...but her thoughts were interrupted by a ring in the doorbell. Must be Manik, she thought to herself and ran to the door, with an eager smile playing on her lips. She opened it with a bright smile to find Aryamann standing there. Her smile froze.

"You?" she asked, with uncertainty.

"You were expecting someone else?" he asked, with a smirk.

"No, No. Just wasn't expecting you, that's all" she managed to save it.

"But we got engaged yesterday, where else will I be, Nandu?" he asked softly and he casually walked in and bent forward and placed a peck on her lips. Nandini was rooted to her spot, and she froze again. Aryamann hadn't noticed it, he was busy exploring her place. Nandini was numb, what just happened, did he just kiss her like that? A more rational part of her brain tried to reason with her. Wasn't that obvious, he was her fiancé, he had every right. It was Aryamann; who had more right on her but him? But why did she suddenly feel so damn violated? No, no, no, it was all wrong – all damn wrong – but why? Maybe it was too fast? The hiatus in their relationship was for too long, maybe she needed him to take things slow? Yes, she was going to tell him that.

"So Nandu, get ready, we are going out for brunch!" His words broke her train of thoughts.

"Huh, why?"

"Because we can't have desserts for lunch, especially on your birthday; and you can't pretty much cook anything else!" he replied jovially with a smirk; Nandini tried to smile. If Manik were here, he'd also consider the option of cooking himself for them, if Nandini didn't know how to cook. That was not a plausible consideration for Aryamann though. Uff, Nandini, don't go holding such small things against him. She chided herself.

"Alright, give me ten minutes." she replied.

"Okay but wear something comfortable, we will go into the sea on a yacht, after brunch, in this cloudy weather it will be lovely and windy" he added.

"Why cruising?" she asked, surprised.

"You know, I thought we should start this phase of our lives with all things we wanted to do, but never did back in the past? Small couple things? It's your birthday after all! Your wish is my command, today." he smiled goofily at her, his excitement was eminent.

"Okay" she replied with a small smile. To think Manik had so many lectures for her in the morning, but to wish her happy birthday once more, why would he remember that now, thought an agitated Nandini.

***

Flashback:

Abhimanyu hurried to the door when he heard the door-bell ring so incessantly in the middle of the night. He opened the door to see Manik standing at the door. His eyes were red, hair messy and he was drunk to the point that he couldn't balance himself.

"Manik, what brings you here at this hour, weren't you with Nandz?" he asked, concerned, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"What? Do I need to look at the time before visiting you? I thought we were closer than that bro! I wanted to spend some time with you!" he replied with a strange smile plastered to his face.

"Wrong sibling, wrong dialogue" muttered Abhimanyu as he smiled at Manik affectionately, and let him in. Manik walked into his pad and settled himself on the couch and then gestured for Abhimanyu to sit too. Abhimanyu smiled in exasperation as he looked at his future brother-in-law – this man was opposing his marriage with Mukti, this cartoon! He sat down opposite him.

"What happened, Manik?" he asked again, more patiently this time.

"Engaged. Nandini got engaged to him" he spoke out finally. Abhimanyu looked dazed for a moment. Something was wrong, he wasn't processing it, and how'd Nandz get engaged? To whom did she get engaged? How did he not know? Manik, was it him? Then why was Manik so distraught and most importantly why was he hell drunk and sitting on Abhimanyu's damn couch right now?!

"What? To whom? What are you saying Manik?"v he asked, confused.

"To the legendary Aryamann Khurana!" Manik replied mocking an imaginary drumroll.

"Wait, what? Like WHAT? How? When? Where did he bounce back from? Manik what the hell is happening please explain!" Abhimanyu demanded in more confusion.

Manik took a deep breath as he begun to explain to Abhimanyu all the past happening, the real story behind Aryamann and Nandini's break-up, him coming back, them falling apart, Nandini suffering because of that, her recovery, their breaking apart, his conversation with Aryamann and ultimately to his return and their engagement. Somehow he decided to keep their hot and heavy make-out session a secret; he didn't want Abhimanyu to judge her. Abhimanyu gaped at Manik for a full minute before he responded.

"Okay brother-in-law, I have to ask you this. Are you fucking dumb? Why would you do this to yourself? Why would you convince Aryamann to return? What about you? What about your love? Don't you think you can keep Nandz happier than that hundred year old confused nut job?!" he asked earnestly, shaking Manik slightly now. He saw the glassiness in his eyes, he saw defeat there. Abhimanyu's heart went out for Manik. He didn't deserve this. Did Nandini's heart really choose Aryamann then? Was this real? Abhimanyu always felt she would eventually realise she loved Manik; but this? Now, if Nandini indeed loved Aryamann this much, what was he going to do? He couldn't change her mind, it was where her happiness lay; but Manik? Wasn't it he, Abhimanyu who convinced Mukti into believing Manik loves Nandini? Did he bring this upon Manik? Abhimanyu felt guilty.

"Manik, you crash here tonight. I will talk to Nandz tomorrow about this" he said quietly, patting Manik's shoulder; his head shot up at Abhimanyu.

"Whatever you do Abhimanyu, don't discuss this with her. She finally found happiness, I won't let anybody come in between, not even you. It is her time to shine Abhimanyu, let her. With whoever she wants. I just want her happiness. If you can be happy for her it's fine, if you stand up against her, you face me" Manik was livid, his entire frame was shaking as he spoke. Abhimanyu smiled at him ruefully.

"Okay Manik, as you say; but remember Mukti and I are always there for you!"

***

Nandini was looking at the food menu when she heard him order the food and looked up.

"One portion of pork tenderloin for me and vegetable au gratin for the lady, also bring us a portion of cheese and garlic bread with rosemary seasonings only" Aryamann placed the order and looked at Nandini with a smile. She mechanically put the menu down and looked at him to return his smile.

"Can you bring us two crème brulees?" she heard him order again after their main course.

"Excuse me, can you make it one crème brulee and one cold New York style cheesecake?" she asked the attendant, as he smiled and changed the order.

Aryamann looked up to her, surprised. "I thought you like Crème Brulee the most" he asked with uncertainty.

"I used to, now cold cheesecake tops the list, plus it's almost Keto friendly" she replied; he smiled.

"When did this happen? This diet conscious, you?" he was enjoying. Nandini smiled as an incident came to mind.

"Well, we were at this party where I was a bit drunk and tripping on the steps and was about to fall when Manik tried to hold me back, but couldn't balance and literally fell on top of me. He even sprained his ankle; from then it was a running joke that I have put on weight, and I have been conscious for some time now!" she laughed. Aryamann tried to smile, but his jaws tightened; he didn't like this Malhotra boy, much. Especially if he was able to make his Nandu smile like this.

They were cruising into the deep sea, it was windy and the weather was perfect, the strong breeze made her tresses fly in the air and the soft sunlight made the supple skin on her cheeks glow. Aryamann was looking at Nandini while she was busy taking in the sight around her. He was quiet, he waited for her to look at him in her coy manner and smile, that always stole his heart, but Nandini didn't seem to notice him. He was noticing it all day now, she was there, but she was not really involved; she saw him, but she didn't notice him really. What was it, was it the years that came in between them, or was it she had changed?

"Nandu" he called out gently; she turned around and looked at him, a pleasant smile playing up her lips, a reassuring one he thought. He gently placed his hand on hers. She looked down at it for a second; she looked like there was some shakiness there. He felt like she once tried to retract her hand, but she eventually didn't. She looked at him, then at his hand on hers and then looked away slowly.

"Nandu, I love you" he said softly near her ears; she moved back instinctively in a second at the proximity and then turned red in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Aryamann, I wasn't paying attention, I was.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to react that way" she mumbled an awkward apology, but her behaviour was getting to him now, slowly but steadily. The same old insecurity was ebbing, and Aryamann was trying hard to tame it.

"Don't worry love; let's get your focus back to me now then, shall we?" he replied with a husky voice and before Nandini could react, he swiftly tugged her hand and pulled her face towards him and he placed his lips on hers for a soft yet gentle kiss; Nandini froze for a second. Her brain went on overdrive. She felt intruded and shaken and no sooner had she had her senses back in command she pulled away from him.

"What are you doing Aryamann?" she asked with deeply furrowed brows with a slightly higher pitch. Aryamann looked taken aback; they were in love, he was hers forever and she his; what was so obtuse about the kiss? He was just playing with her, showing affection. Why'd Nandu react that way?

"Nandu, what's wrong?" he asked, shaken as he moved back a little. Nandini instantly put the back of her palm on her lips, as if to rub his taste off her lips; her action bothered him, and he frowned – something was amiss.

"Nandu??" he called again.

"Please Aryamann, please don't do such things next time?" she replied, clearly agitated.

Aryamann was losing his cool now, "What the hell Nandu, we are engaged! Don't do such things meaning, what? Am I molesting you?" he asked angrily as he jerked her hand roughly, as if to bring her back to her senses. Nandini realised what she said, she seemed to calm down a bit. But she still felt revolted. She was feeling messed up again. This was Aryamann, they have shared so much, they have been together, he has touched her so many times, she always felt protected in his touch, she revelled in it; but today? Why was she feeling so revolted? Why did his touch rattle her from inside, and how on earth was she going to explain this to Aryamann.

"I am sorry Aryamann, it's just that..it's just that it's been so long; it is taking time to sink in; us; we, together; this thing. Please can we take it a bit slow? I mean, I need some time" she whispered, as her eyes teared up in confusion and an untold agitation. There was this heaviness inside her, the one she felt when she longed for Aryamann all these years. Why was the darn thing back now? Why was it coming back when he was around her, now? To break her and Aryamann up?

Aryamann looked at her livid for a moment, and then tried to calm down after hearing her. Yes, possible, maybe it was too long, maybe picking up from where they left wasn't an option anymore for them; he'd have to give her that time. But he had to make this work, he had given up too much to be with Nandu, he had to make it work!

He took a deep breath, "Nandu, I get it. We will go slow; at a pace comfortable to you, but I will have you know that I have decided to give up a lot in life to be with you. My ex-wife, my claim of full custody of Saara, even my share in AKP & Associates. You know I have invested my entire life there. I am willingly giving them up for you. I cannot, not have you Nandu. I love you. You have to trust me, okay?" he sounded desperate and maybe a bit scared?

Nandini took a deep breath, she knew how helpless this feeling was, when your partner seems to be drifting apart. Hadn't she faced it with Aryamann all these time? She understood his dilemma; she took a deep breath, no they would sail through this; she would try more.

"Aryamann I love you, never doubt that. I just need some time to figure things out. I trust you too. It's just that this is a big change in my life and it is sudden. I just need to feel it settle in. Just grant me sometime" she implored; he nodded. Manik wouldn't need explaining, he was here. He got her without her saying anything.

This was going to be a long day, Nandini thought, as she flicked her phone once; just in case Manik decided to drop a message? There were none.

***

A/N : Now before you guys complain, I know there was hardly any Manik in this chapter, but wasn't he there all over Nandini's head & heart? Did you guys even miss him? :P

Seems like the ball is rolling, and Nandini will soon come to a deeper realisation!

So, what do you feel about Aryamann's effort?

How do you see this going, since Nandini is comparing Aryamann to Manik for every damn action?

What are your takes on seeing Nandini trying to work it with Aryamann, do you think she's being fair in her place?

Do you like, how she's all 'bechain' (impatient) with Aryamann & is looking for some closeness with Manik?

What are your overall thoughts about this chapter?

Please do share your POVs! Although I may not reply to your comments too often, but I try and answer the ones with doubts & qns! BUT, I read each one of them & they mean the world to me! I am thankful for all the love & support you are showing for my story & I hope to keep writing & making you guys happy!

Next update on 18th Sept (Sunday)!

Until then,

Much love,

A.