Thank you for your response in the previous update.
...

Cabir, Professor, Niyonika, The maids, guards, everyone were looking at my pitiful state.

I was just kicked out of our room by my husband.

Niyonika rolled her eyes and went back to her room. Cabir ordered everyone to disperse from this scene and slowly they walked away murmuring things which are inaudible to me.

Unable bear the attention I ran into the guest room where I used to stay before our marriage and locked the door. I slid down and brought my knees closer to my chest and sobbed loud.

I really hate crying infront of people. And today he successfully made it happen.

More than his words I am hurt by the fact that it's the truth. He is not lying that he didn't love me to protect me like my Manik.

My Manik always tried to protect me by hiding his love for me. Even though he wanted nothing but to marry me he was scared for my life. His eyes were warm and mischievous despite pulling that act.

But now it's different. He is cold and eyes are blank when looking at me. It's as if like I never existed or mattered to him.

A knock on the door halted my cries. I wiped my tears and immediately stood up. I know, Manik can't stay angry at me.

My smile dropped seeing the Professor standing with Cabir. "May I come in?" The professor asked and I nodded my head.

I want to shut the door and ask them to leave me alone. But that will make me more lonelier as I will lose people who were on my side.

They sat on the couch and I sat on my bed looking at my fingers. "If you are here to show some sympathy, let me tell you in advance. I don't need it. This is normal between couples."

I tried to act normal but my tears betrayed me.

The Professor was on my side the next second and he kept my head on his shoulder.

"Give up, Nandini." Cabir's words confused us.

"What?"

"Don't try, you will lose. It's not the Manik you know. Just give up." Cabir suggested.

I stood up and gritted my teeth.

"What the hell are you saying, Cabir? How can you try to break my marriage? And Manik? He is your best friend and how can you even think about snatching our happiness?"

Cabir shook his head. "Why don't you understand? This is not your Manik. Even I am afraid of this version of him, he...he is dangerous. Manik is now living in his most painful times, nothing matters to him except revenge. He doesn't care about anyone's feelings and is like a demon."

I laughed. "What are you even saying? Manik is anything but a demon. He is sweetest person I know and he just confused with all the happening to him right now."

"The sweet Manik you know is not him. He was burning with rage during this time and it was a lot difficult to control him. Heck, he even set the record for highest number of attacks and capturing the territories in this time." Cabir paused. "You will get hurt in the end."

He is scaring me with his words. How can I even be afraid of my Manik? Yes, Manik has been powerful Mafia Boss and extended this Empire to a large extent but that's his professional life. It doesn't link to his personal life.

But then he doesn't remember me. He has only Alya in his head.

"He loves Alya, right." My voice croaked even with the thought of Manik loving someone other than me.

"No." Cabir's answer unknowingly made me feel light. "At this point Manik knew it was just a crush and he agreed to marry Alya solely for the factory deal. He has moved on from her."

I frowned.

Manik realised that's it's just a crush? Then why is he still cold towards me? I thought he was heartbroken hearing that his love of his life is dead and he couldn't save her. I thought he found it weird to save a stranger like me instead of his love. I was okay with it, because let's be honest, who wants to prioritise a stranger over their loved ones.

"Then why is he mad at me? If he has moved on from Alya at this point then he must not have a problem with me, right? I mean even if he doesn't loves me atleast he must respect the thought of us being married. I am his wife for all that matters." I didn't understand anything.

"That's because..." Cabir started but stopped instantly seeing my curious face. "Nevermind, don't try to work on this relationship as it is nothing but a big black hole. You can't get to him."

"You said the same when Manik was sweet to me. You said the same when we were getting married. I won't listen to your suggestions Cabir." I folded my hands over my chest still standing while they sat opposite to each other.

"Then why don't you help her, Cabir?" Professor suggested.

"I can't. He already feels betrayal by me as I didn't prevent his marriage with Nandini. Seeing disappointment in his eyes is the last thing I want to see both as a AUB and his friend." Cabir said while facing the Professor.

I brought my eyebrows together. "Prevent our marriage? Why would he want that? Wasn't it accidental that I entered the mansion thinking Harshad to be him?"

"Yeah. That was accidental and we went with the flow as Manik isn't that tempered when you arrived. But..."

"But what?" I couldn't let him trail off the words. I need to know why Manik wanted to prevent this marriage.

"Nandini, please don't take it to your as this might hurt you." Cabir started with hesitation and fear gripped my heart. I still took a deep breath to compose myself and hear him.

I nodded my head encouraging him to speak further. "From the moment he met you nothing went well in his life. He considers you .... unsuitable to be a part of his Empire even at the lowest rank let alone his wife. In short, Manik is not favor of you."

Cabir tried to be as polite as possible but I could hear the raw and original version.

Manik hates me to the core. Manik doesn't consider me even as a human let alone as his wife who is worthy of his love or attention. He regrets the day he met me and if he could undo things he would erase everything related to me without a second thought.

"Nandini, breath." Professor's voice made me realise that I am not breathing.

I released the air and slumped on the floor with huge sobs coming out of my  mouth. I just can't bare the thought of Manik treating me like a stranger let alone hate me.

"That's enough. Nandini, divorce him. You deserve much better than him. He can't treat you like this, it's abusive." The Professor said with his nostrils flaring.

"Divorce? This is not your mainland and things doesn't go as you wish. Manik is the master of this Empire and everything happens with his permission." Cabir replied.

"Are you kidding me? You just asked her to move on."

"Yes, that doesn't mean divorce. She has to stop hoping that Manik will reciprocate her feelings. He is shrewd and there are high chances of consorts adding to their life. He thinks nothing but like a raging demon and she should not try further as it will hurt her." Cabir explained further.

"That's fucked up!" The professor yelled. "She is his wife and he wants consorts? He is not even respecting her like a human."

Their argument is hurting me. All the words are piercing my chest. The truth that I won't be having Manik with me is torturing me.

Why did my life end up in such a mess?

"Shut up." I yelled and they both stopped arguing. "Get out right now."

I don't want to hear more bitter truth from their mouth. Both the men looked at me for the last one time and left my room. I hurriedly shut the door and locked it fearing that they might come back with more hurtful words.

My life was so perfect. I had Manik who would look at me with nothing but love in his eyes. I would get butterflies in my stomach and jump in joy around him.

But this Manik is scaring me with his monster avatar.

The night passed without my knowledge and I had no appetite to have my breakfast. I sat in the living room not knowing what to do in my life. The maid was asking me for the nth time about my breakfast and it's seriously making me irritated.

Kay and Jay arrived for the first time after these many months for Niyonika's new party dress. We had a brief chat and thankfully they didn't bring up about my messed up life.

I saw them being friendly and open with each other. Jay would try to find things by fidgeting with his fingers and Kay would tease him by stealing a kiss or two. They would laugh as if nothing is wrong in their life.

How is it possible? How can Kay still show interest in their relationship when Jay is blind? It must burden him to be the vision of their relationship. How come they are still together?

"Well because I love him." Kay replied and I realised that I said it loud.

Since it's already out I continued the conversation. "Love? But is that enough? Aren't you tired for putting the effort all the time in your relationship? How can you love him when he is flawed?"

Kay hugged my neck as he looked at Jay who was far from us speaking with Niyonika. "My pumpkin is growing up so fast. So many serious questions, huh? I would say this bond is like that! When we promise to our partner that we will love them even after death we must atleast be truthful while being alive. And the effort part, marriage is different from being in love." He paused to sit infront of me.

"In love you are on the ninth cloud but in the marriage you have to deal with the thunderstorms, and other clouds trying to break you. That's why it takes a second to fall in love and an era to get married." He continued with a gentle smile.

Kay was always a mischievous one and seeing him being all mature is quite different to be honest.

"But what if there's no respect? What if it's a one sided love? What if you become alone and he is unaffected?"

"Pumpkin, the only reason I am not being tired in my relationship is because I am confident of my feelings. I am confident that I can pull him back to me from wherever in the world he hides. At the same time I am extremely grateful that even being blind he trusts me that I wouldn't leave his side." He said with a lot of love shining in his eyes for Jay. "Guess, you can call that trusting blindly."

We giggled at the last sentence.

"You need to try again and again for a marriage to work, Pumpkin." He spoke with a serious face. "Marriage is not just a one hour ceremony but a lifetime commitment. It's a promise that you would never give up and would pull them back. So, go and pull the string towards you."

He encouraged me but I looked at my fingers on my lap in disappointment. "Manik doesn't love me. He hates me."

"Wrong answer. The Boss doesn't remember you and doesn't know you. So, introduce yourself in your own vibrant pumpkin style." He encouraged me once again with a mischievous grin. "Blind him with your bright smile."

"Stop brainwashing her." The Professor's voice resounded the living room. He had the packed bags in his hands as he tightened his jaw looking at us. "Nandini, let's go to Salford."

...

How's the update?

Should Nandini listen to the Professor and move on?

Should Nandini listen to Kay and try to work on her marriage?

What will happen next?