A/N : Hello readers! Here comes your weekly dose of MaNan from my side! So for the ones' who didn't notice, I have published a bonus chapter on this story just day before, and you need to read it before reading this chapter. Else this will not make sense! Also, while you're at it, don't forget to vote & comment on chapter 4! :)

Now, coming to this chapter. Well, as the title suggests, this is from where the story actually begins! I was a bit skeptical while publishing this story initially because I knew the first four chapters were a bit of a context setter and I worried my readers may not find it interesting enough to hold on till this chapter; but look at you guys, reading it, appreciating it & loving it all the way. This has only moved from strength to strength from the first chapter and I pray it only goes upward and onwards hereon!

Thank you for all the love, comments & votes. Thank you for emotionally involving yourself with my story & most importantly, thank you for reading this story while it's ongoing because I know many of you wait for a story to get over before reading, because sometimes writers leave it mid-way. So, I guess, thank you for showing that faith in me and reading the story as I publish every week, and I promise I will continue to publish every week (unless something really unavoidable happens) till the end of this story!

Okay, I just can't seem to stop talking! No more prattling from my side, Happy Reading!

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"Thank-you for trusting me, Nandu & giving us a chance to protect you. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I got to know that you came in harm's way because you helped clear Manik's name and the Malhotra reputation one more time" spoke Nyonica gently, sipping her sparkling wine, as she looked at Nandini lovingly. It had been two days since Nandini had been staying here, and Nyonica came to visit her, to fulfil her promise.

Nandini looked at her ex-mother-in-law and smiled. She loved her the most & she knew her mother-in-law adored her too. She was her backbone during her stay with the Malhotras, and Nyonica was the only one who stood up for her. In their vast mansion, she was the only person who showed her tender love, care and warmth. She was the mother Nandini never had the fortune of growing up with. Nyonica knew that Nandini had fallen deeply in love with her son, she had even tried in her subtle ways to push her son towards her, but Manik? When did he ever feel Nandini was anything more than a tool to flash before the media to fix his reputation? When Nyonica had realised, Manik was only going to hurt Nandini, she even tried to free her from the marriage, but back then, the Malhotra men still needed her & Nandini, she still thought she could win Manik with her love. So, Nyonica said nothing, despite knowing Nandini was in for a heartbreak. She thought only experience could teach her self-preservation & it did. Nyonica was the only happy person in the Malhotra household, three years back when Manik had informed her that Nandini had abandoned him completely and moved on in life.

"I missed you, mom." Nandini whispered back, as the older lady gently cupped her face and smiled at her.

"Mom, I stayed back, only because you asked me to & I didn't want to disrespect you before Cabir. Trust me, I can take care of myself now. I am not that naive anymore..please let me go back to where I came from?" she requested again, and Nyonica looked at her sadly. She could see that Nandu was happy in her present life, but the mother-in-law, in her, selfishly wanted her for her son. If there was one person who could love and protect Manik from the world and their disastrous Malhotra clan after her, it was Nandini, but Manik had pushed her too far off. She didn't want to stay here any longer & Nyonica could only wish that Nandini would once again find a reason to give her son a chance.

"Nandu beta, I know you can & you soon will, just give us a few more days. Once we ensure Soha..." but she couldn't complete her statement as the doorbell of the pent-house rang loudly, breaking their conversation. The butler hurriedly got to the door to see Cabir rushing inside with a dark face. Both the women knew this couldn't be good news.

"Cabir.." Nyonica began, but he hurriedly reached near them and motioned for the butler to switch on the news.

".,.and today's breaking news unfolds another series of allegations on superstar Manik Malhotra! Yes, you heard that correctly. The Malhotra family has found their way back to another controversy in less than 48 hours from the last one! According to sources, the famous Manik Malhotra was out on a romantic date with his rumoured fiancee, actress Alia Saxena at the Olive Bistro today, when their cute couple time was distrubed by an accusation that will shock you to the core. Connecting viewers to our cameraman Ramesh Tripathi, reporting live from the venue" the news reporter read & soon the video had switched to that of the restaurant where Manik was seen with his girlfriend Alia. They were seen to be walking out of the place hand-in-hand when amidst all the shutterbugs, a man walked up to them and screamed, "Manik Malhotra, what the hell have you done to Nandini Murthy?! Why is she not reachable by any means?!"

Nandini froze at the mention of her name & then when the guy turned to face the camera, she broke into cold sweats, murmuring, "Smaran!"

Manik also seemed taken aback at hearing Nandini's name, as he stopped momentarily to look at Smaran. Taking advantage of this, Smaran seemed to push him back in agitation and dropped a sack full of accusations on him. "As it is, you have left no stones unturned to ruin her life, now that she has moved on, why'd you have to involve her in your mess? What kick are you getting out of harassing her Manik? Just tell me where she is, I need to find her & see for myself that she is fine" he screamed. By then Manik's security team had shoved him aside and Manik and Alia were seen getting into his limo and driving away, but the media lapped the news like wildfire, and soon everyone from the press was trying to take a byte from Smaran.

"Is Manik Malhotra hiding something? Is he still in touch with his ex-wife Ms. Nandini Murthy? Is Manik cheating on Alia? MaLia fans hold on, we are yet to hear from the superstar himself!" The news channels continued to flash various harassing questions at Manik's character & some even went on to play montages of Manik & Nandini's wedding pictures & joint press statements from yesteryears. Some even flashed questionable statements on Nandini's character, their marriage, divorce & her playing the home wrecker now in Alia & Manik's dream-like lovestory.

"So, is Nandini Murthy, Manik Malhotra's dirty secret? You can text Y for yes & N for no to participate in the live poll.."

"Just switch off this damn television" Nyonica's angry command made the butler shut the television immediately as Cabir looked at her, intimidated. Nyonica was looking at Nandini, who was shivering slightly, sitting on the couch, as her eyes were pooling with unshed tears. She was terrified. She had been tried by the media once already & nothing was worse than that, not even the actual divorce. She didn't think she had it in her to go through the same ordeal again.

"Nandu beta, please calm down" Nyonica softly patted her back to bring her out of shock. She quietly, nodded at her and wiped off the tears from her cheeks.

"I'm..I'm okay, mom." she managed to mutter.

"Do you know this man? Is he..is he your partner, Nandu?" Nyonica asked her gently.

Nandini's eyes shot up at her mom in disbelief. "Mom, I know him. He is Smaran, he is my boss. I came to Mumbai for a corporate training, as an employee of his company. He is a friend too, but..but he isn't my..partner" she nearly choked. Nyonica nodded in understanding and looked at Cabir.

"Has Smaran not been informed of Nandini's whereabouts?" she asked him sternly. She remembered, this was one of Nandini's conditions for staying back. Cabir looked down uncomfortably before responding. "Manik had asked me to send a resignation email on her behalf..he thought the less people knew about her whereabouts, the better" he replied.

"What?" Both Nandini & Nyonica retorted at the same time, but before Cabir could explain further, his phone rang and he received it immediately.

"What?!" he shrieked on the phone immediately & both women looked at him alarmed. Cabir hung up the call looking frustrated & almost snatched the television remote from the butler and switched it on again.

"...according to the statement released by Manik Malhotra on the wake of the claim made by Mr. Smaran Hebbar, owner of Hebbar & Sons a KPO based out of Mangalore, about the whereabouts of Manik Malhotra's ex-wife Nandini Murthy, here's what the superstar himself has to say"

Again, the screen had switched to a recorded video statement that had been issued by Manik, most probably while they were discussing the matter at the pent-house. Manik was still in the same dinner jacket on which he was papped a while ago. He looked tired in the video, and Nandini sighed seeing his red eyes. He was looking at the camera with a straight face as he spoke.

"As actors, as artists, as celebrities, I know we owe a lot of answers to our fans. Oftentimes the line between our professional & our personal life blurs & we are expected to provide answers for things that does not have anything to do with the body of work we are engaged in; but I have always been proud of the fact that I consider my fans as my family and it is only for them I am addressing this issue. I know I am a role model to the youth of the country & with that I have a responsibility towards them too. If they look up to me, I will never do anything to disappoint them. Dear fans, I was hoping to surprise you guys with this news in a much merry way but I suppose this is how it was supposed to come out. As you all know I was previously married to Ms. Nandini Murthy & unfortunately it didn't work out between us in the past, but times have changed now. Nandini wanted to stay away from the limelight, but we were in touch. Our divorce was amicable & that led to us retaining our friendship away from the harsh glare of the media. Over the course of time, we realised, maybe we hadn't tried enough, maybe there were some feelings left unsaid, unexpressed, hence Nandini and I have decided to get back together. We wanted to be sure of it before telling you guys, in fact today when I went for dinner with Ms. Alia, we're discussing how to first release a joint statement of our parting ways. I request all the MaLia fans to not be heart-broken, Manik & Alia are going to be friends forever & we'll never stop working together; but on the personal front, I suppose your home is where the heart is? That's why Nandini has recently moved back to Mumbai & has been staying with me in our Juhu pent-house for sometime now; because of this, she has been maintaining a low profile in her social circle too, which led her well wisher's to worry about her. Please be assured, she is well & happy and we are trying to rebuild our happily ever after, off screen. There is no trouble anywhere & all is well. Meanwhile, I request my fans for some privacy, as we find our way back to our normal life & always remember Manik-ians I love you above all! Cheers"

After the video, there was a moment of silence & suddenly there was a 360 degree swing in tonality of the news. Suddenly, Nandini Murthy wasn't a homewrecker & Manik Malhotra wasn't an abusive man anymore. It was suddenly a cute love story of two jilted lovers finding their way back home amongst a lot of glitz & glamorous hurdles of the film industry! In one statement, Manik Malhotra had turned the tables around to his favour!

"What a PR cover up!" Nandini's shock was broken by Nyonica's strained voice. "Cabir, call him right now" she added, as she gently held Nandini's hand in assurance. Nandini was too shocked to react. How the hell could Manik make such a statement? It was the biggest lie she had ever heard. She felt violated to the core! Did Manik really think he has so much control over her life even now, that he could make such a huge statement without even consulting with her once?

"Manik is on his way here." Cabir replied cautiously.

"Don't worry Nandu beta, we will figure out a way." Nyonica tried assuring her, but she didn't sound very confident herself.

In another half an hour, the bell rang. Nandini stiffened, realising she was going to face Manik for the first time in three years.

***

Word Count : 1,983

A/N : Well, that's that for this week!

So, what do you think of the Nandini-Nyonica bond? 

Also, what are your thoughts on Manik? (:P) Yes bring on the anger right here :P

How would you react if you were in Nandini's spot? Would you help out? What would you like to tell Manik for pulling such a feat?

Okay guys, hold on, this is just the beginning, and a lot more is coming up on this story! I am so excited to share it with you all!

Lastly, hold on to your horses, readers, Manik and Nandini will meet face to face for the first time in the present times, in the next chapter! Are you excited??

Please know, I love your thoughts & in-line comments. I know you guys are generous and will leave lots of them for me :D, oh and don't forget to vote for the chapter if you found it good enough!

Next chapter will be published on 30th Oct (Sunday),

Until then,

Stay safe & enjoy the festivities!

Love always,

Your writer.