*cough* *cough*

*cough* *cough*

"Maa are you alright?" Nandini asked as soon as she entered the room and found Shikha coughing badly.

"Yeah I'm fine Shona, I think something stuck in my throat, you don't worry. I'll just have a glass of water and I'll be alright." Nandini nodded and moved towards the side table where glass and a jug of water was kept. She poured some water into the glass and forwarded it to Shikha.

She then kept back of the hand on Shikha's forehead to see if still had a temperature, but sighed when Shikha's skin felt normal against her skin.

"Take rest maa, I'll just take shower and come!" she said to Shikha and made her sleep on the bed and covered her with a duvet. Nandini was about to move towards the bathroom but Sikha held her hands causing Nandini to stop, she then looked at their hands, not meeting her eyes Nandini asked, "You want something maa?"

"Why aren't you looking at me?" Shikha questioned but Nandini was mum, she didn't uttered a word from her mouth! Shikha sighed and sat leaning to the bed rest and motioned Nadini to sit, she obeyed.

"Look at me Nandini," Shikha demanded, but frowned when Nandini nodded her head in no.

"Nandini look at me I said," she said in a stern voice this time.

Nandini again nodded her head in no and sniffed indicating she would start crying any moment now!

"I'm sorry Mumma, but I don't think I can talk looking into your eyes anymore," Nandini whispered.

"I'm, not the same Nandini anymore Mumma, I'm not the same Nandini you were proud of. Not the same Nandini who promised you and myself to not to let you bow your head down with shame in front of others, and I did exactly the same. I fear that I would see the same disgust I see in other's eyes when they hear the word 'prostitute' and I'm not that strong to handle it Mumma. I can take anything and everything upon myself but not your hate and disgust." Nandini was a sobbing mess in the end and Shikha was looking at her with hurt swirling in her eyes.

"That will kill me Mumma, I will literally die!" this sentence left Shikha enraged, so much that she slapped Nandini. Nandini looked up only to see her Shikha maa looking at her with anger and hurt expression!

"Finished? Or is there something more for you to speak?" Shikha asked in a voice which caused Nandini to instantly nod her head in no.

Shikha exhaled a long breath to control her tears; she took Nandini's hand in her and spoke lovingly.

"You are the blessing anyone can ever have Nandini and I'm very much lucky to have you in my life. I have never looked at you as my sister's daughter, I agree she has given birth to you but you were destined to be my daughter. You are and always will be my daughter, and I was never and will never be ashamed of you." Saying so a lone tear escaped from her eyes.

Wiping her eyes she looked into Nandini's now puffy eyes and said "In fact, I should be sorry because this all is happening to you because of me, had I not been there nothing as such would have happened. Nishant would have never blackmailed you using me as a bait. You are doing all this because of me and I'm so sorry. Sorry for not being a good mother to you, sorry for not protecting you from that devil." Nandini was about to interrupt but Shikha showed her palm and continued,

"Second and most important thing, listen to me and listen well, I'm. Not. Ashamed. Of. You." She said stressing each word.

"You are anything but a disgust to me and if you think that I'll judge you for what the circumstances are to be blamed at, then you are very much wrong Miss. Murthy and I feel very disappointed because 24 years of living with your mother and you don't even know her." She said pointing towards herself.

Nandini instantly plunged in Shikha's arms, muttering innumerable sorries

"I love you Mumma, I love you so much!! Thank you... Thank you for always being there with me whenever I need you and there is no need to feel guilty Mumma you are nowhere at mistake. It was destiny. And I promise you we'll find a way to get out of here, just a few more days and everything will be alright." Nandini said calming and assuring both herself and her mom.

"I love you too baccha, I love you too!" Shikha cried hugging Nandini.

I promise you Nandini, I'll bring your happiness back no matter what it takes. Shikha said to herself in a determined tone whilst massing Nandini's hair.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

"YOU ARE NOT WEARING THIS!!"

"Here we go again!" Dhruv voiced out everyone's feelings while everyone facepalmed themselves except Meher.

Meher's Attire

Meher was startled listening to Manik's booming voice.

"Meher why are you out of the car, I told you not to come," Sharanya whined.

"I know bhabhi, I'm sorry I was bored sitting inside, and you people were taking way too much time so I thought I'll just wander around till you people come," Meher said shrugging her shoulders.

"You are not wearing this go and change," Manik commanded causing Meher to frown.

"Excuse me. I'm wearing this and I'm not going to change." Meher said in the same tone as Manik while glaring at him.

Manik too glared at her and she glared back at her.

"Guys why do you both stop your glaring game, we all are already late." Dhruv requested.

"Yeah Manik please don't start again, and you know you can never win over Meher, so why try?" Mukti said others giggled and Manik glared at her.

Manik sighed at rubbed his face, "Fine!! But you are not living my sight!"

Meher just shrugged her shoulder and nodded her head.

"Thank god!! C'mon everyone grab your seats!!" Navya exclaimed.

"Yay!!" Mishti jumped in joy and moved towards the passenger seat and Meher did the same. Manik was already sitting on the driver's seat.

It was always the drill that Meher will sit on the passenger seat, whenever Manik will drive after Meher shifted to Canada, it was Mishti who used to sit beside Manik in her baby car seat safely.

But today it was different, both Meher and Mishti wanted to sit beside Manik, Meher looked at the car seat present in the passenger seat and then at Manik, who was now staring at both of them (Meher and Mishti)

Meher gave Mishti a sad but genuine smile; this was seen by all the family members, as Meher was about turn and go sit on the back seat of the car Navya came forward and took Mishti in her arms, "Meher ajj tum yaha beth jao hum maa beti peeche beth jayenge, haina Mishti?" to which Mihsti nodded her head enthusiastically,

"Cabir yeh Baby seat nikal doo please." Navya requested to Cabir who smiled and nodded his head. Cabir took out the baby seat from the passenger seat and asked Meher to sit. Meher just smiled and nodded her head. She sat on the passenger seat as cabir was about to close the door, she stopped him, "one-minute Cabir bhai." Then she looked at Navya and forwarded her hands indicating her to give Mishti to her (Meher) "give Mishti to me."

Navya did what Meher said, Meher took Mishti and made her sit on her lap, by putting her legs sideways and both of them were facing each other.

"Okay?" Meher asked Mishti if she was comfortable sitting in this position Mishti just nodded her head and hugged Meher and she just kissed her forehead and Meher indicated Cabir to now close the door while all the other family members were standing there amused including Manik and happy seeing them especially Manik. He never wanted to choose between Meher and Mishti

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

After two hours of drive, they finally reached the amusement park. The whole amusement park was desolated, not a single person other than the staff members were present.

All the family members including the guards were hawking at Manik. And someone with was giving him a stinky eye. Manik glared at the guards and they immediately looked down.

He shrugged to his shoulders to his family members and then looked at Meher who was just looking at him like he has grown thorns on his body like porcupine and Mishti who was giving him stinky eyes

"What it's for safety, I can't take the risks with my family!" Manik exclaimed

"And?" Rehan asked,

"And.... nothing!"

"We know you very well Malhotra!" Mishti said still glaring at him plus waiting for her chachu to confirm her believes

"You decided not to obey me, I decided to be 'The Manik Malhotra'" Manik said smirking, while other just chuckled at nodded their head in disbelieve. Their nok-jhok session was disturbed by the manager,

"Welcome to the magical muse Amusement park, sir." The manager said with a small fake smile and extend his shivering hands, well you wouldn't happily jump and welcome the person who scared the shit out of you on the call and it's not like you always see The Manik Malhotra standing in front you.

His aura itself forces you to surrender in front of him. Manik just nodded his head and asked them the direction of changing rooms, "Sure, sir pls come I'll escort you still there." Manager said.

"Guards" just one word and his half of the guards came forward, the head security and Manik's one of the trusted guard asked the manager to escort them to the changing rooms so they can check all the rooms for the security purpose.

"Sir everything is alright!" Arman confirmed Manik gave a curt nod to him and singled his family members to follow him.

All the men came outside changing into their shorts and t-shirts/shirts, they were standing the park's entrance when Ansh asked him the question which everyone wanted to know.

"When did you call the manager and asked him to clear the park? You were with us all the time."

"I messaged Arman to do so! And also to the manager, if he takes Arman's warning lightly, and when Mishti wanted to eat that candy floss and after her demand the ladies wanted to eat too and I said you all to move forward and I'll park the car and come, that time I called the manager and threatened him with his job and family, so the work was done." Manik completed with the smug look on his face.

"You are a knack Malhotra," Rehan said

"I'm not 'The Azrail' without any reason." Manik gave a crooked smirk to all of them

They all moved inside as soon as the ladies came. All were enjoying and Manik was still trying to manofy his doll who was in no mood to listen to him but he was time to time looking at Meher who was now sitting on one of the lounge chairs sipping her mocktail.

Meher was sitting in thinking something deeply looking at Mishti and Manik; she did even notice Viren's presence beside her. Viren smiled and caressed her hairs, causing her to jump a little out of sacredness.

"m sorry didn't mean to scare you."

"No! Mamu it's okay!"

"Kya soch raha hai mera baccha."

"kuch nahi mamu bas ese hi."

"Manu nahi badla hai Meher. Wo tujhse utna hi pyar karta hai jitna pehle karta tha, ab toh use bhi jyada."
Viren tried explaining. Meher gave a sarcastic smile and removed her frustration.

"Then why he never talked to me whenever I called Mamu? Why didn't he ever come to meet me? Why didn't he ever call me.? And now I think he has got my replacement." She signed to where Mishti and Manik were playing.

"Mishti was and never will be your substitute or your replacement Meher, she has her own different place in his heart. He was broken when you were gone....

"I didn't. He sent me away, that too against my will." Meher huffed

Devenn chuckled "Okay! He was broken when he sent you away..." she was going to interrupt him again but he spoke knowing what she is about to tell "that too against your will, okay?" Meher nodded her head in satisfaction becoming serious he again continued,

"He never used to come out of his room just working removing all his frustration on his employees, breaking things, he also started drinking alcohol, because you were and still are one of the reasons of Manik's existence. Manik not only sent you but also a part of his heart and soul with you."

"Manik became stable when he heard the first cry on Mishti in the Meher Mansion, he always used to say that she looks similar to you, you were the same as Mishti when you were born, and slowly Mishti became his distraction. He used to be the same Manik when he was with you. But that doesn't mean he didn't remember you." He paused

"Manik didn't ask Mishti to call him 'big bear' when Mishti was in her early developing stage, most of the time she used to spend with Manik and all he used to talk with her was you, and when she was playing with her toys he used to talk hours with your photo frame, sharing everything he did. 'your big bear did this today', 'your big bear did that' and at last, he never used to miss apologizing to you, confessing that he misses you, and requesting you to come to him as early as possible. And that is how Mishti started calling him 'big bear' and he didn't have the heart to stop her."

"All I want to ask you is just give him a chance to explain himself, and when he confesses what he did, please don't be harsh on him." Deven completed everything with a long exhale of breath but what Meher said next made his breath hitched.

"I know he is the Mafia Boss," Meher said with an emotionless face and Deven was looking at her shocked with his tongue-tied.

"WHAT? HOW?? And why did t you tell him?"

"I was waiting for him to confess it to me, but he never did."

"Do you hate him?"

"I don't mamu, I can never. Look at him; he was and still is one of the purest souls you'll ever find, but sadly that part of him is engulfed by the demons inside him. I'm just waiting for the time when I'll see my real 'big bear' and I know even if he is in the Mafia, he won't let something wrong happen with the innocents let alone doing it." She said looking at Manik who was now having talking to Cabir, Rehan and Vivan.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

After manofying his doll, both Manik and Mishti were playing, when Cabir called him, by looking at his facial expression Manik can decipher it was something serious.

Manik called Alya and handed Mishti to her and kissing on her forehead and looked at Meher who was talking to Deven. He went towards where Cabir was standing and by now Rehan and Vivan were too.

"Shah's son Rohan tried to kill himself," Cabir said

"How?" Manik asked in a low dominating tone.

"Don't know how but he got a piece of glass, he tried to cut his hand's veins but our guards saved him," Vihan said

"Good! We can't leave now, but we have to leave early from here, we can't take more risk and I won't let that son of a dog die so easily also, ask the guards to shift him to our Lonavla warehouse, aur uske baap ko bhi bulana." The three of them nodded their head in affirmative and spread the words too other men too, who gave a secret thumb's up sign to Manik.

Manik was enraged after knowing that Rohan was about to kill himself, he didn't want him to die so easily, he was gonna give the slow painful death for what he did. Human trafficking and raping women was the tyrannical sin one could ever commit, and Manik was always against it. After saying no to Shah's offer in human trafficking, Shah was enraged with the insult so he commanded his son to rape Meher just to teach Manik a lesson, not only that there are numbers of rape cases was engraved against his son (Rohan) and when Manik got to know about this, he instantly commanded to bring Meher back to India and kidnap Rohan.

One thing he hate the most in his life is people ruining others life for their pleasures. He was the victim of rape and his sister was about too and if he could save someone from getting the same fate as him, he would do it in s heartbeat.

"Stop mukku di" A soulful voice broke his trance. He looked towards the source of the voice and saw his little angel l, his sister plying in the water giggling and making funny faces as Mukti was splashing water on her. A bright smile appeared on his face, looking at her daughter like a sister,

'I would never let anything happen to you baccha' he thought to himself and then looked at his other family member who was enjoying 'or to others for that matter'

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

Manik was in his car wearing his shades driving towards his Lonavla warehouse. Cabir, Rehan, and Vihan also joined him and Dhruv and Ansh were there at the mansion with the ladies.

As soon as the Manik entered each one of his guards stood up in respect and bowed down mumbling 'Azrail' Manik just gave crut nod to everyone and singed them to open the door where Rohan was held captive.

Rohan was unconscious due to continuous beatings and torture, Manik signed one of his guards something he nodded and brought him his favourite knife. Manik moved towards Rohan while other (Cabir, Karan, Vihan) were standing behind him.

Manik kept the point of his knife under his chin; slowly he slid the knife under his chin piercing his skin, he rotated the knife causing Rohan an intense pain due to which he woke up with an ear-piercing scream. Manik took out his knife and kept on the side table.

** VIOLENCE AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK**

"Azrail" Rohan whispered with fear in his eyes.

Manik gave hin a small devilish smirk and said "that's right! Its Azrail your death angel." Rohan gulped in fear still looking at Manik with unbelievable eyes.

"Chalo let's play something, wese be I'm getting very bored! "

"Let's start, shall we? But wait before that, let's call the mastermind of this plan." Manik singed his guard to bring Shah, they obliged and brought Shah who was fighting and wriggling under their hold.

"Azrail, you have done a grave mistake by kidnapping my son. I won't leave you to remember that." Manik took out the gun from his waistband and fried on Shah's left knee and ankle, causing him to cry out of pain.

"Now, this is the voice I always want to hear from my enemies, you know it gives me a different type of satisfaction," Manik said with a sadist smile on his face.

"Tie him to the chair," Cabir ordered.

"Now, Shah answer me, did you or did you not, send your son and his dogs behind my sister to rape her." Shah kept quiet with an 'I won't answer' look on his face.

"Stubborn much?" Manik asked smirking "won't be now" with this he again took the knife from the side table and stabbed on Rohan's left hand, causing both Rohan and Shah to bawl. "These were the hands through which you caught the hold of helpless women right!! Today they will be no more with your other body parts too!" Manik threatened in low yet deep voice.

"Coming to you Shah, answer me, otherwise my next target will be your son's eye, in which he imagined to rape my sister." But he was silent

"Not gonna answer still? Okay then." Manik aimed Rohan's eye but stoped with Shah's shrill voice

"Yes! Yes! Yes! It was me, who planned everything; it was me who gave the idea to rape your sister, so you could beg in front me to let my son marry your sister to save your reputation and your sister's dignity and as a condition to say yes I would demand the Mafia legacy from you. You never deserved this legacy Azrail, your father raped you and you couldn't do anything and he was about to rape your sister but that bitch was lucky that she got saved on time otherwise she would have been the same as you a rape victim. And my son was about going to do what she deserved, she deserved the same treatment as you got Azrail, the same way you were treated and you are nothing but the son of a rapist."

Manik's eyes were spitting fire. He looked at Shah dangerously and caught hold of his hairs, Manik said in a deadly voice "you have got so much information on me, Shah, so you might also be knowing that Azrail, never gets affected with this words but the punishment for this crime is way more than you have ever dreamed off. And coming to my sister, I would have never let anyone even touch my sister, forget about harming her and even if god forbid your son was successful then neither me nor my sister would have come to you begging, the thing would be other way around Shah, my sister would have killed your son in front of the whole world, my sister or any other women are not weak Shah, they are quiet doesn't mean they won't do anything, and especially when its about their dignity and self-respect and I'll show you and your son this today."

"VIHAN, SEND THEM IN," Manik shouted an order.

On the cue, the women started coming with different types of weapons in their hands. Manik looked at them and then at Shah and his son.

"They are some of the women whom you and your son have molested and raped Shah, now you will see the power of women."

Manik looked at the ladies who had determination in their eyes, "ladies over toy you."

"Big bro!" Vivan voiced out

Manik looked at him with sharp eyes, causing him to visibly gulp,

"Can I do something?" Manik was about to say something but Vihan again said "please" with puppy eyes. Manik sighed and nodded his head in affirmation.

Manik too a chair and sat in the corner watching the show.

Vivan came forward with a treacherous look on his face, long gone the funny notorious Vihan, this Vihan standing in front of them was the best assassin of the mafia family and the lover of Meher Malhotra.

"Ladies you might want to turn around." Taking his advice the ladies faced the wall.

"Strip them naked!" he commanded the soldiers and they did what was told to them.

Both Shah and his son were gawking at Vivan.

"Gloves" Vihan commanded and others stood there confused.

"MY knife" the soldier handover him Obsidian knife. It was the sharpest knife in the world made with Volcanic glass. He also commanded one of the soldiers to wear the gloves and he did what was told him to do.

Vivan pointed towards Shah's "hold his penis"

"Don't tell me he is gonna do what I'm thinking he is gonna do," Manik mumbled to himself.

The soldier hesitantly did, what was told him to do. He then aimed his knife towards Shah's penis "Bro are you sure!" Rehan said

"1000% bro!" Vihan replied

"Aur agar nishana nahi laga toh!" Cabir asked

"Toh mera ek mahine ka breakfast apka bhai" Vihan replied his eyes still on his aim. He took a deep breath and threw his knife and everyone was looking at the knife in anticipation.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHH" with this smirk formed on everyone's face knowing the target aimed was successful. Shah was unconscious due to unbearable pain.

"Ab tera kya hoga kalia," Vivan said to Rohan, he again signed the soldier to hold Rohan's penis. He again threw his knife on his aim.

"MUMMMYYYYY AHHHHHHH"

Vivan went towards Rohan and whispered in his ears "this is what you get for aiming at my love"

"Mission successful. " Rehan yelled.

"Guards, bring ice-cold water and throw upon them, and do no I repeat do not let them get unconscious, whenever they are on the verge of getting unconscious just throw ice cold water on them again. Let them go through the same pain, the ladies went through." Manik said and the guards nodded. Manik moved towards the ladies and looked at them "they are yours now, do whatever you want to do with them, no one will object." And all the ladies looked grateful towards him, thanking him in their minds.

**END**

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

"thud..... thud....

thud..... thud...."

"Manik will you stop drinking at breaking the bottles that was the 20th one for you broke god sake."

"Rehan, Cabir, Vihan, go home I'm in no mood to come home tonight," Manik said in his boss tone, causing them to oblige without objection.

"Just don't hurt yourself, Meher is there too now!!" Cabir said and Manik nodded his head.

After they left, Shah's words were ringing in his mind, though he said to Shah that his words don't affect him, the brutal reality  is, it still does affect him.

Where was he wrong? What did he ever do to his father? The answers to all his questions were with no one.

"Aahhh" Manik again threw the bottle against the wall. He got up and marched towards his bar area and made himself a drink. But no use, today the alcohol was also was not able to heal his pain. He took the glass and threw it across the wall. A shattering voice echoed in the warehouse. He got up frustratedly got up and was about to punch the wall, but Cabir's word echoed in his mind.

"Fucking shit." A frustrated growl escaped from Manik.

He removed his cell phone and furiously dialled an unknown number

"Book one for me tonight!"