A/N : Okay this is the promised land kinda chapter which you will either love or hate. No more peeks, waiting to hear from you all at the end of the chapter :)

Happy Reading!

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Vommuli Island, Maldives circa 2018

(The Jungle Cinema, The St. Regis, Maldives Vommuli Resort)

Nandini Murthy

"Nandu, there's something I wanted to show you from the moment I discovered it, but then I thought..err..nevermind. Will you come with me now?" his voice sounded childlike & excited, as he broke off from our hug. My body detested him moving away but I couldn't help chuckle at his innocent enthusiasm. I have never seen Manik this way, so uninhibited; not that I thought between him & me there were any 'firsts' left, but him being vulnerable & open before me was definitely one!

I nodded, and he swiftly clutched my wrist and we began walking away from the beach. Soon we were walking for about ten minutes & we were at the edge of what looked like some kinda woods. Ayappa, was this mentally unstable man hatching some plan of cold bloodedly murdering me!?

"Manik, it's quite late into the night now, you want to go into the woods, at this hour?" I asked, in an unsure voice.

"Don't worry there aren't any wild animals in there you dum-dum" he chuckled back. I glared at him in vexation! That much even I knew, it was within the hotel property so obviously there'd be no animals; also what worry I'd have from animals when I was walking with the Monster himself by my side! Hmph.

"Monster Manik" I mumbled to myself. He had heard me of course & continued to laugh, how can he not, that evil minion. Argh. Ayappa!

"Nandu, it's cute when Abir calls me that but.." he began.

"But?" I asked, angrily. Ayappa, was I even jealous of the li'l guy?! Why am I so possessive of this man?

"But it's cuter when you call me that" he finished this time with a sweet smile. Hayee! Nandini, shut up!

Our silly banter continued until we reached a clearing of sorts amidst the woods. I was wondering what the place was when Manik nudged me to walk in; as I did, I gasped in surprise & bewilderment to see that what we walked through wasn't an unused part of the hotel property but a carefully manicured woods that was to eventually lead us here, an open air projection based cinema place! Ayappa, this is such a magical island!

"Like what you see, Nandu?" I heard his whisper, just behind me. I jumped and turned around like an excited five year old & Manik's face held an indulgent smile for me. I gushed in happiness, I always loved the concept of an amphitheatre but I don't particularly remember telling this to Manik; did he take a guess?

"It's perfect Manik! What are we watching tonight?" I replied back, barely able to hide the earnestness in my voice. He laughed and turned to look behind me. I quickly turned to find  the Manager of this unit bowing to us in courtesy. We quickly booked the place for the night & soon I was busy going through OTT platforms figuring out what to watch. Trust me in these moments, not even for a second did I feel that my heart was ruptured, or I was unhappy, Manik's presence always assured me despite him being the cause of my castigation.

"Manik, let's do a 'Friends' marathon for the night?" I chirped excitedly

"Nandu, but that'd take the whole night!" Manik sounded unsure. I knew his point made sense, but would it have been awkward to insist if it wasn't Manik but a friend I adored, no right?

"So what? Are you in a hurry?" I asked, childishly. A small smile spread on his lips seeing my tantrum and he softly replied, "Nope, I'm not in any hurry" I smiled at him for this, as he continued, ..but don't you think you should inform your folks that you'd turn in late tonight? They might be looking for you, Nandu"

Even though he said 'folks' I pretty much knew he meant Arya. Yes, he'd be worried for me for sure but this was my moment of seizing happiness, I didn't want to let it go either. "Okay let me text Arya & tell him I will be late" I replied to Manik & immediately left a text note for him; since Arya & I had our conversation, I was much relieved, I knew he'd not take anything unnecessary out of this. I finished texting Arya & stuffed the phone back into my pocket as I looked at Manik, who was now sitting on the couch arranged there, with popcorn & soft drinks in his hands, looking every bit as excited as me. I wanted to freeze this moment forever in my mind.

Soon we were watching the show, giggling, laughing & just like that, it felt like we were back in S.P.A.C.E. & we were back to the life we both were silently longing for all these years. Amidst watching the show his hand that was balanced on the upper edge of the couch, touched my shoulders & we both jerked away at the immediate static it created, it was an slightly awkward moment which we let pass with a few awkward smiles, but then a queer smile appeared on his face & soon it reflected on my face too, hadn't we decided to get past this very awkwardness? Then before I knew it, Manik purposely brought his hand on my shoulder & engulfed me into a nice & warm bear hug, as he held a wide grin on his face. I followed his lead and snuggled closer to him without an inhibition in the world.

It was perfect, there was no awkwardness, no ulterior feelings involved, just the comfort & the care. I shut my eyes in peace as Manik's face tilted on my head & he dropped a chaste peck there. We both sighed in tranquility & an innate happiness as we continued to watch the show for hours thereafter, eventually star gazing & thereby dozing off in each other's arms.

Some moments stay etched in your life forever & whenever you remember them, it gives you peace. That night Manik & I had created one such memory between us.

It was pure, it was virgin, it was magical.

Vommuli Island, Maldives circa 2018

(Property premise, The St. Regis, Maldives Vommuli Resort)

"Nandini" I remember hearing a distant whisper of my name & snuggling closer to the source of warmth around me, which was a fleece blanket & a warm body. Mmm..wait, warm body? Before I could really think what was going on, I heard the same voice again, only this time it wasn't distant.

"Nan-Nandini" the voice was familiar, but why did he sound disturbed? I slowly opened my eyes & peeked out of the blanket to see Arya's vacant face peering down at me. As I tried sitting up, properly, I realised I was half sitting, half snuggling on to something, wait not a thing, someone, who was in the same position, right next to me.

Manik.

Sh*t.

I sat up straight in a jiffy and threw the blanket aside, only to see Manik's hand was gently wrapped around my shoulder. It seemed like we had dozed off while stargazing & spent the night out in the open.

Thank God it was only Arya, he knew about us of course!

I mentally made a note to tell Manik that we've got to be careful from now on, lest anyone else found us? Not that we were guilty, but who has the knack for drama in life?

I quickly got up from the couch, untangling Manik's hand from my shoulder & smiled at Arya; he returned the smile with a small one. I quickly looked back at Manik & saw that he was still fast asleep with his mouth a little agape, I resisted the urge to chuckle; old habits die hard, at least this Manik had some similarity with the one I had loved! He was sleeping so peacefully that I didn't have the heart to wake him. I ushered the staff from the arena & requested him to put a deck umbrella over the couch before the sun rose overhead & disturbed his slumber. I looked at the sleeping guy one more time before clutching Arya's hand and walking away from there.

The route to the Jungle cinema was a ten minutes walk through a well manicured 'jungle-like' garden & now in broad daylight I was really noticing how tastefully it had been curated; the perfect colour palette of the the neatly planted wildflowers, the exotic fauna, every bit of it was artistically man-made representing the jungle; for a strange moment, it felt like this jungle reflected my life. It looks natural, but it's not, it's a planned & cultivated piece of charade, just like me.

"Ermm..Nandini, about last night. I was umm..kinda waiting for you" Arya's unsure voice broke through my imagination. I peered at him, was he unhappy about me befriending Manik? I mean, under ordinary circumstances, I'd even get it, but wasn't it him who really showed me the path? Wasn't it him, who realised, what I was doing was helping me move on?

"Arya, but I told you I am with Manik in the Jungle Cinema" I replied softly, looking at him.

"Yeah, yeah. I thought you'd be back in a couple of hours, so I was waiting" he mumbled again, not looking at me.

"Yeah of course, that was the plan, but then I sort of dozed off. Hey, if you were worried, why didn't you come to get me?" I asked him.

Arya didn't reply for a few seconds as we continued walking, "Nandini, actually I almost thought of coming to get you, but then..then I thought you were with Manik, maybe..you wouldn't want me to disturb you?" he said in an unsure voice. My heart melted at his generosity.

"Arya, I was with Manik, but you know what that means right? If you felt like coming to me, by all means you should have. I give you that right & honestly, I am always happy to see you. You are my sanity Arya, you know that, right?" I asked him gently, clutching his hand reassuringly. Arya, sighed, and nodded his head. Then he turned to look at me with his lopsided grin. I was relieved, Arya was back.

"Guess what, Arya, yesterday Manik & I really spoke! You know we finally kind of opened up a little & discussed the past, not in detail, but somethings. I am dying to tell you! You know.." I barely began in excitement, but Arya cut me in.

"Nandu! Calm down, love! I am okay with Manik & your friendship because you are benefiting from it, I still am not pally enough with Manik to want to know what he has to say!" he chuckled & I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Also, in case you have forgotten, today is 'the  day', your brother is finally getting married to Mukti today evening! There is so much to do! Not to mention, we have the Haldi ceremony starting in one hour! That's why I came hunting for you! Let's hurry now!"

Of course, today was the day. How could I possibly forget it amidst all this? Was I excited, yes. But there was also a small part of my brain that calculated, after this we'd all go back to our own lives & it won't be the same again. Would I miss Manik's presence in my life? After yesterday, yes. I knew with the wedding coming to close, my window of making happy memories to last a lifetime was closing too, but all good things come to an end, right?

I smiled at Arya & entwined my finger with his, as we made our way back to reality.

Vommuli Island, Maldives circa 2018

(Iridium Ocean SPA Center, The St. Regis, Maldives Vommuli Resort)

The Haldi ceremony was happening in the SPA center which was a tiny but separate island in the middle of the ocean. The land area of the island could handle just about hundred & fifty to sixty odd people at one go including the staff & but since our guests count didn't cross that no. we could use this drop of land amidst the ocean for the Haldi ceremony.

The staff kept using small motor boats to transfer guests in groups of three & four from the main island to the destination & the ceremony was to commence in an hour, by which time we expected all the guests to reach the venue. While Arya & I were waiting for the next motor, after the first one took Dufus & Mukti along with the ceremony planner Priyank & his assistant, the second one took my uncle, aunt, Mr. Malhotra & Cabir. Arya & I were waiting for Navya, Harshad & Abir so that we could take the next ride, but as I turned around, I saw Manik walking towards us with his daughter in toe & a little behind him followed Soha & Mrs. N.

Manik flashed a goofy smile at me, which I returned & li'l Roo waved at me enthisiastically; both Arya & I smiled at her and waved back, as my eyes fell on Manik's wife. Soha. Although she was walking with Mrs. N, both their eyes were on me. Soha looked livid, well I think I can guess why, but come on, nothing really happened between me & Manik the night before, what was she upset about? So much for friendship, trust & a happy marriage! Mrs. N on the other hand looked mildly curious, this was the highest amount of interest she has shown in any of the events that followed since she joined us for this wedding.

"Hey, are you guys waiting for someone or Roo & I can hop in with you folks?" I heard Manik's voice & turned to face him; but before Arya & I could respond, it was Soha who spoke this time.

"Hey why don't you let us ladies take this one, and you both can follow us in the next one with Roo? Mukti will need us there" she suggested casually, as I raised an eyebrow & looked at her. This wasn't going to be as simple, Soha had something in mind. Ayappa, was she planning to throw me into the ocean or what?! I don't even know how to swim! I turned my gaze towards Mrs. N, she looked amused. Something was up.

Arya looked at me inquiringly & I slightly nodded to assure him that I have got this. I noticed Manik's jaws were clenched; I wondered why. Was he not comfortable with Soha & me hanging out or was Mrs. N's presence affecting him, I wondered.

"Come Nandini" Soha spoke a bit too cheerfully, suddenly before clutching me & getting onto the boat; Mrs. N followed quietly. I felt her grip was ironclad on my wrist, but not wanting to make a scene before everyone here, just at the start of the wedding day, I nodded at Arya first & then Manik and got on with the ladies. I looked back at both the men standing with each other awkwardly as our motor engine roared to life & we got speeding into the sea. Ayappa, please keep both of them sane. I didn't like the idea of Manik & Arya on a boat in the middle of the ocean without supervision. Yikes!

"Nandini, stop playing with both of them" Soha's blatant accusation caught me off guard.

"Excuse me?" I replied back and glanced at Mrs.N before looking at her. Mrs. N was curiously looking at me.That woman, I still am not sure, if she likes me or hates me! Urgh.

"Now don't pretend like you're not toying with my Manik, Nandini! I know what you're up to behind my back. Taking advantage of the crowd & my business with the event, you've been luring Manik into escaping with you. I was quiet the first time when you both went missing from the Mehendi ceremony for a couple of hours, but all night  yesterday?! Where will you stop, what do you want? Do you not get it, no matter what you do, you can't win Manik back, he is mine now! Also, what has Arya done to deserve this, he really does seem to love you!" fumed Soha.

My eyes went wide hearing her accusation, was she really calling me the 'other woman' in her life? My eyes filled up with tears of defiance as I cast another glance at Mrs. N, hoping she'd intervene & support me, but as she looked between Soha & me quietly, her expression was unreadable.

"Soha, how can you accuse me of..." I barely began, but Soha was in no mood to listen.

"So you're saying you weren't spending 'quality time' with my Manik, in the days I mentioned?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowed towards me, breathing fire.

"I..I did..but it's not.." I began.

"You did right? Then how is my accusation wrong? Nandini Murthy I know you guys have a history that is dark & dirty. I don't want to get there. Point is we've all moved ahead in life, hell, we have a life - why don't you try having one too, that too with your fiance, Aryaman, not my Manik." she hissed.

"I am not trying to snatch anyone from you, Soha. I was just..." I wanted to defend myself, but at the helm of it, I was at a loss for words. I was just, what? What was I trying to do & how was I going to explain this to Soha & make it sound legitimate to her? I could either tell her that she was right, I hadn't moved on & was trying to have Manik back in my life in someway or another, or I had to tell her that I was using her husband selfishly, to derive happiness - I couldn't tell her either, then what were we left with other than letting her belief that I was going behind her back to win back Manik.

I desperately looked at Mrs. N, she was now looking straight at me, but again her expression was unreadable. Damn it.

"You just what, Nandini? Humour me." Soha shot back again.

"Listen, it's not how you think it is. I am not trying to get back with Manik, we have just decided to be err...friends" I mumbled. It was the truth right, then why did it sound like a ridiculous joke, coming out of my mouth at this point?

"Friends? Seriously Nandini? What do you take me for, a bimbo?" Soha sneered. "After the history you both share, you can either ricochet back at each other or stay poles apart, there is no space for friendship & we both know that. The moral grounds between the two of you, its charred Nandini, and nothing fruitful grows out of devastation" she hit back.

"Mrs. Soha Malhotra, I am not guilty of stealing your husband." I spoke aloud; this was the only thing I could say in my defence & it was the truth. Soha gasped hearing me & cast a quick glance at Mrs. N, maybe looking for her mother-in-laws support in this?

"Nandini Murthy, you can't steal Manik from me even if you tried. Manik Malhotra would never ever leave us to be with you. He may have a soft corner for you, but that's because this Manik is different from the one you knew; he is compassionate & probably guilty of hurting you in the past. His niceness is out of guilt & personal redemption, not some misplaced sense of love for you. So quit this sh*t you're spewing here. It is a matter of one or two days now, live it decently & then let us all go back to our own lives that's very far from each other." there was a finality in her tone & as much as I hated it, I knew I couldn't counter it. I had seen Manik's devotion for his family in these days, his need for a family in his younger days. Like I knew it right from the beginning, Manik now had it all. Soha gave him this life, why on earth would he harbour any feelings for me? Wait. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't waiting for Manik to feel for me, I am just saying I know why he wouldn't, anyway.

"For the last time Soha, I have no such intentions with Manik. You are making this all up in your head; and you're right, in two days time, we're all back in our lives, so this conversation was distasteful & uncalled for. I wished we didn't have it. Now let's maintain an amicable facade once we reach & try and not ruin the ceremony" I replied with some control this time.

Soha looked like she had more to say, but somewhere she realised there was no point, plus we were running short of time, our five minutes of Hell was running out of time, we were to reach the venue anytime now.

"Very well, Nandini; but just so you know, I have kept my promise from years back, our life back home is beautiful, it's really like you don't even exist" she whispered sharply. I held my breath. It reminded me of the promise she had made all those years back in college when we spoke.

......"Crazy fan eh? No Nandini Murthy I am not Manik's fan or lover, I am his friend, Soha Khanna. His best friend. And let me tell you, if I was around, I'd never let Manik feel attached to a b*tch like you. Never. Anyway, it's never too late! Thank you for setting him free from your dirty claws, I will take care of him and make him whole again. It will be like you never existed in his life. I promise you that today, Nandini. And this is not a fan or a lover's promise, this is a best friend's oath to protect her best friend from you!"

Woah, Soha really did keep her word. My thoughts were again disturned this time, as we realised we reached the venue. I quickly got off the motor boat, followed by Soha & Mrs.N; I watched Soha walk ahead towards Mukti and the folks, without glancing back at me. I was overwhelmed to say the least. I was naive to run after happiness, I was silly to believe destiny would let me snatch a little ray of sunlight without consequences, I was so wrong. Maybe that's why I faced this humiliation today, that too before Manik's own mother - it was my destiny showing me, who's in control.

"Nandini, a word please" I jumped in surprise as I turned around and saw Mrs. N still standing beside me. Now she had to talk? I nodded meekly & turned to her.

"You have disappointed me today, sweetheart" she sounded upset. I looked at her with forlorn eyes. Woah, I was disappointing the most disappointing person I have known so far in my life, it really must be my rock bottom. However, I always found Mrs. N rational, so disappointing her kind of stung.

"I'm sorry that you had to hear all this. I just want to tell you that I am not trying to ruin Manik's life" I mumbled & as I did, a drop of tear escaped my eyes.

"You cannot ruin the ruined, Nandini & that's not what I was referring to" she replied a little impatiently this time. I looked at her surprised, what was she talking about? My surprise must have been apparent to her because she sighed a little & spoke again.

"Nandini, I liked you because you fought for yourself, your self preservation & happiness and left Manik when he was so vile to you. You didn't succumb; I got to know years back that Manik had gone a bit wonky due to a heart break & had given up on his career & academics & even abandoned me to be with his dad in Australia. I believe in self love above all Nandini & what Manik did was against my beliefs; Manik disappointed me more by not being able to hold forte & practise self love. I thought I had taught him better than that. On the contrary I was impressed knowing how you broke his heart & showed him his place back then, I knew you were my type. My son hated me, but fell in love with a woman so similar to me." she smirked. I was finally seeing the loathsome side of Mrs.N that everyone always spoke about. I mean, you really have to hate your own son, to be impressed by the woman who broke his heart. Also, what was she saying about teaching Manik better? Did she teach him anything? When did she get the time to, while practising all the self love?

"I still don't see how I've disappointed you" I replied flatly this time. Her nonchalance towards Manik was bothering me.

"When I saw you here after so many years Nandini, you were this smart, beautiful woman; you didn't let the heartbreak define you like Manik did. You moved on, found love & even if everything is not okay with you, you put up a brave face & fight. I was so proud of you; for once I was even proud of my son's choice of woman - but then you went sneaking around with the loser of my son here? Why would you do that? He is not worthy. You have outdone yourself, you deserve so much better. You deserve to be with the better man, that is Aryaman. You are with him. Then why would you risk throwing all this for a loser like my son? I thought you were brave & fought for what you deserved." she finally opened up to me. I was stumped. I didn't know what to make of this woman. I wonder if she hated Manik more than she adored me, or was it otherwise? Right then, her adoration was making me sick. What bad had I done, to be complimented by such a vile woman? Ayappa, please guide me. I didn't like the similarity Mrs. N drew between her & me, I felt polluted, I felt evil. What was I doing wrong?

Also, 'you didn't let the heartbreak define you like Manik did' seriously, she thinks her son is heartbroken? Did he see his son & his life properly? If there's anything that is the opposite of a heart break, that's the life Manik Malhotra was living!

"Mrs. N, I am not sneaking around with your son. There were a few questions unanswered & I needed them to completely move on. I spent some time with him to find my final closure" I replied a little too coldly, I think she noticed the ring in my voice too, because she didn't push further.

"Very well, Nandini. I hope you know what you're doing. That Soha doesn't have a choice but to stick to Manik, that's what happens when a kid is involved; where else would she go anyway? But you do have a choice, a good one at that, and for your sake I hope you will make the right choice for yourself." she murmured & left me.

Again I found myself rooted to the spot, as I saw Manik's abominable mother walk by. I shuddered to imagine the kind of childhood he must have had with just her as company. I suppose even though nothing justified his act on me, but I now can see the deep ugly roots of it, could he be solely blamed for becoming the monster he had become back then?

"My wife sounds very convincing when she is arguing with logic beta, but my life experience with her has taught me otherwise. Nyonica fails to take into account a very basic angle to human decision making - human nature & the heart. You be you, make your mistakes in life if need be, but make fresh ones' don't repeat hers. You & Manik should be how you both like it, not how people think you should be" I jumped a second time to see Mr. Malhotra standing behind me. Had he heard Mrs.N's pep talk? Of course he had. Ayappa, please tell me with this man, I have exhausted my quota of Malhotra ambushes for the day?

I nodded hearing him, but at this point I felt the searing need to ask him something, now that the elephant in the room was kind of addressed.

"Uncle, you really mean that? As in me & Manik should be as we like it? He is married, has a wife & your granddaughter, whom you seem to adore so much" I mumbled, unsure.

Mr. Malhotra peered into my eyes for a while, he seemed unsure how to respond but he was trying to read me nonetheless. I stared back at him, I wanted to let him read me today, as long as he was going to give me an answer. I needed it.

"Beta, I love Soha. She is like my daughter & will always be. She has seen Manik through the darkest times & she will always be my family. I love my Rooh more than anything in the world & I love Manik too. They are perfect together, but what I want doesn't matter here. What Manik & you want matters; it is your life. And yes, I mean it, you both get to decide what you want to do with your lives & equation, no one should lead that path for you, it should be your own call & most importantly it should be mutual. Don't let anyone else's opinion cloud your judgement" his eyes twinkled as he spoke to me. He then raised his champagne to toast at me and with a final smile, went back to the ceremony that was about to begin. I turned to see almost all the guests there, including Arya & Manik, I was too consumed to notice anything else.

Wow, one night I smiled & felt healed, and next morning I cried to apologise to the universe, my punishment of smiling out of turn. Thanks, Ayappa! I am now Mrs. N's favourite & a potential home breaker in the eyes of society.

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A/N : How was it, readers? Did you like the MaNan moments? What do you make of Arya's reaction? Also how'd the Soha-Nandini-Nyonica equation feel like? Any dopes anyone? Always waiting to hear!

Do vote, comment & give my book a shoutout should you feel its worth the read!

Next update : Saturday, 21st August. 2021