A/N : Okay readers, HUGE chapter alert! When you sit to read make sure you have a comfy pillow, a bottle of water, some popcorns handy maybe? ;)

As promised almost (all I think) questions you've been asking shall be answered to you in this chapter & as much as I tried to live up to whatever expectation buildup you have from this chapter, I am scared you might be underwhelmed :(

However, I tried my best, I hope you guys like what you read & please please please comment & share your thoughts on this chapter - not only is this chapter, numero uno in importance but I had to make some major adjustment in life to bring this to you folks on time! Really looking forward to some buzz here :)

Anyway, happy reading!!! Gosh I am so damn excited!!:)

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24 Warren Street, Palm Cove, Cairns, Australia circa 2019

(Manik's Master bedroom, Poolside Villa)

~Three months ahead, from the timeline of Interlogue I&II ~

Manik Malhotra

I sighed seeing Soha, as she sat on my bed cross legged. Cabir was standing by the window & looking sullen. Soha had been behaving very weird off late, she was angry, jittery & mostly unhappy all the time, she had never been so off. I was obviously concerned & had tried talking to her a couple of times, but nothing conclusive followed such conversations. Eventually I had confided in Cabir hoping she'd open up, considering she was so close to him. I suppose my plan worked because Cabir sure did seem to know something, and whatever it was, he wasn't happy about it. The good thing was, he had somehow convinced Soha to come up to me & fess up, hence here we were, in my bedroom, all silent & waiting for some big revelation. I wasn't too perturbed to be honest. If one could go numb beyond numb, I was currently residing there. Nothing on this planet could shake me out of it, nothing could hurt or shock me more - I was hanging by the thread anyway, the last straw to any human reaction from me, was when I found out about Nandini & AK's wedding - Navya had told me about it in Vegas; it's been three months now, Nandini & AK must be married now. Trust me, I feel nothing, when I am acknowledging this right now. There is nothing more left to break. Nothing penetrates my heart now, not even my daughter's laughter. I honestly don't think I am any better than a human software with artificial intelligence to lead, nurture & support lives around me. That's where Nandini left me & married AK.

I have only one wish & one purpose left in life. I wish that my Nandini finds happiness wherever she is & my only purpose left in life is to ensure that my Roo has a happy & comfortable life. Nothing else matters. Strangely, from that evening of revelation in Vegas, even friendship & music ceased to make a difference in my life. Nothing mattered anymore. I had a super successful run at Wynn too, the concert was a major success, Aliya had even come for the concert as she had promised, but Nandini didn't come. I had wished to see her face before going on stage, but I remember Aliya reading my face & mouthing an apology. I had a tight smile playing up my lip like it didn't matter & had gone on stage to perform; but everytime I shut my eyes to scale up my voice during the concert, Nandini's happy smiling face flashed before my eyes, it soothed me, it gave me peace, it also broke my heart every single time.

"Manik, there is something that Soha needs to tell you" I came out of my reverie, hearing Cabir's miffed yet controlled voice. I looked up at Soha as she looked back at me with guilty, tearstriken eyes.

"I'm sorry Manik, I have been so damn selfish" she said softly & looked at me. I looked back at her with blank incomprehension. Did I care, did I even want to know? It didn't matter. I thought I'd hear her out for her relief, it wasn't going to have even an iota of impact in my life.

"What do you mean, Soha?" I asked, nonchalantly; both Cabir & Soha's head shot up at me, hearing my indifference. They reacted the same way every time in the last few months. What was the rocket science in this, couldn't they just get used to this version of me? I kept glancing at both their faces; Soha looked more rattled by the minute & Cabir, it looked like he was debating within himself. Did he have to say something tha-at difficult?

"Guy's you can tell me" I spoke casually this time, trying to get over this sudden drama. I had a long day ahead, I had to go for recordings, then I had a photoshoot for a leading youth magazine that would take hours, followed by a dinner invite with the chief editor of said magazine. My indifferent tone seemed to push Cabir and he finally blurted out.

"Manik, it's about Nandini" he almost snapped at me in exasperation. My body stilled in a matter of a few seconds, although my expression was unreadable. I darted my eyes towards Soha & I could see the outrage in her eyes at the mere mention of Nandini. I sighed. I think I knew what this was about. I didn't want Soha to go through this, it was uncalled for & so I decided to clear her doubts once & for all. Soha didn't deserve this perturbation, she was my only constant. I'd be lying if I'd say I didn't see this coming, but after Maldives when Soha didn't confront me, although I know she wasn't okay with my & Nandini's equation, I thought Soha had finally gone past her inhibitions & realised that Nandini & I would never be together. What I didn't understand was, why' this came up now, after so long? It's not like I was in touch with Nandini or anything.

"Soha, it's okay, you've got nothing to worry about. We're here, together. We have a family here & I am happy in it with you & Roo. Nandini..she..." I wanted to say she didn't matter anymore, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. Truth was she still did matter & always will, but it wouldn't affect Soha & our family life in any way. So I tried again, "..Nandini & I, we don't work Soha, we never did & now it's all gone anyway. Hell she is even married by now, Soha - we don't even need to discuss this. All is how it was always supposed to be. So chill & don't get so worked up! Also remember, I will always have your back, bestie!" I tried telling her with a light tone, both to mask my real emotions while acknowledging aloud for the first time that probably Nandini was married now & also to lighten the situation for Soha & Cabir. I had enough angst in my heart, I didn't need anymore around me as well! My answer seemed to work, since Soha looked visibly relaxed as she triumphantly turned to look at Cabir.

"See, I told you. There's no point opening this conversation. All is well, we are happy & he is happy with us. I did the right thing, Cabir" she whisper-yelled at him. Cabir looked mad & livid at her retort & glared at her. I was surprised to say the least; over the years, Cabir had become as good a friend with Soha; in most cases these two ganged up against me, never in the last six-seven years had I seen him at odds with Soha. What could they possibly be discussing about?

This time when Cabir responded, he sounded cold & intimidating, it seemed like he was almost challenging Soha. "If everything is fine, then there should be no trouble in telling everything to Manik anyway, right Soha? Go on, now."

I looked at both of them & sighed. I didn't understand why these two needed to unnecessarily complicate life. "Listen Soha, bunk it if you're not comfortable. I really don't care & anyway I've got to go now, there's a lot.." but before I could finish my statement, Cabir spoke again.

"Manik, Nandini & AK didn't get married. Their wedding has been called off. AK couldn't marry her because Nandini still loves you, Manik" he said with a childlike excitement & enthusiasm in his voice. As I stared at him again with blank incomprehension, I heard a distant sniff coming from Soha. I bet she didn't want me to know this.

"Say something, Manik. I'm saying Nandini still loves you. She didn't marry AK, she is still waiting for you! Your life doesn't have to be this way, Manik. This is your shot at real happiness!" I heard Cabir's impatient voice trying to show me the real implications of his big revelation. I stared at him, I was holding my breath & it was getting uncomfortable now. I wanted to let go of the air but my throat & lungs felt too constricted to work together. What? Nandini had turned down AK? Did that really mean, Nandini & I could have a shot at life, together? My face was about to break into a heartfelt smile, but our attention was diverted at that point by another voice.

"Daddyy, Roo wakey" I heard the unmistakable voice of the guardian of my soul, my daughter Roo, as she ran into my bedroom & jumped onto me hugging me tight. Suddenly, the warmth in that hug brought me back to reality. What was I thinking? Suddenly Nandini & her love felt difficult, too far away & even out of reach & my comfort zone - comfort lay in being wrapped in a hug with my toddler. As I grabbed her body tightly hugging me, I pecked her on her temple & she smiled at me with her sleepy eyes. I smiled, my heart warmed, all my inhibitions put to rest. I got up from the bed & walked out from the room, leaving a surprised Cabir & Soha behind. I turned back at them once more at the door and spoke, "It doesn't matter Cabir. It's too late. I know she loves me, but now it doesn't change a thing. She really should have married AK." Then I looked at my little bundle of joy looking at me with confused sleepy eyes & smiled before continuing. "I have every reason for my living right here, secured in my arms, I will leave this for nothing, not even my happiness." Then I walked out from there, feeling both numb & warm at the same time. Is it even possible to die a little & breathe a little at the same time? It felt like my Roo was fighting a herculean battle for me, wherein fate was trying every measure to suck life out of me & everytime it almost succeeded, Roo blew some more life into me, to keep me alive.

In my last glance at the duo, I saw tears in both their eyes. Cabir was crying hearing my decision knowing what it was taking me to make it & Soha's tears had guilt smeared all over it. I sighed. I loved Nandini & she loved me, but all those months back in Maldives, in our last conversation together, we had both realised that in these many years, we had let too many people into our lives, each of them loved us & we didn't have what it takes to hurt them. The Manik that loved Nandini, wasn't the only version of Manik residing in me, there was also Manik the father who loved his daughter to the bits & then there was Manik the partner, who felt responsible for Soha's happiness too! Maybe Nandini's love for me surpassed her commitment to AK, but I couldn't do that to Roo, I would never. I couldn't even imagine it. I felt sorry for Nandini, now the burden of the knowledge that she was suffering for me would also eat at my soul, but there was nothing I could do about it. I wished she found happiness, I wished she found love. I had messed up everyone's life enough in this lifetime, so it was I who deserved this cruel punishment the universe bestowed on us; only I deserved it, no one else; least of all, Nandini Murthy.

24 Warren Street, Palm Cove, Cairns, Australia circa 2019

(Manik's Terrace, Poolside Villa)

I was back from all the chores of the day. Honestly, after the revelation in the morning by Cabir, I haven't been really able to focus elsewhere, but I continued my work mechanically - what was the point of stopping, what's going to change in my life? The irony of my life lay in the fact that I could never feel wholesome ever again; there would always be a part of my heart that'd be drenched in pain. Why? It would be so because, in my life, circumstances & maybe choices, led me to this place where I can either choose Nandini or Roo & without either of them, half my heart will always clench in pain.

I was staring at the moonless dark sky from my terrace, the gentle ocean breeze swaying my hair as I let the wind caress my skin and soothe my aches. I was sipping my single malt, trying to steer myself off thoughts that invariably led to the unknown relief I felt every time I thought Nandini had chosen me - but even that peace was short lived. What was the point of her choosing me, when I couldn't choose her back even if I wanted to, dearly? It would only hurt her more. I mentally berated myself for feeling even a moment of peace for something that was in reality, detrimental to her well being - my deep thoughts were broken by a voice.

It was Soha.

I casually glanced at her, she was clad in her night suit & by the looks on her face, she wasn't able to sleep tonight either, what was still burdening her, I wondered.

"Hey Soh, why're you up so late?" I asked her with a soft smile on my face, as I turned around to look at her walking in.

"I..err.. Manik.." her voice trailed off; she was probably trying to string a wholesome sentence in her head. I looked at her with encouraging eyes & when our eyes met, she simply held onto my gaze for a good few seconds before shutting her eyes tightly and sighing once.

"Okay, here goes. I couldn't sleep without telling you that, I have your back like you always have mine, bestie" she whispered. I stared at her, what was new in this, why was she so bothered in saying this? Isn't that how our relationship has always been?

"Soh, I know. I mean, I don't understand why this perturbs you so much, right now?" I tried asking again.

"Manik, I don't know how you will register this, but Cabir is right - before any of the other roles we play with each other, we are the best of friends right, so I did owe you this long back. I withheld this information because..I really don't know why man. I mean my heart tells me that I withheld this information for your sake, because I thought I was protecting you, but my conscience tells me otherwise, it tells me I was being selfish, I had taken us, our this thing, for granted" she sighed miserably. I felt bad for her, of all things out there, Soha was one person I trusted & I knew no matter what, she was well wisher, she wouldn't ever play me.

"What is it Soh that you've hidden from me?" I asked her gently. Soha looked at me & soon her eyes were filled with tears of guilt and remorse; I felt bad for her, but I was a bit anxious now.

"Manik, Navya had lied to you in Vegas. Nandini had rejected Aryamann even before meeting you in Vegas." she mumbled not meeting my eyes. I frowned in confusion. Why would Navya lie to me & how did Soha know what we discussed that day in the store?

"Soh, how do you know that.." I barely began, but Soha spoke again.

"Manik, that day when Aliya came to the concert at Wynn, she..er..she wanted to tell you this, but I was..I'm sorry Manik, I was feeling like an overprotective, insecure, delusional idiot & I refused to let her really get close to you. She had understood my reservations & had shared everything with me, giving me the discretion to choose whether I wanted you to know the real stuff or not. She thought I had the right to choose because..err..like the rest of them, even she thinks we are married." she answered cautiously, peering at me.

"What did Aliya want to tell me, Soha?" I asked quietly, my mind was reeling but my heart was oddly calm. I didn't know how to react, what was this bombshell of a news that everyone wanted me to know that Soha wanted to hide? I saw Soha flinch hearing me take her full name, I rarely did that.

"That..that..Nandini had rejected Aryamann & that was because deep down somewhere she still loves you & is waiting for you" she fumbled his time, looking down. I sighed. All this much drama for this? Hadn't Cabir already told me this in the morning? Also, hadn't I told them my point of view on this?

"Soha, I understand yaar. I mean, yes I get it that you felt a little threatened & you didn't tell me. I didn't know you knew it from the time we were in Vegas, but it's okay. As I told you & Cabir in the morning. This changes nothing. We are good. You shouldn't be guilty, you silly woman!" I tried smiling at her, to curb the situation - salvage it for her sake. I was a gone case anyway. Soha looked at me with amazed eyes.

"Really Manik Malhotra, nothing changes?" she asked incredulously. I stared at her. What was she saying?

"What changes?" I asked her softly, looking into her teary eyes.

"Every Goddamn thing, Manik!" she whisper-yelled at me, exasperated.

"How?" I challenged her. I was anyway having a hard time moving on from the fact that Nandini loved me & was waiting for me, yet we couldn't be together; I didn't need Soha bringing up this topic everytime we spoke. I needed some space & maybe some respite if we were bargaining!

"Manik, what are you saying?! Aliya, Nandini, Navya & the lot thinks its over because they don't know our truth - somewhere even Navya is justified lying to you about Nandini & Aryamann's wedding because, she didn't want you both to crash back into each others' life owing to the fact she thinks you're married, but we both know the truth, we aren't married Manik. Nandini loves you & you love her, then what's stopping you both from being together? I know I really dislike that woman & I am not likely to ever approve, but honestly, when has that ever stopped you from loving her, Manik? I thought in the last six years you had moved on from Nandini, but you clearly didn't! When you guys met in Maldives I saw the spark, but then I thought it would go away once you parted ways again, you'd fall back in life - that's just it Manik, you never came back to being normal again - you think I didn't notice that? Truth is Manik, willingly or unwillingly, you met Nandini Murthy & fell in love with her, all over again. You have no f*cking control over that heart of yours that had, has & will always have Nandini Murthy etched over it" she breathed hard. I had turned to stone, I heard every damn thing Soha had to say, but I didn't respond - I had nothing more to say. My heart was hammering against my chest at the mere possibility of Nandini & me working out & everytime I thought of that, Roo's face flashed & I died another quick death.

"Manik, maybe I hid the information that Aliya shared with me because I thought you'd get over Nandini, fall back in life, but it's been seven months since Maldives & you're still spiralling, you've stopped taking any damn interest in life, in music, hell even your friends! I wanted us to work for the sake of Roo, Manik but I can't do that knowing how you're dying inside. I am your best friend Manik, I may have been momentarily selfish & in my hate for Nandini wanted you to move on, but if this is it for you Manik, I want you, in fact I urge you to give yourself & Nandini a chance." she whispered, as tears profusely leaked her eyes.

I stared at her, but words evaded me. I was reeling back in time.

Flashback to 3 years back in time

Soha had been my pillar of reinforcement in life after New York & it had been years then. I wasn't exactly happy but I was managing. I had Soha, Cabir & Dad. I still missed Nandini, but I had learnt to live with it. There was one more person I closely interacted with around that time, that was the CEO of Q Label, the chief sponsor of my shows, Madhyam Singhania a.k.a. Maddie. I was rebuilding life after Nandini, with the help of my close friends & so was Maddie. The difference was, he was doing so without friends, since he wasn't too pleasant to be around & well he literally had no-one. Maddie had a loving, erratic family that he had lost to a car crash sometime before we met. The car had his parents, his sibling & fiancee - literally his whole world. So, when the car crashed, quite literally his whole life fell apart. There was pain in that man I could relate to & somehow the whole car crash taking the parents away bit reminded me of Nandini - thus I had taken it upon myself to befriend Maddie - I had seen the power of healing, I wanted to help someone with the same - maybe I thought in doing so, I'd do something right & just maybe destiny would be open to returning me my Nandini somehow & we could actually have a real shot at life?

As time passed, my bestie Soha & Maddie got close & were soon in a relationship. They were happy, Maddie was coming back to life, Soha was really happy after a long time & Cabir & I were happy for her - but how could we ignore the legacy of broken children that we carried in our fate all through life?

Soha was pregnant with Maddie's child. She was ecstatic about it, she wanted to settle down with Maddie & her child. I had seen the same excitement & enthusiasm in her eyes that I had once seen in Nandini's eyes, before I had so brutally broken her heart. I so wanted Soha & Maddie to find the rainbow at the end of the road, but life of course had other plans.

When Soha confided in Maddie about her pregnancy, he was skeptical. He had confided in me that it was too soon, he was healing but his wounds were too raw & he probably didn't have what it takes, in him to really take this leap of fate. He wanted Soha & but he wanted to go slow. He didn't want to get married & start a family so soon - I had advised him to talk to Soha about it & later he had claimed he did. They eventually sorted it out & from what I knew, had planned to tie the knot after childbirth. All was going well for the first two trimesters for Soha. Maddie was with her, supporting her, we all took care of her & were excited for the little girl she was carrying in her womb, to come & brighten all our lives. All was well, until he & Soha were returning from some event & their care had an accident.

That accident changed everything for Soha.

The accident was minor. No one was harmed, but it left a permanent scar in Maddie's mind. None of us had seen it coming but Maddie had started changing after that incident. He would avoid Soha for no reason, speak to her rudely & before any of us could gather what went wrong, Madhyam Singhania had decided to walk out of his relationship with Soha. He had given no explanation, he hadn't even given her closure. He had just left.

One fine morning, a frantic call from Soha made me & Cabir spring to her place only to find out, Maddie had left. He had abandoned her like a shell & it wasn't sudden. Upon digging deeper, I had found out that Maddie was slowly wrapping all his stakes & company assets strategically & upon closure of all, he had moved out of not just Soha's life but the country too.

Soha was first shocked, then hurt & finally angry. She didn't know what had gone wrong in her perfect life - she deserved an explanation that she was denied. Seeing her in those days, I had often wondered, had Nandini felt as hurt when I had abandoned her?

I had my own theory on Maddie's escapade; Maddie had reacted in the same way with Soha as I had done with Nandini. The accident had scared him & somewhere I feel he started believing that he carried death along his shoulder; he didn't want Soha & his child to face the wrath of destiny just because they loved him, but after the accident, he was afraid lest a similar fate like that of his family awaited Soha & his baby? I had run away from Nandini to honestly protect her from me & my demons, it seemed like Maddie had done the same with Soha. I never tried explaining this to Soha, because I never let Nandini know my real intention either - if we told them how was it going to help them? I had imagined just how Nandini's hate for me would push her to move on, similarly Maddie probably wished Soha's hate for him would push her too - who was I to deny him?

Eventually Soha out of spite, hate, anger or desperation I cannot tell, but she had decided to move on - but how was she to do that with Maddie's little abandoned daughter clinging to her? After a lot of debate with herself, with a stone in her heart, Soha Khurana had arrived at the only conclusion she could think would propel her to look ahead in life & survive - she wanted to do away with all memories of Maddie, if their daughter was a hindrance, she'd let her go too.

Soha wanted an abortion.

I wasn't happy about it but I didn't think it was my place to comment, I just wanted to support Soha & ensure she was healed, whatever way she deemed fit. However, we soon found out that abortion wasn't even a medical option at such an advanced stage of pregnancy & Soha was suggested by the medics to consider putting up her child for adoption if she didn't want to keep her.

When Roo was born, it was all set, Soha had nearly finalised on a couple to go ahead with adoption. We all were silent & respectful of her decision, but all changed when I took Rooh in my arms for the first time. That little bundle of miracle had grabbed my little finger with her tiny ones & she had smiled at me. Something in me changed & a resolution broke through my heart without feeling the need to consult with my rationality - it said, Rooh was going to be my saving grace & no matter what I wasn't going to part from her. When I think back, I realise, my bond with Rooh really started from the time Maddie abandoned Soha & she had decided to abort her.

Rooh & I were the same, our parents didn't really want us, but had us anyway, we were unloved & in many ways a hindrance to the life they wanted for themselves. What was Roo's fault that her dad abandoned her? What was her mistake that her mother didn't want to see her face? When I held Roo in my arm the first time, while in many ways I knew she was going to save me, I also saw a tiny version of Manik Malhotra in her - Rooh was in so many ways my daughter more than her biological parents. Holding the tiny human in my arms that day, if there was one promise I had made, it was this, I will do whatever it takes, but that baby girl was not becoming another Manik Malhotra. I would love her so much that she will never know the void I have known all my childhood. Our circumstances during birth might have been similar, our life would differ like chalk & cheese.

I had talked to Soha, I had requested her to let me adopt Roo instead, I knew it wouldn't be smooth because it wouldn't serve Soha's purpose - giving Roo to me would still keep Roo within her eyesight as she grew up & then adoption wouldn't serve its purpose. Secretly, I wanted to rescue Soha too - I knew her, she wasn't like Nyonica, I knew over time she'd regret giving up on her daughter for her wrath on Maddie & I didn't want her to feel it's too late then. Eventually after a lot of coaxing Soha agreed. Not because she was okay having Rooh around, but because by then she had realised in how many ways that little child was holding my heart ransom & was capable of pulling me out of my darkness.

Eventually, it all worked out. I had legally adopted Roo from Soha, and tried my best to keep her away from Soha as she requested, but I was right too. Unless you're Nyonica Malhotra, how long can a mum stay away from her newborn? Rooh pulled Soha in ways she couldn't explain & soon enough Soha was ready to look at Rooh as her daughter, not as Maddie's last relic in her life. Things were to get complicated between Soha, Rooh & me now - I had always anticipated this. Rooh was legally mine, even Soha couldn't contest that but do you really think the heart of a mother follows law? I saw both happiness & longing in her eyes everytime Roo reached a milestone in life - be it her first illegible word, or the first time she crawled or even the first time she stood up on her own two feet! She would hear about Rooh from me & I could see how badly she wanted to meet her. While I was more than happy to let her into our lives, I was protective of Rooh too, I wanted to be sure too that what Soha felt wasn't momentary, because if this time around I was to let her enter Roo's life, she'd have to shut all doors of escape & come.

As months passed, Cabir, dad & I had a discussion and we were all aligned that Soha deserved a chance. She was too guilty to ask, but I had seen the love she held for Rooh in her eyes, it wasn't fake. Slowly as life went on, I eased Soha into Roo's life & even though Soha was careful to not show too much excitement, she didn't resist. I knew the internal battle she fought wasn't easy either but she was trying. Over the last couple of years, Soha, Rooh & I were the most unlikely family ever. Soha was my best friend & a mum to my daughter - the daughter who she had no rights on but was biologically more hers than mine. If we went by convention we were really odd, but I had learnt by then in life, family is a feeling not a strict social definition.

We were happy - at least as much as we could possibly be. Then of course I bumped into Nandini in Maldives.

"Manik, say something. I can't take your silence anymore." Soha's pleading voice broke through my reverie & I quickly looked at her. I was emotionally overwhelmed at this point & even a bit frustrated, how did she think all this was simple?

"Soha, are you even hearing yourself? - Manik you love Nandini, she loves you, you both should be together even though I hate her - this is what you have to say?" I asked her harshly & she just blinked at me with a confused face. I don't know was it this discussion or was it the whole new roll of information in my head, but I was feeling exhausted & irritable. I probably should have been more patient in explaining this to Soha but I was finding it hard to keep it together at this point.

"Manik.." she called out my name unsure.

"Soha I am sorry, but you haven't changed in all these years. You have been the most amazing friend to me but as a mother you have failed yet again." I fumed at her, as she gasped in shock. She opened her mouth in protest but I was feeling livid right then, I didn't let her speak.

"When all those years back you agreed to let me adopt Rooh, it was not because you thought Roo would be the safest amongst family & people who really loved her, or the fact that you could have her close, you let me because as a friend you knew it was the best for me. Soh, I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate you for making me your first priority always, but over our own daughter? I thought you were hurt back then, you didn't know better, but once you have been around her, the mum in you would be evoked - all these years I was convinced that despite your distant relationship with Roo, you truly did love & care for her..." I hurled at her.

"...and now you suddenly feel that's not the case because I want you to give your & Nandini's relationship a chance?" Soha shouted back, snipping my sentence short. Her eyes were red & she looked pissed.

I gave her a hard look, "Soh, you're doing it again! You're thinking about my well being. What about Roo? How will this impact Roo's life? She is raised to believe I am her dad & you her mum, suddenly now dad will go to some other woman & she has a new mum now? Have you thought how this is going to cripple her emotions!? I love Nandini, Soha. I really, truly do & only God knows how much I want to be with her, but at the cost of what? My daughters' happiness?" I snapped back exasperated. Soha looked too furious to respond. I saw her trying to calm herself down before responding; ordinarily I'd feel guilty saying what I said to her tonight, but the over protective father in me was in no mood to listen.

"Manik Malhotra, I am going to put this as simply as I can, so please try & keep up. I know Rooh Malhotra is your adoptive daughter who means the world to you - but can that ever change the fact that she is actually Rooh Singhania?" she asked sharply, looking at me. I gasped this time. It felt like my lungs had collapsed & how much ever I tried, it wasn't helping me breathe.

"Soha, don't go there" I warned her aggressively.

"Okay fine, I won't go there but you have to listen, Manik. I know I have no legal claim on Rooh & I know you love her more than me, but you cannot play God in her life! If she is destined to be happy she will, if not, she won't - but you cannot control that! All I am asking is, why are you letting go of your happiness just because you think that will ensure Roo's happiness? Can you guarantee her happiness by putting yours at stake? Okay let's say you don't pursue Nandini, but despite that, one fine day, I fall ill & die. Will Rooh not lose me & be hurt either way? If not my death, imagine something happens to you, can you protect Roo from being hurt then? Maybe throughout childhood she lives happily, but when she grows up, a boy really breaks her heart - can you save her from that heartbreak?! Point I am making is, we can't control destiny Manik & if there is happiness written in Roo's fate she will be so whether you try or not & if otherwise there is nothing you can do about it. Now under these circumstances, if the universe has finally decided to give you an iota of happiness after so much pain - why are you letting these reasons stop you? Maybe Roo will be hurt seeing you with Nandini, maybe she won't be? We don't need to complicate this for her - we can simply raise her saying we her parents didn't work out, we headed for separation & you had her custody - but either way her mom & dad loved her. There are so many kids being raised in broken homes Manik, not all of them are broken! As aware parents we have to ensure they receive as much support & love from all parents - then they are saved; they have nothing to do with the husband & wife relationship the parents' share anyway!" Soha explained as calmly as she could. As much as I knew she somewhere made sense, but at the same time I could see a strong shade of Nyonica in her & I hated it.

"How are you any different than Nyonica?" I spat disgustedly.

"How is Mrs. N your favourite villain to blame no matter what choices in life you make?" she spat back as harshly. I froze.

"Manik, I know Mrs. N has a hell lot of follies herself, but she isn't always wrong. There is nothing wrong in thinking how she thinks, but her actions have always been wrong." she replied softly this time, maybe she realised how hard this hit me? The next thing I felt was Soha coming ahead and hugging me tight. I realised we both were shaking & weeping. I didn't realise how badly I needed that hug. I hugged her tight. My emotions were all over the place & I hadn't made a decision yet, but I knew my life was about to change drastically one more time.

"Damn it, I hate fighting with you bestie - but you can be such a moron sometimes" she mumbled into my chest, I chuckled rubbing my eyes.

"Shut up, Soh"

After recuperating from our brain frying conversation, we sat on the terrace together and stared at the shiny stars in the dark blue sky. To think I had noticed the moonless dark night so far but hadn't noticed the stars! We silently sat there for a very long time as we both quietly tried gathering our final thoughts. At last I broke the silence.

"I love Nandini, Soh" I whispered.

"I hate it, but I know you do," she whispered back with a sad smile.

"You really think we have a shot?" I asked, voicing this out for the first time, feeling both scared & thrilled at the same time.

"I really think you do," she replied softly.

"And Roo, how do we do this?" I asked, daring to hope for the first time in years.

Soha sighed. "I know you know this Manik, but just so you're clear. I do love my daughter to the moon & back, but it is honestly not just about her. It is as much about Nandini" she replied, spelling each word cautiously.

I frowned, "What has Nandini got to do with Rooh?" I was surprised.

Soha chuckled in exasperation. "Manik, as much as Nandini would be a new entrant in Roo's & her dad's life - Roo will also be a new entrant in Nandini & her boyfriends' life - you have to first see if she is open to accepting her." but the mere thought of Nandini & Roo not getting along tightened my chest.

"No, they have to get along. I cannot leave Rooh for Nandini" I whispered in vexation & fear.

"Can you leave Nandini for Rooh, just in case she doesn't like her?" Soha asked me with a smirk.

I sighed. I swear I could feel bile in my mouth. "I don't want to, but for Roo..."

"That's where you're wrong, Malhotra. After all these years, Nandini deserves more. If you cannot leave Roo for Nandini, you shouldn't even be considering the possibility if the situation were reversed. Is your love for Nandini any less precious?" she asked me quietly.

"Hell no, Soh. Nandini is as precious, but Nandini is my happiness & if I were to ever choose between my happiness & Roo's then I'd always choose hers" I tried explaining.

"Okay, and if you were to choose between Roo's happiness & Nandini's, what would you do?" she asked me quietly & my breath hitched at the mere possibility. I could never f*cking choose between them.

"Sh*t Soh, I can never choose" I replied alarmed at the thought.

"Exactly, right? Then do you really feel that if God forbid you ever have to leave Nandini for Roo, you would be only choosing Roo's happiness over yours? Isn't your happiness directly linked to Nandini's happiness too?" asked Soha testily. My bestie had trapped me this time.

I was numb imagining the possibility. "Sh*t Soh, what if it comes to this?" I asked in fear.

"Thank God, at least I know you've planned to pursue Nandini that's why now you're worried about what if scenarios after you're together" she chuckled. I looked at her surprised. She was right, when did my heart decide to follow Soha's advice & pursue Nandini? How did I not realise when my stance changed? Was this why my heart was hammering so treacherously against my ribcage? Is this the happy excitement that people spoke about?

"Now I don't think you will face this complication though Manik. I mean if this Nandini can be so obstinately in love with a douche like you for so many Goddamn years, my Roo, even though she is growing up to be annoyingly similar to you, she's going to seem like an angel next to you; Nandini will love her too" Soha chirped and laughed at her own joke.

"Idiot" I muttered before joining her in laughter.

"It's good to see you laughing Manik, I had almost forgotten how you looked when you laughed from the heart" Soha whispered. I smiled, but frowned again, a sudden question came to me.

"Soh, if you're so sure Nandini would accept Rooh, why did you make me consider the other possibility & torture me for this long?" I asked quizzically.

"Aah Manik Malhotra, it was just a trap. A trap to show you how deep they both run in your heart & to make you realise Nandini's actual worth in your heart, before you go about making another effing mistake by choosing Roo's happiness sidelining hers'. Have some mercy on destiny, Manik - no one wants to witness another twenty chapters of Manik Malhotra gravelling after losing Nandini one more time!" she laughed freely at my expense. I looked at her for a few moments before giving into laughter again.

Aah, the stage was set I suppose. Nandini Murthy, here I come. This Manik 3.O is tailored to love you with all his heart & keep you happy. Nandini's Ayappa, please don't ditch us this time?

***

A/N: So guys, what's the verdict? Hugs or rotten tomatoes?? Please say something!! :)

What do you feel about the Manik-Soha-Rooh situation? How many of you guessed it right? Don't worry, story isn't ending soon, but I REALLY want each one of your thoughts here, please make a nice writer happy today but writing lots of comments & upvoting :D <3

So long,

Next chapter to be published on 18th September

Until then!

Lots of love,

A.