A/N : I am sure that Manik's realisation isn't enough, he needs to action on his thoughts too right? But when did your MaNan get so much space in this story - there are aways so many people involved, so many point of views. There are a lot of people in Manik & Nandini's lives who hasn't really spoken out about them, before making of MaNan even begins, a lot has to be said - I feel the story is incomplete unless Manik gets a fair chance to hear everyones POV & answers them explaining his. Don't you feel so too?

Well this chapter won't disappoint you then, I promise. For all those readers starving for Manik's POV, let the marathon begin!

Alrighty' happy reading now!

***

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

(Manik's Study, Poolside Villa)

Manik Malhotra

I wasn't sure why I was made to cancel all my appointments for the first half of the day & made to sit in my study to attend what was supposedly an SOS video conference with Cabir & Dad, but Soha convinced me into agreeing anyway. As I sat there on a 'Zoom' session titled, Urgent & Unskippable I wondered what to make of it.

Soha was sitting next to me impatiently grumbling about Cabir's age old habit of turning up late & dad forgetting his appointments while I sighed and looked at her questioningly for the zillionth time hoping she'd give me a clue - she didn't. Who was I kidding, anyway? She was Soha, the stubborn-est woman I have met in life. My pondering session came to an immediate halt when in the next few minutes, multiple folks popped up on the call. I was surprised, wasn't I waiting for Dad & Cabir only?

The first person to turn on the video was Alya of all people. I frowned. What was happening? Soon Dhruv peeped into the camera from right next to her & waved at me with a smile. I was taken aback indeed but I waved back anyway; the next was Dad followed by Priyank (what was Soha even thinking?!) and Cabir joined after a few minutes. I glared at Soha as the folks on the conference exchanged greetings & spoke to each other chirpily. My mind was blasting with only one question, what the f*ck was happening?

"Heya, everyone, it's so good to see you all! Just give us a few more minutes as we are expecting two more people to join in!" spoke Soha after some time. I looked at her quizzically again; who was left to join? I had every bond I ever made (barring Nandini of course) right here on the call, who was now left? As if to answer my question, one more tile popped up & very soon a video image of Mukti & Abhimanyu greeted me.

Oh dear Lord. What was Soha up to?

"Hi Guys" Abhimanyu muttered monotonously; I realised Mukti must have forced him into this call. Perfect.

Women.

After a while when the whole group was quiet & curiously looking at us, Soha cleared her throat once more & glanced at me with slightly cautious eyes - it was at this very moment that lightning struck home! She had summoned all to discuss about me & Nandini. Holy f*cking Sh*t! Was she freakin' nuts?!

"Soh, no!" I barely whispered when she decided to royally ignore me and began what I anticipated to be one of the most awkward human interactions I was ever likely to have in life.

"So folks, I don't know how to do this formally so I will just hit the nail on the head. Erm...Manik & I have decided to go separate" and just like that Soha dropped the bomb which was followed by a quick twenty seconds of pin drop silence & then a series of grasps. I figured soon that mine was the loudest. I mean it was one thing to have the conversation & another to really announce it to the world - it felt far more real & not to mention, daunting.

I carefully skimmed through the faces peering at us with frowns now, there was only one face that had a smirk, needless to say it was Cabir's. He of course knew this was coming.

"Okay, but can we at least ask, what went wrong?" It was my dad who broke the silence.

"Is..is Nandu behind all this, Manik?" I heard Abhimanyu asking with immense perturbation in his voice. It made me livid, but before I could answer either, more questions started pouring in.

"Wow. I can't help feeling a bit responsible for this too. Maybe Navya was right, maybe I shouldn't have told you anything Soha" it was Aliya this time.

"Whaa-aa--t!! Soha I love you baby, like totally! But Manik is available now?" came Priyank's inevitable question & Cabir automatically rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Hey, guys, maybe it's for the best? Let's hear them out at least!" Cabir's sensible voice floated in soon.

"Yeah, yeah please hear us out. We will answer everyone" Soha spoke immediately, taking cue. "While I know that some of you folks know it, but for the benefit of Aliya, Dhruv, Mukti & Abhimanyu, let me tell you guys, Manik & I aren't married" Soha paused to glance at everyones' reaction. I looked around to see the faces of both the couples. It moved from blank, to shock to confusion to incomprehension in a few nanoseconds!

"I mean, we aren't even partners in the sense you guys would assume" I spoke for the first time since we began this crazy conversation.

"Meaning?" It was Mukti this time.

"Mukti, err..we are partners..as in we are partners in raising Roo, our daughter who is umm..biologically hers & legally mine." I tried & then looked at Soha helplessly. I was never the talker anyway.

Again, ten seconds of stark silence.

"Excellent - and obviously you've told this nonsense to Nandu at our wedding, haven't you? No wonder she has decided to walk out on Aryamann. I knew from that very moment it was your doing Manik - I even asked Nandu, but she denied it on my face. I shouldn't have believed her. It's common knowledge now, everything bad that happens to Nandu, happens because of you, Manik Malhotra!" spat Abhimanyu, he was a raging old bull now.

"Oh, so I wanted to ask you this, Abhimanyu. Did you feel the same way about Manik, when you came begging to me for bringing Manik to your wedding so that you could please Mukti? Or was Mukti more important than Nandini then? I could also argue, if whatever nonsense you spoke had an iota of truth in it, then it was truly your doing. You shouldn't have brought Manik & Nandini face to face in the first place" Cabir bellowed from another screen & Abhimanyu glared at him. I knew it, this was going to go south. What was Soha thinking?! I in turn glared at Soha who clearly wasn't prepared for such a showdown & looked as puzzled.

"Children, this is not the time to play the blame game" Dad had come to the rescue & as much as all parties had a point to share here, out of respect for dad, they kept quiet. Dad then briefly explained Soha, Rooh & my situation and all four of them listened with mouth agape. Once dad stopped, again it was followed by eerie silence. No one knew what to say.

"Manik, why didn't you tell me all this during the wedding?" I could sense Mukti was hurt by the way she spoke, but it didn't reach the inner chamber of my heart & hurt me. Maybe she didn't mean to, but once Mukti had abandoned me for Nandini all those years back; something had broken very violently inside me - maybe it was my last thread of connection with blood ties. I know & acknowledge she was right in doing what she did, I was indeed horrific to Nandini & I didn't deserve better, but truth is her action had broken my heart too & it had never learned to trust Mukti back enough to pull her as close. As on today, Mukti to me was what Abhimanyu was to me - a mere obligatory relative, one for whom I had hurt Nandini so badly. I hated myself for it. Always will.

"We can discuss that later, what we need to know right now is, why are you parting ways now of all times, what changed?" again dad spoke to bring our derailed conversation back on track.

"Yes, dad we are coming to that, but before that let me answer both Aliya & Abhimanyu. No Aliya, you didn't break anything between Manik & me by confiding in me. In fact nothing is broken between us at all - we were best friends & parents to Rooh & will always be - what broke is the wrong notion that you & the world has of our relationship that's it." replied Soha & I could see Aliya calming down visibly as Dhruv gently patted her back. Soha then turned to Abhimanyu, "For a brother who means so much to Nandini from what I have heard, I actually thought you'd be happy to know that your sister had finally gotten a shot at happiness, instead your first instinct was to blame her for coming in between me & Manik? No Abhimanyu, Nandini didn't know of our little arrangement here, in fact she still doesn't know - so if she decided to leave AK maybe it's because she couldn't fall in love with him & not because she had some ulterior plan of ruining my & Manik's life" she bellowed at him making Abhimanyu, positively guilty. I stared at Soha in awe - from hating Nandini to defending her, she had come a long long way in the last twenty four hours. Did my happiness really mean so effing much to her, that she was ready to forget all her preconceived notions about Nandini for me?

"Soha beta, can we please discuss why you both are now parting ways, is it because Manik wants to be with Nandini now that she has broken ties with Aryamann?" I heard dad's exasperated voice now.

"Uncle, just so you all know, Nandini loves Manik as much, she always did. That's why she couldn't take the final step with Arya." Aliya spoke amidst affirming Nandini's feelings on her behalf. I smiled seeing her - under the circumstances Aliya had met Nandini, never in my life had I imagined their relationship would come this far. She was the same Aliya who was insecure of Nandini when I had made that scheme those years back & here she was defending Nandini's honest feelings for me in her absence - life had truly come a full circle for some. I smiled at Aliya gratefully before deciding to take up the question dad had asked - I felt, Soha had done her share, I needed to give out some answers now.

"Dad, I will take this one." I began & every eye was soon on me.

"Dad I had fallen in love with Nandini right when I was busy playing with her heart all those years back, but I didn't realise it. I know you know it already, but I am starting from there for the benefit of all here. Eventually I broke her heart only to realise I really did love her, but I was late, I had destroyed Nandini. I realised the extent of my damage on her the day she insulted me publicly all those years back & it caught me aghast. Nandini wasn't a vindictive person, I had made her one. I was pulling out the worst version of her & I feared my company would eventually take her down my road - I left her to save her. I thought she was over me & my thought found validation in Maldives when I saw her happy with AK. It broke me, yet I knew it was right for her, we didn't work. During our last evening in Maldives I realised she still loved me as much as I did, she hadn't moved on, but we had come too far, our happiness was tied to a lot of people who were important to us. Soha & Rooh for me, AK for her - so this time around we had consciously decided to stay away. I came back home & continued life like I did before until I bumped into her again in Vegas last new years. I thought I saw her broken but I didn't pay heed. I thought I saw what I wanted to see - I knew now that she loved me as much as I did, so my heart was finding ways to believe that she really needed me. We walked out again & not until a couple of days back I knew that she & AK had parted ways." I paused for breath & looked at dad, he didn't look convinced, in fact now even Cabir looked a little miffed.

"Manik none of this explains why you guys have decided to part ways - Soha & you. What has changed? Isn't Soha & Rooh a priority for you, now that AK isn't one for Nandini?" Abhimanyu asked this time & dad & Cabir nodded to show they agreed with his point. I sighed. I was losing it now & feeling angry. For crying out loud this was my personal life & I wasn't required to answer to a quorum for every decision I take. Trust Soha to take such a silly step. I looked at her exasperated & to my dismay she smirked.

"Own up, you idiot" she mumbled, just so I could hear. I sighed.

"Nothing changes Abhimanyu. My priority for Roo & Soha doesn't change, but don't you see that none of them i.e. Soha, Roo & Nandini were fighting for the same spot in my life? One is my best friend, one the love of my life & one my beloved daughter. I had been with Soha & Rooh for so long that I had forgotten that - maybe I didn't explore the possibility because I always thought Nandini wouldn't leave AK? I thought no matter what, she'd stand by the man who collected her broken pieces & never abandon him - but she did. She did for me & that changes everything. Nandini wants to be with me & for that she let go of AK, that is enough for me to want to fight for us - and in doing so, I won't be wronging any of my relations with Soha or Rooh" I answered as honestly & as patiently as I could. I wouldn't have answered a single query of this guy had he not been Nandini's brother, but this version of Manik Malhotra not only loved Nandini, he respected her & every relationship she respected - thats why despite my anger & vexation I was sitting on this call clearing everyones' doubt so that her loved ones' approved of me for her. I was trying my best here, to do things rightly, for once.

"Oh so now Nandu is the witch. You weren't involved with Soha so walking out of her wouldn't tarnish anything in your life but Nandu & Aryamann weren't living a fake life like you, so now she's the traitor who left the man who supported her when you broke her down - even in your words you make her to be the villain Manik Malhotra. You never thought precious Nandu would break Aryamann's heart but she did for you. What does that make you, a saint in demand & her a raging b*tch. I really don't see why Nandu would ever choose you." snapped Abhimanyu & I swear if he was before me right now in person, I'd break his jaw for speaking so pathetically about Nandini.

"How dare you, Abhimanyu. Don't you go putting words in my mouth, I don't think any less of Nandini. I f*cking love her! I love her more than you guys would ever know & I'd care to show but I was only entertaining this nonsense for her sake because you are important for her not me" I gave it back.

"Children calm down. Abhimanyu, truly there was no need to use such vile language for Nandini, none of us thought lowly of her" my dad supported me.

"Also, for all those who are doubting Nandini, I know for sure Manik isn't one - but for the rest, Nandini didn't leave Arya, he left her. Not because of any other reason but this - no matter how long it has been, Arya realised Nandini cannot love him because she will always love Manik. He thought it would change over time, but after Maldives he realised it wouldn't - he respected her feelings & that's why he left - Nandu really didn't abandon the man who stood by here, even if that meant a lifetime of compromise - I'd really appreciate it Abhimanyu if you stopped demonising my friend here" it was Aliya again this time & I smiled at her gratefully for clearing Nandini's name again.

"Guys, I am her brother, I am concerned, I am not demonising her. I just don't think Manik Malhotra is in any f*cking way befitting of my sister that's all" Abhimanyu finally spoke what he had been holding for so long!

"And I second my son-in-law on that. One thing good my daughter Mukti did in life is I guess marrying him" came an unmistakable voice. A voice I loathed so much & I realised she was here on this call all this while, just hiding her face. Who was she with? I glared at Soha & she looked just as shocked - clearly she hadn't invited her.

"Nyonica" I muttered in shock.

"The one & only" came her reply as her face finally popped from next to dad. I looked at dad treacherously & he looked like he was expecting this.

"Nyonica had come down to meet me for some work, it wasn't planned; but I insisted she was a part of this since it has to do with the life of her son too - as much as she held reservations against you Manik, I really thought she'd be happy to be a part of your life after so long. I guess I was wrong, some people just don't change '' my dad sounded bitter & disappointed. Nyonica had disappointed us as family one more time. I didn't mind, I didn't expect better either, but I wished she wasn't a part of a discussion that was so intimate to my life. She didn't feature here.

"Of all the things you praise me for, you're praising me for marrying Abhimanyu, that too at a time when he is so damn wrong? Wow, mom" came Mukti's angry response next. I looked at her. Mukti was supporting me going against Abhimanyu? Now I have seen everything!

Mukti then turned her attention to me. "I am sorry Manik. I truly am. I have walked out on you once & despite you being wrong, I realised so many years later that I should have stayed. Walking out was Dad & Mom's thing not ours, I should have stayed & put sense into you, rebuked you, scolded you, hell if needed slapped you a couple of times, but I should have f*cking stayed - then all this wouldn't have happened. I made another mistake of shunning Nandini for years after you left thinking my supporting her took you away from me, but I was wrong there too - I should have been there with her, I would have known how she felt, I shouldn't have let her compromise her life with Aryamann when her heart was to only love you. I disappointed you time & again & maybe that's why we are almost strangers now, but let me tell you Manik, I don't stand by what my husband says. He is wrong. If it lasts this many years between you both, it is love & you should fight for it - you should fight for it even if it means wronging the world, because that's what it is about love - no one cares if it's fair or not. So Abhimanyu, if you don't approve of Manik's love for Nandini, it's okay, he doesn't need your approval, neither of them does & I am with them this time. Love, I will wait for you to see light & join us someday, until then, this time around I will choose my brother, Manik" she finished & I could see tears rolling out of her eyes, suddenly my vision blurred too, did I tear up too? Damn it! As loudly amongst name calling & abuses the wall between us siblings had risen so many years back, in this instant I felt it coming down & crashing at our feet - silently. Finally. No one sitting here knew a thing, but Mukti & I knew from our hearts that after so many years, we were really back together today.

"If Soha & Rooh are okay with this, you have all my support too" next came Aliya's enthusiastic reply. I looked at her & smiled as I felt Soha hug me from the side.

"Finally, f*cking finally you two will belong where you belong, in each other's life!" laughed Cabir in happy excitement.

"All the best, buddy!" It was Dhruv.

"How is it that Nandi always gets the hottest guys?" came another voice & we all shouted unanimously this time, "Shut up, Priyank!"

"So, are we all set for Mission MaNan?" came Mukti's excited voice from next to Abhimanyu's ashen face. I mean I am old now & shouldn't care but the teenager Manik in me so wanted to smirk seeing my sister finally choose me over that retard!

"Wait, what's MaNan?" I asked, confused.

"Uff, couple-names Manik!" Soha explained irritably. "You should try to keep up with these things! You are a rockstar for crying out loud. Manik + Nandini = MaNan!" she explained as I rolled my eyes.

"Don't think the battle is over, son. The biggest hurdle is yet to come!" I heard my dad's quiet voice suddenly & everyone quietened.

"What do you mean dad? I thought the worst is left behind us!" I mumbled, suddenly feeling worried.

"Battling for coming together is far easier than battling to stay together, son. That's where even the most epic love affairs have failed. Don't let your guards down beta, may you sail through to a really grand happily ever after, but until then be patient & mostly, vigilant" he whispered & I knew he was talking from some experience. However, knowing my dad, I knew he wasn't going to make it easier for me, he'd want me to take to the oars & learn from life. I decided to brace myself, maybe there was still a little bit (apparently the biggest chunk) of the fight still left. Although, if there was one thing I was sure of, it was this - I loved Nandini Murthy & she loved me & no matter what we'd be together now.

"I will remember that, dad" I replied back softly. My dad then turned to Soha with finality. "Soha beta, I really don't know what to say" he whispered & my stomach twisted at the tone, did he think Soha & Rooh will be out of my life?!

"It's okay dad, I know what Manik & I are & more importantly, I know what we are not! There's no heart break here at all & let me assure you, I am here to stay. I had made a decision to abandon Roo once, Manik had saved me - I wouldn't do it again. Wherever Manik & Roo goes, I will string along!" she replied & my dad looked both relaxed & bothered at the same time. Maybe he was wondering how Soha's presence was going to impact Nandini & my relationship? I assured dad with my eyes, I'd manage it & he looked a little disturbed.

There was barely a moment of silence when Nyonica spoke again. He sounded rigid this time. "Manik Malhotra, we need to talk, I am coming to visit you tomorrow." she ordered.

I sighed in irritation, just when I thought I finally had all that part of family that mattered to me, together, mother dearest had to make her presence felt. To my delight I saw every single member on the video roll their eyes hearing her, I tried hard not to chuckle.

"Nyonica, I stay in Australia and dad stays in the US, in case you forgot, you are half the world away, you don't want to travel across the world to meet this miserable excuse of a son of yours' now" I sneered & Aliya couldn't help but giggle.

"No Manik, I am actually in Victoria right now, I was here for a merger. In fact I was planning to meet you guys this weekend & surprise Rooh" dad said as he looked at me apologetically.

"So she travelled half the globe to meet you just like that?" Mukti asked dad, dumbfounded.

"Not just like that, I had some urgent personal work" Nyonica defended herself this time. For one crazy moment a bizarre thought came to my mind & before I could rationalise it, Priyank asked it anyway.

'Hottie Malhotra, are you by chance getting back with Nyonica? Dear lord, why do most hot men choose women!?" he asked dramatically & to my horror dad turned crimson in awkwardness.

"No, for heaven's sake no! Cabir, can you please handle this man better!" Dad sounded alarmed & I laughed in relief. Cabir looked like he'd strangle Priyank to death for suggesting such a preposterous idea!

"What I came to discuss with my still legal husband shouldn't be of any concern to you kids here; point is I am only a 3.5 hrs flight away from you & I am coming tomorrow. Also, let me make myself clear, I want to only meet you Manik, so Soha & the kid needn't worry" she replied icily finally coming back on camera & glaring at us.

"Nyonica, I am not interested in meeting you. Also, for the record, the kid has a name & it's Rooh Manik Malhotra!" I snapped.

"Sure. Whatever. Manik, I am not asking your permission. This is about Nandini & Aryamann & I know you'd want to know this" there - she had played her card well. How could I ever deny it? Everyone in the call looked curious, Abhimayu looked downright hopeful that Nyonica might say something that'd stop me from pursuing Nandini. I felt acutely uncomfortable at the claim, was there something we didn't know? Somehow I didn't have the courage to ask her here amidst so many people now, I wanted privacy if I wanted to hear about Nandini in context to AK, so instead of arguing further, I slowly nodded my head in agreement. She nodded back triumphantly. She had won. Again.

Eventually, after amicably chatting around for sometime more, that nightmare of a call got over & I realised I did feel better. Acknowledging & convincing everyone that I was good for Nandini not only made it seem like my chance with Nandini was real, it also felt like I was taking actual steps towards that goal of having Nandini back in my life. I was skeptical though, I didn't know what cannon my mother dearest was going to hit me with the next day, but I was trying to be brave about it nonetheless. Rooh of course helped me calm down with her cute talks & sweet gestures as she sat on my lap throughout lunch, insisting daddy fed her.

"Don't worry, Mrs. N just wanted to show she still has control, there is no new angle she will have" Soha spoke to me assuring me later in the evening. I sighed. I wanted to agree, but Nyonica has never really been a harbinger of good news in my life so far, so I didn't feel too optimistic about this visit & the surprises life had in store for me - and then again I remembered dad's warning, the toughest battle is yet to be fought.

Nandini's Ayappa, no more tests for us, please?

***

A/N : Okay before anything else, I promise a MaNan F2F without any sidey disturbances in the next chapter, so hold on!

Now, comin to this chapter, please answer the following :)

1.  Is Manik trying to be a better man for Nandini, allowing people (Nandu's well wishers) to question him?

2. What do you think of Manik-Mukti getting back, do you feel their story got a befitting closure?

3. What do you think Nyonica is up to now & what do make of Shrikant Malhotra's warning to Manik?

4. Just out of curiosity, I know most of you hate Mrs. N, but should she get a happy ending too, by finding someone? She maybe a screwed up mom, but not so much a screwed up woman - probably her self love comes across as selfish here - but that's always debatable right? What are your thoughts on Mrs.N?

Lastly, please please do try answering the questions I ask, trust it will enrich your reading experience here :)

Also thank you so so so much for the overwhelming number of comments in the last chapter, I hope guys rock this chapter too! Please do vote, comment & give this story a shoutout if you think more MaNan readers should read it!

Next update on 25th Sept (Saturday)

Stay tuned for MaNan F2F after long!

Until then, much love.

A.