"Dear Manik,

I don't know when r going to read this letter, but it is surely gonna be after I m no longer in this world.... 

I m tired Manik. Tired of trying to fool myself that someday I will find happiness. Happiness in this marriage of mine. I m tired of making myself believe that this is the man I love. This man, who played with my feelings and for married to me just for Money. Yes, that's right Money.... Just as he knew that my parents would give me off for my own happiness. And when he saw me rejecting at that money from them, he started showing his true colors.

I m tired of his constant greed. I m tried of being punished. I can't take this anymore Manik.... I can't!

It hurts Manik.... It hurts a lot when I have to hide all those evidences of his immense anger that he takes out on me and put on a smile in front of the mirror, or the family, or you!

And I m not telling u all this coz I want u to make him suffer. No, i don't.... Coz even if he was just after money, but I did Love him at one point with all my heart.

As much as I m grateful for Mom and Dad to give me this second life by adopting me, I can't deny the fact that it's u that I love the most in this whole world. Yes Manik, it's u!! You r my life and no one is above u for me. Not mom-dad, not my husband and not even this child that is growing inside me.

Yes, Manik I m pregnant. But I won't let this child come to this world.... No, I can't! I can't bear a child whose own father kicked me, right on my womb on getting this news. How can I bring on an innocent soul to suffer something that I m actually going through??

Coz even if I decide to keep him today, few years later He will grow up and call me a Coward.... A Coward who couldn't save him from his evil father. No Manik, I'm not a coward... I m strong enough to get out of this hell! And I want u to remember that.... I won't let my child face any of this.

Manik, this letter is gonna be one of the many secrets that the two of us have shared in all these years, plz do not mention this letter to anyone else. I don't want it to be stored in some crappy file at the police station as a Suicide Note. This is not a suicide note, it is just a goodbye letter from a sister to her brother and I want it to be treated like that.

I didn't want to leave this earth with no single soul knowing the exact truth. And that is why I m writing to u today! Promise me to keep this Just to Urself Manik.

I love u Manik.... And I m proud of u!
I hope u grow up into a wonderful Man, fulfill all ur dreams and make Mom-Dad proud. They r our parents Manik, they always wish for our good, listen to want they say and do so..... Maybe, I would also hv been at a better place if I did that. They weren't in agreement to my marriage at first, but then they gave in for my happiness and see, where it got me today. Listen to them Manik, don't let them down!!!

Touch the sky with ur glory and make the world yours. Fall in love with someone to stand by u in all ups and downs of ur life, and just remember that I m up there watching over u and having that proud smile, shouting to the world that u r My Brother..

Lots of Love,
Ur Di❤"

Nandini had a stream of tears flowing out of her eyes by the time she finished reading the entire letter. She couldn't stop herself but cry at it.

Now she knew exactly why this entire issue had been so so sensitive for Manik. Coz even after reading the letter for 3 times before, she again read it with her eyes filling up with tears. She could only imagine the pain, manik would hv gone through at that point when he received the letter and even today.

Loosing the person who is so so close to u, is something that she has experienced. And no matter how younger she was when she lost her father, his absence in her life is something that never got filled up. For her it was probably, coz her mother turned around on her. And for Manik, it was bcoz he could never open up to anyone the way he did with his sister.

Nandini looked around at the cottage that she was sitting in, and now knowing all the story behind Manik's yearly visits to this place. Even this small room seemed much much more comfortable than their luxurious mansions.

This small cottage held the most dearest and the most vulnerable chapter of his life. She picked up her phone and looked at the time again.

"2:00 pm" The screen flashed.

They had walked back from the meadow, at around 6:30 in the morning. Manik had not replied to her question about how did the suicide happen and Nandini didn't even push him.

But right before they could enter the cottage, Manik had held her hand to stop her. Nandini turned around to face him. His eyes flashing with tiredness, with pain as he pulled out a yellowish, crumpled envelope. She recognise it to be the same one that she had seen with him on their very first day here. She saw him hand it over to her with almost shaking hands before he turned around and walked away without any words. And she didn't stop him!!

She knew he needed time. He needed solace.

She looked back down at the letter in her hands to see the ink smudged all over it at places. Probably from Manik's tears or from his sisters when she wrote it.

It was Saturday now.... And the very next day was her death anniversary, the day when she knew she had to be there for him, No matter what!

Getting up from the couch she kept the letter safely into the cupboard before climbing up the stairs and lying down on the bed. Fatigue getting over her due to waking up early in the morning and then crying so much. And before she knew, sleep had taken over to her senses.

-------------------------
Nandini jerked awake when she heard soft knocking on the door. She jerked awake picking up the phone to see it to be 6:30 in the evening. When another knock came up. She rushed down the stairs as she opened up the door to see tired looking Manik standing there. Manik saw her open up as a sigh escaped his lips.

Manik: Thank God u r fine!

Nandini: Yeah.. I fell asleep actually....
Nandini said softly as she moved aside to let him in. She closed the door behind her as Manik removed his jacket keeping it aside on the chair when he shifted his gaze up at Nandini.

She waited for him to speak up something, but found him simply staring at her intensely. A few minutes passed on with no words at all until he suddenly lifted his his hands cupping her face into his palms.

Nandini looked at him, her eyes trying to judge his mind at that point when he caressed her face, wiping off the already dried tears on her cheeks.

She saw guilt flash over in his eyes for a second as he opened up his mouth to speak.
"I m-"

But before he could say anything Nandini wrapped her arms around him, taking him into a soft hug. Manik was taken aback by her sudden hug when he heard her whisper,

Nandini: Thank u for opening up to me! For letting me in....

He wrapped his arms around her as a reflex of her words, hugging her back. Soon they broke the hug when nandini said,
Nandini: U look quite tired, just freshen up and sleep for sometime, u might feel better!

Manik simply nodded at her words and picked up some clothes as he moved inside the washroom.

He walked out 15 minutes later, to see Nandini in the kitchen making something.
Nandini: Eat something before sleeping. U hv not eaten since last night.

Manik: Nandini I-

Nandini: Just a little bit Manik.... I m making a light veggie scramble and done French toast to go with it!

Manik gave her a small smile with a nod as she continued cooking. They sat down on the couch a few minutes later as Nandini served it for both of them. And they ate in silence. None of the two said anything until they finished eating when Manik was the one to break the silence.

Manik: I m sorry to walk away little that without any explanations.

Nandini: U don't need to apologize for anything Manik, I understand...
Nandini said softly before getting up as she kept the plates back into the sink.

She saw Manik still sitting at an couch when she walked back and kept her hand on his shoulder.

Nandini: Can I say something?
Nandini asked in a slow voice not being quite confident about it when Manik looked up and nodded.

She moved her hand ahead, as he held his hand between her palm before saying.
Nandini: I guessed that Uncle and Aunty don't know the truth.

Manik sighed at her words before looking down and shaking his head,
Manik: No one does.... It was just me, by this morning. U r the first to know!!

As much as it flattered Nandini to know that he chose her, she sighed entwining his fingers with hers.

Nandini: "Manik.... I understand why is this such a sensitive topic for u. Why do u come here every year, being alone. But just for once, think about it from ur parents point of view. Don't u think u should be there, supporting them at this day. They too lost their daughter and they had known her first exactly as much time as u had.

And if u think of it again, I m sure Mansi Di would also want the same from u. The Pooja is for her Manik, u should be by ur parents side.
Being the son that u r.
Being the brother that u r.

U hv followed all her wishes and I know she is up there feeling as proud of u as she wanted to be.... Then why to leave ur parents alone at this hard day Manik! They might not say it Manik, but they need u there..."

Nandini pressed her hand over his in assurance as she got up from his side.

She walked to the door and opened it up as she turned back towards him,
Nandini: Think about it Manik and believe me when I say this, No matter What u Decide..... I will be right here, Next to u..... Take some rest now and go to sleep, I'll be back in a few minutes don't lock the door.

And before Manik knew she walked out of the cottage. Her words kept revolving over and over in his mind but all he did was to stay shut. He moved up to the bed and lay down deciding to sleep through it.
-----------------------------

Nandini was sitting on the couch with her head phones on as she watched a casual movie when Manik stumped down next to her. 

Nandini: Hungry?? I was thinking to order something from the restaurant today....
Nandini asked him pausing the movie taking off her headphones.

Manik shook his head and got up from the couch with a jump.
Manik: No... Lets go out for the dinner!

Nandini's eyes broadened at his words as she asked with a small smile,
Nandini: Dinner... U sure?

Manik: Absolutely.... Pack up all ur stuff, take it along, lets also go on a long drive after dinner coz we hv to reach Mumbai before 4pm tmrw.

Manik noticed Nandini's smile stay intact but her eyes shine at his words as she stood up and nodded at him.
Nandini: Lets go back!

Manik gave her a small smile before entering the washroom to freshen up. He changed into some comfortable travelling clothes and moved out to see Nandini already packing their stuff.

Manik: Hey... U don't need to do mine!

Nandini: Chill... Its hardly much stuff here! Plus, if u hv forgotten, I don't hv any bag... So I m stuff these clothes that I bought into ur bag itself.

Manik shook his head looking at the number of clothes and thanked God that he had taken up a fairly large bag for himself.

Manik: Ur clothes r more than mine!
Manik said teasing her making Nandini roll her eyes as she shrugged.

Nandini: One... I m a girl so shut up!! And second, all these clothes are literally the longest ones I would take for a vacation, if u forget about Indian wear that is, the market here really sucked.

Manik: For a place like this... These were perfect!
Manik replied sternly as he picked up his backpack and started stuffing in his gadgets, laptop, I-pad, charges, and stuff.

Nandini: Here.. Keep my charger as well.
Nandini said passing her charger to him as she walked to the cupboard to check if she left anything. The entire cupboard was empty apart from the top shelf which she knew was stuffed even before they got here and the letter that she had kept.

She turned towards Manik softly and called him.
Nandini: Manik... I hv taken up all the stuff but u still check the cupboard once.

Manik nodded at her casually as she moved away and he looked inside. She noticed his entire body tensing before she shifted off her gaze to the other side and entered the washroom to change.

By the time she was out, the cupboard was already locked and Manik was talking to same reception guy about moving out. She felt his gaze shift over to her until Manik's voice harden and he blocked his view to Nandini.

A few minutes later, after finished off his conversation Manik turned around towards Nandini and motioned her to come. They moved out of the cottage with Manik's hand around her waist holding her close while the guy got their bag behind them. As soon as the stuff was into the car, the two of them settled inside with Manik taking up the driver's seat. He started off the engine when Nandini rolled down the window and smiled ever so sweetly at the guy.

Nandini: Thank u so much Bhaiya... It was lovely to stay with u here! Bye....

The car moved ahead from the stop with Nandini still having a broad smile on her face which Manik knew was fake as he smirked.
Manik: U were really trying to be good to him!

Nandini: No... I was trying my best not to kick him. That guy creeped me out more than anyone has ever done!!!

Manik chuckled at her as they moved over to a nearby place for dinner and starting their journey towards Mumbai.

---------------------------------
Nandini: Finally.... Mumbai!!!
Nandini sighed as she saw the city approaching through the highway. Manik smiled at her side and nodded after stretching his limbs from the continuous sitting. Nandini changed onto the music in the car when Manik swatted her hand away,

Manik: Concentrate on driving... I'll change it!

Nandini rolled her eyes at him as the music changed but Manik lowered down the volume at the background.

Manik: Do u mind if we pull over at urs and change first? Its already 3 and I m sure ppl will already be at mine, by the time we reach.

Nandini scoffed at his words as she replied,
Nandini: Off course we r doing that.... Even if it was still time, I was not walking into ur house looking like this after hving a journey for about 16 hours.

Manik gave her an amused look as he replied,
Manik: Come on Nandini... U would any way be the most beautiful one there!

Nandini: Yeah, probably in my dream fairy tale world!
Nandini replied rolling her eyes as they reached her place.

Manik: U seriously dream about fairy tales?
Manik asked looking at her as she does the car. Nandini smiled sarcastically as she replied.

Nandini: No... I Dream about You!

They got down the car as Nandini passed the key to the driver as she ordered.
Nandini: There is a bag in the boot... I need it inside now!

The two of them moved towards the house as Manik said with a smirk.
Manik: I always knew u like me in that way.... But dreaming about me, Wow I m flattered Nandini!!

Nandini stopped on her tracks listening to his words as she turned towards him with a straight face.

Nandini: I know u don't feel for me that way Manik.... But u can't stop me from liking u! I know I hv to deal with my feelings towards u.... I never thought I would actually feel this way for anyone in my life. But u changed it all!   U r much much more to me than you think you are!!!

Manik was stunned to hear her words, he was just messing around with her but now looking at the look on her face. It scared him. He didn't know how to react to her words, coz hurting Nandini was something which he couldn't even imagine, forget about actually doing so. It took him about to few moments to get out of his initial shock when he took a step forward towards her.

Manik: Nandini U-

But before he could proceed Nandini busted out laughing in front of him. She laughed out so loud that tears came onto her eyes as she held her aching stomach.
Nandini: Just the look on ur face!!!

She said pointing at Manik and continued laughing again while Manik gave her an irritated look.

Manik: That wasn't funny Nandini.....

Nandini: No it wasn't... But ur face was!!!!
Nandini laughed again.

Nandini: Manik malhotra... Never!!! I repeat, never mess around with Nandini Moorthy, u never know when she turned ur knife towards u!

She turned around waking into the house as she took the right lane towards her room.

Nandini: Kaka plz send some lunch for us in my room fast.... We r in a hurry we don't hv much time!

She ordered the servant before moving straight to her room with Manik following her. They entered her room and soon the servant got his bag.

Nandini: Listen u freshen up first. Till then I'll take out all my stuff from ur bag and pick out something from it for u to wear.

Manik: U sure?

Nandini: Of Course... Go on!! And yes, there are fresh towels on the right rack, u can use them.

Manik nodded at her words and moved into her washroom. Soon enough he finished with a quick bath and moved out see his clothes ready right outside the bathroom in the changing area. She had picked out a plain white shirt with black suit pants with it from his bag, according to the Pooja.

Manik changed into it soon and walked out to see the servant in the room with their lunch. The closed the door behind the servant and turned towards Manik.

Nandini: I'll just freshen up quickly ohk?

Soon Nandini too got ready into a long white chudidaar suit with red buttons in the middle along with a plain white dupatta with red border.

She walked out of the room when Manik smiled at her and said,

Manik: U really do look very beautiful in Indian wear.... This is the second time I m seeing u in one and my opinion hasn't changed.

Nandini: Well thank u so much!

They sat for lunch and finished it off within 10 mins as they were getting late. They left her room to leave and walked outside when Manik said,
Manik: It's 3:45....... We should hurry! The Pooja should start anytime now.

Nandini: Chill... Ur place is hardly 10 minutes from here. We'll reach on time.
Nandini said softly as they walked out. They were about to exit the house when they heard a voice behind.

" Nandini stop! "

Nandini turned around and saw both Mr and Mrs Kapoor sitting in the living room when Mr. K looking intently at her.

Nandini: I m so sorry Mr. K, but I m in a rush. Hold the thought of whatever u want to talk about, we can continue it tonight maybe.
Nandini said politely waving him off and was about to turn when she heard him continue in a stern tone.

Mr. K: Where do u think u r going? Everytime I stop u to talk, u pretend to be in a hurry. If I m not wrong last time also u were in a hurry to leave and said to be back soon which probably turned out to be 4 days. May I know where did u disappear?

Nandini pointed her gaze at him, agitated at his wrong timing. She had assumed that he would continue his soft pretending behaviour bcoz of Manik's presence but she was wrong.

Nandini: I was out of the town for some urgent official work which I think is none of ur business.

Mr. K: Everything U Do is my Business.... U r very unfortunately a Kapoor, and I don't want u to be taking my Family name down.
He replied louder making Nandini taking in a step towards him as she replied.

Nandini: Listen Mr. Kapoor... For one, I m not at all interested in keeping that surname behind my name. And secondly, U can not rule my Life! We r getting late for something much much more important than ur crap so excuse us.....

Nandini turned around towards manik when she heard him shout from behind her.
Mr. K: How Dare U talk to me in that way.... U Shameless Fucking Piece of Sh-

Manik: MR. KAPOOR!!!!!
Manik interrupted him by shouting, making all three of them shocked. Nandini looked up at Manik to see his eyes turning red in anger, as he fisted his hands together.

Manik: U-

Manik was about to say something when Nandini held his fisted hand.

Nandini: We r getting late... Let's go!

She said softly to him making him take a deep breath trying to calm himself down. But he still looked up at the man standing in front of him and said,
Manik: Never... Never ever talking to Her in that tone or with those those.... Take it as a warning if u want!

Nandini tugged his arm to take him away when his gaze shifted towards her mother.
Manik: And when I say so, I mean it for both of You...

Stunned was a very small word for Rhett expressions on the faces of Mr. K and Mrs. K.... Even Nandini was surprised by the intensity in his voice as he said this to them. She saw him shaking so much in his anger that it literally scared her.

The next minute, he held her hand in a surprisingly soft grip, as compared to his condition and walked straight out of the house pulling Nandini along. He opened up the passenger side door for her, and moved over to the driver's seat after she sat in. Nandini flinched at the way he slammed his door shut and started the car.

Well, let's just say that they were finally on their way back home.... And Manik's mood was no where near what she had expected.
🙄🙄🙄🙄

-------------------------------
W

oah.... That was a long update!!!

A compensation for being late. Thanks for showing ur patience guys, as I mentioned earlier my exams r going on and I couldn't be more regular than this😅😅😅

Anyways, leaving that apart!!

Do mention how was this part and stay tuned for the coming updates.

Love,
Navya😘😘