Nandini: You know that I m not gonna do it for u right?
Nandini said wrapping her arms in front of her chest as she glared at a particular guy, who was moving through the room finding something hurriedly.

Manik: Nandini plz yr.... U know I would hv done it myself if I had time.

Nandini: No.... U would hv done it if u had heard me last night and not wasted ur time playing video games with Cabir, Abhi and Dhruv.
She said making him give her a cheeky smile knowing she was right.

Nandini: Ur smile is not gonna work her Manik...

Manik: Plz....
He said again this time moving towards her as he gave her an apologetic look. Nandini continued glaring at him before a sigh erupted her mouth and she waved her hand in defeat.

Nandini: Fine! I pack ur stuff....

Manik: Yessss..... Thank u so much! U r the best...

Nandini: Yeah yeah I know...
She muttered as she got up from the bed and walked closer to him fixing the jacket that he had thrown over himself hurriedly.

Nandini: Now do u plan to make a Zoo out here in this room or u are gonna tell me what are u looking for!

Manik: My File... The Red chillies album deal! We hv the meeting in an hour and I don't know where the hell did I keep it.

Nandini rolled her eyes at his words as she walked over to his desk and fliped through the stack of files before pulling out one. She moved back to him and handed it over to him without saying anything.

Manik: I don't know what would I do without u...

Nandini: Receive a nice kick on ur ass by Mukti.... And a punch by Cabir probably..
Nandini replied back with a smirk while Manik chuckled with a nod.

Manik: Thanks... Anyways I'll see u in the evening. Bye!

Nandini: Bye...
Nandini wished him back as he rushed out of the door leaving her with a job to pack his luggage for their Honeymoon in the mess that they called their room.

It was a weekday but they were both off work as Nyonika wanted them to spend a day at the Malhotra Mansion before they left. And now on the last day, her husband realised that he hasn't done any packing and he had a meeting to attend.

Nandini looked at the time and found it to be 12 in the afternoon when she sorting the messed up room before packing for him. By the time she finished it was almost 3 in the afternoon leaving her damn tired to even think about going and eating something. She simply decided to take a nap and rest for some time.

It was around 5 in the evening when Nandini walked downstairs moving towards the kitchen directly to find Nyonika standing there talking to the cook.

Nandini: Good evening Mom!

Nyonika: Good evening dear.... Where have u been? I was about to come and check on u!
Nyonika said smiling up at her as Nandini took out some juice from the fridge and poured a glass for herself. She offered some to Nyonika who politely declined as Nandini took a seat on the counter.

Nandini: I was busy packing Manik's stuff for tmrw mrng... I finished far past lunch time and then thought to take a nap. Sorry, I hope u didn't wait up much during lunch.

Nyonika: Its alright dear.... Anyways u must be hungry, u want me to put up something quick for u?

Nandini: Ohh no... I m fine with this juice for now, if I eat now, I'll be too full for dinner later. I think I'll have the dinner directly.
Nandini said pouting at her while Nyonika chuckled hitting the side of her head softly.

Nandini: So what were u doing?

Nyonika: Nothing... I was getting bored, so i thought to make the vegetable ravioli for Manik that he likes so much.

Nandini's eyes lighted up at it as she looked up.
Nandini: Would u teach me?

Nyonika: U wanna learn?
Nyonika asked her surprised while Nandini nodded furiously.

Nandini: Hell yes... Manik always keeps on telling me how good it is! Plz mom...

Nyonika: Ohk then... Lets do this!
------------------------------------

About an hour later, they were both busy in the kitchen, as Nyonika instructed Nandini to work on the gravy while she fried a few vegetables. Nyonika had given the evening off to the cooks as the two worked alone without any interruption talking casually as Nyonika told Nandini about her own Honeymoon trip.

Nandini: OMG... I can't believe Dad did that!

Nyonika: Of course... Where do u think Manik got his cockiness from! He is totally like harsh when it comes to this...
Nyonika said rolling her eyes while Nandini chuckled.

Nandini: Come on Mom... Stop kidding! I m sure u loved it about him, we all see how even after so many years of marriage, all it takes for Dad is a few words in ur ears and u turn red from ur blush...

As if right on queue Nyonika blushed hard making Nandini laugh out loud earning a slap at the back of her head as she focused on the stove in front of her.

Servant: Ma'am ur phone... It was ringing in the living room!
A servant said as he walked into the kitchen with Nandini's ringing phone in his hands.

Nandini: Ohh must be Manik... Could u please receive the call and put it up on speaker for me!

The servant nodded at her and did as she said before keeping her phone on the counter and walking out.

Nandini: Hello!
Nandini called out cheerfully towards the phone when she heard a loud shrieking voice from the other end.

"Where the Fuck have u kept Him?"

Nandini stilled at the voice knowing full well who was it on the other end as she shuttered,
Nandini: Y-You.... W-What do u mea-mean?

Mrs. K: U very well know what I mean... Where is my Son?

Nandini frowned at her words not understanding as she spoke up,
Nandini: I don't-

Mrs. K: Don't u dare lie to me Nandini! I know u very well, I hv told u before also to stop influencing My Son but u just can't stop being a Bitch ever. What do u think of urself haan? Keeping my son with urself since the last night. U are Nothing okay! Fucking Nothing.... I just don't see what have u done to Rishab that my Son has started speaking back to his parents in ur favour.

I have spent a number of years regretting the decision of keeping Shit like u with me but u know what, now I regret even having a daughter like u in the first place. I so wish I Never Had U, and just imagine how peaceful my life would have been.

Nandini jerked at her place listening to her, making the pan fall from the stove resulting in the entire gravy to fall on the ground, a bit of it landing on her feet. Nyonika moved towards her in panic seeing the hot liquid on her while Nandini stayed still not reacting at all. While Mrs. K continued on the phone,

Mrs. K: But even now finally u r out of here, u can't leave my life at peace can you.... Listen to me very carefully Nandini, Stay away from My family, Stay away from My Son. U don't deserve a Family Nandini, u don't deserve any Love from anyone.... U heard me, u don't I don't care what u do with that perfect family of urs but keep it far away from me.... U R Dead for me, and I would like the fuck to keep it in the same way.

Nandini: STOP.... JUST STOP IT!
Nandini shouted suddenly, as she moved towards the counter and picked up her phone, only to throw it forcefully through the door making it crash immediately and break.

She stood there watching her now broken phone as tears flowed down her eyes. Nyonika moved towards her trying to calm her down when Nandini realised her presence. Her eyes broadened at it, knowing that Nyonika had heard the entire conversation making further tears come out of her eyes as she shook her head furiously and ran up straight towards her room looking herself in.

Nyonika rushed after her, calling her out to try and stop her but nothing worked. She knocked on her door a few times but didn't hear anything as Nandini shut herself out.

Nyonika panicked a that and moved downstairs as she called up Manik. While on the other hand, Manik who was busy in his meeting, had his phone on silent and didn't acknowledge the call. Nyonika waited for a few minutes before trying to knock at Nandini's door again before giving up. She tried calling Manik a couple of times more but got no reply.

It was quite late when she heard the front door open as Fab5 walked in laughing at Dhruv as he turned red by their teasing when Nyonika stood up from the couch.

Nyonika: Oh Thank God u are here....

Manik looked at her shaken up state and messed up hair before frowning.
Manik: Mom... What happened?

Nyonika: Nandini.... She has locked herself up in the room for the past two hours, I tried calling u so many times but u didn't pick up.

Manik: Locked? Why?
Manik asked her immediately rushing upstairs as the others followed him and Nyonika spoke slowly,

Nyonika: Her mother called up.....

Manik: Shit...
Manik cursed under his breath as he ran faster. He reached the room and knocked loudly, calling out Nandini's name.

Manik: Nandini.... Open up! Nandini....
He tried a number of times as he continued banging the door.

Cabir: Manik... Calm down!

Manik sighed at his words before speaking up softly through the door.
Manik: Nandini.... Please Open up the door, u r scaring me now.... Please!

He waited for a few minutes before finally hearing a click through the door as it opened up to reveal Nandini standing there soaking in water from head to toe.

Manik sighed in relief as he moved inside wrapping her tight into his arms.
Manik: Thank God.... Thank God!
He murmured over his head much to himself than to her as nandini stood still in his arms.

He broke the hug after a long time, before cupping her face in his hands.
Manik: Don't u dare pull this off ever again, I m telling u!

He said to her looking right into her eyes while Nandini simply stood there staring at him blankly. He shoke her slightly, trying to get a reaction out of her, when he finally realised that she was all wet.

Manik: Why are u soaking wet?
He asked touching her face and arms to find her freezing as he heard water still running into the washroom.

He looked behind him towards all the others and nodded his head towards Mukti,
Manik: Washroom...

Mukti nodded back at him as she walked in moving towards the washroom as she closed the running water. Manik wrapped his arms around Nandini as he moved her towards the bed, making her sit down as Nyonika passed him a few towels. He wrapped one around her and used the other wiping off her face and hair.

Manik: How long have u been standing under the shower?
He asked her sternly shaking her head as he wiped off her hair.

Nandini looked up at him at it, noticing his clipped tone as she simply murmured,
Nandini: A while...

Manik glared at her over this and shook his head,
Manik: It would be better if u keep ur smartness to urself. U can't even imagine how mad I m at u right now.....

Nandini didn't say anything in reply as Manik got up,
Manik: Mom.... Could u plz get someone make coffee for her, i m sure she could use one before she catches cold.

Nyonika smiled softly nodding at him.

Manik: Black... Less sugar!
He said again specifying Nandini's choice before he turned towards her and made her stand up again.

Manik: Come on... U need to get out of these clothes!

Nandini nodded at him this time, walking towards their walk in closet before she stopped and turned around.

Nandini: Manik...

Manik: Hmn?

Nandini: Plz Call Rishab.... Ask him to come here!

Manik: I will... Now go change!
He said softly nodding at her as she disappeared into the closet. Manik asked the others to move downstairs and wait for them as he too needed to change out of his now wet clothes.

Soon they were all downstairs, as nandini sat next to manik, dressed up in one of his casual T-shirts and a pair of jean shorts. The servant served them all with coffee as Nyonika sat next to Nandini, and caressed her face,

Nyonika: U fine?

Nandini nodded at her before looking up as she said softly,
Nandini: Sorry!

Nyonika: Don't worry... U don't need to! Now show me ur leg.

Nyonika pulled up her legs onto her lap, to find her left feet fully red from the burn as it had now even swollen up from the water as well. She shook her head at it and picked up the ice pack that she had brought with herself and kept it over the burn.

Manik: How did that happen?
Manik asked them breaking the silence only for Nandini to look up at him blankly. He waited for her to speak up but her silence was enough for him to guess the reason making her clench his fists.

Nyonika: She wanted to learn how to cook that vegetable Ravioli that u like so much... But we got interrupted and the gravy fell on her leg.

Nyonika replied concisely trying not to go in much detail as Manik tightened his fists. Nandini moved her hand forward, holding his fists, making him loose his grip as she entwined her hand with his. Manik sighed in defeat as he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close as Nandini looked up towards the others.

Nandini: How was ur meeting guys?

They all knew she was trying to change the topic as Cabir jumped into the story on how they were teasing Dhruv to be constantly standing up beside Aliya through the entire thing as the producer tried to flirt with her. The conversation shifted to a much lighter topic as they all kept on talking except for Manik and Nandini who sat there quietly, listening to them as Manik held Nandini close to himself. Nyonika soon excused herself from there as Aliya wordlessly took her place, keeping the ice pack on Nandini's burn.

They spent the rest of the evening just sitting there and talking. Nyonika asked them all to come and have dinner when Nandini asked Manik if he had called Rishab or not. Manik assured her that he would be coming soon as they moved to have dinner. They all had their dinner chilling around as Manik finally saw Nandini getting back to normal smiling at all of them.

After dinner they all sat back in the living room. They had to leave early morning the next day and everyone wished them for a nice trip. Fab4 were about to leave when Rishab finally walked in making Nandini tense up as Manik turned towards her in confusion.

Mukti: Here u are... Where were u, we were all waiting from so long?

Rishab: Sorry Di...
Rishab said smiling broadly at her as he greeted the others.

Manik: Hey Champ... What's up?
Manik asked him smiling broadly as rishab sat in front of them.

Rishab: All good Jiju.... Sorry I m late, I was at a friends place, and we decided to party.

Manik: Ohh come on... No need to apologise we understand.
Manik said waving his hand casually as Rishab looked at his arm wrapped around Nandini who sat silently not even looking up once.

Rishab: Di!! How are u?
He asked her casually while Nandini stayed shut at it. He noticed her leg stretched ahead on her side and saw the red burn mark.

Rishab: Hey what happened?
He exclaimed touching her leg softly before Nandini brushed off his arm.

Nandini: I called u for a reason!
She spoke up sternly as she looked up at him to find his hurt expression, on the way she brushed him off before he simply nodded and sat back.

Nandini: Where were u last night?
Nandini asked directly making rishab to look up at her shocked. He noticed her blank face and simply replied,

Rishab: At a friend's place!

Nandini: Why?

Rishab: Just like that...
He replied with a shrug making her sigh as she sat up straight.

Nandini: I m gonna ask u just once Rishab, what happened last night?

Rishab rubbed his hand at the back of his neck as he looked away from her before saying,
Rishab: I fought with Mom and Dad.

Nandini: I know... I want the reason.

Rishab: They said some stuff that I didn't like, so I snapped.

Nandini: Stuff about?

Rishab: You...
Rishab whispered finally making Manik tense up immediately while Nandini sat still. No one said anything for a while before Rishab finally said,

Rishab: I know I promised u, but it's not my fault. He was being a jerk and-

Before he could complete his words he was interrupted by a loud smash as he touched his face where Nandini slapped him. A number of gasps were heard all around him while his eyes stayed fixed at Nandini. It took him a few moments to realise that his sister had actually hit him for the first time ever.

Rishab: Di-

Nandini: Stop calling me that... I m not ur Di!!! I have had too much shit from U and ur parents, but not anymore. I hv not relation with anyone of u now. Just get Lost from my life for once and for all... I have had it now...

Manik, no matter how much shocked he was from Nandini's outburst clearly knew that whatever she was saying was just bcoz of whatever Mrs. K had said to her the same evening. He moved his hand forward, attempting to hold hers willing to calm her down when Nandini shook her head in a No.

Nandini: No Manik... Don't stop me today! U only kept on telling me na that I keep on expecting some good from them and give them the right to hurt me. Well, I guess I was wrong all along, I should hv heard u long back. I simple refuse to have anyone running all over me now.

She turned back towards Rishab who simply sat there with his head bowed downwards.
Nandini: One thing Rishab.... All I asked from u was one single thing and u couldn't go by that. Do u even know how much u hv hurt me today? And then u say u are not at fault, then guess what, today u prove that u r just like ur parents.

Rishab: I m sorry Di.... I m so sorry!

Nandini: I don't need ur sorry... I want u Out! I want u out of my Life, completely.

Rishab heard her words before getting up from his place as he snapped at her.
Rishab: That is enough Di....Come on what are u trying to show out here.... That u hate me, that u don't care. Well, we both know very well that u do. And whom are u trying to prove this, to urself? I'll answer that for u.... U r simply acting out here, trying to find some little truth in all those fucked up accusations that Mom keeps on putting on ur head. U r trying to be bad just to find out how truthful can her words be, when in real everyone know what Bullshit she utters.

Nandini turned her face away from him, knowing all he was saying was nothing but the truth. The truth which she didn't want to accept even to herself.

Rishab sat on his knees, holding her hands as he finally softened his tone,

Rishab: How can u just get up one day and ask me to get out of ur life? They keep on calling u my Step-sister, when in real u have been more of a Mother to me than anyone else.... U were the one who took day long flights all the way from London, every six months to be at my pity school events when my so-called parents were too busy to make that one hour journey. U were the one who came all the way to take care of me, leaving all ur work behind everytime I fell ill. I don't need u to say that u Love me Di... Ur actions are enough proof of it. I don't know what happened today, but I know one day and one mistake of mine can't just vanish all the love that u have for me. I m sorry for breaking the one promise that I made to u, of Never getting in between u and Mom-Dad. But believe me Di, there has not been one day in all these years when I haven't hated myself for making that Promise. That was the only thing, that kept me from standing up for u on all those Hundreds of times when Mom-Dad said shit to u or about u. I know u have always been capable enough to stand up for urself, but can u imagine what went on over me to see u breaking everytime it went on. I know u r angry... And u have every right to be angry at me, u have every right to hit me again if u want to, but that is not gonna stop me from repeating whatever happened last night. I m sorry, but now I m not gonna go by any freaking Promise that I made to u at an age when I didn't know what I was agreeing to.

Tears flowed down Nandini's eyes as she bit her lip, keeping her eyes everywhere accept for Rishab. Rishab sighed at it leaving her hand as he got up and looked at manik in defeat.

Manik turned towards Nandini, who was trying hard not to break into tears before he wrapped her arms around her, Nandini hid her face tight into his chest as she finally let her tears go. She held onto him tight, finding her strength in his hold as he let her be, placing soft kisses onto her head.

Manik: Shh... Its fine!
He whispered to her as he looked up at Rishab who was simply looking at her, feeling her pain sweep on.

Nandini: I m sorry... I m so so sorry!

Manik: Shh....

Manik broke the hug, wiping off her face a bit as Nandini got up hugging rishab,
Nandini: I m sorry...

Rishab hugged her back, smiling finally as spoke up,
Rishab: A few extra gifts for me and I will think about forgiving u!

Nandini chuckled at him as Cabir jumped up,
Cabir: Hey.... Someone fight with me too. I also want gifts!

------------------------------------------------

Heyo lovely people....

So finally my xams are over and I m back with an update for all of u.

A bit of drama added before we move onto the honeymoon in the next chapter. Didn't have much time due to exams, hope u all liked the update. Do comment ur views and tell me what u think about the update.

P.s.: Ignore the typos... I didn't get time to proof read the update!

Love,
Navya😍