Please read the author's note at the end of the chapter to understand the next chapter!

-----

Alya was set to leave for Milan and the whole gang met up at the Saxena-Vedant's place for a dinner get-together.

"Honestly, this is such a great opportunity, I am so happy for you." Nandini said, hugging Alya.

"I am really excited too. But a big part of me hates to leave Adah behind. I have talked to the team in Milan and they said that they'd arrange a trip back to Mumbai once every two months, so I can come back briefly twice before I come back here for good."

"That's really great! We'll miss you, yaa!" Mukti said, back-hugging Alya.

"I hope y'all will check up on Dhruv, Adah and Mom every now and then." Alya said, biting her lip.

"Of course we will! Don't worry. Even though Manik and Nandini will be away too, main hu na! Zubi and I will meet up regularly, tu fikar na kar!" Mukti said and pulled Nandini into a hug too.

"What's up, ladies? Group hug kyu?" Zubin asked as he walked across Alya and Dhruv's bedroom and saw them there.

"Nothing, we're just gonna miss each other." Nandini said and rested her head against Mukti's shoulder.

"On the positive side, look! Nandini and Manik will meet up with Rishabh on their trip. And our Alya is going to thrive in Milan. Love that for y'all." Zubin said, pulling Nandini's and Alya's cheeks and making them laugh.

"Zubi always looks at the brighter side of things, hmm? Come join our hug!" Alya said and pulled him in too.

-----

Manik watched Adah, Naitik, and Madiha play around in Adah's playroom and made sure they didn't get too excited and hurt themselves. Ever since Nyonika died, Manik had become a bit aloof and Nandini had to drag him everywhere so that he didn't become too broody or pensive. He didn't neglect his family though, in fact, he spent even more time with them than before.

"Buddy, all good?" Dhruv asked, settling into the bean bag next to his.

"Huh? Yeah. It's good." Manik said, coming out of his reverie and answering Dhruv.

"Okay. Bas puch raha tha kyunki tu khoya lag raha tha."

Manik nodded and looked back at Madiha, who was jumping on the little trampoline in the corner of the room. After muttering a soft 'careful' and earning a silly grin from Madiha, Manik sat back sprawled all over the bean bag.

"Buddy, I think going to San Francisco will be good for you. Nandini said you'll stay in her old house."

"Yeah. Her uncle and aunt live there now. It's a big house so we'll manage. Nandini said she wants to travel a bit and meet Rishabh too."

"That's great. Take care, it's been a rough couple of months." Dhruv said and patted his back while Manik smiled in return, grateful to have a supportive circle of close friends with him.

-----

Alya stood at the Departures gate, saying her goodbyes and giving her husband, daughter, and mother-in-law many hugs. Adah had cried a little at home but after a conversation with Papa and a promise to Dadi that she'll bid her Mumma bye with a smile, she stopped crying.

"Mumzee will call you every day, okay? You'll be good for me, right?" Alya asked, picking Adah up and tucking hair behind her ears.

"Yes. Eat on time and not play for too long!"

"Perfect. Mumma will miss you so much, cupcake. I'll bring many gifts for you, okay?" Alya said, holding back her own tears. Adah nodded fervently and kissed Alya's cheek before she got placed back down. Dhruv came up to them and hugged Alya before wiping her tears.

"We'll be okay, Alya. Don't cry, baby?"

"Hmm. Take care of yourself and don't exert yourself at the studio, okay?" Alya asked, rubbing his bicep and leaning in to kiss him briefly.

"You too. Don't stay up all night working on designs. Eat well and rest too, okay?"  Priya said, stepping in and giving Alya a side-hug.

"Yes, thank you Mom for being so supportive. Aap ke vajese hi yeh possible hua. Aap nahi hoti toh main nahi jaati." Alya said and hugged Priya.

Over the years, Priya forgave Alya and Dhruv for their impulsive decisions in the past, after all it gave her a grandchild to spoil. She had become a motherly figure to Alya, next to Shanno.

"Don't worry. You work hard there and yaha ka chinta mat karna. I will make sure your husband and daughter take care of themselves." Priya said and kissed her forehead.

After a few more promises to call often and many more kisses and hugs, Alya walked past the gate and waved them goodbye until she could. She had never imagined that she would be someone so attached to her family or even have a loving family of her own in the first place!

And the last time she bid goodbye to the most important people in her life, it had been a sad one, with her letting go of Dhruv and going to Delhi, full of uncertainty and anxiety about her new choice of career. But this time, she was happier and more reassured than ever.

-----

A few days later, Manik walked across the Departures area with Naitik while Nandini followed with a sleeping Madiha in her arms and her bodyguard walking in front of her. It was 6 AM in the morning.

"Ma'am, there are rumours of your separation with Manik Malhotra, is that true?" A journalist approached Nandini. That's when Nandini noticed a dozen journalists and cameramen cornering her. They had failed to notice Manik and Naitik but recognized Nandini.

"Moh-Mohan!" Nandini panicked, shook by the commotion.

Mohan tried to ward off people from Nandini, but he was only one and there were some twenty people.

"Ma'am, it's been 6 months since you have uploaded anything on your social media or attended any event with your husband-"

"Nandini...!" Nandini heard Manik's voice. He made his way towards her and held her hand tightly. He dragged her to the gate and they escaped from the paparazzi. Manik took his daughter from Nandini's arms and made her sleep in his arms.

"I was so scared...what if she got hurt?" Nandini said, still shivering.

"Shhh...nothing happened." Manik scooted closer to Nandini. Nandini rested her head on his shoulder.

"Sir, I think we should increase the security." Mohan said.

"Yeah about that. Once I land, I'll call you and we'll discuss the strategy. We have to increase security for Naitik and Dia too." Manik said, becoming angry. He cared about his children's safety and both of them had always tried their best to keep their children away from the limelight except for a few photoshoots.

"Manik..." Nandini's voice calmed his anger and he held her hand.

They completed all of their check-in and immigration formalities, Nandini separately as she was officially an American citizen. After they met up again, they headed to a café in the airport and settled Madiha and Naitik down. 

Nandini held his hand and pulled him beside her.

"Baitho." She said and wrapped her hands around his torso.

"I am worried about the media Manik. Yeh ho kya raha hai? What will my family say?" Nandini said worriedly.

"I am going to talk to our publicists. We have to figure a way out." Manik replied.

"This was the last thing we needed Manik. I am glad that we can just get away from all this. I am so tired." Nandini said.

Manik looked at Nandini as she rested against his shoulder with her eyes closed.

"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it." Manik assured her.

"I don't have to worry when you are there for me." Nandini replied and kissed his cheek. He was going to kiss her when,

"Mumma!! I want cookies!!" Naitik said and pounced on Nandini. Nandini picked him up and cuddled with him.

"Of course. Come with Mumma. Let's see what we can eat." Nandini said and walked hand-in-hand with Naitik to the counter while Manik watched Madiha sleep. As long as they were together, Manik could fight tooth and nail to keep them safe and happy.

-----

It was after an exhausting journey that they reached San Francisco . They had to take connecting flights because Madiha could get really fussy and they didn't want to spend the whole journey dealing with fussy toddlers.

Once they got down, Kunal, Nandini's mother's brother, greeted them outside the condo.

"Finally! How was the journey?" Kunal asked, hugging Nandini warmly.

"It was good, Mama. Just so long and tiring, especially with two kids." Nandini said and saw Manik get out with a sleeping Naitik and Madiha waddling along with Manik.

"Ah, she doesn't remember me, does she?" Kunal asked.

"Dia, see, this is my Mama. You can just call him Nanu."

"Hi Nanu." Madiha said and waved cutely before hiding behind Manik, who laughed and bent a bit to pat her head.

"She's a bit shy now but wait for a day and she'll not leave your side." Manik said, making Kunal chuckle.

"Alright, alright, come inside."

As they walked into the cozy abode, they saw Sameera, Kunal's wife and their son, Rohan, who was now a young man.

"Oh, you're finally here. Come in, come in! Rohan, help them with the luggage." Sameera said and ushered them in. They got comfortable and settled in the house. Even though Manik was still a bit awkward and hesitant because he still didn't know Nandini's maternal side that well, he was happy to stay where Nandini used to live, back during her childhood.

They were here for a week, and all four of them went to different tourist spots. Their plan was to stay in San Francisco for a week, meet Rishabh and his wife, who lived in Silicon Valley. Both of them worked at Google and had moved into the luxurious locality after their wedding.

One day, Manik and Nandini set off for some quality time alone after leaving the kids with Rohan, who was now their favourite Mama after Rishabh. They went to one of the beach areas in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and walked alongside the shore.

"You're smiling." Nandini observed as they walked hand-in-hand.

"I am." He said, looking down at her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Nandini asked.

"I just feel at peace. And very light. It's like a burden has been lifted off me." Manik said and Nandini slowed down their walk, pulling Manik to sit on the sand instead.

"Nyonika?" Nandini asked and Manik nodded, looking at the sun setting at the horizon.

Over the months, they had gotten more comfortable talking about Nyonika. Manik had agreed to talk to a therapist, after many weeks of reluctance, but Nandini was seeing progress. She was glad he was willing to sort out his own issues instead of suppressing all of them inside his head.

"You know what she said?" Manik asked, and Nandini shook her head, scooting closer to hook her chin on his shoulder.

~~~~~

"So what do you want now?" Manik asked, "You want me to tell you that I forgive you? Because that would be a lie."

"No. I know it isn't easy and will probably take you months, even years. All I want is for you to promise me that you will let go of your resentment and grudges. For your sake." Nyonika said and Manik nodded, swallowing the knot in his throat. He wanted to stay nonchalant but for the life of him, he just couldn't stop his tears.

"Don't hate yourself for feeling bad for me, Manik. You're a good person and this," Nyonika said, reaching out to wipe a tear off his cheek, "is a sign that you are not the monster I wanted you to be. Nothing could ever take away the kind person in you. You are good, Manik. I am sorry I ever tried to-"

"It's okay. You should let it go as well." Manik said, his voice sounding rough and broken as well.

"I know. I just want to say I am sorry."

"I am sorry too...Mom." Manik said, finally saying the word that he had wanted to say desperately all those years. Manik hesitated for a minute but finally said it and held her hand. Nyonika burst into tears, holding Manik's hands tightly. Manik held her hand near his lips and placed a small kiss.

"Let's let it go." Manik said.

~~~~~

Nandini smiled and rested her head against his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his. Manik fiddled with her fingers and they sat in comfortable silence.

"She's right, you know? Tum bohot achhe ho, Manik. Even though she tried to make you a cruel, heartless monster, she couldn't. You have always been a good person at your core. Tum bolte ho ki maine tumhe vaise banaya hai, lekin sach toh yeh hai ke maine bas kuch layers ko peel kiya. You have always been this empathetic, kind and caring person, who is willing to go to lengths to protect the ones you love. That's why I fell in love with you, Manik. I never wanted to change you, I just wanted you to be yourself, without having to pretend to be a cold person to protect your feelings." Nandini said, and looked up at Manik, who looked back at her with pure love and adoration.

Manik leaned down to kiss her, and Nandini returned it, smiling into the kiss.

"I don't deserve you." Manik said, patting her head and tugging her closer to kiss her forehead.

"Galat. You deserve more. Till I am alive, I will make sure you have a reason to smile."

"You are my reason to smile, my shining star." Manik said and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, both of them relishing in the moment.

-----

After hanging out with Rishabh and Shriya during the weekend, with them showing the Malhotras around, the four of them headed to Santa Barbara for the last leg of their trip.

"Wowwww!" Naitik said, looking at their beach resort. Manik had obviously booked a private suite in an expensive resort. Nandini was tired of knocking sense into him and had given up.

"Like it?" Manik asked.

"Yesss!" Naitik said and jumped on the bed. Madiha tried to climb on the bed too, looking at her brother.

Nandini chuckled and helped her stand on the bed and jump with Naitik.

"Careful guys." Manik said, sitting near them to ensure they don't fall in their excitement.

"It looks really..."

"If the word is expensive, don't say it. Nandini, you know I don't stay in hotels which have ratings less than 5 stars." Manik said arrogantly.

"I know. I will shut up, okay?" Nandini said, shaking her head with a smile.

"Thank you. Besides, look at them. They love it." Manik pointed out to the siblings, who were enjoying the luxury.

"Spoil hi kardo unhe. 10-15 saal baad, jab Dia bilkul Soha jaise behave karegi na, tab akal aayegi tumhe." Nandini said, unpacking her bag.

"Listen shut up. She'll not be like that!"

"Lag toh nahi raha, jis tarah se chal raha hai sab. You spoil her too much! Which two-year-old has Chanel and Gucci clothes Manik? Vo bhi custom-made! That's too much! My first branded outfit was a dress you gifted me on our 3rd dating anniversary. Yeh toh bachhi hai." Nandini argued. They weren't seriously fighting. They knew it was going to be pointless banter.

"Tikkki!! Photoooo!" Madiha pulled her brother. Naitik stood beside her and Madiha clicked a selfie. Nandini shot a glare at Manik who shrugged.

"I am not even going to talk about their iPod." Nandini said.

"Chill Momma. I love to spoil you guys. Aur tum ho na, bachche nahi bigadne wale." Manik said, pulling her towards him while groping her ass.

"Unke saamne nahi! Naitik understands everything." Nandini whispered and came out of his hold.

"Fine! Okay kids, fatafat swimwear peheno, come on! Papa will take you guys to the beach." Manik said, picking both of them up in his arms, making them squeal with joy. Nandini laughed and leaned forward to peck his lips.

"Okay, so I'll take their outfits out." Nandini said and took out one pair of small shorts for Naitik and a two piece for Madiha.

"What's this?"

"Dia's costume."

"These two small pieces of clothes? Dude, a napkin will cover more of her." Manik freaked out.

"Manik! Don't be so misogynistic! She's a baby!"

"Exactly. There is a one-piece right?" Manik slightly pushed Nandini out of the way and checked the suitcase.

"Unbelievable your dadda is!" Nandini said and sat on the bed.

"She's growing up way too soon." Manik said and tossed another swimming costume at Nandini.

"Papa let's gooooo!" Naitik said and pulled Manik.

"Sunscreen please!" Nandini pulled Naitik instead and made him stand on the bed.

"This reminds me of something." Manik said.

"What?" Nandini asked, looking at Manik.

"Remember when we went to Goa again? Before Dia was born?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember Naitik coming to you with a condom?" Manik asked in a low voice. Nandini turned red before laughing.

"Shut up! How embarrassing it was god!!!!" Nandini said, looking away.

"He was a baby!"

"He came to us in front of Chachi and Amms!!" Nandini shrieked and threw the lotion bottle at Manik, but he caught it.

"They acted like they were blind! It was so funny." Manik said, laughing.

"Shut up Manik! I was mortified! I mean, yeh sab cheezein na tumhara hi beta kar sakta hai. Kuch zyada hi curious hai!" Nandini complained.

"Well...be glad that it will not happen again with Dia." Manik said, making Madiha wear her swimsuit.

"Yeah. You got a vasectomy done just for me. I love you for that." Nandini said, kissing his cheek.

"Of course. I couldn't see you in pain like that. Knowing you, if you ended up getting pregnant again, I know you wouldn't want to...abort. I can't lose you..." Manik said.

Nandini's second pregnancy had been a critical one. She had a condition called placenta previa and they were told that she wouldn't make it through a third pregnancy. So, Manik got a vasectomy done as tubectomy is more painful than vasectomy.

Nandini went inside the bathroom after Manik left with the kids. She wanted to set everything up and wear her new swimsuit, so she took some time. After wearing her red one-piece, Nandini dutch-braided her hair. She applied some sunscreen and wore her shades, leaving the room. The beach was accessible from their hotel rooms and it was mostly visited by the visitors of that resort only.

Nandini was walking towards her family when she tripped a bit and the things she was carrying fell down. She sighed and bent down to pick them up when she saw someone helping her.

"Here you go, ma'am!" A handsome Caucasian man handed her things to her.

"Thank you!" She replied sweetly at the stranger's kind gesture.

"Here for a holiday?"

"Yes! Wonderful place, right?" Nandini said, looking around.

"Truly! And it is wonderful to meet such a gorgeous woman too!" He said, flirting with Nandini.

Nandini raised her eyebrows under her big black shades. She wasn't offended because it was something very normal in this culture.

"Well, thank you."

"I am Brandon by the way, from Ohio."

"I'm-"

"Mumma!!" Both of them turned and saw Naitik and Madiha running towards Nandini and wrapping their arms around her legs.

"Oh...you have children?" Brandon scratched his neck, confused.

"Umm, yeah!" Nandini shrugged.

"Well, it was nice meeting you! Have a great trip." Brandon held his hand forward for a handshake. Nandini smilingly returned the favour and bid him goodbye.

"Chalein?" Nandini asked her children.

"Haaaa!"

Nandini walked towards her angry bull of a husband and rolled her eyes.

"Come on Manik, grow up." Nandini said and sat on the mat.

"He was flirting with you!!"

"So what?" Nandini asked.

"SO WH-" Manik almost yelled before calming down, "So what?! How dare he?" Manik asked.

"Manik, aise toh behave mat karo jaise tum par koi line nahi maarta! I never say anything when you have lipstick stains after fan meets." Nandini said.

"Nand-"

"Manik, tumhe chhod kar toh main jaane waali hu nahi. Kis baat ka tension hai tumhe? Chill. At least we know we still know we don't look that old." Nandini joked and Manik smiled, shaking his head.

"You look hot." Manik said, his angry mood changing into a romantic mood. He eyed his kids busy with their not so pretty sandcastles and leaned forward to kiss his wife. Nandini didn't push him away and let him kiss her.

"You look hot too. How are you even 33?" Nandini caressed his biceps.

"I wouldn't know." Manik smiled and let his hands graze her waist and thighs.

"Okay we can't make out in front of them Manik." Nandini whispered and moved a bit away. Manik sighed and lay down on the mat, face down. Nandini giggled and sat facing his back.

She took some lotion and massaged his back.

"Do you want me to take you in front of everyone?" Manik's muffled voice reached her ears.

"I wish. Jitna mil raha hai usse khush ho jaao jaaneman." Nandini said and massaged his shoulders sexily.

"Vo kya hai na jaaneman, it is never enough." Manik said and turned around with a smirk.

"So cheesy." Nandini said and applied some cream to his nose. Manik pulled her towards his face and rubbed his nose against her neck.

"Stop!!" She laughed as she felt tickled.

They backed away and looked at each other. Manik rested his head with one arm against the mat and held her hand with another, entwining his fingers with hers.

"I wish we stay like this forever." Manik said, kissing her hand.

"Humesha. Now who else will fall in love with a 31 year old woman with 2 kids and loads of stretch marks?" Nandini asked playfully.

"Only me. Mohtarma, you are forgetting an important detail. A married 31 year old woman. Besides, your stretch marks make you beautiful too. Every mark on your body has a story, Nandini." Manik said.

"That's true. I wonder why Alya behaved like her world came crashing down when she found she had stretch marks after Adah." Nandini said.

"Well, Alya was always conscious of her appearances. Even when we were da-" Manik stopped in the middle and pursed his lips.

Nandini rolled her eyes and looked at Manik with a sly smile.

"I won't get offended, you can go on." Manik nodded with a sheepish smile.

"She would buy expensive creams to hide her pimples or any marks. I used to not care, but she did. I realised that she wanted a perfect image to make up for the imperfections in her life." Manik pondered.

"Seems logical to me. Lekin tum hi dekho na, Alya and I are so similar in one way. We don't have parents from a young age."

"Yet you dealt with it maturely. Sometimes I feel what if we met under different circumstances."

"Matlab?"

"Matlab hum jaise mile, vaise agar nahi milte. Some other way. Some other time. Maybe after college?" Manik said.

"Hmm...that's interesting...so let's think about it!" Nandini said.

"Arre itna kya sochna?" Manik shrugged it off.

"Dadda lookk! Sa-san-" Dia struggled to say the word.

"Sandcastle baby."

"Yeshh!" She jumped around the castle.

"Very pretty!" Nandini ruffled Naitik's hair who looked proud of his creation.

"I want to make another. This is for me. We will make one for you, Dia. Come." Naitik held her hand and made her sit away from his castle. Dia agreed and they busied themselves.

"Socho na, kya hota agar hum college ke time nahi milte?" Nandini asked.

-----

Author's note -

Posting today at 6 AM because I woke up early for Diwali and I am going back to sleep in a while and didn't want to forget updating😂 Happy Diwali frens!!

So, the next chapter will basically be an alternate universe two-shot, based on what would have happened if they hadn't met. Imagine this being a parallel universe and not at all connected to their life in this series. It's just a change of mood, so don't think about the plot too seriously and enjoy! Consider it a Diwali gift from me haha<3

Wish you all a happy and prosperous Diwali! <333333