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Warning - Emotional and slightly abusive chapter ahead. Sensitive people and children stay away.

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Nandini was walking on the road at night lifelessly. She was all numb and blank. Everything was finished. Her happy home was broken. She was responsible for it. Her Manik, her love hates her. He doesn't want her in his life anymore. He doesn't even want to see her face. Now what is remaining in her life? She has no reason to live? No. She has. She has to live. She has to live for someone who can't loose her. She has to live for that someone who is in this world and holding onto the life just for her. She has to be strong and sort out every problem of her life. To be more precise, she has to throw Harshad away from her life. For forever.

Her phone started ringing making her look at it. It kept ringing with an unknown number but she just kept blinking while looking at it. She had no energy to talk with anyone. Phone stopped ringing. Once again it started ringing and this time she just picked it up keeping it near her ear. She didn't speak a word. But soon her expressions changed into the horror hearing opposite side person.

Ending the call, she ran away from there as much fast as she could.

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Manik was sitting in his room near by bed on the floor. Every single thing in the room was broken. Be it mirror, frames, vase anything. Everything was a mess. Just like him. He was sitting there defeatedly. Eyes red, hairs messy, cheeks having tear marks, hands and legs bleeding because of wounds he got. He was all broken.

He just couldn't believe his Nandini whom he loved like an insane would betray him like this. He would have never believed even if God would have spoken against Nandini but here, she herself accepted everything. She snatched the only family he had. He was alone again. An orphan... that's what the world calls him. He never imagined Harshad to play such a nasty game with him. He thought he was his best friend. His buddy. Then why did he do this? What wrong he caused to him? Why was he hell bent on destroying him? What did he do to deserve all this? He just wanted to live a simple happy life with his family. Was it too much to ask for? Can he never have peace in his life? Was he never made to love? These all questions kept running in his his mind making him weak and vulnerable.

His phone rang loudly breaking his trance. He looked at the phone blankly before taking the call.

"Cabir.." He whispered with a shivering tone. And Cabir got to know something was terribly wrong.

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Nandini came inside the hospital while running and went near receptionist. She was panting heavily.

"Ki.. Kishori..Murthy.. wh..where?" She could managed to ask only this much.

"Let me check ma'am. She is shifted in ICU 4 sometime before. Room no. 10. Second floor." Hearing her Nandini ran towards the second floor. Climbing the stairs hastily while bumping into everyone, she reached near ICU 4 and saw doctor coming out of the room. She immediately moved to him.

"Do- doctor.. Amms.. what happened to her suddenly? How- how's she? She.. she was doing fine na? Haan? Then suddenly.." Asked Nandini worriedly while doctor gave her a sympathetic look.

"She was really doing fine. But don't know what happened suddenly her body went into the shock. Like, something she couldn't tolerate. She had a cardiac arrest. We tried our best but couldn't save her. I am sorry, Nandini." Saying this doctor went away dropping a bomb on Nandini. She staggered back being shocked. She has lost her amms. Her grandmother.

Slowly she opened the door of an ICU and went inside. Seeing her Amms lying there all lifeless made Nandini devastated. Today she lost everything in a true sense. She has no one who will love her, care for her. Her amms is no more.

She beared everything Harshad said just for her. Her health was not good so she has been in the hospital since last one year. She was paralyzed. After the sudden death of her parents, only her amms was there to console her. To love her. But due to her health issues everything changed. Taking the control of all Murthy expenses, Harshad refused to give a single penny for her treatment. When Nandini begged for it, Harshad made her do the things against her will. Whenever she denied, he threatened to stop her treatment. Fearing to loose her only family, her amms, Nandini accepted his every order. She married Manik just to save her. She didn't want to stress her as doctor had strictly warned her it is dangerous. Harshad took advantage of this situation and made Nandini dance on his directions. She was helpless.

At one point, when Nandini denied to listen to him, he threatened her to tell amms about them. How they are in relationship and how they slept together. Everything. She knew amms would never believe him but he had many evidences to prove his point. This made Nandini horrified. Her amms can never bear it. And that was the only reason she agreed to marry Manik. Inspite of knowing all his evil intentions towards Manik. He was using her for like his puppet and she let him do it. She regret meeting him and welcoming him in her life. He destroyed her completely.

Nandini dropped on the chair nearby amms and slowly caressed her face.

"Amms.." she whispered.

"Wake up. Utho.. see your Nandu came. Aapko milna tha na mujhse? Kal hi toh baat ki thi aapne. You said yo miss me right? Then come on, get up. Open your eyes. Aapki Nandu aayi hai. Won't you hug me?" Said Nandini shaking her lifeless body. But no response came. She was gone long back.

"Amms!! Nooo! Aap aisa nahi kar sakti! Uthiye! You can't do this with me. Aap hi ke liye toh mei abhi tak zinda thi mei. You.. you were the reason of my existence. How could you leave me Amms? Say something! Open your eyes... Ammss!!! You can't leave me!! Noooo please!!! Mat jaiye Amms! I don't have anyone now. I.. I need you. Main bahot akeli hu.. please Amms.. come back! Open your eyes. I promise, this time na, I won't leave your side ever. Pakka! Kahi nei jaungi.. haan.. Nandu promise! Uthiye na amms!! Ammmssss!!!" Nandini cried aloud buring her head near her chest.

Suddenly her attention fell on something lying near the bed. She picked it up. It was a cufflink. She didn't need rocket science to know who's cufflink it is. She gritted her teeth in anger and stood up from her place. She looked at amms for once and left the room placing kiss on her forehead.

"I am sorry, amms! I couldn't protect you."

Coming out of the room, she moved towards the reception and asked for a pen and a blank sheet. Getting the one, she started to write something on it vigorously while tears were flowing from her eyes. After completing the writing, she folded the paper neatly and went into doctor's cabin.

"May I come in, Dr. Sharma?"

"Oh Nandini! Please come in." He replied. Nandini came in.

"I am sorry for your loss. You can take her home for the last rights after completing some legal formalities." Nandini shook her head.

"I can't doctor. Not right now. Can I ask for a little favor?"

"Sure. Tell me."

"This is the chit and I have written something important in it. Please call on this number and ask to complete last rights of my amms. Give him this letter. It's important. And also, ask him not to open it until all last rights have done. I need to leave now."

"But Nandini.. how can you-"

"Trust me doctor. Amms will be in safe hands. Atleast after her demise. Anyways, I really need to go right now. Please do me this last favor. Please."

"Okay. If you say so." Nandini nodded and left from the cabin.

Coming near the amms ward she peeped inside and her tears fell.

"You will get the justice, Amms! Nandini promise!" Saying this she wiped her tears harshly and left the hospital angrily.

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"My goodness! I can't believe what I have did! Hahh! Quite impressive Harshad! You are really smart. Those emotional fools kept fighting with each other and see what you got!!! Manik's dream! Wohhooo! Cheers!" Saying this Harshad laughed raising the glass of whisky in air. Suddenly, someone threw the glass away and slapped him hard.

"Nandini!" Harshad looked at her shocked and in anger. Nandini fumed and held his collars.

"What did you do to my amms? Kya kiya tumne? Speak up!" Yelled Nandini shaking him hard. Harshad jerked her away and laughed.

"Ohh! That budhiya.. what you call.. aah! Amms! Your Amms! Aree unse bas milne gaya tha haal chaal puchne. But that lady! Her tongue works like a chopper. Bahot jyada chal rahi thi. Toh socha usper lagam lagau. Nothing much, just showed her our 'those precious moment'. Haha! Budhiya ke muh ka rang hi badal gaya. God! That was so funny. Then her tongue took some rest. Sock laga hoga bechari ko. Hasshh! Anyways, I did1 care and came back but.. how did you know? Kuch hua kya? Did your amms-"

"You bastard! You killed my amms! You bloody killed her!" Nandini yelled in tears while cutting him in a mid and started to slap him continuously.

"You beast! Devil! How dare you? Kyu kiya tumne aisa? What wrong she did to you ha? Just why? Kyu maara mere amms ko? Why damn it? You! I will not leave you. I will kill you! You bloody animal! Aaaaaah!!!" Nandini was shouting while slapping him. Harshad had enough of it and held her hand in a mid. His eyes blazing fire.

"Enoughhh!" He roared furiously. Nandini looked at him with same anger.

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"Listen to me, Manik. You're acting in a rush. Don't come on any conclusion. You're angry right now that's why you are not able to think wisely. But I really think, there's a loophole. Bhabhi can't do this just like that. That Harshad... I always knew he's a bastard. But you... Anyways. I won't go there now. You need to talk with bhabhi. We should just hear her out. Give her chance to explain. You need a closure." Said Cabir while bandaging the wounds of Manik. Manik was lost in his thoughts.

"Manik! I am talking to you."

"I heard you."

"Then why are you-"

"It's not easy damn it! I.. I.. just donno if I could trust her anymore, Cabir. She was lieing to me all these months. And I.. I trusted her like a fool. I.. I.." Manik couldn't form the words. Cabir patted his back.

"I understand. But give it a try. Not for her but for yourself." Said Cabir making him understand. Manik sighed and nodded. Suddenly Manik's phone rang with an unknown number. He frowned.

"Itni early morning? Kaun hoga?"

"Pick it up. Can be important." Said Cabir. Manik nodded and received the call.

"Hello.."

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"Yes. Manik Malhotra speaking. Who's this?"

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"Yeah. I am her husband. But, what happened?"

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"What? How? When?"

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"But where's Nandini? Give her the phone."

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"Okay fine. I am coming right away!" Saying this Manik ended the call. Cabir looked at him.

"What happened, Manik?"

"It was from city hospital. Nandini's grandmother passed away." Said Manik. Cabir widened his eyes.

"What?"

"Yes. Yesterday night. She had a cardiac arrest."

"Bhabhi had a grandmother? I never knew. Was she there in your marriage?"

"No. She wasn't there in marriage. Even I got to know about her today only. Nandini also never talked about her. God! I don't know how many shocks I am gonna get more. I am really tired." Manik let out a frustrating sigh. Cabir shook his head.

"Let's go. Bhabhi must be there alone. Just keep your fight away for sometime. Right now, she needs you the most." Manik nodded and left with Cabir for the hospital.

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"Leave mee! Chodo mujhe Harshad! I said leave me.." Nandini shouted while trying to get away from ropes. Harshad just looked at her and ignored while enjoying his drink sitting on his chair.

Harshad had locked up Nandini in the basement of Murthy mansion which no one knows. It was his secret place. He had tied her to the chair with ropes.

"Stop your loudspeaker. No use. You are wasting your energy. And these tears.. aah! Keep it safe for sometime. Because you will need it soon. What if it will get finished by then ha?" Said Harshad evilly. Nandini looked at him in anger.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"What I mean is... Very soon.. like very soon your dear husband will be here. To save you. Then? Then.. then.. then... I will kill him and snatch his everything away from him. Aaah! So obviously you won't laugh seeing your husband's dead body. Well, you can if you went mad. Possible hai. But still, for crying buckets you need to save this water now na? So just shut the fuck up!" Said Harshad while playing with his mobile. Nandini gasped with this sudden information. He's going to kill Manik! No!

"What the hell are you talking? Why you want to kill him now ha? Everything is happening just the way you wanted. You broke him, you made him hate me, you stole his dream.. what else do you want? His property? His company? Mansion? He will give it to you. I will ask him to. Just don't hurt him. Don't kill him. Take everything you want just keep him safe please. I beg you." Nandini cried at last. Harshad smirked.

"Well, baat mei dum toh hai tumhari. You're saying right. But the thing is, your husband is something you know.. masterpiece! Bande mei talent hai! Whatever I do he will raise high once again with all his talent. So nah, I don't wanna take a chance. I will just free him from this world, baby." Nandini shook her head while crying.

"No please. Don't do anything. Kill me if you want. But leave him. Please Harshad." Nandini pleaded once again. Harshad laughed.

"If I wanted to kill you I would have done it before only, with your dearest mom and dad! But no! I wanted you to suffer. Suffer every moment of your life. Pal pal marti dekhna chahta tha tumhe." Nandini felt her head spinned. What is he talking about?

"M..Mom and Dad?"

"Yes my dear sister! Oops! Step sister! I was the one who killed them. It was a well planned murder. Not any accident." Nandini gasped. Her breathing raged. Her parents were murdered.

"You- you are lying. It was car accident. They-"

"It was a car accident planned by me. I failed their car brakes and yeah, I made sure to make them have poison before they sit inside the car. No chance of survival. Smart right?" Nandini felt herself shivering. Her palm fisted tightly. She was loosing her sanity. This man was insane. He killed her parents. He killed her amms and now he's planning to kill her husband. Her Manik.

"Why?" She managed to ask. Harshad's smiled faded and her face had anger.

"You're asking me why? Haan? You? It's all because of you bitch! You are the root cause of everything!!!" Harshad spat angrily. Nandini looked at him blankly.

"Wh.. what did I do? What was my mistake?" She managed to ask.

"You're the daughter of Raman Murthy it is your biggest mistake. Because of your mother, Ishita Murthy I was left alone. Your father divorced my mother. She sent me to the hostel. I lost my childhood because of you. Your father never cared about me. He was always behind you and your mother. I hated you with every ounce of my heart. Because of you I never got my family and my share of love. If you were not born, my mother had planned to separate your parents. But no! They just came more closer. My mother, Shagun Saxena couldn't bear it. She was going mad for her revenge and that madness killed her. She died in an car accident while driving rashly. All because of you and your family. And that's why you need to suffer just like I did. Family ke liye tadpa tha mein. I was craving for love but never got. Look at you now, I also snatched everyone who loved you. I killed them all. And last but not least, going to kill your love. Your Manik. I wanna see your pain. I wanna hear your cries. You can't die easily. Nah! Never! I will make you beg for death." Harshad said venomously.

Nandini shuddered hearing his talks. So much hatred. So much revelations. She was feeling like her head will explode. Her head was spinning badly. She had no more energy left. Soon enough her body gave up and darkness engulfed her.

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"What the hell! Where's Nandini? And what's all this rubbish? This letter and all? Where did she go? How could you allow anything as such?" Manik shouted on doctor who handed him the letter and told that Nandini went away. They came to meet him regarding the formalities. Doctor sighed.

"Mr. Malhotra, Nandini had requested me. I was treating her grandmother since last one year. I knew her. Poor girl was managing everything alone. Already she was dealing with her grandmother's sudden demise. So I couldn't deny her. She has asked you to perform the last rights of her grandmother. And that letter.. well she asked you to read it only after completing the last rights. She trusted you for this." Said Dr. Sharma. Manik ran his hand through his hairs being frustrated.

He was confused. Angry. Worried. Scared. Why did Nandini do this? Where did she go leaver her dead grandmother? Is she okay? Several thoughts were crossing his mind.

Cabir shook him which broke his thoughts. He looked at him who gestured him towards the doctor. He sighed.

"Okay. I will complete the formalities." Said Manik while Cabir helped him.

After sometime, they both were standing near the graveyard after performing the last rights of amms.

"Cabir, I don't know why but I don't get good vibes from all this. Nandini's sudden disappearance, her asking me to perform last rights inspite of Harshad being there, her letter- wait! Where's the letter?" Manik asked checking his pockets. Cabir frowned.

"It was in your hands."

"Yeah, I kept it in my pocket. Where did it go?"

"Check properly. Yahi kahi hoga"

"Yaar nahi hai! Shit! Shit! How could I be so careless!"

"Manik relax."

"Relax? Seriously Cabir? My wife disappeared suddenly leaving a damn letter which is now lost by me. How can you expect me to relax? I don't even know what was inside the letter? What if it's something important? Damn! I should have let her speak yesterday. Atleast I wouldn't be in guilt. And now this restlessness..." Said Manik rubbing his temple. Cabir sighed.

"I understand."

"No you can't! It's.. it's just so complicated and messed up. Despite of all her betrayal, I am here, completing the last rights of her grandmother. Not that I am complaining. I had no grudges against that old woman. Even after eating all the lies Nandini fed, I am still willing to believe her. My heart wants to listen to her. Why damn it!! She must be broken after hearing the news of her grand mother's demise. Where must have gone? She was already.. you know.. we had an ugly fight and she... I donno if she's okay. I am really worried, Cabir. I know I shouldn't be but I am and I can't help it. This idiot heart of mine still loves her and cares for her. What do I do?" Manik said helplessly. Cabir patted his shoulder.

"Do whatever your heart says. Listen to your heart. Not necessary that the things we see and hear are the real. There can be a trap. An act. So just.. don't assume anything unless and until you get to know the both the sides of coin." Said Cabir.

"She asked me to read letter after completing the last rights. What.. must be written? Voh.. voh thik toh hogi na? Kahi.. usney kuch.. I am getting really scared, Cabir." Said Manik. His heart thumping loudly.

Suddenly his phone rang and seeing the caller ID his expressions turned furious. It was Harshad. He cuts the call. His phone rang again. He cut it. Cabir saw.

"Manik! Why are you cutting his calls?"

"Then what do you expect me to do? Receive and talk about his well being?"

"Manik! Think rationally. Keep your anger away for sometime. May be he knew whereabouts of bhabhi. We never know." Said Cabir. Manik was about to say something when again his phone rang.. it was an unknown number. Manik received.

"Hello?"

"Too bad, Manik! You didn't receive your best friend's calls? Ouch! I am hurt."

"Cut the crap, Harshad. Come to the point. What do you want now?" Asked Manik clenching his fist.

"Ah! What I want? Well, I already have the most precious thing of yours." Manik gritted his teeth hearing him.

"If you're thinking that stealing my shimla deal papers you have won the world war 3 then you're wrong." Harshad laughed loudly hearing him.

"Manik! Manik! Manik! Such a dumb you are! You really think I am talking about your so called 'shimla deal'? Check your whatsapp, bro! You will get the best ever surprise." Said Harshad. Manik immediately opened his whatsapp and saw there was a video sent by Harshad. He opened it and was shocked.

He could see that Nandini was tied on the chair with the ropes and Harshad was beating her with the belt. She was screaming his name.

Video content -

"Aaaah! Maaa! Aaahhhaaa! Aaah!" Nandini was screaming in pain while crying. Harshad laughed.

"Yes. More loudly. Cry more loudly." Nandini pressed her lips tightly to supress the pain.

"When Manik will get to know about what you did, he won't leave you. He will kill you." Said Nandini. Harshad slapped her hard.

"Aaaah!"

"You bitch! You still have audacity to answer me back. Your Manik can't do anything. And he will not. You know why? Because he hates you. He will never care even if you live or die." Said Harshad. Nandini smiled.

"You live in an illusion, Harshad. He can never hate me. I know. Manik is the most kind person I have ever met. He is a true gem. Even if he hates me na, he would save me for the sake of humanity. He's not an animal like you." Said Nandini.

THUD

Another slap landed on her cheek but she laughed.

"Beat how much you want to. Kill me. I am not scared of you anymore." Harshad laughed hearing her and turned to look at the camera.

"Heyyy there Malhotra! Did you hear? Your wife says she's not scared of me. But I am sure. Now you must be scared watching this video. Isn't it?" Nandini immediately looked at the front and nodded in no.

"No! Manik! Harshad! Off the video right now. Just stop it." Nandini yelled breathing heavily. Her wounds were bleeding. She was looking pale. Harshad laughed more.

"No ways. Let him enjoy the show. Aren't you liking it Manik? I am punishing your betrayer. See, I am your true buddy. Isn't it?" Nandini shook her head and struggled to free herself.

"Harshad, stop it! Manik! I.. I am fine. Don't worry. Main thik hoon." She tried to smile for him.

"Yes ofcourse. She's fine. Abhi tak toh thik hai pr kab tak rahegi... I can't guarantee!" Said Harshad evilly while removing the gun from his pocket.

"Manik! Don't listen to him! He's just blackmailing. He won't do anything!"

"Yeah Manik. Listen to her if you want her to die. And if not, then you have one hour. Reach Murthy Mansion 'alone' after doing all your property, Malhotra Mansion and MM industry on my name. Give me the papers and take your Nandini back!"

"No! Manik don't! It's a trap. He will kill you. Please don't come. I beg you." Nandini cried. Harshad smiled evilly.

"Choice is your Manik. If you choose your wealth then get ready to receive dead body of Nandini. And if you choose your dear wife, then get ready to loose your everything to me. I will be waiting. Your time starts now. Tik tok tik tok" said Harshad and ended the video. Nandini was screaming from back not do anything like Harshad said.

Video Ends.

Cabir was shocked seeing the video while Manik's eyes were all red with the anger. Tears flowing from his eyes looking at Nandini's condition.

"Manik.. this.."

"I won't leave this bastard! I will kill him! How dare he touch my Nandini!" Manik shouted angrily. Cabir was angry too.

"He has to pay for this. Don't worry Manik, we will save bhabhi."

"Definitely we will. No can harm my love till I am alive."

"But Manik, what if it's his trap like bhabhi said? She was-"

"I don't care, Cabir. All I know is I need my Nandini out of his clutches. Safe and sound." Cabir nodded his head hearing Manik.

"What are we gonna do now?"

"Just wait and watch." Said Manik while gritting his teeth in anger. Cabir looked on worried.

Screen freezes.