Flashback continues...

7:30 pm, Malhotra Mansion, Mumbai.

I stared at Nyonika, as her smile grew wider seeing my misery.

"What have you done...?" I finally managed to speak up, scared to confirm my suspicions.

"How does it feel Manik? To have something you love be snatched away from you?" She asked, with a devilish smirk on her face.

"What the hell did you do, Nyonika? Come to the point!" I shouted at her. I was sick of her word games.

"That anger and sorrow that you're feeling now- that's exactly how I felt when Shrikant made his will and left nothing in my name!" She exclaimed in a disgusted voice.

"So you...killed him?" The words were hardly able to escape my mouth.

"You really shouldn't be blaming me for his death! Shrikant dug his own grave the day he left me and went to live in that ashram! I only tolerated you for all these years so that I would get a chunk of his property! But that stupid old man deprived me of even that right by signing everything over to you! Obviously, I couldn't let that happen! After all, you weren't even supposed to be born!" She said, in anger.

"What??" I was utterly shocked to hear these words.

"Ha Ha...did you really think I wanted a child? The only reason I married Shri was because I wanted to get my hands on his wealth! The moment I found out I was pregnant I wanted to have an abortion immediately, but Shri stopped me! He forbid me from doing so, saying that he'd take care of us both...and then what did he do? Abandoned me and went to live in that ashram without even granting me a divorce, leaving me stuck here with you!" She said, pointing at me, as if I were an abomination.

I felt the ground from beneath my feet being snatched away. I knew Nyonika was a gold digger, but I didn't suspect that she would stoop to such a low level for her own selfishness.

"And anyway, I may have planned all this, but I'm not the one who pulled the trigger..." She said, the mocking smile back on her face.

What? If she didn't shoot Dad, then who did?

"Who?" I asked, through gritted teeth.

"You know him very well! After all, he's your childhood buddy...your ex-best friend- Harshad!"

As soon as she uttered his name, I heard footsteps echo from outside, and before I knew it Harshad was standing before me.

"Anything for you...Mrs M." Harshad said seductively, as he stood next to Nyonika wrapping an arm around her waist, earning a big smile from her in return.

My blood boiled as I saw them before me! I clenched my fists in anger! I knew that Nyonika cheated on Dad, left, right and centre but of all the people in the world-she had to sleep with him? The one person who I probably hated more than her! The same bastard who left no stone unturned to hurt me and my friends!

Harshad finally turned towards me and said, "Oh Manik, I totally forgot you were here! Kaisa laga yeh surprise?" He asked in a smug voice.

"How dare you? How dare you do this to Dad?" I screamed.

"The same way you took everything away from me! My sister whom I cared about more than anything, started to love you more than me! Bachpan se leke aaj tak, you've snatched all the awards and medals that I deserved! I was always a more talented musician than you-but somehow you got lucky every time! And let's not forget you're the reason Mukti broke up with me-because you told her that I was cheating on her!" He said in a scornful voice.

"You know Manik...log theek hi kehte hain...revenge is a dish best served cold!" He said, and started laughing as if he were deranged, which in my opinion he most certainly was.

I couldn't control my temper any longer. I charged at Harshad and punched him in the face.

He was taken aback by my swift attack, but in a few seconds he managed to retaliate and grab my collar.

My rage knew no bounds! I removed his hand from my collar and pinned him against the wall. Before, he knew it, I landed a blow on his chest knocking out his breath. I continued to punch him uninhibitedly until, he collapsed on the ground.

"You'll pay for this Harshad!" I screamed. "Both of you will!" I said looking at Nyonika.

I was about to bend down and continue to beat Harshad when Nyonika's voice cut me off.

"Manik, we won't be paying for anything! After all, you haven't even heard the full story!" Nyonika said, cackling after her statement.

The hair on my body stood up. There was more to her twisted plan?

"Really, Manik? Did you really think I'm going to go to jail?" She asked.

"Obviously! You think I'll let you get away with this?" I replied.

"Manik, there's one thing you're missing-and that's proof! Whose prints do you think are on the gun? Huh? Make a guess!" She said, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Harshad's!" I answered.

By this time, Harshad had gotten up from the floor. He immediately started laughing at my statement.

That's when I realized he was wearing gloves. Shit! That meant that the gun was free of prints...or was it?

"Whose prints did you put on the gun Nyonika??" I asked, fearful of the answer even though I had a pretty good idea as to whose they were.

"Isn't it obvious? It's yours Manik! The famous angry young man Manik Malhotra-killed his own father! How do you think that sounds?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"What the hell are you saying? Why would the police believe that I have killed Dad just on the basis of this? What's my motive?" I argued.

"Well Manik, you don't exactly have the best image in public! The fact that you have anger management issues is no secret!" She said in a satisfied voice.

"So what? That doesn't prove anything!" I screamed.

"Well I'll be giving the police a bit of information that they may find interesting-that you and Shrikant had a recent falling out! The fact that Shrikant has never really approved of your music career is known by many as well. Log yahi kahenge, that you got angry in the midst of an argument with him and killed him in a fit of rage. After all, since your prints are on the gun, who else will they suspect?" She said.

I felt my palms sweating as I heard her. Would her plan to frame me actually succeed?

No! I couldn't let it happen!

"No! I'll tell the police the truth! I'll tell them that you are the one responsible for this!" I shouted, in frustration.

"Who do you think they'll believe, Manik? The woman who's been a respected trustee of S.P.A.C.E for years? Or the murder victim's short tempered spoiled brat of a son? Especially since, you'd been having arguments with him off late! You'll find no one to corroborate your story!" She said, her eyes filled with hatred as she spoke.

I thought about multiple outcomes of the current situation, but my hopes of convincing the police seemed relatively bleak.

There was only one card left to play! If I was ruined, I would most certainly take her down with me!

"Fine! Nyonika! Do whatever you want! Frame me for all I care, and let me go to prison! But you know what? You'll still have lost everything! Do you really think I'll let you see a dime of Dad's money? You'll only get default custody of his property for a period of twenty days, if I go to jail!" I shouted.

"Do you want to know why? Because when I turn twenty-five next month, all his assets will be transferred in my name! And you'll never be able to lay your hands on it! I'll hire the best lawyers to protect it from you! If worse comes to worst, I'll get his assets frozen!" I said, determined.

"Manik, haven't you realized that my plan is fool-proof? Obviously, I've thought of this as well!" She said, smirking. "Why do you think I haven't called the police yet to arrest you? I can have them here in minutes! Half of them have been bought by me anyway..."

"Why?" I asked, as I felt a prickling sensation in my scalp in anticipation of her answer.

"Because as my rotten luck would have it-I still need something from you despite my elaborate plan!" She replied, in an annoyed voice.

"What?!" I couldn't help but wonder what scheme she had concocted to torture me further.

She took out a bunch of documents from the file, kept on Dad's study and held one up.

"This document-I need your signature on it." She said, matter-of-factly.

"And what the hell does it say?" I asked in a mocking voice.

"It's basically a legal document transferring control of the Malhotra business to me! Everything from all the properties owned by Shrikant to the industries he set up-be it textile and manufacturing, or the hotel chain!" She said spitting venom at me.

"Even if I agree to sign such a ridiculous document, which I never will, why will the police believe that I've signed it?" I asked, curious to know what story she would conjure up this time.

"Simple-transferring everything over to me fits perfectly with the story of you quitting the Malhotra business to pursue music! Don't forget, Manik, you said you would abandon the Malhotra empire, in front of nearly all members of the staff in the office!" She said satisfactorily.

Shit! I had ruined things for myself, due to my own impulsiveness!

"Do whatever you want Nyonika, there's nothing you can do to make me sign the documents!" I screamed.

"Manik-ever the stubborn mule, aren't you?! That's why I have a backup-plan to make you sign the documents." She said, with an evil smile. "Why don't you find out what your friends Alya and Mukti are up to?"

I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as she spoke.

"What did you do to them? Answer me!" I screamed.

"Let's just say that they're not in the best of company! After all the goons I sent after them, aren't that well behaved." She said.

"You should be ashamed of yourself! Being a woman yourself, how can you pay someone off to harm another?" I asked, disgusted with her statement.

"It's very simple Manik, their safety is in your hands. I'll immediately let them go if you sign the documents!" Nyonika answered.

I had never faced a worse dilemma in my life! On the one hand-I couldn't let any danger befall Alya and Mukti and on the other hand, I couldn't hand over Dad's hard earned riches to this sorry excuse for a human being!

As I contemplated my next move, I noticed that, for the first time, Harshad looked a tad alarmed. Was he unaware of Nyonika's plan to harm Alya and Mukti?

I made a last ditch attempt to appeal to whatever ounce of humanity Harshad had left in him-maybe he'd try to protect his sister?

"Harshad-are you just going to stand by and watch while this witch abducts your sister and lets thugs molest her??" I shouted.

Harshad thought for a few seconds before answering. The statement made by him made my skin crawl.

"She deserves this-she should never have chosen you over me! And that bitch Mukti- let her die for all I care! She'll finally pay for breaking up with me!" He said in a tone of detestation.

I lost my temper once again, and was about to hit him, when I heard my phone buzzing in my pocket.

I immediately looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Cabir. Why was he calling? Did he know where Alya and Mukti were?

I immediately picked up the call, and spoke before Cabir could say anything.

"Cabir...tell me-are Alya and Mukti fine?" I asked in an urgent tone.

"Manik, how did you know that they were in trouble?" He asked, shock evident in his voice.

"Woh sab baad mein-just tell me, where are they? What happened to them?" I asked. I could see the smirk on Nyonika's face as she heard me converse frantically with Cabir.

"Manik, they're safe now! They were attacked on the road half an hour ago by some random thugs, when they tried to get to their car. But luckily, Dhruv and I weren't far off, so we immediately heard them and helped them fight the men off...but how do you know about this?" He asked, suspiciously.

"Cabir, woh dono kaha hain? Right at this moment!" I said.

"Calm, down Manik, we're all here together at my flat-me, Dhruv, Alya and Mukti."

"Good! Cabir don't leave them alone! Just stay together! Please!" I pleaded.

"Par Manik, hua kya hain?" he asked.

"Cabir I'll explain later! This Nyonika! I'm not going to leave her! Anyway, I've to go now! Bye!" I said and cut the call, before he asked further questions.

Finally, a glimmer of hope! A glitch in Nyonika's convoluted plan! A chink in her invincible armour!

"Poor Nyonika! Aapka yeh plan toh flop ho gaya!" I taunted.

I could see her shift uncomfortably in her position as she realized that she had made a blunder by not keeping a tab on the goons.

"Did you really think it would be that easy to blackmail me? Remember this, Nyonika, my friends may be my biggest weakness, but they're also my biggest strength! Obviously, someone as soulless as you will not understand this, so who am I kidding?" I chuckled softly.

"Manik, if you sign the papers I'll ask the police to be lenient with you inside prison..." She said, unsure of herself. She was grasping at straws. The panic was visible in her eyes.

"Nyonika-this business of give and take between us ends here! I'm never going to sign these papers, and I will make you pay for your crimes!" I said, in a vengeful tone.

"Oh really Manik? Let's see, maybe I'll just have the police torture you until you sign, how about that? I'm calling them immediately!" She exclaimed.

"Nyonika, torture toh tabhi karenge na jab woh mujhe pakad payenge!" I said, with a smirk.

Before my statement sank in, I made a quick lunge for the car keys kept on the desk and made a run for it.

I could hear Nyonika shout at Harshad and within seconds I could hear his footsteps behind me as he tried to catch up.

But he didn't know the house as well as I did! I quickly took a secret doorway which led directly to the garage. I ran to my car as soon as I could and started it immediately.

As I tried to exit the main entrance, I saw that the gates were closing automatically. I paid no heed to the risks involved and directly smashed the SUV into the reinforced and stylized wooden gates that Dad had so enthusiastically picked out for the house.

The car was damaged to some extent but the impact didn't seem to flounder the car's working. I hoped that I wouldn't encounter car troubles later.

Just as I made my way out, I heard police sirens. The police were hot on my trail and I drove extremely rashly to escape.

I was fuming in anger, but was also overcome by sorrow. However mainly one thought occupied my mind-REVENGE.

************************************

Present

10pm, Srivastav Residence, Karwar.

"Since the police and Nyonika were after me, I had no choice but to flee the city! So I drove to the only city that I'd travelled to by road before-Bangalore...and that's where I met you." Manik finally took a breath of relief as he completed his story.

I was absolutely stunned for several moments. My tongue seemed paralysed. I imagined the entire ordeal that he had gone through in the last forty-eight hours and my heart ached to think of it. Aiyappa, how could you do this to him? How much could one man take?

"So now you know...my Dad's dead, and it's my own fault! I should have been there for him! I didn't even get to apologise for my mistakes! And I left him and ran...just to save myself..." He said, as minute tear drops fell from his cheeks once again.

I controlled my own emotions and tried to console him.

"Manik, you're not responsible for your father's death! It's not your fault! Please stop blaming yourself!" I remarked.

"Kaise? Kaise kar leti ho tum? I kidnapped you...you have every reason to hate me! Yet you're still trying to make me feel better. Why?" He asked, an expression of genuine wonder on his face.

"Manik, now that you've told me the truth, I realize what a tremendous amount of stress you must have been under! Everyone makes irrational decisions under duress...so I forgive you! Besides, it took me very little time to realize that you had absolutely no intention of actually hurting me, physically." I said with a slight smile.

He gave a bittersweet laugh and got back up on his feet.

I stood up as well and asked him one last question.

"Manik, why did you kidnap me? What do you want from the Singhanias?" I asked.

"Nandini, I don't know how to tell you this, but the Singhania family isn't filled with the most truthful people. Mukesh Singhania is just as scheming as Nyonika! He bugged my house Nandini! In order to listen in on Dad's private meetings so as to gain an upper hand over him..." He replied.

"What?" I was very shocked to hear this disturbing news.

"Yes...the recording of that night's events is with the Singhanias! It's the only evidence which can prove that I'm innocent and put Nyonika behind bars. That's why I abducted you- after all being charged with forceful abduction is way better than murder. Since the Singhanias have such tight security, there was no other way to reach them!" He answered.

"Manik, why didn't you just tell me the truth? Maybe I could have reasoned with them!" I said, alarmed at his reason for kidnapping me.

"You don't get it Nandini...the Singhanias aren't the kind of people you reason with! They only respond to threats!" He said, in frustration.

I was very disappointed and hurt listening to Manik's description of the Singhania family. Why had Amms decided to make me part of a family that believed in such unethical and unlawful practices?

However, I was relieved that Manik had finally confided in me. All my doubts had been put to rest. And speaking of rest-I realized Manik really needed it! He hadn't slept in days and his exhaustion had increased due to the drive.

"Manik, chalo...you need rest." I said, as I dragged him to the bedroom.

I made him sit on the bed as soon as we entered and said. "Go to sleep...we'll talk tomorrow." I was about to leave when he held my hand.

"Nandini, I'm so sorry for doing this to you!" He paused for a moment and continued." But...do you really believe me? Do you trust me?" He asked in a grave voice.

I thought for a few seconds, but that was moot...my heart had already decided to trust him.

"Yes Manik, I trust you. And don't worry, I'll convince Chacha-Chachi to drop all charges against you. I'll help you prove your innocence, Manik!" I said, in a tender voice.

His eyes lit up as he heard my answer and he engulfed me into a bone-crushing hug, pulling me on to his lap.

After a few seconds he withdrew and placed a soft kiss on my forehead, making me blush with happiness.

I was about to move away, when he said,"Nandini, can you please stay with me? I don't want to be alone tonight..."

He was in such a fragile state...I couldn't leave him.

I nodded my head and made him lie down. I lay next to him on the bed. He caged me in his arms and I placed my head on his chest.

He didn't ask for permission to hold me but my heart had already answered. If he wanted to hold me-he'd never have to ask.

I closed my eyes and drifted into the most peaceful slumber I had had in a long time, listening to the soft lullaby of his heartbeat.