'Nandini is mine...and no one can take her away from me.' Manik said, looking at Harshad right into his eyes.

'Is it? A few days ago, that wasn't the case, was it?' Harshad asked.

'You don't have to worry about my personal life. Nandini knows everything that I've done and I know everything she has done too. We have accepted each other's flaws and mistakes and have decided to start afresh.' Manik said with a fake smile

'Whatever....I don't care.' Harshad said nonchalantly but deep down both of them knew that he was lying.

'What I want is revenge from you and your fucking company. I will destroy you and your career and your personal life so much that nothing will be left.' Harshad said in anger.

Manik was certain that he would win in this battle. This controversy had been stretched too far than it was necessary. This case had gone to the court and the hearing was in a week. He had to get himself ready for that. Though he knew that it was an open and simple case and that there was no evidence against him, he still couldn't trust Harshad. He knew that Harshad would play this game dirty. So he had a better plan as a perfect reply. He took his phone out and acted like he was chatting with someone while he actually turned the voice recorder on and kept the phone on the table upside down.
'You will see your own destruction soon, Manik. You will see your beloved Nandini going away from you and your company out of your hands soon.' Harshad said in disbelief.

'Let's see.' Manik said, smirking.

'You might find this as some kind of sick joke but it is not. This is the day I have been waiting for, to see you destroy. I have planned it all well, Manik Malhotra. I have evidence against you.' 

'We never had any deal between us.'
'Only we know that. The others don't. Do you think they won't believe me if I produce fake papers as evidence that shows that we had signed a deal between us? You won't stand a chance against me.'

'We know who's true here and in the end, truth always wins.' Manik said nonchalantly.
'Woah...that was so unlike you. Are you a saint now, Malhotra? Or is it the effect of your beloved? You know what, Malhotra? She's making you weaker and that's the truth you know but doesn't accept it.'
Manik laughed.

'You wish you were right but Nandini is not my weakness. She's my strength and everything that you would never have.' Manik said.

'I expected you to be stronger but you aren't and that makes my goal easier to achieve. I would have liked a tougher competition though.' Harshad said confidently.

Manik just kept quiet, waiting for the events to unfold on its own. He was going to wait for whatever that was about to happen.

*  *  *

|Manik's POV|

It was amusing to see that Harshad believed he would succeed. I was not going to let that happen because I had strong evidence now against him. I had the whole recording of whatever he had said and the best part was that he never doubted that I had kept the recorder on. Now, in a week we were to be summoned in the court and that was where the final judgement was to be announced. My next step was to hire a lawyer. Even though I had strong evidence against Harshad, I still couldn't take a risk of fighting the case alone when my company and Nandini were the ones at the stake. They were the ones that mattered to me the most and I couldn't risk losing them.

My father's close friend, Mr. Puneet Arora was a renowned lawyer. He had an impressive track record of never losing a single case. He was strong and just in his words and only offered to help anyone if he found that the case and his client were genuine. My case was genuine and I was innocent too and he would never turn down my request. I knew that he would happily take up my case, so I went to his house as soon as Hashad left. 

I parked my car outside his gate and walked inside. Outside the door, I rang the bell and Arora's uncle opened the door a few moments later. He contemplated my face for a few moments.

'Manik?' he asked, not entirely sure that it was me who was standing before him.

'Yes, Arora uncle, it's me, Manik.' I said, smiling.

He smiled and patted my back. 

'Come in, Manik. Long time no see.' he said.

'Uncle, I was busy with my work and that's why I couldn't meet you.' 

'It's okay. I understand. You have a greater responsibility now and you are doing a great job. You are an example for all the youths. You are just like your father and I'm proud of you.' He said as I entered his majestic house.

'Thank you, uncle.' I said, flushing a bit because of the compliment.

'Manik, your name is all over the news that you have cheated on Harshad and that you ran off with his money.' he asked, worried of the situation.

'That's why I'm here. Uncle, I came here to ask your help.' I said, sitting down on the huge sofa at the centre of the huge living room.

'Why would you need my help?' He asked, perplexed.

I explained everything about what Harshad had done and what the actual truth was.
H bhp'So, this is the whole story?' He asked.

'Hmm...that Harshad guy always looked shady to me. Now, he has shown his true colours.' He said, scratching his chin.

'Uncle, I have the complete recording of our conversation at my farm house which is a strong evidence that can be held against him.' 

'Really? Where is it?' He asked, his face suddenly lighting up.

I took out my phone and played the recording. Arora Uncle listened to it very carefully, not even ignoring the minor details. He listened to it with utmost concentration.

'This is a strong proof, Manik. You have nothing to be worried about now. I'll do the necessary paperwork that is required in this case and on which I need your signature and fingerprint.' He said, looking at me softly.

'Thank you, uncle. Thank you very much. I don't know what I would have done without you.' I said, thankful for his support.

'Anything for you, son.' He said, patting my back.

He excused himself to one of his rooms and came out a minute later with a few papers and a file. He sat in front of me and kept the papers and the file on the table between us. He wrote something on the paper, probably added my name and my details which he already was aware of. He signed the papers and turned them towards me to sign them. I signed the papers and also placed the thumb impressions below the signatures.

'Now Manik, you just be relaxed. We have a strong case and strong evidence. The victory is yours and Harshad will be found guilty for sure.' Uncle said, smiling at me.

'Thank you, uncle. I can never repay this debt.' 

'You don't have to. You just have to visit me regularly, that's it.' He said, laughing.

'Sure thing, uncle. I will.' I said.

'Get ready for next week.' 

* * *

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