"Nahi de paunga vo khushi Nandini...I can never fulfill your desire to be a mother.. I CAN'T BE A FATHER.. NEVER EVER.." Manik closed his eyes in being tired of the recent occurrences. As he closed his eyes, every memory of the past began to haunt him.

Veebha!! That was her name. Everyone, including teachers, knew about their relationship. She was the youngest daughter of Rohit shikhawat, the famous business tycoon. Even though all the boys in college were behind her, he was the one who conquered her heart.

She was the 'Miss Campus' every year and he was college football team captain.Their relation started with his best friend Cabir dhawan's teasing.Within two months, they became the popular couple.

Veebha and Prerna were juniors of Manik and Cabir.Cabir was in relationship with his classmate Navya Naveli, A total drama queen. Cabir, Navya, Prerna were constant supporters of Manik and Veebha's relation.

Their relationship grew, making everyone jealous. Days passed, They were so happy. Manik thought of propose Veebha at their farewell party. He was ready with his not so perfect speech. But their happiness didn't last long. There will be a bad period in everyone's life. Manik's bad phase came in the form of an accident.On the way to the Fairwell party, Manik's car got into an accident.

Gaining conscious, he was informed of him being infertile due to the accident .The relationship severed which was about to complete three years. Veeba assertively said that she did not want to stay in a relationship with a man who is infertile. That put an end to the relationship which was coveted by many.

Manik was completely devastated. He couldn't digest the fact that he can't be a father. Moreover their break-up worsened the situation. That's the reason he refused to marry. His marriage with Nandini was compelled by his Mother.

He Feared that she would leave him like Veebha if she get know about this, so he did not love her and always pretended as he was in anger.

"Mom"

Manik opened his eyes hearing Mukti's scream. He doesn't know how much time he spent in that mini gym of his house. Getting up quickly, he wore his shirt and rushed to their hall.

"Mom..where are you?" Entering in home, Mukti jumped like a kangaroo.

"Chilla kyu rahi ho Mukti Malhotra?" Nyonika asked loudly as she stepped down the stairs.

"Get ready to set my new wardrobe Mommy Malhotra" Mukti yelled in excitement.

Manik rolled his eyes at his mad sister who is screaming like an elephant for a silly matter. But much to his surprise, his mother too shouted in a loud shocking tone.

"Whaatt" Srikant palmed his ears with his both arms hearing his wife's scream. Sighing in disbelief Manik walked towards the dining table to get water.

"Godd... Nyonika, my eardrums..."

Ignoring him totally, Nyonika glanced at Nandini who nodded her head positively. Nyonika cringed his face being defeated.

"Maine kaha tha Mom, Aryaman will propose Nandini, Now that I won the bet, arrange a new wardrobe for me." pulling Nyonika's cheek softly , Mukti said in an extra sugary voice.

Manik jerkingly looked at Mukti hearing her words. Water was long forgotten deal.

"Koyi batayega kya chal raha hai?" Srikant asked being impatient.

"Dad, Mom and I made a bet" Mukti started.

"About what?" Asked a curious Manik.

" I said Aryaman will propose Nandini as she is looking gorgeous today." Mukti said further.

Mukti's words caught Manik's attention. Thats when he glanced at his wife who actually looking really gorgeous in her white and golden lehenga. Her ears were adorned with jhumkas. Her left hand had bangles which matched to her dress. While right hand had as usual firefly bracelet, And her Mangalsutra and vermillion are just increasing her natural beauty. But Nyonika's words bring him back from his staring section.

" But I said he'll just do flirting only" Nyonika said in a sad tone.

"And as I said, Aryaman proposed Nandini and I won the bet. Matlab new wardrobe." Mukti said the last words dreamily.

Srikant looked at his daughter-in-law in an asking manner whether it is right or not. Nandini nodded Positively and immediately lowered her head due to fear and embarrassment.

While Manik clenched his fist in anger. His eyes turned red,thinking that someone dared to propose his wife ; Manik Malhotra's wife. His anger doubled when he spotted red hue on Nandini cheeks. He tightly closed his eyes to prevent bursting out.

"Aryaman , Kon ?" Asked Srikant being Clueless.

"Arey dad, pucho math, jab hum college mein the, tab se Aryaman ne Nandini ke piche pada tha.Whole college knew about Aryaman's feelings as he once proposed her in auditorium in front all students and teachers, including principal. But this fool said No." Mukti said slightly hitting Nandini's head. Whereas someone's blood boiled imagining those scenes.

"Including today, totally 3 times Aryaman ne Nandini ko propose kiya. Aur you know dad..." Mukti's word trailed off as Manik spoke angrily,

"Will you lower your voice Mukti ? Manik finally vent it all his anger on Mukti.

"Arey Manik, let her speak na.its interesting"  Srikant said excitedly.

"What?? Dad.. seriously??" Manik asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I'm serious" Here come the serious cum jolly malhotra.

But sensing Manik's anger Nandini immediately spoke, "Arey Papa, Arya ne mazak kar raha tha.. he was just playing around. No hard feelings"

"Really?? he proposed you 3 times and you are saying No hard feelings???" Mukti again got interrupted by Manik.

"For God sake will you stop it Mukti??"

"Bhai, aapka problem kya hai?" This time Mukti too got angry. But Nyonika came between them.

"Ok...ok... stop all this. Mukti, Nandini.. fresh ho kar aavo"

Mukti Stomped her foot on floor angrily and rushed to her room. Nandini too went to their room following Mukti. While Manik stood there not knowing why he had fought with Mukti.He was unable find out that why he exactly fought? Is it because Mukti spoke loudly or he couldn't bear the fact that someone proposed his wife. He was confused. Brushing those thoughts away, Manik turn on the TV.

                                      ••••••

When Nandini enters in room, Manik was already in bed. She looked at him intently whether he is actually slept or not. Finding him in deep sleep, she learned towards him and kissed his forehead. Adjusting his duvet, Nandini walked towards couch and lay down. Soon sleep took over her.

Around 3am Manik stirred in sleep. Nandini's unstoppable tears are hurting him in his sleep too. He opened his eyes quickly and looked at his wife who is sleeping peacefully. Staring at her for a good time he walked towards balcony. Her tearful eyes flashed in front him like a movie. Keeping his hands on the rails he watches stars. They are his favourite Just like her firefly. He began to think about the day that changed his life up to down.

Flashback

Manik could not hold on long enough in front of Nandini's love. Her love made love in his heart as well. He intend to give her back the love which she desired from him. Yesterday, it was with this intention that he promised to come home early from the hospital and go to her house.On the pretext of going home, he thought to hang out with her for a fresh start.But in the midst of the rush in the hospital, he got Prerna's phone call telling him to reach Marine drive.

When Manik reached there, she was already there watching the waves. He was very happy to see one of his bestfriend after so many days.

Manik - Hey Prerna.. What a wonderful surprise, how are you yaar?? When did you come back from Georgia?

He paused a while observing her expression. Then he asked as he found out she was upset about something.

Manik - Hey, what happened? Why are you so upset?? Ek second.. is it because of not inviting for marriage? Sorry yaar... everything was so sudden that I didn't got the time to invite.

Prerna  - Hmm... How's life going?? Are you happy? Kya tum usse pyaar kar pa rahe ho??

Manik - yaar you know na, Veebha ke jaane ke baad mein puri tarah se toot gaya tha, aur ek tho vo raaz...vo sab mujhe badal diya.. zindagi se nafrat hone laga.. College ke baad Cabir aur Navya PG ke liye Mussoorie chale gaye... tab mein akela reh gaya... kissi se baat nahi karta tha... Inn sab ke beech Mom ne rona dhona shuru kar diya... She emotionally blackmailed me.. after lots of arguments I let her do whatever she wished. At first I couldn't see Nandini in Veebha's place.. but Now...

Manik smiled slightly as he looked at the waves. Then he continued,

Manik - you know, what I felt for Veebha was just an infatuation. That was not Love.. Pyaar nahi tha vo... Pyaar vo hai jo Meri Nandini mujhse karti hai... jo mein Nandini se...

Prerna interprets Manik,

Prerna - Manik, When I reached Mumbai then only I came to know that you got married. It was an utter shock for me. I called you here because I had to tell you something.

Manik - Haan baatao na kya kehna hai?

Prerna - Manik, I love you... I have been loving you since we were in college. I can't lose you again Manik...

                                        ~~~
                                   03/03/2020

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Hey friends.., Here is the fourth part

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