I thought I was protecting myself by standing my ground, but now it feels like I was only hurting them.

Manik's POV,

The stillness of the night was interrupted by a sharp knock on my door. Stirring awake, I groggily reached for my phone to check the time-2:30 a.m. Confused, I rubbed my eyes and stumbled out of bed, wondering who would need me at this hour. I opened the door to find Mom standing there, her face pale and panicked.

"Mom? What happened?" I asked, my heart was already racing.

"It's your dad," she said, her voice trembling. "He's not well. We need to take him to the hospital. Now."

Those words jolted me awake like a bucket of cold water. "What?" I asked, but I didn't wait for her to answer. "Don't worry, Mom. Let's go."

Without wasting another second, I called out for the butlers and helped get Dad to the car. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. It was terrifying to see him like this. Mom sat in the backseat, holding Dad's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face. I drove, my hands gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

"It's going to be okay, Mom," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I couldn't let her see how scared I was. "We'll get him to the hospital in no time."

She nodded but said nothing, her focus entirely on Dad. I reached for my phone, dialing Cabir's number while keeping my eyes on the road.

"Cabir," I said, my voice urgent. "Come to City Hospital right now. Dad's not well. I'll explain when you get here."

"I'm on my way," Cabir said without hesitation.

By the time we reached the hospital, a team of nurses and a stretcher were waiting for us. I parked haphazardly, rushing to help transfer Dad. They wheeled him straight to the ICU, leaving us outside with nothing but anxiety and forms to fill out.

I stood at the reception, staring at the clipboard in my hands. My mind was a mess, but I forced myself to focus, answering their questions and signing where needed. Just as I finished, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Cabir, with Mukti, Alya, and Dhruv right behind him.

Cabir pulled me into a quick hug. "Manik, don't take tension. Uncle will be fine," he said, his voice firm.

Mukti and Alya looked worried. "Where's Aunty?" Mukti asked.

"She's outside the ICU," I said, pointing in that direction.

Without a word, they rushed off to find her. Cabir stayed with me, his presence grounding me, while Dhruv stood silently, his concern evident on his face. Once the forms were done, we headed to the ICU. The sight that greeted me was enough to make my chest ache.

Mom was sitting on a chair, her face buried in her hands, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. Mukti and Alya sat beside her, trying to console her, but she looked inconsolable. I couldn't stand to see her like that.

"Mom," I said softly, kneeling in front of her. She looked up, her eyes red and swollen. "Don't cry, Mom. Nothing will happen to Dad. He'll be fine. I promise."

She nodded weakly, but her tears didn't stop. I placed my hand over hers, hoping to give her some strength, even though I felt like I had none left to offer.

Moments later, the doctor stepped out of the ICU, and we all surged toward him.

"What happened to him? Is he okay?" I asked, my words tumbling out in a rush.

The doctor raised a hand to calm us. "It was a minor heart attack," he explained. "Nothing too serious, but you need to take care of him. He's been under a lot of stress, and that's what triggered this. Keep him away from anything that could strain him further."

"Can we see him?" Mom asked, her voice trembling.

"Once we move him to a ward, you can visit him," the doctor said with a reassuring smile before walking away.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Dhruv, always the observant one, spoke up.

"What stress was he taking, Manik?" he asked, looking directly at me. "Is everything okay with the business?"

I shook my head. "The business is fine. There's nothing wrong there."

Before I could elaborate, Mom's voice cut through the air. "It wasn't the business," she said, her voice heavy with emotion. "It was about Manik's marriage."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. My stomach twisted uncomfortably as I looked at her, trying to understand.

"What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Mom wiped her tears, her gaze piercing. "After the argument you had with him today, he was hurt. He couldn't stop thinking about it, Manik. That's what pushed him over the edge."

I felt the air leave my lungs. My knees felt weak, and I stumbled back a step. "No," I said, shaking my head. "You're saying this happened because of me?"

"Manik, that's not what I-" Mom started, but I didn't let her finish.

I turned on my heel and walked away, my thoughts in a spiral. Everyone called after me, but I couldn't stop. I needed to get away. Away from their pity, away from their words, away from the guilt that was threatening to consume me.

The weight of it all settled on my chest as I stepped outside, the cold night air doing nothing to calm the storm within me. I ran a hand through my hair, gripping it tightly as if that could stop the chaos in my mind.

This is my fault.

That thought echoed over and over, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake it.

Manik's POV ends.

Cabir's POV,

I found Manik outside the hospital, standing alone in the parking lot. He was staring up at the sky, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his whole frame rigid. The glow of the streetlights highlighted his profile-his clenched jaw, his furrowed brows, the unmistakable shadow of guilt weighing on him.

I didn't need to be told; I knew he was blaming himself. That's just how Manik was-carrying burdens that weren't his to bear. I approached him silently, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He turned around abruptly, his face a mix of frustration and despair. Before I could say anything, he stepped forward and hugged me tightly.

"Cabir," he said, his voice cracking. "Dad is in this condition because of me. Mom is crying because of me. Why am I always the reason for all the bad things? Why can't I ever be the reason for their happiness?"

His words hit me hard, not because I believed them, but because I knew he did. Manik wasn't just talking about tonight-he was dredging up things he had buried for years, wounds that had never truly healed.

I tightened my hold on him, patting his back gently. "Manik," I said softly, but he didn't stop.

"I pushed him too far, Cabir. He just wanted what he thought was best for me, and I... I argued. I hurt him. And Mom-seeing her cry like that-it's all because of me."

I pulled back slightly, gripping his shoulders and looking him straight in the eye. "Manik, stop. Just stop." My voice was firm, but not harsh. "You're spiraling, and none of what you're saying is true."

He shook his head, his eyes glistening in the dim light. "It is true. You heard what Mom said. He was stressed because of me."

I sighed. "Manik, listen to me. Your mom didn't blame you for Uncle's condition. She said he was stressed about you, not because of you. There's a difference."

He looked at me, his expression conflicted. "What difference does it make? If I hadn't argued if I had just agreed..."

"Then what?" I interrupted. "He wouldn't have had stress? Manik, this isn't on you. Uncle was worried because he loves you and wants what he thinks is best for you. But you're not wrong for standing your ground. You're human, and you're allowed to have a say in your life."

I saw his defenses falter slightly. I took a deep breath, softening my tone. "Your mom's worried too. You saw how scared she was. She's just trying to process everything, just like you are. But blaming yourself isn't helping anyone-not her, not Uncle, and definitely not you."

Manik didn't respond right away. He just stared at the ground, his hands balled into fists. I could tell he was fighting an internal battle, but at least he was listening.

"You're not a bad son, Manik," I added. "I know that Mukti knows that, Alya knows that, hell, even Dhruv knows that, and he's terrible at reading people," I smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it didn't last. "It doesn't feel like that right now," he muttered.

"That's because you're too close to the situation. Give it some time. And for what it's worth, Uncle's going to be okay. The doctor said so. And if you want to make things right, start by being there for him now. He's awake, Manik. They've moved him to a room."

Manik's head shot up. "He's awake?"

I nodded. "Yeah. He's conscious. Probably wondering where you are."

He sighed deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. "Thanks, Cabir," he said quietly. "For always being there."

"Always, bro," I replied with a small grin. "Now, let's go before Mukti decides to yell at us for taking too long."

That earned me a genuine chuckle, and I felt a bit of relief seeing him relax, even if just for a moment. Together, we walked back into the hospital, the weight of the night still hanging in the air, but a sense of hope beginning to break through.

Cabir's POV ends.

Manik's POV,

I stepped into the room with Cabir by my side, my heart heavy but steady. As the door creaked open, the sound of laughter greeted me. Mukti, Alya, and Dhruv were gathered around Dad's bed, their laughter mingling with his warm chuckles. It was a rare sight-one that momentarily eased the knot in my chest.

Mom was perched on a stool beside Dad, her hand resting lightly on his. Her face, though weary, held a faint smile, and I couldn't help but feel a flicker of contentment seeing her like that. She'd been through so much tonight, and for a moment, it seemed like she'd found some peace.

"Manik," Dad called out the moment his eyes landed on me. His voice was weak but steady, and it carried a warmth that made me swallow hard.

I moved quickly toward him, sitting by his bedside and leaning in to hug him tightly. "I'm sorry, Dad," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I'm so sorry for hurting you. Are you okay? Do you feel any pain? Tell me where it hurts-"

"Manik," Dad interrupted, his hand gently patting my back. "Relax. I'm fine, completely fine. Look at me."

I pulled back reluctantly, meeting his gaze. His smile was small but reassuring.

"You scared the hell out of me," I admitted softly, unable to mask the tremble in my voice.

"And you scared me too," he replied with a teasing glint in his eye. "Now we're even."

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. The relief coursing through me was almost overwhelming, but it was short-lived as Mom's voice cut through the moment.

"The doctors said we can take him home tomorrow evening," she informed me, her tone firm but with an underlying tenderness.

I nodded. "That's good. Mom, and Dad, you both need to stop worrying so much. Dad, no more stress, no more tension. I'll do whatever you want me to do. If you want me to get married, I will. Just... don't talk to them about it until I say so. Just a few days, okay?"

The room grew silent. I felt everyone's eyes on me, but my focus was on Dad.

His expression softened, and he reached for my hand. "Manik," he said calmly, "I don't want you to feel pressured. I just want you to settle down and have a partner who will stand by you. I want you to be happy, son, nothing else. I know this isn't what you want right now, but I'm happy that you're trying to understand. And I know you will, someday."

I nodded, unable to find words. The weight of his hopes and the guilt of tonight pressed heavily on me, but I didn't want him to see that.

"I'll go check with the doctors," I said abruptly, standing up. "You need to rest, Dad."

He nodded, giving me a small smile. As I turned to leave, my friends followed me out without a word, their footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor.

Once we were outside, Cabir finally broke the silence. "Manik, what the hell? Why did you agree to get married?"

Mukti crossed her arms, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Seriously, Manik? You hate this idea."

Alya added softly, "We know you're doing it for Uncle, but still..."

I let out a deep breath, running a hand through my hair. "Guys," I began, my voice steadier than I felt. "Didn't you see how weak Dad looked? How scared Mom was? I can't-I won't-be the reason they feel like that again. If this marriage thing gives him peace of mind, then I'll do it."

Dhruv stepped closer, his expression concerned. "But, Manik, you've always said you weren't ready for this. And let's be honest, agreeing now doesn't mean you'll magically be okay with it."

"I know," I admitted, looking down at my hands. "I know I don't want this. But one day, I'll have to. So why not now? At least this way, it'll make Dad happy. And... don't worry about me. I'll be fine. It'll take some time, but I'll figure it out."

They exchanged glances, their worry evident, but none of them argued further. Instead, Mukti placed a hand on my shoulder.

"We're with you," she said firmly. "Whatever happens, we've got your back."

Alya nodded, her eyes softening. "Always, Manik."

"Yeah," Cabir added with a small grin. "Even if you start freaking out and run off mid-ceremony, we'll cover for you."

That earned a laugh from Dhruv, and I couldn't help but smile. They knew exactly how to lighten the mood, even in moments like this.

"Thanks, guys," I said quietly, grateful beyond words.

We stood there for a moment, the silence comfortable this time. And for the first time that night, I felt like I could breathe a little easier.

Manik's POV ends.

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