They were like parallel lines, heading in the same direction but unsure if they'd ever truly intersect.

Manik's POV,

The day had been dragging on, with me sitting in my cabin, trying and failing to focus on work. My mind kept circling back to Nandini and the conversation I knew I had to have with her. For the past two days, I'd been wrestling with the idea of marriage, something I never thought I'd entertain so soon. But after what happened with Dad and the weight of his expectations, I had no choice.

Still, I wasn't the type to force anything on someone else, especially not a marriage. I needed to know what Nandini wanted, and what her decision was. And if she didn't want this marriage, then I don't have to convince Dad. But if she did...

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. This wasn't about what I wanted. It was about what had to be done.

After an eternity of overthinking, I finally decided to call her. Picking up the intercom, I pressed the button for her cabin.

"Ms. Murthy," I said, my tone was calm and measured. "Come to my cabin."

"Yes, sir," she replied, her voice as formal as ever.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. My nerves were getting the better of me, which was ridiculous. I was Manik Malhotra, for God's sake. I didn't get nervous.

A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Come in," I said, straightening up.

Nandini walked in, her posture as poised as always. Her eyes showed a quiet determination, but I also noticed something else-fatigue. She looked tired, almost as though she hadn't slept in days.

"You called me, sir?" she said, her tone professional, as she stood near the door.

"Yes, I need to discuss something important. Please, have a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before sitting down, her back straight and her hands resting on her lap.

I took a deep breath, unsure how to begin. "Ms. Murthy, have you informed your family about your decision not to marry me?"

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she tilted her head. "Why are you asking this, Mr. Malhotra?"

There was a sharpness in her tone that caught me off guard, but I ignored it. Sighing, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.

"Because I need to know," I said. "Do you want this marriage to happen?"

Her expression changed subtly, her gaze growing distant. She seemed to be lost in thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Malhotra," she said, her words measured, "but I'm going to say yes to this marriage. I know I was against it earlier, but I have my reasons."

Her answer stunned me. Of all the possibilities I had considered, this wasn't one of them. I leaned back in my chair, staring at her as if she'd just told me the earth was flat.

"You're serious?" I asked, my voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

"Yes," she replied firmly.

For a moment, I was silent, trying to process her words. "That's... unexpected," I admitted. "Because I was going to say the same to you. I've already told my parents I'm willing to go through with this marriage. But I asked them not to inform your family because I wanted to talk to you first."

Her eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite place-was it a surprise? Resignation? Either way, her expression remained neutral.

"So," I continued, "are you okay with this?"

She seemed to hesitate for a second before nodding. "I am."

Her response was so straightforward, so matter-of-fact, that it left me even more confused. There was something off about her tone, as if she were agreeing out of obligation rather than choice. But before I could ask, she spoke again.

"But I have one condition."

"Condition?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Yes," she said, meeting my gaze. "I don't want anyone to know about this marriage, particularly not the media or anyone in the office."

Her words caught me off guard. "What?" I said, frowning. "Why?"

She exhaled slowly, as though she'd been preparing for this question. "Because I want to establish my career on my own," she said. "That's why I didn't join my family's business in the first place. If people find out about this marriage, they'll treat me differently. They'll assume I got this job, or any future success, because of you or your influence. I don't want that."

Her voice was steady, but there was an edge to it-a determination that I couldn't ignore.

"But," I said slowly, "do you really think our families will agree to this? Especially mine?"

"That's my problem," she said firmly. "I'll handle my family. You just need to convince yours. This job is important to me, Mr. Malhotra. I can't have anyone thinking I've taken shortcuts."

I studied her for a moment, trying to understand the depth of her resolve. She wasn't just asking for a Favor; she was laying down a boundary.

After a pause, I nodded. "Alright," I said. "I'll talk to my parents."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she gave me a small nod. "Thank you for understanding," she said, her tone is softer now. "I should get back to work."

"Of course," I said, watching as she stood up.

As she left the room, closing the door behind her, I leaned back in my chair, letting out a long breath.

Convincing my parents wasn't going to be easy, but for some reason, I didn't mind taking on the challenge. Nandini was clear about what she wanted, and I couldn't help but admire her for it.

But something still lingered at the back of my mind-why had she changed her decision so suddenly? What was she hiding?

I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. For now, I had enough on my plate.

Manik's POV ends.

Nandini's POV,

As I drove towards Murthy Mansion, my thoughts raced like the car speeding down the empty streets. The sleek new vehicle was delivered yesterday evening. The mansion loomed in the distance, its grand façade illuminated by the golden rays of the late afternoon sun. It looked the same as always-majestic, intimidating, and far too large to ever feel like home.

I parked the car and stepped out, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. As I walked towards the door, the weight of the upcoming confrontation settled on my shoulders.

Inside, the living room was alive with chatter and laughter. Mom was seated on one of the plush sofas, sipping tea while scrolling on her phone. Rudraksh Bhai and Prisha Bhabhi were talking quietly near the large window, and little Ansh was playing with his toy car on the carpet.

The first one to notice me was Ansh. His eyes lit up, and he ran to me, his tiny arms wrapping around my legs.

"Bua!" he exclaimed, his voice full of joy.

I crouched down to hug him tightly, a genuine smile breaking through my otherwise tense demeanor. "Ansh, my little champ! How are you?"

"I'm good, Bua! Did you bring me something?" he asked, looking up at me with wide, expectant eyes.

I chuckled softly. "Next time, I promise."

As I straightened up, I noticed the expressions on the others' faces-surprise, curiosity, and a hint of unease.

"Nandini?" Bhai's voice broke the silence as he approached me. "What a surprise. You didn't say you were coming."

I shrugged lightly, my tone deliberately casual. "Thought I'd drop by unannounced. Keeps things interesting, doesn't it?"

Bhabhi, ever the warm presence in the family, walked up to me with a smile and handed me a glass of water. "It's good to see you, Nandu. How are you?"

I accepted the glass, taking a small sip before replying. "I'm fine, Bhabhi. Really." I returned her smile but knew it didn't quite reach my eyes.

Mom and Dad haven't said a word yet. Dad was seated in his usual spot, his expression unreadable as always. I placed the glass on the table and turned to face them all. "I'm here because I have something important to say."

That got their attention. Bhai and Bhabhi exchanged a glance, while Mom set her phone down. Dad, however, remained unnervingly calm, his hands resting on the arms of his chair.

"Go on, Nandini," Bhai said gently, his voice tinged with concern.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Before I begin, let me just say this: I don't need any interruptions, and I'm not here for a debate. I've made my decision, and it's final."

Dad raised an eyebrow, leaning back with a faint smirk. "Well, this should be interesting."

"Don't worry, Dad," I said, my tone laced with sarcasm. "I'll try to keep it simple enough for you to follow."

His smirk faltered, and I turned my attention back to everyone.

"I've decided," I said firmly. "I'm going to marry Manik Malhotra."

The room fell silent. It was as if the air had been sucked out, leaving only a vacuum of stunned expressions.

Dad was the first to respond, his lips curling into a rare smile. "Finally, you've made the right decision for once in your life."

I chuckled darkly, crossing my arms. "Well, don't throw a party just yet, Dad. There's more."

Bhai was the first to speak. "Wait, what? You're... agreeing to this?"

"Yes," I said, meeting his gaze. "I've thought it through, and it's what I've decided. But there's a condition."

Nandini's POV ends.

Rudraksh's POV,

It had been a typical evening at Murthy Mansion. I sat with Prisha near the large window, discussing Ansh's school activities, while Mom was scrolling through her phone, and Dad was seated in his usual chair, reading something on his tablet.

Ansh was busy with his toy car on the carpet, mumbling about how he was going to build the "biggest race track ever." The house was calm-a rare moment of peace in a place that often felt like a battlefield.

But peace, I'd come to learn, never lasted long in this family.

Ansh yelled and ran towards the door, "Bua!" at the top of his lungs. Then I noticed Nandini coming inside.

Nandini crouched to hug him, her face softening for a moment. "Hey, champ! doing?"

"Good! Did you bring me a surprise?" he asked excitedly, looking up at her with those big, innocent eyes.

"Next time. I promise," she promised, ruffling his hair.

"Nandini?" I stood up and walked toward her. "What's going on? You didn't tell anyone you were coming."

"Thought I'd drop by unannounced. Keeps things interesting, doesn't it?" she replied her tone light but edged with sarcasm.

Prisha handed her a glass of water. "It's good to see you, Nandu," she said warmly. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Bhabhi. Really." Nandini smiled, but it was the kind of smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm here because I have something important to say."

Dad hadn't said a word yet, but I could see him watching her carefully. Nandini placed the glass down on the table and turned to address all of us.

"Go on, Nandini," I said gently with concern.

She took a deep breath and said. "Before I begin, let me just say this: I don't need any interruptions, and I'm not here for a debate. I've made my decision, and it's final."

Dad raised an eyebrow, leaning back with a faint smirk. "Well, this should be interesting."

"Don't worry, Dad," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "I'll try to keep it simple enough for you to follow."

His smirk faltered, and she turned her attention back to us.

"I've made a decision," she said, her voice steady. "I'm going to marry Manik Malhotra."

The room went completely silent.

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard her. But when I looked at her face-calm, determined-I realized she was serious.

Dad was the first to respond, his lips curling into a rare smile. "Finally, you've made the right decision for once in your life."

Nandini chuckled darkly, crossing her arms. "Well, don't throw a party just yet, Dad. There's more."

I couldn't hold back anymore. "What the hell, Nandu?" I said, stepping closer to her. "Why? What changed? You were so against this before!"

"Calm down, Bhai," she replied, her tone even. "One day, I'd have to agree anyway. So why not now? It's fine."

Her words hit me like a slap. This wasn't like her. Nandini wasn't someone who just... gave in.

"Fine? You're saying this is fine?" I demanded, my voice rising.

"Yes," she said firmly. "It's my decision. I don't need anyone else's approval."

Before I could respond, she turned to Dad. "But there's one condition."

Dad's smile vanished. "A condition?" he asked, his voice cold.

"Yes," Nandini said. "This marriage will remain private. No public announcements, no media coverage, and absolutely no one in the office knowing about it."

Dad's expression darkened instantly. "What nonsense is this? Do you even understand what you're asking? A wedding in this family isn't a private affair, Nandini. It's a statement."

"Not this one," she said calmly. "This is how it's going to be."

"Ridiculous!" he barked, slamming his hand on the armrest. "I will not agree to this."

"I don't need you to agree, Dad," Nandini said, her tone sharp. "I've already discussed this with Manik. He understands, and he'll handle his family. You just need to follow through."

The tension in the room was suffocating.

"Nandini, this is absurd," Dad snapped. "You think you can dictate terms to me? After everything I've done for you?"

"You mean everything you've done to me?" she shot back, her eyes blazing. "This isn't up for debate, Dad. Either you agree, or I walk away from this completely."

I couldn't just stand there anymore. "Nandu, calm down," I said, stepping between them. "Dad, she has her reasons. Let's just... try to understand her perspective."

"You stay out of this, Rudraksh," Dad snapped at me.

"No," I said firmly. "I won't. She's my sister, and I know she wouldn't do this without a good reason. If she wants to keep this private, there's probably more to it than she's saying."

Prisha and Mom chimed in, trying to mediate.

"Dad, think about it," Prisha said gently. "Maybe Nandini's right. The media can be intrusive, and she's just trying to protect her career."

"And honestly," Mom added, "it's not like a private wedding is the end of the world. Nandini just wants to focus on her work without distractions."

Dad glared at all of us, but I could see the cracks in his resolve.

Nandini, of course, couldn't resist adding one last jab. "Wow, Dad. A family discussion where you're not the only one talking? Must be a new experience for you."

He exhaled sharply, clearly struggling to control his temper. "Fine," he said finally. "If this is what you want, so be it. But don't expect me to clean up the mess if things go wrong."

"They won't," Nandini said confidently. "Because I know exactly what I'm doing."

The conversation ended there, and Prisha quickly suggested we have dinner.

At the table, the mood was slightly lighter, thanks to Ansh's endless chatter. He told Nandini all about his day, his new toys, and his plans to become a race car driver.

But even as I laughed at his stories, I couldn't shake the unease in my chest.

Nandini was hiding something.

And I was going to find out what it was.

Hope you all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik...

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What is that thing Nandini hiding???

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Will Manik's parents agrees to Nandini's condition???

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Kiara ❤️❤️