They say time heals all wounds, but mine have only grown deeper, a quiet reminder of a love that felt more like abandonment.

Manik’s POV,

The morning sunlight filtered through the lush trees in the garden of the Malhotra mansion. It was a peaceful day, but my mind was restless. I had stepped out for a breath of fresh air when I saw Navya sitting on the stone bench near the fountain, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her gaze was distant, lost somewhere I couldn’t reach.

I walked over quietly, not wanting to startle her, and sat beside her. She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to the flowers.

“Remember when we first met?” I asked, breaking the silence.

Navya’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Yes, of course. How could I forget? It was two days before Cabir and I left for Bangalore. It was Raksha Bandhan.”

I nodded, leaning back against the bench. “I still remember how you were missing your family that day. You were crying so much.”

Navya chuckled lightly, but there was a sadness in her tone. “I felt so alone back then. And I still remember what you said to me. Don’t ever shed a tear till your this brother is alive. He’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”

I turned to her, my voice steady. “I meant every word then, Navya, and I still mean it now. No matter what, I will always be here for you.”

Her smile faltered, and she looked down at her hands. “You’ve kept that promise, Bhai. Even though I missed my family, you were always there to ensure I didn’t feel lonely. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

I sighed, choosing my words carefully. “You know, Navya, sometimes people become so helpless. No matter how much they want to fix things, they just… can’t.”

Her expression shifted, her smile fading completely. She looked at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “What are you trying to say, Bhai?”

I hesitated. “You know exactly what I’m saying, Navya.”

“No, I don’t,” she said, her tone firm.

I took a deep breath, knowing this wouldn’t be easy. “Navya bacha,” I began softly, “sometimes situations make things worse than they need to be. Do you really think Rudraksh was at fault?”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice shook. “Then was I at fault, Bhai? Was loving someone and wanting to be with him wrong?”

I shook my head immediately. “No, Navya. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m trying to tell you that Rudraksh loves you. I’ve seen it in his eyes. The way he looks at you, with so much longing… it’s painful to watch. Do you know how hurt he was when you called me ‘Bhai’ but didn’t even look at him?

“You were so young back then. You couldn’t handle the situation yourself. How could you expect him to handle it perfectly? He was only two or three years older than you. If it had been in his hands, I’m sure he would have done things differently. At least talk to him, Navya. Give him a chance.”

She wiped her tears angrily. “Okay, let’s say he was as helpless as I was. But what about my own mother? She chose her husband over her child, Bhai. She knew he was wrong, but she still took his side.”

Her voice cracked, and I felt her pain as if it were my own. I leaned forward, trying to meet her gaze. “Navya, you chose your love over your family too.”

She froze, her tear-streaked face turning toward me in shock.

I continued gently. “Bacha, I’m just trying to show you the other side. You left them first. You could have stayed and fought, but you chose to leave. When you chose your partner, it was good, but when your mother chose hers, it was wrong. How is that fair?”

Her voice trembled with anger and hurt. “Are you blaming me for what happened?”

“No, Navya,” I said firmly. “I’m not blaming you at all. I’m just trying to explain that everyone makes mistakes. Your father was wrong—no doubt about that. But what about your mother and your brother? Did you ever try to understand what they went through after you left?”

Navya looked away, silent.

I softened my tone. “You saw your mother when she saw you for the first time after so many years. She was broken, Navya, just like you. The pain in her eyes… it was the same as yours.

“You’re not wrong to feel hurt. You’re not wrong to want answers. But punishing Rudraksh and your mother won’t heal your wounds. Talk to them. At least try to understand their side before you decide anything.”

She didn’t respond, but I could see the turmoil in her eyes. I reached out and gently caressed her hair.

“The decision is yours, Navya,” I said softly. “Whatever you choose, I’ll be here for you.”

I stood up, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As I walked away, I glanced back briefly. She was still sitting there, staring at the fountain, her expression unreadable.

I knew I had planted a seed of thought. Whether it would grow or not was up to her. All I could do now was hope—and be there for her, no matter what.

Manik’s POV ends.

Navya’s POV,

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating the quiet corners of the Malhotra mansion. Today was the Haldi ceremony, and I was supposed to take the used Haldi from Manik bhai’s ceremony to Murthy Mansion. I could feel the weight of the day looming over me as I sat in the car with Cabir and Mukti, heading towards Murthy Mansion.

Cabir and Mukti were chatting casually, but I was lost in my thoughts. The past few days had been a whirlwind—cocktail parties, sangeet functions, and countless memories that tugged at my heart. Yet, despite being in the same room as Mom and Rudraksh, I hadn’t spoken to them. I couldn’t bring myself to.

As we entered inside, I saw Nandini sitting on a small wooden stool in the garden, looking serene and lost in her own thoughts. I carried the bowl of Haldi on my head, walking toward her. Cabir and Mukti followed behind me.

Prisha Bhabhi handed Mom the aarti plate, and to my surprise, Mom approached me with tears in her eyes. She started doing my aarti, her hands trembling.

“Stop…” I began, stepping back instinctively, but Cabir gently held my hand, stopping me. He shook his head, his eyes silently urging me to let it happen.

She finished my aarti and turned to Cabir, placing a tilak on his forehead as well. Cabir looked stunned, his usual witty demeanor replaced by genuine emotion. He bent down to touch her feet, and she blessed him.

Mom smiled faintly, her gaze shifting to Nandini. I placed the Haldi bowl before her. As I did, I couldn’t help but notice the hushed murmurs of the relatives. Their whispers stung, but I ignored them.

Mom took some Haldi from the bowl and applied it gently to Nandini’s cheeks. Her hands trembled as she leaned forward, intending to kiss Nandini’s forehead, but Nandini turned her head slightly, pretending not to notice.

I saw the hurt flash across Mom’s face, but she forced a smile, stepping back. Something about their interaction felt off, but I brushed it aside, assuming it was my imagination.

One by one, the others applied Haldi to Nandini, laughing and teasing her. Soon, it was time for her to take a bath.

“Cabir, let’s leave now,” I whispered, feeling overwhelmed.

Before he could reply, a small hand grabbed mine. “Bua, come! I’ll show you my toys!” It was Ansh, Prisha’s little boy.

“Not now, Ansh,” I said gently.

Prisha Bhabhi smiled warmly. “Navya, it’s your house. Come inside. At least have a look.”

Ansh tugged at my hand insistently, and I found myself following him inside, Cabir and Mukti trailing behind.

The moment I stepped inside, memories hit me like a tidal wave. Every corner of the house whispered stories of my childhood. My fingers brushed against the walls, feeling the texture as if it could transport me back to simpler times.

Mukti noticed my unease and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You okay?” she asked softly.

I nodded, though my heart felt heavy. My feet carried me forward, almost as if they had a mind of their own, until I found myself standing before the door to my old room.

Bhabhi came up beside me, unlocking the door. “Come in,” she said with a smile.

I hesitated before stepping inside, my breath catching in my throat. The room was exactly as I had left it—untouched, pristine, and painfully familiar. My photographs adorned the walls, each one a frozen moment from a life I had left behind.

“Ma cleans this room herself every day,” Bhabhi said quietly. “She doesn’t let anyone else enter. This room has been hers and yours, Navya.”

I turned to look at her, my eyes wide with disbelief.

She continued, “Do you know how I found out about you? After I got married, one night I saw Ma sitting here, crying, holding one of your photos. That night, she told me everything. She misses you every day, every second, every minute.”

Tears blurred my vision.

“And Rudra…” Her voice softened further. “There hasn’t been a single day he hasn’t blamed himself. He loves you so much, Navya.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. My legs gave out, and I sank to the floor, sobbing. Someone placed a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to see Mom standing there, her eyes filled with tears.

“Mom…” I choked out, standing up and hugging her tightly. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you.”

She cried into my shoulder. “No, Navya, it was my fault. I should have stood by you. I’m so sorry, beta.”

We cried together, letting years of pain and regret wash away. She guided me to the bed and sat beside me, holding my hand as she comforted me.

Then Nandini walked in with Rudraksh, who stood behind her, his head bowed.

“Bhaiyu…” I whispered.

At the sound of my voice, he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Forgive me, Navya. I couldn’t stop what happened. I couldn’t protect you. I tried to find you, but I failed.”

I knelt before him, cupping his face in my hands. “No, Bhaiyu. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run away. You were as helpless as I was.”

We hugged tightly, sobbing into each other’s shoulders. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nandini and Bhabhi smiling, their arms wrapped around each other.

Mom’s voice broke the moment. “You’re staying here with us now, Navya. No matter what.”

I sighed, pulling back. “Mom, do you really think your husband will let me? And even if he did, I can’t. I have to go back, at least for now.”

“No,” Rudraksh said firmly. “Dad doesn’t get to decide. You’re staying here, and that’s final.”

I smiled sadly. “Bhaiyu, Ma, please understand. I’ll stay after Nandini’s wedding. I promise. But for now, I have responsibilities. I have to take care of Manik bhai. He’s been acting so moody lately.”

They sighed but reluctantly agreed.

Cabir knocked on the door, peeking inside. “Neyonika Aunty called. There’s something urgent for you to handle.”

I nodded, standing up. “We should go.”

As we prepared to leave, Mom came to Cabir, folding her hands. “Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I know we made mistakes, but I hope you can forgive us.”

Cabir gently took her hands in his. “Aunty, please don’t apologize. Every parent wants what’s best for their children.”

“Call me Ma,” she said with a tearful smile.

Cabir nodded. “Okay, Ma.”

Bhaiyu hugged him, thanking him earnestly. Cabir, of course, couldn’t resist a dramatic comment, making us all laugh.

Nandini teased Cabir. “So, should I start calling you Jiju now?”

I smirked. “And I should call you Bhabhi, Nandini.”

She pouted. “This isn’t fair! Didu, you’re taking his side!”

Cabir laughed. “As you say, saali sahiba.”

The room erupted in laughter as we finally made our way out. Just as we were leaving, my gaze met Dad’s from across the hall. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held a trace of regret.

I turned away, my heart heavy, and stepped into the car. There was still so much to mend, but for now, I was content with the bridges I had rebuilt.

Navya’s POV ends.

Nandini's POV,

The soft hum of my laptop was the only sound breaking the stillness of my room. My fingers danced over the keyboard as I reviewed a report one last time before sending it off to Manik. Tomorrow was the wedding, but the weight of responsibilities didn’t pause for celebrations.

I leaned back in my chair, letting out a small sigh as I hit "send." It wasn’t like Manik and I talked much, though we exchanged many emails about work. To me, he was just my boss, and soon, he’d also be my husband—a reality that still felt surreal.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, not bothering to turn around.

The door creaked open, and I felt the bed dip slightly as someone sat beside me. I glanced sideways to find Abhimanyu smiling at me, his eyes holding that familiar teasing glint.

“Seriously, babydoll?” he said, folding his arms. “You’re working at this hour? Tomorrow’s your wedding, and here you are, stuck with spreadsheets and reports.”

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. “What do you expect me to do? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs? The world doesn’t stop just because I’m getting married.”

Abhimanyu shook his head in mock disbelief. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Glad you’re finally catching on,” I replied with a sarcastic edge, shutting the laptop and setting it aside.

His expression softened. “So, how’s everything going? Feeling nervous? Excited?”

I leaned back, crossing my legs beneath me. “Honestly? I’m just… happy that Didu is back. Seeing her patch things up with Mom and Bhaiyu—it feels like everything is finally falling into place.”

“And what about Manik?” he asked casually, though I didn’t miss the knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

“There’s nothing about him,” I replied firmly. “We haven’t interacted that much. To me, he’s… my boss.”

Abhimanyu leaned closer, wagging his finger playfully. “Oh, really? Office romance and all, huh? I see you, babydoll. Don’t try to deny it.”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing a pillow and smacking him with it. “Abhi, please. It’s an arranged marriage. I didn’t even know it was him until our parents announced it. And, for your information, there’s no ‘office romance’ going on.”

He laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay! But think about it—you’re about to marry your boss. After tomorrow, you’ll be seeing him at work and home. How does that even work?”

“Shut up, Abhi!” I said, throwing another pillow at him, though I couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped my lips.

Abhimanyu chuckled, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off his shirt. “Alright, alright. I’ll stop teasing you.” He walked toward the door but paused, turning back to me. His teasing expression had softened into something more serious.

“Good night, babydoll,” he said gently, stepping closer to kiss my forehead. “I’m happy you’ve moved on from… that incident.”

Before I could respond, he left, closing the door behind him.

His words lingered in the air, echoing in my mind. That incident.

At first, it didn’t register. I stared at the door, my lips parted as if to call him back, but no sound came out. And then, like a tidal wave, it hit me.

My heart began pounding violently in my chest, the sound drowning out everything else. My breathing grew shallow, and I struggled to draw air into my lungs.

“No…” I whispered, shaking my head as tears blurred my vision. “No, no, no…”

The memories surged forward, unbidden and relentless, dragging me into the darkness I had fought so hard to escape.

I clutched at my arms, the sensation of invisible chains tightening around me. My nails dug into my skin as if trying to claw my way out of the suffocating weight of the past.

“How could I forget?” I choked out, my voice trembling. “How could I let myself forget?”

My breaths came in ragged gasps, my chest heaving as if I were drowning. I curled into myself, pulling my knees to my chest and rocking back and forth.

“No, please don’t…” I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. “Please, not again. Don’t let it happen again.”

The walls of my room felt like they were closing in, the once comforting space was now a prison. I scratched at my arms, desperate to feel something—anything to ground me in the present. But nothing worked.

I buried my face in my knees, my sobs muffled against my skin. My voice trembled as I whispered to myself, a futile attempt at comfort. “It’s okay. It’s over. You’re safe now. It’s okay.”

But no matter how many times I said it, the words felt hollow.

The shadows of the past loomed large, wrapping around me like a shroud. The darkness whispered my fears, my guilt, my pain. And for the first time in years, I felt powerless to fight it.

All I could do was sit there, trembling and broken, as the night stretched on.

Nandini’s POV ends.

Manik’s POV,

The cool night breeze brushed against my skin as I leaned against the balcony railing, staring at the city lights flickering in the distance. The wedding was tomorrow, and while everything seemed perfect on the surface, there was a gnawing unease that I couldn’t shake.

Navya stood beside me, her arms crossed as she gazed at the same cityscape. I could see the subtle tension in her posture, even as she tried to hide it.

“So,” I began, breaking the silence, “how does it feel to patch things up with your family?”

Navya’s face softened, and a small smile played on her lips. “I can’t even put it into words, Bhai. It’s… surreal. For years, I thought this moment would never come. And now, here we are. It feels like I’ve found a piece of myself that I lost.”

I nodded, understanding the weight of her words. Family is everything, and I knew how much it must have meant to her to bridge that gap.

“You know,” she continued, her voice growing quieter, “I was always closer to Mom than Dad. It’s not that he doesn’t love me, but Nandini was always his favorite. She was his little princess.”

She paused, her expression faltering, as if a thought had struck her that she wasn’t sure she wanted to voice.

“But?” I prompted gently.

Navya hesitated, glancing at me before looking away. “I don’t know, Bhai. Something feels… off.”

“What do you mean?”

She sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I mean Nandini. She’s not the same. This isn’t the Nandini I know. She was always bubbly, full of life, always talking a mile a minute. But now…” Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head.

“Now what?” I asked curiously.

“She’s quiet,” Navya said, her tone laced with worry. “Reserved. It’s like the spark in her eyes is gone. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like she’s hiding something.”

I frowned, thinking back to the few interactions I’d had with Nandini. “We haven’t talked much,” I admitted. “The only real conversation we had was after the engagement when I dropped her off at her apartment.”

Navya turned to me sharply. “Apartment? What apartment?”

“She doesn’t live in the Murthy Mansion,” I explained. “She moved into an apartment near the office after coming back from New York.”

Navya looked utterly confused. “Wait, what do you mean ‘coming back from New York’? When did she go there?”

“She studied there for a few years,” I said simply, watching her reaction.

Navya’s eyes widened. “No way. Nandini never wanted to study abroad. She always said she’d rather stay here. It was just me and Bhaiyu who dreamed of going abroad, not her.”

I shrugged. “Well, she did. And now she has her own place because she wanted to be independent.”

Navya shook her head, her worry deepening. “Independent? Nandini? That doesn’t make sense. She hates living alone. She’s always been the kind of person who loves being surrounded by family. This… this isn’t her, Manik. Something’s wrong.”

I stayed quiet, letting her words sink in. Was there something deeper going on with Nandini?

“Maybe you’re overthinking,” I suggested gently. “She’s probably just stressed with the wedding and everything. Give her some time.”

Navya seemed to consider my words before nodding slowly. “Maybe you’re right. But I’m going to talk to her about it. I need to know what’s going on. For now, I should leave.”

I nodded, knowing she wouldn’t let this go until she got her answers. “Good night, Navya.”

“Good night,” she said, walking back inside.

I stayed on the balcony for a while longer, letting my thoughts wander. Nandini’s behavior was strange, but was it enough to be concerned? She didn’t seem unhappy during our brief conversations, though they were far from personal.

Just as I was about to go back inside, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, surprised to see Nandini’s name flashing on the screen.

It was 1 a.m. Why was she calling me so late?

I answered. “Hello?”

There was no response. I frowned, holding the phone closer. “Hello? Nandini? I can’t hear you.”

And then I heard it—a soft, broken voice. “Manik…”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it sent a jolt of alarm through me. “Nandini? What happened? Are you okay?”

There was no response, just the sound of heavy, labored breathing.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I said quickly, my heart pounding. “What’s going on? Why are you crying? Did someone say something to you? Are you hurt?”

Still no answer, just her ragged breathing. My mind raced, a thousand scenarios playing out in my head.

“Nandini, listen to me,” I said firmly, trying to keep my own panic in check. “Calm down. Focus on your breathing. I’m here, okay? I’m right here.”

I heard her gasp for air, and my worry deepened.

“I can’t breathe,” she choked out, her voice trembling.

“No, no, no,” I said quickly. “Don’t think like that. Take deep breaths. In and out, okay? Just listen to my voice. You’re fine. You’re safe. Focus on me.”

I stayed on the line, talking her through her breathing until it began to even out. The sound of her calming down was a small relief, but the knot in my chest remained.

“What happened?” I asked softly. “Did something happen to you?”

There was a long pause before she finally spoke. “Nothing… I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I called you. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“Hey,” I said, my voice gentle but firm. “It’s not a bother. I told you, you can call me anytime. Now, tell me what’s wrong. Why were you crying?”

She hesitated again, and I could tell she was struggling to find the words. “It’s just… this wedding. Everything’s happening so fast. I’m nervous, that’s all.”

I didn’t believe her, but I didn’t push. “Are you sure that’s all?”

“Yes,” she said softly.

I sighed. “Do you want me to stop this marriage?”

“No!” she said quickly. “It’s not that. It’s just… my mind is messed up. I’m overthinking, I guess.”

“It’s okay,” I said, trying to reassure her. “You don’t have to explain. Just take it easy, alright? Don’t stress yourself out.”

“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely audible.

The line went dead, and I stared at the phone in my hand, feeling more unsettled than before.

Was it really just stress? Or was there something else she wasn’t telling me?

I looked up at the sky, the stars offering no answers. With a heavy sigh, I walked back into my room, my mind racing as I lay down.

Sleep didn’t come easily that night.

Manik’s POV ends.

Hope you all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik...

Few words for Nandini...

Favourite moment???

Do comments and vote...

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️