This update is dedicated to everyone whose name starts with letter "K"
...

As much as I disliked the thought of Manik following Niyonika, he still did it. He followed behind her as she ran cursing him on her way to her room.

By this time the mansion was empty leaving only the family members inside. All thanks to Cabir who must have understood the situation and dispersed the guard not wanting them to witness Manik's vulnerable side.

Niyonika kneeled beside her bed and kept her head on the corner of the bed and thumped her chest crying. Manik sat beside her and took her palms into his but she shoved them away.

"Ma." His voice was heavy with emotions.

This is the first time I heard him address her as a mother instead of the formal titles.

"I have no children. Vivek is dead and my Angel was banished. You are dead to me the moment you took the first breath on this earth." Her words were harsh.

I interfered. "And you would be dead in your Angel hands if Manik didn't kick him out. Be grateful that you got a son like Manik."

She looked at me in disgust. "You don't even speak, characterless woman. You are taking his side as soon as my son was out. Bloody Orphan!"

I stepped inside her room. "You are wrong. I am on Manik's side even before your Bullock Cart was kicked out of the Empire. Infact, he got a bald patch, upset stomach and red body seater organ because of me. If he was still inside the mansion I would even pull out his internal organs."

"How dare you trouble my son?" She began but Manik moved in between us.

"Ma, she is a victim of Harshad's brutality. Don't blame her."

Niyonika scoffed. "Ofcourse, everyone is innocent except my son. You were always jealous of my Angel and finally you threw him out. Now live alone in your Empire."

Manik touched his mother's feet. "I understand that you are hurt by my actions, Ma. But he is not the person we knew, Harshad is a dangerous man and I was protecting you all along. I didn't want you to be harmed because of his crooked mind." Manik took a deep breath to clear his croaked voice. "I even chose to lose mother's love to protect you. To satisfy him I pretended that your wellbeing doesn't matter to me when in fact I was being crushed alone."

If Niyonika wasn't here I would pull Manik into a tight hug and kiss his pain away. My poor Manik! He has endured so much for every one in his family. Nobody, Nobody cared for him despite enjoying all his hardwork and security.

"If you are speaking truth then bring my Harshad to me. My son will die without a territory and he doesn't deserve it."

"He will be here when the hell freezes! You must understand that he is working with the Rathore's, the same people who have killed my father, brother and many territories. If he was cruel enough to work with them I don't think it's possible for him to be innocent." Manik was strict.

Niyonika wiped her tears.

"If that's the case, let it be. I shall obey this rule, afterall you are the Mafia Boss."

"Ma..."

"No, Boss. I don't have such good karma to be your highness mother. I am afterall a former Boss wife."

Manik immediately stood up and left the room.

I glared at Niyonika. "The last part was right. You deserve only that Bullock Cart who would feed you dog poop food. Was it tasty that you are taking his side?"

"You. I will hit you now." She sat up on her knees and I immediately ran out of her room sticking my tongue out.

I hopped to Manik's room. I have to hug him and detox all the toxic words Niyonika put into his head.

But I was too late as Manik was already in the bathroom and I heard the shower running. I wanted to knock the door and ask if he was doing fine but I let that slide.

Manik needs some time.

I dropped the money bag from my shoulders and fell on the bed with a thud to relax my sore muscles.

What a tiresome day!

Atleast I don't have to see that Bullock Cart anymore and my Manik is back. Now everything is fine.

My happy thoughts broke as I heard a knock on the door.

Who could it be?

I opened the with half heart and sulked seeing his face.

"What do you want, Cabir?"

He arched his eyebrow. "What are you doing in The Boss room? You have a separate room."

"Why do you care? It's between Manik and I."

"He is already worn out and don't get on his nerves. Now get out and I have to speak with Manik."

"Huh? I have to speak with Manik as well so you get out." I said folding my hands above my chest imitating him.

"Its important." He said.

"Mine is important too." I replied.

"What's so important that you have to speak with Manik?"

"About his wellbeing, duh! I have to know if his wounds are healed, if at his food, if he needs to speak about that toxic woman."

"Good one, but I have to speak about the tampered codes, manhandled guards, misrepresented documents. So, who's important?"

I had a long monologue within myself to weight the pros and cons of both of points. I finally decided.

"Mine, ofcourse." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Nandini, you have all the day to chat with Manik. But my work has to be discussed right now." Before I could argue further he added. "Your maid is anyways awake and good after getting medical attention. You can meet her if you want."

"Navya is awake?" I almost forgot about her and I ran out of Manik's room towards the servant quarters.

She was now eating a good meal provided by the kitchen workers. All the guards and soldiers are having their lunch after this tiring work. They really need it.

Navya's eyes went wide as she saw me in the quarters. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you go?"

I smiled and walked towards her. "This is my home and I am not going anywhere."

She slapped her forehead. "Why? What part don't you understand that underworld is not safe for you? You aren't trained from childhood."

"I don't need anything. I have Manik on my side and he will take care of everything. I trust him." I paused. "Also, a good news, Harshad is out of the picture. The Boss banished him to the outskirts."

"What?" She took a moment and her eyes teared up. "I wish I could witness that scene. My only regret is I couldn't kill him with my hands."

"Well, Niyonika didn't agree to it."

"Then kick her out along with her son." She muttered under her breath. "I am sorry, Nandini."

"Huh?"

"I regret everything I did with you. I am sorry from my whole heart and I don't think you will forget me in your lifetime as my ill work has caused you enough damage. But please forgive me, Nandini. I am really sorry."

I stared at her not knowing what to say or how to react. Forgive? I did not forgive anyone till now. How do I  forgive others?

I smiled as an idea struck me. "Ofcourse. I forgive you." I said taking some water in my hand and poured on her head.

She immediately hugged me. "Can we be friends again?"

I shook my head. "No. We cannot be friends after what happened between us. I have found myself a new friend. Alya, the lady boss."

"Please don't say that, Nandini. We can start everything afresh. I want to be with you."

I stood and took a few steps away from her bed. "No. Alya is my best friend. That's it. I learnt to make decisions basing on present situation instead of relying on the past promise. Just because we were assigned to be friends doesn't mean we have to be friends forever. I want to be Alya's friend and that's final."

Her eyes teared up. "What about me? Without you how can I survive in this Mafia world? What about my livelihood?"

"Wait a minute." I said running out of the servant quarters and went to Manik's room.

"Manik." I shrieked with happiness seeing him standing in the room and speaking with Cabir.

"Nandini." He was happy but surprised by my voice.

I immediately jumped into his arms and hugged him as tight as possible. "You are here. You are here."

His chest vibrated as he laughed.

God! I would give anything to have this feeling.

Cabir coughed bringing me out of my la la land. I glared at him for disturbing my moment. Anyways, I have other things to deal.

"Manik, I have something to do right now. Please don't go away." I said while picking the heavy bag on my shoulders.

"Hey, what's the bag?" Cabir questioned.

"25 million cash for Navya." I grinned.

"What?" Both the men questioned.

I covered my ears with their sound. "I will talk to you guys later. Bye for now."

I walked with difficulty till the servant quarters and I spotted everyone bowing to me on the way.

Why are they bowing to me? Maybe for the hardwork. I shrugged.

"Take this 25 million and leave me, Navya. You can live independently inside our Empire or the mainland. Your wish, I would give you a good reference anywhere you work but I can't let you be with me."

"I don't want anything but to be with you and rectify my mistakes. Let me atleast be your maid." She requested.

I kept the bag in her lap. "I have Manik, Alya, Cabir on my side and I don't need anything. But you have nothing. Take this money and live a happy life, that's all I can do for you as former assigned friend."

I stood up and walked out of her room not listening to anything she said further. I spotted Manik along with Cabir who were glaring at me.

I don't know why but they are about to pounce on me by guessing their eyes.

"Not here Manik, the guards need some time to rest. Let's go to our house answer can speak alright?" I suggested and took huge steps to escape from them.

But it's stupid to overcome Manik as he is faster than me. He came inside the room in a fraction of second following me.

"Cabir, Out. I have things to deal with her." He said and shut the door on Cabir's surprised face.

He dangerously turned behind to look at me and I gulped with the intensity he was looking at me. I came here running so the panting for air did not help me. He took a step further towards me eyeing me from top to bottom and I took a step back unknowingly.

I stopped once my back hit the wall and there was no place to go. He stood there with a winning smirk on his face.

"Remove your clothes, Nandini." He said casually and I would cough if I had water in my mouth.

...

How is the update?

What do you think of sending Navya away from Nandini?

From now on its only Manan. Yayy!!

Do you have any ideas for next update?