Hey Pearlies, sorry to disappoint you all with the previous chapter. I tried my best to write Manan chapters but I couldn't fit everything into a single part. I wanted to give some clues in the backstory so that you can connect with them while revealing the suspense. So, here is another update from my side as a big sorry. There will be back to back chapters from tomorrow. So sorry to waste your time Pearlies 🤗

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I waited for Harshad in the dining hall as well as my room but I didn't spot him for a while. I have a lot to speak with him and here I am not even getting his glimpse. Now that I filled my tummy I am more than energetic to chat for hours and get ready for another round of food.

My LukFast was Bread with sweet, red paste. It was good and I ate 8 bread slices till the servant stopped me. They didn't serve it just for me but they kept it in the middle so that everyone could have their share. Well, it's not my problem, it's their fault for not informing me earlier.

I was about to step out of the room but remembered that I am still dressed in my robe. It is not presentable to walk around the mansion so as a smart lady I did a makeshift dress. I tore the pillow cover for my head and arms, another pillow cover for my waist. Now it's a cute top and skirt. Damn, girl, I must be fashionology surgeon.

I walked out of the mansion and saw Niyonika sitting on the sofa and ordering the servants around her. It was noon and she must be giving her specific food orders. She saw me walking towards Harshad's room and stopped me.

"Where are you going?"

"To meet Harshad." I said.

"Why? You didn't perform the cleaning ritual as I said and now you want to meet my son?" She said anger clearly evident on her face.

I have to divert her and escape this situation if not I could not speak with Harshad till we get married. "Eww, my queen your mind is so dirty. I am not going to meet him for that thing! I have very important thing to speak with him."

"Tell me, I can convey it to him."

"It's a secret between him and I as soon to be married." I said with a fake smile.

"No problem. My son has no secrets with me. He is pure angel who doesn't know how to keep secrets."

I had no choice but to tell her the context I am about to speak with Harshad. "I would like to speak about my burnt mansion witness, 25 million cash, and commitment to the marriage."

"What the hell is that? I didn't understand even a single word you just spoke!"

"That's the reason let me meet him, my queen. Only we both can understand this topic." I pleaded but she did not agree.

Instead she called out for Harshad who came out of his room and bowed before his mother. "Good afternoon Mama. How can I help you."

"See, that's my son. Always thinks about helping me." She said signalling with her head.

Harshad looked up and saw me with a surprise. "Nandini, sorry I didn't notice you here. Actually, when I stand in front of my mother I forget the world. After all my mother is an angel."

"See, that's the value he gives to his mother. So don't even dream about taking him away from me. My son will always be my son."

I don't know why but I am feeling uncomfortable with this scenario. Will this be my life after marriage?

Harshad smiled. "Mama can I speak with Nandini for one minute. Only if you like ofcourse."

"Sure my son,I have complete trust in you. But I seriously doubt these women who are so trying to manipulate my angel child. Don't get into her words angel and tell me everything as soon as she leaves." Niyonika said ruffling his hair and walking out not before glaring at me.

I walked into his room and he shut the door. "What the hell was that Harshad? Why are you speaking so differently?"

"No I speak like this with my mother all the time. I didn't do anything different." He shrugged.

Maybe I haven't noticed it earlier but it's making me cringe so hard. Please stop this feeling I should not have second thoughts on my father's promise.

"Why didn't you meet me after revealing my identity? I was waiting for you from a very long time and finally came here to meet you."

"How can I walk into an unmarried women's bedroom? It's not respectable and I am not Manik to disrespect women. I am a gentleman." He smiled.

Stop comparing yourself to Manik!!!! I wanted to scream so badly but I controlled myself. Harshad please be normal and don't change. You are the only person I can trust as my father chose you for me and I don't want to go away from his words.

"Okay. Why didn't you say that you know about my identity after witnessing my mansion? Why did you have to blame Navya? Poor one is now in the dungeon." I questioned him.

"Are you mad? How can I say that and risk my life? It means that we stole the map for location and Manik wouldn't hesitate to kill you, me and my mother. I have to say that to protect you and my mother, Nandini. I have only you both in my life." His voice went soft at the end.

I felt bad for him. He was suffering all because of me I shouldn't have made his life terrible. "But still poor Navya was hungry when she was sent to the dungeon. She was begging you for food all night and you didn't even care to show a little sympathy to her?"

"Begging for food? When did that happen?" He brought his eyebrows together.

"Last night she was signalling her stomach even when she lost her voice. You could have given her atleast a piece of bread." I said shaking with anger.

"You thought she was hungry?" He scrunched his nose and I rolled my eyes at him for repeating the same question. "Yeah, she was so hungry. I felt sorry for her that I couldn't sleep all night, what can I do after all I am trying to protect you. But first thing in the morning I fed her lots and lots of food that she is now begging to stop."

My eyes glowed with happiness. "Really? You met her? How is she doing? Is she being treated well? Is anyone hitting her or not providing her with minimum care?"

He tried to put his hand on my shoulder and removed it as soon as I could. I somehow felt like a jiggly reptile crawling on me.

"Don't worry Nandini. She is under my mother's care which means I have acces to the dungeon and I will take care of her secretly." He assured me. "Now tell me about your reason to visit me."

"Well, you see from the day I came here I am roaming around in Manik's clothes. Now that my identity is open I no longer need to depend on anyone and I need new look. Could you please buy me?"

"That's it! You could use my clothes." He suggested.

"Eww! That's disgusting." I said and immediately closed my mouth with my hands. "I mean I want new clothes, new jewellery and new property."

"What the fuck?" He cursed and instantly calmed. "I mean who is teaching all this nonsense, my dear? Your father promised you just the way you are and not for all the materialistic things. You do not need all such fake stuff."

"Duh! Stop with this cringe Harshad. I am trying so hard not to gag and you are not helping me. I need what I demanded not just any random items but specially designed for me. This must give me a hope and your commitment to our relationship."

"Customised property and jewellery that would cost in millions!" He ruffled his hair.

"Not millions, my outfits must be more than 25 million, property must be more than 80 million. If it's even a dime less it means you are not ready for this marriage." I said stamping my feet.

"What are you even speaking? I don't have so much amount lying around. You are marrying a humble person remember that okay?"

I nodded my head. "Let's call of this marriage Harshad. People are right you are having second thoughts and are not committed to this relationship. This is so insulting."

He stopped me and his eyes went wide. "No. Please don't think of calling this marriage off. You have asked such a small wish and I can get it for you. After all I value my father's wish."

I grinned widely and walked out of his room. I am safe and Harshad is committed. I saw Manik walking in the hallway after a long time. He did not even spare a glance at me. He just walked as if I did not exist? My heart winced at that thought but I ignored it afterall I going to be married to the gentleman of the house.

...

A few days later, Harshad bought dozens of bags and knocked on my door. I asked him to get inside and he refused to step inside a unmarried women's room. I stepped outside and all these bags had some fancy logos on them.

"I've bought you designer dresses and they are 30 million. I will buy you property and jewellery later." He said panting.

I smiled. Finally, I no longer have to wear the robe and makeshift pillowcase on every alternate day. I get to wear my clothes without anyone's pity or permission.

My smile dropped seeing the clothes inside the bag. "What the hell? Why is there a pink, blue and purple clothes? Don't you know I wear only black. Literally as black as possible."

He looked shocked. "I don't know. I never saw you in your own clothes and I thought as a girl you would like colourful clothes."

Not even a single dress was impressive and all looked tacky. I was feeling so irritated just by looking at these bright radium colors.

"Look at this, it is a black dress." He showed a dress after scanning through all the bags.

I carefully looked at it and twitched my lips. "It has white on it."

"That's the dress tag! You can just tear it with scissors and wear it."

I frowned. "No. Dude are you asking me to wear torn clothes? Are you insulting me?"

Harshad waved his hands infront of me and his breath started getting heavy with every sentence. "I didn't mean in that way Nandini. Now that it's already purchased how about you just use it?"

"No way! I can't change my signature style. Buy me new set of clothes. Only black clothes." I stressed on the black part so that he would not forget.

"No. My mother would kill me if I ask her money once again. Just take these clothes...and... Just...end ...this...torture..." His breath got raspy and he collapsed right infront of my door.

"Harshad are you okay?" I called out for him and he was struggling to breath. "I will save you. Don't worry. You just need oxygen inside you and pull out carbon dioxide from your body."

I ran inside my room and dragged the thick duvet along with me and covered Harshad's face with it. "This duvet will help you circulate oxygen and carbon dioxide. You will not get outside environment pressure, okay? Now I am going to slice your skin and push the internal organs for more faster recovery. Are you okay with it, Harshad?"

He did not respond. Good he is busy getting circulation. My first part of surgery is successful. Now let me concentrate on the second part of internal surgery. I looked around but could not find any blade. I saw Dhruv, Harshad's assigned friend walking by and called him, "Dhruv, do you have a blade or sword? I don't want any rust on it, okay?"

He looked confused. "Why do you need -- Shit! Is that Harshad?" He ran towards me and prevented me from completing my surgery. Dude is he trying to kill Harshad?

Dhruv pulled out a tiny tin from his pocket and rubbed that paste on Harshad's nose and chest. I don't know what it was but even I could feel the smell from away which cleared my breath.

Within a few seconds Harshad woke up coughing. Yayy!! My half surgery worked, I just hope Dhruv won't take all the credit.

Both the men glared at me. Why? Harshad stood up and ordered Dhruv to pick up all the bags from the ground. "Looks like I am getting punished for all the grave mistakes I've committed in your form." He joined both his hands at me. "Please let me live demon." Harshad walked away.

Demon and me? I literally saved his life and he is calling me a Demon? Selfish guy wants to call only himself as an angel. I stomped my feet and walked back inside my room.

Now what? I can't just roam around the pillowcases and the robe. I need proper clothes! Why isn't the world making any dresses suitable for me? I can no longer wait for Harshad to buy another set of clothes.

I need to steal atleast four pairs of joggers from Manik's room. Those are the most comfiest clothes I had ever wore and I want them back. These days Manik isn't even sparing a glance at me which is quite sad. He doesn't even acknowledge my presence even if I walk infront of him. Since, he doesn't care I shouldn't either and must bring as many clothes as possible from his closet.

Afterall, Manik isn't at home during the daytime! With this support I marched towards his room keeping my head high.

...

Precap

How is the update?

There will be Manan from next chapter

Sorry to disappoint you all once again and I hope the double update made you happy.

Please ignore all the typos as I typed everything on my phone.