Nandini woke up with a heavy feeling in her chest, the weight of the day's expectations pressing down on her. The uncertainty of what was to come left her feeling hollow, her mind clouded with thoughts she couldn't escape. As she slowly got out of bed, she tried to push the anxiety away, forcing herself through the motions of getting ready.

She freshened up and sat down at her desk, staring at her computer screen for a moment before typing out an email to the hospital, requesting leave for the day. The act of hitting "send" felt strangely final, as if she was acknowledging the reality she was desperately trying to ignore.

A knock on the door startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts. She opened it to find Vishakha and Bela standing there, with Navya lingering just behind them, her eyes filled with sympathy and concern.

"Nandini, darling," Vishakha said softly, her voice unusually gentle. "We brought an outfit for you. We want you to look your best today."

Bela stepped forward, holding up a beautiful outfit , its rich colors shimmering in the morning light. "We thought this would be perfect," she added, trying to sound cheerful, though there was an undercurrent of tension in her voice.

Nandini forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She nodded slightly, knowing she didn't have much choice in the matter.

Vishakha, sensing her unease, placed a hand on her shoulder. "Navya will help you get ready. Take your time, and don't worry, everything will be fine."

With that, Vishakha and Bela left the room, closing the door softly behind them. As soon as they were gone, Nandini felt her composure crumble. She turned to Navya, her eyes filling with tears, the emotions she'd been holding back all morning threatening to spill over.

"Navya, I can't do this," Nandini whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't want this."

Navya immediately wrapped her arms around Nandini, holding her close as the tears began to fall. "It's okay, Nandini," she murmured, her voice steady and comforting. "You don't have to go through this alone. I'm here with you."

Nandini clung to Navya, her body shaking with sobs. "I feel so trapped, Navya. I don't want to disappoint Mumma, but this isn't what I want. I feel like I'm being pulled in two different directions."

Navya stroked Nandini's hair, letting her cry until the worst of it passed. "I know it's hard," she said softly, "but you're strong, Nandini. You've always been strong. We'll get through this together, okay?"

Nandini nodded weakly, wiping her tears away. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Navya."

Navya gave her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to find out. Now, let's get you ready. We'll take it one step at a time."

Nandini took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as Navya began to help her with the dupatta. The fabric was soft against her skin, but it felt like a weight, a reminder of the expectations she was being asked to meet.

As Navya combed her hair, she kept up a gentle stream of conversation, trying to distract Nandini from the storm of emotions raging inside her.

Nandini looked at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at her. "Do you really think everything will be okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Navya placed her hands on Nandini's shoulders, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "I do," she said firmly. "And no matter what happens today, you have people who love you and support you. We'll figure this out together."

Nandini nodded, feeling a flicker of strength return. "Thank you, Navya. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Navya smiled, giving her a quick hug. "You don't have to worry about that. Now, let's face whatever comes next, together."

After Navya left the room to get ready, Nandini sat on the edge of her bed, her heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. She needed to talk to Manik, to see his face and hear his voice, to ground herself in the reality of their relationship amidst the chaos surrounding her. She picked up her phone and video-called him, her fingers trembling slightly as she waited for him to answer.

The call connected on the first ring, and Manik's face appeared on the screen, his eyes immediately lighting up at the sight of her. "Hey, beautiful," he greeted her, his voice warm and soft.

Nandini managed a small smile, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him. "You didn't sleep the whole night, did you?" she asked, noticing the faint shadows under his eyes, the way his hair was slightly mussed, as if he'd been running his hands through it out of frustration or worry.

Manik just smiled at her, his gaze lingering on her face as he took in the sight of her in the saree. He didn't answer her question, instead he said, "You look... you look beautiful, Nandini." His voice was tinged with a mix of admiration and something deeper, something that made her heart ache.

Nandini's smile wavered, her eyes filling with tears as she saw the sadness in his eyes, the way he was trying so hard to keep a brave face for her. "Manik..." she began, but her voice broke, the emotions she'd been holding back threatening to overwhelm her.

Manik, sensing her distress, immediately shifted his tone, trying to lighten the mood. "I always thought," he said with a soft smile, "that when I'd finally introduce you to my family, I'd ask you to wear a saree. I'd imagined how stunning you'd look, how proud I'd be to stand by your side."

He smiled sadly, his eyes glinting with a wistful longing. The words hung in the air between them, a bittersweet reminder of what they both wanted but couldn't have, at least not yet.

Nandini's tears spilled over, her heart aching at the sadness in his voice. "I'm so sorry, Manik," she whispered, her voice trembling with guilt and sorrow.

Manik's eyes widened with regret, immediately realizing the impact of his words. "No, Nandini, I'm sorry," he said quickly, his tone full of remorse. "I didn't mean to make you feel sad or guilty. Please don't cry. This isn't your fault. None of this is your fault."

He leaned closer to the screen, his voice softening as he tried to comfort her. "And don't apologize, okay? We're in this together. Soon, everything will be perfect. We'll get through this, I promise."

Nandini nodded, trying to take comfort in his words, but the uncertainty of their situation weighed heavily on her heart. She knew he was trying to be strong for her, just as she was trying to be strong for him.

Manik, sensing her lingering sadness, decided to change the subject, his tone turning playful as he tried to distract her.

"So, are you going to make me guess how many people are going to fall in love with you today?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Because I can already tell it's going to be a lot. They won't be able to resist you."

Nandini managed a watery laugh, shaking her head at his antics. "Manik, stop it," she chided gently, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips now.

He grinned, encouraged by her reaction. "I'm serious! I mean, look at you. That guy won't know what hit him. You're going to knock him off his feet, and he'll be the one begging for your attention."

Nandini giggled, feeling a bit lighter despite everything. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"That's why you love me," he shot back with a wink, his voice full of playful confidence.

"Yeah, I do," she admitted softly, her eyes locking with his through the screen. There was a moment of silence, the depth of their feelings passing between them without the need for words.

Manik broke the silence, his voice turning gentle and sincere. "Nandini, no matter what happens today, just remember that I'm here. I'm always here for you. And we'll find a way through this, together."

She nodded, feeling a swell of emotion at his words. "I know, Manik. And that's what keeps me going."

They talked for a while longer, Manik continuing to tease her, making her laugh with his playful banter and flirtatious comments. He kept the conversation light, not wanting to burden her with more worries, and for a little while, it worked. They were just two people in love, sharing a moment of normalcy amidst the chaos.

Eventually, Nandini had to go. "I should get going," she said reluctantly, glancing at the time.

Manik nodded, though he didn't want to hang up. "Yeah, you should. But remember, I'm just a call away if you need me."

"I will," she promised, giving him one last smile before ending the call.

As the screen went dark, Nandini let out a deep breath, trying to steady herself for what was to come. Just then, Navya walked back into the room, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Ready?" Navya asked gently, her eyes searching Nandini's face.

Nandini nodded, feeling the weight of the day settle back onto her shoulders. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Navya stepped forward, taking her hand in a show of silent support. Together, they walked out of the room, ready to face whatever awaited them.

Nandini walked down the stairs, her heart pounding with every step. She felt Navya's reassuring grip on her hand, a small but significant gesture of support as they approached the living room.

The closer they got, the more Nandini could hear the murmur of voices, unfamiliar and slightly unnerving. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, but her heart continued to race.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs and rounded the corner into the living room, Nandini's eyes fell on three unfamiliar faces. The first was an older man, probably in his late fifties, with a kind but stern expression.

His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, and he wore a crisp white shirt under a well-tailored blazer. Beside him sat a woman, elegantly dressed in a soft pastel saree, her hair pulled back into a neat bun, with an air of quiet sophistication. Her smile was warm but reserved, her eyes observing Nandini.

The third person, a young man in his late twenties, was seated a little apart from the older couple. He was tall and well-built, with sharp features and an easy, confident smile. His eyes brightened as they landed on Nandini, and he stood up, smoothing down his shirt nervously.

Vishakha noticed Nandini and Navya approaching and immediately stood up, her smile widening with pride.

"Here she is," Vishakha announced, her voice filled with warmth. "This is my daughter, Nandini."

Nandini felt all eyes on her, the room growing quieter as everyone's attention shifted to her. She forced a polite smile, feeling the weight of expectation heavy on her shoulders as she approached.

"Nandini, these are the Maheshwaris," Vishakha continued, gesturing towards the trio. "This is Mr. Vineet Maheshwari, his wife, Mrs. Pooja Maheshwari, and their son, Ronit."

Nandini nodded politely at each of them, her voice quiet as she greeted them. "Hello, it's nice to meet you."

The Maheshwaris smiled back, their expressions kind but curious. Mr. Maheshwari spoke first, his voice deep and composed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nandini. We've heard so much about you from your mother."

Nandini smiled again, though it felt strained. She glanced briefly at Navya, who gave her a small nod of encouragement. "Thank you," Nandini replied softly, "I've heard about you as well."

Mrs. Maheshwari, noticing the tension, stepped forward slightly, her smile gentle. "Please, sit down," she offered, gesturing towards an empty spot on the sofa next to Navya.

Nandini nodded and took a seat, feeling Navya's presence beside her like a comforting anchor. Ronit, who had been standing awkwardly, also sat down, but kept a polite distance, his eyes occasionally darting towards Nandini with a curious and appreciative gaze.

There was a brief, slightly uncomfortable silence, as everyone seemed to wait for someone else to speak. Vishakha, always the gracious host, decided to break the ice.

"So, Nandini is a doctor," Vishakha began proudly, her voice filled with admiration for her daughter. "She's been doing wonderful work at the hospital, and we're all very proud of her."

Mr. Maheshwari nodded appreciatively. "That's very impressive, Nandini," he said, his tone genuinely admiring. "We could use more dedicated professionals like you in our society."

Nandini felt a flicker of guilt at the praise, knowing that her mind was far from focused on her career at the moment. "Thank you," she said quietly, her eyes briefly meeting Ronit's before flickering away.

Ronit took this as his cue to speak, leaning forward slightly with an easy smile. "I've always admired doctors," he began, his tone friendly. "It takes a lot of dedication and compassion to do what you do."

Nandini nodded, feeling the need to say something in return. "It's a challenging job, but it's also very rewarding. I've always wanted to help people."

Ronit smiled, clearly impressed. "That's admirable. I'm more in finance and business, so my job is a bit more... numbers-driven," he said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Nandini managed a small smile, but she couldn't help the feeling of unease growing inside her. The conversation continued, with Mr. and Mrs. Maheshwariasking polite questions about her work, her interests, and her life in general.

Nandini answered as best she could, trying to maintain the appearance of calmness, even as her mind wandered to thoughts of Manik and the difficult decisions ahead.

After a while, Vishakha, noticing the tension in Nandini's demeanor, suggested, "Why don't Nandini and Ronit step outside for a bit? Get to know each other better."

Nandini's heart skipped a beat, but she knew this was coming. She glanced at Navya, who gave her a reassuring look, before nodding in agreement.

"That sounds like a good idea," Ronit agreed, standing up and offering Nandini his hand.

Nandini hesitated for a moment before taking his hand and allowing him to lead her outside to the garden. The air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. They walked in silence for a moment before Ronit spoke up.

"I hope this isn't too overwhelming for you," he said gently, his tone sincere. "I know these situations can be a bit... much."

Nandini appreciated his understanding, but it didn't make the situation any easier. "It is a bit overwhelming," she admitted quietly, her eyes focused on the ground as they walked.

Ronit nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can understand that. It's a lot to take in, especially when there's so much pressure from family."

Nandini looked at him, surprised by his insight. "Yes, it is," she agreed, feeling a bit more at ease knowing that he wasn't oblivious to the complexities of the situation.

They continued to walk, the silence between them more comfortable now. Ronit seemed to be giving her space to collect her thoughts, which she appreciated. After a while, he stopped and turned to face her.

"Nandini," he began, his voice gentle but serious, "I don't want to add to your stress, but I do want to be honest with you. I'm here because my parents think this is a good match, and I trust their judgment. But I also believe that marriage is a partnership, and it's important that both people are on the same page."

Nandini appreciated his honesty, but she felt a pang of guilt knowing that she wasn't in the same place he was. "I appreciate that, Ronit," she said sincerely, "but I need to be honest with you too. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. There are... things in my life that I need to sort out first."

Ronit nodded, his expression understanding. "I respect that, Nandini. And I appreciate your honesty. If you need time, I'm willing to give it to you. We don't have to rush into anything."

Nandini felt a surge of relief at his words, grateful for his understanding. "Thank you, Ronit. That means a lot to me."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Finally, Ronit spoke again, his tone lighter this time. "Why don't we head back inside? I'm sure our families are wondering what's taking us so long."

Nandini nodded, grateful for the reprieve. "Yes, let's go back."

As they walked back to the house, Nandini felt a strange mix of emotions-relief, guilt, uncertainty. She knew that this was only the beginning of a much larger conversation, one that would ultimately determine the course of her future.

When they re-entered the living room, all eyes turned to them. Vishakha's face lit up with a hopeful smile, while Navya watched Nandini closely, searching her expression for any signs of distress.

"Well?" Vishakha asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Nandini took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "Ronit and I had a good conversation," she began carefully, "and we've decided to take things slow. We need some time to think about everything."

Vishakha's smile faltered slightly, but she nodded in understanding. "Of course, dear. Take all the time you need."

Mr. and Mrs. Maheshwari exchanged a glance before Mr. Maheshwari spoke up. "That sounds like a wise decision. We don't want to rush anything either. Let's take this one step at a time."

Nandini nodded, grateful for their understanding. "Thank you," she said softly.

The rest of the visit passed in a blur, with polite conversation and the exchange of pleasantries. Nandini did her best to stay engaged, but her mind was elsewhere, her thoughts consumed by the implications of the day's events.

Finally, the Maheshwaris took their leave, and the house grew quiet once more. Nandini let out a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. She glanced at Navya, who gave her a small, reassuring smile.

Vishakha approached Nandini, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Nandini," she said softly. "You handled that well."

Nandini managed a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks, Mom."

As the family dispersed, Nandini felt the weight of the day settles heavily on her shoulders. She knew that the hardest part was still to come-finding a way to navigate the complexities of her relationship with Manik while managing the expectations of her family.

But for now, all she could do was take it one step at a time.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

Few words for Vishakha....

What will Nandini and Manik do now???

What were your favourite moments???

Guys any suggestions you want to give for upcoming chapters like you want to see something???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️