The atmosphere was heavy with tension as Vishakha gently pulled Nandini out of Manik's arms, her worried expression mirroring the turmoil that Nandini was going through. She cupped Nandini's face, trying to calm her, but the touch only seemed to heighten Nandini's panic. Her breathing quickened again, and her eyes darted around, wide with fear.

"No, no... leave me... I can't stay here... it's suffocating..." Nandini mumbled, her voice trembling with desperation.

She stepped back from Vishakha, her hands shaking as she tried to distance herself from everyone. Manik reached out, his heart aching to see her like this, but Nandini flinched away from his touch. The others, too, tried to approach her, offering comforting words, but she pushed them away, her panic growing by the second.

Suddenly, in a burst of frantic energy, Nandini turned and ran outside, her footsteps echoing through the quiet night. Everyone was left standing in shock, their minds struggling to catch up with what had just happened. They heard the roar of an engine as Nandini jumped into a car and sped away, leaving them behind in a cloud of confusion and fear.

Vishakha stumbled back, her face pale as she whispered, "Where did she go?" Her voice was laced with a mix of worry and disbelief, as if she couldn't comprehend what had just unfolded.

Mahir and Bela quickly moved to support her, guiding her to a chair as she nearly collapsed from the shock. "We'll find her, don't worry," Mahir reassured, though his own voice was shaky with concern.

Navya was already frantically trying to call Nandini, but there was no answer. Each ring that went unanswered only increased the tension in the room.

"She's not picking up," Navya said, her voice filled with anxiety as she redialed, hoping desperately for a response.

Neyonika moved to Vishakha's side, trying to offer some comfort. "Don't worry, we'll find her," she said softly, though the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

Manik stood still, the realization of what had just happened slowly sinking in. He clenched his fists, frustration and worry swirling inside him. He couldn't just stand there while Nandini was out there, scared and alone. He needed to find her.

In a sudden movement, Manik pushed the chair beside him, the loud scrape of wood against the floor making everyone jump. They all turned to him, concern etched on their faces, but Manik was already lost in his own thoughts. Then, as if a light bulb had gone off in his mind, he realized where she might be. Without wasting another second, he turned and bolted towards the door.

Cabir called out after him, "Manik, where are you going?"

"I know where she is!" Manik shouted back, his voice urgent as he ran to his car.

The younger group quickly followed, piling into the car with Manik. Alya, Mukti, Cabir, Navya, Abhimanyu and Dhruv exchanged worried glances

Meanwhile, the older group-Vishakha, Bela, Neyonika, Raj, and Mahir-scrambled to get into another car. The fear and worry were palpable as they followed Manik, hoping against hope that they would find Nandini safe and sound.

The night air was thick with tension as the cars sped through the streets, each person lost in their own thoughts. For Manik, every passing second felt like an eternity. The only thing keeping him together was the thought of finding Nandini and holding her, reassuring her that everything would be okay.

The streets blurred past as they raced to the place where Manik was sure Nandini would go. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white with the pressure.

Nandini gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as she sped down the empty road. The wind whipped through the open windows, but it did nothing to cool the burning in her chest. Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't care. She could barely breathe, her mind a chaotic swirl of memories and emotions, all centering around Manik.

Every moment with him played like a rapid slideshow in her mind-the way he smiled at her, the way he held her, the way he confessed his love with such intensity that it left her breathless. His laughter echoed in her ears, a haunting melody that both comforted and tormented her. She remembered the warmth of his arms, the safety she felt whenever he was near, and the promises they had made to each other in hushed whispers.

But now, those memories felt like a cruel joke. The words of her mother, the sight of the bangle on her wrist, everything crashed down on her, making it hard to breathe, hard to think. The world around her felt like it was closing in, suffocating her, trapping her in a life she never chose.

Nandini's foot pressed harder on the accelerator, pushing the car to its limits as she raced toward the only place she felt safe-Paradise Point. Her and Manik's sanctuary, their home, the one place where she could let her guard down and just be herself.

As the familiar surroundings of the place came into view, she felt a small flicker of hope. Maybe here, she could find clarity. Maybe here, she could make sense of the chaos in her heart.

She parked the car haphazardly and stumbled out, not caring about anything but reaching the room that held so many memories. She ran through the house, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, until she reached their room.

Once inside, Nandini collapsed onto the bed, her body shaking with sobs. She clutched the sheets, breathing in the familiar scent of Manik that still lingered there. She could almost feel his presence and hear his voice reassuring her that everything would be okay.

But the reality was different. The promises she had made to her mother, the life that was being planned for her, felt like chains wrapped around her, tightening with every passing second.

How could she keep those promises when every fiber of her being belonged to Manik? How could she marry someone else when she knew that her heart would always beat for him?

The room spun around her as she gasped for air, the walls closing in. Her heart ached with the weight of the decision she knew she had to make. She couldn't stay trapped in this situation. She couldn't lose Manik.

But how could she face the storm that was brewing around her?

Nandini buried her face in the pillow, tears soaking through as she cried out in anguish. At that moment, all she wanted was for Manik to hold her, to tell her that everything would be alright, and to take away the pain that was tearing her apart from the inside.

Manik's heart raced as he drove, his mind a blur of fear and determination. He knew Nandini needed him, and nothing else mattered. His knuckles were tight on the steering wheel, ignoring Cabir's pleas to slow down. The only thing he could focus on was getting to Nandini. The image of her panicked, tear-streaked face haunted him, pushing him to drive faster.

In the other car, Vishakha was in tears, her worry for Nandini overwhelming her. Bela sat beside her, trying to be strong, though the fear in her eyes was evident. Mahir drove with intense focus, his own anxiety evident in the way he gripped the wheel. Neyonika, noticing the unfamiliar outskirts of Mumbai, grew increasingly uneasy, wondering what was happening and where they were going.

When they finally reached the large gates of a villa, the sign reading "Paradise Point" loomed ahead. Manik sped through without hesitation, leaving the others to follow. As they approached the beach house, the confusion among the group deepened.

What was this place? Why was Nandini here?

Manik was out of the car the moment it stopped, sprinting toward the entrance. The others hurried to catch up, their curiosity and concern growing with each step. As they entered the villa, they were greeted by a beautifully modern living room, the decor warm and welcoming. But what truly caught their attention were the photos adorning the walls-pictures of Manik and Nandini, spanning from childhood to now.

Everyone was stunned. The sight of these personal, intimate moments displayed so openly in this space left them with more questions than answers. Mukti, Navya and Alya exchanged bewildered glances, while Dhruv, Cabir and Abhimanyu stared at the pictures in disbelief. Raj and Neyonika were equally taken aback, their confusion growing with each passing second.

Manik, however, was oblivious to their reactions. He moved with purpose, heading straight for the staircase, his footsteps heavy with urgency. Without a word, he climbed the stairs, his heart pounding louder with each step. The others followed, drawn by a mix of concern and a need for answers.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Manik pushed open the door to their room, his eyes immediately locking onto Nandini. She was curled up on the bed, her back to the door, her body shaking with silent sobs. The sight of her so broken, so vulnerable, made his chest tighten with pain.

The others filed into the room, their eyes wide as they took in the scene. The room was filled with reminders of the life Manik and Nandini shared-a life none of them had known existed. They stood frozen in shock, their minds struggling to process the reality of what they were seeing.

But Manik didn't care about their reactions. All he could focus on was Nandini. He rushed to her side, dropping to his knees beside the bed.

"Nandini," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion as he reached out to touch her.

At the sound of his voice, Nandini turned, her tear-streaked face filled with a mix of relief and pain. She looked at him, her eyes searching his for comfort, for reassurance that everything would be okay.

Manik gently pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she clung to him. "I'm here, Nandini. I'm right here," he murmured, his voice soothing as he stroked her hair. He could feel her trembling, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she tried to calm down.

The others watched in silence, the weight of the moment settling over them. This was more than they had anticipated-much more. But for now, all they could do was wait as they slowly began to piece together the truth about the couple they thought they knew.

Nandini broke the hug, her eyes wide with desperation, hiccuping as she clung to Manik's shirt. "Manik, take me away," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I told you, I begged you-we should've run away. Mumma will never accept us. I told you... why didn't you listen? Manik, I can't do this. Please, save me... save us, Manik."

Manik felt his heart shatter seeing her like this, so fragile and broken. He gently cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that kept flowing. "Nandini, listen to me," he whispered, trying to keep his own voice steady despite the ache in his chest. "I'm here, okay? I'm not going anywhere. We'll figure this out together, I promise. Just... please, try to breathe."

But Nandini was inconsolable, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. "Manik, please don't leave me," she sobbed, her voice choking with fear. "I can't live without you... I'll die without you."

Her words cut through him like a knife. Manik wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he whispered soothingly, "Nandini, baby, look at me. Look at me, okay?" He gently lifted her chin, trying to get her to focus on him. "I'm right here. Your Manik is right here. I'm not leaving you, I promise. You're safe with me."

He continued to whisper to her, his voice full of love and reassurance, trying to calm her erratic breathing. "It's just you and me, moonshine. Nothing else matters right now. Just us. I love you so much, and we're going to get through this together. You're not alone."

Nandini's sobs slowly subsided as she clung to his words, drawing strength from his presence. She buried her face in his chest, seeking the comfort only he could provide. "Don't let go," she murmured, her voice still shaky but a little steadier now.

"I won't," Manik promised, holding her tighter. "I'm not letting go."

They stayed like that, holding each other as if the world outside didn't exist. They were lost in their own bubble, unaware of the shocked and stunned faces around them.

Mukti, Cabir, Alya, Dhruv, Navya and Abhimanyu were rooted to the spot, unable to process the revelation that the person Nandini had always referred to as 'he' was none other than Manik. The realization hit them like a ton of bricks, leaving them speechless.

Neyonika and Raj stood nearby, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief. Mahir and Bela exchanged glances, their shock evident. Bela's hand went to her mouth, trying to stifle her own gasp as she realized the depth of the situation.

But it was Vishakha who was the most affected. She stood frozen, her heart shattered into a million pieces. Her daughter had broken the promise she had made, had kept this enormous secret from her. The betrayal cut deep, and her eyes burned with unshed tears.

She wanted to be angry, to shout and demand answers, but all she felt was a profound sense of loss and hurt. She had always wanted the best for Nandini, and now she felt like she had been blindsided by the one person she trusted the most.

Vishakha's chest tightened with the weight of it all as she watched her daughter clinging to Manik as if he were her lifeline. This wasn't just about a hidden relationship; it was about trust, about the promise that had been broken. She turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer, her mind reeling with the implications of what she had just learned.

Back in the room, Manik continued to console Nandini, murmuring loving words into her hair, stroking her back in slow, soothing circles. Gradually, her breathing evened out, her body relaxing slightly in his arms. She felt safe with him, and that was all that mattered in this moment.

Finally, Nandini lifted her head, her eyes meeting his, still red and puffy from crying. "What are we going to do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Manik brushed a strand of hair from her face, his expression soft but determined. "We'll face it together," he said firmly. "We'll talk to them, we'll explain everything. But no matter what happens, I'm not leaving you, Nandini. We'll get through this, I promise."

Nandini nodded, trusting him completely. She didn't know what the future held, but with Manik by her side, she felt like she could face anything. They stayed like that for a moment longer, drawing strength from each other, before slowly pulling apart, ready to face the world that was waiting just outside the door.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

What will happen now???

How will Vishakha react to this???

Will they accept this???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️