Manik stood at the top of the staircase, his heart pounding as he prepared to go to Nandini’s house. The morning light streamed through the large windows, casting long shadows across the floor. He was determined, his resolve hardening with every step he took.

The previous days had left him restless and desperate to see her, hold her, reassure her that everything would be alright. He knew her mother’s anger wouldn’t make things easy, but he didn’t care—he had to see Nandini.

As he descended the stairs, he saw everyone gathered in the living room. They were waiting for him, their expressions tense and worried. Raj and Neyonika were there too, their faces etched with concern.

Manik noticed the hesitant looks exchanged between his friends, and his brows furrowed. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice edged with impatience.

Cabir stepped forward, trying to find the right words. “Manik, we’ve been talking, and... well, we think it might be better if we go to Nandini’s house first. Alone.”

Manik’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger sparking in his chest. “What do you mean? I’m going too.”

Dhruv, always the calm and measured one, spoke up. “We know, Manik. But we’re worried about how Nandini’s mother might react if she sees you. She’s still really angry, and she might not let you see Nandini at all.”

Mukti nodded in agreement. “We just want to go there first, talk to her, and maybe try to calm her down. Then you can come over once things have settled a bit.”

Manik’s frustration bubbled to the surface, his voice rising. “No one can stop me from meeting Nandini. I don’t care how angry her mother is—I need to see her!”

Raj stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Manik’s shoulder. “Manik, listen to them. They’re just trying to help. We all want what’s best for you and Nandini.”

Manik shrugged off his father’s hand, his emotions swirling in a mix of anger and desperation. “What’s best for me is to see Nandini! I can’t just sit here and do nothing while she’s hurting.”

Neyonika approached him, her eyes filled with concern and motherly love. “We understand how you feel, Manik. But you have to think about what’s best for Nandini too. If her mother is still upset, it might make things worse if you go there right now.”

Manik’s jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He felt like a caged animal, trapped by circumstances beyond his control. He wanted to scream, to tear through the obstacles in his way, but he knew his parents and friends were only trying to protect him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside him.

“Fine,” he finally said, his voice low and strained. “You guys go ahead. But if I don’t hear from you soon, I’m coming over. I don’t care what her mother says—I’m not waiting.”

Cabir nodded, relieved that Manik was at least willing to consider their plan. “We’ll go now and keep you updated. Just... try to stay calm, okay?”

Manik didn’t respond, his eyes dark and brooding as he watched his friends gather their things and prepare to leave. They could see the tension in his posture, the barely restrained anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Mukti gave Manik a quick hug before heading out the door. “We’ll take care of it, Manik. Trust us.”

Alya followed, giving him a reassuring smile. “We’ll bring her back to you. I promise.”

Abhimanyu was the last to leave, giving Manik a firm nod. “Hang in there, buddy. We’ve got this.”

As the door closed behind them, the silence in the room was deafening. Manik stood there, feeling a sense of emptiness settle over him. He knew they were right, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept.

Raj and Neyonika exchanged a worried glance, their hearts aching for their son. They knew how much Nandini meant to him, and it was painful to see him so torn apart.

Neyonika stepped forward, her voice gentle. “Manik, why don’t you sit down? We can talk, or just sit together. You don’t have to be alone.”

Manik shook his head, his mind elsewhere. “I can’t, Mom. I just... I need to do something. I can’t just sit here and wait.”

Raj nodded, understanding the restless energy coursing through his son. “Why don’t we go for a walk? Clear your head a little. It might help.”

Manik hesitated, his instincts telling him to stay put in case his friends called with an update. But he knew they were right—he couldn’t just stand there, letting his frustration fester. With a resigned sigh, he nodded. “Okay. A walk sounds good.”

The three of them headed out into the garden, the fresh air doing little to calm Manik’s racing thoughts. Raj and Neyonika walked beside him, offering quiet support. They didn’t push him to talk, just letting him know they were there for him, no matter what.

As they walked, Manik’s mind kept drifting back to Nandini, wondering what she was going through, how she was feeling. He imagined her alone in her room, hurting, and it tore him apart that he couldn’t be there to hold her, to comfort her.

They made their way around the garden, the vibrant flowers and lush greenery a stark contrast to the turmoil in Manik’s heart. Neyonika tried to distract him by pointing out different plants and flowers, but she could see his mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by worry for Nandini.

After what felt like an eternity, they returned to the house, and Manik’s anxiety immediately spiked again. He checked his phone, hoping for a message from his friends, but there was nothing. His frustration began to build once more, and he paced restlessly around the living room, unable to sit still.

Neyonika watched him with a heavy heart, wishing there was something more she could do to ease his pain. “Manik,” she said softly, “why don’t you try to eat something? You haven’t had anything all day.”

Manik shook his head, not even looking at her. “I’m not hungry, Mom.”

Raj stepped forward, his voice firm but kind. “Manik, you need to take care of yourself too. You won’t be able to help Nandini if you’re running on empty.”

Manik stopped pacing, turning to face his parents. He could see the worry in their eyes, the love they had for him, and it softened his anger just a little. “I know,” he said quietly. “I just... I can’t think about anything else right now.”

Neyonika approached him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “We understand, Manik. But please, just try to eat something. Even if it’s just a little bit.”

Manik sighed, knowing they were right, but his appetite was nonexistent. “Okay,” he said reluctantly. “I’ll try.”

They moved to the dining room, where Neyonika had prepared a light meal. Manik sat down at the table, staring at the food in front of him. He picked at it absentmindedly, barely eating anything, his mind still consumed with thoughts of Nandini.

Raj and Neyonika sat with him, eating quietly, giving him space while still being there for support. They knew how much he was struggling, and they were ready to do whatever it took to help him through this.

As the meal came to an end, Manik’s phone buzzed on the table. He snatched it up immediately, his heart racing as he saw a message from Cabir.

Cabir: “We’re here. We’re going to talk to Nandini.”

Manik felt a surge of relief, but it was quickly followed by more anxiety. He typed out a quick response.

Manik: “Let me know how it goes. I’m ready to come over if anything happens.”

He put the phone down, but the tension in his body didn’t ease. He couldn’t relax until he knew what was happening, until he knew Nandini was okay.

Raj and Neyonika could see the tension in their son, the worry etched into every line of his face. Neyonika reached out and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s going to be okay, Manik,” she said softly. “We’re here for you, no matter what.”

Manik nodded, but he didn’t feel reassured. All he could do was wait, every minute feeling like an eternity as he waited for news from his friends.

Cabir, Alya, Dhruv, Mukti, and Abhimanyu drove through the quiet, tree-lined streets towards Nandini's house, their minds heavy with concern for their friend. The car was filled with an uneasy silence, each of them lost in their thoughts, trying to figure out how to approach the situation. They knew Nandini was hurting, and they could only imagine what Manik was going through back at Paradise. As they reached the gates, they exchanged anxious glances, silently hoping they could help, even if just a little.

They walked up to the door, and Cabir knocked gently. A servant opened it and led them inside to the living room, where they found Vishakha, Mahir, and Bela seated. The atmosphere was tense, the unspoken tension in the air making everyone uneasy. The usual warmth and laughter that accompanied their gatherings were absent, replaced by an awkward silence.

Vishakha greeted them politely, her demeanor composed but distant. "Hello," she said, her voice even, but with an underlying firmness. Mahir and Bela nodded, offering polite smiles.

“Hello, Aunty,” Cabir greeted back, forcing a smile. Alya, Dhruv, Mukti, and Abhimanyu followed suit, exchanging polite greetings with everyone. They all took their seats, trying to find the right words to begin the conversation, but the silence stretched on.

Just then, Navya entered the room. Her presence brought some relief to the group, and they all stood up to hug her one by one. Navya offered a small, tired smile as she greeted them, her eyes reflecting the strain of the past few days.

“Hey, guys,” she said softly, trying to infuse some warmth into her voice.

As they settled back into their seats, Vishakha spoke up, her tone direct. “If you all are here to discuss Manik—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Cabir and Dhruv quickly interrupted. “No, Aunty, it’s nothing like that,” Cabir said, shaking his head. “We’re just here to meet Nandini.”

Vishakha studied them for a moment, then nodded slowly. “She’s in her room. You can go see her.” Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of reluctance in her words.

The group stood up, their movements cautious as they followed Navya down the hallway to Nandini’s room. The air was thick with tension, each step feeling heavier as they approached her door. Navya knocked gently, and after a brief pause, they heard Nandini’s voice from the other side.

“Navya, please, I don’t want to talk right now,” Nandini said, her voice soft but laced with exhaustion.

Navya sighed, looking back at the group. They exchanged concerned glances, then decided to enter anyway. The door creaked open, and they stepped inside, finding Nandini standing by the window, her back to them, staring blankly outside. Her posture was slumped, her usually vibrant energy replaced by a sense of deep weariness.

“Nandini,” Mukti called out gently, her voice filled with concern. “Will you not meet us?”

Nandini turned slowly, her eyes widening slightly as she saw her friends standing there with Navya. The sight of them brought a brief flicker of relief, but it was quickly overshadowed by the realization that Manik was not with them. She walked towards them, her steps slow and hesitant.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, “Didn’t Manik come?”

They all hesitated, unsure of how to break the news to her. It was Abhimanyu who finally spoke, his voice soft and gentle. “We asked him not to come for now, Nandini. Your mom is still angry, and we thought it might be better this way.”

Nandini nodded, her face falling slightly. She felt a pang of disappointment, but she understood why they had made that decision. “Okay,” she said quietly, gesturing for them to sit down. They all took their seats, the room filling with a heavy silence as they took in Nandini’s appearance.

She looked tired, her face pale and drawn, with dark circles under her eyes. The usual sparkle in her eyes was gone, replaced by a dull, lifeless gaze. It was clear that she had barely slept, and her friends could see the weight of everything she was carrying on her shoulders.

Mukti reached out and took Nandini’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Nandini, we’re so worried about you,” she said softly. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Nandini gave her a small, sad smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice filled with guilt. “I’m sorry I made Manik hide our relationship from you all. I didn’t want to lie to you, but I was so scared of how everyone would react.”

Alya leaned forward, her expression gentle. “Nandini, we’re not angry with you and Manik. We understand why you guys did what you did. We’re just worried about both of you.”

Cabir nodded, his usual playful demeanor subdued. “Yeah, we just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Nandini listened to their words, her heart heavy with regret and sadness. She knew they were trying to comfort her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness that had settled over her. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I’m sorry for everything.”

The group continued to talk to her, trying their best to console her, but Nandini’s responses were minimal. She nodded along to their words, offering polite replies, but her mind was elsewhere, lost in the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that had been consuming her since the previous night.

After a while, Nandini looked up at them, her eyes filled with a mixture of longing and despair. “How’s Manik?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “Is he okay?”

Dhruv exchanged a glance with the others before answering. “He’s not doing too well, Nandini,” he said gently. “He’s really worried about you. He hasn’t been able to focus on anything.”

Nandini felt a fresh wave of guilt wash over her. She wanted nothing more than to run to him, to hold him and tell him everything would be okay. But she knew she couldn’t, not with everything that was happening. The frustration and helplessness bubbled up inside her, and she clenched her fists, fighting back the urge to scream.

The conversation eventually dwindled, and the group could see that Nandini was growing more and more distant, retreating into her own world of pain. They knew they couldn’t push her too much, so they decided to give her some space.

“We’ll leave you to rest, Nandini,” Mukti said gently, standing up. “But remember, we’re here for you, okay? Anytime you need us.”

Nandini nodded, forcing a small smile. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

One by one, they hugged her, each of them leaving behind a piece of their concern and love in the hope that it would give her some strength. As they left the room, Navya stayed behind for a moment, looking at Nandini with a mix of sadness and helplessness.

“Nandini,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “I know this is hard, but you have to take care of yourself too. We all love you so much.”

Nandini nodded again, not trusting herself to speak. She watched as Navya left the room, closing the door softly behind her. The silence that followed was deafening, pressing down on her like a heavy weight. She felt like she was drowning in her own thoughts, the events of the past few days replaying over and over in her mind.

As the Fab 5 and Abhimanyu made their way back to the living room, they found Vishakha, Mahir, and Bela waiting for them. The atmosphere was still tense, and it was clear that Vishakha was not in the mood for further discussion.

However, Cabir decided to speak up. “Aunty, we need to talk,” he said, his tone respectful but firm.

Vishakha’s expression hardened slightly. “There’s nothing more to discuss,” she replied, her voice cool.

“Please, just hear us out,” Dhruv added, his eyes pleading.

Vishakha sighed, clearly reluctant, but she nodded. “Alright. Go ahead.”

Cabir took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “We understand that you’re angry and that you’re trying to protect Nandini. But Manik… he’s going through the same thing she is. He’s worried sick about her, and all he wants is to make things right.”

Alya chimed in, her voice soft but determined. “We know you’re doing what you think is best for Nandini. But they love each other, Aunty. Keeping them apart is only hurting them more.”

Vishakha’s expression remained unchanged, her resolve unwavering. “I appreciate that you’re all concerned, but Nandini is my daughter. I know what’s best for her. This love… it won’t lead her anywhere. I’m thinking about her future, about what’s best for her in the long run.”

Mahir and Bela looked at Vishakha with concern, but neither of them intervened. They knew how stubborn she could be once she had made up her mind.

Abhimanyu, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. “

Aunty, I understand where you’re coming from. But sometimes, what seems right in the moment can cause more pain in the long run. They’re both hurting right now, and keeping them apart is only going to make things worse.”

Vishakha looked at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I know you’re all worried about them, but this is not up for debate. Nandini will come to understand that what I’m doing is for her own good. I can’t let her make a decision she’ll regret later.”

Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. The group could see that no matter what they said, Vishakha was set in her decision.

Cabir sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. “We just want what’s best for both of them, Aunty. We’re only asking you to consider how much they mean to each other.”

Vishakha softened slightly, but her stance remained the same. “I know you all care about them. But this is a decision that I have to make as Nandini’s mother. I’m sorry, but my decision is final.”

The group exchanged looks, realizing that they had done all they could for now. They knew Vishakha’s intentions were rooted in love and concern, but they couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only going to cause more heartache for both Nandini and Manik.

As they prepared to leave, Vishakha offered them a small, apologetic smile. “I know this is hard for all of you. But please trust that I’m doing what’s best for Nandini.”

They nodded, respecting her decision even though they didn’t agree with it. As they walked towards the door, Mahir and Bela bid them goodbye, their expressions sympathetic but resigned.

“We’ll keep trying,” Dhruv whispered to Cabir as they stepped outside. “We can’t give up on them.”

Cabir nodded, his jaw set with determination. “We won’t.”

As they got into the car and drove away, the weight of the situation pressed down on them even more. They had tried their best to reason with Vishakha, but it was clear that she was not going to budge. All they could do now was be there for Nandini and Manik, hoping that somehow, they could find a way back to each other.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️