A week had passed since Manik and Nandini's separation, but the pain hadn't lessened for either of them. Manik tried to throw himself into work, hoping to distract himself, but every task felt hollow. The emptiness inside him gnawed at him, and he found himself constantly checking his phone, hoping for a message or a call from Nandini. But there was nothing.

Meanwhile, at the Murthy household, Nandini had withdrawn into herself, retreating into the safety of her room. The once lively, cheerful girl was now a shadow of her former self. She spent her days staring out the window, lost in thought, or lying on her bed. She hadn't seen or heard from him in days, and it was tearing her apart.

Vishakha, aware of her daughter's suffering but convinced that she was doing the right thing, tried to reach out to her several times. But each attempt was met with resistance.

One afternoon, Vishakha knocked softly on Nandini's door and entered the room. Nandini was sitting by the window, her knees pulled up to her chest, staring blankly at the world outside.

"Nandini," Vishakha called gently, but there was no response.

"Nandini, we need to talk," Vishakha tried again, her voice firmer this time.

Nandini slowly turned her head towards her mother, her expression cold and distant. "What is there to talk about?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Vishakha sighed, moving closer to her daughter. "I know you're upset, but this is for your own good. You need to understand-"

"Understand what, Mumma?" Nandini cut her off sharply. "That you're keeping me prisoner in my own house? That you've taken away my phone, my freedom, and are forcing me to live like this?"

Vishakha's eyes flashed with hurt, but she kept her composure. "Nandini, I'm trying to protect you. I don't want you to make a decision that you'll regret for the rest of your life."

Nandini scoffed, turning her head back towards the window. "And you think this is better? Making me miserable is your way of protecting me?"

Vishakha reached out, trying to touch Nandini's shoulder, but she flinched away. "I know you're hurting, but you need to trust me. This love, this relationship with Manik, it's not going to bring you happiness."

Nandini turned to her mother, her eyes filled with anger and pain. "How do you know? You've already decided what's best for me without even asking me how I feel! You're not protecting me, Mumma, you're punishing me!"

Vishakha took a deep breath, trying to keep her own emotions in check. "I know you think I'm being harsh, but I've seen the consequences of rushing into a relationship like this. You're too young to understand-"

Nandini cut her off again, her voice rising. "Stop treating me like a child! I love Manik, and he loves me. Why can't you just accept that?"

Vishakha's face hardened. "Because love isn't enough, Nandini. There's more to life than just love. You need to think about your future, your career-"

"I am thinking about my future!" Nandini shot back. "And Manik is a part of that future, whether you like it or not."

The room fell into a tense silence, the air thick with unspoken words. Vishakha looked at her daughter, her heart breaking at the sight of the pain in her eyes, but she stood firm in her decision.

"If you can't see that I'm doing this for you," Vishakha said quietly, "then there's nothing more I can say. But one day, you'll understand."

Nandini turned away, tears stinging her eyes, refusing to let them fall in front of her mother. "Just leave me alone," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Vishakha hesitated, her resolve wavering for a moment, but then she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door, tears slipping down her cheeks. She hated seeing Nandini like this, but she believed she was doing the right thing.

Later, Navya quietly slipped into Nandini's room, carrying a tray with some food. "Nandini, you need to eat something," she said softly.

Nandini didn't respond, her eyes still fixed on the view outside.

Navya placed the tray on the bedside table and sat beside her. "I know you're hurting, but you need to take care of yourself. Please, just eat a little."

Nandini turned to Navya, her eyes red and puffy. "Navya, please, just go. I'm not hungry."

Navya's heart ached for her friend, and she wanted to help, but she had been strictly instructed by Vishakha not to give Nandini her phone or let her contact Manik. She hesitated, knowing the risk but unable to bear seeing Nandini in so much pain. "Nandini, I-"

Before Navya could say anything more, the door opened, and Vishakha walked in, her expression stern. "Navya, I told you not to bring her anything unless I say so," she said sharply.

Navya stood up quickly, looking guilty. "I'm sorry, Amma, but she hasn't eaten all day."

Vishakha's eyes softened slightly as she looked at Nandini, but her voice remained firm. "Nandini, you need to eat. You're not leaving this room until you've had something."

Nandini turned away, refusing to meet her mother's gaze. "I'm not hungry."

Vishakha's patience was wearing thin. "Nandini, I'm not asking you. I'm telling you."

Nandini finally turned to her, her expression defiant. "And I'm telling you, I'm not hungry."

Vishakha's face hardened again, but she didn't want to push Nandini further. She motioned for Navya to leave, and after a hesitant glance at Nandini, Navya left the room, closing the door behind her.

Vishakha stood there for a moment, watching her daughter with a mixture of frustration and helplessness. "Nandini, I know you're angry with me, but one day you'll see that I'm right."

Nandini didn't respond, her silence louder than any words could be.

Vishakha sighed and walked out, leaving Nandini alone in her room once again. As soon as she was gone, Nandini buried her face in her hands, letting the tears she had been holding back flow freely.

The days passed slowly, each one blending into the next, with Nandini trapped in a cycle of pain and longing. She wanted nothing more than to see Manik, to hear his voice, but her phone remained out of reach, a symbol of her isolation.

Every attempt by her friends or family to reach her was met with the same cold resistance. Nandini had built walls around herself, shutting everyone out as she tried to cope with the agony of their separation.

And through it all, Manik's image haunted her-his smile, his voice, the warmth of his embrace. She missed him desperately, but all she could do was wait, hoping that somehow, someway, they would find their way back to each other.

Manik sat on the edge of the bed in their room at Paradise Point, staring at the picture frame beside him. It was a photo of him and Nandini, taken during one of their happiest moments together. They were both smiling, their faces glowing with joy and love. The memory felt like a lifetime ago.

His fingers traced the edges of the frame as he let himself drift back into the past, to a time when everything was simpler, yet so confusing for him.

Flashback

It was their first year of college. Manik had always been confident, never one to second-guess himself or his feelings. But with Nandini, everything was different. It had started subtly, with him noticing her more than he did anyone else, feeling an inexplicable pull towards her.

He remembered the day it all started to make sense, though he hadn't wanted to admit it to himself at the time.

Manik and Nandini were sitting under a large tree on campus, their usual spot. The sun was filtering through the leaves, casting a warm glow over everything. They were laughing about something silly, as they often did when a group of guys walked by. One of them, a classmate, called out to Nandini, asking her if she wanted to join them for a movie that evening.

Nandini smiled and politely declined, but Manik felt a sharp pang in his chest. His smile faded, and he felt his mood darken instantly. He watched as Nandini casually waved at the guy, who walked away with a grin.

For the rest of the day, Manik couldn't shake the feeling of annoyance. He found himself watching Nandini closely, analyzing every interaction she had with other guys. Every time she laughed or smiled at one of them, his stomach twisted uncomfortably. It was an unfamiliar sensation-jealousy.

A few days later, he was walking across the campus when he spotted Nandini talking to another guy near the library. They were standing close, and Nandini was laughing at something the guy had said. Manik felt something snap inside him. Without thinking, he walked over, his stride purposeful and his expression stormy.

He interrupted their conversation, glaring at the guy who looked startled by his sudden appearance. "Nandini, we're late for class," Manik said brusquely, not even bothering to greet the guy.

Nandini looked surprised but didn't protest. She excused herself and followed Manik, who walked away without another word. Once they were out of earshot, Nandini stopped him.

"Manik, what's wrong with you? We don't even have a class right now," she said, frowning at him.

He avoided her gaze, his jaw clenched. "Nothing. I just didn't like the way he was talking to you."

Nandini raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "He was just being friendly. Why does that bother you so much?"

Manik didn't have an answer. He couldn't tell her the truth-that seeing her with anyone else drove him insane, that the thought of someone else making her laugh, someone else making her smile, was unbearable to him.

The feelings kept growing stronger, and more intense. He started getting into fights with guys who so much as looked at Nandini the wrong way. His possessiveness was becoming more apparent, and though he tried to control it, there were times when he couldn't help himself.

One day, it all became too much. He was in the library, trying to focus on his studies, but his mind kept drifting to Nandini. He remembered the moment that had finally pushed him over the edge.

She had been talking to one of their mutual friends, a guy who had always been a little too friendly with her in Manik's opinion. They were standing by the window, sunlight streaming in and creating a soft halo around her. The guy said something that made her laugh-a genuine, carefree laugh that made her eyes sparkle.

Manik felt a surge of something powerful and undeniable. He couldn't stand it anymore. He realized, with shock, that he was in love with her. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him breathless and terrified.

He was scared-scared of losing her, scared of ruining their friendship. He couldn't bear the thought of confessing his feelings and having her look at him differently, of her pulling away from him.

So, he kept it to himself, burying his feelings deep inside. He tried to act normal, to continue being her friend, but every time he saw her, it became harder and harder to keep up the façade.

Then came the day that changed everything.

He was in his dorm room when he got the call from his mom. Her voice was trembling, filled with fear and urgency. "Manik, it's your dad. He's had a heart attack. You need to come now."

Manik felt his world collapse around him. Panic gripped him, and without thinking, he started packing his bags. His hands were shaking as he tried to process the news.

He grabbed his phone and sent a quick message to Nandini: "I'm going to London. My dad's had a heart attack. I don't know when I'll be back."

He couldn't bring himself to call her, to hear her voice. He was too afraid that he would break down, that he wouldn't be able to hold it together.

And then he left, just like that, leaving everything behind-his college, his friends, and most of all, Nandini.

Flashback ends

Manik snapped back to the present, his heart heavy with the memories as that was the last separation they had without any talks or messages. He had to find a way to reach her. Even if it meant facing the wrath of her mother, even if it meant risking everything, he had to try.

With a determined resolve, Manik placed the picture frame back on the bedside table. He wouldn't give up, not now, not ever. Nandini was worth fighting for, and he would fight until his last breath if he had to.

Because he loved her. More than anything in the world.

Nandini sat curled up on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. Her room felt cold and distant, much like the emotions swirling inside her. She had been staring at the ceiling for hours, unable to shake the memories that were flooding back, taking her to a time when things were so different, so innocent.

Flashback

It was their first year of college, and Nandini had been drawn to Manik almost from the moment they met. At first, she couldn't quite place the feeling-he was just a friend, someone she enjoyed spending time with. But as the months went by, those feelings began to shift, to deepen.

She remembered how it had started. They were always together, whether it was studying in the library, hanging out in the canteen, or just wandering around the campus aimlessly. Manik had this magnetic pull that she couldn't resist. He was charming, confident, and always knew how to make her laugh.

But then, something changed. She began to notice the way other girls looked at him, the way they flocked around him, laughing at his jokes and trying to get his attention. At first, she tried to ignore it, but it started to bother her more and more.

One day, she saw him talking to a girl from their class, a pretty girl who was clearly flirting with him. Nandini felt a surge of jealousy that caught her off guard. She hated the way it made her feel, so insecure and possessive.

That night, she tossed and turned in her bed, trying to make sense of her emotions. She couldn't understand why it bothered her so much-after all, Manik was just a friend. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. She was falling for him, and it scared her.

As the days passed, her feelings only grew stronger. She found herself getting irritated whenever a girl tried to get close to him, and she would go out of her way to keep him away from them.

She remembered one particular day when a girl from another department had approached Manik during lunch, asking him out. Nandini had watched the whole thing unfold from a distance, her heart sinking as the girl smiled sweetly at him.

When the girl left, Nandini rushed over to Manik, who was still holding the note with the girl's phone number. She snatched it from his hand, crumpling it up before he could react.

"Hey, what's that for?" Manik asked, surprised.

"She's not your type," Nandini replied quickly, tossing the crumpled note into the trash bin.

Manik raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "And what exactly is my type?"

Nandini felt her cheeks flush as she tried to come up with a response. "Someone who's... not her," she said lamely, avoiding his gaze.

Manik chuckled, shaking his head. "You're weird, Nandini."

"Just trust me on this," she muttered, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction that he hadn't argued with her.

This became a pattern. Whenever a girl showed interest in Manik, Nandini would find a way to steer him away from them, coming up with ridiculous excuses for why he shouldn't date them. And somehow, Manik always listened to her, never questioning her reasons.

But as much as she tried to protect him from others, she couldn't protect herself from the feelings that were consuming her. She was falling in love with him, and it was terrifying. She didn't want to risk their friendship, didn't want to lose the one person who meant everything to her.

Then, one evening, she received a message from Manik: "I'm going to London. My dad's had a heart attack. I don't know when I'll be back."

Her heart dropped. She couldn't believe what she was reading. Manik was leaving-just like that, without any warning. She immediately tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. She left him a message, asking him to call her as soon as he could.

She waited, her phone clutched in her hand, expecting him to call back. But hours passed, and there was no word from him. The next day, she tried calling again, but still, nothing.

Days turned into weeks, and the silence stretched on. Nandini was beside herself with worry, not knowing what was happening with Manik or his family. She sent him messages every day, just hoping for a reply, but there was never any response.

The pain of not knowing, of being kept in the dark, was unbearable. She felt a mix of worry, anger, and hurt. Why wasn't he responding? Why was he shutting her out? Didn't she mean anything to him?

As the weeks turned into months, Nandini's frustration grew. She was hurt, deeply hurt, by Manik's silence. She felt abandoned, left to deal with her feelings on her own. Every day, she would check her phone, hoping for a message, a call-anything. But there was only silence.

It was during this time that she realized just how much Manik meant to her. She missed him with a desperation that she hadn't known was possible. The campus felt empty without him, and she found herself drifting, lost without his presence.

She had always been strong, and independent, but without Manik, she felt vulnerable, exposed. The walls she had built around her heart were crumbling, and she didn't know how to hold them up anymore.

Every night, she would lie awake, replaying their memories together, wondering where it had all gone wrong. She missed his laugh, his teasing, the way he always knew how to make her smile. But most of all, she missed the way he made her feel safe like everything would be okay as long as he was around.

But now, with him gone, nothing felt okay. The world felt dull and colorless, and she was struggling to find her place in it without him.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Next two or three chapters will be in flashback.....

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️