The next day, Nandini woke up with a renewed sense of determination. She knew she couldn't stay cooped up in her room anymore; it was time to face everything head-on. After taking a deep breath, she got out of bed and went through her morning routine, brushing away the lingering thoughts of the previous day. As she dressed, she chose an outfit that made her feel strong and ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

With a final look in the mirror, Nandini straightened her shoulders and left her room. After so many days of isolation, the corridor felt unfamiliar, but she walked through it with purpose. As she approached the dining room, she could hear the faint clatter of dishes and low murmurs of conversation. She stepped into the room and saw Vishakha, Mahir, Bela, and Navya seated at the dining table.

The room fell silent as they all turned to look at her. There was a brief moment of hesitation, but Nandini greeted them with a calm smile. "Good morning," she said, her voice steady.

"Good morning, princess," Mahir replied, his tone gentle, as if testing the waters. Bela and Navya exchanged relieved glances, while Vishakha remained quiet, her eyes observing Nandini closely.

Nandini took her seat at the table, and breakfast continued, albeit a bit more subdued than usual. The clinking of cutlery and the occasional comment about the food filled the silence. Despite the tension in the air, Nandini felt a sense of normalcy returning, and it gave her strength.

After a few minutes, Nandini cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "I’ve been away from the hospital for too long," she began, her tone matter-of-fact. "I have to get back to work today. I've already taken too many leaves."

Vishakha looked at her daughter, concern evident in her eyes. Before she could say anything, Nandini continued her voice firm but without malice. "I also need my phone back, Mumma."

Vishakha hesitated, her hand unconsciously reaching for her pocket where she kept Nandini's phone. "Nandini, I…"

Nandini held up a hand, stopping her. "Don’t worry, I won’t meet Manik for the time being. But that doesn't mean I've changed my decision. I just need to get back to my life."

There was a moment of silence as Vishakha processed Nandini’s words. Finally, with a resigned nod, she took out Nandini’s phone and handed it to her. "Take care of yourself," Vishakha said softly, her voice laced with unspoken emotion.

Nandini accepted the phone and gave her mother a small, reassuring smile. "I will, Mumma."

With that, she stood up from the table, her resolve strengthening with each step. "I’ll see you all later," she said, and without waiting for a response, she left the dining room, making her way to the hospital.

As the door closed behind her, the others sat in silence, processing the encounter. Bela sighed softly, looking at Vishakha. "She's strong, Vishakha. She’ll be okay."

Vishakha nodded slowly, her eyes still on the door where Nandini had just left. "I know," she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

Nandini stepped outside, feeling the warm sunlight on her face. She took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs. The world felt different now like she was seeing it with new eyes. The weight on her shoulders was still there, but it felt more bearable. She wasn’t running away anymore—she was facing it all.

Arriving at the hospital, Nandini greeted her colleagues and settled into her routine. The familiar environment provided a sense of comfort, and soon, she was immersed in her work. But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning. There was still much to face, but for now, she was ready to take it one step at a time.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the city, Manik received a call that made his heart skip a beat. It was Vishakha. Her tone was stern, with an undercurrent of authority that left no room for negotiation.

"Manik," she began, not bothering with pleasantries, "I want you to come to my office this evening. Alone. And don't tell anyone about this."

Manik's breath caught in his throat. The abruptness of her request, paired with the secrecy, sent a wave of nervousness crashing over him. "Yes, ma'am," he managed to reply, his voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within him.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. His mind was consumed with thoughts of what this meeting could mean. He knew Vishakha was against his relationship with Nandini, but this felt different—more final, more decisive. He couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever was about to happen would change everything.

When evening arrived, Manik found himself standing outside Vishakha's office building, a mixture of anxiety and determination swirling in his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart, and then walked inside. After checking in with the receptionist, he was directed to Vishakha’s private cabin.

Manik paused outside her door, his hand hovering over the handle. Gathering his courage, he knocked softly.

"Come in," came Vishakha's crisp voice from within.

Manik pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was bathed in warm light, the soft glow highlighting the elegant yet austere décor. Vishakha sat behind her large mahogany desk, her expression unreadable as she watched him enter. She gestured for him to sit in the chair opposite her, and he did so, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

"Good evening, ma'am," Manik said respectfully, his voice a little quieter than usual. His mind raced as he tried to predict what was coming next.

"Manik," Vishakha began, her tone even, but with an edge that set him on high alert. "I’m going to be direct with you. I want you to leave India."

Manik blinked, taken aback by the suddenness of her statement. He felt his stomach drop, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Leave India? Ma'am, I don't understand. Why are you asking me to do this?"

Vishakha's gaze was unwavering, her eyes sharp. "I will never accept your relationship with Nandini. It's in her best interest that you leave. Permanently."

Manik's heart pounded in his chest. "But why? What have I done wrong? Why are you so against us being together?"

Vishakha leaned back in her chair, her expression hardening. "Love is nothing but a fleeting emotion, Manik. It’s not enough to sustain a marriage, and it’s certainly not enough to build a life on. I’ve seen what happens when people rely on love. It destroys them."

Manik’s hands clenched into fists in his lap, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "With all due respect, ma'am, I disagree. I love Nandini more than anything in this world. She means everything to me. I would never hurt her."

Vishakha's lips pressed into a thin line. "You may believe that now, but life has a way of tearing people apart. You’re young, idealistic. You don’t know the realities of life."

"Then explain them to me," Manik challenged, his voice rising slightly. "Tell me why you’re so certain that I’m not good enough for her."

Vishakha’s eyes flashed with something dark and painful, but she quickly masked it. "The deal you have with Sehgal Industries will be completed by the end of this month. After that, I will marry Nandini to the boy I’ve chosen for her. This is not up for debate."

Manik felt like the ground was slipping out from under him. "You can't do that, ma'am. You can't force her into a marriage she doesn't want."

Vishakha’s gaze was steely. "And what makes you think she wants you, Manik? Can you guarantee that you’ll never leave her, never hurt her? Can you promise that she’ll be happy with you forever?"

Manik stared at her, his heart aching with the weight of her words. "And can you guarantee that the man you’ve chosen for her will make her happy? That he won’t hurt her?"

Vishakha’s silence was deafening. For the first time, she looked away, her expression faltering as she searched for a response she didn’t have.

Manik seized the moment, his voice softening but firm. "I don’t know what happened in your past, ma'am, but what you’re doing now isn’t just hurting Nandini—it’s hurting you too. You’re trying to protect her from something that might never happen. You’re pasting your past onto her future, and that’s not fair. Nandini isn’t you, and I’m not whoever hurt you. We’re different people, and we deserve the chance to make our own decisions, our own mistakes."

Vishakha’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she turned back to face him. "You don’t understand," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I’m trying to save her from making the same mistakes I did. I lost everything because I believed in love."

Manik leaned forward, his gaze locked on hers. "And I’m telling you that Nandini’s happiness is worth fighting for. I love her, ma'am. More than anything. And I’ll do whatever it takes to be with her." Manik’s voice trembles, "You don’t have to do it alone. We all want what’s best for Nandini, and that includes her being happy. Let us prove to you that our love is strong enough. Give us a chance."

The room fell into a heavy silence, and both of them were lost in their thoughts. Vishakha’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, love, guilt, and the overwhelming desire to protect her daughter. Manik sat patiently, waiting for her to find her way through the storm.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Vishakha exhaled slowly. "I need time to think," she said, her voice hoarse from the strain of the conversation.

Manik nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Take all the time you need, ma'am. But please, don’t close the door on us just yet."

Vishakha met his gaze, and for the first time, there was a glimmer of something other than resistance in her eyes—perhaps it was hope, or maybe just the faintest crack in her armor. "We’ll see," she replied, her tone softer than before.

Manik stood up, sensing that the conversation was over. "Thank you for listening," he said quietly before turning to leave.

As he walked out of her office, his heart was heavy but not defeated. He had said what he needed to say, and now, it was up to Vishakha to decide what would happen next. But one thing was certain: he wasn’t going to give up on Nandini, no matter what obstacles lay ahead.

The soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cups created a comforting ambiance in the cozy café where Navya and Cabir had decided to meet. The café was a small, quaint place, with warm wooden interiors and large windows that let in the afternoon sunlight, creating a serene environment.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of baked goods that lined the glass display at the counter. It was a place meant for quiet conversations and moments of reflection—perfect for the discussion that was about to take place.

Navya sat at a corner table, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of cappuccino. Her eyes were distant, a mix of worry and exhaustion evident on her face. She had spent the last few days in constant turmoil, trying to support Nandini through her emotional rollercoaster while grappling with her own helplessness.

Cabir entered the café a few minutes later, his usually jovial expression replaced with a more serious demeanor. He spotted Navya immediately and made his way over to her, sliding into the chair opposite her with a heavy sigh.

“Hey,” he greeted her, his voice unusually subdued.

“Hey,” Navya replied, offering him a small, tired smile.

Cabir ordered a black coffee, then turned his attention back to Navya. “How’s Nandini holding up?” he asked, his concern evident.

Navya took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around her cup. “She’s trying to stay strong, but it’s been really tough on her. She had another panic attack, and it was... it was really bad, Cabir.” Her voice trembled slightly as she recalled the events of the past day.

Cabir’s expression darkened. “I heard from Manik that she fainted. How is she now?”

“She’s better, I guess,” Navya replied, her gaze dropping to the table. “But the thing is, she’s just bottling everything up. She’s trying to convince herself to stay strong, but I can see how much she’s struggling. She misses Manik so much, and it’s breaking her apart inside.”

Cabir nodded, his own thoughts heavy. “Manik’s not doing any better, you know. He’s a mess, Navya. He’s been trying to stay focused on work, but it’s clear that his mind is somewhere else—always on Nandini. He’s anxious, frustrated, and... he just feels so helpless.”

Navya sighed, her heart aching for both of her friends. “I wish there was something we could do to help them, but it feels like everything’s out of our hands. Amma is so stubborn, and Nandini... she’s caught in the middle of all of this.”

Cabir took a sip of his coffee, his brow furrowed in thought. “I’ve never seen Manik like this before. He’s usually so confident, so in control, but right now... he’s just lost. And the worst part is, he knows he can’t do anything to fix this on his own.”

Navya nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “It’s the same with Nandini. She’s trying to be strong for everyone’s sake, but it’s taking such a toll on her. She’s so scared of losing Manik, but at the same time, she doesn’t want to go against her mom. It’s tearing her apart, and I can see how much she’s suffering.”

They both fell silent for a moment, the weight of their friends' struggles pressing down on them. The café’s gentle atmosphere felt almost mocking in its peacefulness, contrasting sharply with the turmoil they were discussing.

Cabir finally spoke up, his voice low and thoughtful. “There has to be a way to help them. We can’t just sit back and watch them fall apart. Maybe... maybe we need to talk to Vishakha Aunty.”

Navya’s eyes widened slightly. “You think that would work? I mean, she’s so dead set against them being together. What could we possibly say to change her mind?”

Cabir leaned forward, his expression determined. “I don’t know, but we have to try. Vishakha Aunty holding onto something from her past, something that’s making her push them apart. If we can just get through to her, make her see how much Manik and Nandini love each other... maybe she’ll reconsider.”

Navya hesitated, her mind racing. “It’s risky, Cabir. What if it backfires? What if she becomes even more determined to separate them?”

“We’ll have to be careful,” Cabir admitted. “But I think it’s worth the risk. Manik and Nandini deserve a chance to be happy together, and if we can do anything to help them, we should. Maybe Vishakha Aunty just needs to see things from a different perspective, you know?”

Navya considered his words, her heart torn. “I hate seeing Nandini like this. She’s been through so much, and all she wants is to be with the person she loves. But Amma... she’s not going to change her mind easily.”

Cabir reached across the table, gently squeezing Navya’s hand. “We’ll figure it out, Navya. We’ve been there for them through everything else—this is just another challenge. And who knows? Maybe talking to Vishakha Aunty will be the first step toward fixing things.”

Navya gave him a small, hopeful smile. “Maybe you’re right. We’ve got to do something, even if it’s just showing them that they’re not alone in this.”

Cabir nodded, his resolve strengthening. “Exactly. Manik and Nandini need to know that we’re here for them, no matter what. And if that means confronting Vishakha Aunty or finding another way to help, then so be it.”

They continued to talk, brainstorming ideas and strategies, their determination to support their friends fueled their conversation. The sun began to set outside the café, casting a warm golden glow through the windows. As the sky turned shades of orange and pink, Navya and Cabir found solace in each other’s company, knowing that they weren’t alone in their mission to help Manik and Nandini find their way back to each other.

As the evening drew closer, they decided it was time to go. They stood up, leaving their empty cups behind, and walked out of the café together, their hearts a little lighter. They knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with their friends' love and determination guiding them, they were ready to face whatever challenges came their way.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Will Navya be able to know Vishakha's past???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️