The night was quiet and still, with the moon casting a soft, silver glow over the city. The hustle and bustle of the day had faded away, leaving only the distant hum of traffic and the occasional chirping of crickets. Nandini lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind too restless to let her sleep. The events of the past few days had taken their toll on her, but there was a sense of determination that kept her going. She knew she had to be strong, not just for herself but for the love she shared with Manik.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, the soft vibration breaking the silence of the room. She reached over and picked it up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Manik's name on the screen. She hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over the answer button, before finally swiping to accept the call.

"Hi," Nandini whispered, her voice soft and tentative.

"Hi," Manik replied, his voice equally soft but laced with a mix of relief and concern. "How are you feeling now?"

Nandini closed her eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over her. "I'm... I'm okay, I guess. Just a bit tired."

There was a brief pause on the other end, and Nandini could almost hear the worry in Manik's silence. "You don't sound okay," he finally said, his voice tinged with sadness. "I wish I could be there with you."

"I know," Nandini murmured, her fingers tightening around the phone. "I wish you were here too. Everything feels so different without you."

Manik sighed deeply, the sound full of frustration and helplessness. "I hate this, Nandini. I hate that we're being kept apart like this. It feels like every time we get close to being happy, something or someone comes along to tear us apart."

Nandini bit her lip, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes. She didn't want to cry, not now, not when they were finally talking. "I know, Manik. But we have to stay strong, right? We promised each other that we wouldn't give up."

"I know we did," Manik agreed, his voice firming up. "And I won't give up, Nandini. No matter what happens, no matter what anyone says, I'm not giving up on us."

Nandini felt a small smile tug at her lips. "You always know how to make me feel better."

"Because I know you, Nandini," Manik replied gently. "I know how much you mean to me, and I know that you’re worth fighting for."

Nandini's smile faded slightly as she thought about everything they had been through. "It just feels like everything is against us sometimes. My mom... she’s so stubborn, and I don’t know how to make her see that this is what I want. That you’re what I want."

Manik's voice was gentle but determined. "You don’t have to convince her on your own, Nandini. We’re in this together, remember? And I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to her that I’m not going to hurt you."

"I know you won’t," Nandini whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "But she’s so scared. She’s scared that I’ll end up like... like her. That I’ll get hurt the way she did."

Manik's heart ached at the pain in Nandini's voice. "You’re not going to end up like that, Nandini. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I love you too much to ever let that happen."

Nandini closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I love you too, Manik. I love you so much that it hurts sometimes. And it scares me too because I don’t want to lose you."

"You’re not going to lose me," Manik said firmly. "We’ve come too far to let anything tear us apart now."

Nandini nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. "I know. I just need to keep reminding myself of that."

Manik’s voice softened, taking on a soothing tone. "Hey, listen to me. You’re the strongest person I know, Nandini. You’ve been through so much, and you’ve come out stronger every time. You can get through this too. We can get through this."

Nandini wiped away the tears that had started to fall. "I want to be strong, Manik. I really do. But sometimes it feels like everything is too much."

Manik’s voice was filled with love and encouragement. "You don’t have to be strong all the time, Nandini. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. But just remember that you’re not alone. I’m here with you, every step of the way."

Nandini’s heart swelled with emotion. "Thank you, Manik. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"You don’t have to worry about that," Manik said, his voice warm and reassuring. "Because I’m not going anywhere. No matter what happens, I’m going to be right here, by your side."

Nandini took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "I needed to hear that. Thank you."

"Anytime," Manik replied softly. "I’m always here for you, Nandini. No matter what."

They fell into a comfortable silence, just listening to each other breathe, finding solace in the quiet connection between them. After a while, Manik broke the silence.

"You know," he said thoughtfully, "we’ve been through so much already, and we’ve always found our way back to each other. I believe that we’re going to make it through this too."

Nandini smiled softly, her heart filled with love for the man on the other end of the line. "I believe that too, Manik. As long as we’re together, I know we can face anything."

"That’s my girl," Manik said with a hint of pride in his voice. "Just keep holding on, okay? We’re going to get through this. I promise."

"I will," Nandini vowed, her voice steady. "I promise I won’t let go, no matter what."

"Good," Manik said, his tone full of affection. "Now, try to get some rest, okay? You need to take care of yourself."

"I will," Nandini promised again. "But only if you promise to do the same."

"I promise," Manik said with a smile in his voice. "Now, close your eyes and think about something good. Like the first time we met, or the time we spent on the beach together."

Nandini’s smile widened as she remembered those moments. "I’m thinking about it now."

"Good," Manik said softly. "Sweet dreams, Moonshine. I love you."

"I love you too, Manik," Nandini whispered, her heart full as she closed her eyes, letting the sound of his voice lull her into a peaceful sleep.

As the call ended, the night seemed a little less lonely, and the challenges they faced seemed a little more bearable. With their love and determination, they knew they could face anything that came their way. And as they drifted off to sleep, they held onto the promise that they would always find their way back to each other, no matter what obstacles lay ahead.

Days slipped by in a blur of routine and responsibilities, with both Manik and Nandini immersing themselves in their work. The hum of everyday life became a distraction, a way to keep their minds off the turmoil that brewed just beneath the surface. Yet, in every quiet moment, their thoughts inevitably drifted back to each other, to the love that held them together despite the distance.

Manik threw himself into his work with a determination that bordered on obsession. Meetings, negotiations, and projects kept him occupied, but no matter how busy he became, a part of his mind was always focused on Nandini. He had promised her that he would fight for their love, and he intended to keep that promise.

Every evening, after the workday had come to an end, Manik would find himself alone in his office, contemplating his next move. He knew that winning over Vishakha wouldn’t be easy—her resolve was like a fortress, impenetrable and unyielding. But Manik was determined. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Nandini, and he refused to let her mother’s past dictate their future.

On several occasions, Manik reached out to Vishakha, attempting to bridge the gap between them. He visited her office under the pretense of discussing business, but his true intentions were always clear. He wanted to show her that his love for Nandini was genuine, that it wasn’t just some fleeting romance but a deep, unwavering bond that had weathered countless storms.

During these meetings, Manik spoke with sincerity and passion. He recounted moments that Nandini had shared with him, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams, and the quiet strength she possessed despite the challenges she faced. He spoke of the sacrifices they had both made for each other, how they had stood by each other even when it seemed the world was against them.

But despite his heartfelt words, Vishakha remained unmoved. Her expression was always the same—cool, distant, and unreadable. She listened to Manik with a polite detachment, her gaze never wavering, but she never gave him any indication that his words had reached her. Each time, she would thank him for his visit, but the conversation would end with the same cold finality.

Manik’s frustration grew with each passing day. He could see the wall Vishakha had built around herself, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t break through. It was as if she had locked her heart away, refusing to acknowledge the love he had for her daughter.

One evening, after another fruitless meeting with Vishakha, Manik returned to his empty office and slumped into his chair, feeling the weight of his exhaustion. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing with thoughts of Nandini. He knew she was trying to stay strong, just as he was, but he could sense the strain in her voice during their nightly phone calls. She was holding on, but it was getting harder.

He picked up his phone and stared at the screen, tempted to call her. But he hesitated. He didn’t want to add to her burden, didn’t want her to worry about his struggles. Instead, he sent her a simple message: I miss you. Stay strong, okay?

Nandini’s reply came quickly: I miss you too, Manik. We’ll get through this. I know we will.

Manik smiled sadly at her words, feeling a pang of guilt. He was supposed to be the one giving her strength, but here she was, reassuring him instead. He typed out a response: I’m trying, Nandini. I’m doing everything I can to make this work.

Her reply was brief but full of love: I know you are. And that’s enough for me.

Manik placed his phone down and leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was enough. He was giving it his all, but every effort seemed to bounce off Vishakha’s impenetrable walls. He could see the pain in Nandini’s eyes every time they spoke, the way she tried to mask it with a brave smile. And it broke his heart to know that, despite his best efforts, he was powerless to make things right.

As the days passed, the strain of the situation began to weigh heavily on Manik. He kept up his façade of strength for Nandini’s sake, but inside, he was beginning to doubt himself. What if he couldn’t convince Vishakha? What if, despite all his efforts, he lost Nandini in the end?

But even as these doubts gnawed at him, Manik refused to give up. He knew what Nandini meant to him, and he knew he couldn’t walk away from her. So he continued to push forward, trying to find a way to get through to Vishakha, even as she remained resolute in her stance.

One evening, after another long day, Manik found himself standing outside Vishakha’s office once more. He had no appointment this time, no excuse for being there. But he needed to try again. He needed to make her see what was at stake.

When Vishakha saw him standing in her doorway, she raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Manik," she said coolly, "I wasn’t expecting you today."

"I know," Manik replied, stepping inside. "But I had to come. I can’t keep doing this without knowing that you understand what Nandini means to me."

Vishakha remained silent, her expression unreadable as she watched him.

"I love her, Mam," Manik continued, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart. "I love her more than anything, and I would do anything to make her happy. I know you don’t approve of our relationship, but I need you to understand that I’m not going to walk away from her. Not now, not ever."

Vishakha’s gaze hardened slightly. "And you think that by coming here and telling me this, you’ll change my mind?"

"I don’t know," Manik admitted. "But I have to try. Because if there’s even a small chance that you might reconsider, then it’s worth it."

Vishakha’s lips pressed into a thin line. "You’re very persistent, Manik."

"Only because I know what I want," he replied firmly. "And that’s Nandini. I know she’s been through a lot because of me, and I hate that. But I’m not going to give up on her. I’m not going to let her go."

Vishakha looked at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face as if trying to find some hint of insincerity. But all she saw was the determination in his eyes, the unwavering resolve that told her he was speaking the truth.

Finally, she sighed, a sound filled with frustration and resignation. "You really do love her, don’t you?"

"More than anything," Manik replied softly.

Vishakha looked away, her expression conflicted. "Love... it’s not always enough, Manik. It doesn’t guarantee happiness or a future."

"I know that," Manik said quietly. "But I also know that without love, there’s nothing. And I’m willing to fight for what we have, no matter how hard it gets."

Vishakha closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her fears and doubts pressing down on her. She didn’t want to admit it, but a part of her was starting to see the sincerity in Manik’s words, the genuine love he had for her daughter. But the scars of her past were deep, and the fear of seeing Nandini go through the same pain she had experienced was still strong.

"Manik," she began, her voice softer now, "you have to understand... I’m just trying to protect my daughter. I don’t want her to get hurt."

"I know you are," Manik replied gently. "But sometimes, protecting someone means letting them make their own choices. Letting them follow their heart, even if it’s scary."

Vishakha opened her eyes, meeting his gaze once more. "And if you’re wrong? If things don’t work out?"

"Then we’ll deal with it together," Manik said simply. "But I can’t walk away from her, Mam. I won’t."

For the first time, Vishakha didn’t have a retort ready. She could see the resolve in Manik’s eyes, the love that was so clear and unwavering. It was something she hadn’t seen in a long time, and it made her wonder if maybe, just maybe, she had been wrong to try to keep them apart.

But the doubts and fears still lingered, and Vishakha couldn’t bring herself to fully let go of them. So she remained silent, not offering him the acceptance he sought but also not dismissing him outright.

Manik took a deep breath, sensing that he had made some progress, even if it was small. "Thank you for listening," he said softly. "I just want you to know that I’m not giving up. On Nandini, or us."

With that, he turned and left her office, leaving Vishakha alone with her thoughts. As she sat there, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She had always believed that she was doing the right thing by protecting Nandini, but now, for the first time, she wasn’t so sure.

Meanwhile, Manik walked out of the building, feeling a strange mix of hope and frustration. He hadn’t won Vishakha over, but he had made her think. And that was more than he had achieved before.

As he stepped out into the night, he looked up at the sky, the stars twinkling above. He knew the road ahead was still long and uncertain, but he also knew that he couldn’t give up. Not now, not ever.

And with that thought in mind, he pulled out his phone and sent Nandini a message: We’re going to make it, Nandini. I promise.
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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 ❤️❤️