The living room was bathed in the soft glow of the evening sun, casting long shadows across the floor as Navya, Mahir, Bela, and Vishakha sat together, the quiet hum of the ceiling fan filling the silence. The atmosphere was tense, with a mixture of unspoken words and suppressed emotions in the air. Navya fidgeted with the edge of her kurta, her heart pounding in her chest as she gathered the courage to speak. She knew what she was about to say would stir up emotions, but she couldn’t hold back any longer.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Navya took a deep breath and spoke, her voice trembling slightly. “Amma, I need to ask you something.”

The suddenness of her voice made everyone look up. Vishakha’s eyes, usually so calm and composed, flickered with mild surprise, while Mahir and Bela exchanged concerned glances.

“What is it, Doll?” Vishakha asked, her tone neutral, though there was an undercurrent of curiosity in her voice.

Navya swallowed hard, her fingers twisting together nervously. “I... I want to know what happened in your past,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The effect was instantaneous. The room, already heavy with tension, became thick with a palpable silence. Vishakha’s expression froze, her face going pale as if the words had physically struck her. Mahir and Bela’s reactions were immediate—they turned to Navya with anger flashing in their eyes.

“What did you just say?” Mahir’s voice was sharp, laced with a protective anger as he leaned forward, glaring at Navya. “Navya, this is not your place to ask such things.”

Bela, too, looked at Navya with a mixture of disbelief and anger. “Navya, have you lost your mind? How could you bring this up? Apologize right now!”

But Navya, driven by a determination that even surprised her, refused to back down. Her heart was pounding, her voice shaky, but she pressed on, her eyes filling with tears of frustration. “I need to know! We all need to know! Aunty, what is it that’s haunting you so much that you’re willing to destroy your daughter’s happiness?”

“Navya, that’s enough!” Mahir’s voice boomed across the room, the authority in his tone unmistakable.

But before he could say more, Vishakha, who had been sitting motionless, her mind reeling from the shock, suddenly snapped back to reality. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her lips trembled, and she clenched her hands in her lap as if trying to hold herself together.

Before anyone could react further, a voice broke through the rising tension.

“Let her ask.”

Everyone turned to see Nandini standing at the entrance of the living room. Her presence was like a gust of wind, stirring the already turbulent emotions in the room. Her eyes were fixed on Vishakha, a mixture of pain and determination shining in them.

“Princess...” Bela started, but Nandini shook her head, silencing her.

“I want to know too, Mumma,” Nandini said softly, her voice carrying a weight of unspoken sorrow. She took a step closer, her gaze never leaving Vishakha’s. “I’ve never asked you about my father. You never told me why he left us, why he left you. But now... I need to know. Why are you doing this? Why are you so afraid of me being with Manik?”

The mention of her father seemed to jolt Vishakha out of her stunned silence. Her eyes, which had been glazed over with a faraway look, suddenly sharpened. “He’s not your father,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I am your father and mother both.”

The room fell into a deeper silence as Vishakha’s words hung in the air, heavy with a truth that had been buried for years. Nandini stared at her mother, the words sinking in, leaving her feeling more confused and hurt.

“Mumma...” Nandini’s voice wavered as she took another step forward. “Why? Why have you never told me this? What happened? Please, I need to understand.”

Vishakha’s composure, which she had tried so hard to maintain, began to crumble. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she shook her head, unable to speak.

Mahir and Bela, seeing the pain in Vishakha’s eyes, tried to intervene. “Princess, this isn’t the time,” Mahir said gently, though his voice was tinged with urgency. “Please, don’t push her.”

But Nandini, who had always been the obedient daughter, could no longer hold back. She dropped to her knees in front of her mother, her own tears falling freely now. “Mumma, please... I need to know. I need to understand why you’re doing this. Why you’re trying to keep me away from Manik.”

Vishakha looked down at her daughter, her heart breaking at the sight. She had always tried to protect Nandini, to shield her from the harsh realities of life. But now, as she saw the desperation in her daughter’s eyes, she realized that she could no longer hide the truth.

With a trembling hand, Vishakha reached out and gently cupped Nandini’s face. “Baccha,” she began, her voice filled with sorrow, “I’m so sorry. I never wanted you to know... I never wanted you to go through what I did.”

Nandini held her mother’s hand, her own tears mingling with those of Vishakha. “Maa, I don’t care about the past. I just need to know why you’re so afraid of me being with Manik. What happened that makes you believe that love isn’t enough?”

Vishakha’s breath hitched as memories she had long buried came rushing back, memories of a time when she had been as young and hopeful as Nandini, filled with dreams of a future with someone she had loved deeply. But those dreams had shattered, leaving her with nothing but scars.

“I loved someone once,” Vishakha whispered, her voice barely audible. “I thought he was everything I ever wanted, but... he left me, Nandini. He left me when I needed him the most... but he walked away. I can’t tell you the whole reason.”

Vishakha shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want you to go through what I did. I don’t want you to be left alone like I was. That’s why I’m so afraid... so afraid that if you love Manik, he’ll leave you too. And I can’t bear to see you hurt like that.”

Nandini felt her heart shatter at her mother’s words. She had always wondered about her father, about why he had never been a part of her life.

“Mumma,” Nandini said softly, “I’m not you. And Manik is not him. He loves me, and I love him. We’ve been through so much together, and he’s never once left my side. Please... don’t punish us for something that happened in the past.”

Vishakha looked at her daughter, seeing the love and determination in her eyes, and her heart ached. She had always believed that she was protecting Nandini, but now she realized that she was also holding her back, preventing her from living her own life.

Before Vishakha could respond, Nandini continued, her voice filled with emotion. “Do you know why Manik calls me Moonshine?” Vishakha shook her head slightly, her tears still falling.

Nandini smiled through her tears, a bittersweet expression that held both love and pain. “The first time he called me that, I didn’t understand it either. But when I asked him, he told me that to him, I was like the moon—always shining, always there to guide him through the darkness. He said that no matter how dark things got, I was his light.”

As Nandini spoke, everyone in the room listened in silence, their emotions raw and unguarded. Even Mahir and Bela, who had initially tried to stop the conversation, were moved by the depth of Nandini’s words.

“Mumma,” Nandini pleaded, her voice breaking, “please give him a chance. Give us a chance. I know you’re scared, but I promise you, Manik will never hurt me. He loves me, just as much as I love him. Please, don’t let your past destroy our future.”

Vishakha’s tears fell freely now, her heart torn between the fears that had controlled her for so long and the love she had for her daughter. She had tried so hard to protect Nandini, but in doing so, she realized that she had also caused her so much pain.

Unable to hold back any longer, Vishakha pulled Nandini into a tight embrace, her tears soaking into her daughter’s hair. “I’m so sorry, baccha... I’m so sorry...” she sobbed, holding Nandini as if she were afraid to let go.

Nandini clung to her mother, her tears flowing freely. “Mumma, I love you so much. I just want you to be happy... I want all of us to be happy.”

For a long moment, the two of them held each other, their tears a release of all the pain and fear that had built up over the years. Mahir, Navya, and Bela watched, their own eyes glistening with tears as they witnessed the emotional reconciliation between mother and daughter.

Then, in a voice choked with emotion, Vishakha whispered, “I’ll give him a chance... I’ll give you both a chance.”

Nandini pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with shock and joy. “Mumma... are you serious?”

Vishakha nodded, her tears still falling, but a small, tentative smile playing on her lips. “Yes, I’m serious. But... but promise me that you’ll be careful. I just want you to be happy.”

Nandini’s heart soared with happiness. She hugged her mother tightly, crying and laughing at the same time. “Thank you, Mumma... thank you so much! I promise I’ll be careful. I love you.”

As the two of them held each other, the tension that had hung over the house for so long finally began to lift. Mahir and Bela exchanged relieved smiles, their hearts lighter than they had been in weeks.

But before they could celebrate further, Vishakha suddenly pulled back and looked at Nandini with a serious expression. “But Nandini... I don’t want anyone else to know about this yet. We will go there tomorrow.”

Nandini nodded eagerly, her heart still pounding with joy. “Of course, Mumma. Whatever you want. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Vishakha smiled softly, wiping the tears from her daughter’s face. “I love you, my baby. And I just want what’s best for you.”

Nandini hugged her mother again, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love. “I love you too, Mumma. And I promise... everything will be okay.”

As the evening continued, the tension in the room melted away, replaced by a sense of hope and newfound understanding. For the first time in weeks, there was a feeling of peace in the air—a peace that came from the knowledge that, no matter what the future held, they would face it together, as a family.

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Nandini’s room, casting a warm glow over her as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she lay still, relishing the peace that had settled in her heart overnight. Then, as the memories of the previous evening came rushing back, a wide, joyous smile spread across her face. Today was the day—she would finally meet Manik, and she couldn’t wait to see the happiness in his eyes when she told him the good news.

With a burst of energy, Nandini threw off the covers and hopped out of bed, her heart singing with joy. She quickly freshened up, her thoughts consumed by the anticipation of seeing Manik. As she dressed in her morning robe and made her way downstairs, her smile only grew wider, her footsteps light as she practically floated down the staircase.

When she reached the breakfast table, the atmosphere in the room immediately shifted. Navya, who had been sipping on her tea, looked up and caught sight of Nandini’s radiant smile. She couldn’t help but grin, her curiosity piqued by the obvious happiness that her friend was exuding.

“Well, well, look who’s all smiles this morning!” Navya teased, raising an eyebrow playfully. “What’s the occasion, Nandini? Did someone win the lottery overnight?”

Nandini blushed, her smile turning a shade shy as she took her seat at the table. “Oh, nothing like that,” she said, trying to downplay her excitement, but the twinkle in her eyes gave her away.

Navya leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she smirked. “Nothing, huh? Then why does it feel like there’s a big reason behind that grin? Come on, spill it!”

Before Nandini could respond, Bela, who had been serving breakfast, noticed her niece’s cheerful demeanor and couldn’t resist chiming in. “Navya’s right, Princess. You’re practically glowing this morning! What’s going on?”

Nandini hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering toward Vishakha, who was quietly pouring herself a cup of coffee. Despite the smile on her face, there was a shadow of concern in her mother’s eyes, a look that Nandini couldn’t quite decipher. She knew her mother had agreed to give her and Manik a chance, but there was still a sense of unease lingering beneath the surface.

Trying to shake off her own worries, Nandini decided to focus on the positive. “I’m just... happy,” she said softly, her smile returning. “It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this, and I guess I’m just excited about today.”

Navya exchanged a knowing glance with Bela, both of them sensing that there was more to Nandini’s happiness than she was letting on. But before they could press further, Mahir entered the dining room, his eyes immediately landing on Nandini.

“Well, isn’t this a sight for sore eyes!” Mahir exclaimed with a grin. “It’s great to see you so happy, Princess. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re feeling good.”

Nandini beamed at her uncle, grateful for his kind words. “Thanks, Pops. I’m just... I think today is going to be a good day.”

Vishakha, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up, her voice gentle but tinged with a hint of concern. “I’m glad to see you happy,” she said, her eyes softening as she looked at her daughter. “But just... remember to take things one step at a time, okay?”

Nandini nodded, understanding her mother’s underlying worries. “I will, Mumma. I promise.”

Despite her words, there was a slight furrow in Vishakha’s brow as she took a sip of her coffee. She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest, a sense that something wasn’t quite right. She had agreed to give Nandini and Manik a chance, but the decision weighed heavily on her heart. She wanted to believe that everything would be fine, but years of guarding herself against disappointment made it difficult to fully embrace that hope.

Noticing the tension in Vishakha’s expression, Bela leaned over and gently placed a hand on her sister’s arm. “Vish, you’re worrying too much,” she said softly, her voice filled with reassurance. “Everything will be fine. You’ve made the right decision by supporting Nandini. Now, just take a deep breath and let things unfold naturally.”

Mahir nodded in agreement, his tone firm but comforting. “Bela’s right, Vish. You’ve done your part as a mother. Now, let Nandini live her life. You’ve taught her well—she knows what she’s doing.”

Vishakha sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she looked at her sister and brother-in-law. “I know you’re both right. It’s just... I can’t help but worry. I want Nandini to be happy, but...”

Bela squeezed Vishakha’s arm reassuringly. “She will be, Vish. You raised a strong, smart, and loving daughter. Trust her, and trust yourself.”

Vishakha offered a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Bela. I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

As the conversation continued, Nandini finished her breakfast, her excitement bubbling up again. She couldn’t wait to see Manik’s reaction to the news. The thought of how happy he would be when she told him made her heart flutter with joy.

After breakfast, everyone went about their day, leaving Nandini to her own devices. She hurried up to her room, her mind already racing with thoughts of what to wear. She wanted everything to be perfect when she met Manik later. As she stood in front of her wardrobe, she bit her lip, trying to decide on the perfect outfit.

“Should I go for something casual? Or maybe a little more dressed up?” Nandini mused to herself as she flipped through her clothes. She held up a soft blue dress, then a floral skirt and a matching blouse, debating which would be the best choice. “Manik loves it when I wear blue... but the floral one is cute too...”

She finally settled on the blue dress—simple, elegant, and something she knew Manik would love.

As she got ready, laughter and giggles bubbled out of her, a stark contrast to the quiet and reserved Nandini of the past few weeks. Her happiness was contagious, filling the room with an air of lightness that hadn’t been there in a long time.

She carefully applied her makeup, keeping it light and natural, just the way Manik liked it. As she added the finishing touches, she couldn’t help but smile at her reflection, her heart bursting with anticipation.

“Today is going to be perfect,” she whispered to herself, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face when I tell him.”

Downstairs, as Nandini’s laughter echoed through the house, Vishakha stood by the window, watching the sky with a pensive expression. The uneasy feeling in her chest hadn’t subsided, and she couldn’t shake the sense that something was about to happen.

Bela noticed her sister’s quiet contemplation and walked over, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Vish, you’re still worrying, aren’t you?”

Vishakha nodded slightly, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. “I can’t help it, Bela. I want to believe that everything will be fine, but... I keep getting this feeling that something’s not right.”

Bela squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “It’s just nerves, Vishakha. You’ve made a big decision, and it’s natural to feel uncertain. But you’ve seen how happy Nandini is. You’ve given her a chance to be with the person she loves. That’s all you can do.”

Mahir, who had been nearby, joined them and added, “Bela’s right. You’ve done everything a mother should do. Now, let Nandini live her life. You deserve some peace too.”

Vishakha sighed, finally turning away from the window to face her sister and brother-in-law. “You’re right. I need to trust that everything will be okay. It’s just... so hard to let go of the fear.”

Bela smiled gently. “It always is, Vish. But you’ve done an amazing job raising Nandini. Now it’s time to let her spread her wings.”

Vishakha nodded, her heart still heavy but slightly more at ease. “Thank you, both of you. I just hope... I hope everything turns out the way it’s supposed to.”

As the day wore on, Nandini continued to prepare for her meeting with Manik, her excitement only growing with each passing minute. She was finally ready, dressed in her blue dress, her hair styled just the way Manik liked it. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs, her heart pounding with excitement as she prepared to leave. She couldn’t wait to share the news with Manik, to finally tell him that they had a chance to be together.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Finally Vishakha said yess!!!!

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️