As the front door closed behind Manik, the echo of his last words lingered in the air, leaving a heavy tension in the room. Nandini watched him disappear, her heart torn between her love for Manik and the pain of seeing her mother so conflicted. Before anyone could speak, Vishakha turned to Nandini, her eyes pleading.

“Nandini, please—” Vishakha began, her voice cracking with the weight of everything unsaid.

But Nandini backed away, the hurt and confusion clear in her eyes. She shook her head, taking a step back, unwilling to engage in another argument. “Mumma, I need space,” she said, her voice strained. “I can’t do this right now.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked towards the door, grabbing Navya’s hand as she went.

Vishakha watched helplessly as Nandini and Navya left the room. The door clicked shut behind them, and the silence that followed was deafening. Vishakha felt her chest tighten, the familiar pang of fear and helplessness overwhelming her.

Bela and Mahir exchanged worried glances before approaching Vishakha. Bela placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, trying to offer comfort. “Vish, we’ve been friends for so long. We know how much you love Nandini, but keeping the truth from her is only pushing her away.”

Vishakha’s eyes were red and filled with tears, and she turned to Bela, her expression fraught with turmoil. “You think I don’t know that?” she snapped, her voice breaking. “You think this is easy for me? If I told her the whole truth then she would get to know that she is not my daughter. I can’t tell her that she’s not my daughter, that she’s adopted! She’s my everything, Bela! She’s the only good thing that came out of that nightmare!”

Bela sighed, trying to stay calm. “Vishakha, you can’t keep living in fear of the past. Nandini deserves to know the truth about her identity, about Vikrant’s real face, about why you’re so scared of her being with Manik.”

Vishakha’s composure began to fray, her breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. “I won’t do it,” she said stubbornly. “I won’t tell her. I can’t bear the thought of her looking at me differently. I’ve loved her like my own from the moment I held her in my arms. She is my daughter, Bela. I’m the one who raised her, who stayed up nights when she was sick, who celebrated her achievements, who...”

Her voice cracked, and she paused, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “I won’t let her go through the pain I did,” Vishakha continued, her tone turning desperate. “She doesn’t need to know that the woman she thinks of as her mother is just some stranger who took her in. I don’t want her to hate me.”

Bela’s expression hardened, frustration finally bubbling to the surface. She stepped closer, her voice firm but laced with compassion. “Vishakha, wake up! You’re not protecting her—you’re protecting yourself. You’re so caught up in your pain that you can’t see what you’re doing to her. You’re suffocating her with your fears, your insecurities, and your unresolved past.”

Vishakha flinched at Bela’s words, her eyes wide with shock. Mahir, standing beside Bela, nodded in agreement. “Bela’s right, Vishakha. Nandini deserves the truth, not your version of it that’s wrapped in lies and fear. If you really love her, you’ll let her decide for herself. You can’t keep controlling her life because you’re afraid of what might happen.”

Vishakha’s eyes filled with tears, her voice rising defensively. “I’m not controlling her! I’m protecting her! I just… I just don’t want her to get hurt like I did.”

Bela shook her head, her expression a mix of empathy and exasperation. “You think you’re the only one who’s ever been hurt, Vishakha? We all have scars, but we can’t let them dictate our lives forever. Nandini is stronger than you give her credit for. She has the right to know who she is, and why you’re so afraid of her being with Manik. You owe her that much.”

Vishakha stood there, tears streaming down her face, the weight of Bela’s words sinking in. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit it, to face the truth she’d been running from for so long. “I can’t,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I can’t lose her.”

Bela’s gaze softened slightly, but her resolve remained firm. “You’re going to lose her anyway if you keep this up. And it won’t be because of Manik or Vikrant or anyone else. It’ll be because of you, Vishakha. The truth has a way of coming out, whether you like it or not. And when it does, you’d better hope that Nandini still wants you in her life.”

With those parting words, Bela turned away, pulling Mahir along with her. They left Vishakha standing there, alone with her thoughts, her guilt, and her overwhelming fear of losing the one person she’d fought so hard to keep.

The room felt colder, and emptier, as Vishakha sank onto the couch, her head in her hands. She had spent so many years building walls around her heart, around Nandini, thinking she was protecting them both. But now, those walls were crumbling, and she was terrified of what lay on the other side.

The truth was a heavy burden, one she wasn’t ready to confront. But as Bela’s words echoed in her mind, Vishakha realized that maybe, just maybe, the person she needed to protect Nandini from the most was herself.

Manik stepped into Paradise Point, feeling a rush of mixed emotions. The house was buzzing with energy; Raj, Neyonika, Cabir, Dhruv, Abhimanyu, and Alya were all gathered in the spacious living room. As he entered, their eyes turned to him, expectant and concerned.

“What happened there, Manik?” Cabir asked, getting up to meet him halfway.

Manik shook his head, his jaw clenched, his frustration barely contained. “Same old, same old. More arguments, more accusations. She isn’t ready to budge, and she’s not letting Nandini make her own choices.”

Cabir patted him on the back, trying to offer some comfort. “We’ll figure this out, Manik. Just give it some time.”

“Yeah,” Alya chimed in. “It’s tough, but things will get better. You both love each other, and that’s what matters.”

Manik sank into one of the armchairs, his gaze distant, still processing everything. Raj, noticing his son’s distress, nodded towards Vikrant and said, “Let’s all sit down. There’s no need to make any decisions right now. We just need to keep a level head.”

As they all settled into their seats, Raj turned his attention to Vikrant. “By the way, Vikrant, what brings you here to India? You didn’t mention anything about this visit.”

Vikrant, who had been nervously fiddling with the cuff of his shirt, looked up. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between Raj and Neyonika. “Uh, I had some business work to attend to here,” he said, his voice lacking the usual confidence. He paused, clearing his throat as if trying to find the right words. “But also… there was something else.”

The room grew quiet, the tension thickening. Manik, though disinterested in this conversation, glanced up briefly before returning to his phone. Soha, sitting next to Vikrant, noticed her father’s discomfort but continued with the conversation, oblivious to the undercurrents. “Actually,” she started, her voice casual but hinting at something more, “we were also here to discuss my and Manik’s marriage.”

Manik’s head snapped up, his phone forgotten in his hand. The words seemed to echo in his ears, disbelieving. “Come again?” he said, his voice strained with shock.

Soha, taken aback by his sudden reaction, repeated, “We were here to discuss your and my marriage, Manik. I thought you knew…”

Manik stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief, then turned his gaze sharply towards his parents. “And who told you this was happening?” he demanded, his tone sharp and unyielding.

Soha glanced at Raj and Neyonika, then back at Manik. “Raj uncle and Neyonika aunty… they mentioned it a few months back.”

Manik’s face paled as the realization set in. He shifted his gaze to his parents, seeing them both look down, avoiding his piercing stare. “Is this true?” he asked, his voice rising, anger seeping through every word. “You both asked for this?”

Raj sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “Manik, listen—”

“No, you listen!” Manik cut him off, his voice filled with frustration. “Why would you even think of this without asking me? This is my life we’re talking about!”

Neyonika tried to calm him down, her hands outstretched as if to hold back his anger. “Manik, calm down, please. At that time, we didn’t know about Nandini. We were just thinking about what was best for you. You’ve known Soha for so long, and we thought it would be a good match.”

Manik let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair as he tried to wrap his head around it. “A good match?” he scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “So, what, you just decided to plan my future without even consulting me? You thought this was a done deal, didn’t you?”

Raj stood, trying to reason with him. “Manik, it wasn’t like that. We were going to talk to you after coming to India. But then… we found out about Nandini, and we knew how much she meant to you. We didn’t pursue it further.”

Neyonika nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with regret. “We’re sorry, Manik. We truly are. This isn’t what we wanted, not after knowing how serious you are about Nandini.”

Manik shook his head, his anger boiling over. “You know, I thought we were past all this. That you would trust me to make my own decisions. But you’re still pulling the strings, trying to control everything!”

Soha, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up, her voice small and hurt. “I’m sorry, Manik. I didn’t know it was like this. I thought… I thought we were all on the same page.”

Manik’s face softened slightly as he looked at Soha, his frustration directed more at the situation than at her. “It’s not your fault, Soha. But this… this isn’t right.”

Vikrant, who had been observing silently, leaned forward, addressing Raj and Neyonika. “You don’t have to apologize. Soha will be fine. This is just… a lot to take in, that’s all.”

Raj and Neyonika nodded, their expressions contrite. “We’re sorry, Soha,” Neyonika said gently. “We didn’t mean for it to get this far without talking to Manik first. It was a mistake.”

Soha nodded, though her eyes were filled with unshed tears. She stood up abruptly and left the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Vikrant watched her go, then turned back to the group, a resigned look on his face. “She’ll be fine in time. We all just need a moment to process this.”

Manik stood up as well, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He cast one last look at his parents, a mix of disappointment and frustration etched on his face. “I need some air,” he muttered, not waiting for a response as he headed towards the stairs.

As Manik ascended to his room, the house fell into a tense silence. The room that had been filled with conversations and plans now felt hollow, each person lost in their own thoughts. Manik’s footsteps grew fainter, leaving the group to sit in the heavy quiet, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved tensions.

Upstairs, Manik closed his door behind him, leaning against it as he tried to steady his breath. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, frustration, sadness. He walked over to the window, staring out at the view that once brought him peace. Now, it just seemed like a mockery of the calm he craved but couldn’t find.

He pulled out his phone again, scrolling through pictures of him and Nandini, their smiles, their stolen moments of joy. “Why can’t anything just be easy for us?” he muttered under his breath, his fingers tightening around the phone as if holding on to those memories could somehow bring them back to reality.

He was tired—tired of the games, the misunderstandings, and the constant push and pull that kept tearing him and Nandini apart. As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, a resolve began to form. He couldn’t let this go on. They had fought too hard, come too far. And if it meant standing up to everyone, including his parents, then so be it.

Manik took a deep breath, his jaw set with determination. He wouldn’t let anything—or anyone—come between him and Nandini. Not anymore.

It had been two or three days since Manik's visit to Nandini's house, and in that time, the lives of everyone involved seemed to have been thrown into a whirlwind of work and avoidance. Manik had buried himself deeper into his business, filling every waking moment with meetings, calls, and projects. The more he worked, the less he thought about the ache in his heart. Vikrant, too, had thrown himself into his work, perhaps to escape the emotional mess that had surfaced in the last few days. Soha had shut herself off, retreating into her room, barely speaking to anyone. And Nandini, avoiding the tense atmosphere at home, had taken up late-night shifts at the hospital, working tirelessly and drowning herself in patient care to escape her own thoughts.

It was late at night, the hospital corridors quiet except for the occasional beeping of machines and the soft murmurs of night-duty doctors and nurses. Nandini was sitting in her cabin, her eyes tired but determined, flipping through patient files. She was focused, but it was clear she was using the work as a distraction, her mind not fully present.

Suddenly, Navya appeared, carrying a thermos and a small container. “Hey,” Navya greeted softly, trying not to startle her.

Nandini looked up, surprised. “Navya, what are you doing here this late? You should be home resting,” she said, concern lining her voice.

Navya ignored her question, instead walking over to the small table and setting down the food she’d brought. “I knew you wouldn’t eat if left on your own, so I came to make sure you do. Now, come on, sit down.”

Nandini sighed but smiled faintly, knowing Navya’s stubbornness all too well. “Navya, really, you didn’t have to. I could have grabbed something from the canteen.”

Navya shot her a look, pulling Nandini by the arm to make her sit. “Nandini, you’ve been avoiding everyone, skipping meals, and burying yourself in work. This is the least I can do. Now, eat.”

Nandini sat down, giving in to her friend's insistence, and they began to eat in comfortable silence. Navya was glancing at Nandini, searching for the right words, knowing her friend needed to talk about something other than work.

Out of nowhere, Navya broke the quiet, her voice gentle but curious. “Nandini, what’s the story behind Paradise Point?”

Nandini paused, her fork halfway to her mouth, and a soft smile tugged at her lips as she was pulled into memories. “Paradise Point…” she murmured, her eyes drifting off as she began to speak, the world around her fading into the past.

Flashback,

It was a beautiful, balmy evening in India, and Nandini was in her room, getting ready. She wore a grey off-shoulder, knee-length dress that hugged her frame perfectly. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness flutter in her stomach; today was special—it was the day before their first relationship anniversary. She had been looking forward to this day for weeks, wondering what Manik had planned.

Manik had flown to India just to celebrate their anniversary. It was a gesture that warmed Nandini’s heart, making her feel cherished and loved. Just as she finished adjusting her hair, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Manik: "I'm downstairs." Her heart raced as she grabbed her clutch and rushed down.

Manik was waiting for her in the lobby, dressed sharply in a black suit that made him look every bit the charismatic rockstar he was. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he gave her one of his signature smirks, the kind that made her knees weak.

“You look breathtaking,” he said softly, taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

Nandini blushed, unable to hide her smile. “You’re not looking too bad yourself, Mr. Malhotra.”

Manik chuckled and led her outside, where a car was waiting. They drove through the city, the streets lit up with the bustling nightlife. They didn’t say much during the drive, but the air was filled with anticipation. Soon, they arrived at a rooftop restaurant, elegantly decorated with fairy lights and candles. It was secluded, with a breathtaking view of the city skyline, and Nandini couldn’t help but gasp at the sight.

“This is… Manik, it’s beautiful,” she whispered, her eyes shining.

Manik smiled, guiding her to their table. “Only the best for you, Nandini,” he replied, his voice filled with affection. They enjoyed their dinner, sharing laughs and reminiscing about their journey together. It was a night of pure bliss, each moment making Nandini fall even deeper in love with him.

As the night drew to a close, Manik stood up and walked around the table, his expression suddenly serious. Nandini looked up, a mix of curiosity and concern in her eyes. “Manik, what are you—?”

Before she could finish, Manik got down on one knee, pulling out a small box from his pocket. Nandini’s hand flew to her mouth, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Manik, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Manik looked up at her, his eyes filled with sincerity and love. “Nandini Murthy,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “You’ve been the most incredible part of my life. Every day with you feels like a dream, and I can’t imagine my life without you. You make me better, happier, and stronger. You’re my everything, Nandini. I know this isn’t the traditional proposal, but I wanted to ask you again, just to make sure you know how much you mean to me.”

He opened the box, revealing a delicate ring with a small, sparkling diamond. “Will you continue to be mine, Nandini? Will you keep being the reason for my smiles, my hopes, and my dreams?”

Tears welled up in Nandini’s eyes as she nodded, unable to speak. She held out her hand, and Manik slipped the ring onto her finger. She pulled him up into a tight embrace, her heart swelling with love and happiness.

After the proposal, Manik handed her a small bag, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Now, go and change into this,” he said.

Nandini frowned slightly, taking the bag from him. “What’s this?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Manik just grinned, shaking his head. “No questions. Just trust me.”

Nandini rolled her eyes but did as he asked. She came out a few minutes later, dressed in a beautiful saree, the fabric flowing elegantly around her. Manik’s eyes widened, and he took a step back, clearly stunned.

“You… you look stunning,” he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

Nandini blushed, smoothing down the saree. “Okay, now what’s next, Mr. Malhotra?”

Manik smirked, taking her hand and leading her back to the car. As they drove, he kept throwing her playful glances, making her blush with his flirtatious remarks.

“Manik, where are we going?” Nandini asked for the umpteenth time, her curiosity growing with each passing minute.

“You’ll see,” Manik replied, his voice teasing. “Patience, Miss Murthy.”

Eventually, they reached their destination, a secluded area away from the city’s noise. Manik parked the car and got out, walking over to her side. “Close your eyes,” he instructed, his voice gentle.

“Manik, seriously?” Nandini said, feigning annoyance but complying nonetheless.

He carefully blindfolded her with a scarf, guiding her out of the car. As he led her forward, Nandini’s heart raced with excitement and anticipation. Finally, he stopped, and she felt him standing close to her, his breath warm against her ear.

“Okay, open your eyes… slowly,” he whispered, removing the blindfold.

Nandini blinked, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Before her stood a beautiful villa, its modern architecture sleek and stunning against the night sky. Her gaze drifted to the nameplate, where elegant letters spelled out ‘Paradise Point.’ She turned to Manik, her expression a mix of confusion and wonder.

“Manik, what is this?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Manik leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “This is our home. Our paradise.”

Tears welled up in Nandini’s eyes, her heart swelling with an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude. She turned to look at him, her voice choked with emotion. “You did this… for us?”

Manik nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “And it’s not from Dad’s money. I bought this with my own earnings, from every concert, every song. It’s all ours, Nandini.”

Without another word, Nandini flung her arms around him, hugging him tightly. She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt. “Thank you, Manik,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Thank you for everything.”

Flashback ends

As Nandini finished recounting the story, she blinked away the tears that had gathered in her eyes. She looked up at Navya, who was smiling softly, her eyes filled with understanding.

“He loves you so much, Nandini,” Navya said, her voice gentle but firm. “More than anyone could ever imagine.”

Nandini nodded, a faint smile on her lips. “I know. I’ve always known.”

Navya stood up, gathering her things. “When are you going to stop these late-night shifts?” she asked, her tone light but concerned.

Nandini shrugged, her gaze dropping. “Don’t worry, today’s the last. I was just catching up on my previous leaves.”

Navya shook her head, a look of disbelief on her face. “Take care of yourself, okay?” she said softly, giving Nandini a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder before leaving.

Nandini watched her go, her mind still lingering on the memories of Paradise Point. The villa wasn’t just a house—it was a symbol of Manik’s love, of their shared dreams and promises. And even in the midst of their current troubles, it remained a reminder of the paradise they had built together, one that she wasn’t ready to let go of just yet.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Will Soha do something to make Manik her???

Will Vikrant support her???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️