Sunday morning was tranquil, with the sun casting a warm glow over the city. Cabir, Alya, Mukti, Dhruv, and Abhimanyu had decided it was high time to check in on Nandini. She had been shutting herself off more than usual, and the group felt that a visit might cheer her up.

Alya, leaning against the kitchen counter, asked, “Are we not going to ask him to come with us?”

Cabir shrugged, though his eyes betrayed the worry he felt for his friend. “I asked him already, but he said he’s too busy with work. You know how he’s been lately—just burying himself in work to avoid everything.”

Mukti sighed, fiddling with her phone. “I wish he’d just come. I mean, Nandini and he haven’t spoken since… everything.”

Dhruv nodded in agreement. “Maybe if he saw her, it would help, you know? They both need to talk things out, but they’re so stubborn.”

Abhimanyu, ever the practical one, suggested, “Let’s give him some time. Maybe this isn’t the right moment for him. We can’t force him to face things he’s not ready for.”

After a moment of contemplative silence, they collectively agreed to respect Manik’s decision. They finished their quick breakfast, made sure they had everything they needed and started heading out. Just as they were about to leave, Soha appeared in the doorway, a hesitant smile on her face.

“Hey,” she greeted, her voice a little too bright for the solemn air around them. “Mind if I join you guys?”

The group exchanged surprised glances. Mukti, usually the first to voice any concern, raised an eyebrow. “You want to come with us to see Nandini?”

Soha nodded. “Yes, if that’s okay. I just thought… I’d like to get to know her better.”

Cabir shrugged, offering a half-smile. “Sure, why not? The more, the merrier.”

Alya, sensing a bit of awkwardness, tried to lighten the mood. “Alright, let’s head out then. Nandini’s going to be so surprised to see all of us.”

They piled into two cars and drove over to Nandini’s house. The ride was filled with light chatter, but there was an underlying tension, especially with Soha in tow.

Upon arriving at Nandini’s house, they were greeted at the entrance by Navya, who immediately wrapped each of them in warm hugs. She gave Soha a small, polite smile, acknowledging her presence but not fully understanding her intentions. As they stepped inside, they were met by Vishakha, Bela, and Mahir, who had been sitting in the living room, enjoying their Sunday morning tea.

“Hello, everyone,” Vishakha greeted with a polite but distant smile. She seemed preoccupied, her eyes flitting to Soha with a mix of curiosity and something unspoken.

Soha, standing near the back of the group, looked at Vishakha with eyes filled with a strange longing, a yearning that Vishakha felt too but didn’t want to acknowledge. She quickly turned her gaze away, her heart sinking with the thought that perhaps Vikrant had moved on and was building connections she could no longer be a part of.

“Good to see you all,” Bela said warmly, breaking the silence as she motioned them inside. “Nandini’s upstairs. Navya can take you.”

They followed Navya up to Nandini’s room. As they approached, the sound of rapid typing reached their ears. Navya knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open, revealing Nandini, hunched over her laptop, deeply engrossed in her work. She looked up, surprised at the sight of her friends filling the doorway.

“Nandini!” Mukti exclaimed, rushing over to give her a tight hug. “We’ve missed you so much!”

Nandini smiled, though it was faint, her eyes reflecting a blend of warmth and the weariness that had settled into her routine. “I’ve missed you guys too.”

One by one, they enveloped her in hugs, their presence a welcome comfort in her otherwise hectic life. When Nandini turned to Soha, she offered a polite smile. Soha nodded in response, a silent acknowledgment that she was still figuring out her place in this dynamic.

They settled in Nandini’s room, which was modest but filled with small touches that made it uniquely hers—books stacked neatly, a few photos of happier times, and the soft hum of her favorite instrumental music playing in the background. It was a haven, albeit one that Nandini had increasingly used to isolate herself.

As they chatted, Mukti looked around and commented, “Your room feels so… peaceful. I can see why you’d want to spend all your time here.”

Nandini chuckled softly. “It’s become my little sanctuary. A place where I can just… breathe.”

Navya, always keen to lift the mood, nudged Soha. “So, Soha, tell us more about yourself.”

Soha nodded, visibly a bit uncomfortable but willing to share. “Yeah, I’m pretty involved in the family business. I studied business management and finance, and now I work alongside my dad. It’s been… interesting, to say the least.”

As Soha spoke about her work and her qualifications, Nandini couldn’t help but feel a dull ache in her chest. The word ‘dad’ lingered in her ears, stirring emotions she had tried so hard to keep at bay.

Sensing Nandini’s discomfort, Navya quickly changed the subject, steering the conversation back to lighter topics. They chatted for a while longer, sharing updates and reminiscing about the times they’d spent together. Laughter filled the room as they told stories, but there was an unspoken understanding that things were different now—a little more complicated, a little more strained.

A soft knock on the door interrupted their conversation, and a butler entered, bowing slightly. “Lunch is ready.”

The group nodded, making their way down to the dining area. The table was set beautifully, with a spread of Nandini’s favorite dishes, prepared specially by Vishakha. Nandini took her seat, and as everyone settled in, Vishakha began serving the food. She hovered near Nandini, placing extra portions on her plate, trying to offer care through her actions, even if their words were few and far between.

“Eat, Nandini,” Vishakha urged softly, her voice laced with concern. “You’ve been working too hard.”

Nandini, however, barely touched her food. She pushed it around on her plate, her appetite overshadowed by the emotional distance between her and her mother. Soha, watching this interaction, felt a surge of mixed emotions—hurt, anger, jealousy—all bubbling just beneath the surface. She kept her head down, focusing on her meal, but the tension was palpable.

After lunch, the group lingered a little longer, each of them offering Nandini words of encouragement. Cabir squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “We’re here for you, Nandini. Don’t forget that. No matter what happens, you’ve got us.”

Alya nodded, her eyes earnest. “And everything will work out, okay? Just hang in there.”

Mukti chimed in, flashing a confident smile. “Yeah, we’ll figure this out together, like we always do. You’re not alone.”

Dhruv and Abhimanyu echoed their support, each hugging her tightly before they made their way back to the door. Nandini’s heart warmed at their words, though a part of her still felt the emptiness of missing Manik’s presence. She watched them go, waving until they were out of sight, feeling a little lighter but still carrying the weight of everything unresolved.

As they drove away, Soha glanced back at the house, her mind swirling with thoughts. She hadn’t quite found what she was looking for, but there was something about Vishakha’s brief, distant glance that stuck with her.

For Nandini, as she returned to her room, the familiar solitude wrapped around her like a blanket. She sat down, her eyes drifting to the photos on her wall. She missed the ease of the past, the certainty of her relationship with Manik, and the unspoken bond that had once held her family together. Despite everything, she clung to the hope that somehow, someday, things would fall back into place, even if the path to getting there seemed more unclear than ever.

Days blended into each other as Manik drowned himself in work, using the bustling office to distract from the emptiness gnawing at him. He had taken on more projects than ever, working late into the night, barely eating or sleeping, pushing himself far beyond his limits. Mahir, who had been silently observing, made a few attempts to talk to him, trying to offer support, but Manik brushed him off every time, insisting that he was fine and that the work helped.

Raj and Neyonika, worried sick about their son, tried to intervene. One evening, Raj approached him gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Manik, why don’t you take a break, huh? You’ve been working nonstop. It’s not good for you.”

Manik, his eyes dark and sunken, gave a small, strained smile. “I’m fine, Dad. Just got a lot to handle right now. I can’t stop.”

Neyonika, watching from the doorway, echoed Raj’s concern. “Manik, please listen to your father. Just take a day off, for us.”

But Manik, ever the stubborn one, simply nodded absentmindedly and continued sorting through papers, his mind elsewhere. They could see that he wasn’t truly present, lost in his thoughts, haunted by memories and the pain of separation from Nandini.

Later that evening, Manik returned home from the office, visibly exhausted. Neyonika, waiting in the living room, saw the weariness etched into every line of his face. “Manik,” she called softly, “why don’t you freshen up and join us for dinner? You’ve barely eaten today.”

Manik nodded, barely hearing her, his movements sluggish. As he made his way towards his room, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. His vision blurred, the hallway around him spinning wildly. He reached out to steady himself against the wall but missed. Everything went dark as he collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.

Neyonika’s eyes widened in horror. “Manik!” she screamed, rushing to his side. Raj, FAB 4, Abhimanyu, Soha, and Vikrant came running, panic seizing them. Raj knelt beside him, trying to rouse him, but Manik’s eyes remained shut, his face flushed with fever.

“Manik, wake up! Please, wake up!” Neyonika’s voice trembled, her hands shaking as she touched his burning forehead. “He’s burning up! We need to get him to a room and call the doctor immediately!”

Cabir and Abhimanyu helped lift Manik, carrying him to the nearest guest room while Raj hurriedly dialed the doctor. Neyonika sat beside him, her eyes never leaving his face as she wiped his brow with a damp cloth, her heart aching at the sight of her son so vulnerable and unresponsive. In his fevered state, Manik mumbled incoherently, but one name kept slipping from his lips—Nandini.

Mukti, standing at the doorway, heard him, and her eyes filled with tears. Without wasting another moment, she pulled out her phone and called Nandini, her fingers trembling as she hit dial. Nandini was sitting with Navya, Vishakha, Mahir, and Bela, trying to distract herself, when her phone buzzed. Seeing Mukti’s name, she quickly answered, but before she could say a word, Mukti’s sobs came through, and a chill ran down her spine.

“Mukti? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Nandini’s voice wavered, panic bubbling inside her.

Mukti’s voice was shaky, the words tumbling out. “It’s Bhai… he fainted, Nandini. He’s not well. He has a high fever, and he’s not waking up. We’ve called the doctor…”

Nandini’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding painfully against her chest. “What? Oh my God… Mukti, calm down. I’m coming right now. Just… just stay with him. I’ll be there soon.”

She ended the call, her hands shaking as she quickly stood up, ready to rush out the door. But as she turned, Vishakha grabbed her wrist, her grip firm and unyielding.

“Nandini, where do you think you’re going?” Vishakha’s voice was stern, her gaze piercing.

Nandini’s eyes were wild with desperation. “Mom, please, let me go! Manik is not well; he needs me right now. I can’t stay here!”

Vishakha’s face remained stern, her voice cold. “There are other people who can take care of him. You don’t need to go, Nandini. It’s not your responsibility.”

Nandini felt her anger flare, her patience finally snapping. “Not today, Mom! This isn’t about responsibility; this is about him! Manik is not just anyone, he’s… he’s everything to me!” Her voice cracked with emotion, tears pooling in her eyes. “You don’t understand how much he’s suffering, how much I’m suffering without him. I can’t stay here when he needs me the most. Please, Mom!”

Vishakha hesitated, her own emotions warring within her. She opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say anything, Bela stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Vishakha’s shoulder. “Let her go, Vishakha. She needs to be with him. Sometimes, we have to put aside our fears and let them find their own way.”

Vishakha’s grip on Nandini’s wrist loosened, and with a nod from Mahir, Navya stepped in. “I’ll go with you, Nandini. Let’s not waste any more time.”

Nandini gave Vishakha one last pleading look before she turned and bolted out the door, Navya close behind. As they jumped into the car, Nandini’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she sped through the streets, her mind racing with worry and fear. The usually calm and composed Nandini was now a whirlwind of emotions, her heart racing as fast as the car.

Navya, sensing Nandini’s distress, reached out to touch her arm gently. “Nandini, he’s going to be okay. Manik is strong, you know that. Just focus on getting us there safely.”

Nandini nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She pressed the accelerator harder, her mind replaying Mukti’s frantic words. “I know, Navya… I just… I can’t lose him. Not now, not ever.”

They reached the Malhotra mansion in record time, the car screeching to a halt in the driveway. Nandini didn’t wait for Navya; she jumped out and ran inside, her breath hitching as she took the stairs two at a time. She burst into the room where Manik lay, her heart clenching at the sight of him unconscious on the bed, his skin pale and glistening with sweat.

Neyonika looked up, her eyes red from crying. “Nandini…” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Nandini rushed to Manik’s side, her hands trembling as she gently touched his cheek. “Manik, it’s me… I’m here. Please, wake up.” Her voice was soft, desperate, as she brushed his hair back, her fingers lingering on his burning skin. She looked at the doctor, who had just arrived and was preparing to check Manik’s vitals.

The doctor gave her a reassuring nod. “He’s exhausted and severely dehydrated. His body just couldn’t keep up anymore. We’re going to give him an IV and monitor his condition closely. He just needs rest, and he’ll be okay.”

Nandini nodded, tears streaming down her face as she watched the doctor attend to Manik. She felt a weight lift from her chest, but the fear still lingered. She held onto his hand tightly, whispering softly, “I’m here, Manik. I’m not going anywhere. Just get better, please.”

Manik’s fingers twitched slightly, and though he didn’t wake, it was enough to give Nandini hope. She stayed by his side, refusing to move, her gaze never leaving his face as she silently vowed to be there for him, just as he had always been for her.

Navya sat quietly beside her, offering silent support, knowing that at this moment, all Nandini needed was to be by Manik’s side, to reassure herself that he was still there, still fighting, and that together, they could face whatever came next.
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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 ❤️❤️