Manik stood there paralysed. Nandini too was under shock. Mahir was looking at Manik who simply refused to accept the fact.

Manik: Stop lying. And just leave the goddamn place. Leave now before I am forced to call the cops.

Nyonika: call whosoever you want to Manik. But get this straight I am not lying. Ask your own father. Ask him.

Nyonika's confidence shook Manik. One thing Manik knew was that Nyonika would never challenge him if she wasn't sure. Manik looked at Mahir who was looking at him apologetically.

Manik mock laughed. Slowly he started laughing more loudly. Ironically at the same time tears had started falling from his eyes. Nandini held his hand and looked at him uth tearful eyes. Manik jerked her hand. With his hands on his waist, Manik paced around the living room. He was inhaling deep breathes to calm himself down. Unable to do so, Manik grabbed the lamp, lying on table next to the couches, and smashed it on the floor.

Mahir closed his eyes, a lone tear escaped his eyes. Nyonika scrunched her eyebrows and then rolled her eyes. While for Nandini she palmed her ears and closed her eyes. There was complete silence in the room except for Manik's ragging breathe. Nandini walked to him and calmed him down by engulfing his huffing frame in her warmth and peaceful hug.

Manik forcefully separated himself from Nandini. He went and stood in front of Mahir. He opened his mouth to say something but closed again. Not even a single word came out of his mouth. Standing there, face to face with Manik, Mahir nodded his head in a NO telling Manik that he is misunderstanding the whole thing.

Manik just kept looking at Mahir blankly. Each time he opened his mouth nothing came out neither a curse nor a complaint. After minutes of silence Manik was able to utter only a single word.

Manik: Why?

Mahir didn't say anything and simply kept looking at Manik trying to understanding whether he was saying this in anger or was genuinely demanding an explanation.

Nyonika: I don't think Mahir will be able to tell you about his shameful deeds ........

Before Nyonika could complete Manik yelled.

Manik: JUST SHUT UP! STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THIS. This is OUR family matter. And YOU are not welcomed HERE. Just LEAVE. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU. What happens next is between me and my dad. LEAVEEEEEE.

Manik's last words echoed in the entire mansion. Mahir and Nandini both were shocked. None of them had expected to Manik would take a stand for Mahir. Manik didn't even wait for another second there. Very harshly pushing Mahir aside Manik went up to his room. Nandini stood there looking at Mahir and  Nyonika. Mahir with eyes indicated her to go. Nandini nodded and followed Manik upstairs.

Nyonika standing there was looking at Mahir.

Mahir: mil gaya shaanti tumhe. Jaate jaate bhi tumne ek aur rishta tod diya na. Pehle hi mera beta mujhse dur tha. Ab shayad meri taraf dekhega bhi nahi.

Nyonika rolled her eyes. Mahir folded his hands in front of her, in anger.

Mahir: don't force me ki main tumhari saath gusse main kuch galat karu. Isse pehle ki main apni saari hadde paar kar du aur bhool jao ki tum ek aurat please......

Mahir with hands indicated towards the door. Nyonika took the file, signed the papers and threw the papers on Mahir's chest. Mahir closed his eyes. He gritted his teeth so hard that all the strained nerves of his face were visible. Nyonika pointed a finger at him and said. ....

Nyonika: Remember Mr. Mahir Malhotra it's not over. I will be back and avenge this insult. Remember Nyonika will be back.

Mahir simply looked at her walk out with attitude. As soon as Nyonika steeped out of the threshold Mahir banged the doors close on her face. Nyonika with revenge and anger in her eyes walked out of the mansion. None of the drivers or the watchman dared to say anything or stopped her.

Mahir slid down the door. He once again pulled out his phone. The screen had a small crack caused due to falling in the lawn, earlier. He unlocked the cell and once again got lost staring at it. His phone vibrated. Seeing the caller id a small smile appeared on his phone. He got up and proceeded to his room to talk.

In Manik's Room.

Manik was angrily walking around the room. Smashing and throwing that came his way. Till now he had broken two shelves, both the lamps, and even smashed the wall length mirror. He was about smash the coffee table when Nandini held his hand. Manik looked at her. He jerked her hand and moved away.

Nandini: You have no right to be angry Manik. You have absolutely no right.

Manik frowned and looked at her who was standing there with a blank face.

Manik: You mean I get to know such a big truth and I cant express my anger.

Nandini: what did you get to know? Tell me what truth did you get to Manik.

Nandini's voice held such stern-ness that Manik was compelled to answer.

Manik: that my dad loves another lady and......

Nandini interrupted him.

Nandini: Did he say that? Tell me Manik did he himself say that.

Manik who was making weird faces stopped. Realisation hit him. Nandini was right.

Manik: You mean.....

Nandini interrupted: I mean that you believed Nyonika and let her win once again.

Manik stood there numb.

Manik: Did you not see Dad....he was standing there silently.....

Nandini: So??? You took his silence as a yes. Manik you saw what Nyonika made you see.....but you didn't see what I saw.....Manik your father was Nodding his head in denial asking you to give hi one chance and what did you do pushed him and came running here and then all this.....

Nandini pointed out to the mess he had made.

Nandini: And if what Nyonika said is true then what is wrong in it. Kya galat hai agar woh kisi aur se pyaar karte hai toh. Kya tumhe mujhse pyaar nahi hua Inspite of the fact that you had alya. You and Alya were dating for 7 years and Alya had loved you crazily ever since she met you. Yet you fell for me. Then why can't your dad love another person. Maybe she is the right one for him. Tum karo toh sab sahi aur Baaki sab kare toh galat.

Manik was silent. He sat in the bed with a thump. Nandini sat beside him. She placed her palm on his thigh.

Nandini: Manik you failed ne today. You know mujhe na proud feel hota tha tumpe. My Manik is the best. He has the purest heart. But aaj jolich tumne kiya na neeche....mera manik aisa kabhi nahi kar sakta.....my manik can never heart someone.....never.... you know even my monster manik wouldn't do what you did there......kyu manik......

Manik: What exactly are you talking about?

Nandini: I am talking about a lot of things Manik. Your behaviour down there was totally unacceptable.

Manik: toh tum kya chahti ho nandini main chup chap baitha rehta jab woh tumhari baare main bakwaas kar rhi thi.

Nandini: jab jaante they ki woh mere baare main bakwaas kar rahi hai toh karne dete. Kounsa uske kuch bolne se farak padta tha. Na tumhe koi farak padta hai na mujhe phir kyu manik.

Manik puffed out some air. Sighing he lied down on the bed with his head in Nandini's lap. Nandini ruffled his hair.

Nandini: you know Manik....I am not angry at you but I am highly disappointed...... with so many things....you did....you said.

Manik: Hmmm....I know..... I mean I realised it.... now

Nandini: Manik........

Manik: hmmmmm

Nandini remained silent. Manik opened his eyes and got up. He looked at her. He could see hurt in her eyes. Nandini too looked up in his eyes. Their eyes got locked. Tears started spilling from her eyes. Manik sighed. He sat next to her and was about to rub away her tears when Nandini pushed his hand away.

Nandini: I.....I...failed Manik.... Mujhe lagta tha..... I mean.... This is not you Manik..... Tum aise nahi the.....

Manik: yes you are right..... This is not me....I am not your Manik..... what you saw down was probably Nyonika's son.

Listening to Manik Nandini got extremely angry. Pushing him away Nandini got up from the bed.

Manik: STOP BLAMING NYONIKA FOR EVERY WRONG THING THAT YOU DO.

Manik was shocked seeing Nandini like this. He got up and was about to go close to her when she stepped behind showing her hand to him. Manik immediately stopped seeing Nandini pushing him away.

Nandini: Kitni aasani se apni saari galtiyon ka blame Nyonika pe daal dete ho ja tum. Kuch bhi galat hua toh it's because of Nyonika. Kyu jab kuch accha karte ho tab toh Nyonika yaad nahi aati tumhe. Galti tum khud karte ho Manik. Stop blaming Nyonika for that. Kyu tumhare paas apna dimaag nahi hai? Kya aaj tak jo karte ho tum woh Nyonika ke kehne pe karte ho? Jab tum uski ek baat nahi maante toh kis baat ka blame de rahe ho usse? STOP BLAMING YOUR MISTAKES ON SOMEONE ELSE. HAVE THE COURAGE TO ACCEPT THEM MR. MANIK MALHOTRA.

Manik was listening to her quietly. He knew she was right. He also knew that if right now he spoke something it will take a drastic turn and hence decided to shut up.

Nandini: khud koi kaam karne se pehle sochte nahi ho. Toh phir kis haq se tum kisi aur ko blame kar rahe ho. Batao mujhe. But you know what you are a coward. Jo insaan apni galti accept nahi kar sakta na manik woh iss duniya ka sabse kamzor aur darpok insaan hota hai. And you are one of them

Manik: I am sorry I accept I was wrong.

Nandini: ab kya fayda manik tumhe jo karna tha woh toh tum kar hi chuke ho. Phir sorry bolke bhi kya fayda.

Saying this Nandini grabbed her bag and moved out of the room. Seeing her going out, Manik ran after her and stopped her.

Manik: kaha jaa rhi ho tum?

Nandini: apne ghar.

Manik: kyu?

Nandini looked at him blankly.

Manik: I mean you were gonna stay here tonight na....

Nandini: Bye manik.....I don't think I should stay here when there is clearly no trust between us.

Manik: trust!!! Where did that come from....

Nandini: obviously you don't trust me enough na manik to share your secrets with me..... its been more than 6 months we have known each other.....ek baar bhi tumhe nahi laga you should tell me about your past.....this clearly shows you don't trust me.

Manik: nandini.......I trust you.

Manik cupped her face and pulled her closer.

Manik: Ofcourse I trust you jaana.

Nandini: don't call me that when you clearly don't mean that....

Manik: What is wrong with you Nandini!!! Ofcourse I mean it.

Nandini: if you do then you would have never kept tabs on me. Tum khud aake mujhse puchna about my family history and lifestyle. Aise yun detectives mahi lagate.......

Manik: Nandini uss waqt tum meri spot thi....yeh tum bhi jaanti ho aur main bhi ki uss waqt humari beech how things were.......

Nandini: Ofcourse....credits to you.....but ek baar puchte mujhe shayad bta deti main......but tumne toh koshish hi nahi ki.....

Manik: really nandini! Toh yeh toh main bhi bol sakta hoon na ki you didn't trust me enough.......Warna in these past 8 months main why didn't you walk upto me and tell me...... This means even you don't trust me.

Nandini: don't turn this on Manik

Manik: why?? Bura laga tumhe.....

Nandini: you know what it is useless talking to you....forget it

Nandini turned around and was about climb down the stairs when manik pulled her with jerk. His hold on her hand was too tight. Nandini was trying her best to wiggle out of his hold.

Manik: Stop struggling Nandini.

Nandini looked at him.

Manik: You are not going anywhere. You are staying here and that's final.

Nandini: NO. I AM NOT STAYING HERE. DO YOU GET THAT? YOU JUST CAN'T ORDER ME LIKE THAT. YOU CANNOT JUST SAY ANYTHING YOU LIKE AND THEN BEHAVE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. YOU CAN'T JUST MAKE JUDGEMENTS ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT GIVING THE OTHER PERSON ANY CHANCE. YOU CANNOT KNOW EVERY ONES SECRETS AND NOT TELL ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF. YOU JUST CANNOT ORDER ME.

Nandini pushed him and ran out of the mansion. Manik who was traumatised, immediately ran behind nandini. Before he could reach there she had already sat in an auto and went away.

Manik kept looking in the direction Nandini had gone. He sighed and walked back inside the Mansion. As soon as he crossed the main gate of the mansion he looked at the watchamn and asked him

Manik: Yeh ACTUALLY kis baat se gussa hai mujhse?

The watchman simply kept looking at Manik. Manik waved his hand in the air

Manik: Chuck. It's okay.

He walked back to his room. Tired of everything he fell on his bed and sighed looking and the ceiling.

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I hope you guys liked the  update.
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Credits for the new cover goes to . Thank youu❤