MaNan - Shadows Of Darkness Finale update on page 29 - Page 2

Recap:

Nandini got all scared and Manik was very very angry he was about to beat up those reporters when he saw a scared Nandini running away. He shouted "Nandini wait" and started running behind her. Everyone else followed Manik to stop Nandini.

Shadows Of Darkness Part 3..Running Scared..

Nandini was running on the baffled and scared on the streets not knowing where she's going, what's ahead and what she is leaving behind. All she knew that she was running, running away from all this; The pain, the humiliation, the trauma, the grief and all of it. There could be as many adjectives used for that but they all lead to just one thing her heart and soul sinking into a darkness with no light to be seen and for the first time Nandini Murthy was scared of darkness and for first time Manik Malhotra was not scared of the darkness but ready to fight it out of her, for him and for them.

Nandini was running aimlessly with the images of night running behind her like demons suddenly a car screeched a halt in front of her. She ran into the car and fell down, it was Manik's car and he jumped out of it instantly running to her. "Nandini are you ok? Tumhe kahin lagi toh nahi? Kya ho gaya tumhe kyun aise bhaag rahi thi?" Nandini was still baffled. Manik just had enough he held her tightly shaking her up and shouting "Nandini I am asking you something , speak up." Mukti "Manik take it easy look at her." "Mukti it is for her I am shouting. She can't run away from this, she has to accept it and fight back. This not the Nandini I know, this is not my Nandini."

"My Nandini is the one who is strong and never scared and looses hope no matter what the situation." Then turning towards Nandini "You've got to speak up, tell me, cry it out Nandini. Holding it all in will make it more worse. Don't let this happen to you. Let me heal you Nandini." Manik said cupping her face and with a choking voice. Nandini looked at him and for the first time Manik saw tears in her eyes. "Manik lets go home please." Manik "Ok lets go." As soon as they reached home chachi asked them "Kya hua..sab accha hua na?" Everyone was silent and suddenly the news channels started playing the news of Nandini Vs Pandit. Chachi was shocked to see all that but suddenly Cabir switched off the Tv to save Nandini from further shock. The girls took Nandini to her room where she slept.

After a while they all came down, Manik asked "How is she?" Alya "Still in shock but sleeping." Mukti "What happened to her when that Pandit took her, she's so scared of everything and everyone as if nothing's making an impact on her." Cabir "I also feel the same, there's something seriously wrong with the Nandini Murthy we are seeing right now. And if I am guessing it right she has been through some kind of molestation. Nandini is very innocent, her kind of innocence doesn't exist in this world. So even a slight incident leaves a mark on her. And here she was kidnapped, stashed and tied in ropes against her will." Mukti "You are right Cabir, we all saw her condition when we found her." Manik was hearing all this without saying a word and suddenly he got up in anger and started walking out, Dhruv held his hand and asked "Where are you going?" Manik "To kill that Pandit." Cabir and Druv ran to him and pulled him back, Cabir said "Yes go ahead and kill him police custody! Come on Manik this is not the time for all that."

"Right now we all need to keep calm especially you. We know things are against us but we have to turn them in our favor and your anger won't help it. it will make the matters just worse. You have to be the anchor for Nandini right now in the same way as she was for you in your difficult times." Manik "I know Cabir, don't you think I don't. But what do you want me to do? It's Nandini have you seen those blank eyes, There was a time when those eyes were solution to all my problems and now run scared of those. You know why cause I failed them, i failed her. I failed to protect her from being hurt and scarred." Mukti "Manik don't blame yourself its not your fault, right now all you have to think about is Nandini and getting justice for her." But with Riddhima gone things looked bleak for them. Cabir said "The only way Pandit gets punished is if speaks and accepts all his faults." Dhruv "But how he won't speak up/" Cabir "He will speak up if we coax if enough he will as he is obsessed with his reputation we will will use it against him." Manik "That's brilliant idea. We have a week's time til the next hearing we will hire a good lawyer and make up a plan." Cabir "Yes but for this to work Nandini has to come out of her shock. Manik you have to get her back before the next hearing." Manik " I will get her back..She has to come back to me."

It was late in the night when everyone left for their homes. Manik " Chacha chachi can I ask you something ?" Chachi "Haan Manik poocho na." "Chachi if you allow me can I stay back today also just to.." Chacha cut him off in between "Manik whatever you are doing for Nandu no one can do. Nandini is very lucky she found you." Chachi "Haan Manik you are the answer to all her prayers, I feel you are her favourite Aiyyap's blessing to her, in fact we want you to stay here with her as long as things don't soothe out." Manik was overwhelmed with the love of chacha and chachi, this was something he never experienced; family bonds, ties, the love and affection that a family shares and an invisible thread that ties a family together in every situation..

Nandini was sitting with chachi who was massaging her hair and trying to cheer her up with her and chacha's funny fights. Manik saw this and gave a smile and came back to Nandini's room. He was lying on the bed deeply lost in thoughts when he heard a knock on the door. It was Rishabh who was walking up to him holding something. Manik gave him a big smile and asked him to come and sit. Rishabh smiled faintly and stood in front of Manik, he took a photo frame from the box he was holding and gave it to Manik. Manik looked at the frame it was Nandini's picture, he looked up to Rishabh who crying. Rishabh hugged Manik tightly. It was an emotional moment for both of them Rishabh today gave his sister and her responsibility to Manik, Manik was overwhelmed. He looked at Rishabh wiped his tears and said "I promise I will always take care of her, I will always love her, protect her and I promise I will get the Nandini in this picture back." And they both smiled with tears still in their eyes..

End of Part 3..

Will be back soon..

Ciao..Love...

Sweta..

Recap:

He looked at Rishabh wiped his tears and said "I promise I will always take care of her, I will always love her, protect her and I promise I will get the Nandini in this picture back." And they both smiled with tears still in their eyes..

Shadows Of Darkness Part 4

Manik assured Rishabh and took him to his bedroom. He tucked in Rishabh and stayed with him till he fell asleep. All these things were very new to Manik, being responsible for a family. He was always been responsible for his friends but never like this when someone makes him his world and the person is his whole world. Earlier with Alya he knew he meant everything for her but she never mattered this much to him. But with Nandini it was entirely different, her smile, her happiness and she meant more to him then everything and everyone. Not only she but Manik felt responsible for people related to her. Ever since Nandini came into his life Manik changed in a way he never anticipated and he liked this change. It made him happy, being good, making her smile. As Manik sat beside Rishabh rewinding his journey with Nandini suddenly a noise broke up his thoughts. It was chachi "Manik Rishabh has slept, now you also go and sleep." Manik "Chachi Nandini?" Chachi "Woh apne room mein hai." Manik smiled and left a sleeping Rishabh..

When Manik reached Nandini's room she was sitting on the bed on the bed looking at the photo frame of hers. She looked at Manik who smiled at her, she tried smiling back at him but couldn't. Manik went and sat next to her, he took the frame from her and said "Rishabh gave me this, he gave you to me. And I want her back. The Nandini Murthy I knew is a fighter, let me heal you Nandini. Let us heal together Nandini. We have seen many ups and down that almost torn us apart but we always found our way back to each other. We never give and we won't give up this time too. We will find a way but I need you to support me. Stand up and fight back as you always do." He said all this while cupping her face with his hands. Nandini took his hands into hers and said to him "Manik I want to sleep tonight will you help me in sleeping?"

Manik nodded with a smile. He tried to arrange the pillows for her when she stopped him and said "I want you to be next to me don't leave me alone." Manik "But Nandini I'm not going anywhere, I'll be there on the couch right in from of you." Nandini "I don't want you to be front of him, I want you next to me. Can you do that for me." Manik "Ok fine." Manik slept on Nandini's bed, she came close and put her head on his chest and held him so tightly as if nothing in this world can separate them. Manik wrapped his arms around her, completing her circle of safety. He looked at her and found some peace returning to her, as she was looking at him without blinking. He said "Close your eyes Nandini, I am here right next to you." She closed her eyes as if his words are like bible to her.

Manik was holding Nandini and thinking how to get her confidence back, suddenly he looked around himself, he was in Nandini's room and in Murthy house. He felt content and complete even in the middle of all the chaos around him that moment gave him the calm and the peace he has been searching all his life. He imagined a future moment like this when he will have a family with her, where he will be coming home everyday not walking into a house, where the name plate would read Manik & Nandini instead of Malhotra House and where Nandini would sleep in his arms every night with a smile on her face. All these thoughts made him blush and smile both at the same time. He thought "Manik what are you thinking home, family, name plate?" But he again said to himself "Yes that's what I want a home, a family and life every moment of which involves Nandini as my partner, as my soulmate." "I will make it happen." He said to a sleeping Nandini and kissed her forehead.

Suddenly in the middle of the night Manik turned side ways, he realised that there was no Nandini in his arms. He panicked as he woke up and looked all around he didn't find her anywhere. He got down from bed and was about to run out when he heard the shower open and bathroom door ajar.. He opened the door to find Nandini sitting under the shower. Manik "Nandini what are you doing? You will catch cold. Come out, for how long you've been here." Nandini "I am trying to feel Manik. I am tired of not feeling anything." Manik was stumped, he didn't knew how to react, he went and sat next to her. They both were now under the shower, suddenly Nandini held Manik and let out a huge cry. She cried as if there's nothing in this world apart from the pain in her heart and her tears. Manik held her tightly and even he was crying. They both were in each other's arms crying their pain out. Her suffering, his guilt; her pain, his failure to prevent it from happening all got washed with the flowing water. Their tears built a bridge that will help them walk this darkness, find light and happiness.

Finally Nandini cried and let out all that was inside her the storm, the pain, the trauma in front of one man who would understand and share it with her, share her baggage with her with a smile on his lips, Manik Malhotra her soulmate. Sometime later when they were both stopped crying and Manik wiped Nandini and himself dry, Nandini said "Manik please don't think I am taking you have for granted, the way you have been, your patience." Manik "Nandini don't you ever dare say that again. You are the best part of me. You have always been my support sometimes I feel I took all your strength away." Nandini " Manik you are my biggest strength." Manik smiled and hugged her and some more of her pain made its way out in her tears.

End of Part 4

Be back soon...

Ciao..Love..

Sweta...

Recap:

Manik "Nandini don't you ever dare say that again. You are the best part of me. You have always been my support sometimes I feel I took all your strength away." Nandini " Manik you are my biggest strength." Manik smiled and hugged her and some more of her pain made its way out in her tears.

Shadows Of Darkness Part 5..The New Sun...

Manik and Nandini remained in each other's embrace for a long time, then finally Manik broke the hug and said "Nandini let's sleep, you need rest." Nandini nodded in a smile, yes she smiled after two long nights she smiled for the first time. Manik knew in his heart he is the one who holds key to her happiness and he was determined to open that lock. That night they slept peacefully in each other's arms. There is a tough fight and lots of pain that awaits them but they had each other to survive all that. Nandini knew Manik won't let her fall down and Manik knew he had to win this for the girl who never gave up, she saw good in him when there was nothing good.

That morning ever since she can remember Nandini slept the most. By the time she woke up it was 8 am for a girl used to wake up at 4 am it was very late..She was still sleepy but was forcing herself out of bed, she spread her hands and looked for Manik but only found pillows. She got scared for a moment not finding him around. Nandini sat up in a jiffy and saw a sight which she never imagined even in her wildest dreams. Manik Malhotra was standing in front of Aiyyapa's picture and talking to him. For a moment she forgot all her pains when she heard him say "I don't know how to pray, you never gave me a reason to pray to you or believe in you. In face till now you gave me every reason to hate you, which I did."

"But Nandini she believes in you more than herself, she prays to you not for herself but for everyone around her. She even prayed for me when I was a nobody in her life. She chants your name when she's happy, when she's sad, hurt, angry, in love, amused. You have found place in every emotion of hers and every aspect of her life. So she deserves all your love, why do you have to test her always, sometimes with me and now this tragedy. You have millions of people for you but I have only Nandini. Please give me back my Nandini, the one whose smile lights up my entire life. So this you owe it her and her unselfish faith in you." Nandini was overwhelmed hearing this, she ran and hugged Manik from behind. Manik was shocked to cover his tears and his activity he said "I was I was...just..you know..." Nandini "Shhh! You don't need to say anything." And with tears of joy gleaming in her eyes she planted a sweet kiss on his cheek.

It was after breakfast when Manik saw Nandini getting ready with her college bag. Manik "What are you doing?" Nandini "Getting ready for college." Manik "I think you should rest in home, we will skip college." Nandini "Manik, if you remember you said I've to be strong and fightback. So I want to fight back and that's not possible if I sit at home. Eventually I have to go out and face the reality and as long as you and our lovely friends are there for me I am not scared now. But I need a promise from you, if I try and run away you have to hold my hand and stop me from doing so.." Manik "I promise."

Manik called Cabir and told him that they are coming to college. Cabir and the gang planned a surprise welcome for them as its gonna be their first day officially as a couple in the college. As Manik's car screeched to a halt inside the Space campus, Nandini got all nervous and sweaty. Manik sensed her nervousness and said "Hang on." He got out of the car and opened the door for Nandini like a perfect gentleman. As soon as Nandini got down, he wrapped his strong arms around her waist saying "Nandini Murthy you are now officially Manik Malhotra's girl and no one is allowed to mess with Manik Malhotra's gal" and he winked at her with his trademark Manik smirk. Nandini couldn't stop herself from smiling and nodded in affirmation.

As soon as they entered the corridors everyone started giving stares to her. Nandini started getting scared and nervous again. "Nandini isn't she's the one taken by panditji and molested? I saw on TV yesterday." CAme a voice and the voices kept on increasing which made nandini tremble with fear and trauma. She tried to run away only to find Manik holding her waist even tightly. He shouted "Who said that? It could have been any of you but it was her. None of you have guts to stand up for right all of you can back ****. If you have so much interest in others lets start with gossips in your life. Whom you are dating and with whom you are sleeping. If I hear one more word then you all know me." Manik's fiery eyes and angry voice made it all clear and everyone dispersed.

Manik assured Nandini with a smile and said "Let's go.." As soon as they entered in the Fab5 jam room there was flower and confetti shower on them. The gang shouted "Welcome back our love birds." Manik and Nandini smiled, everyone was surprised and happy to see Nandini smile. They all hugged and celebrated with some smiles and music. The Fab5 played music and sang while Nandini and Navya sat and enjoyed. Nandini was trying hard to enjoy but she couldn't and who else than Manik could sense it better. He came to her and said "Nandini its all gonna be okay." Nandini " I know it willbe. Tum jo ho mere saath."

End of part 5...

Sweta...

Recap:

The Fab5 played music and sang while Nandini and Navya sat and enjoyed. Nandini was trying hard to enjoy but she couldn't and who else than Manik could sense it better. He came to her and said "Nandini its all gonna be okay." Nandini " I know it will be. Tum jo ho mere saath."

Shadows of Darkness Part 6..Hope Floats..

It's often said that we speak in our silences with our soul mate. He/she is the one who reads our silences, our eyes and makes sure that we are comfortable or at least puts an effort to make us comfortable. Our soul mate doesn't need our words to reach our heart..That's our comfort level with our soul mate. Manik and Nandini shared the same language of silences. Love makes everyday life look magic, it does magic. Same magic happened to Manik, he changed as a better and mature person. Nandini never made an effort to change him in fact she fell in love with the monster Manik but she did see the wounded lost boy behind that monster. when this wounded lost boy found his home in her he wasn't the monster as he showed the world..

Manik took Nandini's hand and said "Let's go for a walk" and he signaled the gang. They all nodded in acceptance. Manik took Nandini to the college garden and looked for the biggest and the shadiest tree, they comfortably settled there. Manik took the help of tree's trunk and made himself comfortable, he looked at Nandini, she was still pretty blank and dazed. After some time Nandini went close to Manik and put her head on his chest and her wrapped his hands around her "Nandini speak up. If you keep all this inside it will only increase you pain. I want to see you smile again Nandini. I can't see you like this lost in the darkness." Nandini "Manik is there a way out of this darkness? I'm lost in here everything that I believed is wrong, there's no goodness, no purity left in this world. There's no innocence left only idiots like me are there who get played."

Manik "There's still goodness and purity in this world. You made me realise this, you are the purest and the most innocent person I have ever met. Your innocence is not your weakness its your biggest strength. You can see good in people like you saw good in me when I was a monster. If you got kidnapped its not your fault it is that pandit's fault that he tried to malign the purest of relationship, he killed the trust of your Ams Nandini but you stood by your morals and values." By this time Nandini was crying inconsolably when the Fab4 reached there. Manik wiped her tears and cupped her face in his hands. Nandini "But Manik..I am just.." Manik "There are no ifs and buts Nandini its ok to be weak sometimes, its okay to cry and tell the world after all your human you always don't have to pretend that everything is fine and crumble inside. What matters is how bravely we can get up when life pushes us, punches us and beats us around." Mukti "Manik is right didn't you became my strength when I lost myself to Rocky's torture" Navya "Nandini you made me again believe in myself when I got lost, you got my respect back." Cabir "So all that you did for us, taught us you have to apply it on yourself and come back stronger. Life is allowed to take a pause in tragedies Nandini but it can never stop."

"Let Manik and us heal you. The pain will go away and you know you can trust me when I say these." Manik "These demons will haunt us for sometime but we are gonna be okay Nandini. You don't have to walk this darkness alone I am there with you and as I said I am not scared of darkness when I am with you." Hearing and seeing all of them standing for her and picking her battle for her gave Nandini a solace that she was looking for. her life seemed a desert in these 48 hours but they around her like an oasis and provided her the much needed breather. She smiled and said "I am lucky to have found you guys. I don't know how to thank you." Cabir "Its damn easy, the eggs that Manik brought I saved them you can hit each one of us with it and thank you session done." Mukti "What eggs?" Suddenly Manik realized what Cabir was talking about and looked at Nandini who blushed with a hint of happiness. Manik in a baffling voice "What are you talking Cabir?" Cabir "Don't try and act all innocent this doesn't suit you. Dude I saw the set up there egg cartons, ice cream which I eat sorry people and that special drink ingredients. How do you guys were proposing each other by the way, can we have the details?" Fab3 and Navya in unison "Ohhh! How romantic majnu Manik." Manik blushed like a new bride and said "Guys lets stick to the topic."

Cabir "Ok since now we have an important issue to deal with I will leave you guys, but as soon as this is over you two will gives minute by minute details of everything and I mean EVERYTHING." Manik "Ok we will." He then turned to Nandini and said "Nandini you need to tell us exactly the series of events how they happened. Don't be scared just tell us its important." Cabir took out a small recorder without Nandini noticing it and switched it on. Nandini was scared but Manik held her hands and assured. Nandini told every detail of the night how she was tied in the car, how she dropped her earring but in vain, how pandit hurt her ears and tried to touch her. Manik was furious by now but Cabir asked him to be patient. Nandini further told them that she tried to run away but couldn't and how she was locked in a veena box when Manik reached there, she told them she tried to make noise but Manik couldn't hear her and left.

Manik felt that a poison laced arrow was thrown at him. She was there right there but he did not feel her, she called out for him in her silence but he did not hear and suddenly he found himself engulfed by the guilt.. A guilt which would do harm but no better, he was the one person who needed to be strong not weak and guilty but her suffering made him both. He found himself loosing and he got up and walked away saying he will be back. Cabir ran behind him "What are you doing Manik? She needs you right now and all you are doing is running away." Manik"What do you want me to do Cabir? Look what have I done, I did not sense her, she called for me but I did not hear her." Cabir "wait Manik don't say you did not say you could not and how will you anticipate that Pandit will lock her in a veena box. No one can anticipate that cruelty. Now pick yourself up and be strong, you have to be for both of you. We all are there Manik be strong and fight for her like you always do. Don't forget you are The Manik Malhotra, you are Nandini's hero and now you have to shine for her." Manik held Cabir and cried, cried for the first time since everything went down. Like Nandini even he needed this to be out.

End of Part 6..

Recap:

Manik held Cabir and cried, cried for the first time since everything went down. Like Nandini even he needed this to be out.

Shadows of Darkness Part 7..We will fight back...

Manik held Cabir and cried his heart out. He expressed his fears how he is struggling to keep him and Nandini both floating. Manik "It's tough Cabir, its very tough to fight darkness and who who else would know this better then us. We are the children of darkness after all. But Nandini she's too innocent for all this. All her life she believed that world is good, people are good, you do good n it comes back to you..Now its all shaken up.Her faith in every thing good is trembling and I am scared this will break her down. She doesn't say it but I see it in her eyes she's on the verge of breakdown and I don't know how to stop it." Cabir "Yeah you are right Fab5 are darknesses favorite kids, but you are forgetting that if we all can come out of that and find happiness with Nandini just being around us, then she's Nandini Murthy; she's the most positive person ever. Yes it will take time and we all are there to help her come out. But most importantly you are the one person she needs right now. You have to be strong and caring for her. You have to remind her everyday that there's still good and you are there for her..every step of the way."

Manik smiled Cabir "What?" Manik "You know I always had that connection with Dhruv but when it comes to Nandini you are the one person who has always reached out to me. Maybe cause you have seen pain and lost more than all of us." Cabir "I don't know Manik but yes all that did change us." While Manik was being consoled by Cabir Nandini was getting courage from her friends too. Mukti "Nandini I know these things, these nightmare will keep on haunting you and trust me its okay to be scared. What's important is not to loose hope. Keep your heart open and let love come to you. Manik's love, your family's love and your friends love. Make it your strength and fight back." Navya "Mukti is right. You remember you told me to take one problem at a time so we will do the same for you too."

Alya "So what do you want to work on first?" "Her smile." Said Manik " It holds the key to every other problem." Everyone smiled in affirmation. Manik "Mukti could you please drop nandini at her place and be with her for sometime. Cabir and I have some important business to take care off." Nandini looked at him questioning, Manik assured her that everything is cool. Mukti "Ok fine dude no problem." They all drove off in their respective direction.

After a while the girls reached Nandini's place and found the house to be empty chachi and Rishabh were out shopping. Alya "So what do we do now?" Nandini "I am tired so I am going to my roon." Mukti "No you are not. Locking yourself and shutting out won't help. Remember we have to work on your smile." Alya "Yes missy you are not allowed to run away now." Navya "Let's bake a cake to celebrate our friendship, considering how we all started off." Alya "That's an awesome idea?"Soon the girls found themselves wrapped in aprons and ready to take on the kitchen. They involved Nandini also in their venture, soon she found herself distracted to the struggles of baking a chocolate cake.

An hour later the kitchen resembled a war zone. The girls were all covered in the batter of eggs, flour, coco powder and hat not. They were having an amazing time baking or rather having a cake batter fight. Nandini smiled and for few hours forgot all her scars with the girls around her. Mukti " I don't remember when was the last time I had this much fun.." Alya "True and its so much more awesome that our parties." Mukti "Hey you know what I think once all this is over we need to have a bonfire night , it would be fun.." Navya "Bonfire bada maza aayega." And they all burst into laughter. Finally after two unsuccessful attempts the girls found success and baked the perfect chocolate cake. Just as they finished the baking and slumped on floor all tired, the boys walked in and said in unison "What The F?"

End of Part 7

Recap:

Finally after two unsuccessful attempts the girls found success and baked the perfect chocolate cake. Just as they finished the baking and slumped on floor all tired, the boys walked in and said in unison "What The F?"

Shadows Of Darkness Part 8..The Plan..

Just as the girls slumped on the floor after baking the perfect chocolate cake in their third attempt, they were all covered in the batter from head to toe and smelled weird..."So this is how it feels when eggs are thrown at you? We are sorry Nandini to treat you so badly initially." Said Alya. Nandini " Its ok Alya, what's done is done let's forget it, we all have turned that page. It's a fresh start for us." Navya " Exactly, so it needs to be fresh start for you too. You need to leave these shadows of yesterday and move on fresh. I know it's easier said then done but you have to right?" Nandini nodding "Yes I am trying trying hard.." She choked and couldn't speak, Mukti said "First rule of moving on no tears." They all shared a smiled.

Just as the girls were having this soothing conversation they heard a car being pulled in.It was Manik and boys, as soon as they entered house they were stunned by the visual they saw and all screamed together "W*F ?" Manik, Cabir and Dhruv were shocked to see them. Cabir slipped and said "Meri wali kahan hai ?" All where like "What?" Cabir "I meant Manik ki wali kahan hai?" Manik "Don't change the topic..What's cooking Cabir and Navya?" They all got up and surrounded Cabir and Navya. They both had no choice but to tell the truth on how abir agreed to take Navya and her baby's responsibility. Mukti "Cabir are you sure you want to do this? This is a huge step for Navya and her baby we will find another way." Dhruv "Yes Mukti is right we will find a way, you guys don't need to get married and all. We are just teenagers guys." Cabir "No I am very sure that I want to do this. What happens later we will see as of now this is the right thing to do." Amnik "I don't know what future hold for them but right now I am proud of Cabir and I support him. And we are there to support him anyways in every situation." Alya "Yipee we have a wedding to plan."

Everyone looked at Alya with amazement, she said "come on guys past few days have been so gloomy and this celebration will give us chance to get our spirits back and come out of tragedies." and she pointed towards Nandini who was silently looking down. Manik looked at Alya smiled and whispered "Thank you." Cabir "Arre by the way tum logon ne yeh kya haal bana liya hai. Kya chal raha hai?" Mukti "We made cake now its double celebration..lets eat." They all had a great time eating the cake, Nandini noticed Manik was looking very happy and calm. Everyone loved the cake and finally the girls went to clean themselves up after ordering the boys to clean the kitchen. Just as they cleaned the kitchen and girls came down all wearing Nandini's cloths chachi and Rishabh walked in.

Chachi was surprised to see all of of them. They all greeted her and were about to leave when chachi insisted on staying back for dinner. An offer none of them could refuse. They all helped chachi in cooking while Manik kept an eye on Nadini who was again seemed to be slipping back into darkness. He got worried for her, later on after dinner everyone was leaving Mukti, Cabir, Navya and Dhruv left in her car. Alya left her car in college so Manik offered to drop her but requested to wait till he tucked Nandini in bed. He went to her room and found her blankly staring at the fan "Nandini!" She looked at him, "I am going to drop Alya to her place and then I will be back, is that ok with you?" "Manik you don't have to explain me,Alya was, is and always will be your friend and I know your friends are your life. And you don't need to come back..I am ok tonight i can manage." She said.."But Nandini how can I leave you alone?" "Manik I will be fine trust me." She held his hand while saying this. He smiled and nodded. He tucked her in, gave her a goodnight kiss on forehead, switched off the lights and walked out unwillingly closing the door behind him.

Manik dropped Alya at her place "Seems like old days." Alya said "Except its not, you are in love with Nandini and I am god knows what with Dhruv." Manik "Alya we never spoke about it Alya, but I need to say sorry to you for the way things ended. I know I broke your heart you've always loved me and I.." "And you never.." Alya cut him in between..."You never loved me Manik and now I understand it. The way you are with Nandini its something different very different. Something I've never seen in the greatest love stories also. You were always waiting for nandini to walk into your life and when she did you fell for her; even without realizing it. I am ok Manik with it accepted it no hard feelings. I want you both of you to be happy." "Thanks Alya." Manik said and drove off.

It was maybe 12.30 am at night when Nandini woke up all scared, sweating, trembling and unable to even speak a word. The darkness has again come back to haunt her finding her alone. She looked for Manik, she wanted to scream his name but it seemed the words were failing her. She felt all choked in..Before she even realised she was out of her house running on to streets like she wanted to run away from her scares, the pain and the nightmare. She didn't even realize she was bare foot and was getting cuts and her feet were bleeding badly. She just knew one thing that she had to run away from all this as fast as possible and as far as possible.

It was 1.30 am in the night when the doorbell of Manik's house was rung frantically, he was in deep sleep and woke up all irritated. He came down cursing all the servants and opened the door and was shocked to see a baffled Nandini in front of him. She was crying, sweating, panting for breathe and when he looked down she was bleeding from her feet. Manik got scared and before he could react or talk Nandini fainted in his arms. "Nandini!" He let out a big scream...

End of Part 8..

Recap:

She was crying, sweating, panting for breathe and when he looked down she was bleeding from her feet. Manik got scared and before he could react or talk Nandini fainted in his arms. "Nandini!" He let out a big scream...

Shadows Of Darkness Part 9..Darkness Returns..

The past 24 hours brought some hope for Manik that maybe Nandini after speaking and letting out all the pain in her is slowly moving towards light with him holding her hand every step of the way; but the night once again proved him that he was hoping against the hope. The darkness returned to haunt her and swallowed her completely finding her alone and Manik could only blame himself for her being sacrificed to the darkness and that guilt ended up consuming him too. So where does this darkness gonna lead them, will it bring them closer or tear them apart. Love is the greatest gist which can fight all odds but sometimes it's enough. Nandini needed to find her way back to Manik, will she be able to find or will Manik loose her to this darkness forever.

As Manik stood at his door in disbelief staring at a baffled Nandini, she was sweating, panting. Her tears were overpowered by her hiccups she was just not herself, messy hair, bleeding feet finally she could not take it and fainted. Just as she was about to fall flat Manik held her in her arms. "Nandini..Nandini." Manik was too shocked to speak anything else. He didn't knew what to do, where to go..All he could was pick up his phone and call Cabir.."Nandini..Cabir..Nandini.." Manik could not speak.. Cabir was confused "Manik calm down..What happened tell?" "You need to come here and bring a doctor with you fast" and Manik dropped the phone. He picked her up in his arms and ran to his bedroom asking the servants to bring some hot water. He laid her there and wiped her sweat and looked at her bleeding feet. Her feet were hurt badly there were few broken glass pieces, some small pebbles and what not. Manik was reduced to tears..

He held her feet and cried "I am sorry Nandini..I am so sorry for letting you down again.." Just then the servant walked in with water and fresh towels. Manik took it from them and asked to leave. It was more of Manik's tears that were cleaning her wounds, he cleaned all the blood carefully and was wondering how to take all those pieces when Cabir and Navya walked in with the doctor.. They both were shocked to see Nandini in that condition. Manik wiped his tears and moved aside and let the doctor examine her. Navya "What happened to her?" Manik "I don't know she knocked my door all baffled and hurt and crying." Cabir "Did she ran all the way till here from her home? Does her family know?" Manik "I don't know Cabir and I don't think we should call them now."

The doctor and the accompanying nurse cleaned her wounds and bandaged her feet and gestured everyone to come out. They all walked out while the nurse stayed with her. Manik was looking at her while walking out.. "She's not alone..She's fine now." The doctor assure with a smile and they all walked out. "She's in trauma a lot of trauma. Did something happened with her or anyone she's close to?" Asked the doctor. Manik, Cabir and Navya looked at each other and narrated the whole incident and the after effects that she's been going through. The doctor looked worried and said "Whatever Nandini has gone through a lot as you said she is very innocent so this incident has scarred her badly. What she needs right you is all of her friends and family to love her, support her unconditionally. And most of all you all need to be patient with her. This is just the beginning there might be instances where she will be angry, very angry or she might do a total withdrawal from everyone not talk, not cry nothing. So all of you need to show great patience with her. And yes she needs to go in therapy asap..She needs a psychiatrist."

Hearing the word therapy Manik burst in anger "Pagal nahi hai woh. Why do you want to sent her to therapy?" Cabir "Manik calm down. Just listen why the doctor is saying that." Doctor "It's ok Manik a lot of people think only unstable people need therapy, it's a myth. Nandini right is going through a trauma the therapy will help her overcome the trauma. With the help of therapist she will be able to forget it start afresh. I will send you the details in the morning, think and take her to therapy if you want her back." Manik nodded and the doctor left. Manik "Its my mistake..It's all my mistake. I should not have listened to her and left her alone and look what happened. One after another I am just being careless about her." Manik was about to punch his fist on a glass table when Cabir stopped him "Listen Manik stop blaming yourself. None of us thought Nandini would do something like this." "None of you know her like me, I should have seen it coming." Manik said. Cabir "Manik you now need to stop feeling guilty for things which you can't control and start focussing on things which you can. Let's take Nandini to therapy." Manik nodded in confirmation.

After sometime Cabir and Navya left and Manik came back to his room to find Nandini being restless again. He rushed to her side and held her tightly and said "This time I am not leaving you alone even for a moment." Nandini could feel Manik's touch and held him back tightly. The rest of the night peacefully with Manik keeping an eye on her for the entire night.

It was 6 in the morning when chachi woke up to the sound of the doorbell. She ran down to open the door and found Manik holding Nandini in his arms. She shouted "Yeh kya ho gay?" "Chachi please calm down." Manik said and took Nandini to her bedroom and tucked her in as he was about to leave, Nandini held his arm and said "Don't go." Manik "I will be right back." He asked Rishabh who was standing at the door to come and sit near Nandini.

End of Part 9..

Recap:

Manik said and took Nandini to her bedroom and tucked her in as he was about to leave, Nandini held his arm and said "Don't go." Manik "I will be right back." He asked Rishabh who was standing at the door to come and sit near Nandini.

Shadows Of Darkness Part 10..We are with you...

Rishabh smiled at Manik and came and sat next to Nandini. He looked at her scars and started caressing them with his tiny and soft hands. He has never seen his sister like this. She has always been the stronger one, taking care of everyone around her even in situations like when their parents died. He couldn't understand what has shaken her so much that she lost herself. He wiped her tears which were silently flowing unable to feel the love and care and security around her. She felt blank and empty from within for not feeling anything. Rishabh hid his head in her lap and started crying, he wanted his sister back a sister who has been more of a mother to him..

Meanwhile, Manik went down where chacha and chachi were waiting for him pensively. "Kya hua use? Who tumhare paas kaise pahunchi?" Chachi bombarded him with questions. "Ohh ho Shannoji usko bolne ka chance toh do." Chacha said and looked towards Manik. Manik explained how she ended up at his doorstep scared and injured. He had to call the doctor and he explained them why he didn't called them because it would have panicked them like now. He also told them about the doctor's advice of taking her to therapy, chacha and chachi looked shocked.

Manik explained them it's for her own good as it would help her come out of trauma fast. "You both don't worry I will get the best therapist for her and I will always be with her. I want to make a request to you can I move in with you all till all this get over and not to repeat last night's happening." Chacha and chachi were a bit taken aback but chachi said "haan haan Manik you can move in. We know Nandu needs you more than anyone at this moment." "Thanks chachi." Manik was overwhelmed. "Manik you go to Nandini's room I will send you breakfast there. You must be hungry." She walked into kitchen while saying this. As Manik turned to go to Nandini "Manik" Chacha's voice stopped him. "Nandini was very young when her parents died but she did not break ever. She's stronger then all of us. Ams gave me her responsibility and I could not protect her. I let my dead brother down I could not protect her. If you were not here I don't know what we would have done." Chacha was teary eyed and he was folding his hands in front of Manik.

Manik was didn't knew how to react, people were always scared of him when they bowed in front of him. But no one ever bowed in front of him out of respect and gratitude. Manik held chacha's hands and said ''I am doing this for myself. I love your daughter more then anyone else, I love that fiery Nandini who can change a monster like me, her smile which brightens up my life, so I am doing this for myself. I want that Nandini back." He walked away to Nandini's room to find Rishabh still crying in Nandini's lap. He went to him and pulled him towards him and said "What is this Rishabh? You are a big boy and big boys don't cry. We will make her smile together and she will be fine I promised you na and you trust me na." Rishabh nodded in confirmation and smiled and looked towards Nandini who was staring at him.

Chachi came in with the breakfast but Nandini refused to eat. Cachi at beside her "Nandu even to grieve you need strength and you won't get any by being hungry." And she started feeding her suddenly Nandini held her tightly and said "I need my amma. I need my mother." It's true a mother is her daughter's best friend, her guide, her mentor. When things go south its the mother that shows the right direction to her daughter. Nandini never felt orphan till today but today she realised she's an orphan, she doesn't have her mother's lap to cry, she doesn't have her father to put his hands on her head and say "I am there to handle everything." She felt orphan and alone. "I need amma chachi, get me amma." That's all she wanted, that's all she carved for. Chachi was helpless she can't, no one can get what she's asking for not even Manik.

Manik never felt more helpless he could't get her want she wants. His star was going into an oblivion and he is helpless, he felt miserable and walked out sat his his car and cried again, maybe for the first time in life Manik Malhotra was crying for someone else. That someone else mattered most to him now, then he remembered what Cabir said about being strong. "Come on Manik Nandini needs you, be strong of her, she need to find all her relations in you. NBe her everything as she's been your everything." He said to himself wiping his tears and walked into Murthy house to be everything, every relation to her, to stand for her when she can't even think about standing. He will not loose his star, she would go down, she would rise like a phoenix and fight back and get back to life. It's her life and few hours and a jerk can't take that right to live happily from her. She's broken so he will fix her. Manik made this promise to himself as he walked in to her room with a smile.

End of Part 10..

Recap:

He will not loose his star, she would go down, she would rise like a phoenix and fight back and get back to life. It's her life and few hours and a jerk can't take that right to live happily from her. She's broken so he will fix her. Manik made this promise to himself as he walked in to her room with a smile.

Shadows Of Darkness Part 10...when there's no way out...

As soon as Manik entered Nandini's room chachi almost finished feeding Nandini and she asked Manik to accompany her downstairs for breakfast and left. Manik was smiling mischievously and Nandini was confused. He came close to her and said "you have landed a lottery miss Murthy, I am going to stay with you for few days so get used to sharing your room with me." he winked. Nandini "Stay or baby sit me? I know I scared you last night. I want to.." Manik "Shhh you can ne all ever scare me Nandini and finally I also got a chance to say it. It's always you ever since we met saying I'm not scared of you Manik on a repeat, why should girls have all the fun." And he burst into laughter. Nandini was awestruck by him at that moment by him and his laugh. If Manik got peace by her smile; at that particular moment his laugh brought her the most peace. She felt if this moment could freeze here, him laughing and she admiring him. Suddenly her train of thoughts were broken by chahchi's call for Manik. Manik rushed saying he will be right back..

By the time Manik finished his breakfast which was the most enjoyable one of his life not because it had a great variety which it didn't. It was a very simple fare of aloo ke paranthe and dahi but because it was family sitting and sharing a meal. He forgot all his stress while watching chacha and chachi fight over silly things and was amazed to see their bonding. By the time he came up he saw Nandini was in deep sleep. He had a sigh of relief. Even though Nandini was hurt and her nightmares won't let her sleep at night; it was also a reality she was human after all. When human body gets too tired no hurt, no pain and no nightmare can stop it from getting the rest it deserves, same happened with her. Manik also was very tired he slowly climbed on to the bed and laid down next her. Even though she was right there in front of him Manik was still scared of previous night he held her hand and soon fell asleep.

It was around 11 in the morning when the gang arrived at Murthy house, Cabir had told them what happened. They visited Manik's house first and then not finding them there came to Nandini's place. Chachi directed them to Nandini's room where they found them sleeping peacefully and Manik holding her hand. They decided not to disturb them and wait downstairs. Some time later Manik's sleep broke hearing the laughter and as soon as he came down he found Cabir to be at his wittiest best. "Lo damadji aa gaye chachi." He shouted and everyone burst into laughter. Manik "What, who?" and he blushed and Mukti was quick to take over "Oh blushing blushing" and another round of laughter followed. Manik "Cabir look at the place and time and then talk dude." Cabir "Mukti what's the place?" Mukti "Nandini ka ghar." Cabir "Nandini kaun Manik ki?" Mukti "Future biwi ya issi speed mein rehe toh kal parson bhi ban sakti hai teri shaadi ke saath hi." Cabir "So manik place is also right and the time too.'" Manik blushed but faked anger "guys please get serious." and they all turned serious.

Manik asked cabir to accompany him to the police station to meet lawyers and he requested the girls to stay with Nandini. Manik went upstairs kissed her forehead and whispered "I will be back soon" and left with Cabir. The rest of the day passed with the girls taking care of Nandini as she was unable to move due to her injuries elsewhere Manik and Cabir met the lawyers and went to the police station and discussed about forwarding the date for hearing. Cabir was confused "Manik why is the hurry to forward date? I mean even with Riddhima gone and Nandini in this state we need more time." Manik "No Cabir because Nandini is in this condition I want this to get over asap. I want her get over this and that is not possible if she won't get justice soon." By the time Cabir and Manik reached home it was almost evening as soon as they reached the rest of the gang left.

Manik went to Nandini who was meddling with her phone. Manik took the phone from her and smilingly said "We have got day after tomorrow's date for hearing." Nandini "Why?" Manik "because i want you out of this hell as soon as possible. I want pandit to go to his rightful place and I just know how." Manik smiled and before Nandini could say anything Manik put his finger on her lips and asked her not to ask any more questions and trust him. Soon it was dinner time and post that sleep time. Everyone else had gone to sleep and Manik also was preparing to tuck in Nandini to sleep and he also wanted to sleep peacefully tonight with she being around him and safe.

Just as he was about to tuck her in she said "Kiss me." Manik was taken aback "What?" "Yes Manik kiss me don't you are always desperate to kiss me so today I am asking you to kiss me." Manik knew it wasn't Nandini speaking, "Nandini relax I just love to tease you." Nandini got agitated "Why can't you kiss me now" and she threw an pillow. Manik got angry "You want a kiss I will give you a french kiss." He held her arms tightly and started pulling her towards him. Nandini got scared "Manik stop it, Manik please stop, what are you doing?" And she pushed him away with the full force "That's what I am trying to explain you Nandini stop it." "I want to feel the love Manik. People around me you, Rishabh, chacha chachi and my friends they all are showing so much of love but i can't feel anything and I am tired of not feeling." She started crying. Manik came near her cupped her face, wiped her tears "Nandini asking for a kiss or a make out session won't make you feel my love. This is not you, my Nandini is the one who reads hearts, smiled from her eyes and loves from her soul. So if you want to feel again then open your heart and give yourself a chance again; you will feel my love again." He hugged her tightly as if he is giving a bit of him to her to make her feel his love.

End of Part 11