An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 67

Manik entered the house, immediately sensing that something was off. The silence was unsettling. It was too quiet. His eyes landed on Navya, dozing off on the couch, exhaustion etched across her face. Not knowing what had transpired in his absence, he made his way upstairs, his heart pounding with unease.

Stepping into his room, his gaze softened as he saw Nandini curled up on the bed with Radhika beside her. She had her eyes closed, but he knew—he just knew—she wasn't asleep.

Sighing, he placed his accessories on the side table and slid onto the bed beside her. His fingers traced the remnants of dried tears on her face, and a pang of helplessness clenched his chest. Bending down, he pressed a soft kiss against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open instantly, wide with surprise, glistening with unshed tears that made his stomach churn.

"Hi," he whispered, forcing a smile.

Without a word, Nandini flung her arms around him, clutching him like he was her anchor. "Are you real?" she murmured, her voice cracking.

His arms tightened around her, voice hoarse with emotion. "Nandini... your tears don't help me, you know that, right?"

She broke apart slightly, her lips trembling. "I—I tried, Manik. I tried to handle it. I tried to be strong. But..." her voice dissolved into sobs.

"Tch. Stop crying, Nandini. Please. Enough now." His voice was firm, yet tender, laced with the desperation of a man who could no longer bear to see his love in this state. He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. "Look at yourself. Kabse ro rahi ho?"

She simply shook her head in refusal, but before he could prod further, Nyonika burst into the room, her face pale, eyes brimming with distress. Without a second's hesitation, she rushed to Manik, throwing her arms around him.

"Mom?" His hands immediately came up to soothe her. "Enough, both of you. Someone tell me what's going on," he demanded, his patience running thin.

Nyonika's grip on him tightened before she pulled away, shaking her head with remorse. "I—I'm sorry, Manik. I failed you as a mother. I failed Cabir."

His stomach dropped.

He glanced at Nandini, who was crying again, confirming his worst fears.

"No, you are not a bad mother. You had your reasons," he assured her, his voice gentle but his nerves frayed. His mind raced a mile a minute, dreading what was to come.

"No more tears. Just tell me what's wrong." His voice was low, dangerous. "Or I swear, I'll walk out of this room right now."

Nyonika inhaled sharply, her next words hitting him like a blow to the chest.

"Manik... Cabir."

His breath hitched. His worst fear had materialized.

"What about Cabir?" His voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight behind it was crushing.

"Navya told him everything."

A sharp exhale left his lips. His jaw clenched as his fingers curled into fists, his entire body growing rigid. His mind spiraled. Cabir. His brother. His family. He wasn't there for him. He failed him. The realization burned through him like acid.

Unable to contain the storm raging inside him, he pushed himself up and walked out to the balcony, seeking air that wouldn't come. His hands gripped the railing so tight his knuckles turned white.

Men were taught to be strong, to suppress, to endure. But in this moment, he wasn't Manik Malhotra—the formidable, untouchable Manik. He was just Manik, a man unraveling under the weight of his own helplessness.

Behind him, Nandini saw through the facade.

Despite her own physical pain, she forced herself up, carefully tucking the blanket around Radhika. Using the wall for support, she limped towards him, every step sending sharp, agonizing jolts through her foot. A small stain of red seeped through her bandage, but she didn't care.

Reaching the balcony, she placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. "Stop pretending," she murmured.

Manik turned to face her, and she felt her heart break all over again. Gone was the charm, the fire, the confidence. What stood before her was a shattered man, drowning in his own guilt.

"I couldn't protect him, Nandini," he choked out, his voice barely recognizable. "I failed him."

His grip on her hand tightened as silent tears escaped his eyes. Without hesitation, she reached up, brushing them away, her own vision blurred.

"Manik..." she whispered, pulling him into a tight embrace. He clung to her, burying his face in her neck. His weight nearly made her stumble, the pain from her injury intensifying, but she held firm, her fingers threading through his hair, pressing soft kisses to his head.

"If not today, it would have happened tomorrow," she soothed. "Your family needs you now. I need you now. If you fall apart, what will I do?"

He swallowed thickly before pulling away, nodding. "I need to be there. For my family."

But as he turned to leave, she hissed in pain, making him freeze. His eyes darted to her foot, and his stomach twisted in anger.

"What the hell, Nandini?" he snapped, immediately kneeling before her.

"It's nothing—"

"Shut up." His tone was sharp, cutting through her weak protests. "Come here. Sit."

"Manik, it's fine, go down—"

He shot her a withering glare before scooping her up effortlessly, ignoring her protests as he carried her to the bed.

"Why do you never listen to me?" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration as he unwrapped the bloodied bandage, his heart clenching at the sight.

"It wasn't intentional," she murmured.

"Obviously, injuries are never intentional, Nandini! But did I not tell you to be careful for some time? Did I not ask you to be responsible for yourself? Can't you, for once, think about yourself?"

His hands were gentle despite the anger in his voice as he carefully redressed her wound.

"I didn't see the vase—"

He exhaled sharply, reigning in his frustration. "Fine. But no more carelessness. You're done for this week. Do not hurt yourself again."

She chuckled lightly, despite everything. Even in his own turmoil, he was more concerned about her.

Downstairs, Manik helped her settle on the couch before turning to Navya, his expression hard. "Maybe you were right. Cabir deserved to know. But not like this. Not from you." His voice was low, edged with warning. "I don't want to say something I'll regret. So, please, leave."

"Manik—"

"Nandini," Nyonika interjected, stopping her. "Navya's place in Cabir's life is his choice. But in this house? That's our choice."

Manik gave his mother a nod before turning, his focus shifting back to where it needed to be—Cabir. His family. Nothing else mattered.

With a deep breath, he ascended the stairs, his heart hammering as he braced himself for the conversation awaiting him. Raj was already there.

And all that mattered now was his brother.