Celebrity Castaway | COMPLETE | MaNan Fiction

55| Final Verdict

A/N: Hello readers, so we have arrived at the last chapter of this massive journey and I have to say, writing this one chapter has been immensely challenging and took an emotional toll on me. I had to revisit some decisions I made in life, my principles and had to see if they come reflecting on this & I just hope this chapter stirs you emotionally as much as it has stirred me. I won't say much except that this chapter is the FINAL VERDICT in every sense - for the case, for MaNan & for my story!

It is an emotionally overwhelming chapter, so I have warned you! It has very mature emotions, so young readers, take it slow and ask as many questions as you have, I will be happy to answer!

On that note, requesting for in-line comments as you read this exceptionally long chapter (even by my standard!) and happy reading!

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As Nandini's car halted outside the premises of the court, her heart was hammering in anticipation. Her experiences with the judiciary had always been hauntingly devastating. Her gallows of press harassment, the inferno of accusations that met her during her divorce were nothing less than traumatic, and just when she had moved on from them, her life threw another curve ball at her, which boomeranged her back to where it all began, the court. Last time it was the Bandra Family Court, now it was the Khar Session Court. Although this time, she was the plaintiff and the Senior Malhotra's, the defendant.

Ranbir sprang out of the front passenger seat and curbed the press that crowded her car, flashing cameras at her, and made his way towards Nandini's door. As he slightly nodded at her and she blinked in acknowledgement, he blocked the press from coming forward and opened the door for Nandini to step out. As Nandini stepped out, unlike previous times, she wasn't bothered by the press or their questions any longer; it had taken them two more months to get a hearing date at the Session Court and this time was enough to make her realise after coming out of the hospital that, she was a bonafide star now. Suddenly everyone was interested in her life, her point of view, her whereabouts, and no matter where she went, the papps followed her.

"Maám, are the Malhotra's really guilty?"

"Nandini maám, are you going to punish Manik Malhotra too, for this?"

"Maám, how is it that you have the proof of the famous singer Late. Asha Devi's death, when she was long gone even before you came into the life of the Malhotra's?"

"Maám, is this a publicity stunt?"

As Nandini braved through all these questions trying to reach the main building housing the session, she kept quiet, and Ranbir kept saying, "No comments" on her behalf. After a while, the police came forward to stop the press before coming in further, and then Nandini finally had some space to talk.

"Ranbir, where is Mukti, Zubin, mom or even Cabir?" she enquired, craning her neck around to see no known face.

"Zubin & Mukti are on their way & Cabir and Nyonica maám are following Manik sir, as he's being escorted out to jail; turns out, he has been released today" a bewildered Ranbir answered, after having a quick call with Cabir.

Nandini froze. Manik was being brought here? How did she not know? When they had tried all ways possible to get Manik out of jail? He was rotting in prison, for three months now, without any one successfully contacting him, and now all of a sudden he was allowed to come here? Why? This case was not remotely related to him. She had accused the Senior Malhotra's directly for evidence she had against them, for murdering Asha Devi, how was Manik needed here? No. She was not prepared to meet Manik like this. She couldn't face him for the first time ever since her video accusing him got leaked; she couldn't explain herself here before everyone, she had to stick to the storyline here, and without an explanation, Manik will be assured she wanted to avenge him. How would she ever come through to him after this? God no.