TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-67: Inner Turmoil

The day before the party, the air in the Murthy household was tense and thick with unspoken words. Nandini was in her room, hunched over her laptop, her fingers tapping away on the keyboard as she focused on her work. Her mind was distracted, filled with thoughts of Manik and the upcoming party. She was so engrossed that she barely registered the soft knock on her door. Without waiting for a response, Vishakha walked in quietly, her expression uncertain and her eyes clouded with worry and determination.

Nandini glanced up briefly, her gaze cold and indifferent, then turned her attention back to the screen, making it clear that she wasn’t interested in any conversation. Vishakha watched her daughter, feeling a pang in her heart at the distant look on Nandini’s face. She hadn’t wanted things to get this strained between them. Gathering her courage, she cleared her throat softly.

“Nandini, can we talk?” Vishakha’s voice was gentle, but there was an underlying urgency that Nandini couldn’t ignore.

Nandini didn’t bother looking up this time. Her voice was clipped, devoid of warmth. “I’m busy, Mumma. I have work to finish.”

Vishakha took a step closer, trying to bridge the emotional distance that had grown between them. “I know you’re upset, but this is important. About the party tomorrow…I need you to keep your distance from Manik.”

At this, Nandini finally looked up, her eyes sharp and filled with defiance. “Who are you to tell me what to do, Mumma? You’ve already made it clear that you don’t trust me to make my own choices.”

Vishakha flinched at the harshness in her tone but pushed on, trying to remain calm. “I’m saying this for your own good, Nandini. Manik is not the right person for you.”

Nandini cut her off, her voice rising with anger. “Then who is the right person for me, Mumma? The guy you’ve picked out of nowhere, someone I don’t even know except for his name? You’ve decided my life without asking me, without considering what I want!”

Vishakha’s eyes welled up, but she tried to stay composed. “I’m just trying to protect you. Manik isn’t—”

“Protect me from what, exactly?” Nandini’s voice cracked, and she stood up, pushing the laptop away. “From my own happiness? From someone who genuinely cares about me? Or are you just trying to protect me from the pain you went through? This isn’t about me, Mumma. It’s about you and your past, and you’re punishing me for it!”

Vishakha stepped closer, her own frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t understand, Nandini. You’re too young to see what’s really going on. This isn’t just about you and Manik—it’s about—”

“About what, Mumma?” Nandini shouted, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. “About your failed relationship with that man? About the fact that you’ve never trusted anyone since then? You’re so busy trying to protect me from repeating your mistakes that you’re making me question everything. I can’t even recognize you anymore! You’ve always been my strength, my support, and now I feel like I’m fighting against you every single day. Am I even your daughter?”

Vishakha’s patience snapped, her own pain and guilt erupting as she raised her hand, anger clouding her judgment. “Nandini, don’t you dare speak to me like that—”

Just as her hand was about to connect, Bela and Mahir rushed into the room, having heard the shouting from down the hall. They grabbed Vishakha’s arm, stopping her just in time. Nandini flinched, her eyes wide with shock, and took a step back, her breath hitching. For a moment, the room was silent, the tension so thick it felt like it could shatter at any second.

“Princess!” Bela’s voice was firm but gentle as she positioned herself between the two, her gaze darting between them. “Enough. Both of you.”

Vishakha’s hand dropped to her side, and she stared at Nandini, her eyes filling with tears. “Did you hear what she just said, Bela? She asked if she’s even my daughter. How could she think that? I have never, ever made her feel unloved. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for her!”