HUKUMAT : WAR FOR THRONES

The last chapter

On the Other Side

Manali sat by the pond, hugging Anika tightly as tears streamed down her face. The weight of her emotions was overwhelming, and she felt lost in a sea of despair.

“Maan, abhi tak kuch hua nahi hai. Conclusion shaam ko pata chalega. Just have patience. A lot of things are going to happen today. You have to be strong, Manali.” Anika tried to comfort her, her voice steady yet filled with concern.

“How can I be strong? I trusted him. After a long time, I finally started feeling something for someone. I can’t leave him, Anika.” Manali's voice trembled, the pain evident in her eyes.

“I know that,” Anika replied, gently squeezing her shoulders. “But for him, you have to forget him. And it’s not final that you have to leave him. Just wait for the evening.”

“Anni...” Manali whispered, her heart heavy.

“I was with you. I am with you, and I will be with you at any cost,” Anika promised, pressing a kiss to Manali’s forehead.

Manali took a deep breath, trying to find solace in her friend’s words. “Jo kismat mein likha hai, voh hokar rahega. Par main unhe kabhi bhul nahi sakti.” She placed one hand on her stomach, the gesture laced with both hope and despair.

Noticing Manali’s hand resting on her stomach, Anika mirrored the action, a silent promise of solidarity. “You are my responsibility. Yahan koi tumhara nahi hai. No one is of ours. No one. A single person will not take a stand for you.”

“It’s okay. I am happy alone. And till now, we don’t have any conclusion,” Manali replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes. Now get up and come with me,” Anika urged, gently pulling her to her feet as they made their way to the room, their hearts heavy with uncertainty.

---

As the hours passed, everyone remained in their rooms, anxiously awaiting the evening. The atmosphere in the mansion was thick with tension, secrets lurking behind every door.

When evening finally arrived, everyone gathered in the hall. Anika and Manali stood on one side, while the rest of the family occupied the opposite side. At the head of the room, Geetanjali ji sat in a regal manner, her expression unreadable.

“Look,” she began, her voice commanding attention. “Tina and Ishaan ki shadi bachpan mein hi chuki hai. They are already married and were in a relationship during their college years. Due to some conflicts and issues, they took a break from that. And now they both want to get back together.”

Before Geetanjali could continue, Anika interjected, “Manali, which means Manvika, is already married to Ishaan. According to the will, Ishaan will inherit the Siyasat after he marries Manali.”

“You are right. And this is the only reason Ishaan is with Manali. She herself signed the document, expressing that she wants Ishaan to rule over Siyasat and that she wants to separate from him,” Geetanjali replied, her tone matter-of-fact.

“Eee. Ek second. Siyasat, Manvika, child marriage? What is this all?” Manali exclaimed, her confusion palpable.

“You remember all that was revealed about the Ranawat family? That Manvika is you? You are their real daughter. But we both had to shift to the orphanage. You and Ishaan got married in childhood, and what will become of Siyasat? He can rule over it all with your support. So, for that, he came close to you. He just pretended that he loved you. It’s all because he wants power,” Anika explained, her voice breaking slightly.

Each word from Anika pierced Manali's heart, leaving her gasping for breath. “I think you should go from here. Your role in this family is complete. Now return to your reality. Take this bag. In it, there is enough money for you to survive a lifetime without doing anything,” Geetanjali said, gesturing to a bag the servant placed in front of Manali.