Threads of Friendship, Bonds of Marriage

Chapter: 38

{Unknown Road}

The night stretched out like an endless abyss, a veil of blackness broken only by the narrow stretch of headlights piercing the unknown road. An uneasy silence hung thickly, broken now and then by the low hum of the engine, thrumming with the pulse of Manik's turbulent emotions. The stars overhead were obscured by clouds, leaving the world cold, desolate, and claustrophobic, as though he was alone on a path that no one else dared to tread. A chill ran through the air, seeping through the cracked window, but Manik felt nothing but the fire of rage and helplessness burning within him.

His grip on the steering wheel was vice-like, his knuckles standing out white against the darkness as he drove recklessly, the road an indistinct blur beneath him. Every bone in his body was tense, each muscle coiled with the weight of frustration and anger. It simmered, like an ember fanned by memories and pain, making his chest tighten until he thought he'd explode. He pushed the gas pedal harder as if trying to escape from the emotional storm that threatened to drown him, but the world around him remained unchanged—shadowed, silent, and relentless.

In his mind, he saw Durga's steely gaze, the calculating glint in her eyes that knew how to cut through him, bind him with obligations, and rob him of the freedom he so desperately craved. She wielded control over the Malhotra Empire with an iron grip, using her authority as a weapon to maintain order. It had started long before he was even born, her need to dominate anyone who dared to challenge her rules—a way of life forged in her years of sacrifice for the empire. She saw any defiance as betrayal, and Manik's father was no exception. Her power over them all was absolute, and she called it love.

But it wasn't love; it was a trap. A suffocating, invisible cage that Manik had spent his life trying to break free from, only to find himself tightening the chains with every step he took. He hated himself for it, for his inability to sever the ties that held him under her thumb. And in the midst of that frustration, the only thing keeping him bound was his grandfather, Harsh, a man broken and reforged in Durga's shadow. His father's loyalty was his weakness, a responsibility Manik bore as heavily as Durga's expectations.

He thought of his mother, Nyonika, and the quiet strength she carried. Her story had come to him in fragments, the tale of a young woman who had dared to love a man outside her social status, only to face the wrath of a family that viewed her as nothing more than a disposable pawn.

Images from his parents' past flashed through his mind, vivid like a movie reel. He remembered the stories his mother, Nyonika, had shared—how she and Raj had found love within the walls of the Malhotra Empire. Back then, she was just an employee, humble, caring for her ailing mother, but dedicated and sharp, capturing the hearts of both Raj and his parents. Durga, though, had only ever approved of her as an employee. Not as a daughter-in-law.

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{Golden Heir Banquet Hall}

On one side of the hall, Durga took a deep breath, her eyes darting from one person to another as she explained the situation in a voice laced with forced calm. "Manik had to leave unexpectedly for an urgent meeting," she announced, trying to maintain her composure. "He should be back within an hour or two."

Her words barely landed before a wave of whispers rippled through the guests. Some exchanged knowing glances, while others murmured in surprise. The ever-watchful eyes of the media caught on quickly, and the rumor mill spun into overdrive. Cameras flashed as reporters feverishly whispered among themselves, and within moments, "Manik Malhotra's Sudden Exit" had become the top headline.

In the midst of the hushed frenzy, Mr. Oberoi's face grew rigid with fury, his eyes narrowing as he exchanged a tense look with Taniya, who stood by his side, her arms folded tightly, barely containing her own irritation. Both were visibly angered by Manik's abrupt departure, and their expressions grew darker with each passing second. Durga, standing nearby, forced a smile, desperately trying to defuse the situation. Her words were calm, but her eyes revealed the growing anxiety as she murmured reassurances, hoping to pacify them.