Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-26: Decision and Condition

They were like parallel lines, heading in the same direction but unsure if they'd ever truly intersect.

Manik's POV,

The day had been dragging on, with me sitting in my cabin, trying and failing to focus on work. My mind kept circling back to Nandini and the conversation I knew I had to have with her. For the past two days, I'd been wrestling with the idea of marriage, something I never thought I'd entertain so soon. But after what happened with Dad and the weight of his expectations, I had no choice.

Still, I wasn't the type to force anything on someone else, especially not a marriage. I needed to know what Nandini wanted, and what her decision was. And if she didn't want this marriage, then I don't have to convince Dad. But if she did...

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. This wasn't about what I wanted. It was about what had to be done.

After an eternity of overthinking, I finally decided to call her. Picking up the intercom, I pressed the button for her cabin.

"Ms. Murthy," I said, my tone was calm and measured. "Come to my cabin."

"Yes, sir," she replied, her voice as formal as ever.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. My nerves were getting the better of me, which was ridiculous. I was Manik Malhotra, for God's sake. I didn't get nervous.

A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Come in," I said, straightening up.

Nandini walked in, her posture as poised as always. Her eyes showed a quiet determination, but I also noticed something else-fatigue. She looked tired, almost as though she hadn't slept in days.

"You called me, sir?" she said, her tone professional, as she stood near the door.

"Yes, I need to discuss something important. Please, have a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before sitting down, her back straight and her hands resting on her lap.

I took a deep breath, unsure how to begin. "Ms. Murthy, have you informed your family about your decision not to marry me?"

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she tilted her head. "Why are you asking this, Mr. Malhotra?"

There was a sharpness in her tone that caught me off guard, but I ignored it. Sighing, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.

"Because I need to know," I said. "Do you want this marriage to happen?"

Her expression changed subtly, her gaze growing distant. She seemed to be lost in thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Malhotra," she said, her words measured, "but I'm going to say yes to this marriage. I know I was against it earlier, but I have my reasons."

Her answer stunned me. Of all the possibilities I had considered, this wasn't one of them. I leaned back in my chair, staring at her as if she'd just told me the earth was flat.

"You're serious?" I asked, my voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

"Yes," she replied firmly.

For a moment, I was silent, trying to process her words. "That's... unexpected," I admitted. "Because I was going to say the same to you. I've already told my parents I'm willing to go through with this marriage. But I asked them not to inform your family because I wanted to talk to you first."