Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-54: Unexpected Turn

She didn’t just forgive me… she reminded me that I was never the villain in my own story.

Manik’s POV,

By afternoon, the house was buzzing with energy. Cabir, Navya, and Mukti arrived first, followed by Alya and Dhruv. Then came Rudraksh, Prisha Bhabhi, and little Ansh, who came running into the living room, straight to Nandini.

“Maasi!” Ansh yelled with excitement.

Nandini crouched down and opened her arms. “Anshhh!”

He leapt into her arms, and she picked him up, spinning him slightly, her laughter echoing through the room. I swear, seeing her like this—carefree and smiling—I wanted to freeze the moment.

Soon, everyone was seated in the living room, chatting, catching up. That’s when it started.

Cabir whispered something to Mukti, and they both looked at me like devils planning destruction.

“Bro,” Cabir said, walking to the center, “I have something super serious to share.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What?”

“Actually,” Mukti chimed in, “we found this old photo of you… In your baby pink chaddi and a red cape—thinking you’re Superman.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“No, no, wait,” Cabir continued, dramatically pulling out his phone. “I thought, let’s show this picture to everyone, including your new bride here.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I warned, but I knew it was already too late.

Before I could grab the phone, he airdropped the damn photo to the TV screen using Bluetooth, and there it was—me, five years old, pink underwear, red towel tied to my neck, standing on top of a table, mid-jump.

The entire room exploded with laughter.

Cabir fell on the couch, clutching his stomach. “My eyes! My innocent eyes!”

Even Rudraksh and Prisha Bhabhi couldn’t stop laughing. Navya teased, “Now we know where Manik’s confidence comes from.”

Nandini looked at me and whispered, “You were… adorable.”

“I hate all of you,” I muttered and buried my face in my hands.

That stunt had everyone in high spirits. We had lunch together with everyone joking and chatting.

After dinner, mom asked the butler to bring out dessert. Halwa.

“I’ll eat first!” Ansh said excitedly, raising his hand.

Mom chuckled and gave him a small bowl.

“Here, my little prince.”

She then began distributing to the others. But just as we were about to take the first bite, Ansh suddenly started coughing badly. His little face turned pale, his eyes widened, and within seconds, he collapsed forward onto the carpet.

The room fell deathly silent for a split second before chaos erupted.

“Ansh!” Prisha Bhabhi screamed, dropping her bowl.

Rudraksh rushed to him, lifting him gently. “What happened? Ansh, open your eyes!”

“Take him to the guest room!” Dad ordered, pulling out his phone. “I’m calling the doctor.”

I helped carry Ansh, his body limp, in Rudraksh’s arms. Nandini was right behind me, her hands trembling.

Prisha was crying uncontrollably, holding her son’s hand and whispering his name again and again. Rudraksh kept patting Ansh’s cheek, trying to wake him up.