Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-64: Proud To Be Hers

Dedicated to Shalu8804 gurjar1234
ShraddhaKeshari2 (not able to tag your I'd)

I've touched power, I've owned success-but nothing makes me feel more alive than when she touches me like I'm hers.

I stood at the hospital entrance with Manik, my fingers loosely entwined with his. Dad was finally discharged today. After everything that happened, he was finally coming home-my home, the Murthy Mansion.

Manik was sulking like a child who had lost his toy. His face was twisted into an adorable frown as he stared at me.

"I can't believe you're leaving me alone," he muttered dramatically, crossing his arms.

I chuckled. "Manik, I'm just going home for one night. I'll be back before you can miss me too much."

"But I already miss you," he said, turning his face away with a pout. "Who's going to pull the blanket off me at night?"

I laughed, poking his cheek. "Poor baby. You'll survive one night. Besides, you need some time with yourself, too."

He grabbed my wrist and whispered, "You'll miss me more than I'll miss you."

I blushed and quickly pulled away, seeing Didu and Bhai waiting by the car with Mom. Dad was already settled inside. I waved at Manik one last time and got in.

As we entered the Murthy Mansion, everything felt the same... and yet different. There was a warmth this time that had been missing for so long.

"DADU!!!" Ansh's tiny voice echoed through the hall. He came running and jumped straight into Dad's arms.

Dad's face lit up. "Ansh beta, dadu missed you so much."

Ansh snuggled into him, his small arms tight around Dad's neck. "I missed you, too! You were gone for so many days! Don't go again."

"I won't, I promise," Dad said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard.

I watched them, smiling. My heart swelled. This was my family-flawed, imperfect, but mine.

Later, I sat on the couch, smiling faintly but lost in thought. The whole house was chatting, laughing, but I wasn't fully present.

"Bacha, Mom's voice brought me back. She sat beside me, placing her hand on mine gently. "What's wrong?"

Before I could respond, Didu chimed in, smirking. "Mom, don't you see? She's missing Manik jiju."

I blushed instantly. "It's not like that."

Mom gave me a knowing smile. "It's okay, Nandini. You don't need to explain. I know things are a bit overwhelming."

Then her tone turned serious.

"I know, knowing the truth doesn't erase the pain we gave you. The silence... the distance. But we truly had no other option. Please, forgive us."

Her eyes were brimming with tears. I squeezed her hand gently.

"I have forgiven you, Mom. I just..." I sighed. "I just need some time to accept it all. For years, I thought something else. That you didn't care, that you hated me. But now I know you were trying to protect me. Still... the scars remain."

That's when Dad came closer and pulled me into a hug.

"You have all the time in the world, Princess," he whispered. "And this time, we're not going to let you go through anything alone."