MANAN- Strings of love

11. Revealed Secrets

Sorry for not updating last week. I was really busy with my assignments, projects, festivals. I cannot promise that I can update twice but I will try my best to give you all an update. 

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  After all fight was settled down by none other than fab 5, who got to know that Aliya's father came to take Aliya away. I am sitting between Manik and Hansi who has Shikha on her lap for the protection. My Aunt Shanno's glaring eyes never left anyone in the hall including Abhi, who sat in front of me with challenging eyes, not caring about anything. 

  "What is going on here?" This was from Navya who just entered the house only to receive glares from multiple person including me. Because of her, I am surviving this unwanted glares. 

Mr. Saxena: Why are you sitting beside that girl? You are the fiancé of my daughter!

 I thought of going away from Manik, but he tightened his hold on my hands indicating to not to move a bit from my place.

Manik: She is my girlfriend. I think you should arrange the wedding of Aliya and Druv.

 I just want to run into my room and watch games of thrones. I am really a big fan of it and to find the solution of the current situation, I need to watch that show.

Mr. Saxena: What?! Are you nuts? What about the properties which are on stake because of the this wedding and contract?

 I thought someone will tell him about me being his daughter, but no one opened their mouth.

Manik: I don't care about property. I love Nandini and I am going to marry her.

 Wow! Is he serious or is he acting?

Mr Saxena: What?! Are you sacrificing those thousands of crores of property for this slut!?

 Okay, that's it!, I am not gonna take my spatula to hit him. I was about to go, but my dear aunt lioness stood up and slapped Mr. Saxena which made my mouth hung open. That sound was like a music to me. Love you Aunt and I am gonna take training how to slap from her.

Aunt: Dare you say anything about her! I will skin you alive and feed you to the street dogs.

  Shikha started clapping hearing it. Lord! I forgot to send her to her friend's house.

Me: Shikha, Why don't you go and play with Lakshmi? 

  I know, I never use that tone with her as she is very naughty and retrieves the best anger skills from me, but 'necessity is the mother of base'. I can't help.

Shikha: Lakshmi has been to temple today and I am enjoying this drama. Why did you stop? please continue.

  She said looking at my aunt and Mr. Saxena who eyed Shikha with shocked eyes. Now I can't hold the angry Nandini.

Me: Shikha. Aniket. Murthy, if you don't go outside to play I will not allow you to have pizza for a month!

  She just ran outside hearing it but then my brain functioned.

1. Mr Saxena is here who happens to be my father which is unknown to him

2. He knows my brother and my mother's name

3. conclusion: he got to know Shikha is related to him.

Mr. Saxena: Is.... is she...... No, I witnessed my son being burnt then how?.....

  No, don't go there. I remembered the time when I witnessed my anna's burnt body. The blood soaked face of my mother and Attige. My hands started shaking and I was being transferred to that day when we all met the accident. Someone tightened my grip on my hand. I looked at Manik who had worry written all over his face. I looked around and thanked that I came to reality. My Aunt was giving her non ending lecture to Mr. Saxena and everyone were concentrating on it.

 "Are you okay?" Manik whispered to me. I was still trying to process the fact that I am not in that situation and I am in reality. My laboured breathing came to the steady breathing after some time. Entire time Manik held my hand and lightly rubbed my back. I should be strong. I should be strong for Shikha. I need to fulfil the promise I have made to myself. I quickly wiped the tear which had rolled down and faked a smile. 

  "So you are saying that I am a grandfather?" asked Mr. Saxena and Aunt started her lecture again. "Will you stop it?" Aliya yelled causing a silence to take over. "You are not a good father I knew, but now you are not even a good husband. Are you feeling an ounce of guilt? Did you think how my mother would feel after she heard it?" Mr. Saxena stood there lowering his head. Aliya ran wiping her tear to the room she is currently residing.

  Druv and Mukti followed her. I was about to get up when Aunt came to me. "You knew about this, didn't you?" her glaring eyes resembled the dragon of ancient times. I gulped and tried to answer. "Why did you? I told this, so you could be away from this horrible man, but why?" she had tears now and I felt so guilty hiding it. "I am sorry aunt. I was so confused when I got to know about this. I was still processing the fact that I have left my business and I am now a PA. When I got to know about this, I was shocked and shattered. "

 I might act like crazy and happy, but I was sulking. I hated my existence. I felt guilty whenever Aliya used to sit and silently cry beside window. I thought I was the part of her sorrows. "I am sorry. Hence forth I will in form you everything." I said and wiped her tears. "Is this true?" I looked at her confused at what was she implying. Looking at me she sighed. "Are you two having lovey dovey things?" she gestured Manik and me . 

 Manik answered yes with his stoic face when aunt started dancing and telling this news to her kitty party friends to kinder garden friends. Such a drama queen. I looked at Mr. Saxena who had the stoic face but his eyes held lot of emotions. Pain, regret, love, longing and many but I cared less. 

 I think now the real story of my life starts.