MaNan: Strings That Bind Us

*A New Beginning: Hearts Reunited*

But not everyone was happy. Manik's face darkened as he watched his daughter and wife showering affection on someone else. He was fuming with jealousy.

That's when Aryaman noticed Manik standing there, his expression unreadable. He looked at Nandini for an explanation.

Nandini: "I'll talk about this later with you."

Aryaman nodded without questioning her.

Nandini then made the introductions.
Nandini: "Manik, this is Aryaman, my best friend since college."
Nandini: "And Aryaman, this is Manik... You already know who he is."

The way she said it left Manik completely clueless, so he just gave Nandini a look, as if to say, "What does she even mean by 'You already know who he is'?"

Aryaman just nodded politely.

Aryaman: "Hello, Manik."

He then continued playing with Anvika, making her laugh while Manik watched with a heavy heart.

Aryaman: "Nandini, I brought some fabrics from Europe. Let me know when you're ready to review them."

Nandini: "No worries. I was just going to visit the design house. Let's check them out there."

Manik didn't like how his daughter and wife were giving so much attention to Aryaman, but he knew he had to be patient. He needed to give Nandini the space to open up because, in her eyes, he had no right over her right now. Yet, despite everything, he desperately wanted to spend more time with Anvika.

Manik: "Nandini, can you please leave Anvika here? I promise I'll take care of her."

Nandini: "Manik, how will you take care of her? You don't know much about kids."

Manik: "Aree, don't worry. I'll manage. And if I need anything, I'll ask the staff."

Nandini understood his desire to spend time with their daughter, so she agreed.

Aryaman, who had been watching this exchange with a surprised look, didn't say anything. He quietly went with Nandini to the office, leaving Manik alone with his daughter.

**************************

In the car

Silence filled the space as Nandini drove, her eyes fixed on the road but her thoughts clearly were elsewhere.

After a while, Aryaman couldn't hold back his curiosity anymore.

Aryaman: "Are you going to speak, or should I ask you myself?"

Nandini let out a deep sigh, knowing this conversation was inevitable. She took a deep breath before saying.

Nandini: "I told him I'll give him another chance. I know how he was in the past, but... something inside me still wants to believe that he's changed. I want to give him a chance, not just for Anvika's sake but... for myself too."

Aryaman listened quietly, his face calm, but his heart felt a familiar ache. Yet, he managed to smile, masking his emotions behind a playful remark.

Aryaman: "Well, if you feel like giving him a chance, then you definitely should. Don't worry about me-I'll handle my broken heart somehow."

He said it with a light laugh, pretending to joke, but his words carried a weight that Nandini didn't miss. She gave him a sad smile, knowing how much he had done for her.

Deep down, Aryaman was hurt. He has loved Nandini since their college days. His heart had shattered when he found out she married Manik. But when Nandini and Manik separated, a small hope had rekindled within him-the hope that he might get a chance to be with her.