Manik came to office along with Nandini. Manik is busy, Nandini is not feeling well,she just want to throw away everything she had. She is feeling uncomfortable and uneasy.
Nandini came to washroom, had cleaned herself as she felt dirty and smelly. She closed her eyes felt relaxed, she took deep breath, tried to calm herself. Manik entered and hugged her from back. "Queen! Let us call doctor it's not good to be ill, I want you be healthy and strong."
"I need I think I am so tired and stressed" she leaned on him. Manik took her in arms and came out, made her sit first. He called doctor.
"Am I disturbing you?"
"Never don't say such again it makes me sad" Manik said
"I don't want you to neglect work Manik"
"I won't come on have some lemon juice it will make your taste buds better"
She took glass and drank.
Doctor came, checked her, she is weak. "I think we need to do pregnancy test"
Both looked at each other in shock, they didn't think nor planned about this, it's not that they don't want it's just unexpected or unvoiced wish.
Nandini smiled, she nodded and took the strip from doctor and came to washroom back. She blushed, felt shy, even embarrassed but she is happy. She peed and waited impatiently.
Here Manik is scared, he don't know how to react and how to act about this, he definitely want his own kid one day, he even the curse of Royal family about having single child from decades, he know it's his only chance, but........ his words mind heart shrinks to even say but, what if it the result of that particular night? What he has to do? Think? And say? What if it reminds her about that dreadful night again give her same pain she went through just two days back? His heart pounders, his all training to be strong in any situation went to drain in fraction of seconds. Sweat formed on his forehead
"King" doctor called
"Yes" Manik said coming out of trans
"I think queen should be out by now" she is stressed thinking she might be fainted in locked bathroom due to weakness.
"Let me check" with trembling hands he opened door and found Nandini with tears, his heart stopped "shona!" He whispered
"We are pregnant Manik I am unbelievably happy, I have my kid in womb, someone living do you even imagine it? It's miracle, I don't know how to react" she hugged him and cried with extreme happiness
"You are happy?" He asked to confirm
"Of course extremely" she blushed
Manik got tears, he hugged her tight kissed her temple "me too" he cried too. He don't know what he is feeling now, he just know she is happy.
Doctor checked the result confirmed, then prescribed some medication then some exercise and food too. Manik noted everything carefully. She took leave from them and left.
Nandini is shy, "how should we tell this to parents? It's so embarrassing, what will they think? I am so ashamed"
"For what? For baby?" He asked in hurry as if some alarm rang in his heart
"Chi no! The process of pregnancy known by parents it's embarrassing"
"Shona! No need to think much just tell me are you really happy? Are you ready for this?"
"Are you not ready?" She got frown on her forehead her eyes changed from excitement to anger
"Of course I am ready and happy but..... is this due to that incident?" He looked away from her
Nandini took two steps away from him, "you started judging everything with single incident, so let me make it clear for once and all Manik Malhotra, you were on drugs but we made love you don't understand, even if it out of that incident it's our baby and I cherish this blessing, I don't think you do so, it's better to be alone" she turned away from him with tears and left the room in hurry and tears
Manik stood shocked, he took a minute to process what just happened and what happened before, when he did, he found room empty, he is shocked
Nandini came out like storm, she started to walk fast "Queen! Is king free?" Druv asked with smile
Nandini looked up, tears filled eyes blurred her sight, she is struggling to stop the flow, she just nodded and rushed to entrance, she when reached out she took deep breath as if she could breathe again, car came to her, she herself opened and sat down. She is unable to stop her tears she want to scream and shout.
Druv rushed to Manik room "what happened?"
Manik is blank "where is Nandini?"
"She left" Druv is now worried
"No no stop her" Manik rushed out and found Nandini car left, he felt more emptiness. Druv is worried now.
Nandini reached home, she came to her room locked it firmly and fell on floor. She cried loudly. "All her happinesses are judged with one incident? Their is nothing left?" She didn't expect this blow from Manik. She knows he is guilty but this deep? She don't know what to do, or what to do in future. She felt as if her life is drowning and she is about to collapse. She screamed in anger and frustration
"This moment should be most precious one for us but you ruined everything for us Manik, everything" she hugged herself and slept on floor.
Manik reached Mansion, he came straight to their room found empty, his frown deepened, he came to her wing and found her room locked. Being soundproof he couldn't listen anything but he knows she is crying, he hated himself most. A moment ago she was extremely excited and now because of his overthinking she is now in agony. He is now really guilty for ruining this precious moment without realising.
Druv called krishna and explained what he witnessed, he is worried sick. He can't see them in worries for sure. Krishna frowned, he came to a mansion.
Manik called Tara, "can you go in and look for queen?" His face is wiwid
Tara knocked the door, "queen" she called out. Nandini is slept so she didn't open.
Manik is sick worried "open the door" he ordered. She punched the code, both looked in and found Nandini on floor hugging herself. Manik heart shrieked instantly. He rushed in took her in arms and made her sleep on bed, he removed her Chappel "go bring some wet cloth immediately" Tara rushed away.
"Sorry Shona I am extremely sorry, I realised my mistake" he hugged and kissed her temple. She snuggled more to herself as if she want to hide herself from world, Manik held back his own anger on himself. He hated most on himself for making her this unsecured.
Manik took wet clothes from Tara, wiped her dried tears face, cleaned her feet. Gave back cloth. He kissed her softly stood up locked the room and came out. He don't know any to cross her wish. She want alone time so he stepped away from her.
Nandini got up from long nap, she felt fresh stretched her body, her stomach made sounds, she smiled at herself then got down from bed got freshen up, while humming some light music she came out, opened door, Tara is waiting for her
"Had good sleep queen?"
"Tara address me as Madam it's ok, I am hungry get me some chatpata food something spicy and sour may be some .... May be some rice with mango pickle and fresh home made ghee hot plate" she said smiling, Tara nodded and left with smile.
Nandini came out stretched her body again, she is fresh and happy,
"Queen" Manik called slowly
Nandini turned smiled broadly, then seeing his sad face her face turned pale, all those words of him came back "what if ?" She turned away
"I am wrong" Manik said in low voice, he don't know what to say
"Yes, and you will be always that I understood" she got tears again
Before Manik could say something Tara came with food
Nandini came to her room seeing food, she sat on chair, Tara placed plate served pickle rice and ghee.
"Tara what the hell is this?"
"Queen ordered this"
"Can't I even have my food as I wish?" Nandini asked with tears, Manik is bewildered, he is taken back
"No I didn't mean such I am just worried about spicy food" he explained
"It's my food and I will have it" she challenged, she mixed it red hot and gulped it, she moaned instantly. Manik eyes bulged, within seconds he felt jealous of food too. He always want her moans only for him nothing else.
"Princess don't make such sounds" he said with vivid face
She smirked but then she again turned to her food and started eating as if it's only thing in world to devour. Manik smiled at her
Nandini when felt she is full, she sat back "Tara I am so full, thank you. I am ufffffff I am tired" she closed her eyes. Tara washed her hand, when she is about to clean her lips Manik stopped. He took wipes and cleaned her lips, she is still licking her lips making soft sounds. Manik groaned, she opened eyes and sat straight
"Listen princess I am stupid I am still struck in the loop I will learn good" he almost begged
"You spoiled everything" she with pout got up and slept on bed as if she worked for hours. "I am sleepy and tired let me sleep" she closed eyes with in seconds she is fast asleep. Manik is surprised
Manik came down to main hall, found krishna Druv and his parents are present
"What happened?" His mother asked
Manik didn't speak he kept silent. He took deep breath looked away, he don't know how to handle things for first time in life, his Royal blood burst out, his anger rose he took a look "Tara" he called
Tara came running "king" she bowed
"What happened to your task?" His face is hard
"I am on king she is cleaning loo"
"That doesn't make anything good I want something to do which she can never bare, do one thing take her to dungeon and give her punishment"
Everyone looked at him in shock, it's been ages someone got such punishment, and it's first time king is punishing someone such"
Tara looked shocked but straightened her posture "sorry for disobeying king but I am queen property and she is not one to order me, one more thing you made Soha her worker so only queen can punish her sorry but that can't happen" she answered with bowing head but bold knowing that she may be killed but she didn't care much
Manik gulped hard, Tara words are true but he want to kill Soha bit by bit. His fist tightened, jaw clenched in anger, which is so rare as he never show emotions to anyone but here he is openly showing it.
Krishna is worried his frown deepened and his worry deepened, he looked at his friend, he is worried too.
"Ekkanth"Nidhi roared, all workers and servants ranaway.
"Tell me Manik what is the matter?"
Manik is still silent.
Krishna got call, his frown turned to surprise he turned to Manik "is it true? The news is true?" Krishna is excited.
Manik looked at him and then looked away "wait till queen wakes up, dare open your mouth" Manik roared krishna gulped hard. He never seen Manik as such.
When everyone are silent and stressed out, Tara came "king! Queen is awake"
Manik got alert and ran to her room.
"Princess how are you feeling?"
"Good" she said dryly. "I want mom" she said without looking at him
"I will call her now"
"Tara will call"
Manik stood there silently, Nidhi came
Nandini hugged her tight and cried, "mom I want to go home for some days"
Manik closed his eyes in burning anger and pain. Nidhi looked shock she is now more worried
"Sure baby look at me what happened? Just tell me I will listen promise"
"Mom ...." With hiccups she said "I am pregnant"
Nidhi is surprised "what? That's great news I am becoming Daddi?"
"He is not happy, he thinks it's due to that incident he don't get away from his own guilt and he don't want this" she cried more
"That's not true Nandini, I am worried that you may again break down as you did few days back, I don't want you suffer, I want you to forget it no need to forgive me"
"Shut up Manik Malhotra, shut up! Did you listen mom, I don't want to stay here" she said with anger
"Nandini I can't live without you"
"I can't live with your guilt, did you get it? Until you get over it I don't even want to see your face"
Manik got hurt deeply, "Nandini" he whispered in pain.
"I will send him away" Nidhi said
"No I will go home that's all, I want space and alone time, let him be here and drown in his own worries I don't care"
"You can't go" Manik held her tight
"I queen of Jaipur declaring to go away from mansion dare to disagreement" she said spiting venom, Manik stood away, his body became stiff, his jaw clenched he gulped his pain "Tara" he called she came running
"Inform queen's pihar about her arrival, pack all medicines, and required things properly, you will take few workers and a nurse with you, dare to neglect, if you don't obey I will behead you" he roared.
"I don't want anything" Nandini gritted teeth
"It's king order" he said with anger
Nandini is now in rage but she huffed, she got ready, dressed simply, she came to Nidhi "mom sorry I don't want to do this but I can't stay"
"Don't go...... please" Manik said bitting his lip, it's first time he said please Nandini got tears but looked away "you made it hard, you ruined my happiness I hate you" she cried Manik is now devastated, "you hate me?" He asked in shock
"Yes yes I hate you" she cried more and left with tears. Nidhi tried to convince but nothing worked she left.