I don't know where am I going to? I don't know what is my ultimate destination? I don't know where will I get my utmost peace? I clutch the steering and press the accelerator a bit more. When I came out of ELYSIAN, my mind was as blank as space. Bhai's words are creating havoc in my heart. He wants me with Manik. Maybe Manik wants it too. But can it be possible? How can I let my love ignore my dignity? He not only broke my trust in him but he also has broken my trust in the word Love. I don't think I can ever be able to welcome this word in my life. When I got Ajja's letter and came to know that he is actually the indirect reason for Navya's all pain, I decided one thing. I decided to transfer my share of ELYSIAN to her name and join Murthy Creation. Manik has already got half of the share by the power of attorney paper. So, it would be fair enough to mend Ajja's gaffe by making both the brother and sister the owners of the company. I think Ajja also had wanted me to do so if he would have been with me. ELYSIAN is my dream, my brainchild. It is painful to give your own baby to someone. But this is the only way to atone Ajja's fault. Being his granddaughter, I have to do this. However, this decision is not enough right now. I veer the car towards the outskirt of the city. I need some breathing space. Otherwise, this emotional turmoil will break me from inside. The road is bleak. My car whizzes past some stationery shops on the roadside and gradually the road becomes more dark and deserted. I roll down the window glass and a cool gust hits my face, soothing the burning sensation of my eyes. I grip the steering with my right hand and place my left hand on my lower abdomen. Aliya's words are hammering in my head,

"Nandini, it's only two months pregnancy. If you want, we can terminate it. It's all up to you."

I gulp the lump and harden my jaw.

"Should I? Should I terminate a life? Can I be so cruel?"

For the first time, I ask my Inner Goddess and she responds,

"If you can't be cruel you have to leave your loved ones forever."

I yell in my mind,

"But why? Why can't I be happy with my child? It's my baby...growing inside me. I don't need anyone to father my child. When he has ignored my love, why should I make this child a way to return to him? I am enough for my baby and my child is enough for my happiness."

"And what about the society? What about your brother? Will Cabir be happy to see you like this? He can't be in peace to see you in this condition and neither can you accept Manik in your life. Don't forget this society still has a prejudice for single mother and here you are going to be a mother of a love child whose father denied your love."

My Inner Goddess gives her justification. I suddenly push the brake and the car stops with a jerk. The place is silent and dark just like my heart. I keep my forehead on the steering and close my eyes.

"I am sorry, Bhai. Whatever you want is not possible for me. I love Manik. Maybe I will love him forever. But I can't live with him. Not for your happiness, not for my happiness and not for my baby's happiness. And for this, if I have to take this decision, I will."

I mutter as I am trying to convince myself. Unwantedly a lone tear trickles down my cheek. I press my lips under my teeth to control my sobs. My hands automatically caress my belly and a plead escapes my mouth,

"Don't snatch this happiness from me..."

Only then my mobile coos and breaks my reverie. I reluctantly lift it from the adjacent seat. It's a message from Manik. Unexpected but coincidental! My jaws harden.

"Can you please meet me? For Once?"

His message flashes. I inhale sharply and reply,

"Come to Isle Lake. I will be waiting for you."

"Come, Manik! Even I want to meet you. For the last time."

I mumble and start the engine. Isle Lake...where we used to meet. For the last time I want to see him under the sky.. beside the moonglade in the lake water. I gulp the lump and veer the steering to my destination.

...............................................

Isle Lake, the place which has so many memories of us. She remembers everything. I smile palely. Perfect place to meet her for the last time. I put the pen drive in my pocket. Finally, I have finished my works. I have pulled ELYSIAN out from the quicksand. Now, no one can blame Nandini for being unprofessional. No one can take any legal action against it. I have returned my all shares to her. Now, I am burden-free to leave. I have mended a part of my wrong deeds, Nandini. Now, only one thing is left. To apologise to you. I know there is no meaning in apologising after what I have done to you but it's a kind of small penance that can give me peace. I know whatever Cabir wants is not possible for you and I will never put you in a dilemma where you have to choose between your love and self-respect. So, it's better for both of us that I should leave. Leave forever. I come out of the office and hire a taxi. It's 10:30 pm. Isle Lake must be flooded with moonlight. She must be looking ethereal amidst it. Pain clouds my eyes.

"Nandini, if not forgive then at least forget me. I will be happy to see you happy."

I mutter in my mind. The taxi speeds to its destination.

.............................................

Cabir slowly enters his bedroom and walks to the bed with tired steps. It's almost 10:30 pm and Nandini still hasn't returned. But he is not worried as she informed him that she is going to meet Manik. Cabir slouches on the bed. After a long time, his mind is relaxed. Manik is also going to meet Nandini and he is sure something good is going to happen. As soon as everything falls into places, he will get Nandini married to Manik and after that, he and Navya will get married. Time has played enough games with their destiny. Now it's time to create their own destiny. Cabir calculates in his mind. Nandini told on the phone that she wants to show something to Cabir which is very important. She even asked him to wait for her for dinner. But after so many requests, she didn't disclose what is that important thing. She only said, tonight is very important and she wants to relive her childhood with him. Cabir wobbles his head in disbelief. An affectionate smile creeps on his lips.

"Our childhood! Even I want to recall those days. After so many years, Nandi. Only you and me and our memories."

He murmurs while lying supine on the bed. It is truly said that man proposes and God disposes of. Still, we hope, we dream. Just like a brother who is hoping for his sister's happy future and destiny is sneering invisibly.

.......................................................

I stop the car 10-12 meters away from the lake and twist my wrist to see the watch. It's striking 10:45 pm. The place is completely deserted and serene just the way I like. I and Manik often came here. We both love this place. But the only difference is that we used to leave with a promise to come again and today that promise doesn't have any meaning. I get off the car and amble to the lake. It is a full moon and the lake water is shining with the silver colour of the moonlight. The unruly breeze is playing with my dupatta. I wrap it around my shoulders and sit on a rock near the bank. The mild rumbling of the water is breaking the silence of the surrounding. I gaze at the moon and mumble,

"You have scars too but look at how you shine even in the darkness. I envy you."

Suddenly, a familiar voice calls me from behind,

"Nandini..."

My all pores get alert. Something churns in my stomach and my heart skips its beat. He still affects me. I close my eyes and subside my emotion. Nandini Murthy, for the last time, you have to be brave enough to set free your heart which is captured by this guy. I take a deep breath and turns. Manik is standing with his familiar stance...with the same steady broad shoulders and twinkling eyes. After a long break, I am watching him. I again turn my face to the lake and utter gravely,

"Sit...it will take time."

He follows my instruction and occupies the adjacent place of mine. His cologne gives me a mild shiver. He keeps mum for a moment and then takes out something from his pocket.

"Take this."

He forwards it to me with a brief line. My brows furrow for a second and I take it from his hand. It's a pen drive. Perhaps he observes my expression. He gazes at the lake water and says,

"A tiny part of my apology."

His voice resonates in my ears. I stare at the moon and ask in a flat voice,

"Apology! For what?"

He inhales sharply and replies,

"For punishing an innocent soul and breaking a heart who taught me the feeling of love. For punishing a person for that sin which she never committed. And for breaking that promise which I once uttered while seeing in her eyes. Nandini, Navya has gained her memory back and she told what happened that night. Cabir is innocent so you are. Your Ajja...."

I stop him in between and say in a determined tone,

"My Ajja was responsible for her suffering. But that is not the whole truth. Manik, sometimes we take the circumstances as proof and see the whole scenario from our convenient angle. But there are many more angles which should be judged."

I take out Ajja's letter from my bag and pass it to him.

"Read it..Ajja's last letter to me. It will help you to see all the other angles."

Author's note: This face-off will continue in the next chapter. I was in tears 😢😢when I was writing this chapter and I think the next one will make me cry more😭😭😭. So, keep your tissues ready and keep reading....ha...ha...😄😄