Manik woke up with a jolt.

Another dream.
Another memory.
Another sin resurfacing from the shadows of his past.

A tear slid down his cheek—not because he missed the girl in his dream, not because he felt pity, but because he saw himself. The monster he used to be. The cold-hearted version of Manik Malhotra that once destroyed hearts for fun, carelessly, ruthlessly.

And now...
He was a father.

What if someday, someone treated his daughter the way he had treated others?

"Karma," he muttered bitterly. "Our ancestors were right. Every sin comes back... in the same lifetime."

He turned to his right.

There she was.

His little girl. His redemption. His Manani.

Sleeping peacefully. A slight pout on her lips. Her tiny fist curled near her cheek, and a soft breath escaping her chest. She looked like a dream—so pure, untouched by the filth of the world.

He leaned closer, brushing a kiss on her forehead.

"I promise you, baccha...
I will never let you feel the pain I gave your mom.
I love her... I love her so much.
So much that today, my love has left her lying on a hospital bed.
But I know I was wrong. I've accepted it.
I'm ready to fix everything.
Just be with me...
And please, my princess—ask your mama to come back to us. We need her... we need her so much."

The clock ticked quietly. It was time.

Carefully, he turned on the baby monitor, made sure Manani was safe and snug, and stepped out of the room.

After freshening up, Manik walked to the small mandir in the corner of the house—still decorated just the way Nandini had done it. Simple. Pure. Sacred.

He folded his hands, eyes moist, voice soft.

"I've heard people say that God resides in children.
And my daughter... she's just a few months old.
She needs her mother, God.
Please... bring Nandini back.
Bring her back to us."

He bowed his head in silence, letting the weight of his regrets pour into his prayers.

Later, he stepped into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast—something he was slowly getting better at. For Manani. For Nandini. For himself.

Just as he stepped out, he heard a sharp cry from the monitor.

Without wasting a second, he rushed back into the room, scooping up his princess in his arms.

"Goody goody morning, mera baccha...
Princess uth gayi?
Missed Baba? Hmm?
No more tears, meri jaan... Baba is right here.
Mama isn't here, but we're together, na? We're a team."

He covered her cheeks with kisses, tickled her little belly, and snuggled her close until the cries turned into giggles.

"Aaj baby Baba ke saath office jayega...
Boss baby banega mera raja baccha!
Boo-boo karega, sabko handle karega.
Hai na, mera strong baby?"

Manik dressed her up, brushing her soft curls gently, wrapping her in love—trying to fill every second with the warmth her mother would've given.

He was learning.

Not just how to be a father...
But how to be a man worthy of forgiveness.

A past full of mistakes.
A present soaked in redemption.
And a father who prays for a second chance.

#PAST

[ Manik Malhotra: 21 ; Nandini Murthy: 17 years and 7 months ]

Scene: Malhotra Empire HQ – Manik's Office

Manik: "Hello to you too, Cabir."

Cabir: "Yeah yeah, I know... I barged in."

Manik (dryly): "Care to tell me why you stormed into my cabin without knocking? Or were you hoping to catch me in some scandal?"

Cabir (smirking): "Why, were you in one?"

Manik (throws a pen): "Idiot. You know ever since Mom and Dad passed... I've only lived for two things—my promise to them."

Cabir (nods, a little serious now): "You're actually following that?"

Manik: "Yeah. Mom just wanted one thing—that I find a simple, innocent, beautiful girl. Traditional at heart, but modern in thought. And Dad...?"

Cabir (reciting like an oath): "To take MM—Malhotra Multinationals—to the top... and never trust anyone."

Manik (bitter smile): "When your own people betray you, that lesson's hard-learned."

Cabir: "I never thought you'd take aunty's words so seriously."

Manik: "But I did."

Cabir (grinning again): "Anyway, we need to head to Space Academy. You remember the event, right? I'm free today, so I'm tagging along. Then lunch at my fav place?"

Manik (smirks): "Nope. My favorite this time."

Cabir (mock groans): "Fine. Let's go, your highness."

~~~•~~~

Scene: Space Academy – Girls' Dressing Room

Navya (panicking): "Oh God, Matarani help me! Nandini, I feel like I'll faint. Why did I agree to anchor?! I can't do this—I'm done! Final decision. YOU go instead of me."

Nandini (laughing): "Pagal hai kya, Navya? I would've said yes, but you know pre-event students are only allowed to decorate and assist. Anchoring is strictly final-year duty. But don't stress—I'm here, okay?"

She gently holds Navya's shoulders.

Nandini: "Take a deep breath. Inhale... exhale. There you go. You've got this. Now go inside, I'll be back in a second. Just calling Dad to ask where he is."

Navya: "Okay! Come soon!"

Scene: Outside Space Academy

As Nandini steps out, her call is interrupted by the loud screech of tires.

Startled, she looks up and sees three black luxury cars halting in front of the academy.

Uniformed guards swiftly exit from two of them, securing the area.

Nandini (curious): "V.I.P lagta hai..."

She tries to get a clearer look.

From the middle car—the one most heavily guarded—the principal rushes forward in a flurry of nerves. The center car door opens slightly.

Nandini leans forward, straining to see.

Suddenly, a guard steps in front of her.

Guard 1: "Ma'am, please move. Sir is arriving—he doesn't like interference."

But Nandini doesn't budge. Curiosity sparkles in her eyes.

Guard 2 (stern): "Ma'am, I said MOVE."

As the second guard gently nudges her aside, her phone buzzes again. Distracted, she picks up the call.

That's when he steps out.

Jet black shoes. Crisp charcoal suit. A powerful presence that silences everything in a five-foot radius.

He walks to the entrance of Space—but pauses.

As if sensing her.

He turns.

Removes his sunglasses in one sharp move.

And looks straight at her.

Eyes cold. Calculating. Unapologetically bold.

His gaze slowly travels down her frame—not lewd, but undeniably invasive.
He scans her like a possession. Like something he could own if he wanted.

And then...
He smirks.

Nandini's breath hitches. She quickly turns away, pretending to still be on the call.

But the damage is done.

Their worlds had just collided.

~~~•~~~

🖤 Author's Note:

This moment marks the beginning of a storm.
A 21-year-old man burned by betrayal.
A 18-year-old girl caught in innocence.
And an unspoken attraction masked by power and curiosity.

What did you feel during their first encounter?
Did you sense danger, charm, or something more twisted?

Drop your thoughts.

Next part—what happens inside the academy when fate throws them together.

Updated every Monday

Regards,

❤️