Seeing everybody happily talking with each other, Nandini let her mind to wander to Manik. Where was he? She looked around trying to find him. She could see many more guests coming in but no Manik. She turned her head towards the staircase and saw Srikant Malhotra coming down all dressed up.

She smiled at him as he spotted them and smiled back approaching them. He came up to them and everybody greeted him as he greeted them back. They talked for some time and then he went away to attend his other guests. After he went, Nandini excused herself and went away to look for Manik.

Manik was in the garden with some workers taking care of some technical glitch in the lightings. As the workers finally managed to fix the glitch, Manik turned to head back to the party area. While walking through the garden towards the house, he thought of checking on Nandini, whether she has reached or not. Thinking this, he took out his phone and started unlocking it to call her while walking.

As all of his attention was on his phone he didn't notice someone coming from the other side. The person too wasn't paying much attention to watching where he was going, it seemed. As a result, they banged into each other. Manik somehow managed to save his phone from falling. He looked up at the person who bumped into him and found an unknown young face looking back at him with a blank expression.

'Hey, watch where you're going,' the person said with an attitude. Manik gave him an amused look and asked 'Umm, sorry but, I didn't recognise you. Are you from Space?'

The person looked at Manik as if he was offended and said, 'Yes, I am. If you don't recognise me, that doesn't mean anything. And anyways, it was not you who invited me here.'

Listening to this, Manik frowned. He didn't like the attitude of this stranger who was standing in his house, in his party and showing attitude to him. Manik Malhotra wasn't used to this. He scowled and said, 'Do you even know who I am?'

The stranger replied, 'Yes, Mr. Manik Malhotra, I very well know who you are. It's you who doesn't know who I am.'

Manik smirked and said, 'And I couldn't care less about who you are. If you know me, then you must also be knowing that I don't like people who show attitude in front of me. And people whom I don't like, I don't let them live peacefully. So if you intend to have a peaceful stay in this party and in SPACE, then you better keep your attitude in check in front of me.'

The stranger scoffed and said, 'I am not scared of you. You can ask your loser friends and your hypocrite girlfriend. Even after trying their level best, they couldn't do any harm to me. In fact, it was me who defeated them every single time. The only time they won was when they cheated. I.......'

He couldn't continue after this as a furious Manik held him by his collars glaring at him and shouted, 'Shut your mouth! Not a word more against my friends and Nandini! You have no idea what I am capable of doing. So, you......' But he was interrupted by someone.

'Manik! Madhyam!', Nandini shouted. They turned to look at her standing a few steps away from them and looking at them shocked. As Manik took in her appearance, he forgot everything else and his hold on Madhyam loosened. Madhyam freed himself from Manik's grip and glared at Manik and Nandini.

But Manik was lost in some other world. He was staring at Nandini, who was wearing a cream coloured gown with diamond ear-rings gifted by Manik on Valentine's Day. She had kept her hair open and they rested on her shoulders in waves. She came up to where Manik and Madhyam stood. The looks on both of their faces were quite a contrast to each other. Madhyam was giving her a glare while Manik was looking at her without even blinking for once as if he had never seen something so beautiful.

Nandini looked at them and said, 'What were you both doing? What happened Manik?' She turned to Manik who looked at Madhyam and then looked away making a face. She then turned to Madhyam waiting for an answer. But she didn't get any answer from him too.

Instead of answering her question, Madhyam retorted, 'You shouldn't have invited anyone if you don't know how to behave with your guests.'

Listening to his words, Manik became very angry. He again held Madhya's collar and said, 'I told you not to speak against her or any of my friends like this. Didn't you get it the first time I told you?'

Nandini came forward and tried to free Madhyam from Manik's grip, meanwhile telling him, 'Manik, leave him! What are you doing?' Madhyam gave a sarcastic laugh and said, 'Why are you telling him? Manner less people don't understand the language of words.'

Manik was about to punch him when he listened to him but was interrupted by Nandini. 'Manik, don't! And Madhyam, stop instigating him! You have no idea what you're doing.'

Manik pushed Madhyam away who turned to Nandini and said, 'Of course! What else was I expecting! Obviously you would take his side.' With this he walked away.

Manik was about to go behind him but Nandini stopped him by holding his right arm and said, 'Don't Manik. Leave him. Calm down.'

Manik looked in the direction Madhyam went and said menacingly, 'Who the hell does he think he is! How could he talk about you that way? And why did you even invite him here?'

Nandini, trying to calm him down, said, 'Leave him Manik. He's not important right now. Today, you are important. It's your day today. Don't think about anything else. Focus only on the people who are important for you. OK?' She said holding both of his hands and like every other time, she managed to calm him down. Manik let out a deep breath and looking in her eyes gave a small smile. She too smiled back at him.

She said, 'OK then. Come on. Everyone is here now. They are waiting for you inside.' Saying this, she started walking towards the hall with Manik in tow, while still holding his hand. They had barely walked a few steps when Manik fell in steps with her. Bending a little towards her,, he said, 'By the way, you look amazing. As always.'

He moved back to look at her face turn red at his compliment. He smiled to himself looking at her. She looked at him from beneath her eyelashes and said, 'You too.' Manik smiled fully looking at her, while she kept looking forward with a soft, shy smile playing at her lips.

They reached the main party area and spotting their friends, approached them. When they reached them, everyone smiled at them but then noticed their joined hands and their smiles turned mischievous. Realising the looks on their faces, Nandini immediately left Manik's hand and looked away embarrassed. Everybody laughed at her reaction and Dhruv said, 'What Nandini?! You and Manik have been together since so long, but still you feel shy to even hold his hand in front of us!'

Mukti, agreeing with Dhruv, said, 'Absolutely! What ya Nandini! That's not fair! What say Manik?' Listening to them, Nandini looked at Manik and found him looking back at her with a smile on his face. She looked away feeling shy but could still feel his gaze on her.

She heard him answering Mukti, 'Well, that's just who she is. I don't think it will ever change, no matter how long we are together. I guess it just comes with the whole Nandini Murthy package.' He chuckled at the end and she turned even redder than she was before.

Everybody laughed at this again. Navya, though, controlled herself and said, 'OK, enough now! Stop teasing her so much everyone! Come on, Nandini. I'm feeling thirsty. Come with me, I need something to drink.' With this she dragged a very embarrassed Nandini away from everyone, towards the drinks counter.

Manik looked at her as she went away and smiled to himself. He couldn't believe his luck. He was finally back with the people who meant the world to him, where he belonged. When the accident had happened, he didn't think he could make it. But in the end he did. Of course they lost Cabir and nobody can take his place in their life. But he was lucky enough to get a second chance.

He looked at all of his friends, smiling and enjoying themselves. He looked around the room trying to spot his father. He couldn't find him anywhere in the hall. He looked back at the drinks counter, only to find Nandini and Navya missing. He was confused and looked around everywhere. Neither of them were to be seen anywhere.

He felt something had gone wrong. He immediately took out his phone and called Nandini. The call was left unanswered. He felt this to be a little odd. He then called his father but he didn't receive his call. Now he was very worried. It could probably turn out to be nothing but he couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach telling him everything was not fine.

Mukti saw him getting distressed, hence she asked him, 'Manik are you OK? Is everything fine? Are you not feeling well?' This brought everybody's attention to him. They could see the worry lines on his face. He looked at them and decided not to tell them anything. It was probably nothing and he was needlessly getting all worked up.

He replied to Mukti saying, 'Yeah, I'm fine. Umm, you guys enjoy, I'll just be back.' Moving away from there, he went in search of Nandini, Navya and his father. Looking at him going away, Alya said, 'There's definitely something wrong with him.'

Nodding her head a little, Mukti said, 'I agree. I'll go check on him.'

Aryaman offered to come along saying, 'If he is not feeling well, then you might need my help.' Both of them went behind Manik while Alya and Dhruv stayed behind.

Manik kept on calling Nandini and Srikant but none of them picked up. With every passing second, his worry increased. He searched for them in the garden as well while trying to call Navya. But he again got the same response. When he couldn't find them anywhere in the hall or garden, he decided to look for them inside the house.

He turned to head back inside the house. As he entered the house from the back, he saw Mukti and Aryaman who were looking for him. Spotting each other, they came towards the other and this time, Manik couldn't keep it to himself. As soon as they met in the middle, Manik spoke up, 'Mukti, Aryaman! Have you seen Nandini or Dad anywhere? I can't find them anywhere and they aren't even picking up my calls! I'm getting a very bad feeling about this. I........'

Mukti interrupted him seeing him hyperventilate. Trying to calm him down, she held him by his shoulder and said, 'Manik! Manik, relax! OK! Calm down! Everything is fine. They might be here only. You calm down.'

Frustrated, Manik removed her hands and said, 'No! You're not getting it!' He looked around the passage where they were standing and moved to check the rooms in the house. Mukti called him from behind but he didn't stop. She looked at Aryaman to see him trying to call someone. Confused, she asked him, 'Who are you calling?'

Aryaman answered, 'Nandini. She isn't answering my calls either. I think we should try finding where they are. But first, we need to calm Manik down. It's not good for him to take so much stress.'

Mukti exhaled a deep breath and said, 'I think you're right. Let's go.'

They found Manik near the entrance of the kitchen asking the butler if he had seen Nandini, Srikant or Navya. They reached there in time to hear him tell Manik that he had seen Nandini and Navya going upstairs.

Listening to him, Manik was about to run upstairs but was stopped by Mukti. She said, 'Manik, relax. You heard him right? Nandini is upstairs. Uncle must be here only. Relax. There is nothing to worry. We're coming with you to check on Nandini and Navya. But first you calm down.'

Manik took 2-3 deep breaths and when he was visibly calmer, all three of them went towards the stairs. On reaching the first floor, they moved to check the rooms on their left but Aryaman stopped when he heard some voice. Upon concentrating, he found it to be coming from a room towards their right.

Realising this, he said, 'Guys. I think they are on the other side. I can hear some voices.' Manik and Mukti stopped and turning back, moved towards the other side with Aryaman leading them. The voices turned out to be coming from Srikant's room. They moved towards the room and found the room's door partially open enabling them to get a glimpse of what was happening inside.

Before Aryaman could open the door fully, they heard a voice from inside the room that made them freeze at their place.

___________________________________________________________________________

Nandini and Navya reached the drinks counter and Navya asked for a mocktail. Sipping on her drink she asked Nandini, 'By the way, where were you and Manik. It took you long to come back.'

Upon asked about it, the incident that had happened in the garden some time back came in her mind. She was reminded that Madhyam might still be in the party. If he and Manik came face to face again, it definitely won't end good.

She looked around trying to spot him. Navya saw her looking around and asked confused, 'Oh hello! I'm right here! Who are you looking for?'

Nandini answered her saying, 'Yes, I'm looking for Madhyam.'

Navya said, 'He has left. But why are you searching him?'

Listening to this, Nandini asked Navya, 'How do you know he has left? Did you see him leave? Are you sure?'

Navya was even more confused now. She said, 'Yes I saw him leaving, Nandini. I'm sure he is not here. But what happened to you? Is something wrong?'

Nandini sighed and said, 'Yes, there was something wrong. But now that Madhyam is not here, it's fine. For now, at least.' With this she narrated the whole incident that had happened in the garden between Manik and Madhyam.

As she finished speaking, Navya said, 'We need to keep them away from each other at Space.' Nandini agreed, nodding her head. Just at that time, her phone rang. It was a message from Srikant telling her to meet him in his room immediately without letting Manik know. It was urgent. She was confused and worried seeing the message. Navya too saw the message and said she'll accompany her.

They reached the room which was on the 1st floor. Upon entering inside, they were shocked to see the person there along with him. There standing in front of them was the former trustee of Space and the wife of Mr. Srikant Malhotra, Nyonika Malhotra.

'You! What are you doing here?', Navya shouted glaring at Nyonika.

Nyonika rolled her eyes seeing their reaction and spoke up, 'That's none of your business. You won't inform me, doesn't mean I won't come to know that my son is alive and safe. I have come here to meet him. Where is Manik? Call him here, I want to see him.'

Nandini came to stand in front of Nyonika and said, 'Oh really? Whatever you do is my business. Where was this concern of yours earlier? Manik has enough people to care for him. He doesn't need you. You can leave.'

Nyonika scoffed and said, 'I don't need your permission to meet Manik. He is my son.' Turning to Srikant, she said, 'Mr. Malhotra, please call Manik here.'

Nandini spoke up, 'No, Uncle! Don't call him! You don't know what all games she has played.'

Srikant said, 'I know it was her, Nandini. I know everything.'

Nyonika was shocked and so were Nandini and Navya. Navya was the first one to speak, 'What? You know? How?'

He released a deep breath and said, 'I did some investigation. I got to know a few days back. I know it was you behind the blast Nyonika. I didn't tell Manik about it, yet. I also know the reason behind it. Nyonika, you wanted to kill Nandini? You know how important she is for Manik. Still you were willing to snatch his happiness? Your son's happiness? Cabir died in that accident, even Manik could have died had I not reached there at the right moment. How could you do this Nyonika?'

Nyonika was shocked and was on the verge of crying. She said, 'I didn't want to kill him! I just.....'

She was interrupted by the opening of the bedroom door. Everybody present in the room turned towards the door. They were shocked to see Manik standing there, along with a little stunned and worried Mukti and Aryaman behind him. Manik's face was blank but his eyes showed how hurt he was.

He took small steps inside the room, with Mukti and Aryaman following close behind. Seeing him, Nyonika gave a small smile and started to walk towards him saying, 'Manik! Oh my God! I....'

But she stopped when Manik showed her one of his hands indicating her to stop. He brought his hand down and said, 'So, it was you.' It was not a question but a statement meaning that he had heard their conversation.

Nyonika immediately shook her head saying, 'Manik, listen to me. I can explain.'

Manik gave a sarcastic chuckle as he stopped a few steps away from Nyonika. He glanced at everyone in the room as he spoke, 'Can anyone tell me, why am I not surprised?'

Nandini came up to Manik and keeping her hand on his arm, said, 'Manik, you should not be dealing with this right now. You have not fully recovered. Come with me.'

She tried to drag Manik away from that room but he stayed put saying, 'No, I want some answers from her.'

Removing Nandini's hand from his hand, he turned towards Nyonika and said, 'You couldn't tolerate my happiness, right? Tell me! You had to destroy everything! Why do you hate me so much, Nyonika that you can't even stand seeing me happy.'

Srikant came towards Manik saying, 'Go to your room Manik. You need some rest. I'll handle her.'

But Manik shook his head saying, 'No, not yet. Answer me, Nyonika. Why so much hatred for me?'

Nyonika, shaking her head, said, 'I don't hate you, Manik. You're my son.'

Manik's eyes were ablaze with fury, hurt and hatred hearing this. He shouted, 'Son! Really? Which son are you talking about? The son whom you used for your benefit all my life, whom you left no chance to hurt if it meant gaining something for yourself or the son who you almost killed? You know what? I told you earlier that I am disgusted by you. But today, I am disgusted by myself, that I am your son.'

Manik looked like he could kill anyone at that time. With clenched fists and jaws, nostrils flaring and red eyes, he looked scary. Nandini once again held his arm and said, 'Manik, come with me. You need to calm down. So much of anger is not good for you.'

Manik jerked his hand away from her grip and told her, 'Nandini. Stay away from me right now. I may hurt you, which I don't want to do.'

Srikant too came to Manik and said, 'Manik, listen to Nandini and go to your room. You are not fit enough to deal with this right now. Go and take some rest.'

Manik looked at him and said pointing to Nyonika, 'Tell her to leave, Dad. I don't want to see her ever again in my life.'

Srikant turned to Nyonika and said, 'When I told you the same thing, you didn't listen. Now when you have heard him say it himself, leave while I am politely telling you to.'

Nyonika ignored his words and turned to Manik and said, 'Manik, don't say this. I'm your mother!'

Manik snapped at her and shouted, 'Leave! Just leave! Can't you hear me! I don't want to see you! Just go away!'

Mukti came up beside Manik and said to Nyonika, 'Don't you have any self respect? Do you want to be thrown out of your former house? And that too when a party is going on downstairs. Just leave already!'

Nyonika looked around helplessly and then turned and left. As soon as she was out of the room, Manik rubbed his hands on his face and sighed. Nandini put her hand on his shoulder and asked, 'Manik, are you OK?' He simply nodded and turned and left the room without another word.

Everyone called his name after him but he did not stop. Srikant worriedly spoke, 'We should not leave him alone right now. Nandini, go check on him.'

Nandini nodded and went while the rest stood still trying to wrap their minds around what happened in the last few minutes.

Nandini went to Manik's room and found the door closed from inside. She banged the door asking Manik to open it but it was of no use. Worriedly she called Srikant. He picked it up on the third ring and she hurriedly spoke, 'Hello, Uncle! Uncle! M....Manik has lo....locked himself in his room. And he is not opening the door!'

At the same point of time, they heard a loud crash from inside the room. Hearing it, Nandini and Srikant got scared. He hurriedly cut the call but not before telling Nandini that he was coming there. After he had cut the call, he turned towards the rest and said, 'Navya and Aryaman, please go downstairs and wind up everything. Ask everyone to go back home. After that come to Manik's room. And Mukti, please come with me.'

They simply nodded and did as they were told to. Srikant rushed towards Manik's room followed by Mukti. On the other side, Nandini was close to bursting into tears as all of her efforts were going in vain. The sound of breaking of things continued to come from inside the room as the door continued to remain locked. Soon she was joined by both Srikant and Mukti.

Together they banged on the door, asking Manik to open the door. Suddenly the sound of objects getting broken stopped. Nandini, who had started crying by now, got a hope that maybe now Manik would open the door. Wiping her tears, she banged on the door while calling out to him saying, 'Manik! What are you doing! Please, please open the door and let me in! Manik are you listening?'

They were then joined by Alya, Dhruv, Navya and Aryaman who looked equally tensed. Seeing them, Rakesh asked them, 'What happened? Everybody left?'

Dhruv replied, 'Yes, everything is fine downstairs. But where's Manik? Is he fine?'

Nandini cried, 'We don't know. He has locked himself in and was throwing things inside. I.....'

She stopped when a thud came from inside the room which was followed by a dead silence. She stood numb and still as she absently looked at everyone panicking and Srikant instructing someone to bring the extra keys from the butler and someone else to call the doctor. She was present there but her mind did not register anything that was happening around her except for one thing. Or rather, one person, Manik.

She didn't realise when the keys were given to Srikant. But as soon as he opened the door and went in followed by everyone else, she came back to her sense and went in behind everyone. As soon as she entered the room, her heart pained at the sight she saw. Every object in the room depicted what Manik was feeling as they lied broken on the ground. Her eyes moved around the room and stopped when she saw something that stopped even her heartbeats.

Credits for the beautiful banner goes to @GraphicAssemblers .Thank you guys this is awesome!!!