So, after a lots of planning I have came to the conclusion - we are nearing to the end with What Heart Wants and there might be a second book for it.

I have second thoughts for the second book considering how many didn't really like the plot of this book much. But I really do want to write more of Nandini, Manik and Ruhi so yeah, it is in my plans for now.

Do share your thoughts on this chapter, this book too.

Also, Enjoy Reading :)

"I thought being with Manik will help her, but it has worsen her state even more, Vardhan." Mr.Murty exclaimed, worried. Sure, he had seen Nandini in far more worst state, losing her sanity every time a panick attack came, even to the extent where she would unintentionally try to physically harm her own self but then, with Ruhi growing up and Nandini drowning herself in the company - Nandini had got a lot better.

Today, he had seen a glimpse of the old Nandini, the broken woman who could see nothing against her own fears and it scared him so much.

Dr.Vardhan was not only their family doctor, he was a dear friend to him. The man had seen Nandini and Ananya grown up and he knew what happened with Nandini. Nandini wouldn't let any other doctor come near her except for him.

"Tell me, Vardhan. What can I do to help my daughter?"

Dr.Vardhan let out a sigh, looking at the bed where Nandini slept after an exhausting battle with her own head."You can't help her, Mahesh. It is not upto you to help her."

"What do you mean?"

Dr.Vardhan smiled this time,"You might think I am speaking nonsense but at this point, the only person who can help her is Manik and he is helping her."

"How?"

"By constantly reminding her that she is to be loved and it scares her which is fine. Considering what happened in the past and how little Nandini thinks of herself, it helps her. We both know, Nandini would have never survived if not for Ruhi and to take care of her daughter, she became the best mother. She suspressed every emotional of her vulnerability that she could so it wouldn't affect Ruhi."

A sad smile took over Dr.Vardhan's face as he looked at his friend,"Suspressing is always meant to harm in the long run, Mahesh. It can work for sometime, but not for always. All the feelings, the fear she has been keeping inside her, it had to come on the surface one day."

"So what can we do now?" Mr.Murty asked.

"We can't do anything but support her. And more than our support, she needs love which only Manik can give to her at this time. Let him know everything he has to in order to take care of her, Mahesh. That's the best you can do for her."

"No." Mr.Murty's voice was firm as he stared at the doctor,"It is not my place to tell nor my decision to make. And anyways, Manik is out of the picture now. His father has already made it clear they have nothing to do with us anymore."

The words sounded bitter on his own tongue but there was a soaring anger inside him. The words Manik's father has spewed against them today, Mr.Murty would never forget.

He could forgive anything but disrespect. Anything, but insult to his daughters and himself. He was a poilte man himself and while he understood some situations demanded anger, he didn't like making it the main point. He always kept his children's best interest in his mind.

Raj Malhotra had tested his patience today.

Dr.Vardhan looked sympathetic as he sighed,"So what will you do now?"

"I will send her to London."

"Mahesh." Another sigh and Dr.Vardhan shook his head in dismay. "Don't do this. This will only scar her more."

"Let it scar her then, Vardhan. Nandini is my daughter and I would rather see her with scars than see her going to a home where she is not accepted. She will never be welcomed in that home and I won't let her tolerate that kind of disrespect again in her life."

Dr.Vardhan wanted to make an argument, tell him that it was not how it worked but then, he understood where he was coming from. Mr.Murty's concern was valid even though his methods were rather harsh and impulsive.

"Fine, if you have decided already, then I can't stop you. But remember, Love is dangerous and once it makes home in your heart, it doesn't leave easily."

Mr.Murty rolled his eyes, knowing well it only made sense but didn't want to accept it.

"Stop being philosophical, Nandini still hasn't woke up, Vardhan."

Dr.Vardhan waved his hand,"She is just sleeping. I am her doctor, so I do know her a little more than you think I know. Nandini needs to stop running away from her fears or else she will never be able to overcome them."

Mr.Murty frowned,"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what you are thinking of, Mahesh. Nandini has been running away all this time. She ran away when she heard her daughter was going to be harmed but tell me, why did she not do it before? Why did she continued to endure the abuse?"

Mr.Murty's face harden at the word abuse and mention of harm to Ruhi. He glared at his friend for even mentioning it who shook his head in disbelief.

"Nandini loved him. She must have taken his abuse as love, Vardhan."

Dr.Vardhan laughed, making him frown,"Really? Are you trying to be funny now?" He chuckled,"Nandini knew it was abuse, not love. She endured it because she didn't acknowledge it. She first ran away from her reality and then she ran away from her fear and her fears, they don't stop chasing her because she keeps running away." He paused, choosing the right words or feeling sorry for the next thing he was about to say,"You helped her run away from here to London to avoid dealing with Kapoors. You used your power and money to handle the matter. You put her in business when Ruhi grew up a little so Nandini wouldn't have the time to think of Vihaan."

"It was the only way to help her, Vardhan. You know how bad her condition was! My daughter almost died. You think I should have made her stand infront of that family that time?"

Dr.Vardhan's eyes hold sorrow and sympathy as he replied,"If you had, she wouldn't have ran away every time Mrs.Kapoor troubled her."

Mr.Murty didn't reply and seeing this he continued,"I told you to help her heal, Mahesh but you didn't listen. Now where will you help her run away?" He chuckled this time,"Do you think Vihaan can't haunt her when she is in London?"

Mr.Murty still stayed silent for he had nothing to say anymore.

All he could do was regret his mistakes.

Manik was taken aback when his father threw the papers at his face. He read the words, mental - abuse - imprisonment as they fell to the floor.

His father was angry. No, he was seething."A happy marriage! Is this the happy marriage you were getting in? Happy my foot!" He roared for all to listen,"How dare they hide such a big thing from us!"

Raj couldn't think straight as he paced from one end to another in sheer anger while Manik picked up the papers from the floor.

Vihaan Kapoor - six years of imprisonment - for mentally and physically abusing Nandini Kapoor - his wife.

Silence.

It felt like a splash of cold water on him, which woke him up to the harsh reality opposite to his happy dream, and washed away every ounce of happiness he had been feeling until now. Like hell had suddenly broken down on him.

His father went on, and on. Shouting curses and expressing his disappointment. Somewhere mentioning about meeting Mr.Murty even.

"Dad? -" Manik stopped him in mid, holding his breath as he prepared himself to see the worst of his own father,"What are you angry about?" Because Manik was not sure anymore. Was it because someone had tried to defame Nandini and dragged Malhotra's in it? It has to be that. Right?

There could be no other reason.

"I can't believe I still need to tell this to you, Manik!" Raj cried out in frustration. "Do you not see she is not the right choice for you?"

"Dad."

"What dad, Manik? Do you realise what you are getting yourself in? Do you know what people are talking about this? I can't let you ruin your life like this."

"What do you mean, dad?" Manik frowned in confusion, understanding the hint in his father's tone. He had been away, and it was not anything good. Manik was starting to understand the whole thing now as he stared at his father with wide eyes.

"Exactly what you understood. I did what was right for you."

Manik looked at him scared, shocked. Raj turned away his face as Manik stepped forward,"Tell me dad, what did you do?"

His father's face remained unapologetic as he turned to him again,"I cancelled the engagement."

Manik heard multiple gasps from behind and he wasn't sure if one of them came from his own self too.

"W-What?"

"Yes. You heard me. I broke the engagement. You won't marry Nandini."

"Raj-"

Niyonika tried to intervene. Out of all the things she had expected Raj to do, breaking the alliance was not one from them.

She tried to make him understand but he held out his hand,"No, Niyo. I am done seeing him play the life saver for her. This can't continue."

"Dad!" Manik yelled out in frustration this time,"What is even wrong with you? How can you make a decision on my behalf?"

"Because I am your father."

Manik gulped, unable to come up with a response. His father decided it for him. His father expected him to be a good son and accept his decision. The lump that grew in his throat, choked out any words he had to say.

"Don't look at me like that, Manik." Raj tried to calm himself down seeing the betrayal on his face but Manik just shook his head.

"This is ridiculous, dad," It was Cabir,"You are literally treating him as if he is a toy and you own him. Like, he has to be kept here and in this way."

"Cabir!"

Cabir replied back, and before Manik knew they were all arguing infront of him. Blaming each other, and shouting but nobody cared to argue about how to make this right. Nobody discussed what could be done to take down this article.

His parents cared more about their reputation. Manik could only came to this one conclusion.

"Dad -" they stopped abruptly, looking at him and he let out a sigh,"I am not breaking this engagement."

"Yes, you are not." Raj said,"Because I broke it already."

Manik chuckled, bringing up his left hand and showed the ring on his finger. "You can't break it, dad. Because It is my engagement, not yours. I am still wearing this ring, and I am sure Nandini is wearing hers." He smiled at the glare he received,"You can try, dad. You can break it off hundred times, but don't expect me to sit back and watch because every time you do it, I will go back to her."

"And is she willing to fight for you?"

"She doesn't have to, I am here."

"Manik!" Raj looked more upset this time,"I understand you have feelings for her. But you can't be in a relationship where only one person is making efforts. It will hurt you in the future, Manik. You don't realise it now. Nandini - she can't make you happy."

"But she does, Dad." Manik knew what he was about to say would only make it worse, but he needed to let it out for the more he held those words in, the more it suffocated him."It is not her who is ruining my life, it is you, dad."

"Or perhaps, you have done it already." A gesture to the engagement ring in his finger, Manik's heart was a mere pumping organ as he stared at his father, and then at his mother.

"I am leaving. I need to go to her."

Nobody said a word to him. His father still fumed in anger, and his mother stood helpless against his anger. His siblings knew better than to stop him.

Manik shook his head in dismay as he walked out of the doors, his home and sat in his car to drive to the Murty Mansion.

Only hoping that Nandini was fine, and with no idea of what awaited ahead of him.