Chapter 73

It was 6 in the morning by the time they finished and they were waiting for Manik to be waking up any minute now as the doctor said.

Ishaan's phone pinged and he moved aside seeing it was Mira.

"Give me a few hours. I will get back to you.", He said sighing as he hung up and turned around to see Cabir raising an eyebrow.

"What happened?", Cabir asked him.

"Someone published an article claiming Manik was so drunk he passed out. They are claiming him as irresponsible and careless for getting drunk on the foundation day of the Malhotra Groups. There are pictures released of us carrying Manik outside. Our faces are blurred but it's obvious who we are with the suits we are wearing.", Ishaan informed him everything, and Cabir nodded thinking over it.

"We expected this to happen anyway. We will handle it.", Cabir said patting his shoulders but Ishaan shakes his head in no.

"It doesn't end here. There's an article about the chairman too. Something along the lines of how many people he cheated with during his 30 years to achieve what Malhotra Group is today. There are so many proofs to deny it as rubbish. There is even an article about how the chairman started the Malhotra Groups by taking over the company he inherited after marrying Anjali Malhotra and then cheated on his own people. It's a complete mess out there.", Ishaan said frowning hard and Cabir clenched his jaws.

"Please tell me there's nothing about Annie or Manik with this.", Cabir asked and Ishaan nodded in no making him sigh in relief.

"What should we do?", Cabir asked him frustrated knowing the situation is far worse now.

"The board will try to move the meeting forward and looking at the scenario I feel the vote will go to Shravan.", Ishaan said his worries, and Cabir nodded thinking about a solution.

"Let's wait for a few hours. If Manik wakes up well, We can discuss and put up our statement. We will have 2 days if I am assuming correctly.", Cabir said and Ishaan nodded knowing they can now only wait for Manik.

He saw the delivery man bring cake and smiled taking it from him as they walked inside the room to see the girls sitting near the sofa with the room cleaned up.

"Here's the cake. Cutie go wake up your sleeping beauty.", Cabir said putting the cake down.

Nandini frowned sadly giving him a pout.

"As if he would wake up like that. Why don't you try it?", Nandini asked frowning and Cabir shrugged.

"Fine. Sorry, Babe.", Cabir said kissing Navya's cheek as he walked closer to Manik and others looked at him curiously.

"Good Morning Manik.", Cabir said in a soft whisper as he ran his hand through Manik's hair softly.

"Happy Birthday.", Cabir said kissing his forehead and Nandini frowned hard as others chuckled.

"He just kissed on his forehead. Stop being jealous.", Ishaan said to Nandini who pouted in reply.

"Cabir he won't wake up like a sleeping beauty. Sit down and wait.", Mukti said and Cabir frowned hard.

"But the doctor had put him to sleep for 5 hours only to rest his brain. It's been extra two hours. Maybe he will wake up with a kiss on his lips just like sleeping beauty.", Cabir said teasing Nandini about it.

"Don't you dare get any closer to him.", Nandini warned him and he chuckled.

"I don't know why I am suddenly getting flashbacks of the time you kissed my girlfriend and teased me.", Cabir teased and Navya laughed loud along with others as Nandini narrowed her eyes at him.

"Go do it. Manik will kill you before that.", Nandini said crossing her arms around her chest confidently.

"No, he won't. ", Cabir said as he leaned a little closer making kissy faces close to Manik as Nandini make throwing up actions while others laughed with Ishaan recording it.

"Trust me I will."

Cabir's eyes widen before he falls down on the floor making everyone laugh more.

"What happened?", Navya asked helping him up.

"He talked?", Cabir said still a little confused if it was him as his eyes were still closed.

"Are you sure? Manik?", Mukti asked moving closer along with the others.

They saw him nodding as he cleared his throat and tried to open his eyes.

After a few more attempts he was successful and frowned looking at the ceiling which has happy birthday foil balloons stuck up on the ceiling along with other balloons around it.

He groaned closing his eyes and they all looked around getting worried.

"Do I look like a kid to you guys?", Manik asked his voice breaking and heavy.

They all chuckled hearing him.

"I will call the doctor. You scared all of us for a second there.", Ishaan said walking out as they all kept staring at Manik.

"Water.", Manik asked and Cabir poured a glass of water before helping him with the bed.

Their fingers brushed a little and Manik coughs before grabbing the glass of water and drinking it silently.

Cabir watched him before frowning.

"You have a rash on your finger.", Cabir pointed out and Manik looked at it.

"It's probably a mosquito or the hospital blanket.", He said and Cabir frowned.

"Give me your hand.", Cabir asked forwarding his hand.

Manik hesitates and everyone looks at them confused.

"What are you doing?", Mukti asked confused.

"Give me your hand Manik.", Cabir asked ignoring her.

"Cabir...", Manik said with a sigh and Cabir frowned.

"How?", Cabir asked a little hurt masking his expression and Manik sighed.

"I don't know.", Manik said in a whisper confusing everyone.

"I don't know what you guys are talking about but move aside. I need to wish him. ", Mukti said pushing Cabir and moving closer to hug Manik who had a pained expression on his face watching her as Cabir pulled Mukti back.

"It's fine.", Manik tried to assure him but Cabir shakes his head.

"It's not. Keep a distance from him for a while. Let the doctor check him first.", Cabir said upset and she frowned before turning to Manik who was looking down.

"What's going on?", Mukti asked before looking at the girls. Navya was frowning just like her whereas Nandini stood at the end looking down.

"He isn't okay with it right now.", Cabir said slowly and Mukti frowned harder realizing what he meant.

The doctor walked in with Ishaan following them.

"How are you?", The doctor asked and Manik answered his questions but stopped him from coming closer to him.

"Can we have Doctor Marie here to check up on him?", Cabir asked and the doctor nodded.

"It doesn't seem like there's any injury. I will contact her to have a session with him and he can get a discharge according to her input.", The doctor informed before leaving.

"We have cake for your birthday.", Ishaan said bringing the cake and arranging it on the movable table at his bedside.

"Seriously?", He asked looking at the cake and they laughed.

He cut the cake any way to make them happy and smiled before looking at Nandini. He knows why she hasn't said a word to him yet. He knew she wanted to hug him to assure herself and he wants to do the same but he doesn't know what was going on with him. Their love was always about fewer words and more actions. That was how they began to trust each other and love each other. Not having her close to him, was killing him as well.

"What do you remember?", Cabir asked as they all sat down after sharing the cake waiting for the doctor to come.

"I don't really know what happened. I was feeling a little dizzy because of not eating well and drinking and when I walked out of the washroom to go back home. Mr. Mehta's daughter stopped me. It's a blurred mess after that but I think she kept trying to hold me to help me out making the situation worse. I remember falling and then there were some glimpses of maybe you guys carrying me to the car or something. I am not sure if it was real or if I was dreaming.", Manik said as he composed himself to stay calm. He knew somewhere the reason for being uncomfortable with anyone's touch. By looking at their expression, he knew it was not a dream and they had carried him which means the part of the media clicking pictures was true too. That had triggered the past and maybe it's the reason why his body was acting that way.

"How big of a mess it is out there?", Manik asked knowing well Shravan would have taken full advantage of it. If he knew about his condition maybe he would have spread about it too.

"Don't worry about it and recover well first. We will discuss it.", Cabir said sternly and Manik nodded knowing it was of no use asking him anymore.

His therapist arrived and they all stood up to leave the room.

"Nandini. Please stay back.", Manik asked softly and she looked up at him for the first time since he woke up.

"Sit here.", Manik asked gesturing to the stool closest to him on his right and she hesitated before sitting down knowing it was what he wanted and it was his way to assure her without touching her.

"Tell me what happened and what you remember.", Dr. Marie asked him and he explained everything to her.

"I know it is because it triggered the incident with Mrs. Malhotra. When I was trying to get away from them to breathe, I suddenly remembered her and it made me think about if I was actually responsible for her condition. If the media hadn't noticed her that day, they wouldn't have spoken so much rubbish about her and she wouldn't have drank blindly mixing those medicines with it.", Manik said running his hand through his hair frustrated.

"Are you trying to punish yourself?", She asked and he shakes his head.

"In a way, I guess my body is punishing me.", Manik said and Dr. Marie sighed.

"You need to have a closure Manik. A part of you still blames yourself for her condition and that part gets triggered every time you drink because that reminds you of her and that is why it gets so hard for you to be okay with people's touch when you are drunk. You haven't realized it but to support you the other part of your body has created an illusion to make you think you have a low tolerance to alcohol just so you could stop drinking and not trigger it.", Dr. Marie explained and Manik frowned realizing maybe she is correct with a few things.

"You know I have tried a lot of times to explain to that jerk. I can't do anything if he isn't ready to talk to me about it.", Manik said with a sigh, and Marie nods.

"Take a day's rest. Your body needs to rest for you to get better and normal. I will prescribe a few other medicines for you. ", Dr. Marie said and left soon after that.

There was complete silence as Manik moved his hand to grab hers before stopping himself.

"You still haven't said a word to me.", Manik said turning to her and she looked down at the bed.

"At least wish me Happy Birthday.", Manik asked with a sad face and she looked up at him.

"I will when you can hug me back and kiss me.", Nandini whispered composing herself and he sighed knowing it hurt him the same.

"Nandini Darling, it's not in my hands. ", Manik said frowning upset at the situation and she sighed.

"Maybe it's a punishment for me too. You told me in a way that it reminds you of her and still I wasn't careful or stopped them from going that way. Maybe then it wouldn't have triggered it for you.", Nandini said guilty and Manik shakes his head.

"It was not in your hands. I was the one who drank alcohol, it could've happened anytime for any reason. Stop trying to find reasons to feel guilty about it.", Manik said trying to make sense to her and stop her from feeling guilty.

"You are right if the media hadn't found her that day or written rubbish then maybe she would've been fine for a while but any other day when she would have been drinking again she could've made that mistake. It's not your fault. Stop punishing yourself.", Nandini said looking him in the eye feeling hurt watching him as that and Manik sighed.

"I know it. Maybe I just want that jerk to believe me or hear me out at least. It's like my body can't handle the fact that I took away someone's mother from him when I knew how hard it was to go through that.", Manik explained to her and Nandini understood his reasons and nodded slowly.

"I am sorry your plans got spoiled because of me. ", Manik said looking at the cake and the decoration around him.

"We can go later when you are okay. I will reschedule it. It will be a date instead of your birthday party.", Nandini assured him and he gave a weak smile.

"But I have a birthday gift for you that you are going to love.", Nandini said with a smile to cheer him up and he finally relaxed watching her smile.

"I can't wait for it.", Manik said smiling back before raising one of his fingers to touch her hand kept on the bed.

Nandini pulled her hands away before he could try it and he sighed.

"Can I get my phone or tablet?", Manik asked curious to know what was going on outside. It's not like he is physically ill, he just had to maintain some distance from everyone and he was accustomed to it.

"I will ask Cabir to get it for you.", Nandini assured him and stood up to get him.

"Nandini?", Manik called and she looked up at him to see him raising his index finger in her direction.

She looked up at him confused and he looked at her hand to his finger.

"I can't Manik. I won't be able to handle the fact that you ever got disgusted or felt uncomfortable by my touch if you did. Let me just pretend that you are okay with me but I still have to maintain a distance because of Doctor's orders.", Nandini said shaking her head in no and Manik sighed putting his hand down.

"I understand. It's just my birthday and I wanted to hold you.", Manik said looking down with a shrug and she smiled trying to be strong for him.

"If it helps I slept holding your hand for a few hours.", Nandini said with a big smile and he looked up at her and smiled wide.

"I will ask Cabir to get your phone and check if you can get discharged soon.", Nandini said and he nodded eating a small slice of the cake feeling hungry.

The gang came inside with some food and drinks with them.

"The doctor said you can leave in an hour or so but you need to rest completely.", Cabir said with a warning and Manik smiled glad to know that. The nurse had removed the IV and he was happy to freely move his hand and use the washroom.

"I got you a change of clothes.", Ishaan said giving him the bag and he thanked him, going inside the washroom to change into the joggers and T-shirt, and came back to sit on the bed.

"The doctor has said I am fine and I will be getting discharged soon so update me on everything I missed and how much mess do I need to sort out.", Manik asked getting back to business and Ishaan looked at Cabir who sighed and nodded.

"Well, we need to find a good reason on why you had to be carried outside and explain it was not alcohol.", Ishaan said and Manik frowned hearing him.

"Wait we need to find a reason. Did that jerk not tell everyone about my medical condition yet?", Manik asked confused.

"No, he didn't. There is news about you being careless and irresponsible for passing out drunk. Nothing else.", Ishaan said and Manik frowned but nodded.

"What about the big surprise he was planning for the event. Who was the target? Chairman?", Manik asked curiously and Cabir nodded.

"He revealed all the scandals and illegal money transfers the chairman did. Including about the people he cheated with.", Cabir said and Manik smiled hearing him.

"I wish I could've seen the chairman's face when the jerk revealed everything. His thank-you speech must have been mind-blowing.", Manik said happy to know the jerk did something right for once and they laughed.

"He is trending. People are praising him for having the guts to speak against his own father doing stuff like that. It has affected the company's reputation a lot. The shareholder's meeting will most probably be shifted to a closer date. Also, the chairman's vote won't be counted anymore. There will be a board meeting to discuss what to do, going ahead.", Cabir said explaining to him everything he got to know from Sara, and Manik nodded taking his phone and finding so many notifications on them.

"What about me?", Manik asked as he looked at the notifications blowing up on his phone.

"Not good. We don't know if he is waiting for us to lie about what happened to call out on you later on. We will have to give a statement as soon as possible that seems close to the truth. Everyone is most probably on his side, not to forget he has Mrs. Malhotra part of shares too.", Cabir explained and Manik frowned.

"I don't think we have any reasonable excuse about why I was passed out and needed to be carried to my car other than the actual truth. Not to forget I misbehaved with the staff and a woman trying to help me.", Manik said as he read some of the article headlines.

"Why not go for the truth?", Navya said and they all turned to her in surprise.

"I understand it will be a risk but sometimes telling the truth is better than anything. I mean it's not like he isn't physically fit or can't handle minimal touches with others. They can't term him as unfit or something for the company. It will make sense to everyone, and get the public on his side too. They will feel for him and I believe you guys will have a better chance to turn the votes.", Navya said with a shrug.

"Babe, that's a lot of risks you are talking about here. What if they start asking questions about it and bring Annie into this?", Cabir asked shaking his head not okay with it along with Mukti.

"Well, if they do then we can get a chance, to tell the truth about what happened years ago.", Ishaan said supporting Navya's decision.

"I don't agree with it. He is already sick and not in a mind frame to handle the media and the news. ", Mukti said and they all turned to Nandini who was staring at Manik as he looked lost in thoughts.

"What do you think Nandini?", Ishaan asked her and Manik looked up at her too.

"I understand telling the truth would get people on his side and stop the rumors about him but I don't agree with doing it to get their sympathy and get the board on his side. The board should be able to make a decision trusting his work and his capabilities. I don't want his medical condition to be thrown out in public for people to do their own judgments and make fun of it. I know for a fact people are gonna question its credibility, asking for proof and evidence. Calling it a fake PR stunt. Let's say nothing of that sort happens and they bring Annie into this and we tell them the truth but still, there are so many loose ends to cover. We can't decide what part of the truth we want to hide and what to reveal. It's either all in or all out and I don't think this is the correct time to go all in.", Nandini said her thoughts out loud and they all think over it.

"Manik?", Mukti asked him and he sighed running a hand through his hair.

"Give me some time. I will talk to Sara and get to know everything in detail and we will look for any other solution but if we can't, we will take the risk and go for the truth.", Manik said and they all nodded.

The doctor gave the discharge papers and they all went to his house. Manik went to his study room with Sara to discuss what was going on while others sat in the living room. The boys were busy making calls or checking the articles while the girls sat silently.

"I will start with the lunch.", Nandini said trying to distract herself as she went inside the kitchen.

"We will help.", Mukti said as she and Navya followed too.

After a while, they heard footsteps coming down and turned to see Manik walking down with Sara following him.

Manik opened his mouth to say something before he felt a little dizzy and grabbed the railing to stop himself from falling.

"Manik?", Sara asked concerned as he sat down on the last stair grabbing his head.

"Manik, what's wrong?", Nandini asked as they walked closer to him.

Navya forwarded him a glass of water and he shakingly sipped it.

"Just a... headache. Give me a sec.", Manik whispered as he shut his eyes hard and tried to stand up but failed with his head swaying again.

"Let me help you.", Cabir said walking closer.

"No, it will get worse. Give me some time. I will be fine. It's just stress.", Manik said putting his forehead on the cold railing.

Nandini turned away not able to see him hurting and having to stay away from him.

"Sara, what happened?", Nandini asked her voice breaking a little.

"We got the news that they are shifting the meeting to tomorrow. The news is affecting the company more than they expected and they want to control it as soon as they can.", Sara informed them making them all frown harder.

"Can't we convince them to push it for a day?", Mukti asked looking at Manik who sighed and shakes his head as he tried to get up.

"It's fine. I will handle it.", Manik said managing a smile as he felt a little better and walked down slowly.

"Let's have lunch first.", Nandini said and he nodded watching her as he took a seat at the table.

"I am fine. Don't worry.", Manik tried to assure her as she served him and she shakes her head in no not looking at him.

Manik turned to others for help and Navya gave him a small smile before distracting Nandini a little.

Soon after lunch, Manik left along with Ishaan and Sara to sort out everything in the office.

Nandini had a thoughtful look on her face not able to see him hurting this way.

She found Cabir sitting on the sofa alone reading some articles on his phone and sat beside him.

"You remember what I asked you ?", Nandini asked and Cabir turned to her.

"I do but do you seriously want to do this?", Cabir asked her to be sure and Nandini nodded.

"It's not like I will be losing anything.", Nandini said with a shrug and Cabir thought about it and nodded.

"Okay, I will make the arrangements for it.", Cabir said patting her head as he messaged his assistant.

"There's something else too.", Nandini said and Cabir turned to her and hummed.

"I really don't think Manik can handle the news of his medical condition coming out now.", Nandini expressed her worries remembering how tired and worn out he is already.

"I know Cutie but we all are here for him. Don't worry, he will be fine.", Cabir tried to assure her but was concerned himself.

"I was thinking to talk to Shravan directly and sort this out. Ask him to keep Manik's medical condition out of it and fight fairly with the votes.", Nandini said with a little hesitation in her voice and Cabir turned to her completely.

"I understand where you are coming from but do you really think he will listen to you. What if he takes advantage of this and does something else? Do you really think we can trust him with something like this even after hearing everything from Manik about their past? He still holds a grudge and blames Manik for it. Why do you think he will let go of such a nice opportunity to hurt Manik and take revenge? Don't you see the similarities between Mrs. Malhotra's case and Manik's? Creating a scene after being drunk, getting captured by media.", Cabir asked her trying to make her understand.

"I know. I know but I can't just sit here and not do anything. You saw it yourself, he needs to rest properly but he is running all around trying to find ways to solve this mess. I know Shravan is a jerk and he wants to take revenge on Manik but trust me when he talked to me that day he was honest to me, Yes he left some parts out of the story but what if he actually listens to me, he did say that he could see us being friends and he liked me.", Nandini tried to look for anything she could do to help Manik with this situation.

"It's like going to hell and wishing the devil take pity on you and sends you back.", Cabir said shaking his head as he thought about what she said.

"Goofy, tell me if there's any other way. For us to even have a fighting chance we need to sell the story that Manik wasn't drunk and he had fainted because someone mixed something in his drink but we can't do that without being sure that Manik's medical condition won't come out because if it does we will have a total negative reaction from the public. There's no way the board and the shareholder would let Manik have a chance after facing the backlash from the chairman scandal.", Nandini asked and Cabir put his palm over his face in defeat.

"I know that jerk is the only chance we have got but I don't trust him Cutie.", Cabir said softly and Nandini put her hand on his shoulders.

"We don't have to trust him. We will just make a deal with him. One he couldn't deny.", Nandini said and Cabir nodded turning to her.

"What do you have in mind?", Cabir asked her finally.

"From what I have gathered so far, Shravan is doing everything for his mother. He is taking revenge on Manik and the chairman both. We need to trap him in his own game. He is holding Manik's medical records to trap us and we need to have something on him. I feel like if we can get something on his mother we will be able to make a deal with him. ", Nandini said and Cabir thought of everything and nodded.

"Nobody has heard about her in a decade. The last everyone know is she woke up from the coma. No news after that.", Cabir said and Nandini frowned.

"Let's play a bluff. We will make him think that if he reveals the news about Manik's medical condition we will tell everyone about how his mother was involved in the incident 18 years back. Manik won't be affected much by it because everyone will know Annie was innocent.", Nandini said after thinking about it.

"How do we know she is still alive?", Cabir asked her.

"I am sure she is.", Nandini said as she explained everything about her involvement with Annie's case and how Shravan was still protecting her and trying to keep her out of the news.

"Okay. What are we doing? We don't have much time. The meeting is tomorrow morning. They have released the statement, they will have a press conference tomorrow at 11 and answer everything. They will make the announcement then.", Cabir said agreeing with her and Nandini thought about it.

"Let's go to him.", Nandini said and Cabir's eyes widen.

"Face to face?", Cabir asked surprised and she nodded.

"We don't have much time and I would rather play it face to face than waste time trying to do it behind.", Nandini said standing up and Cabir looked at her proudly.

"I don't know why that idiot ever thought you could not handle it and wanted to protect you.", Cabir said amazed as he kissed her head.

"I will let Mukti and Navya know and then we can leave.", Cabir said as he left to talk with them and Nandini sat down taking a deep breath and calming herself not thinking about what they would have to do if it doesn't work out.

"Let's go.", Cabir said and they went out.

He turned to her as she looked outside the window.

"You okay?", Cabir asked and She nodded turning to him.

"What did you tell them?", Nandini asked and Cabir gave her a soft smile.

"We were going to try to help Manik. I thought it was best to tell them later, not get their hopes high.", Cabir said and Nandini nodded.

Cabir stopped the car in front of Shravan's house and they walked towards his door and shared a look before Cabir pressed the bell.

They waited and were surprised when Sia opened the door instead of Shravan.

"Hi? What are you guys doing here?", Sia asked looking at them surprised.

"We want to talk to Shravan. Is he inside?", Nandini asked and Sia nodded before moving aside and letting them come in.

"Have a seat. I will call him. Do you guys need anything to drink?", Sia asked and they shake their heads in no.

She walked upstairs and soon they both walked down.

Shravan was surprised to see them.

"What do you guys want?", Shravan asked looking at both of them confused.

"Are you guys here to give another lecture to me?", Shravan asked them taking a seat on the sofa and they looked at each other confused.

"Oh don't act innocent now. Yesterday it was Mukti and now you guys. Don't you guys have anything better to do other than blame me for anything that happens to him?", Shravan asked annoyed and Cabir rolled his eyes.

"As if you are innocent.", Cabir taunted him and Shravan frowned.

"And how do you know if I am or not? Don't go around blaming me for something I didn't do.", Shravan said annoyed and Nandini scoffed looking away to keep her anger in check.

"Isn't it something you do?", Nandini said and Shravan turned to her confused before sighing.

"So I see. He told you everything and as I expected you hate me more now.", Shravan said a little disappointed and Nandini glared at him.

"Don't try to act as if you were wronged.", Nandini said and Shravan shrugged.

"I am not. As I said before, I expected it but you gave me a little hope when you said that you will hear me out first before coming to a conclusion. ", Shravan reminded her and she frowned.

"I told you if I feel something is missing then I would hear you out. I don't think anything is missing or doesn't make sense with what Manik told me.", Nandini said and Shravan frowned more.

"What? He fed you with the I was alone, everybody bullied me... bullshit and you think that's a complete truth.", Shravan asked with a hard chuckle and Nandini glared at him.

"Are you saying it's not the truth that you did everything to take revenge on Manik about your mother's incident? You wanted him drunk and to create a scene at the event. You had the media capture him and you made sure he ended up in the hospital too just like her and now you are using it to destroy what he worked hard for so far.", Nandini asked him, her voice rising a little as she recalled how much Manik was hurt.

"I did it for revenge. Yes. I spiked his drink. Yes. I arranged the media outside. Yes. Am I responsible for him ending up in the hospital? No. Am I using his medical condition to take advantage? No.", Shravan said making it clear for her and Nandini was a little confused along with Cabir.

"Of course, you haven't done it yet but you will.", Cabir said narrowing his eyes at him.

"Who do you take me for? A fool? Do you really think if I wanted to use his medical condition, I would have waited for so long for it? Don't tell me you think I got to know about it recently just because I hinted about it. ", Shravan asked and chuckled as he realized he was right with the expression on their face.

"I lived with him for 8 years in the same house. We have spent the next 8 years keeping an eye on each other. Did you guys really think I didn't know about it?", Shravan asked and they were more confused than ever now about what was going on inside his head.

"How?", Nandini couldn't help but ask him.

"You mean how I know about his condition? If you get grounded for days and scolded for hours for harassing your little brother who fell sick with bruises on his arms and high fever when in reality you just pushed him away. Sure you would know something's not right.", Shravan said with a frown as he remembered all the incidents where he was punished after he had an argument with Manik and he would fall sick with mysterious bruises on his arms.

Sia grabbed his hand to support him and he gave a small smile to her.

"What do you mean?", Nandini asked sharing a look with Cabir who was frowning at this new piece of information too.

"Well look who's interested to know more about my side of the story.", Shravan commented and Nandini frowned and stood up.

"You know what? I came here only because I wanted you guys to have a fair fight for this position. I have gathered you won't release the news of his medical condition to the media. I think we will leave now.", Nandini said glaring at him and Shravan rolled his eyes.

"Fair fight? It was never fair from the start. Do you even know what it feels like to share a house with someone who destroyed your family?", Shravan asked her with hatred shining in his eyes.

"No, I don't and I don't think Manik is capable of destroying someone's family. If you are going to lie to me sitting here. I don't give a shit about it.", Nandini said to him firmly and He smirked.

"He is a lucky bastard to have you. Why don't you hear me out first and then we can decide if I am lying or not?", Shravan asked gesturing towards her seat, she looked at Cabir who nodded making her sigh and sitting back.

"Fine we will hear you out but you have to promise us you won't use his medical condition for your games.", Cabir asked raising an eyebrow and Shravan rolled his eyes.

"I am not even interested. I just want what I deserve to have. He took everything from me and I am not letting him take my mother's company as well.", Shravan said and the two of them rolled their eyes letting him talk.