"I am Naina Suryavanshi," Naina repeated, her voice laced with a chilling coldness that made Jaya flinch, though she quickly composed herself. Naina continued, "May I ask why I need to say anything to you? I was having a family moment, which you've completely spoiled. And may I ask why you're so concerned about your big cousin brother, Manik? If he works like a machine, that's good for his company's growth." Her words stunned everyone except the Sharma family, who watched with pride at their daughter's strength and her unwavering focus on her family.
Anjali stepped closer to Naina and Jaya. "Priya—no, Naina, I mean—we're your friends. We were so sad for you. Why didn't you contact us?"
Naina stood silently, her gaze sweeping over them. In her mind, she scoffed: You guys aren't my friends. You betrayed me, and you never will be. She sighed. "Tell me one thing: what kind of friends are you?" Anjali and Jaya were shocked by her question, confused by its meaning. Naina simply said, "Please, if you don't mind, I want to spend time with my family. Can you all leave so we can enjoy our lunch?" She pointed at Jaya. "Because of you." She then shook her head. "Never mind." Before she could sit down, Manik spoke.
"Are you angry?" Manik interjected, his voice firm. "Then blame me, not Jaya, Anjali, or Kavita. They don't know what I did."
Naina didn't even turn to look at him. She spoke to her adoptive mother. "Mom, please take Dad, Aunty, Uncle, Priya, Myra, Arun, Riya, and all the kids outside, or go to your rooms." Naina's mother was reluctant to leave her daughter, but Amit intervened, "Mom, we are here with Naina." Convinced, Naina's mother led the family out of the buffet room. Once they were gone, Naina finally turned to face Manik.
"Why should I be angry with them, and why should I blame them?" Naina challenged, her voice devoid of emotion. "May I ask that?" Manik was speechless, unable to utter a word. "Mr. Malhotra," Naina continued, her voice ice-cold. "May I know what your family wants from me?"
Manik's face crumpled. "I... I am sorry," he stammered. Naina simply looked at him, her expression calm, cold, and utterly emotionless. Manik was surprised; he expected shouting, tears, anything but this serene detachment. She was raped by him six years ago, but her eyes show no emotion, he thought, a chilling realization that tore at him.
"Mr. Malhotra," Naina prompted again, as he remained silent, "May I know what you want?"
Manik snapped back to reality, and the words tumbled out. "Are you married?" The question stunned the Vermas, Malhotras, Jaya, Anjali, and Kavita. Naina sighed. "Is that the question you want to ask?"
"No, I mean," Manik stumbled, "I saw your kids, so I thought you were married."
"Mr. Malhotra," Naina replied, her voice firm, "whether I am married or not is not your concern." Manik was stunned by her dismissal. Naina shook her head, ready to leave the buffet room with her brother, Vikram, Riya, and Arun.
"They are my kids," Manik blurted out, remembering how the boys looked like him. He looked at Naina, a mix of surprise and raw emotion in his eyes. "They are my kids." Naina merely stared at him, her expression unyielding. Manik rushed closer, grasping her hand. "You were pregnant with my kids, and they are my kids!" he pleaded. Naina continued to watch him, emotionless. "Please say something! I know I did wrong, but I truly love you. I beg you, please say something!" Naina's gaze remained blank, devoid of any feeling.
The Malhotras, Vermas, Kabir, Jaya, Anjali, and Kavita were all shocked by Manik's revelation, but also a strange sense of happiness that Naina was pregnant with Manik's children, though they couldn't fathom how. Their thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. Malhotra, who came forward, approaching Naina. "Naina dear," she said, her voice filled with a desperate hope, "they are my son's kids! I saw the two boys, and they look just like Manik when he was a child. They are my grandkids!" Naina looked at Mrs. Malhotra, still saying nothing.
Before Mrs. Malhotra could continue, Amit stepped in front of Naina, pushing Manik away. "Who the hell are you to question my sister?!" Amit roared. "And you know what you've done! Leave my sister alone!" Mrs. Malhotra tried to interject, but Amit cut her off. "They are my sister's kids, Mrs. Malhotra, so please behave! And I suggest you direct your questions to your son, Manik!" Manik stood, head bowed, consumed by guilt.