Manik stared at the ward door he had just walked out of, consumed by guilt. He had realized he was deeply in love with Naina, the very woman he had systematically destroyed, and now he couldn't live without her.
Avinash approached the distraught Manik. "What happened?" Avinash knew Manik had made a massive mistake, but he also recognized Manik's growing feelings for Naina. As Simran's brother, who had just recovered from a coma, Avinash was wary of any action that might cause his sister further trauma.
Just then, Simran came near Manik, tucking her hand into his arm. "Manik and Avinash Bhai, can we leave? Naina is resting." She mentioned that Maya and Arjun had offered to stay with Naina. Maya asserted that since she had abandoned her sister when she was needed most, she wouldn't leave her now.
Manik stated firmly, "I will not leave Naina."
Avinash insisted, "Manik Sir, Naina Madam is resting. We can leave now."
Manik turned a cold gaze on Avinash, making him momentarily uneasy. Finally, Manik relented. "I will not leave the hospital." Simran looked sad, and Avinash, torn between his duty to Manik and concern for his sister, grew angry at Naina. Avinash and Simran left, but Manik remained near the ward door, peeking through the peephole to ensure Naina was sleeping.
A few hours later, Naina woke up. She watched Manik in her ward, talking to the doctor about her health. When Manik and the doctor noticed her staring, the doctor asked how she felt. Naina simply nodded, then murmured, "I'm fine."
Manik continued to stare at her, and Naina met his gaze with an empty, emotionless look. Manik offered a sad smile, and Naina returned it with an emotionless curve of her lips-a gesture that hurt Manik even more.
"Manik," Naina spoke, snapping him out of his shock.
"Maya and Arjun just left," he quickly replied, recovering. "They'll visit again tonight with dinner for you."
Naina nodded and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. Manik watched her, tormented by questions: Why wasn't she angry? Why did she show no hate? Why?
His phone rang, and he stepped out. It was Kishan Kumar (KK), his right-hand man in the Mafia world, who was tasked with finding "T Ma'am." KK reported, "Manik Sir, we need more time, but Naina Ma'am made the call to a foreign number, her number from when she was studying abroad. We'll get the location and information soon."
Manik sighed and sat on a hospital bench. He received another call-it was Vikram. Though he wanted to cut the call and stay with Naina, he answered. Avinash insisted, "Manik Sir, you need to come to Malhotra Empire for some urgent work." Believing it was truly urgent, Manik took one last look through the door. Naina was sitting up now, her eyes closed.
Manik left the hospital. Through the peephole, Naina watched him go. A wave of emptiness and relief washed over her. She stood up and walked to the ward window.
On the other side, Avinash was secretly relieved. He had manufactured the "urgent work" to prevent Manik from getting closer to Naina and potentially hurting Simran again.
The Final Cut
Manik reached the Malhotra Empire and immersed himself in work, losing track of time.
Meanwhile, Maya and Arjun arrived with nutritious homemade food for Naina. Seeing her sister and her husband happy brought Naina a small measure of peace. After dinner, Naina told Maya she would be discharged in a few hours and would be staying somewhere else, but promised to stay in touch. Maya wanted her sister to stay with them but understood not to push her. Naina was glad her little sister had grown up and understood boundaries.
Hours later, around midnight, a car pulled up to the hospital. A person sent by T Ma'am emerged and waited.
Within minutes, Naina walked out of the hospital. She bid farewell to Maya and Arjun, entrusting them to take care of her sister. Arjun nodded, but he was worried. He had been calling Manik repeatedly to let him know Naina was leaving, but Manik wasn't picking up, and Vikram was cutting the calls.
Naina got into the car and left the hospital premises.
It was only then that Manik arrived back at the hospital, seeing Maya and Arjun standing outside. Arjun rushed to him. "Naina left the hospital!"
Manik was shocked. His desperate love overriding everything, he immediately called KK, demanding an update on the information to find his wife.