Choti maa comes out in the garden where everyone was standing..followed by Gautam kaka.. she goes close to Nandini n finds her lost in some thoughts. She keeps a hand on her shoulder n gently squeezes it..

C.m: tu fikar mat kar Nanda. Is waqt Arohi disturbed hai..ro rahi hai Champ k paas..ek baar thodi shaant hojaay..phir hum milke use samjhaayenge.

Nandini doesnt respond..her face showed only 1 emotion at that time..Confusion...lost in her own..she voices out loud what was going on in her mind.

Nan (confused ): Madhyam ko Ruhi k baare me kaise pata chala?

She turns n faces Choti maa.

Nan: Ruhi k baare me sirf hume pata tha..ye sach to bacho ko b nahi pata..to phir Madhyam ko kaise pata chala?

Choti maa withdraws her hand from her shoulder...

C.m: ye to mene b nai socha.

All stand there confused.

Nandini recalls Madhyam's words..

kisi pe trust kerne se pehle ye zaroor dekhlo k kahi wo tumhare hee peet peeche tumhare trust ko tod to nahi raha. Ye orphanage tumhara hai n m sure u must b knowing...kisi ka b yaha aana ya yaha ki baate jaan na..asaan nahi.

Nan: yaha ki baate tab tak baahar nahi jaa sakti jab tak koi use baahar na le jaay.

C.m: Nanda..is waqt in baato se zyada zaruri hai Arohi. Hume usse baat karni chahiye.

Nandini turns and fixes her stare at a point..where Choti maa was standing.
Gautam kaka..who was standing right behind choti maa..comes forward to Nandini n says..

G.k: betiya..bura na maano to ek baat kahu.

Nandini just nods while her stare is fixed.

G.k: hum..mera matlab..me aur Gayatri ji ko pichle 2 saalo se ye sach pata hai..aaj tak ye baat baahar nahi gayi. Lekin ab........

C.m: aap kehna kya chahte hai Gautam?

G.k: wo.... ye baat ab..betiya k dosto ko bhi pata hai... to

Nan: to aapko lagta jai k inme se kisi ne ye baat Madhyam ko bataayi hogi. Hai na?

Gautam kaka just nods his head. Nandini raises her one eyebrow n says:

Nan: hosakta hai.

This comes as a shock for fab5 n Navya. They look at Nandini who was approaching them. Standing in front of Navya..she says..

Nan: Navya...wo ladki jisne zid pakad li k mujhse dosti kerke rahegi. Hazaar baar bola k me dost nahi banaati..phir b mera saath nahi choda. Har kadam pe dosti nibhaai..mujhpe bina sawal kiye bharosa kiya..jo kaha use sach maana..kai saare baate hai jinpe ye mujhse sawal kersakti thi..pooch sakti thi..lekin nahi kiya..kiya to sirf wishwas..mujhpar..meri baato par..
(Turning to Gautam kaka) kya aapko lagta hai k ye aisa karsakti hai? Kyunki mujhe pata hai..wo aisa kabhi nahi kar sakti.

All this brings tears of happiness in Navya's eyes.

Going towards Muklya..Nandini says :

Nan: Mukti aur Alya..jinke liye unka class..unka status..unka reputation hee sab kuch hai..wo log uthke beech canteen me mujhe gale lagaate hai..mujhe apne saath bithaate hai..mere bharose pe bharosa kerte hai...

Going towards Cabir..

Nan: Cabir..wo jisne sabse pehle meri baato pe gaur kiya..apne aap ko mere kehne pe badalne ka socha..mujhse zid ki mere moo se apna naam sunne ki...

Going towards Dhruv

Nan: Dhruv...jo hamesha se shaant tha...jisne kabhi apne dosto ka haath nahi choda..jab wo galat the tab bhi..aur ab mujhe b apne dosto me shaamil kerliya..

Going towards Manik..looking deep into his eyes n Manik too looks into her eyes..both eyes hold some pain..but today..Manik's eyes were reflecting only Nandini's pain..

Nan: Manik! Wo jo agar chot de to khud marham lagaane aajata hai.. wo jo aaj sirf meri khaatir..Madhyam se ladne k liye tayyar hogaya..sirf isliye kyunki use pata chala k meri insult huwi thi.. wo...jisne mujhe bharosa dilaaya k mera kuch nahi chootega..

(Turning towards Gautam kaka):

Kya aap ko sach me lagta hai k inme se kisi ne Madhyam ko bataaya hai? Kyunki mujhe INPE POORA BHAROSA HAI..k inhu ne nahi bataaya.

All this while..fab5 n Navya were having happy tears to see Nandini's trust on them.

G.k: maaf kerna bacho..galti hogai. Nandini bitiya..hume pehle Arohi k paas chalna chahiye..tum fikar mat karo..hum milkar use samjhaayenge..wo zaroor samjhegi.

Saying so he turns to go in.

Nan: Gautam kaka...ek sawal poochna hai.

G.k (stopping at his place n turns back): haan bitiya..bolo

Nan (going towards him n standing face to face with him): us din jab gunde aaye the..tab aap kaha the?

Her question raises everyone's eyes towards Gautam kaka.

G.k: bitiya..me to Arohi k liye chocolate laane gaya tha.

Nan: darwaaza khula chod ke?

G.k: nahi bitiya..tum to jaanti ho na..me kabhi b darwaaza nahi khula chodta hu. Par aaj ye sab kyu pooch rhi ho?

Nan: agar darwaza band tha to phir gunde andar kaise aagaye? Aap aur me dono jaante hai k ye darwaaza highly secured electronic gate hai..jo sirf cards se khulta hai..ek jo mere paas hai aur ek jo aap ke paas hai.

This confuses all the spectators standing there. All look at Gautam kaka for his reply.

G.k: wo...wo bitiya...shayad mene darwaaza khula chod diya hoga galti se.

Nandini bits her lower lip..lowers her gaze n nods in acceptance.

Nan: Ruhi baahar kaise aayi Gautam kaka? (Raising her gaze to look at him) mene aapse kaha tha Gautam kaka..k jab tak me khud use lene nai aau..tab tak aap use baahar mat aane dijiyega. Ek ajeeb si bechaini thi mujhe..aisa laga kuch galat hone waala hai..isliye apni beti ko chupaana chahti thi..par dekho..jo dar tha wahi hogaya.

G.k: mujhe maaf kerdo bitiya. Mene bohot koshish ki Arohi ko rokne ki..lekin jab TV room me usne tumhe chillaate huwe suna..wo dar gai..aur zid kerne lagi tumhare paas aane ki. Aur baahar nikal gai..

Nandini's face..which was till now showing mixed emotions of confusion, hurt, pain..had now gone into an expressionless face.

Nan (expressionless): Ruhi ne TV room me mujhe chillaate huwe suna?

G.k: haan bitiya..hum sab tv room me hee the..saare bache b..lekin wo log tv dekhne me masroof the..Arohi ka dhyaan tum par zyada tha..

Finally a lone tear rolls down from Nandini's eye.

Nan: kitni ajeeb baat hai..jab Madhyam ne mujhse confess keraaya..tabhi hee Ruhi ne meri awaaz suni..mere moo se wo sach suna...aur...aur maan bhi liya (another tear rolls down her eye). Kaise nahi maanti..agar kisi aur k moo se sunti to wo kabhi nahi yakeen kerti..lekin usne mere moo se suna..uski mumma k moo se..use lagta hai uski mumma kabhi jhoot nahi bolti..aur aaj b nahi bolegi. Kitna bada ittefaaq hai na .

By now tears were continuously rolling down her eyes. Choti maa comes and keeps a hand on her shoulder.

C.m: Nanda..sambhal khudko. Hum baat karenge na Arohi se..tu fikar mat ker.

Nandini wipes her tears and sniffs once...goes to Gautam kaka n looks into his eyes.

Nan: ek aakhri sawal Gautam kaka..sach sach bataayiyega.

Gautam nods looking at her.

Nan (tilts her head a little to her right..with tears again rolling down): kitne me becha aapne..mere wishwaas ko?

This question comes as a shock for everyone standing there. Everyone standing there had shocked expressions on their faces..except Gautam..whose forehead was now perspiring. .

C.m: ye tu kya bol rahi hai Nanda?

Nan (in same hoarse voice): bataayna Gautam kaka..Kya keemat lagaai aapne..mere bharose ki?

G.k (sweating): ye...ye tum..kya bol rhi ho...bitiya? Me to itne saalo se yaha kaam kar raha hu..aaj se pehle to kabhi aise mujhpe shak nahi kiya..aaj kyu bitiya? Me tumhara Gautam kaka hu..

Nan: isiliye to dard horaha hai. (Tears r rolling down without a stop). Jaante hai Gautam kaka..2 saal pehle mene apne saare jazbaat..saare ehsaas ko..dil k kisi ek kone me chupaa diya tha..kyunki bohot dard dekha tha mene..bardaash nahi ho paata tha..isliye socha..dard k ehsaas ko hee mitaa deti hu.. par nahi jaanti thi..jis dard se door bhaag rahi hu..wahi dard..phir ek din..mere saamne khada hojaayga.

Wiping her tears..which had no effect as fresh tears immediately made their way out of her eyes...

Nan: bataayiyena Gautam kaka..kya mila aapko mere vishwaas k badle? (Smiling with tears rolling down) me b to dekhu..aakhir market me meri value kya hai (leaves out a sad chuckle) i should be knowing my value right?

C.m (to Gautam ): Gautam..Nanda kya bol rhi hai? Kya sach me..tumne....

G.k: mujhe nahi pata Gayatri ji..bitiya ye tum kya bol rhi ho?

Nan: Ruhi ne meri awaaz suni..hai na? (Gautam kaka nods hesitantly) par Ruhi kabhi meri awaaz sun hee nahi sakti.

This confuses all of them.

Nan: mene..khud personally..tv room k walls sound proof banwaay the.. jisse andar waala baahar ki..aur baahar waala andar ki..koi awaaz nahi sun sake...To phir meri 3 saal ki bachi ne meri awaaz kaise suni Gautam kaka?

A wave of realisation hits Gautam..he ddnt knw tht the walls of the room were soundproof. No one except Nandini knew tht. All others standing there were looking at Gautam with wide open eyes. They couldnt believe all tht was happening in front of their eyes.

Nan: mene kabhi nahi socha tha..that out of all the people..it was U who did this to me..

C.m (yelling at Gautam): kyu Gautam? Kyu kiya tumne aisa? Kya kami rakhi thi Nandini ne? Kyu toda uske vishwaas ko? Jawab do Gautam. .

G.k (crying): mujhe maaf kardo bitiya. Me behek gaya tha..beti k pyaar me andha hogaya tha. Beti ki shadi hai agle mahine..bohot kharcha horaha tha..tumne jo paise diye the wo ladke waalo ki maange poori kerne me khatam hogaye. Dobara tumse paise maangne ki himmat nai horahi thi. Meri beti ki shadi theek se ho..isi soch me dooba rehta tha. Phir ek din..Madhyam mila..usne beti ki shadi ki saari zimmedaari li..badle me kaha k me Arohi ko theek is waqt baahar le aau.. mujhe maaf kerdo bitiya..

C.m: maafi? Kis moo se maafi maang rahe ho Gautam? Tumhe pata b hai tumne kya kiya? Aur ye sab kisliye..beti ki shadi k liye? Ek min ruko.

C.m rushes inside n comes out as fast as she could with some papers in her hand. Showing those papers to Gautam she says

C.m: aapko kya laga..Nandini ko aapki beti ki shadi ki fikar nahii thi? Ye dekhiye...usne aapse b pehle aapki beti ki shadi ki tayyariya kerli. Ye.. (showing a bill) ye marriage hall ka bill..jiski payment Nandini ne advance me kerli..
Ye...caterers ka bill..
Ye..decorations waalo ka bill..
Ye..uske kapde aur sone ka bill.
(Showing different bills)
Ye sab...sab advance me payment ker rakhi thi isne. Aur ye (showing him a set) ye sone ka haar..mujhse kehti thi k choti maa..jab Gautam kaka ki beti pag phero k liye ghar jaaygi..tab hum ye Gautam kaka ko denge unki beti ko apna aashirwaad dene k liye. Jaanwaro ki tarah kaam kerti rahi..raato ko jaag jaag ker jo kaam mila wo kiya..kiske liye.?humare liye..aapke..mere aur in bacho k liye. Aur badle me ise kya mila? Vishwaasghaat? Dhoka?

Nandini was all the time standing there..with tears continuously rolling down her cheeks..there was so much of pain in her eyes that got her tongue tied. .she wanted to talk..wanted to shout..wanted to ask him..that y dd he betray her..but nothing came out..everytime she opened her mouth..the pain would increase to such an extent that she would close her mouth like a fish.

Gautam folds his hands..n cryingly says: mujhse bohot badi bhool hogai bitiya..mujhe maaf kardo. Me behek gaya tha. Me galat tha..mujhe maaf kardo.

Nandini looks at him n her tears increases. She opens her mouth to say something but something wrenches her heart..she closes her mouth n presses her lips tight.

Nan: galti aapki nahi hai kaka.. aapki galti nahi hai..galti meri hai. 2 saal pehle b..aise hee mene kisi apne pe bharosa kiya..aur aise hee dhoka khaaya..us dhoke ki bohot badi keemat chukaai mene..aaj tak chuka rahi hu..sab kuch kho diya..sab ko kho diya..
Aur aaj..aaj mene aapko apni beti bharose k saath di thi..aapne b mujhe dhoka diya..aur phir aaj mujhe keemat chukaani padhi...apni beti ko kho kar. Aapne mujhse meri beti nahi..mere jeene ki wajah cheen li..mujhe aaj wahi pohchaa diya jaha me 2 saal pehle thi..
Wahi khaalipan..
Wahi akelapan..
Wahi andhera..
Wahi adhurapan..
Aaj me phirse khokli ban gayi..
Aur is khokli aur khaali insaan k paas..aapko dene k liye ab kuch nahi.. maafi b nahi.

Everyone standing there were in tears..seeing the all time fighter Nandini Moorthy so broken..they were taken aback. The air of the orphanage that once was filled with the giggling n laughing sounds of children..was now filled by unsoothing silence..the only sound tht could b heard were the sniffs of people...people who were crying not coz they were hurt..but coz they had today witnessed the breakdown of that girl who stood strong against all the odds..who stood alone to face this world..the one who changed their world..the girl who illuminated their lives was now drowning in the pool of darkness..and they couldnt do anything to help her heal.

Nandini slowly n aimlessly walks away..with tears still rolling down her cheeks. Navya n fab 5 were about to go behind her when Choti maa stops them..

C.m: jaane do use beta..use thoda akela rehne do.

Nav: sry choti maa..lekin aaj hum aapki baat nahi maan sakte. Nandu ko hum aise akela nahi chod sakte..is haal me to bilkul b nahi.

Saying so she goes behind Nandini..followed by fab 5. Nandini was sitting in the music room..which was dark except for the one lamp that was on..her tears had dried but she was still lost..her eyes held so much of pain that the tears were floating in her eyes but unable to roll down..blurring her image.. Suddenly she feels a comforting hand on her shoulder..

Nav: Nandu..

Nan (smiling sadly): jaanti ho Navya..jab me yaha Ruhi k saath aayi thi..tab sab ko laga..k Ruhi ko yaha laake mene use ek nayi zindagi di hai..but sach koi nahi jaanta..k mene Ruhi ko nahi..Ruhi ne mujhe zindagi di hai. Me to khud apni zindagi khatam kerne jaa rahi thi.

Navya gasps with this information. Fab5 too..who were standing on the door were shocked to their core.

Nav (shocked): Nandu..

Nan (chuckling sadly): shock laga na? Ye all confident..strong..independant NANDINI MOORTHY. .ek waqt pe itni kamzor..bebas..aur kaayar thi k apni zindagi ko khatam kerne ka faisla leliya. (Tears again start rolling down..causing her to hiccup with every word she said)
Bohot dard hota tha Navya..sab kuch kiya...dard bardaash kerne ...k liye....lekin...bardaash..ker hee nahi paa rahi thi...maano jaise...dard mere wajood...se judgaya..tha.... isiliye socha...wajood..hee mitaa du....dard bhi mit jaayga...aur isliye kaayaro ki tarah..ek galat faisla le liya... sirf ek kadam...ka fasla tha....meri zindagi...aur maut k beech...aur mene...kadam uthaaya b tha...maut ki taraf...lekin tab... (a sweet smile forms on her face)..tab Ruhi ne mera daaman thaam liya..aur pata hee nai chala..k kaise mera utha huwa kadam....zindagi k taraf badh gaya. Pehli baar jab uske aankho me dekha...to ek ajeeb apnapan sa mehsoos huwa..jaise uski nazre...sirf mujhe hee dhoond rahi thi..bohot koshish ki mene...uske maa baap ko dhoondne ki...lekin har beet te lamhe k saath...Ruhi mere aur kareeb hoti gai. Pehli baar jab wo...bhook k waje se..roi...tab ek ajeeb si...feeling aayi andar se...kuch b karke..me uske chehre se wo aasu..hataana chahti thi...aur phir wo muskaan..laana chahti thi. Tabhi soch liya...k shayad Aiyappa ne Ruhi ko meri zindagi banaa ker bheja..aur mene b iss zindagi ko..apnaa liya.
(Wiping her tears)
Hamesha...uske aankho me..mene apne liye..pyaar dekha...bharosa dekha..lekin aaj..(fresh tears again make their way from her eyes)
aaj unhi aankho me..mere liye shak hai..jhooth hai.. aaj use lagta hai k me ek jhooti hu.
Madhyam ne sahi kaha..jo beej Ruhi k mann me boya hai...wo ab..kabhi nahi niklega. Shayad...shayad wo mujhse baat karegi..shayad wapis b aayegi..lekin jo waapis aayegi wo sirf Arohi hogi...meri Ruhi nahi.
Mene Ruhi ko kho diya.
Nandini moorthy aaj phir haar gai. Haar gai me.

Saying so..she palms her face n cries incoherently. Navya immediately takes her in her arms n hugs her tight. Muklya too..couldnt keep standing at the door..they rushed in n hugged Nandini n Navya. All the girls were crying..crying on hearing and witnessing such breakdown of someone whom they thought to b the strongest..they couldnt believe that such a strong and independant girl had gone through such rough phase in her young life. Yes..they ddnt knw what pain she was talking about..but all they knew is that they couldnt see her in this pain..but they were too shaken to speak anything..the best they thought was to cover her in their hug..to assure her that they r now with her..that this is a start of a new and strong friendship.

Nav: tum haari nahi ho Nandu. Aur naahi tum akeli ho..hum hai tumhare saath..aaj se..abhi se..hum hamesha tumhara saath denge..tum kamzor nahi ho Nandu.

Muk: haan Nandini.. agar tum haari hoti...to tum humpe bharosa kabhi nahi kerti...lekin ye tumhari jeet hee hai Nandini...k itna kuch hone k bawajood b..tumhe bharosa kerna aata hai.

Al: tum kamzor nahi ho Nandini. Tum to wo ladki ho..jisne hum jaise spoilt brats ko b seedhe raaste pe laaya..sahi aur galat k beech fark sikhaaya..u r the light that has illuminated our lives Nandu. N now..we wont let our light fade away.

Dhr: sahi kaha Aliya. Nandini to wo ladki hai..jiski zarurat sabko hai..chaahe use kisi ki zarurat ho ya na ho.

Cabir bends down next to Nandini..n frees her face from her palms.. he holds her palms n says:

Cab: tumhe pata hai..tum na..infectious ho..

All look at Cabir with have-u-lost-it look. Nandini too..stops crying n looks at him confused.

Cab: haan..tum infectious ho. Kyunki tunhari hasi dekh k..koi b apne aap ko hasne se rok nahi paata..aur tumhe aise rote huwe dekh k..hum b ro padhe. Tum to Angel ho na..to angel to sabko hasaati hai..Angel to sab kuch theek kersakti hai..wo kabhi haar nahi sakti..naahi kamzor padh sakti hai. Tum to wo ho..jisne chutki bajaa k hum sab k galat zindagi ko theek ker diya. Aaj agar tumhari life me kuch galat hai..to hum milker use theek karenge. Ye bhai kabhi tumhe akela nahi chodega.

Nandini was all the time looking at him..in his eyes..where she could only see tears for her...which were glistening his eyes...n showing her that he genuinely meant all that. Nandini couldnt control the sob that left her throat..n starting crying.. Cabir takes her in a brotherly hug..where all others join him.

On the other hand..Manik was completely lost.. he couldnt believe that the girl who gave him his music back..his mom..his family back..was so alone n so broken..yet she never showed it on her face. He couldnt take it anymore..after Nandini started crying..he left from there..

Man (self talk): I cant see u like this Nandini. Kaise...kaise itna dard chupaa ker bethi ho tum..kaise bardaash kiya humari naa insaafiya..sab kuch kho ker b..mujhe mera sab kuch lauta diya tumne.

Manik was recalling all that Nandini had confessed..

mene Ruhi ko nahi..Ruhi ne mujhe zindagi di hai. Me to khud apni zindagi khatam kerne jaa rahi thi..

Bohot dard hota tha...

maano jaise...dard mere wajood se judgaya tha..

socha...wajood hee mitaa du....dard bhi mit jaayga

sirf ek kadam ka fasla tha..meri zindagi aur maut k beech.

shayad Aiyappa ne Ruhi ko meri zindagi banaa ker bheja

aaj use lagta hai k me ek jhooti hu.

lekin jo waapis aayegi wo sirf Arohi hogi...meri Ruhi nahi.

Mene Ruhi ko kho diya.

Nandini moorthy aaj phir haar gai.

Manik was walking when he feels something wet on his cheeks.. he raises his hand to check what it is..n gets surprised to see that he too is crying. Wiping his tears with a determined look..

Man: Nahi Nandini... tum haar nahi sakti..Me tumhe kabhi haarne nahi doonga. Bohot kuch khoya hai na tumne..

He recalls Nandini's words..

Sab kuch kho diya..

Sab ko khod diya.

Man: me nahi jaanta k kya khoya hai tumne..lekin itna dard dekha hai tumhari aankho me..ke ye samaj gaya hu k tum kitni toot chuki ho.
Par ab aur nahi. Me tumhe aur kuch khone nahi dunga Nandini. Ab tum sirf paaogi..khowogi nahi...