Morning.. 7.15 am

Navya reaches at Nandini's home..

Nav (self talk): hum b na..kaisi dost hai..kal Nandu ko haath me chot lagi thi..wo apne baal kaise banaaygi..acha huwa jo hume yaad aagaya..aur hum subah subah yaha aagaye..ab uske liye naashta b banaa denge aur baal b.

She reaches at Nandini's place n rings the bell..but no one opens the door.

Nav: ye darwaaza kyu nahi khol rhi. Kahi orphanage to nahi chali gayi? Lekin kal to usne Arohi se kaha tha k wo nahi aayegi..phir?? Matarani..hum b na..ek baar phone kerlete.

She was turning back to go when she saw Nandini coming towards her..

Nan (surprised): Navya! Tum yaha..itni subah..sab theek?

Navya was just looking at her from top to bottom.

Nav: pehle hume ye bataao..k tum itni subah subah kaha se aarahi ho? Aur tumne abhi tak kal k kapde kyu pehne hai? Kaha thi tum?

Nan (looking here n there): wo..wo me..wo mujhe kaam tha to..

Nav (crossing her arms at her chest): kounsa kaam?

Nan: wo...wo actually ek passenger ko pune drop kerna tha..to..

Nav (shouting): tum pagal ho kya Nandu? Tumhe kal itni chot lagi..phir b tum raat bhar drive ker rhi thi? Aur yha hum paagal huwe jaa rhe the k tum apne is haath se naashta kaise banaaogi..apne baal kaise banaaogi..isiliye itni subah yaha aagaye..lekin tumhe to apni koi fikar hai hee nahi.

Listening to Navya..Nandini gets a very sweet smile on her face.

Nan: tum mere liye itni subah aayi ho?itni door?

Nav: nai nai..hum to yaha watchman bhaiyya ko hello hi kerne aaye the.

Nandini hugs Navya immediately

Nan: thnk u Navya. Thnk u so much.

Navya reluctantly hugs her back. After sometime she breaks the hug saying..

Nav: tumhe kya lagta hai..tum hume aise gale lagaaogi to hum ye baat yahi khatam kerdenge? Bilkul nahi. Ab jaldi andar chalo..tumhe fresh b hona hai..ab naashta college me kerlenge.

Nandini was all the time smiling seeing Navya..she was feeling very happy to see the concern that Navya was holding for her..which ryt now was taking the form of her anger..
She ddnt mind all the shoutings that Navya was doing on her..rather she was enjoying..n this was pissing Navya.

Nav: ab hume dekh ke muskuraana band karo..ek to aaj test hai..upar se tum poori raat baahar thi..upar se tumhare right haath me chot lagi hai..socha hai kaise likhogi?

Nan (stops smiling): wo..ye palm waali chot ab behtar hai..likh lungi.

Nav: haan haan..behtar to hoga hee na..aakhir saari raat jo tumne itniii dekh baal ki hai iski..nai?

Nandini gulps her saliva down n looks here n there.

Nav: ab chalo..late ho rha hai.

Both leave for college together in Nandini's cab.
They were on their way to the canteen when they meet Cabir on their way..

Cab: good morning Nandini...
Good morning Madhubala jiii

Nav: kitni baar kaha hai k humara naam Navya hai..yaad rehta hai to wish karo..nai rehta to humse baat kerne ki zarurat nahi hai.

Saying so she leaves from there..leaving behind Cabir with a shocked expression. Nandini goes close to Cabir n whispers in his ears..

Nan: aaj Madhubala Jwalamukhi k roop me hai..zara bach k rehna..werna jalaa degi.

Cabir gulps his saliva down n turns to see Nandini.. Nandini nods her head with a pity look. Both Nandini n Cabir go inside the canteen where almost all tables r full. Suddenly Aliya comes n hugs Nandini tyt.

Nan: what happened Ms. Saxena? Y r u tensed?

Al (breaking the hug): how do u knw tht i m tensed? Anyways..Nandu..m really tensed..for today's test. I feel i dont remember a word..sab bhool gaya lagta hai.. aisa lagta hai kal kuch padha hee nahi
(Same happens wd me 😂😂)

Nan: relax Ms. Saxena. Dont wry..all u need to do is stay calm n chilled. I knw this feeling..its natural..but just have faith in urself..u have worked hard for this test..n ur hardwork will definitely pay u..so relax..hmmm?

Al: thnx Nandu..m really feeling ok now.. u knw what..u really can calm any nervous person..m glad u r my friend now. Come lets sit.

Aliya takes Nandini to their table where fab4 were already sitting. Nandini sees Manik n he sees her too..both remember last nyt's talks..leading to a brief eye lock..which was broken by Mukti who came to hug Nandini. Both Nandini n Cabir sit on the available place..Nandini sitting opposite to Manik. They were just revising their lessons when Navya comes n places a sandwich n a glass of tea in front of Nandini with a thud n sits next to Mukti with anger clearly visible on her face. Fab4 (leaving Cabir) look at her with wide eyes.

Nav (to Nandu): ab chup chap ye poora naashta khatam karo..aur agar ek b lafz bola na to humse bura koi nai hoga.

Nandini gives her a nervous smile. Cabir comes closer to Nandini n whispers..

Cab: ye aaj jwalamukhi kyu bani huwi hai? Aisa lag rha hai k kabhi b volcano ki tarah phat jaaygi. Tumhari bhalaai isi me hai k tum b chup chaap baat sunlo.

Nandini looks at him n he nods with a pity look.

Nan (stammering): a.ah..nav..navya..wo..wo actually me ye cha..

Nav: kaha na chup chaap khaana khaalo. Hum abhi tak wo baat bhule nahi hai. Uska hisaab b dena hai..aur uske liye tum me taaqat to honi chahiye na.

Muk: Navya..whats wrong? Tum itni hyper kyu ho subah subah? Kya huwa?

Nav: nandini se hee puuch lo. Kyu Nandu. .bataao inhe.

Nan: ah..nothing ms. Vardhan..wo bas aise hee thoda sa..

Nav: aise hee? (Turning towards Mukti ) hum bataate hai tumhe Mukti. Hum aaj subah 7.15 baje Nandu se milne uske ghar gaye. Humne socha kal use chot lagi thi to uski help kerdenge..lekin madam ne darwaaza nai khola..hume laga shayad orphanage gai hogi..lekin jab hum palte..to ye maharani ji to us waqt baahar se aarahi thi..aur wo b kal k kapdo me..jab humne pucha..to pata chala k ye to raat bhar ghar hee nahi gai..koi passenger mili thi jinhe ye pune chodne gai thi. Ab tum hee bataao..poori raat ye drive ker rhi thi..upar se haath me chot hai aur aaj test hai..hume gussa nahi aayega to kya pyaar aayega?

Listening to all this..everyone were astonished..but the one who was fuming in anger was Manik. He was glaring at Nandini. When Nandini saw him n his red eyes..she immediately hung her head low.

Dhr: what is this Nandini? Tumhe doctor ne kaha tha na u r not supposed to stress ur hand?

Muk: nandini..u should tk cr of urself. Kya zarurat thi jaane ki.

Al: exactly..u knw raat ko neend na kerne se dark circles padh jaate hai. U shud b careful.

Cab: acha ok ok..ab to use nasshta kerne do. Aur jwalamu...i mean madhu.... (closing his eyes tyt) i mean Navya jii...kya aap apna gussa thoda kam ker sakti hai..wo kya hai na..aisa na ho k nandu ka pait aapke gusse se hee bharjaay.

Nandini looks at him n mouths a silent thank u.

Nav: tumne abhi tak nahi khaaya.

Nan: Navya..wo me chai nahi peeti. Mujhe chai nahi pasand.

Nav: kya???? Tumhe chai nahi pasand? Toh tum rehti kaise ho?

Nan (confused): i guess kyunki rehne k liye saanso ka chalna zyada important hai aur chai ka peena nai??

Nav: arre lekin tum chai nai peeti aise kaise hosakta hai? Acha theek hai..bas aaj pee lo..tum raat bhar jaagi huwi thi..aur abhi exam b hai..tumhe sar dard hojaayga..chai peelogi to fresh rahogi.

Nandini makes faces while looking at tea. All of a sudden Manik stands up n leaves from there.

Muk: ise kya hogaya?

Dhr: i dnt knw. Shayad kuch lene gaya hai.

Cab: chalo hum b apna brkfst kerlete hai.

Nandini took a bite of her sandwich n was about to take the cup of tea when a hand holding another cup came in front of her. She looks at the hand and then at the owner n gets surprised to see Manik there..who was looking everywhere except at Nandini.

Man: lelo..hot chocolate hai..

Nandini gets double surprised on seeing this..How does Manik knw tht Nandini likes Hot chocolate. She was still in these thoughts when Manik looks at her. On finding her lost somewhere n not taking the glass ..

Man: ye tumhare lost look k liye poora din nai hai mere paas.. take it.

Nandini comes out of her thoughts n immediately takes the cup..saying thank u. Here..Cabir smirks seeing his friend remembering the likes of Nandini..n this doesnt go unnoticed by other members of fab5. They all look at each other with a look " is something cooking "??

Cab: waise Manik..how did u knw tht Nandini ko hot chocolate pasand hai?

Manik glares at him which has no effect on him.

Muk: yes Manik..how dd u knw? I mean hume Nandini se dosti kare ek hee din huwa hai n u knw her choices too..thts surprising..

Manik doesnt answer n looks at Nandini with anger. Nandini understood tht he is angry coz she had been driving the entire night..even after Manik's effort to keep her away from driving. Not wanting to tense the situation anymore..she says...

Nan: i dnt think its surprising.coz i have been ordering mostly hot  chocolates only in the canteen..so m sure most of the people must b knowing tht.

With tht..all complete their brkfst n head towards the class for some more revision..as their test was scheduled after an hour. On their way..Nandini gets a call from the orphanage for some renovation discussion..so she gestures fab5 and Navya to proceed while she talks on phone. Here on their way to the classroom..they come across Nyeonika. This was the first time after that night's incident that fab5 and Nyeonika have come face to face. Seeing her..all fab5's face drain out n they hung their heads low.

Nyeo: oh..so fab5 is here..tht too this early...thats something new. Waise did u find a new target for ur pranks? Well..if not then let me look someone for u..what say?

Manik recalls his last night's conversation with Nandini.. he tries to speak to his mom..

Man: wo actually we r preparing for the test

Nyeo: reallly?? My God..thts a big shock. Waise what r u preparing for? To score another 33%? Or r u planning to defame us in some other way? Coz tht is all that can b expected from u.

Saying this..she leaves.This brings tears in Manik's eyes. He too leaves from there.

Nav: ye Nyeonika mam ne Manik se aise baat kyu ki? Kuch huwa hai kya?

Al (with her head lowered): wo us din jab tum aur Nandini ghar aaye the..jis din humne gundo ko bheja tha..tab Nyeonika aunty ko pata chala k Nandini humari tutor nahi hai..to unhe laga k humne phirse koi prank kiya..aur unko laga k ye prank Manik ne kiya.

All this was heard by Nandini.. she had finished her call n was heading towards the classroom when she heard Nyeonika talking to fab5.

Navya raises Aliya's head..n says..

Nav: lekin ab to sab theek hogaya hai na..phir ab kyu apna sar jhukaa rhi ho. Tum fikar mat karo..mam b samajh jaayengi.

Dhr: guys..i think we shud go n see Manik.

Cabir was about to approve when he sees Nandini..n he saw the disappointment on her face when Dhruv says to go to Manik.

Cab: actually dhruv..i think we need to give him some lone time. Dont wry..we knw he will come around soon..n then we will tlk to him.

Muk: guess u r ryt Cabir. Lets go to the class.

Nan (self talk): Aiyappa..Nyeonika mam ne to Manik ko galat samaj liya. Aapne dekha na k Manik ne aaj khud se mam se baat kerne ki koshish ki. Lekin mam bohot naraaz hai. Shayad isiliye sir ne meri help maangi. Kahi aisa to nahi k beete huwe kal me b mam ne Manik ko galat samjha..ya shayad Manik ne kabhi unhe samjhaaya hee nai? Uff Aiyappa. .ye dono ek jaise hee hai. Lekin mujhe kuch to kerna padhega.

After a small chat with her Aiyappa. .she goes to look for Manik..guessing where he could be.
After a while she reaches the terrace n finds Manik sitting there with his legs hanging freely n looking ahead. She slowly goes n sits next to him at a little distance..looking ahead like him

Sensing her next to him..

Man: i dnt wnt to tlk Nandini. Just leave..or else i myt hurt u.

Nan (confused..she turns to face him): how did u knw its me?

Man (irritated): coz i can feel u.

This brings an awkward silence between them..with some strange unknown feelings in their hearts. Nandini turns her head n again looks ahead.

Man: i mean..no one has the guts to come n talk to me when m in a bad mood..except u..so i just guessed it.

Nan: but m here just to thnk u.

Man: thnk me?? For what?

Nan: for hot chocolate. U saved me from having tea..by getting me hot chocolate. .so thnks for tht.

Manik was looking at her in surprise..n then chuckles. .

Man: it was just a tea..not some poisonous food..the way u r saying i saved u..its hilarious.

Nan: arre no its not.. i hate tea..i cant even stand its smell..n i was going to drink it.. (making all yuck types of faces).

Manik looks at her n laughs.

Man: then y were u going to drink it?

Nan: for Navya.. she was upset n angry with me so...

Manik stops laughing n again gets angry

Man: she has the right to be mad at u. Do u have any idea what wrong u have done? What was the need to drive the entire night?? Tht too to pune n then back? R u like insane??

Nan (calmly): Mr. Malhotra..m used to all this. Dnt forget m a cab driver..sometimes we get passengers who wish to travel out of Mumbai..n we need to fulfill our duties.

Man: but not at the cost of ur health. U were not fine yesterday.

Nan: mayb i was not. But someone gave me the required rest yesterday evening by calling me n keeping me waiting so tht i dont drive.

Manik looks here n there..not answering her.

Nan: i knw she is upset..she is angry..but i believe tht i need to try..n try again..n keep trying till she forgives me..coz i dnt want to lose her.

Man: i tried..but she isnt ready to listen.

Nan: thts what i said..i will keep trying.

Man (frustrated + irritated..he gets up from there): its easy to say dammit. U wont understand wht m going thru. How it feels when ur own mom behaves like a stranger to u...when she ignores u as if u dnt mean a thing to her.. when even when u try to speak to her..all u get is sarcastc replies dipped in venom. U wont understand anything coz u never felt all this..u dont have ur mom to say all....

Realising what he said..he immediately closes his eyes in regret.
Here..listening to Manik's words..Nandini gets hurt. Not wanting to exaggerate things..she gets up too..n was leaving when she stops by Manik's side.

Nan: i was talking about Navya. After a long time i have found someone who has genuinely showed care n concern for me..n i dnt want to lose her..thts y i m ready to keep trying for her forgiveness.

Saying so..she was about to leave when Manik catches hold of her wrist n pulls her with a force tht makes her back bang with his chest..he takes her wrist that was in his hold n keeps it on her stomach in front n nuzzles in her hair..

(Somewhat like this..but without kiss)

Man: m sorry..i ddnt mean tht way.

Nan: u dnt need to say sry..aapne kuch galat nahi kaha.

Man: i just couldnt tk mom's rudeness..i was upset n i lashed it out on u..m really sorry Nandini. I just...i just cant tk it anymore. Ab aur nahi saha jaata.

Nan: to saari zindagi aise rehna hai? If u cant tk it anymore then y dont u put an end to all this? Kab tak chalega aise?

Man (tightening his grip on her hand): samaj nahi aata kya karu? Baat kerne jaata hu to himmat nahi hoti..aur agar himmat kerta hu to mom ka reply hurt kerdeta hai.. tum bataao..tum meri jaga hoti to kya karti?

Nan: kaash..kaash me aapki jaga hoti.

This sentence causes Manik to loosen his hold on Nandini. Getting out of his grip..she continues..

Nan: u r very lucky Manik..atleast aapke parents aapke saamne to hai..agar chance nahi b mile..to u can make opportunities to talk to them..to convince them to listen to ur part..and once they do..u can get ur family back. Kuch log to itne bad kismat hote hai k wo cheekh cheekh k b jab sach bolte hai to koi b unpe bharosa nahi kerta..itne unfortunate hote hai k chahke b apne parents ko dekh b nahi sakte..n trust me..thts the worst feeling.. aur me nahi chahti k u feel this.
(Turning back to face him)
To kya huwa if she is not listening now..but jab tak wo aapke saamne hai.. aapke paas chance hai..to talk to her..to get her back.. dont lose this chance Manik..wo dard bohot bura hai..dont get urself into it.

Both Manik n Nandini keep looking into each other's eyes. Manik finds unbearable pain in her eyes..he felt as if Nandini was showing him her pain but yet..it was wrapped up so much tht he couldnt see it..apart from tht pain..he found tht support n encouragement in her eyes which forced him to keep trying..

Man: mom holds me responsible for spoiling someone's life...