As soon as Nandini fainted, Manik caught her in his arms.

Man (patting her face): Nandini..Nandini utho..kya huwa? God Nandini..plz wake up..aankhe kholo plz..Nandini

Nav: hey mata rani! Manik kya hogaya Nandu ko..wo aise achanak se kaise behosh hogai.

Muk: Choti..choti wake up.. Manik..huwa kya.

Man (carrying her in his arms): i dont knw Mukti. I m just taking her to hospital.

Harshad: relax..ho sakta hai stress k waje se hogai ho. Its better if u take her to doctor's room here first..n then if they cant conclude whats wrong..then take her to hospital. Abhi seedhe hospital lejaane me late hosakta hai.

Cab: Manik..Professor theek keh rahe hai..lets go to doctor's room.

Manik rushes out of the classroom with Nandini in his arms. Fab4 and Navya follow him with stress and worry clearly written on their faces.

Har (self talk): and we meet again..Ms. Moorthy. God!!its been so long!! Must say..u did a perfect job of hiding ur identity..but kya kare..humare b nazre baaz ki hai..ek baar jo kisi pe aankh daaldi..bas phir use kabhi apne aankho se door hone nai dete..khaas kar agar wo tum jaisi ek haseen aur khubsurat cheez ho. Tum to phir b 2 saal door hogai mujhse. Par ab aur nai. Dont worry Nandini..bohot jald hee humari personal mulaakaat hogi. Lekin uske intezaam mujhe abhi se kerne honge.

Here everyone were waiting outside the doctor's room. Nyeonika comes rushing towards the doctor's room.

Nyeo: Manik..Nandini kaisi hai? Huwa kya use? Mujhe principal sir ne bataaya k wo behosh hogai. Doctor ne kya kaha?

Man: i dont knw mom..i..seriously dont knw. Sab kuch theek tha. She was perfectly fine..infact bohot ache mood me b thi..phir achanak se uske haath thande hogaye..she...she was breathing..heavily. jab mene usse pucha kya huwa..tab wo behosh hogai.

Nav: hey matarani..plz humari Nandu ko jald se theek kerdo. Shayad humari hee nazar lag gayi humari dost ko. Wo badi khil rahi thi subah se..aur humari hee nazar nai hat rahi thi uske chehre se. Jabse use mile hai..aaj pehli baar aisi khushi dekhi thi uske chehre pe.. matarani..plz use kisi ki nazar mat lagne do. Use jaldi se theek kerdo.

Cab (side hugging Navya): dont worry Navya. Behna ek strong ladki hai. I m sure wo theek hai. Tum dekhna..abhi doctor bolega k Nandini is fit n fine. We just have to wait.

Muk: i dont knw me Abhi se kya kahu. Ye to acha hai k is waqt humara lecture ka time hai so he wont call her or me now. But soon he will. Aur tab kya hoga?

Al: relax Mukti..everything will b good.

They were still waiting when Manik's phone rings. Seeing Abhi as the caller Manik frowns. He knew if he wanted to talk to Nandini he would have called later, as he too has same schedule as Nandini. Thinking it to b an important call, Manik excuses and goes from there to a corner to answer the call.

Man: Abhi..

Ab: Manik..kaisa hai?

Man: m..m fine..tu bata.

Ab: m sorry Manik..i knw ye waqt tere classes ka hai. I really ddnt knw k tu mera phone uthaa b paayga ya nahi. But phir b i called.

Man: baat kya hai Abhi?

Ab: Manik wo..Barbie kaisi hai? Hafta hogaya hai mujhe yaha..but it feels as if me kahi nahi pohcha.. jaha se shuru kiya tha goom phir k wahi pohoch jaata hu. Samaj nahi aaraha kya karu.

Man: dont give up Abhi. U n i we both knw k Nandini ka guzra huwa kal jaan na humare liye kitna important hai. Khaas kar ab....

Ab: khaas kar ab matlab? Kya baat hai Manik?

Man: aa..mera matlab..mera matlab ye tha k..uska beeta huwa kal jaana na zaruri hai..khaas kar ab jab wo khud aage badhne ki koshish kar rahi hai. Use humare saath ki zarurat hai. We cant back out now. Plz dont give up Abhi. Nandini kehti hai na..one should never give up hope.

Ab: u r ryt Manik..i was in a dilemma. Kisi se baat kerne ka mann horaha tha..but tere alawa ye sach aur koi nahi jaanta. Isiliye i couldnt call anyone else.

Man: dost kisliye hote hai Abhi.

Ab: ryt..chal i will let u go now. Meri Barbie ka khayal rakhna plz..aur me jald se jald saara sach pata lagaane ki koshish kerta hu. I wont give up. Thanx Manik.

Man: u dnt have to thank me Abhi. Take care n jaldi se waapis aaja.

Ab: i will..bye.

Man: bye.

Dhr: buddy..tu yaha kya kar raha hai..chal jaldi chal..doctor baahar aagaya hai.

Manik rushes towards the doctor.

Doc: dekhiye..unka blood pressure kaafi drop hogaya hai. Kya unhu ne kuch khaaya nahi subah se?

Nav: nahi doctor saab..Nandini ne to pait bhar k naashta kiya. Hum dono ghar se bina khaay nahi nikalte.

Muk: haan aur yaha aake wo hot chocolate bhi peeti hai.

Man: aur lunch pe mene use ek chocolate bar b diya.

Doc: hmmm..in tht case..there is probably 1 reason why she passed out.

Man: what reason doctor?

Doc: i think she got some sort of shock. Koi aisa shock jisse her mind lost control n couldnt handle the pressure.

Cab: shock??

Doc: well..that's what we assume. We conducted her blood tests too n we found out that she is anemic. Unka hemoglobin low hai.

Nyeo: to doctor wo anemia k waje se b to behosh sakti hai.

Doc: yes..ho sakti hai. Lekin Nandini ka hemoglobin itna b low nahi k wo us waje se behosh hojaay...esp now when her friends r saying she has been eating well..n tht too healthy food.

Man: but use kis baat se shock laga? She was perfectly fine doctor. Infact she was in a jolly mood. Aise all of a sudden..how is it possible?

Doc: well..all of a sudden to possible nahi hai. There must b some trigger point..kuch aisa huwa hoga jisse wo trigger hogayi..n she got shocked n hence..fainted. ab wo kya trigger point hai..wo to Nandini hee bata sakti hai. Filhaal k liye we have injected her some medicines..she will b asleep for next 2 to 3 hours..and we have even given her saline, that wud raise her blood pressure. But just make it sure k dobara aisa na ho. N if possible..do take her to hospital for complete check up once she is fine. They might ask for some other tests and write her some iron supplements too.

Man: Doctor can i take her home? I assure u waha iski poore tareeke se dekhbaal hogi. Plzz doctor.

Doc: well..u will have to wait for 1 hour at least..till then her saline wud get over n then u can take her home if her blood pressure has raised to normal.

Cab: thank u doctor.

Muk: ye sab kya hogaya? Aise achanak se chori ki tabiyat itni kharaab kaise hogai.

Al: mujhe to ye samajh nahi aaraha k what has triggered Nandini?

Cab: Manik..tu hee tha na Behna k saath khada. Tu bata..aisa kya huwa jisse behna ko shock laga.

Man: me b to tabse wahi figure out kerne ki koshish ker raha hu Cabir. I mean she was all fit n fine. We were even enjoying ourselves..everything was smooth..phir jaise hee principal sir ne professor ko intorduce kiya..she passed out.

Dhr: ye sab hum baad me discuss kerte hai. Filhaal we shud b with Nandini.

Nyeo: Dhruv sai keh raha hai. Manik..jaise hee Nandini ko discharge mile..tum use leke seedhe Malhotra mansion jaana. Jab tak wo theek nahi hojaati..tab tak wo wahi humare paas rahegi.

Nav: aunty..sorry lekin hum Nandu ko jaante hai..wo waha rukne se manaa zaroor karegi. Uski aadat hai..jab b koi mushkil ki ghadi aati hai to wo khud ko band kerdeti hai.

Muk: Navya..tum to uski sabse pehle dost bani thi na. We all know tht she has a special place for u in her life. Tumne use kabhi nahi pucha uske kal k baare me? Shayad usi se judi koi cheez ne aaj use trigger kerdiya.

Nav: Mukti..Nandini na..aisi ladki hai jo sirf khusiya baatna jaanti hai. Agar use zarra bhar b shak hojaay k kisi baat ko bataane k waje se koi dukhi hosakta hai to wo kabhi kuch nahi bataati. Haan humara bohot mann kiya k hum usse sawal kare. Jaise humne apni zindagi ko ek khuli kitab ki tarah uske saamne rakhdiya hai..hum b chahte hai k wo b hume apne baare me sab kuch bataay. Lekin humne usse kabhi kuch nahi pucha. Kyunki hum jaante hai..jab wo tayyar hojaaygi..tab wo khud saamne se aa ker hume sab sach bataaygi. Hume uspe poora bharosa hai.

Nyeo: shayad tum theek keh rahi ho. Lekin i cant let her b alone at her place. Tum ho waha par phir b...

Man: Nandini humare saath humare ghar me rahegi. Aur Navya tum bhi wahi rahogi. There is no chance tht i will leave Nandini alone. So plz..lets not argue on this any further.

Navya nods her head in understanding. All friends wait there for the 1 hour to get completed so that they could take Nandini to Malhotra mansion. All this while..Navya was repeatedly looking back, as if looking for someone. Cabir notices her n goes to sit beside her.

Cab (side hugging her): kya baat hai? Tabse dekh raha hu..tum baar baar peeche mud ke dekh rahi ho. Koi problem?

Nav: nai Cabir..problem to nahi hai par..najaane kyu hume kaafi der se lag raha hai jaise koi hume dekh raha hai. Jaise kisi ki nazre hum par ho.

Cab: whats wrong with u Madhubala? Kaisi behke baate ker rahi ho tum? Pehle to tum apne aap ko Behna ki is haalat k liye zimmedaar manti ho..jo ke tum nahi ho..let me tell u tht. Aur ab tumhe ye vehem hai k koi humpe nazar rakhe huwe hai. Navya hum college me hai. Kisi thriller serial me nahi jo koi humpe nazar rakhega. Ye sab tumhara vehem hai. Tum behna se sabse zyada attached ho na..to isliye uski fikr me ye sab horaha hai.

Nav: shayad tum theek keh rahe ho Cabir. Hum sach me pagal hogaye hai. Hume Nandu ki bohot fikar horahi hai. Bas wo ek baar ache se uth jaay..hum paidal jaayemge mata rani k darshan kerne.

Cab: relax Navya..tum jaanti ho wo ek fighter hai. Dnt wry..sab theek hoga.

After waiting for an hour and a half, the doctor finally gives a clearance to Manik to take Nandini home. Manik without any further delay again carried Nandini in his arms n proceeds towards the main exit. He goes towards Cabir's car. Cabir immediately opens the back seat door. Manik sits with Nandini behind,with Nandini's head resting on his lap. Navya sits with Cabir in the passenger seat. Dhruv Aliya n Mukti follow them in Dhruv's car. They soon reach Malhotra Mansion, where they were received by worried Vishal.

Vi: Manik..Angel kaisi hai abhi? Use hosh aaya?

Man: nai dad..doctors ne bola 1 2 ghante baad hosh aayega.

Vis: pata nai meri angel ko kya huwa hai. But i promise Angel..me humesha tumhare saath rahunga.

Man: dad me ise room me le jaata hu.

Vis: haan mene guest room tayyar rakha hai

Man: I m taking her to my room.

Saying so, Manik moves towards his room with Nandini in his arms. He carefully places Nandini on his bed n covers her with duvet.

Cab: Manik..she is ok. Dont stress so much.

Man: aise achanak se kya hogaya Cabir. She was perfectly fine. It was like as if fraction of a second me sab kuch badal gaya. Sochne samajne ka bilkul b time nai mila. I just want Nandini to b fine.

Nav: fikar mat karo Manik. Nandini bilkul theek hojaaygi. Hum sab hai na uske saath.

Muk: haan Manik. Choti ab humari zindagi ka bohot ehem hissa ban chuki hai. Hum sab milke uska khayal rakhenge.

Dhr: buddy..tere stress hone se kuch nahi hoga. We all need to patiently wait jab tak Nandini uthe.

Nav: hum kuch kehna chahte hai. Hum jaante hai is waqt hum sab k dimag me ek hee bast chal rahi hai..aur wo ye k Nandu aakhir behosh kyu huwi. Lekin plz..Nandu k hosh me aate hee koi usse ye sawal mat keriyega. Nandu comfortable nahi hogi.

Al: lekin Navya..we need to knw her trigger point na. Doctor ne b to bola we need to avoid such things which myt trigger her again. Aur agar hume pata hee nahi hoga then how r we gonna avoid it?

Nav: tum bilkul theek keh rahi ho Aliya. Lekin humara wishwas karo..agar hum Nandu se kuch b poochenge to wo shayad jawab nahi de paaygi. Hume bas thoda sabr rakhne hai. Hume poora vishwas hai anandu khud aage se badhker hum logo ko sab kuch bataaygi. Bas tab tak k liye hume intezaar kerna hoga.

Man: Navya theek keh rahi hai. We need to wait jab tak Nandini khud aage aaker bolne ka faisla nahi le leti.

Muk: theek hai..if thats what u both think. Lekin me Abhi ko kya bolu? Should i tell him about Nandini's condition?

Cab: i think we should just wait till tomorrow. Abhi kisi zaruri kaam se gaya hai. Had it not been very important, wo kabhi apni Barbie ko chodke nahi jaata. Kal araam se jab wo nandu se baat karega..to at least he will b convinced k she is fine now.

Dhr: Cabir is ryt. Let just today end.

All were waiting for Nandini to wake up. After around 2 hours, Manik,who was sitting on one end of the bed felt Nandini moving her fingers. All surround the bed, just waiting for her to open her eyes. Vishal and Nyeonika too were there. Slowly Nandini opened her eyes, only to meet worried faces of her new family. She frowns on seeing them distressed. She saw Manik sitting next to her. Once her eyes met his, which were glossy due to unshed tears, he releases a sigh of relief. Before she could comprehend whats wrong, she was met with Navya's hug, who was sitting on the other end of the bed.

Nav(crying): matarani ka shukur hai tum jaag gayi. Humari jaan me jaan aagayi tumhe dekh k. Hum bohot dar gaye the Nandu.

Nandini was confused with Navya's outbusrt. Nevertheless she wraps her one hand around her, as her other hand was held by Manik.

Nan: me..theek hu Navu. Ro mat plz.

Vis: Angel..r u ok baby?

Nan (nodding her head): m fine teddy bear.

Nyeo: we were so worried beta. U knw how special u r for us ryt?

Cab: of course she knows. After all..she is Nandini Moorthy..urf Cabir's sister. She has to knw everything...ryt behna?

Nandini smilingly nods.

Muk::choti..how r u feeling now?

Nan: m fine Muku. Lekin..huwa kya tha? Aur tumne BB ko to nahi bataaya na?

Everyone look at each other..they ddnt knw what to reply.

Nav: wo..tumhe anemia hai..to us waje se tum behosh hogayi. Ye kya baat huwi Nandu..tumne hume bataaya kyu nahi k tumhe khoon ki kami hai?

Cab: Madhubala..agar wo tumhe bataa deti..to kya tum use apna khoon dete ti?

Nav: kyu nahi? Nandu k liye to hum kuch b ker sakte hai..apni jaan b de sakte hai.

Nan: Navu..kitni basr bola dont say all such stuff. Mujhe tumhari jaan nahi..sirf tumhara saath chahiye. N now m fine. Lekin mujhe aisa kyu lag raha hai k it wasnt only anemia. Koi aur baat hai kya?

Vis: baaki baate baad me Angel. Kaafi late hogaya hai. Bacho..tum log chalo..chal k neeche khaana khaa lo aur phir aaj ki raat sab yahi so jaao. Angel k liye khaana yehi bijwaate hai.

Nyeo: haan..me Nandini ka khaana yahi le aati hu.

Nav: aunty..hum yehi nandu k saath rahenge. Ho sakta hai use humari zarurat padhe. Manik..tum b in logo k saath jaa k khaana khaa lo.. phir tum upar aajana aur hum khaana khaane chale jaayenge.

Manik just nods and looks at Nandini. He slowly releases her hand n stands up to go. Nandini noticed that Manik ddnt even say a word. He looked scared..scared of losing her. She knew she has to talk to him. But Navya was ryt..she needed her closest friend..a girl..ryt now. So she too ddnt stop him.

All of them go down to have their dinner..leaving Navni behind in the room.

Nan: Navu..washroom jaana hai.

Nav: han chalo..hum le chalte hai.

Navya helps her in standing n takes her to the washroom. After completing the washroom chores..Nandini n Navya return to the bed. Navya makes her lie down again n she sits next to her. Nandini moves her head from the pillow n places it on Navya's lap. Navya runs her fingers lovingly in her hair.

Nan: mujhe yaad aagaya k kya huwa tha.

This catched Navya's attention.. making her stop her actions for few seconds..before she resumes it.

Nav: baat kerna chahti ho?

Nandini tightens her hold on Navya..making Navya worried.

Nan: i..i dnt knw navu. I dnt think mujhme himmat hai.

Nav: tum jaanti ho na Nandu..hum sab tumse bohot pyaar kerte hai. Kuch b hojaay..hum tumhara saath kabhi nahi chodenge. Naahi kabhi tumhe judge karenge. Aur naahi tumhe force karenge. Haan lekin tumhari dost hone k naate itna kahenge..agar koi baat tumhe pareshaan ker rahi hai..use baahar aane do. Use hum se share karo. Hum ye waada to nahi kerte k hum tumhari problem solve kerdenge. Lekin itna waada zaroor kerte hai k tumhe akele unka saamna nahi kerna padhega.

Nan(closing her eyes): thank u Navya. Humesha mujhe samajh ne k liye. Mera saath dene k liye. Mujhe pata hai..tumhi ne sabse kaha hoga na.. mujhse koi sawal na kare. Aur sab ne maan b liya. Lekin tum theek kehti ho. Sab mere dost hai. Sabka haq banta hai jaan na k sach kya hai. Aur me bataana b chahti hu. Lekin aaj mujhme himmat nahi hai Navya.

Nav: tum aaj hee sab bataado..zaruri nahi hai nandu. Hum khush hai k tumne bataa ne ka faisla le liya. Chalo ab..utho aur khaana khaa lo. Phir sab kuch bhulaa kar sojaana. Kal ek naya din..ek nayi shuruwat karenge. Hmm?

Nandini nods n sits straight on the bed. Navya feeds her with her hands. After finishing the food..Navya stands to go from the room when Nandini holds her hand.

Nan: tum bohot special ho mere liye Navya. Bina kuch kahe..tumne humesha mujhpe vishwas kiya. Humesha mera saath diya. Thank u so much.

Nav: tum bhi bohot special ho humare liye Nandu. Humare rishte ka naam bhale hee sirf dosti hai..lekin hum dono jaante hai k ye rishta kisi b rishte se badh k hai. Ab tum araam karo. Hum subah ghar jaa ke tumhare aur humare liye kapde le aayenge.

Nandini smiles n hugs her waist. Bidding good night..Navya leaves her. Soon later Manik comes into the room..only to find Nandini standing in the balcony. He comes and atands next to her..not saying anything.

Nan: Manik..

Man: Nandini..late hogaya hai..u need to rest.

Manik turns around when Nandini holds his hand.

Nan: Manik..me theek hu. Plz stop worrying.

Manik turns around n hugs Nandini tightly. Nandini immediately wraps her arms around him.

Man:  i got scared Nandini. Tumhe aise waha dekh k..dar gaya tha me. Plz...never ever pull such stunts on me. Tumhe kuch hogaya to me jee nahi paaunga Nandini.

Nan: tumhare hote mujhe kaise kuch hosakta hai Manik. Plz calm down.

Manik breaks the hug, cupping her face..he kisses her forehead and then rests his forehead on hers.

Man: never leave me Nandini.

Nan: i wont..
         Will u?

Man: Not till i m breathing.. i cant afford to live without u Nandini. Nai reh paaunga me.

Nan: Manik...I..I..

Man: shh Nandini..kuch mat kaho. I just want to feel u next to me. Nandini..can..can i sleep with u tonight?

Nandininopens her eyes to look in Manik's eyes..

Nan: i wouldnt let u go.

Manik smiles n carries her in bridal style n moves towards the bed. He slowly places her on the bed n after turning the lamp off..he himself gets on the bed and then covers both of them with duvet. Nandini comes closer to him, places her head on his arm and Manik wraps his other arm around her waist..pulling her closer to him.

Man: sleep, Angel.. m looking over u.

Nan (self talk): tomorrow Manik..tomorrow i will tell everything about me. Wo saare raaz saamne aayenge jo aaj tak chupe huwe the. Me jaanti hu aaj k din ko leke kai sawal hai tumhare mann me. Bas aaj ki raat Manik..kal tumhe aur baakiyo ko apne saare sawaalo k jawab mil jaayenge.

Saying so..Nandini tightens her hold on Manik..

Nan: good night Manik.

Man: Good night Angel.

Precap: Leap...

##############

Hello angels..
Hru all?

Surprised? Well..this is sort of a compensation for being away for long.

Well..there r 2 things i want to share..
1. I wud b taking down the prologue..because now the story has some changes and the prologue wont b the same..yes the concept is same..but not the exact dialogs of the prologue

2. I want to change the name of this story...so can i expect few suggestions please???

Lastly..this chapter was kind of a filler .. now..the next chapters may confuse u guys a lot..(mayb) coz i would b writing in fragments..but have faith in me..i will soon join the dots n reveal everything step by step..

Tc
Stay happy 😊