I reached the Hospital and Saw Dhruv standing Outside. What is he doing here? "Buddy, What Happened? Is Nandini fine? Why are you standing here?" I asked Him.
Dhruv looked tensed. He didn't reply. "You're scaring me Buddy," My Fingers felt numb as I held his collar, "Harshad. Did that Harshad-

"No Manik. Nandini is Fine. Harshad is not here."

"Then What's wrong?" I asked.

"You should go see Nandini first." Said Dhruv.

Yeah. Nandini. I nodded my head in a yes. "But We need to talk about this." Saying this, I left to see her.

I headed towards Nandini's room and on my way, I met Cabir and Mukti. "Manik." Said Cabir. His voice though? He sounded serious and I certainly knew the reason. I looked at Mukti who was struggling hard to look normal but I knew she wasn't. I kept my hands on her shoulders and said, "Don't Worry Mukti. I'm here, Okay? We will surely look into this. Just Don't Stress yourself." She smiled a little and Cabir signaled me to leave. "Nandini," He said in a firm voice, "Go see her."

My heart had begun to thump, hard inside my Chest as I saw her lying on the hospital bed. "Nandini.." I said, in a low voice. She looked at me immediately and we shared an eye-lock. "I'm Fine." She said with a little smile on her face. I ran towards her and enveloped her in a bone crashing hug. "How Could You Nandini?" I complained, "Do you have any idea what I went through?

"As If I was Partying, Mr Malhotra." Taunted Nandini.

"I'm so Happy! I'm so Happy that you're fine." I said, looking into her eye.

"So Am I! But Manik, There's something You need to know. I mean, I wanna tell you something." Said Nandini.

"All I know Right now is, that you're fine and you need rest. So, we'll talk about this later acha?" I said adjusting her pillow, "You take rest till then, I'll get you something to eat. This Hospital ka khana sucks."

I switched off the lights and left the room. Nandini is out of danger but still there are many things that we need to know. I should talk to Dhruv first.

I called Dhruv to the Hospital Canteen. "So," I began, "What's Wrong?"

"We didn't understand anything, Manik. All this while, we were thinking that it's Aryaman who's trying to Harm Nandini. But No, He didn't do anything." Said Dhruv Confidently.

"How are you so sure?" I asked, raising my eyebrow in confusion.

"I have a doubt."

"Why? I mean, why do you think so?" I was surprised to hear this from Dhruv.

"Manik, there's definitely something that we're missing. Kuch to hai. You know what? Chachi was talking about some Aryan. She was like, 'Aryan kahan hai?' I don't know why, I have this feeling..Kahin Aryaman he Aryan to-

"You're right! Aryaman he Aryan hai." Interjected Cabir.

"Cabir tum?" Asked Dhruv.

"Doctor Aryan Khurrana" Said Cabir as he Kept some papers on the table.

"What's this?" I asked in a confused state.

"This is the information about Aryaman. He reached India on 16th July, the same day on which Nandini's Chacha Chachi left for Mangalore. Then, the next day we saw him at Space, remember when he came to the Music room?"

I remembered the day when Aryaman came to our Music room and asked about Nandini. "Yes. So?"

"Then uske he Next Day, he joined Space. Wo bhi,as a student. I mean, just think about it? Why would a Doctor join college?" Asked cabir.

Things were finally connecting. This is not Normal. "So does that mean-

"Yes. It was all pre-planned." Said Cabir, cutting me off.

"But Why?" Asked Dhruv.

"Yehi to pata lagana hai," Said Cabir, "We need to know the backstory, the side-story or any damn story!"

"And How will we know that?" Asked Dhruv.

"I know what to do." I said confidently.

"What?" asked Cabir.

"Cabir listen," I said hurriedly "Please get something to eat for Nandini and just stay with her okay?"

"But where are you going?" He asked worriedly.

"I'll be back in sometime." Saying this, I left the canteen.

I went to the parking lot, sat in my car and drove to the college.

Location: Space Academy.

I entered the college and searched for Harshad everywhere. "Hey, Did you see Harshad?" I asked a student who was passing by. "Yes. I saw him going towards the rooftop." The student relied. And that was it for me. I certainly knew what I had to do. Harshad needs to know who he's messing with. I ran up the staircase and saw Harshad talking to someone on the phone. "Where the hell did that Doctor Aryan come from?" He was literally screaming. "I'll screw you guys. I payed you, bloody hell!" And saying that he turned his face towards me. "Manik." He said in a low yet fearful voice. His eyes narrowed seeing me and he looked extremely worried. And why wouldn't he look worried? "What's up, Harshad?" I asked calmly with a little smile on my face. Harshad braced himself for the battle that was just going to happen. "I need to go Manik, get off my way." Said Harshad nervously. "You really think I'll let you go, so Easily?" I said, stressing on the word 'Easily'

"What do you want?" He asked.

"What are you upto? What is your connection with Nandini's Doctor? I need to know the Truth." I demanded.

"Have you lost it Manik," Said harshad Hesitatingly "Let me go"

"Not today, harshad. I'm not leaving you without getting my answers." I said, blocking his way.

"Then go ask your mother!" Shouted Harshad. My eyes narrowed hearing that. Nyonika? "I can't believe this. I can't believe you two can stoop so low." I held his collar angrily and my eyes turned red. I pushed him away with full force and dialed Cabir's Number, "Where are you?" I asked. "At the Hospital. Where else? But, Where are you?" He asked.

"Is Nandini fine?"

"Yes. She's sleeping. Dhruv has gone to drop Chachi and Rishabh."

"And Where's Aryaman?"

"He's Leaving."

"Leaving? What the-

"But we'll not let him go. Calm down." Said Cabir.

"I'm reaching the Hospital in 10 minutes approx. Don't let Aryaman leave and Make Sure Nyonika doesn't Meet Nandini." My tone was serious and strict.

"Is everything fine Manik? Is Harshad with you?" Asked Cabir.

"Yes and We're coming there." Saying this, I disconnected the call and pulled Harshad by his collar. "What the hell Manik? What are you doing?" Harshad was hell irritated.

"Just keep your mouth shut and Walk!" I ordered.

"Walk? What do you mean? Where are we going?" He asked in a confused state.

"I said, Keep your Mouth Shut."

"Or else?" He asked.

"Or else Mr Saxena, Your dirty little secret will not be a 'Secret' Anymore," I said looking into his eye "Understand? Now, do as I say. Walk!"

We left the College and drove to the Hospital. I saw Dhruv at the Parking lot. He was however, stunned to see Harshad with me. "What is he doing here?" Asked Dhruv.

"Did you drop Chachi and Rishabh?"

"Yes," He said in a low voice "But Manik, What is he-

"I'll explain it to you later Dhruv." Saying this, I left along with Harshad.

"Manik what are you doing, Have you lost your mind? Leave my hand, Damnit!" Cried Harshad.

I didn't answer any of his question. We finally reached the Roof of the Hospital. There was an empty room which was more like a store room. I dragger Harshad into that room. "Manik what are you-

And he couldn't complete his sentence as I covered his mouth with a cloth. "Don't Move." I said looking into his eye. I locked the room from outside and went downstairs.

"What's happening Manik?," Asked Cabir worriedly "And wait, where's Harshad? Dhruv told me."

"Where's Aryaman?" I asked ignoring his question.

"He's there." Said Cabir pointing towards the bench on which Aryaman was sitting.

I immediately went upto him and said in a firm voice, "Come with me."

He gave me confusing looks and obviously why won't he? He raised his eyebrow in confusion and asked, "Where?

"Just Come with me." I ordered.

*****

Okay so first of all, This story won the best Suspense/Thriller award in the MaNan Fanfiction awards 2016. Yayiee. Thankyou All. ❤

And Secondly, I'm extremely sorry for this late update. I was badly stuck somewhere but the next update will definitely come fast, That's a promise! Do give your feedback :)

Love, Saba. 😊