~ Truth is like a Sun. You May Shut it for a while but it ain't going away. ~

It wasn't only shocking for us, but for Harshad aswell. He wouldn't have imagined this even in his wildest dreams. He always thought that the only person who can destroy him, is Manik but who knew all this while, he was being watched. Watched by someone he could never think of, Aryaman.

"Remember the Jail Incident?" Questioned Aryaman.

What even!? How does he know that? Thought Manik.

"Yeah. What about it?" He Questioned.

Aryaman smiled a bit and continued, "Those goons, they were fake. You think that was a co-incidence? Like, tumlogon ki gaari ek sunsan road par kharab hojati hai and just then, some goons pass by and also, the police comes there. Strange, no?"

Mukti stepped ahead and began in a voice laced with anger, "So, Yeh sab bhi Har-

"I did all that." Spoke Aryaman, cutting her off.

"This can't be true. No." Said Manik.

"Denying the truth doesn't change the facts." Spoke Aryaman,Confidently.

"Why did you that?" Questioned Manik.

The situation was so confusing that no one could conclude who is right and who is wrong.

"I wanted to do something and for that, it was very important ke tumlog ya Harshad koi bhi galti se bhi, Hospital na pohnchay."

"What did you do?" Questioned Cabir.

"Took over Nandini's case."

Cabir remembered something and began, "Mukti saw you giving money to the doctor. What was that? I mean, agar Nandini ka case tumhe he lena tha then why did you give money to the Doctor?"

"I gave him money to keep his mouth shut. As I've already told you that, Harshad and Nyonika instructed the doctor to give wrong medicines to Nandini. In this way, Nyonika and Harshad kept thinking that the doctor is giving wrong medicines to nandini but in reality, nothing like this actually happened. Later, I took over her case."

Things were making sense. Like finally!

"Aryan," Began Nandini, "That means us din, when I was locked inside the Hospital room, it was you..It was you who opened the door?"

Till now, this was the only question which actually shocked Aryaman. He was confused as well as surprised. "Wait..What?" He Questioned, Raising an eyebrow in utter confusion.

My eyes narrowed at Suspicion and then it hit me. "No," He said, "I didn't do anything as such."

"Really?" I asked. To be very honest, I could think of no one else. Who else could've rescued me? I immediately looked at Manik and he asked me to calm down.

"And one more thing, Who got Nandini to the Hospital?" Asked Aryaman, looking at Manik.

"Didn't you?"

"No."

"What? I thought you got her here and informed me!" Snapped Manik.

"Informed you? What are you talking about?"

"I got a call from the Hospital. They told me that Nandini is here warna mujhe kese pata chalta?" Manik was hell confused.

"I don't even have your number!"

"They said, Nandini ke phone se number mila."

"But Manik," Began Cabir, "Nandini ka phone to Navya ko college se mila tha na?"

Hearing this, Manik took a deep breath and looked at Cabir. An unspoken conversation passed between the two and after about a minute or two, they exclaimed in unison, "ABHIMANYU?"

What did they just say? Abhimanyu? Did they actually say that?

"Isn't he dea-

"He's alive." Said Cabir.

Reality is a prison. It surely is. Now that the truth was out, things took a different turn. Precisely, The bad boy wasn't actually bad. He was my savior. Right from the start. Mani moved ahead and kept his hands on Aryaman's shoulder. "You know what?" He asked.

"What?"

"I'm Sorry. I-I Don't know. When it comes to Nandini, I just can't keep my cool. I've hurted her enough and she doesn't deserve all this. I just wanted to tell you Something."

"What?"

"I know about My Mom. I know how evil she is but I never expected her to stoop down to such a level. She knows how much I love Nandini and she just uses this against me. And one more thing,you were right. I should've given her a chance. A chance to explain herself. I just assumed everything an-

"Manik, Let it be." I said, holding his hand. "What Matters is, we're together." He smiled a little and embraced me in a soft hug.

Aryaman smiled and Said, "No wonder, she chose you."

"Manik!" Came Cabir running towards him.

"What happened?"

"I Think we should find Abhimanyu. We must do that."

Manik nodded. "You're right. Nandini, You stay here only. I'll be back, okay?"

"But Manik, take me with you please." I insisted.

Manik held my hand, looked into my eye, smiled a little and said, "You take some rest. I'll be back soon."

I had no other choice left now. Manik kissed on my cheek and said, "Take care." He instructed Navya and Alya to take me back to my room and left in search of Abhimanyu along with Cabir, Dhruv and Mukti.

Aryaman turned to leave but I Stopped him. "Thanks, Aryan." I said, smiling a little.

"Really Nandini? You're thanking me for this? Leave that, tell me how did you know?"

"Know what?"

"About me, Aryan. How did you know that I'm Aryan and not Aryaman?"

"Oh that." I giggled, "You can hide your name, Not your tattoos and specially, the one I forced you to make."

"That means all this while, you knew about me!" He was surprised.

"Well, No. You're just too lucky! Aj he pata chala." I replied, making a sad pout.

"Lucky? Look who's talking! I mean, I still can't believe this. Manik Malhotra, the stud, the college hero, the guy every girl is in love with, fell for you. A sweet and extremely simple girl. He's so much in love with you. SO MUCH!"

"In that Case, I agree. Lucky to mein hun!" I said, happily.

"By the way Aryan," I said, "Just be careful next time. I mean, don't remind him about that again. That he didn't trust me and all. Please."

He smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. You should Worry about Chachi right now!"

"Why? What happened to her?"

"Nothing but something's gonna happen to you real soon."

"What do you mean?"

"Bhindi Pasta is on it's way. Brace yourself for the delicious food!"

------

Manik, Cabir and Dhruv rushed to the reception and inquired about Abhimanyu. As per the hospital rules, the receptionist didn't give them his contact number or any personal information. "Please. Please try to understand. It's very important for us to reach him." Cabir tried hard but all his efforts went invain.

"Guys!" Exclaimed Mukti, "I have an idea."

"What?" Asked Cabir.

"Aryaman is a doctor in this hospital, right? He can help us!"

"I'll go ask him." Saying this, Cabir left.

Cabir went to Aryaman and asked for his help. Aryaman however, agreed and instructed the receptionist to give him Abhimanyu's Address. The receptionist told them that he would be coming to the hospital in an hour. Hearing this, they took a sigh of relief and the happiness on Mukti's face told them how much she loved him. How much she wanted this to happen. She gave up her attempts to stay calm and happy tears spilled down her eyes. Cabir consoled her by embracing her in a hug.

Manik went upto Aryaman and asked, "How's Nandini Now?"

"She's Much Better than before. There's alot of hope. Things might get better. She is recovering fast but still, I can't say anything."

"Thank you So Much. I know thank you is just not enough but still, You have done alot for her. I just don't know how to repay this favor."

Aryaman smled and extended his Hand for a handshake, "Let's forgive and forget?"

"Deal." Said Manik as they shook their hands with a smile on their face.

~ The Great thing about making a new friend is that, they bring a new energy in your soul. ~

PRECAP: Abhimanyu Reaches the Hospital whereas Manik, Cabir and Dhruv tie Harshad with ropes.

***xxx***

Thankyou for 5K+ Votes and 70K Reads. Each and every read/vote means alot. Please drop in your valuable votes and Comments. Let me know your feedback :)

LOTS OF LOVE,

SABA. :)