Mukti spoke her confession knowing it might result in a fight yet she went with it.

"I am taking sleeping pills." her voice was more than a whisper but everyone heard it and the word 'again' though not uttered was implied.

And all hell will break loose was something Manik thought would happen yet, no one reacted.

"I..." Alya started only to stop.

Dhruv held her hand, "We knew since before the concert. We decided to speak about it after the concert but...." he trailed off.

"You don't think we won't notice you have not been sleeping, do you?" Cabir stated rather than asked making Mukti look at the look in Cabir's eyes.

"We think we know when it started too. " Cabir started.

"A few days after the contract signing of our first concert," Dhruv spoke.

The hand Mukti had clenched as they had spoken loosened a bit. Manik felt like something was wrong with her reaction. He knew her and Mukti was not someone who was relieved by revelations. She preferred to hide.

"But we still don't know what brought this on..." Alya said but didn't ask. Not yet anyway.

"Was I the only one who didn't know?" Manik asked. His voice was small but they all could feel the frustration and anger hidden behind it.

"I wanted to ask the same thing Manik, " Cabir started, "How come you are the one who didn't notice what was going on with us?"

"That's so unlike you," Alya said.

"My buddy knew everything about us," Dhruv said but Manik didn't miss the accusation.

"We grew up." Manik said, " And we should have our own life and I was busy with mine."

Mukti chuckled. It started slowly but gradually it became hysterical.

"Sorry," Mukti said between laughs. Manik was angry. He could know when she was mocking him. And so could others.

This reaction though common between the duo was different. Unlike before, this laughter was full of anger, frustration but no humor.

"What happened to you two?" Cabir asked having enough. "You are behaving as if you don't even want to be in each other's presence."

"I have noticed too, buddy. You have become withdrawn from us as if..." Dhruv stopped himself before he spoke something he could not take back.

But the gist was already implied. That's what Manik had wanted then why did he feel like this. Like he could never feel light-hearted ever again.

"It's late. We should go back." Manik spoke firmly and turned around walking away.

⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕

"I like Manik." Nandini had expected many scenarios ranging from surprise, shock, teasing, advice for and against but what she got just was not it.

"Damn it...of all the things to confess you had to confess this." Arya accused her. He was glaring at the hand of jeff forwarded in front of him.

"I win. Pay up loser." Jeff said with a happy little dance.

"Later," Arya said while slapping her hand away.

" No no no.." jeff turned fully towards him," I know u Mr.kanjoos..you will say raat gayi baat gayi later and not pay up."

" But I don't have cash now. Credit chalega?"

" I knew you were unreliable"

" Unreliable and me." Arya sighed dramatically," unbelievable"

" What is going on here?" Nandini said stressing each word.

" You need the long version or short?" Aryaman asked.

" Give her the short version but before that give me my money."

" You two bet on me?" Nandini demanded standing up.

" You are sounding as if it's the first time?" Jeff pointed out.

" Let me rephrase it. You guys put money on my confession?"

"Nah, I don't do losing bets," Jeff said.

"Then?" her arms crossed.

"I believed that you would put Manik in little high regard but nope, you crushed my belief. It went boom like that birthday balloon you blew over my head on my 10th birthday." Aryaman sprawled on the ground.

"You are being dramatic," Jeff said.

"You cannot be serious," Nandini exclaimed.

"Of course, I cannot be SIRIUS," Arya said," He is a dog."

"A loyal one might I add," Jeff added while standing up.

"Are you implying something Kabutar?" Aryaman slowly sat up.

"I was just saying...." jeff was already moving, "A monkey-like you can always go stray after a banana."

Aryaman was already running after Jeff. 

Nandini sighed.

They did it again.

Whenever a big confession happened and they didn't know how to react, they will be dramatic and runoff. Every. damn. time.

⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕

Jeff and aryaman were hiding and Nandini knew it. She had already searched for them everywhere and now she knew only one place where they could have gone but it was already time to meet the teachers so she let them be and went towards the place of gathering.

Just as she was passing the front yard, she saw a lone figure standing under a tree. She didn't need to see his back to know who he was. His signature cap said it all.

" Hey Dhruv."  she said while putting a hand on his shoulder.

Dhruv hurriedly put the photo in his pocket and turned around with a startled expression.

" You scared me Nandini."

" Thats a first then." Nandini said with a shrug," Jeff is always the one to scare me and arya..." She stopped.

" Its okay. I know Aryaman lived before with his mom in Mangalore."

" Yeah..." She sighed," he was my best friend."

" You sure he was?" Dhruv asked making Nandini look at him in surprise.

"Why so surprised?" He asked.

" Its just...you are so quiet, I never expected you to ask this question. Maybe Cabir or Manik even...but..." Nandini trialed off.

" Then you don't know them much. Cabir runs from talks. He will never ask someone about their past. For him, he has no business. "

A few seconds passed in silence. Nandini started fidgeting.

" Any problem?" Dhruv asked noticing that.

"Manik." She blurted out before calling  herself stupid in her head.

"Manik? Manik is your problem?" Dhruv asked not understanding.

" No ...that not's ...its cabir..."

" Nandini breathe."

" Hmm ? Yeah.." she released a deep breath.

"I meant about Manik..We were talking and you said about Cabir but not Manik."

"Eager are you?" He teased.

" What? No.." her voice getting louder..." I mean...why would I? I was just curious and curiosity killed the cat."

" Fine fine. I get it." Dhruv said." Also, you are more chirpy you know. Its like you are just in the moment."

Nandini just stared at him. Knowing he won't get any answer, he continued," About Manik, he has kinda bad habit of finding out everything by himself from what he calls his sources. But not to worry, he values privacy so he won't do that untill he is sure the one will not mind. Also, Manik...he hates confrontation so he avoids everything that might lead to one."

" Really? Cause from the time i have seen him, he is always searching a reason to fight."

That what I am wondering. What is the exception this time? What are you hiding Manik?, Dhruv thought.

" Thats just Manik trying to be a monster manik."

"Likable Monster Manik." Nandini muttered.

" You said something?" Dhruv asked.

" Nope. Nothing." Nandini said a little fast." Anyway, its time for gathering and I saw you so thought to walk together."

Dhruv looked at his watch to see the time. He was there for very long. Alya would be worried, he thought.

"  Yeah, I didn't notice the time. Lets go then."

Nandini kept pointing out different things on their way. She really felt light. Whether it was the familiar place or feeling or the morning spent with them, she didn't know but she was is great spirits.

"You are cute." Dhruv said as they were nearing the auditorium.

Nandini blushed at the unexpectedness of the statement." Thank you Dhruv."

"You are cute too." She replied.

" Don't let alya hear you. She thinks I am hot and sexy. Can't have my love thinking otherwise and starting to pinch my cheeks."

Nandini laughed at how solemnly Dhruv said that.

" And I though Alya though of you as a cute teddy. May be I should have a chat with her about it?"

" I think I hear my name." Alya joined them at the entrance. Her hands instantly lacing with dhruv. He returned it with a slight squeezed. Her shoulders losing their stiffness.

That felt like a private moment, Nandini looked away.

" Nah, Nandini was just telling me how likable monsters are."

Nandini looked at him wide eyed. He had heard.

"This monster does not happen to be our monster right? " Alya asked, her tone though serious was playful.

Wasnot alya supposed to be less...I don't know..knowing, Nandini thought.

"Here you are. I searched all over for you."

My saviour cabir.

" Come guys, professor are already inside. Hey Nandini." Cabir said while already dragging dhruv and alya inside.

They knew. They knew..now total four people knew. Slowly next four will and then next four and four multiplied by four and four and four...

" Nandini...what are you doing standing outside. Lets go.." jeff broke he out of her trance .

" Yeah. Lets go. You with all your hiding made us late " aryaman said and they both ushered her inside.

She was hiding. She? As if...and this is all their fault. Neither would they have hidden nor would have she searched for them. Nor would have she met dhruv nor would have he known. So yes, its arya and jeff fault.Not hers.

So, she smiled which put both her best friends on edge.

Good, she though smiling more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I WELCOME YOU ALL to Madhurya Ashram, the place that speaks of music itself.

I can see some familiar faces from long past..." His eyes moving towards the trio "and some from months or just years back. Many of you have attended the summer/winter camps organized in classical and fusion music here at this very ashram and become a part of this musical place.

And today you all are back as a student again to learn and grow and we will not disappoint you.

SPACE has always had a deep history of musical talents and we are glad to have everyone here for the famous "Treasure Hunt."

Treasure Hunt is not about competition or prize, its about opportunity and growth. So, this year you will be getting a   temporary member in your team from students here at our Ashram who we feel like will match your potential. And you do what is to be done: create as many piece as you like classical, modern, fusion. It doesn't matter.

Music is about adaptation be it to your feelings, a place, person. So, this treasure hunt you learn to adapt.

And it is my utmost pleasure to announce that I, Trilok Chaurasya, along with your Professor Raghav would be the one judging your progress and the final showdown  with our 'honourable guest.'

The list of names will be announced tomorrow and you have a week to spend here so familiarise yourself with the ashram as well as the surrounding places  are open to visit expect at practice time. Your time is yours to do what you want.

  Treasure Hunt awaits you all!"

The sound of applause filled the auditorium along with the sounds of whispers.

It was time to pay a visit to the local area of Manglore.

★★★★

To all the readers who waited for the update, thank you so much.

To new readers, i welcome you all.

Thank you all for supporting this story inspite of me disappearing time and again.

Its just with studies it was getting difficult and more importantly, i wasnot not being able to write but now I finally have some idea so next chapter might come early then expected. Who knows?

And finally, Panditji is here?

Any thoughts on who might be honourable guest? Someone who bring a big revelation *hint hint

And finally, temporary members. New character entries? Any recommendations?

Your comments make me smile, so do comment :)

Any thoughts on the title of this topic? I felt it fit perfectly. I want to know what you think?

Date: 22 jan, 2022