The new day arrived, bringing hope for some and nightmare for some. Where Nandini again woke up with a nightmare, Manik had his friends beside him like always.

New York, NHA Music Labels

Nandini was in her cabin when she called Aman, her P.A who came running there within minutes.

Aman: Good Morning, Mam.

Nandini: Get me the list of all the teams that are doing to participate and send the manager in.

Nandini looked up as Aman nodded hurriedly before leaving the cabin.

Nandini continued her work, and after exact five minutes there was a knock on her door. Knowing who it was, she closed her laptop and picked up some random file from her table, pretending to be busy.

Nandini: Come in.

The door opened and Abhimanyu entered inside. Nandini didn't look up even when he stood there silently.

Abhimanyu: You called me, Mam?

Nandini stiffened hearing the Mam and hurt flashed in Abhimanyu's eyes too but they both didn't say anything.

Nandini: As you already know about the competition, I want you to supervise all the work. Take care of all the arrangements and I shouldn't hear any guest complaining about something. I hope you can do this much.

The slight taunt at the end of her sentence didn't go unnotice by Abhi. He gulped and Nandini didn't tear away her gaze from the file she was pretending to read.

Abhi: Sure. I will take care of all the arrangements. Anything else?

Nandini: No, you can leave.

Abhimanyu didn't reply, neither did he walked out. Sensing it, Nandini looked up and found him staring at her with unshed tears and guilt in his eyes. She cleared her throat seeing him silent and he came out of the trance and left the cabin.

A few minutes later Aman came with the list. Nandini checked the list while he stood there.

Nandini: Total of ten bands. Okay! Give this to Bh- Mr.Thakker.

Aman nodded with a small smile and left from there while Nandini looked at the door silently.

Mumbai, Malhotra Industries

Fab5 were in the jam room, sitting and talking casually while Aliya was thinking something. They noticed this and Dhruv held her hand and asked.

Dhruv: Aliya, are you okay?

Aliya looked at him, realising she zoned out and shook her head.

Aliya: Nothing Baby, I was just thinking if we could go to Newyork tomorrow itself. I want to surprise Bhai and Mom. They will be so happy.

All looked at each other and then at her.

Mukti: Aliya, we can go but what about your Devil step sister?

She said making a bad face and mentioning Nandini as a devil. Aliya frowned.

Aliya: She is not a devil!

Though she had said it to herself, under her breathe but everyone heard it. However, not wanting to spoil her mood, they decided not to talk about it.

Manik: Aliya, If you want to go tomorrow then we will go. Everyone okay with it?

Fab4: yeah!

Aliya: Oh GOD!

She screamed suddenly causing them to jerk and look at her in shock and panic.

Mukti: What happened?

Dhruv: Are you okay? Are you hurt?

Aliya: Arey! I have to go shopping also. I have nothing to wear!

Aliya said causally and suddenly found all of them glaring at her. She smiled sheepishly muttering a sorry to which they just shook their heads in disbelief.

Cabir: Aliya, You just shopped last weekend. Now you want to go again? Atleast pity your boyfriend.

Aliya: Cabir ! You shut up! Dhruv has no problem with my shipping, right baby?

She blinked her eyes innocently at Dhruv who couldn't bring himself up to deny her. He just bobbed his head making her smile.

She hugged him tightly in excitement and they both forget that they were with everyone for a moment. Their friends coughed to bring them back from their dreamland and teased them until Aliya went red in face and Dhruv almost ran away.

Soon the day passed on a good note for them.

The next morning, Fab5 left for Newyork on their private jet.

Here, Nandini went to her work and was a little restless today. She was feeling like something is going to happen but she didn't know what.

She was confused and disturbed thinking what was happening to her. Why was she feeling as if something is going to happen today, something that would bring good in her life but then what good could happen in her life?

Thinking she was just being ridiculous, she ignored all the intuitions and concentrated on her work but even after trying hard she couldn't. At the end she reached home early today since she was not able to do any work properly.

As she entered inside the mansion she noticed Shelika sitting there reading some fashion magazine. Seeing her non-interested face, Nandini understood Shelika was up for something and she really cursed herself for coming before time today.

Ignoring her, Nandini started climbing up the stairs. She was in the middle when Shelika's voice stopped her. Rubbing her forehead and trying her best not to lose her temper, Nandini turned around to face her.

At the same time, Fab5 reached there. They saw Aliya's mother stopping Nandini and stopped on the door itself.

Shelika: Why didn't you tell me about the music competition and wait, you already know Aliya and her friends are participating too, right?

Nandini: What does it have to do with you?

Shelika: Aliya is my daughter and I don't want her to stay in a hotel. Ask them to stay here, she has her own home here.

Nandini rolled her eyes hearing the old woman. She stepped down and held the railing to stop herself from bursting out.

Nandini: Just because you want it like that, I can't change the rules. Like every other participant, they have to stay in a hotel provided by the company too.

Shelika: Are you saying no to me, Nandini?

Nandini: Yes, I am saying no to you because your demand doesn't make any sense.

Shelika fumed in anger, her eyes squinting which only made Nandini roll her eyes.

Nandini: Listen, Just because Aliya is the daughter of Murty house, the rules won't be changing for her. There's a thing called morals and I don't think I need to tell you the meaning now.

Harshad, her elder brother who had just came out of his room heard her last line and rolled her eyes.

Harshad: Woah! What am I listening? Nandini, are you giving lessons on Morals? Please teach me too.

Nandini: Excuse me, I am neither teaching here-

Harshad: I don't care, Nandini. You don't talk to my mother like that! Apologize to her, right now.

He interrupted in between standing infront of her and almost yelled at the end. Nandini looked uneffected but Aliya, Aliya was shaken to the core seeing the hatred on Harshad's face for Nandini.

Nandini: You don't even know the whole matter-

Harshad: I don't care!

Nandini: Then, even I don't care!

While Harshad and Nandini continued to fight, Aliya stood there shocked, very much shocked seeing their hatred for each other.

When Aliya left from there to join Space, she was merely twelve and things were completely different that time. Harshad and Nandini's bond was strongest and she has even told her friends about it.

Even they were confused seeing the on-going fight for they always heard about Harshad loving and pampering Nandini more than anything. Even though Harshad never took Aliya as his step sister, he always loved Nandini more and seeing them fighting like cats and dogs, they were more than shocked.

Harshad: I don't know, Nandini but you have to do whatever mom is saying.

Nandini: Excuse me, this is my own company and I will do whatever I want. You are no one to tell me what to do and what not!

She groaned in irritation and turned around to leave when Harshad stopped her again from behind.

Harshad: This! This attitude is the reason you are alone today, Nandini! This is what you have earned!

Nandini: I am not alone because of my attitude. I am alone because I want to. If I want, I can prove my innocence but you know what, you don't deserve to know the truth!

Sensing the argument going out of hands, Fab5 decided to interrupt. Aliya cleared her throat before entering inside, catching her mother's attention who was smirking at the whole situation while others followed her.

Shelika: Aliya!

Aliya: Mom! I missed you so much!

Nandini and Harshad stopped abruptly hearing her. Aliya met her mother and then ran to hug her brother who hugged her back happily.

Nandini stood there, staring at them until her eyes fell on the six feet tall man, whose black orbs were fixed on her.

She stilled on her place, unable to look away and Manik himself couldn't tear away his gaze.

"I still remember the day our eyes met, it was a moment of almost nothing yet, a timeless beginning of everything."

To Be Continued.