Same Day, Night.

Dear Diary,

How are you?

I hope you are doing good, unlike me.

I know you might be angry at me for I haven't even spared you a glance from the past two years but diary, you know how life has been.

The truth is out. Everyone knows I am innocent but honestly, it doesn't matter now.
I do not need them now.

Anyways, You know diary, he is here and he says, he loves me.

He even said it infront of everyone.

He said I am precious for him.

Should I be happy diary?

Should I be happy that he is here and loves me or should I curse my fate for it gave me him when I in no way can hold him?

You know I made him happy today. He was so happy. He was literally jumping with his friends, and I felt happy too.

He says I am precious but the truth is He is precious. His smile is contagious.

I want to keep him to myself but diary, you know how I am, right. What if I lost him to my fate again? What if he also starts hating me after few years?

No, before he hates me, I will step back and send him back.

I don't want him to fall in the mess of my life

He is so precious, and I love him.

My Manik.

He is here. And I am so happy.

With the pearl like tears shining in her eyes and a small smile playing on her lips, Nandini closed her diary, the one she hadn't touched from two years.

There was a time when she used to note down every single happening of her life in her diary but then everything turned upside down.

However, her smile didn't last long as remembered what all happened today.

Letting out a defeated sigh, she kept her diary at it's place before walking to the washroom to start the day.

°°°

Manik: Guys, We will take Nandini to India with us.

Manik exclaimed in happiness as they sat in the jam room alloted to them in NHA Music Labels.

Cabir: But will she go with us?

Mukti: Yeah, I mean she called you her friend, not us.

Manik: But you guys are my friends, right? And Nandini is very nice. She won't mind.

Aliya: Really, Manik?

Aliya teased seeing his dream boy look and he bite his lower lip before nodding.

They all were chit chatting when Nandini knocked at the door. Seeing her rigid expressions, Manik already got an idea something was wrong and somewhere he also knew what it was.

They talked about the business and Nandini was about to leave when Manik stopped her.

Manik: Nandini?

Nandini: Mam.

Manik: Huh?

He looked at her surprised as she turned around.

Nandini: I don't remember giving you permission to call me Nandini.

She looked at him sternly and he stood still for a second before composing himself.

Manik: Aren't we friends?

Nandini: Are we?

She questioned, and Manik went silent. Seeing him silent, Cabir stepped forward and opened his mouth to say something but before that Manik held his hand, stopping him. Manik turned to Nandini who was still standing the same way.

Manik: No, We aren't. I am sorry.

He replied, giving away no expressions. Nandini walked out of there glancing at others for one last time.

As she went, they all turned to Manik.

Cabir: Manik! Why did you stop me?

Dhruv: and How can she behave like that with you?

Mukti: Right! It was her who said you two are friends.

Aliya: You should talk to her, Manik.

They all continued to speak until Manik let out a loud chuckle stopping them. They looked at him amused as he smiled.

Manik: Calm down guys. I expected this from her. It is the NM we are talking about!

Cabir: So you are going to stay silent now?

Cabir asked, irritated for he didn't find the situation funny unlike Manik.

Manik: Who said I am going to be silent? Till now, Nandini has seen the Manik who roamed around her, now I will show her the Manik Malhotra. She wants me to behave professionally, right? I will make sure she takes back her words!

He smirked, thinking of ways to make her realize.

Mukti: So you are saying, you won't go behind her now?

She raised her eyebrow and Manik nodded, she turned to the others who mirrored her expressions and burst out laughing making Manik look at them sternly.

Manik: What? Did I crack a joke?

Cabir: No ofcourse not. Anyways, Manik. Best of luck.

He giggled making Manik roll his eyes. Okay, his friends were underestimating him now. They think he can't ignore her? He will prove them wrong now.

Two hours later, they were done with their practice and were dead tired. Wanting nothing but to crash on their respective beds as soon as possible, they decided to do the discussion fast and leave.

They hurried to Nandini's cabin and as soon as they entered, Manik almost forgot his "Behave Professional" plan until Aliya nudged him. He nodded at her with determined expression and sat infront of Nandini who raised her eyebrow seeing the silent conversation between them.

Nandini: Wh-

Manik: We are done for today and would like to leave for Murty Mansion now.

He interuppted in between, taking her by surprise. Chuckling inside his mind, Manik completely enjoyed the confused look on her face.

Nandini: Mr.Malhotra, Y-

She stopped in between not knowing what to reply. Manik smirked visibly making her angry.

Nandini: Fine. You can leave now. We will discuss the next half tomorrow.

Manik: Okay, Thankyou NM.

With this he stood up and walked out of the room while all Nandini did was gape at his retreating figure while sitting on her chair. Did he just-

The others too walked out behind Manik and found him standing there with a straight face. Seeing them, he ended up chuckling.

Manik: You see, it effects her too.

Mukti: Yes! She clearly didn't like when you called her NM.

Manik: That's because I refused to call her that before.

Cabir: Oh. When did all this happen and how come we don't know anything?

Manik shrugged his shoulders with a smile. He himself didn't know when did this happen.

Dhruv: but putting all the things aside, I never expected you to pull off the professional act.

Manik: It is not difficult with her.

He chuckled remembering the look on her face. Shaking his head in disbelief, he looked at others who were also smiling.

°°°

Few days passed away with minimum efforts from Manik's side to keep any conversation with Nandini. She was frustrated and anybody could say that by looking at her.

It was another normal day and Manik was with others in the jam room when Nandini came there. They all stood up seeing her but she didn't look at anyone. Instead she went to Manik and stood infront of him, surprising all of them.

Nandini: I called you.

Manik: I was busy.

Nandini: You should have informed me then. I thought-

Manik: You thought?

Nandini: I thought you don't want to take the deal ahead.

Manik: Miss.Murty, I guess you don't know me well. I don't mix up my personal and professional life.

Nandini: I can see that!

Manik: Sure, you can.

Nandini: Listen! You can't ignore me like this!

She pointed her finger at him and Manik looked at her amused along with others.

Manik: And why can't I?

Nandini: Because we are-

Before she could complete her sentence, they were disturbed by a knock on the door. Manik cursed his fate and even the person on the other end in his mind. He looked at the others and they mirrored same expressions.

However, it was Aman on the door who told them Mr.Thakkar was here to see Nandini.

The name itself was enough for her to realize her surroundings. She realized what was she going to do. A gasp left her mouth and she left the room immediately. Manik so wanted to follow her but stopped himself for he knew, it was her personal matter and he couldn't interfere.

On the other hand, Nandini reached her cabin and found Abhi sitting on the couch palming his face. For a second, concern took place in her heart seeing his messed up state but then, she hid it and cleared her throat.

Nandini: Why are you here, Mr.Thakkar?

Abhi looked up and Nandini couldn't help the worry inside her heart that increased seeing his bloodshot eyes. She frowned and he let out a small sigh.

Abhi: They want to meet you, Barbie. For once.

He added at the end, knowing she will melt and as he had predicted, she nodded her head.

°°°

Nandini: What do you all want?

Nandini asked, to each one of them as they stood infront of her silently. As she had expected, they had decorated the whole place for her with all the colours and balloons she once loved.

Sid came forward and held her hand ignoring the small protest she made initially.

Sid: Cupcake, I know we did a mistake. I know I disappointed you a lot. I also know I should have told you about Shelika Murty but trust me, I just wanted to protect you and Harshad. I couldn't see you breaking down, Cupcake but everything went upside down. I- I never thought things will turn so ugly. I am sorry. Please forgive me.

He cried, and Nandini knew he wasn't lying. He really thought she would be fine. If he will pretend to hate her, the others will atleast take care of her but things went out of his hands when they all blamed her.

Nandini remained silent and seeing this, Aryaman came forward.

Aryaman: I know Nandu, you are angry and you should be angry. We don't even deserve your forgiveness but please Nandu, give us one last chance. We will never repeat our mistake.

He pleaded and this time Nandini let out a small chuckle making him look down.

Nandini: Trust is a very big word, you know.

Madhayam: Nandu, we know and we are really for blaming you in the past.

Navya: We should have trusted you, Nannu. We are sorry. Please.

Harshad: Nandu, Please say something. Please.

They all looked at her hopefully and to their surprise, Nandini started laughing all of the sudden. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.

Nandini: I mean really? Don't you all get tired of this sorry drama? Mr.Thakkar, aren't you doing to recite long sorry paragraph? Say, tell me. If I hadn't told you all the truth, you wouldn't have believed me, right?

She questioned, more to Navya, Harshad, Aryaman and Madhyam who looked down knowing she was absolutely right. They would have never trusted her if the truth didn't come out.

Nandini: See, you have the answer. Now kindly do not disturb me. I don't want to keep any relation with you all.

She cleared before storming out of the place. She was never going to forgive them. Never.

It was night and Manik was sitting in his room, staring at Nandini's pictures and sharing all the unimportant stuff with her.

He smiled in between and at the same time a worried Cabir entered inside his room without knocking.

Cabir: Manik!

Manik: Cabir, What happened? Is everything fine?

Cabir: No, Manik. Nothing is fine. Come with me.

Worried, Manik stood up and followed him without another word. Cabir took him to his room where Manik saw Abhi sitting on the bed, his head clutched between his palms and his shoulders shaking indicating he was crying.

Manik: Kya hua?

He asked softly and Cabir told him what all happened. How Abhi came there asking for Mukti who couldn't go with him. Manik sighed and turned to Mukti who was standing at a corner with Aliya beside her.

Manik was a little surprised when he saw her crying silently but then, he understood her situation too. He walked to her and Mukti tried her best to stop her tears which weren't stopping.

Manik chuckled and cupped her cheek.

Manik: Why are you crying, Mukti?

Aliya: Manik-

Manik: Let her answer, Aliya. Mukti, Why are you crying?

Mukti: S-Sorry!

She sobbed, blaming herself for not being able to control her feelings. It was not like Manik had forced her or something, it was just she respected him enough to obey his words. He was not only her bestfriend but her big brother.

Manik smiled and stared at the other three who seemed concerned too.

Manik: What do you want, Mukti? Tell me.

Mukti: Manik- I- I- I swear I tried! But he is breaking down, Manik!

She sobbed at the end while all Manik did was smile softly at her.

Manik: You want to go to him?

She bobbed her head.

Manik: Words, Mukti.

Mukti: I don't want to hurt you, Manik.

She confessed making Manik feel blessed to have her as his bestfriend all over again.

Manik: Mukti, you know why I told you to stay away from him? It was because I thought he isn't right for you. He isn't going to trust you in future and even now I am not sure but now, I know whatever you will choose, it will be best for you. So go ahead.

Mukti: W-What?

Manik: I said go to him. He needs you, Mukti. Saath nahi chodna uska. Okay?

Abhi: Manik-

Manik: My opinion for you has still not changed, Abhimanyu. For me, you are still Nandini's culprit. I am allowing Mukti only because you both love each other. Trust me, a single scratch on my sister, I will kill you right then and there!

Abhi nodded his head at his strict warning making Manik nod his head curtly. He turned to Mukti and gestured her to go ahead

Mukti too didn't waste a moment and ran in Abhi's arms who hugged her back tightly. They stayed in each other's arms until Cabir cleared his throat with a teasing smile.

Mukti blushed while Abhi turned to Manik.

Abhi: I know I have made mistakes, Manik. I have hurt my Barbie a lot. I broke her and my silence, it snatched her two years and I will never be able to free myself from this guilt but I promise you, Manik. I won't let Mukti go through the same. I will always keep her happy.

Manik nodded his head with blank face.

Aliya: Bhai, you were crying?

Abhi: Yes- Actually Barbie-

Fab5 understood that Nandini might have not forgiven them yet. They didn't blame her though but were concerned for Abhi as well.

Manik: What did she say?

Abhi: She doesn't want to keep any relation with us. She wants us to leave her alone.

His voice cracked at the end making all of them sigh.

Manik: Isn't it obvious that she won't forgive you all this soon? She might do one day but for that, you guys need to make some real efforts. And I no where see you guys making some efforts. You people are justifying your mistakes. Accept it, don't find excuses to prove yourself right.

Abhi looked at him and realized how right Manik was. All this while they all were trying to justifying their mistakes and it increased Nandini's anger.

Maybe they could do something else to earn her forgiveness?

He smiled, thinking of an idea while Fab5 looked him confused.

To Be Continued.