As Manik and Nandini stepped inside the mansion, Manik felt Nandini going tense beside him. He held her hand and dragged her inside when she literally stopped at the door to calm down herself.

It was the first time she had gone on a date without even informing her family. She didn't need to, she knew but she believed they knew better than her and cared for her.

Manik didn't leave her even when they reached the hall where the others were going mad in worry. As soon as they all saw them, they marched to them.

Harshad: Manik! Where were you both? And where were your mobiles? Couldn't you atleast receive our calls? Nandini is still a child Manik, but you-

Harshad stopped in mid when Nandini literally came infront, covering Manik.

Nandini: Bhai, Don't scold Manik. It was my mistake. He even said we should go, but it was me only who wanted to roam around.

Manik's gaze softened hearing her defending him infront of her brother.

Did she just lie to her brother to save him? Apparently, she did and his heart fluttered at the thought.

Aryaman: But Nandu, we were so worried for you. You should have atleast told us, right?

Nandini: Next time, I will bhai. Let it go na. I am really tired and before you guys ask me where were we, we just went for a coffee and movie. So don't scold, Manik.

With that, she ran away to her making them shake their head at her. Black Shinners glared at Manik who looked uneffected.

Manik: What?

Navya: You should have atleast informed us, Manik. We are her family.

Manik: The same family who abandoned her two years ago, right?

Aryaman: Manik, We know you care for her but whatever happened two years ago, it was our personal matter. You taunting us all the time is going to change nothing.

Manik: But at the same time, you taunting her changed a lot, Aryaman.

Madhayam: We know we made a mistake in the past, Manik and we are really guilty about it. We really want to-

Ignoring what Madhayam was going to say further, Manik walked to the side table and threw the vase kept there. The vase hit the white marble, breaking in numerous small and big pieces.

Sid: What are you doing?

Manik: Madhayam, Can you tell me what is this?

Madhayam: It is a vase and you broke it, Manik.

Manik smiled, confusing all them further.

Manik: I broke it. But do you think I can fix it back to what it was before?

Madhayam: What rubbish, Manik! How can you fix it! It is already bro-

Madhayam stopped in between as the realisation dawned upon him. Others realised his point too.

Manik: You are right, Madhayam. I cannot fix it, no matter how much I try. The same way, you cannot fix Nandini ever because that's how you people broke her too! So badly that she couldn't heal herself even after two years!

Madhayam fell silent, feeling the guilt rise in his heart once again, this time stronger than before. Others remained silent too either seeing the anger radiating from Manik or because he was too right to oppose.

Aryaman: But that doesn't mean we sit back without doing anything, right? We need to do efforts to gain her back and we are doing so.

Manik: Efforts. You are right, Aryaman. You guys are doing efforts and maybe, no actually for sure she would forgive you one day but I, I will never forgive you all. For me, you people are just Nandini's bad past. The past that had broken her completely.

Manik turned to Cabir who shook his head in no, asking him to stop but Manik really wanted to let it out today. He turned back to Black Shinners who were looking down in guilt.

Manik: What do you all think, her memory is gone so everything is fine? No! A big no! The moment she will get her memories back, she is not only going to hate you all, but even herself and that's why, I really wish she never gets back her memories. Even if filled with lies, she atleast has her own world with you people that keeps her happy. Once she gets back her memory, she will be hurt beyond repair and nobody will be able to handle her!

Manik let out a harsh breathe, hating himself for even thinking about this but then, whatever he said was the truth and they all knew it there.

Navya: Doctor said there are lesser chances of her getting her memories back.

Navya mumbled under her breathe but they all heard her. Manik's eyes widened in surprise and so did his friends while Black Shinners stood silent, as if accepting what she just said.

Manik: Nandini said absolutely right, once a selfish, always a selfish. How can you be so selfish, Navya!

Navya seems to be taken aback by his accusation but couldn't form words to argue. Her eyes flickered for a moment before she looked down.

Manik glanced at each one of them for one last time before storming to his room. One by one everyone left leaving Navya alone.

Cabir who was leaving too stopped near her making her look up at him.

Cabir: Don't be so selfish, Navya. Otherwise trust me, when everything will settle down, you won't be able to meet your own eyes.

Cabir waited for her to reply but when she didn't, he let out a disappointed sigh and walked away leaving her alone.

Was she really that selfish?

Manik walked in his room in anger, followed by his friends who were really worried for him.

Dhruv: Manik! Will you please calm down?

Manik: How! How do you expect me to calm down? Didn't you see, how selfish they all are! I thought they love Nandini but did you listen to Navya? There are less chances of her memories coming back!

Manik let out a humorous chuckle while all they could do was listen to him silently. At the same time, Cabir who heard the last line, walked in the room. The others passed him a worried look and he just blinked his eyes.

Cabir: Manik, you need to calm down your anger. You know it is not good for your own health. We know you love her, care for her, and that's why you are worried for her but Manik, you are forgetting, If Nandini Murty is naive then NM is equally cruel and at the end of the day, Nandini Murty and NM are the same.

Manik's anger calmed down a bit as he listened to Cabir.

Mukti: Cabir is right, Manik. At the end of the day, she is the same NM you fell in love with. And coming to her being broken then maybe yes, Nandini is broken beyond repair like the vase you broke downstairs, but Manik, this is Nandini we are talking about. It is not the vase which cannot be joined back. You can heal her, Manik.

Dhruv: yes and it is only possible if you don't lose your control.

Aliya: And You know Manik, Nandini di hates fighting no matter if she is NM or Nandini Murty so you better not fight infront of her.

Manik chuckled, remembering the slap she gave to that creepy bastard in the movie hall. Yes, ofcourse. Nandini Murty hated fights.

The four glanced at each other, asking each other if there friend has gone mad.

Dhruv: Anyways Manik, what about our Album? Now that Nandini is not working there, how will we complete it?

Mukti: But Abhi is there, right? He can continue it. Anyways, he told me all the projects will come under him now.

Manik: No, Mukti. The Album is really special for me and only Nandini will complete it.

Aliya: Manik is right, Mukti. We should wait for her.

Dhruv: Guys, we can have the songs ready with us and launch the album whenever her memory will be back.

Cabir: But we don't know when her memory will come back, Manik! Are we going to wait for her memory to come back?

Manik frowned and so did the others. Cabir realized his tone gave away the irritation he was feeling. He sighed rubbing his forehead worrying them further.

Manik: Cabir, what happened?

Cabir: It is nothing, Manik. I just want to go back. We cannot put hold on our career like this, right? Anyways, I have decided I want to go back, you guys decide and tell me too.

He walked out of the room saying so leaving all of them baffled.

°°°

Knock! Knock!

Cabir sighed hearing the knock but didn't stop punching the punching bag. He heard footsteps from behind and soon enough Manik came forward and held his punching bag, stopping Cabir's fist in the mid.

Cabir: Are you mad! You could have got hurt damit!

Manik: I don't mind.

Cabir: But I mind!

Manik: What is the problem?

Manik asked calmly. Cabir turned away his face, not wanting to voice it out but Manik came forward and held his shoulder.

Manik: What happened?

Cabir: It is nothing, Manik.

Manik: And I believed you. Cabir Dhawan let me tell you I know you more than you know your dream drums. So now, out with it. What is stressing you so much!

Cabir sighed, walking to his bed as he realized how right Manik is.

Cabir: It is really nothing, Manik. I just don't want to stay here.

Manik: Why?

Cabir didn't reply and seeing this manik spoke

Manik: Is it because of Abhimanyu's sister?

Cabir: Navya

Manik: Yeah, Navya. Because of her?

Cabir: Yes. Because of her. I don't want to fall for her.

Manik: Why?

Cabir: Because she isn't suitable for me, Manik!

Manik: Why?

Cabir: Stop with your why Manik! You very well know how she is. I know it is just attraction for now, but what if I fell for her in future? And moreover, she doesn't like me.

Manik: Cabir, if you are saying this because she never said or you don't know her from years, then let me remind you Mukti or Abhi.

Cabir looked at him silently and seeing this Manik continued.

Manik: Did you ever think Mukti will fall for someone like this? Now don't say she hasn't. We both have seen her, right? She cares for Abhi so much. About Navya, give her some time. You know her situation too, right? Like in Fab5, Mukti and Aliya are soul sisters, if something happens to one, the other takes the whole place on head. There's so much they both know which we boys don't and Navya, she lost her two bestfriend's on the same day. Soha and Nandini might be close to each other but I am sure Navya meant a lot to them too. And just imagine, if tomorrow you find me dead and the proofs are against Dhruv, what will be your reaction?

Cabir: Don't talk rubbish, Manik!

Manik: This is not rubbish, Cabir. Maybe you will trust Dhruv but at some point you will doubt him too, won't you?

Cabir: No Manik. I won't. Tell me, if you were at Navya's place, would you have blamed Nandini? No, Right? Then why are you saying all this to me?

Manik: I don't know, Cabir. I just know one thing and that is you can't back off without even trying! You always tell everyone that past and present are two different times and we shouldn't judge anyone on their past behavior. You feel for Navya, and there's nothing wrong about it.

Cabir: But didn't you see how selfish she is?

Manik: She is selfish but she is selfish for happiness, right?

Cabir: So why don't you forgive them, Manik?

Manik fell silent making Cabir smile.

Manik: Cabir- I-

Cabir: It is okay, Manik. Let it be.

Manik: So you are going to run away?

Cabir: I am not running away.

Manik: Cabir, You know you are running away too. Anyways, think about what I said and then take any decision. Love is beautiful, Cabir. Don't let it slip away but still if you want to go back, we will go back tomorrow itself. We won't stay here for a day more.

Manik walked out of the room after a minite of silence, leaving Cabir in deep thoughts.

It was around midnight when Manik came out to check on Nandini and he was surprised seeing Navya sitting there beside her while Cabir standing at the door.

Navya: Nandu, I am so sorry. Everything is my fault. I should have acted mature but you also know me, right? I didn't know what to do. Soha was no more. She was dead and the proofs- I know I shouldn't have believed on them but it is all useless now. The damage is already done!

She ended up sobbing and Manik was about to interrupt when Cabir did.

Cabir: You are right. The damage is done and the wounds are deep but curable for sure. You know you are wrong and now instead of breaking down, try to mend it.

Manik smiled while Navya looked starled. She didn't turn around to face him.

Navya: I tried! I tried my best and I am not saying I was not wrong. I know I was at mistake. I should have never trusted the proofs but I am also only a human. I didn't know what to do.

Navya paused, a heavy sob leaving her lips. Cabir wanted to go ahead and hold her hand - tell her everything would be okay but he held himself and stood there as she spoke again.

Navya: You know, Cabir - that day we all lost Soha - but I - I lost everyone. Nobody's the same. Nobody has been the same. Bhai, my bhai wouldn't come out of his room, he wouldn't eat or do anything except for worrying for Nandu. Even Harshad, Maddy, Arya, Sid - they all changed. Why? Because they lost Nandu too? But I was also there, right? Why did they not look at me? Why nobody cared for me? What about me, Cabir? Did I not matter to them at all?

Cabir's eyes softened hearing her. He could now understand what Manik wanted to make him understand. It wasn't like only Nandini was in pain. Yes, her pain was much more than any of them but that didn't mean they all were happy. They suffered too. It was difficult for them too. It was not easy to hate her.

So Cabir did what felt right. He silently walked ahead and kept his hand on her shoulder, giving her the silent support she needed while she didn't say anything in return.

To Be Continued.