Manik –Nandini...tell Me something Nandini....Did you ever miss me..??

Nandini – Manik is that even important now Manik..??

Manik – (getting angry) yes it is Nandini...it is important...(raising his voice with every word) It is important to me to know if you ever cared for me...it is important for me to know if my thoughts ever crossed your mind in all these years...it is important for me to know all these things...I can't wear this façade anymore...I am tired of pretending...I need get rid of this mask to know..(fell on the floor crying)...to know if you ever loved me..!!

Just then Manik's phone rang. Manik disconnected the call without even looking at caller. His eyes were stuck at Nandini. The caller kept calling incessantly while Manik kept repeating his act of disconnecting the call without breaking the eye lock with Nandini. When the phone rang for the sixth time, Nandini took it from Manik and answered the call.

Nandini – Haan Cabir.....No I think he is busy with some work, I heard the phone ringing so picked it up...I don't think he will be able to join you guys today......Yes by the looks of it, he seems to be really busy......Ok....ya fine...I'll ask him to have his dinner...no worries...Have a good time guys..Enjoy...!!

Nandini disconnected the call and kept the phone on the side table. She too sat on the floor opposite to Manik. Manik took it as a signal to continue.

Manik – Nandini...I had always lived with a mask on all the time....I always had to pretend for others happiness but then you came to my life...I thought of wearing the mask in front of you as well but then I failed miserably...You could always guess my real state almost all the time...I had then decided, no matter what the circumstances are, I would always be my true self in front of you, happiness, sorrow, anger, pride whatever it might be, I won't fake any emotions and that was why it hurts to wear this pretense mask in front you...!!...As I said I am tired...tired of faking emotions.. I am exhausted with pretending I am fine when in reality I am nothing but a broken soul....this fakeness is choking me...

By now Manik's voice too choked and he coughed a couple of times to bring it back in order to continue. Nandini noticed Manik's uneasiness and handed him a glass of water which he rejected. Nandini brought the glass in front his face as a gesture for him to have it but the stubborn Manik Malhotra turned his face to the other side and continued coughing. Manik had however forgotten the fact that over these years Nandini had become a clowned version of him especially when it comes to being stubborn. Soon her hand too followed the trajectory of Manik's face and he a hand approaching him. He turned to look at Nandini who held his chin and place the glass very close to lips. Manik seeing no escape held the glass with his hand and started drinking. After a few minutes, he composed himself and continued

Manik – You know I missed this...this what were just now...I was angry and I could show it...I missed this comfort because sadly for me no one apart from you was capable of giving me this...That day when you decided to walk out of my life you took away this comfort with you...I turned to my friends but like always I found them looking up to me with hope in their eyes..hope to bring them back together...hope to make it all okay...as if I was the Savior...but alas what they did not realize was the fact that this time their savior was suffering from the biggest loss of his life...I didn't even try to heal them because I myself was devastated to the extent that I had no clue if I could pull myself back together..pulling them together was completely out of question...!!

Nandini gave him a questioning look..

Manik – You might be wondering why pulling them together was needed..!!(Nandini nodded) They all drifted apart....A few days after we, rather you, decided to part our ways, Fab5 too had a break up...Thankfully we all had our respective careers to take the blame for the split and eased the patching up process...Why do you think we all work individually...Although in the public eyes individual performances started around 3 years ago, the foundation of it, however, was laid 5 years ago...Now that I look back I sometimes feel it was my fault and at other times I feel it was needed...We all were together since almost always and hence I guess this break from it was something that everyone needed...But Me...I needed company Nandini...this break came at the right time for everyone but me since it pushed me deeper into the darkness...For the initial few months my life had become pointless and aimless...You know after you left sulking had become my favorite hobby...Everything around had become nonexistent for me...the only thing that mattered to me was my grief...I ignored everyone around me including my parents...My parents once they got to know the truth of our split Nandini, they were mad at me for breaking your trust...You were my Mom's favorite...My Dad never met you but after you left he told me I had lost the best thing that had happened to my life... I was too guilty in my own eyes that going up to my parents and asking for an apology was not even an option for me...Moreover I knew all they would ask me to do for the apology was to get you back in my life but that toh was something completely unattainable for me..So I resorted to the act of ignorance... They ignored me and I ignored them...But what I overlooked was the fact that my ignorant acts were adding up in my account of "wrong doings" and as soon as I offences reached the brink, I was awarded with the most painful sentence of my life..!!

Walking down the memory lane is never easy, especially when the most of the memories you are reminiscing are haunted. Manik felt a rush of blood in head as he recalled the fateful night. The impact was so hard that he immediately held his hand. Nandini took the pillow from the bed and placed it on the sofa behind him. She, then carefully removed his hand from his forehead and carefully placed the pillow in such a way that he could rest the head using the pillow as the support. While he placed he head on the pillow, Nandini place her one hand on his head while with her right hand she made a grip on his left hand. Now both of them were sitting side by side and Manik took a deep breath to continue

Manik – I clearly remember, it was around Diwali, in 2012, when one evening while parking my car, I saw Mom Dad's car parked in their space. I was quite surprising for me since I had received a message from Mom around lunch that they would go and meet Dadi and had asked me if I too could join them for dinner, it would be great...You know that was how minimal our conversations had turned to...we hardly spoke...I knew my behavior was hurting Mom Dad but then whenever I tried making a conversation with them it ended on a sour note...soon our conversations were restricted to messaging each other about important event or one another's whereabouts...Nonetheless I entered the house only to find it unusually silent...I don't know why a sense of panic took over me and I rushed to Mom Dad's room...their I found them shivering in the blankets..I turned around to switch off the AC only to find that it was already switched off...I immediately went to Mom and touched her forehead which was burning with fever...same was Dad's condition...I called up the house help who lived in the servant quarters in the basement of the building as well as our family doctor and informed him about the condition...He asked me to bring them to the hospital immediately and in the meantime give them a dose of paracetamol...By the time I gave both of them the tablet as instructed, the house help too arrived and we shifted them to my car...I rushed to the hospital calling Chacha during the drive...Doctor Uncle was waiting at the entrance itself...I got out of the car and helped the attendants placing Mom Dad on the stretcher...They were immediately taken to the ICU...A few moments later I was joined by Chacha, Chachi, Dadi and Mukti followed by Alya, Dhruv, Cabir and Navya...After around 4 hours, Doctor came out to give us the worst news....(Manik couldn't speak any further and tried to get up but in order to stop him Nandini made her grip on his hand stronger than before and held his shoulders with the hand with till now was on his forehead) He..told...me..th..that...they...un..unfortunately...succumbed..to...Dengue...(Manik started crying while Nandini swapped her hands...with her right hand she rubbed his back while held his palm with the other hand. After composing himself, he spoke)...My world had crashed down at that moment Nandini...Till that point I was aimless, pointless but their death turned me into a lifeless soul...Dadi started living with me but her presence couldn't fill the void...our friends...they started following me like a shadow...but at that point I was too blank to notice my own shadow leave aside the five trying their best to protect me... Then One day they spoke with you...and you gave them ideas..ideas to cheer me up...and they thought it worked...But Nandini that was not what I needed... I wanted you Nandini...All the while all that my heart craved for was you...If not a hug, you could have at least called...and if the call too was so difficult a proposition for you, a message from you could have made a difference...but you chose to be distant...You know when you left you did not say "Goodbye" and that gave me a reason to "Hope"...!!... But I wouldn't lie your indifference at the lowest low of my life crushed all my hope...

Hearing Manik's words, Nandini loosened her grip and looked away

Manik – Looking away or running from the problems won't solve them Nandini...Your indifference did crush my hopes but the little gestures that your ideas brought with them taught me or gave my life a direction...That weekend in the woods and late night drive with Dhruv brought me closer to nature and infused a new spirit in me...the cupcakes made by Alya and Mukti brought back the sweetness that I had somewhere allowed to slip...the visit to old age home gave me strength to not give up on life and I decided to work hard and make my family proud...I got through ISB and as soon as I passed out I opened my own firm but all this while I missed your presence...I had made peace with my parents death but the fact that despite of being a few miles away couldn't do anything to be with you pricked my heart...That was when I decided to give professional music a chance...other Band members too agreed with me ...banking on the past popularity we were able to mint albums at a surprising quick pace and few months later I met Abhi..I was too shock to react.. After a few conversation, I realized Abhi had no clue of our past... Soon Abhi and I became good friends and with friendship came along a hope..A hope to see you again...But Alas...even that got crushed when I realized that you have distanced yourself from your family too...I just couldn't make out the reason for the same...You know it is just too hard to me to believe that the Nandini who valued people more than anything else in this world could become sink herself so deep into indifference that her blindness towards the happenings around her were somewhere making her heartless..!!

Nandini – Manik rather than talking about me can you focus on yourself

Manik – What did you just say..focus on myself...Why Nandini Why...Why do you always ask me or except me to do something which is completely impossible for me to achieve..How can I focus on myself when my peace...it lies in you...!!...How can I focus on myself when I don't see any light that could return my solace back to me..?? Forget about returning I toh find it moving far away with very passing second...Ok lets look it this way... My friends, they keep bragging on how good you are with the solutions to their problems..?? Aray I am not kidding...According to them you are a human...NO Wait..!!! A superhuman with an unbeatable unmatchable IQ in solving puzzling human emotions...So I have problem, let's see if you can solve it...Ok so every day I saw my hope crumbling bit by bit, it broke into million little pieces scattered all over the place, I find myself crushing that hope with every step I take....so Ms Nandini Murthy...the ultimate problem solver can you enlighten me on how I can prevent myself from crushing the hope without halting my steps..!!

Nandini – Manik...!!

Manik – Nandini I know I know whatever I did in the past was not pardonable and therefore, somewhere I had lost the desire to be forgiven...But I don't know why after meeting you after years that yearning of burying the hatchet has re surfaced.. Nandini everytime I look at you I travel back in the time..the time when I have challenged your self-respect and questioned your morals...these memories are clinging on my chest like a burden...they play in my head like an unsolved mystery...they have formed hard ironed clutches around my ankles forbidding me to move on...I know Nandini it is not easy to forgive and forget but then forgiving and forgetting is necessary to move on...Was my sin so grave that you took away the right to move on from me...??...I still haven't earned your forgiveness and you know that fact pinches me every second making it impossible for me to forget... Please tell me what should I do to earn it... I want to move on Nandini...Please Help me..!!

Nandini was about to say something but just then the room bell rang. Hearing the voices marking the return of their friends, Nandini and Manik composed themselves. Manik settled himself on the sofa while Nandini went to open the door. The gang barged in as soon as she opened the door. They had several stories to tell and they started narrating all one by one thinking that they had Manik and Nandini's attention. Sadly for them while Manik and Nandini were physically present in the room, their mind was travelling to events that happened before the return of their friends. Soon they all decided to retire in their respective rooms since they were too exhausted. While leaving the room, Manik turned around and looked a Nandini with a longing in his eyes which did not go unnoticed by her. Next morning they all checked out of the hotel after their breakfast and started with their return journey. They again alternated with the driving session. But the drive back home was turning out to be too quiet and boring. It was Cabir's turn to drive and he looked up at Navya to accompany him at the passenger seat but found her sleeping. He simply got out without disturbing her sleep and asked Nandini to join him. But before Nandini could reply, Manik hopped out and took the passenger seat while a smirking Cabir started driving

..........Cabir's POV.........

These two love birds...yeh nahi sudharne wale...I had asked Nandini to accompany me on purpose since I wanted to test if the flames still exist...Nandini was sick yesterday and knowing Manik he would never allow her to exert herself unnecessarily....and that is exactly what happened...I still remember when once Nandini had a mild headache, Manik didn't allow her to move even a bit...moreover he didn't even join us for My birthday

Flashback starts (Narrator – Cabir)...

I entered Manik's room only to find him sitting on the bed taking the support of the headboard with Nandini head on his lap while I was standing at the door as a spectator

Nandini – Manik, you should go. Please do not miss out on the fun because of me. Please try and understand please go. Right now you should be there.

Manik – Done with you lectures..now listen to me carefully, I am not going anywhere especially when you are alone

Nandini – But I am used to managing things on my own

Manik – That was until I was around..Now you have me to take care of you and bear all your tantrums...so stop being so responsible all the time..

Nandini smiled and snuggled more in his waist and I decided to leave the room without disturbing their romance, silently praying for their love to stay as is and admiring the care they had for each other..

Flashback ends

They cared then and they care now...Nandini ke Aiyappa..lets team up to bring them together

...........Cabir's POV ends.......

Nandini – Cabir you've been driving for more than two hours...you take a break..I'll drive

Everyone turned towards Nandini in shock

Nandini – What...I am the only one who hasn't drove yet...This would the last leg..we are about the reach home..let me drive

Abhi – BabyDoll are you sure..??

Nandini – More than ever Abhi and trust me I need this drive for myself please..!!

Abhi – Ok..Manik you come back..I'll come on the passenger seat..!!

Nandini – Umm...Manik..In case you are not very tired...can you accompany me at the passenger seat..!

Manik – No worries Nandini..I am fine..Abhi you stay where you are..

Nandini occupies the driving seat and Manik could really see the restlessness in the body language. She placed her hand on the gear box when Manik spoke

Manik – Release the clutch and press the accelerator slowly.

She did but the car failed to start

Manik – Try again..!!

After a few attempts, the car finally started. Manik kept instructing Nandini from time to time while the others silently admired the bond. In about 2 hours they reached Nandini's paradise in Gurgaon. Everyone got down and move towards the lift, on reaching the floor Nandini handed over the house keys to Abhi

Nandini – Abhi you guys push ahead, Me and Manik will join in a while

Abhi – Nandu is everything okay..??

Nandini – Yes it is...You guys go in...we'll come in some time..Manik Shall we..??

Manik followed Nandini to the terrace while everyone else headed to the house. Manik and Nandini settled on the bench on the terrace

Nandini – So finally I chose...(Manik looked at questioningly)....I chose the words of the guy who fell in love with me primarily because he found me responsible and trustworthy...Manik I suggest we should stretch the break as much as we can as only then neither of us would be wearing any mask...as only then we won't be faking any emotions....Last night you were wrong Manik I wanted to be with you when Uncle Aunty passed away but I was too hurt...I decided to stay away from you for you...You might not understand my point of view right now Manik and honestly I can't even explain it to you but if it helps..in that one year of separation, the hurt, the ignorance that I had felt before leaving had turned into venom and I just didn't want to unleash it on you and that too at such a time when the grief you were carrying was beyond repair..But I knew with you around I wouldn't be able to control myself and hence I refrained myself from visiting you...You think by not visiting i took away the hope from you but for me it helped in not crushing the little hope left...I know it is needless to say since you are wise enough to understand that I took your friends help only because I cared... I was going insane fighting with myself over whether I should visit you or not..I was losing out of options when Cabir called and gave me a ray of light..a light to console you and I did the best I could, given the circumstances...I distance myself from my family since I was too messed up and broken in my own life and when that Madhyam thing happened, every ounce of zeal in me ceased to exist...You hoped that I would fix you...I was too broken myself to fix anyone...You know why I drove today (Manik shook his head in denial)... I drove today as a test for my own self....to test whether the events in the past actually hurt or is it just in my mind...And you know what I realized I may not have healed but I definitely am on the healing route Manik...and since I have been able to restore a few pieces of myself, this is something I know I have to do for you and for myself...I forgive you Manik..I forgive you since I cannot see Manik I had once loved hopeless, lonely and lifeless...I forgive you because I wish to erase hurt from mine and his soul...and I hope this forgiveness helps both of us in MOVING ON...!! 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 16 (part 3)-------

Here you go with the final of chapter 16... So the break continues and this forever...no more pretending...no more masks...Just grudges and their answers...!!

Thank You everyone for the support..!!

That's it from me for today...See you guys..Cheers..!!