........Nandini's POV...........

I was busy packing my bags...Well actually I was busy rearranging the stuff already packed...I was laughing at my own self since I was doing this rearranging of the stuff for the fifth time now...What else could I do...I wasn't trying to kill time by doing such useless things.. Honestly it was the only way to keep my mind and heart off the jitters it was feeling due the prospects the impending trip had in store for me... Oh I forgot to tell you..!! I was visiting Mumbai during my extended Diwali holidays... My last clear memory of Mumbai city was the lawn where I bade my friends Goodbye... I did stay in Mumbai for two months post that but the tears that escaped my eyes in those two months had made that phase all blur in my memories...

Mumbai city, the city of dreams, but unfortunately for me it brings with it some haunted memories.. Memories I do not want to go back to..but I knew that was inevitable since My brother was waiting for me to come and explain to him in detail the reason for my fallout with Manik...Damn you Abhi..!!..I mean it is Diwali and I should be excited about celebrating it with my family after so many years.. But instead of being happy with this fact and allowing me to be happy, my brother wants me to revisit the sad memories...seriously Damn You Abhi..!!.. And on the top that Manik...Oh Yes...How can I forget Moron Monkey Manik Malhotra...!! You know what I shouldn't have forgiven him... As if Abhi's demand wasn't enough to keep me on my toes, this guy he literally, like literally warned me just before leaving..I was hugging everyone goodbye when Manik came over and said "Nandini I'll wait for your turn"... I looked at him surprised since I couldn't understand his words and asked "Turn to"...Manik smiled, no wait, smirked, no actually probably he smiled but I perceived it as a smirk....But it wasn't his smile or smirk that unnerved me..it were the words that followed it.." Turn to let it all out..!!...You know you need to stop hurting for healing to occur"...That's when it struck me...He was waiting for me to actually take the break that he took...Why Manik...Why can't we just let it be...??.. I am scared.. I am scared of the malice that I had kept closed somewhere in heart, I am scared of the bitterness that had turned toxic... I am scared what if it destroys me again... I know Manik is right... I need to let out but what if unlike Manik's my let out worsens the situation and the equations...

Nonetheless, keeping all the negativity aside, I tried to capture a few hours of sleep before catching the flight that would take me to the Mumbai..

............Nandini's POV ends...........

Everyone in Mumbai was relaxing post breakfast waiting for Nandini's flight to land. They were at Mukti's house, since it was closest to the airport. Mukti's parents had gone to a formal lunch they were invited for while her Dadi was busy instructing the cooks about the lunch arrangements.

Mukti – Dadi relax..!!..It is just Nandini, why are you getting so worked up..!!

Dadi – Oye chup...it is not just Nandini...it is MY NANDINI...haye meri kuddi kinne saalon baad usse milungi main..Haye..!! (Shut up... it is not just Nandini...it is my Nandini...oh..i would be meeting my daughter after so many years)

Abhi – Oh my sweet Dadi..!! I am feeling a little left out right now..chalo in sab se toh aap milte rehte ho toh kya special treatment...par aapne toh aise kabhi mujhe bhi treat nahi kiya jaise meri behan ko karne ki taiyaari mein ho..!! (You keep meeting these guys so they don't really need any special treatment but you never treated me just how you are busy preparing for my sister's welcome)

Dadi – Treat..Treatment chahiye tounu...abhi deti hoon..ruk khote...Cabir zara meri chappal fadiyo (laiyo)..wahan kone wich rakhi hain...abhi treat karti hoon ounanu..Nandini iski behan hain khotte ne aj tak nahi dassiya...or treat chahiye isko..!! (Treat...you need treatment...wait I'll give it to you...Cabir pass me my slippers kept in the corner...I'll treat you wait...Nandini is his sister and this stupid guy never told me...on the top of that he wants to be treated)

Navya – Abhi a friendly advice...Do not even try and compare yourself with Nandu especially infront of Dadi..she is Dadi's favourite...!!

Cabir – Listen we all compete for number two spot in Dadi's love list because your sweet little mini hulk of sister has occupied the number one spot since years now..!!

Dadi – Aur nahi toh kya..hai hi aisi meri bacchi...who toh main yahan thi nahi, nahi toh kahi nahi jaane deti usko...jaana toh usse chahiye that jiski galti thi (eyeing at Manik)..!! (Exactly...that is how my little girl is...I wasn't here otherwise I wouldn't have let her go...instead of her the person who is guilty should have left)

Manik hung his head low. His relationship with grandmother had taken a U-turn after Nandini left. Though Dadi's love for Manik didn't reduce but Nandini's departure had made a way for hurt and disappointment in her heart, a feeling that she never carried for her grandson. She did try to overcome realizing that he needed her especially after her son and daughter in law passed away but somewhere, in some corner of her heart, the remnants were still left that surfaced in moments like these. Realising what she said a few moments back and Manik's counter reaction to it, she just went and ruffled his hair in motherly care just to avoid any gloominess in the room. Manik slightly smiled and gave her I-Understand look while Dadi move to kitchen to check the preparations. Taking the cue Cabir spoke,

Cabir – By the way, Navya I have shifted my necessary stuff in the guest room for a few days..you and Nandini can share the room when she comes over..!!

Mukti – Oye Mr.Smarty Pants Cabir Dhawan....who said she would stay with you.. Nandini will stay with me

Abhi – And why is that..??

Mukti – Because she is my sister in law

Abhi – Really...your sister in law...that makes her My sister.. Doesn't it.. ??...(Mukti nodded in agreement) Exactly..she is my sister.. and she will stay with me.. Period..!!

Navya – Abhi, see you already have Rishabh with you na..and Nandini has fair experience in sharing the room with me so she will stay with me..

Alya – And eventually get crushed between you two love birds..Not happening..she will stay with me since I need to discuss marriage arrangements with her which is not possible when you guys are around since you talk so much so she will stay with me and we can discuss it at night..aaram se..!!

Mukti – What aaram se...it is my marriage.. and don't you think my opinion matters too... It is not like I doubt Nandini's decisions.. but then the more the merrier... so all these discussion they should happen with everyone else around and with Nandini staying here... Wait a minute Kaka Kaka.. (servant came and stood infornt of her)...aapne room saaf kar diya hain na jaise main bola tha..!!

Kaka – Ji jaisa aapne bola tha bilkul waisa hi kar diya hain

Mukti – Chaliye ek baar check kar lete hain

Mukti left to check the guest room

Abhi – This is just not fair...Manik why don't you tell your sister that she can't dictate terms always (Getting No answer Abhi turned only to find Manik's place empty..) Manik ...Manik..!! Where did he go..!!

Dadi (Coming out of the kitchen) – He left a while ago..!!

Cabir – Left..where..when??

Dadi – Where..i don't know and when...jab tum log lad rahe the ki Nandu kahan rahegi..??

Abhi – Oh yes...about that..wait Mukti can't win like this..I'll just go and talk to her..!!

Meanwhile,

Manik was standing with the support of his car when he heard a voice

Voice – I wasn't expecting you to be here..!!

Manik (turned around) – I know but everyone else was busy fighting...so I sneaked out...Welcome Nandini...!!

Nandini – Glad you did..I was about to call Abhi..

Manik – I hope you weren't waiting for long

Nandini – No No..the flight landed just a few minutes back..But you know Airports are not my favourite place..I get lost too easily..!!

Manik – Yes I very well remember that..!!

Manik took her luggage and placed in his car's boot, while Nandini placed her bag in the backseat of the car. Manik took the driver's seat while Nandini settled on the passenger seat.

Nandini – Wait..you said everyone was fighting...fighting over what..Is it something serious??

Manik – I don't know if it is serious or not but you have a major role to play in it..??

Nandini – Role in what..Manik you are confusing me.. and how come you are out of the fight..!!

Manik – Well they are fighting over whom you would put up with during your stay in Mumbai..!!

Nandini – Oh..and you are out of contention..!!

Manik – That is why I am here...!!

Nandini just hmm'd in response and started looking out of the car window. After a few moments she spoke,

Nandini – Manik...I want to meet her..!!

Manik (Nandini's request took him off guard) – Who Nandini...who do you want to meet..??

Nandini – Manik I want to meet Soha..!!

Manik applied sudden brakes and the car stopped with a jerk

Manik – Soha..??

Nandini – Yes her.. is everything okay Manik.. Is she fine..??

Manik – Yes she is fine...We'll go and meet her tomorrow..!!

Nandini – But I want to meet her before meeting anyone else.. Can you take me to her Manik..??

Manik – Of course I can...but are you sure you want to meet her..??

Nandini – Yes Manik I am sure...

Just then Abhi called her and Nandini picked up

Nandini – Yes Abhi..!!

Abhi – Babydoll..I am so sorry...I forgot...I am just leaving..I'll pick you up in 15 min

Nandini – Abhi Relax..!! I left the airport a while ago...before meeting you I had to go somewhere else...

Abhi – What alone...Nandu..I would have taken you to the place you wanted to go na..!!

Nandini – Abhi it is Mumbai..I know I don't stay here anymore but I still know this city better than you..I can bet on that..So chill..and I know you guys are at Mukti's place I'll join you in a while..!!

Abhi – Okay..as you say...but please take care

Nandini disconnected the call..

Manik – why didn't you tell him that you are with me

Nandini – Just didn't feel like...

Manik – Fair enough...actually good that you didn't...now we will have some fun before your entry..!!

Nandini – What fun..!!

Manik – I'll explain to you later but for now just don't answer anyone's call till we go home..!!

A few minutes later, Manik stopped his car in front a hospital. Manik and Nandini got down and moved inside. The receptionist told them the way to the psychiatrist ward. They were waiting for their turn in the sitting area

Nandini – Haven't you met her in all these years..??

Manik – I tried but ended up meeting the doctor...I could never gather the resolve to meet her without harming her..!!

Nandini – Manik..!!

Manik – I am not as courageous as you are Nandini neither am I as forgiving as you.. Sometimes it amazes me.. It amazes me to see you being so selfless that instead of punishing the girl who tried to harm you, you rather got her here so that she could be treated..!!

Nandini – Manik...I am not courageous or forgiving or selfless...I agree whatever she did was horrible but she needed help and not jail...I just couldn't ignore her mental condition like other people around her..You know why I am here today and that too with you...!!

Manik – No

Nandini – I am here with you for two reasons, actually, initially it was just one, I was scared to meet her alone..I needed someone by my side..

Manik – Ok and the second

Nandini – I got the Second reason just a while ago , you want me to speak my heart out but I am not sure if you can take it as yet since you still have that anger in you..and to let it go you need to forgive her Manik...Just like I needed to forgive you to move on you need to forgive her to move on..!!

Just then, an attendant came in to inform them that they could I go and meet Soha. Nandini shivered a little while Manik held her by her shoulder. Well that was what he was here for, he was here to support her. Even though he was scared of his own reactions, he masked up a brave face for her. Inside the ward, they saw Soha sitting on a chair. They sat on the opposite side with the table in middle

Nandini – Soha... How are you..??

Soha – Alive..as you can see..!!

Manik – Soha behave..!!

Soha – I am behaving properly only... I am alive and I need to thank you guys for that... Thank you for caring for me when my immediate family ignored me... I know you guys did this out of pity but at least you got me treated unlike my family who looked at me as a shame knowing the crime I committed.

Nandini – Soha everyone does mistakes... you shouldn't let you mistakes bring you down... You are alive because you made an effort to rectify yourself... You took a step towards your betterment...

Soha – Yes but you were the one who showed me the way... I am sorry Nandini... My actions have taken the right away from me..the right to look into eyes and talk..I am ashamed of myself and my actions..I can't even imagine the pain you could have gone through if.......I played with your life and that too only because you were better than me...!!

Nandini – Soha..Remember no one is better or worse...everyone is good in their own way..and yes you did try to harm me but then look at me I am alive and kicking...and I hope whenever you get out of this place...you too will be able to build a new life for yourself...Okay we shall take your leave now..

Manik and Nandini got up to leave when Manik spoke

Manik – Soha...we all forgive you...we forgive you for whatever you did since we could see the remorse of your actions in your behavior... but remember we kept you here since we hope to see a better version of you... that however is not possible if you keep living in the past.. your past is ugly but thanks to Nandini you still have a chance to make your future beautiful.. make the most of it... try moving ahead in life.. That is all I had to say..!

Soha – I will try Manik and thank you both for visiting...!!

Manik and Nandini walked out to their car and started the drive back home. Manik could feel Nandini's uneasiness and finally after controlling for some good 15 min, he asked,

Manik – Nandini..you've already met Soha...it is done and over...What is troubling you now..??

Nandini – Manik..Abhi wants to know the truth of our fall out..??

Manik – I know...but you knew this right...someday or the other you have to tell him..he won't let you go without getting his answers..

Nandini – I know...but...Forget it..you won't understand..??

Manik – Then make me understand...what is it Nandini...??

Nandini – How will I tell him..??

Manik – Just like you told him everything else

Nandini – It is not that simple Manik...!!

Manik – But it isn't that difficult either if you stick to the truth and not try and manipulate it in order to make it look less harsh...!!

Nandini – But the consequences of it can be detrimental..!!

Manik – Abhi is your brother but he is my friend too...and trust me I have this faith in him that this won't affect his relationship with Mukti at all..!!

Nandini – His relationship with Mukti is not what is worrying me..it is...forget it..!!

Manik – Neglecting won't ease the scenario Nandini..!!

Nandini – Leave it..i'll deal with it when it comes...you tell me what plan were you talking about my entry or something

Manik – Oh that...wait let me tell you..!!

Manik explained the plan to Nandini and in return, Nandini gave a thumbs up to Manik indicating that the plan in on. They reached Mukti place and Manik entered while Nandini waited outside as per the plan. As soon as Manik entered, he was greeted with worried faces. Manik composed himself and spoke

Manik – What happened guys..why are you so stressed..??

Abhi – Manik..Nandini had gone out but hasn't returned...its been more than 2 hours..!!

Manik – Did you try calling her..

Abhi – I did but she said she would come back in some time but haven't returned since...this girl I tell you..let her come..I would lock her in my room..

Mukti – And do what...listen first of all she is not staying with you...I have witnessed your care..you were busy fighting with me while she was waiting for you at the airport..If you would have picked her up, this situation wouldn't have arrived at the first place.

Abhi – Oh please she'll stay with me..!!

Manik – Guys guys...how about we let the person who actually has to stay decide on where she has to stay...Nandini..!!

Nandini entered and Abhi took her into a bone crashing hug.

Nandini (breaking the hug) – Abhi I am fine..relax..!!

She saw Dadi who was rooted near the kitchen door with tears coming out of her eyes. She ran, wiped her tears and hugged her tightly. Breaking the hug she said

Nandini – Guys I have decided I will stay with Dadi..!!

All (Except Manik) – what but she is not even in the contention..!!

Nandini – I know and that is why...I will stay with her...!!

Dadi – Satu...(A servant came in)....Jaa Nandini ka saaman upar mere ghar mein rakh de...meri bachchi mere saath rahegi (showing her toungue out and thumbs down to everyone else) (Satu...go and keep Nandini's stuff in my flat above...she'll stay with me)

Cabir – Slow and steady wins the race to suna tha yahan toh "Silence and Dadi won it"

Everyone chuckled at Cabir's humour while Dadi sat down next to Nandini, pampering her from time to time. Soon lunch was served post which Dadi left for her flat asking Nandini to join in later

Cabir – By the way Nandini...how did it feel stepping out in Mumbai air...!!

Nandini – Should I give a honest answer or a philosophical one..??

Navya – Of course..honest answer..!!

Nandini – Honestly, the moment I landed I felt some weird butterflies churning in my stomach... I was feeling as if instead of blood, my heart was pumping anxiousness into my arteries....

Cabir – That's heavy...Nandini didn't you opt for an honest answer...!!

Nandini gave him a whatever expression

Mukti – But wait if Manik picked you up...where did you guys go after that..??

Manik and Nandini shared an eyelock

Nandini – We went to meet Soha..

All (except Abhi and Manan) – What..??

Abhi – Now who's Soha..??...What am I missing here...??

Manik – Everything that was wrong Abhi...Guys (looking at everyone else)..whatever wrong happened in the past, we all had a role to play in it... eventually we all would tell our own versions to Abhi... so why to visit the bad memories again and again individually...Let us tell him together.. What do you think..??

Cabir – I think you are right...!!

Nandini mouthed at Thank you to Manik while he just blinked his eyes in assurance

Manik – So it all started when...........

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 17-------

Left on the cliffhanger...I know...more the curiosity better it is for the story...what say..??

And by the way in case you think Soha's character was only for one chapter...you are mistaken..Wait for it guys...the past unfolds in the next chapter and so does the drama...

Thank You everyone for the support..!!

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