Sorry for the delay...but my laptop crashed on Friday night when i was half way through the update and I lost the parts because of it...nonetheless i have re written the entire part...hope you like it..

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(Chapter 27, Part 2, 3300 words, Unedited, ignore the mistakes and errors

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On reaching Cabir's home, Manik, Nandini, Cabir and Navya sat on the four corners of the bed. Manik and Nandini oscillated their focus from Cabir to Navya and vice versa while the nervous eyes of Cabir and Navya were stuck on each other, probably thinking of a way out to escape the interrogation which their heart somewhere is impossible. Finally breaking the silence, Nandini spoke

Nandini – Listen guys I would not beat around the bush, so tell me Navya, what is it...?? What are you both hiding..??

Navya (nervously shrugged her shoulders)- Nothing..nothing at all..!!

Manik - Really and you want us to be believe you right...so tell me why were you there for I am sure that is not a place to go for a stroll...!!

Navya – Aray...I was there for a case..!!

Manik (letting out a sarcastic chuckle) –Expected response... Case...which case...the one that you wrapped up a few days ago...are you talking about that...??

Navya – No it is a new one...I got to know about it yesterday...!!

Nandini – Really when...for as far as I remember yesterday we girls were together the whole time and nothing of that sort came up...and on the top of that why was Cabir there...is he assisting you in the case..??

Cabir – No I just came there to pick her up...!!

Manik – and decided to have a chat session with the doctor...!!..Stop lying both of you...the sweatbands on your forehead clearly indicate that you guys are hiding something...no more playing games... out with it now..!!

Finding no way out, Cabir blinked his eyes as Navya in assurance and she began..

Navya – Okay I will tell you but guys please don't panic...!!

Nandini scooted herself a little closer and held her shoulders giving her the much needed support. Manik also sensing Navya's nervousness, kept his hand on her shin (the front of the leg below the knee) gently patting it indicating his support. Navya took a deep breath and continued;

Navya – We were discussing my reports with the doctor at the rehab.

Manik – Reports...I didn't get you Navya..!!

Navya – Wait....I am getting there...!!..After Nandini left, me and Cabir too were not in best of the terms...yes we had not broken up but had become distant for sure...and with Cabir being the link between me and you all, I grew apart from everyone..Just like you Manik, I had no one to blame except myself...I pushed myself deeper into the pool of guilt to a point that my lungs ached with every breath I took...Right at that point Kashish became my roommate...!!

Cabir – And she got her hooked to drinking and drugs..!!

Navya – No Cabir..she didn't...I did that to myself...yes she introduced me to it but I had a choice of walking away while I chose otherwise..

Nandini – Why Navya..??

Navya – Because it made me forget everything, it provided me an escape I was looking for...You know my heart pained less when I was drinking or having drugs...

Manik – Cabir...where were you all that time..??

Cabir – Busy blaming her for all the mess that had happened...I didn't wish to fight with her so I decided to concentrate on other things leaving her alone...It's not like we didn't meet during that time but Navya did such a great job with hiding it all from me

Navya – For my subconscious was in a conflict with its own self...I mean a part of me knew whatever I was doing was wrong but the other part felt so good that I didn't wish to let go of it and that is why I didn't tell Cabir about it because I knew he would not let me indulge myself in it if he gets to know.

Cabir – However, may be that almighty up there other plans...We restricted our meetings to weekends only and on one such weekend we had an argument where I left leaving her alone...That night I got a call from her where she was just hiccupping and crying, not a word was understandable because of her slurring...The call got disconnected leaving me panicked...I rushed to her hostel but the guard told me that she wasn't in there...I called her again and again but no one answered...After about 10 calls later, someone picked up and told me he found the phone on the street next to some bar in Colaba...On reaching there I searched for her everywhere only to find her next to a lamppost all drunk, completely out of her senses...I took her to my hospital where the doctor told me her state was due to overdose, doctors treated her and she regained her consciousness next day.

Navya – As I regained my consciousness I found him in the sitting next to me while his and my parents were sitting on the couch...I knew there wasn't any point of lying...I thought I would be surrounded with many questions and braced myself for answering them but they didn't ask any...They told me that they are happy that I am alive and that was all that mattered...It was then Cabir's parents decided that I should shift to their place and staying alone might again expose me to the risk of turning an addict...Though I never wished to be a burden on anyone, I agreed for there wasn't any way out...!!

Nandini – And that's when you joined Rehab..??

Cabir – No she didn't wish to join it...she was in pain...Mom, Dad and me ensured that no alcohols or drugs but for someone who practically lived on it for a few months, it was bound to be difficult to let it go at an instant...She used to crave for it and hurt herself...many times her parents, my parents and me, we asked her to join rehab so that the process would be less painful for they know how to tackle such situation and body would follow a proper route to recovery but she refused every single time...may be she didn't wish to get cured.

Navya – May be...but then one day his grandmother visited us...she was surprised to see me here and asked his parents about it...Uncle aunty told her the truth and like any other Nani she too were taken aback...I clearly remember the conversation

(A small Flashback..)

Cabir's Grandmother – You know in a way it is good that you got to know about her addiction...Cabir is young and unmarried, he will get several girls for himself...it is the right time to let her go...!!

Cabir's Mother – Let her go...Maa I think you are mistaken we won't her go...she is a part of our family...yes she had problems but who doesn't ...we don't leave families alone in the time of distress rather we stand by them.

Cabir's grandmother – Stand by her..but why do you want to stand by her...she is an addict...Cabir is too young to take the responsibility of an addict...Come'on be logical..!!

Cabir's Father - Tell me something if they were married, would you still ask us to leave her as now she is a responsibility which he is too young to handle..!!

Cabir's grandmother - Of course not..Then she would be his wife...he would need to take care of her in every situation..That's different .!!

Cabir's mother - That is where I believe you are mistaken for the current situation is no different...Yes they are not married but they would someday in future...Navya is human Maa just like all of us..she has her flaws

Cabir's father – And the basic necessity for a relation is to accept that the other person too is imperfect just like us...We won't let Navya go anywhere especially at this stage when she needs us the most..!!

(Flashback ends..)

Navya – His parents and Nani didn't realise that I and Cabir were listening to their conversation....I could hold myself and ran to hug uncle aunty...I understood Nani's concern and promised her I would get healed and she would not regret me being a part of this family and that was the day when I decided to join the rehab...About a year later I had developed the self -control and had completely given up on drugs and alcohol.

Manik – Okay...but what made you visit the centre today for creases on your forehead while you were discussing with the doctor had a different story to tell...there is more to it right..!!

Cabir – Navya is no longer an addict...however her addiction has had an adverse effect on her liver...

Nandini – Hold on I remember, Navya's liver had been a reason of worry always, even when we were roommates...she suffered from jaundice and hepatitis as a child that had rendered her liver very weak...you always used to take precautions with it but alcohol (realizing something)...Navya...please tell me it isn't anything serious...

Cabir – A tumor has developed in her liver...it is curable but we would either need to go for a surgery or transplant...the oncologist and her doctor at the rehab had a discussion today regarding the same...

There was complete silence in the room for while. Nandini hugged Navya as tight as she could.

Navya (in the hug) – Relax Nandini...I will be fine...yes it is painful but you've got to pay for your sins...I guess this is my punishment for..

But before she could finish her sentence, Nandini broke the hug and awarded her with a tight slap.

Nandini – Shut up...just shut up...Not a word more Navya...first out of all the things, you chose alcohol despite of knowing your liver conditions... What were you thinking... and even now you are allowing all the pessimism to engulf you...is this how you are planning to fight the tumor..??

Cabir – Thanks Nandini...that was needed...Please stay positive Navya...please leave the past behind...If you want to get cured please do it..!!

Saying this Cabir walked out of the room followed by Nandini

Navya – Manik, please go and talk to him..!!...Please be with him, the next few days or years would be tough for him...please be by his side...!!

Manik – I will do that but later...right now I need to talk to you..Navya I would not blame you for anything that happened...6 years ago none of us were at the right place or in the right frame of mind... I also understand your pain for I know exactly where it stemmed from...Both you and I shared a very special bond with Nandini and both of us ruined it because of our insecurities...But Navya, just like you say I am not the same Manik as I was 6 years ago, you too are not the same Navya....No matter how dark the road ahead looks like, I am sure you will come out of it just like you brought me out of the darkness after my parents died...everyone tried Navya but their efforts always fell short...But that visit to the old age home with you somehow forced me to take one step towards light...You know Navya, I have been friends with other since childhood but you hold a very special place in my life...You for me are like that sibling who I always look upto whenever I need an advice, you are like that angel who would silently come to my room at night and caress my forehead to straighten the worry wrinkles.

Navya looked up at Manik in surprise

Manik – What...surprised...I know how after my parents death when you and Cabir started living with me for some time, you used to come to my room and rub your fingers on my forehead...You thought I was asleep but honestly Navya you were the one who used to put the restless me to sleep...You gave back that motherly warmth to me...so you are not going anywhere...You have to be strong to fight it for me, for Nandini, for Cabir, for all of us and most importantly for yourself.

Navya – I will Manik..thank you..!!

Manik – Good now take some rest...

Navya – Umm..manik.!!

Manik – Don't worry we will tell everyone else after the wedding... Alright... Sleep now..!!

Navya lied down and Manik gently stroked her forehead and hairs...a complete role reversal which was witnessed by two pairs of eyes who had just returned after a short intense conversation at the terrace..

Cabir – Nandini think about what I said..!!

Nandini nodded her head before entering the room with Cabir

Manik – Hey you are back...she just slept..!!

Cabir – Thanks Manik...I think you guys should also take some rest..!!

Manik – I will Cabir but just so you know...I am just a phone call away..!!

Cabir – I know man...I can always count on both of you...we need to be extra cautious with Navya especially during the wedding festivities...!!

Nandini – You don't worry about that...!!

Saying this Manik and Nandini left Cabir's place.

Nandini's POV

Problems seem to be our best friend since like forever...Hearing about Navya shook me to the core but I know she will be fine...no scratch that she has to be fine...there is no other way out...Right now my thoughts took me back to the conversation I had Cabir after we left Manik and Navya in the room...Me and Cabir we went to differenet directions after leaving the room...While Cabir moved to the terrace, I went to the kitchen to grab some water to calm nervous nerves...Later I too moved to the terrace to join Cabir to sat there lost in his thoughts

Me– Penny for thoughts

Cabir – Nothing was just wondering, we think we've got everything sorted, but before we could make another move, destiny barges in and the game is turned upside down way beyond our expectations..

Me– That is what life is Cabir isn't it..!!...Now tell me what is troubling you..??

Cabir – You know Nandini...everytime I look at Navya, I realize what a hypocrite I have been... I distance myself from Manik for he left you to fight the battles alone while at the same time I was doing something with Navya...I left her alone when she probably needed me...I thought I am doing the right time...I was wrong...!!

Me– No Cabir...You were not wrong...the situations were such that the only thing that could define the right or wrong was our own perceptions... Being in a relationship doesn't necessarily mean that you need to stand by your partner all the time...sometimes when your partner is wrong, it is your responsibility to show them the mirror for no one else would do that...and that's exactly what you did with Navya...you acted the way you thought was right at that time.

Cabir – But what if I had done it differently..

Me– What if...you know Cabir these what if's to do things differently are something that everyone is plagued with for there is no one who has acted right all the time...look at me...what if instead of running away I would have stayed back the day Manik broke up with me!!...What if I had told you and Manik about Soha's behaviour on the day of recording..!!...What if instead of staying in Gurgaon, I would have rushed to Mumbai after knowing about Manik state post his parent's death..!!...These what ifs they follow us everywhere Cabir...for unlike Science or Maths, life doesn't come with a rule book or laws or formulas...We learn.. Sometimes from our mistakes, sometimes from others.. But what is important is that we've got to evolve into a better version of ourselves and that's the challenge

Cabir – True...It's good to have you back Nandini..!!

Me– It's good to be back..!!

Cabir – Speaking of which...are you and Manik back too..??

Me– Not yet...but we are getting there...we are taking it lsow this time...!!

Cabir – Please don't take too much time Nandini..!!

Me – What do you mean Cabir..!!

Cabir - Time everyone thinks we have too much time in hand, life keeps on showering us with incidents to remind that it is the present that matters, this moment is all you have yet we; living in the illusion of being the overconfident secure self, postpone important stuff for future, for the so called right time, forgetting that time and tide have a tendency of not waiting for anyone...!!...

Me – Cabir...!!

Cabir – I know Nandini...I completely understand the risk involved yet at times it is more viable to take lunge and grow your wings on the way down...think about it...!!

Saying this we moved to the room where we were surprised to see the bond between Manik and Navya. Before entering Cabir repeated the last line "Think about it" one more time and Damn you Cabir, that is all I have been thinking about

POV ends...

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Next day the entire family was sitting together playing the game of "Antakshari" (a game where each participant sings the first verse of a song that begins with the hindi consonant on which the previous participant's song ends), when Nandini got up and said,

Nandini – Manik remember the song you sang on your birthday..!!

Manik – yes, it was Bulleya which reminds me Abhi we need to record the song..!!

Abhi – Oh yes let's do it after the wedding..but Nandu why do you ask..??

Nandini – Because I have written a few lines that could be added to the song...wanna listen..

Everyone – Of course

Nandini – Cool then..Manik this is for you...Some emotions are like sand, if we try to hold them in our fist, they would slip out from the slight gap between our fingers; if we keep them on our palm, they would blow away in a nanosecond with the blowing wind; and even after struggling a lot, we might just get hold of it and build a castle with it but just one, just one wave is strong enough to wash it away... But that doesn't mean we stop the walking on it for all we know we might carry a bit of it back with us stuck on our soles..!!...

(And with that she began singing)

raanjhana ve...raanjhana ve...

Jis din se aashna se do ajnabi huve hain,

Tanhaiyon ke lamhe sab multavi huve hain...

Kyun aaj main mohabbat, phir ek baar karna chahun...

Ye dil toh dhoondhta hai inkaar ke bahane,

lekin ye jism koi pabandiyan na mane...

Milke tujhe, bagaawat khud se hi yaar karna chahun

(Emphasizing on how the moments of loneliness have deferred since they turned friends again, Nandini puts forward her contradicting desire to fall in love again, even though when her heart is scared to accept the relationship and is searching for reasons to deny, her body refuses to accept any boundaries, still she wished to turn into a rebellion against her own heart.....

Saying this Nandini moved to Manik and held his hand before continuing further...She looked into his eyes with hope and happiness and the next set of line made her thoughts clear for Manik and everyone else too )

Mujh mein agan hai baaki aazma le, le kar rahi hoon khud ko main tere hawaale

(I still have the fire you can test it... I am surrendering myself to you...)

ve raanjhna...ve raanjhna...

Manik – Nandini

Nandini – Shh...Manik let me speak...I know we decided to take it slow but yesterday after talking to Cabir I realized that somewhere we are letting our fear overpower our feelings.!!...I know it is a risk, a big one but I want to take it with you...I wish to walk on the sand of love with you... I donot wish to drench myself in it but staying without it too is something I cannot fathom... I am happy to take back a little bit of it stuck on our soles...!!

Manik – Lets do this Nandini...lets fill our place with the sweet fragrance of the sand of love we shall bring every day as we walk on it..!!...I love you Nandini Murthy...Will you be my girlfriend....??

Nandini – I love you too Manik Malhotra...and yes to answer your question..I will be your girlfriend...!!

And with it they hugged each other. Everyone else had happy tears in eyes as a comfortable silence had embraced the place. A few minutes later, Abhi kept his hand on Cabir's shoulder and spoke

Abhi – People I am curious about the words of wisdom that this guy called Cabir shares....I mean last time when he did it with Manik, Manik realized his love for Nandini... and now the role reversal...How do you do it Cabir..??

Cabir - Well let's just say this is my secret mojo

Cabir winked, everyone laughed and circled around the-already-in-the-hug-couple; Manik and Nandini.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 27.2-----

Once again Sorry for the delay...!!!

Thanks for the support and patience

That's it for today, Cheers