There was absolute silence . Every face in the lobby carried emotions untold, the eyes were filled tears rolling down the cheeks, the lips "tried" to curl themselves into a smile and their bodies too numb and motionless to move. Breaking the silence, Abhi spoke

Abhi – So guys this is my surprise...I know you guys know each other but still formal introduction toh banta hain na...So this is my darling sister Nandini and Baby doll meet them love birds Navya and Cabir, the ones with a complicated relationship Dhruv and Alya, the single guy not ready to mingle Manik and here (moving towards Mukti, giving her a side hug), My love Mukti...So love how did you like my surprise..!!

Mukti shifted her focus from Nandini to Abhi, she looked at him with an expressionless face, removed his hand from her shoulder and moved out of the lobby

Abhi – Aray Mukti...Listen...

(Abhi started following her...,Manik stopped him in the middle)

Manik – Abhi...Listen dude..let me talk to her...

Abhi – But Manik

Manik – Trust me...She just reacted at the heat of the moment...let me talk to her first...she'll be okay..!! (Saying this Manik left the room)

Meanwhile everyone had come out of their trance. Navya was the first one to hug Nandini followed by others.

Cabir – Nandini..It is so great to see you...I am sorry for Mukti's reaction..

Nandini – Thanks Cabir..!!.. Same here and no worries...I know the reaction is for Abhi and not for me... But right now she needs you more than me...please go to her..

Navya – (Looking at a zoned out Abhi) But Abhi...

Nandini – Don't worry I'll handle him..You guys go to Mukti...I'll join you guys later..!!

Everyone leaves leaving Abhi and Nandini..!!

..........Manik's POV...........

I couldn't join my friends on the way back due to some professional commitments...While coming back to the hotel I got a message from Abhi saying he has some surprise awaiting for all of us...On reaching hotel I rushed to the lobby and found it gripped with an unusual silence..I went inside hoping I had not missed out on the surprise and as soon as in entered, my world stopped...There she was...after 5 years...I knew this day would come soon but so soon..I had definitely not anticipated that...silence engulfed me and all I could say was SURPRISE.

After a good few minutes of silence, I got out of my trance and found Mukti walking out and Abhi following her..I stopped Abhi as I knew right now I could pacify Mukti and also if Abhi and Mukti's face-off at the moment could lead to an ugly spat..I decided to take things under my control before they go out of hand...!!

...........Manik's POV ends..........

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

I was dreading this day...Anxiousness had grabbed me from the moment I had said yes to the meeting...I spent the entire night tossing and turning on the mattress....the day was no less....I was fidgety the entire day...I was glad that Abhi was not around to witness my uneasiness as he could have easily guessed the reason..Anyways by the evening I had gathered myself together...I called Abhi when I reached the hotel, he came out and I followed him to the lobby...He asked me to wait so that he could create the atmosphere for my entry...and then he called me...Silence and Shock engulfed the lobby with every step I took....I looked up to absorb the surroundings...I still in process when I heard Manik's voice and my world stopped...I fixed my gaze on him...I knew Abhi was saying something but couldn't register a word since my entire concentration was on the man right in front of me..after 5 long years I still couldn't take my eyes off even for 5 seconds..!!

Mukti walked off, knowing her I had anticipated that move, I wanted to talk to Abhi early during the day to warn him but didn't get the time but thankfully Manik took things in his control...I asked everyone to join Manik in pacifying Mukti while I took the responsibility of my brother. ..!!

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

Nandini called Abhi but since he was still lost, she held his shoulders and shook him to bring him back.

Abhi – I thought Mukti would be happy to see you...but she just walked off..!!

Nandini – She walked out because she was mad at you and not because she was unhappy seeing me...!!..

Abhi – Mad at me...what possibly could make her mad at me...all these years in their conversations they just wanted to meet you once, including her and now that you are here she walked off..How could she..!!

Nandini – Abhi you are taking it all wrong...she walked out not because she saw me..but because you didn't tell her that I am your sister...She is your fiancé Abhi..she should have been the first one to know this...she felt hurt...I had an idea and that is why I had called you in the afternoon to see if we could meet her first and then the rest of the gang..but we couldn't speak at that time

Abhi –But I thought a surprise for everyone would be a better idea

Nandini – It would have been a better idea if the past was simple and happy...Abhi our pasts are too complicated...living in different cities is not the sole creator of the distance between us...the distance is a result pain, hurt, mistrust we have faced in the past..its not as simple as it looks like

Abhi – Nandu...what has happened in the past...I need to know now...I can't stay ignorant anymore..!!

Nandini – I'll tell you Abhi..but right now Mukti needs you.. A piece of advice...try thinking from Mukti's point of view, calming her down will be easier...so sort the mess out in your head before facing Mukti...and by the time you do that let me go and do some damage control..

Abhi – Nandu I can't loose her

Nandini – You won't...(saying this Nandini got up...kept her hand on his shoulder)...Don't worry it will be fine...I promise..!! (something struck Nandini's mind while walking and she turned around)....Umm.. Abhi Mukti's room number...!!

Abhi –303, you can also check 300 to 305, she must be in either of them....if not there

Nandini and Abhi (together) – she will be on the terrace..

Nandini – don't worry I'll find her...you come soon don't take too long

Nandini left leaving Abhi with his thoughts

Meanwhile, in room no 303, Mukti banged the door as soon as she entered inside while Manik followed her..

Manik – Mukti listen to me yaar

Mukti – I don't want to talk to any anyone Manik..How could he..How could he hide that...

Manik – That Nandini is his sister....Mukti first calm down...Here (gives her a glass of water)...!!

Mukti – I don't want it..i want answers...!!

Manik – Answer of what..answers of the questions you haven't raised yet..You just walked out Mukti...No words..no questions..nothing..!!

By then Cabir, Dhruv, Alya and navya too entered

Alya – And without meeting her too...Mukti you saw Nandini after 5 years and you didn't even hug her once..you just.....

Mukti – So what else could I have done Alya...Abhi did not leave me with any other option...I came out since I didn't want to create any scene there..

Cabir –But eventually you did

Mukti – I am hurt Cabir...hurt because of Abhi's lack of trust in me

Manik – Stop being a kid Mukti..You really think Abhi didn't trust you...This ring you have on your finger is the proof of the trust he has in you..

Mukti – But he.....

Manik – But what...!!..Tell me something if you had known that Nandini was Abhi's sister would you still be in a relationship with him...won't your guilt overpower you...answer me honestly...!!

Mukti – May be not...may be...but that still doesn't give him the right to hide it..He knew how much all of us missed her....he didn't tell us even then...he let us being hurt ...!!

Manik – No he didn't...tell me what did he tell us about his sister

Dhruv – That she grown apart over the years

Manik –..... Exactly....not only us but her family missed her too....and when did he called you to tell that his sister has said agreed to be a part of the wedding

Mukti – last week

Manik – And in less than 7 days you are right in front of her...If Abhi had to hide..if he didn't trust you...he wouldn't have arranged the meet even today....think rationally...don't act impulsively as impulsiveness will make you loose something really beautiful.

Just then there was knock at the door...Navya opened the door to find Nandini standing outside

Nandini – Can I come in ?

Navya – Of course you can..you don't have to ask...!!

As soon as Nandini entered, Mukti got up and took her into a bone crushing hug

Nandini -..... Aahh Mukti...I can't breathe...

Mukti – (breaking the hug)Sorry Sorry...!!.. listen I am so sorry I was so stupid to walk out like that...I am really happy to see you..trust me ...it was just that I got.......(Mukti stopped talking)

Nandini – that you got mad on Abhi...but Mukti you are lashing out on the wrong person...I think the only person to be blamed is me..over the years, I somehow had distanced myself from my family and while Abhi had a slight idea of your viewpoint, he was completely clueless of the my side of the story...and he couldn't speak with me too as our conversations had turned into a formality and nothing else..!!

Mukti – I know that nandini...Abhi missed his sister..he never said it out loud but we all knew it..!!

Nandini – I know and I am sorry for that..!!...But I think the good thing that has happened in all of that is that you two have gotten yourselves into the relationships as two individuals with no past baggage attached... and now you've reached to a point where even if the past comes around you can get past it together...Am I right..??

By this time Abhi too had entered the room

Abhi – Absolutely...

Everyone looked at him while he just came a knelt down on the floor right in front of the sofa Mukti was sitting on.

Abhi – To begin with "I am sorry Mukti" and I am sorry to everyone that I had hidden an important fact from you guys..But trust me Mukti when I met you I didn't know our pasts connected in such a way...I fell in love with you..I knew you missed Nandini but I couldn't do anything about it since I missed her too...I had no intentions of hiding things...all I wanted to do was not to hurt anyone with the truth...But unfortunately that's exactly what happened..I am sorry..!!

Cabir – Don't be...because you were oblivion to the past but here we have someone who knew the past and also that the past and present are interconnected...we are not blaming you but am I right Manik..??

Manik – Yes I knew Nandini is Abhi's sister but I didn't want to interfere so stayed quite

Cabir – Explanations are not needed..we understand...and I am glad you didn't react impulsively...you've surprised us with your sanity in the given situation...I am proud of you brother..Life has turned you into a mature and level-headed individual..!!

Abhi – Wait a minute...Manik you knew....why didn't you ever question me...what the hell is happening..??

Nandini – I'll explain it you later Abhi..right now please focus (pointing towards Mukti)

Abhi – Right...!!..So Mukti am I forgiven...??

Dhruv – But Abhi, you know bits of our past..you know we've hurt your sister..you know we are the reason why she distance yourself from everyone...are you not mad at us..??

Abhi – I was Dhruv..i was really mad at you guys..Mukti do you remember the unnecessary fights I had with you when you told me a little about her and her pain..but then I saw her message on your phone and I realized she had forgiven you guys then why should I hold the grudge..!!...Plus for me our relationship brought the hope to bring my sister back....and see it did...!!

Mukti got up, so did Abhi, both of them hugged their difference out. Everything was sorted for now. They all had a gala time together with all the teasing and leg pulling. Manik and Nandini stole glances from time to time but didn't speak a word with each other since the pain, grudge , hurt that these two souls held was beyond measures and a few hours of physical closeness couldn't erase all of the that.

Soon it was dinner time, everyone headed downstairs. On the way Nandini got a call from Amms and she excused herself saying she would join them later

Manik (in his thoughts) – Why do I have feeling that there's more reason to Nandini's aloofness..she looked broken..she was smiling but from time to time she zoned herself out...she looked a bit uneasy and I have a feeling that our presence is not the only reason for that.

Meanwhile Nandini after finishing her call with Amms was in her own pool of thoughts

Nandini (in her thoughts) – everything looks so fine, just the way I wanted it to be...but why do I have this giddy feeling in my stomach...is this calm before the storm..Aiyappa please don't let anything ruin this happiness..please..!!

Nandini entered the dining area and settled herself in the circular dining table between Abhi and Manik since that was the only empty seat left..The circular seating arrangement was Abhi> Mukti> Cabir> Navya> Alya> Dhruv> Manik> Nandini sitting next to each other. Nandini was still uneasy but this time her unrest was noticed by Abhi

Abhi – Baby doll..what happened Are you alright..??

Nandini – Umm Abhi.....

Navya – Manik you do one thing you come here, I'll sit next to Nandini..

Manik nodded in approval and was about get up when Nandini spoke

Nandini – No Navya..there isn't any need for any changes...I am good..trust me..!!

They happily finished their dinner and were chit-chatting post dinner. It was a private dining area with only a few tables most of which got empty with time but the table with Fab5, Navya, Abhi and Nandini was still in its full galore. Just then a voice from behind spoke..

Voice – Am I dreaming..?? Is it really Nandini Murthy in a hotel..??

Nandini – (clutched her hands tightly under the table forming a fist which was noticed by Manik and Abhi while the stress lines on her forehead were visible to everyone) – Madhyam Singhania..what are you doing here...??

Madhyam – Oh you remember me...good good..(coming a bit closer)

Nandini – (sprung up from her seat) – Stay Away Madhyam...else the consequences will not be something you like

Madhyam – OOOOO.....I am scared (laughing hysterically)

Abhi tried coming in between but Nandini stopped him by showing her hand and turned to leave when Madhyam grabbed her hand..Everyone got up from their seats

Madhyam – Wait Nandini..you can't leave like this...At least wait till the time the team that you prepared for the the competition losses to mine...You know na the competition is in the same hotel...at least watch your team loosing and then you are free to go...!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 7-------

This brings us to the end the chapter 7 and Entry of Madhyam Singhaniya..The first bad guy of my story...what storm does he bring along and is Nandini strong enough to face it...we shall find out soon...

Guys I am elated with the response I have received for the story...I would like to thank everyone for the support shown...Thank you so much everyone..!!

On that note I am aware of the fact that you all wanted a conversation between Manik and Nandini...Relax guys..it will happen but not so soon....Manik and Nandini have not spoken for 5years...So for Nandini mixing up with everyone else is a bit easier than Manik..and as I said in the story the pain, grudge , hurt that these two souls held was beyond measures and a few hours of physical closeness couldn't erase all of the that.

Having said that it doesnot mean that they will not be able to convey their emotions...they will stay connected..how..we can only wait and watch...!!

Wishing everyone a HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY ....!! (I wished you guys in the previous update as well thinking i might not be able to update today...but i eventually could post an update..so wishing today as well).. 

We are blessed to be born in Free India and I hope we use our freedom wisely..!!

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