Hello People. First of all, thank you to everyone who is still stuck to this story. And some people who have just started reading this books, hey, I loved the spam notifications of your precious votes. Thank you. It really means a lot. 

Happy Reading...

Manik found both Cabir and Abhimanyu in Cabir's cabin. Both of them were sitting silently still the tension in their faces were evident.

Manik(teasingly): Apni yeh sade hue expressions sahi kar lo then I will tell you something.

Cabir(frowns): Hadh hai. Hum tere liye pareshan hai aur tu humari hi mazak uda raha hai.

Manik smiles before continuing.

Manik(smirks): I want to bring back music in my life.

Cabir and Abhi gaped at each other before Cabir screamed and jumped on Manik while Abhi and Nandu smiled at them through tears. Abhimanyu too secretly wished him to continue his music after listening how passionate he was towards it through Cabir one day, back then in London. He couldn't be happier for his friends, especially Manik. His thought process was stopped by Manik's voice.

Manik: Cabir, gadhe. Get off me. You are too heavy. Kya khakar aaya hai London se?

Cabir got off from him and replied him with a smirk.

Cabir: Meri girlfriend ka khana jo tere naseeb mein nahi hai.

Manik: Isiliye tune plan change kar diya na? You went to London leaving me. You selfish insaan.

Cabir(smirks): Oh yes. And I'm loving it.

Nandu: Bhai aapki girlfriend hai?

Manik and Abhi burst out laughing at her question.

Cabir: Haan hai na. London mein.

Nandu: Why are you both laughing?

Manik: Because, Miss. Murthy, his girlfriend is my mom. Yeh mom ko girlfriend bulata hai and mom ise boyfriend.

Nandu glares Cabir while he gives a sheepish smile.

Cabir: Waise Manik, how are you gonna find about this mysterious girl?

Manik: Do you think she has given us any clue? Dekha nahi tune, the letter is not handwritten. Type karke bheji hai.

Cabir: But then, how..

Manik: Cabir, let's keep it a mystery na. Usne bola na she will reveal her identity all by herself. Let's just wait for her.

Cabir nods in understanding. Suddenly Manik remembers something and says,

Manik: Yaar ek problem hai.

Cabir: Ab kya hua Manik baba.

Manik: How will I convince Fab5? Convince chod, how will I even contact them? I am not in touch with them all these years.

Cabir and Abhi look at each other.

Cabir: Manik, that's not a big deal. Tu bas haan bol meri jaan bhi hazir hai tere liye, ek phone number kya baat hai.

Manik: Tu phir shuru ho gaya? You aren't getting my point. Talking to them, especially Mukti, after all these years is like getting your suicide planned. Cabir vo hum dono ko maar dalegi.

Cabir: Actually Manik, hum nahi sirf tujhe maar dalegi.

Manik: what?

Cabir: Because I was in contact with them.

Manik: Aur tu mujhe ab bula raha hai?

Cabir: Remember you didn't want to talk about them? So, I never told you. Aur waise meri jaan pyari hai mujhe. How can I dare not to speak to them and get myself murdered by them, especially Mukti?

Manik makes a grumpy face before settling down on a chair. Cabir smiles and goes out to call Mukti.

Manik: Abhi, am I doing right? What's your opinion?

Abhi: Manik, stop living for others. For once, think about your happiness. And of course, I am happy but on one condition.

Manik: what?

Abhi: I want to see you performing live.

Manik smiled at him before nodding in a yes. Meanwhile, Cabir comes back after talking.

Cabir: Manik meri baat hui hai unse. They will be reaching her by tomorrow. So, you have one day to prepare for yourself. And Abhimanyu. Arey main bhi kise puch raha hun. Your P.A is Nandini there, right. So, Nandini, I would like you to prepare a funeral speech for Manik. Can you do that?

Nandu: What?

Cabir: Haan. I don't think he will survive after Mukti's 'Manik ko dho daalo' andolan.

Manik: Cabir, I am already scared. Tu mujhe aur dara raha hai.

While Cabir and Abhi laugh at his expense, Nandini moved towards him and squeezed his shoulder for assurance.

Nandu: Relax. They are just your friends. Remember you were popular for your friendship more than your music. Sach bata dena and they will understand.

Manik nods at her as if in a daze. The words not only surprised him but also Abhi and Cabir. Nandini got a call so she excused herself for getting into work. As soon she left Abhi and Cabir composed and pounced on Manik with their questions.

Cabir: Woah. What was that? You just instantly relaxed under her touch.

Abhi: Guys, ek week mein itna kya ho gaya yaar. Mujhse baat nahi karti, tere se itne openly baat kar rahi hai.

Cabir: kahi tune propose tho nahi kar diya?

Abhi: Are you guys already in a relationship? Yaar, main dulhan ka bhai hun. Mera hak banta hai janane ko.

Manik: Are you guys done with your crap? And Abhi. Seriously, dulhan?

Abhi: you are giving us reasons, Malhotra.

Manik: I don't know. She is opening up a bit. But it's still a long way to go.

Abhi smiles at him before excusing himself for getting back to his work instead goes to meet Nandini who was writing some files.

Abhi: Can I have few minutes of yours, Miss. Nandini.

Nandu looked up to find Abhimanyu with a mischievous glint. She rolled her eyes before replying back.

Nandu: Of course, Mr. Abhimanyu. I have all the time in the world for you.

Abhimanyu didn't miss the sarcasm in her tone as she continued writing alongside.

Abhi: So Miss. Nandini Murthy, is there anything that you would like to share with me?

Nandu gave him a questioning glance.

Abhi: What were you doing sometime back, with Manik?

Nandu: I was trying to calm him down, Abhimanyu. There's nothing much. Don't you have any other work?

Abhi: The girl who needs to be calmed down is calming someone else. Isn't that a news, Miss. Murthy. What are you hiding sister?

Abhi saw Nandu getting tensed up. The pen she held sometime back fell down from her hands while she looked down, closing her eyes tightly as if trying to control her tears. Abhi instantly stood up from his chair before hugging her and rubbing her back. He waited for minutes, giving her time to calm down. He took her towards the nearest couch still holding her hand and asked her.

Abhi: Babydoll, what's wrong? You know right, you can share anything with me.

Nandu took a deep breath before continuing.

Nandu: Bhai, I was scared.

Abhi: Kis liye, bacha?

Nandu: Bhai, yesterday when he wasn't picking up any of our calls, I went to his place. He didn't come to office too, so I got worried. Waha jaane ke baad he has locked himself in his room. When I went there, bhai he was trembling. There was sweat all over his forehead. He was so lost. He cried. Bhai he was always a calm person. Kal raat I saw a whole different version of Manik. I never expected him to break down like that. He was so vulnerable. He wasn't able to talk.

Nandu was herself in a pool of tears until the time she completed it. She couldn't imagine a carefree guy like him to suffer so much. While Abhi held her, he knows his sister. A sensitive person that she is, she can't handle people close to her suffer. He smiled at her concern for Manik and hoped for things to get better between them.

Abhi: babydoll. We are there, right? Ab hum use suffer nahi hone denge? Deal?

Nandini nods determinedly.

At the end of the day, Cabir and Abhi who were leaving found Nandu outside her cabin along with her files and a bunch of white roses. The protective big brother mode was switched on for Abhi as he saw them in her hands. He marched towards her while Cabir followed him. Nandu who was busy looking at her things, ensuring that she hadn't missed anything, didn't notice them.

Abhi: What are these in your hands? Kisne diya?

Nandu: I don't know. It just had a 'sorry' card.

Abhi: Then why are you carrying these. Just throw it in the dustbin. These are not safe.

Nandu: Abhimanyu these are just roses. What part of it is not 'safe'?

Cabir: Princess maybe yeh iske thorns ke liye bol raha hoga.

Abhimanyu gives a glare to him as Nandu laughs.

Abhi: Still, they are from someone unknown. How can you take it when you don't know kisne send kiya ho?

'Maine bheja hai'

They turned to the voice and found Manik there. Cabir was amused at the sudden information while Nandu too looked surprised at him.

Abhi: Tune? Then it's safe.

Cabir: And may we know why flowers especially for her?

Manik: Tu kya kaan mein lagayega flowers?

Manik turns towards Nandu who still didn't say anything.

Manik: Nandini these are for yesterday. I am sorry I behaved like a jerk totally ignoring you. I hope you like them and forgive me.

Nandu: You don't need to do this. I can understand the situation Manik.

Manik: But still. I had to do this.

Cabir: Arey bahut ho gaya sorry. Nandu you like flowers right? Rakh lo. Let's go home. I am starving.

All laugh at them and leave for their houses, while Abhimanyu managed to take Nandu to his home. 

So, more than the letter and I feel getting Manik's music back into his life is important. Do tell your views on this. 

Excited for Fab5? Will they support Manik? Will they forgive him for abandoning them? That to without creating any drama? 

How was the update? Waiting for your feedback. 

Anyone up for a new book? If yes, I will share the details in the next chapter.