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As everyone were setting up their instruments, Manik noticed Nandu still huffing in anger due to their earlier conversation. He secretly chuckled and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.

Manik(sternly): I need a moment with my P.A., Ms. Murthy.

Since he addressed her as Ms. Murthy, she thought it be something related to office work. So, she moved out of the room but not before glaring him. Manik followed her with a smirk making everyone smile in disbelief.

Cabir(disbelievingly): Iske parents ne haan kya kar diye yeh toh ab khule khule romance karne lag gaya.

Outside the room

Manik(smiled): Ms. Murthy.

Nandu(sarcastically): Yes, Mr. Malhotra. Ab kya chahiye tumhe when you didn't let me go to office?

Manik(pouted): Toh chali jaati office. Why did you stay?

Nandu(calmly): Vo Cabir bhai asked me to stay. Unhone kaha koi kaam hai jo baad mein batayenge.

Manik(muttered): Isse better reason nahi mila kya use?

Nandu(glaring him): What did you say?

Manik(stuttered): Wha..what did...I...I say? Kuch...kuch nahi bola maine.

Nandu(accusingly): Manik, is this your plan?

Manik(stammered scaredly): Wha..what plan? Tum...ky...kya bol rahi ho?

Nandu(disappointedly): I didn't expect this from you.

She turned to go when Manik pulled her through her hand.

Manik(pleaded): Nandu, meri baat suno.

She raised an eyebrow.

Manik: Acha baba sorry.

He held his ears and made his best possible puppy face to which she softened her expressions and looked down. Cupping her cheek, he spoke.

Manik(softly): Nandu yaar, sachi office mein kaam nahi tha. Mom-Dad bhi bas overall check karne gaye hai. They wanted to go and see the things. Aur this is my first performance and I need you beside me.

Sensing the nervousness in his voice, she spoke.

Nandu: Manik, why are you nervous? This isn't the first time you are singing.

Manik: yes but I am singing after so many years. And....

Nandu(smiled reassuringly): Kuch nahi hoga, Manik. Aur jab tak start nahi karoge toh khatam kaise hoga? Come let's do this.

He nods and both go inside. Seeing them entering, Cabir yawned deliberately and turned towards Mukti, pretended as if not seeing them coming.

Cabir(tiredly): Mukti, mujhe neend aa rahi hai. Just wake me up when Manik comes.

Manik(announced): no need Mukti. I got the new drummer for our group.

Turning towards Manik, Cabir pretended to be shocked.

Cabir: Manik, tu agaya? Sorry, maine tujhe dekha nahi.

Manik(smiled sarcastically): Ab dekhne ki zaroorat bhi nahi padegi, Cabir.

Navya(cutting their banter): Yaar kitna ladte ho. Ab ga kar bhi sunao na.

They practice the selected song for an hour and then take a break as everyone felt tired. Everyone sat down and were relaxing when Manik spoke.

Manik: Guys I have a suggestion for the youtube idea.

Taking a nod from everyone, he continues.

Manik(suggested): People know us due to our respective works. So, they might support or oppose this decision of ours even before listening to our song just by seeing our faces or knowing our names. I was thinking let's release only an anonymous audio instead of a video. If someone contacts us, we can give them the address. What do you guys think?

Cabir(teased): Bhai, tujhe aur teri P.A. ko aise hatke ideas aate kahan se hai? But it's interesting.

Mukti(excited): I agree with you Cabir. Dono ek hi type ke hai. But yes, I am in.

Alya(smiled): I am in too, guys.

Dhruv was about to say something, but Cabir spoke without giving him a chance.

Cabir(announced): Great then let's proceed with this.

Manik(softly): Cabir, Dhruv ko bolne de yaar.

Cabir(teased): It's Obvious, Manik. Baby ji is in matlab Baby ji ke baby ji agree karenge hi na.

Alya(angrily): Cabir, I will kill you.

Cabir(showing his tongue): You can't Alya. Tera makeup kharab ho jayega.

Mukti: Abey joker, chup karega ya punch khana hai?

Cabir(pleads being afraid): The only khana that I don't want to khana is your punch. Mujhe baksh de Mukti.

Everyone were enjoying their banter when Manik gave Nandu a questioning glance about his suggestion to which she blinked her eyes and smiled.

They practiced for a while, recorded the songs and uploaded it along with an email id and a new phone number.

Hai junoon - new york - @riya4smartgirl 

Saware - @starwillshine 

You and me - befikre @VabnaMohan

[A/N - This isn't a very important audio, so I am not posting the lyrics here. Thank you all for the song suggestions. Sorry, couldn't tag here]

Night, Mukti's room

Mukti, Navya and Alya were discussing about their designs and their project when Manik entered with a frown on his face.

Mukti(concerned): Manik, sab theek hai? Why that frown?

Manik(puzzled): Nandu kahan hai?

Alya(teased): Are you always on your Romeo mode?

Manik(worriedly): Alya, stop acting as Cabir. I didn't see her after lunch. Dinner bhi karne nahi aayi.

Navya(smiled): She wasn't hungry, Manik.

Manik(pouted): Aur ab mujhe kyun nahi dikh rahi?

Mukti(rolling her eyes): Kid, she is on terrace. She went for some fresh air.

Manik(grinned): okthanksbye.

He ran off from there.

Mukti(disbelievingly): I am telling you yeh ladka pura pagal ho gaya hai pyar mein.

Navya(protectively): Shh. Mere Manan ke bare mein kuch mat bolo.

Mukti(surprised): tujhe in dono se itna pyar kab ho gaya?

Navya(adoringly): Jab se Manik ne apni story batayi. You know they are freaking cute.

And she ranted about them while Mukti and Alya were finishing off their work listening to her.

Terrace

Manik found Nandu on the terrace staring at the stars and punching something on her phone in between.

Manik(raising an eyebrow): Aaj iss mobile ka murder hone wala hai kya?

Nandu glanced towards him and it broke his heart seeing tears in her eyes. He hurriedly cupped her face and wiped off her tears before they could fall down.

Manik(concerned): Nandu, why these tears? Kya hua? Did you think I left the house? Jo tum yahan akele akele aansu baha rahi ho.

Nandu(looking away): Main aasu baha nahi rahi thi. They just formed in my eyes for few seconds.

Manik(disbelievingly): Oh really? (She gets a message) Wait a second. Is it about these messages? Kaun message kar raha hai iss time par? Is anyone troubling you?

Nandu(whispered): No. It's Abhimanyu.

Manik(confused): What's with him?

Nandu(looking down): Nothing serious.

Manik: Ok.

He takes out his mobile and dials his number.

Call

Manik(enquired): Bhai, Nandu se baat kiya tune?

Abhimanyu(laughed): Haan. I am coming tomorrow. I just teased her saying I will come after 3-4 days.

Manik(screamed): Abhimanyu, there's a limit for everything. She is crying here.

Abhi(worriedly): What? Why?

Manik(yelled, rolling his eyes): Stop freaking out now. I am handling her. You just go and ask someone to punch you. Bye.

Call Ends

Manik(softly): He is coming tomorrow.

Nandu(snapped towards him): Really?

Manik(raising an eyebrow): Naah. There's something else Nandini that's bothering you. Either you are telling me or I have my sources.

Nandu(avoiding eye contact): Mujhe ghar jana hai.

Manik(teased): Kyun? Koi book chut gaya?

Nandu(croaked): Manik please na.

Listening to her voice, Manik felt Nandini is trying hard not to cry. He hugged her tight and kept stroking her hair, pecking her head from time to time. After few minutes, breaking the hug, he cupped both her cheeks and stared into her eyes.

Manik(cooed): Nandu, yahan acha nahi lag raha kya? Are you not comfortable? Kisi ne kuch kaha tumse?

Nandu nods in no.

Manik(concernedly): Are you missing your parents?

More tears formed in her eyes. Taking it as a yes, he continued further.

Manik(smiled softly): pagal ladki. Ek bar bol deti mujhe? Abhi chalna hai?

Nandu(nodding in a 'no'): Kal subah?

Manik: Fine. Lekin for now you have to smile.

Nandu chuckles. They stare the stars for sometime and leave. Manik drops her till her room and leaves after wishing both Nandu and Mukti.