Nandini heard everything about Fab5's tour which they were going to deny because of her condition. They had an argument for this and Manik shouted on her. Nandini left from there angrily. Manik too left behind her to make her understand.

Nandini's pov
Manik had told me to meet him at jam room after my class. I reached there when I heard them saying something about their album. I decided to wait out for a while so that they can end their discussion. I didn't want to disturb them.

Thanks to Ayaiappa that I waited else I would have never got to know about their album tour. They were about to let this big opportunity go just because of me and I couldn't let that happen. It's about the career of whole Fab5.

I tried to make them understand but they were adamant. I lost my cool when Manik shouted on me and I left from there being hurt. I was angry too on him for hiding such a big thing from me. I got out from college and took a auto to come back home. I know Manik would come to search for me and I didn't want to face him that moment.

I got back home and chachi opened the door for me. She was surprised seeing me soon.

"What happened, Nandu? You came back so early."

"I didn't have anymore classes."

"Okay, go and freshen up."

I nodded and left for my room. Then I went to amms's room who was packing her bags. I frowned seeing her. "Amms, why are you packing your bags?"

She passed me a smile. "I had come for your performance. So, I'm thinking of going back and I can't stay away from gurukul for so long. My students are waiting."

My face fell hearing her but nodded. "Can't you stay here for some more days? I'll miss you."

Amms patted on her lap. I lied down keeping my head on her lap.

"It's been so many days already. You're also fine now. Your college will be off after a few days, then you can come to Mangalore."

I nodded and snuggled more into her lap. I didn't even get to know when time passed talking to her. I was feeling peace. She is the most important person of my life after my parents death. She has consoled me and brought me up. I can't fail her. She has so many dreams with me.

I have already taken a big step and hiding it from her. I don't know how will she react whenever she will get to know. But I know she will be hurt and I can't hurt her more by telling her about my problem with music. I will try hard from now on and I am sure I can throw out pandit from my life. Amms had taught me music with so much passion, I won't let that fail.

I get back to my senses when amms shook me.

"What're you thinking so much, Nandu? I'm not going for forever."

"When are you going?"

"Tomorrow morning."

I got up and hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you."

"We'll also miss you too."

I broke the hug and turned back. Chachi and Rishab was also standing there with a smile on their face.

"Lunch is ready. Come."

We nodded and left to have lunch.

I retired to my room and searched for my phone. It was still in my bag. I was shocked seeing so many calls and messages from Manik. I didn't even realize that my phone was on silent mode. He must be worried for me. I didn't inform him and also pick up his calls. So, I decided to call him back.

Manik picked up the call at the first ring only. Before I could tell him anything, he said. "Come out right now, I'm reaching there in 5 minutes." He didn't even give me a chance to say anything and cut the call.

Ayaiappa....

What will I do with this boy?

I sighed. I know I have to go else he will come in and I have to answer everyone. I took my stole and sneaked out as everyone was taking nap.
end of Nandini's pov

Manik's pov
I searched for Nandini everywhere but I couldn't find her anywhere. She was just no where. I tried calling her so many times but she was not even picking up my calls. I texted her as well but she didn't replied any of them.

Is she okay?

The only thought which crossed my mind is her safety. I can't afford to let something happen to her. My fear was growing by each passing moment.

At last I asked the guard, if he has seen her not. He told me that she has already left for home. Now it rose my anger.

She didn't even think it it necessary to tell me that she is leaving for home.......

I know I have shouted on her. But that doesn't mean she will ignore me like that. She knew it very well that how much I will get worried for her. Still she decided to pull this stunt on me.

How can she???

I was driving to nowhere angrily when my phone buzzed and it's Nandini. Finally she remembered me after ignoring thousand of my calls. I picked up the call.

"Come out right now, I'm reaching there in 5 minutes."

I cut the call and took a sharp U turn.

When I reached at Nandini's place, she was already standing out waiting for me.
end of Manik's pov

"Manik...."

Nandini called out his name as soon as Manik stood in front of her. His face was showing pure rage.

Manik held her shoulder and pinned her with his car. He was looking directly into Nandini's eyes.

"What's there to be so angry about? That you ignored all my calls and messages?"

"Manik, calm down." Nandini spoke softly keeping her anger aside. She knew Manik was worried after that night incident. She is at fault.

"What calm down? Do you have any idea that how much scared I was?" Manik said still holding her in that position.

Nandini looked into his eyes which were showing fear with aggression.

"I know. But I didn't see my phone. It was on silent and I was talking to amms. So, I didn't hear."

As Nandini completed Manik calmed down a little. He left her shoulder but they were still standing face to face. Suddenly Manik hugged her tightly. Nandini got startled with the sudden hug. She shivered. She is still not over the incident but wrapped her arms around him slowly.

"Never do this to me again."

Manik said still being in the hug. Nandini nodded and Manik tightened his hold around her.

"Manik, please don't back out from the tour. It's such a big opportunity." Nandini said.

Manik's eyes flung open and he broke the hug.

"We aren't going and that's already decided. Don't start the topic again. I don't want to fight with you now." Manik said gritting his teeth.

Nandini too got angry. "Give me a valid reason for not going and I'll not say anything."

"There's nothing more important than you and dad in my life and I can't leave you alone like this, at least not now."

Nandini's heart fluttered with joy but she didn't say anything. This is not the right time. At first she has to make him agree for the tour. She can't let this opportunity go from their hand.

"I'm not a kid, Manik. I can take care of myself. You don't need to worry about me."

"Ohh... Yeah. I know it very well." Manik said sarcastically.

Nandini looked down knowing Manik is right.

"You've to go, Manik. Else I'll go." Nandini tried to blackmail Manik.

He frowned, hearing her. "You'll go? Where? What do you mean?"

"Amms is going back tomorrow. I'll also leave with her. Maybe for forever." Nandini said and was about to leave.

Manik pulled her back holding her hand. Her back was facing Manik. Manik pulled her closer and her back was touching his front now.

"You can't go like this." Manik's voice was low.

"Why?" Nandini asked in the same tone.

"You're my wife and I won't let you go."

"No one knows."

"But you know and that's enough. Also I can accept it in front of everyone and you know I can do it." Manik's voice was determined now.

"You can't stop me. I need alone time to get back to myself." Nandini was also determined.

"I'm helping you then why do you need to be alone?"

"It'll make everything easier."

She said the last line in a low voice making sure Manik doesn't hear.

"Are you sure?"

Nandini nodded her head in yes.

"I don't think so. You don't panic thinking about pandit when I'm close to you. You didn't even realize that you played veena this morning when I was with you. Still you think going away from me will make it easier?" Manik said huskily.

Nandini closed her eyes and thought in mind. "Don't make it more difficult for me. It's already so hard for me."

"Manik, please go. For me." Nandini somehow managed to speak.

"No."

"In that case, I'll use my blank promise."

Nandini opened her eyes. She was controlling her tears with a great difficulty. Manik turned her towards him.

"Please no!" Manik literally pleaded.

"You can't deny me, Manik. You had promised me that you'll hear me. So, you've to go for the tour." Nandini said looking down.

Manik didn't say anything more. He just left her and drove away angrily. Nandini kept looking at that direction with tears in her eyes for a long time. When Manik went put of her sight, she wiped her tears and went in.

Otherside Manik's condition was no different. Though he left from there angrily but in real he was hurt. Nandini forced him to go away from her. He knew it's not for her. She is doing this for them only. But he is not ready to go knowing her state. She has literally left no option for him apart from going for the tour.

He sighed!!!

He had given her the blank promise but never in his wildest dream he thought that she will use it like this.

Manik was driving like a maniac when his phone buzzed. It was Cabir. He picked up the call.

"Hello..."

"Manik, where are you? It's already 5. We are waiting for you in O2's office."

"I'm on the way. I'll be there in a while."

"Okay, bye."

Manik hung up the call and drove to the office. It took him around 15 minutes to reach there. He moved in where fab4 were already waiting for him. They got up seeing him.

Mukti stood in front of him. "Manik, where were you?"

Seeing his face Alya asked. "Are you okay?"

Manik nodded. "I went to meet Nandini."

Dhruv held his shoulder. "Is she okay? I mean the way she left then, she must be very hurt."

Others too nodded in agreement.

"Did you speak to her? What did she say?" Cabir asked. 

Manik sighed, hearing them. "Nothing. Lets go in."

They wanted to say something more but Manik didn't give them any chance. He went into manager's cabin. They sighed and went behind him.

They settled down in front of him.

"Welcome, have a seat."

He shook hand with the boys and sat down. Their face showed not only their confidence but their attitude also.

"What did you guys decide? Are you ready for the tour?"

Fab4 were about to ask, if they can have the album without tour. But before that only Manik replied. "Yeah, we're ready for the tour. We're here to discuss that only." Fab4 looked at him with wide eyes.

Shocked!!!

"Manik...."

He gestured Cabir to stay quiet.

"That's great. You guys wait here.  I'll be back in 5. I need to call sir."

Fab5 nodded. As he left Fab4 bombered questions on Manik.

"Stop it. We're doing the album and the tour too. Nandini doesn't need us. She's enough for herself."

"She must have told this in anger. Let us talk to her." Cabir tried to reason.

Fab3 too nodded in agreement. But Manik denied.

"No need and we're doing it, that's final. Do you have any problem?"

They nodded in no and sighed in disbelief seeing Manan. They both are stubborn.

After 5 minutes manager entered in with Mr Mehra. Fab5 got up and greet him. He too did the same.

"Please take your seat."

Fab5 nodded and settled down.

"You agreed for the tour. That's great. You made the best decision."

"Thanks for the album, Mr Mehra." Cabir told.

"You deserve it. Let's discuss the album deal so that I can prepare the contract and we have to prepare for the tour then."

Fab5 nodded.

"It's a month long tour. In this whole month you will perform in different cities of India and in between you'll also work on your album. You've to make 3 songs during the tour and another 2 songs you'll prepare after the tour."

"Do we need to perform the 3 songs in concerts?" Mukti asked.

"No, you'll just prepare them and submit them to our members."

Fab5 nodded.

"You guys will get 2 weeks after the tour to finish the remaining 2 songs. Then we will do the recording and after that we will arrange a launch event where we will introduce Fab5 officially."

"We will finalize the dates of recording and launch according to our schedule." Alya kept their point.

"Okay."

Then they discussed other things for some more times. After an hour long discussion, they were finally done.

"Then start your preparation, you have only a week before the tour. Raghav, you start the preparation from today only. O2 is already conducting a tour all over India with other singers and you guys will perform there only. It's decided then See you guys tomorrow. I will make the papers ready."

They shook hands and Fab5 left from there.

At Cabir's place
Fab5 went to Cabir's place from O2's office. Navya was already present there. They wanted to call Nandini too but Manik stopped them saying amms is leaving tomorrow. So, Nandini is busy with her.

Girls were arranging the snacks whereas the boys were talking about the album and tour.

"We'll leave in a week. Before that we need to arrange everything." Cabir muttered in a matter of fact tone.

Dhruv nodded. "Yeah, the time is too less."

Though Manik was present there physically, his mind was somewhere else. Cabir and Dhruv too noticed it. Cabir placed his hand on Manik's shoulder. He turned towards Cabir.

"Why did you agree when you don't want to go? We didn't have any problem in dropping the deal."

Girls also came there. They too heard Cabir's question.

"Nandini wants us to go for the tour." Manik replied with a sarcastic smile. "Actually she wants me to go away from her. She has said if I don't go for the tour, then she will go to Mangalore and may never come back. Now you know why I agreed for the tour."

"You aren't serious!" Mukti mumbled in disbelief.

"Guess what this is serious and I can't do anything. Just... Just look at her condition, she's not okay but she still has to be stubborn."

"Let us talk to her maybe she agrees and we've not signed the contract yet. So, we can back out." Dhruv proposed.

"In that case, I will use my blank promise."

Manik remembered Nandini's words.

"No need. We're going."

Manik finished his drink and got up. "Party is over. I'm going home."

Before they could say anything Manik left.

After Manik left, Mukti said. "Why can't everything be normal with Manik Nandini? They're still not over the pandit incident and now they've to go away from each other."

Navya agreed to her. "On top of that, they're fighting like kids. I'm speaking to Nandini. How can she do this?"

Navya was about to call Nandini but Cabir stopped her. "Navya, didn't you hear what Manik said? Amms is going to Mangalore tomorrow. So, Nandini must be busy with her. Then how will she speak to you?"

Navya slapped her forehead. "Oh! I forgot. I'll talk to her tomorrow in college."

"It's Sunday tomorrow." Dhruv reminded them.

Navya held her head. "Hey, Matarani! I'll call her tomorrow."

Alya got up. "We should also leave now. Dhruv will you drop me?"

Dhruv nodded. "Are you coming with us, Mukti?"

"I have my bike. You both carry on."

They left bidding bye to Cabir and Navya.

Precap: Dooriyan

How was the part? Expected?

Nandini made Manik agreed for the tour, do you think Manik will go or he will do something to stay back?

How was Manan little moment?

Aren't Fab5 friendship goal?

Which one is your favourite moment?

Don't forget to vote. See you all soon.

Bye.

13.01.2023