Highly disappointed with the response of last chapter. It took you guys a month to complete the target. Next chapter will be uploaded only after this one crosses 250+ votes. Till then enjoy this one and bye.

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"You get hit the hardest when trying to run or hide from a problem. Like the defense on a football field, putting all focus on evading only one defender is asking to be blindsided." ― Criss Jami.

When Manik and Nandini reached the venue, the place was filled with media and their fans. The security guards were having a hard time controlling the crowd. Media was trying to get some spicy bite from the event where one of the most promising band from recent time is gonna be launched. Other side, their fans were cheering for their idols and trying to get a glance of them.

Nandini was surprised seeing the rush around. She was expecting people to be going crazy for Fab5, after all no one can ignore their music. But it was more than her expectation. She was overwhelmed. She was bound to feel proud for her husband. She could see young girls holding placards of her husband's name and they held different kind of confessions too for him. She only chuckled seeing their craziness.

Manik drove inside the premises ignoring everything. The guards cleared the rush a little making way for them to go in. Manik parked the car to the darkest corner of the garage where no one could spot them easily.

He was ready to hold Nandini's hand in front of the whole world and shout to them that he belonged to her. But Nandini wasn't ready for it. She wanted to keep their relationship hidden from media and eye from other people. She feared someone might caste their evil eyes on them again. Even though Manik had declared about them in front of the whole college. Later Manik had to threaten them once again that this news shouldn't go outside the college premises else they all would be expelled. So, no one dared to do so.

As Manik parked the car, they were still sitting inside the car. Nandini was looking at her lap fidgeting with her fingers and Manik was noticing her every action keenly. He knew she was tensed for some reason and it was related to him only.

He kept his one palm on hers over her lap stopping her. She looked at him who was already eyeing her.

"What's the matter, Nandini?" He asked directly without beating around the bush.

"Nothing." She turned her face to the other side.

Manik sighed. "You're a very bad liar, Nandini. When you don't know how to lie, then you shouldn't try it. Just spill the bean already, if you don't want us to spend the night here." He was damn serious.

Nandini turned to see him with a jerk. She knew he could do that too. "I was thinking about today's event."

"Are you still thinking about the same thing?" Manik looked at her face. Even though she didn't say anything but he understood what she was thinking. "Nandini, that time you were alone at home that's why that bastard could think of harming you. Here in between all the people, no one can look at you with bad intention." He was determined to protect her from every evil eye.

"I don't know why but I'm having a strange feeling. I feel something is gonna happen. Something not good." She voiced out her fear which she was trying to suppress within herself for a while. But she couldn't keep it to herself anymore. This place wasn't giving any good vibe to her. She was feeling uneasy.

Manik could see the restlessness in her eyes. Something was surely bothering her a lot else she wasn't someone so weak. He didn't know how to make her feel better. He took her both palms in between his. "Nandini, see I'm right here with you and till the time we're together, nothing is gonna harm us. I'll protect us. I promise. You know right Manik Malhotra never breaks his promises?"

Nandini nodded her head with a small smile.

"Give me a big smile. Your real one." He stretched her lips with her fingers.

This time she smiled brightly.

"That's like my Nandini. My star should shine brighter than anything else. Everyone should envy me that I'm so lucky to get you." He cupped her face and pecked on her forehead. "Let's go now. I got Cabir's message. They're waiting for us."

Nandini nodded her head. Manik got down first and then he helped Nandini to come out. Nandini was fixing her dress. When she stood straight, she felt Manik's one arm sneaking around her waist who was standing beside her. She passed a surprised look to him.

"What?" Manik asked seeing her looking at him that way.

"What's this?" She pointed towards his hand through her eyes.

"You're my date tonight." He shrugged her shoulders. "So, I can definitely hold my date."

"But Manik..."

"No ifs and buts, Nandini. What did I say? Trust me and enjoy the night. I'll handle everything. You just do one thing." He looked into her eyes. "Just stay by my side and I can do anything."
 
Nandini couldn't say anything further. She just admired the person beside her. She wondered what did she actually do deserve someone so pure like Manik in her life. She didn't know all this. She only knew Manik is too precious for her and she couldn't think of anything apart from him nowadays. He has successfully captured all her thoughts and she didn't regret that at all.

Manik and Nandini walked inside the banquet where the program was gonna take place. When they reached near the place, they found Fab4 and Navya standing there already waiting for them.

"Here is Manik and Nandini, guys. Finally." Mutki exclaimed seeing them as she was the first one to spot them.

Nandini was expecting them to tease the hell out of them for being late like other days. But nothing happened as such. It made her a little astonished.

Manik looked at Cabir seeing everyone behaving all calm and different. Cabir closed his eyes looking at Manik that assured him that everything was fine. He had already hinted others about today's incident and also warned them not to mention about it in front of Nandini.

"I'm sorry, guys. You all have to wait for us. It's your big day and still you have to stand like this for us. I'm..." Nandini was about to apologize once again but Alya cut her before that.

"Nandini, relax. There's nothing to apologize. We can understand, it was too crowded outside and also we have also reached a few minutes back only."

"Yes, Nandini. Don't worry. You didn't make us wait much long." Mukti passed a smile to her.

They were talking when the manager of O2 came there. "Hello, you're already here."

"Yes." Cabir replied maintaining their attitude.

Till now Fab5 was standing there normally but seeing people approaching them, they got back to their brat mode and pulled their masks up. They were back with their devilish, carefree attitude.

Nandini and Navya shared a look and sighed inwardly noticing the change in their behavior.

They walked inside the banquet behind Fab5. In between all this, Manik didn't let go off Nandini's hand. He was still holding her not caring anyone can spot them. Nandini tried to free herself from his grip only to make it tighter.

"Don't try, Nandini. It might catch someone's attention. I'm sure you don't want that. So, keep walking with me like a good girl." Manik uttered in a low tone hiding from others making sure it was only audible to her.

Nandini stared at her with wide eyes.

"Stop staring like this, wifey." Manik moved his gaze around. "You're only increasing my desire to pull you in a corner and kiss like never before."

Nandini's mouth hung open with his statement. She hurriedly looked at other side not daring to look at him again. She was sure that he could as he said.

"You all take some drink and make yourself comfortable. Sir will be here any moment, then we'll head to the the main program." The manager said to Fab5 calling for a waiter.

"Sure." This time it was Dhruv replied to him passing a tight lipped smile to him.

Nandini was surprised once again. She didn't know Dhruv could behave like this. She let out a sigh not wanting to think all this. She has accepted it already that Fab5 is unpredictable. You can never guess what's going on in their mind.

Seeing them, the manager excused himself and went away from there.

"What was that, guys?" Nandini asked once the manager was away from their site.

"What was what?" Cabir shrugged his shoulders taking a sip of his drink pretending not understanding what she meant at all. 

Nandini looked at others who had the same expression on their face. She turned to see Navya, she sighed giving an 'I told you already' look to Nandini. 

"Leave all this. Do you need anything?" Manik asked her.

"No."

"Nandini, take some drink. It would surely take some more time for the event to start." Alya uttered.

"I don't drink."

"We know, Nandini. It's just soft drink for you and Navya." Mukti told.

Nandini and Navya passed smile to her taking the drinks. 

It was another half an hour later when Mr. Mehra came there with the manage following him. "Good evening, Fab5."

"Good evening, Mr. Mehra." Manik stood in front of him stuffing his hands in the pocket of his pant.

"I hope you all are comfortable." 

"We're for sure." Cabir joined Manik. "By the way when will we proceed?"

"Now only. Actually I had come to call you for the same. The guests have arrived already so there is no need to delay anymore." 

"Good." Manik had a pestered a tight lipped smile on his face.

"Sir, you go and attend the guests. I will get Fab5 to the backstage." 

Mr. Mehra nodded looking at his manager. Then he turned back to Fab5. "See you then. Best of luck."

He left from there.

"Please, come to this side."

Fab5 went behind the manager. Nandini and Navya stayed back even though Manik had asked Nandini to join them. 

"Don't worry, Manik. We'll be fine. There are so many security guards here. Nothing will happen. Also uncle is here. We'll join him." 

After this, Manik couldn't say anything else to her. He had to agree. He instructed her to be safe once again and then he left. 

"Good evening, uncle." Navya greeted while sitting with Shreekant.

"How're you, Navya?"

"Fine."

"Nandini, sit. Why're you standing?"

She nodded and settled beside Navya. They continued their little chit and chat till they hear the announcement from the stage. Mr. Mehra was standing there with a formal smile on his face holding the microphone in his hand.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank you all for joining us tonight. You all know that every year we launch a new face from our studio. This year too we're gonna introduce you all to a bunch of young talented faces. I know you all can already guess the name. They've been quite famous among youngsters. But tonight I'm gonna launch them officially through our company. So, everyone put your hands together for none other than Fab5."

Everyone started clapping as the light went off. Then one by one five flashlight fell on the stage. The faces of Fab5 revealed under the light. They started playing their respective instruments. Manik set up his guitar and started with 'Shiddat' after a while he began singing 'Rimjhim' which led him to 'Milne Hein Mujhse Aayi', 'Manjha.' 

All the while his gaze was fixed on Nandini as if she would vanish, if he looks away. Nandini was getting nervous with his acts. She knew people around here are keen to know every single detail of him. There are media people too who would do anything to get their hand on some spicy piece of bite. But to their luck, the light was low in the hall, so it was difficult for them to spot anyone particular.

Manik stopped after he sang a few lines from 'Manjha.' "I had written this song a long back for some special moment. But never got to perform before. So, this one is for that special moment and who was in that moment." He smiled looking at Nandini ardently. He started tuning his guitar slowly and hummed 'Mann Mera.'

Nandini also couldn't move her gaze away from Manik. She knew this song was for her but she had no idea which particular moment he was referring to. She needed to ask this to him. 

The bright lights were back once Fab5 was done with their performance. The room filled with loud sound of clapping and cheer.

Nandini had a big smile on her face. She looked at Shreekant who was having a proud look on his face and he wiped a drop of tear from the corner of his eyes before anyone could notice it.

Fab5 kept their instruments aside and gathered at the center of the stage. Mr. Mehra too joined them. They revealed the cover of their album and finished other formalities. Then they were asked to join the party. 

As Fab5 stepped down from the stage, they were encircled by number of people. They had to talk to them, so there was no way they could move from there. 

Nandini and Navya settled in a corner as Navya was not feeling comfortable with so much people around. So, Nandini took her aside after informing Shreekant who was also talking to some business associates. 

Manik was forced to behave okay and talk to all the people there but his eyes were continuously looking for Nandini. She was there in front of his eyes but suddenly he couldn't spot her anywhere around. He became restless as all those negative thoughts started running in his mind again. He was trying to look all over the place in order to spot Nandini.

Cabir who was standing with him could sense the restlessness in him. He asked Manik through his eyes what's the matter. Manik only mouthed 'Nandini' looking at her. 

"Please, excuse us a little. We'll be back shortly." Cabir passed a short smile to them.

They understood they might need a little rest after such a bang on performance. So, they excused them. Manik was faster. He directly jogged near the table where Nandini was sitting till a few minutes back. Shreekant was still there.

"You all were really amazing. I'm sure your album is gonna be a blockbuster." Shreekant smiled seeing Fab5.

"Thank you, uncle. We're glad that you came here to support us." Dhruv smiled genuinely.

"When my kids are performing and it's such a big day for you all, how can I miss it? I had to come." 

"Dad, did you see Nandini? Wasn't she here with you?" Manik couldn't hold back his urge any longer. 

Shreekant nodded. "She was here. Navya wasn't feeling well. So, she took Navya to that side to get some fresh air."

"Thanks, dad." Manik sighed in relief. "I'll be back." He excused himself and ran to that side.

He found Nandini and Navya sitting outside the hall. He directly went and hugged Nandini tightly. She was startled with the sudden hug. It was so sudden that she didn't get time to register anything.

Navya noticed them. She was taken aback as well. But she didn't ask anything. She quietly left from there giving the couple the much needed privacy. 

"Manik? What's wrong?" Nandini asked softly placing her hands on his shoulder.

Manik broke the hug and cupped her face. "Are you okay? I didn't see you in the hall. Do you have any idea how scared I was?"

"I'm fine, Manik. Actually..."

Manik cut her in between. "I know. Dad told me. Listen don't go anywhere without informing me, okay?" 

Nandini sighed nodding her head. She knew she won't gain anything arguing with him. 

"Good. Let's go. Everyone must be waiting for us."

Nandini nodded once again and went inside with him. 

A pair of eyes were watching them from a distance. They held too much of rage in them. "Try as much as you want, Manik. But tonight you won't be able to save her from me. She will die today. She has to." 

Then the person walked inside the hall.

~~•°•~~

That's all for today. I hope you liked the chapter. Guess what's gonna happen next?

•How was Manan moment? Aren't they cute?

•Manik is goal. What do you think?

•What about Nandini?

•Don't you guys love FAB5?

•A word for Shreekant?

•Which one is your favorite scene?

Don't forget to do vote and comment.

07.07.2024