Dark strings and Delicate chords [Completed]

Chapter 20: Crossroads of the Past

Chapter 20: Crossroads of the Past

The morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Malhotra Industries, casting golden streaks on the rich mahogany flooring. Manik stood by his office window, arms folded, his jaw clenched. He had barely slept. His days were drowned in business meetings, press conferences, and branding campaigns. But his nights? They were filled with the ghost of one name—Nandini.

It had been three years.

Three silent years since she vanished from his life like a dream evaporating at dawn.

And yet, every inch of him still ached for her.

Across the city, in a warm, bustling café under the studio offices of Royal Ethos, Dhruv and Aliya sat holding hands, the glint of love in their eyes untarnished by time. Despite all the fame, tours, and chaos of the past years, their bond had only grown stronger. And now, they wanted to tie the knot in a way only Fab 5 could imagine—lavish, royal, emotional, and unforgettable.

Aliya flipped through the catalog on her iPad, eyes stopping at the profile of Royal Ethos—a jewelry brand renowned for its elegant and personalized wedding pieces.

"These designs are stunning, Dhruv. They're exactly what I always imagined," she said, her voice soft with wonder.

Dhruv leaned over, looking at the screen. "Royal Ethos... Aren't they based in Delhi?"

Aliya nodded. "Yes. But I already sent a proposal last night. If they accept, we'll have them come to Mumbai for the custom pieces."

What Aliya didn't know—what none of Fab 5 knew—was that Nandini Murthy was the lead designer for Royal Ethos. She was the brain behind every piece that had taken the jewelry world by storm in the last two years.

And at the same time, over at The Signature Atelier, Mukti finalized her selection of designers for the wedding trousseau. It had to be the best. No compromises. So she chose the studio that had taken the international fashion scene by surprise with their fresh, emotionally resonant, and culturally rooted wedding fashion.

The same studio where Navya Naveli was the lead designer—and Aryaman Khurana, her co-lead.

Back in Delhi

In a serene, airy apartment, Navya paced the living room, her duffle bag open on the couch but still untouched. Nandini sat cross-legged on the bed, biting her lip as she checked the email again.

"Royal Ethos selected for Vedant-Saxena wedding project. Travel to Mumbai required."

Her heart dropped to her stomach.

Mumbai.

That one word had the power to undo years of strength she'd painstakingly built.

Navya walked in silently and sat beside her. The unsaid lingered between them.

"They don't know it's us," Nandini whispered, her voice cracking.

Navya chuckled bitterly, "And they shouldn't. Let's do the job and get out. That's it."

"But how will we face them, Navya? What if—" Nandini stopped herself. She had no right to expect anything. Not anymore.

"They chose fun over us, Nandini. They didn't even call." Navya's voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes. "My own parents gave me away like I was a burden, and when I needed my friends, they were on a stage in London, partying like nothing mattered."

Nandini reached out, holding her hand tightly.

"We have each other. That's all we need," she whispered.

Sid and Aryaman entered just then, holding takeout boxes. Sid smiled softly, sensing the tension. "We'll go with you. You don't have to face anything alone," he said gently.

Aryaman added, "It's a job, not a reunion. You're professionals. And we're with you every second."

Nandini's eyes misted. How life had changed. These two strangers had become her pillars. But somewhere deep inside, her heart still thudded the same way it used to at the sound of one name—Manik.

Back in Mumbai

The Fab 5 mansion buzzed with energy. Mukti was yelling at decorators, Aliya was checking venue options, and Cabir was assigning the wedding playlist. Abhimanyu kept bouncing between his dad's media office and the mansion, ensuring their wedding coverage was done tastefully.

Manik, however, remained aloof.

His mood had been unpredictable for the past few days.

He didn't tell anyone, but he had stumbled across Royal Ethos' designer profiles the night before—an instinct, a pull made him check it—and saw Nandini Murthy listed as the head of design.

His phone dropped. His throat tightened.

"She's here..." he whispered, staring at the screen.

His breath caught in his chest.

"She's alive. She's okay..."

But then rage followed. Rage for the unanswered calls. Rage for the night he waited. Rage for the way she left him—without a word, without a goodbye.

He stormed into his gym that night, punching the bag until his knuckles bled. Raj found him an hour later, sitting on the floor, eyes blank.

"You miss her," his father said quietly.

"She left me!" Manik shouted. "She didn't trust me. I waited for her. I called. I texted. And she just... vanished."

Raj sat beside him. "Then find out why. What if what you saw... wasn't the whole truth?"

Manik's heart clenched.

Truth.

Did he even know what the truth was anymore?

Airport: Mumbai Arrival

Nandini stepped out of the terminal, eyes shielded behind black sunglasses. Navya followed, her expression stone cold. Sid and Aryaman were right behind them, carrying luggage and work files.

The humid Mumbai air wrapped around her like an old memory. Familiar. Heavy.

They had a car waiting to take them to the boutique apartment arranged for their stay. Nandini avoided looking out the window, afraid the memories would come rushing back.

But Manik was already on edge.

Somehow, he felt her presence in the city. His restlessness had reached a new peak.

He wanted to see her.

Hold her.

Scream at her.

Ask her why she left.

Evening – Fab 5 Mansion

"Aliya!" Mukti called out. "We just got confirmation. The designers are reaching by tomorrow morning. And the jewelry team is already in the city."

Cabir clapped, "Great! Finally, real prep starts."

But Manik didn't move.

He sat on the corner of the sofa, expression unreadable, brows furrowed, jaw set.

Dhruv sat next to him and asked gently, "You okay, bro?"

Manik didn't answer. Instead, he picked up his guitar and started strumming mindlessly. The notes were hauntingly familiar. Nandini's tune. The one she composed for him once under the stars.

Everyone turned silent.

Aliya's eyes met Mukti's.

They all knew the storm was just beginning.