As Manik sat with FAB 5, laughter, and chatter filling the air, a heavy feeling settled in his chest. Despite the joy of being with his friends, a nagging sense of guilt gnawed at him from within.
Nandini, wasn't just his best friend, as his friends believed. She was so much more to him. They shared a bond that went beyond friendship, a connection that Manik cherished with all his heart. But for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to tell his friends the truth about their relationship.
As he listened to their conversations, guilt gnawed at him. Every laugh and every smile from his friends felt like a reminder of the lie he was living. He knew he should tell them the truth, but fear held him back. Fear of their reaction, fear of losing their friendship. It's not like they will not accept her but he can't tell them before Nandini tells her family.
But the weight of the secret was becoming unbearable. Manik felt like he was suffocating under the weight of his deceit. How could he continue to hide such an important part of his life from the people he cared about most?
Lost in his thoughts, Manik barely noticed when Alya nudged him, snapping him out of his reverie.
"Manik, you, okay? You seem a little distant," she said, concern etched in her voice.
Manik forced a smile, masking the turmoil brewing inside him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."
But Alya wasn't convinced. She studied him intently for a moment before speaking again. "Manik, I know we've been friends for a long time, and I respect your privacy. But if there's something on your mind, you know you can always talk to us, right?"
Manik felt a lump form in his throat. He wanted nothing more than to confide in his friends, to unburden himself of the secret he had been carrying for so long. But the fear still held him back.
"I know, Alya, Thanks!" he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Manik found himself unable to shake the feeling of guilt that consumed him. He glanced over at Nandini's photo in his phone, her eyes sparkling with laughter. How could he continue to hide their relationship when she brought him so much joy?
But the fear still held him back, trapping him in a web of lies and deceit. And as the afternoon turned into evening, Manik couldn't help but wonder how much longer he could keep up the charade before it all came crashing down around him.
Nandini and Navya enter the same restaurant where FAB 5 is already present. Both were going in the same direction giggling together where Manik was settled. Cabir who was looking here and there for a waiter to give their order noticed Nandini. He was not sure if he saw Nandini only or someone else, so, to confirm he said to FAB 5 "Guys is that girl Nandini" All looked in the direction that Cabir showed. Manik was shocked to see her here and was on cloud nine, then noticed Navya with her. He had seen her in photos only.
Mukti said her name aloud enough for Nandini and Navya to hear. Nandini noticed them and her expression and feelings were not different from Manik's. Navya saw FAB 5 and was shocked to see them. On top of that, she was confused about how they knew Nandini. They both move towards them. Nandini side-hugs the girls, Cabir and Dhruv, she tries to side-hug Manik but he pulls her into a bear hug which startled her.
Dhruv asked her "You here?" "Just a girl's hangout," Nandini replied. "What about you guys? " Nandini asked them. "Just want to hang out so...." Alya replied to her question.
"By the way Guys meet her she is Navya, my soul sister," Nandini said to FAB 5. They greeted her. "And Navya they are...." Nandini was interrupted by Navya. "Who doesn't know them," Navya said with a smile.
"Why don't you guys join us? " Mukti suggested. Others too asked them to join so they agreed and settled down.
"Nandini, how do you know them?" Navya asked, her curiosity piqued.
Nandini glanced at Manik, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Oh, Manik and I go way back. We've been best friends since college."
"You never talked about it" Navya said. "Vice Versa Navya Manik too never told us about Nandini" Cabir said to her.
To divert their attention from this topic Manik said to them "Guys let's order first." They called out for the waiter and gave the order.
As plates of delicious food arrived at the table, conversation flowed more easily, between them finding common ground and shared interests.
"So, Nandini, tell us more about yourself," Mukti prompted, breaking the ice with a friendly smile.
Nandini returned the smile, grateful for the opportunity to shift the focus away from the uncomfortable questions about her relationship with Manik. "Well, I work at Spirit Up Hospital. I'm a cardiologist."
As Nandini shared stories about her work and her hobbies, FAB 4 listened with genuine interest, asking questions and offering words of encouragement.
Meanwhile, Manik engaged in a lively conversation with Navya, sharing stories about his interests and experiences. Despite the lingering sense of guilt over hiding his relationship with Nandini, he couldn't deny the warmth and camaraderie that filled the air as they laughed and joked together.
As the night wore on, the barriers between them began to melt away, replaced by a sense of unity and connection. They shared stories and laughter, getting to know each other on a deeper level and forging new friendships in the process.
By the time they finished their meal, the tension that had hung over the table at the beginning of the evening had all but dissipated, replaced by a sense of warmth and camaraderie. Manik and Nandini exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the relief they both felt at having navigated the evening with grace and diplomacy.
Manik and Nandini couldn't help but feel grateful for the newfound bonds between their respective friends. Despite the challenges they had faced, they knew that true friendship and connection could overcome even the most difficult of obstacles.
By the time they finished their meal, Manik couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and gratitude wash over him. Seeing his friends and Nandini getting along so well filled him with joy and contentment, knowing that the people he cared about most were forming connections with each other.
As they all came outside the café to bid goodbye, a mischievous glint sparkled in Nandini and Manik's eyes. With a glance at each other, they silently agreed to steal a few moments alone.
Making an excuse they sneaked out from there and stifled giggles as they leaned against the brick wall, the sounds of the bustling city fading into the background. With the hustle and bustle of the street just beyond their hiding place, they were enveloped in a cocoon of privacy.
Nandini leaned in close, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Well, that was unexpected. We never thought that our friends would be meeting each other like this."
Manik chuckled softly, his heart swelling with affection for the woman beside him. "Yeah, they seemed to hit it off with you and Navya."
They stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, savoring the closeness between them. The cool evening air brushed against their skin, and the soft glow of the streetlights cast a warm hue over their surroundings.
Manik reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Nandini's ear, his touch gentle and tender. "You know, I'm really glad you're here."
Nandini's eyes softened, a fond smile spreading across her face. "Me too, Manik. Me too."
With a sudden burst of courage, Manik leaned in, capturing Nandini's lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, the world around them fading away until all that existed was the warmth of their embrace.
When they finally pulled away, their hearts were racing, and their breath came in soft, uneven gasps. Manik rested his forehead against Nandini's, their breath mingling in the crisp night air.
"I love you, Nandini," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with sincerity and devotion.
Nandini's heart swelled with emotion, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I love you too, Manik. More than you'll ever know."
In that moment, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the night, Manik and Nandini knew that their love was something truly special. And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, they knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, united in their love and their bond.
One by one they both go back so that no one gets doubts on them. At last, they all bid bye to each other.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....
Few words for Manik....
Few words for Nandini....
Few words for Fab 4...
Few words for Navya...
What was your favourite moments???
Thank u 🙂🙂
Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️