Song reference - Kahani Suno 2.0, play the song with music (♪) emoticon.
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"तू न मिले तो किसी ओर का हो जाऊं,
इतना कमजोर नहीं है मेरा इश्क!"
"I think we should tell this to Manik." Cabir, Abhi and Navya looked at Mukti who looked at them wiping her tears.
"I guess Mukti is right. We should tell everything to Manik. He has the right to know everything." Cabir and Abhi looked at each other with a plain face and Mukti and Navya frowned looking at them.
"What are you both thinking? Can't you see how heartbroken Manik is?"
"Mukti, do you think after we tell him he will be all happy?"
"That's not the point here, Cabir. The point here is the whole truth, which Manik deserves to know."
"Navya, we know that Manik deserves to know the truth, but not from us. It's not our story to tell. Don't you think so?" Mukti and Navya looked at both of them with weird faces.
"Guys!! Just a second. Are you guys thinking that Manik and Nandini still have a future together?" Both the boys frowned hearing Mukti, as if she asked a stupid question.
"Why not?" Cabir raised his brows.
"Why not? Cabir, are you serious? Firstly, Nandini was, she was ra-ped. And then she has a daughter. Do you think there is any possibility of Manik and Nandini?"
"Are you mad Navya? Why not? If Manik loves Nandini, and if Nandini also fell in love with Manik, then what's the issue?" Both girls looked at the guys with blank faces, and then sighed in irritation. They think that it will be so easy. As if they don't know anything.
"Firstly Abhi, as much as it's not right to say but the fact is, Nandini is not going to fall in love with Manik. Do you think it is ever gonna be easy for her to fall in love after whatever happened with her? At every step of this journey there is only pain for our Manik. And I am sorry if I'm being selfish for my friend - but I don't wanna see him with Nandini."
"Same here. I've all my sympathies with Nandini and her daughter. But I don't think there is any future for Manik and Nandini. If anything, Manik is going to suffer at every point." Cabir and Abhi sighed looking at the girls. Although they were pissed at their thoughts, they also know that all these are nothing but concern for Manik. And they can't blame them for that.
"Muku, Navya. I understand what you're saying. But love is all about this. It's not smiles and giggles every time. It also comes with pain and heartache. And true love is one, which crosses all hurdles and sufferings coming in the way."
"Cabir is right. And tell me one thing, do you guys think that after knowing the whole truth Manik is gonna leave Nandini? Just like that? If you think so, then you haven't understood Manik at all. He can't see a stranger in pain, then how can you expect him to leave his The One alone? If he can put himself in danger to save a stranger's life then you can't even imagine what miles he can cross for his love! And trust me, he won't care if she loves him back or not, if they've a future together or not, he will always love her, he has always loved her. And then had you missed the connection between them? Technically it was him who saved Nandini that night. Even after being so far, he was there for her. Then how can you think that he will leave his side now, when she is so close to him?"
Mukti and Navya looked at Abhi and their eyes were moist. They were feeling helpless. They know that whatever Cabir and Abhi said was true. But their hearts still weren't ready to see their friend broken. They don't have anything against Nandini, they just wish to see their friend happy. But what they weren't understanding was that Manik's happiness relies on his The one, and his The one iis Nandini.
"So, are you not gonna tell everything to Manik?" Mukti asked after composing herself. They can't change anything. All they can do is stand with their friend at every step. And they will, like ha had been standing there.
"No."
"But Cabir, what about Manik then? He will always be anguished." Mukti nodded at Navya and looked back at the boys.
"I guess, they're right Cabir. We should tell Manik everything. Otherwise he will keep thinking that there is someone in Nandini's life already."
"Relax guys. We won't tell Manik everything, because to be honest, it's Nandini's story to tell, and I know one day she will tell him everything. But yes, we can always tell Manik that there is no one in Nandini's life."
"Really Cabir? Then won't Manik ask about Anahita? Or how do we know about this?"
"Yes Mukti. But the thing is, it's not us who is going to tell him. Nandini will tell him."
"Cabir can you be more specific." Navya glared hum while he just smiled.
"Just wait and watch." He grinned and the three groaned.
.
.
Nandini was walking through the corridor, it was her free lecture so she thought to spend time in the library, studying for all the lectures she missed last week. She was feeling relieved that her daughter was now doing very well. She has recovered very fast although still on rest, but very enthusiastic all the time. Especially at evening.
And why not?
Her Loktal would call her everyday at 5:30 pm on Ishita's mobile and would talk with her about anything and everything. Nandini was left amazed seeing his Anahita's bonding with Manik. The way Anahita would tell every small thing to Manik and how patiently Manik listen her each word, as if it is the question that are going to be asked in examination.
(Loktal- Rockstar)
They would talk for about half an hour. And they would talk about all stupid things. Anahita would ask him stupid questions and he would give same stupid answers which make Anahita smile, laugh and giggle. And her smile would bring a smile on Nandini's face.
She hasn't seen her daughter so happy and excited for anything in years. Anahita was always a simple child. She didn't demanded toys or new clothes. She was happy with those drawing colours, music especially her Loktal's voice, her Shi Maa, and Mimi. But guess, a new entry has been made to the list.
And surprisingly enough, Nandini was not fearing with this. Any other time, she would have kept her daughter away from anyone. But knowing that it's Manik, she doesn't feel doing so. She knows that her daughter adores Manik, or maybe loves him as she says.
And she can say the same for Manik. She knows that he too adore and love Anahita. He would send voice notes for her at times, he would daily call her. He makes her smile and laugh. He makes her daughter happy.
Well, it's Manik. He makes everyone around him happy and comfortable.
His name truly defines him. He is a gem. A real one. Only if she had met him four years ago. Only if circumstances were different, then maybe she would've fallen in love with him too.
Only If!!
As soon as that thought came in Nandini's mind, the small curve of her lips was starighetned, and her smooth forehead creased to form frowns of confusion.
What was she thinking?
No! It's dangerous. She is not allowed to think anything like this.
She isn't.
She was indulged in her thoughts when she heard some voices in the corridor ahead. She saw some students standing there looking at something. She frowned. She didn't wanted to see what's happening but she had to cross the commotion to go in the library. So she kept moving.
In the corridor, students were gathered around. Nandini saw a girl requesting a guy to accept her love as she truly loves him. But the guy was standing there with a bored face.
"Raunak please, I love you. And I know you love me too. Then why are you behaving like this?" Nandini felt bad for that girl, seeing her crying for someone who isn't giving any heed to her tears.
"Look Anjali, I don't love you, okay? And why would I love you? YOU? Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror? Even if I ignore your not fair skin tone and your overweight, still I can't ignore these ugly spots on your face. C'mon, We were just friends. So stop behaving like I broke your heart. It was you stupid, who fell in love with me. Not my mistake." Nandini felt herself getting angry on that boy. What does he even think of himself? She looked at the girl who was looking so broken, so shattered.
Yes, that's what love comes with. One has to break to love.
"Apologise Raunak." Nandini's head snapped in the direction and she saw Manik coming there, followed by Fab Four. She looked at him who looked at Anjali with eyes soften before turning to Raunak and gave him a hard look.
"Why should I apologise Manik? And firstly, this is our matter, you stay out of it." Nandini felt strong urge to punch him.
"Wrong. This was your matter until you weren't disrespecting her in front of whole college. Now, this is the matter of a girl's respect. So, Apologise, now!!" Nandini blinked her eyes and kept looking at Manik.
"Why the fuck I should be sorry? She started it. She knelt here and proposed to me in front of the college, she should also be ready to face rejection. So it's her fault." Manik looked at Raunak with a blank face while Fab Four rolled their eyes at his ego. Mukti and Navya were consoling Anjali, who cried more hearing him.
"Right. It's her fault that she fell in love with a person like you, who needs fair skin, a spotless face and a curvy figure to love. If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies how very different our ideals of beauty would be. And as far as rejection is concerned, then if you were real mature and were a bit sensitive to her, then you would have made her understand properly in private. But no! You chose the worst way. To demean her by breaking her confidence and self respect. I understand, it is not necessary that the person you fall in love with, will love you back." He pauses, "but you can be cordial enough to them, right?"
"Whatever. Am sorry Anjali. Fine?" Manik rolled his eyes as Raunak went away and then he turned to see Anjali shedding tears. Slowly all the students started leaving, but Nandini's legs didn't follow her mind. They were rooted and eyes followed Manik who gave a small encouraging smile to Anjali, before passing her his handkerchief.
"I thought we were meant to be." Manik smiled a little lost as he heard Anjali speak about her and Raunak.
"When we think of "meant to be," we automatically assume forever. But maybe it isn't supposed to last forever. Maybe it's just someone who is in your life to teach you something. Maybe the forever is not the person, but what we gain from them. So smile my dear. Don't let it demean yourself. Fall, Rise, Learn and Grow. That's what life is all about, right?" Anjali nodded with a small smile and wiped her tears.
"Thank you."
"Anytime." Anjali smiled and left from there while Mukti, Navya and Abhi looked at Cabir who blinked his eyes. Manik turned to go when his gaze fell on Nandini.
Nandini smiled a little at him. Her respect for him has grown more if possible. Manik too gave a curve of his lips before moving towards the canteen. The Fab Four looked at Nandini and they felt something in their heart stirred. Her courageous self and her bravery is out of their understanding. Nandini smiled a little at them and was about to move to the library, when Cabir called her.
"Nandini."
"Huh?" Cabir came and stood in front of her, at proper distance.
"Where are you going?"
"Library." She was still not comfortable enough to have a proper conversation with boys, with an exception of-course.
"Oh! I was thinking, why don't you join us for lunch?" Nandini looked at him with uncertainty and he signaled Mukti and Navya to make her agree, who frowned in confusion but did what was told.
"Yes Nandini. Come, no! We want to know you." Nandini looked at Navya who spoke so softly.
Know her? What do they want to know about her?
Do they want to know about her daughter?
Do they know that she has a daughter?
Of-course they would know. If anything, she has come to know the fact that there is no secret between Fab Five. And that day Cabir too came to her home, then the rest of them were also aware of this fact.
And it's not like she feels ashamed or whatever. But she just doesn't have answers to the next questions.
Who is the father?
No-one!!
She herself is both, mother and father to her daughter.
But the world won't leave her with that right?
"Nandini!!!" Nandini came out of her thinking when Mukti snapped her fingers. They know what might be going on in her mind and it was the last thing they wanted, to make her feel uncomfortable.
"It's okay Nandini. We won't ask anything which would make you uncomfortable. Just join us, please!" Nandini was surprised by Mukti's words. But she didn't dive into her thoughts again and nodded her head. She didn't want to disappoint them. They are nice people. She knows.
(♪)
Manik was waiting for his friends in the canteen. He was trying to distract himself. And he knows till the time he would be alone, his thoughts will roam around her. And hence he was trying to spend all his time with his friends and family. Although everyone knows that there is something which is deep down disturbing him, they want to give time to Manik, to come on his own.
And now again, when he was alone his mind went back to the corridor scene when he looked at her. Whenever he looks at her, he wants to believe that she is happy. Happy with her family. She should be content. But her eyes. They always tell him a different story. Her eyes reflect her inner self, which is anything but happy. Her eyes express to him more than all the print he have read in his life.
And that compels him to believe that she is not happy, and he should find out what's the pain she is hiding. But then, he is afraid. Afraid that his thoughts are wrong. Afraid that he will see her in someone's arms. Afraid that he will witness her living happily with her daughter and her daughter's father. And he is not ready for that.
He won't be able to tolerate that.
He will break down beyond repair, and that's why he is keeping himself away.
Away from her.
As much pain as it is giving him already, he can't do anything else.
मुझे प्यार हुआ था,
इकरार हुआ था! -2x
He blinked his eyes which was again welled up with tears. He hates the power she has on him. Her mere thoughts are enough to make him smile or break him.
Manik straightened himself when he saw his friends coming towards him, but his breath got stuck in his throat when he saw her accompanying them. He looked at Cabir with a questioning gaze who was not ready to meet his eyes.
Fab four along with Nandini took seats on the circular table such that Nandini was right in front of Manik. While Manik was avoiding looking at her, his heart knew about her presence and that's why it was beating with abnormal rate. He patted his chest and rubbed over his heart, causally to calm his heart down, but to no avail. He was tapping his feet on the floor and his fingers on the table. He was feeling restless.
He wanted to run away from there. He knew if he kept sitting here for another few minutes he would break down, to the extent that he wouldn't mind begging her to be his. His breathing was sharp. He was about to stand up and leave from there when Cabir kept his hand on his knee, stopping him.
Manik looked at Cabir with pleading eyes. He didn't want to stay here. Cabir blinked his eyes and tried to distract him by rubbing his hand on his knee, to calm him down. Abhi too was noticing it and was feeling bad for his friend. He can't even imagine what he must be going through.
"So Nandini, how's Anahita?" Nandini looked at Cabir who had a small smile on his face. She then looked at Manik who was busy looking down.
"Umm, she is much better, Cabir. Thanks for the other day though." Manik looked at Cabir with a questioning face. But then his mind registered that he asked Nandini about Anahita in front of their friends who were sitting silent. Do they know? Did Cabir tell them? He hope no. But he knows that he did tell them otherwise girls would've asked Nandini about Anahita. He glared at Cabir who ignored his gaze smoothly.
"Nandini, show us some pics of her, no?" Navya asked Nandini after reading Cabir's text message who asked her to repeat the question.
"Actually, I-I don't have a smartphone. So." Manik frowned hearing her. Who doesn't keep smartphones in today's time? Is there any problem? Doesn't Anahita's father provide her with a smartphone? It's a basic need now-a-days. His thoughts were broken when he heard Cabir.
"Oh that's okay. By the way, Navya, you know, Anahita is very cute, I swear. And that day I went to Nandini's house, there I saw loads of pics of her, alone ones, her with Nandini, and then hers with Ishita Aunty. Damn adorable she was in her infant days too." Nandini gave a small smile to him and Manik kicked Cabir's legs to get his attention.
When the fuck he went to Nandini's home? And why the hell didn't he tell him anything? He groaned internally when Cabir ignored him and kept speaking with Nandini.
"But hey, Nandini."
"Hmm Cabir?"
Am sorry Manik's Waheguru ji, but it is necessary- Cabir mattered in his mind and crossed his finger, before uttering his next words.
"I didn't see any pics of Anahita with her father, I mean."
Manik's head snapped in Cabir's direction. What the hell does he want? While Fab four had their breaths in their throats. They wish Nandini to say something, anything just not stay silent. Manik's heartbeat rose. He didn't want to hear anything else. He was about to stand up when he heard Nandini's words that shocked him to the core.
"Anahita has no father. It's me. I'm her mother and I'm her father. And I request you, isse aage mujhse kabhi kuch mat puchna. Thank you guys for having me here. I gotta go."
(Don't ask anything beyond this from me ever)
Nandini dashed out of the canteen and Fab Four, although felt bad for her, took a sigh of relief, and looked at Manik who was sitting with a blank yet shocked face.
For him, she was as the poet says- a mystery, he was keen to solve.
.
.
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How was it?
Fair enough, if you're not happy with Fab Four not telling everything to Manik, but from my pov- this is Nandini's story to tell. But don't worry, he will know it super soon>>
But now Manik got the idea, so what is your idea, what will he do now? Search for truth?
Hint- Goenka' are coming.
Anyway, waiting for your reviews.
Next update - Sunday/Monday night.
Ps- Thank you for all the lovely responses on the previous chapter. I have read each and every comment and I'm so happy that you're loving this story. Couldn't reply due to lack of time, instead invested that time in writing for you. But thank you each and everything for voting and commenting ✨❤️ Trust me, every appreciation of yours matter to me.
3441 words.
~A♡