As they entered the multiplex, Manik noticed that Aryaman was still clutching Nandini's hand protectively, he felt irritated; it was one thing to really fall in love with someone and hold onto her in protectiveness, and it was completely another thing to hold on to someone who loves you, for vengeance; hate dripped Manik's eyes at the sight of Aryaman.

When Aliyaa and Dhruv came there, Manik saw Aliyaa's eyes momentarily flicker at the sight of Aryaman clutching on to Nandini's hand; her face looked ashened for a second before she put on her facade and greeted her di with a hug, ignoring Aryaman. Manik noticed that at the sight of Aliyaa, even Aryaman's face got clouded for a flash of a second before he recovered. Then Manik saw Aryaman noticing him; then he pulled himself up and got back to clutching Nandini's hand.

When Abhimanyu arrived, Mukti went to greet him, they were doing slightly better in terms of interaction now; the other day when she went to the football field, even though she just watched the guys play, she was physically feeling compelled to join the game; but she kept quiet. Abhimanyu had noticed that and after rehearsals were over and everybody left the field, he had offered her to play with him; just him. Mukti had flashed a brilliant smile, for a moment Abhimanyu thought he saw Mox in the smile; then they played. Mukti was thrilled to be back on the field, she played with all her energy and laughed freely after her final goal that Abhimanyu missed; Abhimanyu laughed too, freely after a long time. Mukti was fun he thought, especially when he saw glimpses of Mox in him; back to the present, today, when Mukti greeted him and asked where Navya was, Abhimanyu sounded a bit awkward and replied that she was busy and quickly changed the topic. Mukti was surprised, but before she got a chance to revert, the doors to the screening room opened and they all began to file inside.

After the movie Aryaman suggested they went out for dinner; all agreed. After all, exams were over, it was the best time. Nandini though reluctant, agreed when Aryaman coaxed her and said his girlfriend had updated her social media status saying, she checked in the same lounge.

As they sat in the lounge, Mukti and Abhimanyu were engaged in a friendly conversation, Dhruv was fiddling with his phone, Soha had gone out to take a call and Aryaman and Nandini were whispering aand talking to each other. Manik noticed Aliyaa, she was sitting quietly and glancing at Aryaman and Nandini who were not even sparing a glance at her; he felt bad for Aliyaa, somewhere he and Aliyaa were on the same boat. He engaged in a light conversation with her to improve her mood; even though Aliyaa was reciprocating, he could see her eyes were glancing towards Aryaman and Nandini in every few minutes.

After sometime Manik noticed Aryaman take Nandini's hand and take her away from there; he got suspicious, he didn't like the smirk he saw in Aryaman's face; unless he was reading too much into things, Aryaman was upto something. He swiftly excused himself from Aliyaa and followed them; Aryaman was taking Nandini away from them towards a more secluded corner of the lounge; at that side there were only a few couples slow dancing to the music, it was darker there and it felt somehow more private. Manik's instinct took over as he stood in the shadow near the bar to keep an eye on them. They were slow dancing, immersed in each other's eyes he thought bitterly.

Aryaman was looking intently at Nandini and she looked back at him, visibly a little confused. He spoke, "My girl is here, she is dancing with him. Nandini this is the last step; either it works or it doesn't; from here our fake relation goes nowhere else. Okay? Thank You for helping me so far and sorry for what will happen now. I hope you will find it in yourself to forgive me, Nandini; this is my last attempt" he finished earnestly, his eyes were looking pained.

Nandini was startled, what was that? What did Aryaman just say she thought confused, but whatever happened next left her so shocked and numb that her entire being froze for a moment; Aryaman had suddenly cupped his hands around her face and gently pressed both his thumbs over her lips in crisscross and pressed his lips on them; for a moment in state of a freeze, even Nandini thought Aryaman was kissing her, but she realized his thumbs were keeping their lips from meeting; even then the proximity repelled her but before she could choose to act she felt someone pull away Aryaman from her and the next moment, Aryaman was on the floor with a blue-black jaw and a slightly bruised and bleeding lip. She turned around in shock to see Manik massaging his knuckles with fury written all over his face; he has the one who pulled them apart and punched Aryaman; but why thought Nandini confused as she bent down to pull Aryaman up to his feet in reflex. She was scared, worried, confused, and relieved at being pulled apart from Aryaman, all at the same time. She knew, Aryaman wasn't kissing her, although she wasn't okay with the proximity, but she wasn't miffed with him either, wasn't he saying a few strange things before pulling this act? There ought to be an explanation, she trusted him.

Manik was shocked to say the least when Aryaman kissed Nandini, he didn't know what happened to him but his blood boiled in rage he was no longer in control of his anger; the only voice he heard in his head said he should go and beat Aryaman into pulp and without thinking further he just followed that voice.

"What the hell is wrong with you Manik?" screamed Nandini desperately, coming in between Manik and Aryaman, as Manik dashed towards Aryaman once more in an attempt to turn him to mash. He stopped abruptly seeing Nandini in between.

"Nandini move out of the way, you don't know how big a loser he is; he is taking you for a trip and you're not getting it. HE DOESN'T LOVE YOU, ITS A FAKE RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE" he literally screamed at her still trying to push her aside and reach Aryaman who stood there smirking and dabbing his handkerchief on his wounded jaw.

Nandini stood there stupefied, how did Manik know that? And why was he screaming this out? Didn't Aryaman say his ex was around and this was his last shot? If she hears this, she would know what Aryaman was up to; he would lose her. Nandini shuddered, no for Aryaman's sake he had to put up with the lie one last time.

"How does it matter what you think Manik? I truly love him and he loves just me; there is nothing fake in it. We are happy, stop being the third wheel between us Manik" she replied, each moment her heart clenching at saying these words to her Manik; true he was wrong today and deserved to be rebuked, but Nandini loved him, true she couldn't tell him her feelings but that didn't mean she had to show him hate either, but she did that today, showed him immense hate; it was for Aryaman, her friend, the only friend she had when the world turned their back on her; she owed him this, for their friendship.

Aryaman's smile faltered for the first time, what was Nandini saying? Manik had reacted just the way he wanted; a little bit of confrontation would bring him to his knees before Nandini, he was just about to realise he loved her; but what was Nandini saying? This would change everything. But before he could intervene the bouncers came and threw them out of the lounge.

Once outside, Aryaman tried talking to Nandini, but Manik held him by the elbow and shoved him aside, he lost balance and fell and by the time he got up, Manik had forced Nandini inside his car and was driving off. Aryaman stood there debating if he should follow them; no he decided. He had done his share, now it was their turn to fix all. He smiled and drove back home, at least Nandini would have a happy life; he owed his friend this much.

***

Manik was driving furiously and Nandini sat there in shock; the events of the night were turning her weary. She almost kissed Aryaman, Manik punched Aryaman, she told Manik to not be a third wheel in her life, Manik again beat Aryaman and literally abducted her from the lounge; now he was just driving at an abnormal pace with a face stinging in fury. Whatever this was, she would say it was worth it, if Aryaman's ex got back with him today she thought; she owed this much to the friend who constantly supported her throughout.

Manik tunred to glance at Nandini; she was staring into nothingness ahead of her a dried tear stuck half way down her cheek; she seemed numb; a sudden softness engulfed him, but then he remembered her words, he was the third wheel right? He stopped the car abruptly and turned to look at her, she didn't even realize they had stopped.

"Nandini" he uttered with as much calm as possible. "You have to break-up with Aryaman; right NOW. Call him" he uttered. She simply turned to look at him and asked, "Why?"

"Because he is a bas***d, because he doesn't love you and because you deserve much better" he said and also because I love you he thought. Wait, what was it that he just said to himself? He loved her? When did that..but before he could continue on that train of thought, Nandini's question broke his reverie.

"Who gets to decide that he doesn't love me?" she asked calmly.

"I get to decide" he said stubbornly "Because I know he is going to cheat on you, dump you and leave you hollow. I can't see some random guy come between us and do that to you" he almost whispered, his voice was shaking.

Nandini laughed mirthlessly, how easy it was for this man to use the word us; there was no us she thought; there was Manik and Soha and Aryaman and his love; and her - alone and miserable. But she couldn't say that; she couldn't give away about Aryaman when she wasn't sure if Aryaman got what he wanted or they needed to act some more. She took a deep breath and replied,

"Do you realize he is not the random guy between us, it is the other way round; you are the random guy between us. Why don't you stay with Soha and not worry about me, you love her right?" she whispered as tears started rolling down her eyes.

Manik froze at her reference to him as the random guy in between them; he nearly choked in anger and once more that evening his anger got the better of him; it compelled him to say things he never meant to and it broke thing that wasn't supposed to break that evening, his bond with Nandini.

He laughed miserably and spit his venom, "You think I am the random guy between you both right? Let me break your bubble Ms. Nandini Murthy, it's in fact you who's the third person in the lovestory; in the lovestory of Aryaman and Aliyaa; which sibling does this to her own sister, Nandini? Initially I took pity on you thinking you weren't aware that Aliyaa sacrificed her love for you; so that you get your love, Aryaman; but couldn't you read the pain in her eyes when you were with Aryaman? Are you that blind? And you think Aryaman loves you? He is with you because he is upset with Aliyaa for breaking his heart, he wants to use you as rebound and hurt her; he loves her not you, you idiot; so you see who the third wheel is? Who is out there ruining everyone's happiness?" finished Manik with hate and anger dripping from his mouth.

Manik knew he had said too mujch in his bout of choler, he tried breathing evenly to control his anger for a few seconds, then he turned to look at Nandini; and what he saw made him flip; she was white as chalk, she wasn't crying, she wasn't even reacting, she was jus slightly shaking in her spot. Instantly Manik regretted saying all that, he realised the result of his slip of mouth in rage. What was he thinking; of course she had no clue; this was Nandini, his silly, stupid, idiotic, naive, innocent, and cute Nandu; if she knew would she do this to Aliyaa? What was wrong with him? If she loved his sister so much, then couldn't he imagine how much she loved her own sibling? Manik instinctively closed on to her and took her in his embrace, "Nandini" he called out; she was too distant to hear him.

"Nandini I didn't mean all that I am sorry" he tried again, holding her shoulder so gently as if she was something very fragile and would break down to pieces at the slightest pressure. She still didn't respond, her thoughts were far; Aliyaa loved Aryaman, but when was Aliyaa close to him, she always loved Dhruv right? She sacrificed her love for Nandini? But why would she have to? She loved Manik and Aliyaa loved Aryaman; in fact where was the scope of confusion when she never told Aaliya anything even similar to the lines of loving Aryaman; and Manik thought she was Aryaman's rebound? But hers was not even a real relationship with him, how was it rebound and why would it hurt her if they broke up. They had to breakup eventually anyway; nothing made much sense, there were large gaps in her understanding of the situation, all that could wait; but Aliyaa was in pain because of her? This knowledge shook her.

When none of his words seemed to catch her attention, a panicking Manik just pulled her tighter into his chest, she was cold and he hugged tighter and pressed his face in her neck; he felt good, he felt comfort there in a way he never felt before; maybe he had known it for quite some time now, but today he was sure, he belonged here; he was hers, but if only she loved him.

Manik's hot breathe on her neck broke her trance, she jerked back to reality pushed him aside, with all her force; she was not in a state to reciprocate to his hug; this was probably the best moment in her life, but she was too agitated, shocked, disappointed and overwhelmed to respond.

"Drop me home" she said after getting back her voice.

Manik didn't need to be told twice. Seeing her shaking voice, chalk white pale face and glazed gaze, he realised the damage was done, and she needed some space, to process all what she had learnt today; but if there wa something he was slightly cheerful about, it was that, he knew from that day, Aryaman and Nandini were a closed chapter. He promptly started the car, bringing the engine back to life. When they reached and she was getting off the car, eerily quiet, he asked again,

"Nandini, you okay?"

"Why should you care? In your eyes I am this heartless woman who took advantage of her own younger sibling, right?" and she walked off.

Manik sighed, something broke deep inside him that day, hearing her voice of indifference; maybe he should stop; she clearly hated him for bad mouthing Aryaman, also she clearly loved Aryaman; she hated him for showing her the ugly truth of her life; in all this, the common note being, no matter what, she hated him. But he was happy to bring the truth to her; he didn't regret that; he only regretted telling her those extra things about being heartless. But when today he realized that he truly belonged to her, he even realized this, she didn't belong to him. He sighed. Maybe some stories were fated to be incomplete.

As he drove away from there, he felt too agitated to rest; he called home.

"Daadi, I am missing you. I am coming home. I will fly back here only before my next round of the talent hunt which is later next week"

***

A/N:  Oh boy, our Manik screwed it up once again! What is with these hot headed young boys? How do you misunderstand the person you love? Will Manik be able to amend this mistake or is it the end of MaNan, stay tuned for more!

Also, once again, thank you for reading this story, please do share it with your fellow MaNan readers if you feel it is good enough! Keep voting and showing some love, as I will keep publishing new chapters everyday! :)

WORD COUNT : 2,777