A/N : Okay fine *eye rolls* I didn't get enough responses from you guys on this. But as I always say, I value the handful of folks who actually respond to my updates always, and I hold them in the most special place of my heart.

This chapter is for you guys, who voted and commented and asked for a surprise chapter - this one is just for you!

Much love,

A.

***

NANDINI MURTHY

We were again attending one of our fancy UNESCO summit dinners. Sometimes these elaborate arrangements made me jittery, I know the cause is great and so is the organization, and in these few years I have worked hard enough to earn my place among these people here - I probably didn't look out of place here, but I definitely felt that way. Gliding along in dressy formals with a glass of champagne in my hand, I felt too scared to face the mirror, lest a different person looked back at me. But as we all know, it really was unavoidable - not attending them wasn't even an option.

So here we were at Goa Taj Vivanta - for the summit dinner and I was talking to this old gentlemen from communications about work, when he introduced me to this man who was the architect with the contract of renovating our Mumbai office. I saw him and took two steps back unconsciously. He however smiled at me in greeting.

"Hello Ms. Murthy, it's been quite some time now isn't it?"

"H..Hi Aryaman, how are you?"

Judging by my uncomfortable facial expression, the gentlemen left us to each other's company in a short while. I was looking down at my feet most of the time while the men were talking, but now when we were left to ourselves, I finally decided to look up at him. He was looking at me with a gentle, understanding smile - I both hated and loved that smile - I hated it because it made me guilty for never really reciprocating to his feelings and loved it cause, somewhere it gave me assurance, that someone was there who understood me, would take care of me, someone I can fall back on. He made me feel like he was family, only if I could be his lover too.

"It's okay Nandini, trust me. Calm down now." And another reassuring smile that relaxed my terse muscles already. He seemed to notice the change, then he asked me in the same old humorous way, the same thing he had asked me on numerous other occasions.

"Champagne again? Look, no one's noticing, swap glasses. Mine is empty now"

I couldn't help but smile in the same silly giggly way all over again.

"Maybe we should go behind that pillar? Just to play safe you know"

"Good idea, follow me."

Once we swapped glasses, I nodded a thank-you to him and smiled at him more casually than I did so far. He smiled back, and while we were walking away from the pillar, I bumped into Manik.

"Woho Nandz, watch out! Oh, how would you, where are your glasses?" he grinned cheekily. And was smirking and checking me out with a soft whistle.

"Lens" I replied in irritation with gritted teeth.

"Clearly not your thing, clearly your obnoxious glasses suit you better" he whispered softly, still checking me out.

"I agree with you about the glasses suiting her more, but not at all are they obnoxious Nandini" came Aryaman's swift reply from behind me, as I felt his arms around my shoulder.

Manik didn't respond. He looked at Aryaman once and then he looked into my eyes - I could feel the blankness of my own eyes in his - and then his vision settled on my shoulder where rested Aryaman's arm.

"Hello Manik, I am Aryaman. If I may say so, I am a big fan of yours"

Manik ignored his extended hand and stared at me for a second more, then he looked at Aryaman's pleasantly confused face and nodded with a slight smile and left us.

"Weird guy, that one. I thought after years of handling fans, he'd be less shy"

"He's not shy ---"

But before I could finish, a waiter came with a refill of my champagne and without thinking much, I took it.

"Nandini, slow down okay, else you will get me drunk before dinner" grinned Aryaman.

I heard him, but I wasn't listening. My eyes were on the retreating figure of Manik who had now settled himself in the bar opposite. He was sitting hunched with his back towards us, he turned back once to look at Aryaman and me, and then turned around and ordered his drinks. I don't know why, but I felt, his foul mood was my doing - my being with Aryaman was bothering him - Though that shouldn't be the case, but I don't know if that was even the case, or that was what I dearly wanted him to show, but that was what I definitely thought it to be. I needed to move away from Aryaman, but how could I? After I shamelessly accepted his help one more time, without apologizing for the past? Yes, I did apologize before, but it never felt enough. I turned to Aryaman, with increasing agitation.

"I am sorry Aryaman"

"Relax Nandini, I was joking. You can take as many refills"

"No, it's not that Aryaman."

"I am sorry about our past"

"Enough Nandini, we have talked about this before. I have put it behind us"

"No Aryaman please listen to me. I am sorry. I led you to the notion that I loved you. I am sorry. I am leading you again today - I know I am Aryaman - I can see hope in your eyes already - I am sorry. Aryaman I am never this selfish around anyone, but I don't know how I pull out the devil inside me whenever I am around you. I am indulging you, but I will end up breaking your heart again - I don't want to do that. I am sorry Aryaman - "

"Nandini, calm down, and --"

""no you listen to me. I care for you. You are family. Only, I wish I could love you more than a friend. I..I had seen the engagement ring in your pocket that day Aryaman - I wasn't unaware of how strongly you felt for me when I left you. I should be blamed. You should hold me responsible - and here I am taking favours from you and smiling like all that didn't happen - I should go away. Yes, I think that's the best thing to do"

I was about to turn around and leave, when my eyes fell on Manik, who was looking at me from the other end of the hall, his brows were furrowed and he looked at me accusingly, he didn't like it that I was still with Aryaman - I was leaving anyway, but then Aryaman caught me by my elbow and turned me to face him - while turning around I only got a glimpse of Manik's ashen face.

"No Nandini, please stay back and listen to me. He said, while he still had a firm grip over my hand. Before I could protest, he pulled me behind the pillar - and if I wasn't mistaken, I thought I heard a glass shatter from the other side of the hall.

I didn't pay heed, I followed Aryaman, and looked at him questioningly.

"Nandini, please don't blame yourself for the past - I have truly forgiven you - and know this, that everything happens for a cause - and after all this time, I think I finally understand what you mean by I am family to you but you don't love me that way - I feel the same for you Nandini - Because now, I have found the true love of my life - Yes Nandini, I am engaged." And then came that smile, which comforted me in every situation.

"Oh. Congratulations Aryaman" was all I could muster in surprise. But I was truly happy from the core of my heart that no more was there a complication between us. I had won Aryaman forever. I was very happy for Aryaman, my one true friend. He then surprised me with a warm friendly hug, to which I responded with equal enthusiasm, and while we were at it, I saw Manik cross us - he stared at me for a moment. His expressions were difficult to read. Then he walked away and if I noticed right, I thought I saw his right palm bandaged.

***

I had tried calling Manik a number of times that night, but he never received my call. I was apprehensive to tell him how casual mine and Aryaman's hug was - that he was engaged and happy - that I was happy for him - but Manik wouldn't respond.

The next day however, he called me back. He cited that he had crashed early the night before and hence he didn't take my call. What disturbed me was he sounded unnecessarily cheerful - maybe I was overthinking, maybe Manik didn't care, maybe he didn't need an explanation at all - I thanked my stars that he didn't pick up the call last night, else I would have embarrassed us both with my incoherent rambling. Oh, but the injury? I enquired, and he told me it was there from earlier, he had got it from strumming a sharp guitar string - he added that I didn't notice earlier because I was probably busy - well he wasn't wrong, seeing Aryaman there, indeed got my mind off things.

***

It was two days after returning from the Goa summit - Aryaman had called me for dinner. He wanted me to meet his fiance. I was very eager myself, we had gone to GastroPub to meet her, but unfortunately she couldn't make it at the last moment - Aryaman and I were stuck with each other. When Aryaman suddenly produced an envelope with various wedding card templates - he jokingly told me that he and his fiance had shortlisted a few but, they could reach a unanimous decision to finalise one amongst the shortlisted ones. He requested me to take a pick - we were generally having a good time selecting and rejecting wedding card templates when I felt a gruff hand on my shoulder.

"Hello there Nandini, selecting wedding cards are we, how sweet" came Manik's voice from behind. I froze. And the only word that sang out loud in my mind was MISUNDERSTANDING'

"Hi Manik, no actually -" I began as I turned to look at his face. But he was smiling radiantly, and I still don't know why, it infuriated me. He thought I was selecting my wedding card with Aryaman here, and here he was happily encouraging me? Why won't he? teased another part of my brain. Why should it make any difference to him? And again, why was it disturbing me? So, I put on a calm face and changed my sentence midway.

"Yes, Manik - here, why don't you help us too?" " You don't mind right Aryaman?" I asked Aryaman.

"Of course not Nandini, please join us Manik!" retorted Aryaman politely.

"No buddy, actually I am here with a date tonight. I wish I could help, but you know..gotta go" he smiled and nodded at him, then he glanced at me once and left us on our own.

From that point, every card I looked at, looked ugly.

After an hour and half's effort, we decided to give up on finalizing the card and ate our dinner quietly. Then Aryaman dropped me home and left. Sitting on my couch in a near dark room, I was surprised to find hot tears in my eyes. Why was I crying? Why did Manik's indifference bother me? What the hell Nandini! It's been five damn years! I was never the one, remember? I was sitting on the couch, it was past midnight, as I repeatedly tried convincing myself. And then to my surprise the doorbell rang. I was surprised. I cautiously opened the door a little bit.

"Manik?"

***
A/N : Now? what do you think happens next, guys?

Some thoughts?

See you again this Saturday for the usual updates! 

Cheers,

A.