Happy Independence day 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

I Need You To Be There.... For a little more than Always!!!

Part 67:

The first day in L.A. finally came to an end as all of them fell asleep instantly, getting damn tired of all the drama, travelling and stuff. The next morning came up with something new as Abhi reached Nandini's room to find it empty.

Abhi: Nandini.....

Abhi called her out and checked the entire room, but found her no where. He got out of the room and knocked on Manik's door.

Abhi: Manik....

Manik who was just out of the bath and was getting ready, opened the door and smiled,

Manik: Hey... Mrng!!

Abhi: Is Nandu here??

Manik frowned at his question and shook his head.

Manik: No, why??

Abhi sighed at it and shook his head,

Abhi: She isn't in her room so I thought to check... Let me just call her.

He pulled out his phone and called on her cell which was thankfully answered at the third ring.

Abhi: Nandu... Where r u??

Nandini: I m here only.... U wait, I'll see u before breakfast in 10 minutes.

Abhi: Ohk... But where r u??

Nandini: Second floor.

Abhi: Fine.. See u!

He disconnected the phone and turned to Manik.

Abhi: She is here only!!

Manik nodded at him and kept a hand over his shoulder.

Manik: I know what u hv in ur mind dude... But don't worry, she is not going anywhere. Atleast not until Amms is in this condition.

Abhi smiled slightly and nodded.

Abhi: U get ready. I'll see u downstairs at breakfast.

With that he left the room and reached downstairs to find Cabir, Dhruv and Aliya already sitting there.

Abhi: Hey guys...

Cabir: Hi... Morning​!!

Abhi: Come on breakfast is ready...

Abhi looked around to find Mukti but didn't see her so he asked,

Abhi: Mukti... Where is Mukti??

Aliya: I think she isn't ready yet. U wait I'll call her.

Aliya said getting up when Abhi stopped her.

Abhi: Umn... How can I miss this chance?? I'll go and call her...

Abhi smiled broadly as he winked at them and walked upto Mukti's room.

Cabir: Nandini was right... This guy is insane. No doubt he likes Mukti so much!

Dhruv and Aliya chuckled at it when they saw Mukti walk outside.

Mukti: Seriously... I m 5 minutes late and u send this idiot to call me...

Cabir: Come on Mukti... See it worked, u r out so soon...

Mukti rolled her eyes at him while abhi too joined them.

Mukti: I was already at the door u idiot.

Abhi winked at her making her shut up when Manik too joined them.

Manik: Morning guys...

Abhi: Ohk... Now let's go for breakfast. Nandu too will join us any minute.

They all sat across the dining table and started. Around 5 minutes later, Nandini walked towards them.

Nandini: Hi guys.... Good morning!!

All: Hey!!

Nandini: I hope u all were comfortable last night??

They smiled at her when Dhruv said,

Dhruv: More than comfortable... Thanks!! Come join us...

Nandini: No no... U all carry on, I hv to leave.

Nandini said casually when Abhi snapped up,

Abhi: Where???

Nandini: Calm down sassy pants... I m going to see Amms. I promised breakfast to her!

Abhi glared at her for calling him 'sassy pants' but still ignored it,

Abhi: Breakfast?? When did u talk to her about that?

Nandini: This morning when she woke up... Now if u r done with ur interrogation, Bye!!

Nandini waved at the others and turned to leave she walked a bit ahead when she stopped and turned around.

Nandini: Guys... Till the time u r here, feel free, its ur own house and u all can go use my Music Room for time being. I m sure, U'll like to practise.

Mukti smiled at her along with the others when Cabir said,

Cabir: Great...

Nandini: All the instruments r there for ur use but still if u need anything else. Spare instruments, guitar strings etc. r all available in the store room u can ask the staff for that... U can use anything u wish, except for the red coloured acoustic guitar on the right wall. Plz avoid using that.

Aliya: Ohh great... Thanks Nandini...

Nandini nodded at them and was about to leave when abhi got up and whined,

Abhi: Hang on... What is happening?? Why am I not even allowed to peak into that room and these ppl r allowed to use it?? For gods sake I don't even know what it looks like after all these years...

All of them chucked at it including Nandini who replied,

Nandini: Coz u entering that place is surely gonna be equivalent to a hurricane to all my instruments while they do know how to use it. So stop complaining.

With that she turned around and started leaving while Abhi continued to glare at her back. All of a sudden, Nandini pulled out a key and tossed it backwards towards him and shouted,

Nandini: Just till the door Abhi, don't u dare enter my space!!

Abhi grinned at her after catching the keys making the others laugh as Nandini was out of the house. He joined the others for breakfast as his complaints carried on about how Nandini never allowed even one single person other than Appa and amma in that room ever. His storied continued when Manik suddenly still placing his spoon down.

Manik: Shit!!!

All of them looked at his serious expression when he turned towards Abhi, as if passing on his thoughts to him.

Manik: Rishab....

Both of them got up and rushed out of the house behind Nandini telling the others to continued the breakfast. They ran straight through the doors to the Moorthy Mansion but stopped in their tracks when they saw Nandini sitting right outside the house in the garden with Amms.

Nandini: Amms u hv to eat this... Its healthy for u. Come on...

Amms smiled at her as Nandini picked up the spoon and feed her while Abhi and Manik took a deep breath calming themselves. They were almost calm when Amms noticed them.

Amms: Arey Abhi.... Come son!!

Abhi smiled at her with Manik as they walked closer. He bent down and touched her feet taking blessing from her.

Abhi: Good morning Amms!!

Amms caressed his head blessing him as he stepped back while Manik bent down in front of her.

Amms blessed him but looked at him with a confused expression.

Amms: You are??

Manik: Namaste... I m Manik.

Abhi looked at Nandini to introduce Manik to Amms but found her looking downwards so he said,

Abhi: Amms Manik is Nandini's friend... Nandu was working with him all these years and even stayed with him only.

Amms smiled at the information as she caressed Manik's face with love.

Amms: Thank u son.... U were there with my daughter when she was all alone there.

Manik smiled at her bowing down his head a little.

Manik: No need to thank me Amms... I didn't do anything special after all that she has done for me!!

He said with his eyes flicking over to Nandini as he looked back at Amms...

Manik: I hope u don't mind me calling u Amms??

Amms: Not at all son....

Abhi: Amms, Manik and Nandini's other friends have come with us from India. They all are back there, I'll call them later to meet u.

Amms: Of course... I'll love to meet them.

Nandini: Ohk now finish this fast Amms... U hv to take ur medicines as well!!

Nandini said with a stern look making the three of them smile. Amms nodded at her and continued eating.

Just then they heard someone say,

"Nandu!!"

Both Abhi and Nandini stilled listening to that voice while Manik immediately turned towards Abhi. A simple curt nod and Manik knew it was none other than Rishab. They saw him walk closer with Anjali following closely behind while his eyes stayed fixed at Nandini who kept on looking downwards.

As they reached closer he again said slowly,

Rishab: Nandu!!

Nandini stood up from her face finally looking up at him as she was immediately enclosed in a tight hug.

Rishab: U r alive.... I can't tell u how happy I m seeing u here, all my guilt of all these years has gone away.... My nandu....

Nandini back off from the hug in the middle of his words effectively shutting him up. As she said in a plain voice.

Nandini: I hope I hvn't disappointed u Mr. Moorthy...

Rishab: Disappointed??

Rishab asked confused looking at her stern expression when Nandini smiled sarcastically.

Nandini: Ohhh good that u forgot. Actually to what I remember, u had clearly told me that u wouldn't like to see my face ever again. And believe me I had all my plans obeying ur wish, But I m really sorry due to unavoidable circumstances I had to return.

Rishab: Nandu I-

Nandini: I m sorry Mr. Moorthy but I prefer a only a few very close people call me by that name. I hope u don't mind!!

Nandini said as she turned towards Amms again.

Rishab: Plz listen to me once Nandu! I-

Nandini: By the way, its good that u met me here... Actually I wanted to ask u first, if u have any problem in me entering ur house. I mean I clearly understand if u do, but in that case I might wish for Amms to shift to my villa...

Rishab didn't say anything at it and backed away simply looking at her. Anjali kept a hand over his shoulder as if asking him to control himself when Nandini asked again.

Nandini: So do u??

Rishab: Huh!!

Nandini: Do u hv any problem with me coming over??

Rishab: No....

Rishab whispered making her smile slightly.

Nandini: Thank u very much Mr. Moorthy.... Now if u'll plz excuse me.

Nandini helped Amms to get up as the two of them walked inside the house. Abhi looked at Rishab's torn face and Nandini's retrieving figure.

Manik: She will be fine... Amms is with her, u go with Rishab. I'll be with the others...

Manik said slowly knowing his situation as he turned around and walked back to the Nanz Villa.

Later that afternoon, Nandini was sitting and talking to Amms when a cute little girl pushed open the door and rushed towards Amms,

"Amms....."

Amms smiled looking at her as she climbed up the bed and sat by her side.

Amms: Here is my girl... So how is the princess today?

"Gud..."

The girl replied with a smile and then noticed Nandini sitting on the other side. She looked at her for a few seconds and then turned face the other side of the room. Nandini smiled at the little girl as she pointed at an old family photo at the wall and said,

"Buu... Buu"

Amms chuckled lightly and caressed her cheek,

Amms: Bua... Not Buu!!

"Bua!!" the girl screamed in joy as she smiled broadly and jumped over Nandini.

Nandini held her close and as the little girl kissed her cheek hard.

Anjali who was standing at the door wiped off her tears and smiled broadly before leaving.

Nandini spent the rest of the afternoon with Nayan while Amms rested. She got back home in the evening when the staff told her that Fab5 were in the Music room. She decided to leave them alone and headed towards her room.

As soon as their practise got over Manik asked the servant.

Manik: Is Nandini back??

Servant: Yes sir... She is in her room...

Manik was about to walk back upstairs to her room when Abhi entered the house.

Abhi: Hello People...

Cabir: Hey abhi....

Abhi: So whats happening??

He asked sitting next to Mukti who immediately lied down her head over his lap with her eyes closed.

Mukti: Just finished with practise...

Abhi smiled at her and caressed her head making the others smile at the two of them.

" Mukti... Agree it or not, U two look cute together!!"

They heard Nandini's voice and turned around to watch her walking down the stairs. But the moment they saw her, their mouths hung open.

Aliya: Wow Nandini.... U look different!!..

Nandini nodded at her and raised her eyebrows,

Nandini: I hope in a positive way though... Anyways, I m going out somewhere, will see u guys later on....

Abhi: But where r u going??

Nandini: Abhi... I m not answerable to anyone, every freaking time I wish to go out.

Nandini said sternly when Abhi got up from the sofa.

Abhi: Nandu, I-

Nandini: U WHAT ABHI....

Nandini shouted shutting him up, she took a deep breath controlling her anger and then said slowly,

Nandini: Look abhi, I knw u r concerned coz we hv got together after so long, but just calm urself down and leave me alone!! I don't want u Intruding into Everything I do... Leave me alone for God's sake....

And before they knew she was out of the house leaving Fab5 shocked and Abhi helpless....

Cabir: I hv never seen Nandini like this.... I can't even imagine her this way!!

Cabir said slowly, speaking out all their minds when Abhi said,

Abhi: Thats not Nandini guys.... That is Nanz!! This is the same old angry and reckless Nanz that I knew before she left L.A....

Manik: Are u sure that she won't do anything to get her into trouble??

Manik asked concerned when Abhi shook his head.

Abhi: Until and unless she herself wants to do so... Coz if I m right, and this is really Nanz, then believe me when I say this, she knows what she is doing. Plus, I hv got her back!

They all settled down after that but they all knew Manik had all his mind and heart both with Nandini. Abhi was busy pulling Mukti's leg trying to tease her along with Cabir when his phone rang and he picked it up!!

"Hello!!!..... Hmn, so what is she upto??...... (sigh)Inform the staff to go easy by the time I m there....."

He disconnected the call and got up,

Abhi: Well... I hv a situation to handle, I hv to go!!

Manik: Chuck it abhi... I know its Nandini, I m coming along!!

"So am I!!" they heard a voice and turned around to find rishab standing at the door. Abhi thought about it for a few seconds before finally he nodded.

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15 minutes later, Fab5 along with Abhi and Rishab entered a 7 star hotel. The name shouting up high in the sky, "RNA Group of Hotels"

Manik: Where is she??

Abhi: In the club.... I don't know why this girl doesn't understand that she is advised not to drink!!

They all moved to the club with the entire staff recognising them bcoz of Abhi and Rishab. They entered the club as loud music from the DJ hit their ears and the manager rushed towards them.

Manager: Good evening sir!!

Abhi: Where is Nanz??

Manager: Sir she is at the bar counter. I asked the staff not to give her the drinks but she has shouted at them and fired three of them from their jobs, scaring the rest.

Abhi: Go and-

"Guys.... The night just turned Magical out here..... Is this a dream or m I actually having Nanz, the Rockstar in front of my eyes...."

They heard a few gasps and murmurs when the DJ continued,

DJ: There at the bar counter is out very own rockstar, "NANZ.....", can I plz request u to get here to the dance floor. Come on people lets hear a cheer for NANZ.....

The entire crowd cheered while Manik spotted Nandini at the bar counter. She looked furious from all the attention and had fire in her eyes as she looked at the DJ. Listening to the cheers of the people she got up from her place and walked towards the dance floor while Fab5 too rushed there along with Abhi and Rishab.

Nandini: Hello there to all u lovely people.... And Fuck Off to the DJ for not even letting a girl drink in peace...

Nandini shouted at the silent hall making everyone laugh including the DJ, who moved towards her with the Mike.

DJ: Well it was just to make my eyes believe that u r actually here...

Nandini smiled at him as he took her into a hug kissing her cheek. Manik tightened his fists when Abhi kept a hand on his shoulder, "He is an old friend!! "

Nandini: Ohk people believe ur eyes.... Yes, Nanz is back!!

Loud cheers spread the area even the guy again took the mike and said,

DJ: Not taking the life from this party... Guys what about a song from this amazing rockstar out here...

The entire crowd cheered when Nandini stilled, none of them noticed the change in them except her friends. Just then her eyes landed over them, she fixed her eyes with Manik as if telling him that she wasn't ready for it.

Manik moved forward in front and forwarded his hand to her making her sigh as she moved ahead.

'Finally she was letting her wall down and moving towards him!!'

Came a thought in Manik's mind making him smile slightly.

She lifted up her hand and was about to hold his when he saw her eyes redden as she saw behind him. Manik frowned in confusion as he heard around following her gaze and saw her looking at Rishab. He turned around facing Nandini again when he noticed her eyes darken as all the emotions drained out her face, surfacing a blank girl, Nanz......

He saw her turned around and take up the mike from the guy,

Nanz: So ppl are u ready!!!!!!

She cheered for the crowd but her voice was enough to tell him that she was anything but cheerful at that time. He saw her whisper something to that guy as he got back to the Music system and within the next minute Nandini got into the middle again,

"So ppl here is an old song of mine... And believe me when I say this, there was no other time when I could relate with the lyrics as well as I do today!!"

She glanced at Rishab swiftly as the music started in the back ground while a smirk came up on her face. While she started with the song,

'"I don't like your little games

Don't like your tilted stage

The role you made me play

Of the fool, no, I don't like you

I don't like your perfect crime

How you laugh when you lie

You said the gun was mine

Isn't cool, no, I don't like you"

Her eyes shifted over through the crowd and were back over rishab as she moved forward towards him dancing on her way as the crowd joined.

"But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time

Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time

I've got a list of names and yours is in Red, UNDERLINED...

I check it once, then I check it twice, oh!"

She sang the entire time shooting draggers at him, as if letting out all her anger and hurtfulness out for the first time. She moved away from him grabbing the hand of some random guy as he wrapped his arm around her and danced, her eyes not leaving Rishab

"Ooh, look what you made me do

Look what you made me do

Look what you just made me do

Look what you just made me"

She pushed the guy away moving over to someone else and dancing closely,

"Ooh, look what you made me do

Look what you made me do

Look what you just made me do

Look what you just made me do"

She pushed that guy away too walking back towards Rishab moving around him as she continued dancing,

"I don't like your kingdom keys

They once belonged to me

You asked me for a place to sleep

Locked me out and threw a feast (What?)

The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama

But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma

And then the world moves on, but one thing's for sure

Maybe I got mine, but you'll all get yours

But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time

Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time

I've got a list of names and yours is in red, underlined

I check it once, then I check it twice, oh!"

She again moved on to random guys dancing in their arms looking right through Rishab. While the crowd seemed to be oblivious to the effect of the entire song and the area filled on with the party.

"Ooh, look what you made me do

Look what you made me do

Look what you just made me do

Look what you just made me"

She pushed the guys moving forward towards the bar as she slowed down the pace of the song picking up the shots lying over the table.

"I don't Trust Nobody and Nobody Trusts me

I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams"

Nandini sang looking at Rishab as she gulped over the shot.

"I don't Trust Nobody and Nobody Trusts me

I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams"

Her eyes flicked to Manik with hurt clearly visible in her eyes taking in another drink. As she sifted her eyes back to rishab. Taking in shot after shot as she continued repeating her words.

"I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me

I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams

I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me

I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams"

Abhi rushed to her snatching away the next glass from him when she pushed him away and moved towards the dance floor saying out the words,

I'm sorry, the old Nanz can't talk right now."

They looked at her confused making her smirk,

"Why?"

She asked snapping back at Rishab when she whispered,

"Oh, 'cause she's dead!" (Oh!)

Winking at him she moved back towards random guys dancing along with them one after the other.

"Ooh, look what you made me do

Look what you made me do

Look what you just made me do

Look what you just made me"

After moving on through 5-6 guys she got in front of Manik and wrapped his arms around her as she looked straight into his eyes continuing,

"Ooh, look what you made me do

Look what you made me do

Look what you just made me do

Look what you just made me do!!!!!!"

The song ended making the entire area cheer while Nandini was left captive looking straight into Manik's eyes who had guilt, concern, and sadness clear in his eyes. But what stood out was his Love for her.

"OMG.... Ands that is what proves that this time we hv her back much much much more stronger and better than she was the last time!!! Lets hear a loud one for Nanz...."

The voice on the mike broke their trance as Nandini moved away from Manik.

She didn't give a hoot to the people around her, cheering up for her as she snatched up an entire bottle of whisky from the bar tender and before anyone knew she was out of the place.

Abhi was about to run behind her when Manik stopped him shaking his head in a No.

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Ohk people so that was it!!!

How was Nayan and Nandini up together?

What do u think about this avatar of Nandini, the whole new one yet the old one, Nanz!!!!!

What do u think about Nandini's anger over Rishab?? Is it justified.....

Do mention ur views about all this and also about how was the part!! The next one out soon...

Love,

Navya!!