Hello Fam. As promised, the next update is here. :)

Happy Reading...

Manik(announced): She is the mystery girl we have been looking for. The girl behind the anonymous letters.

Everyone had shock plastered on their faces as they stood up. Manik eyes Abhimanyu to handle her.

Mukti(sternly): Nandu, what's all this?

Manik(blinked his eyes in assurance): Nandu, explain everyone.

Nandu(confessed): When I met Manik after all these years in Malhotra Industries, I was surprised as I thought he always wanted to be a singer. The passion in his voice when he sings is a proof of that. I not only found him as the CEO but also noticed the lost spark in his eyes. He wasn't the passionate boy I used to know. He was happy, he was smiling but something felt missing and that's his music. And hence I sent him those letters. I thought if I could remind him about his music, he would consider it.

Manik(informed): You were the girl in school, right, whom I have shared my story with.

Nandu nods meekly.

Manik(puzzled): But I have clearly mentioned about quitting music. How did you expect me to become a singer?

Nandu(informed): Manik, I have always known you as a rebel kid. When our elders disapprove of something we like at that age, we often behave impulsively. Music was a passion for you and I never expected you to quit it for anyone for that matter. Considering your image in school, I never thought you wouldn't cross the line drawn by your family. Though now I know how much you respect your family.

Cabir(questioned): Why did you choose to be anonymous? You could have talked to Manik.

Nandu: I never thought Manik considers me or my decisions this important. Bhai and you were more close to him. Where you both failed to convince him, I was scared, would he even consider me? And also, if I had attempted to convince him, he would possibly shut me away but if it's some anonymous person, he might actually think of trying. Curiosity kills people and this was just a try.

Alya(concerned): What if Manik took all that letter negative and fell into depression or something? The topic you have touched was a sensitive one for him.

Dhruv(frowned): Exactly. Didn't he suffer when his past came in front of him after all these years?

Nandu(softly): Alya, Manik hadn't touched that topic in years. He forgot the happiness his music brought to him instead he still remembers all those bitter memories associated with it. Dhruv, if he manages to suffer one last time, he could get his peace back for an entire lifetime. Trust me, it killed me inside to see him in that state. I still am not able to remove his picture of him shivering in fear on that day, from my mind. As much as I hated myself for doing this to him, that breakdown was needed.

Manik(raised an eyebrow): And this was the reason why you didn't mention the reason of what happened to me on that day in your diary. In fact, you never mentioned the letter anywhere in your diary.

Nandu(nodding): Because I always knew what was happening. Though the third letter was a mistake. I always made sure there was someone beside you when all this happened, at least at a call's distance. Something went wrong with the third one. Cabir bhai and Abhimanyu had left for a meeting and that was sudden and I guess even you had delayed reading the letter. Hence, your reaction was much later than I expected. I didn't understand why you were off on that day in office but when it struck me, I didn't have the courage to face you. I just guessed you were angry but you had cut the communication and locked yourself up in your room.

Manik(smiled): And you acted stubborn at 12 in the night just to make sure I was fine.

Nandu(guiltily): That was the least I could do for you considering it was me because of whom you had to suffer so much.

Cabir(confused): Why did you type the letter?

Nandu(softly): It was possible that Abhi sees the letter and if he happens he could have easily identified my writing.

Cabir(sheepishly): Of course, sorry for the stupid question.

Manik(turns towards Abhimanyu): Abhi, tujhe kuch nahi bolna?

Abhi(frowned): On the last day of your school, as Manik said he shared his past with you, what the hell were you doing in the backyard of your school, in the dark? Thank God, it was Manik. Agar koi aur udhar aa jata toh, you weren't safe.

Everyone facepalmed themselves at his question as the ongoing topic was much serious than it.

Manik(sarcastically): Abhimanyu, henceforth, she won't sit alone in such places where she isn't safe. But for now, we expected some sensible question from you.

Abhi(pouts): It was a sensible one. Bol Nandu.

Manik rolled his eyes as Nandu answered Abhi.

Nandu: That was the last day of our school, the farewell day. You were busy packing your bags for London. I already was missing you but you were so excited and I didn't want to ruin your happiness. I wasn't fond of parties but I thought probably that was the last time, I could see Manik. In between missing you and Manik, I started missing Mom and Dad and hence ended up at the backside of school.

Abhi(confused): Wait a second. What do you mean by missing Manik? You didn't even talk to him during your school time.

Nandu(confessed): But I was already in love with him.

Everyone, except Manik: What?

Abhi(shocked): Kabse?

Nandu: During the final year of my school, on my way to the library, I accidentally heard Fab5 performing. It was a solo song and Manik was singing it. I felt connected to his voice and he was the first one with whom I felt such a thing after Mom. That was the first time too when I saw him and his eyes. Even though the song was a sad one, I felt a spark of happiness in his eyes which was different from when he was normally talking to anyone. Whenever he used to play his guitar, his happiness reflected in his eyes.

Maddy(confused): You too were in love with him since school, then why did you leave the concert yesterday after his confession?

Abhi(concerned): Exactly. And you didn't even stop crying since then.

Nandu: I never expected him to love me. It was all so sudden when he confessed there. Everyone else around me disappeared and I felt as if I was the only one present there. I got scared and I didn't know what to do.

Cabir(puzzled): lekin kabhi toh sach saamne aana hi tha na. You yourself wrote in the letter about revealing yourself.

Nandu: That was just to divert your concentration from me. If I hadn't written that line, you guys would be busy searching for me instead of thinking about your music. I wasn't planning to reveal myself ever.

Manik(teased): Dekha Mukti, I told you right, iss ladki ke andar bhi ek Sherlock Holmes chupa hoga?

Mukti chuckles as Nandu starts fidgeting her fingers in nervousness which was noticed by Manik.

Manik: Nandu, why did you tell me about the letter now when you weren't planning on to reveal yourself?

Nandu(restless): Because of Cabir bhai. He told the letter girl had a motive behind writing those letters and probably in love with you. Manik, I didn't write it to make you mine or something. It was only to bring back your music to you.

Tears started flowing from her eyes. Even though being hell nervous from the inside, she stayed strong and confident all this while. It was too much for her and she broke down only to be held by Manik. Kneeling down in front of her, he wiped her tears and pecked her head to calm her down.

Manik(proudly): You don't need to justify, Nandu. I was, am and will always be yours.

He hugged her tight. Rubbing her back, he pecked her head numerous times. They broke the hug after few minutes.

Manik(confessed): Thank you. Thank you for doing all this for me. I am so blessed to have a person who would make even the impossible things possible just to see me happy. I am sorry for scaring you yesterday. I shouldn't have announced it without informing you. What could I even do for you for sorting my life out, Nandu?

Nandu(whispered): Water.

Manik(amused): What?

Nandu(staring into his eyes, nervously): Can I have some water, please? I haven't ever talked this long before.

Manik chuckles and nods. Nyonika gets her water. As she gulps down the water, Nyo lovingly caresses her hair. Raj walks till her and takes a seat beside Nandu as Abhi stands up. Taking Nandu into a side hug, he talks for the first time since their discussion.

Raj(to Manik): I have always thought Nandu lucky since she had you who would understand even her unsaid words. But Manik, I think you are more than lucky to have her in your life. Even when you don't realize you are living in darkness, she can bring you out of it any day.

Turning towards Nandu, he speaks.

Raj(emotionally): A simple 'thank you' won't be enough for the happiness you have given us. Welcome to family, sunshine.

Tears brimmed in her eyes.

Raj(concerned): Arey, kya hua? Why these tears now?

Abhi(smiled through his tears): Bade papa used to call her sunshine.

Raj(promised): I would be privileged to have a daughter like you. Of course, I couldn't replace him but I would too protect you and love you immensely.

He pecked her hair making Abhimanyu smile the most.

Manik(whines): This isn't done yet, Dad. How could you promise her those words? Mera confession pheeka pad gaya aapke wale ke samne.

Raj(slapped his hand): Chal hatt. Baap baap hota hai. I love her the most.

Manik(declared): No, I love her the most.

Nyo(smirked): Okay, guys. Calm down. It was me who first asked Nandu to come to me whenever she missed her Mom. So, I guess, I love her more than you two.

Everyone chuckles at the trio.

Abhi(glared): Meri behen pagal ho jayegi aap teeno ke saath. Babydoll, I love you the most haina.

Nandu glares at him. They all pull each others legs and talk for sometime before Abhimanyu and Nandu decide to leave for home.

Outside the house

As soon as they reach their car, Abhi stops Nandu.

Abhi(accused): Tune itni saari baatein mujhse kyu chipayi, Nandu?

Nandu(stammered): Bhai..Bhaiya..

Seeing her stutter, Abhi softens a bit.

Abhi(hurt): I am sorry, Nandu. You were suffering all this while. You were doing so much for everyone and I didn't have any idea about it. It's been years and I couldn't even bring you the guy you love. Hell, I didn't even know you were in love. I failed as a brother.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Guessing the person, he hugged them tightly.

Manik who came to have a talk with Abhi along with Mukti heard Abhi's self-blame session. He hugged back Abhimanyu as Mukti took Nandu in a side hug.

Manik broke the hug and cupped his face.

Manik(cooed): You haven't failed as a brother. In fact, you are the best brother anyone could get. It's her decision to stay away from me. To bury her love inside her without even confessing it to me. Even when you didn't have any idea about her being in love, you made sure I was the right guy for her and didn't go lenient on me because I was your friend. You threatened your own best friend just so that your sister doesn't suffer any time in future. You haven't failed, Abhimanyu. You can never fail.

Abhimanyu hugs him emotionally as Manik pats his back.

Mukti(winks): Nandu, tumhe kaunsa naam pasand aaya? Manyu or Manbhi?

Nandu chuckles as the boys break their hug and look at Mukti confusedly.

Mukti(teased): Nahi, nahi. Ruk kyu gaye? Kiss hi kar lo dono. We will close our eyes.

Manik(smirked): Are you both jealous of us?

Mukti(rolling her eyes): Do you really think we will get jealous of the two boys who are so into each other, like literally. Have a great life ahead, you two.

Both the girls burst out laughing.

Abhi(warned): You both always gang up against me. None of you both are supposed to leave me and I am not repeating this again.

Manik(sternly): Ishh..Abhi. Stay strong. This is girls v/s boys. We can't show, we are afraid to lose them.

Abhi(pouts): But I am always afraid to lose them. Babydoll, you still have to love me.

He goes to hug Nandu making Manik glare at him.

Manik(disbelievingly): Itni badi speech di maine and you ditched me? I hate you.

They tease and laugh when Manik gets serious.

Manik(seriously): Abhi, I forgot to tell you. I contacted Mukti's parents a few days back and they asked me to meet them today. Though I would love to deal with them in my way, Mukti needs a closure. It would be good if she meets them, hopefully for one last time. And Mukti wants you too to accompany her. So shall we?

Abhi nods and they leave for home. 

How was the chapter? Any questions?