Happy Dola Purnima & a  colourful Holi to all my readers...

Malhotra Mansion, at night

At the hall, four boys n three girls r talking n laughing whereas Nyonika is setting dinner with the servant. Nandini's car stopped at the door n she with Inaya walked in.

"Wow Dhruv who nailed it bro" Manik's voice got audible to everyone n Nandini got the hint that she'll be meeting the final member of FAB5 now...

"Nandini's here" Navya shouted spotting her walking towards them.

"Inaya too... Welcome" Mukti greeted Inaya n she smiled.

"Sorry to come all of a sudden... but she forced. I'm not at fault."Inaya complained accusing Nandu n all smiled at her words.

"No need... u r always welcome. come." Mukti said asking her to come to the couch where all r sitting.

"Hello Doctor" a voice cleared when they approach other n when they saw clearly, they found the same boy who came with a girl to Dr. Inaya the day before n nandu had an embarrassing encounter.

"Hi! u here?" Inaya asked him n by the time Nandu has guessed him to be Dhruv.

"Ya! I live here only. ... it's nice to see u. u too." Dhruv said to Inaya then Nandu to which they smiled.

"U guys met before?" Alya asked.

"Yes. he came with his friend to me for treatment." Inaya answered.

"Are u hurt, buddy?" Manik asked.

"No... not me. my dancer friend injured her leg" he answered to which other nodded.

"Okay then... let me introduce. Dhruv, she is Nandini, Manik's wife n she is her friend Inaya." Cabir introduced pointing to them.

"N here is our shy boy, Dhruv Vedant, our best friend" he added side hugging him.

"Nice meeting u Bhabi" Dhruv said much to the surprise of Nandu who awkwardly smile n Manik who was looking at her expressions.

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At dinner table

"Arey beta! Aloo Gobi aur lo ( eat more curry) "Nyonika said to Inaya forwarding her dishes while all r also having dinner.

"No Aunty... I'm full."

"Where will u go now?" Nandu asked her becoz she knew that she has no place to stay.

"Where else, hospital... I've to threaten a newbie to take her bed so that I can stay until I find a place." she replied taking her last bite.

"Why?" Navya asked while putting the mix veg curry into her mouth.

"Arey! Nandu ke wajha se (All becoz of Nandu)." Inaya told.

"What did she do?" Cabir asked curiously.

"What else? SHE got MARRIED. She left me & now the landlord is complaining of coming home late at night, disturbing others at mid-night, not keeping cleanliness, loud music, and whatnot. ... he kicked me out of the house. Now, this innocent cute girl is homeless, just becoz this cruel, heartless girl who left me." She said cutely making everyone laugh n Nandu fake anger.

"Inaya. u can stay here till u get a place." Nyo said after laughing at her words.

"No no aunty... there no need. I can manage in hospital quaters." she denied politely-.

"No need... u r staying with us n that's final." Nyo said sternly.

"Thank u Aunty." she finally gave up n smiled.

"No need... u r a close friend of my daughter, Nandu... u r always welcome in this house." she said before finishing the dinner. Her statement made Nandini very happy n blessed while Manik is happy with her mother n wife's relation.

Everyone left to their rooms n Cabir showed Manik thumbs up as best of luck with the conversation with nandu before leaving.

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Manan's room

Nandu entered a while after Manik who was waiting for her change in nightwears...

When she entered he stood up from the couch. She closed the door n walked in silently thinking what will she do n answer? Whether she should pressure Manik to be loyal to his wife forgetting his love or should let him go out of this forceful marriage? How should she react, cry or be bold n strong?... So many things r going on her mind since Manik visited her at the hospital.

"Uh... u should change into something comfortable first." Manik said breaking the silence which was awkward n he doesn't want her to be uncomfortable around him. He didn't like it.

She nodded n walked to the washroom taking her clothes.

'How should I start?...

Nandini, it was a mistake what u heard that day. ... 

Mistake? Seriously Manik!.... Try once again,

Nandu, u misunderstood me...

No No... not like this!'

Manik was busy thinking about how to start a conversation with her n how to make her understand as Cabir did... When Nandu came out wearing Night Suit...

She sat on one side of the couch n Manik at other. There prevail a silence for a good time when both their minds r battling vigorously thinking about the probabilities, questions, answers n outcomes...

"Umm... How was ur day?" he started while cursing in his mind for this start.

"Good" she replied n there prevail a minute silence...

"Do u believe that u'll get ur money back?" he asked.

"What??" she asked cluelessly.

"I overheard ur conversation at ur cabin this afternoon." he told n she got that he is asking about the poor old man whom she offered 37 lakhs.

"Maybe he can't pay back the full amount. It doesn't matter anyway."

'She is so selfless. She let go of her money for someone she didn't know even after knowing that he won't be able to repay.' he thought.

'Why is he talking all this instead of getting straight to the point? ... Should I say first?' she thought.

"I... I know, u did this marriage becoz of ur mom." she took the lead making Manik nervous. He didn't know what will she say, what was she thinking n most importantly where will it lead to?

"Even I did it under pressure. I didn't want it to be like this. ... So, ...." She added n this time Manik's heartbeats increases as if he knew what she is going to tell...

"What..." he cut her out of nowhere not wanting her to say something he doesn't wanna hear her saying what he expected. Even he doesn't know why?

"What u heard that night?" he completed n she opened her mouth, to tell the truth, but no words come out instead her heart wailed... She doesn't know why?

They r having their first talk ... But unfortunately talking this!!!

"I... I heard that u... u love someone... someone else...n u... u kissed." she tried her best to not shutter but failed terribly...

She knew she is not attached to him then why the hell it hurt her to say these words... She didn't' know... Didn't know.

Manik closed his eyes knowing that she got his words which he said out of irritation, wrongly.

He did not love Soha... Yes, he had realized that, the very moment they kissed.

"U... u might... u can love someone... it happens... everyone has someone they love... U r not wrong to love...love someone ... else" She added with her tears threatening to come out with unknown pain all over her body but she is too stubborn n strong-minded to let them do as they wish...

"U love anyone else?" he asked with hurt tone and somewhere in his heart, he wanted to hear no and only no...

This question of Manik compelled Nandini to look straight to his eyes which she avoided from the very minute she entered the room till now...

Their eyes meet... Nandini's teary eyes with hurt, fear, unknown feeling with Manik's hopeful, hurt n guilty eyes met n they started to search each other's unsaid words...

Only silence was speaking for god knows how many minutes...

...Khamoshiyan...

'I know Nandini, I hurt u with my words... Any wife would be hurt to know her husband kissed other girl... But I never intended to do that. I never kissed her on my own wish n sense... I know, it will be an excuse if I say so. But believe me... please. ...'  his each cell shouted to make his wife hear but without words...

'I know how famous u r. u r surrounded by girls who die for a glimpse of yours... it is normal for u to have a girlfriend... in fact, many girlfriends, kissed many times n much more. ... u even kissed in ur set... I have seen ur series. not completely, but some scenes... Now that.....  u... u love someone else then, I should not come in between, Right? ... It was not ur mistake that u r forced to marry me. ...' Her mind said but her heart n soul was fighting against it.

'Everyone has the right to stay happy with someone they love... Even 'she' used to say the same... She taught me the real meaning of love... I'll always follow her words even though I can't follow her in real anymore. Yes... I'll do it. I've to do it.' she thought with determination overpowering her n she decided what she will do or answer him now...