After sometime, all sat down for lunch. 

"God, I still can't believe that all this was planned and bhai you too were involved in this. That means the resignation thing was also planned and its not in real?" Nandini spoke after a while with excitement hoping that Manik would join the office soon.

Everyone had  a smile on their face seeing her excitement except Manik who was hiding a fact not only from Nandini but also from everyone. 

"Actually no." Manik stated stammering a bit and everyone looked at him in confusion as everyone thought his resignation was not true. Nandini looked at him and raised her head to ask him and he in return nodded his head.

"Resignation wasn't planned. I am sorry guys that I hid this from you all but I actually resigned and I was actually going to Jaipur." Manik spilled out the truth and this made everyone shocked. 

"What?" Mukti shouted in anger as she didn't excepted him to leave her like this.

"Yes. I thought a lot about it and then decided.  It was getting hard for me to stay like this. So, I decided that if things won't happen the way the we had planned out, I will leave this place. Fighting with Nandini and our friendship which was getting ruined, all this things forced me to take such step. I know I should have informed you guys, but trust me it was getting all worse." Manik confessed everything and everyone was surprised. No one thought that Manik would have thought to take such a drastic step and was about to leave behind everything.

Everyone's face became straight thinking about what Manik just told them. Nandini too had tears of guilt in her eyes but she shoved them away before they could fall. Manik noticed her face and held her hand beneath the table.

"It's ok. Everything is fine now. Relax." He whispered to her and she nodded her head.

Cabir realised that the atmosphere has turned gloomy so decided to take the charge.

"I think we should let go off the things that have passed. What matters is, now everything is fine." He stated and everyone agreed to it.

All of them resumed to having their lunch and started to talk to random topics. Soon the lunch was with lots of fun, laughter and happiness.

************

Post lunch, Nandini was in kitchen when Manik came out of the guest room. He saw everyone was settled in the living area as they decided to watch a movie, so he moved towards the kitchen.

Nandini saw him and smiled seeing him.

"You need something? She asked him and he shook his head in no. Nandini saw frowns on his head, so went little ahead and asked him, "you alright ?"

He looked at her for some time and then said, "Nandini, when are you going to tell all of them about your health?"

This sudden question from him, made her heart beats race faster.

"Manik I want to but I'm just scared." She said after composing herself but in nervousness.

"Don't be, we are there with you. The three of them needs to know everything." They heard a voice and turned to find Abhi standing there.

He came forward and Nandini looked at him with helpless.

"I have no idea how are they going to react to this." She stated in a chocking voice and Abhi side hugged her giving her the much needed strength she required and Manik held her hand tightly.

"I'm sure they'll react sensibly. Anyhow Navya knows about it and regarding Cabir and Mukti, I'm sure they are mature and strong enough to listen to it and react accordingly." Abhi continued and Nandini nodded in understanding.

Suddenly Manik realised something and he looked at both of them.

"Navya knows?" Manik asked scrunching his face.

Both of them looked at him as they knew he was little upset with them with the fact that they kept everything hidden from him. Now when he knows that Navya was aware, he would surely be upset.

"Navya knew everything about my health but she is unaware of my latest report which I found at bhai's place." She told him before Abhi could answer him.

Manik's changed expressions were the clear answer that he was trying his suppress anger.

"Nandini, Abhi, guys, you should have told me about it. Abhi at least you should have. Such a big secret of your life and we are unaware of it. I'm unaware of it. Wasn't this thing important for us, for me to know? Was my importance just this much that you both decided to hide it from me. And don't know if she wouldn't have fainted how much more time you would have taken to reveal this." Manik spoke dejectedly while Nandini and Abhi looked at each with guilt and sadness.

Manik left Nandini's hand and was about to walk out from the kitchen in anger but she held his hand back. Abhi pressed her shoulder and walked out of the kitchen while Manik stood there facing the door and his hand held by Nandini.

After Abhi left the kitchen, Nandini came in front of him but he didn't spared a look at her. She noticed him clenching his jaws. She looked at their hands which she entwined and again looked at his face. She was very clearly able to trace the tears forming at his eyes corner and she hugged him tightly.

"I am sorry." She mumbled over his chest but he showed no movement.

After few seconds, she moved apart and looked at him but he was still looking at the other side.

Nandini took his hand in between and said, "Manik, Navya is an old friend of mine. When I got to know about all this I went to my parents and they prepared a proper check up for me. Navya was also there. That's why she knows. Please don't be angry Manik." She tried to explain him.

Manik turned his face to look at her when she finished. Nandini's words did no help in bringing his frustration and anger down instead he became even more furious.

"You actually think I'm upset and angry on you because Navya knows and I don't? Seriously? I'm not a kid Nandini. You know your health is sensitive. You were given lot many precautions but when now I think about it, I realised you followed none of them whenever you were with us. Why? Why were you taking this risk? If we would have known, we should have tried be careful. I feel myself responsible in deteriorating your health to so much extent and you think this petty things would effect me? You know what, actually forget it. If you would have cared enough for my emotions, you would have understood." Manik said everything in a helpless and hurt tone and left the kitchen in an instance.

Nandini remained there, thinking about his words and recalling the pain she witnessed in his eyes.

She slowly moved out of the kitchen and saw Manik sitting on floor beside Cabir watching the television. Though his eyes were on the television but it was clear that he was lost in his own thoughts.

Nandini came and sat on the couch near him but Manik didn't showed up with any actions.

"I know Manik you are upset. In all this, if anyone is suffering the most, it is you. I'm sorry Manik but I promise to make everything fine." Nandini made a determine decision to herself looking at Manik and took a deep breath to do what she has scared to do from long.

"Guys I want to say something to all of you." Nandini said grabbing the attention of all.

.......

To be continued....