The Night which was supposed to shrug off all the differences between the two lost souls actually drifted them more apart.

Both were hurt and sad. One was hurt to witness the complete opposite side of the other's personality , whereas other was upset to portray this.

When things were seeming to be fine and getting set in places , they felt apart and everything turned complicated.

The distance which was supposed to end for ever , was now increased , causing the two to suffer without being at the fault.

********

Nandini woke up the next day with a  heavy head and swollen eyes. 

Navya went to one of her cousin's place for night stay so didn't knew about the tiff between the both and Rishab was at Abhi's place.

No one had even the slightest idea about the wrangling between the two and neither they spoke about it.

The whole day passed away and no one tried to contact the other. Nandini tried her best to call Manik but could not gather much courage to even call him , knowing it was her fault.

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

NEXT MORNING .. MONDAY ..

Manik reached office and started off with his work. Vaibhav called him and asked him to take a review of the new trainees.  He moved towards the conference room where all the trainees were present.

Around half an hour passed and he made an exit from the room. While returning to his desk , he spotted Nandini talking to a colleague and was shocked to see her in office .

Apparently she was supposed to take rest for one week more as her wounds were still not completely healed.

He in anger moved towards her but instantly stopped as he recalled her words . His heart was filled with grief once again as he recalled whatever she said to him on that night.

The feeling of grief and hurt was once again superseded by anger and ignoring her completely , he moved ahead.

A strong stab was felt on her heart seeing him like this but she managed to control her emotions and went back to start her work.

Soon Cabir also arrived and was surprised to find Nandini present in office .

"Nandini , what the hell are you doing here ? Aren't you suppose to rest for one more week. " Cabir snapped at her the moment he reached her desk.

"Relax Cabir , I am fine. And it's a long time I am being at home. Now I can't rest anymore." Nandini tried to pacify him but he knew it was not good for her.

He went towards Manik who was engrossed in his work.

"Manik , what is wrong with you ? You know Nandini is still not fine and you didn't said anything to her for resuming her work ?" Cabir asked him.

Hearing her name , he was again disturbed.

"We cannot rule anyone's life Cabir , people have full right to do what they wish to. If she is ok with resuming the office then who are we stop , right ?" Manik said in a calm tone , looking straight on his computer screen which was a shock of life for Cabir.

He never expected this kind of answer from him in the matter that relates to Nandini.

His changed behaviour was a matter of concern for him since he was unaware of the actual truth.

He was about to say something else when Manik interrupted him , "Cabir we'll talk later. Right now I have lots to do." Saying he resumed his work.

Nandini , who was on her desk was now in tears listening to his words. She knew she deserved this and may be more than this.

Controlling her emotions , she too resumed her work.

Here Cabir was in big dilemma seeing both of them with gloomy faces but none of the two talked about it.

He knew something was wrong between them and he made sure to find it out soon.

He too resumed his work after sometime.

During lunch hour....

Cabir called Manik for lunch but he refused saying he has lots to catch up with work and can't take break.

Since morning Cabir was sensing something weird in his behaviour towards Nandini and his refusal to have lunch with them , made him more sure.

All three used to be together during lunch hour and this thought of being with Nandini at that time was making Manik  angry.

So, to keep himself away from the unnecessary drama , he wanted to avoid her as much as he can.

Cabir moved towards his desk , and sat on his table , shutting down the flap of his laptop.

"Cabir ...!" Manik gritted in frustration but Cabir did not paid heed to it.

"Manik , what's wrong ? I know it's something related to Nandini but what happened suddenly that you are avoiding her ?" Cabir asked in his concern and worry.

"Nothing happened Cabir, nothing happened at all. And you know what, I am so glad that actually nothing happened. Cause I myself don't know what would have I done if anything would have happened." Manik yelled in frustration getting up from the chair and palmed his face.

Cabir looked at him weirdly. Manik was just wanting a source to split out all he had buried inside him since that night.

Though Cabir was sensing something really horrible but had no closest idea about the same.

He came towards him and took him in a brotherly hug assuring him that all will sorted.

"Manik... "Cabir tried to say something but was cut in between by him.

"Cabir please , not this time. Really , not this time." He pleaded him looking helplessly at Cabir.

"Okay , relax. Won't ask you anything until you say it. Okay ? Now come on have something. Am damm sure you must have been on hunger strike since this what ever stuff has happened. So come on." Saying this he almost dragged Manik towards the canteen.

Though unwillingly , but Manik went with him. As they entered the canteen , Manik noticed Nandini sitting alone on a table and his anger again rose to another level.

Luckily Nandini received a called and she went aside to answer it and they both occupied their seats.

Cabir did not attempt to provoke his anger once again so did not asked Nandini to join them. After ending the call , she left the canteen without noticing both of them sitting there.

Cabir made Manik eat some snacks and started discussing an official matter in order to divert his mind.

His attempt was successful when Manik got fully engrossed in the topic and forgot about Nandini for the time being. 

Day soon passed in work. At times Manik and Nandini would come across each other but then Manik was adamant to ignore her.

Cabir took care of Nandini in office and stayed with her until she reached home.

Knowing the fact that she won't tell him anything like Manik he did not even tried dig the matter.

**********

Days passed and none of them talked to each other and this time not even for work.

This difference between them was observed by almost every person of the office but no one said anything to either of them.

Soon , Navya , Abhi , Rishab , Mukti and Dhruv also came to know about this.

They tried to ask them but Nandini preferred to say quite and Manik would always become furious on her name. 

"Come on Manik , I mean what is wrong with you both. Neither you are willing to say something nor she is spilling the beans. I mean what happened guys that you both just turned into foes?"

Cabir asked to him in a high tone angrily as from past one hour he was trying to  make him spill the truth under the influence of alcohol but he was too adamant to speak.

"Cabir " Manik said and laughed. The next moment Cabir saw him snoring and he slapped his forehead as his whole plan got flopped.

"Navya , try to talk to her yaar. I am sure she will definitely tell you what actually happened." Cabir spoke to Navya over phone as they discussed about the changed behaviour of both towards each other.

"Cabir , I tried a lot but woh kuch bol hi nahi rahi. But I will try again." Navya replied to him.

This was heard by one person standing outside Navya's room.

"She won't say anything Navya. She won't." The person said with teary eyes and went away.

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

IN OFFICE...

Manik was climbing the stairs when he saw Nandini coming downstairs but didn't noticed him as she was engrossed in her cell. The stairs where mopped and therefore were little wet.

She being a little careless didn't saw it and as a result slipped upon the wet surface.

Manik has already gone pass by her but turned as he heard her shriek. He rushed to her and grabbed her before she could fall taking her into his protective embrace.

Nandini took a minute to realise actually what happened and when she gained her senses back, she found herself clinging to him and his hands wrapped around her , protecting from all the evils.

"Can't you just be careful haan? You would just fallen from here do you realize? Kuch ho jata to?" He shouted after breaking the hug and checked her hands to ensure she was all fine.

Once satisfied that she is fine, he again buried her petite body into his. All the while Nandini kept on staring him and his care and concern towards her. She responded back to the hug by embracing him even more tightly.

"I wish I could have just stayed like this in your arms forever Manik. I wish I could have sorted all things, but guess, we are not meant to be together." She thought in her mind which brought mist in her eyes and she instantly closed them in the fear that they could fall anytime.

After what seemed like eternity, Manik realised their situation and the place, and instantly backed off breaking the hug. Nandini too turned her face to hide her tears.

Manik looked at her who was looking at the other side and started to walk but stopped in his way when he heard her saying, "Thanks Manik."

He didn't turned back to look her and moved forward without answering her or saying anything to her.

By now Nandini was becoming habitual for his rudeness and changed behaviour towards her as she somewhere knew she has invited all this herself.

Manik reached his desk and after minutes found Cabir standing in front, crossing his hand across his chest and frown on his face.

Manik raised his eyebrow asking him what but Cabir just kept on staring him. After a minute Cabir dragged to the corridor and said, "Come on now..!"

Manik was clueless about what he was saying. "What's wrong with you Cabir?" he asked in frustration.

"You are speaking up the truth, spilling all the beans right here right now otherwise trust me when I say this I am going to kill you." Cabir said in a stern tone and his expressions were enough for Manik to understand that he is quite serious with his words this time. Still not wanting the truth to come out, he managed to escape from the situation.

"Truth, speak up.. Cabir what are you talking about?" Manik tried an unsuccessful attempt to evade from the topic but Cabir was determined to know the truth.

"Manik just stop it ok. Stop right now. I know something is bothering you both. There is something really big happened between you both and we all can see it. I saw right now, what just happened few minutes back on the stairs between you both and it gave me shock Manik, like really shocked. So please just come out with the truth. I thought you need time to share, but you are just not ready to speak up and neither is she. So please Manik, I just beg you to come up with the truth. It's high time now, I can't see you both like this in fact none of us can. So just please speak up." Cabir shouted, pleaded, requested and did every other possible thing to make sure Manik comes up with the truth.

Seeing no way to escape and sighed remembering everything. He too wanted to share his pain with him as he was tired of being fighting alone.

"Cabir... I and Nandini.." and with that he narrated all that happened between both of them. How they came close to each other during the time she was in hospital. His decision to tell their feelings to her and finally about the night that changed it all.

Cabir was more or less shocked and surprised to know all this. Though he being the first person who wanted this to happen, but still he was shocked as how come this all happened around him and he was all the time unaware about it.

Second reason of him being shocked and surprised was Nandini as whatever Manik told was hard to believe for him.

"You idiot, moron, why didn't you shared all this haan? We could thought of something. At least you should have let it out. You were bearing it all alone, burring it inside yourself. Why?" Cabir said in his concern tone and Manik looked helplessly at him.

"Don't worry, I am there. We will sort it out. And don't worry she will come around trust me. Just have patience and don't lose hope. Things will fall in place." Cabir said softly holding Manik shoulders and he hugged him.

"Thanks Cabir for always being there. You are the best friend any one could have." Manik thanked him smilingly.

"Anything for you brother." Cabir replied in a jolly tone and both shared a small laugh.

Finally after days Manik felt a bit relieved after sharing all his worries with Cabir.

*****

EVENING ... IN PARKING LOT.

Manik was heading towards his car when one of his colleague and his wife who was also his colleague called him from behind.

"Hey Arpit, hi Shreya... wow you guys look great together. Congratulations for your wedding and am really sorry I could not be a part of it." Manik greeted them as they were a newly married couple.

"That's ok Manik, we understand. You were not in condition to attend it after whatever happened with Nandini and she was hospitalised so that's ok. But this time you will have to come as we are having a small to gather at my place for our colleagues." Arpit informed him.

Manik had no mood to attend the party and he was finding ways to deny the invitation politely when Arpit spoke up again, "don't think of excuses Manik. None of them will be accepted. You have to come means you have to."

Manik smiled listening to him and promised them to attend the party.