Manik got out of his car and hurried towards the door. He rang the doorbell. A servant opened the door.

Manik : Mukti?

Servant : Woh apne room mei hai.

Manik ran towards Mukti's room and barged in without knocking. Mukti was sleeping tranquilly. The sudden noise didn't seem to disturb her slumber. Manik went towards the bed and shook her violently.

Manik : Mukti.. Get up naa.. Mukti..

Mukti : (groggily) Kya hai? Itni subah subah kaun utha tha hai? Mujhe sone do.

She turned to the other side of the bed and covered her face with the duvet. Manik pulled off the duvet from her face and tried to wake her up again.

Manik : Mukti yaar, uth naa. Bahut important hai. Please uth jaa....

Mukti opened her eyes and rubbed to get a clear vision of the person who disturbed her sleep. She got up and sat on the bed. She looked at the watch on her bedside table. It showed 8:30 AM.

Mukti : Kya hai yaar Manik? It's 8:30 in the morning. What the hell is so urgent at this hour?

She appeared to be annoyed.

Manik : It's about Nandini.

Mukti's eyes widened at the mention of Nandini. She was completely awake now. Manik had a serene smile on his face. Looking at his smile, a thought crossed Mukti's mind. Her lips curved upwards too.

Mukti : Is it what I'm thinking?

She asked hopefully. Manik nodded. Mukti's smile widened. She jumped out of the bed and wrapped her arms around Manik's neck.

Mukti : I can't believe it. You found it already? I knew you would but I didn't know you would do it in a night.

Manik : Don't get too excited Mukti.

Mukti removed her hands from around his neck and frowned. He didn't let her bask in happiness for even a few seconds. Manik continued,

Manik : There's just an infinitesimal amount of hope. Let's not get too ahead of ourselves already. Also, he's in the US. (dejectedly) We don't even know if he'll agree to come to India for Nandini's surgery.

Mukti : If he doesn't come here, we'll take Nandini there. Manik, at least there's some amount of hope. No matter how small. We can save Nandini, Manik. And I know you'll do anything and everything to save her.

Manik : Yes, I will. But I don't know Mukti. Nandini ne mujhe kuch nahi bataya. The entire time we were together yesterday, she tried to hide her sadness. And trust me, she did a pretty good job. If I hadn't known about her tu.. (he shut his eyes in pain and took a deep breath) tumor, I would have been fooled. I waited for her to tell me, but she didn't even hint towards it.

He sighed sadly. Mukti put a hand on his shoulder.

Mukti : Manik, Nandini's life took a 360° turn in a moment. She'll need time to even accept the news herself let alone break it to you. Uske tumor ke baare mei baat karte hue bhi tujhe itna hurt hota hai. Tu thik se bol bhi nahi paata hai. Usko toh iss cheez se deal karna hai Manik. It's her reality. Manik agar tujhe isse itna hurt ho raha hai toh usko tujhse zyada hurt ho raha hoga. Let her take her time Manik. She'll tell you.

Mukti blinked her eyes in reassurance. Manik looked at Mukti. She really had grown up a lot. And he was glad that she was by his side in this phase of life.

Mukti : Arey inn sab baato mei, main baat toh hum bhul hi gaye.

Manik : Ohh yeah. It's Dr. Mehra. He's the best neurosurgeon in the US. In fact one of the best in the world. And he has an impeccable record with complex brain surgeries. I think he will be able to save Nandini. He's our only hope to save her life.

Mukti : Wait, what's his full name?

Manik : Dr. Karan Mehra. Kyu?

Mukti's eyes lit up.

Mukti : I know him, Manik. He's a very good family friend.

Manik smiled ear to ear. He couldn't explain how happy he felt. Now, at least there was some possibility of Dr. Mehra coming to India.

Manik : Seriously? Then what are we waiting for? Let's call him.

Mukti searched for her phone and dialled his number. Their heart beats increased with every ring.

Nandini's room

Nandini woke up to an empty bed. She got up. As she was about to call out Manik's name, her eyes fell on a folded note kept on the side table. She unfolded it. It read,

Good morning Star!

I know you wanted to wake up to my face. Lekin kuch important kaam aagaya tha so I had to leave early. I'm sorry. I promise to make it up to you. Meet you in college. I love you!

P.S. - Have your breakfast and don't forget your medicines. Miss you already!

Nandini smiled reading his note. But her smile vanished almost immediately as she remembered Arohi's words. Tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at Manik's note and let them flow. A drop of tear fell on his note. She held the note close to her heart.

Nandini : I'm sorry Manik. I'm sorry. Mei jo karne wali hu uske baad toh tum meri shakal bhi dekhna nahi chahoge. I know you'll start hating me. Par mei kya karu Manik? I can't let you destroy your life because of me. If you get to know about my tumor, tum tut jaaoge Manik. And I can't be the reason behind it. I can't see you break Manik. I won't be able to. And if something happens to me because of the tumor, I know you won't be able to forgive yourself for not being able to save me. Lekin agar tum mujhe hate karoge, toh I know you will move on. You will think that I betrayed you and you will get over me. I know you will be immensely hurt but this is my only option Manik. Even if it breaks my heart into a million pieces, I will do it to protect you from a lifetime of regret. Please forgive me Manik. I'm sorry.

She shut her eyes and sobbed. After some time, she wiped her tears off and got ready for college. After having her breakfast and taking medicines, she left for college.

Mukti's room

Manik was speaking to Dr. Mehra. Seated on the bed, Mukti listened to his side of the conversation, patiently.

Manik : Okay doctor. I'll do that. Thank you so much doctor. Bye.

Manik disconnected the call and turned towards her.

Mukti : Kya bola Karan uncle ne?

Manik : He's asked me to mail Nandini's reports to him. Only after having a look at them, he can tell us if the surgery is possible.

Mukti : Okay great. Lekin Nandini ke reports kaha se laayenge?

Manik : I have them.

Mukti's eyes widened in surprise.

Mukti : Whattt? Lekin tere paas reports kaha se aaye?

Manik : Maine Nandini ke ghar se chura li.

Mukti : You did what Manik?

She stared at him in bewilderment.

Manik : Aise kya dekh rahi hai? I thought we might need it. So I took it from her cupboard before coming here. They're in my car.

Mukti shook her head in disapproval. 'This guy can do anything', she thought. But there was a smile on her face. She was glad that her best friend had found some hope to protect his love. At least he had the privilege of doing it. Unlike her, who didn't even know if she would ever see the love of her life again. She pushed those thoughts away. As Mukti was about to speak, she was cut by Manik.

Manik : Thank you Mukti. Agar tu nahi hoti toh yeh sab possible nahi hota.

Mukti : Bas kar Manik. Kitni baar thank you bolega? Nandini meri kuch nahi lagti kya? Aur phir tu bhi toh mera friend hai. Apne friend ke liye mei itna bhi nahi kar sakti hu kya? Agar mei teri help nahi karungi toh kaun karega Manik? Isliye yeh thank you mat bol. I'll always be there when you need me.

Mukti smiled at him. He did the same. He felt fortunate to have a friend like her.

Mukti : Vaise Karan uncle Mumbai aa rahe hai? Ya phir hume..

Manik : There's a conference in Mumbai after 3 days. He's coming to attend that. So he's said that he will extend his trip to examine Nandini. And if he needs to do any additional tests, he'll do them then.

Mukti nodded her head.

Mukti : Acha ek kaam kar Manik, tu Karan uncle ko reports mail kar tab tak mei ready hokar aati hu. Then we'll leave for college.

Manik : Okay.

Saying this, Manik left Mukti's room and headed to his car. Mukti went to the washroom to have a shower and get ready for college. Once done, she left the house and they both drove to college.

In the college

Mukti and Manik reached college. Manik parked his car. They both were heading towards the jam room when Manik saw something that made him seethe in anger. He scurried away towards the jam room. Mukti found the scene absurd too. But right now, her primary concern was Manik. She went behind him. Manik reached the jam room and flung the door open. Three heads shot up at the unexpected noise. Alya, Dhruv and Cabir who were already there stared at Manik, flabbergasted. Mukti reached the room too. Manik upturned the stool that was on the side. Alya, Cabir and Dhruv were shocked to see Manik so enraged. They couldn't figure out what had made Manik's blood boil. Mukti rushed towards him and held his arm. Cabir and Dhruv got up too.

Mukti : Stop Manik. Stop it.

Manik pushed Mukti away. She was about to fall when Cabir caught her. Manik kicked another stool. The stool hit the wall making a harsh noise. Cabir and Dhruv went towards him and they held each of his arms. Manik tried to get out of their grips but to no luck. Mukti came and stood in front of Manik. She kept her hands on his shoulders.

Mukti : Manik, calm down. There might be an explanation for it. Please, shaant ho jaa.

Manik calmed down a little. He let out a deep breath. Cabir and Dhruv let go of his arms.

Alya : Lekin hua kya hai Mukti? Aur Manik itne gusse mei kyu hai?

Hey guys! Here's the next update. I hope you'll liked it. Do leave your votes and comments below.
- Sakshi❤️