With her heart pounding in her chest, Nandini carefully scanned the area around the venue. She needed to find, a way to reach Manik. The thought of finally seeing him after all these months filled her with both excitement and trepidation. She noticed a side door, slightly ajar, likely used by the staff. It was her chance. Taking a deep breath, she slipped inside.

The corridor was dimly lit, with several rooms lining the walls. She could hear muffled voices and music equipment being moved. Nandini kept her head down, trying to remain unnoticed as she made her way through the winding hallways. She was determined to find Manik, and nothing would stop her.

As she turned a corner, she saw them—Fab 5, standing together and chatting. Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly ducked behind a pillar, not ready to face all of them at once. Her eyes locked onto Manik, who was standing a bit apart from the group, talking on his phone. She could see the tension in his posture, the weight of something heavy on his shoulders.

Nandini waited until he finished his call and started walking back towards the group. Summoning all her courage, she quietly followed him, her footsteps light and careful. Just as he was about to rejoin the others, she rushed forward, grabbing his arm and pulling him behind a nearby wall.

Manik, taken by surprise, instinctively raised his hand, ready to defend himself. Nandini froze, closing her eyes in fear. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she braced herself for the impact. But it never came. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw Manik's hand, suspended mid-air, his eyes wide in shock as he looked at her.

He whispered her name, "Nandini...?" His voice was barely audible as if he couldn't believe she was standing in front of him.

Nandini nodded, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at him, seeing the same emotions reflected in his eyes. The months of pain, confusion, and longing all came rushing back at that moment. They stared at each other, lost in the other's gaze, the world around them fading away.

Without a word, they moved towards each other, closing the gap that had existed between them for so long. Manik wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Nandini melted into his hold, burying her face in his chest as the tears flowed freely. She could feel his heartbeat against her, strong and steady, grounding her in the reality of this moment.

Manik held her tightly, his arms wrapped around her like a lifeline. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply, as if he was trying to memorize her scent, to reassure himself that she was there. His tears fell silently, dampening her hair as he struggled to control his emotions.

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, oblivious to the world around them. All that mattered was that they were together again, after what felt like an eternity apart. The pain and confusion of the past months seemed to melt away, replaced by the overwhelming relief of being reunited.

"Nandini," Manik whispered against her hair, his voice choked with emotion. "I missed you so much."

Nandini tightened her grip around him, nodding against his chest. "I missed you too, Manik," she managed to whisper back, her voice breaking as the tears continued to flow.

They held each other for what felt like forever, neither wanting to let go, afraid that this moment would disappear like a dream if they did. The silence between them was filled with unspoken words, the weight of everything they had gone through, and the love that still burned brightly between them.

As they pulled away from the hug, Nandini looked up at Manik with tear-filled eyes, her emotions overwhelming her. The relief of being reunited was quickly replaced by a flood of questions haunting her for months.

"Why did you leave, Manik?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Why did you shut me out? What was the reason?"

Manik looked down, unable to meet her gaze. He could feel the weight of her pain, and it crushed him. He had no words, no explanations that could undo the hurt he had caused. Nandini's voice grew more desperate as she continued to ask, her tears flowing freely.

"Why, Manik? Why did you do this to me? I was so worried, so lost without you. I didn’t know if you were okay, or if something had happened to you..."

Her voice cracked as she broke down in tears, and Manik's heart shattered into pieces. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything, but the words wouldn't come. He reached out, trying to calm her, but she pushed his hands away, needing answers.

"Nandini, please..." he started, but before he could say more, his phone rang, cutting through the tense silence. He glanced at the screen—it was Cabir.

"Where are you, Manik?" Cabir's voice came through, urgency in his tone. "We're getting late."

Manik ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "I'll be there in a minute," he replied, his voice tight.

He looked back at Nandini, who was staring at him with a mix of pain and anger. "Nandini, I will explain everything, I promise. But not now," he pleaded, his eyes begging her to understand.

Nandini shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, Manik. You’ll just disappear again, won’t you? You’ll leave me in the dark, like you did before."

Manik's heart ached at the accusation in her voice. He stepped closer, his hands gently cupping her face as he looked into her eyes. "I swear, Nandini, I won’t. I won’t ghost you again. Just trust me... Please."

She searched his eyes, looking for any sign of deception, but all she saw was the sincere promise of a man who was desperate to make things right. After a long, agonizing moment, she nodded slowly, her tears still falling.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice filled with resignation.

Manik pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment, as if he was trying to transfer all his unspoken words through that single gesture. "Go now," he said softly, pulling back. "I'll call you, and we'll talk. I promise."

Nandini nodded again, though her heart was still heavy with uncertainty. Manik took her hand, leading her towards the exit. He made sure no one saw her as she slipped out of the venue, his eyes following her until she disappeared into the night.

Once she was gone, Manik leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. The encounter had left him shaken, the guilt and regret weighing heavily on him. But there was no time to dwell on it now. He had to get back to the band, to the concert that awaited him.

But even as he walked back, his thoughts were with Nandini, the promise he had made to her echoing in his mind. He knew he had to make things right, no matter how difficult it would be. And this time, he wouldn't run away.

Nandini sat on the balcony of her flat, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she sipped her coffee. The bustling city of London spread out before her, its lights twinkling like stars in the darkness.

Despite the beauty of the scene, her mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the evening. She couldn't shake the image of Manik from her thoughts, the way he had looked at her, the sound of his voice after all those months of silence.

Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw an unknown number flashing. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she picked up the call.

"Hello?" she answered, her voice cautious. "Who's this?"

There was a brief pause before a familiar voice responded. "It's me, Manik."

Nandini's heart skipped a beat. "Manik?" she asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Why are you calling from a different number?"

"It's my new number," Manik explained, his tone calm. "I had to change it."

Nandini sighed, leaning back in her chair. For a few moments, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching out between them, filled with unspoken words and lingering emotions.

Finally, Manik broke the silence. "What are you doing here, Nandini?" he asked, his voice soft but edged with curiosity.

Nandini hesitated for a moment before she began to explain. "I found out about an internship opportunity in London," she said, her voice steady. "I prepared for it, worked hard, and I knew you lived here. I came here hoping to find you."

Manik listened quietly as she continued, "I didn't know how to reach you, so I started exploring the city. Then I saw your concert poster. I couldn't believe it at first, but I knew it was you. I had to go, I had to see you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Nandini could almost hear Manik processing her words.

"I... I can't explain everything over the phone," Manik finally said, his voice tinged with a mixture of regret and determination. "There’s so much to say, so much I need to tell you."

Nandini nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see her. "Where are you staying?" he asked.

"I'm staying in a penthouse near the hospital where my internship is," she replied, giving him her address.

"Okay," Manik said, his voice firm. "I'll come by tomorrow at 11."

Nandini felt a flicker of hope in her chest, mixed with nervous anticipation. "Alright," she agreed softly.

There was another brief pause before Manik spoke again. "Good night, Nandini."

"Good night, Manik," she whispered, and with that, they ended the call.

Nandini sat there for a while longer, her phone resting in her lap, her mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions. Tomorrow, she would finally get the answers she had been seeking for so long. As she gazed out at the city, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of anxiety and hope for what the next day would bring.

Nandini woke up the next day with a mixture of anxiety and excitement churning in her stomach. Today was the day she would finally hear everything from Manik—things that had been left unsaid for months, things that had gnawed at her heart.

As she got ready, her hands trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but feel like she was about to meet a stranger, even though she knew him so well. She was afraid of what might change between them after today, afraid of losing him all over again.

By the time she sat down in the living room, it was almost 11, and she found herself staring at the clock more than once. Every tick of the second hand seemed louder than usual, echoing in the silence of the flat. The closer it got to noon, the more her heart raced.

What if he didn’t show up? What if he had changed his mind?

Just as she was about to reach for her phone and call him, the doorbell rang, startling her. She rushed to the door and opened it to find Manik standing there, his hands in his pockets, a small, reassuring smile on his lips.

"Hey," he greeted her softly, his eyes meeting hers with a warmth that made her heart flutter.

"Hi," she replied, her voice slightly shaky. She stepped aside to let him in, and as he walked past her, she closed the door, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

Nandini led him into the living room and gestured towards the balcony. "Why don't you wait outside? I'll make us some coffee," she suggested.

Manik nodded, giving her a quick glance before heading towards the balcony. "Sure. Just point me in the right direction," he said.

She pointed, and he followed her directions, stepping outside into the open air. Nandini watched him go, her heart pounding as she turned towards the kitchen. She needed a moment to collect herself, and making coffee was the perfect excuse.

In the kitchen, she busied herself with the simple task, her hands moving almost automatically as her mind raced. She had so many questions, and so many emotions swirling inside her. Finally, after what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, she returned to the balcony with two steaming mugs.

Manik was sitting on a chair, gazing out at the city below. His posture was relaxed, but there was a tension in the air that neither of them could ignore. Nandini walked over and sat down beside him, handing him a mug of coffee.

“Thanks,” he murmured, taking it from her. For a few moments, they both sat in silence, sipping their coffee and looking out at the view. The city was alive with movement, but up here, it felt like they were in their own world.

Finally, Manik broke the silence, his voice low and heavy with emotion. “When I came here... Dad was admitted to the hospital,” he began, his eyes fixed on the skyline. “I was devastated. Everything felt like it was falling apart. I had to be strong for Mom and Mukti, but inside, I was a mess.”

Nandini listened quietly, her heart aching as she heard the pain in his voice. He continued, “Our company was facing losses, and nothing seemed to be going right. Dad started getting better, but it was a slow process. I changed my course to management to help out with the family business, and Mom and I threw ourselves into work to support him.”

He paused, taking a deep breath before going on. “At the same time, I started a band with Fab 5 to help us financially. Music was my escape, but it wasn’t enough. I felt like I was drowning, and I didn’t want to drag anyone else down with me, so I changed my number and... I didn’t contact anyone. Not even you.”

Nandini felt a lump forming in her throat, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. “I knew you were worried,” Manik added, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I couldn’t bring myself to reach out. I didn’t have the strength.”

Tears spilled over Nandini’s cheeks as she listened to him, her heart breaking for him all over again. “I wish I could have been there for you,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry, Manik. I wanted to help, but I didn’t even know what was going on.”

Manik shook his head, setting his coffee aside and reaching out to gently wipe away her tears. “Don’t apologize, Nandini,” he said softly. “It wasn’t your fault. I decided to shut everyone out. I thought I was protecting you, but I was just being selfish.”

Nandini’s emotions overwhelmed her, and she broke down, sobbing openly as the weight of everything they had been through crashed over her. “I missed you so much,” she cried, her hands trembling as she clung to his shirt. “I was so scared that I had lost you forever.”

Manik pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she cried against his chest. He could feel her pain, and it tore him apart knowing he had caused it. “I missed you too,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Every single day, I missed you.”

Nandini eventually pulled back, her tear-streaked face looking up at him. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of sadness, love, and something more—something she had kept hidden for too long.

“Manik,” she began hesitantly, her voice wavering. “I know we’re best friends, and we’ve known each other for so long... But what I’m about to say might change things between us. I don’t know how you’ll react, but please, don’t break our friendship. I can’t lose you.”

Manik frowned slightly, sensing the gravity of her words. “Nandini, what is it?” he asked, his voice gentle but insistent.

She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. “I can’t hold my feelings back anymore,” she confessed, her words coming out in a rush. “You’re not just my friend anymore. Whenever other girls look at you, I don’t like it. I... I’ve fallen for you, Manik.”

Nandini’s voice trailed off, and she looked down, unable to meet his gaze. The silence that followed was deafening, and she feared the worst—that she had ruined everything. “I’m sorry, Manik,” she added quickly, her voice trembling. “I know you don’t have any feelings for me—”

Before she could say anything more, Manik gently placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “Here I thought I was the only one falling,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t even explain how hard it was to control my feelings, how much I wanted to keep you close every time I saw you with someone else.”

Nandini stared at him in shock, her mind struggling to process his words. “You... you feel the same?” she asked, her voice small and uncertain.

Manik smiled softly, his eyes filled with a tenderness she had never seen before. “I’ve loved you for so long, Nandini,” he admitted, his hand gently cupping her cheek. “I was just too afraid to tell you. I didn’t want to risk losing you.”

Tears welled up in Nandini’s eyes again, but this time they were tears of joy and relief. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “Manik,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

He leaned in closer, his forehead resting against hers. “I love you,” he murmured, his breath warm against her lips.

Nandini’s heart swelled with happiness, and without another word, she closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a soft, tender kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the love, all the longing, and all the unspoken words they had held back for so long.

Time seemed to stand still as they kissed, the world around them fading away. All that mattered in that moment was the two of them, finally together, finally admitting the truth they had both been too afraid to face.

When they finally pulled back, they were both breathless, their foreheads still touching as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Nandini smiled, her heart overflowing with love. “I love you too, Manik,” she whispered.

Manik smiled back, his eyes shining with happiness. “We’re in this together,” he said softly, his thumb gently brushing away the last of her tears.

Nandini nodded, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months. She knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. And that was all that mattered.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️