Okay. Okay. I know its very late.. Okay fine, very very late.. Pls forgive me! Sabki HOLI khatam hogyi.. Aur yahan meri start hone wali h.. Lol. Anyways, lets go to the update!
Chapter 22: What's the plan?
"True friendship means savouring the magic of the most wonderful times of your life."
It has been few days since that incident, when Nandani was about to fall from that cliff, when she was almost about to die but Manik saved her. They won that task that day as they had three diamonds. Their team had won the first task of R.A.C.. She should be happy but situations were not allowing her. She was sitting alone in her tent and was trying to read a book but her eyes were glued at one line. She couldn't read it because she was lost in her thoughts.
She has seen that desperation in Manik eyes to save her that day. He was afraid to lose her. But why? He had already lost her. What was left now? Everything he said to her till date was a lie. His love was a lie. Then why was he behaving like that? Is he trying to trick her again? Or is he feeling guilty for whatever he did? Or maybe...
She was totally immersed in her thoughts when the zipper of her tent got open and came in none other than Madhyam. He flashed a million dollar smile to her. Since that incident he has also changed, changed a lot. He is behaving all caring like a 'Good Boy'. But why? Well, that's a question she is seeking answers to. The Madhyam she has seen at Raigarh was totally opposite of this one. She has to find out the reason behind it obviously because she cant get fooled by these tricks anymore after him.
"Tum yahan?", Nandani asked.
"Han Vo.. I have a surprise for you..", he winked at her excitedly.
"Madhyam Pls jao yahan se.. Mera mood nhi h.."
"Nandani tum breakfast krne bhi Ni ayi.. Subah se yahin betho Ho.. Ekbar bahar ake dekho toh Sai kya horha h..", Madhyam requested.
"Madh..", Nandani was again about to give a try to shoo him away but before that someone called her from outside, "Nanduuu!!"
Nandani recognised the voice and it was none other than Navya. She came inside the tent, "Nandu bahar chal tujhe kuch dikh..", she stopped in the mid way seeing Madhyam present there.
"Navya mera mn nhi h.. Task vese bhi abhi thodi der me h.. Mujhe rest krne de tabtk!"
"Nhi.. Tum chalogi!", Navya said and pulled Nandani to stand up.
"Ok. Fine!", Nandani finally gave in.
"Chalo meri Ni toh Navya Ki baat toh Mani tumne..", Madhyam said, "So chale bahar..", he said advancing his hand to her but Nandani didn't took it and went outside with Navya. Madhyam felt dejected but still maintained his cool. He too came out of the tent with them.
As soon as Nandani came outside, she was stunned. There were decorations everywhere. Everyone was dressed in white. There were many stalls of food items, drinks, sweets and many more things. The thaals filled with colours were kept everywhere. Many small pools filled with coloured water were placed everywhere and then it finally dawned upon Nandani that it was nothing but HOLI today.
Nandani was busy admiring everything around her that she didn't notice that Navya was talking to Cabir in a sign language who was standing beside a stall with Mukti and Dhruv. He understood what she meant and signalled her to keep quiet and started walking with his friends tip toing towards Nandani with a pipe in his hand. Nandani was wearing a flowing white long top with blue skinny jeans. Her long hairs which were bit curly at the end were flowing effortlessly. She was looking simple but eternal.
The trio reach exactly behind Nandani who was oblivious of her friends' presence. They counted 1.. 2.. 3.. and shouted at top of their voices, "HAPPY HOLI NANDU!!"
Nandani was startled and put her both hands on her ears obviously who will want to be deaf this soon. She looked behind and found her friends' giving her evil grins. Before Nandani could say anything, Cabir shouted to Dhruv, "Button on kar...!!" Dhruv ran and switched on the button and the water started coming out of the pipe which Cabir was holding. He directed it towards Nandani. Nandani was surprised. She wasn't ready for this.
She couldn't open her eyes or even walk properly. The water flow was high. It was blinding her vision. She was using her tiny hands to block the flow but her efforts were going in vain.
"Cabir bnd kar ise.. Vrna me chodungi nhi tujhe aaj..", Nandani warned him. Cabir laughed, "Phele pakad toh le.."
"Cabir you are gone.. I swear!", she stated furiously, "Mukti and Dhruv do something!!", she requested.
"Well, we are in Cabir's team Nandu!", Mukti shouted.
"I hate you guys!!", Nandani managed to say while fighting with the water. She was again about to say something but she couldn't balance herself and slipped. She knew she was going to hurt badly. She was about to got hit with the harsh ground but something solid caught her. She could feel someone holding her protectively. Cabir stopped flowing water on Nandani as soon as he saw her falling. Nandani opened her eyes slowly and found the most handsome face stairing at her in the most worried expression. He was wearing a white kurta and was looking looking dashing as ever.
She was looking so beautiful in that white attire. Her long wet hairs were mapping her gorgeous face making her look even More beautiful. Thank good he catched her. What if she would have fallen? Manik was thinking all this.
She was looking at him or stairing at him to be more precise. He has again saved her. The worried expression on his face was troubling her. Why is he worried for her now? When he Should have, he just kept using her. Then what's wrong with him now?
"Nandani!", Madhyam called her taking her out of the spell. She had again got lost in those brown eyes. She got out of Manik's grip and straightened herself. Manik too was uncomfortable.
"You okay?", Madhyam asked coming near Nandani. Nandani just nodded.
"Nandu sorry yar.. We didn't know you will loose your balance like this..", Cabir said apologetically. Nandani just kept mum.
"Tu thik h na.. Lgi toh nhi?", Mukti asked.
"Bol kyu nhi rhi kuch.. Naraaz h humse?", this time it was Dhruv. Nandani just kept quite and moved away from them folding her hands.
"Nandu jitni inki glti h.. Utni meri bhi h.. Aise naraaz Mt ho pls..", Navya said coming towards Nandani. Cabir, Mukti and Dhruv too came behind Nandani. They were really guilty. Anything could have happened to her if Manik wouldn't have come to save her. It was her right to be angry with them.
Nandani reached at a table with her friends following her apologising. Her back was facing them. She reached to a thaal filled with blue powder colour making sure that her friends' don't notice this move of hers. She was having a mischievous grin on her face.
"Nandu sorry na..", Mukti again apologised.
"No.. You guys always do these kinds of pranks..", Nandani retorted trying to be sound serious.
"Sorry Na Nandani.. We didn't have anticipated the consequences..", Cabir tried to convince her.
"Fine.. So now I also wont think of the consequences..", Nandani said mischievously and throw all the colour on that big thaal towards her friends. "HAPPY HOLI!!!!!", Nandani shouted and laughed. It took some time for everyone to realise what happened and our Nandu took the chance and started running.
"Nandu Ki bachi!!!", Nandani heard Cabir from her back.
"Manik pakad use.. Jane Mt dio..", Dhruv shouted at his brother as Nandani was about to pass him. Manik was witnessing all this mischief of his friends and immediately catched Nandani and pulled her towards himself. Before Nandani could do or say something, the trio came from behind and took the colours in their palm and massaged it on Nandani's face.
"This is not fair!!", Nandani complained while the rest of the Fab-5 members laughed.
"Everything is fair in love and war.. And we love you so much Nandu!", Cabir said cheekily. Nandani was puffed in anger now. Her whole face was coloured.
"Manik leave me.. Tum sare aaj Gaye.. You guys have teamed up against Me naah? Mebhi nhi chodungi tum logon ko!", Nandani said in rebellious tone while trying to get out of Manik's grip. She was looking so cute while doing it, thought Manik.
Fab-4 was having a gala time time laughing at their cute friend while Nandani didn't miss any chance to threaten them. She was also enjoining it. God knows after how many years these five friends were teasing and laughing with each other.
"Manik.. Chodo use!", Everyone heard Madhyam's voice who came near them. Manik realised what was he doing. He was holding his Nandu. So ironic! He was afraid of holding someone whom he was claiming his'. He left her immediately. Nandani too realised what was happening. The whole Fab-5 was uncomfortable. Navya was looking at them helplessly. They were playing Holi forgetting everything about their past happily. The five friends were really happy a while ago but everything was different now. She was so happy seeing them like this. Playing with each other mischievously.
"Excuse Me!", Nandani said and went from there leaving an uncanny silence behind her.
------
"Cabir.. Are you sure?", Mukti asked.
"Damn sure!", Cabir replied.
"But Nandu ka tujhe pta h na.. Agar use pta chalega toh Vo naraaz hogi..", Mukti said.
"Aaj kya h Mukti?", Cabir asked in a boring tone.
"Holi!"
"Toh? Isdin sare dushman dushmani bhulake ek sath Holi khelte h.. Vahi me Manik aur Nandani ke liye bhi chahta hun.. What's wrong in that?", Cabir explained but he could still feel the confusion in Mukti's mind.
"Dekh Mukti! Abhi tune dekha nhi? Kese dono sab bhul gye the aur hmare sath khel rhe the.. I just want that only.. Ki Vo thodi der ke liye sab bhul jaye and ek dusre se baat kre.. Aur apne sare differences dur kare..", Cabir said keeping his hands on Mukti's shoulder. She finally nodded in affirmation.
"What's going on here that too without me?", Dhruv came. Mukti and Cabir told him their plan.
"Wah! I liked the plan.. M in!", Dhruv said clapping his hands together.
"Par ek problem h..", Cabir said dejectedly.
"What?", Mukti asked.
"Mera bhai aur meri behen!", Cabir said.
"Matlab?", Dhruv asked.
Cabir replied, "Mera bhai Nandani ko akela nhi chod rha h.. Dekh udhar (He pointed towards Madhyam who was talking with Nandani.) and meri pyaari behen Aliya Jo Manik ke peeche pdhi h.. (Now he pointed towards Aliya who was asking every other person where Manik was.)"
"Don't worry! Me Maddy ka kuch karti hun..", Mukti said smirking at Madhyam.
"Aur me apne bhai Ki izzat bachaunga Teri bhn se..", Dhruv said looking intently towards Aliya.
"Toh me kya karunga phir?", Cabir said folding his hands.
"Sabse mushkil kaam!", Dhruv said winking at Mukti.
"Vo kya?", Cabir asked. Mukti keep her hands on Cabir's shoulder and moved him to the other direction and made him look at a table on which glasses of thandaayi were placed.
"Yehhh!!", Both Mukti and Dhruv shouted pointing towards the table.
"No..!!", Cabir shouted.
------
"Hello Mia!!", Mukti shouted at Mia's back. Mia got startled and looked at her back. She was surprised seeing Mukti standing behind her.
"Tumne.. Mujhe bulaya?", She asked her.
"Offcource.. Tumhara naam hi toh Mia h..", Mukti said placing her hands around Mia's shoulder. Mia got confused with Mukti's over friendly behaviour.
"What do you want?", Mia said removing Mukti's hand from her shoulder.
"Want? I don't want anything! Me toh bas aise hi (Suddenly Mukti's gaze land upon a thaal containing pink colour.) Arrey aj Holi h na.. Isliye!", Mukti said trying to be as genuine as possible. She went and took some colour in her palms and put on Mia's face and wished her excitedly, "Happy Holi!". Mia was uncomfortable but still took some colour from Mukti's hand and put it on her face and wished her too.
"So...?", Mukti tried to initiate a conversation.
"So what?", Mia said nervously folding her arms. Why Mukti want to talk with her? Fab-5 was never her friend. They have always tortured her, nothing else! Then why suddenly Mukti is so interested in her?
"Arrey Mia! Tum darr rhi ho na mujhse.. Right?", Mukti asked, "Don't worry! M not here to play any prank on you.. Mujhe toh lga Ki tumse baat krni chahiye.. Isliye aagyi.."
Mia was bit relaxed now, "Kyu lga baat krni chahiye?"
"Aise hi.. Actually na Mia I pity on you..", Mukti finally started her plan.
"Pity? Why?"
Mukti continued, "Ab dekho na udhar (She pointed towards Nandani and Madhyam who were talking to each other.) I mean sb jaante h that you love Maddy since school days.. But phir bhi Vo tumhe Abhi tk ni Mila.."
Mia sighed. Mukti controlled her laughter and continued dramatically, "You know what I feel.. That tum Maddy ke sath zyada suit krogi.."
"Really?", Mia asked happily.
"Offcource.. Ek Dumbo dusre Dumbo ke sath hi toh acha lgega..", Mukti muttered under her breath.
"What? Kya kaha tumne?", Mia asked.
"N.. Nothing.. M just saying Ki offcource.. You will look more good with him.. Yeh toh sbko pta h..", Mukti tried to convince her.
"Hmn.. Voh toh I know.. But tumhari friend hi h Jo mere aur cupcake ke beech me aarhi h..", Mia said sadly.
"Cupcake?", Mukti asked with a hearty laugh.
"Han mere Maddy ka nickname!", Mia said shyly.
Mukti was having a hard time in controlling her laughter, "Toh jao bachalo apne cupcake ko jis se phele Ki use koi aur kha jaye.."
"Han you are right.. I must go!", Mia said and ran towards her cupcake.
-----
Cabir was finding Manik since a very long time now.
"Kahan chala Gaya yeh..", Cabir muttered. Suddenly, he saw Manik standing against a rock looking nothing at particular and completely lost in his thoughts.
"I know you are sad bro and reason bhi pta h isliye I promise you today that me Teri love story track pe lake hi rhunga..", Cabir said to himself and moved towards his friend with a large glass of thandaayi.
"Manik! Tu yahan akela kya kar rha h?", Cabir kept his hand on Manik's shoulder and asked him in chirpy voice. Manik cleared his throat, "Umn.. Kuch nhi.. Bas aise hi.."
"Holi is your favourite festival and here you are standing alone while everyone else is playing.. Ap batayenge aisa kyu?"
"Idk.. M not feeling like playing Holi this year..", Manik replied honestly.
"Chl thk h mat khel.. Par yeh thandayi Peele..", Cabir said bringing the glass in front of Manik.
"No ways Cabir.. Mera bilkul man nhi h.."
"Bas thodi Si Peele yar.."
"Mene bola na nhi Cabir.."
"Ab peeni toh pdegi.. Mere tere liye laya hun specially.."
"Cabir I said, 'NO'"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
Cabir forcefully made Manik drink it and Manik didn't anticipate for this move of Cabir's and hence had to drink it.
"That's like my good boy!", Cabir said after finally making Manik drink the whole glass while Manik was giving him I-Will-Soon-Dig-Your-Grave look.
-----
Dhruv saw Aliya coming from other side with colour in her hands. He prepared himself and started walking looking here and there as if he was finding something. Aliya came close to him and he according to his plan bumped into her and Aliya got hit with his torso and as a result all the colour which was in Aliya's hand got imprinted on Dhruv's white shirt.
"Ahhh!", Aliya shrieked, "Dekh ke nhi chal sakte tum.."
"Oh.. M really sorry.. Me kuch dhund rha tha ..", Dhruv said apologizing.
"Huh!", Aliya made a face and then something striked to her, "Acha Manik kahan h?", Aliya asked Dhruv with hopefulness in her eyes. She has been finding him since a really long time.
"Mujhe kya pata..", Dhruv said carelessly.
"Tum uske bhai ho aur tumhe nhi pata?", Aliya asked irritated.
"Han toh bhai hun PA thodi na hun..", Dhruv retorted defensively.
"Fine!", Aliya sighed and tried to walk away from there but stopped by Dhruv. He came in front of her.
"Ab kya Hua?" Aliya asked.
"Tum Manik se nhi mil Sakti..", Dhruv stated.
"Kyu?"
"Kyuki Vo mera bhai h and me decide krunga Vo kis se milega aur kis se nhi.."
"Huh? What nonsense is this?", Aliya asked in an irritating voice.
Dhruv pretended to think something hard and then finally said, "Ok fine I will tell you Vo kahan h.. But in one condition!"
"I knew it Ki tumhe pta h Ki Manik kahan h.. Bolo ab!"
"Phele meri condition toh sunlo.."
"Shoot!", Aliya said folding her hands.
Dhruv dragged Aliya to a stall on which many glasses of thandaayi were kept.
"Tumhe mere sath thandayi peene ka competition krna hoga.. If you will win.. Toh me btadunga Ki Manik kahan h..", Dhruv stated.
-----
"Ajeeb hain yar yahan par sare..", Nandani muttered. Madhyam was irritating her since a long time and she finally got relieved when Mia took him away by some of her lame excuses. Anyways, she was very thankful for this. She was finding her friends but couldn't see anyone.
'Sab kahan bhaag gye ..'
She saw a glass of thandaayi. Though she never liked it but she was hell thirsty so she had to had something. She was about to pick up the glass but somebody shouted, "Nandani NO!!!!!"
Nandani got startled and look at her back to find the source of the voice and it was none other than Cabir. Nandani rolled her eyes, "Ab tujhe kya Hua?"
Cabir came towards her, "Tu Vo nhi.. Yeh pi!!", he said giving her an another glass of thandayi. "Vo kyu nhi?", Nandani asked suspiciously.
"Kyuki yeh Cabiraa's special thandayi h..", he said proudly. Nandani was still giving him doubtful looks.
"Meri Maa Peele.. Tujhe sachme bahut achi lgegi..", Cabir said and forced her to drink.
"Ok fine pee rhi hun..", Nandani said and started drinking. It was indeed very tasty!
"Par tum log itni der se the kahan.. Mujhe koi dikha kyu nhi?", Nandani asked while drinking.
"Abhi tujhe sab dikh jayenge.. Don't worry!", Cabir muttered.
"What??", Nandani exclaimed.
"Areey nothing! Tu bas peene pe concertrate kar..", Cabir said. Nandani nodded absentmindedly and kept on drinking that thandayi.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
I know saalon baad update kiya.. 😠M really sorry!! Actually there were many problems going on in my life.. Will try to update on time from next time.. Anyways, I hope you liked the update.. Don't forget to drop your comments! M waiting for them eagerly.. 😊 And today's question lies in the title of the update only.. Do answer! Sab ne thandayi peeli h.. Ab kya hoga? 😉
And one more thing guys.. You can also follow me on wattpad now for a brand new Manan story called BONDED! My username- AdreamerA
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
CID
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
