Hello Buddies :) ever since yesterday's episode have been itching to write an OS on our Manan.Call it wishful thinking,but i cant help it i wanted to break this separation track !So here goes...
OS - Its Love Dude !
"Chalo guys now that all our secrets are out in the open, its time to party. Lets celebrate ! " Alia said cheerfully and Mukti agreed giving her a hi-5 "Yeah Alia is right Let's party.I for one had enough of drama for one night.Let's go guys " She said playfully hugging Cabir to one side and pulling him towards the exit.
When they were all about to leave, Cabir's phone beeped with an incoming message and Cabir looked at the screen and back at the gang with a sheepish smile " Huh guys woh main , I'l just ---"
Mukti laughed and slapped Cabir's shoulder "Cabir save the excuse. Judging from your stupid smile we can guess whom the text is from.Go meet your guy we will wait for you at the poolside"
Smiling, the others nodded their agreement and left waving at him.Manik took halfway towards the door then turned back to Cabir leaving the others to proceed.
"Dude don't worry about anything anymore.Am always there for you, we are all there for you.If Raghav makes you happy i have no complaints.I know you love him.So go for it.Nothing else matters no one else opinion matters " He gave him a swift hug.
Cabir hugged him back and took a deep breath "Thanks Manik i think am glad the secret is finally out.I hated lying to all you guys.It was killing me " Manik nodded " Its ok man its all over look at the bright side.Now i dont think Raghav will have any problem in being seen with you "
Cabir smiled " Yeah" and suddenly frowned "Waise Manik, what is this about Dhruv being in love with Nandini? I thought--"
Manik quickly interupted him " Dude arent you getting late? If am not wrong it was Raghav's message na? he must be waiting for you.You should go " he said trying to sound cheerful.
"Ya but--" Manik pushed him towards the door " No Buts..Just go.We will catch you later "
**********
Nearly twenty minutes had passed since everyone had departed the room, but Manik couldn't bring himself to join his friends yet.His heart felt heavy and unshed tears prickled his eyes.
Although he knew Dhruv is in love with Nandini, hearing him say it again in front all his friends made his heart clench with unknown emotions.He couldn't get the image of Nandini out of his head.Her smiles,the kisses shared by the starlit garden, their last hug and most of all, her hurt tearful face when he lied to her about using her has been haunting him.He felt like tearing the room and screaming his lungs out.
Just when he was about to break the nearest chair, his phone began ringing.His eyes widened and his heart beat raced erratically when he saw Nandini's name appearing on the screen.He contemplated on disconnecting the call but his heart had a different plan.
Feigning indifference he answered the call with a gruff " What the hell do you want now ? "
"Manik ! Manik come quick.Cabir --Cabir is hurt.he is bleeding come fast " she spoke quickly in a near hysteric state.
"What? Cabir is hurt? Where are you? is he ok ? " He began running towards the exit while holding the phone in a death grip.
"Am behind the music hall, the place --the place-- we used to meet " Her throat caught on the last line, but she willed herself to continue " Cabir is unconscious.His head is bleeding.Come soon Manik "
"Am coming dont worry " he disconnected the phone and broke into a run.Within minutes he reached the place, and found Cabir lying unconscious while Nandini was tying a bright pink scarf over his head to control the bleeding.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted Manik."Manik ! "
Manik immediately bent and touched Cabir's pulse.Then turned to Nandini frantically " What the hell happened? "
"I was just walking around here, when i spotted someone lying near the stairs.He was already unconscious when i saw him.I dint know what to do so i called you" She said not mentioning the reason for her stroll.
Although she dint say it outright, Manik knew he was the reason why she was walking alone here at this time of night.He felt like a jerk.
He dint realize he was staring at her until she shook him " Manik ! do something.We need to take him to the hospital "
Cursing himself, he concentrated on his best friend who needed his attention the most now.He quickly lifted him in his arms and carried him to his car.Nandini running behind him.
**********
An hour later Cabir who gained conciousness, was lying on the hospital bed and began explaining Nandini and Manik about what happened after he left the dressing room.He suffered a head injury which is now heavily bandaged and some bruises on hands and legs.Luckily no bones have been broken.
"After i left you guys, I met with Raghav and we spoke for a while.Then i was heading to my car to meet you guys when Harshad came out of no where and began hitting me.He had a big log on his hand and started beating me with it.He then hit my head with one big blow and suddenly everything went dark.The next thing i know am here thanks to you guys " he said giving a grateful look to Nandini and Manik.
Manik shook his head " Actually you should thank Nandini.It was she who found you and called me "
Cabir smiled at Nandini who was standing next to him and held her hand in his "Nandini i dont know how to thank you.Inspite of having hurt you many times, you safeguarded my secret till the end.I know we bullied you and made your life hell.But still you saved my life now.Am truly sorry for all that we did. I did " he amended "Hope you will forgive me "he said giving her a pleading look.
Nandini smiled and covered his hand with hers "Its ok Cabir.Atleast now you realized your mistake" She said and shot pointed glare at Manik,who guiltily looked away.She turned back to Cabir and continued "Hurting is one thing but realizing one's mistake and feeling sorry for it is what truly matters "
Manik felt every word of hers pierce his heart.Every time he thought about her tears it caused deep hole in his chest.
Nandini glanced at her watch and addressed Cabir totally ignoring Manik "Cabir its late.Chachi will be waiting.I have to go.You take care " with that she left without sparing a glance to Manik.
As Manik was watching her go with a painful expression on his face, Cabir was looking at him thoughtfully.
"Dude are you ok?You seem lost " He asked Manik who seemed startled at his voice.
Quickly recovering from his mourning, Manik said "Me? what about me? Am ok.It is you am worried about.Am gonna kill that bloody Harshad.How dare he lay his hands on you? Did he think he can get away with it? Just because we tolerated him so far doesn't mean he can do anything he wants.He humiliated you and Raghav in front of the whole college and now he beat you? Who the hell does he think he is ! I wont leave him "
Cabir shook his head "Dude calm down.We all know he is sick in his head.I dont want to talk about him now.All i want to know is what's up between you and Nandini? "
Manik was taken aback.He feigned nonchalance and looked away " What do you mean what's up with her and me? You know i hate her.Such a fool"
Cabir gave him a knowing look " Manik, look at me.You were never a good liar.I might have been preoccupied lately with Raghav and my issues.But am not blind dude.I can see the signs.I knew something is up between you and her.You were obssessed with her from the beginning. You always had this look on your face whenever she was around.Few days ago infact i thought you guys started becoming close.Especially that dance on Raghav's birthday party.You both were practically burning the floor. And now i suddenly hear that Dhruv loves her.And you are avoiding her.Just what the hell is happening? "
Manik couldnt face him.He looked down while trying to keep his emotions in check and was thinking a comeback when Cabir pressed a hand to his shoulder.
"Manik? Dude i know something is wrong.Why cant you share it with me.You knew my worst secret and stood by me during my bad times.Dont i have the right to do the same? Did Dhruv know you love Nandini ? " he asked bluntly.
Manik looked at him with a start.Cabir smirked "What? Don't bother denying.I know you love her.Like i said i know the signs.What i don't understand is, why are you avoiding her now and why were you quiet when Dhruv declared he is in love with Nandini? "
When he remained silent Cabir's eyes widened " Wait a minute ! Dont tell me you are sacrificing your love for Dhruv " at Manik's guilty expression.Cabir looked at him astonished " Thats it? Isn't it? That's what this is all about.Dude Its Love ! you cant just sacrifice and forget it.You are not only hurting her but hurting yourself.And for whom Dhruv? Dude he is not a kid.Its not your responsibility to take care of him all the time.He is a grown up.Sure he will be hurt but dude he will understand.You guys are so close that even i envy your bond sometimes.But remember He will be more hurt if he knew you sacrificed your love and happiness for him.Think about it.And when Nandini comes to know about any of this, she will never forgive you.She isn't a toy that you pass along to your friend Man"
Manik looked at him helplessly but also realised that his best friend's words were true.He was fighting an internal battle between his love and best friend.An image of Nandini crossed his mind along with her frantic voice when she called him about Cabir. She could have called Dhruv.But inspite of his jerk attitude and hurting her, he was the first person she called.Not only that, she was walking towards the same place they used to meet to nurse her broken heart.It had to mean something right? He knew she loves him.And it isnt fair to her to toy with her feelings.He had to beg for her forgiveness.He had to somehow make it right.
With that decision in mind he stood up and hugged his friend " Thanks man.I think i deserve some cruel punishment for acting like a first class jerk.I just hope she forgives me.Even if she dint i wont give up until she does.As far as Dhruv i will have to break it to him delicately "
Cabir smiled and gave him a thumbs up " That's the Manik i know! Go for it Dude.Don't let her leave you.True love dont come easy.You have to fight for it.I speak from experience "
With a final wave, Manik left the hospital room in search of his lady love.He has a lot to make up for.Starting with an apology.
This is my first OS on Manan.Hope its not a complete crap.Pl do let me know if you like it :) Sorry its longgg!
Read Continuation Here >>> http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4228168&PID=116113324&#p116113324
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
