Nandini's POV.
"Ryan! My Fianc!"
As soon as these words escaped my mouth, I knew I had created the world's biggest blunder. Everyone gaped at each other's face as if they had lost their memory in the wake of the moment and trying to recognize the others.
I knew that this will be a shocker for all my friends, it was even one for me and...Ryan...oh god! Poor guy. He was just dragged in between all this drama for no reason at all.
For minutes, an awkward silence engulfed all of us. Ryan and I were in our own thoughts about what I had blurted out, getting hyper and all...! And I could even understand my friends' dilemma, because last I remember, was 10 yrs back, when I used to tell them that no matter how much I try...I was not able to move on from Manik. And now, I have taken a flight and directly landed on having a Fianc!!!!! Am engaged !! This is news to me!!
"ah..guys, why are you standing?? Sit na. Till then I'll be back!" I said trying to divert their attention from the recent blunder. All of them passed smiles, the fake ones, and settled while I moved to the kitchen.
"ah..Nandini! I'll help you with the stuff. Come." Ryan exclaimed behind me and followed me to the kitchen which I acknowledged with a nod.
POV ends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the couple had disappeared in the kitchen of the big house leaving the 7 guests in the living room, immediately Mukti spoke.
"guys! I feel that jo kuchh bhi abhi hua ya Nandini ne kaha... lets just take it in the flow of the moment. I can understand ki what all you guys are thinking but hum iske baare mein jitna sochenge utna hi hurt hoga...! But after all, its her life. And if she's happy with Ryan, then we are no one to object. Try and understand guys, 10 saal pehle, hum bhi uske liye yahi chahte the. Isn't it?? We wanted her to be happy aur aaj, jab vo khush hai toh..." Mukti was saying all this to her friends when she was interrupted by Cabir.
He diverted everyone's attention from Mukti to Manik who was completely into his own world, not giving a damn about his surroundings! not giving a damn about any word being spoken out to him.
Taking the lead and understanding Manik's dilemma, Navya came forward and settked infront of Manik. "Manik." she slowly called out to him with a nudge which brought him out of his thoughts. He looked towards her with disappointment and sadness in his eyes.
"Manik, sab theek ho jayega. Don'worry! Hum sab tumhare saath hain. We understand bhai, ki tumhare dil mein kya guzar rhi hai but this is the moment...hain na... jahan par you have to portray the strong you, the one we all love, not the sulky one. Sulky one does not describe Manik Malhotra! Now come on, push all the thoughts out of your mind and give your beautiful smile to all of us." Navya said all this with a sweet smile and this even made Manik smile a little.
Although the smile was not from the heart, not a genuine one but had much effect on his friends. He was happy to get such a sister and above that a family so caring and understanding. Navya engulfed Manik in a sisterly hug and soon after it was a big group hug!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, "Nandini, what was that??" Ryan spoke as soon as they entered the kitchen. "what was what??" she spoke completely ignoring him. After all she knew what the 'what' was??!! "you know what! Don't you?" he spoke a little annoyed.
Unable to hold back, she clutched onto his shirt and hugged him tight.
"am so sorry Ryan! I'm extremely sorry. I did not wish to hurt your feelings but it just happened in the wake of the moment. Even I hadn't planned out what I was actually blurting out there. You know...you know today, I told you right... that I met all my friends at the mall but I even collided with another guy and from the face and the familiarity, I started thinking it was Manik. But then I thought I must be overthinking! But...its... But that was actually Manik, whose now sitting outside. He's Manik.!"
Nandini poured out all her feelings and Ryan could relate what she must be going through. He again heard her.. "seeing him after soo many years and talking to him like after about 13 years, it just left me baffled for a moment. And I just ejaculated literally anything. Am sorry!" she looked up to him and he could find the love, the longing in her eyes...but this was not for him...it was for the striking young man sitting out in the living area, whom she had met after 13 years. Long,long time. No doubt on that! He could see in her eyes that she was extremely sorry for hurting his feelings but this feeling of love and effectiveness...he could comprehend for the first time. And he was genuinely happy for his best friend!
"it's ok sweetheart! That happens, I completely understand you. But you have to face it. You have to come to terms with your feelings and this will completely be your decision. Now stop chanting this sorry and being all grumpy! Give me my cherry merry Nandini back plzz!" he tried his best to pacify her.
Listening to his soothing words, even she smiled. "Thankyou! Now come lets go out...everyone must be waiting." she spoke as she kept all snacks and starters on the tray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Both made their way to living area where they saw a very loving scenario. All friends engulfed in each other's arms, a sight to behold for Nandini. Maybe this time things' changing! Changing for good! Nandini stretched her pouty jaw to the fullest, coz she knew it, this is where she belonged. Her family. And she needed to be back with them, just like the olden times. And for this she was even ready to accept Manik. ONLY AS A FRIEND!
"aahem...did we guys disturb the little family moment?!" Ryan spoke as both made their way towards the group.
"nah..not at all! Waise our family is still incomplete." Cabir said as everyone parted. Understanding his words, that were indicating towards Nandini, she ran upto him and gave him a bone crushing hug! And all others chuckled.
"come na guys, sit. Apna hi ghar samjho!" Nandini said and everyone settled down. "voh toh hum samajhte hi h..." abhi said but was cut down in between.. "pichhle 10 saalon se!" Manik continued and everyone's attention shifted to him.
Manik and Nandini looked in the eyes and were drowning again but not before Nandini realized and thought not to pay much attention into this 'affection' subject. Then something suddenly struck her mind and she exclaimed loudly...
"GUYS!.." this shrill voice shook everyone to the core whilst Cabir stood up and walked towards Nandini. "Nandini, bacha... You know, I'm a very well self proclaimed doctor...tell me kya hua??... Bukhaar ho gya..? Zara check karwa.." he palms her forehead then..."meri behen ko toh Bukhaar nhi h...chalo achha hua...*sigh*...ab bata darling...yeh fits, yeh jo daura tujhe abhi abhi pada vo humesha hota hai...ya aaj pehli baar tha?! Bol beta...ghabrane ki koi zaroorat nhi hai.. Ok! Hum sab jaan pehchaan wale log ha..." he was continuing when he heard a chorus.."SHUT UP CABIR!" He looked around and saw everyone had annoyed expressions.
Since, he was blabbering for the past 5 mins concerning his sister's fits, he did not notice eveyone was gawking at him as if he was an alien. "use kuchh bolne doge toh vo kuchh bolegi na Cabir!" Alya filled his brain with some senses that were easy for him to digest. Cabir settled back with a 'koi meri baat nhi samajhta...main iss duniya mein bilkul akela hoon' look meanwhile Nandini was given a chance to speak.
"sorry for that sudden exclamation... But..but..but, I know 10 years is a very long time so mind if you fill me in with some unknown information..??" she said indicating towards Manik and all others. All chuckled understanding the fix in her head.
'so she is still thinking about me...! I thought I will only be presented with ignorance but there is much more in store for me here. Good going...Ms. Murthy. I'm glad to receive this little consideration from you. Hope this goes well...hope this is the beginning to a new beginning!!' these thoughts captured Manik's head.
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Now now...guys spare me plz...these are 1603 words dude. Now plzz my beautiful and handsome *if there's any guy out there* lovelies, plzz give me loads of thumbs up and your beautiful words..!!! Will be truly motivating and appreciated dil se! I hope this chappy is long enough to satisfy ppl who had requested for a longer update...but am sorry main isse zyada nhi likh sakti. Baaki ka agle update mein, jisme bohot saari past related baatein hongi...so gear up because the much awaited past and loadzzz of romance is not too far.
Bye my lovelies,
Take care, stay blessed and bless me too
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