PLAYING YOU (#2)

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Nandini wiped her tears trying to re-frame it all in. She walked up to go to the bathroom when she heard a voice downstairs.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Came Manik's shout from the hall.

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Manik saw Alya walk through the main door with an expression he couldn't actually decipher but the first thought that crosse his mind was what if she is here to tell everyone the truth because after what he heard a few minutes back from Nandini had made him anxious and he wasn't sure if he wanted her to find out about this whole thing let alone by this women in crime's mouth.

Neyonika's voice got him back from his anxiety land and he looked around at the people who stood around him, people who probably heard his shouting reaction. Great.

"Manik what's wrong? Why did you scream like that?" Neyonika asked with concern eyeing her husband for some sort of hint but he too shrugged his shoulders.

"Exactly bro it's just Alya. Why would you shout at her?" Mukti enquired too.

"Nothing i just-" Manik started his explanation only to be interrupted by Alya.

"It's my fault Mukti. I made him angry a few days ago over some very stupid topic and you do know your brother don't you. He gets hyper over silly things. That's it but i am not here for him. I swear Manik i am sorry for what happened before. I know i was being a bitch to Nandini and getting in your married life while you were just being a good friend to me." Alya spoke.

"What are you talking about Alya?" Cabir asked as he walked in too. He had decided to viit both his buddies today but hadn't expected of a reunion.

"Cabir i am glad you are here too. I wanted to apologize to everyone here. Everyone who's close to Manik and Nandini. I know Nandini you have no idea about me. I dated Manik during college but then we broke up on good terms. We were great friends, you know our fab 5 pack and i wanted to be like that until your wedding came into picture. I just couldn't hold up my emotions and i lashed out at Manik. I told him how i felt and he was patient enough to hear me and help me understand but Mukti baby you know how much of a dramatic person i am right." Aalya explained everyone.

"I am sorry Alya but i can't understand a thing that you are saying." Mukti replied confusion written all over her face.

"Mukti i wanted to tear apart Manik and Nandini." Alya finally spoke.

"You what?" Neyonika asked being shock.

"What the hell Alya? How can you even think about that." Cabir shouted as he came ahead infront of her blocking Nandini. Always her saviour.

"I know it was bad of me to think so Cabir. That is the reason why i am here in the first place." Alya walked past Cabir, "to apologize to Nandini" she held Nandini's hand.

"To tell her how sorry i am and Manik made me realise how good these both are together. How happy Nandini makes him." she shedded some tears.

All this while Manik stood as a silent spectator because he knew her well than anyone standing here. He knew those tears were fake. He for sure knew this was a trap and he wasn't gonna fall. He wasn't gonna let her take everything, he wasn't gonna be a fool again and let her ruin everything so now he stepped forward.

"Alya we talked. I forgave you then why are you here. " Manik asked with a forced smile.

"Because i couldn't be at peace Manik. Nandini deserved to know about the girl who wanted bad for her. I had to be here and apologize to her." alya reasoned.

"And i know her. Nandini isn't someone who would have grudges so i forgave you on her behalf too." Manik took Nandini's hands from Alya's grasp and held them tight, "She is an angel. My angel." Manik smiled at Nandini which she returned back too in an instance without a second thought.

Nandini knew all this scenario was too good to be true and after what Zeke had told her. She knew it was all fake but Alya wasn't supposed to know that so she too decide to play a part in this little play of I am sorry.

"It's okay Alya. I know your intentions weren't to hurt me. It was just a thought, also moving on is tough for anyone. You loved Manik by your whole heart and to watch that love go away isn't easy but i am glad that you took it all so maturely and understood everything. You are really strong." Nandini spoke to Alya like handling her a plate of sweets.

"Really? Thank you so much Nandini you are the best." Alya hugged Nandini in pure happiness that Nandini retorted back with same happiness. The people around them were in awe while Cabir clicked a candid picture of the moment naming it the phrase 'KABHI SUATAN KABHI SAHELI' (SOMETIMES ENEMIES SOMETIMES FRIENDS).

Alya looked at Manik who was tensed but she was glad that she was finally inside this house to ruin it. Manik looked at her as she smiled him a devilish smirk.

"Okay enough movie drama for today. I'll get snack for everyone. Let's have a good talking time today. Everyone's been busy." Neyonika spoke as she made her way to the kitchen.

"I'll go help my swett mother-in-law in the kitchen." Nandini laughed as she made her way to the kitchen after giving a light assurance squeeze to Manik's hand.

"She is such a pure child."Mr Malhotra complimented Nandini as everyone made thier way to the living room.

"I am sorry uncle for everything." Alya apologized to Mr. malhotra.

"It's okay kid." Mr Malhotra replied.

"Enough of sorry crap. This calls for a celebration." Mukti bugged in.

"We can call Dhruv and have a reunion. What's say lover boy?" Cabir suggested.

"I am all inn." Manik laughed.

"Then it's decided. A fab 5 reunion." Alya chirped, "I'll go tell the ladies in the kitchen." Alya left.

She walked to the kitchen when she saw a bundle of paper in the worker's hand.

"What is this?" she asked.

"It's for Nandini ma'am. It's from her office, somebody came from her voice and said that she has to sign these." the worker answered.

"Okay. I'll get it signed. tell him to wait out." Alya told the worker.

"Okay ma'am." the worker left.

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Nandini assembled the food on the cart and laughed out on some gossip her mother-in-law told her.

"May i know the joke too?" Alya asked.

"Oh god alya . I swear mom has the best gossip." Nandini laughed.

"Not me. It's from the ladies in my group." Neyonika pointed out.

"Ofcourse" Nandini teased. " Hey what's that Alya?" She eyes the papers.

"Oh sorry. Someone came from your office. They want these papers signed." Alya answered.

"Okay. This work never leaves me. Just give me a second." Nandini took the papers from her hands and started signing them.

"Did he say where exactly?" Nandini asked.

"Oh he's marked the places with a pencil." Alya explained.

"Okay" Nandini smiled back as she continues her work.

"You don't know a thing Nandini. Manik was right you're such a pure soul, such an angel. You have no clue that you've signed your death." Alya thought to herself.