Entangled

Part 20

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It was the day of the charity event and Manik had reached the venue earlier than Nandini. He was eager to know if his attempt had worked. Nandini arrived a little later and she had worn an attire which was much better than usual since she didn't want to disappoint Manik.

        One of the staff who was supposed to sing in the background for a dance program had come up with a sore throat, so she couldn't sing anymore.

        Staff : "We will have to cancel the dance program. I won't be able to sing and no one else is ready to try since they can't learn the song that quickly."

        Nandini heard the staff talking to another staff, and she felt Manik might be able to help. She explained the issue to Manik.

        Nandini : "The participants have been putting lot of efforts and they will be disappointed if the program gets cancelled. Can you please sing in the background for them?"

        Manik : "I don't perform for charity events that too as a background singer. Moreover, that song needs a female voice."

        Nandini was in deep thoughts.

        Nandini : "The participants will be disappointed if the program is cancelled. .. I will be able to pick up the song quickly and sing, but I had made up my mind to stay away from music."

        Nandini remembered Manik's words about music too. Also, she had performed earlier to save herself from joining the music club. Now, she decided to sing for the sake of the participants of the dance program. Nandini managed to pick up the song quickly and the program went fine. The joy on the faces of the participants gave her a sense of satisfaction and claps from the audience reminded her of her days with the band.

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When Nandini met Manik after the program,

        Manik : "How are you feeling after performing?"

        Nandini : "I am glad that I could stop the program from getting canceled."

        Manik : "You had made up your mind to stay away from music and waste your talent. I hope this would have made you realize that you not only used your music to bring joy to others, but also to bring satisfaction to yourself."

        Manik showed her picture which he had clicked at the end of the dance program. The picture showed a slightly better version of Nandini.

        Manik : "See for yourself, incorporating small changes can make a difference. I am assuming it wasn't as difficult as you thought."

        Manik had made a small attempt from his side, and then an opportunity came his way on it's own that he made use of hoping to change Nandini's mindset. Since Manik was present at the venue before Nandini, he came to know about the staff's problem. The staff was planning to use the recorded version but wasn't sure how it would turn out.

        Manik decided to use Nandini's concept on herself one more time. Earlier she had played music to get out of the situation he had put her in. So she would perform if she was in a similar situation but this time she had to do so voluntarily. He approached the staff with his plan and the staff cooperated. She pretended to discuss the problem with another staff so that Nandini would hear it and she volunteered as Manik had expected.

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        It was the last day at the orphanage and they had taken off the decorations and almost finished cleaning up. Now that they were done with it, Nandini was thinking of what she had to do next. She was sad because she couldn't figure out how to proceed further.