The Music Of The Soul (Manan)

Chapter 12

The next two days went in a blink with Nandini's acting in front of Alya and secretly planning with Maddy.
(Madhyam Singhania aka Maddy: Manik's school friend, knows Nandini well, a good friend to her, an honest police officer.)

Manik and Dhruv were really busy with a patient who had to undergo open-heart surgery. The operation was successful. It was on the third day when Manik got to know that he has won the award of best Cardiologist in the country this year. He wanted to share the news with Nandini first. He ran to her cabin. Seeing him like that Nandini panicked

Nandini (holding his arm): Manik are you okay? What happened? Why are you running?

Manik smiled at her concern and gave her the news. Nandini started jumping in joy.

Nandini: Many congratulations Manik, I am so so so proud of you.

Manik: I wanted to share this with you first. Thank you Nandini. Can I ask you something?

Nandini: Yeah say na.

Manik: There is a board meeting after sometime, all the board members will be there to congratulate me, they have told me I can bring my family members. My parents are in Pune right now, will you come with me as my family?

Nandini was shocked.

Nandini: Me? But...

Manik: I know Nandini, what you are thinking. Don't worry, you come as my best friend, I just want you beside me when I am being honoured, it doesn't matter if you come as my wife or my friend. Will you?

Nandini (smiles): I will.

Then Nandini came to the meeting with Manik as his family. Dr. Shashank, Dr. Smriti, and Dhruv were very happy to see them together, the glow in Manik's face and pride in Nandini's eyes showed how happy they were. Alya was very angry. In the end, she asked

Alya: Manik, why did you bring her as your family? She is Aryaman's fiance, she gave you divorce papers, did you forget that?

Manik: Alya, I don't care what she is or what she did. She was my bestest friend before and will always remain. She was here as my friend. Don't make it a big issue.

Nandini: Manik is right Alya, I am here anyways for some more days, since I am here, it feels good to celebrate my best friend's victory. And Alya, I am very loyal in the relationship I am in, I will never betray him. So, don't worry about Manik and Aryaman. This time I am not gonna leave the person I love.

Though Nandini indirectly talked about her and Manik, Alya assumed it to be for Aryaman and she left from there satisfied.

Dhruv: Guys, you remember about today's party right? Dr. Shashank and Dr. Smriti's anniversary party.

Manik: Oh yeah, I will come, Nandini are you coming?

Nandini: Definitely, I will.

Anniversary party.........

Party was going on. It was a small party with close friends and relatives. Mukti and Abhimamyu were the hosts of the party.

Mukti: Guys, the party is getting boring. Let's dance.

As soon as she said this, Alya forwarded her hand towards Manik asking to dance with her. Nandini was feeling very sad and Manik was hesitating to give his hand. Abhimanyu noticed this and showed Mukti. Mukti smiled and winked at him as if telling now see what I do.

Mukti: But but but, let's make it a game. This means all the boys will stand in a circle. And we will blindfold the girls. They have to walk being blindfolded and whomever they reach will be their partner. So, how's the idea?