TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-17: Bonds of Friendship

As Manik sat with FAB 5, laughter, and chatter filling the air, a heavy feeling settled in his chest. Despite the joy of being with his friends, a nagging sense of guilt gnawed at him from within.

Nandini, wasn't just his best friend, as his friends believed. She was so much more to him. They shared a bond that went beyond friendship, a connection that Manik cherished with all his heart. But for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to tell his friends the truth about their relationship.

As he listened to their conversations, guilt gnawed at him. Every laugh and every smile from his friends felt like a reminder of the lie he was living. He knew he should tell them the truth, but fear held him back. Fear of their reaction, fear of losing their friendship. It's not like they will not accept her but he can't tell them before Nandini tells her family.

But the weight of the secret was becoming unbearable. Manik felt like he was suffocating under the weight of his deceit. How could he continue to hide such an important part of his life from the people he cared about most?

Lost in his thoughts, Manik barely noticed when Alya nudged him, snapping him out of his reverie.

"Manik, you, okay? You seem a little distant," she said, concern etched in her voice.

Manik forced a smile, masking the turmoil brewing inside him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."

But Alya wasn't convinced. She studied him intently for a moment before speaking again. "Manik, I know we've been friends for a long time, and I respect your privacy. But if there's something on your mind, you know you can always talk to us, right?"

Manik felt a lump form in his throat. He wanted nothing more than to confide in his friends, to unburden himself of the secret he had been carrying for so long. But the fear still held him back.

"I know, Alya, Thanks!" he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Manik found himself unable to shake the feeling of guilt that consumed him. He glanced over at Nandini's photo in his phone, her eyes sparkling with laughter. How could he continue to hide their relationship when she brought him so much joy?

But the fear still held him back, trapping him in a web of lies and deceit. And as the afternoon turned into evening, Manik couldn't help but wonder how much longer he could keep up the charade before it all came crashing down around him.

Nandini and Navya enter the same restaurant where FAB 5 is already present. Both were going in the same direction giggling together where Manik was settled. Cabir who was looking here and there for a waiter to give their order noticed Nandini. He was not sure if he saw Nandini only or someone else, so, to confirm he said to FAB 5 "Guys is that girl Nandini" All looked in the direction that Cabir showed. Manik was shocked to see her here and was on cloud nine, then noticed Navya with her. He had seen her in photos only.

Mukti said her name aloud enough for Nandini and Navya to hear. Nandini noticed them and her expression and feelings were not different from Manik's. Navya saw FAB 5 and was shocked to see them. On top of that, she was confused about how they knew Nandini. They both move towards them. Nandini side-hugs the girls, Cabir and Dhruv, she tries to side-hug Manik but he pulls her into a bear hug which startled her.

Dhruv asked her "You here?" "Just a girl's hangout," Nandini replied. "What about you guys? " Nandini asked them. "Just want to hang out so...." Alya replied to her question.

"By the way Guys meet her she is Navya, my soul sister," Nandini said to FAB 5. They greeted her. "And Navya they are...." Nandini was interrupted by Navya. "Who doesn't know them," Navya said with a smile.