TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-17: Burden, Plans and Suspicion

The streetlights shone softly as Nandini and Navya drove home together. The sound of the car's engine filled the quiet air. But even though everything seemed calm, there was an uncomfortable feeling hanging between them, making the silence feel heavy.

Navya glanced over at Nandini, her brow furrowed in thought. "Umm, Nandini, can I ask you something?"

Nandini's heart skipped a beat at the sudden question, her mind racing as she prepared herself for what was to come. "Of course, Navya."

Navya hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Well, I couldn't help but notice that you never really mention Manik, even though you always talk about your other friends. I was just wondering why that is."

Nandini felt a pang of guilt at Navya's question, knowing that she couldn't tell her the truth about her relationship with Manik. She struggled to find the right words, her mind racing for an excuse to deflect Navya's curiosity.

"Oh, um, it's not that I don't mention him," Nandini replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It's just that... well, Manik and I don't see each other as much as we used to. We've both been busy with our own lives, you know?"

Navya nodded in understanding, though a hint of skepticism lingered in her expression. "I guess that makes sense. It's just strange, you know?"

Nandini forced a smile, hoping to ease Navya's suspicions. "Yeah, I know."

As they continued to drive in silence, Nandini couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that weighed heavily on her heart. Soon they arrived home and bid each other goodnight.

As Nandini watched Navya leave after their heartwarming evening together, a heavy burden settled upon her shoulders. The weight of secrecy bore down on her conscience, leaving her feeling torn and conflicted.

She knew she needed to tell Navya about her relationship with Manik, but the fear of the unknown held her back, trapping her in a web of doubt and uncertainty.

In her room by herself, Nandini walked back and forth, feeling a mix of thoughts and feelings swirling around in her head.

She wanted to tell Navya about her relationship with Manik, but the guilt made it hard. It felt like a heavy weight holding her back, keeping her quiet.

"Why can't I just tell her?" Nandini whispered to herself, frustration lacing her voice. "She's my best friend, my soul sister. She deserves to know the truth."

But even as the words echoed in her mind, doubt crept in, whispering tales of potential consequences and repercussions.

What if telling Navya changed everything? What if it drove a wedge between them, irreparably damaging their friendship? What if she says it to Mom?

Nandini shook her head, trying to push aside the nagging doubts that plagued her thoughts. She knew she couldn't keep hiding forever, but the timing never seemed right. There were always reasons to delay, excuses to justify her silence.

"I'm sorry, Navya," Nandini murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish I could tell you the truth, but I just... I can't."

Tears started to form in her eyes as she struggled with the heaviness of her secret. She didn't like hiding things from Navya, and it made her feel bad inside. But she was also scared of what might happen if she told the truth, afraid of what might come next.

As the night wore on, Nandini found herself consumed by a sense of guilt and indecision. She knew she couldn't keep hiding forever, but for now, she was trapped in a limbo of her own making, unable to break free from the bonds of secrecy that held her captive.