Celebrity Castaway | COMPLETE | MaNan Fiction

53| Tipping Point

A/N: Hello readers, although I am back, I really do feel bad at how I needed to push back and not update for a weekend to get some increased level of engagement here. I don't think it is fair, that in order to get some of you to engage with me, I have to hurt that big chunk of my readers, who are loving & supportive all the while. Truth be told, I didn't have the heart to update today either, but then I saw how many of my readers who are vocal about their love for this story, are waiting for it, I gave in to their love and decided to update. 

From here, I can think of only one way. I will not stop updating, but after completing this story here, I will move to a different platform that requires paid subscription for reading, and remove my work from here. I had many offers to do it for most of my stories, but I didn't do it because, I know a vast majority of my readers are students and I didn't want them to nick money to read my book, but as I said, love and affection isn't a one way street, so I leave the choice on you all now.

Now coming to the story, I am happy to announce that Celebrity Castaway has 100K+ reads now & again it is a major milestone for my writing journey. I'd like to thank everyone who made it possible, and this chapter is dedicated to all the ones who've loved this book and continues to support me.

On that note, happy reading! See you on the other side.

***

Nandini had gotten discharged from the hospital in the morning, and after his outburst on Nandini letting her know that Manik was in jail, Cabir & strangely all her friends and well wishers had stopped visiting her in the hospital; evidently afraid of her asking questions, they were not authorised to answer. So, despite her insane need to know, the next four days, Nandini had no answers. Random thoughts plagued him, what could Manik have done to be in jail? Had he actually done something? Was he being framed? Why would anybody frame him?

However, after four days, when Cabir, Ranbir, Mukti and Navya came over to get her discharged, she knew she'd get her answers now, for sure. Nandini didn't say a word till she was safely out of the hospital through the backdoor, in a camouflaged attire to escape all the media, waiting for her outside at the front gate; as Mukti was about to drive her home with Ranbir; and Cabir and Navya were about to leave for work too, Nandini called out for Cabir.

"Cabir, I need you at my place right now. I want some answers." She was firm and by the tone Cabir knew, it was time to tell her everything, because one way or the other she'd find out anyway.

"Umm..Nandini, why don't you take some rest now, I can circle back to your place in the evening?" He tried once, even though he knew it wouldn't work.

"You're following our car, now." Nandini commanded with so much authority that all the others stared at her. She was in no mood to listen and Cabir could see that, so he slowly nodded and motioned for Navya to follow him.

***

As Cabir sat facing Nandini on the couch opposite her, Nandini looked at him with hawk eyes, not missing any of the small fidgety movements of his finger, or the slight quick breath which he took, in sheer anxiousness. Cabir looked down at his palms, staring at nothing in particular.

"I..I really don't know where to start from, Nandini.." he whispered, finally.

"How about from the time I had the accident?" Nandini replied, curtly. Cabir gave her a brief glance and nodded, before looking down again. His slow pace was beginning to push all of Nandini's wrong buttons! Manik was in freaking jail, and she had no idea why, and here Cabir was moving at snail's pace; she was just about to open her mouth and berate him, when Cabir finally spoke.

"Nandini, umm, after your accident..Manik, he was, Manik was in a really bad place. It looked like his whole world had fallen apart & it was taking him down with it..." Cabir began, and Nandini's eyes misted imagining what Manik must have gone through. No matter what shitty state their relationship was in, if the situation was reversed, Nandini wasn't sure if she'd be able to live long enough to see Manik coming out of danger, she'd die in shock much before that. Manik was still holding on.