Chapter : 8

379 24 2
                                    

PARIS MIDNIGHT

{FAB 5 SUITE}

[Manik stands at the balcony of his bedroom, a whiskey glass in hand, his gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above. Suddenly, his contemplation is shattered by Cabir's sharp voice.]

Cabir: What the hell, Manik?

[Manik turns to face Cabir, who strides into the room, holding a file.]

Manik: Don't overreact, Cabir.

Cabir: Manik, I'm dead serious right now. This isn't right.

Manik: You think I'd do something without thinking it through?

Cabir: But why do it at all? Are you obsessed with her or something?

Manik: (shocked) What? No, it's not like that. It's for us.

Cabir: Then explain this to me. (He gestures to the file.)

[Cabir snatches the whiskey glass from Manik's hand and takes a swig. Manik watches with an amused roll of his eyes before gesturing for Cabir to take a seat on the nearby sofa.]

Manik: She's messing with my head, Cabir. I don't know what to believe anymore. So, I had to take action.

Cabir: I thought you realized she's innocent after the party.

Manik: Just because she didn't spill to Abhimanyu doesn't mean she's innocent.

[Manik tries to convince himself, but there's a hint of doubt in his tone, and he knows Cabir senses it.]

Cabir: You seemed fine after we talked. What changed?

 What changed?

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

FLASHBACK

{FAB 5 DEN; POOL SIDE}

[Manik lies on the floor by the poolside, deep in thought, wearing only his cargo shorts.]

Manik: Nandini... Nandini... what are you? One moment you bring out the monster in me, and the next, you're the only reason I can calm my anger. Everyone fears my wrath, but you, you stand right in front of me instead of running away. Everyone has a different story about you, but your voice makes me want to trust you no matter what. I see the pain in your eyes, yet you always mask it, pretending to be the happiest person in the world.

Cabir: (singing) You've fallen in love... fallen in love, oh my god.

[Manik snaps out of his thoughts and rolls his eyes at Cabir's smirking face.]

Manik: What nonsense are you singing?

Cabir: What's really bothering you, Manik?

Manik: Nothing, just thinking about a new project.

Threads of Friendship, Bonds of MarriageWhere stories live. Discover now