MaNan: It was love

Part three

Hey people,
First of all I'm really sorry that I'm late in uploading this part. Its just that I was just not in a right space to write anything.
Secondly, I'm sorry I've not replied to all your comments recently, I'll reply to them once I feel a little better. I promise I will.
So here's the new part. Don't forget to vote and comment. I'm open to criticism. :)
Thank you

Love,
Sasha
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I was so happy to see Cabir. Cabir has been the only person I've not lost contact with throughout these years, partly because he won't let go off me and partly because I'm a human too I've always needed a friend and he indeed has been a friend,a very close friend since then.
I broke the hug and said,"where the hell were you? No calls, no FaceTime, no skype. Its been freaking two weeks since we last talked."
Cabir replied,"nandini you've lost all your manners. Won't you ask me in?"
I was embarrassed and said in low voice,"sorry. Come lets go inside."
We entered the house and I said,"make yourself comfortable. You know where to go."
He proceeded towards his room and said while going there,"nandu mushroom risotto and some crisp wine please. And don't you dare argue. I'm your guest."
This guy can never change. I said,"guest my ass. Go freshen up I'll go get your food ready."

Yeah its not the first time Cabir was visiting us. Cabir had visited us thrice in the last four years and this was his fourth visit. Fab5 were of course not aware about this. I never thought Cabir and I will ever get along so well. Its a whole different story behind this.

The night when Manik mercilessly dumped me, its just not me who was having the worst day of her life, Cabir too had the worst of his life. After fab5's performance someone leaked the video of Cabir and Raghav sir,our college professor, kissing each other but the situation got controlled. There was Musicana success party after that. Dhruv asked me for dance and I agreed, I can't make him sad just because my life was all messed up. I danced with him and Manik danced with Aliya,another member of Fab5 and Manik's ex. After a while, when I couldn't take it I left the party so that I can be alone and cry my heart out. Just then Manik came behind me and got angry because I danced with Dhruv. I hated his guts for coming up to me and say all that shit. I just left from there without saying anything. While going back I saw Harshad talking to group of boys and giving them money. I wasn't in the right state of mind to go and ask him. While I was leaving I saw Cabir and Raghav sir badly beaten up and there was blood all over. I got panicked and called Manik. We took Cabir to the hospital. That night Cabir saw his love, raghav sir, for the last time. Just like me. Raghav sir went away from his life stating that it was for Cabir's good. After taking Cabir to the hospital, I went back home and was rethinking the whole day through. That's when I putted all the pieces together and understood that it was Harshad behind all this. Next day I went and confronted him,well being the jerk he is, he took it all as some honourable task that he has done and with all the pride accepted everything. He accepted that he leaked the footage and he was behind the attack on Cabir. He even accepted that he used me and my friend Navya to take revenge from Fab5. Problem with Harshad is that he thinks he is the only one that has got brains and the other person is just stupid. Of course, I was ready with everything. I had recorded everything and had police nearby. Police arrested him and I submitted the recording as an evidence. That evening I had to leave for Mangalore but before going back I went to meet Cabir. I told him everything about Harshad. He was surprised that why would I help him, I just smiled and said,"Cabir I've never thought ill of you, I'll never do that." Cabir just hugged me and said,"thank you." He then broke the hug and asked,"by the way I noticed everything in the car last night. What's up with you and Manik?" I don't know why I told him everything may be because I needed to share everything with someone and the only person concerned about me at that time was Cabir. I told him everything. He was in a shock. He said,"nandini I'm sure there must be a reason behind this. I'm sure he has feelings for you." I just cried and said,"no Cabir. He doesn't. I don't want to face him everyday that's why I'm going back to mangalore." Cabir's eyes widened at this and said,"Nandini you can't run away from things. You've to face it. Raghav too has gone,but here I am stronger than before." I knew he was right but I knew if something more happened it will break me completely. I said,"cabir I'm not running away. I've learned a lesson and I'm going from here for my own better, for my music and my inner peace. This will make me stronger." I got up and hugged him. That's the first emotional conversation I had with him as a friend.

Since that day Cabir has always been in touch. I know Cabir thinks that he owes it to me. I took a stand for him when he was broken the most and saved his life that night and he thinks that since I don't have many people in my life any longer, then he should be my friend who guides me. At times we have had fights, whenever he had wanted to discuss something about Manik or whenever he wanted to tell me something about him. I had talked about every other person of fab5 with him. Apparently they don't hate me anymore because of what I did for Cabir, I guess. Cabir and me, we helped each other to mend our broken insides.
He is one person I'm really happy to have in my life. My train of thoughts were disturbed by this guy himself.
Cabir said,"nandini chachi has sent these things for you."
I took the package from him. Must have been kurti for me and tshirt for rishabh. I prepared the food while Cabir was just randomly commenting on things at my home. After sometime bell rang and Cabir went to open the door. It was rishabh. Rishabh came to the kitchen and said,"nandini do you recognise this guy? I don't remember him. Probably because he didn't show his stupid face on Skype for a very long time."
Cabir smirked and said,"i was touring because of these auditions. You both need to stop exaggerating. Champ you're talking to me like this and your stupid sister isn't even talking to me."
To which rishabh replied,"you deserve that"
Cabir sighed and said,"fine. I was with"
I knew what he was about to say and before he could complete it I rushed to say,"its all fine Cabir. At least you came to our place before rest of the group joins you. I know what all reasons you must have given them just so that you can spend time with us. So when are others arriving?"
Cabir got worried. Uh-oh I know those expressions. He said,"actually Nandini its just me and Manik who will be taking auditions in london. Rest are in Vancouver. He will be arriving tomorrow evening. I will be staying here only throughout the trip. I told him I'll be staying with my cousin brother."
He winked at rishabh then.
I said,"be my guest. Anyway your food is ready."
All three of us sat and were having dinner. We discussed about whatever we've missed since our last talk together. Cabir during the dinner slipped the audition pamphlet towards me.
I said,"what? What should I do with it?"
Cabir gave me 'are you always this dumb' expressions. He said,"i want you to make a paper boat from this."
To which I sarcastically replied,"the boat won't like it."
Rishabh said,"come on Nandini. Enough. I know you're hurt and you have build a new life but think about Amms, amma and Appa. They always wanted to see you as a successful singer not as a music teacher at some random institute."
Cabir said,"nandini times have changed. You should change too."
I was angry because these two just wouldn't understand. If I meet Manik I would fall for him again and he will hurt me. Again.
Cabir said,"nandini stop running away from manik. He won't hurt you. Not this time. you should know that."
Before he could complete his sentence I stoop up and said."I'm tired. I'll sleep. I'll think about it."
Both of them smiled and hi-fived. I gave them a small smile and went. Before going I said,"rish its your turn to do the dishes."
Before he could protest I went back.
I laid in my bed after a short shower and looked at the picture of my family hung on the opposite wall. Rishabh was right I owe it to all of them, they've always wanted me to become a successful singer. They've taken so many efforts so that I can become what I'm today but am I ready to face Manik? After all that does he still remember me or am I just another victim of his pranks for him? Will I be able to resist myself from getting close to him? Will I be able stop myself from shedding tears in front of him?
Then I again looked at the family picture. Nandini you can do it, for them you can.
I called on Swati's number. I said,"hey. This is Nandini this side. You gave me your visiting card a few days back asking me to audition for the fab5. I'm ready. I'll be there."
Swati shouted with excitement,"i knew it. You can't resist fab5."
Can I? My thought was disturbed by swati on the phone.
She was saying,"don't worry I'll recommend you. You won't have to wait too long also."
I smiled and said,"its fine swati. I'll manage. Anyway I'll talk to you later. I've to sleep. Good night."
She replied,"okay good night. Sleep tight."
I disconnected the call.

Manik I'm ready to face you.