Kaise yeh yaarian

Part 36

JAM ROOM – LATER

The instruments are left scattered — guitars leaned against chairs, Mukti's bass resting on the amp, Cabir's sticks rolling off the table. The tension that had gripped them all day has melted, replaced by a strange quiet comfort.

Nandini sits cross-legged on the couch, sipping water, hair still messy but her breathing finally steady. She isn't smiling, but the storm in her eyes has settled.

Cabir flops onto the beanbag, groaning dramatically.

CABIR
(half-laughing, half-exhausted)
If anyone ever tells me making music isn't cardio, I'll personally drag them here. My heart's still doing Zumba.

Mukti chuckles, tossing a cushion at him.

MUKTI
Or maybe it's just your lazy ass that's out of shape.

CABIR
(pretends to be wounded)
Ouch. That's not very bandmate-of-the-year of you, Mukti.

Alia is at the keyboard, idly pressing soft notes, avoiding everyone's eyes. For once, she doesn't have a sharp comment ready. She just... plays quietly to herself.

Dhruv sits by the window, strumming his guitar without purpose, lost in the afterglow of the song.

Manik leans against the wall, head tipped back, eyes closed. For a moment, he looks almost peaceful — no anger, no tension, just listening to the random sounds filling the room.

CABIR
(grinning, breaking the quiet)
So... since we actually didn't crash and burn today — pizza?

Nandini watches the banter quietly, almost invisible in the corner — but there's the faintest curve of a smile at her lips. It's small, fleeting, but real.

Mukti notices and raises her brows slightly — no words, just a silent acknowledgment.

For the first time all day, the room isn't heavy. It's light. Not perfect, not fixed... but lighter.

The laughter dies down into a lazy hum of chatter. Nandini still sits apart, her back against the couch armrest, sipping her water quietly. Her presence is there — but distant, like she's in the room and not in it at the same time.

Cabir notices. He always notices.

He grabs the pizza box from the table (yes, of course he ordered while everyone was distracted) and stands up dramatically.

CABIR
(announcing like a showman)
Ladies and gentlemen — survival fuel has arrived. Extra cheese, double toppings, and absolutely no carrot sticks.

Mukti whistles. Dhruv grins. Even Alia looks tempted.

Cabir walks around, handing slices like a host at a party. But when he gets to Nandini, he doesn't just hand it — he crouches down in front of her.

CABIR
(soft, teasing)
Don't think you're gonna sit in the corner and ghost us, Murthy. Eat. You've burned half your soul yelling at Alia today.

Nandini raises an eyebrow, lips twitching despite herself.

NANDINI
(flat, dry)
I didn't yell. I... clarified.

CABIR
(snickers)
Clarified? Babe, you practically set the room on fire. And honestly? It was epic.

He pushes the slice into her hand. For a second, she hesitates — then takes it.

The rest of Fab5 watch quietly, pretending not to. Manik, from his spot against the wall, tilts his head just enough to catch the way Cabir's gesture softens her edges.