MaNan ff- I've always loved you!

Part 11 - Catching Up!

Nandini's POV.

"Ryan! My Fiancé!"
As soon as these words escaped my mouth, I knew I had created the world's biggest blunder. Everyone gaped at each other's face as if they had lost their memory in the wake of the moment and trying to recognize the others.

I knew that this will be a shocker for all my friends, it was even one for me and....Ryan...oh god! Poor guy. He was just dragged in between all this drama for no reason at all.

For minutes, an awkward silence engulfed all of us. Ryan and I were in our own thoughts about what I had blurted out, getting hyper and all...! And I could even understand my friends' dilemma, because last I remember, was 10 yrs back, when I used to tell them that no matter how much I try.....I was not able to move on from Manik. And now, I have taken a flight and directly landed on having a Fiancé!!!!! Am engaged 😱😱!! This is news to me!!

"ah..guys, why are you standing?? Sit na. Till then I'll be back!" I said trying to divert their attention from the recent blunder. All of them passed smiles, the fake ones, and settled while I moved to the kitchen.
"ah..Nandini! I'll help you with the stuff. Come." Ryan exclaimed behind me and followed me to the kitchen which I acknowledged with a nod.

POV ends.

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Once the couple had disappeared in the kitchen of the big house leaving the 7 guests in the living room, immediately Mukti spoke.
"guys! I feel that jo kuchh bhi abhi hua ya Nandini ne kaha..... lets just take it in the flow of the moment. I can understand ki what all you guys are thinking but hum iske baare mein jitna sochenge utna hi hurt hoga....! But after all, its her life. And if she's happy with Ryan, then we are no one to object. Try and understand guys, 10 saal pehle, hum bhi uske liye yahi chahte the. Isn't it?? We wanted her to be happy aur aaj, jab vo khush hai toh...." Mukti was saying all this to her friends when she was interrupted by Cabir.

He diverted everyone's attention from Mukti to Manik who was completely into his own world, not giving a damn about his surroundings! not giving a damn about any word being spoken out to him.

Taking the lead and understanding Manik's dilemma, Navya came forward and settked infront of Manik. "Manik." she slowly called out to him with a nudge which brought him out of his thoughts. He looked towards her with disappointment and sadness in his eyes.

"Manik, sab theek ho jayega. Don'worry! Hum sab tumhare saath hain. We understand bhai, ki tumhare dil mein kya guzar rhi hai but this is the moment...hain na.... jahan par you have to portray the strong you, the one we all love, not the sulky one. Sulky one does not describe Manik Malhotra! Now come on, push all the thoughts out of your mind and give your beautiful smile to all of us." Navya said all this with a sweet smile and this even made Manik smile a little.

Although the smile was not from the heart, not a genuine one but had much effect on his friends. He was happy to get such a sister and above that a family so caring and understanding. Navya engulfed Manik in a sisterly hug and soon after it was a big group hug!!!!

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Meanwhile, "Nandini, what was that??" Ryan spoke as soon as they entered the kitchen. "what was what??" she spoke completely ignoring him. After all she knew what the 'what' was??!! "you know what! Don't you?" he spoke a little annoyed.

Unable to hold back, she clutched onto his shirt and hugged him tight.
"am so sorry Ryan! I'm extremely sorry. I did not wish to hurt your feelings but it just happened in the wake of the moment. Even I hadn't planned out what I was actually blurting out there. You know....you know today, I told you right... that I met all my friends at the mall but I even collided with another guy and from the face and the familiarity, I started thinking it was Manik. But then I thought I must be overthinking! But...its.... But that was actually Manik, whose now sitting outside. He's Manik.!"