Essence Of Love - A MaNan FF [Completed]

Chapter 23 - Lost love

A/N : / New cover credit - Ashkins16  ❤️ Also, big hugs to thegirlinpinksocks  for creating an adorable cover for me. I love you guys to the moon and back. /

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Nandini's POV

Next day - SPACE academy.

I walked in with a light and almost happy feeling after so many days. Though obviously, I will be attaining ultimate happiness after winning back my Manik's heart.

NH3 were obviously out of the race for Q-Label's album deal now, but it wasn't like I cared. Fab 5 would get it now and I think they would have won the deal anyways. I searched around for Navya when I got a message from her to meet up in the jam room. I reached the room only to see her huddled along with Fab 5. When I entered, they all went silent and I immediately knew from the apologetic and pitiful looks they showered on me that Manik had told them everything. I went red in the face and stared at my feet, not able to look at them because of the embarrasment.

''Nandini, its okay. You don't have to feel humiliated. Galti uss Harshad ki thi.. Mann toh kar raha hai uss ki abhi jaan le loon'' Mukti said, coming up to me and side-hugging me gently. She then led me to the where the group stood.

''So.. you guys aren't mad at me for not telling you?'' I asked, looking at their faces nervously. ''Ofcourse not. You were in a very sticky situation..we totally understand. Infact, we regret not being there for you during these unfortunate times'' Cabir said, patting my arm reassuringly.

I looked at Manik hopefully, so that he would say something too, but he avoided my gaze. ''But.. Manik, tumney kaha tha Bhai ran away. So, isn't this risky for Nandini?'' Alya asked Manik in concern. I too realised I hadn't thought about this and looked at Manik questioningly. Manik turned to Alya to answer.

''Tumhe kya lagta hai, I would let that jerk get away so easily. I tracked his car down and had him taken away to a mental asylum. He did put up a fight but I had warned the staff that he would and they put him in a special room where patients considered 'dangerous' are put in, that too with extra security..'' Manik said, throwing his head back and laughing. I found this alarming but everyone guffawed loudly. I looked over at Alya, thinking that she might be a little disturbed at this, but she too was chuckling away.

''But Manik, isn't it too much?'' I asked him directly, having had enough of him ignoring me.

''Nandini, how can you think its too much after what he did with you?'' Dhruv asked and Manik shrugged. But, noticing my terrified expression, he finally spoke, addressing me ''They will release him in some months, and then I'll make sure he leaves the country and settles somewhere else.. Far away from all of us.'' I relaxed, looking at him gratefully for having done so much for me.

''Thanks.'' I said sincerely and he just looked away. Cabir burst out laughing ''Itne formally kyun bol rahi ho Nandini? You guys are finally together now, itna toh tumhaare boy-friend ko karna hi chahiye'' .

''Nahi, Nandini and me aren't together..'' Manik replied to him and walked out before they could throw more questions at him. It pinched my heart badly , but like he hadn't given up on me, I wasn't going to either. Everyone looked at me in perplexion, and I just excused myself , walking out after him.

I ran upto Manik , and grabbed his arm, pleading ''Manik, please talk to me. I'm sorry for hiding the truth..''.

Manik brushed off my arm and spoke to me in a stern tone ''Stop making it more difficult for me than it already is. We're over, Nandini Murthy. The faster you accept this, the better. I have accepted it and I'm trying to move on.'' He then walked away. I waited for him to turn and look back at me atleast once, but he didn't