Manan- A Tale Of Love & Horror (ON HOLD)

4. True Friends

(A/N: Hey people.... I know last part pura bore tha... Trust me... In this one... I am starting the mystery ... I hope you enjoy it.... A special thanks to my friend Shruti who guided me with the plot and also I got a new and a very nice friend in her so thank you so much @Shruti9726 for being a true friend and guide.. 😘😘😘😊)

*Recap*
" Where is your home Nandini... And don't even try to lie.... "Cabir asked her and to say Nandini was shocked would be an understatement.... She gulped her saliva and understood that they have got to know about her..... And she was in a fit... As she knew now they will not befriend her and she will again be alone. A lone tear escaped her eyes....

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"Guys.... Its not like that.... " Nandini was thinking a way to defend herself but was unable to.

" Nandini.... Please... Agar hume dostt manti ho then speak up.... Please... " Manik asked her... He stood up and made her in his place and he took a seat beside her.

Taking a deep breath leaving her fate in her ayiappa's hand she started telling them about everything...
" Guys... I don't have a permanent place.... I don't have enough fund to buy or rent a house... " she said with a lowered head.
" My parents were just parents for calling sake.... I had a brother too whom I loved alot but I don't know where he is as my cruel dad threw him out of the house for marrying a girl of his own choice. And after my parents died... I had no one....My chachu took everything I had saying he has to pay off the loan taken by my parents.... And in my family everyone hates me. So as a result I was only left with my dad's car and that's my home. " she was in tears and Manik side hugged her.

" Nandu..dont mind but you wear quite expensive dress and shoes... How so...? And also being a girl isn't it difficult to pass your life in a car.... Its so unsafe yar. " Aliya asked confused.

Nandu smiled at it and answered her...
" Yes Aliya.... Its unsafe but Its better than being on footpath and about my dress thing... I earn enough money to buy myself dresses and shoes and this dress is not expensive... You can get this in a really cheap rate in Local Market where I buy...."she said in an ashamed tone... "The café in which I work.... The owner aunty is quite nice and she trusts me alot... So I always Park my car there and use its kitchen and washroom. I can't buy a house as its very costly.... And I can't even rent it as my salary is not much.... If my full salary will be spent on the rent then I would die starving.... So I have to live my life in that way.... I know after knowing my truth you guys won't be interested in making friends with me so it's ok.... I'll just take a leave... " saying so she was about to get up when Mukti and Aliya together got up and engulfed her in a hug followed by the boys.

" Hume v bolne do yar... Bahut bolti ho tum... And aj se you will be staying at my place... No arguments.... Hum dost sirf naam k nahi hai... And don't worry about anything. " Mukti told her and Nandini looked at her in astonishment...
" Mukti how can I stay at your place.... " she was too shocked to even respond.

" Ya Mukti... Jaise tum or Abhi wild rehte ho its very awkward for Nandu to stay at your place.... She doesn't want to watch live BP.. so leave her... She can't stay with Aliya or Dhruv for same reason.... So my sister will stay with me.... Ok Nandu... " Cabir declared his decision.

" Kyu be... Mere ghar me kya problem hai... Nandu mere sath mere ghar me rahegi... Mera ghar usk work place se pas bhi hai....and I can take better care of her.... " Manik told in an authoritative tone and with that all started fighting and Nandu and the whole canteen was looking at them with shock.... At last it came to that all asked Nandu..." Nandu tum hi bolo... Kisk sath rahogi... " and Nandu looked at them horrified and all gave her a puppy dog look. She answered in a low tone..." In My car.. " and all glared at her....

" Yar bas... She is staying with me..Period. " Manik told them and glared at all and no one dared to argue...

" So we are shifting today..."And Nandu was about to protest when he glared at her and she quietened.

"Okk... And thank you so much ... I thought you guys will not befriend me after knowing my truth.... But thank alot... And Manik... Its still unnecessary... You don't have to take burden on your self. " Nandu told them all.

" I am not... You are my friend and it's my duty to keep you safe... " Manik told her and she was lost in pool of emotions... She just muttered a thanx and Manik blinked at her with a smile that she returned. Suddenly she remembered something.

" Guys I have to leave.... Project k liye library jana hai... C u... " saying so she left for library.... Here all others planned to go for shopping for Nandu and were teasing Manik.

Here in library Nandu was studying when her eyes fell on an old year book. She stood up and picked it out. It was of year 2004-05 and she started looking inside with quite interest. At one page she saw name and picture of student Maria and it was written that she was the star student of SPACE.. Good in studies and music and looks and everything. Boys were gaga over her beauty but she was least interested in any of them. She was a reserved person. The only child of her parents and she was very helpful in nature. But one day that beauty disappeared.... her disappearance remained a mystery to all... No one knows where that girl disappeared. She was last seen on Musicana where she had participated and had won the first price. After the musicana night she had disappeared and was never seen again.
Nandu was quite interested in her story as she loved adventures and solving mysteries but she was still confused that how can a girl disappear like that. She knew that there was some loop hole and no one saw it. It was a case 11 years back but now she was determined to find out more about that girl. She clicked picture of the info and the girl's pic. She saw her pic and was wandering as to how pretty she was.

Her trance was broken by Manik who came there to call her for shopping and shifting and she immediately hid that book and told him to proceed and she would catch him in parking. He was suspicious of her behavior but chucking it went away. She then kept the book back and made it a note to find out more about the batch of the year 2004-05. With that she left.... She had no idea as to what she was putting herself into.....she had no idea she was about to indulge in a mess that was not a part of her world.... She was going to connect with someone that was not alive... Maybe that someone could get his/her peace.... Maybe they could get their revenge.... Lets see whats next in store for her...

(A/N: Here's an update... Hope you enjoy it... Do vote and comment)