MANAN - Cloud with a Silver Lining

8-Resilience...Pain....Fear

The table occupied by the long lost friends was echoing with laughs filled with joy and happiness. But a voice unsettled the environment and filled it with tension and anxiety. The voice belonged to Madhyam Singhania.

Madhyam – Am I dreaming..?? Is it really Nandini Murthy in a hotel..??

Nandini – (clutched her hands tightly under the table forming a fist which was noticed by Manik and Abhi while the stress lines on her forehead were visible to everyone) – Madhyam Singhania..what are you doing here...??

Madhyam – Oh you remember me...good good..(coming a bit closer)

Nandini – (sprung up from her seat) – Stay Away Madhyam...else the consequences will not be something you like

Madhyam – OOOOO.....I am scared (laughing hysterically)

Abhi tried coming in between but Nandini stopped him by showing her hand and turned to leave when Madhyam grabbed her hand..Everyone got up from their seats

Madhyam – Wait Nandini..you can't leave like this...At least wait till the time the team that you prepared for the the competition losses to mine...You know na the competition is in the same hotel...atleast watch your team loosing and then you are free to go...

With this Madhyam left her hand and turned but this time Nandini grabbed his hand, turned him around and slapped him hard on his face. Madhyam moved towards her just then she twisted his hand and he winced in pain

Nandini – Is it paining...goods it should...next time when I say STAY AWAY try listening to me and do what I ask you to do else its gonna pain a lot more than you can imagine...Also, I will stay back...you know why..?? To watch you loose...Now get the hell out of here before I throw you out (with this she left his hand)

Madhyam glared at Nandini and left the room while Abhi came near her

Nandini – I am fine Abhi..dont worry....

Abhi – But...(this time abhi was interrupted by another voice)

Voice – Murthy are you okay...I saw Madhyam walking out in anger...did he do anything..??

Nandini – Why don't ask him..looks like he knows more these days about certain things more importantly my team..

Voice – I was about to tell you...but..

Nandini – But what..Haan...!!! Now wait a bit more as I need to calm myself down and only then I'll talk to you...but don't worry I won't take that long...

With this Nandini left leaving the voiceholder with several faces with questions.

Manik – Aryaman Khurana...what are you doing here..??

Aryaman – Hey Manik, long time dude...how are you..??

Abhi – Listen let's cut it short we all are fine...I am Nandini's brother..Abhimanyu...now please tell us what is up with this Madhyam guy...I have never seen my sister this angry with anyone..we all are awaiting answers

Aryaman – Answers..!! Wow...!!...Now you guys need answers...where were you when she faced that asshole all alone..you all (pointing towards FAB5 and Navya) were her friends right..No wait Best friends...you should have been with her..!!

Mukti – Listen cut the crap..get to the point..!!

Aryaman –Madhyam Singhania was our co-worker at our MNC...He had a crush on Nandini but she very politely refused his advances...but his ego couldn't take it...almost 2 years back his liking turned into an obsession...he followed her everywhere..created problems in her career and personal life.. I remember once Nandini was injured and he got her locked in the cold storage for 15 min...her bruises turned blue...she initially did shout with pain..but by the time we could open the door she turned unconscious..she did regain her consciousness after a few minutes but she was hell scared...he used to threaten her...but always got away due to lack of proofs...eventually he got fired from the company and in his anger he started some baseless rumors about her...thankfully people in the office knew her way to well to take the rumors seriously..but Nandini got badly traumatized.....(just then a lady tapped on Aryaman's shoulder)..Guys meet my wife Myra..and Myra these are Nandini's friends and family