Down The Memory Lane ~

Chapter 12- The Truth, The Confrontation and The Apology.

~~There are things in life we don't want to happen, but have to accept. Things we dont wan't to know, but have to Learn and People we can't live without, but have to let go.~~

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After a long Pause, Manik wiped away his tears and Finally After composing himself he Said, "I had My reasons, Nandini."

That one sentence angered me even more. He had his reasons? Like Really now? I looked at him in utter surprise and said, "Reasons? Yeah Right! No Mr Malhotra, No. This is not good enough. No reason can justify what you did 2 years back. So please ju-

"Dad Died, Nandini. He died." Spoke Manik, cutting me off.

My eyes widened hearing this. I was shocked and surprised at the Same time. Shocked to the core. I couldn't believe what he just said. I was sitting on the floor and his last sentence was echoing in my mind. I was trying hard, trying hard to compose myself but all my efforts went invain.

"What?" Asked Cabir, "What are you Saying?"

"The Truth." He said, as a lonely tear escaped his eye.

Cabir, Navya, Mukti, Alya and Dhruv were all in a state of shock. No one expected this conversation to take such an ugly turn. No one had ever, even in their wildest dreams imagined that the truth would be so scary. That the truth would be so harsh. I had always heard that three things cannot be long hidden, the sun, the moon and the truth.

I stood up, walked towards Manik, Sat down on the floor with him, kept my hands on his cheek and spoke in a cracked and broken voice, "Why didn't you tell us, Manik?" To be very honest, I didn't know what else to say. His eyes were blood red. I knew he was fighting a battle within himself.

"Manik..." I said, trying to divert his attention.

It was unbearable. The whole thing. For me, for him and for all of us. Every second worse than the last.

"Nandini Murthy," He began looking into My eye, "I need a break."

A break!? Hearing this, Thousands of Memories started Flashing in my mind. I remembered how this 'Break' had saved us from many bitter arguments in the Past. My heart raced but I nodded and Without even giving it a second thought, I hugged him. Hugged him like it was the last time. Hugged him like all his broken pieces will stick back together.

"Why didn't you tell Us Manik? Why didn't you!?" I questioned.

"Grief is not as heavy as guilt Nandini, and I have been living with both of them, in my heart."

He was hurt. He was badly broken. "Look at Me Manik." I ordered. He was afraid. Afraid of I don't know what. Maybe he didn't wanted to make an eye contact with me because Maybe, Just Maybe, he was guilty. All his strength was drained and that was evident from his face.

"Manik, I said Look at me!" This time, My tone was strict.

"The Monster never cries, you know? They're strong. They can deal with anything and everything that comes their way!"

"Grief makes a monster out of us sometimes..and sometimes you say and do things to the people you love that you can't forgive yourself for." he replied. His reply hit me hard. He was right.

"Manik.."

"I failed Nandini. I failed! I couldn't be a good son, a good friend or a good lover. I hurted everyone I loved. I hurted you, My dad and the Fab 5."