Following

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It was a 16-hour journey from Mumbai to Mangalore via road, but Manik was determined to reach Nandini. He wouldn't stop even if the gods came. He had patiently waited for approximately three months, and he did not have it in him to wait any longer.

Mukti, Dhruv and Manik headed towards Mangalore in Manik's car. Once they were settled, Mukti immediately started her interrogation.

"So Manik, tell us everything. I can't keep up with the suspense," Mukti asked, slightly jumping and turning towards Manik.

"Okay," Manik said, looking straight on the road as he was driving ", it's a very long story."

"We are all ears" Dhruv bent forward to fit his face between the two front seats.

"hmmm, so the accident happened, and then before anybody else, dad found us in a critical state and"

"But Manik, how did the accident happen" Mukti interjected

"Mukti, I will not hide anything. Let me complete" Mukti nodded.

"So dad thought that the accident was intentionally done, which it was, and he took Cabir and me to London overnight and made arrangements for a false cover-up to protect us. I got to know about this when I woke up from a coma after several weeks." Mukti and Dhruv had a lot of questions, but they patiently listened. "Cabir was also there, and they filled me in with the details when I finally woke up. Initially, Cabir and I used to spend our day making Music. Oh, and yeah, when we get back to Mumbai, we have to start jamming. We have so much to share with you guys."

"Really," Dhruv asked, exited.

"Yeah, You know we could add a little.."

"Guys back on track" Mukti cut Manik in the middle.

"Sorry! So because we were practically doing nothing, dad suggested that we join the office, and I had an idea to study at the Royal School of Music, which is exactly what we did. We joined the school and office. Oh, and the most important and fun part, Cabir has a boyfriend. His name is Neel, and he was our manager."

"What?" Dhruv and Mukti shouted together.

"Don't ask me for details" Manik made it very clear

"Okay, we will ask Cabir. But whoever the guy is, this time, he will have to face my tests. I will not let any guy hurt my friend ever again."

"That will not be needed. I had it all done, and he is genuinely a nice guy," Manik assured them.

"And wait. So you guys joined the office like, are you serious? Manik Malhotra joined the office. How did that happen, buddy?" It was pretty nostalgic to hear Buddy from Dhruv after a very long time. For a minute, Manik could not say anything.

"Royal School of Music, now that is something exciting. What next. Did you guys make any friends?" Mukti diverted

"Yeah, we will share our learning with you guys once we start jamming again, and the office was not as bad as I thought it would be. Anyways it made dad happy, so I don't care" Manik got back.

"hmmm"

"About friends, yes, we befriended One Direction. They are cool. We will introduce you guys whenever we meet again."

"Looks like you two did have a lot of fun", Mukti exclaimed, a little disappointed for reasons she did not understand herself, or she did not want to understand.

"London was a different chapter in our lives, and it was I don't know how to put it" Manik smiled.

"Manik, I think now you should rest for a while. Let me drive," Dhruv suggested.