Cordially, Yours!

-47-

The bright light flashed in Nandini's eyes. It pinched like her nightmares where she chased herself and questioned the presence of the two voices. A hand grabbed her and dragged her to the side grasping her into a tight hug. The tyres screeched on the road and the noise echoed in the streets. 

A moment of utter silence followed. 

The lights were dimmed and slowly, a group of causally but smartly dressed people got off.

Nandini still stood nestled in Abhimanyu's arms while he curtly stared at the group of young lads and ladies that got off from their jeep. The faces were familiar and well known also but the rash driving that wasn't known, enraged him to extents. Firstly, they had almost touched the most important person in his life. Secondly, Dehradun wasn't a place for such things and moreover, most importantly, it was night, not a time to skid on ice and snow. 

"Sorry guys!" Cabir got off and apologized for his sudden braking. "I'm so sorry. We were just having a rough day and had lost our way!"

The familiar voice stunned Nandini and she stood rooted in Abhimanyu's arms. She didn't want to turn around to look at those faces that she associated with the voice. Her heart that bloomed like a spring flower, crippled as soon the voice poured in. She didn't want it to be them! She was fine, now. Happy, and content. Didn't they like that? Did they want to be her Nyonika?

"Bhai! Raste tumhare bohot gumte hi! Par jab itna gavane ka shok hi toh then aapni jaan kyu gavate ho?" Aryaman bounced back with a reply.

"Hey dude! I'm so sorry. We are just new and having a rough day. "Mukti acknowledged him with a smile that greeted their familiarity.

"It's not done Mukti!" Abhimanyu said in a rough tone still hugging Nandini close to him as a precious flower. But, she still broke as he heard him identifying the people. Her nightmares and last wishes were coming true - the five people stood there. It was now that she only awaited death.

"We are really sorry. We lost our way and were running from a haunted place it seemed and then, we kind of met you guys in the wrong way. I apologize for the rashness. I hope the lady there is okay!" Cabir said in a concerned tone.

Everyone eyed Nandini, who was lost in the aftermath of her sudden encounter with Fab 5. They were here, she was here. This is a disaster. How and why, she didn't knew. 

Her questions were endless but now the strangers had her health as a concern, after all this.

"You okay, kid?" Abhi lowered his neck and gazed at her shivering. He held her tighter as if hiding her in his protection. The warmth brought her out and she nodded in her chest. She didn't want to speak or show them her face. It was better if it went unidentified. It was better to be undefeated. It was better.

"I'm sorry, Miss." Cabir apologized directing the conversation to her. Technically, she should have voiced an "it's okay" but she didn't and instead, nodded her head. Everyone found it disturbingly weird of her to react like this. Abhi and Aryaman were concerned while Fab 5 found it a mere odd. They stayed mum to her reaction while Manik took the opportunity to ask Aryaman about any lodging.

His voice vibrated in Nandini's heart and the shivers that it still sent to her, fluttered her. Her grip on Abhi's shirt tightened. He looked down at her feeling the pinch but didn't say anything rather he just let her snuggle in comfortably. Till the time he had tuned back in the conversation Aryaman and Fab 5 were having and realized that their presence was making her uncomfortable, he noticed that Aryaman had conveniently invited them home for the night.

Abhi face palmed for Aryman's insensitivity and was willing to shout a no for Nandini.

"Thanks, yaar. I promise this is for the night. So, where are we all headed?"Manik took him in a bro-hug.