MY ANSWERED PRAYER

CHAPTER 9: INTROSPECTION

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Hiii
I just want to apologize for suddenly vanishing. A lot of things were going on and I just couldn't write.
I'm really sorry. I took a long break. I'll try to be more regular.
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Hotel Room

Mukti: Say something, Manik. Say something.

Aliya: I don't understand... why are we even thinking? Nandini Murthy is a dark chapter of our past.

Dhruv: Exactly. Just cancel this deal. We don't want her around. Why has she even returned?

Cabir: Calm down. Please calm down. I know you guys are shocked and so am I. I wasn't expecting her here either and surely not this way.

However, we have to behave like adults. I know we've had a dark past with Nandini and it is next to impossible for us and especially for Manik to work with her but we have to.

Yes, you heard me right. We have to. We'll have to set aside our personal differences and work with her. We can't let our personal life interfere with our professional life.

Mukti: But Cabir

Cabir: No buts and ifs, Mukti. It's not just about a deal, it's about our reputation. They can sue us. A court case is something we can't afford at any cost.

Dhruv: Cabir has a point. We hate her but we'll have to tolerate her.

Aliya: Manik.... say something.

Manik(In a dead blank tone): You heard Cabir.

He then dashed out of the room. Anger was visible on his face and therefore nobody dared to follow him.

Manik was unable to wrap his head around the situation. Everything was normal till this morning but suddenly, out of nowhere a storm hit his happy paradise, Nandini Murthy is back. One person he never wished to ever see again in this lifetime was standing right in front of him.

Trying hard to still get his thoughts straight, Manik entered his room and grabbed a bottle.

He just couldn't be around her. Not after what she did. She betrayed him and played with his trust. Memories of the past started consuming his mind. Their first meeting, their fights, their love, their moments, EVERYTHING came flashing back. A small smile adorned his lips as he remembered the most beautiful years of his life. But his happiness was short lived because within seconds the beautiful memories were replaced by the sour ones. His smile vanished and anger took over. He clenched his fist in anger and threw the almost empty bottle with all the force towards the mirror. The mirror broke into several pieces just like his life.

He sat on the floor trying to be strong but he failed miserably.

He hated Nandini but more than her, he hated himself for still caring. All these years, in her absence, he thought that he hated her, that he had moved on but all it took was a single glimpse of her and he knew that he had been fooling himself all along. He might hate her for what she did but somewhere deep down he still cares.

When he heard her voice, his body froze. His words betrayed him. He wanted to turn around and look at her but he just counldn't. He heard her whisper Cabir's name, he heard Mukti shouting at her but he couldn't muster the courage to turn around. Maybe because he knew that a glimpse of her will defeat his mind and the only emotion that he had for her all these years. Later when he turned around, his gaze was fixed at her and she was looking at him too. He was in pain. A part of him wanted to hug her but the other part reminded him of all she had done. He was torn apart emotionally in that moment but he kept looking at her. He couldn't help but notice her. Her hair was shorter than before and she had lost a lot of weight. She looked a little pale but she still looked beautiful. He noticed the change in her dressing. His eyes moved around absorbing her presence when he noticed that she wasn't wearing any earrings. He looked at her face and found the same innocence that he had fell in love with, years ago. Suddenly he heard Reyansh's voice and noticed a change in Nandini's expressions. She looked down and blinked her eyes to stop her tears. He noticed how she had tightly clenched her fists and kept looking down before running away while he kept looking at her.

He was experiencing so many emotions at once. However, he got a grip over himself and questioned Reyansh about Nandini just to know what's actually happening.

It was not like his love was back or something but the moment he saw her, in that very moment, he realized that he had been fooling himself. He is hurt and might never forgive her for what she has done but he cared. He never stopped loving her but allowed other emotions to take over, burying his love for her in some corner of his heart.

He hated himself for still caring. He hated himself for loving somebody who ripped apart his heart, who mercilessly toyed around with his feelings, and who betrayed him.

Before Manik could even realize, tears rolled down his cheeks. He sat there absorbing reality when Cabir entered his room.
Cabir was prepared. He knew Manik would be a mess and would need him. Cabir just went and sat next to him. Manik acknowledged his presence but didn't speak a word. Almost an hour later, he hugged Cabir and allowed his emotions to take over. Cabir hugged him back but didn't stop him because he knew how important it was.
Manik: Why is she back now? I hate her. I hate her.
Cabir: Do you?
After a moment of silence, he looked at Cabir and said
Manik: No. And I hate myself for not hating her.
Cabir: Manik...... don't be hard on yourself. I knew it. All these years... I knew it. You can never hate Nandini. Hating Nandini is one thing you're incapable of doing. You can lie to everybody and fool yourself but I know you, I understand you.
However, I realised that layering all your emotions for her with hatred was your way of dealing with the situation. It was your way of moving on and so I never asked you to confront the truth.
Manik: Cabir..... I don't know. I might not hate her but I have no feelings for her. I will never forgive her. Never.
Cabir: I know, Manik. I know.
Manik: Enough. We can't be emotional. Not this time. We are dealing with Miss Nandini Murthy and this time, we won't let her fool us.
Cabir: What are you up to?
Manik: We can't back out but we have to keep this very professional. Nandini Murthy cannot enter into our lives. She is nobody to us and we can't let her affect us.
Cabir: You have to be strong. For Fab 5. You're our pillar.
Manik gave Cabir a faint smile.

Hello Guys!

I hope you enjoyed this part. If you did then let me know through your votes and comments. Also, it would be great if you could let me know what you feel about the story so that I can put forward better work. I'm really looking forward to your feedback.

Also, take care and stay safe. 

Love,
Neha