As soon as Soha uttered those words, each one of them felt the ground slipping below their feet. They couldn't believe what they heard. Thinking it to be hallucination, they looked at each other and realized that it was indeed reality.

At the same time, Nandini entered inside the ward taking slow steps. She kept looking down even when Sid marched to her in anger.

Sid: Look into my eyes!

He ordered firmly and she shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek which went unnoticed by others except Sid. However, this time it increased his anger.

Sid: Nandini Murty, look into my eyes!

And hearing him calling her by her name, Nandini's head snapped in his direction along with others. Soha, seeing him so angry tried to interfere but was stopped by Sid who continued to look at Nandini.

Sid: You mixed the powder in the juice?

This time his voice was calm. He wanted her answer to be no. He would believe her over Soha's words!

She looked at others and seeing this, Sid held her forearm, firm but careful enough not to hurt her phsycially.

Sid: I am asking you something. Don't look at them and answer me. Did you mix that chemical in Soha's juice?

She slowly nodded her head and Sid didn't realize when he raised his hand to hit her, but before he could, he stopped. He heard multiple shouts from behind while his own heart was thudding loudly in his chest, realizing what he was about to do. He didn't avert his eyes from Nandini who stood there sobbing.

Sid: Are you sorry?

He asked again. This time bending down to her level and she bobbed her head in yes franatically. That was it. Sid didn't take a moment to take her in a tight hug. He kept carressing her head and back continuously to console her.

Nandini: I am sorry bhai! Sorry! I can't tell you why! Please sorry!

She mumbled in the hug so only he could hear. He pecked her head and from the corner of his eye he saw Harshad looking at him sternly. He blinked his eyes, indicating him they will talk later.

Though he wanted to ask now but seeing Nandini's condition, he couldn't. She was literally trembling in fear and he knew it was very much unlike her. After her father's death, it would be the first time he saw her like that.

Abhi narrated the past to Fab5 who sat there, trying to process everything. They hadn't expected things to be so serious.

Cabir: Abhi, If everything sorted out. Soha was fine. Then how come she died?

Dhruv: Did you guys ask her later?

Abhi: I wish we could!

He looked down, cursing their fate. Only if they could ask her the reason behind her this step.

Soha was given discharge after the doctor assured them the chemical hadn't done much harm to her. It was curable and she could even perform after two days.

The two days went with them practicing and taking care of Soha. They didn't even remember they had to ask Nandini about the chemical she mixed in Soha's juice.

Though Nandini was relived yet a part of her wanted them to ask her. She wanted to tell them the matter but she couldn't.

When they all were present at the backstage except Nandini, Soha's mobile rang flashing Nandini's name. The others shared a worried glance as Soha picked up the call.

Soha: Nandu, Baby where are you?

The others were standing near her and again and again indicating her to keep the call on speaker. With each passing second, Soha's expressions changed and she cut the call. They asked her what happened but ignoring everything, she packed her bags and walked to the exit only to be stopped by Harshad.

Harshad: Soha, what is happening?

Abhi: Is Barbie fine?

Madhyam: What happened to her?

They all bombarded her with multiple questions.

Soha: Guys, Please! Nandu needs me. Let me go. I promise I will tell you all later.

Sid: We can't let you go alone, Soha. Let's us come with you.

Aryaman: Sid is right, Soha. You might need our help there.

Soha: Guys, I will handle the matter. Please understand and let me go.

Harshad: Okay fine! but take care of yourself and Nandu.

Soha nodded and in her heart, she promised herself she wouldn't let anything happen to her bestfriend. She would die but won't let any evil touch her.

For the last time, she stared at all of them and hugged Harshad tightly who hugged her back instantly. Her eyes filled with tears as she remembered each and every happy moment they had spent together.

Composing herself, she left from there.

Cabir: So you mean to say you let her go alone?

Abhi: Yes, we didn't expect the matter to be so big. If we even had a slightest of idea what was happening, we would've went with Soha.

He looked down and wiped his tears before continuing.

Abhi: We did feel something was wrong but never in our worst nightmares we thought it would be so serious.

An hour had passed since Soha went away. They all were trying to call her and Nandini continuously but it didn't connect. They all were very much worried now. The performance which seemed too important few hours back didn't even matter now.

It was then Harshad received a call from Soha's number. He picked it up without wasting another moment while others surrounded him.

Suddenly, Harshad went numb hearing the other side which increased their worry. Seeing him standing like a statue, Abhi snatched the mobile from him.

Abhi: Hello?

Caller: Sir, the owner of this mobile has met with an accident. Please come to the city hopsital as soon as possible.

Saying so, the caller hung up the call leaving Abhi shocked. For a second, he thought this might be a prank by Soha and Nandini but then he know Soha and Nandini won't prank them regarding their safety.

He told all of them about the accident and they left for the city hospital.

Reaching there, they found Nandini sitting outside all numb. Her clothes were from places and her sea green shirt was filled with blood. Her hair were messy and there was dirt all over her face and hands.

They walked to her and called her. For a moment, she kept looking at him as if she didn't know who they were. When Harshad took her in a hug, it was then she broke out into loud sobs scaring all of them.

Harshad: W-What happened, Nandu?

His voice chocked as he hid her more in his embrace.

Nandini: A-accident! Soha!

She cried more and they understood what she was saying. After sometime, they all were sitting outside the operation theatre. They all were very anxious. Nandini was sitting while hugging Sid all the time and no matter how much he tried to console her, she wouldn't stop crying.

After sometime, when he saw she wasn't stopping anytime soon, he gestured Abhi to hold her and himself went to get water for her.

They made her drink water somehow and in the meantime, doctor came out of the operation theatre making them rush to him.

Harshad: How's Soha doctor?

Navya: Is she fine?

Maddy; Doctor, Please tell us she is all fine.

The doctor removed his surgical mask and looked down, shooking his head from left to right, breaking all their hopes.

Doctor: I am sorry, we tried every possible way to save the patient.

Nandini: W-What do you mean doctor?

Sid: Yes, stop talking in riddles, doctor!

Doctor: Your friend has very less time left with her, Mr.Kapoor. Internal bleeding is too much and there is excess loss of blood. There are no chances of her survival and even if she survives, we aren't sure if she will ever be able to walk ever.

Harshad: W-What?

Doctor: Yes, Mr.Murty, she has lost the ability to walk.

They all were shocked hearing the doctor who waited for a moment before excusing himself. Not being able to take the shock, Nandini fainted there and was made to rest in another room.

When she opened her eyes, Abhi was beside her holding her hand.

Abhi: Barbie, are you fine?

Nandini: B-Bhaiyu, Soha?

Abhi looked down as she burst out crying. He pulled her to chest and patted her head until she became stable

Nandini: I want to meet Soha.

Abhi: But barbie

Nandini: There's no but bhaiyu! Soha is dying! I need to be with her. Take me to her, please!

She pleaded as he shook his head before helping her to get up.

They came near the room, Soha was in. There, she was laying on the bed. Her face pale with various tubes attached to her fragile body. There was a white bandage wrapped around her head and one around her arm. A big red scare travelled from her cheek to her collerbone.

Her breathes were heavy as she was trying to tell them something, something really important, and something they failed to understand.

Harshad: Calm down, Soha. Please, we will talk later. Please.

Soha: N-No! Y-you need to know

Sid: What does we need to know, Soha?

Sid encouraged her to talk as he came forward and held her other hand.

Soha: A-Accident- Pl-Planned, b-bre-break fa-fail

She muttered, her chest rising up and down in a franatic manner while the others processed her words.

Harshad: W-who planned this, Soha? Tell us.

Soha: G-Guys, Na-Nandu!

And as soon as Nandini's name slipped from her mouth, her breathing stopped indicating she was no more. Her hand which was in Harshad's hold fell limp. The monitor beeped, showing a straight line and they all stood numb.

There was silent all around until Nandini came forward and cried sitting beside Soha, calling out for her.

Remembering the past and narrating everything to them was equal to living it again for Abhi. He broke down into slow sobs and Mukti immediately hugged him tightly. She patted his back but his cries got louder instead of subsiding.

Seeing his condition, the others decided to move out of the room so Mukti could talk to him alone.

As soon as they were alone, Mukti tighten the hug and looked down at him, all the time whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

Mukti: Abhi, Please stop crying. Everything will be alright.

Abhi: It won't, Mukti. It can never be alright now. The storm had destroyed our happy life and now nothing is left.

Mukti: No, you are wrong. There is still much left. I know Soha's death broke you people apart but that doesn't mean you can never get back together.

Abhi: It isn't even possible anymore.

He broke away and when she tried to wipe his face, he wiped it himself with a chuckle.

Abhi: Don't give me false hopes, Mukti. I won't be able to take it anymore.

Mukti: Do you trust me?

She asked all of the sudden and he nodded silently.

Mukti: Did you trust Nandini?

Abhi: I didn't but that doesn't mean I accused her of anything. I do trust her, Mukti. That time, I was confused. Soha was dead, she was laying down on the hospital bed infront of my eyes and when the doctor covered her face with that white cloth infront of us, we lost it, Mukti. My Barbie, she was so naive and innocent and we ruined it all!

Mukti: Abhi, It is okay. It was the situation. If I would've been on your place, maybe I would've also reacted the same way. Infact anyone would've reacted the same way you did. Yes, you were wrong but you also realised it and want to repent-

Abhi: That doesn't matter, Mukti. Me repenting isn't going to bring back the time Barbie lost.

Mukti: Yes, but you can give her more good time, right?

He nodded firmly and she smiled pecking his cheek.

Mukti: So, Don't break down like this. Go and freshen up now.

He nodded and walked to the washroom while Mukti went outside to see her friends who were standing there, waiting impatiently.

Seeing her, they all stood alert while she silently walked to Manik and hugged him. He patted her head as she closed her eyes, feeling the brotherly warmth.

Sure, she had never said it but Manik was like her elder brother who was always there for her whenever she needed.

While Manik himself was messed up today. All he could think about was Nandini's past. How much she has gone through? And there were still things left unsaid. There were secrets that weren't revealed yet.

However, it wasn't time to think about that. Taking a long deep breathe, he looked down at Mukti.

Manik: Mukti, What happened?

Mukti: I don't know, Manik. Abhi, he is drowning in guilt. I can't see him like this.

Manik sighed and broke the hug and made her look at him.

Manik: Are you worried for him?

Mukti: I am

Cabir: You're in love, Mukti.

He smiled and Mukti sighed. She knew she was in love. Her heart flutters everytime she looks at Abhi. Her stomach flips when he laughs and her breathe stops when he come close to her. She had heard, experiencing butterflies in your stomach is normal in love, but now that when she has actually fallen in love, she could feel not only butterflies but the whole zoo in there.

Aliya: I am so happy for you, Mukti.

Dhruv: Me too, Abhi is really a nice guy.

Mukti nodded and looked at Manik.

Mukti: Manik, Am I doing right?

Manik: I don't know.

Cabir: Manik-

Manik: I really don't know. Maybe I am not supposed to be angry at Abhi but I am angry and I can't help it.

They fell silent hearing him. Not matter how much they deny, Abhi was also at fault along with the others. Somewhere, he had wronged Nandini in the past too and Manik couldn't be good with him for the same reason.

He knew Abhi was regretting and wanted to make things right but then, could it bring back the innocence Nandini lost?

He came out of his thoughts as Cabir patted his shoulder. He shook his head and looked at Mukti.

Manik: Whatever it is, it is your life. Abhi is a nice person and I am sure he will keep you happy. I am so happy for you, Mukti. And take it slow, enjoy the phase and then take any decision.

Mukti nodded and smiled at him. At the same time Abhi came out of the room. He looked at Manik and walked forward.

Abhi: Before telling you the whole story, I want to know, do you doubt Barbie? Do you think she can kill Soha, her own bestfriend?

Manik took a sharp breathe hearing Abhi. He knew Nandini was innocent, Abhi himself has told them. Why was he being asked this question?

However, he choosed not to think about it and focused on the question Abhi asked.

Abhi: Tell me, Manik. You think Barbie can be -

Manik: Yes.

He muttered interuppting Abhi in between. However his single yes, froze the people around him.

To Be Continued.