Nandini: 17 June 2016. We got a new contract but along with that me and Soha also got the opportunity to work with one of the finest artist of that time, Pandit Trilok Nath Chaurasiya.

She looked at Pandit who was sitting on the chair without an ounce of guilt on his face. Anger build up inside her and she felt the sudden urge to hurt this man, more than he had hurt her. However, she closed her eyes to compose herself and looked back at the others.

Nandini: He wasn't only a part of the competition but also our contract. We all were so happy. Me and Soha were the happiest but they say na, Happiness doesn't last long. Even ours didn't.

Abhi: What happened that day, Barbie? Why did you back off from the competition?

Nandini chuckled.

Nandini: Aren't you asking this so soon? Anyways, I didn't back off with my own will. I was forced to do so.

Aryaman: F-Forced? Who forced you?

Nandini looked at Pandit who laughed out loud.

Pandit: I forced her. I was the one who gave her two conditions. Do you want to know what were the two conditions?

Madhayam: What was it?

Pandit: I asked her for one night-

He couldn't continue as all the Black Shinners along with Manik shouted his name. Before any of them could come forward, Manik did. He held Pandit's corner and punched him on his face. They heard a small crack and blood oozed out of Pandit's nose the next moment but he still laughed out loud only to wince.

Nandini let out a chuckle making him glare at her instantly but that didn't effect her at all. Manik was pulled by his friends while Nandini turned to others.

Nandini: I had two options, either back off from the competition or accept his offer. So I choosed the first one. But I was a fool to think he will leave me after this because he didn't.

Her eyes brimmed with tears and she immediately looked down, not wanting any of them to see her tears. Seeing this Abhi came forward. He held her shoulders and made her look at him.

Abhi: Barbie, tell me what did he do?

Nandini: You already know. You and Mr.Kapoor, you both know what he did. Remember, we fought because of it also.

Navya: What are you talking about? Why don't we know anything about this?

Aryaman: And if he was having wrong intentions for her, why didn't you both break the deal?

Abhi: Arya, He was not only the part of the competition but also one of the main investors in our deal, it could've ended up on a bad note for you and Maddy. That was why Barbie gave us her swear and we couldn't tell you about it.

Maddy and Aryaman looked at him dumbstruck. Guilt raised in their hearts the next moment as they looked at Nandini speechless.

She didn't think about herself for once. She choosed their careers over herself. How could they judge her so bad? Navya on the other hand, couldn't even believe what she had heard. There wasn't even a single day she hadn't accused Nandini and today, she couldn't even look into her eyes.

Navya: That was the reason you were so disturbed during those days?

Nandini nodded her head leaving Navya in tears as she palmed her mouth to stop herself from sobbing.

Nandini: And the day we were supposed to make a grand entry in front of the audience, he called me. I went there to tell him not to disturb me but that day, h-he tried to mi-misbehave with me!

A sob left her lips unknowingly as they all looked at her wide-eyed, including Abhi and Fab5 as they knew nothing about it.

Nandini: He again blackmailed me saying he will back off and I couldn't put our careers at stake. I did what he told me. I mixed that chemical powder in Soha's juice! I did!

She cried, remembering the day she had to betray her best friend, her own family. She knew what she did was extremely wrong. She had no right to play with anyone's life but she was helpless.

She didn't know what to do. She wanted to share with her friends but she couldn't.

Aryaman: Why didn't you share with us, Nandu? You knew we could have found a solution.

Nandini: I would have if he hadn't you all on gunpoint.

She revealed making them gasp in shock.

Nandini: S-Soha drank that juice and she suffered. He messaged me to go to the hospital and hand over the powder to the doctor. He wanted to break our bond, he wanted to separate us and he did because nobody trusted me.

She sobbed making them more guilty. Only if they could have investigated the matter and find out the truth, they wouldn't have been standing here today.

Never in their wildest dreams, they thought this was the reason behind her behavior.

As she sobbed palming her mouth, Manik couldn't help but feel his heart breaking at the sight. He had seen her vulnerable but this was something he hadn't even thought of seeing.

He so wanted to be there, beside her but he didn't know if he was allowed to.

Nandini: When two days later he again called me, I went there and this time he had all the plan ready to molest me. Somehow, I ran away from him.

Nandini was running in an isolated place with Trilok chasing her. Somehow, she hid behind a pillar and dialed the first number in her call log, which was of Soha.

Nandini: S-Soha! I need you! Please, come fast!

Soha: Cutie, what happened? Where are you?

Nandini: I-I Don't know! I-it is near Nev-Never land, Northside!

She sobbed out loud worrying Soha more.

Soha: I am coming, Nandu.

Nandini remembered the past and was going to tell them further but was interrupted by Pandit's evil laugh. She glared at him as his laughter got louder.

Pandit: Let me do the honors now. I would love to see your ashen faces as you get to know the truth.

He laughed seeing their guilt-ridden faces.

Pandit: So, as Nandini said, being an idiot she called Soha there for help and Soha being another idiot to come there alone to die. As she reached there, I trapped both of them but somehow they managed to run away from there.

Soha and Nandini were running for the past twenty minutes with no sign of Pandit behind them from the last three to four minutes. They were near the exit when all of sudden Pandit came in front of them startling them.

Pandit: Where would you two go huh?

He laughed evilly looking at a shivering Nandini, holding onto Soha's arm tightly.

Soha: We will go from here, Pandit. You can't do anything.

Pandit: It is your misconception, Soha. You know what, you shouldn't have come here. Now I will have to punish you along with her. But it is okay, I am quite free today.

Soha: In your dreams, Pandit. In your dreams!

Saying so she looked in the right direction making Pandit too look there. Taking it as an opportunity, she clutched Nandini's hand tighter and ran in the left direction.

Nandini: W-we are safe!

Soha: Yes, we are safe. You are safe.

Suddenly her eyes fell on the car parked at a few meter distance and she increased her pace. And without even thinking how come a car was parked at such an isolated place, she made Nandini sit on the passenger seat and herself took the driving seat.

Not realizing that Pandit wasn't following them anymore, she drove away from there at high speed.

Pandit: These two were such an idiots! They didn't even think who would park their car at such an isolated place. It was all my plan. I wanted to kill Nandini but Soha, she ruined it all and died. She saved Nandini.

He ended in a sad dramatic tone which they all knew was fake. Each and everyone had their fists clenched. They wanted to break Pandit's face right then and there but they needed to know the truth.

However, before Pandit could open his mouth again, Nandini started.

Nandini: And when we were in the car-

Soha was driving the car while muttering sweet nothings to a terrified Nandini.

Soha: Nandu, call Harshad or anyone. Pandit might catch us again anytime.

Nandini: I-I lo-lost my mobile somewhere..It is not there!

Soha: Nandu, It is okay, calm down. Take mine.

Nandini nodded. Wiping her face, she took Soha's mobile which Soha had thrown on the dashboard after sitting in the car. She dialed Sid's number only to sigh in defeat as the call didn't even connect.

She tried others but due to the network issues, the call didn't connect.

She panicked and seeing this Soha pressed the break to stop the car only to have her eyes widen. The breaks didn't work. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest as she realized everything.

Them getting an open car at that place, or the absence of Pandit behind them was enough to know it was all his evil plan.

Soha: Nandu!

Nandini turned to her and Soha nodded in no while wiping her tears.

Soha: Everything is fine. You are safe.

Nandini: We are safe.

Soha: Cutie, I know you might hate me for doing this but I am helpless. I need to do this, for myself, for our family. Tell them, I love them so much. And I love you the most.

Nandini didn't even get the time to process her words as Soha opened the door of her side and pushed her out of the car the next moment.

Everything went blank as Nandini rolled down the street while the car went out of control. By the time Nandini got on her feet, the car banged on the tree and went upside down.

Nandini sobbed out loud remembering how she had run to the car. She had seen Soha's blooded figure all tangled on the driving seat, smiling at her faintly.

Nandini: W-We took her to the hospital. The doctors refused to treat her without police involvement. I fought with them and they agreed.

Sid: A-and the call?

Pandit: It was me. I was the one who called you changing my voice. In fact, the other call you got after Soha died, it was also me and I really didn't need to make many efforts. It was so easy to make you people believe that it was Nandini behind all this.

He taunted with a smirk as Black Shinners looked at Nandini, all ready to apologise for their deeds seeing which Manik clenched his fists.

Though he had expected it but he wasn't liking it at all. Now they will emotionally blackmail her and get her forgiveness.

According to him, they didn't deserve to be forgived after all they did.

Pandit: However, my actual plan was to take away Nandini from there but my fate, I got some urgent work and I had to leave from there. After that, I came to know Abhi had been searching for the truth, so I left the city.

Pandit couldn't continue further as Harshad caught hold of his collar and started punching him non-stop. Opening his ropes, he threw him towards his friends who gladly came ahead to beat him.

They stopped when he was almost half dead except for Harshad who kept on throwing punches on Pandit's face. Seeing this, the guys came ahead to stop him but he pushed them away.

Harshad: No guys! He is the one because of whom I lost Soha! Because of him, I doubted my princess, my own sister. I called her a curse, a bad omen! All because of him!

Seeing him not at all stopping, Nandini came ahead and pushed him away.

Nandini: Stop it, Mr.Harshad Murty! Just stop it! He didn't force you to say all those things, Did he? It was you who had no trust in me. It was you who trusted that phone call above me! So don't you dare blame anyone else for it.

Harshad: Nand-

He stepped ahead to cup her cheek but she stepped back showing him her hand.

Nandini: No, Don't. Don't touch me. I am a murderer. Yes, that's what I am. A curse, a bad omen in your life. You shouldn't come close to me. Who knows I end up killing you too just like Amma, Appa.

Harshad: N-No No, I-I am sorry. W-We are sorry. P-lease.

Nandini: It is so easy for you to come to me and say sorry, no! Can you erase all those words from my mind? All the accusing stares, all the harsh words, or all the manhandling?

She shouted at the end, anger clearly evident in her voice which made Harshad cry more as he remembered how he had slapped her, or threw her out.

Nandini: How could you people even thought that I will kill Soha or I will be jealous of her? I loved her as much as I loved you all!

Navya: Nandu, please forgive us. Please.

Navya came ahead and anger took over Nandini's senses completely. When Navya touched her, she pushed away her hand harshly making her gasp.

Nandini: Please stop it, Navya! Don't show me your fake guilt and tears. I know, it is all drama for some time before you people start accusing me again.

Aryaman: Nandu, please listen to us. We were confused.

Nandini: Confused? Are you serious Mr.Khurana? You people were confused. You fucking accused me of murder because you were confused! Is that a joke for you?

She yelled as they all shook their head in no. Manik who had been silent came ahead and tried to hold her shivering figure. She resisted for a few seconds before letting him hold her unknowingly.

He patted her back while whispering "Calm down" in her ears and it did work to some extent. Without even realising, she put her whole weight on him and he gladly supported her.

Nandini: You know, Soha. She knew I had mixed something in her juice but she didn't ask me anything, in fact, she drank it. She trusted me with her life. Even after that, she didn't question me about anything. Why? Because she knew I would never betray you people!

Madhyam: Na-Nandu, she took your name at last, we thought-

Nandini: She took my name because she wanted to warn you people about the danger luring on my head. She wanted to let you people know that I wasn't safe. Pandit was behind me but what did you do? You threw me out, without even caring about my safety!

She ended with a frustrated sigh as they hung their heads low. Every reason they had accused her for looked no more than a pathetic excuse, even to their own self.

In between, seeing all of them in the conversation, Pandit tried to run away but was immediately stopped by Cabir and Dhruv.

Manik: Nandini-

Nandini, though still enraged turned to him and realized she was still standing in his embrace. He had his arm wrapped around her shoulder and all of the sudden she realized how she was putting her whole weight on him. If not he, she would've been fallen down the floor.

Manik: You are gonna ruin your health, Nandini. Stop crying. They don't deserve your tears.

He wiped away her tears with gentle hands while all Nandini did was stare at him, as if trying to believe this wasn't a dream. He wasn't a dream.

Manik: and will you please tell me, where were you for the six months?

Manik knew it wasn't right time to question her about anything but he also knew if not now, he would never be able to know. Today, Nandini was vulnerable but tomorrow, she will come out more stronger. She will be more rude and ruthless. She will push him away too.

However, his voice seemed to brought Nandini out of her trance and she opened her mouth to say something but before she could, someone else spoke.

"With me!"

They heard another voice from behind and everyone looked back. Black Shinners frowned in confusion while Fab5 were shocked.

Unknowingly, Manik left Nandini and moved to the person while Nandini walked behind him after composing herself.

Manik: Dad!

Raj nodded as Manik reached near him.

Manik: Dad, how come you are here?

Nandini: I called him.

She replied and moved to Raj to side hug him.

Nandini: Uncle, I am sorry to call you at such a short notice.

Raj: There's nothing to be sorry about, Nandini. Anything for you, beta.

Raj smiled faintly while others looked more shocked now.

Nandini knows Manik's dad? She called him uncle? How was that even possible?

Nandini: I was with him for the six months.

All this while she had her eyes on Manik which made him believe she answered this only because he asked her.

Manik: What!?

Raj: Yes, Manik. She was with me, in Pune. I will tell you, why and how she reached there. First, let's get out of this place.

They nodded and Abhi lead them inside the mansion with Cabir and Dhruv holding Pandit in case he ran away.

Cabir: Uncle, we are really confused. How come you know Nandini?

Raj: It is a long story, Cabir. Two years back, I was here in Newyork for an important business deal. After the meeting ended, I was heading back to my hotel when-

Raj stopped and looked at Nandini to see her looking down silently. He caressed her head, gesturing her to tell them and she nodded.

Nandini: That was the day, Soha died. He was going back to his hotel and I came in front of his car, deliberately.

She completed earning multiple gasps from everyone.

Raj: I wasn't injured except for few scratches here and there but she was critical. The doctors told me she wouldn't make it but she did. Though she ended up in coma, but I was relieved that she survived.

Nandini: It wasn't your mistake, uncle. It was me who came in front of your car.

Raj: Whatever it was, I was guilty and I couldn't leave her like that so I took her to Pune with me.

Cabir: Is this the reason you didn't come for Manik's birthday that day?

Raj: Yes, I couldn't leave her alone with servants. I was too guilty and concerned to do so.

Manik looked down, feeling guilty as he remembered how he had fought with his dad because he couldn't make it for his birthday while his father just smiled knowing what was going on his mind.

Raj: It was just another day when I was missing you and listening to your song. I heard some noise from her room and when I went there, she was awake. For a week or two, she didn't even speak properly. Only nodding her head when asked and I thought it was because of me.

Nandini: and when I got physically fine, he asked me about my family.

Raj: She told me she was an orphan.

Raj revealed, knowing Nandini would skip that particular information but he couldn't. Her so called family needed to know what they had done to her. And as expected, they looked at her in tears but she avoided any eye contact.

Raj: Though I wasn't convinced with her answer, I let it go but when she started having nightmares, I was sure she was hiding something. She would wake up screaming at night. I also caught her murmuring 'I am innocent' in her sleep a number of times. I decided to have a conversation with her doctor about her health and he suggested me to involve her in some other activities. Then, all of the sudden she came to me and asked me to teach her business. Thinking it would distract her, I agreed instantly. Then, for the all the months she was with me, I trained her. She worked night and day, without even caring about her health. Sometimes, I would've to scold her to sleep.

As he ended, Manik looked at Nandini. He wanted to ask her how could she trust any stranger like that. By luck, it was his father who happened to be a nice person but what if it was someone else? What if she would've been kidnapped?

No, he couldn't even imagine her getting harmed by someone like that.

He came out of his thoughts hearing the people around him sobbing. Harshad was sitting on the couch palming his face. Navya was standing beside him, crying. Maddy and Aryaman had silent tears flowing down their eyes and Abhi and Sid kept looking at Nandini, as if trying to believe she was the same Nandini.

The girl who always motivated others to stay happy, deliberately came infront of a car to end her life?

Did they broke her to this extent?

All of the sudden, Abhi walked to Pandit and slapped him hard.

Abhi: You, bloody bastard! I warned you, didn't I! Just because of your stupid obsession, you killed Soha!

Hearing him, Pandit chuckled, followed by a wince as every inch of his face was hurting due to the punches he received from everyone.

Pandit: Obsession? Really? Didn't your bestfriend tell you anything?

He stared at Sid who glared at him. However, as Sid felt others looking at him in confusion, he grew nervous and stared at Pandit.

Sid: Just Shut up, Pandit! I never hid something from anyone.

Pandit: Oh My! So much of love. I might get diabeties. Anyways, I have to admit that you are a true bestfriend, bearing Nandini's hatred all the while-

Nandini: What do you mean?

Pandit: Are you seriously NM? The owner of two leading companies? Because you certainly don't look like one!

Manik: Pandit!

Manik came forward, punching him only to be stopped by Nandini. He was about to say something but stopped as Nandini asked.

Nandini: Say whatever you want to say in clear words.

Pandit: Nandini, can't you really see how Sid had been pretending to hate you for the last two years?

Their eyes went wide as Nandini looked at Sid looked everywhere at her.

Nandini: What is he saying?

Though Nandini hadn't taken any name, Sid knew this question was for him. However, having no answer to her question, he simply turned away his face.

Pandit: He won't say anything, Nandini. I will tell you. Your brother, Siddarth Kapoor never hated you. Neither did he doubt your innocence. He always knew you were innocent.

Nandini looked at him shocked as Pandit completed.

Pandit: It was all a plan, to separate you people. Though I was sure nobody will trust you, I had doubt regarding Siddarth. So I did the same I did with you.

Nandini: W-What?

Sid: Nandini, why are you even listening to him. He is uttering nonsense. Just call the police and close this chapter.

Nandini: No, Police won't come here until and unless I know what he is talking about.

She glared at Pandit and walked to him. Holding his collar in a death grip, she looked right into his eyes.

Nandini: And you are going to tell me the truth or else you won't be able to walk out of this place on your own feet.

Pandit: Oh, I am scared!

He taunted before laughing out loud.

Pandit: Anyways, I will tell you the truth, only on one condition.

Nandini: What it is?

Pandit: My freedom. Free me, I will tell you the truth.

Abhi: Barbie, No!

Abhi didn't want her to agree for he knew freeing Pandit meant putting her life in danger. He looked at Sid who was looking down.

Abhi: Sid, tell us what is he talking about.

Nandini: No, He isn't going to open his mouth.

She looked at Sid before turning towards Pandit.

Nandini: I accept your deal. Tell me the truth, I will let you go.

Pandit: Yes, see! That's what I like the most about you-

Nandini: Cut the crap, Pandit! I don't have time to waste on your stupid remarks! Tell me, what do you know.

Pandit: Well, I know everything. You know, two years back when I met you, I instantly liked you. I tried to get close to you but you resisted so I thought why not ask your hand for marriage so, I requested both Abhi and Sid to let me marry you.

Nandini gasped, looking at Abhi and Sid who had their fists clenched as that day flashed in their minds.

Pandit: But what did they do? They beat me and threw me out of their office. I swear nobody had insulted me the way they did. I wanted to take revenge from them and surprisingly I came across the biggest secret of your life. The secret-

Before he could complete, Sid rushed to him and held his collar.

Sid: Enough is enough! Keep your filthy mouth shut, Pandit! Abhi, call the police. Now.

Abhi: Sid-

Sid: I said call police right now. Wait, I will call myself.

He took out his mobile and was about to open the lock when Nandini snatched it from him.

Nandini: I want to know the truth. Tell me, what is he talking about.

Sid: C-Cupcake, there's nothing. He is speaking rubbish!

Pandit: I have proofs, Mr.Siddarth Kapoor. I have the pendrive, I showed you that day.

Sid looked at him horrified and before he could say something, Pandit pushed Cabir and Dhruv and took out the pendrive from his pocket.

Sid tried to snatch it but before he could, Nandini snatched it from him. She looked at Abhi asking for a laptop and he nodded in return. Even though Sid tried to stop him, Abhi gave her his laptop.

Staring at Sid's horrified face, she attached the pendrive and clicking on the play button, she stepped back only to frown as she saw her younger self along with her father sitting on the bed in his room.

The video-

Nandini was telling something to her father who was listening to her with a smile. Just then, Shelika came inside with dinner.

Shelika: Nandu, Darling, come have dinner.

Nandini: Excuse me, Only my friends and family can call me Nandu. And Don't call me darling. Fake bitch!

Shelika went silent hearing her reply while Mr.Murty looked at her wide eyed.

Mr.Murty: Nandu, baby She is your mother-

Nandini: Mother and she? She isn't my mother, Appa. I hate her.

With this, she ran out of the room making Mr.Murty shook his head in disappointment while Shelika sat beside him.

Mr.Murty: Shelika, forgive her. She is just a child. I will scold her tomorrow and she won't talk to you like that again.

Shelika: It is okay, Nilesh. Infact, I will try to talk to her tomorrow. You have your dinner now.

She smiled sweetly and Mr.Murty nodded. He silently started eating and all of the sudden, he choked.

He pushed away the plate as his breathing fastened. He asked for help but all Shelika did was laugh standing beside him.

To Be Continued.