Mr.Murty: Y-You! You be-betrayed me!

Mr.Murty shouted as he tried to get up from the bed only to fall back. His body was already giving up.

Shelika: I did all this for my daughter, Nilesh! You wanted to handover everything to your children, right. Now I won't let this happen! I will rule this mansion and all the Murty property will be mine!

She laughed evily but frowned when Mr.Murty didn't even panick.

Mr.Murty: T-The property, y-you wi-will never get it!

He tried to stand up again but this time Shelika pushed him on the bed. Picking up the pillow from the side, she pressed it on his mouth, blocking his oxygen. After few minutes of continuous struggle, Mr.Murty's body went limp as his soul finally left his body.

Satisfied, Shelika ran to the washroom and ruined her makeup before coming out and starting her drama.

Within seconds, Nandini and Harshad came running there. Nandini moved to her father, asking him to wake up while Harshad stood still.

The video ended leaving everyone numb at their places. They all turned to Nandini and Harshad who were still staring at the laptop blankly.

Seeing her state, Manik moved to her before anyone else could.

Manik: Nandini?

Nandini: A-ppa!

She whispered as Manik touched her shoulder. To his surprise, Nandini turned to him and as if her mind was still processing what she saw, her lower lip wobbled before she started wailing out loud seeing which Manik immediately hid her in his embrace as she cried.

Manik: Nandini, shh Stop crying.

He tried to console her but she kept whispering Appa again and again. After few minutes, seeing her not stopping Manik forcefully pulled away and made her look at him.

Manik: Nandini, listen to me. You are strong, very strong. You can't break down and give him the pleasure to hurt you, okay?

Manik pointed to Pandit who was rolling his eyes as if there was some stupid drama going on.

Nandini: S-She killed my Appa! Did you see? Did you see? she didn't help him! She killed him! How could she! She killed him!

She shook his shoulder as he nodded his head, biting down his lower lip to control himself from crying. Tears flowed down her eyes rapidly and Manik closed his own seeing her state. He has never ever hated the site of a crying human so much. All he wanted to do was hug her tight and absorb all of her pain if that was possible.

Composing himself, he opened his eyes and wiped her tears again.

Manik: We will punish her, Nandini. I promise.

Nandini was going to say something again but before that Pandit clapped breaking their trance.

Pandit: If your drama is over, can I speak now?

Hearing him, Nandini's head snapped in his direction. All the pain and hurt transferred into anger as she pushed Manik away and walked to him.

Nandini: Y-You! How did you get this footage?

Pandit: How I got it doesn't matter, Nandini! I have my own sources. The main point is, your bestfriend- Siddarth Kapoor was aware of this all the while and he choosed to hide it from you.

Sid looked at Pandit horrified as he kept on filling Nandini's mind with all the rubbish. He walked forward to beat him more but Nandini stopped him by holding his hand.

Nandini: You knew about this?

She asked sternly and Sid looked down, closing his eyes as he nodded his head.

Nandini: Why?

Sid: Cu-Cupcake- I-

Nandini: Why did you betray me like this, bhai?

She finally broke down, not being able to hold herself, specially when her heart was breaking at the betrayal she just received. She blinked her eyes rapidly too shoo away the tears but just like the pain in her life, they were also too stubborn to leave her while Sid looked down, his shoulder shaking as he cried hearing 'Bhai' from her after two long years.

He had tried everything to keep the truth out of her reach. He made her believe that he didn't trust her, he faked hating her, talked rudely to her but today, he failed.

Two years back, he failed to protect her and today, he failed again.

Nandini: I trusted you so much and you did this? Why?

Her tears turned into slow sobs and soon enough she was hiccuping.

Standing there in the hall full of thirteen people, with her shoulders shaking and head bend down, Nandini no longer looked the one they had always known or seen.

She looked broken and they were scared seeing her like that for they had never seen her that way, not even when her father died or when she was accused of a murder.

Sid: I-I didn't want you to breakdown, Nandu-

Nandini: So you choosed to keep me in the dark? You choosed to let that Shelika roam around free! You knew she murdered my father and yet you didn't do anything!

She yelled at the end, taking a step back and Sid immediately shook his head in no.

Sid: N-Nandu, trust me. I didn't have the footage. I-If I had the footage, I would've given it to the police-

Nandini: Lie! You are lying, Mr.Kapoor! I don't trust your any word!

Sid continued to shook his head as Nandini pointed her finger at him, accusing him for lying.

Pandit: He isn't lying, Nandini.

Pandit interrupted and Nandini immediately turned to him. Her jaws tightened and palms fisted as she controlled herself from stepping ahead and punching the shit out of him.

Pandit: So much anger huh! Well, You know when I was thrown out of the office by your brothers, I was also angry, just like you. Trust me, all I wanted was revenge at that moment and then I got this footage and before you ask me, how? I had my man in your house in the security team and he got me this. I showed it to him and threatened to show it to you. And you know, he literally begged me not to do this. Hell, he was even ready to write his entire property on my name but then, I already had money. I wanted revenge so, I blackmailed him. I told him to accuse you of Soha's murder and trust me when I say this, he would've never believed the call at all if not the fear of the truth reaching you.  And I must say, your luck was quite good that you came infront of Raj Malhotra's car otherwise only God and me knows where you would've been today- Ah!

He winced all of the sudden as all the boys had pounced on him including Cabir and Dhruv who couldn't control themselves hearing him talking shit about a girl like that, specially the girl who meant a lot to their bestfriend.

All this while, Nandini stood there calm. She didn't give away any reaction this time. At the same moment, the police entered there. Raj narrated the whole matter to the inspector along with the confession by Pandit which Mukti had recorded on her phone as asked by Manik. Seeing all the evidences, the inspector arrested Pandit who was now held by two constables.

Seeing himself getting arrested, Pandit turned to Nandini.

Pandit: Nandini! You said you will set me free!

Nandini: Pandit, I guess you are forgetting who I am. I am a business woman and I do what benefits me. Your deal was benefiting me at that time so I accepted but now when it no longer benefits me, I am ending it.

She smirked and turned to inspector who gave her a nod.

Nandini: Torture him as much as you can, Inspector. I want him bleeding from every inch of his body.

Pandit shouted but it went to deaf ears as the police dragged him out.

Nandini: Shelika Murty, it is time you pay for your deeds.

She looked at Harshad who was crying badly in Navya's arms. Maddy and Aryaman were beside him too. Aliya was also crying hugging Dhruv while his own eyes were glassy seeing her crying. She let her eyes roam around, each and every person was in tears.

She came out of her trance as Sid came to her. He raised his hands to cup her face but before that, she jerked away his hand.

Nandini: Stay away from me!

She muttered before storming out of there leaving him heart broken.

While seeing her going away, Manik walked up to Sid followed by his friends.

Manik: Where did Nandini go?

He was hell worried for her and knowing she even held the capacity to harm her own self did nothing but increased his worry.

Sid: She went.

Manik: Yes, but where?

Sid who was till now standing in daze turned to him and looked at him with a frown.

Sid: Why do you want to know?

He asked and Manik looked at him shocked. He opened his mouth to explain but no words came out. It was then Abhi came there to his rescue.

Abhi: He is just worried for her, Sid.

Sid nodded and sighed.

Abhi: Buddy, why were you so shocked seeing Manik for the first time? Does it have to something with Mr.Malhotra and Manik?

This time, Sid looked shocked at his sudden question. He looked at Raj who smiled seeing him which was seen by everyone.

Cabir: Wait, does that mean you knew all this while Nandini was with Raj uncle and Manik is his son.

Sid: Y-Yeah! This is the reason.

He stammered which confused Black Shinners as they knew he was hiding something but they didn't point out at that moment.

Navya: Why didn't you tell us about anything, Sid? You could've told us about you being blackmailed.

Sid: Navya, I don't even know why I am explaining you this but do you think, my cupcake will be missing for whole six months and I will sit silent without doing anything to find her? If this is what you expected from me, then I am sorry. I am not that heartless.

Navya fell silent hearing him as she had nothing to say in her defence and seeing this Sid let out a taunting chuckle.

Abhi: but how did you know Barbie was with Mr.Malhotra?

Sid sighed and looked at Raj before looking back at them and answering.

Sid: It was all planned. After S-Soha died, I received a message from Pandit. You can say I already knew he will call and say all that shit. And I knew Nandini will leave the hospital after I accuse her and I had already asked my men to come there and follow her. But it didn't go as plan because none of you trusted her and Harshad ended up behaving impulsively. Nandini left the hospital before my men could reach there. But they did spot her running on the road and before they could reach her, she striked with Raj Uncle's car. Raj uncle knew Dad so it was easy to contact him and I told him to keep it a secret.

Sid ended with a sigh as the others looked at him shocked.

Manik: But Dad, you said you knew nothing about Nandini?

Raj: I wasn't sure if Sid wanted everyone to know about this, so I didn't say and it is actually the truth. I didn't know what happened until Nandini herself told me when she was leaving my place. Sid used to call daily asking about her health but he never told me anything. He even visited her once but after she came out of coma, he didn't visit again.

Sid: I was scared. I didn't want anyone to know about her whereabouts so I refrained myself from meeting her.

Aryaman: We thought you were disturbed with Soha's death but we didn't know it involved Nandini too.

Sid: Soha's death was a huge blow for me, I am not denying but cupcake, she is very precious to me, Arya. I just couldn't sit peacefully with her being in coma or all silent as Raj Uncle told.

Harshad: You hid so much from us, Sid.

Sid: Yes, I did and I don't regret hiding it from you because you know what- you people don't deserve to know the truth. You didn't trust her. Her own brother, the only blood relation she had, he accused her of a murder. It is okay, I understand that he was heart broken with Soha's death but what about his sister? He didn't care for her at all. The person who never let her step out of the house without protection, threw her out of his life without even thinking twice?

Harshad bend down his head hearing him but it didn't change Sid's expression even a bit.

Sid: And it is not only her own brother but also her bestfriends whom she treated like her own siblings. Each and every person broke her trust, including me. I-

He was interrupted in between by his mobile's ring. He looked at the caller ID and frowned seeing "Cupcake"  flashing on the screen. Giving a last glance to others, he picked it up.

Sid: H-Hello

Sid expected a yell or whisper from the other side but frowned when he heard multiple noises in return.

Inspector: Mr.Kapoor it is me. Sir, Nandini mam is going out of control. She is beating Pandit mercilessly and isn't even allowing anyone to touch her.

Sid: Inspector, Don't you even dare to touch her. Just tell her she is needed in Murty Mansion.

Sid blasted at the inspector gaining others attention as well. He hung up the call and they all immediately bombarded him with multiple questions but his ears caught only one question that was from Manik.

Manik: Why is he even touching her?

From the corner of his eye Manik saw Cabir palming his face. He frowned and it took him a moment to understand what just happened. He rubbed his nape nervously finding them staring at him for an answer.

Manik: I- I w-was just w-worried.

Sid nodded his head and looked at everyone else.

Sid: We need to leave for Murty Mansion. Nandini might be reaching there at any moment.

They all nodded and left for Murty Mansion. When they reached there, they found Nandini's car along with police jeep already parked there which meant Nandini was already there.

Glancing at each other worriedly, they entered inside and saw Nandini standing infront of Shelika while inspector was standing with his team at a side.

Nandini: I always knew you weren't what you were showing yourself and I was right. You showed your true colours and killed my father.

Shelika gasped hearing her and looked at everyone else. She gulped but composed herself within seconds.

Shelika: What rubbish! You think you can accuse me of anything like this!

Nandini: I don't think so, Mrs.Shelika Murty, I can accuse you like this because I have proofs against you. I have the live footage of that day!

She shouted leaving Shelika sweating profusely. She looked at Aliya and Harshad and nodded in no only to have them turn away their face.

Even though Aliya didn't want to believe that her mother was a murderer, she couldn't ignore the footage and act blind.

However, all of the sudden Shelika's whole demeanor changed as she started laughing loudly.

Shelika: Oh My, Nandini! It took you very long time to find the truth, I am really disappointed.

Nandini: Shut up!

Shelika: Why shut up now Nandini? Why? I am confessing now. Yes, I killed your father. And you know what, I have no regrets. Your useless father didn't deserve to live!

She confessed knowing there was no way she could escape, she had to confess her crime, either by force or on her own will.

Nandini: You!

Nandini shouted as she lunged forward at this pathetic woman only to be held by Abhi and Sid. She looked at them before pushing them and turned to Shelika who was smirking.

Shelika: What did your father think, Nandini? He made you and Harshad the heir of all his companies but didn't think for Aliya at all! He always told me to give you and Harshad the same love I gave Aliya but what about him hah? Didn't he have to give Aliya the same love he gave you both!? Why was my daughter not important for him?

Aliya: but dad never differentiated between us, Mom!

Aliya interrupted in between only to have her mother glare at her.

Shelika: You stay out of it, Aliya. You know nothing about it. He was always partial-

Nandini: He was never partial! He always loved all three of us equally. He always told me to love and protect Aliya like my own sister. Whenever he brought something for us, it was for the three of us, not for me or Harshad bhai alone. It is you who was always partial between me, bhai and Aliya. Specially me and Aliya because you never took me as your daughter. For you I was always a hurdle in your way to get my father's property. You knew he had kept everything at my name and you couldn't tolerate that!

Shelika: But what about sending Aliya to Mumbai hah? You told him to send Aliya Mumbai so you could enjoy all the luxury.

Nandini: Are you seriously so dumb? Do you think she was sent to Mumbai because I wanted all the luxury? Mrs.Shelika Murty, I guess you are forgetting this luxury was always mine irrespective of Aliya's presence in my life. I do not need to send Aliya to Mumbai to get this luxury. I told Appa to send Aliya there because she wasn't concentrating on her studies here. All the day she would see our fights and it was effecting her. And Space Acedemy was the best institute of Mumbai. Aliya was never interested in our business so it was best choice for her. And do you think we didn't care for her after sending her Mumbai? From the time she went there to till the date she came NewYork, I had my bodyguards behind her for her safety.

Nandini stopped as she heard multiple gasps behind her, mainly from Aliya as she never knew about bodyguards.

Aliya: B-Bodyguards?

Nandini: Yes bodyguards! I always kept tabs on you for your safety. I always had your every single information. I knew where you stayed, with whom you talked, when and at which hour you partied or how many people you bullied in your college. I had every single detail. What do you think why were you five left with simple punishments each and every time? It was because the college came under Murty's and I was incharge of all the things after Appa.

Fab5 stared at her in complete shock. They knew the college came under Murty's but they didn't know their information reached Nandini too.

Shelika: I don't believe you, Nandini.

Harshad: Who is even asking you to believe, Mrs.Shelika Murty. Your game is over.

And even before they could react, Harshad was standing infront of Shelika, with his hand wrapped around her neck, choking her. He pressed his fingers around her neck and they all tried to stop him including the inspector. At the end Harshad was pulled away by them and the police took Shelika.

Aliya ran to her room followed by Dhruv and Mukti immediately while Cabir and Manik stood there.

Manik came ahead to say something but before that she turned to Raj, avoiding him completely.

Nandini: Uncle, you please stay here for today. I will show you the guest room.

Raj nodded and Nandini went away with him while Black Shinners stood there in guilt. All of them sat on the couch palming their faces seeing which Cabir and Manik exchanged worried glances.

Cabir: Manik, I guess we should leave them alone.

Manik: Yeah, I also think the same. Let's go and see Aliya.

Cabir nodded and they walked to Aliya and Dhruv's room.

To Be Continued.