Soha?

Nandini: Why are you all silent? Bhai?

Nandini questioned, a frown adoring her pale white face and the others looked at her as if she was an alien who had miraculously landed on their planet.

Her frown changed into a weird look as she looked at Abhi this time.

Nandini: B-bhaiyu? Where is Soha?

Navya: Bhaiyu?

Nandini: Yes, He is my Bhaiyu, right?

She stared at Abhi who silently nodded her head. The word 'Bhaiyu' had left him in a shock as well as nostalgia.

However, they all stared at her and then at the doctor who blinked his eyes before turning to Nandini.

Doctor: Miss-

Nandini: Nandini would do.

Doctor: Okay, Nandini- Do you remember where were you last time?

Nandini: Ofcourse yes, doctor. What type of question is this? I was with Abhi Bhai and we had icecream, we were coming back and had an accident.

Black Shinners stared at her dumbfounded for the accident she just mentioned had happened three months before Soha died. It was a small one and she just had a small head injury that time.

Abhi: Doctor, the accident she is talking about, it happened two and half years back.

Abhi informed the doctor in slow voice making Nandini raise her brow.

Nandini: What are you people hiding? First, Soha is not here. Second, What are these people doing here?

She pointed at Aliya and the others who were still standing silent.

Doctor: Miss.Murty, Can you tell me what year it is?

Nandini: 2016?

She grew nervous seeing their horrified expressions while Manik just stumbled on his place. He sucked a sharp breathe realising she just forget everything about him.

Nandini: Why are you all staring at me like I am a ghost?

Navya: N-Nandu, It is nothing. You take rest, I will tell you later.

Nandini shrugged muttering an okay only to wince in pain. Hearing her hiss, almost everyone came forward starling her.

Nandini: Relax, guys. I know I am precious but you don't have to worry so much.

She giggled looking at her family who just smiled faintly at her.

As the doctor excused himself and called them at side, Nandini was left alone with Fab5. Sensing his condition, Aliya, Dhruv, Cabir and Mukti left the place while Manik stood there staring at her.

Nandini seemed to realise that and blinked twice before raising up her hand and gesturing him to come closer. He blinked, pointing at himself as if asking if she was talking to him. She slapped her forehead and nodded.

Hesitatingly, Manik walked up to the bed and sat beside infront of her.

Nandini: Are you for real?

Manik: W-What?

Nandini: You are real!

Manik opened his mouth to clear himself but before that Nandini held her head and almost fell over his shoulder dramatically, reminding Manik of the scene from one of the famous bollywood movie 'Om Shanti Om' where Deepika falls on Shahrukh's shoulder.

Manik pushed her back ignoring the fight urge to hug her.

Manik: Nandini?

Nandini: You are so handsome!

She said in daze, pulling his cheek and he stared at her wide eyed.

What was even happening?

Manik: Nandini!

Nandini: Sorry- Wait, you are here for real!

Manik: I am here for real, Nandini.

Nandini: Oh My God! But wait, why are you here? Do we know each other?

And that was enough to snap Manik out of the blissful moment. He stared at her, his eyes full of pain and she was taken aback for a moment. Before she could ask him what was wrong, Sid who was standing on the door cleared his throat.

Sid: He is our business partner, Cupcake. He came on to check you.

Nandini: Bhai.

She called out as Sid walked to her and sat beside her. He held her hand gently and caressed her head making her smile.

Sid: Cupcake, now listen to me carefully.

Nandini: What happened, Bhai?

Sid: Nothing happened, Bacha. What year it is?

Nandini: Bhai, why are you behaving like this? Even doctor asked as if I am saying something-

Nandini paused, glancing at Manik for a second before looking back at Sid.

Nandini: Bhai, it is 2016, right?

Sid: Cupcake, it is May, 2018.

He revealed and she stilled on her place. Staring at him as if he said something irevelant.

Nandini: May, 2018? Bhai, How? I-

Sid: Relax, Cupcake. Don't take stress. I will tell you. You had an accident a day back and -

Nandini: and?

Sid: and you lost your memories!

Nandini gasped, leaving his hand and looking here and there to confirm. Her eyes fell on the calendar on the side wall, and her eyes widened seeing 2018.

Nandini: I- I lost my memories?

Her voice cracked and Manik wished he could just hide her in his arms. Not being able to see her like that, he left the room silently.

Sid: Cupcake, relax. The doctor said your memories will return gradually. Don't take stress.

Nandini: I want to meet everyone, Bhai. And Soha?

Sid: Soha isn't here, Nandu. She has gone for a business trip and the place she has gone to, there's network problem so we can't connect her.

Nandini nodded her head silently and Sid caressed her head.

Sid: You take rest now.

After a week

The week passed and it was finally the day Nandini was getting discharged. The whole week, they had a difficult time making her understand that she couldn't go home yet.

Even though the actual reason was, their house. The mansion Black Shinners used to stay in, it was empty since two years. The rooms needed renovation and it took them a week to arrange everything. Even Nandini's room in Murty Mansion needed to be renovated which was an uphill task.

They filled her with false important information, like how Shelika Murty was arrested for some illegal business. How, they all were staying at their own mansion now. 

All these days, Manik hadn't left her side. She found it very suspicious at first but later on Manik convinced her saying they were friends and he was worried for her.

While Aliya, Dhruv, Mukti and Cabir stayed at home, helping Black Shinners with all the work.

At present, a very irked Nandini was sitting on the bed, tossing Abhi's mobile in her hand very carelessly.

Nandini: Bhaiyu! It is enough! I want to go home now!

She whined for the nth time making Abhi stare at her.

Abhi: Barbie, you will break my mobile. And sit patiently, we are leaving in an hour, right.

Nandini: But I can't stay here for another moment! I hate hospitals!

Manik chuckled making her frown.

Nandini: Excuse me, Mr.Rockstar, are you laughing at me? At Nandini Murty?

Manik: Ofcourse no, Babygirl!

Manik spoke in a flow and stilled for a second. He looked at Nandini who looked flushed at his endearment, Abhi and Sid who pretended like they didn't hear it.

He relaxed and looked at Nandini again to see her looking down with a pout now.

Okay, Nandini Murty's pout was irresistible.

Manik noted down in his mind, chuckling as he came forward and handed her the medicines. She made a bad face but nevertheless took them.

He mouthed a good girl making her smile before she turned to Sid and jumped off the bed. Manik looked ready to lecture her on how to be careful but before that, she gave him a pleading look and he sighed.

She ran to Sid who was packing her bag standing near the couch.

Nandini: Bhaiii

Sid: Yes?

Nandini: Bhai, Manik is also going to stay with us?

Though she intended to say it slowly, Manik and Abhi both heard her. Manik frowned coming forward.

Manik: Me? What will I do there?

Nandini: What will you do means? You are our friend and friends are family. Even your friends will stay there.

Manik: You know them?

Nandini bobbed her head leaving him surprised.

___

Nandini: Navuu!!

Nandini shouted out loud in excitement seeing Navya standing at the door. She was about to jump on her when Navya stopped her by showing her hand and took the Aarti thaal from Mukti.

Nandini shook her head in disbelief and the moment Navya circled it infront of her, Nandini rotated her head with it, reminding Black Shinners of her old chirpy self, and surprising Fab5 at the same time.

Done with the Aarti, she handed the plate to Mukti and stepped forward to hug Nandini who chuckled.

Nandini: Navu, you are behaving like I am returning from a battle.

Navya: It wasn't not less than a battle, Nannu.

She wiped her tears silently and looked at her friends who gestured her to stay strong. She smiled breaking the hug.

Nandini: Navu, I know it was just a day and I have forgot my memories but I am feeling like- I am coming here after a long time. I missed you.

She hugged her again and this time Black Shinners joined as well. Fab5 smiled at them as they broke away.

Nandini turned to Aliya who was standing with Dhruv.

Nandini: Aliya, How are you?

Aliya: I am fine, di. How are you?

Nandini raised her brow seeing the concern on her face.

Nandini: Wait- Am I dreaming? You are worried for me. That's hot news guys!

She laughed making Aliya look down and hold Dhruv's hand tightly which Nandini didn't fail to notice.

Nandini: Dhruv, right?

Dhruv nodded shaking hands with her and Nandini turned to Mukti.

Nandini: Mukti?

Mukti: You know me?

Nandini: Yes, I know all of Aliya's friends.

She glanced at Manik who smiled at her. She looked down biting her lower lip before turning back to Mukti who gave her a slight hug.

Nandini turned to Cabir who gave her a wide smile and stepped forward to hug her. Nandini smiled first before something flashed through her mind and she pushed him away.

Nandini: Stay away!

Her friends were immediately by her side while Fab5 looked at her horrified.

Sid: Nandu, What happened? Are you fine?

Nandini: B-Bhai, t-touch- wr-wrong!

She fumbled, scared and Sid remembered doctor telling him how Nandini could get some past flashes at times. He realized it was because when Cabir hugged her all of the sudden, she got flashes of Pandit touching her with wrong intentions and reacted harshly.

Harshad: Nandu, he is a friend bacha.

Cabir: It is okay guys.

Sid: Cupcake?

Sid looked at her and she mumbled a sorry without staring at Cabir who just smiled.

Manik ended up smiling too, seeing the contrast between the old Nandini and this Nandini. NM didn't need anyone and this Nandini, she was used to live in her friends protective shadow. Somewhere, he could understand why she reacted like that during Soha's incident now.

Sid, Harshad and Aryaman took her to show her room while others settled in the living area.

They all were talking when they heard Nandini's laugh. They looked up and Nandini came out of her room followed by the three boys.

She turned back, showing them her tongue and ran down the stairs, scaring the shit out of all of them.

Before they could even shout at her to be careful, her foot slipped, snatching all of their breathes!

To Be Continued.