Author's note - Saying it again, I wrote this book as a newbie and a teenager on wattpad, so please excuse the cringe scenes, plot and dialogues.
I am only trying to edit the chapters, not rewriting the book, so there are not major changes.

_____

Numb. It was the only feeling Nandini knew as she looked in the front.

There, on the isolated road, a body laid on the ground covered in her own blood. A truck had striked the girl and Nandini had not only seen her flying in the air but also falling straight infront of her car. She didn't know what to do. Her mind was too numb to even react.

Her mobile rang breaking her trance and Nandini saw Sid's name flashing on the screen. She gulped and picked up the call.

Sid: Nandu, Where are you? Watchman told me you left crying. Is everything okay?

Nandini sobbed in response, scared. It scared Sid too for he stood up at his place in worry.

Sid: Nandu- Bacha, What happened? Tell me where are you? Bhai is coming right now.

Nandini: I don't know- I need you bhai, come fast! please!

She sobbed out loud.

Sid: Okay, Calm down. Take deep breathes, and don't worry- we are coming.

Nandini nodded and Sid knew she would. He hung up the call and checked her location through GPS. He called everyone else and they all left.

While, Nandini sat still in her car, scared to even go out. But then her mind and heart would not sit at peace. She stepped down and the moment she neared the female, her mind only echoed these words.

I need you, come fast!

I need you, come fast!

I need you, come fast!

She heard herself shouting again and again, but when and to whom, she couldn't remember. She held her head, confused at what was happening to her. Was she going mad?

She could hear voices, a lot of voices but nothing was clear in particular. They were messed up, echoing at the same time, each louder than the other. The voices were asking her to accept their apology but they were also accusing her.

Her mind showed her the image of a girl running in the woods, and then on a road. She saw a girl being pushed from the car before everything went black and Nandini fell down on the ground unconscious.

_____

Cabir: Manik is going NewYork?

Manik's assistant nodded his head. Cabir looked at the other three who looked confused as well. Why had not Manik informed any one of them?

Cabir dismissed his assistant and they all walked to Manik's room only to find him dumping his clothes in his bags in a hurry.

Cabir: What the fuck are doing, Manik?

Manik didn't even stop, let alone give him a glance. He continued to dump his things in the bag like a mad man.

Aliya: Manik, will you atleast explain us what is happening?

Manik ignored her question. It angered all of them and Cabir walked forward to stop him. He held his shoulders and made him face them.

And the moment they looked at his face, all of the questions flew away. He looked worried and they could see the moisture hitting his eyes.

Cabir: What the fuck is wrong with you, Manik?

Mukti: What is happening?

Dhruv: Buddy are you crying?

Manik looked down, shaking his head and they all looked at each other worried before turning to him.

Cabir: Manik! Tell us what the hell happened?

Manik: Nandini.

Aliya: What about di? Is she alright?

Manik: I don't know. I feel restless. Something is wrong. I feel it. Something bad-

He closed his eyes and looked away, unable to explain. His heart was breaking, the restlessness would not just go away.

Cabir: Did you call her?

Manik shook his head.

Manik: I ended up scolding her when she called. I was angry and I- I don't know Cabir! I need to see her. If you guys want to come, you can but don't stop me!

Manik looked at each of them and they nodded, agreeing to tag along him.

____

Abhi: Nandu!

They were all numb seeing her lying unconscious on the road with a girl lying near her. They could guess what might have happened but nobody wanted to beleive it.

Aryaman: We need to take her to the hospital.

Madhayam: I will drive! Com'on guys!

Abhi picked up her and they drove to the hospital. The other girl had died by the time they reached the hospital while Nandini was admitted for a checkup.

Fifteen minutes passed before the doctor came out checking Nandini. They all rushed to him and asked about Nandini.

Doctor: She fainted because of shock. Nothing much to worry. Infact, it might help her bring back her memories.

And it was enough to scare all of them. Spending time with Nandini, staying like a family again and seeing her so cheerful, they had completely forgotten about her memory loss.

Harshad: W-When will she wake up?

Doctor: We can't say anything for now. She might wake up in an hour, or it might take her a day or two. It depends on her mental health. Excuse me-

The doctor walked away while they could only stand there and expect the worse.

The day passed in a blink, no one dared to leave the hospital. They didn't want Nandini to wake up alone. They were all scared she might get her memories back and hate them again.

Suddenly, Abhi who had stood up to get a glass of water for himself stilled at his place. Others noticed the change in his posture and looked at the direction he was staring at. They were all surprised to see Fab5 walking towards them.

Manik reached near them before anyone else. He looked worried and guilty.

Manik: Where is Nandini?

Sid: She is okay, unconscious. How did you know we were here?

Dhruv: We went to the mansion, watchman told us.

Sid nodded while Manik was getting impatient to see Nandini. They narrated everything the doctor had told them. Abhi showed them the ward Nandini was shifted in. Manik entered inside before anyone could have stopped him.

Manik, with slow steps walked towards her bed. He sat on the chair kept beside the bed and held her hand with his one, while the other ran in her hair.

Manik: What did you do, Nandini. It is all my fault. I should have never shouted at you. I am so sorry, please open your eyes.

He blinked when she didn't even move an inch. Manik could not see her in this state. He ran out of the room unable to take it more. His friends followed him immediately.

Manik: It is all my fault. I am the reason she is here today! She is going to hate me more! Oh God!

Manik cried looking up at the sky. The guilt would not let him sit in peace. Why did he have to shout at her? She called him, it was everything that should have mattered but no, he had to show his unnecessary anger.

Aliya: Stop blaming yourself, Manik. Nothing of this is your fault.

Mukti: You didn't know she would end up reacting this way.

Manik: I knew, Mukti. I should have known. I claim to love her, and I didn't know this?

Dhruv: You are not a fortune teller, Manik. And don't worry, she is going to be alright.

Cabir: Yes, Manik. She would be alright. Stop crying like a baby.

Manik: So what should I do, Cabir? Didn't you hear what they said? She might get her memory back! She will again become the NM and do I need to remind you the NM hates me? Nandini loves me, NM doesn't.

Before anyone could reply him, they heard Sid speak from behind.

Sid: And what if I say she does?

They looked at him confused and he chuckled.

Sid: She doesn't hate you, Manik. Infact, she loves you, from the past two and half years, she is loving you.

Manik froze hearing him. From two and half years?

Cabir: What are you saying Sid?

Sid: Truth. The one she is running away from the moment she has turned into the NM. The truth she doesn't want you to know Manik.

Manik: Wh-what?

Mukti: Why are you telling him now? You should have told him earlier, Sid.

Sid: It was not my place to tell him the truth, Mukti but now when I know how she might behave if she got back her memory, I have to tell everything to Manik.

Manik: Tell me.

Sid sighed and nodded his head.

Sid: Manik, Nandini loves you from the time you didn't even know about her existence. Yes, you knew Nandini Murty as your bestfriend's step sister but nothing else. My cupcake, she fell in love with you at first sight. That day, Abhi was listening to your song and in that video, even in the crowd of thousands, you managed to capture her heart. She told me about this a month later. She wanted to come there for you, but I was not sure about this so I told her to wait. She was on cloud nine when I told her we are all travelling to India after that album but everything got ruined, Manik. She didn't even get the chance to meet you, let alone confess her feelings.

Manik sat on the bench with a thud. The truth cutting his heart more than anything. Nandini loved him? His heart jumped in delight. Wasn't this the moment he was wishing for from the moment he realised he loved her?

The destiny had played them so bad.

Dhruv: and that is why she recognised him and was even shocked to see him.

Manik remembered it all. Her words, her actions. She knew about him, he had felt it even when she was NM. She loved him, he was not wrong after all. She just hid it so much better.

Sid: Yes, She requested me to let you stay here because she wanted to be with you.

Aliya: All this time- she could have told Manik, but she never did?

Sid: I don't know. She told me she wanted to, but I don't know why didn't she.

Dhruv: Wait, is that why you were so surprised seeing Manik that day?

Sid nodded silently.

Mukti: It was clearly evident with the way she behaved around Manik. She never took any strict action against him and that is why she was so angry when Madhayam punched Manik.

Sid nodded again. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by a bitter chuckle from Manik.

Manik: Everything was infront of my eyes, I just ignored it. God damn! I am such a fool!

He chuckled at his own stupidity.

Manik: I mean- I don't understand- Am I suppose to laugh at my fate or cry? Nandini loves me, I love her but we can't be together. She can't confess, and I can't deny. What should I even do?

Cabir: Manik, Calm down. We will find a way.

Mukti: And there's still hope, Manik. She has not -

And at the same moment they heard footsteps echoing from behind. They turned around as a panting Abhi came in their vision.

Abhi: What are you guys doing here? Nandini might get up any moment, Come fast!

And it alone was enough to have them run on their toes.

To Be Continued.