By the time Nandini came back, the others had resumed the game and were all bickering. She could feel Manik's eyes on her as she sat down silently at her place.

The bottle stopped on Mutki who was given a dare by Aliya to do a prank call. Mukti whined, protesting against it.

Mukti: How can you all be so mean? My fiance is here, at least have some shame.

Before Fab5 could say anything, Aryaman and Madhayam laughed embarrassing Abhi.

Aryaman: Mukti, you speak like your fiance is innocent.

Mukti: What do you mean?

Madhayam: We mean, Abhi is the biggest prankster ever, but only when it comes to doing prank calls. He has even pranked his professors!

Abhi: Shut up guys!

Navya: No why shut up now? Mukti, do you know he even pranked his friend's mother.

Mukti looked at him with her mouth wide open in shock. Seeing her so invested, Aryaman fueled the situation while all Abhi could do was face palm himself.

Aryaman: He was so scared the next day and she actually reported him to the school. He almost cried.

And they all burst out laughing.

Abhi: She threatened to call Appa. What would I have done?

Madhayam: As if Appa would have scolded you! He would have sued her back!

Nandini: He wouldn't have.

They all looked at her, startled and Nandini realised she intervened in between.

Nandini: I mean, He wouldn't have encouraged the wrong things we did. He would have punished him instead.

Abhi: See exactly. That's why I was so scared!

Aryaman: Fine fine, but Mukti you can't escape the dare!

Mukti: Okay fine! Give me your phone.

Abhi handed it with glaring at his friends all the while.

After tons of laughter and Mukti trying to prank the stranger she called randomly, the bottle was spun again and this time stopped on Harshad. They all cheered as he shook his head.

Harshad: I will take the truth.

Navya: that's why you are no fun!

Harshad: Are you going to ask?

Aliya: Okay- I will ask! Bhai tell us a secret no one knows about you!

The silence that followed Aliya's question was not expected by anyone. Had it been before, Black Shinners could have claimed proudly that they had no secrets between them but now time has changed. They were no longer close enough to share their deepest secrets.

Harshad looked even more troubled than them. As if, he didn't want to talk about it. He didn't want to share his secret he had kept for years. He looked and a tear managed to escape his eyes. Aliya almost told him he didn't have to force himself but he composed himself before that and smiled a sad smile.

Harshad: I visit Soha's graveyard every week. No one knows.

Manik looked at Nandini and the look on her face told him Harshad had really underestimated Nandini's love for him, Soha and their friends. Nandini knew. She had to know. If she can send bodyguards behind her step sister to Mumbai, how can she not know what her brother is up to.

Aliya: Bhai, are you okay?

Harshad nodded with a small smile. He was not but he hoped he would be one day.

The next time the bottle stopped facing towards Abhimanyu. He looked ready and nodded at Cabir, he knew what to ask him. He had asked him to. So, he chose the dare when asked as planned.

Cabir: Okay - Your dare is to make a confession!

Aryaman: Oh, are you helping him propose to Mukti now?

Madhayam: They are getting married, stupid.

Harshad: You can still propose to your wife, can you not?

Abhimanyu: No - I mean yes. Ofcourse! I can.

He looked at Mukti, and to his surprise she seemed to know the plan already. She blinked at him, giving him a thumbs up to continue.

Abhimanyu: I actually want to make another confession - to someone else.

They all stopped and stared at him. It was enough to get an idea of what he was going to do. Nandini almost looked ready to leave but before she could, Abhimanyu was already walking up to her and sitting down in front of her.

Nandini: Don't.

She warned. Abhimanyu shook his head in response.

Abhimanyu: I will die if I don't do it, Barbie. Let me. Please.

Nandini said nothing and Abhimanyu took it as a yes. He gulped, trying to gather his thoughts or the words he had planned to say. He had a whole apology in his head before but now when it was time to say, his mind had gone blank.

The silence behind them was haunting. Abhimanyu let out a sigh, his eyes brimmed with tears, filled with guilt and there was this sadness Nandini hated to see in her family's eyes. Only if they had not abandoned her.

Abhimanyu: Barbie, I don't even know what to say.

He chuckled, looking down and his voice trembled as he continued.

Abhimanyu: I don't have any excuses for what I did back then. And I am sorry because I know it is not enough.

Nandini: So why do it again and again?

Nandini believed it was another hollow apology that she had been receiving. She didn't want it. Abhimanyu could see it all because he shook his head.

Abhimanyu: Because that's all I can do now. When S-Soha died, and you were accused, I know I should have supported you but I didn't. I didn't support you and the guilt of it would haunt me forever. I let you down, the only person who never let me down, I failed her. I am sorry for abandoning you, for failing to be the brother you deserved. I am sorry, barbie but that's all I have to say. I hope one day you will have the strength to forgive me. I am going to keep asking for your forgiveness until you are ready.

Nandini only looked down, heart heavy and no words to describe the heartbreak she was feeling. She knew he was being genuine but what about the trust he broke back then?

Nandini always believed that even her own brother could betray her but Abhimanyu wouldn't. She trusted him more than she trusted Harshad and he broke her trust.

Abhimanyu: I know it is late. But I need to get this out. I can't breathe, Barbie. It is suffocating me now. I need you to know how much I regret not standing up for you. You deserved better and I regret not being that better brother to you.

Nandini didn't say anything. She didn't look at him even when tears fell down her eyes. Abhimanyu sighed, wiping his own tears and stood up. He didn't look at the others, fearing he might break again but he could see Mukti's worried eyes trying to make contact with his.

Abhimanyu didn't have it in himself so he started to walk away from there, to give Nandini the space. He didn't want to overburden her. He understood how she must have been feeling.

However, he was near the door when she called him from behind. Nandini didn't know what came over her. It was a decision she took in the moment, seeing him walk away from her life once again. No, Nandini didn't want that. Not him.

Abhimanyu didn't even turn at her voice. She felt sick. She was scared he would walk away and never look back. It was the fear that made her act. While Abhimanyu feared hearing more harsh words, Nandini just knew her brother was sorry and she didn't want him out of her life. So she did the first thing that came to her mind. She threw her hands around him, taking him in a back hug.

Nandini: Bhai, Don't go please. I am sorry.

She cried, and it was so sudden, overwhelming, Abhimanyu felt the world spin in front of his eyes.  Days of fatigue, poor sleeping schedule and messed up eating habits had finally taken a toll over his body. Before he knew, he fell down and Nandini stepped back with a cry in shock.

Nandini: Bhai!!

Everybody else came running to them in worry and surrounded them.

Cabir: He fainted! Someone call the doctor!

Madhayam: Wait - I - I will call!

Madhayam walked to the side to make a call to the doctor while Veebha rolled her eyes.

Veebha: He didn't even drink that much.

Manik glared at her and she rolled her eyes yet again.

Veebha: What? If he can't handle a little alcohol, he shouldn't have drank at the first place.

Manik: Veebha!

Aryaman: Shut the fuck up! Are you for real?

Dhruv: Manik, tell her to leave!

Veebha: Why would I -

Manik: He is right, Veebha. You should leave.

Veebha looked at him in shock. She didn't expect him to support her but this disrespect? It was humiliating.

Veebha: You will regret this, Manik.

Manik heard the threat underlying her words. He knew he would.

Manik: I will see when I do. Leave for now.

He just didn't care enough right now.

____

The next morning, Manik regretted the moment he stepped into the dining hall along with everyone else. Sitting there was Veebha and Mr.Khurana along with his parents. His father looked displeased with the whole situation while Niyonika was busy in a conversation with Mr.Khurana.

Mukti: What are they planning now?

Manik: Let's see.

Niyonika saw him as he stepped forward. She sent him a glare followed by a forced smile which Manik knew meant trouble for him, especially after what happened last night. He knew now why Khurana's were here for breakfast today.

Niyonika: Oh, Manik is here.

Manik: What is it?

Another forced smile and warning through her eyes had him rolling his eyes internally. Others watched the scene unfold as they took their seats.

Niyonika: Manik. Son, don't you have anything to say to Veebha?

Manik looked at Veebha who seemed visibly upset. He rolled her eyes, watching hers comically widen at his arrogance.

Manik: No. I don't have anything to say to her.

Niyonika: Manik.

Manik looked up, and so did the others. Manik let out a huge sigh, knowing it would do him no good to rebel right now. He needed to co-operate if he needed that land, at least until he could find a way to get it without marrying Veebha. He turned to Veebha.

Manik: Fine. I am sorry for yesterday.

Veebha: It is okay, Manik. I was just hurt you told me to leave like that.

The nerve of her to act. Manik glared at her at her audacity. If only he could show her what it meant to mess with him.

Manik: You - I am sorry.

He sighed again, clenching and unclenching his fists under the table. He heard Navya ask from the side why he was following all her orders, and he heard Cabir tell her he was stupid.

Manik was indeed stupid.

Raj: Manik -

Niyonika: Raj, it is a matter between the children. I think it is best if we let them talk it out. Don't you think so?

Raj muttered something under his breath before focusing on his food. It was a waste talking to her anyways.

Unknown to them, Nandini had her jaw clenched, even more when she saw Veebha smile in victory as if getting Manik's apology made her a queen.

Nandini: Veebha, Don't you think you are forgetting something?

Veebha looked at her confused and so did Niyonika and her father. Raj and the others smiled.

Veebha: What?

Nandini: Manik told you to leave for a reason. Why don't you tell the elders about it?

Veebha visibly tensed. Niyonika glared at her and so did Mr.Khurana.

Veebha: He was being disrespectful.

Nandini: I don't think making him say sorry like this was respectful. Do you think he respects you more now? You think it makes you a bigger person now that Manik Malhotra has said sorry to you?

Veebha gulped. Nandini smirked because she knew she had seen through her.

Veebha: Listen -

Nandini: You listen. I don't know what you are blackmailing him with that he is doing what you want - but - I do know you were disrespectful to my brother yesterday. I didn't expect you to feel sorry for him, but mocking him for being sick? Now, that was really low of you, don't you think so, Veebha?

Veebha blinked her eyes, not expecting Nandini to say the truth out loud. Others suppressed their smiles because they did expect it.

Veebha: I- I mean -

Nandini nodded her head along.

Nandini: Yeah, you mean? I think you should say sorry to him.

Veebha turned to Abhimanyu without a second thought.

Veebha: I am sorry. I shouldn't have insulted you when you fainted. I didn't know you were sick.

Abhimanyu: It is okay, Veebha. I hope you learn from your mistakes. Making fun of someone's health is not funny, okay?

Veebha nodded, embarrassed. She turned to Manik next, knowing well if she didn't say sorry, Nandini would eat her alive.

Veebha: Sorry, Manik. That was rude of me.

Manik: It's okay.

Manik smiled looking at Nandini who didn't look at him. She took a stand for him, although under the pretence of standing up for her brother, she did it. It made his heart flutter, to see her standing up for him.

Manik grinned heart to heart for the next day and more when he was passing from the corridor and heard Nandini tell Aman.

"Find out what Veebha and her father have on Manik. They are getting on my nerves."

To Be Continued.