Nandini was in her study. It was a late hour of the day and everyone had already retired to their rooms to sleep or at least that was what she thought until there was a knock at her door.

Nandini: Yes, Come in.

It was Cabir. Nandini was slightly taken aback to find him there. The last time she remembered them talking was when he helped her and Manik talk on a video call.

Cabir: Can I come in now that you have seen my face?

Nandini rolled her eyes at him at his humour and he grinned widely.

Nandini: You are already in, Cabir.

Cabir laughed at her dry response. Right, he was already in, so he might just walk ahead and sit there on the empty chair. That was exactly what he did. Nandini didn't even stop him because she knew he held the energy to convince her with hundred reasons why he should sit there right now.

Nandini continued to do her work while Cabir sat there silently playing games on his phone on high volume. If Nandini was getting disturbed due to it, she said nothing to him.

Cabir: We bonded really well you know.

He said all of the sudden. Nandini stopped but didn't look up.

Nandini: Cabir - if you are here to talk about Manik and me, I am going to ask you to leave.

Cabir chuckled, keeping his phone down and sitting properly, facing her.

Cabir: Wow, you both started speaking alike too now.

Nandini frowned. Did Manik refuse to talk about them? Why? And then, she saw a creepy smile taking over Cabir's face. Nandini glared at him for teasing her, of course Manik would never do that.

Nandini: Are you not scared of me?

Cabir: No why? Are you a ghost?

Nandini only stared at him with a frown.

Cabir: Only ghosts scare me, that's why.

Nandini: You are such a dramabaaz!

She shook her head and unknowingly a smile came over her face. However, Cabir laughed out loud confusing her further.

Cabir: It is Dramebaaz! Your hindi sucks.

Nandini rolled her eyes, not getting offended really. She shook her head and watched him smile.

Nandini: Tell me what it is?

Cabir: It is night, and it is 12:40 right now and in a few hours -

Nandini: Cabir!

Cabir: Why won't you forgive Harshad?

Nandini stopped, looking at him to make sure she heard right. When she was sure she did hear right, she looked away with bitterness clear on her face.

Nandini: I will never forgive him.

Cabir: Why?

Nandini: Because -

Nandini went silent suddenly, feeling a figure stand at the door and she turned to it abruptly. Cabir said nothing as she narrowed her eyes. There was someone. And there, she caught the hand and bracelet. Manik. Did he send Cabir over? Why was he hiding?

Cabir: Nandini?

Nandini turned to him, mind still stuck to the door and she saw him smile again.

Nandini: Cabir - do you know why all my friends are older than me?

Cabir: Why?

Nandini: Because kids of my age didn't like me. They were children, they didn't know any better. They would call me names, a bad omen, cursed because my mother died when I was born and then my father died too. I have always had only Harshad bhai from the start.

Cabir: How did you meet Abhimanyu?

Nandini smiled to his surprise. It was a fond memory she had.

Nandini: We met at an orphanage. He was a grumpy kid and I called him bhai. He even jerked my hand you know? I fell down and started crying.

Cabir: No way! He will die but hurt you!

Nandini laughed, shaking her head.

Nandini: I know but he had his own problems. You know when I fell down and cried, I expected him to make fun of me like others but he never did. He helped me, cleaned my wound and he became friends with me. He was the first friend I made.

Cabir: Wow. I understand now why he is so special.

Nandini: He had always been there for me, Cabir. But you know, they say na - blood is thicker than water. So when all this fiasco happened, I expected the most from Harshad bhai. I thought no matter what others may think of me, he would know I couldn't have done that. But he failed me. He called me a bad omen, a bad luck. Every time I look at his face, it is all I can hear. Hatred, bitterness is all I can see. I can't help it.

Cabir: I understand. You do know you don't have to forgive him, right? You can stay angry for as long as you want. The only reason we ask you to do so is to let go of your past. Your past is like a chain that only binds you, Nandini. It will keep hurting you until you break them off.

Nandini: I - I will think about it.

Cabir: Take your time. I am no one to suggest you, Nandini. But in that little time when we bonded, I have always wished good for you. I hope you know that.

Nandini nodded. She did remember everything.

Cabir: Okay- enough of emotional talks, let's talk about Manik now.

Nandini: What about him? And No Cabir that was not smooth at all.

Cabir made a bad face, clearing his throat and sat straight.

Cabir: Are you going to let him marry Veebha?

Nandini eyed the door. She was sure Manik was still there and the no that was on the tip of her tongue - she gulped it down. She instead shrugged.

Nandini: If he wants too, I can't stop him.

Cabir: Nandini, they clearly have something on him. Veebha is a witch.

Nandini knew. Her assistant was on the task already to find what it was. But then, she didn't want to give Manik false hope. She just did not want him to marry a woman like Veebha.

Nandini: I don't want to talk about him, Cabir. Me and Manik - we are done. He is getting married.

Cabir sighed, but nodded his head. Wishing her good night, he walked out of the study room and shook his head at the disheartened Manik standing there.

Manik had hoped she would open up to Cabir but guess, he was wrong.

___

The next day, everyone gathered at the breakfast table. The engagement was to be done in a few days and today was the Roka ceremony. Guests had started pouring in. Mukti's parents were supposed to each in an hour while Sid's father who was supposed to do rituals from Abhi's side was already there.

They all ate silently except for Nandini, Sid and Mr.Kapoor who were chatting among themselves. They all had seen Nandini being rude, then childlike but seeing her now talking to Siddharth's father so fondly, with such a respectable gaze was like meeting a whole different Nandini.

She had so much to say and both men heard her with patience. Unknown to himself, Manik stared at her to his heart's content. Until, Nandini turned to him abruptly and he fumbled with the cutlery. Laughter erupted from behind and he heard someone try to explain to Siddharth's father about the whole situation.

The happy moments were interrupted by Veebha and her father as they walked into the mansion. Veebha looked so ecstatic seeing them all, Nandini rolled her eyes as she stood up. Nobody said anything as she walked away. However, when she stopped a few steps away, they all except Harshad looked at her curious.

Nandini: Bhai, Can you help me with something?

She was looking at Harshad who had no idea of it. They looked at her shocked and surprised. Madhyam nudged Harshad who frowned and stared at him with a what-do-you-want face. He gestured to her to look at Nandini and when he did, he frowned more. Was she talking to him?

Harshad: Y- You need my help?

Nandini only nodded and she gasped in surprise at the speed he stood up with. He had not even finished eating and he didn't care. Nandini's eyes softened as he walked to her.

Harshad: A- Are you sure?

Nandini nodded again.

Nandini: I asked you, bhai.

Harshad nodded, tears welled up in his eyes and before he knew he was hugging her in the middle of all. She could hear Veebha taunt them from behind but Nandini didn't even have any energy to spare her today. She just looked at her brother who radiated such happiness and relief only because she talked to him.

Harshad: Come, I mean I will help you. Let's go upstairs and tell me what it is.

Nandini again only nodded with a smile. She did look back at Cabir and mouthed a thank-you for the last night. Cabir in return gave her a thumbs up.
_____

Harshad: So you want to know what Khurana's have on Manik to make him agree to their orders that day?

Nandini: Yes. As much as I know, Manik wouldn't apologize like that without any fault of his.

Harshad fell silent, thinking.

Nandini: I asked Aman to get me the information but he has not been able to do anything from there.

Harshad: I think I know what it is?

Nandini's whole face lit up in happiness as she stared at him.

Nandini: What?

Harshad: I am not sure but I heard Manik and Raj uncle talking one time. They were talking about some land. I walked away because I didn't want to eavesdrop.

Nandini: Land? Manik never mentioned anything like that to me.

Harshad: There must be a reason if he didn't. I will find what I can.

Nandini nodded and Harshad's eyes softened.

Harshad: Do you still love him? Manik?

Nandini didn't reply and Harshad didn't need one to know her answer. It was all over her face.

The Roka ceremony was held in the evening. The guests were all in and the hall was decorated. Manik and Veebha sat side by side like Mukti and Abhimanyu who sat on the adjacent couch.

The rituals were done for Abhimanyu and Mukti first considering Abhimanyu was older than Manik. The same followed for Manik and Veebha. While Veebha rejoiced at the Roka being done, Manik stared at Nandini instead who didn't dare to look at him.

He was about to walk to her when Veebha suddenly came in front of him with a wide grin on her face.

Veebha: Manik, dance with me?

Manik should have said no, but he couldn't with so many eyes so he accepted her hand. They moved to the center, where Abhimanyu and Mukti were dancing already.

Veebha: Manik, why do you not look happy?

Manik: Because I am not?

Veebha: Why are you marrying me then?

Manik: As if you don't know. I need that land, Veebha. And I trust Nandini, she won't let this marriage happen.

Veebha fumed in anger hearing him. In rage, she didn't see where she was stepping and stumbled. She expected Manik to hold her but he didn't and there, she fell down with a loud thud.

Manik didn't even offer her a hand, he stepped back instead and buttoned his blazer.

Manik: Next time learn how to dance before you ask someone.

The hall erupted up into loud laughter even as she stood up. Veebha's face turned red in embarrassment, humiliation and anger. It only worsened when her eyes fell on Nandini standing at the side - controlling her laugh and she got even more angry.

Veebha: Laugh as much as you want, Nandini. I will make you cry soon.

With that, she stormed off the dance floor.