The next day, Fab5 were up early than usual. They all wanted to know the mysteries around them. Though, they said it was because of Aliya, but they all knew somewhere, it was for they felt something was wrong.

After freshening up, they came downstairs only to see Nandini sitting on the dining table alone eating her breakfast. They all went and settled on the chairs. That's when they noticed a bandage on her right hand. Her full hand was bandaged with a red patch on her palm. They all looked at each other and then again at her. Feeling so many gazes on herself, Nandini looked up only to find them staring at her rather than at her hand. She sighed and it caused them to look away.

Nandini: What? Why are you guys looking at me like that?

Though she didn't shout, but her tone wasn't polite either.

Manik looked at others and they were silent. Knowing no one will speak, he decided to answer her.

Manik: Nothing. We were just seeing the bandage.

He paused, gazing at her hand and Nandini noticed it.

Manik: What happened to your hand? Are you okay?

He looked up and at the same time she looked away. Seeing her avoiding Manik's question, Aliya spoke.

Aliya: Di, What happened to your hand?

Nandini looked amused at the concern that dripped from Aliya's hand. She chuckled confusing them.

Nandini: Woah! What am I hearing? You are concerned for me. Wait, is there something special today, or do you like your mother want to stay here during the competition?

Aliya: I just wanted to know, di. You don't have to be so rude always. I never intented to cheat, Fab5 are loyal when it comes to their work.

Nandini didn't answer and started working on her laptop again. She was facing a little difficulty in typing due to her bandage and it made her feel irritated. Fab5 were looking down at their plates but still their whole attention was on Nandini.

Manik didn't know why she attracted him so much. First, her eyes were so capative and now, even a mere injury on her hand was worrying him. It has never happened before. He always stayed away from girls. They all were clingy and he always hated the way they fell for his looks and money but this time, it was different. He was developing a soft corner for Nandini without even his own knowledge.

He didn't know why but there was a strange feeling in his heart, that said he was going to get more than an album by the end.

However, Nandini removed her bandage from her hand since she wasn't able to work with it. They all saw the condition of her hand which was extremely bad. Aliya and Mukti instantly looked away while Dhruv pushed his plate away seeing her blood filled hand. Manik's eyes soften seeing her face scrunched up in pain and discomfort.

Flashback

When Nandini reached her room, she was literally breathing fire. She paced around her room trying to calm her raging breathe. She very well knew whom she had slapped. He was the most important person in her life. The one who could die and kill anyone for her and the same for her.

He is still that important for her. Her love didn't change for him. She just stopped showing him.

Her eyes fell on the glass which was kept on the side table in her room. It was empty. She just picked it up in her hand and remembered the moment she slapped him. She pressed it hard, breaking it into pieces. The glass pieces pierced her hand making it bleed but she wasn't satisfied. She removed the pieces brutally and opened the drawer, kept her hand on the edge and closed it with a thud.

A whimper left her lips as she closed the eyes to feel the pain. It was nothing, he had probably felt more pain when she slapped it. It was all she deserved, the pain and hurt yet he took it without a word.

Flashback Ends.

They all looked at Mukti who remembered Abhi's words when he said that you will come to know tomorrow wheather she loves him or not. Nandini's messed up hand left no room for doubt and they realized it was more messier than they had thought.

They all were busy in their thoughts when Nandini called out for the servant loudly. They composed themselves, trying their best not to look at her.

Nandini: Ben! Ben! Where the hell are you!? Ben!

Ben came running towards her and stood there bowing his head. He was scared and they could sense it with one look of his face.

Ben: Y-Yes Ma'am.

Nandini: I told you to clean my room. Is it done?

Ben's face became pale. He really forget to clean her room but to escape from her anger he decided not to tell the truth.

Ben: Y-Yes Mam. I did.

Nandini looked at him with stern face.

Nandini: You are fired. I hate liars.

Ben looked at her with wide eyes. He instantly nodded in no and started pleading.

Raju: No mam! please, Don't fire me. I need this job.

Nandini: Get lost from here. Tell Betty (The head servant) to give you your salary.

Ben: Mam, Please don't do this. I need this job for my sister. Her future is dependent on my salary.

Manik so wanted to interrupt and save the poor servant who was shivering in fear and his face told how much he needed this job. He was about to say something but Nandini spoke before he could.

Nandini: Okay! Last chance. One mistake and you will be fired. Today your sister saved you.

Ben nodded and wiped his tears. He went back to do his work while Nandini again got busy in her laptop but was again disturbed by someone.

Nandini turned around and saw Abhimanyu standing there with a file.

Seeing him she was a little shocked and immediately hid her hand which was noticed by Fab5 as well as Abhimanyu.

He walked towards them and chuckled knowing her well.

Abhi: No need to hide. I know what you must have done with your hand.

Nandini ignored his comment and asked with a straight face.

Nandini: Why are you here?

Abhi sighed and handed her the file.

Abhi: I need your signatures on these files

Nandini: You should have send Aman.

Abhi: Yes but I preferred coming myself and more over I have to discuss something about the music competition. It is important.

Nandini: Okay

She took the file, went through it for once before signing it. She looked at Abhi who was looking at her with hurt expressions.

Abhi: You think I will cheat you on professional bases?

Nandini: I am the owner and it- I can't make mistakes.

Nandini wanted to say it was him who taught her not to sign any papers without reading, no matter how important the person is.

And even though Abhi understood it was just she did her work with responsibility but still her act had him remembering the past where she will sign the papers without even asking what it was about, let alone reading them.

Aliya who noticed him silently standing couldn't stop herself but ask.

Aliya: Bhai, come sit na. Have breakfast with us.

Abhi was going to deny but before him Nandini looked up at Aliya and denied.

Nandini: Aliya, I understand you care for your friend but at present he is my manager. You do your breakfast, he is already done.

She concentrated on the word "friend" which was noticed by all of them. Nandini was extremely possessive for her closed ones and Abhi, he was always extra special for her. All this while Abhi had a small smile playing on his lips even though he was a little hurt for she declined him to do breakfast there.

Nandini started reading the papers. That was when Abhi noticed her hand and seeing its condition he gasped in shock. A drop of tear fell down from his eye. He hurriedly held her hand while she was silent since she was expecting this reaction.

Abhi: What have you done, Barbie!?

Her eyes snapped in his direction and she closed them for a second. Composing herself she looked down.

Nandini: None of your buisness.

Abhi: Fine! but please Don't leave it open like this. Atleast bandage it.

Nandini: Like I said it is none of your business. You need my signatures, give me the pen. I will do it.

Abhi: but-

Nandini: Pen?

Abhi gave her the pen and she signed it hurriedly.

Nandini: Here. Take it and you wait in living room. I am coming.

Saying so she stood up and started climbing the stairs to go to her room while Fab5 walked towards Abhi whose eyes were blood red. His breathing was a little harsh.

Aliya: Bhai

Abhi looked towards her and shook his head. He wanted to smile at her to assure her he was fine but somehow the smile refused to make its way on his lips. All he could remember was his Barbie's blood filled hand.

Abhi: Mukti, You said she doesn't love me but Did you see her hand's condition? She punished herself for slapping me and in the worst way!

Mukti just nodded her head not knowing what to say. Infact, they all were speechless. They never thought Nandini will do something like this with her hand.

Dhruv: You really mean a lot to her.

Abhi: I do

Aliya: Bhai where are the others?

Abhi clenched his fist hearing her which didn't go unnoticed by them.

Abhi: Aliya, stop it! Don't bring up the past

Manik: but why?

Abhi: Manik, whatever happened in the past was not good. It broke all of us and it effected Nandini and Harshad the most. I don't want to remember it again.

Cabir: But Abhi, Don't you think you should solve everything? I mean you people love each other so much. She just bruised her hand in a worst way possible for you and you, you are working as a manager in her company leaving your own leading company. You care for each other so much. Then why this distance. Solve everything and get back to normal.

Abhi: I wish it was as easy as it sounded, Cabir. There are wounds which are still fresh, still bleeding and nobody can treat them.

Mukti: You are wrong, Abhi. Love can cure the wounds of past.

Dhruv: Mukti is right, Abhi. You should give yourself another chance.

Aliya: Yes Bhai. I can't see you and Harshad bhai suffering. Please tell us where are they

Abhi: I really don't know, Aliya. I am not contact with them.

Manik: Is it that serious, Abhi?

Abhi: Trust me, Manik. It is beyond your understanding. Even we don't know what and how it went wrong. Leave it, guys. I have to go now, have to dicuss something very important with Barbie

Bidding bye to each other Abhi settled himself on the couch in the living room waiting for Nandini.

After sometime Nandini came down and they got busy in their work.

To Be Continued.