Time passed really very soon. The music competition was after two days. The teams had reached and Nandini personally met them. All were quite busy with the preparations that they hardly got time to talk or fight.

At present, Nandini was in her office when she called Fab5 asking them to meet her. After five minutes she heard the knock on the door and asked them to come inside.

Fab5 walked inside together and they all sat infront of her. Manik was about to speak but before him Aliya started.

Aliya: Di-

Nandini didn't let her speak further and interrupted in between.

Nandini: Ma'am, It is Ma'am for you all when we are in office. You are here for work purpose so let's keep it completely professional.

She smirked at the end seeing Aliya clenching her fist with a hard glare. Rage filled inside her but soon it changed into attitude and she battled her eyelashes innocently.

Aliya: Is Miss.Murty fine?

Nandini: No. NM would do

Her blunt answer left Aliya a little shocked and she didn't argue further. They silently nodded their head. Nandini changed the topic seeing the conversation going in another direction.

Nandini: So, As you all know that the completion is after two days. I want you guys to shift in the hotel where others teams are going to stay.

Manik: But We can stay in Murty mansion also. What is the problem in that?

Manik was confused. He forget the fight he witnessed on their first day in Murty Mansion otherwise he wouldn't have asked her this question. He thought she was doing it to show Aliya that she was superior to her and that somehow felt wrong.

Nandini: You can't, Mr.Malhotra. For me, all the teams are equal and all will get same treatment. You people are no special to me that I break my rules for you.

Manik stared at her, not liking the way she was talking but then, he couldn't point it out. Disappointed, he turned his face to the other side and everyone seemed to realize this. Seeing this, Cabir decided to interrupt.

Cabir: As you say, Ma'am.

Nandini nodded and dismissed them. She had seen the disappointment on Manik's face and somewhere it mattered to her. However, she decided not to pay attention to him. Fab5 left from there silently and she too started doing her work.

The next two days passed in jiffy and it was the day of competition. Fab5 had already shifted to the hotel as Nandini asked them to. Shelika was not at all happy with this. She didn't like the way Nandini asked them to move out but she couldn't point out. And then even Harshad told her not to interfere in Nandini's work. She was very much disappointed but as always she had no other choice but to accept Nandini's decision.

Since today was the competition, the preparations were on full mode. Every team was given a jam room of their own to avoid any type of conflicts. The teams were busy practicing.

Even though, In all these days fab5 were fully busy with their practice still Manik's curiousity was increasing to know about Nandini's past. He desperately wanted to know what made her so heartless. She cared for none. She did actually but never let anyone know. She was rude and arrogant but she made sure not to hurt any innocent and she very conveniently hide it. However, his friends did sense his weird behaviour but they wanted to give him his space. They knew he will share once he felt like.

Somehow they had am idea that he was hiding something from them and it was truth though. He had actually started feeling for her, for her attitude and her passion and the fun part was even he was aware of it. And as much as disturbing it was, it filled him with an unknown peace.

Nandini was Aliya's step sister who didn't share a good bond with her. She was rude, she was arrogant and she spoke without caring how the other person would take it but then, she also helped the little child on the road three days back when she was going back home and Manik's car was behind. She also asked the watchman to eat his food on time when she came to know he fainted. He had heard it from some employees in the office.

For every one reason not to fall for her, she gave him two reasons fall for her.

Fab4 were unknown to all this. They didn't knew about his feelings. However, they did noticed Nandini's changed behavior from the past two days. She looked disturbed and restless all the time. She never came for meals. Neither did she make any conversation with them on any topic. She passed her messages through Abhi or Aman. They even asked Abhi but he also seemed to be clueless about it.

Green Room, NHA Music Labels

Fab5 were present there and were discussing something when they noticed Aliya lost in her thoughts. They looked at each other and then at her. Mukti patted her shoulder and this made Aliya come out of her thoughts. She looked at them and sighed.

Aliya: Guys! after this competition we have to solve all the mystery. It is getting into my head now.

Mukti: Yes but for that we have to win because then only we can stay in Murty Mansion.

Manik: We will surely win Mukti

Cabir: Yes! Because Fab5 never loses!

Dhruv: Exactly, Guys, A group hug?

Everyone smiled and shared a group gup. They broke the hug after few seconds and looked at each other with determined faces.

On the other hand, the competition had already started and with each passing second Nandini's restlessness was increasing. She was not at all feeling well. She could sense something was going to happen. Something was not fine.

Each and every team gave their best performance that at one point it became difficult for the judges to select the top three.

Fab5, Rockers, Tiggers Were the three teams selected for the final round.

There was still some time to start the final round. Fab5 were going to the green room when they heard something which confused them.

They saw one of the selected team, Rockers talking among themselves. Rockers had two girls and two boys in their group.

Ajay: Guys! I am so happy that we got selected for Top 3. We are going to win for sure.

Sanjana: Ajay, don't get too much happy. We are just selected for the final round. We have not won yet.

Arun: Chill, Sanju! They are not Black Shinners that they will defeat us very easily.

Preeti: Arun, Who are black shinners?

Sanjana, Arun and Ajay looked at her wide-eyed while Fab5 were more confused now. They walked towards them them and asked the same question..

Arun: Gosh! You guys don't know Black Shinners? They were the most popular band of Newyork. Even though they don't sing now but still they rule Newyork.

Dhruv: What do you mean by they were? Why don't they sing now?

Arun looked at them and then shrugged.

Arun: No yaar they just disappeared before 2 years. Nobody knows where they are or what happened to them.

Ajay: Yes and I have even heard that one of their member died in an accident.

Sanjana: You know they were just perfect. No one has ever seen their face. Even their names are not known to people. They were just known as Black Shinners.

Unknown to them Abhi was also listening to their conversation and and he looked angry as he came near them.

Abhi: What are you all talking about?

Aliya: Actually we were going to the green room bhai.

Abhi: Okay, That's fine. You guys go and yes Don't mention about Black Shinners to anyone.

Rockers nodded and left talking to each other while Fab5 were not ready to let go of the matter.

Manik: but why Abhi?

Abhi looked at him then at everyone and again at him.

Abhi: That's none of your buisness guys! Stay away from this topic.

Fab5 nodded and went from there as the final round was going to start.

On Stage

First was Rockers turn and they really rocked it. Both the performance were amazing. And soon it was Fab5's turn. They sang their special song on friendship.

All were lost in their song. Even Nandini was lost and her eyes were moist and same was with Abhi.

Fab5 noticed this and they felt bad for them but even they couldn't do anything as they were totally unaware of the matter. Abhi didn't even want them to know of this.

The Song ended and the whole auditorium was filled with the loud sound of claps which indicate their success.

Fab5 smiled widely and shared a group hug. After few seconds they broke the hug and left the stage.

After half an hour the results were ready and the host come on the stage.

Host: so the results are ready. First of all, I would like to say something to all the participants. Guys! your performances were really a pleasure to listen to all of us but as we all know the competition was very tough it was difficult for us to choose the one out of fifteen bands. With these fifteen fantastic entries, the choice was tough one. practicularly amongst the top three. but as always the winner is one. So, I would like to request NM to come on the stage and announce the winner team..

Everyone clapped and Nandini come on the stage.

Nandini: First, Thanks to all of you to came here and became a part of this competition. It was great journey and the judges have selected the winner. So, We are pleased to announce that the winner are Fab5!

And with this announcement the whole auditorium got filled with loud claps and cheering sounds. Fab5 were very much happy.

Nandini: My hearty congratulations to the Fab5. Rockers and Tiggers and all the other teams you guys were also great and trust me next one is your number. So better luck next time. Fab5, please come on the stage.

The five looked at each other smiling brightly and climbed the stage.

Nandini looked at them while giving them their trophy and congratulated them as a formality. After getting off from the stage Abhi also congratulated them and hugged Aliya tightly.

After sometime everyone left. Now there were only Nandini, Abhi and Fab5 present.

Nandini was going towards the exit when she heard a voice which literally shocked her. Her eyes were wide and her mouth open.

Voice: Bhai!

However, she composed herself and wiped the tears which flowed down her eyes without her knowledge. She turned around with blank expressions. Even Abhi was shocked. Aliya looked at the person, happy while Fab4 were confused.

Nandini: Navya!

Nobody heard her whisper but noticed her shocked expression.

Navya looked at Nandini with so much disgust and hate in her eyes, that they all were left shocked.

Navya: Shocked? The girl who never wanted to see your face is at your door today. But don't worry, I am not here for you because certainly you are not worth of my time.

Nandini composed herself hearing her and replied sternly.

Nandini: What are you doing here?

Navya: Why? Didn't you like my surprise?

Nandini: There's nothing like that

Navya: You don't have to pretend, Nandini. I know you well.

Saying this Navya turned towards Abhi who was still shocked. She ran towards him confusing the four even more.

Navya: Bhai, please come back home

Mukti, Manik and Dhruv looked at Aliya who nodded, confirming that indeed Navya was Abhi's sister.

Abhi: Which home Navya? And whose's home?

Navya: Your home bhai! Our home.

Abhi: I don't have any home, Navya. You shouldn't have come here.

Navya: Why Bhai!? Why? For this girl you are declining to come back, right?

Navya looked at Nandini with fire in her eyes while Nandini was just standing silently controling her emotions.

Abhi: Navya! Are you even hearing yourself!

Navya flinched at his loud voice and wiped her tears harshly.

Navya: Why!? What wrong did I say hah? Because of her you are away from your own home, your own family. Your sister bhai! Your own sister!

Abhi: Enough! Enough is Enough! Just go back, Navya! Why did you even came here?

Navya: F-For you Bhai!

Her voice chocked and even though it broke Abhi's heart, he kept on a straight face.

Abhi: I am not coming!

Giving her a firm stern stare, Abhi started walking out. He was near the exit when Navya's words stopped him in the mid.

Navya: Even if I say your buddy is dying bhai!

To Be Continued.