I Need You To Be There.... For a little more than Always!!

Part 63:

Abhi: We r siblings....Nandini is my sister!!!

Cabir: Sister?? But aren't u Abhimanyu Thakur??? And she said she was bought up in an orphanage!!

Abhi sighed at his comment and smiled,

Abhi: Yeah... She isn't my sister by blood, but what she is to me is even more than that.... She was not an orphan, she had a family.

All of them were shocked listening that Nandini was not an orphan when Abhi continued,

Abhi: I was 6 yr old when both my parents passed away in a plane crash. My father was a manager at some 5-star hotel. I don't remember much about after the accident, but I do know that I was taken up to a temporary child care as I did not hv any other extended family. I stayed there until I got to know that the owner of that hotel had adopted me. And the next thing I knew I was brought to a very loving family.

But for a 6 yr old, a lot was happening around me and that kinda scared the shit out of me. I had not spoken a word from the time I got to know about my parents death. The couple that adopted me tried a lot to cheer me up, but I guess they failed every time. But it changed eventually....

I clearly remember that day, It had been two days that I had not moved out of the room. I was sitting on my bed staring at the ceiling, with a brown bear which I had got from the child care. I felt a tug on my bear and I turned to a side to find a cute little 4yr old Nandini standing next to my bed. She climbed up on my bed and sat next to me. She asked me in her baby voice if I was sad, but I didn't respond again. I saw her smile fall away on not getting a reply and something in me provoked me as I forwarded my bear to her.

She smiled to her broadest and kissed my cheek, and said,

"Appa also kisses me when I m sad!! Vese toh I never share my chocolate with anyone, but u gave me browny bear, so u can hv this!! "

She forwarded her half eaten chocolate to me and made me eat it. And finally after so long, someone made me smile. Someone called her from downstairs and she immediately got up.

"Amma ko ni batana me idhar aayi thi.... She asked me not to disturb u!! Warna meko pitti padegi..."

And that was it, that particular moment and I feel like something happened that connected us. It connected our hearts together. After that day, I started gelling up in that family, though I talked to no one but Nandini for the first 2-3 months but amma-appa were happy to see me happy.

Never till date, did I ever feel that I wasn't the part of this family. They loved me, as much as they loved Nandini and Rishab.

Manik: Rishab????

Abhi: Nandini's elder brother. He is 2 yrs elder than me. He is like a carbon copy of Appa, the same nature, the same talent, everything, a remarkable businessman in himself. While Nandini, she was born special... She took Appa's business skills as well as Amma's undenying love for Music. Nandini has always been the heart of the family, loved cared and protected by everyone. Rishab and I were like the most possessive brothers when it came to her. Rishab being the sensible one stayed in his limits while I ended up in some or the other fight at school, just if one finger was pointed at her. Amma had a dream to see Nandini as a famous singer and in no time, it became Nandini's dream too. We used to live in London until Appa decided to shift his Main Branch of Hotel to L.A. Nandini was just 15 that time. As soon as we settled down in the city Nandini requested Appa for some Money. And Appa being himself, couldn't possibly say no to his princess....

He didn't tell anyone of us, and simply gave her the amount that she requested and a month later, Nandini dragged all of us to the T.V. room and there is was. Smiling at the T.V. screen, singing out the lyrics as her song was being launched on air for the very first time. All of us where shocked to the core, that was the first time Nandu had hidden something from me.

And then the name flashed "NANZ!!!"

She had got her very first song recorded and it was finally launched out to the world. Appa, amma were the happiest souls alive that day as they showered her with Hugs and kisses!!

Abhi smiled remembering the day with slight tears in her happiness. His eyes clearly showed how proud he felt about it.

Abhi: Appa asked her about the name and she said that she wanted to get success on her own talent and not just bcoz she was His daughter. She wanted to make her own identity and see them proud. She returned Appa the money that she had taken from him. And after this there was no stopping for her, within just a year, she gained immense success. Album after album she kept on going and she became the youngest teen sensation of the country. Nandini wanted to make sure that no one would know her real identity and thus, she bought a new house for herself right next to our Mansion. It was just a front for the world while she continued living with us. She continued her studies through distance learning programs.

Her life revolved around just the five of us, Amma, Appa, Amms(her grandmother), rishab and me. In all, she was the most beautiful, innocent, luckiest and a very very talented girl. But something happened which changed it all.

Amma and Appa passed away in a road accident. Nandini was busy in shooting some of her music video and thus, she didn't come back home for the night. Though it was normal for all of us, but that day Amma had decided that she had to see Nandu any how. She said she was getting some negative vibes and thus, both of them left the house early morning, only to never come back. Amma passed away right on the spot while Appa was rushed to the hospital. Rishab and I reached right on time but then his condition was very serious. All he kept on saying at that time was Nandini's Name. His last words for us, were to take care of his princess...

Abhi's tears flowed down continuously when Mukti entwined her fingers with his. He looked at her on his side when she gave him a slight smile. And then he continued,

Abhi: That day I lost My parents for the second time but along with them I lost My Nandu as well, my Kiddo!... She was no longer the same doll that was mine, she changed. She started blaming her stardom for their death, and all she knew than was revenge.

She became the worst of what she could be. Alcohol, parties, cigarettes, became her best friends. She stopped coming back home and started staying at her place. Conflicts with media, popular personalities became her daily routine. Only thing that still held her up was her Music. She lead her path of self destruction. She distanced herself from all of us and visited us once or twice a week, though I always found some way to get her with me, only to find her missing out always. My Nandu was lost somewhere that girl was just Nanz, a girl with no feelings. She kept on reaching up professionally and lower on herself. The only time when I saw her real self was when she sang.

Manik: Then what made her leave Music!! How is she here??

Abhi looked down with a pained expression listening to him.

Abhi: That dreadful day, it took away that little thing which was left in her. Nandini had just got back from her International Launch, and her team planned for a grand party to her place. She was quite happy, coz somewhere it was the place were Amma had wished to see her. The party was going on in full swing when we all reached. But I still wish to go back and decide to drop the plan of joining the party.

Flashback:

Nandini was roaming all around the Hall attending the guests at the party. Looking breathtakingly beautiful and The smile on her face seemed to glow up the entire place.

She was talking to somewhere as when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and jumped over that person.

Nandini: Abhi... Abhi... Abhi!! I did it! I finally did it....

Abhi: Yes u did... And u rocked the stage kiddo....

Nandini: Don't call me that!! Not here atleast.

Nandini said with a pout making him laugh at which she hit him again,

Nandini: I m Nanz here Abhi, plz remember that tonight!!

Abhi: Ohk ohk now come...

Nandini walked with him and soon they joined Rishab and Anjali, his wife.

Nanz: Bhai... Bhabhi!!

Nandini exclaimed and hugged them.

Rishab: I m proud of u Nandu!!

Nanz: Bhai nandu nhi....

Nandini pouted again.

All of them laughed at it and soon Nandini was called to cut the cake while Abhi, Rishab and Anjali hanged around. Only one or two ppl present at the party knew Nandini's relationship with them and thus, they maintained that image. The three of them were sitting at a table enjoying the party when they overheard Nandini's name at the next table, where two guys were sitting.

Guy1: Damn Man... Nanz... She is Hot!! Smoking hot...

Guy2: True!!! Just one look at her and desires can erupt even in dead people.

Abhi and Rishab clenched their fists and were about to get up but Anjali stopped them both.

Guy1: I m Just imagining how would it be to have this girl all by myself. Just me and her and my bed...

This made both of them even more angry and rishab got up to go ahead when something stopped him as he heard the other guy say,

Guy2: Well... U keep on imagining!! I don't need that... I hv already had her and I can do so again whenever I wish to...

Guy1: What do u mean??

Guy2: Come on... U know how it goes?? She was drunk at a club with just my company, how do u expect me to let go a trip like this so high dry.

Both the guys bursted out laughing as they gulped their drinks, abhi moved forward to beat the shit out of them when Rishab grabbed his hand.

Rishab: Go to Nandu's room!

Abhi: Rishab, I m not letting them go

Abhi said in anger only to get cut off by rishab again.

Rishab: Just do as I say...

With this abhi stormed upstairs to Nandini's room while Rishab went on to the other side of the hall where Nandini was standing talking to some producers. He went towards her and grabbed her hand pulling her with him without saying a word.

Nanz: What the hell?? Leave me!!

Rishab: Don't make a scene and come...

Rishab grabbed her hand even more tightly and pulled her upstairs with him as Anjali followed them avoiding all the eyes over Nanz.

They entered the room and Rishab pushed Nandini with a jerk. Nandini maintained her balance and stood straight as she looked at his finger marks on her wrist. Her anger reached up and she shouted.

Nanz: What the hell Bhai.... Kya tha ye?? How can u just force me like this, that too in front of all my guests?

Rishab: Why hv u become so a big celebrity that now I need to take a written appointment to meet u??

Nandini(shouted): What r u saying???

Rishab: U know what... Today I m ashamed to call u my sister Nandini!! This is not Nandini, this is not Appa's Nandu.... This could never be her.... All u r now is NANZ... Bcoz the Nandini that I knew could never stoop so low...

Nandini was shocked at his words as tears erupted in her eyes immediately,

Nandini: Bhai...

Rishab: Don't... Don't u dare call me bhai. U r not Nandu, coz the Nandu that I knew would never break Amma-Appa's trust. She would do anything but not do anything to hurt them. The Nandu that I knew would not be this girl, who is always high on alcohol, smoke or I don't know even drugs as the newspapers claim. She would never go around SLEEPING with Random guys in the influence of alcohol!!

Nandini gasped at his words and moved her steps back when Abhi shouted.

Abhi: RISHAB.... Have u lost it?? Do u even know what u r saying?? How can u believe them?

Rishab: Ohh come on Abhi... Wake up!! Look at her, this is not out Nandu.... This is someone else!! Right?

Nandini cried hard listening to his words and fell on her knees.

Nandini: Bhai... Bhai... I don't know what r u talking about?? Plz believe me... I hv no idea what r u saying!!!

Rishab: Ohh shut up.... No one here is gonna believe ur tears now!!

Abhi sat down next to Nandini and pulled her into him for a hug as she cried harder and he shouted at Rishab.

Abhi: Rishab shut up.... Stop all this!! That jerk just kept on lying and instead of nandu, u r believing him!! This is our nandu, ur Nandu, ur sister!!!

Rishab: I lost my sister the same day when I lost my Parents BCOZ OF HER.....

As soon as the words escaped his mouth, Abhi felt Nandini's cries stop. She immediately broke the hug and looked up at Rishab, still sitting on the ground in shock.

Rishab: Yes.... U were the reason for their death. All u cared about was ur fucking fame.... Huh, u didn't even care enough to be there when he was dying in that hospital calling out ur name continuously. U KILLED THEM NANZ.... U DID IT!!!

Abhi: RISHAB.....

Abhi was about to slap Rishab for his words when Nandini held his hand. Abhi turned back towards her to find her blank face with dried tears.

Nandini: I m sry for YOUR PARENTS death Mr. Rishab Moorthy, I wish I could go back and exchange my place with thiers. But I can't.... I m sry for ur loss!!

Rishab turned his face to the other side after giving her a disgusted look. Nandini kept her face straight and then said,

Nandini: I would appreciate it if u vacate my room for now!!

Rishab gave her another look and then turned around and left as Anjali followed him trying to explain him.

Abhi: Nandu-

Nandini: U too Abhimanyu!!

Nandini said sternly holding the gate open for him. Abhi looked at her face for sometime trying to gauge her feelings but found it blank as she moved out.

He walked down the stairs and was about to move out of the house when he saw Nandini appear on the top of the stairs as she shouted,

Nandini: Is everyone Enjoying the party???

The crowd cheered up at her when she again shouted,

Nandini: Good... Coz now u won't enjoy it anymore!! The party is over ppl..... I want my property empty within the next five minutes...

A continuous buzz started in the hall as the press focused over Nandini's face. She waited for ppl to move, but seeing no one getting out she shouted again.

Nandini: GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE EVERYONE..... NOW!!!

This finally made everyone leave and the next day's headlines were already known to Abhi. He too left as Nandini threw out all the servants out as well, locking herself alone in the Mansion.

The entire night passed by and Abhi kept on trying to reach Nandini but failed. As soon the sun rose, he went up through the pipe somehow and jumped into her balcony to find her normally sitting on her bed. Nothing seemed weird in her other than her red blood shot eyes.

Abhi: Nandu... R u fine??

Nandini sighed listening to his voice and gave him a small smile,

Nandini: Abhi... Relax!! U didn't hv to climb the pipe there is a door bell.

Abhi sighed listening to her and cupped her face.

Abhi: R u sure?

Nandini: Yes... But now I hv to go somewhere so go back home and u too get ready for work okay!!!

Abhi thought over it for a minute and then went out leaving her there. Thinking to meet her that evening. But as soon as he reached office, he got to know about a very important meeting in London and Unfortunately, he flew there for three days. Not knowing that it would be the decision which he would regret all his life....

Flashback ends....

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I left her alone that day, least did I know that it was the last time I would see her. By the time I returned she had Left.....

Everyone took it lightly as we knew that she goes on different concerts randomly like this. Untill the day when her Manager came to me telling me how she gave off all her u commitments and paid off her team. We rushed to her place only to find a few papers on her bed in which she had transfered all the property that Appa left for her on our names equally. She denoted everything she had got out of her own earnings and left the house, stating to sell it and denote the money. Rishab and I searched all over the place for some letter but all she left was a note on her wall....

"IF I KILLED THEM.... THEN REMEMBER THAT U KILLED ME!!!"

The news spread out for her disappearing and police suspected the note to be a Suicide statement. Everyone agreed with the saying, but somewhere down the line, I knew that she was alive. I know she was somewhere out there and I started searching for her.

Around 6 months later, I received an anonymous letter at work. She finally sent me a letter. Though it was a very professional letter with just 5 lines, but that thing gave me hope.

"I know I hv hurt u Abhi, but I can't even say sorry at this coz I m not returning. I had decided to never contact anyone of u, but I couldn't stop myself today. This is just to tell u, that I m alive and today, I m starting a new life for myself. I hv got a job, just thought to share with u. Plz stop searching me Abhi and accept the thing that everyone believes. U hv a swear on me that u will destroy this letter once u read it and just remember one thing, no matter what, there is someone somewhere who Loves u much much much more than her own Life.

Yours.... N.."

That letter was something that gave me a mixed feeling. Happy, coz I knew she was fine and sad, coz I still didn't get her back.

Manik had tears in his eyes as Abhi finished. He could not even imagine all of this that abhi just told him. Anger bursted in his veins for her brother Rishab for treating Nandini in that way. He didn't trust her for even once. But then his own words from the hospital rang in his head.

" He didn't trust her back then and I didn't trust her here....."

Manik thought to himself when Abhi's words got him back.

Abhi: I got to know what the letter was posted here in Mumbai and I shifted my business here to find her. But she did her best to hide her identity. It took me very long.... Until that day when I saw her about 4 years with u all.

She slapped me for calling her Nanz... She had changed, the girl that I saw here was someone new. Someone who was very strong headed, someone who had learnt too much from her past. I missed my old innocent Nandu until I saw her talking about u. Just ur name, and she was Back. She was herself when it came to u. I soon realised that now her life revolved only and only around you. The tantrums that she showed over us, were what she now showed to u. She loves u like she had never loved anyone in her entire life.

Manik...... She did not leave this time bcoz of what u said. She was shattered before u!! Your love healed her up and got her pieces back together. Somewhere down the line your words just took her back to square one, it reminded her of that time. And I know, only u can get her back together and heal her. Otherwise my Nandu will break down, she will have nothing left with her!!

Manik shook his head in a No and closed his eyes,

Manik: No..... Not this time Abhi!!! I will not let her run away this time. I will get her back and thats my promise to u.....

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Finally.....

Nandini's past out and clear!!!

What do u think guys..... How was it??? I hope I didn't disappoint u all!!😉😉😉

But still no Nandini's pov yet.... Don't worry its right on its way by the next chapter.!!

And yes..... A big big big Thanks to all of You!!! This Story just reached 500k views.... I can't express my happiness in words ppl.... Thank u very much😍😍😘😘😘

Love

-Navya..