SECRETS.....

NANDINI'S POV
After sometime, I don't know how much, we detached from each other only, when I got a text from Navya. She said she was sorry and wanted to talk. Manik put some distance between us, while I read the message.
"All okay?" He asked
"Yeah. Navya wants to talk." I don't why I gave him that information.
"Let's go then." He said and we started walking.

Navya and Cabir were waiting for us. As soon as I went Cabir excused himself  and took Manik with him. It was just me and Navya now and there was tense awkward air all around us.
I knew she wanted to apologize and couldn't, it wasn't our first fight but ya it was the first time she crossed the line. I just gave her a side hug and she turned towards me and hugged me and started blabbering, in classic Navya's way," I'm sorry Nandu. I don't what came over me. I shouldn't have said that. I know what you have been through. I just may be got too paranoid about me and Cabir. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. And you know what, boys can tag along if they want." I told her.
"Are you just saying this because you feel guilty?" She asked pulling away from me and looking me in the eye.

"Yes, No, I don't know Navya but one thing is for sure, you guys shouldn't stop having a life because I have a messed up one." I replied back.

"I really am sorry Nandu. I swear I didn't mean any of it. You know I can never intentionally hurt you." She said in a small voice.
" Hey, relax okay? It's not about you. It's
just that, I don't know, this trip was supposed to be a fresh start but it isn't.  I have this whole baggage again which just doesn't go. Just think, this trip too is burdened with my problems and I just keep dragging you into my mess. I'm sorry." I hugged her and cried. What is it with my tears today.

She just hugged me back and kept soothing me. After some time, when I was a bit okay, she told, " It's time to let go of the past Nandu. You can't just stop living because something happened in the past. And I know this is not the first time I'm telling you this but this time what I'm telling you is, don't cross the bridge alone, there is someone around to give you a shoulder and hand both, why don't you reach out?"
I looked at her, all confused. She said, " I'm talking about Manik. He wants to be there for you. Don't you see what you guys have? You can't stay away from each other." She stated that as if it's a simple fact and I'm stupid for not knowing it.

"No. We hate each other. You know that." I protested.

"Think about it, from the time the we have met them all your thoughts, actions,  talks are directed at him"

"Yeah. But...."

"Shhh...let me finish. Just trust him. I know from what I have seen, and heard from Cabir, that his actions shows you are special. The way he looks at you, the way he cares for you, Cabir says he has never done it for anyone. And you too, the way you are with him, I have never seen you like that. It's like you forget your *baggage* when you are with him." She completed, air quoting the word baggage.

"But how?"
"Tell him everything Nandini. Until you do, there will always be a part which will stop you from the future. Tell him everything and let your past be the base for your future. I'm not saying you guys love each other but may be he is someone you can trust and share your problems with." She said and smiled at Cabir who had almost reached us.

"And Nandini, when I say everything, I mean everything. Even the things you have hidden from me." She said and gave me a quick hug and went off with Cabir.

I was just amazed. I never thought Navya knew, there was more to the story than I had told her. Before I could react, she went. Typical Navya, just keep avoiding something, which someone is avoiding. I smiled at my best friend.

Thinking about what Navya said, I decided I'll avoid Manik, for real this time. No more trying, just doing.

Deciding, I turned and went towards the group and deliberately, stood away from Manik.

Soon, our para instructor came. Gosh! He was in his late 20s but he was hot. Not Manik hot but hot. I mentally scolded myself for thinking about Manik again and focused on what the instructor was saying. He gave his instructions and asked us to strap up for the gliding. I started getting ready, but the knot on my jacket got stuck and I couldn't tie it. Suddenly, I felt a pair of hands taking my rope from my hand and I looked up and saw the instructor, standing too close to me. I hated it. I stepped back but he caught me by waist on the pretext of helping me.
I looked around and saw Navya was busy with Cabir and Alya was busy getting ready. None of my friend was looking at me so I couldn't signal. I didn't want to shout and create a scene there.

Suddenly, I was pulled into a pair of arms and I looked up. It was Manik. He was holding me by waist and with other hand he was catching the hand of instructor which was on me and he jerked it off.

"Do your job and stay away from my girl." He said in a cold tone.

"My girl?" I thought. 
Instructor rushed off somewhere and Manik asked me," Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I said. He just rolled his eyes and muttered," As if you would tell me."
He looked at the guy who was from the gliding team and said that we both will be going together in one glider.

I just gave him a look and he said,"I know you will never say anything but I don't want you alone here especially after what just happened."

I wanted to protest and he pulled me with him and put on the straps on me. He was literally treating me like a baby.
I looked up to see Navya smiling at us and I just remembered what she said.

Whom was I kidding? Manik already had a part of me which I couldn't explain. His presence made me feel safe and comfortable. His being close to Alya broke my heart into pieces. His being around distracted me from my baggage. I smiled thinking how Navya quoted it.

And then I heard a voice in my ear and felt a hand on my waist, and he asked me," If you trust me close your eyes. I promise I won't let you fall."

I thought about what he said. Do I trust him? Will he always be there for me?

And that time, at that moment, I decided to do what Navya asked and I closed my eyes and decided today evening I'll tell everything about me to Manik and by everything I meant everything.

With that I closed my eyes and gripped his hand which was on my waist and jumped and also at that very moment I fell.

I fell in love with Mr Manik Malhotra!