6

                                    

                                          
It was the most difficult ride she has ever had. The constant thought of something awful happening to any of her loved ones was enough to scare her.  She did not know what to think or anticipate. All she could do was reach as soon as possible, so she asked the driver to speed. 
                          
After what felt like hours, she reached Aryaman's place and ran to catch the stairs and enter. The door was ajar, and she entered without knocking or ringing. She got in and was shocked to see everybody. Alya was sitting on the chair with a straight face, Mukti was pacing to and fro and Navya had her hands folded and eyes closed, praying to her Matarani. Aryaman and Dhruv were nowhere to be seen. Nobody spoke a word, and they did not acknowledge Nandini standing in front of them as if they were lost in their own world. 
                          
"guys, what happened" Asked Nandini to the others hoping for quick responses as she was trying very hard to convince herself that whatever is happening is a prank and everybody is safe.  She waited for others to respond while she was pulling the string of her bag to comfort herself. 
                          
Nobody responded. Nandini was blankly staring at them when she was about to shout because her anger was rising. Mukti noticed her and stopped her hurried walking.  
                          
"Oh, Nandini, you are here, "Mukti said with a concerned look on her face. Seeing Nandini, her eyes softened and shoulders relaxed for a minute and then she again went back to her original expression. Navya and Alya noticed Nandini as well, and they came towards her. All this while Nandini was waiting for someone to say something and staring at others.
                          
"Will somebody please speak up? You people are scaring the shit out of me."
                          
Navya took a step ahead. She gulped a lump in her throat. She tried speaking, but no words came out of her mouth. It was as if she has become speechless. Nandini looked down as she realised that whatever it is these people won't be comfortable telling it to her until she is relaxed. She softened her expression and went near Navya. She held her shoulders and shook her a bit to attract her attention.
                          
"It's okay, Navya, whatever it is, just say it."
                          
"Manik and Cabir "
                          
"Manik and Cabir ", Nandini repeated. Her expression changing as she spoke.
                          
"We do not know where they are ", and Navya started to cry saying this. Alya came into the conversation.
                          
"But don't worry, they have gone to search for them, Aryaman and Dhruv, they will get them back soon, "Alya said with a shaky voice. She eyed Mukti and Navya not to tell the car accident thing to Nandini as they were not sure of it, and Nandini would worry more unnecessarily. 
                          
Nandini did not know what to say or respond to. After a few minutes, when the news finally settled in her brain, she said, "So what are we doing here? We should go search for them. I am getting jittery. I should have known. I am terrified and concerned."
                          
"And you think we are enjoying here. We are also scared, and we do care about our friends" Mukti lashed out at Nandini, and she did not speak a word as she knew Mukti a little now and understood that she was frustrated as well.
                          
"I am sorry, I am really sorry, I didn't mean to " Mukti moved towards Nandini realising her mistake instantly and apologising. She came and hugged her like assuring her that she will be there, and she did not mean for her words to be rude.
                          
"It's okay, Mukti, I understand, we are all in this together ", Nandini assured her, "but we need to do something; we can't just stay here."
                          
"Let's call Aryaman and Dhruv and see if they found something. If not, we should also leave to search for them, "suggested Alya. All of them agreed to this and called Aryaman and Dhruv. They told them that they should stay in the house itself, and they were reaching soon, and they cut the call instantly without saying anything about Manik and Cabir. The girls tried not to panic and stay put. They were desperately waiting for the guys to come back safe.