Nandini's POV

"Nandini..." I turned around only to see Navya Running towards me. I frowned once I saw her face which was red.

"What happened to you?" I asked adjusting the books in my hand. I just came from library gathering all the books I needed to prepare my semester exam.

"God, I was trying to find you everywhere but you are here in library?" I nodded.

"Of course I will be in library, I have to examine all the notes that professor discusses in the class today"

"Do you know all the students has Ben out in play ground" she said breathing heavily.

"Play ground? Is there any sports competition going on?" I asked her. She nodded.

"Yeah, I heard the girls talking there will be a bike race"

"I am not interested, I have too much to study" I replied and turned around to leave but her next word stopped me in middle.

"Manik Malhotra is racing there" my eyes widened. Navya knows I have a huge crush on Manik since I got in this college. He is the most handsome man I ever laid my eyes on. Whenever I see him my heart started to beat faster than ever.

I meet Navya at the 4 day of my college. She is cute, bubbly, beautiful and smart girl. Other girls don't talk to me much because in their view I am nothing but a ugly nerd girl. I simple dressing disgust them the most. But Navya is different. She was the one who come to offering to befriend. I have no friends exactly except her.

"Manik?" I turned around immediately.  Navya nodded her head.

"Who else who do such crazy things anyway?" She laughed. Manik is very daring every time, never fears for consequence. He is kind a straight forward guy who love to talk directly.

I sighed. He never noticed me anyway. He had girls around him. Beautiful yet sexy girls who roam around almost half naked. Why would he want such a nerd girl like me when he is surrounded by all the beauties here in college.

"I will watch his match from classroom" Navya shook her head.

"Seriously?" I nodded my head.

"Fine, I will see you at end then" I nodded again. She ran away biding me good bye. Such a typical girl. I smiled looking at the way she just ran.

Oh, Manik's race match!

I quickly walk towards the next floor classroom. It was on 3rd floor so I can have a clear view from there. I walk towards the window bench and placed my books on the table. I can hear the cheers. The students gathered around the whole play ground. UU (Universe University) has a huge play ground. It was huge enough to hell racing competition.

I can see him walking towards his red bike. And Cabir was his opponent. Manik is known as a bad boy in UU. He is rich and son of a great businessman Dhiren Malhotra and Kalyani Malhotra. No dares to argue with him because of his power.

Soon the race started. Both of them going well with speed. Always Manik was the one who won the match and I believe today he will win too. Crowd cheered proudly shouting his name. Half of them shouting Cabir's Name too. They are going crazy for the match. Suddenly when the race about to end Manik's bike suddenly stopped in middle. Cabir was behind him but he passed him reaching to finish line. I can see Manik struggling with his bike and then the paper bomb spread declaring the winner. The crowd gasped loudly. How did he fail this time? I stroke the glass looking down at the play ground. I sighed. Today is really like a tragic moment. He was the one who always win the match but looks like he lost today. I wonder, of this race is just a normal one or based on something.

I sat on bench and looked a the books o brought from library. I need to study. I shook my head rapidly. What I am thinking?,

"Oh my god" Navya barged inside opening the classroom door with thud.

"We are in class room at least show some proper manner to it" I scolded her. She flopped on the bench before me.

"I can't believe, Manik lost today" she threw her arms in the air.

"Are not you happy that you prince charming won the match?" I asked looking at my book.

"Who said he is my prince charming?" She retorted. I looked at her.

"You watched him all the time in classroom. You think no one notice you?" I teased. Her eyes widened with shock.

"You saw that? I though you were engrossed with your books" I laughed at her reaction.

"Of course I have my eyes on books but that does not mean I don't know whats happening around me"

"Gross, Nandini. I never knew you would be so observant" she shook her head.

"Its just a matter of time" I replied smilingly.

••••

I walk towards the corridor after the last class. Navya left first because she call from her father. I need to reach hostel alone today. Navya is my room mate too. It was good luck that at least I got the same room she was using. Thinking all this I did not notice around me and suddenly I bumped into something. The hit was so sudden that it made fall back on floor. My books shattered on floor spreading Jere and there. I rubbed my forehead.

'Hey are you okay?" My movement stopped once I head the voice. It can't be happening noe please. Please don't be him. Slowly I looked up and found him standing right before me.

"I...I...fine" god, why I felt so weak before him. He will think I am weak to talk. Suddenly he bent down to my level.

"It was my fault. Let me help you" it took me for surprise. I never knew that the bad boy would be this gentle. May be he has a gentle side too. Not everything that rumoured would be true.

"I..its...okay...I can manage" I stammered again. God kill me now. He chuckled.

"Look it was me who made you fall so its my responsibility to help you too. Here let me help you" he replied before started to pick the shattered books on floor. While I looked at him dumbfounded. Am I dreaming right now?

"You don't have to. It was my fault too. I did not noticed you coming" I replied before picking my back.

"We are quite a pair then" I looked at him. What does he mean by that?

"Here" he said forwarding the books.

"Thank you" I thanked while taking the books from his hand. We both got up and I looked at him. He is more handsome closer. I used to admire him from a far but today he is standing right before me. And inside my heart is beating fast.

"Thank you for helping me. I will go now" I said avoiding his eyes. His intense making me feel weird.

"Uh..wait can I have your number?" I froze at my place. Did he really asked for my number? Did I heard right? Did I ever thought he will ask something like this to me?

"I...uh..." I can't even form my words. Why I am so nervous before him?

"You don't have to if you don't want" he added again. No I want to give him my number. I want to hear him more. But this is the first time I talked to him and now he is asking for my number? Isn't it too fast?

•••••

"You what!" Navya barked jumping on bed. I glared at him.

"Can't you at least behave properly?" She rolled her eyes.

"Seriously? Nandini do you know what you are saying? I mean oh god, the popular boy, who you admired for so long finally asked for your number and you idiot just refused to it?" She huffed

"I just thought it was going too fast" I frowned at her.

"But isn't it a great opportunity? He was the one who asked for your number and what if you two become stranger again tomorrow? I mean you know girls are all over him. But he asked your number personally. Who got such chance?"

She is right but why I feel so weird. Its not like I did not liked the way he asked for my number. I too never imagined him to do so. Am I too rude refusing him?

"Next time if he ask again I think you should give your number instead of thinking too much" I heard Navya said again. She fall on her bed and covered her body with the quilt.

"Its late. Don't think too much about that" I sighed. She is right. Next time I will definitely give my number. He was the one I admired for so long. I can I be so rude refusing directly to him.

I signed and laid on bed. I should have gave him my number. It was just a number right? Not a big deal anyway.

Yes, its not a big deal. Its just a simple exchanging of numbers. My heart filled with happiness. God he really do asked for my number. I still can't believe it.

I am so happy!