Nandini stared at her phone. Her eyes become puffy and there's dark circles under her eyes. She could not help but dialled the number again. But there was no answers from the other side. Getting frustrated she cut the call and typed message then sent it. She waited for 15 minutes but there's no notification of any reply.

Sanchita walked out of the small bathroom and narrowed her eyes on her friend. She clutched the bath towel and picked the comb before brushing her hair "what happened to you again? You are focusing on the phone like your life depends on it"

Nandini looked up with a sad smile "he is not picking it up"

Sanchita instead of feeling pity rolled her eyes. She threw the comb on the bed "your drams is on again?"

"Why are you saying that? It's not drama but love" Nandini frowned.

"It's not love. In actual term it's called 'craziness'. You are so involve into it that you can't think of other things than him. Love does not make people lose their sanity Nandini. And in your case you are totally lost" Sanchita shook her head.

"You are not understanding it Sanchu,  I know he loves me and I can really feel it. Though he tries to ignore it and shows his cold side to me but I still feel that there's a warm side of him too"

"Yeah, I can see that clearly" Sanchita mocked before pulling out a dress from her trolley.

"Don't joke. Do you even know he waited for me that day?" Nandini grinned "though he rejected it furiously but at the end he waited for me"

Sanchita's turned to her "he waited? "

"Yes" Nandini nodded happily.

"Good, then why he is ignoring you again?"

Nandini's smiled vanished and her lips pressed tightly making a think line. This was something she couldn't understand too. Sometimes he behaves like a caring boyfriend and the very next second he becomes totally stranger. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Stop thinking about him. Didn't you say you will be visiting your mom's friend in the hospital again?" Sanchita asked she wore her dress.

"Yeah, aunty is really good. And mom is really close to her. Since mom is not here I can't let their relationship to get ruined" Nandini nodded helplessly.

"Then get ready fast. I have to attend evening class"

"Yeah" Nandini got up and started to get ready.

It has been 5 days already that she met him. That day she never expected him to be there. But whatever reason it was, she is happy to see him there. Though there's no romantic expression shared between them but Nandini couldn't help but feel the warm in her heart. May be she could again and ask him to meet her. But will he pick the phone up? It's already 5 days that he started to ignore her again. She never knew why he is doing like this? Bearing the two sided personality in one body? She sometimes wonder if she could ever able to see his warm side in this life? But even if he is cold towards her as long as he stays with her, she will never complain for anything. Thinking this she got ready and left the hostel to visit the hospital.

—————

"God, I am so tired" Sanchita looked bored as bent her body a little showing she lost all her energy.

"It's already so late" Nandini looked at the clock in her phone. It was 3:00 pm already. While talking with the lady friend she didn't know how much time has been spent.

"That aunty is really talkative. She even narrated about her whole household stories" Sanchita rolled her eyes "your mom really knows how to choose friends to kill time"

I slapped her arm and she winced uttering 'ouch' and rubbing her arm.

"What's that for?" Sanchita glared.

"Why do you have to mock like that? She is a sweet woman"

"Yeah, but she is definitely a great time killer"

Nandini rolled her eyes. She looked around and her eyes fell on the nearby restaurant on the opposite site of the hospital.

"Are you hungry?" She asked turning around.

Sanchita narrowed her eyes "is that even a question? Of course I am hungry. Listening to those story I even missed my lunch. Hell, how come I forgot that I skipped the meal?"

"Come on, let's put your stomach to rest" Nandini tugged her arm.

"Where?" Sanchita's eyes lit up and started to glow "your treat" she uttered hopefully to Nandini.

Nandini laughed at her act "done" then she pointed towards the restaurant. Both of them happily walked towards the restaurant.

Though the restaurant was not big one but it was cosy and nice. There are already few people sitting inside and chatting happily.

"Wow, I never tried this one" Sanchita looked around.

"Are not you hungry? Let's order first" Nandini said and they sat on the chair. Soon the waiter brought the menu and offered them water.  Sanchita ordered few items while Nandini ordered 2 dishes.

"Gosh, I hope the taste will be good too. The waiter even pressed that  the meals will be good"

"Let's try first" Nandini smiled. She picked her phone and stared at the number again.

"Why don't you just give a call?" Sanchita said looking at her.

"He doesn't pick it up" Nandini sighed shaking her head. She is hesitating for it. It has been days that she last talked to him and after their secret little meeting he started to ignore her again. She has been trying his call but he seems really reluctant to give her any answers.  Soon their order arrived and they started to eat. The meal was good and delicious. Both of them enjoyed it wholeheartedly. Specially Sanchita who praised it over and over again.

"Just called him" Sanchita said again as they pay the bill.

"I-"

"If you want to know whether he will pick or not, all you have to do is call him instead of looking at your phone again and again"

Nandini still hesitated for few moments before she finally decided to call again. The other line ring for few times before it was picked up.

"Hello?"

Nandini held her breath. Finally he really did picked up the call.

"Manik" she breathed.

"Why did you call?" He asked without any emotion.

"I- where are you?"

"On road, I am going home" he replied.

"Oh okay, when you are coming back?"

"Never" that simple words chilled her heart.

"What?" She asked.

"I am going home forever. I left college already"

Nandini was so shocked that she couldn't utter a word. He was leaving and never coming back again? She felt like crying.

"Why? I mean so suddenly you took the decision. Why are you leaving like this?" She asked panicking.

"You don't need to know the reason"

"Please meet me today. I want to see you before go" she requested.

"I am already at  bus stop, I can't meet you now" his words made her heard race and it went crazy. Her mind blasted and she lost her sense.

"No please" she cried.

"Bye, I am leaving" he cut the call.

"No don't leave me" she screamed on the phone but the other line beeped then it got silent.

"Nandini what happened?" Sanchita looked anxious as she saw Nandini's action.

"No, he can't leave me" Nandini shook her head then suddenly ran out of the restaurant.

Sanchita was so shocked at first then she ran after her calling out her name "Nandini"