Nandini fidgeted with her phone as she stood outside Imera auditorium. Manik was waiting for her and Soha inside, but Soha hadn't shown up yet. As many times Nandini called, her phone seemed unreachable. She was there with Manik all day, she queued with him to collect his registration number and ID, she went and saved a small practice room for him, as he went to fetch his guitar, she even got a box of first aid, lest Manik cut his finger while practicing or had an itchy throat. Now that all was settled and he was waiting for his turn to perform before the judges in another half an hour, she had excused herself and come out to check on Soha; even though he wasn't voicing it, she knew he was silently waiting for Soha. She felt upset seeing the hope and anxiety with which he was waiting for her to come and it broke her heart to think how short-lived his happiness was; right now, even though it would mean a massive heart break for her, she so wished Soha would genuinely accept him, just for Manik's sake she wished.

She checked her watch again, Manik was due to go for audition in another fifteen minutes, and she knew if he didn't speak his heart out to Soha before that, it was sure to have an impact on his music. She shut her eyes and murmured a prayer for Soha to arrive, when she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey Nandini, I am here, why Imera though? Has he planned something super filmy for me? I hope not, I will only be too embarrassed considering, you know, I don't see Manik that way anymore" she replied in a matter-of-fact voice which irritated Nandini to the core, but she chose to ignore it and think of Manik instead. She showed Soha the way inside.

"Err..Nandini, what is going on here? Is there an event? Is he going to propose me live or something? Will this be casted on national television? Oh My God, then Dhruv will get to know!! Nandini I cant do this! Gosh Manik! He is SO STUPID" said Soha stamping her feet in dismay.

"Manik isn't stupid. And he isn't doing any public display of affection so be assured. Just play on with the plan" replied Nandini through gritted teeth.

As Soha entered the auditorium and turned towards Manik's practice area, Manik's name was called, he was next on queue. Soha was startled hearing the announcement; Manik was auditioning for this talent hunt? As far as she knew, he was very good with music, what were the chances he could crack this one? While she mused on her thoughts, Nandini rushed past her and dashed towards Manik.

"Okay Manik you are next. Soha is also here, but she can wait; you go in and rock it tonight. You have a very bright career Manik, go take your first step" she told him breathlessly, she had for once forgotten to be shy around him and hugged him tight.

Manik was puzzled seeing Nandini's enthusiasm. True he never shared about this audition with anyone, but he also knew no one would have felt as involved or excited, for a moment Manik forgot he was going for the audition, it felt like Nandini was going herself; Manik smiled.

"Nandini, your enthusiasm and optimisim is infectious! I feel positive too. But I will catch you later, because I know Soha can wait, but I don't want her too, I want to tell her how I feel before going!! Wish me luck Nandini!" with that he sprinted towards Soha, leaving a suddenly quiet and tearful Nandini behind.

Manik walked towards Soha, she saw him coming and smiled in her usual friendly way, Manik smiled back his most charming smile, he sure knew she would be having butterflies in her stomach now; but she was lucky thought Manik, cause she would get to keep those butterflies in her stomach for life, as he planned to stay with her for life.

"Manik, what did you have to say? And cheater, you never told me about this audition, I would have supported you, right? Okay go now and all the best!" she said with her sweetest smile.

Manik stood there before her, and was about to say something when one of the crew-member came to him, to pull him near the stage. While being dragged, he motioned the crew to give him a moment, as he pulled out of his grip, he ran to Soha, she gave him a surprised look when he just grabbed her hand and spoke.

"Soha, you're the most beautiful girl I have ever set my eyes on; I want to be with you, I think I love you. I wish this could be more romantic for you, but I guess this is the most romantic it could get for me, a future in music and the hands I want to hold in the future, both with me under the same roof." He finished, and then again the crew was back to pull him away, as he was walking away he kept looking towards Soha. Soha smiled and called out,

"Go rock the show Rockstar, and come back and see, how I accept your proposal" she had a twinkle in her eye, that Manik held on before his eyes while he went away finally.

***

Nandini was waiting in the practice room, she somehow didn't feel like going out, her heart was ripped knowing how much Manik loved Soha and it was bleeding further thinking of the impending disaster on Manik, for now she just wished he would perform well, but she never had the guts to go before them; she knew he would be singing for her. His Soha.

After half an hour, a somber looking Manik had walked back to the practice room; Nandini's heart thudded loudly seeing his expression; did he, did he not?

"Where were you? Why weren't you around when they announced the result? And why were you dreamily smiling at me from the front row, throughout the time I sang?"

Nandini stared, he had lost her there; she was dreamily staring at him from the front row? Why but she never left the practice room. Could that mean he was imagining her? No. Of course not! Why would he? In such an important moment in life, he was thinking of Soha for sure, and whom he mistook to be her, must be someone who resembled her, she thought. All nerds looked the same she thought, and all people noticed were their non-desginer behenji-like clothes, uncool, shiny chappals etc. How would they know ever look beyond and understand the person beneath. She ignored the sigh that was about to escape her, now there were more pressing matters to think of, she had to break the news of Soha, but before that she needed to know if he made it to the next round.

"Manik, all this we can discuss later! First tell me if the results are out!" she asked breathlessly.

Manik's face twitched from sombre to a broad smile; "Yes baby, I made it to the next round!!" he smiled and hugged her tight. It was Nandini's best moment in life, being hugged by the man she had secretly loved for what seems like forever now! But then Soha's face came flashing in her memory; well, all was well, Manik had made it, now she could tell him; she knew it might affect his exams, but she was there to take care of that. As for the next round, there was still sometime, she would make him come round by then.

"Manik..err..I err wanted to talk about Soha" she began, and Manik's expression changed.

"Oyi Soha! Yes her, how could I forget about her! She is waiting for me in the car, says she has a surprise date planned for me! Imagine she arranged for everything in these thirty minutes I was on stage! Nandini how can I ever thank you for all that you've done for me? Well maybe if I become a singing sensation someday, I will appoint you as my manager for life!" with that he hugged an utterly confused Nandini and walked away.

She stood there in dismay; Soha planned a date for him? But wasn't she...Wait, did that mean they were together now?

Before she could comprehend further, she received a text.

7:16p.m. [Oh My God Nandini, I am such a fool. After breaking up with Aliyaa, when I realized I wont see her again, the feeling slowly creeped in. I realize, I am as much in love with her today! I am such a fool! What have I done Nands! I have to get her back in my life. I love her Nandini. I hope I am not too late!!]

7:18p.m. [What about Soha?]

7:21p.m. [She is nobody. Soha was a mistake, Nandu]

***

"For the last time Nandini, tell me what is wrong, else I will have to call your Aams now!" screamed Mukti in frustration, as Nandini sat on the couch and silently massaged her scalp with almond oil (Mukti wanted to grow her hair now and was impatient at the rate at which her hair was growing).

"Nothing Mox, I mean Mukti. I am just a little upset about life in general" she replied, rubbing her ever flowing tears with the back of her palm.

"Cut it out Nands! You were with bhai nah? Did he say something? Damn it, he is not even picking up my call right now!" she responded in anger.

"No Mukti, it's not him, it's me. I am upset over Aloo's breakup with Dhruv, I am upset because I haven't prepared enough for my exams and also I am upset because I miss my Aams very much" and with that she began uncontrollably weeping; for the life of her, she couldn't stop herself from imagining Manik hugging Soha, kissing her forehead, holding hands, sharing eyelocks; each image burned her insides and scorched her, but she had no place for solace.

"Aah, you're having a panic attack Nands, and you're homesick too; take it from me dude, don't study tonight; just keep it light, go visit Aliyaa for the night"

Nandini so wanted to be at Aliyaa's tonight; maybe in consoling her sister, she would forget her grief? But no, Soha stayed there too, and she didn't want to be near them to hear a first hand account of their love saga.

"No thanks, I think I will go to bed. Goodnight"

***

9:45p.m. [Hey Aliyaa, Mukti here. Is it a good time to talk?]

9:48p.m. [Who Mukti?]

9:49p.m. [Er..Mox...your batchmate and Nands's roomie?]

9:55p.m. [Right, sorry. Yes err.. Mox. Sure, what is it?]

9:57p.m. [I think you should call Nands over, she is really homesick, but she doesn't want to bug you I think]

***

10:04p.m. [Diii, I miss you!!! I miss telling you everything. I am 'loneeely'. Soha is also out for the night with a guy other than D! Imagine! Haha. Come over nah, I can't wait till the end of your exams!! Come NOW]

Oh so Soha and Manik were spending the night together? Now that Dhruv has dumped Soha, of course she had to go to Manik; her heart went out for Manik, his niceness and his sincere love for Soha. She wished Soha was a little more deserving of it. But if her Aliyaa needed her, she would definitely go.

Aliyaa wondered whether she should tell her sister about Aryaman just yet; not that there was something to hide, but di didn't seem to be in the right frame of mind, she was upset; and this sudden news would make her anxious, Aliyaa thought it was better to wait. Tonight she would just be with her sister and make her feel better. She was waiting for Nandini to come when she received a text message.

11:10p.m. [Hey Aliyaa, how are you? I am missing you - D]

***

Manik and Soha were still sitting at the beach cafe, it was dark and windy and added to that was the continuous sound of waves lashing on the shore. It was beautiful. Sitting there holding Soha's hand, Manik felt complete.

"You know Soha, Nandini is no silly, she kept smiling at me in such a weird way throughout the time I sang from the front row, and then disappeared."

"Manik, I was there, in the front row; I didn't see her there."

"Arre, you were too engrossed seeing me, so you didn't notice. She was wearing this strange smile, she looked nice."

"Manik, when I was busy looking at you, why were you busy looking at her?"

"Arre Soha she was in my direct line of vision; bunk her you say, did you like my voice today?"

"Yes Manik, you were very melodious, infact.."

"Guess what? Every time I hummed something in front of Nandini, she said it was noise for her and scrunched her nose this way..see..silly Nandini" he laughed.

"Manik..er..---"

"And the one time I did her assignment for her? The silly fool, she was going to tell on herself! You should have seen her expression when I stopped her"

"What? You did her assignement??"

"Why yes, in fact she had scored a B- in it. In fact had it not been for her proxy, I would not have been granted to sit for the finals; infact without her notes..."

Soha sat there and looked at Manik curiously; he was too close to Nandini for her liking. What if Nandini told him about Dhruv? In fact, Dhruv was her best friend, if she knew she dumped Dhruv for the about-to-be famous Manik Malhotra, she would definitely tell on her. She would rather tell her that Dhruv had dumped her, just like he had dumped Aliyaa; yes, this would gain her sympathy and keep her out of harms way. And also, from now on, she had to ensure that Manik and that behenji weren't great friends anymore.

***

A/N : Hello fellow readers, how are we doing? All good?

So Manik and Soha haan? :D

Let's see what the future holds!

Even I hate to see Nandini cry, don't worry her days are coming!

Until then, keep reading, keep voting and do leave me your feedbacks and comments, I am always up for reading them :)

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