Mox sat there, impatiently biting his nails, he had called Nandini some twenty times in the last half an hour, but her phone wasn't reachable. He sat there panicking, and grumbled to himself, "However flirtatious, Nands will remain a silly fool! Why couldn't she tell me she wanted to come with us?" huffed Mox impatiently. As he sat there waiting, he got a call from Manik, he sighed in relief hoping that his bhai must have found Nands. But on receiving the call, he was even more agitated to know that even though Manik had reached the club, and he had checked inside out, Nandini wasn't anywhere around.

"Bhai, call up Soha and check, maybe she has gone for a sleepover with her sister?" asked Mox hopefully.

"No, I dropped Aliyaa and Soha myself, she wasn't around" Manik's voice was thick with tension, "But don't worry, let me drive along the area and see if she is anywhere around okay? I will keep you posted." He finished and hung up abruptly, the more he spoke with Mukti about it, the faster he was losing his cool.

Manik drove along all the nearby lanes and even the highway, there was no trace of Nandini anywhere, the longer it took, the more, an unknown fear was plaguing him. He drove around like a maniac in the middle of the night for another half an hour when Mukti called. He received her call hopefully.

"Bhai, she is here, she reached home safely" finished Mukti breathlessly and Manik sighed in relief. Then an unknown fury engulfed him, how irresponsible was this Nandini? Where the hell was she all along? Couldn't she just make sure she was reachable on phone? Couldn't she inform him that she was left behind? With all these thoughts in mind, he asked through gritted teeth, "Mukku, can you pass on the phone to her?"

He heard Mukti unnecessarily clear her throat once and responded, "Maybe this is not a good time to talk bhai, and she is quite shaken"

"What do you mean?" he asked, not being able to mask his concern.

"Well, she is not really acting like herself - for the first time, she didn't reply to my questions. She just walked straight into her room and shut the door behind her." confessed Mox uncomfortably.

If Manik was angry at her callousness a few moments back, hearing that she was shaken by the night's event and that she wasn't talking made him forget his fury completely. He had softened again, but he knew better, maybe she needed some lone time to get over the shock - so without much ado, he hung up. He decided to check on her the next day.

Nandini sat on her bed, finally inside the security of her room. She was still for some time and then the enormity of the situation was crashing down on her, and she started shaking vehemently as tears rolled down her eyes. What would have happened if Dhruv hadn't found her there by chance? Would she still be stuck out there? She felt wounded by her friends and their behaviour towards her - maybe it was time, to realize that they weren't really her friends - if they were, wouldn't they have realized that she was missing? As she sat there, there was a text message on her phone.

3:15a.m. [Hey Nandini, hope you are feeling okay now? Please get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow :D]

3:17a.m. [Thank-You so much Dhruv. I don't know where I would be, if you didn't find me today. And all the best for tomorrow, Aliyaa is in for a very big surprise. Goodnight!]

Nandini smiled imagining Aliyaa's expression when she saw Dhruv tomorrow. Nandini and Aliyaa's father and Dhruv's father were best of friends, and it was in their childhood, when Dhruv's mother had jokingly told their mother that they would take home Aliyaa as their daughter-in-law when she grew up. Everybody had laughed at the suggestion, other than the two children who sat there in awe - the two children about whom this was said - they were about nine years old - since then it was somehow ingrained in Dhruv and Aliyaa's head that they were soul-mates, they were meant to be.

Over the years, everybody had forgotten about that remark - only Aliyaa and Dhruv remembered it. Hence it was a big surprise when, in the teen years, Aliyaa grew up to be this beautiful and attractive girl and Dhruv became this overtly discipline, rigid, old fashioned uncle like figure with horrific sense of dressing - Nandini thought Aliyaa would soon be over this obsession once she met new boys in her friends circle - but she was wrong of course - however weird, unfitting, silly or boring Dhruv was, Aliyaa looked at him like he was her prince charming. Soon, Dhruv's parents and Amms (since her parents were no more) realized the depth of their bond, and before Dhruv left for the UK for his MBA, they took a mutual decision to get them engaged once Dhruv was back and Aliyaa's graduation was over - everyone was happy. Nandini sighed, her sister was soon about to get her fairytale lovestory - that's what Dhruv had told her tonight. He was back in India and he had chosen to finish his MBA's last semester on exchange programme in a college in India - in this city, so that he could get to know Aliyaa better, her likes, dislikes and who she really was - he felt they really needed to understand each other before Aliyaa finished graduation and they got engaged. Dhruv was perfect for Aliyaa, thought Nandini lovingly, as sleep took over.

***

It was 10AM in the morning and the bell rung obstinately. Mox turned in his sleep, and thought to himself, what was taking Nands so long? Why wasn't she getting the door? She always got the door. But then he remembered her plight from last night - maybe she was still sleeping it off - he decided to get the door. He opened the door to see Manik standing outside, surprised he enquired about his visit.

"I came to, errr..I came to see Nandini. You said nah, that she wasn't sounding good?" muttered Manik cautiously and for some reason didn't meet Mox's eyes. It was weird, why did Manik put in so much effort to wake up in the morning and visit Nands? He could see how she was doing the next to next day in college itself! But then he thought, everyone was acting strangely nowadays and dismissed his doubt.

"Come in bhai, I will get her" replied Mox lazily and walked towards Nandini's room. He knocked the door but no-one replied, she slowly opened the door to see that her bed was neatly done, maybe she was in the shower he thought and proceeded to knock the washroom door - to his amazement the door was open - then he habitually looked at the key holder and saw her house keys weren't there - she is not at home? He thought to himself.

"Bhai, sorry she is not at home" offered Mox nonchalantly as he walked out of her bedroOm.

Manik was surprised. It was quite early in the morning, where could she possibly go? Then a sudden uncomfortable feeling gripped him - did she return at all last night? He turned to Mukti urgently.

"Hey Mukku, are you sure you saw her last night?" he asked urgently.

"What do you mean bhai?" Mox asked surprised.

"I mean, I know you were drunk and sleepy too - did you..err..really see her - you didn't hallucinate right? I mean she DID return last night nah Mukku?" asked Manik frantically.

"Bhai! What do you think I have in place of eyes? of course she returned, I wasn't hallucinating! She left in the morning again! If you want to check, go inside her bedroom - her dress from last night is folded neatly and kept on the bed! Such crap!" replied Mox furiously. His brother had lost it - true he had requested him to befriend her, but this much care? He thought Manik was utilizing his brotherly possessive instinct that he had for Mukku - on Nandini now! Good for her he thought!

Manik breathed in relief - that meant she had returned. And she was fine enough to go out again - that was good news. He wondered why he was so restless though - why did he feel uncomfortable knowing that she wasn't okay last night - he wished he could meet her once, but he guessed he had to try again in the evening. He hung around with Mox for breakfast, and then went off from there.

***

Aliyaa was wondering why Nandini di wanted to meet for breakfast early on a Saturday morning, then she thought maybe she was about to shed light on Manik's behaviour from the night before - she was more curious after hearing Soha's confession - true Nandini di had abruptly left the dance floor after Manik had told her something on her ear, but she couldn't buy the fact that he was being rude, his body language spoke differently. Her curiosity made her agree to join her for breakfast at a café joint.

When she looked up from the table, her jaw dropped. Nandini di was walking towards her for sure, but she wasn't alone. Someone was accompanying her - and could it be? Was it really him? How did he become so..so..dashing? Oh My God, she thought as they approached nearer - it was indeed HIM. Dhruv. Her Dhruv. She squealed in joy and excitement and forgot about the Nandini-Manik angle. She ran towards them and jumped on to a startled Dhruv and hugged him tight.

"Dhruv!!! You are here??? Finally?? When did you come?? How did you contact di?? Why didn't you tell me?? How are you??? Awww I missed my baby sooo much!!" screamed Aliyaa in joy, earning curious glances from people around them - Dhruv turned red in embarrassment and pushed her away gently. Aliyaa didn't seem to notice his embarrassment or gesture. She then turned to Nandini and squealed and hugged her too before settling down - she pushed her chair closer to Dhruv and held onto his elbow possessively before continuing - Dhruv was very surprised, he could only stammer a, "You haven't really changed Aliyaa, have you? I thought after starting college---" but he couldn't continue, as Aliyaa started talking excitedly without letting him finish.

"Arre? Why should I change? How will my 'D' recognize me if I changed? I am exactly how you left me, D baby" she replied with a cute smile.

Dhruv smiled stiffly in return, "Dhruv, please call me that".

The breakfast went on like that, Aliyaa didn't budge from calling Dhruv 'D' but at the end reluctantly agreed to drop the baby' and Dhruv tried very hard to digest this loud, dramatic personality he would soon be engaged to. Nandini understood his discomfort and spoke to him, after carefully sending Aliyaa to get more coffee.

"Don't worry Dhruv, she is just very excited to see you. She has waited for you more than anybody. Give her time, she will calm down." Dhruv relaxed at her assurance and understanding.

"Does she know, I will be joining the same college as her's from tomorrow?" he enquired curiously, and when Nandini replied in negative, he relaxed. He requested her to tell Aliyaa this once he wasn't around, as he couldn't handle more screaming in one day, he suggested light heartedly. Nandini laughed at that and agreed.

***

It was evening, Manik called Mox and enquired where he was, Mox was with Abhimanyu in the apartment catching a football match with beer. Manik thought it was a good opportunity to come over - that way he could catch the match with them and also check on Nandini - when it came to guy things like sports and matches, Soha was a bore for company - and Aryaman had mysteriously gone under cover for the weekend after meeting that girl in the pub last night.

Soon Manik was at Mox's - Abhimanyu and Mox was watching the match and cursing occasionally - he joined in and was having fun - he casually kept glancing at Nandini's shut door - she would have to come out sometime for sure. But soon it was past 11PM - the match got over - still she didn't open her door. Manik casually suggested that they ordered in dinner and watched a movie - Abhimanyu readily agreed and Mox was all in favour of the dinner but not the movie - he told them he would crash early after dinner, but they could catch up and watch the movie if they wanted - Manik took the opportunity to ask Mox to call Nandini too, so that they could have dinner together - but Mox replied that Nandini wasn't at home, she hadn't returned since morning. Manik was surprised.

"Does she often do late night-outs?" he asked bewildered.

"No bhai, she never does. I guess she is really mad at me or something" replied Mox in a as a matter of fact voice.

"I don't blame her, especially after your erotic encounter" sniggered Abhimanyu under his breath, but Mox and Manik caught him.

"Erotic what?" exclaimed Manik in shock and turned to look between Mox and Abhimanyu.

Mox cursed Abhimanyu and threw a cushion on him and barked, "Shut the f**k up dude!" and added to Manik, "It's nothing really bhai. Chill." The he left for the kitchen to get takeaway pamphlets. An unconvinced and thoroughly shocked Manik looked at Abhimanyu for explanation, Abhimanyu muttered under his breath, "Later bro, let him go to bed." Manik nodded. Soon Mox was back.

"Mox, don't you think you should text her once? To find out if she would return or you should save dinner?" asked Abhimanyu casually, to dull out Mox's anger at him. It worked; Mox looked thoughtful, and decided to leave her a text.

11:19PM [ Hey Nands, when are you returning? Should I save dinner?]

Then they ordered food and they all chatted jovially. Manik kept glancing at Mox's phone to see it ringing or blinking to notify message received. But for another forty odd minutes nothing happened. Manik was starting to feel uneasy again - he was debating if he should call her from his phone or not when Mox's phone finally beeped. Mox read the text with a frown and read it to them. It was from Nandini.

12:14AM [No thanks, don't save dinner for me. Not returning before Monday]

Manik's jaw dropped. She had left the house on Saturday, and wasn't going to return till Monday? Where would she be for that night and the next? He felt disappointed because he wouldn't be able to see her before college - he wanted to enquire how she managed to be left back last night, and also question why she didn't call him, and maybe also scold her for letting herself get stranded out there in the middle of the night - but Monday was too far, and somehow, in college he couldn't imagine questioning her so much in front of others - especially Soha - she may take it wrongly. But what could he do now.

"Mukku, you won't ask where she is?" Manik tried once more.

"No. She is old enough to manage" replied Mox curtly. It surprised Manik. Mukti was always over protective about Nandini, what could have happened that made her so cold towards her? He mentally noted that he will ask Abhimanyu once Mox retired to bed. Abhimanyu was Manik and Mukti's childhood neighbour - he was always closer to Mox, but Manik and Abhimanyu also shared quite a comfortable space - Manik knew he could get this information out of Abhimanyu.

Once Mukti retired, Manik turned casually to Abhimanyu and asked about his earlier remark. Abhimanyu let out a boyish grin and went on to tell him, how he thinks Nands was secretly hitting on Mox, and how she tried to get him to zip her up - he told Manik, how Mox wasn't interested in her, and hence Nandini was heartbroken and avoiding Mox - even Mox was now very awkward around her. Women sighed Abhimanyu.

After hearing this bit of information, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry in exasperation - he wanted to jerk Abhimanyu into realizing that his Mukku was a GIRL and Nandini knew that! She never considered Mukti a guy, she just respected his choice of gender - he wanted to scream that, Nandini was genuinely asking her a casual favour of zipping her up - like any girl asks her girl friend or roomie - it wasn't a sexual innuendo! But who would explain this to these two sighed Manik - he also realized Nandini wasn't avoiding them for this - it was because of leaving her behind last night - but trust Mox and Abhimanyu to think so twisted - he almost laughed thinking about Abhimanyu's explanation that Nandini was hitting on Mukti - like that was possible.

***

Nandini was sitting on Aliyaa's bed hugging her. Thank God the chudail Soha had left for a weekend trip with her friends - it worked out perfectly for her. She wanted to be away from her self centred set of so-called friends - Mukti had hurt her the most, and Manik too. She wanted to be away from them - and Aliyaa needed her too. By the evening even Aliyaa had realized that Dhruv was a bit uncomfortable around her, and it broke her heart - Dhruv on the other hand had requested Nandini to tell Aliyaa that she didn't behave like this in the college - there he was an exchange student from a reputed college - he had an image to protect. Nandini understood Dhruv was right - but she knew Aliyaa was too immature to see it - she decided to be with Aliyaa and gently make her understand before Monday. Here she was holding on to a teary faced Aliyaa explaining it to her - to treat Dhruv just like any other senior - and to not even call him "D baby" in college. Aliyaa agreed, but she was very upset - her 'D' had changed.

Nandini consoled her, and told her, Dhruv had made plans to catch up for a movie with them - she should make tomorrow a fresh start and try and be a little more sombre and matured around him - Aliyaa nodded silently with a sad smile and hugged her di.

"Thank-You di for being here, I so need you."

***

A/N : Hello Peeps! Thanks to all the new readers who added this book to their reading list - I promise you will enjoy this one! I apologize for missing an update yesterday :(

I will post regularly from today :)

Please read and let me know how you feel about the fiction/ characters/ plots!

WORD COUNT : 3,146