11:23a.m. [Hi Sexy! How is it going? Missing me much? ;) ]

Manik woke up in the morning and was taken by surprise to see Soha's message. Where was she all of Saturday? And How come he never tried to find out? Oh, right he was busy worrying for Nandini. Manik gave himself the mental shake - he was worrying unnecessarily for that Nandini, she was obviously not bothered about him worrying for her - he should focus and worry about Soha - she was sweet, pretty, cute and also hot - she would make an amazing girlfriend smiled Manik and replied to her text.

11:27a.m. [Hey babe, where were you all of yesterday? Missed you. Wanna do lunch?]

11:30a.m. [Sweety I would love to, but I am out of town - came with a few friends. See you tomorrow? And let's do dinner tomorrow instead?]

11:32a.m. [Your wish is my command, princess. Have a safe trip!]

Manik met up Aryaman instead that day, Aryaman was sulking, and that surprised Manik. He had hitched with a beautiful girl and had spent most of the weekend with her, then why was he low? Upon enquiring he told him that Nia had had an ugly fight with her boyfriend and hence had spent the last two days with him - she rebounded on him - and last night after patching up with her boyfriend, she had snapped ties with him.

Manik tried very hard to not laugh at his state, but it was difficult. He sniggered and after cursing Manik, Aryaman soon joined in. Manik briefly filled Aryaman with whatever was going on and also mentioned 'the Nandini incident' in the club.

"WHAT? Like really? You guys LEFT her? How irresponsible of you guys!" jerked out Aryaman in dismay. Then he wondered why Nandini never called him, and realized he had told her he was leaving with Nia - maybe that's why she didn't call. He quickly called Nandini, and Manik was soon very alert to eavesdrop - but all he heard was Aryaman say, "Hello Nandini? Yeah, okay. Sure." And he hung up. Manik looked at him questioningly; Aryaman informed Nandini was out with friends for a movie. Manik frowned - out with friends? Where did these friends suddenly turn up from? Didn't Mukku ask him to befriend her because she didn't have any friends? Suddenly the image of that dancing boy from last night flashed in his mind - dancing with Nandini - pretty idiot boy he thought.

***

Nandini had met Aliyaa and Dhruv for the movie, but later thought it was prudent to leave them alone for a bit - citing assignments as her excuse, she came back to Aliyaa's hostel - she still wasn't ready to head home.

Aliyaa and Dhruv had gone to a cafe, Aliyaa sat quietly, a little far from Dhruv. She smiled at him politely, but the twinkle in her eyes was missing - Dhruv didn't notice that. He was feeling better today - more hopeful about their future today than yesterday. He smiled at her with satisfaction. He enquired if she wanted something to drink - a glitter almost came back to her eyes as she opened her mouth to ask for "Cold chocolate with whipped cream and choco chips and red velvet cake for a side" but her smile faltered, she remembered her sister's advice - to be matured around Dhruv - did mature people have these? Probably not. She changed her mind in the last moment and asked for a simple cappuccino. Dhruv smiled and asked for the same - her eyes shone to see they had similar taste - but did they really? She didn't like cappuccinos! Dhruv however seemed more impressed. He began,

"After yesterday, I thought you would order silly things like those fancy chocolatey drinks you know! The ones you see silly school kids fawn over? I guess Nandini was right, you aren't as childish, you were only happy to see me suddenly last morning!" Aliyaa's stiffened, and internally thanked her stars for not ordering those - it hurt her to finally see what Dhruv felt about her true self, but at least he thought better now - she smiled. She only had to behave matured around him - that's it. Simple

***

Nandini decided to call back Aryaman in the evening. An anxious Aryaman wanted to meet Nandini right then - though Nandini tried to calm him telling him she was okay, Aryaman wouldn't budge. He told her that no matter what, he wanted to talk to her and they needed to meet. A reluctant Nandini agreed.

In half an hour's time, Aryaman met Nandini at a cafe near the hostel. He apologized for the incident in the night club - he solely considered himself responsible for whatever had happened, he told her he should have ensured her safety - Nandini had a tough time convincing him that he was the one person she didn't blame. Seeing her hurt tone, Aryaman asked her softly, who had hurt her the most - Nandini always thought her answer was Mukti, but upon Aryaman's enquiry, she didn't know how, but the name that escaped her lip was, Manik.

Aryaman wasn't surprised. He didn't laugh either, like Nandini expected him to. He frowned on the contrary. "Nandini, you really like Manik don't you?" asked Aryaman with a considerable pause. Nandini never thought she would own up this to anyone, but Aryaman felt like a safety net for her - he looked out for her like a true friend - she didn't feel like lying to him. "Yes, I do." She whispered softly, with eyes lowered, then she quickly said, " Aryaman I know you're his best friend, please don't tell on me?"

"Of course not Nandini, I would never do that. But I need to tell you something - I know this will hurt you, but it better that you are hurt and aware and strong beforehand than dealing with it later when it might get difficult" breathed Aryaman.

"What is it Aryaman?" she asked feebly.

"Nandini, I think you know this too, I want to just confirm. Manik doesn't see you that way - true his judgement over you has changed over time - initially he included you in our group just because of Mukti's request, but over time I think he has learnt that you're not a bad person - he has accepted you as a part of the group, maybe not his friend, but someone he knows and is okay with - but fact remains that he likes Soha. And if I know him well, he will soon make a move on her - I want you to be ready beforehand and not get shattered whenever that may happen okay?" explained Aryaman gently.

Nandini whimpered softly and Aryaman gently hugged her, he knew Nandini was a very nice person. He knew that she genuinely loved Manik, and Manik was lucky that way - only he knew how superficial Manik was when it came to women - he didn't know if he should be happy that Manik didn't show interest in Nandini (because if he got her involved and left her it would shatter her) or sad because Nandini really liked him.

"Does Soha like him as much as he likes her?" asked Nandini after sometime.

"Soha is as impulsive as Manik - I wish Manik realized your value Nandini" whispered Aryaman.

"But Soha is your sister Aryaman" replied Nandini surprised.

"Even so." muttered Aryaman. Then he continued, "Nandini, I think, even if you can't get Manik to love you, I think you should work towards earning your own respect before him - stop letting him walk all over you" Nandini understood what Aryaman said; and after last night, she had every intention of not letting them run over her; but she wasn't going to fight to get his respect - from now on she will not let Manik accept her as a part of their group just because of Mukti. She will refuse the favour - she will leave the group she thought. If he couldn't respect her, if Mox could be so hurtful, she was better off without them. True she would still do his assignment, but that would be because she had promised him to do it for him all through this semester, not because of her feelings. And also she will equally prioritise her own assignments - Manik couldn't take all from her. Then she looked up thoughtfully at Aryaman,

"Thank-You for being there Aryaman, it means a lot. From tomorrow, I won't be a part of that group; but you will remain my friend." Aryaman smiled. Finally Nandini had taken a good decision. He hugged her and said, "Well done Nandini! And yes, we are friends for life now!"

***

Aliyaa had returned back to the hostel after spending the whole day with Dhruv - she was very happy. She chirpily told her di about much she loved his company, how she didn't realize the day had gone by; she told her Dhruv was very impressed with her, as she just behaved a little less childishly. Nandini smiled seeing her sister so happy. She hoped things would work as smoothly between Aliyaa and Dhruv. They were chatting when she received a text from Dhruv.

8:13p.m. [Hi Nandini, Aliyaa's phone is dead I think. Did she reach home safe? How are you doing?]

8:17p.m. [Hi Dhruv, yes she reached safe, we are chatting right now. So, all set for tomorrow?]

8:20p.m. [Yes, quite excited! We are in the same class right? You want me to pick you up?]

But before Nandini could reply, another text came in; it was from Manik.

8:21p.m. [Hi Nandini, was wondering if my assignment is ready, then I would like to collect it a bit early before class from you. Could you take me through it before class in the canteen?]

Nandini was surprised, why did Manik need to read up on assignments before submission? He never did that. Plus, what assignments? There weren't any to work on over this weekend, did he forget? But she decided to reply to Dhruv before Manik, but she mistakenly sent Dhruv's reply to Manik.

8:24p.m. [Yes we are in the same class, but you needn't pick me up! I will see you in class! Good night 'D' :D]

Manik stared at the text message he received, incredulously; it didn't make sense. When did he offer to pick her up? And what was new about them being in the same class? Also, what was 'D'? Unless, and exactly that moment he received another text.

8:28p.m. [Sorry, wrong text sent. There is no assignment for tomorrow.]

Manik read and re-read the text message, wrong message? So someone had offered to pick her to college? Who was he? Then he told himself that he was fretting unnecessarily, it could be a girl too! And damn those assignments - could they never come in use? The one time he tried using them as excises to buy sometime alone with Nandini and talk about the clubbing night, that very time they didn't have assignments? He frowned at the text; unless he was over reading, the text felt very oddly cold and the "new" friend, who offered to pick her up, seemed like a guy. He would find out tomorrow, at least he would get to see her, and oh, Soha was returning too.

***

Dhruv was sipping a cup of coffee and thinking - true, whenever he thought about his impending wedding with Aliyaa in the last few years, it made him jittery; after all they were children when had taken the soul-mate thing seriously - who knew their families would take the words of two silly teenagers so seriously. He had hoped Aliyaa would also grow out of it when in college, but he had heard from his sister Diya that she hadn't ever gotten over him. She was still head over heels about him. Dhruv had freaked out, and had thought of telling his mother to talk to her family and cancel all this, citing that Dhruv has grown out of it, now that he was old enough to understand how silly it was, in the first place. But Diya had shared a few photos of Aliyaa, and he couldn't ignore how pretty she was, hence he had decided to come down to the same college and give it a shot before telling his parents to cancel all plans.

Upon arrival, he had freaked out seeing how obsessed she was with him - her childishness and loud personality irked him, embarrassed him. He had decided that he couldn't deal with this woman, but he also realized how his refusal could break her heart, he didn't want that either, after all she was his childhood friend; but Nandini had seen through his confusion and she had told him Aliyaa wasn't as immature and he shouldn't be judgemental at the first go, he should give her time. He had agreed and met her today, to his surprise, Nandini was right; Aliyaa was quiet, polite, and well behaved today. He enjoyed her company, as she spoke less and listened more, she was shy and cautious; she was very different from the day before and it was a blessing for him; though he hadn't taken a decision regarding there wedlock yet, at least she wouldn't be a pain to be around for the entire semester he thought. As for classes, he thanked his stars that he was her senior, and would be in Nandini's class - Nandini was nice, she was understanding and a good friend to have in a new class thought Dhruv and smiled. That's when Nandini replied to his last text message.

8:41p.m. [Yes we are in the same class, but you needn't pick me up! I will see you in class! Good night 'D' :D]

***

A/N : Hello peeps! Firstly, thank you for giving this story a chance, I see steady increase in viewers! Hoping they would convert to votes and lovely comments soon :)

Again, same drill, would love to hear more from you guys, whether you like this story or not, what holds your interest in the story, how do you feel about the Manik-Nandini-Aryaman bond etc. Looking forward to more interaction!

WORD COUNT : 2,332