Manik was sitting in his usual spot next to Soha's seat and humming a tune. Soha hadn't turned up yet, she had texted him that their car had broken down in the highway and she would take until lunch break to reach college. He was casually smiling and laughing at his classmates who sat around him chatting away till the professor arrived. He occasionally glanced at the entrance for Aryaman to arrive, he was unusually late - normally Aryaman arrived way early so that he could grab his breakfast from the canteen before college started, but guess he was caught up somewhere. After waiting for a while, he decided to call him up, Aryaman had told him that he had overslept and would only arrive after their second lecture. Manik sighed; guess he would be really bored today. But then he remembered Nandini, well Nandini would never bunk a class, surely she would arrive, and what more, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to talk to her without making it too obvious. They were a group, and when the others of the group didn't turn up, it was natural for them to hang out. A smile twitched to his lip, as he thought to himself. Perfect

He was busy flirting with a classmate of his when he heard her voice from near the entrance door, he went still, he recognized her voice of course but not that laugh, she was always too quiet, never this chirpy he thought confused out of his wits. Then he slowly turned around and the sight that greeted him, brought in a certain uneasiness about him - she was walking in with a guy, he looked like one of Manik's type, he wore a polo tee with a distressed denim. He had a sling bag hanging from one shoulder and he was casually holding Nandini by her shoulder and laughing at something she had said. He was at ease with his surrounding, and smiled at the new faces he came across as he entered the class. Manik remembered about Nandini's wrong text from the night before, he was right, it was a guy! He sat up straighter in his seat to mark his territory almost, as he expected them to sit around him; of course Nandini would take her seat behind him and if the new guy tried sitting next to her, he would tell him it was reserved for Aryaman, he smiled with satisfaction. Of course after that if he came to sit next to him, he would tell him it's for Soha; Mr. New Guy seemed smart, he would get the hint and stay away, thought Manik with a smile. But to his surprise, Nandini never came to sit in her usual spot; instead she walked past him without noticing him and sat in the other corner of the class with this new guy by her side.

Soon a group of people went to them to meet the new guy; silly guy, thought Manik, he didn't even realize that he was the shining new toy, hence all wanted to know him. He on the other end was casually talking to all of them with a friendly ease. Manik felt bothered, they were a group. And groups always sat together. ALWAYS, no matter what; even if they leave each other in pubs alone past midnight. He didn't say anything, but he kept darting glances at Nandini, but she seemed too occupied with the number of people hovering around her seat. This irritated Manik; so much for friendship he thought.

As Manik sat through the lecture alone, he felt a little low, he felt lonely and friendless, and he never had a day in college like this before, where he didn't have his friends by his side. On that he could hear the girls excitedly whispering about the new guy and how hot he was; it irked him further. So new guy was competition huh? Well, silly girls, they didn't know, new guy was just another pretty boy, not a rockstar in making! He focused his thoughts on his music practise - he had started a rigorous training from the beginning of the semester, there was a talent hunt next month, he had registered there. He knew it he could make it through, but he needed undivided attention for that. His parents never stopped him from practising music, but they wouldn't take it mildly if his academics suffered for that. Thank-God Nandini was taking care of the assignments; at least his scores weren't the problem anymore.

After the first lecture, when he glanced a hundred times at Nandini and she never returned the look, he decided he would go and casually greet the two, that way he could gauge Mr. New Guy and also see exactly how mad Nandini was at having been left on her own at the night club; maybe he could discuss tomorrows assignment and also casually ask about her choice of seating? So, once the professor left the class, he casually got up and walked to them,

"Hey Nandini, what's up? Is your friend a new joinee here?" asked Manik lightly and smiled at the new guy, who looked up at him and smiled back in return.

"Yes, Dhruv is an exchange student, who would do his last semester with us" she curtly replied without even looking at him and kept scheming through her notes. This angered Manik, why couldn't Nandini bring up the topic that she was angry for once? Then it was so much easier to explain things! Silly Nandini he thought. But before he could probe further, the new guy spoke to him.

"Hi mate, I am Dhruv. Dhruv Malik. I joined for this semester. Nice meeting you! And you are?" he asked politely.

"Hey buddy, I am Manik. Manik Malhotra. Welcome to our college. I guess you will see a lot of me around, as you are now an extended part of our group" smiled Manik, as he played and age old advice in his mind, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

"Aah, thanks mate. But how am I an extended part of your group?" he asked surprised. Manik smiled, so Nandini wasn't very close to him, considering she never mentioned them to him.

"Through Nandini here, of course." but before he could detail it out further, Nandini spoke.

"My best friend Aryaman is actually a part of his gang of friends, that way.." she told Dhruv without looking at Manik. This infuriated Manik, so now only Aryaman was her friend and they were of course Aryaman's gang not her's. Yeah right, he had had enough, he coldly added, "Yeah, she loves hanging out with Aryaman, and as a result we end up seeing a lot of each other. Anyways, you need something, let me know" with that he and Dhruv nodded at each other and Manik walked away from them in a brisk pace with irritation and fury clearly written on his face. What does this Nandini think of herself?

***

Nandini sat through the next lecture, suddenly very aware of Manik's glances at her and his angry soot black eyes. To say the least, she was hurt, when she told Dhruv she wasn't in Manik's group and only hung out with them because of Aryaman, it was her way of telling Manik how hurt she was, and she wouldn't be a part of their group anymore. She atleast expected Manik would contradict her once? No. He gladly accepted her leaving their group. That's how less he cared, thought Nandini tearfully. Aryaman was right. But why was he glancing at her thus? Why did he look angry? Maybe because she wasn't at his service to give him company when the rest of the gang failed to turn up? thought Nandini with hurt in her eyes.

Manik breathed a sigh of relief when Aryaman arrived after the second lecture, he casually sat by him and they were merrily chatting. Manik was feeling much better, though he still kept looking over at Nandini and Dhruv, just to understand their dynamics of course. They seemed to be rapt in some conversation he noticed, new toy he thought in irritation towards Nandini.

Aryaman suddenly noticed Nandini's absence from the seat behind and wondered thoughtfully, Nandini seriously meant business this time, he smiled in relief, and just to check on Manik he enquired about her.

"Bro, where is Nandini? Soha I know will join post lunch." Manik gave him a dark look and glanced towards Nandini's new seat, "She is no more a part of this group." He muttered and then added, "Can't thank my lucky stars enough" he finished, not at all sounding convincing. But Aryaman didn't hear the latter, his eyes followed Manik's gaze and he smiled. Then without excusing himself, he went over to them, and soon to Manik's dismay, Aryaman was enthusiastically chatting with Dhruv and Nandini. Manik sighed in impatience; this had to be the most horrible day in his life.

During lunch, when Manik and Aryaman walked to the cafeteria, it was jam packed as usual, and there was no place. When they were about to walk away they heard a man's voice from behind, asking them to join him. He turned to see Dhruv, anger hit Manik once again and he was about to walk out when he saw Aryaman wave his hand at them and walked towards them, he had no choice but to follow.

As they sat together, Aryaman and Dhruv were chatting generally, but Manik was exceptionally quiet. Suddenly he heard Nandini's voice behind, "Here Dhruv, your fruit salad and lemonade" then she must have seen Aryaman sitting next to him and greeted him, "Hi Aryaman! You want something? I am still on queue waiting for my vadapav, I could fetch you something!"

"Hey thanks a lot Nandini! Do you mind getting me a vadapav too?" he asked and Nandini nodded and left, she was standing behind him, obviously she didn't notice him thought Manik reasonably.

Aryaman was going through his phone when he excitedly told the boys, "Guys, tickets are available for the new Avenger's movie. I thought it will be pre-booked for weeks! Want to go for a night show?"

"Wow, not bad bro. I thought we gotta wait. Sure, count me in!" replied Manik, forgetting his worries.

"Me too; I was hoping to block some tickets at the earliest to catch that one!" replied Dhruv. Manik smiled, away from Nandini, Dhruv seemed like a nice and friendly guy, and action movies are historically known to bond guys better! By then Nandini had arrived with two plates of vadapav, on reaching the four-seater table, she noticed that Aryaman and Dhruv were sitting on one side and the only vacant seat was next to Manik. On looking at him she realized he had noticed her dilemma and was looking at her curiously. Not wanting to make a scene before Dhruv, she quietly sat down as far away from Manik as possible and offered Aryaman her vadapav. Aryaman was talking to Dhruv all this while and then he glanced to see Nandini uncomfortable beside Manik; he had to do something. He turned to Nandini and asked if she could swap seats as he wanted to show the seats option to Manik, and much to Manik's dismay, Nandini gladly swapped seats and seemed to be very comfortable beside Dhruv now.

"So, booking these three seats then?" asked Aryaman looking up from his phone.

"Three? Isn't Nandini coming?" asked Dhruv startled.

"Nandini? It's an action movie dude, girls hate them" reasoned Aryaman and Manik nodded. He knew how Soha twitched her face in distaste when Manik had mentioned to her about watching this movie last week - then they had settled for a chick-flick that bored Manik to death, but Soha seemed to enjoy it.

"Yes, Dhruv; you guys carry on. I have some work" fumbled Nandini at Dhruv. But Dhruv's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the guys incredulously.

"But Marvel comics are your favourite! Only yesterday at the multiplex you were telling me, you wanted to go for this movie!" asked a bewildered Dhruv to a red faced Nandini. But it was Aryaman who spoke now.

"Nandini, you like these super-hero movies? I didn't know that. You want to join us? Okay we will get four tickets then"

Manik looked at Nandini in amazement. YESTERDAY AT THE MULTIPLEX?!?!!?! So she was with this dimwit when Aryaman had called her in front of him. "Movie with a friend my foot!" breathed out Manik in anger.

Nandini however tried to decline the offer, "No no Dhruv, I have to work on assignments tonight, you guys carry on. I can't come" but Dhruv wasn't going to leave it at that.

"It's okay Nandini. Let Aryaman and Manik go tonight, we will go tomorrow maybe? I can't leave my childhood superhero movie partner behind and go for Avengers - Endgame!" he laughed, and to Manik's surprise, Nandini laughed too! She never laughed with him. And wait a second, WHAT?!?! "CHILDHOOD SUPERHERO MOVIE PARTNER? CHILDHOOD!?!?!" no wonder she was so comfortable around him; no wonder she was flirting with him so shamelessly; childhood partner eh?

"No Aryaman, let's book tomorrow. Mox and Abhimanyu can also join us then, let's all go together. What say Dhruv? I hope we won't spoil your superhero movie date eh?" smirked Manik, but his voice was unconvincing to him too.

Aryaman looked up surprised, what had gotten on Manik today? Superhero movie date?!?

Dhruv however smiled. "Aah, I guess we can survive a gate crash on our date this time? What say partner?" he asked looking at Nandini and winked. Nandini just laughed, "You're impossible D"

Impossible my foot; silly, flirtatious, monkey from the zoo, thought Manik, as he got up quickly to leave; he couldn't stand it anymore. "I gotta look for Soha, see you guys!" "Soha?" repeated Dhruv, "Yes Soha, my partner for all intensive purposes" smirked Manik in irritation, and then he gave a hard glance at Nandini, who knew why she looked so crestfallen. Then he left.

***

The second half of lectures was less depressing for Manik. Soha was back and she was all over him, talking about her parties, shopping and the tan she got from the sea. It was during recess when she realised she needed her notes for the morning lectures; she turned to see behenji missing from the row behind.

"Where is behe--I mean Nandini?" she asked after darting a quick apologetic look at Aryaman.

"She is not a part of our gang anymore." Replied Aryaman curtly before Manik could reply.

"Nothing like that, her friend has joined our class for this last semester, she is sitting with him" replied Manik quickly and glanced at Aryaman.

"Oh" replied Soha, she couldn't believe her luck. Then she scanned around the room and saw them.

"That guy is behenji's friend?" she asked amazed forgetting to replace behenji wth Nandini this time.

"Apparently childhood friends and partner" replied Manik through gritted teeth, not looking up.

"Wow, he does look yummy" whispered Soha, and Manik snapped up his head in shock! Soha, really? Even Soha? What was with this guy?!?! But before he could react, Soha told them she was going to meet Nandini and get notes for the morning lectures.

Manik noticed Soha walk over to them and soon Soha was talking to a rather awkward Nandini like a long lost friend. She hugged Nandini, chatted about her trip, and showed her the tan too; and soon was joined by Dhruv in the chat; Manik looked at her with a gaping mouth while Aryaman smirked, "Meet my cousin Soha, Manik. Again."

When Soha was back, she didn't know why Manik's face was suddenly so ashened. She informed them that she was to join them for the movie too the next evening, Dhruv had invited her. Although she hated superhero stuff, but she couldn't refuse Dhruv, who was such a close friend to her best friend Nandini. Manik sighed in dismay seeing this side of Soha, while Aryaman coughed badly to mask his blatant laughter.

***

Nandini was just outside the college gate, waiting for an auto to travel home, when a car honked from behind, she turned back to see Manik. She looked away and moved aside, giving him space to pass. But instead of passing, Manik's head popped out of the window.

"Nandini, want a lift? I am going to meet Mukku only."

"No Thanks" she replied and was walking away, but Manik followed in his car.

"You know it's going to rain pretty soon, and if it starts raining before you get an auto, you will be drenched. It will be quite a sight for roadside Romeos to ravish. Unless you want to bask in that glory, hop on." He laughed.

"No Thanks Manik, I will manage." She replied without the slightest trace of humour on her face, as she continued to walk.

"Okay, I need to talk to you, about Friday. There was a misunderstanding. Come on in." he gave in.

"There is nothing to talk about. It's over now" she replied stiffly.

"Fine, I know it's over and you're also not a part of our gang now that you have your partner dearest. But I need to talk. So either you come inside the car as we talk on the way home, or I park my car and walk with you and talk on the way, that way when it rains we both get drenched. And only you know that my talent hunt is coming up in three weeks; a bad cough now can ruin things." replied Manik adamantly.

Nandini considered this option. She knew about his talent hunt; only she knew, even Mox, Aryaman and Soha didn't know. She had bumped onto him in the library at the starts of the semester while he was walking past with a file, the bump made his file and the papers fly out of his hand and scatter. She had quickly apologized to a furious Manik and helped collect his paper, that's where she saw the registration papers. Back then she feared Manik a lot; he had only just accepted her in his gang due to Mox. Manik was obviously furious that she found out, and she wanted to make up for annoying him this badly. She didn't want to lose this opportunity, she had a crush on Manik forever but he never noticed that she even existed. But thanks to Mox, at least he had grudgingly accepted her in the gang; she couldn't lose it so easily. So as compensation, she had offered to do his assignments throughout the semester and also promised to not to tell a soul about his competition. Manik had agreed. Coming back to the present, she knew how important this talent hunt was for him, even though she was hurt and upset at him and was no more a part of his gang, she couldn't risk to hamper his dream. So she bowed down her head in acceptance and got inside his car, sitting next to him silently.

The strange oppression he felt throughout the day seemed to sublime as he turned on the engine of his car with a smile on his face.

***

A/N : So? How goes this update? Liking the new Nandu with a spine? What does Manik think, he can get away with being a dick? ;) 

Our Nandu sure has some game up her sleeve :D

Thank you for the comments and voting for the story; I can't tell you how much I appreciate it :)

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