A/N : Aaannnndd we are back, amigos!

So, I took a hiatus to try and get more readers before continuing the story, well I am brave enough to say, thhhaaaat didn't work out! :D

I want new readers, yes - which writer doesn't?

But, somehow I don't like disappointing my existing readers (however small in number they maybe!) - they are the ones who are invested in my story and their wait is important for me - so I am continuing for all you guys out there - thank you for the love and patience. 

Now with or without new readers, I will write the story anyway!

Its dedicated to all of you, and my sheer love for writing & story telling! 

Readers, do leave a vote & comment - they make my day !

Much love, 

A.

***

S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2011

(Nandini's bedroom, S.P.A.C.E. Residency)

Nandini Murthy

You know that nagging voice inside your heart, the one that is more often than not, annoyingly correct about every other situation it has assessed? That's the voice that was telling me something was just not right. Manik and I were not right. I mean, it's evening now, and all day he hasn't been around. Okay before you launch your, 'give your boyfriend some space' lecture, hear me out. There is nothing substantially wrong between us that I can pinpoint, but there's this anxiety in me. I can feel a shift in paradigm has happened between us since this morning - since we went all the way and made love. I am damn intuitive in these things; I had sensed a shift in paradigm on the night he had taken me to that penthouse too, to see the Manhattan skyline at night - only thing was, that felt like a positive shift, something that made me feel exhilarated, and this one, well this one feels different.

After we finally managed to get out of bed around noon, for some reason, Manik seemed distracted and I want to think I am wrong, but he seemed to avoid eye contact with me. He had spent some fifteen minutes in the shower, which is the time I used to freshen up myself and rushed to the kitchen to fix our usual eggs and toast, but when I came out of the kitchen to call him for breakfast, he had gone out by then. Manik didn't even tell me he was leaving; while I know he might've been in a hurry, and just because we have done it now, he doesn't always need to keep me in the loop, but still? Maybe a bye would suffice? Argh. Ayappa am I overthinking this?

Maybe it was okay to not let me know and go but not turn up all day? I mean it's New Years Eve and he has decided to go all poof on me. I thought we were ringing in the New Year together, has that plan changed too? I wasn't sure, maybe like Christmas even this time, he had gone to visit his friends for the day so that he could spend the evening with me? I wondered, what if he was planning a surprise party for me? This thought had initially taken my mind off the bad feelings and it made me anxious, apprehensive and maybe even a little excited - with Manik, you never know! That was why I had decided to dress up in the early evening and wait, trust him to turn up at the nick of time and ask me to go with him somewhere!

After waiting all evening and late into the night, while Manik was still missing in action, I decided it was finally time to change back to my night clothes, it was half past twelve and still Manik didn't show up; I mean we all know how these parties are, maybe his friends didn't let him leave before midnight, or maybe he got drunk and lost track of time? I didn't call him either, I didn't want him to feel I have an overbearing presence and too high expectations from him, you know these things can be putting off for many, and might impact our new relationship; but there was this heavy feeling inside my heart that I couldn't offset - something was amiss. Ayappa, please make him call or even text me once, so we can at least wish each other for the new year - come one be on my side once?

***

I woke up in the morning due to a nonstop ring coming from my iPad. I got up and trudged towards the couch where my iPad lay, I flicked it on and glanced at the time it was eleven in the morning. A sigh escaped me, as I realised Manik hadn't turned up yet. The continuous ringing of my FaceTime broke through my reverie, as I saw it was Navya calling. I so did not want to talk to her at that point, I just knew it, her unbridled enthusiasm for the New Year and life in general was going to depress me further, but what choice did I have? When bestie calls, you gotta take it!

"Hey Nav", I greeted her half heartedly, while I went back and plopped onto the bed.

"Nanduuuu, my baby! Happy New year" came her shrill shrieking voice, piercing through my eardrum! I rolled my eyes in exasperation before replying.

"Happy New Year, Nav"

"Oho Nandu, I know your New Year was sad and boring this year, but must you sulk this bad on the first day of the year?" she scolded me lovingly. Although she had no context to my problem, but, she kind of had a point, plus I thought I was really overthinking this Manik issue; Ayappa wont let things go so off - he might be annoying, but my Ayappa always eventually has his Nandu's back!

"Done wishing Ayappa, a happy new year?" prattled on Nav on the call.

"Huh?" I responded, clearly clueless of what she was talking about.

"You were zoning out, figured, I am interrupting Ayappa time" she teased. I smiled, as my eyes fell on my phone that was lying on my bed; suddenly it struck me, maybe he called me but I was asleep? Stupid, Silly, Nandu! Hmph.

I had then turned to Navya to quickly mumble something about getting late and hung up; instantly I had picked up my phone. My phone had some seventeen notifications, and my heart was thumping fast, hoping all of them were Maniks, but as I unlocked my phone, a deep unsettling feeling had set in, since none of those greetings and wishes were from the person I wanted them from. It was strange, it was close to twenty four hours and Manik hadn't contacted me, was something up I wondered; then as the hours flew, my faith in our relationship started faltering, and panic slowly set in, I decided, enough of playing 'nice, space giving girlfriend' now was the time to snoop.

I had quickly gone to check if his door was unlocked, but it was locked. When did he ever lock his room when he went out? This man. Argh. I tried calling Harshad, wouldn't he be in the same party, they were a group, right? As many times as I tried reaching him, his phone remained unreachable. I sighed, that's it - time to abandon shtick 'matured girl friend' and take charge, with shivering hands I decided to call Manik.

One ring

Two rings

Three rings

Anytime now, he was going to pick up and give me an adorable excuse and I would turn to mush and the earth would be back to its axis, I told myself.

Four rings

Five rings

Beep-beep

Ayappa, did he just disconnect my call?!? What was wrong with this man, dude? I called back a couple of times and he disconnected all of them. I was sweating in panic now. Why was Manik ignoring me? Did he..no. I stopped myself from thinking the obvious. I was sure he was busy or stuck somewhere; he'd call back.

'Manik, please call back when you're free - are you all right, I am worried for you'

I typed the text message and looked at it. Nah, it seemed melodramatic, he'd tease me for this. I erased the second line.

'Manik, please call back when you're free'

There, short and crisp. I sent the text and stared at my Whatsapp for his revert. The message was delivered alright, but he didn't come online instantly to read it, like he always did. No Nandini, don't overthink. He is busy, if he wasn't, wouldn't he have taken your calls?

***

S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2012

(Common kitchen, S.P.A.C.E. Residency)

It was evening by then and as much as I was trying to stay positive, the rational part of my brain, the one that had been nagging me all this while, was continuously telling me Manik had played me. What I couldn't comprehend was, why me? What had I done to deserve this? I didn't initiate our 'thing', hell I knew I wasn't good enough for him, and he, what did he get out of this? Was all this to get into my pants? Sheesh Nandini, get grip. Manik will have an epic explanation for this behaviour. I am sure. Ayappa, please don't let me down this time?

I was making coffee in the kitchen when I heard the noise of a door clicking shut outside. Manik, he must be back. Finally! About time! I huffed to myself and dashed out of the kitchen towards his room.

"Mr. Manik Malhotra! You better have a great explanation for ghosting me like this" I commanded barging inside and stopped abruptly as the person inside the room turned around and looked at me with a surprised expression.

It wasn't Manik. It was that pretty girl I had once met here in Manik's room. It was Aliya. It was clear we didn't get along back then when we met, but today she didn't even bother to put up the charade of decency, as she sneered at me in response after staring at me for a few seconds.

"Where are your manners, babe? How dare you barge in like this?" I was surprised to see the venom she held in her eyes for me, I mean not getting along was one this, but hate?

"Sorry Aliya, I didn't realise it was you. I thought it was Manik..so.." I mumbled but she didn't let me complete.

"So? You think you could barge in like that on Manik? How cheap are you?" she said, with disgust clear on her face.

I was losing it now, first Manik was missing and on that, this rat was waltzing around in his room like she owned it, and had the audacity to ask me such questions? "How I walk into Manik's room shouldn't be any of your concern Aliya, what are you doing here? And where is Manik?" I asked with gritted teeth; I am The Nandini Murthy, had I shown my temper, this girl would flee, but I had to control, I needed information on my Manik.

"It shouldn't be my concern, you say? I have every right to question anyone who barges into my boyfriend's room in his absence. What do you want?" she hit back at me.

I stared at her. Girlfriend. Did she say girlfriend? Ayappa, tell me I didn't hear it right.

"You are his girlfriend." I found myself making that statement, it wasn't a question, it was information which I was trying to process but the f*ckery of the situation had blown my mind and I was lost.

"Of course, we've been together for seven years now" she replied with pride and mockery.

"Then who am I?", again, this wasn't a question I was asking her, as tears were pooling in the corner of my eyes, I was probably thinking aloud without realising it myself.

"You? A mere Holiday distraction at best..." she smirked.

"Hol..distraction..wh-why?" I stammered as my tear finally broke through and dashed down my cheeks. "So, all this was to get into bed with me?" I asked her in a state of shock and disappointment. I was beyond noticing her rudeness now, I was only seeking answers now.

"Into bed with you? Don't overestimate your worth, girl. Look at you and look at my Manik - you think you stand a chance? She smirked at me. I only looked at her, a part of me wanted to tell her how her boyfriend of seven years had slept with me last night, I wanted to remove my tee before her and show her his teeth marks and grazes that were still fresh on my skin. But I didn't. It was not worth it and I Nandini Murthy was better than them.

"Then , why?" I whispered as I looked at her, while wiping my tears, ignoring the jeer in each of her responses. She seemed to tone down a bit seeing my state and decided to answer my questions instead.

"Listen Nandini, f*ck the reason; just know this, no one messes with Manik Malhotra. You messed with him, he got back at you. It's equal now and it's over." she spoke without mockery for the first time.

I looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. Mess with him? When did I mess with Manik? How did any of these make sense!? Ayappa, please tell me this is a nightmare!!

"How did I mess with him?" I asked with shock laced in my voice.

"I don't know. Manik never told us. He just said he needed to get even with you and we Fab 5, it's our code, we don't question, we support each other through thick and thin. I was going to come to see you anyway, to tell you this. Manik has sent me to tell you that the game is over now and you should stay away from him" Aliya replied curtly.

Game is over? Game. Woah. Ayappa, you shall never hear from me. I promise you this today.

"Aliya there is some confusion, I haven't messed with Manik. I love him" I tried explaining one more time.

"Just shut up, okay. Manik is mine. Mine to love, mine to keep. He hates you and you will stay away from him, if you've learnt anything from this." she snapped.

"I f*cking want to know why. You or your Manik, I don't care who, but one of you will tell me what mess I caused in his life that he did this to me. I want an answer damn it!" I cried out in frustration.

"How does it matter? It's over now. Forget it and get back on with life, classes will start next week anyway. Then it will be like this never happened" she sighed and turned her back to me.

"Aliya, you love Manik, right? Would you have not seeked an answer if you were in my place?" I requested her, I was hoping that the much talked about concept of humanity would intervene at this point, because I had no energy left to fight. She sighed, it looked like she really did love him.

"Nandini, I hate you. I really do. You kept my boyfriend away from me for the entire Holiday season - and I don't want you around him for even a second more; but I agree, I would have looked for answers too, if I were you. So for one last time I will tell you where to find Manik. Go ask your question, if you find your answer, great. If you don't find your answer, you will still stay the f*ck away from us anyway. I want this nightmare to end. I just want to go back to being happy with Manik in my life." she whispered back.

"He intentionally broke my heart Aliya, why would I ever want to see his face again after having my answer. But I need my answer, for closures sake" I whimpered.

"Very well Nandini, you will find him in S.P.A.C.E. residency campus, in the apartment he had taken you to visit in the initial days of his mission" she replied nonchalantly. The surprise in my face must have been evident because she rolled her eyes and continued, "That's his place. His mother is one of the trustees of our college"

"Then why was he staying here?" I asked in confusion. I distinctly remember him never saying it out loud for once that evening, that apartment was his. Aliya's 'duh' face was enough to answer my question, all this was a part of the elaborate charade that Manik was - it was all to get me.

As I slowly turned to leave the room, I had one last question for her, "What about my dormie Alisah? The one Manik exchanged his supposed room with" I wanted to know if my trusted friend and dormie was a party to this game of his.

"She knows nothing, she just needed money to plan a vacation with her boyfriend for the Holidays and Manik paid her boatloads of it for getting her room" Aliya replied and got back to what seemed like packing Manik's stuff from the room. So he wasn't even coming back to collect his stuff.

As I walked back to the kitchen, my coffee had turned to ice, strangely, so had my heart. I had fallen in love with Manik, and it was all a lie. Love was a lie.

***

A/N : Well? How was it? Pretty shocking huh? After all Manik was this goody goofy guy we all adored, but is that the only side of Manik? We only know as much Nandini tells us! 

What do you guys think of Manik? Why do you think he broke her heart? Any guesses? ;)

Keep guessing until next Sunday :D

Adios.