One chotu question for you beautiful readers... Should I write multiple POVs, just like the show? I wanted you guys to relate to all the characters in some way. :P Or do you want it exclusively in MaNan's POV?

Thank you for your continual support! Will you keep it going? :P

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Cabir

"This is the Bandra-Worli sea link, you guys. It is one of India's biggest engineering developments. Twelve of our partner college's seniors helped build this masterpiece." Pride glimmered as I stated some facts; our college was indeed one of the best in the city.

We were sandwiched by the ocean on both sides and were several feet above the sea, almost afloat by the bridge that could withstand gigagrams at a time. Back in the day, it was one of our favourite drive-through spots: everyone in our friendship circle would bring their partner and ride this smooth road while having a couple of romantic moments.

We would take the Western Express highway right after school, spend half our allowance money on the tolls and then relax on the shore with a couple of vintage styled hexagonal glasses, that were just as tall as our fingers could hold, solely dunked in water to wash off the chai they served another customer with. Nevertheless, the filth associated with it never was at par with the excitement and taste of the tea made from such stalls. Also, for six rupees, what more could one ask? 

"Mumbai is actually so beautiful." Pamela was peering through the glass that I forcibly shut. Open vehicles weren't allowed on the link. Staying underneath the starless late night sky and being enveloped by the humidity outside that condensed on the glass as dewdrops gave me a reality check, that I was indeed in Mumbai and not Manchester.

"Yeah..." I tapped my fingers on the rim of the steering wheel. The car as a whole we rented for the night, as I knew getting drunk was not an option: at least for me. "I guess it's more than just the memories."

"I hope Manik is okay back there alone." I wouldn't be worried about him as long as he didn't overdose on his cigarette stash–which wasn't to be a surprise considering the craze he's putting himself through lately.

Alex was a little too curious. "Why is Manik like this?"

"Like what?"

"Explosive... inconsistent..." I scorned to myself making silent remarks on their judgments. Baggage, we all have some, don't we?

"It's who he is." They were all expecting more than that from me at least. I looked into the distance of the highway. "We've lost what defined us and now in the process of coping, we're hurting each other because only the two of us know the degree of that demise."  

"And you're okay with it? The hatred?" Bill interrogated, not as convinced.

I parallel parked the car in the worst way I possibly could and then turned the engine off. "Let's go."

The hall wasn't empty, but there was a weird vibe to it; it was the first time that I walked in there alone–one out of six. The troop followed behind, but they weren't tight enough with me to be completely myself around. We sat on a table away from our original one, for pre-drinks.

"I'm going to go with the classic: Brewmaster's Barley."

Pamela shot in her order. "I'll take the Cosmopolitan, can I have extra cranberries on top?" Her cheeky request was promptly complied to. I rolled my eyes at the waiter. Foreigners really had some respect in the country.

My vision spread upon a young familiar lad seated on a stool behind the counter at a distance. He wore a green plaid shirt, unbuttoned over his black tank possibly, tuning an instrument that I was certain was a guitar. The only thing missing was the cap we'd gotten accustomed to seeing.

I excused myself from the group, taking small strides to confirm my astonishment. "Dhruv?" His head flicked up, eyes glistened like all this while he was waiting to see us. He was still my favourite. 

"Hey... Cabir... what's up?" His hand stretched out for a formal handshake. Eyeing it, then him again, I clutched it in a brotherly manner. I wished I could bump our shoulders together but that wasn't possible with the width of the table top.

"It's been AGES! How have you been, brother? You're a bartender now?" He smiled, gesturing me to sit down opposite to him. Still a man of few words.

"Hey there, lovely ladies and... mediocre... gentlemen..." The modest population assembled hooted and got all riled up as the anchor broke into chuckles on the microphone. Dhruv smiled and so did I. "...in a few minutes, Dhruv Vedant will be performing a piece for you all. I hope you enjoy your night."

He put me through a quick scan, and then headed off to the miniature stage created for him to perform on. Somewhere deep down, my heart warmed to the fact that he still sought his comfort in music. As he plugged the jacks into the mixer, I tugged my cardigan forcing air to flow in.

Khushi ke pal kahaan dhoondu?

Benishaan sa waqt bhi yahaan hai

Tere bina kabhi raatein na ho meri

Tere kareeb ho mere ye din sabhi

Yehi baar baar sochta hoon tanha main yahaan

Mere saath-saath chal raha hai yaadon ka duaan

Tu saath hai agar tanhaa kyun hai safar

Itna bata mujhe kyun hai mujhse bekhabar

"That was... bewitching." He licked his lips nervously, looking at his stool as he attempted to sit down. His hand, that would otherwise lower his cap flap, ran through his hair. He was still the same: not a man for praise, just someone far away from the limelight. "Where's everyone else?"

"Alia still has her boutique, Mukti–Manik would know, right? She's not in touch," He shrugged with a polite smile.

"Nobody knows where Mukti is." I swirled my drink in its glass and then gulped it in one-go. Dhruv seemed surprised. "Not even Manik."

"Abhimanyu's in Bangalore."

"What about Nandini?" His smile dropped.

"No clue." Studying him wasn't difficult. I blinked slowly, for he had more to say. "I pray she's okay."

From the stash behind him, he pulled out a few bottles and made himself something too. It was part of the ritual, our friendship motto, that nobody allows anyone else to do something without 'company'–not even have a drink. I couldn't help but mention, "You liked her so much, didn't you?" When his attention drifted back to me in hopes that I would be neutral, I was smiling dearly. "Sometimes, I feel you would've been her soulmate, if that worked out."

"Soulmates aren't those who are perfect for one another, they're the ones who tear down walls and smack each other awake. Nandini was that for Manik. They come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave and that's what happened to them. They never promised a forever, but they taught each other to live with themselves. I was never in the picture."

I instantly connected the idea to Raghav and I, the closest I had to my soulmate. He taught me how to accept myself, my sexuality, my feelings for him–he allowed me to express them to him, even though he came out to be a cheater. He showed me who Cabir as a boyfriend would be, and if anything I shouldn't grieve his loss. It was an experience, maybe a bad one, but one to take lessons out of. Never date a bisexual man.    

My face lit up again, starting from my nose spreading out to every nook and crook of my body. His words made me feel I was worth so much more. "Impressive."

He clinked his drink to my empty glass. "Elizabeth Gilbert taught us right!"

No amount of further meetups with Raghav would've given me that closure. He was my soulmate, but he wasn't the only one I had to rely on. "You know what? There are many kinds of relationships in this world. Raghav was not my true love. That dude is out there somewhere!" It was such a new feeling, a feeling of liberation; it felt like I had broken free from the cages I had created for myself, from the memories I based my entire life upon and the false accusations that I was not good enough. 

"Yup! You just gotta find him, brother." I grinned.

"Get me a whiskey, yeah?"

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Cabir

At ten past five in the morning, we were sobered down and in Borivali's train station, chilling on the car bonnet with two large buddy packets of Lays Magic Masala chips and a two litre Pepsi bottle. All we wanted to do was hang out, and catch up on everything that we missed on those few years. Everyone says high school friendships last the longest but we broke up with each other back then. Yet, at the crack of dawn on a working day we were with each other.

Alia slapped me twice in the arm for my foolishness. "Seriously? What in the world made you think bringing Manik here would be a good idea?" It was a collective thought we had, that Manik would not want to meet us and though he was in the same city, he was missed. Mukti was long gone.

"Manik needs saving, Alia. He's shred himself to pieces; the only bits left are that of a beast's whose heart warms to the sound of music." That was the only human part of him left. "You or I cannot help him."

"Yet, that's the most untainted part of him." Dhruv added, as if Manik was a mystical creature, with countless seeds of boons to sow in the meadows of sin.

Alia's head burrowed into Dhruv's lap and my jacket was around her sleeveless torso, warming her up. She popped a chip in her mouth, munching roughly–if she could, she would grind me between her teeth like that potato slice. "And Nyonika can? She freaking hates Manik to the core of whatever part of her heart remains, which isn't much, trust me." The last part of her sentence rolled off as a sardonic chuckle. Dhruv shrugged while sipping his Pepsi.

"Not Nyonika, idiots, Nandini. That's why I brought him here." I had Dhruv's attention first.

Alia jumped, "The book... Don't tell me..."

"Why? Why her? She's been through so much."

I looked up at the sky, sighing, "But he needs her more than she needs him."

"Why cannot we do something, all of us—his best friends?"

"Because... he doesn't have faith in us... anymore."

Alia whisked a breath, as if mocking destiny. "He still believes in love." A part of me felt terrible for discussing Manik with her; everyone knew he was her first crush, for whom she fell deep in the friendzone even before Nandini came into the picture. Harshad, her brother, was one reason for her seeking comfort in Manik while the rest came as means of a developing 'friendship'.

The slightest rays of sunrise peeked from beneath the clouds, while the moon was still in its full glory on the other side of the sky. "Do you think Manik will fall for her again?" I looked at him, and then smiled to myself.

"All I hope is his heart becomes tender again."

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25 August 2010

"He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."
—Emily Brönte

It was almost time for school and I was mentally prepared to receive some sort of punishment. As such that teacher was strict, and then this assignment. All because of Manik. How could somebody be so ignorant, so insensitive? How would you know, Babbu, you're always in the bathroom!

So I put my school blazer on, leaving it unbuttoned though since my tiny tummy didn't budge and hide, and adjusted my tie over the plain white shirt. Breakfast was ready for me when I went downstairs, which I ate exceptionally quickly and quietly. Sign number 1. I headed to school with my brother instead of the bus. Sign number 2. Even on the way, I tried to avoid any indications that my brother sent, to discuss Manik and I from the previous evening.

I was just in time for the school assembly and I stood in the line allotted for 10B, two slots in front of Navya after throwing my bag in whatever seat was empty in my classroom. Navya figured I wasn't in the mood for conversation so she didn't poke me further either. I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Hey."

He looked familiar, with the cap covering his face but luckily I was short enough to see underneath. "Hi, have we met before?"

"I'm Dhruv, from the party." He spoke slowly and gently as he touched his chest, as if speaking in English for him was a struggle. Party...

"Oh yes, I remember. Are you also in tenth?"

He first shook his head. "No, Arts, 12th standard batch. You're in tenth?" For some reason, I found him the least pretentious out of that lot of people: Mukti, Alia, and of course, no need to mention Manik anywhere because he is the worst of them all.

"Yeah, this is the assembly line for us so..."

His face contorted in a way that he thought it was stupid of him to ask. I felt somewhat terrible for doing that. I turned around once to see Manik standing four lines diagonally to my right, and at the back–since he was tall of course. His stare seemed fixed on me. If anyone had to be giving 'the look' it had to be me and to him! But I didn't even want to look at him. I tilted my head down in dejection. After the endless prayers, pledges and 'important' announcements that they anyways repeat in class, I ran back upstairs cutting through the lines irresponsibly.

I wanted to inform the teacher before everyone came, so that I wouldn't be publicly ridiculed in class. I was the first one to enter the room and on the teacher's desk, as I happened to glance, laid a file. I walked closer to it and on the front page, it read 'Cell Theory–by Nandini Murthy'. It came as a shock to me. I wasn't expecting that at all. I picked it up and flipped through the pages to find a post-it on the back of the last page, with a 'Sorry :(' scribbled on it.

Instantly, I felt a warm smile embrace my lips. I knew it was him; I wondered how long it would've taken him. I pulled the post-it off and re-read it. That was the first incident where he caught a tiny place in my heart. I smiled to myself and headed to my desk with the file against my chest and my lower lip between my teeth. He probably isn't that bad after all, I said to myself again as my face lit up. I was all ready for the assignment hand-in, finally.

The rest of the class happened to join. Navya and Aryamann raised their eyebrows at me, confused by my sudden excitement. I shook my head negatively, signalling I'd explain later and they took their seats. I unfolded the post-it once again, read it and smiled, folding it back but keeping it safe. Thank you so much. Aryamann guessed what would've happened, and in places where he was really confused, he just jumped to conclusions and sorted the story himself. He wasn't that concerned about me, as much as he was interested in Manik's craze with regards to messing with me.

At lunch break, I met Dhruv again when he came to fill his water bottle in our campus and since I was cheerful, I believe I drove the conversation in the right direction. All went well, he was a nice chap!

After school, I was waiting for Abhi in front of his campus impatiently, peeping through the hallway every minute. Okay, maybe not just Abhi... Either ways, I had a wonderful day ever since.

"Looking for me?" I heard a creepy whisper over my shoulder and I jumped in fright. I was about to say something but he played smart. "Hey hey, now don't I deserve a chance?" He leaned to match my height and I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed.

I wasn't the kind that was scored on before. Gaining attention of any kind from the opposite gender was a far stretch out of my comfort zone. As I started pacing, not cockily but out of sheer discomfort, towards the school exit gate with a smug smile, like a lovesick puppy he followed, galloping. "Huh?"

I stopped in my trails, turned around and knit my eyebrows together. I tried to contain my cheeky smile, further emphasising on the frown lines. "How long did it take for you to redo that?"

He smirked and let out a sarcastic breath. "Well, I have my sources. I can get these things done by the snap of my fingers, you know?" His school blazer was tugged on to seem probably influential. Ah, that attitude. That attitude had some power, power to sweep any girl off her feet, maybe even I was slightly impressed. His confidence was remarkable.

"Thank you for that." I said with an authentic smile. Though it was his fault for the most part, I didn't expect him to help me in any way. I never would've thought 'the Manik Malhotra' would have mercy on anyone, forget being obligated to do a favour.

His lips twitched together, drawing attention to them. I don't think I've mentioned how naturally pink they are. "Nahi nahi, not enough! I want a proper thank-you. Say, Hard Rock at 4:30 tomorrow? I'll pick you up?" He was ahead of me by then, walking backwards while facing me after tossing his bag over his shoulder. What? Coffee? Oh no no!

"I don't..."

"So, I'll see you then!" He snapped and headed out of campus without a second glance. Aiyappa! I palmed my face at my indecisiveness and lack of assertion.

So coffee with Mr. Malhotra? I didn't know how bad of an idea it was, but the intuitive side of me kept telling me to pursue him, to give him a chance to prove that he wasn't all bad and that Manik Malhotra was only hiding from his own demons.

I need to figure out what to wear, but before that Abhi should allow... Oh, I was not going to mention it to him, not after the tiff he had seen between us in my room. Now what, Manik and I were at a stage where things about us had to remain 'private'?

Babbu, I need to decide what to wear.

Nandu

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Your boy knows how to play his game 😂 since Day 1 ;)

How did you like this chapter? I absolutely loved it! I think the essence of Manik Malhotra is in the mystery he holds behind his actions.

That's why I love him :") Why do you think he did that to Nandini? 👀 I wanna see the interesting answers that'll be coming up hehe!!