I think Radhika Madan fits perfectly for who I imagine as Saanvi. But you guys are free to imagine whoever you want. 😊

Happy Reading!

Manik's POV

"Eight freaking Hours!!" I yelled at the doctor while others tried to calm me down.

"Mr. Malhotra calm-" The Doctor tried to reason out but I wasn't ready to listen.

"Calm Down?! Don't you dare try to calm me the f-" I was shouting and not caring if I was creating a scene.

"Manik!" My head snapped to her voice, "Please.. Relax!" She said massaging her temple. I sighed and sat next to her while wrapping my hand around hers.

"I'm sorry, love. But I-I just.. It's really difficult.. I can't lose another one of my best friends..again!" It hurts even thinking about something happening to him. I can't even imagine what Nandini is going through, seeing him in a state like that.

My chain of thoughts were broken by Nandu as she softly pressed her warm lips against my hand. If it weren't for her.. I don't know how I would've been holding myself up. I don't even know how she's so strong. But it's something I admire about her.

"Sab thik ho jayega Mani.. Aiyappa hain na!" She spoke with so much sincerity that I felt like believing. It gave me hope.

I nodded silently, as she rested her head on my arm. "Nandu, you must be tired. Please thoda rest karlo..." I tried reasoning with her, but I alteady knew it was a lost case.

She shook her head but closed her eyes still leaning onto me. For a minute, I thought she was asleep but then she asked very quietly, "Can you continue the story?"

I gently kissed her head and continued the story as an answer to her question..

Saanvi, Varun and I were hanging out at our usual meeting place. The roof.

"Hey sooo, Karan just texted me.. There's a party tonight, what do you guys think?" Varun said suddenly, with an excited grin. I shook my head at his antics. He's such a kid, even when we are in our senior year.

"You get so excited at the mention of parties, I swear. It's like you're obsessed with them!" I told him but he just smacked my head, "But I'm in. But only for the free booze. My only rule, Never. Ever. Turn. Down. Free. Alcohol." I said my face matching his now.

"Hell yeah!" We high fived, "Especially since we only get to go out of here in the weekends." He said, when I noticed Saanvi was eerily quiet.

"Hey kiddo, what do you say?"

"I-I have plans.." She was fidgeting with her fingers as she spoke. I knew she was lying but I didn't want to make her more uncomfortable.

"What, plans with your other boyfriend?" Varun joked. When I slapped his back, he said, "What!? I just meant her books! Geez!"

His girlfriend laughed at that, side hugging him, "Yup! I have a hot date with my books."

He smiled widely and pecked her forehead, intertwining their fingers, "But seriously babe! You should come. You barely leave your room.. except for when you are hanging out with us."

At this she abruptly pulled away from him, frowning. She genuinely looked offended, "Well I'm sorry, I'm anti-social. I'm sorry I can't talk to people without even stuttering. I'm sorry that I'm not the type of girlfriend you hoped for!" She stood up and left leaving Varun and I to gape open mouthed after her.

"Saanvi!" Varun called her but she was already gone.

"You shouldn't have said that!"

"Yeah, I know that now!" He glared at me while I raised my hands in mock surrender, "I just, I don't get it! I don't think I said anything wrong or offensive. I mean I wasn't accusing her of anything but she made it sound like I was forcing her or something."

"He bud, don't worry. Talk to her, it'll be okay!" He nodded and went.

"I don't know what happened after that between them.. But all I know is I got a text from Varun saying that the party is still on. I thought everything was sorted out between them, but..." I looked down to see her wide awake, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

"Didn't you ask Varun about it?" She asked looking up at me.

"I didn't want to interfere in their relationship. But I guess I should've. I wish I did actually! I might've-"

"There are no might be or could have's in life Manik. Yes, may be it would have turned out differently or maybe not! You can do nothing about it though. All you can do is just accept it and move on!" She told me and the more I looked at her the more I felt myself falling for her.
I gave her a small smile as she urged me to continue..

"Heeeeyyy Manik! My best besttt buddy in the whooole world!" Varun skurred practically falling on me as he tried to hug me. He had told me to meet here directly but I got a little late. I laughed at this kid trapped inside the body of a 18 year old guy! Kuch nahi ho sakta iska.

"Yeah Yeah, big guy! I thought u
you were supposed to wait for me.. But I see you've gotten yourself hammered already!"

He laughed as he swayed a little, while walking with his arm slung around me, "Who the fuck cares?! I mean clearly she doesn't!" He spoke, still laughing somehow finding it funny.

"Nothing! Nowww letsh parrrty!" He said drowning another round of shots.

"Okayy! Easy there, beta. You're gonna have a huge hangover tomorrow!" I said chuckling as I took a sip from my beer.

"After that I only remember a few snippets. I remember Varun kissing a girl and Saanvi was there." I heard Nandu gasp beside me.

"No.. But.. I thought he loved her?" She looked very shocked by this revelation. Hell, I was too when I remembered about it.

"You know, everything happened so fast and my memory was hazy because of the alcohol. But when I woke up the next morning, it was the worst day of my life. I-"

"Mr Singhania, Varun has woken up. He is stable now. You can meet him but please don't crowd him, it'll overwhelm him." The doctor told Ram uncle as all of us heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank you Aiyappa!" I heard Nandini mutter gratefully.

Turn by turn, everyone else met Varun and at last it was only four of us left. Sanjana, Nandini, me and Varun.

I looked at Varun as we shared an unspoken look, and he nodded.

"I have something to tell you Sanju.."

___________________________________

Important Note

Hey guys. I wanna thank all of you for being a part of Always & Forever. Thank you for your patience.

I'm so sorry for my absence. I forgot how to be a writer for an year. I was so caught up in all the other things and I didn't want to write anything just to give an update.

I know it looks like I'm making excuses but I'm very sorry for going MIA for the past year. I had my boards this year, so my focus had to be placed on that.

Another big big thanks because Always & Forever has reached 150K views!!! Lots of love!

So coming back to the chapter, How was it? It was just a little dhamaka.. Big dhamakas on the way.

Please let me know your opinions..

Was Saanvi overreacting or her reaction to Varun was justified?

What do you think about Varun's drunken kiss?

I hope you guys missed me just as much as I missed you all!! ❤

Love y'all! 💕
~ Anya