The apartment.
1 : 00 am

Hiding his face in his palms, Manik was seated on the sofa, Impatiently waiting for the door bell to ring. While, his thoughts where a mess. ...in short. ...he was a mess. ....
The horrifying events of the party, just keept on playing in front of his eyes.
Manik ( pov ) ( angrily ) : BLOODY HARSHAD. .....USSKI HIMAAT KAISE HUI NANDINI KO CHUNE KI! !!!!!!!
Manik badly wanted to calm his adrenaline rush, but nothing helped.
The crying face of Nandini, just added fuel to his already burning heart.
The fact that, he was unable to protect Nandini, was just eating up Manik, from inside. The vulnerable state in which he found Nandini today, was enough to set fire to Maniks soul.
Nandini's shaky voice, just keept on echoing in his ears " KISS ME. ....MANIK "
Manik ( guilty ) : I am sorry. ...Nandini. ....
The harsh sound of the door bell, dragged Manik out of his trance. Immediately, Manik moved towards the door and unlocked it.
The sight in front of Manik, just broke his heart in trillions of pieces.
Nandini was fully drunk, standing with the support of Cabir and Mukti.
Without wasting a moment, Manik scooped Nandini in his arms and held her near his chest, safely.
Once in Maniks arms, Nandini passed out, with a frown on her face.
Cabir ( wiping his sweat ): saale. ....aisa kya ho gaya. ....ki tu Nandini ko akela chhod ke aa gaya? ????
Manik, not at all meeting Cabir's eyes " thanks. ....tumlog isse sahi salamat ghar le aye. ...."
Mukti, showing Manik thumps up " anything for you. ...Manik "
Saying this, she left. While, Cabir stood over there, shooting daggers at Manik.
Before Manik could say anything, Cabir cuts in, with a serious tone "let me straight away come to the point. ....joh bhi tum dono ke beech problem hai. ....just sort it out. ....kyon ki saale. .....you are madly and deeply in love with her. ...so. ...never let her go! !!!!!!!"
Manik looked at Cabir with tears in his eyes. While, Cabir said him "good night ",without any delay, he left.

Nandini's room.

Manik carefully placed Nandini on the bed and tugged her under the blanket.
Placing an affectionate kiss on her forehead, Manik turned his body to leave, when he heard Nandini, constantly muttering something.
Sitting on the bed beside her, Manik tried hard to decipher, what Nandini was blabbering. But he failed.
Caressing Nandini's hair, Manik cursed himself for hurting her.
It was him, who couldn't protect her.
It was all because of him.
Cursing himself, Manik drifted to sleep.

Next morning.
7 : 00 am

Maniks sleep was disturbed by the constant buzzing of the alarm clock.
Lazily, Manik opened his eyes and looked at his surroundings.
Contemplating on the pink coloured walls, Manik chuckled. Snapping out of his trance, Manik realised that last night, he had slept in Nandini's room.
Manik immediately looked at the bed, only to find it empty.
Manik ( pov ) : laagta hai. .... college gayi hai. ....
Manik ( determined ) : chal beta Manik. ....tayaar ho jaa. ....Nandini Murthy ke mood swings jheelne ke liye. ....

1 : 30 pm
College terrace.

Me ( pov ) ( lost ): I seriously don't know what these feelings are ayyappa? ??????......it is so confusing. ....actually. ....Manik is confusing! !!!!!......ek second ke liye Manik behaves like. .... I mean the world to him.......and the next moment he just walks away. .... I mean. ...what are we? ?????.....what I mean to him? ?????......
And here goes the intelligent heart "what is Manik to you? ???"
Brain  (stammering ) : my....fiance. ...
Heart  (giggling ) : sirf fiance? ????.......aur kuch nehin Nandini? ????
Me ( pov ) ( engrossed ): am I. ....like falling for him. .... (immediately realising ). ...shit. ....shit. ...shit. ....this can't be true. ...
Heart  ( smirking ) : then why did you ask him to kiss you? ????
This was the fucking question, which I dreaded the most. ....kyon ki isska jawab mere pass nehin hai. ...main khud confused hu aapne feelings ko leke. ...
While, I was busy with the brain v / s heart, a familiar voice broke my trance " toh tum yaha ho! !!!!!!"
Turning around my body, I found that one person, whom I was miserably trying to ignore.
Me ( pissed off ) : it's none of your business. ....
Manik ( angrily ) : it is my bloody business. ....subha se tumhe pagaloon ki tarha dhoondh raha hu. ....
I cut in angrily " tumhe yeh sab karne ki koi zarurat nehin hai. ....I can take care of myself. .....pehele bhi main akele jee chhuki hu. ....aur aaj bhi. ...main akele jee sakti hu! !!!!!!"
Manik was really hurt by her words.