After much discussion, Manik decided to stay for one year and complete his music degree. Music was still a part of him, no matter what. Even Amms suggested the same.

The college had officially started again and everyone was busy attending their classes. During breaks, they would meet and then part again. This year, they planned to focus on their studies, after a very eventful year. Somehow, Nyonika's absence also brought some peace to all of them. But, after a week without any trustee, they were finally called to the Auditorium to meet the new one.

Nandini met Manik on the way and she sat with him in the last row, their hands intertwined together.

"Hey, it's been a while...you know?" Manik said, suggestively raising his brow. Nandini blushed and looked away, feigning ignorance.

"Today?" He spoke again and nudged Nandini, who was resolutely not looking at his sly expression.

"Let's see," Nandini replied nonchalantly and looked at the principal who was ready to announce.

"Students, because of the abrupt exit of the previous Trustee, we had to function a few weeks without one. However, Mr Malhotra has suggested a new Trustee. Mrs Raichand, please grace us with your presence." The principal said.

"What?!" Manik shrieked and everyone around them looked at him, but he scared them with his glare.

"That's my fucking aunt!" Manik whisper-yelled in Nandini's ear.

"Raichand?" Nandini asked, confused. She had never heard this surname in the span of their relationship.

"Dad's sister! I thought they don't speak to each other anymore." Manik said and trailed off, sounding unsure. Nandini could see a glimpse of wonder and innocence in Manik's eyes. From inside, she knew Manik was still a child, desperate to cling on to some semblance of family. So when one was presented to him, Manik truly didn't know what to do.

They watched as a lady, elegantly dressed, entered the stage. She was wearing a saree, unlike Nyonika.

"She's very beautiful," Nandini said, looking at the woman.

"Yeah, Malhotra genes," Manik said, with a smile.

"Manik, why don't I ever hear about your family?" Nandini asked with a frown. She barely knew anything about Manik's family other than the fact that it was super screwed up.

"I don't know, never got the chance maybe?" Manik answered.

Nandini hummed and listened to whatever Mrs Shreya Raichand spoke. She was finally happy that they were going to have a sane woman as a Trustee. Nyonika had been a nutcase.

As soon as the session was over, Manik and Nandini were called to the principal's office.

"Dude, all okay?" Mukti asked, as Manik and Nandini headed out.

"She's his aunt. Uncle's sister." Nandini filled in and everyone connected the dots.

"Oooooh!" Cabir laughed. Manik showed him the finger and walked into the cabin, followed by Nandini.

"Manik! Finally, how are you?" Shreya asked, standing to hug him.

"I am fine Bua. How are you?" Manik hugged her back.

"I am good. Achha listen bachha, you have to show me around, okay? Mumbai is too chaotic for me. Shri told me that I have to live with you for some days till he arranges a house." Shreya spoke quickly, in an American accent.

"Okay,what about Fufs? And Alanna?" Manik asked.

"Alanna is still there. She'll come during Diwali. Rajeev will come in a week; he has a meeting in London."

"Oh, okay." Manik looked at Nandini, as they can't hang out with Shreya being in his house now. Nandini hid her smile as she saw Manik making a face.

The principal entered and spoke to Shreya, while Manik filled Nandini in about Shreya, her husband and their daughter Alanna.

"Ma'am, I see you've met your nephew. This is Nandini, the most responsible student in Space." The principal said, beckoning Nandini to come forward while she raised her eyebrows in surprise. What was going on?

"Ah, Nandini Murthy, I've heard about you from Shri. He seems to like you a lot." Shreya said, sneakily looking at Manik, who chose to look away instead.

"Nice to meet you, Ma'am. I hope you like our college." Nandini said, with her usual charm.

"I will. But I need a responsible student for that, which I think is you. I really think this college needs a reboot after a lot of mess. I am offering you the position of General President because I have heard of your initiatives in this college. A secret ballot, a campaign called 'It's not me, it's you'. You are a good leader, it seems." Shreya said, and Nandini almost felt embarrassed of her reputation in college. Is that what people knew her for? Stirring up trouble even if for a noble cause?

Manik smiled proudly, remembering Nandini's crazy ideas.

"Ma'am...that is a very big responsibility-"

"She'll do it Bua." Manik interrupted and answered on Nandini's behalf.

"Okay. But I want this to be fair. So, I will give others a chance too. You need to participate and make sure you win by fair means. Manik, fair means, okay?" Shreya emphasized.

"What? Why did you say that?" Manik asked.

"I know how close Nandini is to you and all your friends, of course!" Shreya said smugly and patted his back. Manik sulked and sat on the chair while Shreya spoke to Nandini. The principal left them and Manik asked her.

"How come Dad and you are suddenly talking?" Manik asked as soon as it was just the three of them in the cabin. Nandini glared at him for bringing it up in front of her. The guy had no tact sometimes.

"Manik, why do you have to talk about this in front-" Shreya spoke but Manik cut her off.

"She's family, so that's not a problem. You tell me. You stopped talking to Dad and now you are the trustee? That too, suggested by Dad?" Manik shot questions one after another.

Shreya sighed and leaned against the table, massaging her temple as she spoke.

"Your mother is the reason we stopped talking. I tried to take you under my guardianship but she threatened me that she would harm Alanna. I am sorry bachha..." Shreya said. Nandini really didn't want to listen to this private conversation so she left without getting noticed.

Manik closed his eyes, trying to control his anger.

"She ruined everything," Manik said.

"It's okay, now I can take care of you. Like I always wanted." Shreya patted his head comfortingly.

"Sorry for being rude earlier, I am sick of being lied to."

"I know," Shreya said.

----

Alya was working with some models when she felt someone watching her. She turned and looked around to see her new beau looking at her. She excused herself and went to Varun.

"Hey, babe." He greeted Alya.

"Hi! Good morning." Alya greeted back. Varun leaned in for a peck and Alya let him, blushing.

"You look really pretty today," Varun said, looking at her, his eyes taking in the sight of her.

"Thanks! Varun, I was thinking that we could go out for dinner tonight? I mean, we didn't have an official date yet." Alya said, swallowing her ego and taking initiative.

"Well, today, I have a meeting with a client. What about this weekend? Works?" He asked, caressing her cheek and tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

"Cool! Bye, gotta go." Alya said and gave him a quick peck on the cheek and scurried away.

Varun sighed and smiled, watching her walk away.

----

Manik insisted on dropping Nandini. He told Nandini and Shreya to come out at 4.

"Nandini, why did you leave?" Manik asked when she came out through the college gate.

"It seemed like a private conversation, Manik. Tum mujhe har cheez main include kar rahe ho, lekin kuch kuch within family ho, toh hi thik hai." Nandini explained.

"Fair enough. Also, sorry, aaj, hum nahi mil sakte." He said, sulking.

"It's okay na Manik. Hum kabhi aur milenge. Ab tum Ma'am ke saath hi raho." Nandini said. She noticed Shreya coming towards them.

"Sorry kids. Let's go." Shreya apologized.

Nandini sat in front while Shreya sat behind, flipping through some documents. The silence was comforting, without an air of awkwardness.

On the way, Cabir called Manik and since Manik's phone was connected to the car, the phone was on speaker.

"Saale, hua kya tum log ka? Tere ghar pe mera charger reh gaya. I don't want to walk in on you guys while you two are having se-" Cabir went on blabbering. Nandini panicked and disconnected Manik's phone. Manik cut the call immediately and kept driving while Nandini, probably embarrassed for her entire life, fidgeted with her phone. Shreya pretended to ignore whatever happened and appeared as if she was reading the file.

The duo looked at each other from the side of the eye and blushed due to the embarrassment. They were pretty sure the other had made plans for Cabir Dhawan's Murder for the 4275th time. Yes, he always did something which landed them in awkward situations.

"Ahem...I'll leave. Bye." Nandini spoke quickly and literally jumped out of the car. Manik watched her shut the door and reach the bedroom, and then he turned the car to go home.

----

Mukti parked her motorcycle and entered the café. She was hungry and craving cheesecake.

"One Blueberry Cheesecake, and a Macchiato," Mukti said, reading the menu.

"To go?" She heard the cashier ask.

"No. I will have it now." She replied.

"Okay. That'll be 350 bucks." Mukti looked at the cashier who was looking at her. Something in his eyes twinkled. Just like Abhimanyu's.

She read the name tag on his shirt, 'Zubin'.

"Thanks, Zubin." She smiled.

The guy, Zubin, smiled back and handed her the order.

"A complimentary muffin for you, madame." Zubin handed her a chocolate muffin. Mukti took it and walked away, with a grin.

------

Nandini reached home and called Cabir.

"Abhi Manik ko call lagaya. Saale ne kaat diya phone." Cabir complained.

"Main toh tumhe kaat dungi! Cabir, what is wrong with you?! Pehle pooch toh liya karo ki Manik ke saath kaun hai, vo kahan hai!" Nandini exclaimed.

"Huh?"

"Cabirrr! Manik and I were in the car with Shreya Ma'am!!" Nandini shrieked.

"Oh."

"Phone speaker pe tha." Nandini calmed down.

"Oh no."

"Oh yes."

"Sorry." Cabir said, laughing.

"Cabirrr! I will kill you!" Nandini said.

"Sure!" Cabir laughed again.

"You know what? Main Manik ko hi bol deti hu vo shubh kaam karne. Bye!" Nandini said and cut the call.

"Silly!" Nandini said and smiled. She sat on her chair and opened her laptop for some work.

----

Soha stepped inside the club. She needed to blow off some steam desperately.

"One Virgin Mojito please." She asked. Her drink was given to her and she had it. After some time, she let loose and went on the dance floor.

She accidentally crashed into someone while dancing.

"I am so sorry!" She apologized.

"It's alright." The guy replied. She nodded and walked away.

She saw him properly and knew it was a familiar face. She followed Alya and she had seen him on her Instagram account. Soha quietly backed off and clicked a picture secretly, of him being cosy with a woman.

----

Nandini sat with her family. They were playing cards and Chacha kept cheating and he was caught every time, which made them laugh.

"Chacha! Aap bhi na!" Nandini laughed.

"Di!" They heard a faint whisper.

Nandini's neck snapped to her left, at Rishabh.

"Rishu?!"

"D-di!" Rishabh said.

"Aiyappaaaa!!!! Chacha Chachi! He just called me Di!" Nandini jumped in her seat.

"Haye rabba! Rishabh beta! Tu thik ho gaya?!" Chachi held his arm softly.

"Ye-yes!" He replied. Nandini's eyes were full of happy tears and she couldn't say anything as she was choking with emotions.

"Di, smile!" Rishabh said.

Nandini nodded and took him in a bear hug. Chacha wiped a secret tear which appeared on his cheek and watched his niece and nephew.

"Ayyappa ne hum sabki prayers sun li! Mujhe itni khushi ho rahi hai, main kya batau!" Chachi cried in happiness.

"Amma ko abhi call karta hoon!" Chacha said and went to get the phone.

"Rishu! I am so happy you are alright! I love you so much!" Nandini said and started sobbing.

"Bachha ro kyu rahi hai?" Chachi asked.

"Kuch nahi!" Nandini got up and ran away into her bedroom.

-----

Manik came out of the washroom, drying his hair when he saw his favourite person calling, Nandini. He smiled at the contact photo. It was a picture of Nandini eating ice-cream desperately, getting them all over her face.

"Hey babe." He wished.

"M-Mani-nik!" Nandini hiccupped.

"Nandini?!? Are you okay?! Where are you? Why do you sound like that?" Manik fired questions one by one out of concern.

"Rishabh...speaking...he spo-spoke af-after 11 yearsss!!!" Nandini cried over the call. Manik couldn't understand at first because of her crying but he put two and two together and finally figured it out.

"What?! Wow! That is amazing! Lekin tum ro kyu rahi ho? Yeh toh khushi ki baat hai!" Manik said happily.

"Haan, mujhe pata hai!" Nandini replied.

"Phir? I think you're just overwhelmed."

"Maybe, Manik, Amma Appa hote toh things kitna different hota..." Nandini said. Manik didn't know what to say. He never had a proper set of parents, so he couldn't relate.

"I am really happy Manik. Rishabh ne jo kuch miss kiya hai ab tak life main, vo sab kuch ab karega!"

"Yes! You know you are the best sister to him, right? You've practically raised him, you should be happy! Please don't cry baby." Manik said.

"Hmm...Manik, I love you." Nandini confessed, her heart full of love and happiness.

"I know. Ditto." Manik replied and they hung up after chatting for a while.A few moments later, Nandini opened her door because of the constant knocking and she saw Rishabh.

"Rishu..." Nandini whispered.

"Di...happy?" Rishabh asked.

"Tumhe koi idea nahi hai Rishu, ke main kitni khush hun." Nandini palmed his face and kissed his forehead.

"I had a video call with Amms." Rishabh said with a grin.

"Sachhi?? Wow! Bohot happy thi na?" Nandini asked.

"Bohot...Di...My dream...I want to study Science...like Appa..." Rishabh said. Nandini hugged Rishabh tightly.

"Appa will be so so proud of you!" Nandini said, holding her brother close.

-----

Aryaman was browsing through some emails when Soha barged into his room.

"Arya! Have you seen Alya's boyfriend?" Soha asked.

"Yeah...his name is...Varun, I guess." Aryaman said.

"Does he look like this?" Soha asked, showing the photo on her phone.

"Oh my god! Yes, that's him! Is that Alya?" Aryaman asked.

"No!! He was making out with some other woman!" Soha exclaimed.

"Damn! Now what?" Aryaman asked, looking at the picture carefully.

"We have to tell her." Soha shrugged.

"Yeah...wait! She has a ring!" Aryaman said.

"Arya, this is some deep shit. We have to tell her." Soha said.

Aryaman nodded, he was a bit nervous because Alya didn't really have a good track record in relationships.

-------

Navya was in a restaurant to pick up a parcel for Mukti and herself. Mukti was waiting for her on her bike while Navya brought their food.

Navya looked around the restaurant to pass time when she saw someone very similar.

"Matarani! Cabir ladki ko kyun kiss kar raha hai?!" Navya exclaimed.

Before she could approach the table, her food parcel was kept before her.

She handed the money and looked in the direction of the table, but they had vanished.

She walked back, lost in her world.

"Navya, tum thik ho?" Mukti asked, looking at Navya's pale face.

"Cabir...girl...kiss..." Navya spoke vaguely.

"Yeh kya bol rahi ho? Anyway, just sit Navya...let's leave." Mukti got annoyed and started the bike. Navya looked back once again and eventually sat on the bike.

----

Manik was looking at some business files and was studying them. He had suddenly grown an interest in the business. Whenever he was free, he used to think about better ideas for a project.

He belonged to a family which had been doing business for decades. He was the son of Shrikant and Nyonika, and they were very shrewd when it came to business. It was only natural that he had the business blood too.

Shreya knocked on his door to check on him.

"Aao na Bua." Manik said, keeping the file down.

"Everything alright?" Shreya asked, looking around.

"Yes, aapko kuch chahiye?" Manik asked.

Shreya shook her head and looked at the picture gallery on the bedroom wall.

"You love Nandini, don't you?" Shreya said, smiling at one of the frames, in which Manik was back-hugging Nandini and kissing on her cheek while she laughed.

"I do..." Manik replied, looking at the same picture.

"Uski family ko pata hai?"

"Haan, you know, vo ek bohot different background se hai...South Indian, traditional, thodi uptight,jab main usse mila, vo bohot traditional thi. But uski family usse zyada modern hai." Manik laughed.

"Really? She is very pretty though. Manik, one question,when I last saw you, tum aur Alya..."

Manik looked at his aunt and bit his lip.

"We broke up before I started spending time with Nandini. Alya and I were better off as friends." Manik said.

"Tum bohot badal gaye bachha, you've become mature..." Shreya patted his shoulder.

"Bua, when you don't have parents around na, you have no choice but to learn from your mistakes. I made so many mistakes, I am still making them. Mujhe koi tha nahi guide karne. In fact, Nyonika made sure I make mistakes, kyon ki usko toh profit tha. Main mistake karta tha, vo deal banati thi, main Dad ka sign laata, and the same all over again." Manik said.

Shreya looked at the vulnerability in Manik's eyes. Shreya was surprised how this kid never gave up. Warring parents, vamp as a mother, selfish friends, but he stood strong.

"It's time to move on beta, you are in a better place now, away from your mot-"

"She can never be my mother. Please don't call her that." Manik said, with a stiff expression.

"Okay, sorry. You have Nandini, her family, me, your friends and your father too." Shreya comforted him.

"I know..." Manik gave a small smile.

-----

Author's note-

If it wasn't clear already, I am just on a mission to right all the wrongs😌 but don't think everything will be jolly and fun😔 I love angst between Manik and Nandini a lot...

7 chapters done! 8 more to go in Book 1 <3