Space College @7.30 am

Stairs behind music wing

Manik : (intently looking at her) kyunki mujhe pata chal gaya ki mera yeh dil kya chahta hai.

Nandini : (trying to control her blush hardly) Really! Aisa kya chahta hai tumhare dil ne?

Manik : (casually) kuch hai... Par abhi kelie woh sirf mujhe janne kelie hai. Par ek baat batao, why are your cheeks are so red red?

Nandini : huh?

Manik : arey tumhare gaal itna laal kyun hai? Are you by anychance blushing Nandini? Haa?

Nandini : blu... Blush, main.. Main kyun blush karoongi?

She said palming her cheeks as if hiding her blushing cheeks from him.

Manik : (teasingly) haa woh bhi sahi hai. Then kya hua?

Nandini : (without realising) because... Because i am hot. (yaad hai na yeh dialogue?)

Manik : (screamed) whattttt?

Nandini : (still not realising) why are you screaming Manik?

Manik : what did you just said?

Nandini : (irritatedly) maine bataya nahi, pucha tha ki why are you screaming.

Manik : woh nahi uske pehle

Nandini : uske pehle ki i am...

And Nandini ki bati jali. She realised what the hell did she said. Her eyes widen in shock after registering her own words in her head and then she shut her eyes and squeezed it tightly hell embarressed. And lastly she looked at Manik with a cute pout.

Well for Manik it was a treat to watch her changing cute expression.

Nandini : (pouting) i didn't mean that.

Manik : mean what?

Nandini : that i am hot.

Manik : matlab you are not hot.

Nandini : aisa nahi hai.

Manik : matlab you are hot.

Nandini : aisa bhi nahi hai.

Manik : aise kaise aisa nahi hai. You fix something, are you hot or not? Matlab mujhe pata hai ki you are hot. But you should know it right, that You are hot or not. Par you toh already said you are hot. And then said you aren't. So i will be confused right.  So my queation was are you really hot or not?

Nandini : huh?

She looked at him all confused not knowing what to say. And thats it seeing her expression our Manik baba broke into the fits of laughter.

Nandini looked at Manik who was laughing at her started hitting him eith her small palms. While he tried to save himself from her hittings which doesn't really hurted him. But our Manik baba wasn't in a mood to stop his laughter.

And for a moment Nandu bhi bhool gaya ki she was angry at him. Well she is not her fault 😋.

Manik : (seeing her looking at him) what?

Nandini just shook her head in a no and looked at other side with a smile.

Manik was confused with her changed behaviour. Wasn't she angry with him?

Manik : hey batao na.

Nandini : (looking at his eyes) tum aise haste raho na. Bahot ache lagthe ho when you smile.

Manik : (teasingly) ohooo so someone is fangirling me. Huh?

Nandini : why are you so obsessed with yourself Manik? And what is with this fangirling thing. Nothing like that ohk.

Manik : ohh hello, i am not obsessed with my self.

Nandini : woh delk raha hai mujhe. Par its not your fault Manik. Tum abhi tak mere jaise girls ko nahi dekha hai na, Who will not fall for your charms.

Manik : excuse me, is college ki saari ladkiyan mere peeche pagal hai.

Nandini : wahi toh problem hai Manik, tum na is college ke bahar ki ladkiyan ke baare main jaantha nahi hai. Aisa bahit log hai, jo sirf dil dekhkar pyaar karthe hai. And i am telling you, tum abhi tak aise ladki se mulakat nahi ki. Isiliye tum aise galat fahmiyan palkar rakha hai.

She said with a smirk. And Manik was surprised with her behaviour.

Manik : so you will come in that catagory.

Nandini : (shrugging her shoulder) ofcourse.

Manik : ans you are saying ki you will not fall for my charms.

Nandini : (confidently) yes. Mere jaise ladkiyon ko patana utna easy nahi hai Mr.Malhotra

Manik : Lets See Nandini Moorthy, You Will Fall For My Charm. Its A Promise

Nandini : dekhte hai Mr.Malhotra. par  haa get ready to lose. Kyun ki its not gonna be an easy task.

Manik : you are challenging me Nandini, and Manik Malhotra never lose. He is born to win.

Nandini : and you again proved me right. You are totally self obsessed with yourself.

Manik : whatever. You know what, today i am very happy. So i am not going to let your taunts effect me.

Nandini : haa tum abhi tak bataya nahi, whats the reason for.your good mood today?

Manik : ( all excitedly turning to her ) Nandini, dad came here yesterday. And he promised to stay here for the next 4 days. He came for some business purpose, but koi nahi, woh aaya toh sahi. Thats all i need. Its been years, we live together. (chuckling bitterly) its been years we had a heart to heart talk together. He never live here because he doen't want to face Nyonika, so he build his empire in pune and was busy all the time. But in sab ke beech he forgot ki, i needed him. He was my super hero, but he never think twise before leaving me here alone in Nyonika's costody. Its not like ki, he don't love me. Ofcourse he loves me. He was working hard for me only, but i don't want these meterialitics things Nandini. I just need him. His pamperings, his love, thats it.

He was on the verge of crying. She doesn't know how to react. As He opened up about his lost childhood for the first time infront of Nandini. She know he craved for love in childhood, even now. There was a child in him who was velnerouble and she knew it is not easy to heal his wounds. But she was determined to heal him, not even leaving any scars behind. As if he was never wounded.

Nandini looked at him and get hold of his hand and entrwined their hands.

He looked at their hands and tightened his grip on her hands while giving her a small smile. It was as if he got what she meant with her mere gustere, that is *she will be always there for him, whatever the suituation maybe*

Manik : you know Nandini kal we talked, talked like the old times. He was my super man once again. You kniw why i call him superman. Because he has solution for my every problem. Mujhe kabhi batane ki zaroorat nahi pada tha ki mujhe kuch chahiye. Kyun ki usko hamesha samajh aatha tha ki mujhe kya, kab chahiye. Phir usse kyun nahi samajh aaya ki mujhe sirf uska thoda sa time chahiye? Mujhe sirf uska saath chahiye naahi yeh luxuries. Why Nandini? Why?

And he broke down infront of her. Tears rolled down of his eyes. Nandini just took him in a tight hug still in the sitting position, while he just buried his face in crook of her neck, and his tears wetting her shoulder.

It was very difficult for Nandini to believe that her moster was vulnerable when it comes to hus father. She was wondering agar Manik is baat pe itna sensitive ho raha hai toh Nyonika ke baat aaya toh woh kaise react karega? It is going to be very tough for sure.

Manik : why Nandini? Why he just went away without even turning back? Am i that bad ki he never ever care to come back?

Nandini : hey, yeh kya kya bata rahe ho tum Manik. (breaking the hug and wiped his tears, and said cupping his cheeks) tum aisa socha bhi kaise ki you are bad. Tumhe nahi pata hai ki tum kitna ache ho Manik. Yeh monsterous look ke neeche na ek bahit acha insaan chupa hua hai. Par kya karoon koi use abhi tak dekha nahi. Yah toh aisa hai ki tum use kisiko dikhana nahi chahti. But whatever it is, never think yourself bad. And yahi baat apna dad ka ho toh, its not your fault. But yeh uncle bhi fault nahi hai. Yahan toh suituation gharab tha. He had his own reason, but yeh bhi sach hai ki we can't take it as an excuse. Kyun ki insab ke beech main you lost your childhood. And ab ham yeh change toh nahi kar sakthi. Par haa if we want we can change our future for sure.

Manik : Matlab?

Nandini : Manik, tumne hi kah tha ki tumhare har problem ki solution uncle ke paas hai. Then tell him your problems. What you want from him. Waise bhi woh tumhe batane se pehle hi tumhara saara wish puri kar dete hai. Toh yeh zaroor poora karega.

Manik : are you sure? because how will he stay here leaving all his business behind. Its not gonna happen. Never.

Nandini : Manik, woh tumhara dad hai. And uskelie sabse zyada important tum ho. So hundred and ten percentage sure ki he will fulfill your this wish. Tum batake toh dekh.

She said giving him her beautiful smile, and his every doubt into dust bin.

Manik : (smiling) theek hai. I will talk to him.

She nodded her head in a yes.

But in between this they failed to notice someone who were admiring their bond with a smile while his eyes glistering with unshed tears. He went away with a new determination in his eyes.

Nandini : ayyo ayyappa, main joh important important information dene aaya tha woh batana toh bhool hi gaya.

Manik : aisa konsa important information.

Nandini : maine doctor se baat ki thi and usne hame chaar din ki baad ka appoinment diya hai.

Manik : thats amazing. I hope ab sab kuch theek ho jae.

Nandini : sab kuch theek ho jaega Manik. Mujhe mere Ayyappa pe poora bharosa hai. Agar woh hame iska root cause bataya hai toh uska mitane ka koi rasta bhi choda hoga.

Manik : waise mujhe yeh bhagavan pe zyada bharosa nahi hai. Lekin tymhare bharose pe mujhe poora bharosa hai. So now i am sure, sab kuch theek hoga.

Nandini smiled at him witha tinge of blush adoring her cheeks which she hide from him with her hairs.

They were in a comfortable silence until Nandini's phone ping with a message from Navya asking where is she. She replied with *will come in a minute* and said to Manik.

Nandini : Manik, main chalthi hoon. Navya ke message tha, practise suru hine wala hai. So bye

Manik : theek hai. Bye, nad haa practise well, kyun ki hamse compete karne wale ho. Utna asan nahi hone wala competition. 1st position toh milne hi nahi wala, kyun ki its always ours. atleast try to get 2nd position ohk. Ohk.

He said with a never ending smirk.

Nandini : Manik, its overconfidence, its not goid at all, i am telling you. This is a competition yahan kuch bhi ho sakta hai. And here only talent matters, And yeah don't forget we too get into this competition with our own talent. So we are equal competition for each other. I am not gonna say ki we will be the winners, but haa we are not gonna back out. We will try our best. We have full faith on our talent. So all the best to you. Try your best because ham aise hi haar nahi maanne nahi wala.

She said with her ever so calm expression. She is not someone who will lose her confident because of these comments. While Manik was surprised as well was proud of her answer

Nandini : and yeah Manik don't forget ki we have another challenge between us. And i am reminding you, i am not someone who will fall for someone's charm, aise hi.

She said and went away from there with a constant smile. While Manik too smiled at her retiring figure.

Manik : she something. And i am sure its not at all gonna easy to woo her.
But main bhi Manik Malhotra hoon. Pyaar kiya hai tumse Nandini, isiliye kuch bhi hi jae haar nahi maanne wala.

He said and went from there.

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NH3 Jam Room @ 8.10 am

Nandini entered the jam room and saw Harshad and Navya already there and setting their respective instruments.

Nandini : sorry guys, thoda late hogaya.

Harshad : koi baat nahi Nandu, Shahid bhi abhi tak aaya nahi hai. Uska dad agaya hai US se, so he will be late.

Nandini : ohh... Then ab kya karoonga?

Navya : hmmm canteen chale?

Harshad : yeah yahi sahi hai. Lets go.

Nandini : Harshad usse pehle tum yeh pakdo.

She said habdling him a box.

Harshad : yeh kya hai?

Nandini : see your self.

Harshad : ohk.

He opened the box to find out a watch.

Harshad : watch? Kyun?

Nandini : Harshad this watch has tracker. Tum kahan bhi jaon hqm tumhe track kar sakte hai.

Harshad : iske koi zaroorat nahi hai ohk. Mujhe kuch nahi hone wala.

Navya : Harshad zidd mat karo. Its really needed. They are beast Harshad. They can do anything. We have to be careful. And you are so precious for us ki ham tumhe kho nahi sakte. So you are not going to remove it from your hand. Samjhe tum.

Harshad : theek hai mere maa. Main remove nahi karoonga yeh watch. Happy?

NavNi : very happy.

Three of them smiled at each other and shared a group hug.

They brock the hug when a peon come there calling them to the audi room.

They went to the Audi.

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Canteen @ 8.15 am

Manik came there and saw Cabir there having his sandwich as usual. While Dhruv was litstening some music with his headphones on.

Manik come there and wished them, while Dhruv wished him back but Cabir baba was so much busy with his sandwich so he doen't even care to wish Manik earnind smack on his head by Manik.

Cabir : what the hell Manik?

Manik : well good morning Mr.Dhawan.

Cabir : very good morning to you too Mr.Malhotra. Ab kya aao mujhe prabudh karega ki aap mujhe jagaz kyun kiya?

Manik : agar koi tumhe wish kare toh its a basic manners to wish them back.

Cabir : ohhh mujhe nahi pata tha ki Manik baba ko meri na wish karne se bahot afsos hoga. Otherwise too i wouldn't have wish you back. Tu dekha nahi tha kya ki i was busy.

Manik : yeah busy with your first love.

Cabir : ofcourse my pyaari si sandwich.

Manik : yeah pyaari si. Tu ek kaam kyun nahi karta is sandwich se date pe le chalo, aur shadi karo aur bacha bhi paida karo.

Cabir : tumhare idea toh mast hai. Par agar main sandwich se shaadi karoge toh baaki sab pizza burger and all will break up with me na. I toh can't live them na. So no thanks.

He said and continued hus eating as if nothing happened. While the other two boys looked at him as if he is some alien. Well after listening him everyone will think he is one.

Boys sighed in disbelief. Thats when a peon came and asked them to go to auditorium.

Cabir : ab kyun bula raha hai audi pe. Mujhe lagta hai Yeh princi ko hame har din dekhe bina neend nahi aata.

Manik : true yaar, mujhe bhi  yahi lagta hai. Chal chalte hai.

Dhruv : par Alia aur Mukthi abhi taj aaya nahi na.

Manik : i will message them to come directly to the audi.

Dhruv : ohk then, lets go.

They too left to the audi

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So i am ending this chapter here.

MaNan?

Kya Manik challenge jeet jaega?

Manik is opening up to Nandini

NavNi and Harshad

Cabir and his first love.

Thank you so much everyone for your support. And special thanks to

Fire_Gurlll_
priyamunmun
SophieNatalieJohnson
Sindhuja101
_khusiyaan_
SuviJain
Mouniii18
Angel_saumi
Mika172
darkangel142111
Saranyasingaravelu
Manan_pani_only
subexyabashyal
Anulov
CathrineRajkumar
Thehar654
bhavanibommareddy
Rad00012

Thank you so much guys for your precious comments. It means a lot.

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Bye for now guysssss.....