Today was the day when Manik was going to attend a graduation ceremony in one of the top colleges of Mumbai. He was to give an inspiring speech too. He had prepared himself well for all the question that could probably be asked.

He stepped out of the car and he was crowded by the media inspite of the circle of bodyguards made around him.

"Sir, we want to know who is to stand for next election?! You or Aryamaan sir?!"

"We all are family and we have one aim that is welfare of our people. It doesn't matters who stands for the elections from our party. Aryamaan and I are two branches of the same tree."

"Sir but won't you feel insecure and threatened if he takes your father's chair?!"

"No. I think thats enough for today. I have people inside this college waiting for me. I cannot be late so if you'll excuse me..." Saying so, he pushed his way ahead in the flock of reporters.

Insecure and threatened?! He thought to himself and frowned at their choice of words. This two words doesn't even come close to what he will feel if Aryamaan takes his place. He will feel violated and sucidial if that happens.

All the college authorities gave him a warm welcome as he set foot in the college premises. He could see girls and boys gaping at him through his shades.

"He is so hot."

"I love his fashion sense."

"I wish I could be his girlfriend. I think I have fallen in love with him."

"I want to marry him yaar."

His eyes widened at that and squinted next minute. Marriage?! That's too far lady but I won't mind an one night stand. However he kept his filthy thoughts to himself. He could still hear whisperings behind his back. That's exactly how he liked it and he had no mood to change it. Marriage would stop the brainstorming about his status.

He was taken to the auditorium where all the audience had gathered. He was to felistate every graduate with their degree. He was doing it for free to collect good will. He didn't take a penny for today's convocation. Of course it was for his own selfish reasons. He didn't did charity for free.

He took notice of the collegiates and mumbled something under his breath. Girls were swooning over him and guys were in awe of him. He grimaced looking at the pretty faces. Too bad he couldn't have any of them for a night. However his gaze hooked on to a girl who had her nose in the book. His eyes grew curious and eager to have an glimpse of her face. He wanted to know who was this girl who was immune to his charm.

"Attention Guys! All eyes on me!"

In a split of second all eyes were set on him in response to his baritone that commanded attention. He took in his audience especially the nerd who had her nose buried in her book a second ago. She was eyeful of beauty. She would time and again avert her gaze from him as he stared precisely at her. It was pretty obvious she didn't like being stared down by him. How he wished he could have a closer look. He could tell from far that she was beautiful but he couldn't tell was she pretty enough for a second glance or was she worthy enough to be called an enigma.

However he diverted his attention from her and started his speech," So what am I doing here?! Well all of you new graduates must be wondering the same thing. I am not here to lecture you or bore you by giving you some preaching. You know when I go back in time, I see myself in you people. I was just like you although I had a dream. I dreamed of creating a nation of my choice where no poor man will sleep without having two meals of the day. I dreamed of many things. I was a daydreamer that time and I still am but I had to get serious about my life. Coming from the kind of background I came from isn't simple as ABC. I have my own share of mistakes and trust me guys many of them are irrevocable. I do not keep regrets because I feel they make your life short. If you are so worried about what you did in the past then you'll never be able to act in your present so in turn you'll have no future. All of you are trendsetters like me. Everyone has a start and most of the time it is not something you are proud of still I want you all to believe in yourself and do want you feel is right for you. People will criticize you, put you down and make you feel like shit but you must only think about what you have set your mind on. Then and only then you'll find everything bearable. Every pain will be a sweet pain. Every goal will be possible if you think it's possible. What you think about your present will be your future only you must give it your best. I am not a good person but I think I am good to myself. I am loyal to my dreams and aspirations. I don't chant morals and values day and night because according to me what might be wrong for you might be right for me. I have my own values and morals because they work for me. I am fiercely committed to them because they have made me what I am today. You should never follow into anyone's steps. Be it your mom, your father, your uncle....No one! You should be your own person because no one takes the names of followers in this world. The world wants great men not good men. Don't try to be good try to be so great that there is no one like you in this world. So that's it for today and last but not the least my heartiest congratulations to all the graduates. All the best for your future."

Thereafter  he bowed from the stage of a great hall filled with thousands of clapping hands. Every last soul clapped for him. Although he wasn't what world thought him to be but still he meant every word he said in his speech.

He stood patiently as every student came forward to collect their graduation certificate from his hand. It was such a honour for the fresh graduates to receive their graduation certificate from the Manik Malhotra. As much as he hated doing this, he couldn't let his ire rear it's head  and spoil his efforts of building his image.
When the time came for the  girl who had previously managed to behold his gaze for long, his eyes grew alert and eager. He stared at her from top to bottom. She looked enigmatic with her thinly shaped brows, almond shaped honey coloured eyes and lips of colour of pink rose. She had curves in the right places and he couldn't help but drool over her. She looked coy, awkward and nervous. He had a sudden urge to make her feel comfortable.

"Manik sir I want you to meet Nandini Murthy. The best student of our whole college. She has topped her exams ceaselessly. She is our pride!"

He extended his hand to shake her hand and congratulate her. She falteringly gave her hand in his and to her surprise, he held her hand in a firm handshake. Until now she had her eyes cast down but now she lifted her gaze, shyly like a child. He stopped short looking at her. She was her little pretty self. Her eyes were like stars shining brightly out of happiness. He could tell she was an understated beauty because she didn't look confident of her looks. He leered at her face and smiled his million dollar worth smile. She returned his smile with her shy one. His eyes travelled from her face to her firm perky breast and finally he took a long glance at her jeans clad slender long legs. So she is a leggy lass too.

He shook her hand," Congratulations Ms....."

"Nandini Murthy."

He said in a suave and smooth tone," Congratulations, Miss Murthy."

She faltered shyly," Thànk you Sir."

He concluded in his mind that she was not his type so he should not try his luck here. She was too innocent and perhaps an old school virgin. She was the type of a girl you take home to seek your parents blessings. Too bad he had no plans to marry at this stage of life.

He turned to me Mr Khanna who was the principal of the college," I think I'll take your leave now."

Mr Khanna insisted,""Sir please stay for little long..."

Manik politely refused"I would love to be a part of your celebration but duty calls. I have to fullfill my other commitments of the day."

Mr Khanna smiled,"Okay sir. We'll see you off and I hope to see you very soon."

Manik assured, "Of course Mr Khanna."

Once he was out of her sight, Nandini felt dizzy and her heart was racing in her chest threatening to leap out. He was so charming! She felt a magnetic pull towards him. Something she had not felt for any guy. First she was timidly sitting in a farthest corner of the hall with her nose in her book. She was compelled to look up hearing his intimidating voice. She took a sharp intake of breath when her eyes met his. How can someone be so good-looking?! His dark mesmerising eyes were so spellbinding. His tight jaw was an angular shape that was filled with little stubbles. His pale skin looked so...right. The man had on a white cotton shirt with a silky blue vest and a pair of black pants, which tied everything together. His speech was spectacular! She felt so inspired by him. He was truly a beacon light for youth.

When he shook hands with her, she felt so self cautious as his penetrated right into her soul. He seemed so different from the men in her life. Back at home she was never appreciated for her good grades instead she was pressed to learn kitchen chores. She was always looked down upon by her father and her brother. No matter what she did, she remained a burden in her father's eyes that must be disposed off soon. They only want to get her married in a family which was at par with them.

She presumed that Manik was different and respected women. If only she had any clue about what kind of a man he really was.

#Malhotra mansion#

Manik snickered, "How could they do this dad?! They are withdrawing their sponsorship without a notice! How unprofessional is that!"

Aryamaan worridly asked,"Uncle what do we do now?!"

Raj forehead creased with lines of worry, "They have got air about the sibling rivalry in our family. They feel we will lose the elections if we have a clash amongst ourselves."

Manik scoffed, "Dad this is ridiculous! How will be carry out our rallies and events if we don't have money?!"

Raj grimaced, "I don't know, Manik. Everything seems so tedious to me now. Few years ago I never had to spread my hands in front of anybody for money. Even our business is operating at loss. I had thought that if we get sponsorship, we may be able to overcome that loss too."

Aryamaan said, "Uncle we can get sponsorship elsewhere. I mean there are many people ready to put up money on us."

Raj shook his head, "Aryamaan, they are all small scale sponsors. We want big money and all the prestigious sponsors have gone to our rival party."

Manik said in a calm tone, "Dad let us think about a solution instead of discussing the problem over and over again."

Aryamaan agreed, "Manik is right. We should keep our differences aside and come together."

Manik took a deep breath to calm his mind because he knew a calm mind brings inner strength and self confidence. He had to come up with a plan before the situation gets out of their hand. Also he wanted to retain his image as a knight in shining armour so he must make sure he is the one to solve the problem not Aryamaan or someone else.