Recap: 

Nandini: By the end of this day, you will officially be a part of the Football team, just as you wanted, but all everyone is ever gonna remember is how you made your spot on the team by getting involved with me, and not on your talent. The team members are definitely not liking you already.

I saw Abhi tensing up as he glanced at the rest of the table. While Nandini simply smirked at us.
Nandini: Congratulations on winning people's remarks for the year. That is exactly what you get when you decide to interfere in my business. Oh and not to forget after you "accidently" end up giving me a concussion. 

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Manik: You think it would really matter to all of them? What she said?
After the entire scene at the canteen, all I could think was the team's reaction. I really liked playing football, and even though it was not something I wanted to make my career in, I did want to pursue my hobby by being in the college team.

Mukti: You want the truth?
Mukti asked me as the two of us sat on the bleachers that evening, while the rest of the team was in the changing room. She was about to go home after the classes ended but then decided to give me company until my position in the team was finalized.

Manik: Of course!

Mukti: I think that my boyfriend is being an idiot and wasting his time with the coach. Manik you just got here and you already saw how much Nandini's word matter in this college. Yes, she is the top student and thus the faculties like her. But on top of it, her father is the Trustee, he practically owns the place. And even though I can assure you he never interfered in here, the truth is that the management never gave him the opportunity to interfere. The coach is gonna let you play, and yes the team is gonna blindly believe Nandini's words and dislike you.

Manik: I hate this!
I groaned, rubbing my hands over my face in frustration.

Mukti: Yes you can hate this... But the other thing that you can do, is to make sure you play your freaking best down there, so that as soon as You get inside that team, they all know that you deserve to be there.
Mukti said trying to motivate me, and it kind of worked a little bit, until I remembered the reason behind this situation.

Manik: All of this because I acted like a stupid and kicked off a ball without turn. And to top it, the ball had to go and hit Ms. Ice Queen of all people.
I muttered to myself making Mukti chuckle.

Mukti: You know that Nandini didn't really do this to get back at you for hitting her, right?

Manik: That's EXACTLY why she did this!!! Were you Not listening when she stood in front of me, telling me the same.
I exclaimed out loud making Mukti roll her eyes.

Mukti: Come on Manik... I know that girl could come out as a bit harsh at times, but she isn't evil. You only think about it, why would she take all the trouble to check the recordings and confirm your story. If there was even a slight possibility of you doing that intentionally, she would have come hard and fast on you like anything... But she knew that it was an accident.

Manik: Oh really? If that is so, then why did she do all this, if not for revenge.

Mukti: I don't know... I just believe that this wasn't something that she planned out. You just happened to jump in front of her on the wrong day, and she just acted out of natural instinct.
Mukti said with a casual shrug.

Manik: And her natural instinct is to go all Ice Queen on me?

Mukti groaned at this before turning to face me properly.
Mukti: Okay listen, I don't really like to justify anyone or change anyone's opinion. But Nandini isn't really what these people make her to be, and believe me she is the most easiest person to read.

Manik: She is the most difficult one, if you ask me.
I spoke up earning a glare from her.

Mukti: The girl is just a moody bitch Manik. And to give her the credit, she literally holds a warning sign in front of her whenever she has one of her bitch attacks going on. People just don't know how to read that! And Since you are already in so much of a bull fight with her, I'll let you in on a secret, the more Black she wears, the better it is to stay away from her. 

Manik: Are you serious right now?
I asked her in disbelief.

Mukti: Of course I am... I have seen that girl for the last two years. First of all, I really doubt if she has any colors in her wardrobe other than combinations of Black, white, grey, blue. And whenever you see her, just scan her cloths, the darker they are, the further away you should stay. This morning, you just chose the wrong day.

I literally had no words at her insane logic, but something about the confidence with which she spoke it, made me want to believe her. We sat like that in silence for a couple of minutes until Abhi walked onto the field and waved his hand high calling me.
Abhi: Manikkk... The team is starting with the Warm up! Coach wants you to join... You can play starting tomorrow...

Mukti: Well, that's my cue! I'll see you tomorrow... Just don't think about this too much okay!

She told me as the two of us got up. I smiled broadly at her, feeling grateful for her company again as I saw her skip towards Abhi, probably to say bye to him.

Manik: Mukti?
I called out after her just as she was about to walk down the steps. 

Mukti: Yeah?

I thought for a second, trying to decide whether to speak up or not, before I finally gave in.
Manik: Almost everyone in this college is either too intimidated, too jealous or even scared of Nandini and her ways, but then it's you who isn't even mildly negative about her. You might not agree with her ways, but you are not even against them. Why?

I noticed a soft smile form onto Mukti's face as she heard my question before she simply wished me Good Bye and walked away without answering. I joined the team onto the field, when Abhi told me that the Coach was too busy to join us for the day but he would like to watch me play the next day before deciding what would be my designation in the team. Most of the guys were just chilling out, running laps around the field, a few racing each other, while the rest took up the ball and practiced their throws.

I spent the first few minutes with Abhi before someone called him from the other side and he walked off. I continued my push-ups for a few more minutes before I saw someone stop next to me. I looked up from the Nike shoes to find Cabir looking down at me with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Manik: Please don't tell me that you still think that I would intentionally hit your girl!
I said as I stopped my push ups and sat on the ground, taking the water bottle that he offered me.

Cabir: What gave you the idea that she is my girl?
He asked me back as he sat next to me, breathing heavily after the race that I saw him getting into a few minutes ago.

Manik: I am not sure if you noticed, but the girl is literally like a stone with anyone else other than you!

Cabir: That's cause she is my Best friend, but you seem to have noticed her a lot in your very little time here!
He said giving me his usual smile.

Manik: First I am not here to notice anyone... And believe me, even if I did, it won't be your friend. She will surely have my head for breakfast.

Cabir laughed at this before shaking his head,
Cabir: Chill, I didn't come here to ambush you about her, anyways I don't know about yours but she would definitely eat my head for breakfast if I ever "interfered in her matters".

Cabir said quoting the last part with his fingers before he turned towards me and forwarded his hand towards me.
Cabir: I was here with a friendship offer, let's start with a clean slate!

I smiled at this before shaking his hand,
Manik: Manik Malhotra!

Cabir: Cabir Dhawan... Your second friend from the team... The rest will follow soon!
He told me with a wink, before getting up and pulling me up with him.

Cabir: Now let's see if you can beat me to the goal post!
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Later that evening, I was sitting in my Hotel room browsing through a few sites, to look for an apartment for rent. When my phone rang, I turned towards it only to find my Mother's face flashing at the screen.

Manik: Hey Mom!

Mom: Hi Manik... How are you son?

Manik: Good... You?
I replied to her, sighing as I closed of my laptop, not finding anything good on it.

Mom: I am good too... We are missing you here! 

Manik: I haven't even been here for a week Mom...
I replied rolling my eyes as I scanned through the hotel menu for something that I would like for Dinner. Conversations with my mother have always been a little formal for me. In fact, it was that way with both my parents. I loved them both, but we didn't really share a very good bond. 

Mom: I know, but that is not gonna make me miss my Son any less. Anyways, how is everything going on? You like the college?

Manik: Yes Mom, I like it. Got into the football team today.
I told her trying to find some topic to discuss.

Mom: That's amazing... Your Dad did mention that you were looking forward to playing in their team. Did you find an apartment yet?

Manik: No, I was just searching for some online but couldn't find anything worth. I think I will have to look offline only, I will ask my friends if they have any idea.

I told her, making a mental note to talk to Abhi about this the next day. The conversation after that continued hardly for a couple minutes, before we disconnected. I know Mom would have liked to stretch it further, just like she always did, but it wasn't something I was too willing to do.

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The next day I entered to the deserted corridors, making me glance at my watch to check if I was on right time or not. There were hardly 2-3 students in the usually full corridor and it was still 10 minutes before any of the classes got started.

I saw a girl rushing towards someplace and asked her,
Manik: Hey, do you know where is everyone?

"The Auditorium... Come on hurry up! It will start any minute now..." she replied to me and rushed with her friends. I did not remember any event announced the previous day, but still shrugged as I walked towards the college auditorium.

I walked inside, to see the hall buzzing with the entire student population. It was the first time, I had seen all the students here gathered together, and there were seriously too many people. I noticed a couple of familiar faces, but not one I wanted to approach so early in the morning. I walked ahead to now notice the faculties too sitting up front, when I spotted Abhi trying to manage the crowd with a few other student,  as if that was even possible. 

I couldn't literally imagine Mukti whining about him being a sucker for rules. A chuckle escaped my mouth as I walked towards him.

Manik: You really think anyone is gonna listen to you?

Abhi turned around at my voice and simply rolled his eyes, shaking my head,
Abhi: Try telling that to the principle who asked me to get them settle down.

I shook my head at him, before looking up at the stage, which was hidden with a dark maroon curtain.
Manik: What is happening here anyways? I thought we had classes.

Abhi: The first one got cancelled. The Music Club is doing an introduction. They do it at the beginning of every year for the new students.

Manik: We have a Music Club too?
I asked him surprised, not really believing it.

Abhi: Good Mukti isn't here to hear that tone. She is a part of the Club, plays the guitar.

He glanced towards the side of the stage and spoke up,
Abhi: Come let's take our seats, it looks like they are about to start, the crowd will settle down automatically.

We took our seats in front of the stage, as Abhi talked to a couple more people before finally relaxing.

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Filler chapter, just cause I hadn't updated for a while...