Thank you thehappyhormone for the amazing cover....

Manik.

"So... What do u think?", I heard Dad ask me as he motioned his hand towards the college.

I chuckled at his obvious excitement before shaking my head, "I had no doubts about the college Dad. Space Academy is one of the best colleges in the country and I'm happy to be here."

Dad: Great... Space has always had it's academic results on the top, plus, it has an amazing sports setup as well, just like you wanted. You will have the time in the world Son, I am sure you are gonna enjoy here.

Manik: But I am also looking forward for work Dad. I really do wanna get a practical approach to Business.

Dad: Yes, I know... But even though I am allowing you to look over things here in our Mumbai office, I really do want you to focus on yourself and have some fun here. Work and all can come later too.

Manik: Thanks Dad!
I reply to him knowing my parents thoughts very well about me getting into Business this early.

Dad: Come on now, let's have a walk around the campus, I can already see so much things that have changed since I was last here.

I rolled my eyes at him, and couldn't stop myself as I replied,
Manik: The last time you were here was 30 years ago Dad... Of course, it's changed. 

Dad: Oh shut it... Come!
He told me as he walked ahead of me to wherever he remembered the canteen was. The two of us walked around the campus for sometime before it was finally time for his flight back to Delhi, so we decided to leave. I looked around the cafeteria, admiring the place when I noticed something weird, and spoke up my thoughts,

Manik: Why is the college so empty on a week day? I barely see anyone around!

I saw Dad shrug by my side as he replied,
Dad: It's past the college hours son! There are just a number of clubs that operate at this time....
I nodded at him as we continued walking.

No doubt it was an amazing college, quite better than the one I was enrolled for in Delhi and I know my year would pass quite well. 

We reached our car in the parking lot when a football hit right next to me. A smile made it's way onto my face as I made a mental note to join team very soon. I turned towards Dad with a silent question at which he just pointed out to a direction where he remembered the field was, I moved forward before kicking the ball high in the same direction and watched it disappear from my line of sight as I got back into the car.

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Ready for a new morning and a fresh start the next day, I took a deep breath driving through the gates of the Space Academy, moving my gaze all around the packed parking lot I tried to find a vacant spot. Finally getting one at the other end of the lot, I drove my car into it at a steady pace before turning off the engine as I moved out walking straight towards the front building. The entrance seemed busy enough with various students moving in and out. Stopping right outside the door I noticed the corridors inside bussing with the morning crowd. Well, this was gonna be my college for the next one year, let's see what this place is like.

"Ok... This is it! And here goes Nothing..."
I muttered under my breath finally walking through the doors and finding my way to the admin block that we visited the previous day. The lady at the desk seemed more than willing to help me up as it gave her something to do instead of just looking through the buddle of old magazines in front of her. Finishing off all my admission paperwork, she was handed over a Map of the college and the class routine before telling me to hurry up for my first class.

Making my way out of the admin block, I kept my eyes at the map trying to find my first class in the stupid maze made on the very tiny piece of paper. The college definitely needed a better cartographer .

"The first staircase on your right and then two flights up until you reach the very first class of yours!"
Spoke an unfamiliar voice from my side making me look up from the map to find a guy supporting a nice friendly smile standing right next to me.

"Hi... I'm Abhimanyu Thakur! You must be Manik Malhotra..."
He said forwarding his hand to me. He was a tall lean guy reaching almost my height looking at me expectantly. I gave him a confused smile with a simple nod but nonetheless shook his hand. He seemed to have understood my confusion as he smiled further.

Abhi: Well before u ask... The principle kinda assigned me to help you out! So I know you!

I couldn't stop the chuckle at this before keeping the damned map inside.
Manik: Whatever might be the reason, if it helps me without that stupid map, I'm gonna thank you Abhimanyu.

Abhi: Just Abhi... Ok, to start with, the principle does thinks of me as a very friendly chap, which I am... So, till the time you manage to get along in Space, think of me as your friend only. And well, after that we'll see if I actually like you enough or not!

Laughing out at his words I gave him a nod,
Manik: Let's see if I pass your friendship test then.

Abhi: Oh you will... But you won't pass on without a word from Mrs. Shah if we both don't reach the class in...
He said as he checked the time on his wrist before continuing,
Abhi: ... exactly 2 minutes, come on!

We rushed through the crowd as he led the way while I followed behind. We reached the class right on time, which was Eco, and settled in. I felt a number of eyes on me, which I was already expecting, being the new guy and all, even though the eyes from the girls seemed to be because of some entirely different reasons. Abhi seemed to be a nice company to be around, as it looked like he was friends with almost everyone.

We settled down at the back as Abhi spoke up again,
Abhi: So I looked through your schedule and most of our classes are together only, so you would be just fine.

I decided not to ask how he got my schedule and nodded along, "Great.."

Abhi: But just to get through with this... I still don't know why am I doing this and the principle is so damned about making you feel good.
He asked with a sigh making it seem like he was waiting to ask that question since the time he first saw me. I waved it off with a chuckle as I shrugged.

Manik: Well... Both my parents are ex-students and Dad's his friend...

Abhi: Yeah... That pity much explains it well...
He smiled nodding while chose not to reply, mentally thanking God that he didn't seem to mind the small fact.

Abhi: Anyways, both of us have a free hour after this, I'll show u how things go on here in Space.

Nodding at him, I turned my eyes straight ahead to the teacher as she started teaching. Though instead of her words, my mind wandered off to the reason as to why I had to leave my college in Delhi and come here to Mumbai for this last year before getting my degree.

It had been a bit of a shock for my parents when I told them that I am planning to go to Toronto for my MBA, and also about my idea to open up a branch of the Malhotra Industries there while studying. Mom went on and on about how I would be so far away from her, but I knew that I wanted to move out of Dad's shadow and build something up for myself. My relationship with both my parents was a bit stiff, even enough I love them, and I know that they both love me a lot. There is this line between us that originated from their ignorance during my childhood years and my mother has been trying to cross that wedge ever since.

I know that someday I'm gonna take over the business empire that Dad has built up with all his hard work. Firstly, because Dhruv, my younger brother by two years, had made it very clear that he was no way interested in business, and secondly because somehow I had taken up all of my father's business genes. But the main problem in this entire thing was that I didn't want to do that just because I was the eldest son, I wanted to somehow earn it all on my own capabilities.

Well, Dad was impressed but he still wanted me to try out some work here in India before going on with my idea. After a lot of talks, he suggested that I could move over to Mumbai for a year where I could handle all the company's work along with attending college. He didn't actually want me to go to the office much but just keep an overview. So here I am, at the Space Academy to attend the last year of my 3-year Bachelor in Business course.

Shaking my head at all the drama back home, I concentrated back on the class. The topic seemed easy enough as we went through it quite easily. Soon the lecture was over as we moved out of the class.

Manik: So, what exactly did you mean when you said that how things work in Space?
I asked initiating the conversation as I walked to wherever Abhi was leading to me.

Abhi seemed to think about my question for a few seconds before he spoke up,
Abhi: Well, that depends on what you want to you! The bore management stuff goes on the same as every other college but... You are here just for the last year bro, I'm sure you would want to know what exactly have these Asses being doing for the past two years.

Manik: You meant the Gossip??
I asked him raising my eyes at him with a chuckle.

Abhi: Yeah... Well, being friends with everybody as its own advantages. And you know no one here, literally, No One!!

I shrugged not making a big deal out of it,
Manik: Chill... I'm least interested in any gossip buddy. And as far as knowing people is concerned, I think I would like to do that with time, and maybe make my own judgments on people.

Abhi stopped walking at it and looked up at me with an impressed expression as he slapped my back,
Abhi: I think we are gonna be great friends dude...

With this, we decided to grab something to eat at the canteen. We were walking through the corridor as he pointed out various rooms to me telling me where I could get what. We were almost by the canteen when I heard a girl's voice calling out for him loudly from the other end of the floor.

"Abhi!!"

Abhi turned towards the sound as a broad smile came onto his face just as the girl came running and threw her arms around him almost knocking him down as I held him back from falling. I laughed out loud as Abhi made her stand.

Abhi: Damn you seem too happy!

"Yes, I m...." She replied with the same smile making Abhi shake his head as he turned towards me.

Abhi: Manik... Meet Mukti, my girlfriend, and Mukti, meet Manik, it's his first day today."

She looked up at me nodding along,
Mukti: Hi... You are gonna love it in here, I'm sure!

Manik: I sure do hope so...
I replied to her still laughing at her over-enthusiasm as she turned her attention back towards her boyfriend.

Mukti: My practice just got canceled. Plz plz plz tell me you are free, I was hoping we could catch the next show to Captain Marvel....

I watched as Abhi's smile lowered into a guilty one as he rubbed the back to his neck.

Abhi: I'm sorry babe... Can we catch the show after that, I have accounts next.

Mukti: But the faculty is on leave... Didn't u know?
She asked him rolling her eyes at the obviousness.

Abhi's smile returned back full force,
Abhi: Is he? Then I guess we are good to go!

Mukti kissed his cheek softly before turned towards me,
Mukti: Amazing... Hey Manik, why don't you join us as well...

I backed out immediately before declining to them politely,
Manik: No no it's fine, I wouldn't want to be the third wheel out there.

Both of them laughed as we walked towards the exit. I saw abhi open his mouth to try to convince me but I spoke up before him giving in my actual reason,

Manik: And moreover if we have some free time, I think I'm gonna head out, I have some stuff to sort out. I'll see u guys tmrw?

"Sure!!", Abhi said to me hugging me slightly before moving to their own way.

I decided to go to the office and try to get a gist of how things were going on. Spending the rest of the day, I settled in all my initial work at the Mumbai branch, getting the higher-level officials to keep me updated with all the ongoing. Dad had left the decision-making responsibilities onto me and I couldn't be any more glad at his trust in me.

I was yet to find an apartment in Mumbai. Even though my parents were quite inclined to get me my own apartment out here, I refused their offer. And that leads me here in this hotel for the time being before I find myself some nice place on rent, probably someplace between college and office both.

The next day, driving into the college campus I parked my car at the same place as the previous day and moved out. Just as I was on my way inside, I heard a familiar voice from behind.

"Manik! "

Stopping in my tracks, I turned around to smile at the sight of Mukti jumping through the crowd to reach me. The girl surely did have a lot of energy to waste. I have met her hardly twice and both of the times she was running and jumping through a scattered mess of people.
Mukti: Heyo.. New boy!

Manik: Are u always jumping and running in the same way?
I asked with a smirk giving out my thoughts as it is, which made her scowl at me, before she brushed the topic aside with a fake laugh.

Mukti: Hahaha.... Come on Help me find my boyfriend.

Manik: Call him!
I told her with a shrug but still started moving forward with her by my side.

Mukti: Nah... I m sure we'll find him near the door itself with some or the other friend of his. That guy literally talks to everyone.
She exclaimed rolling her eyes at the last part.

Mukti: Believe me, I can't even bear the presence of more than half of the people going here. You seem cool though!
I smiled at her words bowing down in mock thankfulness which made her hit my shoulder hard as she walked around me still looking around for Abhi. As she had expected we found Abhi near the entrance in the corridor. We headed towards the lockers as I had to drop in some stuff out there, but that didn't stop Mukti from going on and on about how good the movie was. Looking at the two of them, I couldn't help the genuine smile on my face, knowing that I was gonna be quite glad for their company.

Abhi and I were leaning comfortably at the lockers, with Mukti standing in front of us and leading the conversation non-stop until the corridor turned abnormally quiet making her stop. We all turned to look at the other end of the hall as I noticed the students parting away to let something or rather someone pass.

I kept my scrutinizing gaze fixed in that direction as I saw a girl walking in, her head held high. An unidentifiable aura was visible around her making me intrigued as I saw her eyes flickering all through the crowd, hard as stone, giving nothing away. Her face though completely blank, seemed to be the prettiest all around. Her beauty mesmerized me like no other making it difficult for me to look away as my eyes followed her. Dressed up in a plain grey t-shirt and dark blue jeans, paired up with a jet black leather jacket and high heeled boots, she looked like any other average girl walking for a usual college day but still different from all others.

To say that she was beautiful would be an understatement.

Abhi: Look's like she is back!
I heard Abhi say softly, more to himself than to anyone else. I glanced at him once and noticed him look once at the girl before continuing whatever he was doing on his phone almost instantly, while my eyes turned back to the unknown girl, whose name I was yet to find out. I was about to ask Her name from the two of them but Mukti beat me to it as she replied to Abhi casually.

Mukti: Of course she is back... I have never seen her missing from college for long intervals.

I watched as the girl tucked her long black traces away from the face nodding subtly at someone in the crowd but still walking ahead. Three girls emerged magically from somewhere in the crowd, joining her as they walked as her wings. The action seemed too dramatic to me but I ignored it as I watched them smiled brightly at Her receiving another cold nod in return.

Accepting her presence around, the crowd seemed to have gone back to their usual bickering through I noticed more than half the eyes constantly glancing at her as she passed by.

"Hey, let's go, it's time for class", I heard Abhi's voice next to me and turned towards them not wanting to come through as a creep to them. I nodded at the two of them as we turned around to walk away only to get still as we heard a loud voice.

"Heard the Queen Bee almost drowned in the college pool the other day..... Was it the truth?"
Someone had spoken up loudly from the crowd, all of us turned back when I saw Her halt in her steps as a ghost of a smile came onto her lips, her eyes still giving nothing away.

"Always so curious Maddy... Trying to find out if its a rumor or the truth! You never disappoint me!"
She replied as a guy came ahead from the group. The other students stepped back subconsciously forming a clear area around them. As the guy, apparently named Maddy gave her a malicious smile.

"Oh no, babe... When Nandini Moorthy is concerned, false rumors are not quite usual. I know what happened..."
Nandini... So that was Her name.

Manik: What's happening?
I couldn't stop the question from emerging from my lips. Though thankfully I asked it softly just to my company. Mukti replied back to me in a whisper,

Mukti: Usual Drama... Get used to it!

Before I could question it again Nandini spoke up in a patient voice,
Nandini: And what exactly do you know happened?

I watched as Maddy walked further closer, standing right in front of her folding his arms on his chest.
Maddy: That some football jock finally decided to take out his grudges against you... Not much of a surprise for me!

Nandini narrowed her eyes at him while I heard Abhi swear at my side.
Abhi: This bloody moron...

He was about to move ahead when Mukti held his hand stopping him back as Nandini answered back to Maddy.

Nandini: You know what won't surprise me... That it was you deciding to plan a hidden attack coz you didn't have the guts to confront me...

Maddy smirked at her, picking up his hand as he touched her hair,
Maddy: Oh, really baby... I'm so sorry to disappoint you but I can think of a hundred interesting ways to get back on you.

I was almost disgusted at the way his eyes moved all over her, giving out his intentions clear as day. No girl deserves such a cheap attitude from anyone. Clearly most the other people around me were thinking the same but shockingly no one stepped ahead while Nandini simply took a step back from him, making his hands drop as she replied in her same loud clear yet almost bored voice,
Nandini: I don't really think I would like your interesting ways of getting back at me Maddy... Coz last I heard your so-called girlfriend broke up with you bcoz of the lack of that particular talent of yours!

A number of gasps were heard all around before the crowd started laughing. I couldn't help but admire Nandini's way of dealing with the guy as he kept his hard gaze fixed at her, anger clearly radiating off him. I m sure, any other girl in front of him would have surely turned into to putty, but somehow Nandini seemed unaffected as she stared right back at him with her dark cold eyes until he finally gave up and walked away.

The crowd continued laughing behind him, even Mukti and Abhi seemed amused at it. Until Nandini looked all around herself,
"Drama over people... Nothing left to watch here!"

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Hello people....

Howz the story going so far?

Plz plz Do mention what u think about Manik and Nandini's character in this story!
Would be waiting for your response😉

For now, I have decided alternate day updates for this story. Hoping to be able to maintain that... So see all day after tmrw!

Love,
Navya😍