"Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart."
~ Washington Irving

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Inline comments are loved......

Enjoy......

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" Okay....so this goes your library. SPACE Main branch library is the largest one in Mumbai. And I expect you to loooovvvvee this place.", Nandini said as Rishab looked around in awwe.

" How's it?", Nandini asked him and he gaped at her.

" You seriously asking me this? This...this is awesome! But why such a big one?"

" Rishi. This is a common library. Its for all the streams. It has to be so big na.", she shrugged and Rishab nodded. Seems like he has to get used to SPACE's royalty.

" Okay now come with me. The auditorium is nearby. Let me show you. ", She dragged him with her.

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"Wow!!!", Rishab exclaimed as he admired the biiiiiggggg auditorium of SPACE, while Nandini giggled seeing his reaction.

" Your welcome ceremony will happen here. So you'll get ample amount of time to admire it. Now come with me. They're gonna start their practice.", she said as she saw the dance troop entering with their props for their rehersal. Freshers is due now.

" Now?", Rishab asked once they were out of the building. Nandini smiled at him asked him to follow her.

" This is gonna be your favourite place I guess. ", she said and pointed at somewhere. Rishab followed her gaze and his jaw touched the ground.

" A freaking professional tennis court! This is.....love!", he screamed in excitement taking the attention of few passersbyes and Nandini laughed. She very well knew about her little bro's craziness for tennis. He was a champion in interschools in Mangalore, but never got a chance to play in a proffessional tennis court. It was always grass grounds without proper markings.

" Di! Finally I'll get a chance toplay here.", he said all cheerful as Nandini smiled and nodded.

" Let me show you other sports grounds. Come.", she said and they went on to see the other places in the campus.

" This must be your second favourite place here right? The basketball ground?", Rishab asked and she raised her eyebrow at him.

" Don't look at me like that. I know your first favourite would be library only.", he shruggled casually and she made a poker face.

" Rishi. I expect you to also love that place. You'll be in need of that place very soon.", she said and he nodded with a smile.

" Remember how he used to tease you back then for being a bookworm?", Rishab asked while chuckling and Nandini's thoughts wandered on to that 'He'. He. Her.....her *biggest enemy*. Note the sarcasm.

New Delhi
Sector 18-A, Dwarka
Vihar Apartments
Flat no.2809-B

8:15 am the same day

A girl entered the apartment giving a small nod to the house help, only to find it all silent. She moved to the living room and there was no one to be found. She looked at the time and shook her head in disbelief.

" Can't they for once get up on time? Aaj office ka last day hai phir bhi inko ghode bech ke sona hai. Uff!", she muttered harmless curses at her friends as she moved to a room on her left.

She walked in to find a boy sitting on the bed, leaning to the headrest, lost in his thoughts. He was looking tired and that confused her. How can someone get tired in the morning itself?

" What happened to you silent boy?", she asked loudly moving towards him, bringing him out of his thoughts.

" Nothing Vani. Just tired of all the packing.", he said and Vani giggled as she settled on the chair and faced him.

" Woh woh! Itni kya packing ki that you got so tired han?"

He shrugged. " First I packed my stuffs. Then I had to pack Buddy's. So...ya.", he said and Vani frowned.

" Can't that idiot pack his own clothes now? Why is he so lazy?", she fumed and Dhruv sighed.

" No Vani. Actually he had his meeting last night and came back late. So I just helped. He was tired yaar.", he said and Vani sighed.

" Okay.. get up and freshen up. I'll check on him. Then I also have to go to office.", she said and moved out of the room and Dhruv went to the washroom.

Vani went to another room and facepalmed herself seeing the scene.

" Manik Malhotra! Wake up!", she yelled seeing him still sleeping like a horse. Did he forget that he has his last day in office today and he can't afford to be late?

" Shut that trap of yours lady. Let me sleep.", she heard him groan as he pulled the duvet over his face and drifted to slumber again, making her huff in anger.

" Mr. Malhotra. If you have forgotten, you have to submit your final reports on the Ahuja project today. Or else....forget about going back.", she said in a warning tone and Manik jerked up immediately.

" Shit! How can I forget about that? Ughhhh!", he groaned facepalming himself and Vani laughed. " Ms. Vani Kapoor. Don't you have any other work that showing off your not-so- white teeth?", he said wiping off the grin from her face as she gritted her teeth.

" Oh yeah! I forgot I have much better jobs to do rather than coming here to help you in your report. Anyways...its fine. I'll go now.", she hissed and turned to leave and Manik's eyes widened. " Vani wait!". He jumped off the bed and ran to catch her hand.

" Sorry sorry sorry.....Please forgive me. I won't say like this again okay. Please help me. I'm really not sure about what I have written.", he pleaded making a puppy face, melting Vani's anger.

" Fine.", she sighed looking at him. "Give me the file. I'll check it and you by then, get ready.", she said sternly and he grinned widely.

" Thank you thank you thank you. I'll give you a treat in Khao gali today.", he said passing her the file as she laughed seeing him rushing to the washroom with his clothes.

After completing their BBA and Hotel Management respectively in SPACE, Manik and Dhruv decided to gain experience at bussiness before going for further studies. Being well known in Mumbai, given to their surnames, they decided to move out and make their own identities in a more competitive atmosphere.....in Delhi.

A month after moving to Delhi, Manik got his job in Mathur Corporations as an intern. A nine to five job proved to give him a better insight to the hectic work life and he struggled to manage himself.

Neverthless, the thirst to prove himself worthy of descending his father's seat, urged him to keep going, until he finally got promoted to the post of Assisstant Manager of the Delhi branch nine years later. He completed his MBA 5 years ago with a distant course from SPACE while still continuing his work. He was now favourite of Mr. Harshit Garhewal, his immediate Boss, Manager of the Delhi branch, who used to recommend his name to Mr. Mathur for higher posts, completely unaware of the truth that, he was soon gonna see him as the CEO of Malhotra Heights.

Vani Kapoor joined Mathur's around the same time as Manik, and they both immediately became good friends. Now, the Assistant Manager, Vani proved to be a fantastic colleague to him, helping him out whenever he found something difficult to manage. She had jelled up well with both Manik and Dhruv along with Ronit and Aisha, who worked with Dhruv in his hotel.

Yes. After moving to Dehli, Dhruv took up distant MBA from SPACE along with a job in The Imperial, New Delhi with his previous degree. Soon enough, he completed his Masters and got promoted. He gained his experience well for whole nine years, now finally resigning as the Assistant Manager, ready to take up the load off his mother's shoulders by handling his father's chain of hotels in Mumbai.

Both of them, now done with their experience gaining and grooming period, are all set to move back to their home city, with a new zeal and make a fresh start.

" Thanks for the packing Buddy. That would've been a headache otherwise.", chirped Manik, as he entered the living room, buttoning his cuffs. Dhruv, who was setting the breakfast on the table, passed him his evergreen sweet smile before turning his gaze to Vani, who was seated on the sofa, intently going through the file, making sure there are no errors. He sighed seeing her so engrossed in work and got back to setting the plates.

" Is it alright Vani Madam? Or do I need to make any changes?", Manik asked as he settled beside her on the sofa.

" Ummm.....I think its all fine. I mean...its great. No doubt why Garhewal is gushing about you always.", she said and Manik raised his collars with a smirk. They continued talking about their today's work till they were disturbed by Dhruv.

" If you're done with your work, can you come here and have your breakfast now? It's turning cold.", Dhruv said in a grumpy tone, feeling all ignored as the two laughed shamelessly.

" Aww.....is the princess turning all grumpy there?" teased Manik, getting up and moving towards the breakfast table. " I think Princess is angry on us. What happened Baby Dhruvvi?", Vani followed making Dhruv's nostrils flare- a sight, which did nothing but increase the duo's laughter.

" I won't talk to you both anymore. You always do this.", Dhruv whined and turned his face to the other side making the duo smile. Their shy boy was grumpy. A very rare, yet adorable sight.

" What happened Buddy? Why so grumpy today?", Manik asked taking him in a side hug as Vani too settled opposite them.

" I'm waiting here from so long and you both are busy in your bussiness world.", Dhruv said and Manik laughed.

" Oh Baby boy! Stop being jealous. You're more important to us than work okay?", he said and pressed Dhruv's shoulder making him smile finally. They got back to their breakfast with silly banters and leg pullings and laughing at Manik's jokes.

" Oh my God! What am I gonna do when you both are gone?", Vani said suddenly, turning the atmosphere a bit emotional. Unlike Ronit and Aisha, Vani had got very much attached to both the boys in the span of these nine years. Manik was her best friend while Dhruv was someone with whom she can share each and every thought of hers. Any dilemma, she would run up to Dhruv to get her mind cleared. Although she was introduced to Dhruv by Manik, she grew more close to Dhruv in all these years. Just the thought of them leaving forever now, makes a lump form in her throat, although she knew this is gonna happen, from the time she met them. She did have many friends there, Delhi being her birth place. But Manik and Dhruv had become too special for her to let go.

Seeing her getting lost in her thoughts and her eyes turning moist, Manik decided to lighten up the atmosphere.

" So who's asking you to stay back here? You know you can always leave this Mathurs and come with us to Mumbai. I can make you my PA.", he said with a mischievous smile, bringing Vani back from her thoughts as she made a bad face.

" Oh please! I would rather work in some coffee shop as a waitress, than making your schedule and getting you four cups of coffee a day.", she spat sarcastically, making Manik growl and Dhruv laugh.

Soon they got done with their breakfast and Manik and Vani went off to Mathur Corporations, while Dhruv stayed back to settle everything at home. As they had their flight at 9 that night, he had decided to check the whole house once again before they finally hand over the keys to their land lord before going.

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It was 7:00 in the evening, when Dhruv and Manik reached the airport with Vani, Ronit and Aisha who had come to drop them off.

Ronit and Aisha Khanna. A sweet couple. Got married a year back. Work in The Imperial together. Dhruv's colleagues and Manik and Vani's good friends.

" Shit! It feels so gloomy yaar! Can't make myself believe that you both are finally going back....forever.", said Aisha, the ever emotional girl of their group. Dhruv took her in a side hug as all of them smiled sadly.

" Will miss you a lot buddies.", Ronit said, taking Manik in a hug followed by Dhruv.

" Come on guys. Stop with these gloomy faces now. We're not going to Mars, are we? Its just Mumbai. A 2 hrs flight. Thats it.", Manik said and other nodded, chuckling.

" Yeah right. And don't forget you both are coming to Mumbai next month for Grand Marrion's opening.", Dhruv said and others nodded with a smile. Dhruv noticed Vani still sad and went up to hug her.

" You know na you can still come to me whenever you face any problem? I'm just a call away okay?", he wishpered to her making her smile widely as she nodded and hugged him tightly. She then went up to Manik, pulling him into a hug. She barked warnings to him to not nag Dhruv anymore, before they both entered inside the terminal leaving behind the three sad faces.

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" Dhruv yaar! I'm getting bored here, and you are busy in that stupid thing !", Manik groaned after completing his tenth game of candy crush since they have got seated in the waiting lounge. It was 8:30 now, and Manik was hell bored of sitting quiet.

" Its not some 'stupid thing' Manik. Its a book. And a very good one for your knowledge.", Dhruv sniggered, again getting back to what he was reading as Manik sulked.

" Just in case you don't know, this stupid disorder called 'reading' suits someone else and not you. And I think you very well know who it is.", Manik said making a bad face and Dhruv chuckled. How can he ever forget that? The bookworm of their gang. She loves books so much, that she even loves their smell.

Manik sat back and his mind drifted to the times when he would always tease her for being a bookworm.

Manik was early today to the caffeteria as the others had their classes still going on and Dhruv had gone to submit his project. He walked up to their usual table to find someone already seated there. Her nose was literally bored into the book as she read through it with utmost concentration.

He made a bad face and settled beside her only to be irritated as she didn't react to his move.

" You early? Where are the other two?", he asked loudly in order to gain her attention as she looked up from her book with slight trace of annoyance on being disturbed lacing on her face.

" Abhi and Baby are still not done with their blood counts. I completed early so thought of coming here.", she said and looked back into what she was reading.

" Blood count? Ummm....whats that?", he asked being confused. Science was never his thing and he really sucked at biology especially. She looked up in annoyance at his stupid question. " Blood count. The no. of erythrocytes, leukocytes, etc...in your blood. We need to count it to know if the person is suffering from some disease or not.", she explained and Manik made an 'oh' face as if he understood everything, but the truth being that he didn't even understood a word except 'disease'. " Now if you're done with your questions, can I concentrate on what I'm doing?", she said and Manik pouted angrily.

" As if you're doing a research on 'If there's water on Pluto' ", he mocked making her glare at him.  "Pluto? Like seriously? Mars would have atleast made some sense. Anyways.... if my book is open, your mouth should be closed.", she said in her all-time attitute, getting back to her first love making Manik scoff.

They sat there in silence as Manik sipped onto his milkshake glancing time-to-time at her who was busy finishing her so-called amazing novel. Soon after, the others joined them with Abhi and Navya fighting over whose count was more precise.

" Done with this book Bira?", asked Cabir as he saw her finally shutting it and leaning back on her chair.

" Physically? Yes. Emotionally?............Never.", she said as she stared at nothing in particular with a dreamy smile on her face and moist eyes.............................and Manik stared at her in utter shock. Is she a lunatic?

Manik sighed as he remembered that wierd soul, when a sudden idea popped up in his mind. He smiled mischievously, fishing out his phone. He dialed a particular number and waited for it to be recieved.

" What is it?", came the irritated voice of someone from the other side making him smirk. " Kya baat hai? I didn't even light a matchstick and you're already burning?", he said and the person at the other end scoffed.

" You know what? If you don't have anything to say, I'm cutting the call. I have other important things to do.", she said in a highly irritated tone and Manik tried hard to supress his laughter. He loved to irritate her always. It was like his favourite passtime. There were times when he got bored and called her asking ' why melody is chocolaty' or ' why the sky is blue', just to irritate her.

" Well, hello to you too Murthy.", he said sarcastically as Dhruv chuckled beside him, knowing very well what his best friend was up to.

" Malhotra....what is it?", Nandini asked in a stern voice and Manik laughed. " What has happened there that turned you so angry Murthy? Who is so fortunate to see that beautiful irritated face of yours?", he said with a smirk as Nandini gritted her teeth and Dhruv laughed.

" Malhotraaa....I'm in no mood for your nonsense now. My kitchen has already turned into debris.", she yelled.

" What!", both Manik and Dhruv shouted in shock taking attention of some passengers around. They passed apologetic looks to them before getting back to the call. " What the hell do you mean by your kitchen turned into debris?", Dhruv asked in shock and Nandini sighed.

" A storm named 'Cabir Dhawan' hit my kitchen. And rest you can know. ", she said making both of them burst into laughter as Nandini whined in annoyance.

"Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight A128 to Mumbai. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you."

" Seems like its time to go. Okay so Murthy. You sort out your debris. We'll be there soon to pay our tributes to your demised kitchen.", Manik said and both laughed making Nandini too join them this time lifting up her mood.

He cut the call as they stood up to check their backpacks, getting ready to board their filghts. " Its time to say our final goodbyes to Delhi.", Dhruv said dreamily and this time even Manik got emotional. This city has given them a lot. Most importantly it has given them their independent identities. They knew they were gonna miss this. They were gonna miss their three friends.

But they were even more excited to meet their lifelines in their birth city.

" Mumbai....here we come.", Manik said as they finally got seated in their economic class seats, ready to take off.

So.....another update done.

Did you enjoy?

Which part did you like the most?

What do you think about SPACE University?

What do you think about Vani and Manruv's friendship?

Ronit and Aisha?

How do you find Manik and Dhruv's character.

Nandini is Manik's bookworm with the disease called 'reading'.

Their banter?

Manik irritating her?

Lastly....what do you think about the storm that hit Nandu's kitchen?

Keep thinking...keep voting....keep commenting.

Till the next update then..

Stay safe.

Stay healthy.

Yours Writer.