I never craved attention,
Until I tasted yours.

As soon as Manik and Nandini came downstairs, everyone were giving them some weird looks. They both got confused.

Manik asked being irritated, "Is there something on our face?"

Mukti said still with that weird face, "Guys have you both talked before meeting here?"

Both Manik and Nandini said in union, "NOO!"

Now Dhruv said, "Then how come you both are color coordinating too much?"

"Haa wahi to. Upar se lekar niche tak dono poore same hai." It was Navya's turn.

Both Manik and Nandini looked at each other. Indeed they were coordinating way too much.

They had an eyelock and remembered the scene which happened a few minutes ago. They broke the eyelock.

Then Nandini said, "Guys it's just a coincidence. Nothing else."

Manik too said, "Yes she's right. It's just a mere coincidence."

Then Alya said, "Guys leave all this, let's talk to Nandini about our plan. Don't waste time yaar!"

Nandini asked,"What plan?"

"Sweetheart we all have decided to go clubbing tonight." Cabir said. And you very well know who made a bad face. Off course MANIK MALHOTRA.

"So?" Nandini asked.

Mukti slapped her forehead and said, "So buddhu Nandu you are coming with us."

Nandini registered her words and then said or rather panicked, "Whatt?Tonight?? No wayyy. Tum logo ko pata hai na Kitna kaam bacha hai. I have to do so many things. How can I just go clubbing?"

Navya put a hand on Nandini's shoulder and said, "Nandu, Nandu, Nandu.... shaant hoja. Don't panic so much. Abhi 15 din bache hai. Sab hojayega. And agar 1-2 din late ho bhi gaya to kya hua. Humne tujhe koi deadline to di nahi hai."

Alya also said, "Yes Nandini, Navya is right. Take a break babe."

Nandini started saying, "but-"

She was interrupted by Cabir, "No but wut. You are coming with us and that's final."

Nandini looked at everyone and then at Manik. She could easily see it in his eyes that he wants her to come. She couldn't deny the pleading in his eyes.
While looking straight in his eyes, she said, "okay! I'll come."

She could see the happiness in his eyes which even turned into a small smile. But she didn't reciprocated.

Alya jumped in happiness and said, "thankyou Nandini. I'll message the time and location on the group."

Everyone nodded and bid bye. Nandini again got busy in her work. It was 5pm when she left Fab5 house as she has to reach to the pub at 7pm. She reached her apartment and took a hot shower. She felt fresh. Then she started getting ready.

Manik's P.O.V.

I reached the club at 7pm.

I saw Alya, Dhruv and Mukti talking outside the club. I went to them. They all were looking nice.

We talked a little when Navya and Cabir arrived. We all greeted them. They both were also looking good but I was impatient to see Nandini.

It was 7:15pm by now. Is she going to come or not? We all were still standing outside the club waiting for her. Then at 7:20pm she came. She came. She finally came. Nandini came. Yayyyyy!!!

She got out of her car and gave the keys to the valet. Then she roamed her eyes probably searching us. Then she saw us. She smiled beautifully and walked towards us. She hugged everyone off course except me. Sigh.

Then Alya said, "Oh myyy Goddd Nandini!!! Babe you look so hott!" Did she? Stupid me. I was so busy admiring her face that I didn't even saw what she was wearing.

Trust me when I say my heart skipped a beat and my words ditched me. Because it happened when I saw what she was wearing.

She is looking soo hott! Sooo freaking hottttttt!!!!!! No wait.... she isn't looking hot. She's looking hottest! Haaye meri aakhein. Inti garmi kaise jhelegi. I sound like a creep na? I know but dude She's looking so damn hott yaar!

We all went inside and sat in the VIP section. What did you thought? I'm Manik Malhotra and Manik Malhotra never goes with ordinary.

We all settled and started talking. The sitting arrangement was like Me, Cabir, Navya, Mukti, Nandini, Dhruv,  Alya and then again me. My eyes never left Nandini.

Cabir noticed me staring Nandini. He whispered in my ear, "Isn't Nandini looking hot?"

I was in my dreamland with Nandini.  In a trance I answered him, "Hottest!"

Cabir again whispered, "You like her?"

I was still in my dreamland, "ye-" Then my eyes went wide and I realized what I was going to say. I told him being annoyed, "Whatt! Are you crazy? I don't like Nandini. No No Noo!" Maybe I was trying to convince myself than him.

Cabir kept a hand on my shoulder and replied in a serious tone, "Manik you know you cannot hide anything from me. Dude I know you more than you yourself know about you. I know you like Nandini. I can see that in your eyes. I saw that the very first day you met her. Maybe you yourself didn't realize it but my brother you do like her."

Indeed he knows me more than myself. I thought I should tell Cabir what was going in my heart. "Biree I think you're right. I like her. I like her a lot. Not just because she is beautiful but I can see something in her eyes. Maybe it's pain which she hides from the world behind her fake smile. But I can see it. I can see the pain in her eyes as well as I can easily recognize when she is smiling from heart and when she is faking it. I want to share her pain Cabir. I don't want her to suffer alone. I want to support her and walk with her in every step she takes. I want to catch her if she falls and embrace her in my arms." I said while looking at Nandini's laughing face.

Then Cabir said, "Then what's the problem?"

I smiled sadly and said, "She herself is the problem Biraa. I don't know if you have noticed or not but she calls each one of you by their first name but not me. All of you call her by her first name or nickname but not me. Why? Because she hasn't permitted me to call her by her first name. She is friends with all of you but not me. Mujhse to vo baat tak nahi karti. Jab zarurat hoti hai bass tab apni uss professional tone me baat karegi. I hate it when she calls me Mr.Malhotra. You know itne din hogaye use humare sath but that girl hasn't even for once smiled at me. Tum sab ke sath hasti hai aur mere liye muskurati bhi nahi. I feel disappointed Biree. Achaa nahi lagta jab vo ese ignore karti hai."

Cabir smiled and said, "Manik mai Nandini ko 5 saal se janta hu. She lost her parents when she was just 11. She shifted to London with her little brother by her dad's friend's help. She has suffered a lot Manik. A LOT. I'm happy that you could recognize between her fake and real smile. I'm happy that you could see the pain in her eyes. Manik she has built up a wall around her heart. Mai to sirf 5 saal se janta hu use but Navya to 11 saal se janti hai. They both became friends in London only. Navya ne mujhe bataya tha ki Nandini kabhi bhi kisi ko ignore nahi karti. If she doesn't like the person she'll say it on their face but never ignore. You are the first person whom she is ignoring. Maybe she too feels something for you. Maybe she thinks that if she will talk to you, you will break the wall around her heart. You will bring her guards down which she doesn't want. First be her friend Manik. Then become anything else."

I registered his every word and I knew he was damn serious because he called her Nandini and not sweetheart. I looked at Nandini and her fake smile. I was shocked hearing about her parents. My girl suffered so much. I just wanted to hug her and tell her that I'm there for you. Humesha. But that needs time. She needs time. Our relationship needs time.

Words: 1417

Thankyou!
Lots of love❤
Dhruvi.