Hello Fam :)

Did I forget to mention that the majority of the upcoming chapters will be heavily based on Nandini's POV and her changing dynamics with Manik? 

Happy Reading...

Nandini had a meeting with the principal and the committee which means Manik had a meeting too. He was surprised to find one on his first day as the head boy. He informed Nandini that he was glad he didn't have to skip his classes. Nandini cuffed his head before dragging him to the second seminar room which is often used by the staff for the meetings.

She was setting up the projector when Manik called her. It was the fourth time he was interrupting her with his unending questions. He was nervous but she was starting to lose her patience.

"Nandini, why am I asked to handle the biggest event in the history of our college as my first work?", he asked.

"Because it was scheduled long back and you stepping up as a head boy now was a coincidence", she answered. "You think the angle is fine or do you want me to tilt it?"

"It's perfect. Nandini, I don't know anything about the meeting or the event in general. There's no clue on the website too", he asked again.

That's it. She had controlled herself a lot because it was his first meeting but the rate at which he was going, he could ruin the meeting and their time was already scarce. The event was about to start at the end of the week. She turned around to ask him to choose between keeping his mouth shut or leave the room but one look at his face and she couldn't let the words out of her mouth. The look on the boy's face resembled that of a lost child in a huge circus amidst the meanest of the clowns. She sighed before dropping in a chair beside him.

"Manik, haven't you ever attended a meeting of your company?", she asked him.

"I did", he said.

Because, Of course. He is Manik. "I don't understand why are you this nervous then. You have already been through this."

"It's different. No one would scold me there even if I make a mistake and I at least take first-hand information regarding the meeting."

"Manik, no one would scold you here too. Listen, the professors know only the information we share with them. If you don't know something, we tell them that we are still researching. You can have a look at the file I was reading. That has most of the information about the event and I am there to back you up if you make a mistake", she explained.

He smiled, small and sweet as he muttered a small thank you before going through the papers. She should have sent them to him earlier or particularly, she should try to start working along with another head student. It was new for her and she might need some practice.

The room started filling in one by one. "Oh my!", exclaimed Mr. Verma, their English professor, "Are we supposed to get used to having two head students in the meetings now?"

Manik scrambled from his chair and gave a nod politely. Nandini just grinned. She wasn't the only one finding it new to have a working head boy. When the other professors joined the room, almost everyone gave a second look to Manik. Good thing, he was wrapped up in the file. Nandini didn't want to deal with another nervous attack.

"Hope, I am not late", said the principal, announcing his entry. Unlike others, he greeted Manik in his usual jovial self without a hint of surprise. When did Manik earn the principal's trust?, thought Nandini but she brushed it off. It might be because of the Malhotra surname.

They started the presentation giving the details of all the events throughout the week. Manik was good. He had grasped over the topic rather quickly and made his own points. It took almost an hour to cover everything.

"It's all very good, Nandini", told the principal. "What are all you need to complete the preparations and what else is to be done?"

"I have ordered the material and we will get started it by tomorrow. I will go to the administration after the meeting. There are enough applications. We can close the portal now. The guest lectures are sorted", she told.

"What about accommodation and food?", asked one of the professors.

"I have the contact numbers of caterers. Food is sorted. We are looking for accommodation."

"Requirements?", asked Prof. Verma.

"Maybe a whole building near the college. They would be comfortable if they are accommodated together in an unknown atmosphere. If that's not possible, maybe we could separate boys and girls and two hostels", explained Nandini.

"Because I have a friend who has an apartment nearby. Newly constructed and fully furnished. If you want, I will talk to him", he suggested.

"Perfect", exclaimed Nandini.

"What about the closing ceremony? I heard you had a different plan than having it in our college?", asked the principal.

"I was thinking about a stargazing session in some forest. Astronomy was an important part of Indian culture. We can add the bonfire to make it fun", she told.

"Have you checked the places?"

"Yeah, I have it here." Nandini opened another folder. She had googled a few places for it. It was an instant idea and she forced Abhimanyu and Mukti along with her to try it. She was clicking on the slides when Manik interrupted her.

"Isn't it on the outskirts of East Mumbai?", he asked. When Nandini nodded, he frowned. "Is the place safe? I guess there is a tribe that lives there and they are good but if they think we are harming them or the animals, they might kill us instantly. It's part of their law. Going there along with a bunch of students, is it okay?"

"I think, Manik's right, Nandini", told the principal. "Why don't you check some other places? The idea is good and if we don't have a proper location, we will still have a bonfire nearby. Try for stargazing though."

"Sure, sir", she said.

"And if you need any other help, just inform any of us. Everything will be arranged."

She nodded and concluded the meeting. As the room got vacated, Prof. Verma stayed back.

"It's good to have a head boy who shares responsibilities instead of burdening only one student. Keep it up, Manik and congratulations on topping the exams last sem", he said.

Manik muttered a faint thank you. When they were the only two ones in the room, Manik frowned at her. "When did I top the exam?"

"Yesterday", replied Nandini, "dude, did you think anyone is mad enough to cross your score? You have set up a really high benchmark, hero." Nandini wanted to laugh at his surprise. Did he really think people study in this college? "Anyways, how do you know about that tribe in the forest?

"Cabir told me. He had to go there for one of his projects. They had helped him when he told them, he was interning as a wildlife photographer."

Of course, the Jungli Malhotra. "This isn't a bad idea", muttered Nandini. "We need your brother."

XXX

"I need information", announced Nandini, banging her hand on the table in front of Cabir. His girlfriend was sitting beside him.

Cabir smirked and leaned back on his chair. "And I am what? A help desk? Why do you think I have your information?"

"Because my natural habitat isn't a forest", she answered.

"What?", spluttered. "You think I live in forests?"

They dived into their usual banter. Beside him, his girlfriend was gaping at the two. Nandini pretty much ignored her. Suddenly, there were two plates of cheeseburgers one in front of each of them. She looked up to find Manik.

"Cabir, answer Nandini's question, please", he told to his brother.

"Bhai, you got me a cheeseburger. Shouldn't I be answering your question instead?", asked Cabir.

Manik sighed. "Kid, stop arguing, and answer, please." He took a seat at the vacant seat beside Nandini.

She saw Cabir pouting and crossing his arms. Did the dude forget he had his girlfriend beside him too? By the looks of her indifference, she realized Navya was used to his drama. Nandini felt a lot of respect and sympathy all at once for the girl.

"Fine", said the younger twin, "ask away. How can I help you?"

"How about a jump from a cliff?", she snarked. But before he could say anything, she shook her head. "Forget it. I need a forest kind of a place which is safe from animals and good for astronomy."

"Give a minute", told Cabir. He pulled out his phone and browsed through it for sometime before yelling. "This is perfect." He showed them the pics. "This is about 50kms from the city but I know a shortcut from Andheri and we can reach within half an hour. It's animal-free and a bit secluded hill so, the astronomical view would be perfect. I even know a person who could provide the sleeping bags. You just give me the number."

"Perfect", said Nandini. She asked him to forward the details so she could go through the principal to confirm it. On her way out, she patted Cabir on his back. "I knew your natural habitat is a forest", she told him and ignored his glares as she walked out of the canteen.

XXX

Cabir rolled his eyes at the head girl. "I am telling you someone needs to teach her to differentiate between insulting and praising a person." He turned to his girlfriend. "Navya, do you like her?"

"Who's she?", asked Navya, curious. "I haven't seen you fighting with a girl before."

"My special friend. Trust me, only I have these special privileges because she is an angel to Manik", he teased.

"I never said that but she is a good person even if it's hard to believe at first sight", told Manik to Navya.

Cabir wasn't surprised by Manik's opinions on Nandini but it was definitely a first when he casually defended a girl in front of others. Maybe his training was working or maybe it was all the cupid that's working.

XXX

Nandini and Manik were back at their abandoned cabin behind the college. Cabir had gone to drop Navya at her hotel and since Manik had to sort his head student work with Nandini, he opted to stay back with her at the college. Nandini was on calls to sort the things while Manik finished the paperwork. Once he was done, he pulled out his novel to resume his reading.

Half an hour later, Nandini slumped down on the floor beside him. "Put that away. I am getting a headache just by seeing you read after all that work we had done today."

"I apologize", he muttered before putting the book inside his bag.

Nandini smirked. "Glad you are back to your original self."

"I told you Cabir forced me to say that", he protested.

She chuckled. "What were you up to all vacations? You just disappeared." She felt him getting tensed up and frowned. She hoped he was okay and at a safe distance from her father.

"Cabir prepared a workout schedule. I didn't gain much but he said it was okay. We are planning to continue", he confessed.

He was shifting uncomfortable and it bugged her. "You don't want to?"

"I do", he said, eagerly. "I don't want a repeat of what happened last time."

She was taken aback. Was he putting all the effort because she said something when she was angry? She was used to people ignoring her words when she used her full authority but when she carelessly threw the words away with half an intention to hurt the person, this she wasn't used to. "You know I don't blame you, Manik. I would never blame you even if I had said something along the lines to you on that day."

"No, I know you don't blame me but don't take them back. I feel better now. I don't know if I could punch a guy but I probably wouldn't be completely useless when the situation arises", he told. "Cabir wanted me to have the training until I could kick someone. That's my final test apparently", he whispered.

"I don't think you would kick someone even if you have an opportunity to", pointed out Nandini. It was smart of Cabir to drill this habit of keeping Manik physically fit, thought Nandini to herself.

"Why would I want to kick someone just to prove I have learned something?", he told.

She nodded. Manik might sweet-talk his way out of battlefields, might even win some hearts in the process but he wouldn't willingly hurt someone just because he could get away with it and that's fine as far as Nandini was concerned.

He stood out like a bright star during a dark night, untouched and unperturbed by all the malice she knew the humans in the world were capable of. If Manik could escape before someone could harm him, it was all she wanted.