Manik took charge of arranging a bonfire in the lush garden. He supervised the staff as they set up comfortable seating around the fire pit and fairy lights to add a magical touch to the night.

The girls, meanwhile, decided to get ready together, opting for comfy and casual clothes but making the process fun with plenty of teasing and laughter.

"Navya, you can't wear that! It's practically a sack," Alya teased, holding up Navya's oversized hoodie.

Navya laughed, swatting Alya's hand away. "Hey, comfort first. But fine, I'll wear something a bit nicer."

Rummaging through her bag, Mukti found a pair of cute joggers and a stylish top. "How about this? Comfy yet chic."

Nandini, adjusting her hair in front of the mirror, smiled. "Perfect. Let's make this a night to remember."

Alya, always the fashionista, added a touch of makeup and a hint of perfume. "Alright, ladies, let's go turn some heads—even if we're just in comfy clothes."

With final adjustments and shared giggles, the girls were ready. They made their way to the garden, where the boys were already waiting by the bonfire.

As the girls approached, the boys turned to them, their faces lighting up with smiles.

"Wow, you all look great," Abhimanyu said, admiring Mukti with a warm smile.

Dhruv nodded in agreement. "Yeah, really nice."

Manik, his eyes fixed on Nandini, couldn't help but grin. "You always look beautiful, Nandini."

Nandini blushed, giving him a playful nudge. "Stop it, you're embarrassing me."

They all took their seats around the bonfire, the fire's warmth and the fairy lights' soft glow creating a cozy atmosphere. Manik had arranged for snacks and drinks, and they settled in for an evening of fun and relaxation.

Cabir started the conversation. "Alright, let's get this party started. Anyone got any embarrassing stories to share?"

Alya groaned. "Oh no, here we go."

Mukti grinned. " I do have one. Remember that time, Cabir, when you tried to impress that girl in college and ended up spilling coffee all over yourself?"

Everyone burst into laughter as Cabir tried to defend himself. "Hey, that was a long time ago! And she wasn't worth it anyway."

Abhimanyu joined in. "I think the most impressive part was how you tried to play it off as if it was intentional."

Alya, laughing, added, "And then you slipped on the wet floor trying to walk away all cool."

Cabir threw his hands up in mock defeat. "Alright, alright, enough about me. What about you, Navya? Any embarrassing moments?"

Navya, trying to think, was exposed by Nandini. "What about when you got locked out of your dorm room wearing your clothes upside down?"

Navya's eyes widened. "Nandini!"

They all roared with laughter again, enjoying the light-hearted teasing and the warmth of their camaraderie. Mukti and Abhimanyu couldn't resist teasing Cabir about his earlier awkward encounters with Navya.

"So, Cabir," Mukti began with a sly grin, "Are you going to trip over your own feet again to get Navya's attention?"

Cabir rolled his eyes, though he couldn't hide his smile. "Very funny. I don't need any help in that department."

Manik, smirking, played along. "Yeah, Mukti, give him some credit. He's doing just fine on his own."

Nandini, watching the exchange, smirked teasingly at Navya. "Maybe it's fate, Navya. All those awkward encounters might be leading somewhere."

Navya blushed, but she laughed it off. "Oh, please. Let's not make this into a movie scene."

Cabir looked at Mukti and Abhimanyu. "You two should be careful. You might be next in this matchmaking scheme."

Abhimanyu grinned, wrapping an arm around Mukti. "I think we're doing just fine, thanks."

"So, Manik, Nandini," Alya began, her eyes twinkling with curiosity, "You two have been best friends for ages. How did you meet, and how did you become so close?"

Dhruv, equally intrigued, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've always wondered about that. You two have such a strong bond. What's the story?"

Manik and Nandini exchanged a glance, both smiling as memories of their first meeting flooded back.

"It was quite a day," Nandini said, her voice filled with nostalgia. 

Flashback, (10 Years Ago)

As the bell rang to signal the beginning of a new day, the bustling corridors of the school filled with students of all ages. Among them was Manik, a new face with an air of uncertainty surrounding him.

It was his first day at the school, and he trod cautiously, trying to find his place in the sea of unfamiliar faces.

Meanwhile, Nandini, accompanied by her group of friends, was engaged in a spirited game of truth or dare in the cafeteria. Laughter echoed off the walls as dares were issued and challenges accepted.

It was then that Nandini found herself at the center of attention, tasked with a dare that would change the course of her day—and perhaps her life.

"Flirt with the first guy who walks through that door," her friend dared, pointing towards the entrance of the cafeteria.

Nandini glanced in that direction, her eyes landing on the figure of a boy she hadn't seen before. He looked lost, a touch of nervousness evident in his demeanor. It was Manik, the new student.

With a mischievous grin, Nandini accepted the dare, her heart racing with excitement. As Manik entered the cafeteria, he was greeted by the curious gazes of his peers, none more so than Nandini's, whose eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Hey there, new guy!" she called out, her voice laced with playful charm. "You must be lost in this maze of a school. Need a guide?"

Manik responded with a polite but confused smile, not sure how to handle the sudden attention.

However, Nandini didn't give up and confidently walked up to him with a sparkle in her eye.All day long, Nandini kept flirting with him, each time more dramatic than before.

She "accidentally" bumped into him in the hallway and joked with him during class, making sure Manik couldn't avoid her lively energy.

At first, Manik tried to stay calm, feeling both amused and confused by Nandini's dramatic antics. But as the day went on, he was captivated by her lively energy and loved hearing her laugh.

Their conversations flowed easily, starting with playful teasing and moving to real connections. Even though their meeting started as a joke, Manik and Nandini found they got along well, and their joking turned into the start of a strong friendship.

By the end of the day, what had begun as a dare had transformed into something far more meaningful. Their hearts were lighter and their spirits were lifted by the unexpected bond they had formed in a single day.

Flashback ends….

After narrating the flashback of their first meeting, Manik and Nandini shared a fond look, their smiles reflecting the depth of their bond.

"It's true," Manik said, his voice soft with emotion. "From that moment on, we just clicked. It was like we had known each other forever."

Nandini nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with affection. "We were inseparable after that. Whether it was studying for exams, grabbing coffee between classes, or just hanging out, we were always together."

Manik grinned, recalling their countless adventures. "Remember that time we got lost on the way to that concert?"

Nandini laughed, nodding. "How could I forget? We ended up wandering around the city for hours, but we had the best time."

"We always seemed to have the best time together," Manik said, his tone nostalgic. "Even during the tough times, having you by my side made everything seem easier."

Nandini reached out to squeeze his hand, a warm smile playing on her lips. "Same here, Manik. You've been my rock through it all."

Their friends, listening intently, exchanged knowing smiles. Mukti leaned over to Abhimanyu and whispered, "They are inseparable."

Cabir nodded a fond look in his eyes. "Yeah, they're like two peas in a pod."

As the evening progressed, they decided to liven things up with a game over drinks. They gathered around a table, glasses in hand, ready for some friendly competition.

Laughter filled the air as they began to play, each round bringing more excitement and camaraderie.

Cabir, always one to inject some mischief into the proceedings, suggested a drinking contest between himself and Nandini. "Come on, Nandini, let's see who can handle their drink better."

Nandini, never one to back down from a challenge, accepted with a grin. "You're on, Cabir. But don't say I didn't warn you."

As the game progressed, Manik excused himself from the group, stepping away to take an important call.

He was engrossed in conversation, his brow furrowed with concentration when suddenly, he heard a commotion from the direction of the table.

Turning around, Manik's eyes widened in shock as he saw Nandini standing precariously on a chair, her laughter echoing through the room. Cabir, beside her, looked slightly tipsy but nowhere near as drunk as Nandini.

Concern etched across his face, Manik rushed over to them, his heart pounding with worry. "Nandini, what are you doing? Get down from there!"

But Nandini, in her intoxicated state, seemed oblivious to the danger. Instead, she let out a gleeful shriek upon seeing Manik, her arms outstretched in a gesture of greeting.

"Manik!" she exclaimed, her voice slurred with alcohol. "You're back! Come join us!"

Manik's heart clenched at the sight of Nandini teetering on the chair, her balance precarious. "Nandini, please, get down. You're going to hurt yourself."

The rest of the group, now fully alert to the situation, joined Manik in urging Nandini to come down. Navya rushed forward, her voice filled with concern. "Nandini, be careful! You're going to fall."

But Nandini caught up in the moment, paid no heed to their warnings. She reached out to Manik with a wide smile, her eyes bright with excitement.

In that moment, Manik's worry gave way to frustration. "Nandini, why did you do this? You know you can't handle too much alcohol."

Nandini's smile faltered, her eyes welling up with tears as she struggled to maintain her balance. "I... I'm sorry, Manik. I didn't mean to..."

Manik's tone softened, his concern overriding his frustration as he reached to steady her. "It's okay, Nandini. Don’t cry!"

Turning to Cabir, his voice took on a stern edge. "And you, Cabir, what were you thinking?"

Cabir's expression shifted from amusement to guilt as he realized the gravity of the situation. "I... I didn't think she'd take it this far. I'm sorry, Manik."

Manik nodded, his gaze lingering on Nandini, now swaying slightly.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

Few words for Cabir and Navya....

What were your favourite moments???

Will their relationship get disclose???

Will Nandini tells their friends about their relationship???

Guys any suggestions you want to give for upcoming chapters like you want to see something???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️