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➶-͙˚ ༘✶ ─── 

❝ Well, isn't that the very definition of like ❞ 

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Outside the Library: 7.30pm.

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"Nandini!"

"Nandini"

It was twilight. The goosebumps in her body were absolute result of shock and bewilderment. She called him in order to solve her problem but here he was creating an even bigger one. Nandini felt anger rush in her veins and that wasn't even because he kissed her, it was because-

She Liked it.

"hey Nandini ?" Manik asked , tucking some of her hair strands behind her ears , secretly wishing to smell them , "you know why I did that, right?" he smirked , tilting his head.

"huh" she cleared her throat. Manik raised his eyebrows slightly as if mocking me or being cocky , something which Nandini needed to figure out.

"I Mean of course I do" she clutched her school skirt tightly in her hands , which was noticed by him as well.

"yeah?" he grinned , she slightly nodded her head feeling as if the butterflies in her stomach would burst out any moment.

"why are you blushing then?" Manik gave her a lopsided smirk , hiding it behind his hand.

"that's none of your fucking business" she hissed , feeling extremely angry with herself for being attracted to him this much.

"That wasn't your first time ? was it?" Manik pretended to appear cluelessly , of course he knew that this was her first kiss , he loved being her first kiss thinking about leaning over and kissing her a few more thousand times.

"No , absolutely Not" she grimaced , " I would rather die than be make you my first kiss" this time she said it a little confidently.

Manik chuckled wondering about how turned on he was by her comeback.

"On a serious note , I didn't think you will actually come this far to get me?" she softly asked gazing at him , which caused Manik's heart to race as if he just came back from a marathon.

"Why wouldn't I?" his eyebrows furrowed, thinking about of the possibility of him not being here with her. his knuckles turned white , and his veins were very much noticeable.

"what I meant to say is I needed you" her face turned hot again " this time".

Manik noticed the tint in her cheeks "you can text me or call me anywhere , anytime whenever you need me, yeah?"

"No never" She argued, feeling a weird sense of butterflies.

"we will see about that" he grinned , and grabbed her small hands in his large veiny hands.

"what are y-"

"let me walk you back home".

"but-" she got cut off by his calming voice, " wanna grab some ice-cream?"

Warrior-high School Corridor

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"Good Morning" Manik whispered in a low and seductive voice purposely, behind her ears. He brushed his chest against her back on purpose.

Nandini gasped , she was basically melting , he had to be the most attractive human ever.

She let out a breathe she's been holding , trying to not appear too nervous.

but she was quick enough to recover and put a threatening scowl on her face. " what do you want?"

you. " for instance I said "good morning" okay?" he raised his one eyebrow mischievously.

"and?" she gave a bored look.

"nothing" he smirked brushing his fingers over his lips. "see you" he left after giving her a subtle wink , which made her heart stop for a second.

he was just so handsome.

"Nandini!" Navya called from her behind , while she was walking towards her class , Navya was in section 'B' too, although she never spoke to Nandini that much but she was never mean or rude towards her.

"yes?" Nandini turned towards Navya wondering what was this all about.

"Good Morning" she smiled brightly towards Nandini.

"umm Good Morning" Nandini looked rather embarrassed , she didn't know how to converse with people.

Navya chuckled, "have you seen Manik?" she asked pleadingly , "I wanted to wish him morning too".

"yes , he just headed to his classroom." Nandini frowned wondering about why did Navya looked so disappointed for such a tribal matter.

"anyways , let head towards our class. Bell is about to ring".

Classroom 10 'B' : 9.00 am.

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"by the way " Navya turned towards Nandini who was she was doodling a fat doraemon on her notebook, she nodded her head waiting for Navya to go on , "you Like Manik, don't you?".

Nandini dropped her pen her heart racing hysterically , "what?! NO" She shrieked in horror.

Navya chuckled , "relax , will you?" shaking her head.

Nandini cleared her throat wanting to be anywhere but there.

"have you both kissed or had sex?" Navya asked again , which caused bile to rise up in Nandini's throat.

she took a deep breathe and answered , " we have just kissed once".

Navya's eyes twinkled mischievously, she clapped her hands " I knew it , you are too cute , he wouldn't miss any chance to kiss you." 

Nandini's felt hot all of a sudden , and her heartbeat fastening immediately.

Suddenly a thought crossed her mind , she turned to face Navya.

"Navya ?" she called feeling her stomach drop, "hmm" "do you- like Manik?".

"yes" Navya smiled painfully, "from middle school".

Nandini felt her throat go dry , "but all he could see is you".

Outside school premises

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Nandini was confused and bothered , as if an internal war is happening inside her. Navya feelings for Manik didn't help it a bit too.

"Nandini" Manik came running towards her , he grabbed her hands into his " come lets go home together."

She snatched her hands away from his , which caused Manik's face to get hard. "No".

"hey, what's wrong ?" Manik pulled her towards him. his cologne bringing her comfort along with butterflies.

"Nothing" she wriggled in his hold.

"really? you can't fool me." Manik whispered brushing his thumb with her bottom lip.

" i'm not" she muttered , Manik kept looking at her with a pleading look.

Nandini felt extremely nervous with the thought of questioning him but she just needed to know.

"Do you like Navya?" she closed her eyes tightly feeling heat to rise up her cheeks.

"Maybe" Manik hid his smile while looking at her innocently.

"what?! I mean oh okay nice." she stammered feeling sick to her stomach . reason she didn't want to accept.

"I think I should go" she whispered lowly, and started to walk away.

She gasped suddenly when Manik pulled her tightly against his chest grabbing her waist. He put her head against his chest , gently stroking through her hair.

"There's nothing between us." Nandini felt as if she could breathe again, her lower lip trembled as she remembered his reply.

"hey, baby?" her cupped her face in his veiny hands, "look at me" she looked at him with tears filling her eyes.

"but you said-" she chin wobbled again , she looked so fucking cute manik thought while gazing at her dreamily , but her tears pierced his heart.

"Do you like me, Nandini?" he asked her seriously while grabbing her chin between his forefinger and thumb.

"I- " she sobbed, " I don't know , I just know that my stupid heart can't stop pounding whenever I am near you" she cried hiding her face in his chest.

Manik's features spread into a breathtaking smile.

"well , isn't that the very definition of "Like".