Manan : Short Stories. - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

One month later...
In front of Space gate
Nandini was standing looking at the huge building. There was a huge bandage on her head. She was wearing a fade green colour short kurtie with a black jeans.
Last time she took exit she trapped all the memories in her eyes but this time she made those memories leave her. She never thought she would so this but for her friends, Navya and Manik she had to. She will make Navya hate her like her Chacha started hating her.
Yes... Her Chacha hated her now. He infact disowned her from his family. Maybe he wasn't in his senses to think straight. Chachi tried all possible ways to explain him but he didn't listen. He kept Rishab with himself. In fact he didn't even let Nandini see her Amms's photo one single time. He was so harsh on her.
After someone brought her in the hospital in a really bad state, Chachi panicked while Chacha was emotionless. After about 2 days Nandini gained her consciousness. But her head had hit badly. Doctor had adviced them not to give her stress as it is very harmful to her but Chachi pretended as if never listened. After that all the days were no less than hell for her. Relatives, Neighbours, her friends in Mangalore ad her Chacha kept blaming and taunting her. It really affected her badly. The thought that she was a curse got prominent in her head and she decided to stay away from the people she loves. Having enough Chachi brought her to Mumbai because her condition was really bad. Rishab so wanted to punch every single face who raised their fingers on his Nandu di but couldn't because he didn't want his Nandu Di's values which he learnt to be disrespected. He also came back with them.
After Chacha came to Mumbai completing his rituals, he asked Nandini to leave the house. Nandini was better by then so she agreed. Chachi literally fall on his feet to beg not to do this but he didn't bulge. Nandini shifted to a rented flat with her savings. She started maintaining complete distance from Chachi and Rishab. But Chachi didn't leave her daughter. She used to visit to see if she is fine. After some days Nandini decided to leave the college as well.
So now she was standing here with the application to leave the college. One last time.. She thought and taking a deep breath she entered.
In College campus.
Fab5 were sitting there as usual. But the difference was Manik. The person who used to scare the shit out of the freshers was silent. He was lost. Lost in her thoughts. One month and no traces of her. He tried a lot to search her but nothing worked. He was getting worried for her. Hating her was a long forgotten business for him now. He was going through sleepless nights just staring at the lamp.
But out of no where he heard a loud shriek voice of Navya
Navya (shouting happily and running to her) - NANDU
Manik was stunned to see her after a really long time. Right now Navya was hugged her tightly as she can. But what made him frown was the bandage on her forehead. But he got a shocker when Nandini slightly yet safely got out of Navya's hug and walked away ignoring her. Nandini ignoring Navya was a news!
Cabir - What was that!
Navya again went towards her at tried to hug her
Nandini (not looking at her face) - Please stay away Navya.
Navya ( surprised) - Nandu! What are you saying? It's me your Navya.
Nandini ( rudely) - So what? Should I dance seeing you?
Navya's eyes filled with tears seeing Nandini's rudeness.
Navya (teary voice) - Nandu...
Nandini ( shouting) - What Nandu Nandu... Ha... My name is Nandini. And please stay away from me.
Nandini was herself breaking saying all this to her best friend but for her good she has to do this. She put on a rude face and passed by her directly heading towards Niyonika's cabin. While going tears passed out which didn't go unnoticed my Manik.
In all this she avoided looking at Manik. She could easily feel his presence, his gaze on her but she pretended to ignore. All were confused by her behavior. As if the sweet Nandini was lost somewhere. Navya was very hurt. Mukti came to her and hugged her in a comforting manner.
Alya - This was so rude. She knows na that Navya is pregnant. Then how can she behave like this?
Manik was not understanding a single word. Mukti suggested to take Navya with them to canteen go which all agreed.
In Niyonika's cabin
Nandini was standing in front on her forwarding the application.
Niyonika (raising her eyebrows) - What's this?
Nandini (rudely) - I think you can learn.
Niyonika glared at her for speaking rudely. But took the letter. After reading it she threw it back to her.
Niyonika - No use. You can't leave this college.
Nandini (amused) - Wow! You are saying this. How is this possible?
Niyonika (angrily) - My son and your so called lover has forced me to sign a contract which says that you can't leave the college without Manik's permission. Otherwise I have no interest in keeping you in my college. Get the sign from him and get lost from my college.
Nandini - You keep my L.C ready. I'll get sign from him. I also don't want to be here.
Niyonika ( faking smile) - My pleasure.
Nandini stormed out to Manik with the application.
In canteen
Fab5 were sitting with Navya when a letter was stamped in front of Manik with a thud. He looked at person who did this but it turned out to be Nandini.
Nandini (ordering him) - Sign this.
Manik looked confused but then coming back to his aura
Manik (rudely) - What is this? And who are you to order me?
Nandini - You can read it. So please do and sign this.
Manik took the application and read it. For a second he was shocked. Why the hell she wants to leave this college? First of all she disappeared in thin air and now when she came back, it was just to leave the college. Is she crazy?
Manik (royally sitting back) - And I why do you think I will sign it? I won't. And firstly why do you want to leave Space? Last time I remember you wanted me to stop you.
Nandini (controlling her anger) - Last time I remember you didn't want me to show my face to you. So why do you want to keep me in this college? And it's none of your business.
Manik - I won't. Do whatever you want but you are not leaving ? You thought Manik Malhotra would spare you for the mistake you did. It's not easily Nandini.
Saying this Manik tore the application into pieces. Nandini sighed in frustration knowing he won't bulge.
Nandini (silently pleading) - Manik please let me go. I don't want to stay here.
Manik (smirking) - Why are you scared?
Nandini - If this satisfies you then yes I am. (In mind) Yes I am scared.... Scared for you and my friends.
Manik - Plead, cry, shout do whatever you want. I want let you leave.
Nandini (losing her cool) - At the first place who gave you the right to make a contract like this. I don't need you favour Manik. So please just...
Manik (cooly) - Bye Nandini.
Saying this he left from there. Nandini closed her eyes to control her tears. Why was he making it so difficult? She wanted to go away but he wasn't letting her go. Why? Why this sudden change.
Nandini left from there ignoring the rest.
Dhruv - What wrong with her?
Cabir - Something is definitely wrong. She is pretending.
Alya - Exactly we don't need any rocket science to know this.
Mukti - Don't know why but I am not liking this at all.
Navya - Hume Nandu ki Chachi se baat karni padegi. I can't let my friend suffer.
All nodded while she left to call Chachi. And once she had a talk with her, she got to know the real reason for her behavior.
Navya - Hume Manik ko batana padega.
She stormed to have a talk with Manik. She spotted him at a bench. She was about to approach when she heard some chaos. She went there. Manik also sensing something wrong went there.
Other side
Nandini was passing by when she suddenly dashed to a girl. She was about to say sorry when she heard 'Nandini'. She looked up to see her good friend from Mangalore. Priya standing. She smiled slightly but got responded by a straight face.
Nandini - You took admission here.
Priya - Any problem?
Nandini knew that Priya is a sweet girl and see won't talk rudely to anyone. But then Nandini had the bad habit of judging people by face value.
Nandini tried to touch her asking what happened when Priya jerked her hand and shouted loud enough for people to here.
Priya (trying to create a scene) - Don't touch me.
And all gathered to see a free show. Navya and Manik also came.
Nandini - Priy....
Priya (shouting loudly) - Shut up you curse.
And Nandini was tongue tied. Manik's blood boiled hearing her.
Priya - Now what happened? Tell me...Remember Nandini don't show me your face. It's my first day of college. And I just don't want to ruin my year. Who knows today you will touch me and tomorrow I am dead. So please. I don't want to die like your parents and Amms died. Or like your brother started getting attacks. So please you should remember that you are a curs.....
Manik was already shocked after getting the sudden death of Amms and then some girl was badmouthing Nandini raised his temperature. And he couldn't control so bursted out.
Manik (dangerously and loudly) - FUCKING SHUT YOUR MOUTH! DARE YOU CALL HER LIKE THAT.
Hearing his loud voice, Fab5 came there.
Manik went to her and dangerously said.
Manik (dangerously smirking) - You know what by saying this you have invited trouble for yourself. Not only your year but your whole college life in Space is ruined. And if you ever use this word for Nandini again them mind my words.... Manik Malhotra won't leave you.
Saying this Manik got the Fab5 sticker from his pocket and stuck in on her forehead. Priya had a clear idea about the power of Fab5.
Nandini looked at the scene going on between them. She removed the sticker from Priya's forehead and handed it back to Manik.
Nandini (teary eyes) - Stop interfering in my business, Manik. She is my friend and I will deal with her. And she said whatever is true. I am a curse. So please stay away.
Nandini turned to leave but then stopped
Nandini - And don't you dare harm her. Take it as a request or warning from my side.
Saying this Nandini left. Manik kept glaring at Priya who was looking down.
Manik (to Priya) - If you want to have a normal college life then stay away from MY Nandini.
He didn't realize when the word 'MY' left his mouth. Fab5 sensing the situation dragged him to the Fab5 jam room.
In Fab5 Jam room
Manik was pacing here and there in anger. He was so desperate to know what was happening in Nandini's life? She never behaved this way. When they were enemies that time too she was sober but now this is something totally different. And on top of that Amms's death. He knew how close she was with her Amms. The most important person in her life. She lost her. Was this the reason?
Just then Navya entered.
Navya - I want to talk to you Manik.
Manik (angrily) - Get lost.
Navya - About Nandini. I had a talk with her Chachi. She told me everything.
Manik looked towards her asking her to continue. She told everything including the curse thing. The accident, the accusations, she living in a rented flat, going away from her loved ones, etc. He got to know everything. And he couldn't control his tears hearing what all she suffered. She needed him. But he was not there.... He was also angry on the people who made her worse state including her Chacha. That means she really had an accident. He shouldn't have ignored his restlessness.
Not only Manik but whole Fab5 were sad hearing her misery. How can a girl of 17 years bear all this? How did she feel? Manik was feeling guilty for only adding to her misery though he was not wrong at his place. Now he could join the dotes correctly on why Nandini was behaving like this with Navya and him. She was trying to go away from them because she felt that she is dangerous to them.
And that time itself Manik decided to Bring her out from this mess. She doesn't deserve this. He can do this for her. He can destroy his anger towards her for her. He doesn't want to punish her now but cure her. He wants his Nandini back. Now by hook or crook he will get her crooked mind at place. That's MANIK MALHOTRA's PROMISE!
This was one promise he will never break!