Manan : Short Stories. - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

In Fab5's room
Nandini turned to look at him. Was he hurt with her behavior? His tone was saying it. Though it was unintentional from her side but still he was hurt maybe. She recollected her behavior. She kept herself in his place and then she realised that her awkwardness and nervousness made a mistake. He would also be as shocked as she was. But still he didn't ignore her. He was staring at her from the time he saw her and she could feel his stare but she chose to ignore.
And it hurt her too. His pain always hurt her. The distance could never decrease her feelings for him maybe it just got more. Her eyes got teary because of her mistake.
"I didn't want to ignore you. I was just too shocked to see you. I never expected you here. I am sorry for it. It was not my ignorance but my reaction to the shock. I didn't mean to.. ", By the end she was already in tears. She didn't want to cry in front of him.
Seeing her tears, he felt miserable. He had already given her a lot of tears.
" Don't.. Please don't. I don't like this tears. I meant your silence. I am not used to it. I have always seen you talking, getting angry, crying, laughing. But silence never got me. I don't like it. ", Manik remembered the time when she didn't talk to him after Musicana.
Nandini wiped her tears. " I am sorry. I won't ignore you now. But I expected you to be angry with me? ", Nandini raised her question. Wasn't he angry because she didn't trust him?
" I will talk about it after Musicana. As I said I don't want to mess up with your mind before your performance again. And about anger (he chuckles) No I am not. ", Manik chuckled. How can he stay angry with his love? He left his anger the day she left.
" Why this laugh? Did I crack a joke ? ", Nandini asked with a frown.
Manik smiled. Finally he could get his previous Nandini back. She would easily get offended on small things.
" No no.. I was laughing on me. Nothing else FRIEND. ", Manik said mischievous making Nandini confused. Nandini frowned but then remembered their FRIEND phase. So they were back there.
Nandini elbowed him on his stomach. " Stop teasing me. And bye. I have lots to do", Nandini said irritated.
"Nandini", Manik called suddenly serious.
Nandini's smiling face changed.
" Can I hug you? ", it was almost like a plead. He never needed to plead her to hug her.
She didn't say a word. Instead she nullified the gap between them. Her hands were wrapped about his neck . Manik too wrapped her hands around her with a peaceful sigh. He missed this warmth and peace.
" I missed you. ", Nandini said. Manik was in air. Nandini first time expressed herself. It was enough for him that she atleast responded him but her miss you just filled his heart. She fits so perfectly in his arms.
" I missed you too.", Manik said with teary eyes. He still remembers him sitting in the music wing for hours recollecting their moments. He was never a person to show his emotions. He never showed the pain of her missing to anyone.
They stayed in the warm hug for like 10 minutes. Finally Nandini slowly got out of the hug. She was shocked to see his little tears which he was trying to hide. He was crying for her. But little did she know he had spend many such tears for her.
Nandini wiped his tears. She knew he didn't like to show his vulnerable side to anyone. So she didn't want an emotional talk about his tears.
"I will leave. I have some work. And about Dhruv. Keep hope, he is your buddy. He will turn around. ", Nandini said before leaving.
Manik smiled. He was feeling much lighter after there conversation.
Nandini was also very happy. Suddenly she heard some.
" Nandu", At one instant she recognised her voice.
"Navya.", Nandini turned and ran as quick as she can. Her best friend was her.
" Nandu.. I am missed you so much. ", Navya said hugging her.
" I missed you too Navya. ", Nandini responded the hug.
" Come I will show you around. ", Nandini held her hand like a small girl who was happy seeing her friend after so long.
Nandini was in seventh sky. All things in one day. She was trying to digest everything. Meeting Fab5 specially Manik, Manik's approach, his words, meeting Navya. Everything seems too beautiful.
But how can she expect everything happier? Something was there which was waiting for her.
After showing her around, Navya left to register her name. Nandini had a constant smile on her face. She saw Sana was calling her. She went to Sana and smiled.
"I heard you had a fight with Ritwik. You slapped him? Did you?", Sana asked a little angry.
Nandini wanted to share her happiness. But Sana didn't even notice her smile.
" Yes because he was speaking rubbish about Manik.", Nandini spoke calmly.
"Wow that Manik Malhotra is more important than your friends. ", Sana said angrily.
" Yes he is. And one more thing, you are my friend not Ritwik. He is your friend not mine.", Nandini said annoyed.
"But Nandini can't you see he loves you. He will keep you a lot more happy then that Manik Malhotra. You can't just slap the person who loves you like hell. ", Sana tried explaning her calmly.
" Sana, first and far most, his love is not love, it's obsession. And about keeping me happy. It's me who can keep myself happy, not one else. And I was much more happy in Mumbai than I am here. This is not even 1% of my happiness compared to there's. And I can never hear a word against Manik. Get it clear, and explain him too. ", Nandini gave a straight forward warning to her.
Nandini stormed from there. She didn't want to spoil her mood because of Sana. She drank a glass of water which was forwarded to her by someone. After drinking she looked at the person. It was Cabir.
" You haven't changed a bit right. Same fiesty, angry bird. ", Cabir said with a smile.
" Why should I? She was wrong. "
"But you know what, I love the way you support Manik. Hats off Man. I am so happy for my friend that he fell for yo... ", Cabir glanced at Nandini who was looking at him with wide eyes. He realised what he said. Did he reveal his friend's secret to the person who wasn't supposed to know.
" What did I say? Nothing. I was singing. You know I didn't sing for a longer time. Trying to make a new song.... You know what Nandini... Forget what I said. I was joking. ", Cabir said running away.
Nandini was herself confused what she should react. Should she blush, get confused or laugh or get angry maybe because he joked if not then what.
" God.. This guy. ", Nandini said going to check the work.
The first day went in a blink. All were busy in their stuffs. Fab5 roam around and speaking truly, they were impressed with the arrangements. There was nothing they could complain about. It was perfect.
" Must say this is perfect. Nandini has done an amazing job. Don't you think so guys? ", Alya said mesmerized with the decor.
" Ya truly. I can't believe this is the college which always ranked in last places.", Dhruv agreed to Alya.
"Guys is there anything to change. Is it good? ", Nandini came to them seeing them there.
" Good? Nandini, It's amazing. You have done a great job. ",Cabir said in an impressed tone.
" There is nothing to pinpoint. Fabulous.", Manik answered her.
"Thanks all. I am pleased that you loved it. But if you all find anything then please tell me. ", Nandini said.
" Nandini, can I come along? I want to see the dressing room.", Alya asked. Everyone knows she is a fashion freak.
"I was about to ask you. Please take a look there. Along with the decor this is also important. Come I will take you. ", Nandini said and both went to the dressing room.
"Buddy, let's go and check there. ", Manik forcefully took Dhruv with him.
In a empty corner bench
Manik made Dhruv sit on bench. He sat on the either side.
" Manik please.. Why have you dragged me here? If you want to have a talk about my behavior them spare me. ", Dhruv said trying to get up.
Manik stopped him.
" Buddy it's not about you. It's about me. My mistakes. I want to clear it. I don't know where am I wrong? Was I wrong loving my best friend. Treating him as a brother. Keeping him above all. Trying to protect him from everything. Buddy, I never had a motive to suffocate you. You remember when Alya and you had hid about the goons she had planned for Nandini. I was so vocal about my anger and hurt in front of you. Then why not you Dhruv? If you have some problem come to me. I will never judge you. You have right on me. You know what, I needed you when Nandini left. You very well know how much I love her. I wanted my buddy to be by my side but you chose to get away from me. See now also you are not telling me anything. ", Manik vented about everything he had.
Dhruv was silent for a while. He was processing everything in his mind. Sometimes it's necessary to make the other person evident that how much hurt you are. And that's what Manik did. He have had enough.
Dhruv's pov
Was I really so selfish? Was I so busy in my world that I forgot about Manik? I was not like this. I was the one who used to calm him down and now my place is taken by Cabir. Was I responsible for our strained friendship. He is right. I was always angry on him but never tried to speak to him. His efforts were always seen but where was I? I never tried. Was I wrong?
Pov ends
Dhruv came out of thoughts hearing Manik.
"Buddy, I consider you my brother. I am sorry for this hurtful words but I was left with no option. I couldn't bear the words you used for me. You knew I love Nandini, still you went ahead and asked her about me and Alya? Last time I want to tell you, Alya and me are not cheating. I am very much clear about my Love and I don't want anyone at Nandini's place. And just be at Alya's place. Do you think she deserves this? You also had feelings for Nandini but did she ever bring that in your relationship. Never.. She accepted you with your past but you couldn't. Neither you could trust your Love nor your friend. ", Manik said showing his disappointment. He got up and gave some time for Dhruv to think about it. Dhruv then compared himself with Nandini. Manik and Nandini were away from each other. She could have believed Dhruv but she chose to trust Manik. He was now getting to the points.
In dressing room.
Alya was looking through the dresses. Nandini was also looking at the dress. Alya noticed no one in the room.
"Nandini", Alya called her.
" Ya.. Any changes needed? ", Nandini asked going to her.
" No no, they are just perfect. But I have something else to talk about. ", Alya hesitated a bit.
" Ya I am all ears. ", Nandini said asking her to take a seat.
Both sat. Alya was finding it a little awkward to talk but she had too. Nandini noticed it.
"See Alya, I know we never had a nice equation as such before. And I believe we are still quite uncomfortable but it shouldn't stop you from opening up. You can count on me. I am not going to judge you or consider our past equations now. So please make yourself free. Infact we can start afresh, right?",Nandini asked forwarding her hand to Alya.
Alya thought for a while. She was always choosy when it comes to even a small clothes then friendship is something she thinks before accepting it so she took her own sweet time thinking while Nandini too gave her the needed time. After a while Alya accepted her hand.
"Sure!",Alya gave a small smile
"Now you can speak."
"Thanks Nandini. I didn't accept this from you after what I did but still. Anyways, I want to know something. You stayed away from Manik for like 2 years. But still you have lot of trust of him. Today there was no hesitation when Dhruv raised questions on me and Manik. And seeing this I felt that all the efforts I put in a relationship failed when my man can't trust me while you staying away trust him still. What did you actually do to bring that trust ?", Nandini could get what Alya wanted to say. She could feel Alya was tired of working single handedly in a relationship.
"Alya yours efforts aren't a fail. Whatever you do it's for his own happiness or for your boths. It's just you guys forgot the fact that you both are friends first and then lovers. You gave a backseat to your friendship trying to uplift your relationship. And in my and Manik's case after we realised that there was something special we started of with friendship though Manik was a bit nosy but still it helped us a lot. So now I think get into the friends zone first."
Alya was astonished by the fact Nandini made her realise. Yes they did made this mistake.
"You are so right! Why didn't I realise it? Damn! I am so much of an idiot. Thanks Nandini...thanks a lot. ", Nandini laughed at Alya's reaction as if she recieved an award.
"Stop saying thanks Alya..I would be happy if you guys get together again. ",
Later both discussed about some designed. Alya realised that Nandini was a very great company to be with. She had made her mind to create the same bond she had earlier with Dhruv again.
Here where the things seems to finally start falling in place Harshad had something else in his mind.
He smirked looking at his phone. He had recieved a mail which make him show an evil grin.
"Manik Malhotra your time will end. My all revenges will be taken at once. You messed with a really wrong person."
He gave a call to someone.
"Ya Ritwik we are gonna execute it tomorrow morning. I am sending it to you. I hope you won't ditch me. ",Harshad was still unsure as Ritwik was a newbie in all this whereas planning and plotting came to him like a click.
"Don't worry Harshad..the plan is on. Tomorrow Nandini will be shocked. She had to get Manik from her mind."
Harshad smirked at his obsession.