After a whole night of crying, fighting and taunting Nandini had finally fallen asleep in her new room. Her phone rang and she sleepily answered it “Nandu, humne abhi abhi suna kya hua, Hosla rakho sab thik hoga, college ka baa rahi ho?” asked Navya in a concerned voice.

“Relax; I just could not sleep all night so late ho gaya, I will be there soon bye” said Nandini as she cut the call and got up from the bed to get ready for college.

Navya said to herself “puri raat so nahi payi? Manik nei kuch kia kia uske sath? After all unki pehli raat thi! Nahi! Aisa kuch nahi hua hoga, hum vi pagal hai, bechari Nandini” thought Navya.

Malhotra Mansion, Breakfast table,
Mr and Mrs Malhotra were having breakfast when Nandini came downstairs.

“Nandini, good morning where are you going? Have some breakfast” said Mr. Malhotra as he pulled a chair for her beside him.

“Nahi, umm uncle I am running late for college” said Nandini.

“That’s not the case you don’t want to spend time with us because you hate us right?” said Mr. Malhotra.

“Uncle it’s not like that, fine I will sit with you” said Nandini as she sat down and nibbled in a sandwich.

After a while Manik also came “dad, I hope you are fine now” said Manik bitterly on eyeing Nandini.

Nandini crooked her eyes at him “uncle, I shall leave now” she said and turned to leave.

“Wait tum akeli kaise jaogi, Manik is also going to college, you guys should go together” said Nyonika.

“Yes, Manik take her with you” said Mr. Malhotra.

“Fine” said Manik as he grabbed Nandini’s hand and both walked away.

“Not a bad start” said Mr.Malhotra as he smiled.

At the parking,

Nandini went ahead to the gate “hey listen, come with me I will drop you” said Manik as he unlocked his car.

“Nahi, I can manage” said Nandini.

“Don’t create a drama like last night” said Manik as he went close to her.

“What mai, drama create karti hu? U hugged me and kissed me last night” said Nandini.

The watchman of their house laughed on hearing about the hug and kiss. Manik felt awkward and held Nandini’s arm and whispered “look at him, kaise has raha hai by hearing us, do you want to make a joke of us?” said Manik.

Nandini nodded her head in no. “Come on, hold my hand and let’s go” said Manik.

Nandini did as he told. There were moments of silence in the car till they reached college.

At College, Manik and Nandini came out together the disgusted look was prominent on their faces. They were greeted by Cabir and Navya “Hey look at you, you guys are still alive! Maine toh socha mar dia hoga ek dusreko” said Cabir teasingly.

“Almost mar hi chulki hu” said Nandini with a frowned face.

“Kyo? Manik nei kya kia?” asked Navya shockingly.

“Listen, maine kuch nahi kia jo karti hai ye hi karti hai and mai vi koi full zinda nahi hu” said Manik.

“What do you mean by that? Kal raat tumne kya kia batauu?” said Nandini as she glared Manik .

“Ha bolo nah, mai vi chup nahi rahunga” said Manik answering on the same tone as her.

“UUU seems like it was a WILD night” said Mukti as she and Cabir laughed.

Nandini became angry and walked away, Navya followed her.

“Dude, let’s not talk about this marriage thing, chal lets chil in the canteen” said Dhruv.

After the classes, Mukti and Cabir were sitting on the staircase. “Both Manik and Nandini look so irritated, I wonder how are they going to stand each other for long 6 months, their parents are really unfair. I mean look at them it’s their age to be happy to have fun and they are tied in an unwanted relationship” said Mukti sadly.

“Ha, yar I wish we could do something for them, you know both mean a lot to me”said Cabir.

“You can do something for them and gain some benefits as well” said Riya as she came forward.

“Who are you? and why the hell were you listening to our private conversation?” asked Mukti in a harsh tone.

“Hey relax! I am Riya , I am the daughter of the owner of Q labels company Mr. Khurana. My dad saw your performance last night and he was impressed. If I ask him he might give you an album” said Riya.

“What? really, then why don’t you go ahead” said Cabir excitedly.

Riya sat beside them, it was a very difficult to bent down in her skimpy clothes but she did it.

“What will be my benefit in that? I am not interested in music, that’s why I study science” said Riya.

“Okay, what do you want from us?” asked Mukti straightforwardly.

“Manik! I just love him but could not gain the courage to speak up to him. He is very moody that’s why. I know he will never turn down a hot girl like me. Actually I was a little sad by hearing that he got married but after seeing Nandini’s attitude and by hearing your conversation, I am into the game again. So set me up with Manik and I will give you the album. That’s a promise” said Riya.

“Are you mad? How can we do that Manik will never agree to such a deal” said Mukti.

“Ohh sweety! You don’t have to tell him anything just help me get close to him, I will handle the rest. Think over it and let me know” she winked and left.

Cabir was sad “bewafa kahiki! Kitne dino se line mar raha tha uspei and she was dreaming about Manik; mere behen ki suhag pe nazar dali isnei I will not leave her” said Cabir.

“I think its sooperb, Cabir Riya is actually the answer to our problems, Manik will be busy with her and Nandini will be free too by saying that her husband is cheating on her. “ said Mukti as she smiled.

“Are you sure?” asked Cabir. “Yes! I am, dude. But keep this as a secret only we will know it. From Now on let’s try to bring Manik and Riya close and we will be famous and happy” said Mukti.

“Okay I am with you” said Cabir as they both shook hands.

The rest of the day passed on smoothly and Nandini went to her new home. Mr and Mrs Malhotra had gone out and the house was empty except for the servants.

Nandini went to her room and was feeling sad “I miss you mom, chachi, Cabir” she said as a tear escaped from her eye, she was sniffing and crying.

Manik had just returned home and was passing Nandini’s room at that moment. He saw her crying and felt bad. “I can’t see you like this” he said as he eyed her.

He entered the room and sat beside her. Nandini looked at him and wiped the tears. “Don’t think ke mai tumhare liye ro rahi hu” said Nandini.

“I did not think anything” said Manik softly.

He came close to her and cupped her face wiping away the remaining tears “you know, crying does n’t suit you. You look prettier when you yell at me, call me monster and complain about me to your Aiyappa” said Manik sweetly.

Nandini smiled and looked at his eyes as if she was trying to read him.

Then she threw her arms over his shoulder and he embraced her in his arms. He rubbed her back. She put her head on his chest and closed her eyes. “Manik,tumhe kya multiple personality disorder hai?” asked Nandini.

“What?” said Manik as he moved away.

“Ya, sometimes you are too sweet and the other time total monster” said Nandini.

Manik looked at her with crooked eyes and Nandini laughed by seeing him like that.

“You know what I am never being nice to you again, I will be yours truly monster manik” he said and left the room and Nandini just kept laughing.

He paused outside the door and heard her laugh, he smiled “I love to see you laughing” he whispered.

At evening, Nandini was watching TV in the hall room; she was feeling sleepy due to the boring TV program. Manik came down in his T-shirt and shorts and picked up and apple from the bowl. He noticed Nandini who was in her pink pajamas, looking extremely cute. He could not stop himself from eyeing her for few moments and then spoke up“TV dekh rahi ho ya so rahi ho?” he asked as he eyed her with a weird expression.

“Don’t ask itni boring movie hai ke neend aa rahi hai. The hero is so dumb! fight hi nahi karta.” said Nandini.

Manik laughed, his phone rang “what dad? We are not coming.

Ok fine.”

He said and cut the call.

“Mrs. Malhotra get ready we need to go to a boring party” said Manik.

“What? mujhe kahi nahi jana, I am feeling sleepy” said Nandini as she pretended to sleep.

Manik smiled on seeing her “hello, mujhe vi koi shokh nahi hai but dad is forcing a lot” said Manik.

Nandini pretended that she did n’t heard him. “Okay Mrs. Malhotra I also know games” said Manik as he went to the sofa and picked her up in his arms.

“Manik! Put me down” she said.

“Not until you go and get ready otherwise, I will make you change your clothes” said Manik with a naughty expression.

“Ahh! You are so bad! Ok I will go put me down na” said Nandini.

“That’s like a good girl, now don’t take all day come soon” said Manik.

Nandini showed her tounge to him and went upstairs. Manik smiled and shook his head.

To be continued: