Chapter- 28

                                    

                                          
"Can I ask you one question? What is your name?," Nandini asked. "Manik," he said while checking his phone but he realised what he just said. He told her his real name. He didn't know how she is going to react. He looked her waiting for her to say something. 
"Manik. Nice name. Your brother's name is Anant. Your name is Manik. Anant - Manik. Hmmm... This is also nice. Not bad,"Nandini was trying to memorise the names. 
Manik realised that she is not in her senses. He really need to get her to her home. "What should I do? She is drunk and I don't even know the exit route from here properly," he was talking to himself. 
"Who is drunk? Are you talking about Rose?," Nandini asked in a disinterested tone. Manik observed her. She mentioned about Rose twice in this evening. Does she know her personally? 
"Why do you ask about Rose?" he asked her. 
"Why? Do you have a problem? Oh right, secrettttt and privacyyyyyy. I get it," Nandini turned her face to other side. 
Manik sighed and turned her face towards him holding her chin. "Listen, I don't like Rose. I was talking to her and suddenly, she hugged me and I didn't know how to react that time. That's it," Manik explained. 
"Really?," Nandini asked looking at him. He nodded his head. She chuckled and immediately wrapped her hands around his arm resting her head on his shoulders. 
"You know I didn't like her being with you. I didn't. That visual is still fresh in my head. I don't know why but it is affecting me," she started crying. 
Manik didn't know how to react. He somewhere knew that she didn't like Rose with him but he didn't know that it will affect Nandini this much. Even though he knew that she is behaving like this because she is drunk but seeing her like this pinched him somewhere. His thoughts were broken when he heard her sniffing. 
"Don't you like me?" Nandini asked suddenly grabbing his collar. Manik was stunned looking at her sudden action. Her tiny fist is holding his collar. She made a cute pout. 
"Wh... Why are you ah...asking me this?," Words were not coming from his mouth.
"Why don't you find me hot? Tell me, you like Rose kinda girls right?," Nandini slightly pulled him making her grip tight on his collar. 
"What? NO! I don't like Rose. I like you," Manik realised what he just said. He is unable to understand why did he say that? Does he really like her? But his chain of thoughts broke when he felt Nandini grabbing his face. 
"Then kiss me," Nandini whispered and she slowly raised her toes to match up with his height. Manik finding it hard to register what exactly she said. 
He found that she was only couple of inches close and leaning towards him making it difficult for him to resist. He slowly moved away from her. This is wrong and she is gonna regret this after she gets her senses back. She, while trying to match up with his height tripped and fell in his arms. 
"Woah, easy. You know what, you are way too drunk and we really need to get out of here," Manik said making her stand still. 
"Why am I keep falling? I'm not feeling well," Nandini said in a baby tone. 
"You know why you are not feeling well?," he asked her in a calm tone. She shaked her head as no looking at him. 
"Because you are drunk. That's why all these stupid thoughts are running in your mind. Tomorrow you won't remember any of this," Manik said holding her face. She got shocked. 
"Am I drunk? I'm drunk," she repeated. "That means I drank alcohol. Chacha Chachi will get very angry. What do I do now?," she sat on the slab folding her legs. 
"We have to reach home. Come with me and tell me the exit route," Manik said sitting on his knee. Nandini got up and she lost the balance and about to fall but Manik held her. 
"You can't walk. Let me hold you," Manik again lifted her in his arms and he came downstairs. 
He asked Nandini where to go next but even she got confused and she was getting drowsy. He tried to remember the way he came in and went in that direction. Suddenly he saw her professor infront him. He didn't know how to react and looked at Nandini only to see her sleeping in his arms peacefully. 
"Why you are here? What happened to Nandini?," Raghav asked him. 
"Hi. I'm her friend. I think she drank little alcohol and she passed out. I don't know how it happened as she never drink. I'm taking her home," Manik said as he didn't want Nandini to get into any trouble. 
"I know her very well. I know that she doesn't drink alcohol so you don't need to give any explanation to me. I know her way before than you. But alcohol is not allowed in the party. That's means someone spiked her drink. I have to check. Anyway, if you are searching for the exit then the exit is this way. You need to rush. Don't let anyone see her in this state. Take care of her," he left. 
Manik felt weird. How did he know that he met Nandini recently? He is just a professor. Then how does he know Nandini personally? Did she tell him about me? "And he asked why am I here. Normally people ask a stranger who are you but he? Does he know me? Oh god, maybe he know that I'm a singer. Damnn.. What to do now? But he is right. If alcohol is banned in the party then someone definitely spiked her drink. Obviously that person has no good intentions. Thank god nothing happened to her and she is safe now." He looked at Nandini sleeping in his arms. He brushed all thoughts as currently his priority is Nandini's safety and went to his car.