CHAPTER 25

                                    

                                          
NANDINI
I woke up the next day, with yesterday still on my mind. I can't believe I spoke about it all again and I'm okay right now. I guess it has something to do with Manik. He's helped me a lot unknowingly. I felt safe with him. I felt like I could trust him to be there for me if I break. I knew playing the song was going to take me on the memory trip, and it did. But Manik was there for me, I didn't break.
We had laid in silence after I told him my past. But it was comforting. I had laid down my head on his chest while he stroked my hair for a long time. Being in his arms, it felt like I was the safest there. That no harm could come my way if he was by my side. Our bubble broke when Vihaan called him asking whether there would be practice tomorrow morning. 
I told him to go back home and stay with Uncle. He was hesitant about leaving me alone but I assured him that I'm good and that he should spend more and more time with him. When Mami Mama returned, I hugged them both and gave them a note that said I have a surprise for them tomorrow, that is today. 
Which brought me back to my present. I freshened up and went down. I saw the curiosity in their eyes which made me smile. 
I gave a note to Abhi that said,
Could you please stay for half an hour more after breakfast, before going over to your friend's place?
He read it and then nodded at me. "Is this anything to do with the surprise that Mom Dad are excited about?"
I again nodded. After breakfast they all were sitting in the living room, when I came down with my guitar. Seeing the guitar, Mama's eyes softened. I sat one sofa and positioned my guitar. I closed my eyes to see Mom's smile and then I started. I played the same song that I did in front of Manik. Throughout while playing a smile was there on my lips as I was reliving my memories with Mom.
Once I finished I saw Mama Mami crying while Abhi had a smile on his face. He side hugged me and said, "Glad that you're coming back kiddo." He kissed the side of my forehead and walked out. 
Mama just came and hugged me. "It was your Mom's song right? Ishi is always there with you baccha. Always. In your heart and up above. She would have loved it that you're playing guitar again."
While Mami caressed his hand over my head and said, "You used to play in front of Ishi na, whichever song you started playing. She's not there, but I can be if you want. I'd love it to watch you play again and again."
I came out of Mama's hold and hugged Mami. I kissed her cheeks and then nodded brightly. Mom would want this. She always said that Mami was the sister she never had. And I did feel Mom's love when Mami is there with me. I'm glad that she's there in my life. 
The next day, I spent the whole day in my room. There was a tune in my head and I was playing it, trying to find the right way of how it sounded. There were some lyrics in my head also, but I wasn't sure about those. My muse for this song is Manik. When I was replaying our moments in my head, then this song's idea came and since then I'm working on it. This song will be his song.
Monday came, and I was in a happy mood. I had cracked the tune of the song, just the lyrics were left. I was going towards my locker, when a leg came in my way and I tripped in the hallway. Damn, it gave a bruise on my knees. I looked up to see Alya glaring at me.
"You think you're some special girl in the college huh? With the way you buzz around Manik? Listen to me loud and clear you mute, he's mine. Yes, he's playing hard to get but end of the day he'll be mine."
I struggled to stand up, but as I did she pushed me towards the locker banging my head on it. 
"He's mine, understood. Manik's mine, and if I ever see you around him, then I fucking promise you..."
She was cut off by two loud roaring voices which sounded familiar.
"Alya!"
I looked around to see Manik and Abhi rushing towards me. Manik came and rubbed where my head was banged. "You okay? Do you feel dizzy?"
I shook my head in a no and gave him a smile conveying that I was okay.
He turned towards Alya while Abhi came near me holding me in a side hug, glaring at Alya.
"Are you okay standing? You've got bruises on your knees."
When Manik heard this, he whipped his head back towards me and inspected my knees. They were okay, just a bit bruised. 
"What the hell happened here?" he roared to other students.
One of them spoke in a meek voice, "Nandini was walking towards her locker when Alya tripped her and started threatening her. When she stood up then she pushed her towards the locker, and was again threatening her when you two came."
Manik's eyes were spitting fire. I'd never seen him get so angry. He turned towards Alya. "Don't. And when I say it, fucking don't. Ever. Come. Near. Nandini. Again. Ever means ever. If I see you around her then I swear to God Alya I don't know what I'll do. You come near Nandini again and I'll fucking ruin you."
"Manik, she's the one right? Because of whom you were rejecting me? What does she have that I don't? You leave her Manik, I'll make you way more happier than her."
"Shut the fuck up. I made it to you crystal fucking clear that day that I'm not interested. Nandini has nothing to do with that. And even if it did. You don't stand a chance against her. Come near her again and watch me fuck up your life. I won't allow anyone, any fucking person, to hurt her. You raised your hand at her right? Now you see what I do. You're proud of your cheerleading position right? Watch me ruin that now."
Alya huffed and then walked away.
"Show's over. Back to your damn business people." Abhi shouted. He turned towards me, "You're okay right?" I nodded at him.
"Take care of her," he patted Manik's back and then went towards his class.
"I'm sorry, you had to face so much because of me."
I whispered holding his hand, "It's okay."
"It's not fucking okay. Nobody talks to you that way. Nobody. And she? She fucking hurt you."
I saw him getting angry again. I held his hand, and led him towards the side, behind a pillar. I started rubbing his chest. "Your anger is doing no good to you. Relax. It's okay. I'm okay. You need to get a control on your anger. It only harms you. The person you're angry at? They are not the ones getting affected. You are. Breathe. Relax."
He started calming down and then rested his head against mine. "I promised to keep you safe, and see. You're getting bruises on knees and getting banged on head. All because of Alya's obsession with me."
"Don't take the blame on yourself. This was Alya's fault. Not yours. You toh came and saved me right? You kept me safe. You kept your promise."
"Right. It was her fault and she'll pay for it. I'll make her. She won't get off the hook so easily for this."
He looked at me, his eyes full of emotions and then kissed me deeply on the forehead. It was so deep and soothing, that I could feel it in my soul. I realized then in that moment that whatever I thought was wrong. He wasn't moving on with Alya. Could it be possible that he also has some feelings for me?
And as if he read my mind, he said, "This thing that we have between us, you know na, that you're not just a friend for me? You're special Nandini. You also feel this right?" 
I nodded.
"We'll take it slow, but know this," he said entwining our fingers, "this is real, this is us. We don't have to put labels right now, but I just want you to know that you're precious to me Angel."
I kissed his hand still entwined with mine. He pulled me in a hug kissing the top of my head, "My Angel."
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