MANIK
Tonight Nandini watched my game, cheering for me in my jersey. Every chance I got, I looked up at her, and she would wave at me. She was giving me all the support she could. It made my chest warm, seeing her efforts to show me that I'm not alone and that she was there by my side.
When I'd seen her in Abhi's jersey this morning, I wanted to take it off and burn it. The amused smirk on his face hadn't helped. He'd known when she'd asked him for it how I'd react. Idiot had done this on purpose to tease me.
When he'd walked down the hall and seen her in my jersey, he'd burst out laughing. No one but the three of us knew what he'd found so damn funny.
Nandini had even grinned and ducked her head as she blushed. She has been trying to please me, to show her support for my game. But she just didn't have this idea that in our college, if a girl is wearing a guy's jersey, that means she's his girl.
Family or not, she wasn't wearing Abhi's jersey. Or anyone else for that matter. Just mine.
We won by one goal. Cabir had made the last winning goal. It had been one hell of a match. The opposite team was just as good as us. For a moment I was worried that we may go into over time, since we were at equal number of goals from a long time. But Cabir remedied that in the last moment.
When I walked out of the locker room, Nandini was standing there waiting on me. Her smile when our eyes locked eased the sadness that I felt when I walked out realizing that both Mom and Dad aren't here with me.
"You were amazing. I don't know much about the moves you pulled, but everyone was impressed with you back there," she said in a whisper as I got close enough to hear it.
"Were you impressed?"
She nodded.
Chuckling, I kissed her forehead and then her nose.
"You're too cute for your own good. Seeing you up there in my jersey, looking like an angel, my angel, helped. Now I think I need it for my every game."
"I think I can make it happen mister."
Tonight I was taking her to the field party. Although she'd been to many, tonight she'd actually attend one. She would be with me. Not hiding in the dark corners waiting for Abhi. The idea of him leaving her out there in the dark still pissed me off.
"Good game, babe," I looked up from my own private little world with Nandini to see Soha standing there.
"Thanks, but I'm not your babe," I replied, trying to get her to leave.
Soha laughed. "Maybe not right now, but you're gonna get bored with the mute girl and want someone happening like me eventually. I'll be waiting. I miss us Manik," she said in a low voice that sounded more like pleading.
I hated it when people took cheap shots at Nandini. I'd planned to be nice to Soha while firmly sending her back on her way. But she had to go and say shit about Nandini. This wasn't something I'd tolerate. Ever.
"I can talk. I just choose who I talk to. So stop trying to upset me to gain a reaction. It's not gonna work here."
I stood there staring at Nandini as she spoke so clearly and matter-of-factly to Soha.
"So you do talk huh? Well does Abhi know about it?" Soha asked smirking. I took a step towards her, putting myself between her and Nandini. But Nandini's hand touched my arm as she held on to it and moved to stand beside me.
"Yes he does. Now you can leave," Nandini said, not backing down.
I stared down at her? Was there nothing about her that wasn't perfect? She even dealt with my ex without being dramatic.
"God, you can't even stop looking at her," Soha said in a disgusted tone.
She was right. I couldn't.
I didn't look up, but I knew Soha left as Nandini's arm relaxed and she turned to meet my gaze.
"Day after tomorrow is Mami's birthday. I'll wish her in the morning and then start speaking again to everyone. Could you come by in the morning when I do so? I'll need you then."
I nodded. I kissed her hard on the lips and tried like hell not to let the fear of losing her take control over me. She needed me there. She wants my support, no one else's. I kept assuring this to myself as I held her in my arms. I wanted her to talk. I wanted her to live life to the fullest. I just didn't know that would I be enough for her then?
When she talked to other people and let them in... would I still be enough for her?
She could have anyone she wanted, but would she still want me?
I had Nandini's hand tucked against mine as we walked towards the guys at the party. Abhi was parking up his car here again now that he didn't have Nandini out there hiding in the dark. Aryaman was the first one to notice us, and he gave a tight lipped smile. He still hadn't warmed up to the idea of me and Nandini. But it wasn't because he didn't like her. It was the opposite.
Knowing he'd seen her wearing my jersey all day made the jealous monster inside me stay down. As soon as Aryaman met Nandini, he'd recognized something special in her. Same as I did. And he even was more friendly to approach and less of an asshole than me.
Lucky for me, she saw something special in me and overlooked the fact that I was an asshole.
Today was not our usual day for field party, but since we had a game, we were doing this. No one would be drinking tonight, as coach would have our asses off if he got to know about it, and he would. The guy was sharp that way. So today was just to meet the guys and chill around with them. At least for the team members. The rest of the people from college who have come here are doing whatever they always do.
"You ready for this?" I asked as we were getting close to guys.
She tilted her face up to look at me and smiled.
That was all I needed.
"Welcome to the family, Nandini," Vihaan said, holding up his can of coke to greet us. "About time you joined us."
I glanced at Abhi. It was his fault she'd not been with us since the beginning. He should feel like shit that he'd left her out there alone. But the look on his face eased down my anger a bit, he wasn't proud of what he did.
I didn't want to share a seat with anyone. Just Nandini. So I sat over a bay hale that was kept there and tugged Nandini on to my lap.
I pressed a kiss to the side of her head and whispered. "You thirsty? I forgot to get you a drink."
She shook her head and just leaned back against me. I tightened my hold against her waist, holding her close to me.
Today the conversation was all flowing about what we'll do once college was over. I had my work cut out. I've joined Dad's company and I'll handle it. Abhi had to do the same for his Dad's company. Cabir wanted to open up a food chain. He didn't want anything to do with his parents. Whereas the rest of them were still indecisive, and right now they were talking about that only.
"We all got decisions to make. So let's just wait till we are done with the football season before making them. Tonight we need to be talking about Cabir's lightening feet," Abhi said changing the topic.
Cabir held up his can of coke. "To me. Because I kick ass!" everyone laughed and held up their cups.
Nandini's shoulders shook with silent laughter. She signalled something to Abhi.
"Of course you do. But was it just your lightening feet or something... someone... did maybe?" Abhi teased.
Cabir had his eyes widened. He looked at Abhi who was smirking at him and then at Nandini, who showed him her phone.
He groaned and facepalmed himself as Abhi laughed loudly and Nandini also laughed silently with mischief in her eyes.
"I thought you were innocent," Cabir whined at Nandini.
Watching her get along with the guys, seeing her happy made me feel content.
All that I needed was right there in my arms. My precious.
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