MaNan: Breaking Free

21|Daggers

He keeps looking straight, not reacting at all.

"What happened to you big, ugly mouth today? Come on, I know it's capable of puking a lot of shit. So why is the dustbin shut?" I plaster a fake smile on my face.

He still doesn't react.

"We have reached." He says blankly after 15 minutes.

I get down, fuming in anger. In my hurry to get away, I trip on a stone and nearly fall. Manik catches me by the arm.

"Careful, Nandini." He says, slightly worried, which surprises me. I look up at his face and see a glint of concern, which quickly disappears.

"Keep your filthy hands off me, loser." I glare at him and start walking.

The first half passes in a blur, nothing being said between me and Manik. Cabir and Navya are glancing at me every now and then, as if I am about to explode.

It's lunch time and we are seated at our regular table. Dhruv also joins us today.

"How's your mom, Manik?" Cabir asks.

"She is better now, thanks Cabir." He smiles at him.

Just then, Cabir's phone rings and he excuses himself to take it.

We sit in silence for some time. Both Navya and Dhruv are looking at me apprehensively. Manik is sitting like a stone wall, expressionless and cold.

"Hi, Manik." Alia approaches us. "Could we talk in private for a minute?" She asks sweetly, ignoring the rest of us.

"Um..sure." He says and gets up. "I'll be right back, guys."

"What's up, Nandini?" Dhruv asks as soon as Manik disappears.

"Nothing." I say without any emotion.

"Did he hurt you?" Navya asks in a small voice.

"I don't want to talk about it, guys. Just know that Manik is a jerk and he doesn't deserve my time or energy."

"Well, if you feel like talking, we are right here Nandini." Dhruv murmurs.

"I know. Thanks." I smile at the two of them.

We sit in silence for another 10 minutes. When it's time for class, we get up and make a move.Manik and Cabir are not back yet.

What the hell is he doing with Alia since so long?

Stop it, Nandini! Don't go there again.

As we turn around a corner, I spot the two of them talking at the base of the staircase.

"Guys, carry on. I'll be back." I find myself saying before I can stop. Navya and Dhruv proceed further and I turn around.

"You know, these past couple of days, when you were in Delhi, I realised how I actually feel about you. I missed you. Manik...I really like you!" I hear Alia saying nervously.

What the fuck?

"Alia, I..." Manik mutters. I can't see his face because he has his back to me.

"Listen, I know Nandini is your childhood friend and she doesn't like me one bit. But, trust me, I have never done anything to her. She just hates people in general. It's not my fault. I am not a bad person." She blabbers.

"Alia.."

"Do you think we could work this out? I mean, date or something. I really have a thing for you." She continues.

Manik is about to respond. Just then, I hear someone call out my name from behind, which makes me turn around instantly.

"Nandini, why are you not in class?" Raghav asks me and keeps staring at me.