Manan SS: An Unexpected Turn

Chapter 15

Flashback
When NanVi and AbhiMan went and grabbed their seats in classroom. The professor was not there.  Navya started reading the enrollment form for Musicana.
Navya: Guys I want to perform.
Nandini: Navya this is not a solo compition...
Navya: I'm not talking about myself Nandu, I'm saying we all should participate. You and I can sing i play keyboard as well Aryaman plays drums.
Aryamaan: Yes we can, Navya start  filling the form.
Nandini: But guys. ...
Navya: No ifs and but... We are doing this together.
Navya started filling the details like a child who is reciting his homework.
Navya to herself
1st member - Navya Naveli
2nd member - Nandini Murthy
3rd member - Aryamaan Khurana
4th member -
Navya sighed loudly.
Aryamaan: What happened?
Navya: Rule is the band should have minimum 4 participants. Ab hum 4th partner kahase laaye??
Abhimanyu: Why to worry... When Abhimanyu is here..?
Aryamaan: Rhyme nhi hua...
They all laughed. Abhi smiled sheepishly.
Nandini: You will join us?
Abhimanyu: Why not... That would be a great start for my new career.
Navya: You are right. What do you play?
Abhimanyu: I can sing and play guitar.
Nandini: I must say you are talented... You be a life saver as well as guitarist.
Abhimanyu: Ohh I'm flattered.
He kept his hand on his heart and smiled not before winking at Nandini.
Navya: Ok so 4th member - Abhimanyu Thakkar.
Guys band name?
Before they could discuss futher the class started.

Flashback ends

Navya - Actually we have decided to participate in Musicana as a group.
Nandini - Yes, We were discussing about this only.
Cabir - Wow! It's great.
Alya - That means this year will get some competion atleast.
Aryaman - But there is a little problem?
Dhruv - What problem?
Abhimanyu - We are thinking what should we name our band.
Cabir: How about NANA ??
Everyone gave him an "are you serious" look.
Cabir: Nandini Aryamaan Navya Abhimanyu. N A N A.
Navya slapped his shoulder.
Cabir: Ouch... But that's a most logical name.
Dhruv: Guys we can decide this later. I'm hungry. Let's order something.
Alya: No baby... Let's eat something healthy today.
Navya: Why don't you all come to our place. We will cook and enjoy.
Mukti: Yes I'll cook for you guys.
Manik: What? Tumhe khane ke aalwa bhi kuch aata hai?
Mukti: Ji ha aata hai.... Atleast we girla know how to cook.... Unlike you Manik.
Manik: Hahaha.... You are challenging me? Manik Malhotra??
Alya: Let's have cooking compilation between Manik and Mukti. What say guys?
Nandini: No doubt that's a great idea Alya... But tum dono ko sach me kuch banana aata bhi hai? Ya hawa me....
Before she could compete her sentence she recieved an angry glare from Manik and Mukti.
Nandini lifted her hands up in air.
Nandini: I back off... Let's do it.
Navya: Guys we need groceries for this.
Cabir: I'll do it for Mukti....
Manik: You are not supporting me in this???
Cabir: I want to eat good quality food Manik...
Manik made a poker face and all laughed.
Nandini: I'll help you Manik.
Manik: Thank you Nandini. Now let's go... We have a lot do. See you in the kichen Mukti.
Saying this he grabbed Nandini's hand and started dragging her away.
Nandini: I'll see you guys at home.
Mukti: Let's go.
Here Manik and Nandini reached Manik's car.
Manik: Nandini I don't know anything about cooking.
Nandini: I knew it. Then why did you say yes for the cook-off.
Manik: Kyunki Manik Malhotra kabhi nhi haarta....
Nandini laughed.
Nandini: Don't worry. I'll help you with everything.
MaNan went for grocery shopping. Manik decided to prepare Veg birayani for all.
They bought all the necessary things and headed back to Nandini's apartment.
Nandini: Manik can you cook Veg Biryani?
Manik: No... Batao mujhe sab kuch.
Nandini started explaining te recipe and Manik paid attention to each and every detail.
Soon they reached where everyone was already present. The boys were settled on the sofa enjoying the match.
Nandini: Seems everyone is having fun.
Abhimanyu: Yes, and by the way your place in amazing.
Manik made a "whatever" face and went in kitchen.
Mukti: So guys today's menu is Shahi paneer, roti and...
She turned to see Manik.
Manik shouted form kitchen.
"Biryaaanii".
Everyone hooted and the cook-off started. Both started working seperately. Manik put on his headphones and started chopping the veggies. Here Nandini got a call so she excused herself and went in her room. While in living room all enjoyed at fullest.
After one 1 hour. The food was ready. All were hungry so they stuffed their plates with food and stared munching it.
Abhimanyu: Are Nandini you haven't started eating yet. Let me give you.
He took a spoonful of Biryani and fed it to her. Nandini had it and showed a thumbs up to Manik. Manik sighed in relief but at the same time he was jelous. So he went and sat beside Nandini and asked her to feed him.
Nandini did so. Everyone was watching them. Cabir cleared his throat.
Mukti: Kya sab sirf Biryani ki tareef karenge.??
Alya: Shahi Paneer is very tasty Mukti. Dhruv: You were right you are a great cook.
Navya: Will you teach me too?
Mukti: Offcourse dear.
Aryamaan: Both of you have excellent taste in your hands. So I guess this is a tie... What do you say guys...
All said: Absolutely.
Rest all lunch they had with a lot of fun.
After fighting a lot over the band name all agreed on **********.
After resting all decided to leave.
Cabir: Navya can I stay here...  I'm not in a codition to move.
Navya: You can...
Navya kissed his cheek while stroking his hair.
Dhrulya: Bye guys see you tomorrow.
They left on Dhruv's bike.
Arymaan, Abhimanyu and Mukti left in Mukti's car.
Manik promised Nandini to help her to clean the kitchen. Cavya moved to Navya's room for some rest.
Manik helped her in cleaning. Nandini was about to leave when Manik held her hand.
Nandini shivered with his touch.
Manik: Thank you so much Nandini.
Nandini: You are welcome chef Manik.

(READERS CONFUSED?? HERE'S SMALL FLASHBACK FOR YOU)

Flashback
Manik put on his headphones and started chopping the veggies. Here Nandini got a call so she excused herself and went in her room.
It was Manik who called Nandini. Nandini told him each and every step of the recipe and Manik followed whatever she is saying.

Flashback ends

Manik smiled.
Manik: I have a treat for you. Just a second. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a big icecream tub of her favourite flavour.
Nandini happily jumped and grabbed the tub from him.
She took two spoons and ran to her room. Manik followed her.
Both sat on her bed and started eating ice cream silently. While eating Manik saw the small cut on her forhead and his facial expressions changed.
Nandini: What happend Manik eat no...
Manik: Yes yes, I'm eating.
Manik left after the ice-cream+Chit-chat session. But not before hugging Nandini and biding bye to her.
Nandini reciprocated. Before starting his car Manik made a phone call and then drove back home.

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This was a happy happy chapter.
Hope you liked it. Stay tuned to know more.

Till then Bbyee
Stay home. Stay safe. And take care.

Lots of love

--Sunshine1216