FIRST LOVE

*CHAPTER THREE*

'Manik fucking Malhotra saved your ass against Madhyam Singhaniya?!' Navya asked again for the third time in astonishment.

'Yeah.' I said, simply shrugging. I didn't know why she was making a great deal about it.

'Have you seen his eyes? Oh my god! It's fucking green and so big that you can actually drown in them.' She said.

'Navya, you have a boyfriend, remember?' I asked.

'Boyfriend, not husband right? So I have the right to check out others. Plus, even a blind person can say that Manik is way hotter than Cabir or Madhyam or anyone else in this college.'

I rolled my eyes. I didn't like the fact that Navya was fangirling over Manik when she already had a boyfriend.

'I don't know why he even cared to stand up for me though. He surely wouldn't know that a creature like me exists in this college.' I said.

'Actually, he hates bullying. He is totally against it. He always stands up for those who are bullied but I've never seen him standing up for a girl.' Navya boasted, as if she was boasting herself.

'And still he has a bad boy image.' I said, rolling my eyes.

'Yeah, that's because he hooks up with a new girl everyday. But he has a good heart.' She said.
I couldn't understand how someone who hooks up with a new girl everyday could be counted as good, but then I decided to ignore it as I was literally starving for food.

'You are one hell of a lucky girl, Nandini.' She squealed and I rolled my eyes. Again.
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While going back home, I entered a supermarket and bought some food stuff like fruit, eggs, chocolates, chips etc. After paying for the items, iI tossed all of it inside my bag and started walking towards my house, preparing for another night of my father's abuses.

I freshened up and started doing my homework. In the night, my father came and did his job. I didn't hide away from him that day, because I didn't want him to break anything else in my room. I loved my room too much. It was painted in pink and furnished in white. It was childish but still I loved it.

Next day, I went up to the college after getting ready. The first class was Chemistry Practicals. I really loved Chemistry as a subject. I was really fascinated by the fact that those coloured and colourless chemicals could do wonders. The only thing that I was worried about was that each year, our teacher appointed us a lab partner with whom we had to do all the practicals together throughout the year and at the end of the year, we had to submit a project. I really wished Navya would be my partner because last year, my partner was some bitchy, redhead girl who just wouldn't stop talking about boys and didn't know anything about Chemistry. I was really pissed off by that. Now, I really wished Navya would be my partner.
I was in the lab with Navya besides us. Just then, Manik entered the lab.

'Oh boy!' Navya moaned, admiring him.

He looked at me and gave a warm smile. My breath hiked a little. I was never noticed by anyone and here I was getting a smile from Manik. I wished he would have never come across me.
'Good Morning students!' our teacher greeted us. Our teacher was a middle-aged man who looked older than he actually was. His name was Andrew Brown. Only half of the class greeted him back, that too half-heartedly.

'As you all know that we pair up students every year, I have come up with the list of all the pairs for this year.' Mr.Brown said and started calling the names of the pairs. I prayed that I should be paired up with Navya but my prayers didn't come true because I heard Mr.Brown call her name and she was paired up with some guy named Max who looked more socially awkward than I was. All my hopes were shattered. I would have to be with someone unknown now which I hated.

After calling a few more names, I heard my name which was followed by the name "Manik Malhotra''. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. The whole class turned towards me as if I had been charged for the crime of a murder. I just wished the earth would swallow me right away or at least wished I had a time machine to stop the time and catch my breath, both of them were impossible. I hadn't even thought of being paired up with a guy. I looked at Manik. He waved towards me and walked towards me. All the other girls of the class were looking at me with jealousy, as though I had deliberately set this up.

Well, take him if you want, girls. I don't want him. I would rather be alone.

'Hi Nandini. I'm Manik. I'm sure you remember me.' He said, letting his hand out, indicating a handshake.
I hesitated a little before shaking his hand. He smiled at me.
We were supposed to do a titration experiment. I wasn't expecting that Manik would know anything but surprised me by proving otherwise. We didn't have much conversation, he only just kept staring at me which was really creepy. I was about to start the experiment after adding all the required amounts of chemicals given when Manik held my wrist. I was shocked for a moment and was confused.

'You forgot to add ammonium to the beaker.' He said, grinning. Only then I realised that I was going to make a big mistake.
'Oh yeah.....thank you.. thanks a lot.' I said, nervously as he added the required amount of ammonium into the beaker.

I was surprised that we were the first to finish the experiment and was happy too. Manik was way better than I expected. He didn't talk much too which was a relief.
'It was nice being with you.' He said and I think I blushed at that.
Stupid me.

'I wanted to ask you something.' He said.

'What....what is it?.' I asked.
'Er..... It's my birthday today and I have a party organised at my house today evening and everyone is invited. It will be nice if you come ' He said, scratching the back of his head.
Hell no! Parties weren't really my thing. I hated to be among so many people. And god knows what type of people came into parties like these. I was sure I was going to be bullied by someone or the else there.

'Er....no. Parties aren't.... really my thing.' I said, not looking up at him.

'Why not? It will be fun, partner.' He said.

Partner? That sounded..... different.
'No. I'm sorry.' I apologized.
'You really do owe me for saving you against Madhyam. Consider this as a favour returned.' He said.
I was locked now. I couldn't do anything. He really was smart and he played the right cards to get me to come to the party. I had to go now because I really owed him for standing up for me.

'Alright then, I'll come.' I said slowly.

'Cool, I'll pick you up at six thirty.' He said.

'No!' I almost said as a reflex. He was taken aback.

'No, I mean you don't have to do that. I will come with my friend, Navya.' I said quickly.

'Navya? Cabir's girlfriend?' He asked.

I nodded, wondering how he knew Cabir because Cabir wasn't that popular.

'Alright, see you at the party. Bye.' He said and waved his hand.
'Bye.' I said in a low voice and he left and only then I realised that I hadn't wished him a happy birthday.
Ughh!

After the classes, I met Navya. I really wanted to ask her about the party.

'Are you going to Manik's party today?' I asked her.
'Nope. Cabir asked me, but I declined since you won't be there. I feel lonely without you even when I have Cabir with me.' She said.
'Actually, I'm going.' I said nervously.

'What?!' She asked in utter shock.
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So what do you think will happen now, guys?

Finally, Nandini will be going to a party.

Expecting any drama there?

Tune in to know...

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