*Sneak Peak to the two years of schooling of Manan*
Both were in sixth standard and Nandini was joining a month late.
On the first day Nandini came and sat beside Manik as it was only empty seat.
Manik: Hi I am Manik. What is your name?
Nandini: My name is Nandini
Manik: Are you new here?
Nandini: Umm yes. Can you give me your notes because I have to catch up on a month's syllabus.
Manik: Ofcource you can take. If you want I will help you with studies.
Nandini:Really you will help me.
Manik: Yes.
Nandini: Thank you.
Soon their teacher came and like this some lectures passed and lunch time came.
Nandini: You will not go out to have lunch with your friends?
Manik: Actually I don't have friends here because I am also new student here. I just joined this year.
Nandini: Ohh so can we be friends because I too don't have any friends here.
Manik: Ok then friends,saying this he forwarded his hand for hand shake.
Nandini: Friends, she said excitedly and shakes her hand with him.
Nandini: Acha tho now friend can we have lunch because I am hungry.
Manik: Yes what is their in the lunch box?
Nandini: Dosa and chutney.
Manik: Wow I love dosa, I have parathas.
Nandini: You can have it from my lunch box you know sharing is caring.
Manik: You are so cute Nandini. You have beautiful smile
Nandini: Thank you.
Like this months passed and both their friendship grew strong. Everyday they would first greet each other and at lunch time both would exchange their tiffins and eat.They would share everything with each other about how their day went.
There was a time when Nandini was not well and did not attend her school.That day Manik waited for her and when she did not come he got sad. Whole day he was just grumpy and at home to he did not talk much to his parents.
After two days when Nandini came to school, seeing her he just hugged her tight and started asking her questions about, where did she go? Why she missed her school for two days? For which she just calmed him down and answered that she had fever so she did not come for two days.
After this incident he took her landline number if something like this further happens he can call and ask about it and she too took his number.
As the time passed both started calling each other Smile and Mani.Both of them were very good in academic and co- curricular activities.They would pick up silly fights but they made sure it would not turn serious and end in a day. And when time comes they would fight for each other too.
They both passed sixth standard with outstanding marks making their parents proud of them.
It was summer vacation and both of them went to their grandparents house during this period they did not have any conversation and both them were missing each other.
After their summer vacation it was their first day of the next academic year.Manik was the first one to reach school he was waiting for Nandini. She came after few minutes and seeing Manik she just hugged him very tight and Manik too hugged her tight.
Nandini: Mani I missed you.
Manik: I missed you too smile.
Nandini: You know I went to Manglore and I met Amms after so many days she cooked very tasty dishes. Like this she continued her rant about how her vacation went. Later she asked
Manik you tell what did you do?
Manik: I tho went to my Nani's place you know she stays in Punjab and we stayed there whole month. She is so sweet she pampers me so much. I tho enjoyed but I missed you so much.
Like this whole day passed with exchanging the gifts they bought for each other.
After a month there was this announcement about the auditions going on for a drama competition.
Nandini: Mani you can audition for this drama. You are very good actor and you dance well as well.
Manik: But Nandu you know na I just act for fun this I did not think about.
Nandini: I know but you can just try na, there is no harm in trying and why to waste your talent. Please for me give it a try.
Manik: Ok I will go for the audition.
Nandini: Yupiee and I know you will be selected.
Manik : That we will see.
A day after Manik auditioned for drama and he was selected for the lead of the drama. Listening this Nandini was very happy.
Next week there was sketching competition and Manik suggested Nandini to participate in it which Nandini did and she got selected for final round.
After two days Nandini had her final round of competition and she was very nervous.
Manik: Smile, why are you nervous you just have to give your best and do not think about the result. And I know you will give your best.
Nandini: I know this Manik but I can't help but be nervous.
Manik: Take a deep breath and go,all the best Smile
Nandini: Thank you Mani.
She completed her sketching and now was waiting for the result and soon the results were announced and Nandini was the winner. Listening this both of them were very happy and hugged each other.
Manik also won the drama competition and he was very happy and Nandini was also on cloud nine.
Both of their parents were very proud of them. Their parents knew about the friendship they shared and were happy with it. But they did not meet till now. Like this the whole year passed with both of them enjoying and again topping their exams.
It was their summer vacation and Manik went for a vacation with his mom and dad. While Nandini's parents had to shift due to Raman's business. On hearing this Nandini started crying as she did not want to leave Manik and go. After her parents making her understand she calmed down a bit.
Nandini called at Manik's land line number. As there was only the care taker of the house he picked up the call.
Nandini: Hello Manik.
Care taker: Manik baba tho nahi hai vo tho Chutti pe gaye hai.
Nandini: Vo kab tak aayega aapko pata hai.
Care taker: Nahi mujhe tho nahi pata.
Nandini:Acha aap Manik ko bata denge ki Nandini ne phone kiya tha aur vo aage se school nahi aayegi, kyuki vo shift ho rahi hai.
Care taker: Thik hai main bol dunga baba ko.
Nandini: Yaad se bol dena kaka please.
Care taker: Haa thik hai.
Nandini: Thank you, saying this she kept the phone and got sad that she would not be able to meet her Mani.
Soon Nandini got shifted and Manik had returned from vacation after two weeks.
Care taker: Manik baba aake liye phone aaya tha.
Manik: Kaka mere liye kiska phone aaya tha.
Care taker: Koi Nandini karke bachi thi.
Manik: Nandini ka phone aaya tha kab aur kya bola usne?
Care taker: Aap gaye uske do din bad hi phone aaya aur unhone bola ki vo aage se school nahi aayegi kyuki vo kahi aur shift ho rahi.
Manik: Kya? kaka aapne sahi mein yahi suna ya aapne kuch aur suna.
Care taker: Nahi baba unhone tho yahi bola.
Listening this Manik ran to his room and came down with his diary and called at Nandini's landline number.
But to his bad luck the house was empty and no one received the call. He called for 3-4 times but it was of no use.
He got very sad and started crying but his parents made him understand.
Like this every month he would try to call but no one received and after some three months time the phone would not ring as the connection was removed. After a certain time he stopped calling.
Both of them moved on, completed their studies but a certain part of them always hoped that someday they would meet.
Author's Note: Here is the first chapter. This chapter is about how Manik and Nandini became friends and how they got separated in their childhood.As they were small they were helpless and could not do anything about this. Hope you enjoy reading this chapter.Comment and Vote if you like this chapter. Keep showering your love. Any suggestions are always welcomed.
Stay safe,Stay indoor.
Love,
Author❤️