The Rake

Chapter Eleven

Nandini scanned through the corridors but couldn’t find him anywhere. She even enquired from his friends who gave her some subtle teasing expressions which unknowingly brought the red hue on her cheeks, which till now, no one was able to. MANIK MALHOTRA CHARM.

She was distressed, walking through a vacant corridor when she saw him entering a classroom. She thanked her Aiyappa and sighing a great heave of relief, entered the room too.

“Manik Malhotraa!” She shouted in a low voice as he motioned her to stay quiet. She scrunched her eyebrows but soon her eyes widened as she saw shouting “SHUT UP! YOU DON’T BLOODY DESERVE A PLACE IN MY LIFE ANYMOREE!! STAY AWAY!!” And in no time, he threw the phone which made Nandini jump in her place.

“M..Manik!” She whispered as he ruffled his hairs in utmost anger. He darted his red orbs at her to which even the brave Murthy felt scared “Nandini..Go away please!” He for sure didn’t want her to be the victim of his anger, NOT ANYMORE.

“Manik please tell me what happened!” She locked the classroom’s door and walked to him as he broke down crying like a maniac.

“M—an—anik!” She stumbled on her words as tears trickled down her eyes too eyeing him in that situation. She fell on her knees as he did and came closer to him. He looked at her and that was it. IT WAS NOTHING, IT HAD NO MONSTROUS GLARE, BUT JUST THE ORBS WHICH REFLECTED HOW MUCH VULNERABLE HE WAS.

“Manik?” She cupped his face as he cried bitterly and kept his head on her neck while she caressed her back.

“Manik! Everything will be fine..Manik!” She caressed his back and he closed her eyes. He knew she was his solace, his serenity. He knew he needed her the most. HE FELT LOVE THAN HATE FOR THE FIRST TIME. He knew he wanted her. He knew he lo-

After around 10 minutes, Nandini was seen sitting on the floor with caressing his hairs while he was just looking at her. They felt feelings, emotions for each other which unfortunately had no name for them. She waned to fall in love but with him? He broke her! How could she? Wouldn’t that be pure injustice to her feelings? But then, it was only him who brought back her lost smile! Was it all correct to fall in love with him?

AND THE ANSWERS LIED IN HIS PAST WHICH WAS HAUNTING HIM.

“I was in a relationship..Jabb main first year me tha!” He broke his silence and Nandini looked at him and they shared an eyelock “My best friend, Harshad made me meet her..He was my bestest friend..We all..Fab5 was then Super 6..We were the friends..the best of friends..!” He spoke looking at the window as his face had no emotion showing in it. He knew she had to know her face, as she calmed him. Someone calmed his down for the first time after his mother. He wanted to hold her back, but with all truths and no lies.

“He told me she had a crush on me..since 11! I didn’t evem know that we were actually schoolmates! You know everyone told me to accept her for she was beautiful, hot and whatever..!! They thought we made the perfect couple..Cab-Cabir asked me not to...So I thought to be just friends..We became friends..Best of friends..and I thought it was love...I..I thought of proposing her..!” A tear escaped his right eye and she quickly wiped it. Manik looked at her and she smiled. An unknown smile spread on his face too.

“I was taking to Soha one night..Late ni-night talks...and you know what..She told me that she was busy..I was all okay so she hung up the call..Or she just thought she ha-had!! But I could listen to her..y-you kn-know...raat 2 baje..she wasn’t alone..instead she -sh-she was maki-ing out with...!” His breath hitched as he remembered the night which turned his nights into nightmares.

“With?” She caressed his hairs and he looked at her and she blinked her eyes “With Harshad!” And that was it. She widened her eyes. He was not only betrayed by his love,but by his best friend too? He was the most broken soul out there.

“I still remember her talking to Harshad about me..both hatched a plan to use my as theiratm card..they both cheated on me Nandini!” And he started crying again when all of sudden she hugged him. As tightly as she could.

“Dont cry Manik..That was Aiyappa’s blessing for you..not any nightmare!! That was your luck that you got to know about them or else it would have been worse..!” He looked at her as she stood up. She turned around but was stopped. He was holding her hand.

“I have moved on..!” She smiled and pulled his cheek “Do tell me who the beauty is!” And he smiled. He saw her disappearing and his smile appearing. He knew she was the ONE.