A Journey from Rejection to Forever

Chapter 3

“One love, one heart, one destiny” - Robert Marley

F L A S H B A C K

8 Y E A R S B A C K

ROSEWOOD ACADEMY

It’s one of the best institutions in India. The beauty of the town Dehradhun has made it more famous. The hills around the place and the forest are so attractive.

“Manik… Manik…”

“Manik...”

“Manik…..”

A whole crowd was shouting and hooting only one name. Manik. The captain of Rosewood Academy’s cricket team. He has been the captain since last 6 months and from that time Rosewood Academy didn’t lose a single match. He has been the most sensible and dependent player from always.

Not only his game play but also his look has made him famous in the whole school. He is the most popular guy in the whole school. Girls of all the classes are dying to gain his attention but he cared less. He for sure enjoys the attention of everyone but he doesn’t give attention to anyone.

Manik is not only students more precisely girls favorite but also teachers favorite. He didn’t neglect his studies because of his cricket though it’s his first love.

Now let’s get back to the cheering…..

The final match of Inter College Cricket Championship is going on. Manik Malhotra was there at the pitch and there is no doubt that everyone will only cheer for him. But he was only focusing on the field. It was the last over of the game and they needed 10 runs more in last 3 balls.

First ball was thrown but no run. The whole crowed became disappointed. A smirk formed on the opponent’s face.

But Manik was calm. He held the bat more tightly and was eyeing the bowler.

He hit the ball with all his strength and it flew out of boundary area. 6 runs added to the score.

Next ball was again a boundary and it was 6 once more.

Everyone from the gallery shouted on top of their voice.

Rosewood Academy won the trophy once again.

Manik’s teammates ran to him and rose him in the air. They were cheering and hooting and what not.

Manik pulled out the helmet from his head and he threw a smirk to the bowler who was giving him smirk.

It was time for the prize giving ceremony.

Manik was handed the winner trophy. He had a never ending smile playing on her face. He called out all his teammates to grab the trophy with him.

After a lot of celebration, Manik went to locker room to change. He was coming out when two people jumped on him shouting. “Congratulation, Manik.”

Manik nodded his head in disbelief. He knew who it was.

“Thank you. But Shree and Akash got down from me. I can’t breath.” He said laughing.

Manik Malhotra is famous for his friendship too. Akash and Shree are his friends from the very beginning off his school. They have been together since a long time. Everyone admires their friendship.

“Let’s do party today.” Akash exclaimed making Shree jump on her place too.

Manik looked at them as if they were some alien. “We just had a party last night.”

Akash made a bad face. “So? That was because you had a century in the last match and today we will have one because you won the trophy.”

Shree too supported him. “Akash is right. We are going to have a blast today.”

Manik knew he had no way to deny. He has to join them even if he doesn’t want to. They didn’t have classes today so they moved out and went to their favorite place. They had fun whole day.

N I G H T

Manik came back home after roaming around whole day with Shree and Akash.

He was entering inside, Sarita was sitting in the hall only surfing through some magazines. Manik has never been much comfortable with his mother. So, he didn’t say anything to her. He was going inside his room when his mother called him from back.

“Manik, how was your match?” she asked trying to start a conversation with him.

Manik passed a smile to her. “It was good. We won the match.”

Sarita too smiled brightly. “That’s a good news. You must have with Shree and Akash?”

Manik nodded.

“Why didn’t you get them home? They haven’t been here for a few days.” She likes his son’s friends like her own kids.

“I will ask them to come. When will bhai be back?” Manik asked.

Sarita looked at the clock. “Anirban will be late today. He said he has some important work.”

Manik mouthed an oh. “I had my dinner. So, you can have yours.”

Sarita said okay. “You go up and take rest. You have classes tomorrow.”

Manik bid him good night and went to his room.

Changing his dress, Manik directly fell on his bed. It didn’t take him a minute to drift into his slumber. He has been so tired due to all roaming around whole day and the tiring match in the morning. He didn’t get any rest. So, he was damn tired.

Manik was busy dreaming something in his deep slumber. It was late night when Anirban came back. He went to check on Manik as per his habit. After their father’s death, Manik has grown close to him as their mother got busy with handling everything. So, she was not able to give them the needed time.

Anirban could understand her situation. She was left alone at an early age to deal with everything. He never complained about that. But Manik was too young to understand all that. As a result Manik grew apart from their mother and Anirban took his responsibility to look after him. Manik has been his first child. He also has turned into a father figure to Manik. Manik’s best friend. No matter what the thing is, Manik shares everything with him and asks for his suggestion or help.

Anirban found Manik sleeping in a weird position throwing his hands and legs around. He nodded his head in disbelief seeing him. He covered Manik with duvet and ruffled his hairs before leaving from there.

M O R N I N G

Manik got up than his usual time. He looked at the time and it was really early. No one must have got up till now, Manik thought. But he didn’t feel like sleeping anymore. So, he just jumped out of his bed. He did his morning chores and ran to Anirban’s room. He didn’t meet his brother after last morning.

At first he peeked inside Anirban’s room and found him still sleeping. He went inside his room making sure he doesn’t make any noise. He got settled beside him and shouted on top of his voice “Bhai…...”

Anirban opened his eyes with a jerk. He was blank for a moment. Then his eyes fell on a laughing Manik. He realized what must have happened.

“Manik… You naughty kid….” Anirban too shouted in a fake angry tone.

Manik gave him a sheepish grin and hugged his brother. “Bhai, I missed you so much yesterday.”

Anirban chuckled seeing his brother behaving like kid. “I missed you too and I am sorry, I couldn’t come to see your match.”

He has been the biggest support for Manik in every aspect of life. Manik always wants him during his matches, Anirban also tried to attend them. But he couldn’t manage to go yesterday because of some important meetings.

“But I am happy that my brother won the match again. I am so proud of you.” Anirban said in a proud tone while ruffling his hairs.

Manik also got a smile on his face. “Thank you, bhai. You will make me my favorite breakfast today as compensation.” He said grinning.

Anirban nodded his head.

They got up after chatting for few more minutes. Manik went to his room to get ready for college while Anirban went to freshen up then moved to make breakfast for Manik.

He found his mother already there making coffee for them.

“Good morning, mom.” Anirban wished her.

Sarita too wished him back.

“What are you you doing here? Making breakfast for Manik?” She asked raising her eyebrows.

Anirban nodded with a smile.

He started making breakfast for Manik. He was in the dining table when Anirban was done. They had their breakfast with necessary chatting and all.

“Bhai, will you drop me today?” Manik asked while getting up.

Anirban nodded his head. “You go and grab your things, I will come in 5.”

Manik nodded and got out of home with his bag. He was waiting for Anirban when he came with his bike. Manik too sat on it and they drove off.

They talked about various things till they reached Manik’s college.

Manik got inside college. He looked around to spot Akash and Shree. But he couldn’t spot them. He knew where he would find them. So, he ran to that direction.

There they were in the canteen. Manik nodded his head in disbelief seeing them. He moved near them and took his seat.

“Didn’t aunty give you two breakfast?” Manik asked sarcastically.

Akash and Shree continued gulping their food.

Akash replied, “So what? That was half an hour back.”

Shree too agreed to him.

“Is there any beautiful girl around?” Manik asked suddenly while sipping his juice.

Shree and Akash both choked their food and looked at Manik with wide eyes.

Manik noticed their expression and shrugged his shoulder.

“Are you serious?” Shree asked coming out of her shock.

Akash nodded his head. “After last time, you again want to get into in a relationship?”

Manik left a breath. “I know I had a bad experience last time but this time I will look for a girl who will not be like others. She will be different. She won’t be going with my popular boy tag, she will look for the real me…...”

He said with a genuine smile on his face.

While his friends sat there with a worried look that how will he get a girl like this????

For then they halted their discussion and left for their class.