"Not another one," Manik took away the glass from Nandini's hand she tried to sip another glass of wine. 

"We are not supposed to get drunk till we are here," He added to cut her glares. 

She looked miffed, perplexed, done and what not. She looked away then back at Manik. 

"What kind of party is this?" She whined. 

"I mean who just drink one glass of wine when they call it 'Cocktail hour'," She added with a frown. 

"This is an army thing," Manik stated with pride. 

"No wonder Daadu has developed habit of stealing liquor," Nandini murmured and Manik's proud smile turned into an embarrassed one. 

Some sound across the hall drew their attention and they saw everyone moving towards dinner area. 

"Let's have a mechanical dinner now," Nandini faked an excitement and Manik shook his head. 

"She has read the program," Manik murmured to himself before following her. 

Manik held her hand before she could run to choose her favorite spot and waited for waiter to tell their table number. Waiter showed them their table and She frowned further seeing the neatly arranged table that was far away from the stage. 

"I thought we would get a good place at least," She mocked and Manik started to take dips in pity. 

"I am no officer, Nandini," He stated while she shot him a dagger. 

"I never complained to you," She replied before he could start to feel like a hubby and she would end up feeling like nagging wife. 

"You cadets should protest I tell you," She said with spark of igniting a fire. 

She was hell charged up and that made Manik gulp in fear. He took his seat while some other couple joined them. Seating arrangement was random. 

"Daadu never brought you to any formal event, right?" Manik asked to confirm his doubts about her weird behavior. 

"He could never take the risk," She answered with that devil smile of hers. 

"Yeah, only I am that fool," He murmured to himself.  

Food got served. 

Guest of honor who was sitting with high ranked officers on a grand table at very front of area gave a brief speech and that's how dinner started. It went as a quiet business as nobody had much to talk or complaint. Soon their glasses got filled with wine as dinner got over. 

Manik leaned to reach Nandini's ear and whispered, "Have patience with this one. It would get over soon if you don't fret too much." He settled back while Nandini couldn't get what he had just said. She looked at him all perplexed. 

"She didn't read entire program," He murmured to himself while leaning towards her again. 

"Now the ceremony would start," He whispered to her. 

"Then what were they doing till now?" She asked baffled. Couple sitting with them stared Nandini while Manik just smiled sweetly to them excusing what she had said. 

"Nandini," He murmured with a smile while she threw her hand in air asking what was that. 

"We are gathered here for honoring the services of our brave mates so now the toasts would be made," He informed gently. 

Nandini sighed deep and then crashed in her chair loosely. It was going to be one heck of boring evening. She wondered why everyone including her was so excited. Some opening speech and them more speeches, it reminded her of school days when guests would not just cease to leave the stage. Every time there were applaud in Hall, they raised a toast. She sipped another tiny sip as Manik examined every time she raised the glass to have a sip. She was feeling like a drunkard who was in strict surveillance. It was another rule how you could not finish the glass before all the toasts are made. It was one heck of task.

_________________

Manik breathed deep as they stood on dance floor. It was time. Finally the dreaded part was there. He could feel elephants running in his stomach. He was glad Nandini couldn't hear it. 

"Relax Manik," Nandini mumbled as she waited for music to play. 

"I am relaxed," Manik answered trying to look very much fine. 

"Then stop tapping your feet," She asked gritting her teeth hinting towards his not so happy feet. 

"I am practicing," He answered totally covering up. 

She chuckled and looked away. 

Music played and it was slow soft number. Suddenly his feet were jammed, Manik felt air had been sucked out of his lungs and he could no longer breathe. 

Nandini waited for him to hold her while he stared her blankly. 

"Manik," She called out unable to get his stare. 

"Huh," He answered in a daze. 

"Hold my waist," She asked gritting her teeth. 

"Hold your what?" He asked still jammed. 

"My waist," She said forcing a smile to look a little less awkward in middle of dancing couples. 

"Oh yeah," He said and awkwardly put his hand on her waist. He clutched his shoulder trying not to hit him. 

"You are split personality case, Malhotra," She remarked owing to his shades which fades ever so rapidly. 

Slowly, dance floor became a little less crowded as elders left with their partners after completing the custom. Manik saw Harshad dancing with Veronica quite closely. He immediately flushed and blocked Nandini's view by turning her back towards the inspiring business around. 

"You are such a bad dancer," Nandini remarked with moony eyes trying to look a little enchanted when she was not. 

"I am a great dancer," He said holding his chin high. 

"You are a chicken," She mocked and he groaned. 

Harshand looked at them and laughed. Manik glared him. He laughed further. 

Manik closed the gap between him and Nandini a bit trying to prove a point. 

Harshad raised his brow in mood to instigate further. He slid his hand across veronica's back as they moved sensuously. Manik gaped them with mouth open unable to digest the audacity. Harshad slid his palms across her skin effortlessly and that could not be what Manik wanted to repeat. He looked at Nandini who was busy looking around and he gulped hard. Was she getting dangerous or his heart was anyway thumping? She looked at him, her arms loosely wrapped around his neck, she asked him what was the matter by raising her brows, he immediately shook his head and looked at Harshad. 

Nandini tried to look back but Manik didn't let her. He couldn't afford to let her see the uncensored scene. There was no way he would do what Harshad was asking. Nandini wasn't someone to pull that stunt with. 

She withdrew her arms and he already started to feel deprived. 

"What happened?" He asked restlessly. 

"I need to tie my hair," She said collecting her stray wisps. 

"I cannot handle them anymore," She added with an irritated face. 

He looked towards corner where Harshad was but didn't find him there. He sighed in relief. 

"Let's get off the dance floor," He suggested as she did her hair in loose bun. Her messy hair looked even more gorgeous. 

"I need a drink anyway," She agreed and they walked to the bar. 

As they reached the bar, they saw Daadu gulping another shot. He had surely hit a jackpot with liquor. 

"Daaduuuuu," Nandini growled taking away the glass. 

"You are not drinking anymore," She declared angrily. Daadu pouted and looked at Manik for help. 

"Why you aren't on dance floor?' He asked Manik. 

"Because that place is getting vulgar," Manik whispered back looking at busy Nandini. 

"Who is maligning an army ball?" Daadu roared in hangover of liquor trying to get up. 

"Shhhhh," Manik made him sit and calmed him down. 

"Don't speak loudly, your granddaughter must not know about it," He warned. 

Daadu looked perplexed. He couldn't get why. 

"Why so?" Daadu asked. 

"Do you think she cannot handle such heat?" Daadu asked offended. 

"She can handle anything. She is MY granddaughter," He announced with pride. He was surely drunk. 

"Shhhhhh," Manik shushed him. 

"That's why I am afraid," Manik admitted. 

"She would conduct a sultry dance contest here if she gets to know,"  He mumbled horrified, "She should not know such stuff is happening here." 

Daadu laughed his heart out and that drew Nandini's attention who was busy adoring couples on dance floor. 

"She surely would. I would be the judge," Daadu added.

Manik shook his head. 

"Entire family is crazy," He murmured. 

"I wanna dance," She spoke seeing both men busy in their own world. 

Manik looked at her and then refused by shaking his head. 

"So you won't come?" She asked gritting her teeth. 

"No, I am a little tired. You should rest too," Manik suggested rubbing his neck. She looked charged up. He knew he had made her mad but he didn't want to get back to that scray place ever again.

"FINE," She said and walked away. 

Manik and Daadu saw her leaving. She surely made sure they hear her stomping feet. 

Manik ordered a drink and sighed. 

"Finally this stupid night is ending," He uttered. 

"Stupid night is on its way to turn ugly for you, my boy," Daadu taunted and Manik looked at him. 

"What do you mean?" He asked sipping his drink. 

"Your girl is on dance floor with ANOTHER Man," Daadu replied and Manik spilled the drunk listening the given piece of news. Coughing hard, his eyes shot to find Nandini and there she was, dancing with one of his seniors. 

"IS SHE MAD?" He growled. 

"She is bored," Daadu told casually again getting busy with his dearest wine. 

"Never take your lady for granted," He shared words of wisdom. 

Manik pressed his lips in annoyance seeing Nandini dancing with his handsome senior. She was giggling on whatever shit he was talking. Manik could actually produce some smoke because he was hell angry. 

"How can she do that?" He asked pacing forth and back. 

Daaadu chuckled. 

"You are such an idiot, Manik," He mocked. 

"Now tolerate it," Daadu suggested as he ordered another shot. 

______________

Manik wandered near dance floor with broken face just to mark his annoyance. He walked forth and back so that she could see him. He huffed when she looked at him and then looked away as next thing. 

"How could you?" He murmured along with series of curses. 

"You fine, bro?" His friend asked as he passed by. 

"I am perfect," Manik told announcing and people around looked at him making faces. 

Nandini spared a glance and saw him fuming. He was busy arguing with a waiter over fallen glasses. She shook her head giving up. This man couldn't ever take a step. She excused herself and walked to him. 

He immediately stopped quarreling with waiter. He tucked his hands in pockets and looked at ceiling trying to look ignorant. 

 "You are such a cry bay," Nandini remarked folding her arms. 

He still looked everywhere but at her. 

"Did you say something?" He asked as Nandini kept staring him. 

"No, I was talking to broken glasses," She taunted pointing at shattered glasses beneath. 

He looked down and then at her faking a smirk. If Nandini was asked, even smirk would feel embarrassed at such lame attempt.

"It was waiter's fault," He clarified loosing his bow. 

"I am sure," She mocked. 

"Everyone around can tell that," She added. 

Manik pouted a little trying to look super cool about God knows what. 

"Your face is one example of open book, anybody can read," She remarked and he frowned. 

"Why are you even wasting your time over an open book like me. Go and dance with Sahil," He barked. 

"I would surely do that. But please stop sulking here," She retorted. 

"HA HA HA, I wasn't even bothered," He mocked and failed miserably. 

"Yeah right. That's why people were giving me pleading looks. You were looking like heart broken idiot whose girlfriend has just ditched him," She taunted furiously. 

Their banter could go on but then there was a drunk announcement over loudspeaker. 

"Attention my dear boys and their girls," They both stopped fighting and looked at stage. 

Daadu was standing there grinning. 

"I, Brigadier Murthy, have an announcement to make," He said trying to stand still. 

Everyone stopped dancing and looked at him. He was senior most and that needed all the respect. 

"Party is so boring, isn't it?" He asked sipping his drink. 

"Let's have some fun," He added with mischief in his eyes. 

Everyone smiled nervously thinking about Brigadier's idea of fun. 

"I see so many youngsters wasting time around, I wonder why aren't they dancing when they are in a ball," He taunted and Manik palmed his face. 

"So we are having a mandatory dance contest. Get your butts over here and dance," He announced and hall got filled with titters. 

Colonel Singh looked at his guests nervously. Daadu was surely not following any protocol. He smiled to each one of them and then started at Daadu. 

Everyone walked to the floor while Manik and Nandini kept standing miffed. Nandini wasn't going to ask, he wasn't going to have balls to ask. This was a soap opera. 

"Come on buddy," Harshad tapped Manik's shoulder as he returned with Veronica. 

"Let them be, baby," Veronica intervened. 

"They are anyway not up for it. Let's not embarrass them," She mocked.

Harshad glared her while she just smirked seeing Nandini. 

"Though I must agree Manik is such a good dancer," She added eyeing Manik. Both Harshad and Nandini rolled their eyes. That had to be funniest pick up line ever.

"But you know couple must have some chemistry," She mocked. 

"They are just too...off beat," She added and Harshad dragged her away giving her some peace of mind.

Nandini's anger had no bounds. Some random girl had just taunted her for God knows what and Manik was still standing like a tree obstructing everyone's way. He didn't say a thing, he didn't even frowned. She wanted to smash his head whatever her hands could get. She couldn't stand there like an idiot when everyone else was already on dance floor.

"I don't care if you want or not, we are winning this," She roared holding his hand. She dragged him in middle of dance floor and he looked intimidated.

She wearing the shade of red, her nostrils flaring in anger, her eyes a bit moist, her wisps going crazy the way she had tied that bun; she looked like everything he needed at the moment. Her mere presence could make him feel fine. 

Song started and he without even knowing put his hands on her waist, it was reflexive. She looked at her angrily just to look away again. Her arms encircled his neck and he smiled looking down. 

https://youtu.be/lp-EO5I60KA

[Song- Thinking out aloud(Just the audio)] 

Manik accidentally knocked her feet with his and she glared. He grinned and she looked away. They were slowly moving on song. Nandini frowned thinking how she wasn't even in mood to dance to this slow number. It wasn't her kind of song. He listened to the lyrics and smiled nervously. 

Gathering her in his arm, he brought her closer and she didn't protest. 

"Someone wanted to win this contest," He reminded a passive Nandini. She looked at him only to find him smirking. 

"This is a stupid contest," She replied furrowing her nose. 

"It sure is," He agreed and then twirled her. Amusement touched her lips as she returned to meet his stance. 

"But then someone had taunted you," He again whispered in her ear. 

"You surely are interested in this shit," She teased him and he flushed. 

 "So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are " 

He swirled her again and she put her hand behind her back. Her giggles touched his ear and he bit his lip trying not to smile too wide. 

"Someone can dance," She complimented brushing his shoulder and putting her hand there. 

"I think I can," Manik accepted tittering. 

She rolled across his stretched arm as they untangled. Holding hands, they looked at each other. She rolled back and he gathered. She giggled again throwing her head back. 

"This is fun," She uttered and he comfortably put his hands on her bare back. His definition of comfortable was not to tremble. She was as warm as his quilt. He exhaled loudly to make a rapport with moment. 

"Song is shitty," She complained and he didn't agree. 

"It's nice," He replied. 

"Huh aah?" She asked as they twirled and he lifted her up in air. Her hands on his shoulders, his hands gripping her waist; at last they were dancing. 

 "I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand"

"Wooooh," She exclaimed as soon as he put her back on floor. 

Her crazy moves were coming, Manik could see. She swayed her hips side to side making weird faces and he looked around only to see everyone busy in their own world. 

Song got over in no time and then it was medley. She wasn't going to leave dance floor. Band sang some cha- cha number and she danced her heart out with all the weird steps. He tried to match but then planks could hardly improvise. Sigh.

____________________

She walked out of hall holding her heals in hand and he collected the keys from valet. Humming some lines from some stupid song, she twirled and then laughed alone. 

"Get in, Nandini," Manik asked and she frowned looking at car. 

"I won't go in this junk," She declared and started to walk towards exit. 

Manik fumbled whether to go after her or take care of Colonel's beloved car. He gave the keys back to valet and ran after her. 

"Colonel Singh would kill you if he gets to know what you called his car," He said matching her steps. 

"What a night!" She exclaimed throwing her heels somewhere. 

"What a night!" He agreed chuckling a bit. 

"Did you look that Veronica's face when Daadu told there was no contest," She laughed. 

"She looked pissed off," He joined her little session. 

"She is hilarious," She commented. 

"Basically every protocol went on a toss tonight," Manik said realizing. 

"Protocols can go and fuck..." She skipped the last part hitting a can away. 

"You are a little drunk, aren't you?" Manik asked looking at her antics. 

"I am never drunk," She declared walking properly. 

Both walked on streets quietly. Manik had his coat off while she played with her heavy dress. 

"Around, and around, and around, and around

Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma" She started humming some song and held his hands. Taking rounds and then more rounds, she laughed and sang the lyrics in most ridiculous way. 

"Stop it, Nandini," He yelled trying to slow her down but that mad lady was off the course. 

Her giggles sounded melodious as she spun him faster. He jerked her closer and she collided with his chest. Manik held his head trying not to fall. World was spinning. 

"Put your hands up in the air

Like an ogre, just don't care" She hummed further trying to dance. He held her as she lost balance. Her hands gripping his shirt, taking away few buttons along; she clung onto him trying not to collapse. 

"God, my head," He mumbled as he walked them to nearby tree. Holding it for support, he tried to gather the crazy girl in his arms. Her energy was hard to contain and he didn't know if he was thrilled about it or afraid. 

"That was our first dance," She spoke looking into his eyes. Her eyes twinkling with joy. 

"Second," He corrected. 

"Huh?" She asked trying to keep her eyes open. 

"It was our second dance. First was when we met in mayor's party," He reminded and she smiled. 

"Oh yeah," She exclaimed, "You were a chicken then and you are a chicken now." 

She laughed on her own joke and he groaned. 

She hugged him and rested her head on his chest. Humming the rest of lyrics, she swayed them side to side. She was getting heavier. Manik assumed she was sleepy. 

"Sleep," He tapped her head. 

"Sleep, Nandini," He repeated stroking her hair. 

Nandini looked up to see him panting, still trying to hold his ground. 

"I am not drunk, Manik," She cleared glaring him. 

"When did I say you are," He replied trying to escape. 

"Stop mommying me," She said and straightened herself. 

"Mommying?" Manik tried to depict the word. 

"Let's go," She said grabbing him from his coat.

Reaching her house, she turned around with a smile. A cold night, a lot of fun and drink, she was high and he couldn't point. Coming towards him, she kissed him hard on forehead bidding bye. 

"You were good," She complimented and threw his coat on him. 

"See you, cadet," She shouted entering her house and he stood their bewildered trying to understand her. She had to be weirdest piece in world. He smiled to himself as he heard her singing the song from inside of her house. 

__________________________

Manik crashed in his bed as he reached the dormitory. Boys were low on energy. Few were crying over not getting to score, few were busy dreaming about their girls. Harshad sniffed aloud and Manik looked up. 

"You smell like Nandini," He teased and Manik glowered. 

"What?" Harshad asked and Manik got up. 

Throwing the pillow on him, Manik shut the topic which was about to arise. Manik wasn't in mood to talk because mind was a zoo and he wanted to entertain the wildlife. He smiled to himself as he tucked himself in bed without even changing. Her giggles were still wandering, and he wanted to think about her before those sweet sounds disappear. 

________

__________________

Unedited*