She came and didn't even stay.

Manik fretted over last night's visit of Nandini. Sounds of spoons were only background noise as he tried to depict her face. She looked so stressed out and he wasn't a fool who won't know what that frown was about.

"I swear, Manik. I won't go if you are gonna do this," Harshad broke his trance.

"Do what? " Manik asked bewildered.

"This," Harshad pointed towards Manik's untouched food. His face could beat any granny.

"I mean, father of your girl threatened you and you got threatened," Harshad tried to fathom Manik's behavior.

"He is her father. I think he has right," Manik murmured playing his fork in his food.

"Wow," Harshad exclaimed looking at Manik.

"Then listen to her father and don't ever meet Nandini again," He added totally trying to push the right button.

Manik glared Harshad before throwing the tomato on him.

"See," Harshad caught it just to state the obvious, "You can't even stand the thought."

Manik frowned and looked out of window. He needed to see her today at any cost.

___________

Nandini sat by river as she stared into nowhere. Her heart wasn't at peace and she didn't know where to go. Her sanity was screeching to see him but she couldn't see his uncertain face. It would only make her more vulnerable. She had never felt this afraid about anything or anyone. She didn't know why her heart dropped when Manik talked about never coming back. It just made her angry to a limit that she wanted to cry bad. She felt how her eyes had started to fill with this stupid moist again. She kicked the water hard to fight the urge to cry. She hated being this weak.

Getting up, she strode towards her Jeep. She needed to see him.

_______________

Manik waved as bus left. Harshad had left for his home as final examination were over and Harshad for sure wasn't excited for results. As he turned around, he saw Nandini's Jeep parked in parking. His heart did a flip and he didn't know whether to dance in happiness or die in anxiety. Meeting her wasn't new but today it was going to be nothing less than a task. Her mood and his fragile heart, combination was made in hell. He walked rapidly inside the admin block to find her and saw door of her office open. He stormed in without even thinking how he couldn't behave that reckless in that block. She wasn't there. As he turned around, door had a yellow note stuck to it.

"Meet me at racecourse NOW"

Manik shook his head at her confidence that how she was sure only he would read the note. He frowned thinking what if someone else had gone there already. He shook his head in relief knowing it was her on other end. She would have chopped the person till now.

"Malhotra," Coach called him and Manik straightened to salute the ranked football coach.

"I want you to play with your seniors in next... " Coach started to speak and then looked at wristwatch.

"Soccer ground in 5," He ended just to crush Manik's high hopes to see Nandini. He frowned as coach left from there. It was curse to be at academy in holidays because almost everyone wanted to fit you in almost everything. He started to walk towards soccer ground with his head hung low.

____________________

Nandini ignored the noise of soccer clowns as she completed the 3rd lap on her white furry friend. To her dismay, even horse riding hadn't helped her to calm her agitated senses. Manik was nowhere to be seen. She was already afraid how he had chickened out at first real grill and now wouldn't come out without getting a proper push. She pursed her lips in anger.

Manik walked to soccer field wearing that loose vest and big shorts. He wasn't much of a fan of this sport but he couldn't deny coach's command.

"Get in," Coach said and he nodded.
Seniors started to bully him already as he walked among them. Nobody could like a junior playing with seniors. It was like an insult. Manik cursed his luck as he was sent to remotest corner just to do nothing. He heard horse neighing and that was eureka moment. Racecourse was next arena and that meant she was just a fence away.  His face lit up and he turned to see her. Referee whistled and Manik couldn't pay any less attention as he was busy looking out.

"Ouch," he yelped as ball hit his back.

"Baby boy, game is here," one of seniors yelled and Manik turned around to see entire team glaring him. His lips parted to show the amusement but then coach's glare cleared it all. 

Horse neighed again and Manik couldn't help but look towards racecourse.

"Out and 10 rounds now," coach yelled and Manik cursed himself.

Manik completed the outer of soccer field for 2nd time and he had used the half of field to spot Nandini. She was riding horse sincerely and that worried Manik. There was a time when he used to concentrate so hard not to look at that girl and now it was time when he was looking at her every now and then. She spotted him finally ad he felt like doing a victory dance. He smiled and tried to wave but then he didn't want to get more punishment. Her face didn't show much of variations as she gazed him. Manik looked around to ensure if anyone was watching him and then jumped the little fence to reach her. Urge was so strong and wrong.

Nandini reached him as he bent to catch some breath. Climbing down the horse, she strode towards him only to drag him with his loose sweaty vest.

"Nandini," he tried to stop the angry queen but it was in vain. She stopped only when they were behind big doors of warehouse.

She walked to stock of apples while Manik held his knees to catch some breaths. He was sweating like pig, panting like hippo and purring like... well... Kitten. Her silence was sounding deadly and he could sense a storm.

What's... " Before he could start with customary questions, she shushed him with that flying apple. It hit his arm and he cried.

"Ouch.. Ahh.. Ouch... Stop.. What's wrong... Nandini... Stop... It's hurting," He let out some useless chain of words while reaching her. That merciless wild cat was in no mood to speak. Her face was ached and he knew she won't stop.  He held her both wrists as he reached her and she gave a tight competition to his strong army arms. He folded her arms behind her back and she let out frustrated sighs.

Walking backwards, both stopped using their feet as her back collided with wooden boxes. 

"Would you tell what's wrong?" He asked aloud and she cried in frustration.

She kicked his leg and he had to lock her both legs between his. 

"Words are prohibited or what?" He asked and she looked away. Her face had turned red and her nose had started to flow a bit.

Was she crying? 

Manik deduced with his mouth open. He closed it as he gulped the revelation.

"What's wrong?" He asked freeing her hands as his hand raised to touch her wobbled chin.

"I hate you, Cadet Malhotra. I hate you. Do you hear it?" She yelled pushing him.

Manik gaped her as she kept bestowing some punches on his chest. 

"No, you don't," He uttered and it came out as a matter of fact instead of a murmur. 

Closing the distance which she had created with those stealthy push, she held her tenderly from her waist.  His arm quivered as it wrapped her warm waist.

"No, you don't," He told her as he touched her drained face.

She gave in within second as she clutched his sweaty frame tightly. Putting her cheek on his shoulder, she clasped his vest so tight that her nails carved his flesh.

"I have never felt this stupid," She let out helplessly as she stepped on his shoes and brought her more closer to him.

"And it's all because of you," She blamed and again hit him on side of his arm. He didn't flinch this time but his quivering clasp around her body tightened. 

"If I ever go in war, " He again started the topic and she immediately showed her displeasure by digging her nails into his shoulders. 

"Ouch. Let me complete," He pleaded and she took those deadly weapons back.

"We will see it then," He spoke and she couldn't help but giggle. Her giggle turned into a heavenly laugh as seconds passed.

"You are...," She parted from him to look at his amused face.

"I am?" He asked totally being serious.

"We will see it then," She repeated and they both finally smiled looking at each other's calmer faces. She bit her lip and Manik looked away. Silence could be awkward, they realized. 

"Poor apples," Manik stated as his eyes found apples on floor. 

"You deserved it," She said and then left him hanging in contrast as she kissed his sweaty neck at leisure. His windpipe had shrunk, he was sure. He was hot out of sudden. He gulped and couldn't gather courage to look into her eyes. She was something he couldn't handle.

She laughed and he couldn't help that blush curve from appearing. It couldn't be more embarrassing. He realized how his arm was still wrapped around her waist and he didn't feel like withdrawing it.

"You look cute with this red nose," He mumbled and she let him be a little of his definition of daring.

"How would I know?" She asked making it difficult for 'trying to be playful cadet'.

She looked sideways refusing to end the chase for him. It was fun teasing him always.  

Before she could play it further, a feather kiss adored her cheek. It took her fine five seconds to believe how her naive cadet had taken such a leap. Well, in dictionary of Cadet Malhotra, it was a huge leap. She looked at him pressing her lips. He looked priceless trying to simper while being nervous to the core.

Before their sweet moment could expand, door of warehouse flung open. And the way they two were standing was enough to make them end up in lieutenant's office.

___________________

"Do you understand how I can suspend you, cadet Malhotra?" Lt Kalra yelled as Manik stood there in his office with his head hung low. 

Nandini was glaring Lt Kalra from past 15 minutes as he was constantly blasting Manik.  Coach had caught them in warehouse and they were brought to Lt Kalra's office as Colonel Singh was out of town. She was genuinely afraid about what punishment Manik would be given. Her good boy hadn't done anything wrong to deserve a rustication. 

A knock on door stopped the endless barking of Kalra and person who walked in was enough to dry the blood of Nandini. Her father walked in and glared her. She looked away trying not to look scared.  He had warned her. He had threatened her how he would ruin Manik's career and now all that was turning true. She wanted to run away taking Manik along. 

"Mr Murthy," Kalra greeted her father warmly and Manik stole a glance of Nandini. He certainly was feeling terrible for getting caught like that but he was ready to take the penalty. Involvement of Mr Murthy had started to worry him now.

"You two, wait outside," Mr Murthy said and they left the room.

"We will take care of it," Nandini spoke as soon as they came out.

"I promise they won't rusticate you," She assured leaning on pillar. 

He walked to her and stood beside her. 

"We are in it together, Nandini," He said holding her hand.

They both stood their holding hands trying to fight their own fears. Door of Kalra's office opened and Mr Murthy came out. Nandini didn't let go of Manik's hand to tell her father how she too was going down if Manik was.
"Manik," Mr Murthy called Manik calmly.

"You are invited at dinner tonight. I have talked to Lt Kalra," Mr Murthy said leaving both Manik and Nandini shocked.

"He won't raise this incident again," He assured and they both were too perplexed to respond.

"I am waiting for you in car, Nandini," Mr Murthy said as last thing before walking away. 

Nandini couldn't believe her ears and when she did, she knew something drastic was coming up. She kissed Manik's cheek before she stormed away.  She needed to talk to her father.

_______________

Unedited*