"It's just a seminar, Nandini," Rishi spoke as Nandini took one sharp cut towards her college. He had dared to accompany the madcap to her college just to calm her hot engine. 

"No, it's not. It's a trap. It's a trap to send me away so that dad can have his ways," She replied trying to park her car between two cars. 

"There's no space," Rishi tried to reckon but it was barren. She managed to park her car in that tight valley somehow and now Rishi had no space left to open his side of door. He glared her while she got off. 

He used her side of door to come out and followed her. 

"See, nobody can send you abroad if you don't want to. You are an adult," He reminded while she fought with blazer she had to wear. 

"This is ridiculous," She murmured before giving up on that stupid piece of cloth. 

"I wonder how Manik could love these stupid blazers," She added and entered into seminar hall. It was tightly packed. She tried to find herself a aloof corner and leaped to get the last seat. Rishi met the principal and had some casual chit-chat. He smiled at her before he left the hall. 

Now it was just her and boring lecture ahead which was going to last about 5 hours. Dropping her head on back of chair, she sighed totally cursing her dad. 

___________________

"RIDICULOUS"

Manik yelled at his friends as they all sat in mess making one stupid plan. 

"I am out of here," He said getting up. Harshad pulled him down again only to glare him at length. 

"Don't be a spoil sport," He uttered and Manik shook his head. 

"Look guys, I am not trespassing for any stupid party," Manik declared and again got up. 

"Really?" Harshad mocked him and again dragged him down. 

"You can trespass every other night for meeting Nandini but cannot come with us," Harshad whispered in his ear and Manik stopped wiggling. 

 "What are you talking about?" Manik asked leaning in his chair. 

"Now agree or else I will tell everyone that you and Nandini are together," Harshad played his card well. Manik narrowed his eyes as he gave Harshad this utterly  betrayed look. 

"How can you?" Manik asked shaking his head trying to raise the conscious from dead. 

"I can," Harshad shrugged and Manik sighed in defeat. 

"Screw you," He murmured and Harshad got busy in his evil plan. 

_______________________

Nandini walked towards exit as they declared lunch break. Eager giggles of girls touched her ears and she wasn't even amused. Rolling her eyes, she came out of suffocating hall which smelt like a bit too much of business. Inhaling a needed breath, she walked away to dial a number which could refill her drained patience. But before she could escape the corridor, she head someone calling her from her surname. 

"Ms Murthy"

It again rang in her ears and she turned around to see her principal standing with a tall man trapped in Brioni Vanquish walking towards her. Well, He was the reason behind eager giggles of her classmates back in auditorium. 

Mr Renesh Samuel, Youngest Asian big daddy in business world. 

Good looking, arrogant and pricey; In short another copy of her father. She sighed and walked to them. He had just delivered 2 hours long lecture and her college couldn't go gaga enough. 

"Meet Mr Samuel," Principal said and that conceited man gazed her trying to show nothing. His brows knitted together while his lips in professional pout. 

"Ms Murthy," He replied advancing his hand for a handshake. 

"I never knew Mr Murthy had a daughter," He added and Nandini took her hand back. 

"He himself doubts sometimes," She replied making principal have a giggle attack. Well, he alone laughed. Mr Samuel seemed to be interested in returning cutting glares. No one spoke and that grew awkward. 

"I am getting late," He broke the chain while Nandini gave him a way. 

"It was nice meeting you, Ms," He added before he shook hands with Principal. His guards escorted him and he followed. Shaking her head, Nandini spared a knowing glance to principal sir. 

"I thought you should meet him," He shrugged it off and walked away. 

Nandini kept standing there trying to ponder at loose ends. There was something strange about whatever happened moment ago. 

______________

"Work you calves, ladies," Corporal yelled at cadets as they completed another lap with ankle weights. 

"This isn't park," He yelled further and cadets worked their legs better. 

It was an intense drill which came as a shock to them. Usually, they played outdoor sports at this hour but today they were put under a vigorous drill. Corporal Aazaad had recently joined the academy after serving on border. 

"This is how you run," He shouted on Harshad as he halted to catch a breath. 

"What are you doing here?" He grilled and Harshad again resumed the run. 

It was going to difficult only from hereon. A schedule was out where outdoor training was the point which had grabbed the antennas of cadets. No wonder, they were getting trained like this. 

"Malhotra," Corporal yelled his name and Manik fell out of line. 

"Since you are doing fine, add some more weight," Corporal instructed and Manik nodded catching his breath. That was new kind of appraisal that how the one who did well would have to work even harder. 

"Run alone," Corporal said and Manik started running alone. Harshad again fell short and Manik shook his head totally knowing what was he up to. That was product of tiny brain of Harshad which thought falling short was an escape.

"You chicken legs," Corporal was enraged. 

"You stop one more time and you would be swimming on rocks," Corporal announced and next moment Harshad was back on feet running like PT Usha. Running on tracks was better than crawling on gravels in a swimming costume. Some giggles got mixed in air and Corporal announced a sit up practice. Manik sighed in relief for being away and laughing silently and not getting the penalty. 

"This is getting deep," He murmured and ran harder. 

_____________

Manik reached the admin office as called. 

"Your aunt called plenty of times and you should call back. I think it was something serious but Corporal Azaad had some protocols," Officer in charge informed and Manik ran to phone booth. Locking it behind, he fumbled with telephone keys. 

"I don't know the number," He murmured realizing how he didn't remember the number. His hands tapped the dial pad as he tried to remember some figure. Nandini called plenty of times and it was code red. 

"Did she give any number?" He asked popping his head out of glass cabin. 

"You don't know phone number of your aunt?" Officer asked and Manik shook his head horrified. It was bad idea to be stupid. 

"I know, Of course, I know," He said and closed the door. 

Dialing some number which hovered his mind, he heard the phone ring. 

"Hello," Someone picked. 

"Hell, Can I talk to Nandini?" Manik asked and heard a confused sigh from other end. 

"I guess she isn't home yet," It was Aparna who had picked up the call. 

"Who is this?" She asked and Manik didn't know what to answer. 

"Ummmm..I am...I will call later," He uttered and hung up. He wondered who was it. It wasn't Nandini's mother. It was someone else. Was it her aunt? He frowned and got out. 

"Everything fine?" Officer asked concerned. 

"Yes...almost," He replied absentmindedly. Pondering over why Nandini had called several times, he got out of room. 

___________

Walking to her jeep like a zombie, Nandini dropped her arms on bonnet. She was dead, it was an understatement.

SHE HATED SEMINARS. 

She checked for nth times and got into her vehicle. 

"Cadet didn't take the call, Rishi lied about business seminars being fun, Daadu has forgotten me, Dad is a pain in ass...What am I doing in this world?" She murmured to herself as she tried to keep her eyes open. 

Driving her lady to the road, she switched on the radio. 

"I need to see you baby boy," She murmured further and smiled lazily. Turning her jeep towards academy instead of her home, she accelerated the engine. 

It was 8 and academy was packed in woolly fog. Calmer than ever, it was already done with all the work. Passing the tip to guard, she jumped inside and walked to his dorm. 

_________________

Manik palmed his ears as his friends screeched their lungs out. They were in pub and Manik was sulking in a corner. Having the 3rd drink, he got more impatient. Harshad was dancing with some girl holding her so close while rest of his friends were hooting for God knew what. 

Manik just sat like a sad puppy not getting to meet Nandini. 

"What's wrong with you?" Samit asked wrapping his arm in manik's neck. 

"Stay away," Manik could bite at that moment. 

"What's wrong with him?" Samit asked as Harshad came to get a drink. 

"He is just sulking not getting his favorite candy," Harshad joked and Manik glared him. 

"There are so many hot girls out there, Go and dance," Samit suggested only to earn another life threatening glare. 

"He can't. He is sold," Harshad revealed and Manik snatched the glass of wine from his hand. Wine was speaking now. 

"You have got a girlfriend?" Samit asked excited again wrapping his arm across Manik's neck. 

"Damn you, Harshad," Manik yelled and walked off picking up his coat. 

"You don't want to know," Harshad said patting Samit's back who had turned a little too confused. 

"She will slit your throat," He revealed further. 

"MANIK HAS A GIRLFRIEND?" Samit was shocked. Harshad again walked back to dance floor. 

Manik walked aimless on road as he tried to figure out where that freaking pub was. It was past 9 and he still held a chance to meet Nandini. Few vehicles passed but none spoke as he tried to take a lift. 

"Damn you all," He cursed further as he walked in fog towards somewhere. 

_________________

Sitting in bathtub, Nandini frowned further. Day couldn't go more disturbing. Killing the bubbles one by one, she stared her own legs. Manik was not in dorm. He was out and didn't meet her. Thought was triggering some sad emotions. 

"Cadet has gone bad again," She murmured to herself. Emptying the mug full of bubbles on her head, she pouted. 

"Why would you do that, Cadet?" She asked and looked around. It was plain stupid to talk to no one in bath. But at least his thoughts could soothe her ached brain when he couldn't. 

Coming out of bathtub, she took a quick shower. Wrapping the towel around her body, she came out of bathroom. 

"FREAKING GOD," Someone yelled and that someone happened to the timid kitten who had just seen her girl wrapped in mere towel. 

Nandini fumbled meeting his over-dramatic reaction as he turned his back on her and mumbled something. 

"Manik, Where the hell you have been?" She asked grabbing the blanket from couch. 

"I shouldn't have come like this," He mumbled to himself with his palms covering his eyes as he tried to walk. He bumped into one thing and then another. Nandini pursed her lips in annoyance and walked to him. 

"Stop dancing like a headless chicken," She commanded and took his palms off his eyes. 

He gaped her in horror and she glared him about a lot of things. She had a list. 

"I didn't know, sorry," He apologized and she pursed her lips further.

Wrapped in a blanket like a ghost, she glared him and he looked everywhere but at her. 

"Where were you gone?" She asked walking closer while he walked backwards. 

"I came to academy and you weren't there," She asked pointing her finger at him. 

"Wear something please," He asked totally panicked. 

"Answer me, Cadet. Else I will drop this blanket as well," She threatened and his eyes grew wider in horror. 

"My friends took me to a pub forcefully," He divulged and her face softened. 

"You could have invited me as well," She suggested and he gaped her in disbelief. 

"Nobody can know about us," He argued wholeheartedly. 

Nandini narrowed her eyes not understanding his point. 

"My friends cannot know about us," He declared and she looked stern. 

"Why can't they know?" She asked taking a step towards him, blanket wrapped around her from tip to toe and her glowy face at display. Back of Manik's knee hit the side table and vase came down scattering into pieces and grabbing the ears. 

"Because I don't want them to know," He replied as sternly as he could with she being so bossy and close. 

Before Nandini could charge him further, someone knocked the door. 

"Nandini," Mrs Murthy was outside. 

"Are you okay?" She asked and horror struck them both. 

"We are gone," Manik murmured and tried to run towards balcony. 

"Where do you think you are going?" Nandini grabbed his elbow and exerted some force but got pulled instead. He was getting giant day by day. 

"Your mother is outside, Nandini," He said the obvious. 

Nandini moved her arms violently to stop the blanket from slipping and ended up dislocating the table lamp. It met the floor with a thud and they both gaped it in horror. 

"Open your door, Nandini," Mrs Murthy yelled and Nandini cursed her stars. 

"Now whole clan would go berserk," She mumbled and Manik giggled nervously. 

"I need to run," He said but Nandini didn't let go of his arm. 

"I am fine, MOM," She replied but it was too late. 

"Open the door, Baby," It was Daadu now. 

"Are you fine, Nandu?" Rishi was there too. 

"Didn't I tell you?" Nandini asked and Manik seemed to freeze knowing how he was in Nandini's room when all she had worn a blanket over a towel and two showpieces were down. 

"I need to go," He rephrased but that devil could hardly care. Manik literally wiggled under her hold when he could get off her hold in an instant owing to his huge built. 

Nandini seeing no other way to retain her kitten flew the blanket over his head taking him inside the blanket-fort where she wore a towel and soldier could lose the eyesight but watch. 

He closed his eyes and she slapped his cheek lightly. 

"Now listen to me," She said, "You are going to hide in closet till I shoo away my family." 

Door could break any moment owing to constant slaps on it. 

Nandini walked Manik to closet and locked him inside. Wearing her loose sweater and rubbing her eyes to look somewhat sleepy, Nandini opened the door. 

Daadu and Rishi stormed inside scanning the room. 

"What's the issue? Why can't you people let me sleep after such a tiring day?" Nandini charged on them. 

"How did this happen?" Rishi asked looking at scattered pieces of vase. 

"How did this happen?" Nandini asked herself trying to look clueless. 

"See, Balcony is open. It must be some kitty," Nandini tried to sound assumptive. 

"Or Who knows even I kicked all of it in sleep imagining to have a bout with my lecturers in dream," She stated and Daadu looked at her suspiciously. She forming such long sentences was so much of suspicious. 

"Grow up, Nandini," Mrs Murthy said and walked out of her room. 

Rishi too walked out after looking at room to his heart's content. 

"Kitty or kitten?" Daadu asked raising his brow. 

"Why do you care? Go talk to Aparna aunty," Nandini taunted totally telling him how she feels left out these days. Daadu chuckled listening her gibberish as she pushed him out of room using no force at all. 

"I love you," She said with a frown before she closed the door. 

Taking a sigh of relief, she walked to closet and unlocked it. There he sat on stool at end of it with his chin resting on his fists. 

"Out now," She said and he came out of his reverie. 

Jumping on her fluffy bed, Nandini waited for him to walk out of closet. He walked out and looked at her while she broke the symmetry of pillow to form something very weird. 

Extending both her arms, she called for him. Manik smiled biting his lip and grabbed her from bed while she came on her knees. She snuggled into him and sighed. 

"I missed you," She admitted and he kissed top of her head. 

"I missed you too," He reverted. 

Pulling him on bed, she snuggled into him while he tried to cop up with her wet hair and fragrance. 

_______________

Harshad stood outside colonel's office with his drunk friends while Colonel Singh blasted the guard. 

"You are fired"

Guard walked out of Col Singh and glared Harshad and his friends. 

"Send them in," Col commanded and Corporal Azaad pushed each one of them inside. 

__

Manik climbed down the ladder while Nandini gazed him. He waved a bye and she returned it with a smile. Manik walked backwards still looking at Nandini until his foot stumbled over something and before he could know, it was monsoon. He had broken the knob of water outlet and it was a shower now. He stood there drenched trying to understand what happened while Nandini palmed her mouth not wanting to laugh at the scene. 

"Who the hell is there?" She heard her father roaring and that's when all the fun flew away. 

She rushed downstairs while Manik looked here and there to hide but it was too late. Mr Murthy was out and was walking towards him with an invisible gun. Manik was frozen in his place with water flowing down his body. 

"Nandiniiiiiiiiiiiii"

Mr Murthy roared and Manik gulped. 

____________

_____________________________

Unedited*