I was not able to update this story as I was sick and have been ill for a few days  , I have been undergoing doctors visit so thank you for co-operating with me .

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Nandini had always wanted to establish herself as a strong woman , she loved her mother but always thought that she had underestimated her capabilities and has stopped herself to achieve heights. 

She was a proud feminist who did not ask for things she made things possible , for those who want to get something they work for it not ask for it .

She had seen the ugly side of life too early , the men who saw her lustfully , the people who thought that she was alone and take her advantage , she had overcome it all , she was a new version of herself , she had seen so much of this manipulated world that she had enough experience to face ugly duckling like Harshad. 

She was amazed to see Mukti's care towards her , she could feel that she was ginuine but then her fears did not let her guards down , she was no coward , she just was a tough nut with her guards very high .

Manik , Manik Malhotra, this one man had created a havoc in her life , she felt that he was a chewing gum which stuck to her , even after insulting him pushing him away he always found out a way to stick to her be it his flirty talks or he taking her to the orphanage that man had caused a storm in her life , slowly very very slowly he was climbing up her walls , she knew about it and wanted to resist it but his innocent smile which she found irritating was now becoming something beautiful , that innocent smile was making her happy , no she was not falling in love with him but she was feeling happy with him . 

She was letting him be there in her dark lonely life just like a flower in her garden .

She did not know what would happen in the future , if Manik would leave her or fulfil his promise of being there forever , whatever may happen she knew Manik was special as he was her first friend

She took a leap of faith and made him her friend but she never regretted her , cause guys Nandini Murthy never regrets

She makes mistakes , takes bad decisions  , she falls but she gets up and learns but never regrets 

Harshad on the other side was not getting over the itching , he consulted the doctor who told him that it was an allergy and he will be fine . This itching had made a fool out of him in front of Nandini 

He received a call from one of his friends who was teasing him that he is going to loose  the dare of getting close to Nandini and posting a picture of them kissing 

Harshad told him that by tomorrow night a picture will be uploaded by him and it would show them lip locking 

Mukti was very excited for the prank she and Nandini were going to play on Harshad , she never knew that Nandini was so fun 

Manik was waiting for Nandini at the gate , today he had a mission to get her number at any cost , he was so stupid that he till now did not ask for her number , being Manik Malhotra he could have got her number in seconds but being her friend he wanted to ask the number personally and not seem like a stalker .

Nandini knew today Harshad would see how it feel violated when one tries to enter in your private zone  

She was walking towards the gate when she saw Manik standing there waiting for someone , thinking that he was waiting for his friends she smiled at him and moved ahead

Manik; Nandu yaar , I have been waiting for you and you are walking away , not fair 

Nandinini: Ohh and how should I know whom you were waiting for , do I look like a mind reader

Manik: Okk , I get it it is my fault only

Nandini flipped her hairs and said: Absolutely

After that both of them started laughing loudly , the people passing by were giving them looks but who cares about the world

Manik: Lets go and eat something because I know you did not have the breakfast

Nandini: And Butler Manik is back

Manik: Come on Nandini , I thought we were over butler Manik

Nandini: We will not be over until I get your coffee soon 

Manik: I promise to make a coffee for you and I must say being your friend is hard , one day and you start demanding me

Nandini: I told you , now that we are friends get ready to take my tantrums and demands

Manik: I am ever ready for it

Nandini and Manik went to the canteen and started eating their breakfast at the college backside , Manik had wanted to eat in the Caffeteria but Nandini wanted it to be at their spot so there goes the Queen's order

Manik: Nandu can I have your number

Nandini: No

Manik: But we are friends Nandu , what if I need your help

Nandini: You met me as Flirty Malhotra so ask for my number in his way only

Manik: Ok you wait and watch I will get your number now

Manik:I'm doing a survey to see who has the most 4's in their number, what's yours?

Nandini: Yeww Manik , that was bad one come on try something new 

Manik: Hi, the voices in my head told me to come over and ask you to give me your number.

Nandini: Come on Manik , this was off , seriously voices in the head , let it be you need to polish your skills Flirty Malhotra and now I have to go and run a show with that Jerkshad so think of a better line to get my number

Manik: Nandu please na , ok now this is the last try

Nandini: Get something original in this last time

Manik: I was so blinded be your inner strength that I wanted to be with you , I want to fulfil my promise of being forever for you  , its not that you need my help or support its me who is the one who needs such a strong person like you , I want you to be safe so my care towards you  needs your number

Nandini was taken aback , no mention of outer beauty no mention of flirty talks only it was his care who wanted her number . 

This boy was seriously something , every time she thought that he would be another cliche she was proved wrong , he was different and yes Nandini Murthy had known that he was her friend .

Nandini: Just because you care and I need some tasty coffee Butler Malhotra , here take my number 9786543920

Manik saved her number and messaged her a hi there , so that she can save her number , with that Nandini left to do the preparation for Harshad and Manik moved to FAB5 

Mukti was waiting for Nandini in the empty class , they were supposed to meet there but she was 5 minutes early if any of her friends got to know that she was early then they would have fainted but Nandini had such an attitude that it kept Mukti at her toes 

Nandini: I did not expect you here before time

Mukti: I didn't want to give you a chance to keep me away 

Nandini: You are hell stubborn

Mukti: Just like you babes

Nandini just rolled her eyes Mukti had been just like Manik sticking to her and doing stupid things just to gain her attention , she was lady Manik and she had no doubt in it

Nandini and Mukti discussed something and then Mukti went out leaving Nandini alone who was waiting for Harshad to come so that they can start with the plan

Harshad was excited for the class as he would be able to sspend time with Nandini , today at any cost he had to kiss Nandini and post their picture on sns

Harshad had no clue what was coming towards him . He entered the class and saw Nandini waiting for him

Harshad: Oh I made a pretty hot girl wait for me , what a sin have I done

Nandini wanted to punch his face but acted along

Nandini: Showing late has its own repercussions , so today we wont practise but go out and you will show me around

Harshad could not let go of this opportunity , it was his lucky chance so without any problem he agreed

While going out Nandini gave Mukti a signal who was hiding near the class

Mukti followed them without Harshad's knowledge 

They reached outside the gates when Nandini told him to walk rather than taking a car

Nandini and Harshad were walking on the road when Nandini excused herself to attend a call then  a lady came towards him and started touching his face

Lady: Hey Handsome , how much is your price? 

Harshad: Stop you woman , I come from a good background and I don't do such stuff

Another Lady: You can kiss girls without permission and play with them but you don't do such stuff

Harshad: No , I don;t do such just look at your face you are no hot chick whom I should kiss.You have no power to fight against me

Just from behind Mukti threw ink on his face and covered him with a blanket and all ladies started kicking him and hitting him , they were just hitting on his back 

After hitting him on his back they all left him , then Nandini came towards him and wispered in his ears

Nandini: Just because I don't have it , doesnt mean I can't kick it 

With that Nandini kicked him where it hurts the most and left with all the ladies

Harshad had no idea who all had hit him , his face was covered with ink and the black blanket , he did not want Nandini to see him in this way so he left that place and thanked his stars that Nandini got a call so she could not see him but he did not know that it was Nandini only who had taught him the lesson of girl power

Mukti and Nandini were laughing seeing Harshad's state ,  that jerk deserved a beating for always thinking that he can flirt and touch anyone and a girl will sit back 

They together went to the college and sat in the cafeteria , suddenly Mukti hugged Nandini 

Mukti: You are a brave soul and you are my friend , before you refuse I am not asking you I am telling you as after today I would regret of not having such a cool and bad ass friend 

Nandini was shocked she did not expect such a direct order of friendship , this girl was a crack but Nandini knew that she was a good soul but was she trustworthy , she had no idea about it so without saying anything Nandini left for her class. Mukti sighed knowing that it will still take Nandini time to be her friend 

How was Harshad being beaten up?

How was Manik's attempt to get Nandini's number?

Thank you @weirdosaursfor the amazing banner 

xoxo

Vedika