SPACE academy - Fab 5 's Jam room

Manik raised his eyebrows at his friends who were silently gaping at him. It had been exactly 3 minutes, and yet no one had responded to his request to stop ragging.

''Kuch toh bolo guys!!'' Manik groaned in frustation.

''Manik, yeh tu bol raha hai?! It's quite shocking honestly..'' Mukti finally said.

''Haan, Manik. Tujhe sach mein pyaar hogaya hai , tu yeh sab Nandini ke kehne pe kar raha hai na?'' Cabir said next, chuckling in disbelief.

''Guys.. Mujhe koyi pyaar-vaar nahi huwa hai. It's just that I have kinda realised that what we've been doing is wrong..'' Manik tried justifying himself.

''Baba Manik ki Jai Ho!!'' Cabir teased him.

''She has managed to turn the monster into human, I see'' Alya laughed.

''Guys, stop it. Just tell me, if you're in with me..'' Manik spoke irritatedly.

''Yes, ofcourse buddy'' Dhruv said happily. He had wanted the ragging to stop from the beginning anyways.

''Manik, yeh pehli baar tu humse kuch maang raha hai... Ofcourse yaar, we'll do it for you'' Cabir said.

The rest too nodded in agreement.

''Par ab hamare entertainment ki zimmedaari teri... You should keep us entertained, when we've nothing to do..'' Mukti ordered him and Manik offered her a watery smile and a thumbs-up in response.

''Chalo bohut baatein ho gayi, ab practise continue karein? We have a musicana to win'' Dhruv reminded them.

''Guys...After some time maybe? I'm feeling really tired..'' Manik replied, yawning.

''Okay.. Let's go grab some food then?'' Mukti suggested.

''Umm.. You guys go ahead.. I just want to rest here sometime'' Manik said, slumping onto a chair.
The others went ahead to get the food.

--------

Meanwhile,
Navya and Nandini were trying to read the notice stuck on the notice-board in the corridor, over the heads of a large group of excited and buzzing students.
''Musicana mein participation keliye kal hi register karna hoga!!!'' Navya exclaimed.

''Par Navya.. It's only for bands na..? Hum kaise participate karengey?'' Nandini asked.

''Arrey Nandu, hum dono band banayenge na'' Navya suggested, excitedly.

''Oh haan, yeh toh maine socha hi nahi..'' Nandini nodded.

''Hmm.. Humaare band ka naam kya ho sakta hai?'' Navya asked. Nandini thought hard, and suddenly exclaimed  ''Terrific Two, maybe?''
''Perfect!'' Navya hi-fived her.

''Hey guys!!'' A loud voice interrupted their conversation. They turned around to see Cabir, Mukti, Alya and Dhruv smiling down at them.

''Umm.. Hello'' Navya responded nervously, while Nandini kept silent.

''Hello, Ms.Nandini ! Toh woh tum ho jiske wajah se Manik has asked us to stop ragging haan?'' Mukti questioned suddenly, ignoring Navya.

Nandini twisted her hands anxiously, expecting the worst. After all, she had snapped so hard at them at the party, and also made Manik stop Fab 5 from ragging.

''Uhh, woh.. Main..'' Nandini started.

''It's okay.. I hope tumhara bhai theek hai ab?'' Mukti then asked, leaving Nandini baffled.
''Haan, he's fine now..'' Nandini slowly replied, still confused. She just nodded and they left, except Dhruv, who lingered behind.

''Look, Nandini,  hum sab itney bhi bure nahi hai jitna tum samajhti ho.. Everyone in our band has had a troubled past, for which they tried to make up by doing these things. They just need a little guidance, which is why I'm actually glad you made Manik do this'' He spoke with sincerity.

''I understand..'' Nandini responded.

''Waise aaj tak Manik ne kisi ki baat nahi suni, par tumhari baat maan gaya.. He definitely considers you special..'' Dhruv then added smilingly and walked away.
Nandini blushed a little, and Navya nudged her teasingly.
''Uhm.. Special, haan?'' She asked.
''Arrey, he must have meant like a friend..  Tum bhi na, Navya!'' Nandini replied.
''Jaisa tum kaho .. Chalo, ab jaa ke kuch khaye?'' Navya asked.
''Tum jao, I have to issue a Veena'' Nandini lied.
I need to find and talk to Manik.
--------

Nandini peeped into the Fab 5's jam room. Yes, there he was, slumped onto a chair, his back facing her. She felt a little embarrassed as she recalled how yesterday, she had made him give her ice-cream in the middle of the night because she was PMSing. And then had ended up star-gazing with him on the terrace.

She shook off these thoughts and walked in, saying shyly ''Hi, Manik'' .
Getting no response, she went towards him. He was gently dozing, his head bent at a strange angle, and mouth silently open. He looked so adorable, sleeping just like a baby.

Nandini silently adored him for some time, and then went closer to move his head to a more comfortable position. She gently took his sleeping face in her palms, and straightened it. This sudden movement, made him twitch.

Manik opened his eyes only to see Nandini's pretty face just inches away from his. They stared at each other for a while, until Nandini blushed and moved back.

He shot her a questioning look.
''Woh tum so rahe the na, toh main..'' Nandini mumbled in explanation.

''Main so raha tha all because of you!! Tumne kal raat mujhe sone kahan diya?'' Manik said teasingly, reminding her of last night.

Nandini turned even more red, and quickly tried changing the subject - ''Woh chodo , Main yahan tumhe thank you bolne aayi hoon. Tumne Fab 5 se ragging ki baat ki..''

''Toh matlab tumne mujhe maaf kardiya?'' Manik asked, excitedly.

'Huh?' For a second, Nandini got confused, until she remembered. Oh yes, he was doing all this to get her apology.

'Haan, haan.. Kardiya maaf.. You just shouldn't repeat it again'' Nandini replied.

''Yess..!!'' Manik exclaimed victoriously and Nandini chuckled at his reaction.
He could be such a child sometimes.

''Manik.. We need to talk!!'' A strong female voice suddenly boomed behind them. Nandini turned around to see a lady, dressed in formals with an out-raged look plastered on her face. She recognised her as Nyonika Malhotra, the trustee of SPACE academy. She had seen her pictures on SPACE's web portal, when applying for admission.

But what is she doing here? And why does she need to talk to Manik?

Nyonika glared at her, and Nandini taking the hint, moved out. But this whole affair seemed strange to her, so she placed her ear on the door to understand what exactly was the matter.

''You need to move back home. Do you know, how many people are questioning me?'' Nyonika was hissing.

''Like. I. care.'' Manik replied, ever so nonchalantly.

''Listen, Manik, if you don't move back, I will not let Fab 5 perform at Musicana this year.. '' She next threatened. Nandini gasped at this.

''Nyonika.. Tum bhool rahi ho, if you even try doing anything as such, main tumhare aur uss jerk ke 'romantic' nights ke baare me jaa kar Mr. Malhotra ko bata dunga.. Then, you can only imagine what will happen'' Manik replied angrily.

''Aargh.. Main tumhe dekh loongi.. Just you wait!'' Nyonika shouted angrily, and turned around.

Hearing the tapping of heels, Nandini quickly moved away from the door and watched from a distance. Nyonika emerged from the room, her face a picture of pure rage and stormed off in the opposite direction.

As soon as Nyonika was out of sight, Nandini barged into the jam room.
Manik was kicking at whatever came in his way - from drums to chairs, in frustation.

''Manik, stop!'' Nandini shouted, and running upto him, grabbed his hand. Manik looked at her in a worn-out manner, and said ''Leave me alone, Nandini. I don't want to talk right now.''

''Manik, I heard what she said. Please, Tell me what's wrong'' Nandini pleaded, looking at his dark eyes filled with pain and anger. She couldn't see him suffering like this.

''Nandini, I said LEAVE . ME . ALONE!! Don't you get it? I don't wanna tell you about it'' Manik suddenly screamed, and pinned her to the wall.

''When I was hurt and frightened, you took care of me and helped me. Now, its my turn to help you, Manik.. That's what friends are for,right?!'' Nandini persisted gently.

Manik sighed in defeat and stepped back. ''How?! How can that woman threaten to mess with Fab 5?'' He said, distress evident in his voice.

''But, why did she even do that?'' Nandini wondered aloud.

''She is my mom, Nandini'' Manik replied, and squeezed his eyes shut at the word 'mom'.
Nandini's eyes widened in shock.
She stroked his arm quickly to comfort him.

''Aur..?'' Nandini asked.

''Aur kya bolun..Unhe 'Mom' bulate huwey bhi sharm aati hai. She married my dad for money and left him after using him. She never even cared for me.. Unke liye toh mai sirf Dad aur unke paison tak pohunchne ka ek zariya hoon.. Sirf yahin nahi, she even slept with..''

''Enough. Stop. '' Nandini stopped his rant, tears falling down her cheeks. She couldn't help but feel extreme sympathy arise in her heart for this boy, who had to go through so much. No wonder he guarded his emotions so much, and put on a tough exterior for the world to see.

She immediately pulled him into a tight hug, wrapping her tiny hands around his waist.
Manik froze in surprise for a few seconds, before responding. He too crossed his arms around her and bent to place his head on her shoulder , finding solace in her embrace. His pain was subsiding.

Both kids with tragic pasts and hurt souls held each other strongly, their hearts finding comfort. Their hug was like a promise to each other, to be always there for the other. Maybe, it was finally time for their broken bits to be joined back together?