Nandini shyly placed her hand on Manik's shoulder and he, still looking a little surprised , slid his hand around her slim waist, capturing her other palm with his free hand.

The lovely BG tune of the song started, and the spotlight fell on them.

Manik pulled Nandini by her waist and whispered gently in her ear, his warm breath fanning her face ''So.. You wanna make peace with me Miss Murthy?''

''Oh please, I only selected you because I felt safe with you'' Nandini blurted, her heart thudding because of their proximity, and immediately blushed.
Manik smiled inwardly at her statement, and was about say something when suddenly, the song began, cutting him off..

Hua hai Aaj Pehli baar
Jo aise muskuraya hoon..
Tumhe dekha toh jaana ye
Ke kyun duniya mein aaya hoon

Manik - felt himself getting lost in the entrancing beauty of the girl in his arms. The jet black colour of her pretty dress just emphasised her fairness. It ended at her thighs, and showed off her smooth, shapely legs. Her features were just perfect to him - that cute nose, her chubby cheeks and her pouty, pink bow-shaped lips.

But his favourite feature were her eyes - they reflected her innocence and twinkled like his beloved stars. He felt a sense of peace and happiness looking into her eyes, she was beautiful inside-out. And indeed, each time he looked at her, for some reason he felt like she belonged to only him.

Both Manik and Nandini moved in perfect synchrony, their bodies swaying along the tune .

Ye Jaan Lekar Ke Jaan Meri
Tumhe Jeene Mein Aaya hoon..
Main Tumse Ishq karne ki
Ijaazat Rab se Laaya Hoon

Nandini gazed at the utterly handsome Greek God holding her and felt so safe and secure in his strong, muscular arms. He handled her with so much care, like she was a delicate doll. She even forgot how uncomfortable she was in the dress. She just admired him - He had a sharp jawline and his features were purely flawless - from that long, straight nose to that adorable mole just above his lips.

She liked his eyes the best though, they were almond - shaped and had such intensity and passion in them that she felt like she could get lost in them happily forever.

Zameen se asmaan tak hum
Dhoondh aaye jahan saara..
Bana Paya Nahi Ab Tak
Khuda tumse koyi pyaara

Manik twirled Nandini, and as he pulled her back, his hand fell on to the bare skin of her back , her dress being backless. She immediately felt a spark run through her, making her shudder under his cool touch. Manik slowly moved his long fingers back to her waist, caressing the silky warmth of her back, feeling amused at her reaction. He then lifted her above, and twirled once more, their eyes not loosing contact.

Main likh doon Asmaan par yeh
Ke Padh lega jahaan saara..
Huaa na hoga ab koyi
Yahan hum do sa dobara

As Manik bought her down to end the dance, he felt an intense desire to just claim her by pressing his lips on hers. Nandini too melted under his powerful gaze and closed her eyes in anticipation of the kiss.

Loud cheering, clapping and hooting bought them back to reality. The song had ended and all eyes were on them. Nandini blushed and Manik gently helped her up again.

''Chemistry ho toh aisi..Aag laga di tum dono ney...what say Mukti?'' Cabir teased, coming up to the duo, the other three following.

''Correct Cabir - Sachi ke couple lag rahe they .. Manik, maine tujhe kabhi itne intensity aur passion ke saath dance karte huwe nahi dekha yaar'' Mukti agreed, joining them. Alya and Dhruv chuckled at this.

''Shh..Kabhi toh Chup raho tum dono'' Manik said, a little embarrassed as Nandini turned a brighter shade of red.

''Ab task hogaya na.. Let me meet Navya and leave please?'' Nandini said, suddenly recalling the message Chachi had sent her and tried to change the subject - ('Rishabh isn't feeling well, he needs you.')

''Arrey Aise Kaise..? You aren't done Nandini Ji.. Ek last dare toh karna hoga!'' Cabir spoke up.

''Jaane de na Cabir.. Aaj keliye itna hi kaafi hai'' Manik spoke pleadingly. He could see the anxiousness in Nandini's eyes. Not to mention, the dance had just increased the 'un-named' feelings he had for her.

''Manik.. Tu challenge bhool gaya? You said you'll prove you dont love her, and just deal with her like someone who messed with Fab 5?'' Mukti whispered in his ear, reminding him of the challenge, while Nandini just looked on, confused.

Cabir and Alya started humming 'Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai... Pehli Pehli Baar Hai'

''Aargh.. Stop It.'' Manik shouted at them, and then whispered in Mukti's ear ''I.DO.NOT.LOVE.HER''.

He then spoke loudly as if to prove his statement ''So Cabir, What's her last challenge?''

Nandini shot him a cross look, she was getting impatient by the minute.

''Are you sure, lover-boy? '' Cabir asked, mockingly and Manik glared at him.

''Okay.. Okay, I'll tell you'' Cabir said, pretending fake surrender, looking at Manik's expression.

He then called up a waiter, and took a drink from his tray .
''She has to have a drink!'' He announced.
''What?! Are you crazy? I don't drink alcohol!'' Nandini shouted in response.

''Come on.. Juice samajh ke peelo'' Mukti said, putting an arm around her. Nandini looked on bewildered, and tried to escape from her hold.

''Itna easy punishment diya for your doings.. Just Watch me'' Alya said, and taking a drink, downed it in one go.
Cabir then put the glass to Nandini's lips, and Mukti kept forcing her - ''Stop being a saint, one drink won't harm you...''.

Nandini could take it no more, her anger limits had been reached for the second time in 2 days.

She grabbed the glass from Cabir's handed, and angrily smashed it on the floor. All 5 stared at her.

''Kya lagta hai tum logon ko.. You guys are gods? All you guys know is to violate poor students' dignity and respect! Pata hai, mera bhai ghar pe beemar hai, and he needs me?'' Nandini poured out her anger.

There was no reply.

''Ofcourse, you don't. Tumhe kya farak padta hai, ke koyi jeeye ya mare. You people just want your enjoyment. Kabhi socha hai, ke agar tumhare saath kuch aisa kiya jaaye, toh how will you feel? And yes, I'm going now. Nobody dare stop me.'' She continued, and turned around to leave. There was guilt etched on all of their faces, as they registered her rant.

''Nandini..'' Manik, all of a sudden grabbed her hand. Nandini was about to tell him off, but he what he said next made her stop - ''I'll drop you''.

She looked at him, surprised out of her wits and then regaining senses,  asked ''Aur.. Navya?''

''Usse main drop kar doonga.. Woh idhar ek kamre mai safe hai'' It was Cabir who spoke. Nandini looked at him hesitantly, but Cabir gave her an assuring look, saying ''I promise.'' 

She nodded and spoke to Manik ''Let's leave.''

''Aisey?'' Manik gestured towards her dress. Nandini realised she was still in Alya's short dress .

''Mai gaadi nikalta hoon, tum jaldi se change karke aao'' Manik said and Nandini ran to the washroom to get changed.

---------

Manik's POV

Nandini sat in my car, dressed in her kurti again. For the first 15 mins, we sat in awkward silence. I didn't know what to say. I felt extremely guilty at having caused her to suffer.

Having enough of the silence, I asked ''Kya huwa hai tumhare bhai ko?''

''Thoda sa fever hai. He sleeps peacefully, only when I sing for him.
So.. he needs me'' She spoke lowly, and her voice shook. I listened silently. ''Rishabh is my everything. He is my family'' she spoke again.

I could understand why she said that.
I just felt so ashamed of what Fab 5 did.

''Nandini, I'm sorry. I promise, abhi se main aur Fab 5 tumhe pareshaan bilkul nahi karenge'' I apologized to her. She just stayed silent.

We reached her home in some time. As she was getting off, I held her hand , asking ''Will you accept my apology? I'm willing to do anything to make it up to you..''

She paused for a while, and asked ''Anything?''

I nodded sincerely. '' Ok, then you will have to earn my apology. It's not so easy to win over Nandini Murthy'' She replied. I sighed and nodded again in agreement. She's a tough cookie, I thought as I watched her run up to the house. But, I'm actually willing to do anything for her. Am I really in love?