Hello Fam :)

A/N - People living in Nainital, guys, you are living in heaven. *heart eyes*

Happy Reading...

It has been two weeks since Nandini punched Harshad in the canteen of their college. No one saw him after that but no one cared too since it wasn't uncommon for him to remain absent for weeks together. Being the head boy only gave him the pass to free leaves throwing the head boy duties as an excuse.

Manik, who doesn't know anything about all this, was a tad bit worried for him. That day as soon as he kept his bag down, the peon informed him about the principal calling him. Manik panicked and followed him out of the class. He sighed in relief when he saw Nandini outside their classroom, who was busy texting on her mobile.

"You are early?", he asked. He was still a bit scared of her, especially when she is in one of her moods but he got along well with Abhimanyu and Mukti even if their 'principles' were a bit contrasting to his. Coming to Nandini, he never thought she would appear too early to attend classes. The three of them usually strolled in the classroom after the professor starts the lesson.

"Yeah, I had some work at college", she replied without taking her eyes off her phone.

"Principal Sir has called me", he said in order to calm his nerves. He wasn't called to the principal's office ever in his school in between classes, that is. It wasn't helping his case that a girl was walking just beside him and without a care in the world. His own brain was ready to explode seeing her nonchalant about the world around her except the device in her hands.

"Yeah, he called me too", she said and shrugged.

"Aren't you tensed?"

Nandini sighed dramatically. "What's up with you? What exactly do you want to ask?"

"Are we going to be expelled?", he asked. A shiver ran through his body thinking about facing his mother after the expulsion. His already tender brain cells felt offended when Nandini burst out laughing for a good minute.

"Are you seriously letting Harshad's words into your head? Do you know who his sister is?", she asked after holding her breath. When Manik nodded in negative, she chuckled. "It's Alya."

"I didn't know that she has a brother", said Manik.

"Pretty inseparable they are. Didn't you see the way he defended her yesterday?"

"I met her just after coming to India."

"Leave about her. Whatever the principal asks you, answer it with complete honesty", she said. "Do one thing, don't use the word ragging there. Harshad didn't rag you, yeah?", she added as an afterthought.

"Why?", questioned Manik.

"Will tell you later. We have reached." Nandini knocked on the door and stepped in when the principal asked them to come in.

The first thing Manik noticed was Harshad standing beside the principal's table and was he still clutching his stomach? The pain from an average punch shouldn't last for more than 12 hours, owing to his experience with his brother and he doesn't work out extensively on his fitness, guiltily sneaking that time to read his novels. He didn't put it past the head girl beside him. As he tried to catch her eye, he found her rolling her eyes at the boy before the principal had their attention.

"Ah, Nandini," called the principal, "sorry for pulling you two out of your classroom but we have a serious issue here. Harshad was telling me, he couldn't able to attend today's meeting and his classes because you have physically abused him a few days back." He leaned back in his chair after putting his glasses down and rested his chin on his palm as casually as if discussing about the next class lesson. "What do you have to say in this matter?"

"I plead guilty, sir,'' she said. Even before the principal could react, she smiled innocently. "But, I want Harshad to explain the reason behind this mess."

Harshad panicked. "Sir, I didn't do anything. She punched me in front of the whole college and insulted my sister", he blurted out and smirked at Nandini. "I was just defending my sister's honor."

She chuckled. "Stop using such a long string of words, Harshad. It doesn't suit you. Why don't you clarify to sir about how Manik found himself in between a fight between us?"

Harshad sent a quick glare at her before turning towards the principal. "Sir, I was just clearing his doubts", he explained lamely.

Manik's mouth fell open. How could people lie through their teeth? It was one thing if he wasn't present here but lying in front of him was outright wrong, thought Manik to himself.

Nandini wasn't someone to let a person accuse her of a mistake she didn't commit. Listening to his excuse, she banged her hand on the table ignoring the principal, whereas the principal was watching their interaction as if she didn't do anything out of normal. "Harshad", she warned, before letting a breath out. She turned, facing the principal. "Sir, ask him what was the doubt that he, Harshad Saxena, an art student was clarifying to a science student. And if he wants to escape giving an excuse of telling Manik the route to the campus, why would Manik ask him, a stranger, instead of calling his friends? We were right inside the canteen."

"Is this some kind of ragging, Harshad?", the principal asked, sternly, "Because if it is, you know ragging is a punishable offense in this college and I might have to expel you."

"No, sir", defended Nandini. "He just wanted to create a nuisance by involving Manik."

Manik frowned but when the Principal raised an eyebrow at him, he smiled and nodded.

The principal sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Harshad, Nandini, you both should realize that you are the head students of this college. You should be setting examples for your juniors and classmates. Instead, you are just fighting amongst yourselves since the day you have taken up this position."

"Sorry, sir", Nandini mumbled.

He smiled at her and faced Harshad. "Harshad, I expect more responsibility from you. Nandini has always proved herself as to why she is one of the best head girls. I have witnessed more complaints and excuses from you than your work. Don't make me regret my decision of choosing you."

He nodded meekly before taking permission and left the room. Nandini and Manik followed him just after. They met Harshad just outside the room, shooting daggers at them.

Nandini pouted. "What is this, baby? Are you this weakling that you can't handle a punch from a girl? I expected more from you, what with your 'huge' fan following in the college?"

He gritted his teeth. "This isn't over yet, Nandini. You will pay for this."

"I know, baby. Our relationship is stronger than ending just because of a mere warning from the principal, right?", she glowered at him. "Don't you try messing with me again, Harshad. I won't always go soft on you."

She walks away with Manik behind her.

"Nandini", he called her and panicked when she stopped in her tracks to turn around by half a circular degree.

"Is this the first time you called my name?", she asked.

"I am sorry, I-"

She was cut him off and shook her head. "No, I just didn't realize. It's not a problem."

"Is that why you asked me not to mention about ragging?", he asked.

She frowned before realizing what she thought he was mentioning about and glared. "Stop your imagination right there, you idiot. No, I am not in any relationship with him. We just didn't get along since the first day of college."

"That's not what I was say-",

They were interrupted when Abhimanyu and Mukti came rushing towards them. They enquire about whatever happened.

"Can we bunk, please?", Nandini asked batting her eyelashes at Abhimanyu.

"You know I wouldn't go against your wishes right after your heated encounter with the head boy?", he said, chuckling. He looked at Mukti, who took a step to wrap her hands around Nandini.

"Always, Babydoll. You just have to order, love."

These three are mad. They bunked half of yesterday and are already planning to bunk the day. That would be a handful and it's not even a month since the session started, thought Manik. He cleared his throat to gain their attention. "I have classes to attend. I will see you later then?", he gave his best possible smile, hoping they would leave him alone.

"Of course, you are coming with us, Manik. Aren't you tired of the early morning drama created by our beloved head boy?", asked Abhimanyu. He even took a leaf out of Manik's book and gave him the best possible innocent face.

"I would be more tired if I bunk classes. Sorry. My mom would kill me if she gets to know that I bunked college. Thanks, but no thanks", he ranted.

Nandini rolled her eyes. "Will your mom come to check on you if you aren't in college?"

Manik frowned. "No, she's out of town."

She slapped his head. "Then what are you worried for? You are a free bird today", she yelled and dragged him along with Abhimanyu on the other side while Mukti chuckled at her friends.

XXX

An hour later, Manik found himself in a pub. He didn't recognize the place which wasn't very surprising since he never went to one. When Nandini got to know about it, she looked at him incredulously.

"What did you do in England?", she asked.

"I was underage", he replied.

"Not that you would go even if you were of age", she muttered. When Mukti came to whisper something in her ear, she nodded and called the bartender, meanwhile, fixing a mean glare on Manik.

In order to ignore her attention, Manik scanned the area. Since it was just 11 in the morning, hardly anyone was there. He looked back at Nandini, horrified when he heard her ordering two vodkas and two orange juices. "Nandini, I don't drink", he told her, hoping she wouldn't force him to drink after forcing him to bunk.

"Guessed as much", she gave him a tight-lipped smile. "The Orange juice is for you." She gulped down her drink in a go.

"You drink?", asked Manik.

"You have got a problem with that?", said Nandini, like an angry tigress ready to pounce.

"No." It came out a squeak but the girl took a step back and Manik was more grateful than ever. She dragged Abhimanyu to the empty dance floor and Manik sighed in relief. "She will be the death of me, quite literally", he muttered.

Mukti, beside him, chuckled. "She just doesn't like when people judge her for her choices or force her into doing something she doesn't want."

"I wasn't judging her. I was just surprised. I thought Indian girls didn't have the freedom to drink", he explained.

Mukti nodded. "True. But Indian girls don't have the freedom about so many things. You were in England before?"

They were talking for a while when Nandini strolled towards him, stumbling on her way as Abhimanyu helped her to balance. Manik scrunched his nose. That's one of the reasons he hated alcohol. It makes even the best of people lose their senses and they were just a bunch of teenagers.

"Manik", she said, wrapping her hands around his neck, "so cute you are". She removed one hand to pull his cheek before locking it again.

"What are you doing?", Manik asked, trying to free himself. Her grip was tight and he helplessly glanced at Abhimanyu for help. "Abhimanyu, take her home, please."

"Nandini, let's go home. You aren't in your senses", said Mukti and tried to pry her away from Manik. When that didn't happen she glared at Abhimanyu for getting her drunk in the first place.

"No, I want this boy", she said, fiercely and hugged him. "Manik, I am in my complete senses. Do you want me to prove it? Let's have sex."

Using all his force, he removed her hands and pushed her lightly towards Abhimanyu. "Drop her home", he said, his voice trembling. "It isn't safe for her to leave alone."

Nandini and Abhimanyu burst out laughing while the other two stared at them confused.

"Dude, look at your face", Nandini said, once she had control over her laugh.

"You were acting all this while?", Mukti asked her, glaring.

"Babe, I never get drunk and that's just one shot I had", she explained, confidently.

"I thought someone spiked your drink." Mukti wrapped her in a bear hug.

Manik thought they were being overdramatic. There was hardly a person other than their little group to spike her drink. He was lost in his thoughts when Nandini placed her hand on his shoulder making him jump due to the unexpected touch.

"I am sorry", she said. "We were trying to have fun and to loosen you up a bit."

"That was fun for you? My heart is still beating at the speed of light", Manik told, placing his hand on his heart.

"I am sorry, yeah?", she said again and this time she sounded more sincere than ever that Manik had to give in. By the time it was closing time of their college, they left the place for their respective homes. 

Next update in December. See you soon :)