"Manik this is nothing new for you! It's one of the usual games we play! And we need to have some fun in life bro! What shall we do for two whole months apart from recording in this tacky village."
Cabir said turning the bottle around. "Okay fine! But who is my target?" Manik asked him looking around searching for her. "Her!" Cabir replied pointing his finger towards me.

I was short heighted girl with a not so bad figure! My hair touched my waist and I had black eyes with a tinch of kajal in them. I always dressed myself in punjabi suits and applied a rosy red lip gloss which added to my glossiness! Chachi used to run a business of cosmetics which was the only source of income as well as my dreams. Seeing myself as a model was the first thing I wished for. My parents left me when I was 4 and Chacha left Chachi after 6 years of their marraige. Being the only heir I had to earn money so that Chachi could live peacefully now. She never restricted me from pursuing my dreams rather supported me. I had come there to fill some water for the next day when I saw a tall guy approaching me. It was dark and I couldn't figure out his face until he hit the light and I recollected that he was Manik Malhotra. He lived in this village and we were best friends till he left for his music studies further for London! He had his grandparents living here and I guess he and his friends are here for some recording!

"Hey!" He said standing just two steps away from me. I looked at him and smiled back. "I am Manik!" He introduced himself. All I noticed was he had grown handsome. His chocolaty brown eyes could drown anyone. His jawline was perfect and his shoulders broad and strong. "Nandini Murthy!" I said turning around closing off the tap. "Ahh wait a second Nandini is that you? Nandu? The Fatso! "
"Yes it's me Mr.Manik Malhotra the rockstar! You forgot me I didn't!" I said picking up the pots of water. "I didn't forget you I completely remember you its just that you have grown beautiful!" He said. "And you handsome" I whispered. "Hmm kuch Kaha tumne?" He questioned to which I nodded in a no! "Give I will pick them up for you!"
"No its fine I do it everyday!"
"So let me do it for you today" He took the pots and held them tightly as we both walked down the streets of the village where I had spent a lot of good times with him. We both had some adorable memories.

"So Tum Kabse Aise typical girl ho gayi?"
"Jabse Tum typical city ke boy ho gaye!" He stared at me blankly not understanding a single word of mine.
"Actually I started giving auditions for modelling so had to be!" I exclaimed! "So Fatso turned out to be This! Don't worry Tum Aise achi lagti ho!"
"Aur Tum Aise!" I replied smiling. "Tumhe Kabse modelling ka interest aa gaya?"
"I guess Tumhare saath movies dekhte dekhte maine Un actresses ko seriously le liya. So everyone motivated me into this! I thought why not give it a try."
"Toh woh saamne Mangalam Jewellers ke advertisement poster pe bridal dress mein tum ho!" He asked looking at the ad poster right in front of us which was hanging on the road.
"Umm Haa! Woh Nandish Uncle wanted a model and he has always wanted me to stand out from the first day itself. Jab unhone offer kiya toh I couldn't refuse." Manik stared at me as I was talking and I could feel his gaze on me.

"You are struggling yet!" He teased. "Manik sabko Tumhari tarah easy way se success nahi milti. You have your Dad working there in London but people like me have to walk through fire to reach lights. After you left I completed my studies and Chachi told me to pursue this career. Many people talk about me passing negative comments on my Career line but all I have learnt is to achieve something you need to Ignore everything! I can't let Chachi work all her life, I have some responsibilites towards her! Though I wish I could see my parents smiling at me but fate doesn't want that." He slightly touched my face and cupped my cheek. "Nandini! I Love You!" He stared deep into my eyes while I found my world stop at his words! "Kya?" I stammered all along. "Hahah! Look at Your face! Darr gayi na. That was just stop you from crying. I know how you are! Jabhi uncle aunty ki baat aati hai you get emotional and you know I couldn't see your nose turning like a tomato otherwise Tumhari ye hot model wali image mere samne wapas tomato jaisi ho jaayegi!"
"Manik" I hit him on his shoulder. " Tum Hamesha aisa karte ho!"
"You should surely meet my friends Nandini! They would love you." Manik demanded. "Pakka milungi! Let me see mere alawa tumhe aur kaun tolerate kar raha hai!" I giggled. "Oh am I that bad?" He asked like a baby to which I nodded in a no. "You are even worse" I yelled and ran laughing along the roads. "Nandini" He followed me to catch up with my speed. "Rehene do Manik tumse aaj bi nahi ho paayega" I shouted looking at him and suddenly I hit someone in the front. "Oh Harshad!" I whispered.

"Hey Nandini Tum yaha raatko Aise Kya kar rahi ho?" Harshad questioned me till he noticed Manik and tried recognising him! "Woh just pani bharne gayi thi! Meet Manik!" I introduced Manik to Harshad as Manik walked up to us. "Hey Manik Malhotra" He introduced and both of them shook hands. Harshad faked a smile and left. "Weird khudko introduce bi nahi kiya! Boyfriend hai Tumhara?" Manik asked excitedly. "Boyfriend hota toh aise chodke nahi jaata! He is Navya's fiance! Abhi aaya hai to get married! He stays in Mumbai" I clarified. "Navya ki engagement ho gayi? That little one who used to annoy me?"
"Shut up Manik! She never annoyed you. You always troubled her! Waise Tumhari girlfriend toh hogi hi!"
"Nope! Nahi hai!" He replied smiling. "Kyu nahi hai? Jaha tak mujhe yaad hai you were a Romeo type of a guy jo ladkiyon ke peeche bhaagta tha then?"
"Kya karu tum nahi mili na!" He smirked. "Huh" I looked all shocked at him and he pointed at me laughing out. "Look at you Nandu!"
"Manik!" I glared at him and tapped my foot. "Acha fine fine! Ab ban jao!" He said . "No Chee Manik Tumhari girlfriend! Never Infact jo bi Tumhari girlfriend banegi usse bi main Warn kar dungi! About you! I'll tell her that you snore when you're tired, how you cry when you watch emotional movies and lastly I will surely tell her that you are afraid of spiders!"
"Dare you do that Nandini!" I teased him and lit the fire. "The day when you tell her this I'll tell your boyfriend that you were a Fatso and you are scared of injections!" I folded my arms and glared at him. He kept teasing me and I did the same.

I really don't know for how long we kept talking along the streets. We spoke of our memories And the times when I used to run behind him for food. I wish I could tell him how much I had missed him all this while when he had been away from me. I wish I could just tell him that I want to drown in those chocolaty eyes of his. I've always shared everything with him but there was big halt in the middle which brought a sense of awkwardness between both of us! He had grown much more handsome than ever before and I can't deny it but say it loud that yes the moment I saw him I fell in Love with him Again! Yes All Again! The day when I gathered my courage to tell him how I feel about him He broke everything in the middle and told me that he was going to complete his music studies further before I could speak of my love. But I guess this is how it had to be. Some things are left to be unsaid! What a stupid girl I am! The guy I love is standing right besides me but doesn't know that I love him! Nothing could be more hurting but sometimes you have to let them go for their happiness and that's exactly what I did! "Nandu! Gola" He shook me seeing the gola stall opposite to us. "Let's go!" He pulled my hand along with himself and I passed a light smile. "Waise Ram kaka aap ab tak yaha hai! Mujhe laga aapne ab ice cream ka dukaan khol liya hoga!" Manik said taking the gola! "Aree Kaha Manik beta! Humari kismat yahin likhi hai! Shayad ice cream mein woh baat nahi jo isme hai!" Ram kaka gave the second glass to me. "Baat toh sahi hai kaka! Umm! Ye toh aaj bi bilkul waisa hi hai Jaisa pehle hua karta tha! Kala khata!" Manik excitedly completed his glass. "Tumhe TV pe gaate hue aur Nandini beti ko yaha saamne dekhte hue bohot khushi hoti hai! Bas Nandini beti ab jaldi se TV par aa jaaye!" He was such a pure soul. Though he was just a vendor but he always treated both of us as his own kids! "Fir ye aapke yaha nahi aayegi kaka!" Manik exclaimed and Ram kaka and I could just look at him confusingly. "Kyu?" Kaka asked. "Warna isse fir mote hone ka darr aa jaayega na!" He teased me and ran away. I ran behind him to catch hold of him but both of us stopped when we went breathless. "Kal chalogi mere saath?" He asked breathing heavily. "Kaha?"
"Wahi jahase Tumhari aur Meri Dosti ki shuruat hui thi!" He smiled and I nodded as I remembered that lovely place.

"Finally tumhara ghar!" I took the pots back from him and was about to bid him goodbye when he said "andhar toh bula lo" I nodded in a no! "Aaj nahi Chachi so rahi hai!" I whispered and he raised his eyebrows. "Good Night" He stared at me. "Good Night" I wished him back as I saw him leaving. I wandered along the street till I couldn't see him and finally he disappeared. Manik I wish I could tell you I remember each memory of ours. The times spent with you have been my support which helped me when you weren't here. I can't stay with you! I can't spend time with you I can't do that otherwise this time I won't be able to let you go! I know you can't stay with me forever! Tumhe jaana hoga! But if it happens again I'll break down this time! Nandini get a grip of yourself! I controlled myself from getting carried away! I rushed to my room and opened my little cupboard which contained my treasure! I picked that guitar up and caressed it in my arms. Manik you always wanted this! I could give you this little piece that day but I couldn't come in between your dreams! Your dreams and your happiness is all I have ever wanted! I gently touched it around and kissed it numerous times till I fell asleep with it.
"Come my friend! Hume toh laga tu wapas aayega hi nahi! It's good to see you play well!" Cabir patted Manik's shoulder as they walked along the streets to their house. "Woh meri childhood friend hai Cabir!" Manik said looking at him.
"Hmm! I see!" Cabir fell on the bed.
"Don't!" Manik said and slept turning back!

I hope you guys like the first part! Please do comment whether to continue with it or no! Your comment motivates me to write! And after all I am writing for you'll!