I'm trying to update as fast as I can but the response is going down. I'm gonna upload the next chapter only after 250+ votes and do comment. Though I don't get much time to reply to the comments but comment what you're liking, what not and what you would like to see next. 

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"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these." ― George Washington Carver

Love the enemies, it says in the scriptures. Acceptance and tolerance and forgiveness, those are life- altering lessons. Patience and fortitude conquer all things. When you have self-knowledge, you're naturally calm and poised. You overcome obstacles with ease. They are part of your plan.

S P A C E
The next morning Manik was the first one to reach college. After his last night's conversation with Shreekant, he was a bit disturbed. He knew his dad loves him a lot but he had never been there for him when he needed his father the most. Last night he didn't want to hurt his feelings but it just happened. Somewhere he was hiding it deep down in his heart unconsciously that's why it came out like that.

Manik was in the jam room trying to play a tune but he could not. It seemed only his body was present there. His mind was lost somewhere else, then how could he concentrate here? 

The jam room door got opened and Nandini walked in. Manik was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize her presence when she walked inside. Nandini too noticed him being lost. She moved near him and slowly wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. She placed her chin on his shoulder. Manik was startled with her touch at first. He looked at his side with a jerk. Nandini stood up.

Manik sighed in relief. He placed his guitar on the side. "Sorry, I didn't notice you. When did you come?" He asked, trying to put a smile.

Nandini came and stood just in front of him. "When you were too lost in your thoughts." She paused for a moment before speaking again. "Manik, are you still angry with me?" Her voice was low, it was reflecting how sad she was.

Manik nodded his head in no immediately and got up from his chair. He held her hands in between his. "No, Nandini, I am not angry with you. I can understand you didn't want me to be worried that's why you didn't say anything to me. It's fine." He caressed her face lovingly.

This time Nandini smiled too. She slowly placed her head on his chest and wrapped her hands around his waist. Manik too pulled her in his embrace. He was rubbing her back to calm her down. 

Suddenly Nandini broke the hug. Manik gave her a confused look asking what happened. She gestured for him to relax and wait for a second. She opened her bag and took out the sindoor box from her bag. Nandini held that in front of Manik. He smiled seeing it.

"Yesterday you didn't make me wear it. So, here it is. I don't want you to repeat that again. I love it when you do this." Nandini complained.

Manik smiled and nodded his head. He took a pinch of vermilion from the box. Nandini moved her hair a little and Manik placed the sindoor there. Then Nandini hid that again. 

"I promise it won't happen again." He said passing a beautiful smile to her and pecked on her forehead.

As Manik was done, the box was still in Nandini's hand. Before she could keep it back in her bag, someone barged inside making both of them shocked.

When someone loves you, the way they talk about you is different. You feel safe and comfortable. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.

Navya was coming inside college when she banged with someone. She was about to fall. Fear crept in her heart, her hands automatically went to her belly. But she never touched the floor because someone had already held her. When she felt, she didn't feel any hurt, Navya opened her eyes. Her eyes met with a pair of very known orbs. 

It was none other than Harshad.

As soon as Navya saw him, she stood straight and was about to leave. But Harshad called her from behind. Navya stopped on her way.

"Navya, be careful what if something had happened to you." He tried to be concerned.

Navya gave him a sarcastic look. "Seriously? You shouldn't care if anything happens to me or not."

Harshad tried to hold her but she stepped back. "See Navya, I know I've committed a mistake. But now I'm changed. I'm really ashamed of my doings. I want to take care of you and our child."

Till then Mukti too reached there but they didn't notice her. She heard it all Harshad said to Navya. 

"Really, Harshad???" Mukti stood beside Navya and gave her an assuring look.

Harshad made a face seeing her there. He didn't want her here when he was trying to manipulate Navya again. He knew it's  not possible to do, if Mukti is around. "Mukti, you stay out of it. It's between us."

"Why should I?" She directly looked into Harshad's eyes. "I heard what you were saying to Navya and after last night I can't leave her alone here. I don't trust you with her at all. Actually, I don't trust you with anyone." 

"Mukti, let's just go from here. Anyway, I was not going to stay here, nor did I want to speak to Harshad. I know him very well. I'm not going to make the same mistake again. I'm over him." Navya said and dragged Mukti away from there. 

Mukti gave Harshad a warning look and walked away from there with Navya.

In the Jam Room
Manik and Nandini were standing face to face when someone came in. They both were not ready for this. Nandini clutched her hand and hid the sindoor box in between her palm while Manik turned back to see who it was. Nandini was almost invisible behind Manik. 

It was Dhruv and Alya who were entering.

"Hi, buddy." Dhruv greeted Manik and walked near him. 

Nandini hurriedly kept that box in her bag and turned towards others after fixing her hair.

"Hi, Dhruv. Hi, Alya." Manik too greeted them trying to smile.

Alya smiled at both Manik and Nandini. "Good morning, guys. I hope we didn't disturb you both." She said pointing towards Manik and Nandini.

"No, Alya. I was about to leave." Nandini spoke softly.

"It's okay, Nandini. We can understand." It was Dhruv, he said, taking out his guitar.

"Where is Mukti and Cabir?" Manik asked

Dhruv simply shrugged. "I spoke to Mukti. She's on the way and Cabir'll be here any moment." Alya replied to Manik.

"I'll leave now. Navya must be looking for me." Nandini said. "Bye, guys." She was about to leave. At that time only Mukti entered the jam room with Navya who was looking sad. Nandini moved near Navya and held her from shoulder. "Navya, are you okay? What happened to you?" Nandini got worried seeing her like this.

Navya tried to smile. "Don't worry, Nandini. Nothing happened to me." She saw Alya there and she didn't want to hurt her as she already asked sorry from her for brother's deed.

"Oh! cut the crap, Navya." Mukti stopped her in between. "Why are you lying? Why are you trying to save that bastard?" She shouted angrily. Navya tried to stop her but nothing worked. Mukti turned towards others. "It's Harshad, guys. He is again trying to manipulate Navya. I myself heard it all."

Alya had tears in her eyes but she hid that immediately. Dhruv who was standing beside her held her hand to calm her down. She too tried to smile. Alya looked at Navya. "I'm really sorry, Navya. I don't know how to stop him. I....."

She was about to continue but Navya cut her. "Alya, why're you saying sorry? You're not at fault. You shouldn't be sorry for someone else's deed even if he is your own brother."

"Navya is right, Alya. Why do you always keep asking sorry on behalf of that jerk? Let him do what he can, then we will also show him his place. He might be your brother but you're not accountable for his doings. So, don't apologies on behalf of him." Manik said angrily gritting his teeth.

"Yes, Alya. You don't need to feel bad about him. He is not worth it." Dhruv said side hugging her.

Alya smiled.

"Hey, guys......" Cabir entered the jam room with his cheerful mood. But he stopped seeing others in a serious mood. He stood straight. "What happened, guys? Why are you all so quiet? Is everything okay?"

"Cabir, yaar, please. Shut up." Mukti shouted.

"Okay." He shrugged his shoulder. "But tell me what's the matter?"

Dhruv told him everything. Cabir nodded his head.

"I'm fine. I'll leave now." Navya said, getting her bag. "Nandini, are you coming?" She looked at Nandini.

Nandini nodded her head. "Bye, guys. Bye, Manik." Manik nodded his head in response.

Cabir smiled at her separate bye to Manik and left from there.

Nandini and Navya were walking in the corridor.

"Navya, are you really okay?" Nandini asked being concerned.

Navya smiled softly. "I'm fine, Nandini. Don't worry." She took a pause and again started. "I'm not going to repeat my mistake. Now I know Harshad very well. He can't trap me again." She assured Nandini.

Nandini smiled at her. They were moving to their class when someone called Nandini from behind. They turned back and found Aryaman there. He walked near them with a smile on his face. He stood in front of Nandini and Navya.

"Hi, Nandini."

Nandini too passed a smile to him. "Hi, Aryaman." She turned towards Navya. "Navya, this is Aryaman. He is new in SPACE."

"Hi, Aryaman." Navya greeted his softly.

"Aryaman, this is Navya, my best friend." Nandini introduced them.

"Hi, Navya."

There was someone else too who watched them.

Precap: One more face off.

That's it for now. How was it?

Did you like the chapter?

How was Manan moments?

How was Fab5 and NavNi's scene?

Which one is your favorite scene don't forget to tell me.

Do vote and comment.

Bye

20.07.2023