Chapter 12
Time whooshed away in a flash since Nandini left home and embarked an antagonistic journey of ardor and expectations . This journey hasn't been frictionless for her,it offered and has been offering her difficulties in abundance to wrestle with.Along with these difficulties, breezed in gratifying assets of great friendships, more freedom and adventures;a pinch of guilt for being perjurious to her own parents tagged along as well and her dorment desires working through on a mission to reach dominance . She missed home,delicious food of her mother's hand,getting teased by her father and chachu,late night movie sessions with Chachi, fighting and making up with Rishabh,playing with Harshit and Sanjana at times, but not more often now, as she has made Mumbai her second home . She opened to this city more than she expected she would . She welcomed the change in her life with open arms but changes knocking her heart for quite a while are not really welcomed by ever - ready - with - logic brain of hers .She managed to maintain rather a perfectly normal equation with Manik despite her not - ready - to subside attraction towards him.She seeked every possible way to get out of this befuddling mesh of feelings,only to find herself immersed deeper in it.
" Drooling over me, smarty??I know I am hot and handsome." Abhimanyu said shrugging his shoulders in self appreciation as he seated himself beside a lost Nandini staring ahead in space.
"In your dreams."Nandini gave back in no time after getting out of her wool - gathering.
" Well, my dreams,nowadays are ruled by a certain friend of yours and are not accommodating enough to fit you in,sorry sweetheart."Abhimanyu said making her chuckle . Abhimanyu Rathore was the biggest flirt and at the same time the goofiest creature Nandini had ever come across . He had this ingrained artifice to brighten every sullen face around him .His looks earned him extra points and thus the epithet of college stud veritably.
" So temme,what were you thinking so deeply . Please don't say you were revising Haem synthesis . Is it Dr.Vasudev's class today?"Abhimanyu asked her horrified at the mere thought of attending the said professor's class.
" What!!!No idiot,I wasn't revising anything and it isn't her class. I was just thinking about something ."She said laughing over his comical expressions.
" Thank god,what were you thinking, then?"He asked her again.
"Nothing important just about home and stuff."
"Oh!You must be missing your home . But don't be sad yarr,make a call to your parents or Skype them and be home."He said cheering her up . Nandini nodded and smiled.
" So what's up between you and Mukti?She can't stop talking about you."Nandini teased him.
" Well I like her and I believe she likes me too . I am now planning to take her on a formal date for which I need your help."Abhi said grinning sheepishly.
" Date!!!!That's pretty fast."Nandini said amazed and amused at the same time.
" I like her,she likes me,why to waste time then?Bhagwan ki pooja krne ka kya fayda jab uske diye huye Waqt ki kadra nhi kiya jaye...date...love...live..kya pata kal ho na ho."Abhi said imitating SRK manipulating some words of the original dialogue.He shared this mutual love for SRK and his dialogues with Nandini,a fact they discovered in just ten days of starting with the college . Nandini just rolled her eyes.
"Okay so what do you want me to do?"Nandini asked excited for her friends . She knew Mukti likes him from day one and would be ecstatic to go on a date with him.
" You have to tell me about Mukti's likes and preferances and help me plan the date accordingly."Abhi stated.
"I will play the informer perfectly but date planning,I am not sure . I have never done that."
"Common Nandini,you're a girl.I'm sure you will be handful in helping me plan it out."
"Okay,I'll try . For now let's go to class . You are coming,right?"Nandini asked him well aware of his favourite hobby of bunking classes.
" Yeah,I'm planning to grace and bless the lecture theatre with my presence today . It is in dire need of my magical appearance ."Abhi said cheekily and moved towards the class with Nandini, smiling and winking at every girl on the way.
Nandini went to space after thankfully an uneventful day at college . The phasing out sessions at least during the lectures had been successfully beaten by Nandini though images of Manik kept flitting in between. The classes at space were altogether a different story with the object of her fancy by her side all the time . She had to exercise hard to direct her concentration to the right path . The butterflies hopping everytime in her belly were determined to rob her of mental well being.However something changed in her tell tale towards her feelings after talking to Abhimanyu . She felt less foolish to not have control over her heart . Maybe she should stop fighting it and follow it's rhythm and wait for the harvest its abnormal beats yield.
"Hello Khoya Khoya Chand,spare me a glance and go back to your wonderland."Cabir greeted a dazed Nandini walking to her class.
" Hello to you too Drama queen . If you've had your due attention,can I go to my class?"Nandini replied unable to stop for giving more than one glance for not wanting to be late and eager to see someone,the fact she could neither avoid nor accept.
" Then you'll be glad to know that there's no class of Mr Acharya today?"Cabir informed her.
" But why?"
"He has gone to attend a music summit in Varansi for three days . Till then you've only two classes to attend."Cabir answered her query . She nodded at this piece of information somewhat happy for free time not unlike any other student.
" Come let's sit in the cafeteria . Manik and Mukti are sitting there as well . I've something important to tell you all."Cabir said making his way towards the cafeteria . Nandini followed him wondering what new is coming her way . Maybe another party.
"Hey guys " Nandini greeted Manik and Mukti taking the only spare seat which happened next to Manik .Coincidence or Cupid Cabir's doing,only Cabir knew.
" Hey Nandini,sorry baby for not picking you up today.Princi detained me in the college after college hours for putting fevicol in Mrs Choudhary's chair,making me late to come to your college."Mukti said sulking over her boring after college time.
" You really did that!!!!!!!!The other three spoke in unison staring at her incredulously.
"Any doubt " Mukti said patting herself proud of her latest adventure.
"Of course not."Boys said together amused and a bit impressed at their crazy friend's guts .Nandini,however,was more scared than impressed . Mukti could get in serious trouble because of her silly pranks.She talked to her on several occasions but nothing to avail . She can now just pray to Lord to keep troubles out of her way,there was no way Mukti Ahuja is going to stay away from troubles.
" Okay Guys now listen to what I have to say."Cabir said gaining the attention of the other three.
" Our college is organising an intra college singing competition for all the students part time as well as full time . This competition is going to be sort of an assessment for all of us .All the performancs will be graded by our teachers and the judges . The judges will be famous singers and musicians from all over the India . Though intracollege,the standard of this event is very high and it ensures proper exposure to the talented students . So guys buckle up and start preparing for it from today itself."Cabir explained about the upcoming event.
"That's interesting!!!Why hasn't teachers inform us about this contest yet?"Manik asked him.
" The notice for the competition was issued today only.You guys will be informed by your teachers in your class . They will explain you the pattern,rules and other things related to this contest in detail."Cabir replied.
" Wow!!I'm so excited . Music events at Space are always rocking . I've only seen them since so many years,now I will finally be able to be a part of one.I just can't wait for it to happen."Mukti said thrilled going into hyperactive mode.
"That's so cool!!The assessment is going to be so fun for the first time.When is this event taking place,Cabir?"Nandini asked equally excited.
" 16th Jan,that is,exactly one month from today."
"We have enough time to practice,then."Manik said and the other three noded . They talked for an hour more,their conversation revolving mainly around the impending event . Then Cabir left for his home and the rest went to their class all charged up from the awesome coffee,exciting news and lots of chitchat,little useful and more useless.
" Guys you must have heard about the intra college music competition by now. The event is to be held on 16th of next month . This event is no ordinary in any terms . It will be your introduction to the practical world of music . You have to perform among the best musicians of this country and you will be graded by them and us as this contest will be as much of the assessment for you . There would be two rounds in total . You have to perform on your choice in the first round and the second will be judges choice . They will give you a form of music as per their wish,at the spot and you guys have to perform on it.I hope you all understood the pattern . Any kind of query is welcome,anyone?"Mr Raghav Jain,head of instrumental department,explained about the contest to all of the students at the end of his class.
"No queries,okay students work hard and perform well."He concluded his class and left.
"Guys,do you think we can stand in front of the seniors . They are so much experienced and thus far better than us and there'll be so many renowned musicians,will we be able to perform good enough for them?"The ever confident about her singing,Nandini asked getting all nervous,as they walked to the parking lot.
" Of course,we will perform well . Common Nandini be positive . Where are these negative thoughts coming to your mind from?"Mukti said all ready to blast the contest.
" Yeah Nandini,we will practice hard and give our best,ryt?Manik said trying to chase Nandini's nervousness away and encouraging her . Nandini nodded feeling her confidence coming back.
"Guys I think we should practice together . This way,we can help the other with their weak points and also can spend more time together,what say?"Mukti suggested them.
" That's an awesome idea Mukti . I am in."Manik said,his heart danced in joy at the prospect of Spending more time with Nandini,which also meant more time to woo her . This is called the perfect opportunity,and he would not at all let it slip off his hands.
" The idea is great but how will we manage time . I don't have any extra time to give to the extra practice."Nandini told them making them realize the time restraints they all were facing.
" Don't worry guys,I am sure there must be some solution to our problem . Let me talk to Cabir."Mukti said dialing Cabir right away and soon enough they got the solution . Cabir told them,there's going to be just one class at space till the contest which provide them the much needed time for their practice.
" Okay then,we practice at my home . I've a music room at my home with all the required equipments."Mukti Commanded them to which they mock saluted her as if soldiers following their commander.
" I will see you tomorrow at your place then . I will drop Nandini off . Bye Mukti."Manik said bidding bye to Mukti and looking forward to spend some alone time with Nandini which he couldn't get the entire day and he wouldn't be getting any of it now also.
"No,I'm dropping her off . I didn't pick her up today,so I have to make up for it ."Mukti told him.She bid him bye and took Nandini to her car before he could make any protest . Nandini simply waved at him before getting into the car,partly relieved and mostly disappointed.
Manik waved at her and got into his car only after Mukti's car went out of his sight and left for his home,his mind working overtime to stratetize for wooing Nandini uncaring of his exhausted body.
Functional segregation of all the systems of the body is the first indication of love,isn't it!!
If music be the food of love, play on.
William Shakespeare
Hey guys!!!I am very very sorry for being this much late.What do I say?Life has been pretty hectic these days.I can't do much about it.I'll try my best to give updates as fast as I can.
This chapter doesn't have much of MaNan,still did you guys like it,do leave your views.
Awaiting your feedback
Thank you
Shiv Shakti
