IF IT'S NOT FOREVER, IT'S NOT LOVE( Chapter 42 on page 83) - Page 11

CHAPTER 13

In the evening

Harshad was in the music room and NavNi also came there at 6 pm. Harshad was holding Manik's guitar and was having a devilish smirk on his face.

Nandini: Harshad maine Manik ko convince kar liya hai.

Harshad: Great. So everything is set.

Nandini: Yes. So tum 7 baje yaha aajana.

Harshad: Okay. So see you then.

Harshad went out and Navya also ran behind him. Nandini waited there for fab5 as they had decided to meet in the music room. Nandini was roaming here and there in the music room waiting for them. After some time fab5 reached the music room.

Nandini: Finally you guys are here.

Manik: Sab thik hai na? Why are you so tensed?

Nandini: Kuch nahi Manik. I just want this plan to succeed.

Cabir: Don't worry Nandini. Hum sab ko aadat hai Harshad se deal karne ki. Wo kuch nahi kar payega.

Mukti: Yeah! He is going down this time.

Dhruv goes near the guitar and touches the strings and he says," Ouchh." Manik came close to Dhruv and held his hand and saw blood and he got angry. Dhruv said," Ye strings kitni sharp hai!" Manik said," Buddy tujhe kya zarurat thi is se hat lgane ki. Don't you know Harshad mujhe hurt karne ka koi reason nahi chodega." Dhruv smiled and said," Mai check nahi karta to tujhe lag jati na." Manik smiled and hugged him and Dhruv also hugged him back. Everyone else just smiled looking at them. After a few seconds they broke the hug and Manik said," Guys let's get going with our plan." Everyone agrees. Cabir wears gloves and changes the strings with the normal ones.

Manik: So guys. Now you all leave. And Nandini tumne wo laya hai jo maine kaha tha?

Nandini: Ya Manik. It's in my bag.

Manik: Great. Cabir and Mukti tum dono yeh banner ke piche chup jao. And Aliya and Dhruv you both wait outside and keep an eye on Harshad and Navya.

Everyone agrees and leaves for their work as per Manik's instructions. In the music room there was a banner kept by them so Mukti and Cabir hid behind it. Aliya and Dhruv were in the adjacent room. Manik and Nandini were in the music room. It was 7 pm. Nandini peeped out through the door and saw Harshad and Navya coming there. She went back inside and said," Manik wo dono aa rahe hai. Start playing your guitar." Manik smiles and says," Yes boss." Nandini also smiles and sits beside him on the chair. Harshad and Navya are outside the music room. Manik starts playing his guitar and screams," Ahhh.." Nandini also screams loudly so that Harshad can hear," Manik. Kya hua?" Manik winks at her and again screams," Ouchhh. Aahhh.. It's paining." Harshad hears all this and smirks. Nandini says loudly," Manik wait mai kuch karti hu." At the same time she takes out a bottle of red food colour and pours it on Manik's hands. Now Manik's hand was full of red colour. Manik again screams," Ahh. Nandini.. Ouchh." Nandini says loudly ," I am sorry. Mai abhi kisi ko bulakar aati hu." She walks towards the door and switches off the lights and goes out.

Nandini: Harshad maine lights switch off kar di hai. You can go now.

Harshad: Good job Nandini. Tum yaha Navya ke sath ruko mai andar jar aha hu.

He takes his bag and goes inside. He enters inside and wears his glasses through which he can clearly see in dark. He saw Manik's hand full of blood and smirks. He keeps his bag down and takes out cricket bat from it and goes near Manik. Meanwhile, Nandini is scared for Manik and suddenly she realises that Manik is scared of darkness. She says to herself," Aiyappa I am such a fool. Mai kaise bhul gyi ki Manik ko andhere se darr lagta hai. Ab mai kya karungi."

Meanwhile,Harshad goes near Manik but Manik couldn't see anything. He had no idea that Harshad was coming towards him. Suddenly Harshad lifts the bat and hits it on Manik's hand and Manik screams," Ahhh. Harshad!" Harshad laughs and says," So Manik finally you are trapped." Nandini hears Manik screaming so she gets scared and at the same time Dhruv and Aliya come out. She runs towards them and starts crying.

Nandini: Dhruv. Please go inside and save Manik. Harshad. He..

Dhruv: Relax Nandini. Mai dekhta hu.

Navya saw this and becomes angry and goes near Nandini, Aliya and Dhruv.

Navya: Nandini tum yeh kya kar rahi ho? Tumne hume dhoka diya.

Nandini: Navya tum galat samajh rahi ho. Mai ye sab tumhare liye kar rahi hu.

Navya: Bas Nandini. Hum samajh gaye tum kaisi dost ho.

Nandini: Navya abhi please galat mat samjho mujhe. Aur Dhruv please tum Manik ke pas jao. Us se kuch ho gaya to.

Dhruv rushes inside and Aliya keeps her hand on Nandini's shoulder and says," Nandini Please don't worry. He is Manik. Nothing will happen to him." Nandini doesn't reply and keeps on crying. Navya gets angry and says," Hum andar ja rahe hai. Harshad ji ki madat karne." Navya storms inside and Nandini and Aliya also follow her. As soon as they enter, Aliya holds Navya's hand and keeps her hand on Navya's mouth. Harshad again hits on Manik's hand and Manik screams. Nandini gets scared and worried about Manik so she turns on the lights. Manik's hand was hurting so much and he was holding his right hand with his left one. Nandini saw this and couldn't control so she ran towards Manik and holds his right hand in her hand and then she looks at Manik with tears in her eyes. Harshad gets angry and turns Nandini around by pulling her hand.

Harshad: Nandini tum yaha kya kar rahi ho? I told you that don't come inside.

Nandini: So this was your evil plan. Tum mujhe aur Navya ko isiliye andar nahi aane dena chahte the na kyuki tum Manik ko hurt kar sako.

Harshad: What is wrong with you? Get out and let me complete my revenge.

Nandini got very angry and said: Harshad. Stop it. Don't you dare hurt Manik ever again. Samjhe tum? You are a devil Harshad. Seriously how can you fall so low? Aisa revenge kyu lena chahte ho tum.

Harshad: You stay out of this.

He pushes Nandini and she falls down. Aliya leaves Navya and goes towards Nandini and helps her to get up. Navya also goes near Nandini and then looks at Manik's hand whose was full of blood. She feels bad for Manik. Mukti and Cabir who were standing behind the banner also come out. Mukti couldn't control herself and she came near Harshad and slapped him tightly. All her anger that she was hiding inside her came out.

Mukti: Harshad. Tumne mere sath jo kiya uske bad bhi humne tumhe jail nahi bheja just because you are Aliya's brother. But mai tumhari wajahse kisi aur ki zindagi kharab hone nahi dungi.

Harshad: Mukti just shut up. You deserved it.

Mukti: You shut up. I deserved it? Huh? What do you mean? Tumne pehle mujhe cheat kiya when I loved you truly. And then you harassed me, abused me and forced yourself on me. Tumne mujhe itna torture kiya ki mai suicide karna chahti thi. You ruined my entire life Harshad.

Harshad smirked: Yes I did all this just because you deserved it. Tumhare jaisi ladki yehi deserve karti hai.

Navya was shocked to hear all this. Navya couldn't believe what she heard. She also got angry and went near Harshad and slapped him. Harshad was shocked.

Navya: Harshad bas karo. Tum yehi deserve karte ho. Kisi bhi ladki ke sath aisa karne ka hakk nahi hai tumhe. Humne aap pe kyu bharosa kar liya. Aap jaise ladke ko to mar jana chahiye. ( Saying this she started crying)

Harshad was left with no option rather than leaving. So he left from there. Nandini saw Manik's hand and ran towards him and hugged him while crying. Everyone else too came near Manik. Navya was crying badly but was also shocked to see Nandini and Manik hugging each other. Manik smiled and said," Nandini I am fine. Mujhe kuch nahi hua hai." Nandini said," Shut up Manik. Maine dekha tumhe bohot pain ho raha tha." Manik smiled and everyone was also shocked to see him smiling. Manik broke the hug and smiled at Nandini. Manik removed his jacked and everyone saw that he was wearing something to protect his hand.

Manik: Guys. Stop worrying. Mujhe pata tha Harshad kaisa hai. So I was prepared.

Nandini sighed in relief: Manik you idiot! Kitna darr gayi thi mai.

Cabir: Han yaar. Sachme dara diya tha tune. Waise jo plan kiya tha wo to hua nai. But Harshad ki sachai samne aa hi gayi.

Navya was still shocked to know that Harshad did all this with Mukti and she ran out while crying. Nandini was about to go behind her but Mukti stopped her and went behind Navya. Navya was running but Mukti stopped her by calling her name.

Mukti: Navya. I know it's hard for you to digest the fact about Harshad. But yehi sach hai. And you have to accept it.

Navya: Mukti. Hum kitne bade bewakoof hai jo humne Harshad par bharosa kar liya.

Mukti: Navya you are not a fool. Harshad ki wajahse meri life kharab hogayi. Tum khudki life mat kharab karna.

Navya: Hmm..

At night, Nandini and Navya were in their room. Navya was very upset and Nandini tried to console her but she couldn't. She was also feeling sad for Navya. After some time they both slept.

NEXT MORNING

Nandini woke up and saw that Navya was not there. She decided to get ready and go to search for her. She opened her cupboard and found that Navya's clothes and other things were also not there. Nandini sat on the bed and then she found a letter on her side table. She opened the letter and read it. It was written that," Nandu, Jab tak tum uthogi hum ja chuke honge. Hum patna ja rahe hai Amma ke pas. Kal jo hua uske bad hum nahi rehna chahte waha. Humne principal se 1 hafte ki leave li hai. Par hum nahi jante ki hum wapis aana chahenge ya nahi. Tum apna khayal rakhna aur han ye padh kar rona mat. Tum haste hue bohot achi lagti ho. Humesha khush rehna." Nandini got very upset after reading the letter. She didn't know what to do now.

Sorry for such a boring chapter. I just wanted to finish this Harshad's case as soon as possible. So please forgive me. And keep reading. In the next chapters many MaNan scenes will be there so keep reading.

CHAPTER 14

Nandini was upset because Navya left but she plastered a fake smile in front of everyone. No one could get a hint that she was upset but only one person could see guess that something was wrong with her. It was none other than Manik Malhotra. Manik was looking for an opportunity to ask about her sadness but he couldn't. After some boring classes it was time for Maths class and it was Nandini's favourite subject and Manik hated it. Nandini was sitting alone so Manik thought that it was the right time to ask her about her sadness. At the same time Dhruv also thought of sitting beside Nandini. But before he could sit with her Manik sat with Nandini and Dhruv took a seat with Aliya. Manik and Nandini were silent during the class and Dhruv was looking at Nandini. Aliya noticed this and smiled and hit Dhruv's elbow lightly with her's.

Dhruv: What?

Aliya: Nothing. I was telling that concentrate on the lecture.

Dhruv: Aliya. Mai lecture pe hi concentrate kar raha hu. Tum kya bol rahi ho?

Aliya: I saw you were looking at Nandini. (She winked at Dhruv and Dhruv just smiled)

At the same time the teacher scolded them and warned them that if they make any noise they will be kicked out. So they didn't speak anything after that. Meanwhile, Nandini was busy solving mathematical problems and Manik was just finding ways to confront her. He thought of an idea. He started writing something on his book and passed to Nandini.

Manik: Nandu! What is wrong with you?

Nandini looked at Manik and then she wrote on the same book and passed it back to Manik: Nothing. Why are you asking?

Manik: Nandini, I know you very well. You can't fool me. Just tell me what is wrong with you.

Nandini smiled and said: Manik, Kaise karte ho tum? Anyways I am just upset because Navya left. I don't even know that she will return or not.😭

Manik: NANDU! Don't be sad. She will be back and I think it will be good for her to take a break from all this. And I am sure ye jo bhi hua uske bad she will be more careful.😊

Nandini: Hmm.. I think you are right. Now please concentrate.😊

Manik: Where?😛😉

Nandini chuckled: You idiot! On the lecture!😆😆

Manik chuckled: Haha. Your idiot.!😉

They both were busy in their own world. But the teacher saw them and kicked them out of the class. Nandini apologised but the teacher didn't listen and said them to leave. Nandini being the studious girl didn't move so Manik held her hand and walked out of the classroom with attitude and Nandini just followed him looking down in embarrassment. They went out and Manik started laughing and Nandini just glared at him angrily.

Nandini: Manik you are laughing!

Manik: Nandini just relax. It's no big deal.

Nandini: It's a big deal for me Mr. Monster.

Manik smiled: Nandini just chuck it and come with me.

Saying this he dragged her with him. Meanwhile, in the classroom, Mukti and Cabir were getting bored and trying hard to get out of the class.

Cabir: Yaar ye Nandini aur Manik kitne lucky hai.

Mukti: Han yaar Cabir. Un dono ko nikal diya. Aur hum yaha desperately bahar nikalna chahte hai par ye Prof. Rao nikal hi nahi raha hai.

Cabir: Han. Kitne maze kar rahe honge.

Meanwhile, Manik and Nandini came behind the music block near the stairs.

Nandini: Manik mujhe yaha kyu leke aaye ho?

Manik sat on the stairs and pulled her and she landed beside him. She was still angry with Manik. Manik smiled looking at her cute face. She was not looking at Manik so Manik turned her face and made a puppy face and apologised which melted Nandini's heart and she ruffled his hair and accepted his apology. Manik kept his hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

Manik: Nandu! How is Rishab?

Nandini became sad: He is not fine Manik. Usne kuch bola hi nahi uss accident ke bad.

Manik: Nandu please sad mat hona firse. And listen Rishab will be fine. Hum kuch karenge. Don't worry. Okay?

Nandini smiled and side hugged Manik: Okay.

Manik also hugged her tightly and smiled. They both remained in the same position for a while and then Manik said that it was lunch time so they both went to the canteen. Everyone was waiting for them in the canteen itself.

Manik: Hi guys. What's up?

Cabir: Tum dono ne maze kar liye isiliye itne khush ho.

Manik: Han wo to hai. Anyways mujhe bohot bhuk lagi hai.

Everyone finished their lunch and were about to leave when the peon came and informed that Nyonika has called up and has some important work with Manik. Manik became angry listening to this as he knew what work Nyonika has with Manik and he declined to attend the phone call. Nandini didn't know about Nyonika's real face.

Nandini: Manik! What is wrong with you? Why are calling her Nyonika? She is your mom. Go and attend the call. It might be important.

Manik: Nandini please! You don't know anything about it. That Nyonika

Nandini interrupted: Shut up Manik! She is your mom. Tum aise bat kaise kar sakte ho apni mom ke bare me.

Manik got very angry and held Nandini's shoulder tightly and said: Nandini! Stop it!

Nandini: It's hurting me Manik. Leave me.

Manik immediately left her and Nandini said: Manik! Please listen.

Manik: Nandini leave!

Nandini: But Manik

Manik: I said leave!

Nandini had tears in her eyes. She couldn't understand why Manik was behaving like this with her. She ran from there and went to her room and started crying. After she left Manik also left from there in anger and went to his room. Cabir followed him and tried to talk with him but it was of no use.

AT NIGHT

Nandini was sad and Manik was angry. They both didn't come for dinner. At night around 8:30 pm Manik was thinking about Nandini and realised he behaved very badly with her. He got up from his bed and went to the canteen. He got something to eat and sneaked in to the girl's hostel and went towards Nandini's room. He knocked the door and Nandini opened the door. Manik went inside and Nandini was shocked to see him there.

Nandini: Manik!

Manik: Nandini. Tum kuch kaho us se pehle I am so sorry. I behaved so rudely with you. Please maaf kar do mujhe. Please. ( Manik held his ears and said while making a puppy face)

Nandini smiled and said: Manik it's okay. I am sorry too. Maine hi kuch galat kaha hoga jis se tumhe bura laga.

Manik cupped her face and said: Nandu! It was not your fault. Tumhe pata nahi tha kuch. In fact it's my fault ki maine tumhe kuch bataya nahi.

Nandini: Kya nahi bataya?

Manik: Wo mai bataunga but pehle let's have dinner. I know tumhe kuch khaya nahi hoga.

Nandini: Aur tumne bhi!

They both just smiled looking at each other and then they sat on the floor taking the support of the bed and started eating. After finishing their dinner they both sat on the bed taking support of the wall.

Manik: Nandu!

Nandini: Hmm..

Manik: When we were in US, Nyonika ne mujhe kabhi time nahi diya. And I used to be with you and Cabir always. That time I didn't know ki wo aisi hai. After we came back to India and as I grew up, I got to know the real side of her. She taught me that every relationship is give and take. She never gave me motherly love. Usne aaj tak mujhe isiliye sambhal kar rakha hai taki usko mere dad se paise mil sake. I am just a source of money for her.

Nandini felt sad and she held Manik's hand tightly: Manik!

Manik: Nandu! Let me finish. You know Nandini agar mujhe us se kuch kam ho mujhe badle me kuch karna padta hai uske liye. I hate her. I just hate her. And she hates me too. Usne kabhi mujhe time nahi diya. Sab mujhe akela chod dete hai. I wish kabhi US chodke aata hi nahi. Waha sab kitna acha tha. Waha tum thi aur tumhare mom dad mujhse kitna pyaar karte the. Nyonika to kisi ki bhi mom ban na deserve nahi karti. She is a self-centred and a selfish woman.

Nandini had tears in her eyes: Manik! I am with you and I will always be with. Promise!

Manik looked at her with tears in his eyes: Nandini promise?

Nandini smiled: Nandini promise.

Manik pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her and Nandini also held him tightly. They both closed their eyes. They both were so happy to be in each other's arms. They both were relaxed and feeling each other's warmth. Manik never felt so happy with anyone and Nandini too. They stayed in each other's arms for a long time without speaking anything. After sometime, Nandini opened her eyes and saw that her fireflies were shinning. She just stared at them and started smiling and then again closed her eyes.

Nandini's POV

Manik, I feel so safe and protected in your arms. I wish that you keep me protected like this in your arms, forever. And Manik I will always be with you no matter what.

Manik's POV

Nandu, My angel I never shared anything with anyone. But today after sharing everything with you I am feeling so good. And being in your arms like this feels so good. I promise that I will always be with you and protect you.

Manik and Nandini were wrapped in each other's arms and they didn't realise when they fell asleep.

PRECAP: Dhruv has an attack.

Nandini comes to know about Dhruv's problem.