IF IT'S NOT FOREVER, IT'S NOT LOVE( Chapter 42 on page 83) - Page 45

Aryamann: Wow! So much love. Nandini is Manik's girlfriend so I can understand his concern. But Cabir why are you so attached with her?

Cabir: She is my best friend and like my baby sis. Actually Me, Manik and Nandini are childhood buddies.

Aryamann: Wow! That's great.

Mukti: So Aryamann tell us something about you.

Aryamann: About me? I am from New york. Meri family mein bas main aur meri badi behen hai. Our parents are no more. And

He got a call from Harshad so he excused himself and went to a corner to talk. At the same time, Cabir saw Harshad calling someone. He immediately connected his bluetooth device and started listening to it. Harshad told someone to meet him in the store room at 5 pm. Cabir texted on the group about it.

Cabir: Guys he has called someone in the store room at 5 pm.

Manik: Okay. So Cabir store room me camera laga dete hai.

Cabir: Cool. It will be done.

Aryamann joined them and they again started talking. Everyone had their lunch together and at that time Aryamann saw MaNan feeding each other and their care and love for each other. While eating suddenly Nandini started coughing badly. Everyone got scared and Manik was scared the most. He immediately made her drink a glass of water and then wiped the tears from her eyes.

Manik: Are you fine? Kya hogaya tha tumhe?

Nandini smiled at his concern: I am fine Manik. Wo bas gale mein kuch atak gaya tha.

Manik: You scared me. Please be careful.

Nandini just nodded like a baby and started eating while the others adored them and Aryamann also smiled looking at them. He observed how much everyone loves each other; their bonding; MaNan's love for each other; everyone's caring nature. They were completely opposite from Harshad's definition. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realise that everyone was calling him. Dhruv shook his shoulders and he came out of the trance. He just gave a pale smile and said that he will join them later and walked away. As per the plan, Cabir fixed a camera in the store room and met everyone in his room at 4 pm.

Dhruv: So buddy itna jaldi kyu bulaya? Anything important?

Manik: I want to tell you all something very important.

Nandini: You sound so serious. Bolo jaldi.

Manik: Nyonika is behind all this. Harshad and Nyonika are planning this together.

Nandini shocked: How can she do this? She is your mother.

Manik sarcastically: Yeah! She is my so called mother.

Cabir: What's the plan then? As far as I know she can fall very low to hurt you.

Manik smirked: Don't worry about that. We just want proofs that she is involved and then I will make sure she doesn't cross our paths ever again.

Nandini: But kaise Manik?

Manik: Nandini just don't worry about it. I have planned everything. Iss bar she will pay for her deeds.

Mukti: But kya socha hai tune?

Manik: Iss bar I will use her way to destroy her. And that's Manipulation.

Cabir: Okay. Tu itna confident to zaroor kuch acha socha hoga.

Manik just smirked and everyone else except Nandini were also having a grin on their faces. Nandini was sad because she knew deep down Manik was hurt and angry because she never thought that Nyonika can do all this to hurt her own son. Manik noticed this and held her hand and caressed it with his thumb.

Manik: Nandini I know it must be shocking for you that how can a mother do this. But just don't worry. I will set everything alright this time.

Nandini: But

Manik interrupted: Shh.. Don't you trust me?

Nandini: Yes I trust you.

Manik: So just leave it to me. And tum khush raho.

Nandini gave a smile to him. She said to herself," I trust you blindly Manik. But mai tumhe kuch nahi hone dungi. I will always be by your side and I will always protect you." Everyone settled around Cabir's laptop to see who is helping Harshad in his evil plans. Around 5:15 pm Harshad was standing in the store room and a guy came there and his back was facing the camera.

INSIDE THE STORE ROOM.

Aryamann: Why have you called me here? Anything important?

Harshad: Yes! I have finalized the plan. Mujhe uske liye tumhari zarurat hai.

Aryamann: Okay tell me kya karna hai mujhe?

Harshad: We have to seperate the two best buddies Manik and Cabir.

Aryamann: But how? What's the plan?

Harshad: Well, Our school is gonna organize a camping tour. Hum apna plan wahi execute karenge.

Aryamann: How do you know that?

Harshad: You don't need to know about that. Just listen to me carefully. Pehle you have to mix these pills in Manik's drinks. Uske bad he will be out totally. Then (he shows a photo of a girl) iss ladki ko hume Manik ke pas bhejna hai. After that I will steal Cabir's phone and make a video of Manik and Shayna( the girl in the picture) and ye video pure school me leak hojayega. And the blame will go on Cabir. This will create a mess in Manik's love life and he will never forgive Cabir for doing that.

Aryamann: Really Harshad? What do you think? Their friendship is so weak? Manik and Nandini can be seperated from these stupid plans?

Harshad: What the hell are you talking about?

Aryamann: I have observed their bond, their love and care for each other. They wont break with this. And why do you want to do seperate them? Aisa kya kiya hai unhone? They don't seem evil to me.

Harshad: Oh please Aryamann! Hum dono ne unpe spy kiya hai bohot time se. Don't you think they deserve this? And moreover do you trust them or me?

Aryamann: Obviously you are my best friend and I trust you. But

Harshad innocently: I can understand. If you don't want to help then it's okay. I will manage.

Aryaman: No yar. I trust you. So the plan is on. I will see you later. Bye.

Aryamann walked out of the store and at that time his face was clearly visible in the camera. As soon as he left Harshad smirked and said," So Manik Malhotra get ready. The devil is back."

Cabir: Oh! I guess aaj Manik ne bhi lagaya hai.

Everyone looked at Manik and chuckled. Nandini then came in front of Manik and tip toed. She rubbed his lips softly with her fingers and all while Manik was just looking at her. As she was done she stood straight and was looking at Manik lovingly and he was doing the same. Nandini blushed due to his intense gaze and others just looked at this cute couple in awe. There trance was broken by Raghav sir.

Raghav sir: Everyone sit in the bus. Be quick students. We are already late. And ya keep your bags here.( He pointed towards his right side.)

Manik: Nandini you go and sit. I will keep the bags and come.

Nandini nodded and sat on a window seat which was behind and soon Manik joined her. Fab4, Navya and Abhi seated around them. Their whole gang occupied the last seats and Harshad was sitting just in front of them with a random boy. The journey started and Raghav sir with some other female teacher were with them in the bus. He announced that the journey will continue for 4 hours. For an hour everyone was silent and MaNan were having their cute little romantic moments. Nandini was looking out of the window and enjoying the cool breeze and Manik was again and again tucking her hair strands behind her ear and she was blushing with his each touch. After some time, Nandini came near Manik and sat sliding her arm in his and kept her head on his shoulder. Suddenly, Aliya got up and came in the middle.

Aliya: Guys it's still 3 hours for the journey to complete. So let's play something.

Mukti: Yeah! Guys let's do something fun.

Dhruv: But what can we do in a bus?

Aliya: Umm. I have an idea. Let's play Dumb charades. But in a different way. I mean there will be two teams. Team A will give the name of a movie or a song to two members of team B and they have to act together and explain the song to their team members.

Navya: Wow! Bohot maza aayega.

Manik: Guys please it's so boring and we are not kids.

Nandini: Manik let's play na. Kitna maza aayega. Aliya you carry on. He is playing with us.

Manik had no other option but to agree with her. Aliya divided the teams. MaNan, Cavya were in team A with other students while Dhrulya and Mukbhi were in team B with other students. Harshad and Aryamann were in team B. Team A had to give a song name to team B. Dhrulya were given the song ' Chittiyan Kalayian'

Aliya started dancing and Dhruv was also moving a bit and was acting as if he was admiring her and was holding her wrist to explain the word kalaiyan but no one understood. Finally Aliya did the signature step and they got it right. Now it was team B's chance to give a song or a movie to team A. Nandini dragged Manik with her and they were given the song 'Tum hi ho'. Nandini blushed and Manik whispered in her ear," Baby This song is perfect for us." Nandini turned crimson red and Cabir mockingly said," Not here guys. Please carry it on somewhere in private."

Everyone chuckled and Manik gave an angry look to which everyone shut their mouths. MaNan started their acting. Manik sat on his knees and pointed towards him then made a heart from his hands and then pointed towards Nandini and she started blushing. No one guessed it correct so they portrayed their storyline so that they can get the hint. Manik acted as a drunkard just like Rahul and Nandini as Aarohi who tried to help him. They showed that Nandini was singing and Manik was impressed by her and then they also showed that Nandini became famous and Manik was happy with her success. But in vain no one understood.

Manik shouted: What the hell! Itna easy hai.

Aliya: Manik you can't speak.

Manik: Okay. Last time we are explaining if you guys don't get it then you all are fools.

Nandini's ideas were used already and she didn't know what to do. She was sad that they couldn't explain and suddenly Manik got an idea. Nandini was standing there looking down and Manik removed his jacket and pulled her closer. He held her waist with one hand and put the jacket over them just like Rahul did in the movie. Manik cupped her face and softly kissed her and she kept her hands on his chest and responded with equal love. They broke the kiss as they heard everyone shouting 'Tum hi ho'. Manik removed the jacket and pulled her closer and romantically sang looking into her eyes

Kyunki tum hi ho

Ab tum hi ho

Zindagi ab tum hi ho

Chain bhi, mera dard bhi

Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho

He looked at her lovingly and then romantically raised his hands in the air just like a bollywood hero and she instantly jumped into his arms. Everyone started cheering and hooting for them while Harshad gave annoyed looks. Aryamann smiled at them and some girls said how luckt she was and how much they love each other. Some girls were burning of jealousy. They sat on their seats and this time Manik wrapped her in his arms and she snuggled closer to him. She was still blushing for what happened some time ago and Manik was looking at her serene face. Now it was time for team B. Harshad and Aryamann came and team A had to give them a movie or a song. ManBir smirked looking at each other. Cabir gave them the movie 'Dostana' to which Harshad got very angry and Aryamann gave a shocked expression. They were not explaining anything so their team members started shouting on them. So they acted like they are romancing with each other. Everyone bursted into laughter looking at them and then a random guy shouted," Aree yeh to dostana hai." Everyone laughed their hearts out and Harshad was finding a place to hide his face while Aryamann didn't react to it. Now it was Team A's turn again. Cavya were given the song' Dhak Dhak karne laga'. Navya was as usual super excited and Cabir was looking at her excitement and smiling. She started dancing and Cabir also joined her. They couldn't dance properly as they were in a bus but the dance was slow and intense.

Nandini guessed the song and Navya hi fied her. Cavya were going back to their seat but the bus took a sharp turn and Navya lost her balance and fell on Cabir who was standing taking the support of a seat. She accidently kissed on his cheeks and they had an eye lock. All others were cheering and hooting for them which disturbed Raghav Sir who was sleeping. He came and saw Cavya in that position.

Raghav sir: What the hell is going on here? Everyone please sit on your places.

Cavya were embarrased but at the same time were blushing too. They sat on their places and stopped the game due to Raghav Sir. MaNan were sitting in the same position and after some time Manik fell asleep and Nandini was just caressing his hand and doodling' MaNan' on his hand. She looked at his baby like innocent face when he was sleeping and couldn't stop herself from pecking on his pink soft lips. She also fell asleep with her head on his chest. After an hour or so they reached their camping destination and Manik woke up when the bus stopped with a sudden jerk. He saw Nandini sleeping while snuggling to him and a smile crept on his face. He whispered in her ear," Baby wake up. We are here." Nandini said in a sleepy voice," Ummm. I wanna sleep." Manik then smiled at her cuteness and then unwrapped her from his arms and made her sit straight but her eyes were still half closed. She was looking adorably cute. Manik pulled her chubby cheeks which made her eyes open and she smiled looking at him.

Manik held her hand and walked out of the bus with her. They joined others on the camp site were many tents were placed in a circle and there were some wooden benches and rock shaped chairs were placed in the middle for sitting. Nandini was very happy seeing the arrangements and the place was on mountain top which looked very beautiful. The weather was very calm and pleasant away from the noise and pollution of the city. 2 people were assigned for each tent. ManRuv; Cabir and Abhi; Nandini and Aliya; Mukti and Navya; Harshad and Aryamann were in the same tent. Everyone arranged their bags in their respective tents and then had lunch together. After the lunch, Harshad and Aryamann were in their tent discussing about their plan.

Harshad: We have to execute our plan today itself. Next step hum kal rat ko kar sakte hai. And the last day we can celebrate our success.

Aryamann: Yeah okay.

Harshad gave a devilish smirk and Aryamann was confused. On the other side, fab5, NavNi and Abhi were enjoying and laughing together.

Harshad had evil plans to destroy their amazing bond of friendships and love. Aryamann was confused with his own decision. And on the other side, MaNanBir were confident enough that no one can break their bond of friendship and love. Will MaNanBir's bond break? Will Harshad's plan succeed? Or it will backfire him?

PRECAP: DRUNK MANIK

P.S. GUYS I HAVE DECIDED TO END THIS FF AFTER THIS TRACK. BECAUSE MY COLLEGE WILL START SOON AND I WANT TO WRITE ANOTHER SHORT STORY ON MANAN BEFORE THAT. SO PLEASE DON'T BE SAD BECAUSE WHATEVER STARTS HAS TO END SOMEDAY. I WILL START THE NEW SHORT STORY AS SOON AS I END THIS ONE. I AM SURE YOU WILL LOVE THAT TOO. I HOPE YOU A UNDERSTAND. I LOVE YOU ALL. STAY BLESSED. OKAY THANKS BYE.