Hey, *Important note*
Chapter 7! I know I'm early, hopefully this one is long. But I will not update twice a day from tomorrow. Stay tuned. Add me for Pms. Sorry for being rude, but I do not accept negativity and shall respond to it curtly. So if you can appreciate my work, be my guest, if not then nobody is forcing you to read this so close the tab and back off. I am a short tempered person and I love all my readers but I like my passion for writing more.
The following story is a pure work of fiction that I have created, please do not copy and post it anywhere without my knowledge else if I do come to know anything of that sort, I will immediately stop writing here.
Chapter 7.
It was almost at 2:45 when Nandini got a text from Cabir saying the two of them had to stay back for practice and would be home by 7 directly to prep for the party. He also told her to hail a cab and go home not with Harshad. Nandini smiled at her brother's concern and how well he knew her.
Navya did offer a ride in Harshad's car wholeheartedly this time but Nandini knew better than to disobey her elder brother so she called a cab and went home listening to songs on her iPod.
She reached home, had a light snack and began rehearsing with her veena in the living room waiting for her teacher to come. The evening was rather a silent one and silence was deafening to Nandini's ears, so she connected her phone to the sound system which blasted music in the entire house. Cabir had gotten this done because it was easier than getting big loudspeakers for house parties; their mom whenever in town also used these speakers to full extent by fangirling over shah rukh khan's dialogues in full volume, but Nandini seldom made use of them. She'd rather have Mozart's instruments playing in her ear than the entire neighborhood listening to him.
Toady was different. Today she'd have to wear a better dress, wear makeup, do her hair and wear shoes inside her own house. Those were somethings which she'd finally accepted that she HAD to do when dozens of unknown people crowded her house. By 7:30 their regular pizza delivery guy came over with twenty large pizzas and soft drinks which she was sure Cabir ordered. Nandini paid along with some tip, he'd gotten a lot of pizzas so she felt like he deserved it. It was 9:00 when Cabir came home with two crates of beer followed by Manik.
Nandini actually gasped looking at Manik. He looked like mess; his hair was deshelved, he looked like he'd run a kilometer in his jeans and most of all was the bruise on his cheekbone and the cut on his lip still fresh. She looked at Cabir who looked calm and composed and didn't have any dramatic comments for her then she again looked at Manik holding two crates of beer cans looking anywhere but at her.
They set the four crates down but Nandini went to cabir and asked in a low voice out of Manik's earshot.
"Anything I should know?"
"Nothing, it's just guy stuff. Tiny fight in the college." He said dismissing her and walking off towards the living room to unplug Nandini's phone and put his ipod and prepare for the guests who'd be pouring in any minute.
"Didn't look like it." She came behind him, adamant on knowing what had happened.
"Nandini, stop irritating me and please let me do my work. I told you there is nothing to worry about." d Cabir almost shouted at her, she flinched. He'd never be rude to her and this was a first. Not wanting to create a family scene in front of Manik who was standing in the doorway she left silently without saying a word to either of them.
Nandini went to her room and took out one of the book's in her to-be-read' pile Villette' by Charlotte Bronte. She sat on her window seat and soon she was lost in her book until the music started blasting throughout the house. The bad part about the speakers was that one had been installed in all 6 bedrooms in the house including the backyard and garage. Nandini had to stand on her chair to switch off the one in her room. She saw the time, 10:00. Time to get dressed for the torture, she thought and started looking through her closet for something appealing.
She wore a top that looked a lot like a kurti only that it reached till the belt of her jeans. It was black with a very small silver border and straps. She paired it with a pair of grey jeans, wore her black heels, straightened her hair and wore a few accessories.
There was a knock on her door and from the other side someone said, "I wouldn't mind some ointment for my bruise."
"How about not getting into fights then?" Nandini said sarcastically opening the door to Manik standing there, he had freshened up and she was pretty sure it was in one of their bathrooms.
"Just stop with the sarcasm and get something."
"Nice chivalry." Nandini said and got one of the creams she used whenever she had bruises.
Manik was about to leave when she asked, "What happened though? Aren't you the strong fighter?"
"Why the sudden concern for me? Having some feelings suddenly?"
"Feelings for you? No way, just wanted to know who's the great guy managed to punch Space's rockstar."
"That would be your elder brother." He said and walked off towards the hall before she could comprehend what he'd said.
Cabir punched Manik. Cabir PUNCHED his best friend. She recalled his expression in the canteen and knew for sure that something was fishy. But she knew Cabir would never tell her anything, she had to make Manik confess whatever it was and then it clicked in her mind, Manik got drunk at parties, so now she just had to get him so drunk that he'd spill what had happened to her. Nandini gave herself a pat on the head for her tiny evil plan and left her room with a determined smile only for it to disappear the second she'd enter the living room.
People. Everywhere. Some were even standing on her precious couches that her maid had dusted with so much caution. Drinks already on her precious carpet. Nandini had to actually control herself from not pulling the girl's hair lying on her coffee table ready for body shots. One time someone had actually managed to break their glass door leading to the backyard by running into it assuming it was open. Nandini felt proud of her maid for cleaning so well but had to pay for a new sliding door.The place was already beginning to stink with the stench of alcohol and now to top it all the lights were dimmed and led lights were hurting Nandini's sober brain.
She reached the kitchen successfully without smacking anyone. She took out a slice of pizza from one of the boxes and was eating when she realized someone else was also there. The guy looked rather out of place with his formal shirt, black pants and formal shoes. Nandini thought he looked good.
"Hey. Why are you standing alone there?" she asked him.
He looked up at her from his glass and Nandini almost swore. He had to be one of the finest guys she had ever actually seen. Someone you'd just pull out of a high class glossy end magazine.
"Actually, my friend is in there somewhere but I'd rather not go inside."
"Why?"
"The living room is a bit too wild for me. I'm used to formal parties with soft music and frankly, lesser people. I've to actually go to one of those now." He said glancing at his wrist watch.
"Well, I too hate it in there. But I have to put up with it."
"You could come along with me. I don't think my friend will be coming out sood anyway. I'm Rian."
"I'm Nandini. Isn't Rian a Christian name?" he was too cute to be Indian blood.
"Funny the number of times I've been asked that question. No, it's a Hindu name and for a fact I'm a Punjabi." He said pointing the glass towards her. She was pretty sure that was vodka, how did he get hold of it? It was in one of their cabinets.
"Oh nice! I have a friend who is also Punjabi, arrogant one that too. Malhotra." She said trying not to think much about Manik when this eye-candy was in front of her.
"Wait. Are you talking about Manik Malhotra?" he chuckled.
"Yes, he's exactly that inconsiderate jerk. How do you know him?" she was rather thrown off guard. How did he know?
"He's my cousin as a fact but I do agree about the jerk part." Rian chuckled again. His eyes lit up when he smiled and there was nothing fake about it.
"Well, I'm sorry for you." She said only to be awarded with another chuckle.
"Since you are getting bored here anyway, do you want to head to another party? It's hardly ten minutes away. Trust me; it'll be much classier than this one."
"Actually, I should first go ask my brother if it's alright. He would get worried if he doesn't find me here." Nandini knew she had to get some things out of Manik's mouth but the only thing on her mind right now was this new
"Sure, go ahead. Do you want me to come along or would you rather I wait out?" he genuinely offered.
"I'd say you should come along, so he can remember your face to inform the police in case you abduct me." She said walking out and gesturing him to come along. He laughed and came along.
She spotted Cabir on the couch sipping from one of the beer cans.
"Bhai, I'm going out with one of my friends. I'll be back in two hours."
"Who are you going with? Navya's here." He said pointing somewhere but Nandini didn't follow it. She pointed behind her at Rian and said, No bhai, with him. I'll be home soon. I love you. Thanks! Bye!" and held Rian's hand and left before Cabir could say anything but Rian stopped her.
"Hey man. Rian Malhotra. I hope you don't mind."
"What the f**k? Another Malhotra guy behind my sister? I am going to end up in jail because of your clan."
"Chill bro, nothing of that sort. She's clearly uncomfortable here. Don't worry; you can save my number if you have any issues."
"Cool. She better be back in two hours or I'm going to come after your sorry ass." Cabir looked away and Rian smiled at Nandini.
The two of them were about to leave when Manik blocked their path and said, "Going without meeting me?" he said in a sly voice. He looked back and forth between Rian and Nandini.
"Yes Manik. We are going. Goodbye." Nandini said and walked past him holding Rian's hand when Manik held her hand too tight for her comfort.
___________
Edited by Samiyra04 - 10 years ago
Hindi TV Shows
