Manik & Nandini-Stars & Fireflies Part 56 on Page 145 - Page 73

Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies 45

Dhruv drove Nandini took Nandini to sick bay where she was put on drip till the time she gained consciousness.. Dhruv sat next to her and looked at her beautiful face but he also noticed few drops tears still wetting the corner of her eyes... After some time Nandini opened her eyes... Dhruv asked "how are you now?" Nandini looked at him blankly and said "Dhruv I want to go home..can you drop me off please.." Dhruv nodded in agreement and drove her off to home...

Meanwhile Manik was looking for Nandini all around.. He didn't knew why but all he knew that he needed to see.. He needed to know how she is, he wanted to see her fine but he couldn't find her.. He ran to her music room and found DJ pacing the room and Navya sitting all tensed.. "DJ.." Manik said panting.. "Oh Manik... are yo u not done with all this revenge **** of yours.." Navya shouted at him.. Manik got angry "listen you.." but he was interrupted by DJ "Navya beta relax..and you go to library i need to talk to him.." DJ said and Navya obliged and left giving a hateful look to Manik...

"yes Manik what is it.." DJ asked him in a cold.. "Nandini..I mean.." Manik found himself short of words... "nandini what Manik? I am sure Manik you have enjoyed the show in the canteen after all you wanted this right.." DJ questioned him.. "Oh please DJ I didn't wanted this.." Manik said frustrated.. "Really Manik you actually expect me to believe it.. After all what you have done yesterday everyone..yes every single person of this college will raise questions and mock her like today.. You just didn't insulted her but you killed her self respect, her confidence.." DJ was not in the mood to stop... Manik was just listening to all this silently and for the first time in his life he couldn't look into her eyes...

After being silent for a really long time finally Manik spoke "I never thought this would turn out to be like this.." With a hint of guilt he spoke giving DJ the leverage to cash in.. "I taught the boy a good lesson..He won't speak anything against her or for that matter anyone in this college.." DJ was smiling but hid it as soon as Manik looked at her.. She made a poker face and said "And why would you do that.." Manik had no answer "I am asking you something" DJ's questions won't stop "You wanted this right.." "No I didn't want this..I can't see her crying..I can't every time she cries something dies in there.." Manik hit his heart... "Because you love her Manik.." DJ said with a smile cupping his face...

As soon as Manik heard the word love his expressions changed...He removed her hands from his face and said angrily "I hate her..I don't love her.." and left.. Cabir entered as Manik left but Manik didn't notice.. Cabir was listening to their convo all this while but thought not to interrupt.. "So partner looks good haan.." he said smiling.. "Cabir don't smile on his plight..my poor baby.." DJ said... "But he needed this.. why he had to do this idiot and now this jalebi is gone.."DJ said.. "Jalebi whose jalebi?" Cabir asked confused.. "Arre Manik Jalebi Malhotra who else..his thoughts are twisted as jalebi now.." DJ laughed "Partner you na just oopen a halwai ki dukaan.." Cabir said and they both hi fived each other..

Nandini was sitting in her room looking at the wind chime blankly when Dhruv came and sat next to her with a box of sweets which chachi gave to him to cheer Nandini up.. "Nandini look here.. chachi said this will cheer you up anytime.." nandini looked at the box and it was ladoos... Tears filled in her eye as the moments with Manik flashed in front of her.. How he used to visit her everyday with a new sweet, how he touched her, made her blush, made her feel safe and made her feel love..but now all of this was gone and all was fake..

Nandini hid her tears and refused the ladoo but her tears did not escape Dhruv's eyes.. He tried to hold her hands but Nandini pulled her hands back.. Dhruv sighed and said "I know Nandini you can't let anyone comfort you apart from Manik even after all this but there's something I need to tell as I don't want to lose you Nandini.." Nandini gave him a surprised look... "I like you Nandini.." Dhruv finally said leaving Nandini shocked "Dhruv.." before she could say anything Dhruv silenced her "Nandini you don't need to explain anything I know you love Manik and there is one more thing that I know that even he loves you..He just doesn't know it yet.. but I don't want to loose you as friend so can we forget this and be friends.." Dhruv extended his hands Nandini looked at him let out a faint smile and said "Friends for life.."

Meanwhile Manik was pacing up and down his room all restless.. He picked up his phone and called Nandini..he wanted to hear her voice but Nandini disconnected his call and switched her phone off.. Manik kept trying her and got switched off message which left him irritated.. Suddenly he remembered DJ's words "Because you love her.." "I don't love her.." he shouted and his voice echoed in the Malhotra Mansion...

Finally he picked up his car keys and drove off unable to handle the frustration anymore..He was craving for peace and soon found himself parked right below the window of none other then Nandini Murthy...His peace...his oasis in the desert...

End of Part 45..

Ciao..Love...