Part 29 Dhruv's Diary
Mangalore Airport
We, FAB 5 were just returning after giving auditions for Idea Rock Music Band 2016, which was held in Saraswati auditorium, Mangalore. As usual, we FAB 5 rocked. We had had a tiring day and were dying to reach Mumbai. We were moving towards the VIP lounge of Mangalore Airport when I saw her for the first time. She was murmuring something to herself as she inserted a coin in the weighing machine and instead of checking her weight; her attention was more on the fortune ticket. I noticed her child like eagerness to read the contents of the fortune ticket. I could not take my eyes off her. I had never seen a face more innocent and pure. She was tiny but beautiful dressed in a simple baby blue salwar kameez, her thick black hair almost falling to her hips. It was Manik's loud 'buddy??' that woke me out of the trance and I realized that I was lagging behind the others. Manik was looking at me curiously when the next thing I see is the vision in blue I had been staring at, running in our direction. Within a few minutes, she had hit into Manik and toppled over, landing herself on the floor after being hit by my guitar as well. We could hear our names announced for check in. As we were hurrying, I looked back once just in time to see her trying to get up from the floor. Every cell in me wanted to go back and help her up. However, innate shyness and the lack of time forced me to ignore the feeling and move forward. I could hear her calling out to us. I looked at the others. They seemed to ignore her and I was forced to do the same. Finally, Cabir was the one who halted and said something to her. My mind did not register what he talked as my heartbeat had accelerated and I was moving as a zombie, this feeling very new to me. I must have been attracted to her even then.
Regret engulfed me as we settled down in the plane. I should have attempted to help her and befriend her. I was sure that I would not see her again and I felt a strange sadness overpower me. Manik , who was sitting near me must have felt something strange because he asked me if I am alright to which I said that I was just tired.
*******************************************SPACE Academy
Imagine my surprise when I saw her in the college today. The FAB 5 had targeted two scholarship students to make room for Soha in the college. Personally, I was against their plan, but I never went against the FAB 5. They were my family. One of the two girls was Nandini Murthy from Mangalore. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be her. When I saw her in the classroom, being taunted by my friends, all I wanted to do was take her in my arms and protect her from them. Imagine, me having such a thought against the FAS 5. That was the effect of Nandini Murthy on me.
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Unfortunately, for me, my gang had already decided Nandini as their next target to bully, Manik on the forefront. I had noticed a certain change in Manik while dealing with her, but later on, I realized that I had been wrong. My feelings for her grew as days passed. I had lost my heart to her. I decided to confess my feelings to her, but first I had to save her from FAB 5. I talked to Manik about it and he seemed to agree with me. Aliya caught me red handed. She must have noticed me staring at Nandini or something. That was when she started teasing me about Nandini. I knew Aliya herself was insecure about Manik and Nandini. There were few instances that threw Manik and Nandini together that raised her suspicions. But I knew Manik was 100% loyal to Aliya. He cannot be any other way. That is an innate quality of Manik. Aliya used to share her insecurities with me and I used to convince her otherwise. Inwardly, I knew that Aliya was loosing it.
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My happiest moment came when Nandini approached me the day after the elections. I was so nervous that I almost stammered in front of her. She was asking about the whereabouts of Manik and I wondered why. I deduced that he must have asked her to complete his assignments or something. The poor girl looked agitated and my heart went out to her. I decided that I would do everything in my power to stop the FAB 5 from further bullying her. I knew Manik would never ignore my words. But the problem would be that if I persists, then Manik would smell something wrong and then I would have to confess to him. That would not be a good idea until I get to know what Nandini thinks of me. So first I have to find out from her if she is willing to give me a chance. If Manik even gets a clue that I am interested in Nandini, then he would kidnap the girl for me and literally force her to accept me. No, I want to do it my way.
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I had tried to talk to Nandini a few times. But almost always I gave up at the last moment.
Today, maa was taken to the hospital by Nandini due to high BP. Manik had attended a call from her for me. How could I miss it? I felt so disappointed. I was however, happy to find maa all right and bonding with Nandini. Maa had liked her. Who wouldn't like her? My Nandini...
I lost the opportunity to drop her at her house. But my priority was maa at that time. I could not leave her alone at the hospital. My heart rejoiced that Maa had already approved of Nandini. I think this unexpected turn of events was an indication from above that we are meant to be together. This incident gave me hope and I decided to confess to her ASAP.
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Aliya hit Nandini!!!!
If she were not my best friend, I would not have spared her. She was already feeling sorry by the time I met her. And she was nervous thinking of Manik's reaction to her stupidity. I felt sorry for her. I consoled her and explained about Maa being in the hospital and Nandini helping her. She became even more upset. It seemed that she had made up her mind about something. Hope everything gets back to normal for the FAB 5.
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Manik and Alya broke up. 7 years of relationship down the drain. It was not unexpected. However, it was disappointing. Hope both of them find their true love soon.
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A semester is over and still I had not gathered courage to propose Nandini. Will I ever be able to do that? I just hope that I at least be friends with her the coming semester. Looking forward to the new semester in hope. She had been away during holidays. I had finally managed to give a call to her residence hoping to catch her during holidays. Her chachi informed that she had gone to Mangalore. I am counting days now for the college to reopen. It is not the same with Manik also away from Mumbai.
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I went early to college, before the classes started, to catch a glimpse of Nandini. I was lucky to catch sight of her and my heard leapt within me. She always had that effect on me.
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I fell in love with Nandini again today. She has such a heavenly voice. She looked so enchanting on the stage dressed in a south Indian attire. I almost lost myself. I want her in my life. Period.
I wonder how I managed to stay sane during the FAB 5 performance that followed immediately after.
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I almost stopped breathing when I realized that Nandini was missing from our group after we have crossed the river today. The whole day was quite depressing. I was secretly hoping that Nandini would choose me as her partner for the jungle trip although I knew it was unlikely. I had her always in my vicinity. However, I missed a chance to dance with her when everyone was randomly dancing with each other.
And the last blow came when she went missing. I frantically searched for her. Finally Manik found her and we had to move back without both of them. My buddy and my girl together. I knew she would be safe with him. That was the only silver lining in the entire incident.
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There seems to be something different about Manik after the jungle incident. Has something transpired between them? They were alone for a whole night in a jungle. May be its just my imagination. Nandini is just not Manik's type. She is too plain for him. Moreover, he never really liked her. But, now I can't wait anymore. I have to confess my feelings for her. I will wait for the Valentines Day. Yes, Valentines day it is ...I will open up to her.
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Valentines Day Eve
Aliya have arranged a bouquet of red roses to be delivered to the college for Nandini. I said it was not needed. But she insisted. She said flowers are a girl's best friend and she would feel special when a guy proposes her by giving her roses. I want to make it simple and comfortable for Nandini. I know her to be a conservative girl. I do not want to embarrass her although I want to make it special for her. However, I went with Aliya's suggestion. She was more experienced in all this. Aliya also suggested that she would send a message to Nandini to meet me at the college garden. I did not agree to that. I did not want to involve anyone else. I am not able to sleep a wink. I cant wait for tomorrow. I will call her myself to the college garden, hand over the bouquet to her and if needed go on my knees and say the three magic words. Yes, I will not hesitate anymore.
After Nandini's and Navya's visit home, which was yet another pleasant surprise, Maa had come up to me and asked on my face what I thought of Nandini. Am I that transparent? I confessed everything to her. I expected her to be delighted, as she had developed a liking for Nandini. But she was very quiet and warned me not to get disappointed if everything did not go as planned. Her response dampened my spirit a bit. She told me that she did not want my heart to break. I assured her that I would leave Nandini alone if the reply was a negative.
I wish I could share all this with Manik. After all, he is my best friend. I will open my heart to him tomorrow when he comes back from Goa. After that, I will arrange a party for the FAB 5 and make everything official ie. If Nandini accepts my proposal...I am keeping my fingers crossed.
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Manik turned the pages only to find it blank after this update. The last update was on the day before Dhruv's death. Manik kept the diary back on the teepoy and rested back on the sofa, his eyes overflowing with hot tears, mourning a friendship that was lost, forever.
Manik did not know for how long he sat there...on the sofa. He rewound all the incidents that took place after the Mangalore trip. He tried to analyze how he missed the obvious. He being pre-occupied with Nandini, had missed what was going on right under his nose. If he had a clue of what was going on in Dhruv's life, he would have made everything right. And, Dhruv would have been alive today...
By dawn, Manik shifted from the position he had been the entire night, having firmly reached to a decision, which was too painful yet necessary.
CID
Music Corner
