Part 16. Nothing normal with Nandu
SPACE was slowly getting its peace back after the initial excitement of the commencement of a college year. That time of the year when everything goes into normalcy - the first year students settled down to routine classes and activities; the second , third and fourth years getting themselves geared for college election and the final years preparing themselves for their future & placement concerns. The final year students were exempted from all election activities as half of the year they would be out of the campus concentrating on projects and assignments. Moreover, SPACE encouraged & provided opportunity for campus recruitment.
The two opponents participating for college chairman position was Madhyam Singhania of Fourth year and Ranbir Dhawan of Third year. The Singhania's were a very rich and powerful family and Madhyam or Maddy was the black sheep of the family. Manik was not allowed to run for any position in the student's council as he was related to the college trustee. Ranbir, Cabir's twin was standing on behalf of FAB 5. Rabir was an easy going and fun-loving boy who was famous among the girls and the boys equally due to his sunny nature. That was why it was decided that Ranbir would stand for the election for the position of College chairman.
The election campaign was going on at a fast pace. Both the participating groups were literally on their knees begging for seats. The first year students were the one most confused and therefore, the most vulnerable. All the other students had more or less made up their minds. Therefore, the most active campaigning was going on among the first year students.
Maddy had also approached Nandini and Navya and requested for their support. But, Navni had already made up their minds to vote for Ranbir as he was very friendly to them always. Navya was a bit apprehensive in the beginning as he was Cabir's twin.
Manik, Ranbir and Cabir approached Navni's classroom during break one morning for campaigning. Ranbir made a small speech while Cabir distributed pamphlets. Manik stayed silent whereas his presence itself was a strong positive impact for the campaigning process. Nandini's heart started beating a bit fast on seeing Manik , but she ignored the feeling and concentrated on the twins.
Finally, the much-anticipated day of the election arrived. The voting was to be conducted in the morning hours and the results to be announced soon after wards. Navya fell sick on the day and could not attend the election. Nandini cast her vote and was waiting in her classroom to hear the results when she heard some noise outside. Some boys came in and informed the girls that a fight had started between the two opposing groups and some of Maddy's friends outside the college had entered the campus. Manik and Maddy had a verbal fight, which soon got dirty and there was a lot of confusion. The girls were also warned to vacate the campus, as the men who entered the campus were local goons who would go to any extent to disrupt the atmosphere.
Nandini had to submit Navya's practical record for correction as that day was the deadline. Navya could not submit it earlier due to sickness. Nandini decided to submit it and then return home. As she made her way to the practical lab, Manik met her.
" Hey, What are you doing here? Go home. All the girls were asked to leave the campus. Don't roam about now. We do not know how many outsiders have entered the campus and where all they are. "
" I need to just submit this to the lab and then I am leaving" said Nandini showing him the record book.
" No you are not. Nandini, Leave immediately. It is not safe anymore. Maddy and his friends are in a fighting mood and we are here to handle them. We do not want any disturbances from stubborn heads like you who refuse to understand. "
" ok ok.I am leaving" Saying, Nandini turned back to leave the campus when she remembered that Navya had stayed up the previous night to complete the lab work and already the teacher had given her grace time to complete and if not submitted today Navya might loose marks. If it were her own record work, Nandini would probably have just left it at that. But this is Navya's and Navya trusted her to submit it. She cannot fail Navya.
Nandini ignored the sick feeling in her stomach and rushed to the lab only to find the lab closed and no one around. Suddenly Nandini remembered that she had left her bag back in the classroom. She decided not to go back to fetch it. It was when returning from the lab to the main entrance that Nandini saw a group of wild looking boys by the entrance. By now, the campus was more or less empty. Nandini took a left turn, entered the back area of the campus in order to leave by the back gate of the campus, and lost the way. Nandini had not become much familiar with the campus yet.
As she was wandering from one corridor to another, a pair of hands closed her mouth from the back. Nandini tried to scream but no voice came out. She was dragged into a storeroom near by. Nandini tried to see the face of her assailant but since it was dark inside, she could not see properly. Nandini tried to give him a kick, but missed. It was then she heard a hissed voice in her ear "sshh. Shut up and stay still"
It was Manik. And he slowly turned her around to face him. She could see that he was very angry. She readied herself to accept his anger, which was justified. But how dare he scare her and drag her to this room. He almost scared the daylights out of her. Nandini turned to him to give him a piece of her mind when he again sealed her mouth with his hand and whispered. "shut up. Some of the guys are just outside and they are drunk. The college is almost empty. I was the last one to leave when I found you. The peon is locking up all the doors."
Now, Nandini was almost on the verge of crying.
" I want to leave from here." She whispered back.
"look who's talking now. Anyways, just stay put until the police arrives. It is not wise to mess up with them now. Nyonika has called the police in and the police will arrive any moment. Until then, all students were asked to vacate the college. Why didn't you leave when I asked you to? Did you want to invite more trouble?"
"I want to leave" Nandini whispered again. She was feeling uncomfortable. She had known Manik only for a few weeks now and she was not sure how much she could trust him.
Manik appeared to understand her predicament, left her, and moved to create some space between them.
"Wait here." He said and moved to the entrance of the storeroom. Manik tried to open the door. But it was not moving.
"Seems like the peon locked this door as well. Tough luck Nandini. You are stuck here with me. "
"Why don't we just shout? May be the peon is somewhere around"
"And may be he is not. May be the goons will come and open.. and we don't want that. I am not worried about me, but you. Give me your mobile phone. I will call and inform FAB 5. I lost my mobile somewhere during the fight."
Nandini remembered that she had left her bag behind while going to the lab and her mobile was in the bag.
"My mobile is in my bag and the bag is in my class"
Manik stared at her for a minute.
"Really, Like seriously. Ohho. Now I am really stuck with you. Of all the people. It had to be you.. You are dumb. Do you know that?"
"No. I am not. "
"Who in there right mind would leave their bag behind when being asked to vacate the college in such an emergency? Were you thinking of going back to take your bag leisurely after your so-called lab trip." Manik said shaking his head and giving out along breath. " I don't believe this."
Nandini looked around for the first time at her surroundings. The storeroom was quite big and airy unlike commonly seen. But it was quite dark inside. There were racks and racks of stationary items. Thankfully, she found a chair nearby and sat down. Her legs were not supporting her anymore. She was nearly crying now. Chacha-chachi would be so worried. Nandini silently berated herself for her foolishness.
" Oh. So madam has made herself comfortable here. Planning to spend the night here?" Manik had also found a bench to sit down. "I agree it wont be comfortable, but my first night with a girl. " Manik emphasized on the word "first night". Now Nandini was scared. She gave a silent sob , but Manik heard her sniffs and was immediately at her side.
"Listen. Don't cry. The police will soon arrive. My friends will also start looking for me. Moreover, once we are sure that the coast is clear of the goons, we will shout at the top of our voice. "He took her face in his hands and said softly" You are safe with me Nandini. Understand that."
Edited by minnu26 - 9 years ago
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