Chapter 2 : Past Beholds
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow
"Nandini..for god sake..Would you stop being Shakespearean for a moment.."- I found Mukti hissing as I turned my head from plush valleys of Manali to her scorching face blazed with anger..great I zoned out..again.. "Not my fault when everything is so beautiful around .."-I tried defending though it only came as a meek whisper..
"And well so you know it isn't Shakespeare.."- I found myself telling her pointing to the minted edition of Langston Hughes poems collection ..which I soon slid in the backpack for if I knew Mukti well ..it would soon be pushing her luck with the withered leaves and the gravel on the mounty patches in Manali..
"Ouch.."- I yelped as Mukti fist pounded in my head..I wouldn't be lying if i said..I knew it was coming..but hell it would have been better if I was prepared...quite a moody and unpredictable she was and more probably so she was lashing during these summers ..I wonder if is it me or her going through the breakup phase..
"You know quite a fool I am when I am talking to myself.."-Mukti chanted as I stared at her..
Something was telling me that there is more to that..more to that facade of "Everything's alright..face.." ..is she alright..what about her dad..is he again..oh god..I hope not..since her mom died his father's been quite abusive to her ..he had scarred her childhood and she hated him with utmost passion ..it was quite difficult for her to open up to me..but I nagged her day and night due to which she eventually gave in..I still remember the first day I saw her.. sitting alone in the classroom..a few of the mighty gossip girls were teasing her..and somehow it hurt watching her wipe the tears without anyone noticing and trying to keep a bland face .. But I still did notice.. and I knew I want to make her feel better..and I had to befriend her..rest was history and we soon became best of buddies ..we would eat together..me, aryaman and Mukti and we would gossip..well that would be mostly me but Mukti was a good listener and quite once in a while she would occasionally crack a smile when I tried my lame jokes..but that was past ..is it still bothering her ..may be I was observing way too much or it had something to do with me brooding inside my room during summers..I was so gloomy and cut off from the rest of the world that I didn't even considered my best friend..Mukti..that's been with me forever..through every thick and thin..I prayed to Aiyappa for her well being.. I had to make sure she was alright..And as I was about to ask her the same I noticed the bleeping horns and the flashy vehicles making their way to the empty car space we just got pulled into.."This isn't the right time.."-I sighed and decided to push the thought back in my head as we began hollering down the corridors of space academy..
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"Geez ..I am so hungry.."- Mukti almost dragged me to the canteen while on the way.. I tried not to wiggle and fall flat on my face ..ahh..so gracious..
"Mukti..you need to slow down.."-I yelped as she stopped abruptly in the mid..curious I tried peeking at the cause of her sudden halting and there I saw him..the one who I desperately tried to be away from..aryaman..a splurge of anger and hurt cursed through me as I stared at his utmost brown eyes..the ones I was so fond of...was..yes It didn't turn me into a meltdown like a thousands of butterflies were doing salsa in my stomach as they did previously..strange ..was the attraction I felt for him was already fading ..so soon.. I never thought it would ever..swallowing a lump in my throat I noticed Mukti..her stiff posture wasn't giving anything away about what she was about to do next..and dang she kicked him ..quite unprepared for this unexpected launch he fell with his face almost squished to death as he tried limping away..
" Stay the hell away from us.."- us..though the way...Mukti only pointed at me ..I knew she was talking about me..crazy and protective best friend she was.. and while I was still conflicted at aryaman..I didn't want him to face the public humiliation as the people around us were all snickering and laughing at his expense..isn't that all what he wanted to avoid..then why was he trying to do all this..was he actually guilty and trying to mend the things the right way...though the one part of me was furious at him and may be wants to let him go through all this for he deserved it while the other me was who was friends with him since childhood didn't want that..
A range of thoughts surpassed and I decided to do what I thought was right.."Don't you have anything to do or you are just the sadistic ones who gets their share of fun by watching others in pain.. "-I brazed at the ludicrous onlookers who gaped at me and then scooted away muttering a few nothings my way..
Sighing I turned towards Mukti who has an expression of both awe and confusion ..before she could ask anything I intercepted -"Mukti..let's go.." And whisked her away ..away from him..I still didn't want to face him..
"Nandini..Wait..What was that.."- Mukti squealed stopping me as we reached a considerable distance ..
"I don't know what you are talking about.."- I sure wasn't getting away..one look at her and I can tell she is determined to know why I did what I did ..basking a few minutes in glory of her unraveling oh so mysterious gaze isn't pleasant at all..and then she did what i didn't expected..her gaze softened and then she hugged me muttering-" Idiot..Such a Softie..What would I do with you.." ..I felt.. I felt relieved ..and hopeful as one feels when you have your best friend on your side ..even though with all the mascara running your face..you are looking total crap
***********
"Thinking about me.."-a voice whispered and in a fright as I turned back I saw the devil himself..
"Sure ..Dream on..everything doesn't revolve around you Manik..what do you want.."-I pressed as I saw him smirk..god ..doesn't he get bored of this..smirking all the time..I wonder if his face hurts..great now I am actually thinking about him..Sighing I got up from my seat and turned to leave ..
"Do you have the time .."- Though Manik whispered ..I found the librarian glaring our way..great what was she glaring at..no one was even there..it was way past college time and everybody must have left an hour ago.. while being the stupid I am decided to finish my assignment here though I could have easily done at home..
"Time for what.."- I snapped..
"Time ..time for helping me of course ..you dimwit.."-he pointed out as obvious..I was literally scowling at him now..who asks for a help while being rude..oh I forgot ..he is the nutcase..the one who has almost screwed literally every girl ..the one who keeps betting money and his life..as if his living didn't even matter...I once heard he was willing to sell his kidneys for the money ..now I just don't understand why would he be needing money..he was filthy rich..his whole persona is a facade..that's why I always ignored him..I knew he was trouble..and now look where it got me ..life has a twisted sick way of throwing things at me
"And why would I help you.."-I hissed through my clenched teeth..
"Ouch..you are so cruel ..you know that.."-Manik touched his heart gently when he said that and then in the next bursted laughing..Recoiling my fist I tried to contain my anger as I have the sudden urge to go and punch him..punch him like hell..and beat all the utter crap his egoistical self has..
"Get out you two.."- the librarian order us flicking her finger towards the exit..
Annoyed as I turn to get away from there as fast as I can..I am feeling rather drowsy now..too tired to fight...may be I will get some sleep when I go home..I heard those discreet clunky taps following me to the door but they soon slow down and surprisingly eventually quieten..relieved and shuffling on my legs I try to reach my car as possible though before I could do so I found him standing against my car's side leaning against it..how did he even get there..he was behind me..is there any another exit in the library..estrange thoughts surpass ..it seems like eternity as I stood there watching him...eventually he turns and motions me to come close .."Come on..you owe me..you have to help me or.."- a sudden glint of mirth sparkles his hazel eyes as he spoke..
"Clear up..what do you want Manik.."-I say rather disinterested wanting to end the conversation..why couldn't he tell what he wants..why is he making it so complicated..
"I want you to be my date for tomorrow.."-he mutters in a single breath while I stand there stunned..
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Hello ..Hope you enjoyed the chapter 😃
Here are a few review points:
* Mukti lost her mother while she was a child and his father's been abusive towards her..that's why she is protective of her best friend nandini and that's why she kicked aryaman
* Nandini isn't a coward ..she is hurt ..and she hasn't yet forgiven aryaman..she helped him because once he used to be her friend
*Nandini-Manik..their love story will blossom at gradual pace and there are lots of things aren't covered yet and don't worry about being confused..the story is going with different scenes and each scene begins with ******..and the story is in Nandini's POV unless explicitly stated
if you have any questions..you can definitely ask..i won't mind telling you again and again...😊
Please show your support and leave feedback if you want further updates..that's how i will know you are interested..cheers 😳
Edited by -TheQueen- - 9 years ago
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