Harshad walked towards the courtyard where they were having a meeting. It was going to be about the upcoming academy dance. As he entered the courtyard he first spotted Alya, sitting next to Manik as usual, and as he rolled his eyes he spotted Navya. But she wasn't the usual Navya, she was sporting a side braid instead of the two pigtails and she was wearing jeans instead of a churidar. This was different, but everything else seemed the same. She was still talking animatedly to Nandini. As he walked over to them, she finally noticed that he was there. Like usual she straightened up, but this time she didn't shift all her attention to him. He was confused, but before he could think anymore, Raghav sir had arrived. He took his seat in front of Navya and Nandini.
"Okay, so as you all know there have been a lot of issues lately between certain groups," he started off. Navya's eyes flashed to Fab 5, along with Nandini's and Harshad's. Fab 5 did the same to them. "So this year at the Academy Dance I'm mixing it up a little. I'm going to be putting you in pairs. You have to be in that pair for the entire night, no matter what. But if you all behave yourself I may give you some time to yourself."
There was a cry of outrage in the audience. Harshad was a little worried about being paired up with someone he didn't want to be paired with. He saw Nandini and Navya looked at each other worriedly.
"These are the pairs Alya-Dhruv, Harshad-Mukti, Cabir-Navya, Manik-Nandini..." NH3 and Fab 5 stared at him in shock.
"WHAT?" they all exclaimed at once. Raghav sir looked at them.
"Any problem?"
"Sir how can you?" "But I can't-" "But why?"
They all cried in worry, but one look from Raghav sir shut them up. They knew there was no getting out of it. As soon as they were dismissed Navya and Nandini quickly ran away before they could be stopped by their dates'. Harshad listened to Cabir and Manik discuss them.
"WHY? Why are they always stuck with them?" Cabir asked.
"I know. This Raghav sir...I swear," Manik commented.
"At least Alya got a good partner," Mukti commented, upset with her choice.
"Please, I'm not exactly jumping up and down to go with you either," Harshad commented.
"Weird...I was sure you were obsessed with me," Mukti commented.
"Get over yourself, my world doesn't revolve around you," Harshad said, before stalking off. He then found Navya and Nandini discussing their dates'.
"Why? Why do we always get stuck with them?" Navya said.
"I know. This Raghav sir...I swear," Nandini commented. Harshad snickered at how their phrases matched their dates'.
"I can't believe I got Cabir. I mean of all people...I would have rather gotten like Dhruv or...someone else," Navya said.
"You mean like Harshad," Nandini giggled. Harshad smiled.
"No...kinda...I mean like anyone but Cabir. I would have gone with Manik...but he's specially reserved for you," Navya said, winking at Nandini.
"What do you mean?"
"Please, we all know that there is something going on between you and Manik. You guys are just too blind to notice," Navya said, off-handedly. Harshad nodded subconsciously. It was true, there was definitely something going there.
"Anyway... since the dance is after school, why don't you come over and get ready with me," Nandini said.
"Sure, we need to go shopping anyway," Navya said. "To buy nice dresses." Harshad's heart stopped, Navya...his Navya, was going to be in a dress. "Let's ask Harshad ji."
Harshad quickly retraced his steps, so they wouldn't realize that he was listening in. He started walking towards where they were, but didn't realize that Navya was literally right around the corner. As he turned, he crashed straight into, causing them both to end up on the flood, Harshad on top of Navya. They looked at each other, for god knows how long.
"Guys, are you okay?" Nandini asked. They broke out of their trance and quickly stood up.
"Harshad ji, thank god you're here. Can you take us shopping?" Navya asked.
"Anything for you..." he said, while Navya blushed Nandini smirked... "I mean... of course. When do you want to go?"
"After school, we'll meet outside," Navya said. With that she dragged Nandini away. Harshad smiled and turned to walk the other way, and saw Dhruv staring at him.
"What is with you siblings and being heads over heels in love with people?" he snickered. Harshad grimaced.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Alya is in love with Manik. And you are so obviously into Navya, a blind person can see that...except for Navya who is just wishing that you were...which you are..."
"That made no sense."
"She likes you, you like her, confess for god's sake."
"Maybe...I don't know...what if she still likes Cabir?" Harshad said unsure of himself.
"Please, dude...she hasn't liked Cabir for like ages," Dhruv said. "So confess, be merry, be happy. Live happily ever after. I need to go and try and get someone else to confess now."
"Manik," Harshad said, nodding his head in understanding.
Harshad picked Navya and Nandini up and drove them to the mall. He went with them from shop to shop, and they didn't find anything they liked. As much as he loved Navya, he couldn't wait to get out of there.
"Are you guys even near finishing?" Harshad said, from where he was sitting under all the clothes that they had rejected.
"NO!" both the girls said.
"Wow...Harshad has been reduced to shopping duty," Cabir said, approaching them. Harshad opened his eyes, and glared at where he saw Cabir, Manik, Dhruv, Mukti and Alya standing.
"And you're telling me that you three came her willingly," Harshad shot back. Manik, Cabir and Dhruv shifted uncomfortably.
"Whatever...I need to find a dress. Dhruv you have to come with me as you're my date," Alya said, dragging along a helpless Dhruv. He sent a pleading look to Manik, who laughed and let him get dragged away.
"Me too...Cabir, come on," Mukti said, dragging a helpless Cabir away. It was just Manik and Harshad left, they looked at each other awkwardly.
"So what are you actually doing here?" Manik asked.
"Shopping duty."
"With who?" Manik asked, surprised. Harshad sighed and pointed towards the changing rooms.
"Harshad! Can you see if Navya is done? I need help," Nandini called out.
"She's not done, Nandini," Harshad replied.
"But I need help."
"After you," Harshad said, looking at Manik.
"Nice try," Manik commented. Suddenly Navya came out in her usual clothes.
"Harshad ji! Today is your lucky day, I have found my dress. What about Nandu?" Navya asked, not noticing Manik. When she looked up, her eyes widened.
"Monster M...I mean Manik. What are you doing here?" Navya asked.
"I'm not here by choice," Manik grumbled.
"Navya, are you out? I need help with the zipper," Nandini called. Silently Navya went into Nandini's changing room. When they came out, Nandini froze.
"Monster M...I mean Manik. What are you doing here?" Nandini said, repeating Navya's exact words. Navya hit her head, while Harshad smirked. Manik rolled his eyes.
"You guys are meant for each other," Manik said, walking off.
"Oh my god...why is he everywhere I go?" Nandini exclaimed as they paid for their dresses.
"Because you guys are meant for each other," Navya and Harshad said. Nandini blushed, but smirked at the two of them.
"We're not the only ones..." Nandini said. The other two blushed too.
"Wait...so you admit you and Manik are made for each other," Navya exclaimed.
"What? No! I was just ...aiyappa, why does this happen to me?" Nandini said, turning around and banging right into the devil.
"Watch where you're...oh it's you," Manik said. Nandini blushed. He side stepped around Nandini and continued walking forward, looking back at Nandini once. Nandini blushed and continued to walk forward. Both Harshad and Navya smirked at each other.
"Oh shut up!" Nandini said.
Nandini and Navya walked into the hall together, and all eyes were on them.
"Do we look that bad?" Nandini said.
"No. You guys look HOT," Dhruv said, coming up behind. He wrapped his arms around the shoulders. "But don't tell Alya I said that, she'll kill me."
"Like we voluntarily talk to Alya," Nandini commented. "Where is she? Wherever she is, Manik is, and he's my Monster for the night ."
"Yup, he's your Monster," Dhruv said, while Navya giggled.
"Not you too," Nandini complained. They made their way over to where the rest was. Alya and Mukti were standing with Cabir, Harshad and Manik. The boys saw Nandini and Navya and their jaws dropped.
"I told you guys, you look hot," Dhruv said. "Here are your dates, and now I expect all of you to enjoy your night! Alya, would you like to dance."
"Dhruv, I have no clue what's gotten into you, but yeah!" Alya said, and they went to the dance floor. The girls stood standing opposite the guys.
"So...do you think that Raghav sir will really care if we ditch our partners, because I rather dance with Cabir?" Mukti commented.
"Like I want to dance with you, I'd rather dance with Navya any day," Harshad said, causing Navya to blush and smile widely.
"Cabir lets, dance. If Raghav says anything we'll just say we lost our partners," Mukti said, dragging Cabir with her. That left Manik, Nandini, Harshad and Navya.
"Wow...you guys look AMAZING! Especially you Navya...you just look...wow," Harshad commented. Navya blushed.
"Thank you Harshad ji," she said.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked. She just smiled and nodded. This left Nandini and Manik standing alone.
"You...you look nice," Manik said.
"Wow...umm thanks, you don't look bad yourself," Nandini said shyly.
"Yeah...thanks," Manik said. They awkwardly looked at each other. The song suddenly changed, and it was a slow song. Behind Nandini, Manik could see both Dhruv and Harshad telling him to ask Nandini to dance. Navya was laughing, while Alya just sighed. "Do you...maybe...would...you like...would you like to...dance?"
"What? Yeah...I would love to," Nandini said, smiling properly for the first time that night. She took his hand as he led her to the dance floor. He put one arm on her waist, while she put her other arm on his shoulder. He brought her closer. Meanwhile, Harshad pulled Navya close to him.
"You really look amazing tonight," Harshad whispered to her. "Not that you don't always look amazing."
"Harshad..." Navya said blushing.
"What? No ji, this time," Harshad teased.
"Well if you want me to add it," Navya started off.
"No, it's sounds good coming out of your mouth. As do a lot of other things," Harshad commented, leaning closer. Navya's heart started to beat faster. And as his mouth approached hers there was a number of cheers. They pulled away and turned to where the commotion was. Navya and Harshad joined Dhruv in laughing and cheering.
"FINALLY!" Navya exclaimed, as she watched Manik and Nandini kiss.
"I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life," Dhruv said. Nandini pulled away from Manik.
"I can't believe...wow," Nandini said.
"Yeah, a lot of people have that reaction," Manik said. "This was definitely better than the first one."
"Let's not even discuss that first one," Nandini asked.
"Well this was nice," Harshad said. "But I have my own plans tonight. Navya, let's get out of here."
Everyone cheered and whistled as Harshad and Navya walked out of the hall. They went to the roof and sat on the ledge. Just talking and holding hands. Harshad faced Navya and leaned in and just as their lips were about to touch...BANG! The door flew open and six people tumbled down onto the floor. Navya and Harshad looked at them like they were crazy, then burst out laughing. Nandini, Manik and Dhruv were the first ones up.
"Umm...I told them not to. But you know this Monster Manik never listens," Nandini babbled.
"Oye, you were the first one who came up here! And who are you calling Monster?" Manik said, grabbing Nandini by the hips.
"It was actually Cabir and Mukti who made us fall," Alya defended, while Cabir and Mukti argued. Harshad and Navya just laughed at their friends. Navya kissed Harshad's cheek.
"Maybe not today," she said, as Harshad wrapped his arms around her.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
