Entangled

Part 3

Later that day, when Manik and Cabir came to the parking lot, Manik found the note left by Nandini. The message read :

        "The inconvenience caused by your actions cannot be fixed with cash. The time I lost and the stress it caused cannot be compensated. I missed my induction program and my first day was spoilt because of your carelessness. I have deflated the tires so that you get a taste of your own medicine. Hope it will also remind you to drive carefully next time."

        It definitely wouldn't cause any inconvenience to Manik like Nandini had expected, but Manik was furious.

        Manik : "What does she think of herself? I am not going to leave her."

        Cabir : "She dared to mess with you even after knowing who you are. We have to teach her a lesson. She seems to be a fresher, so we can torture her in the name of ragging... "

        Cabir's words added fuel to Manik's anger. The act of deflating the tires by Nandini was considered as an attempt to deflate his ego.

        Manik : "There is no need for everyone to get involved and waste time on her. She messed with me, so I will handle her in my own way."

        Cabir : "What are you planning to do?"

        Manik : "I don't have a plan yet, but I will make sure that she doesn't forget the consequence of her action. She shouldn't even dare to come anywhere near me or my possessions in the future. First, let me find out who she is."

        Cabir : "That will be a piece of cake for you. You should be able to get all her details from the office in no time."

        Manik asked the watchman to get the tires inflated, and he went with Cabir.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        Next day, Manik went to the college office to get details of the girl who messed with him. But he soon realized that without knowing her name or having her picture, the task wouldn't be that easy. He wasn't ready to waste his time or energy looking through all the students who had joined that year.

        Manik's thoughts : "Where will she go? If she is in this college, she is bound to cross my path sooner or later."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        A few days passed. Meanwhile, Nandini got acquainted with Navya who was her classmate. Nandini didn't think about Manik or the incident any more, but Manik hadn't forgotten Nandini.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        It was the day when the students could check about the clubs they were interested in and join them.

        Navya : "Nandini, I want to join the music club. If you also join the same, then I will have company."

        Nandini : "I can join any other club with you, but not the music club."

        Navya : "Why not?"

        Nandini : "I have no interest in music."

        Navya : "I have heard that there are a lot of handsome boys in that club. It seems the president is the most handsome. If not for music, you can join the club to eye handsome guys. (dreamily) Who knows we might find our Prince Charming there?"

        Nandini : "Are you joining the club because you like music or you want to find your Prince Charming?"

        Navya : "Both. Now at least will you join?"

        Nandini : "Sorry Navya, I have no interest in eyeing handsome guys either."

        Navya : "What kind of girl are you? .. Anyways, what can I do to convince you to join me?"

        Nandini : "Nothing can convince me."

        Navya : "Okay, fine.  You don't want to join the club, but you can at least give me company while waiting in the queue, right?"

        Nandini : "I am really sorry Navya. I don't want to take even a single step in the direction that would lead me anywhere close to music."

        Navya : "Why do have so much aversion towards music?"

        Nandini : "If you continue talking to me, you will miss your chance of joining the music club. There is already a huge line in front of the music booth."

        Navya : "Oh! I will take leave then. Bye Nandini."

        Nandini : "Bye, All the best!"

        Their conversation was overheard by none other than Manik. Manik was very passionate about music, so he was just curious to know who was that who had so much aversion towards music. He turned around and came to know that she was the same girl who had deflated his jeep's tires.

        Manik (to himself) : "Nandini... and she doesn't like music."

        Manik (to himself) : "I found the target as well as the means to humiliate her without taking any effort. I will leave you no option other than taking steps towards music."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        Manik figured out that Nandini had joined the volunteering group. He then got her entry cancelled from that club and included her name in the music club. In a few days, everything was consolidated and the list as to which student got in to which club was displayed. Nandini didn't find her name on the list. Navya found Nandini's name on the music club list and informed her.

        Nandini had no clue as to how her name came up on the music club list. When she contacted the volunteering group, she came to know that she had to get a form signed from president of the music club. Only after that, she could join the volunteering group. Nandini tried to get in touch with the music club president, but she couldn't contact the president till the first day of the club. She had no choice but to attend the first meeting so that she could get signature from the president.

        The president of the club gave an introduction speech. Nandini recognized that the president was the same person who had spoilt her first day of college, but that wasn't her concern now.

Once all the main members of the club had introduced themselves,

        Manik : "Now, it is time for each of you to showcase your talent."

        Nandini didn't want to sit through it, so she got up from her place and came towards Manik.

        Manik : "Looks like we already have our first participant. She seems to be so excited that she couldn't wait for her turn."

        Nandini : "I am not here to participate. My name was added to this club by mistake. I was told that I need to get your signature on the cancellation form to join a different club."

        Manik : "There are a lot of people waiting to join this club and you mean to say your name appeared on the list from no where. I haven't heard of any such miracles happening around here. Can you throw some light on how it happened only with you?"

        Nandini didn't have an answer to that question. A few giggles and chuckles could be heard from the crowd.

        Manik : "I think I have an idea of what has happened. You joined voluntarily, but you are backing out now because you developed cold feet. .. or is it that you don't even know the a b c's of music?"

        There was another round of giggles and chuckles.

        Nandini began to realize that Manik was deliberately taunting her.