Hustle For Love |COMPLETE| MaNan Fiction

17. The One Where I Wanted Her Close

A/N : Hello everyone, I am so glad I am being able to deliver this today - I almost thought I might have to update tomorrow. 

On the Covid front, my symptoms are very mild, so no fever or cough, just dizziness and fatigue, which also comes at this point, due to the pregnancy - and hopefully in another 5/6 days when we test again, we'd be negative! The husband seems to be almost asymptomatic and our daughter is thriving at her grandparents!

Thank you for all your love, prayers and wishes, we are hopeful that the dark days will pass. 

Now, happy reading! <3

A.

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S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2012

(Cafe Xanders, S.P.A.C.E. Campus)

Manik Malhotra

It had been a couple of days since I saw her on my birthday; the way she had reacted to my touch, something inside me had become very unsettled. I was feeling angry too, I couldn't somehow digest the fact that despite caring for me, she felt so revolted by my closeness; only this time, my anger was more intrinsic than on her. I somehow couldn't feel angry towards her anymore. Her deep affection left me craving, I wanted her care, and for the strangest part, I wanted to care for her too. My feelings for Nandini were changing, and I didn't know how to react. I had seen her wounds and her strength, I wished to protect her, and for the first time in life, I wanted to be a giver. My odd sense of protectiveness towards her was overwhelming for me, and somehow it felt more right than ever.

Fine.

You win, Nandu. Hmph.

I had decided that I couldn't live with her nonchalance, her affection was something I needed from the depth of my being, and I was going to fight for it. When did I get things easy, anyway? It was decided, I needed Nandu back in my life, this time as a real friend, not a fake one. I smiled remembering all the good times we had back in the days, and a sense of joy settled in my heart as I murmured, "We'll make more happy memories, Nandu. I promise".

I was sitting in the college cafeteria, as I went about searching through my web history; when Nandu and I were together, she had used my laptop a couple of times, I was trying to trace back the web pages she searched, to see if it gave me some information of her areas of interest. I wanted to hang out with her, but I didn't know how; of course she wouldn't agree to catch up with me for coffee if I asked, but maybe if I made an offer that's irresistible?

After a while, I scratched my head seeing her searches.

Wow.

Most of her searches were for wallpapers. Ian Somerholder's to be precise - key search words being, 'hot', 'damon salvatore', 'bare body'.

Jesus Christ! How can this girl be so arrogant and so silly & stupid at the same time? Also, how do I use this info to my benefit? Damn it. Argh.

Silly, stupid, Ian Salvatore! Oops, I mean Damon whatever!

Women! Urgh.

"Nandu, you've got to give me something to begin with" I muttered to myself, but I guess I was audible enough, because I got a response to my statement.

"Stay away from my sister, Manik. Otherwise, I won't let you go easy, this time" I turned around to see the Murthy boy standing right behind me and huffing. His nose was scrunched in anger and ears were red. What on earth was he doing in the college cafe? To be honest he looked funny - the older version of me would laugh at his face and mock him, but the Manik version 2.O knew better, I didn't want to f*ck this up - neither for Mukti nor for my chance with Nandu, so I smiled politely instead.