UNINTENDED LOVE - (MaNan)

Chapter- 26

Nandini was talking to Dhruv but she was lost in Manik's thoughts. She is unable to figure out why she is feeling like this. Till date she never cared for anyone's validation but now she is getting affected by his comment. She is confused with her own behavior. Why is she behaving like a typical teenager? And top of that even Navya was also not there with her so that she can share everything.

Manik was trying to call Cabir for his help. For the mess that he created. He tried to call him but obviously he didn't answer. This guy should throw his phone somewhere. Why can't he answer my calls?

He was about to text him when a girl came towards him and started watching him keenly. At first he ignored but the way she was staring at him made him uncomfortable so he asked her. "Hey, do you need any help?," he was confused seeing her behavior. "OMG, you are Manik right? Manik Malhotra," that girl screamed with excitement.

Manik was shocked. He didn't expect people in New York to recognise him. She was about to call her friend when he stopped her. "Wait. Please don't tell anyone. Please. I don't want people to recognise me," Manik said in a low tone. He was constantly checking his surroundings to check if anyone is watching them like this. That girl was confused but she understood that he need his privacy even though he is a celebrity.

"Okay I get it. But can you please click a picture with me? Please. I won't get this chance later. Please. I'm a huge fan of your songs," girl was watching him with hope.

"I will agree only if you don't share this pic," Manik said his condition. He can't afford that. Atleast for now. She immediately agreed to him and clicked few selfies with him. Since, he was taller than her so she was finding difficult to bring both of them on camera frame.

He smiled seeing her struggle and offered her his help. He often face these situations where his fans unable to click pictures considering his height. He took her phone and clicked a selfie. That girl checked that pic but she told him to click another one. "These girls never get satisfaction with one picture," Manik thought and he again took a picture.

She checked the pic and she kept staring at that. She was still finding it unbelievable. Who could've imagine that she would meet her biggest crush at her college party in New York. Manik thought he should meet Nandini so he waa about to walk out but she held his hand.

"Manik please can you give me your autograph?," that girl asked him. Manik agreed. He never said no to autograph. She gave him her phone. Manik got confused. "Why you are giving me your phone?," Manik asked. "I opened my snapchat. You can give your autograph on blank snap," she said. Manik was surprised. People are getting updated with apps and technology.

He asked her name for autograph. "Rose," she smiled. He tried to swipe his finger on the phone's screen but he was unable to give his autograph. She saw him struggling so she asked him if he can come with her near her locker so that she can bring her notepad. Manik was uncomfortable but he agreed.

He followed her and he stopped little far from her locker. She went to her locker and immediately came with her notepad and pen.

He wrote:

Hi Rose,

All the best!

Lots of love,
Manik Malhotra

Rose was in tears. Finally her dream came true. He was about to leave when she asked him. "Can I hug you?," Manik was unsure about this. He thought how can he say no to her but in the meantime she came towards him and hugged him tightly. He was taken a back with her sudden reaction but he couldn't do anything. He was unable to push her forcefully as she was holding him.

She came out of the hug. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe. I'll post this pic when you reach Mumbai. Thanks Manik. It was lovely meeting you," and she gave him a peck on his cheek and left. Manik just stood there to process everything whatever happened with him.

Little did he know that Nandini was watching him from a distance. She saw them hugging each other and she saw how Rose kissed him on his cheek. She didn't hear their conversation but she saw that Rose was happy. She couldn't figure out his expressions as she was standing behind him so she could only see Rose's face. She immediately left from there.

"I was idiot to come here for him. I thought since I've invited him here so it is my responsibility to make him feel comfortable but look at him, he is hugging Rose. Hugging? No she kissed him. Seriously? God I hate that girl. And he had to choose her. Out of everyone. But, why am I feeling bad?," Nandini's eyes welled up.

She ran from there and bumped into Dhruv. He turned to see her eyes teary and he understood that something was wrong with her. "Hey Nandini, you okay? Where's Anant? I thought you went to bring him," he asked.

"I don't know where he is but I'm sure he is having great fun," Nandini said composing herself.

"Yeah, the party just started. It is fun here right," Dhruv said looking at the surroundings where people were dancing and having their drinks. He thought this is the right time to make her to drink his special drink. He went to bring her the juice but he already added the drug in her glass. Unaware of this, she took the drink and drank it.

Dhruv took her to the dance floor and they started dancing. He tried to hold her waist but she shrugged off. She took a step back and started dancing maintaining a decent distance. Dhruv didn't like this behavior of her. "Just few minutes Nandini. Then you have to come to me," he thought.

After some time Nandini started feeling dizzy. She was losing her balance and slowly went to the sitting area. She was not understanding what is happening to her. Why her head is spinning? Nandini tried to get some water but she felt an arm across her shoulders and he dragged her to the locker room.