Mere samnewali khidki mein

Chapter 14- "Game is on..."

Scene 1:

Manik just wanted to scare Nandini. He didn't have any intention to misbehave with her. However, Nandini's words make him squint his eyes in dilemma. Nandini makes her eyes soft and mouths in a seductive tone,

"Who said that I will stop you?"

Hearing this, Manik's grip on her becomes loose. He asks in a staccato,

"No...I...I mean...you. Means?"

Without replying, Nandini comes closer to Manik and slowly snakes his neck with her left hand. She is still holding the umbrella in her right hand. Now, both of them are under the shade. Nandini places her ravishing eyes on Manik's perplexed ones and lifts herself to come on her toes. Now, their nose tips are almost rubbing with each other. Gradually, Nandini cocks her head and reaches Manik's ear, gazing at his wet cheek. Manik feels the hot breath on his earlobe. Nandini whispers,

"That means I would love to kiss you without any force."

Saying this, Nandini trails her lips along with Manik's jawline and eventually stops on the corner of his lips. Till now, Manik's heart is beating like a drum. He doesn't know how to reciprocate. Nandini perhaps smells his dumbfoundedness. A victorious smile peeks on her lips. She presses them on the corner of his lips. Some moments pass and suddenly Nandini withdraws herself from Manik's proximity. Manik is still looking at her with confused eyes. He is totally awestruck by the incident that just happened. Nandini removes the umbrella from his head and steps back a little. Her eyes are beaming with ecstasy and amusement. She utters in a tender tone,

"Believe me! It's not a dream."

She turns on her heels and disperses within a minute leaving behind a bewildered soul. Manik is still looking at her fading frame. Slowly his fingertips touch the corner of his lips where the sensation of her gentle petals is still there. His eyes turn misty. He murmurs dreamily,

"Nandini Murthy...even if it is a dream, it felt like an eternal truth."

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Scene 2:

"Coming...coming...wait a minute. I am not a bird."

Navya whines while rushing towards the main door whose bell has been ringing frantically. No one is at home except Navya. Her school has declared a rainy day due to heavy rain. She opens the door and first Nandini and then Mukti almost jumps in.

"Ufff...this terrible rain. I won't be shocked if it would flood today."

Mukti vents out her annoyance and doffs her jacket. Nandini doesn't waste any time and almost rushes towards the bathroom. Navya hands a towel to Mukti and observes Nandini with confused eyes.

"What happened to her?"

Navya asks. Mukti replies casually while drying her hair with the towel.

"Jor se su su ayi hogi (She must need to pee)"

Before they could guess more possible reasons for Nandini's bathroom venture, she came out, rubbing her lips with the back of her palm as if she is trying to rub out some stain from her mouth. Her expression is vexed and angry. Navya whiffs that something is not right. She asks carefully,

"What happened, Nandini? What happened to your lips? Kuch galat kha liya kya? (Have you consumed anything wrong?)"

In reply, Nandini just honours her best friend with a glare. Meanwhile, Mukti has changed into some dry clothes and curls up on a sofa.

"Navya...make some coffee and Nandini, spill the bean. Why are you angry?"

Mukti enquires, ruffling her coloured tresses.

"Because I kissed that jerk! Yakkk..."

Nandini yells and sits on the sofa with a thud. Navya was about to enter the kitchen but this announcement makes her turn on her heels instantly. Both Mukti and Navya scream in disbelief,

"WHAT?"

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Scene 3:

Manik is lying supine on his bed. His eyes are fixed on the ceiling. It's clear that he is still in his la la land. Meanwhile, Mihika lightly knocks at the ajar door and calls,

"Manik, tea!"

However, it doesn't hit Manik's ears. So, Mihika again calls and this time a little louder,

"Manik...are you there?"

This time Manik hears and leaps up from the bed.

"Yes, Bhabi (Sister-in-law)...come in."

Mihika enters holding a tray. There are two cups of steamy tea and a bowl of spicy pakora (fritter). Mihir is not at home. A perfect time to devour all unhealthy things. Mihika rests the tray on the bed and sits beside it. She observes that Manik hasn't changed yet. He just took off his raincoat. Mihika raises her brow at her brother-in-law.

"What happened, my Bro? You have been looking zoned out since you came back."

Mihika asks sipping on her tea. Manik glances at Mihika. Is it the right time to take her in confidence? He walks near and sits on the bed facing Mahika. She is still looking at him with quizzical eyes. Manik takes some time to muster his thoughts.

"Bhabi...I think I am in love. She lives at the opposite flat of our home."

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Scene 4:

All 5 girls are sitting in Nandini and Navya's bedroom. Nandini has already told them the whole story. How she went on a coffee date with Manik; how they spent the afternoon and how Manik challenged her in the park.

"So, you kissed him just to prove that you are not scared? It's ridiculous, Nandini. Now what if he thinks it's love?"

Soha questions. Nandini looks at her and mischievously utters,

"That's what I want. I will make him realise that messing with Nandini Murthy was not a smart move. He started the game but I will finish it."

"Nandini, now you are taking it too far. Dare sirf sorry bolne ki thi. Tu to kiss tak chali gayi. (The dare was just to say sorry but you stretched it to kiss.)"

Navya tries to convince her. Nandini turns at her and speaks sternly,

"Yes, I stretched it too far because he forced me. I genuinely invited him in coffee just to sort out our differences but nooo...this boy has a big male ego. He thinks that girls are weaker sex and they should be under their shelter. Bullshit!"

"So now, you are going to play an emotional game with him?"

Aliya asks.

"Yes, I will prove that women are stronger than men...at least emotionally."

Nandini shrugs and confirms.

"And what if you are proven to be weaker?"

Mukti sounds grave. Even she was not supporting this in her mind. A determined smile creeps on Nandini's lips. She mouths proudly,

"Then I will marry him. I promise!"

Author's note: All requested to updatethis book first after a cliffhanger. So, here it is. Hope you have enjoyed it.