Mannat's worry escalated as she searched for Manik, feeling a sense of panic wash over her. The teacher noticed her distress and suggested postponing the performance.
With a heavy heart, Mannat dashed toward Aman, who was seated with the principal.
"Aman uncle, I can't find Papa! Please help me!" she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.
Aman stood up, alarmed by her desperation. "Okay, okay, calm down. I’ll search for him. You stay here," he assured her. She nodded, trying to muster some composure as he hurried into the corridor.
Aman called Manik's phone repeatedly, but it rang without an answer. "Where are you, Manik?" he muttered under his breath, growing anxious.
Meanwhile, Manik is trapped in a store room, banging on the door and shouting for help. Frustration boiled within him as he kicked the door, realizing he had been locked in by Pankaj, who had set this trap to cause trouble.
He recalled the series of events that led him here— he comes to the washroom to wash his coat as a kid accidentally throws a food plate at him. Coming out of the washroom he heard a crying voice, thinking some kid fell in trouble and needed his help. He started searching for him, he had ventured into the store room only to be pushed inside by someone. His phone had fallen outside, leaving him helpless.
"Aman, please find me," he murmured, scanning the dimly lit room for anything to aid his escape, but found nothing.
Back on stage, the performances concluded, and only Mannat and Manik remained unaccounted for.
The teacher approached Mannat, inquiring if she had spoken to her father. "Where is he? It's time for your performance!" she urged.
Sasha, noticing Mannat's distress, spoke up, "She doesn't know where her father went?"
The teacher, sensing the gravity of the situation, insisted, "Mannat, you must go on stage and perform."
As she left, Mannat turned to Sasha's father, her voice trembling, "Did you find him?"
He shook his head sadly, deepening her despair. Just then, Pankaj appeared, smirking as he asked, "Where's your father, Mannat?"
The tension in the air thickened, and her heart sank further. She didn't reply; she just looked down, crying.
"Dad, maybe her papa got scared of us because he knows he can never win against us," Tanvi said, and she and Pari high-fived each other.
"Shut up, Tanvi! Don't forget you are losing to Mannat, so don't say anything to her!" Sasha shouted at her, and both girls glared at each other.
"Tanvi, stop troubling Mannat. You are a good girl, right?" Pankaj said, then knelt before Mannat, wiping her tears. "Mannat, if you want, I can come with you on stage."
Everyone looked at him in shock. Mannat stared at him as he continued, "You know, if I come in your team, then you can win this competition."
"But Dad, you are my dad, not her dad! How can you participate with her?" Tanvi asked, confused.
"Tanvi, didn’t I teach you that sharing is caring? Right now, Mannat needs someone to participate with her, so what's wrong if we can help her?" Pankaj replied.
Mr. Singh glared at him. "No need, Mr. Chaudhary. If Mannat wants someone, then she will go with her chachu on stage. She doesn't need you."
Pankaj glared back, but Mannat shouted, "No one can take my papa's place! Only my papa will come with me!"
She ran to the stage when her name was announced, looking at everyone with tears in her eyes as she took the mic. Pankaj's fists clenched as he looked towards Tanvi, signaling her something evil. She smiled and nodded, then, along with Pari, went towards the stage to tease Mannat.
YOU ARE READING
Blooming love
Fanfiction{ ✨💞 it's a ROM-COM book 💞✨} [ He fell first but she fell harder.] Manik Malhotra: He is a successful businessman, known for his sharp mind and cunning strategies. To the outside world, he was perceived as a rude and arrogant individual. He wore h...
