MaNan: Tamasha (The Twisted Tale) (#multimedia)

6. What's Burning?

NANDINI'S P.O.V.

I am the most lucky girl ever! I mean, I have two brothers here in India. Aaryaman, chacha and chachi's son lives in his (technically, chacha's original house) but stays with us at the Bungalow for like the whole day. He is the best brother ever and in no time, we have become best friends. And guess what? He is MANIK'S FRIEND!!!!!!!!!! Could my life be better? He didn't go to college as he was asleep and didn't wanted to go to college.

He is a little protective of me and is like a real elder and ready-to-hit-you-with-a-stick-if-you-dare-to-look-at-my-sister kind of a guy to me. Rishab has already gone to his hostel whereas I am here in Mumbai.

So, as even he was going to Manik's party, it helped me get the permission for the party!

I wore a peach tank top with cut blue jeans. I wore my new pair of brown heels I bought from Manhattan. I curled my hair. They were not very curly nor were they very straight. They were looking perfect. (A/N - Remember the hairstyle Nandini had at the Diwali party at M's house?)

I wanted to look my best for (1) this was my first party in India, (2) I had to make a great first impression, (3) I wanted to be a part of a social circle and screw all these reasons. The true reason is none of them as even though this was my first party in India, it wasn't so big and I already have a social circle in India. So, let me not lie to myself. The reason is (4) Manik.

Oh God! I have never felt like this about any guy. I have had thirty six no, thirty nine, no I guess thirty seven...ya, thirty seven boyfriends so far but I have never felt like this about anyone.

I and bhai walked towards the main gate exactly at 12 when guard saluted bhai and said, "Hello Aaryaman sir. Welcome." and unlocked the door for both of us.

No one had reached so far except for Mukti and Cabir (obviously). Mukti was looking as normal as ever with no make up and a high pony. She wore a checked shirt and simple denims with blue well-worn sneakers. Cabir was looking handsome with a sky blue coloured smart, buttoned shirt (not a T-shirt) and white knee length jeans.

"Hey! Dude! You don't even have an idea about what you missed today. We won again and this time, that little Aaliya girl was there." said Cabir to Aaryaman.

"Aw man I know!" bhai said and both of them hugged. Mukti came and whispered in my ear, "Hi. Now this bromance is gonna continue for like the next hour." and I nodded in agreement. We both giggled.

"Mukti, by the way, where is Manik?" I asked in the most casual way I could.

"He is getttttinnngggg readyyy." Mukti sang, "and today, I am sure he will take more than an hour even though he is already ready. You know, as today Soha is also coming." she said and broke my heart.

Soha????? Who is this girl????

"Soha? Such a weird name. So, who is this Soha?" I asked, again, as casually as I could even though I wanted to go and shoot Soha with my machine gun.

"Oh, don't tell Manik that I told about her to you, but I know that I can trust you. Well, Manik has only told about her to me, Cabir and Aaryaman, but, he kinda likes Soha."

"Isshehisgirlfriend?" (Is she his girlfriend?) I asked extremely hurriedly.

"No way! I mean, it is just Manik that likes that bhenji! He has never admitted that he loves her and moreover, that bhenji is not the girlfriend boyfriend type."