Essence Of Love - A MaNan FF [Completed]

Chapter 14 - For Your Smile

Manik's POV

She was practising with Harshad. She hadn't taken him off the band.
'I trust you Manik'. That's what she had said earlier. And I had immediately placed my trust in her too. I had intertwined my hands in hers because her words had moved me. She had begun meaning so much to me, but she too had betrayed my trust like so many others have done all my life. I shouldn't have broken down the walls around me, I shouldn't have let my heart feel so much for her. I should have been ruthless with her right from the beginning.

I reached the house as fast as I could, in my shocked, hurt state. Cabir, Dhruv, Alya and Mukti lay sprawled lazily all over my couch, all busy fidgeting with their smart-phones. They had come home with me after college for practise.

''Itni jaldi aagaya tu? Date ke liye pooch bhi liya?'' Dhruv asked, raising his eyebrows.
I stayed silent. Thank god, I saw her real self before asking her out.

''Kya huwa? Usne mana kar diya?'' Mukti asked, noticing my crest-fallen expression.

''Maine us se poocha hi nahi'' I replied, my voice shaking and very low.

Cabir laughed ''Tu kabse darne lag gaya? Kahan gaya hamara bold and daring Manik Malhotra?''

''Woh Harshad ke saath practise kar rahi thi.'' I plainly stated, my voice barely a whisper, but I knew they heard me, because for a moment, they too looked surprised. Suddenly, the door bell rang.
Must be her. She had noticed me on the balcony at the last moment.

Cabir shook his head, and said ''Manik yaar.. It's not a big deal. Tu pooch le us se, usne aisa kyun kiya?''.

''It IS a big deal for me, Cabir. You know how important trust is for me. From today I don't know any Nandini Murthy. Without trust, there's no reason to continue. Aur koyi bhi uske liye darwaaza nahi kholega'' I warned them. She had begun banging the door now.

''Manik, tu khud ke dil se pooch. Tujhe lagta hai Nandini aisi type ki ladki hai?'' Dhruv asked.

Somewhere deep in my heart, I knew Nandini couldn't be the evil, plotting types. She had helped me through so much, and given me so much hope.
But, I was listening to my brain now. I can't trust her again, my brain screamed. I can't let her hurt me again.

The banging on the door stopped. She was gone. I took a deep breath, and shook her off my thoughts.

''Tomorrow is the first round of selection for Musicana.. Let's practise'' I said and walked away.

I just want Music right now. Music can heal everything. We're gonna rock Musicana like never before.

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Nandini ran after him, as soon as she registered what had actually happened. She could sense Harshad and Navya's confusion, but she didn't stop. Unfortunately, he was gone by the time she reached downstairs. Without thinking twice, Nandini went up to his house and rang the bell. Once. Twice. She then banged the door, but it didn't open. His hurt expression kept playing on her mind. She knew what must be going through his mind.
He must be thinking that like so many others in his life, I too broke his trust. I am just another person who betrayed his trust now. He must be so hurt because of me.

She went back home forlornly, her face clouded with worry and pain. Harshad and Navya had come downstairs, and had a puzzled look on their faces.

''Kya huwa Nandu? Tum aise bhaagi kyun?'' Navya asked her in concern.
Harshad too came and placed his hand over Nandini's shoulder.
She immediately jerked it off much to his annoyance, and said ''Umm.. Guys, can we continue tomorrow? I'm exhausted'' .