Essence Of Love - A MaNan FF [Completed]

Chapter 16 - Date/Disaster?

''Manik, only 5 minutes are remaining for your performance.. It's time to begin taking positions on stage'' Nandini reminded him breaking their eye-lock that had gone on longer than they meant to. He nodded with a huge smile on his face and went towards the door, turning the doorknob. The door didn't budge. He turned it a couple more times with greater force, yet it didn't move.

''Shit! The door's jammed, I think!!'' He shouted out in panic, still trying to open it. Nandini's eyes widened and she joined him in making efforts to open the damned door.
''Do you have your phone Manik? We can quickly call up someone. I've left mine in the green room'' She frantically said. Manik checked his pockets and cursed under his breath, responding ''So have I''.

Nandini tried banging the door and shouting for help while Manik searched for other ways to exit but nothing seemed to be helping. If any member of a band wouldn't be present during the performance, it would be a straight disqualification from Musicana itself.

''Manik, time's up. Mujhe nahi lagta woh log wait karengey..'' Nandini said exactly what Manik was dreading, in a low voice.

I can't let Fab 5 down. They can't get disqualified because of me. I won't let them lose.

Manik aimed his clenched fist towards the glass square in the door, but before he could throw the punch, Nandini had grabbed his hand. ''MANIK!! ARE YOU CRAZY?!! I will NOT let you hurt yourself like this.'' She screamed, her chest heaving with fright as she held his hand tightly and caressed it like it was extremely precious. Manik forgot his hurry, as he saw her like this, so concerned and scared for him. He just stared at her doe like eyes, threatening to fill up with tears if he moved his hand away.
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Fab 5 walked off the stage feeling extremely humiliated and disappointed , while the audience loudly mocked them at their disqualification. When informed that the lead singer wasn't present yet, it hadn't taken the judges a minute to kick them off.

''Agar 2 minute ruk jaate, toh kya ho jaata inka? I'm sure Manik would have reached by then'' Cabir spoke, his teeth clenched and his face flushed .

''This is a Pre-Musicana event. One cannot just walk in whenever they want here. Fab 5 was SPACE's biggest strength, and you guys were such a disgrace to us today'' Proffessor Raghav said in a tone of disapproval, joining them. All 4 hung their faces, not knowing how to respond.

Harshad laughed, enjoying the sight of the mighty Fab 5 being told off, not resisting the urge to join in too- ''Inhe kya bol rahe ho sir? Inhe toh iss stage ki kadar hi nahi hai. That is why, their lead singer isn't even here right now''.
Raghav shook his head and left, while Mukti gave Harshad a threatening glare.

She then turned to her band-mates saying ''Guys, I'm actually worried. Manik aisa kabhi nahi karta, he must really have gotten stuck somewhere''.
Alya huffed. She wasn't as giving as Mukti - ''I just hope that 'somewhere' isn't with Nandini. Because if it is, I'm not forgiving him so easily'' .

''Cut it out Alya. Let's go look for him now.'' Dhruv silenced his girlfriend, and the four rushed out.

Just after they left, A peon came in and gave Harshad a nod, saying in hushed tones ''Saab.. Kaam Hogaya''. Harshad smirked approvingly and gave him the promised money. He had asked the peon to slowly unbolt the classroom door which he had locked, as soon as Fab 5 got disqualified on stage.

''Unhe pata toh nahi chala?'' He whispered to the man.

''Woh dono ek dusre ke aankhon mein busy they Saab, kuch nahi pata chala'' the man assured him and left.

''Now, that I'm done taking away your music and friends, I've to take away your girl.'' Harshad muttered and rubbed his palms in glee.

He was leaving no stones unturned in the quest to break Manik Malhotra.
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