Essence Of Love - A MaNan FF [Completed]

Chapter 20 - Pouring Love

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Nandini's POV cont..

''Because, Nandini.. I love you. And despite what happened, I very well know that you love me too.''

''Manik.. Have you forgotten.. I confessed love for .. Harshad in the morning?'' I asked, my breath catching in my throat as I spoke. Why did it all feel like a beautiful dream?

''Nandini, maine tumse pyaar kiya hai. Tumpe trust kiya hai. After all the time we have spent together, you really think I don't know you? And the kiss we shared during the Pre-Musicana? It only acts as a confirmation that its me you love. I don't know tum yeh kya kar rahi ho aur kyun kar rahi ho, but I'm not gonna give up on you so easily'' he responded, his eyes speaking volumes.

I wanted to hug him tight and push him away at the same time. It would be easier for me if he would have just stopped talking to me or hated me.
But, its going to be so tough to deal with his unconditional love and trust.

''Stay away..I don't love you'' I said, blinking back my tears and left the room immediately. I could hear Manik sigh audibly and I knew how difficult it must be for him too. I left the event and went home early - my mind had become over-exhausted after all that I went through in a day. I messaged Navya I had left, knowing she would understand.

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Next morning - SPACE

The atmosphere was dull and lifeless at college the next day, matching perfectly with how I felt on the inside. This year SPACE hadn't bagged Musicana, and instead it was the band from Excel that had won.

''Baby.. Tum kahan thi? I've been waiting for you since such a long time.'' Harshad shouted in relief as he side-hugged me. I ignored him and didn't even bother responding, instead giving a little wave to Navya who stood beside him.
''Woh.. Prof. Raghav ne hum teeno ko jam room mein bulaya hai.'' She said.

We walked into the jam room, and there stood the very people whom I didn't want to face today. Fab 5.
Their faces turned sour as we entered and I avoided meeting their gazes.

''Now that NH3 is also here. I want to make an announcement.'' Prof. Raghav said, standing between both the bands along with a pretty and modern looking girl whom I didn't recognize.

''Despite the way you guys have let us down in Musicana, you have to thank your lucky stars. Mr Ashish Khurana , the manager of Q-Label - one of the leading music companies, heard and liked some music from both the bands and wants to offer the better of the two an album deal. He wants to hear a live performance from both of you a week from now to decide which of you will bag this deal.''

''Fab 5 will compete with NH3? Mazaak hai kya? Humare standard ko yeh log sapne me bhi match nahi kar sakte'' Cabir mocked loudly while the other 4 laughed. Raghav glowered at him and then gestured towards the girl ''Now Meet Soha Khurana, Ashish Khurana's daughter. Since you guys are irresponsible and need an organized schedule, Soha has taken the gruelling task of managing both your bands and will be helping you meet the deadlines.''

Soha gave us all a friendly wave while Manik received a suggestive wink from her. I instantly took a dislike to this girl.

Raghav asked us to arrange ourselves on the opposite sides of the vast jam room and left us with her.

Soha first went up to Fab 5 for briefing them about the schedule and I scowled at the way she kept finding a reason to touch Manik and get close to him.