Mananff-Forever Mine

Chapter 9

'Chalo mere sath' Manik said holding Nandini's hand dragging her along with him.

'Par Manik hum kaha jaa rahe hai' she asked as they reached his car still confused by his act.

'Wo tum roz khana Bana Bana ke thak gai hogi na...aur aaj tumhe thoda late bhi hogaya hai...ab kaha khana banaogi...to chalo aaj hum bahar khana khate hai...ek jagah hai paas me, waha ki pav bhaji bohot famous hai...to aaj tumhe bhi taste kara deta hu' he said igniting the car

'Manik, hum bahar khane mere liye jaa rahe hai ya tumhe pav bhaji khana hai?' Nandini asked raising an eyebrow

'Kya yaar, bhalai ka to zamana hi nahi hai...ek to tumhare liye mai itni der se wait kar raha tha aur tumhe lagta hai ke mujhe khana hai....ab tumhe nahi khana hai to thik hai mai u-turn le leta hu' he said faking anger

'Acha ok ok mere liye jaa rahe hai bas' Nandini gave up

Nandini was sitting in the passenger seat looking out of the window, enjoying the wind that was playing with her hair, lost in her own thoughts. Manik took a glance at Nandini. She looked different now he thought, or maybe since the time they spent together watching the cricket match.

Since then, they had grown more comfortable with each other. They had been spending more time with each other. He realised that maybe he started liking her. She was smart, sweet, confident but also got nervous when they were near each other physically and most importantly she stood for herself. This was what made her different from others.

Manik had changed since the time Nandini entered his life. Before, he would have meaningless flings for time pass and end them as soon as he got bored with a girl. But now, he maintained his distance. Yes, the girls used to throw themselves on him, well who wouldn't, but Manik didn't care anymore.

Once in college when Nandini was coming to her class from washroom, she saw Manik with a random girl who was throwing herself on him. She thought that maybe Manik is still the same. Of course she had heard all the rumours about him and there was Tanu who would always remind her about what kind of a guy he is and why should he not be trusted.

Both of them got out of their thoughts as Manik parked the car near a road side stall. They started walking side by side reaching the vendor.

Manik was trying to convince himself that Nandini wasn't his type. He didn't believe in any relationships and hence didn't have a real one till date. He knew Nandini wasn't that type of girl who would do a meaningless fling but couldn't stop himself from thinking more and more about her.

As they reached the stall, Manik ordered a normal pav bhaji for Nandini and an extra spicy one for himself. They sat on the chairs nearby.

'Tumhe pata hai tumhara itna workout karke kuch fayda nahi hai...it's a waste of time...workout karke ye butter wala pav bhaji khaoge to kyu Kari itni mehnat' Nandini asked eyeing the amount of butter they were putting in the plates.

'Ye meri mehnat ka phal hai' he replied the famous one liner with a smirk.

As the plates were brought by the waiter, Manik rubbed his hands excitedly looking at the food infront of him. Nandini smiled seeing how excited Manik was just for a plate of pav bhaji.

The waiter still stood there for sometime looking at Nandini who was totally oblivious of the place and was enjoying the mouthwatering dish infront of her. As Manik was taking another bite, he saw the waiter looking at Nandini and didn't like it.

'Thank you... Ab tum jao, hame kuch chahiye hoga to bula lenge' he said with a serious tone controlling his anger.

'Kya hua?' Asked Nandini as she noticed Manik's annoyed face

'Kuch nahi....tum bolo, kaisi lagi tumhe pav bhaji...achi hai na?'

And the conversation continued which had various topics from the flavour of Pav bhaji, their day at college, Nandini's cafe, etc.

They finished their food and Manik paid. After they were again comfortable in the car, the conversation resumed.
'Acha Nandini, wo kon hai jo tumhare sath rehta hai hamesha...I forgot his name.' Manik started with another topic

'Wo Shahid hai...bohot acha ladka hai...wo college me bhi meri class me hai and cafe me bhi sathme hai...you know pehle humne notes ke alawa kuch baat hi nahi ki thi, but after I joined cafe, we became good friends.'

'So, is he like...like your boyfriend or smth?' Manik asked hoping the answer would be negative. This was something which was eating Manik inside. He couldn't bare her closeness with Shahid

'Kon Shahid...Nooo...Wo sirf mera acha dost hai bass' Nandini replied the next instant in her defence

'Okay okay relax...Maine to bas aise hi pucha' he said in relief but was doing a happy dance inside.

By the time they reached their building and Manik parked his car. They were in the lift when Manik again said
'Acha tumhe sirf cricket ke baare me malum hai ya aur koi games bhi aati hai?' He asked with a challenging tone breaking their silence.

'Aata hai na...you know mai bohot games khelti thi pehle...football, volleyball, basketball, tablet tennis, throwball, etc. Ye sab school me sikhi thi. Mujhe na ye sab games bohot achi lagti thi. Mai rishu ke sath bhi gharpe football khelti thi' Nandini said drowning herself in the past

'Tum ye sab khelti thi, seriously? Tum itni choti si ho aur golu ho potato jaisi to kaise khelti thi...mujhe to nahi lagta' Manik teased.

'Mr. Malhotra....what do you mean?' She asked putting a hand on her hip

'Miss Murthy... I mean tum jhut Bol rahi ho...aur agar sach hai to prove it'

'Challenge accepted...ye bolo kab, kaha aur kya khelna hai?' Nandini asked confidently, folding her arms on her chest.

'Living room, in 10 mins' stated Manik.

'Fine!!' Was Nandini's reply and with that both of them departed to their rooms to change into something comfortable to meet for the war...

Hey! How are you all? Guys please genuinely batao story line kaisi hai? And if you find any mistakes so plz feel free to comment. And yeah, vote bhi karna.
#affy...