MaNan: It all started with a lie

I Hate Colours!

Manik

We were so near of having our first kiss but we missed it because of the bloody knock. I snapped out and realised what mess that would have been created if I had actually kissed her. Damn it! What might she be thinking about me? Manik Malhotra can't you control yourself for once? I scolded myself.

I am such an idiot!

Oh that you are
Mocked my conscience.

Oh zip it ya. I need to think of ways to explain my point to nandini. Kya soch rahi hogi mere bare me? Shit! I should have controlled myself but I messed up!

Manik idiot Malhotra just think once about what I say ok?

I am really not in a mood my dear conscience. I need to explain myself to nandini cuz I have messed up big time

But manik if nandini did not want the kiss then she would have pushed you away na but instead she closed her eyes as if she was ready for it

Yes! She did not push me away. Does that mean that she...oh yes!! Maybe even she feels for me but I just need to confirm if it happened just with the flow or she really feels something for me.

Thanks conscience!

Anytime Malhotra...anytime.

With these thoughts running in my head, we reached the canteen. Everyone was settled on our usual table talking and laughing among themselves when we reached there.

"Hey guys we are back!" Cabir said ever so dramatically to which we shook our heads in disbelief as usual. "Cabir for once apni nautanki band karo because we are here to discuss about holi. Kal holi hai remember?" navya chided and Cabir went mum immediately.  "Waah beta Cabir tu toh navya ke same bheegi billi ban jata hai yaar" I mocked him slowly as I sat down beside him. "Chup kar saale varna main jake soha ko bol dunga that you like her and kyuki main tera friend hu, she will definitely think ki voh sach hai" he retorted back making me shudder. "Are tu toh gussa ho gaya yaar I was toh just joking" "oh I thought the same " he said giving a fake smile.

"So guys as we all know that we are here to plan the holi party so lets start?" dhruv announced and this caught all of nandini's attention. "H-holi party?" she gulped. "Ha choti and you know what?....us din we have so much fun" mukti chirped and nandu gave her a hesitant smile. "Voh guys mujhe na just abhi yaad aaya ki mujhe library me ek book return karni thi so I'll be back till then tum log kal ki party plan karlo" nandini said but I was sure that she was lying. "Ok toh chalo I will come with you" I said. "NOO!!" she shouted suddenly. I was taken aback for a while. "Voh manik tum baitho na...I will be right back. Ok?" she calmed down a bit on realizing what she did and scurried away hurriedly before I could even reply. There is something that she is hiding but don't worry Ms. Murthy, I'll find it out soon.

End of POV

Manik: Abhi yeh nandu ko achanak kya ho gaya?
He asked when he caught Abhi suppressing his laugh.

Aryaman: manik tum toh uske best friend ho but still tumhe nahi pata?

Manik*confused*: Kya nahi pata? Aryaman what are you talking about?

Abhi: manik kal holi hai

Manik: ha so?...ek second (realization dawned upon him) don't tell me ki vo ab bhi vaisi hi hai

Aryaman: yup

Alia: care to explain us manik?

Manik: alia kal holi hai

Dhruv: buddy seedhe seedhe bataega? Tu kab se bole ja raha hai ki kal holi, kal holi hai but uske aage kya?
He asked a little annoyed.

Manik: buddy nandini does not like holi...infact, she hates holi

Mukti/ Cabir: what!?

They asked totally surprised.

Cabir: Maine nandu ke saath holi ke liye kitne plans banaye the yaar. Ab sab flop

Navya*sadly*: yeh toh humare saath har saal hota hai Cabir

Manik*smirking*: but is saal aisa nahi hoga guys

Abhi: manik kya chal raha hai tere dimaag me?

Manik: Voh kal tak pata chal jaega. Guys tum log party ki arrangements karo, main nandini ko dekh kar aata hu

Cabir: are par manik sun toh...

But he had already vanished till then. Abhi sighed in disbelief.

Abhi: guys lets plan kyuki manik ko ab hum rok nahi sakte. Voh jo bhi plan kar raha hai na vo use pura karke hi rahega

Mukti: ya right
And they began planning.

Behind the music wing

Nandini: thank god aiyyappa main bach gayi varna mujhe bhi unki holi planning ka part banna padta. Ab jab mujhe plans hi nahi pata honge toh party me jaungi kaise and aise main kal colours se bach jaungi. Yess!

She was interrupted by a cough behind her. Nandu jumped due to the sudden interference and turned around to find manik standing there with his arms crossed across his chest and his signature smirk intact. Seeing him nandini again turned the other side and bit her tongue. She was caught red handed now so she tried regaining her composure.

Manik: so yeh hai tumhari library ha? I didn't know ki books yaha bhi return kar sakte hai

He spoke sarcastically.

Nandini*stammers*: Voh ha...voh  actually main library hi ja rahi thi...I..I mean main library me book dekar aa gayi...voh..voh toh bas aise hi wanted to spend some lone time isliye yaha aa gayi....ya that's about it

She uttered trying to sound confident. Manik chuckled a bit at her failed attempt of lying and turned her around towards him.

Manik: nandu agar jhooth bolna nahi aata toh why do you even try hmm?

Nandini looked down embarrassed, not able to meet his gaze. He chinned her up and continued to speak.

Manik: vaise you know...I hope you remember that holi is my favourite festival and I am very famous...or you can say infamous in playing nasty holi

Nandini: and manik I don't know if you remember or not but I don't like colours...infact I hate them...I don't like holi....I HATE holi. Main toh kal ghar se bahar hi nahi nikalne wali

She emphasized on the word 'hate' to make her point clear and went away, leaving behind a smirking manik.

Manik*to himself*: holi toh main tumhare saath khel kar hi rahunga nandini whether you like it or you don't

Other side

Nandini*to herself*: chahe tum kuch bhi karlo manik but I won't fall for any of your traps. I'll make sure ki kal you don't make me play holi

She said in her determined tone.

So guys what do you think will happen?  Share your views via comments.
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