The Nerd and The Brat ✔️

37. Astronomical Night

Hello Fam :)

Okay since it's a bit confusing, let's go with single or double updates a day. Let the chapter sink in. According to this plan, the book will be completed by the end of the week. :)

Happy Reading...

The week has passed in a blur. For all the excitement about the event, Nandini and Manik were too busy to relax and enjoy it. But at the end of the day, when they compared the notes or when some student appreciated their work, they shared a content smile. Nandini needed the pressure. It took her mind off the unwanted thoughts.

Finally, Friday has come. It was an astronomical night event. The professors, who had accompanied them to the venue, stayed at a nearby hotel in order to give the students their privacy to enjoy their last night to the fullest. Abhimanyu had helped Nandini set up the bonfire while Manik gave a brief lecture about the history of Astronomy from the perspective of ancient Indian culture. She made Manik read a book which he was eager to oblige. After the lecture, the students cozied up around the bonfire and a few of them approached Manik with some of their doubts. Cabir was setting up his camera and the telescope required to snap some photographs of the night sky. Mukti was beside him.

Once they were done, Abhimanyu and Nandini joined Cabir and Mukti. Navya was with the group that was interacting with Manik and as she asked a question to him, Manik got excited and launched into an elaborate explanation. Nandini noticed the fond smile he gave in their direction. Abhimanyu had his hands wrapped around his girlfriend as they chatted with a few other friends he had made during the event. Nandini slipped beside Cabir once he finished setting up the camera.

"I need magazine-worthy pics. If I find the pictures of only your girlfriend, I would make sure this would be the last time you would be touching the camera", she warned.

"I am insulted", protested Cabir. "I am too professional when it comes to my profession."

"Yeah, I noticed", she told, "how you were making heart eyes at your girlfriend."

Cabir grinned. "Girls like it when their boyfriends make heart eyes at them. You wouldn't understand. Anyway, how do you find us together?"

"Made for each other. Jungli", she told.

"I am serious."

"How does my opinion matter?", she asked. How does it matter who dated whom?

"Please? It matters", said Cabir. He made his best puppy dog eyes that always worked on Manik.

Nandini rolled her eyes. She isn't affected by his dog eyes but she could definitely spare herself by answering the question instead of watching him being a baby. "You guys are okay. Abhimanyu and Mukti. You and Navya. You are fine. Not overbearing."

"You find Mukti and Abhimanyu okay? Just okay", he asked incredulously.

Of course, it's just okay because it's not permanent. Nothing is permanent and they were just in their teens. They were dramatic to think they would be together forever. But Nandini didn't tell him that because teenagers don't want to acknowledge the harsh realities of life. They ignore and ignore until life happens and then wallow in their misery as life mocks them with a 'told you so'. Nandini shrugged.

"So who according to you is the perfect couple?", asked Cabir.

'No one' she wanted to say but she knew he wouldn't agree with her and unlike his brother, who took disagreements with harmony and intellect, Cabir would fuel the argument. After working endlessly for almost two weeks without proper rest, Nandini didn't have enough energy to spend on arguing with him. She was glad when Manik called her, saving her from answering the boy.