The Nerd and The Brat ✔️

41. Head Boy at Work

Hello Fam :)

So, I want to clear two things. 

1. Manik isn't an introvert. He was just sheltered and would open up pretty well once he is out of his shell. In fact, there might be situations where he proved that previously. 

2. If we are considering the start of the semester around Jun or July and till December, the 2nd semester would start from January. Right now, we are in Feb, so don't be confused. :)

Happy Reading...

It was almost February and Nandini thought the climate couldn't get any better. Valentines' day was around the corner which meant her parents were again out on an extended romantic break. If only Goverdhan Murthy were alive, he would have sacked them long back but instead of complaining like she wanted to, Nandini enjoyed her stress-free life. Of course, Valentines' day meant there were so many heart eyes around and it almost gave her a headache. Almost. Since she was Nandini Murthy, she ignored it like a pro.

She went to the canteen after talking to the Principal, who had stopped her to chat about her well being when he had spotted her. Maybe even he was in high spirits. Inside the canteen, the scene was almost normal. Cabir was eating, Abhimanyu was poking at Mukti's hand, who was ignoring him in favor of her mobile, and Manik had his back towards her with a book in his hand but even from a distance, she could see he wasn't reading which was odd.

When Nandini was a few steps away from their table, someone clapped on Manik's back.

"Yes, what can I do for you?", asked Manik, slamming the book on the table.

Nandini frowned. Manik sounded upset. The boy's hand was still around Manik's shoulder and his back was facing towards her. He probably hadn't noticed her which might explain the next words that came out of his mouth.

"Manik, we were wondering what your Valentine's day plans are?", he asked.

"I don't have any", told Manik.

"Come on, Manik", whined the boy, "if someone is celebrating, it should be you. You have Nandini Murthy wrapped around your little finger. We never thought you had it in you but it's quite a feat."

Is that what's going on around the campus?", thought Nandini to herself. She didn't want to ruin her mood by punching someone but he was asking for it.

She took a step but then Manik removed his hand and smiled at the boy before standing up to face him properly. Nandini was curious. Manik passed on things like that with an awkward smile. He didn't grin like it was the happiest thing he had ever heard. Something was cooking inside his head and she was right when Manik forwarded his hand to the boy, startling him. She took a seat beside Mukti silently and asked their friends to keep quiet.

"Here, take a look at my fingers", told Manik.

"What?", asked the boy.

"No, I just wanted to know if you can find Nandini wrapped around my fingers. Don't hesitate. Come on, take a look", he told.

"I am sorry", muttered the boy.

"No, you aren't. Listen, I don't think I am capable of wrapping a person around my fingers. I don't want to. So, please do inform everyone who asks you to ask me about this too. Thank you", he told.

The boy gave him an awkward nod and left the canteen in a haste. When Manik was shooting daggers at the boy even after the boy left the place, Nandini pulled him down.

"What the hell was that, Malhotra?", she teased. "Where were you hiding this side of yours all these days?"

It took Manik a moment to recognize her. "When did you come here?", he asked instead.