❄︎❄︎𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑬𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓❄︎❄︎

Chapter 5

Days started passing by. The bonding between FAB5 , Nandini and Navya was becoming stronger. They were spending time together very often. They became quite a good friend. But between the friendship there was another feeling which was increasing day by day between two person. They are none other than our very own MaNan. They had started falling for each other which both were quite of. But the fact both are scared to confess as they are soon going to knot the tie of marriage with unknown person (Neither Manik nor Nandini is aware of the person with whom they are going to get married).

A small party was being arranged in Cabir's house. FAB5 along with Nandini and Navya were present there. Manik and Nandini as usual were stilling glances of each other. Party was in full swing. They were playing folding the paper game. The couples were dancing. Manik and Nandini were being made partners by our Cabir who was suspicious about them. After folding the paper for the third time Cabir and Navya got disqualified. In the next turn Dhruv and Alya also disqualified. The game was on. The participants left were only Mukti, Abhimanyu and Manik, Nandini. Both the couples were lost in each other's eyes. The music stopped and they folded the paper again. But this time the space was so small that only one can stand in it. Abhimanyu guided Mukti and she stood on this feet while he held.her protectively. While on the other hand Manik took Nandini in bridal style and started to dance. All were cheering for both the couples. But suddenly Mukti lost her balance and her feet went out of the paper. With this MaNan wrre been declared as the winner. But both of them were still lost in each other's eyes. Others coughed a little loudly to gain their attention. They came out of their la la land and parted themselves.

Mukti: Aww. You both look so cute together yaar.

Alya: Yeah. You both will be a nice pair yaar.

At their statement Nandini blushed but soon reality hit her hard that in some days she is going to get married with someone and whatever is happening is not correct.

Nandini: Guys it's pretty late. I need to leave. Bye.

Saying so she rushed out without giving a chance to others to speak.

Dhruv: I think she must be shy.

All were thinking that due to shyness she left except for one and that is Manik. He was well aware about her state. Both were having feelings for each other but both were bound with another thread that is they are soon going to get married. And the most ironic thing was both were unaware of the person with whom they are going to get married as none was intrested in it.

Five months and three weeks have already passed for the marriage. Next week is the engagement.

It was night. Manik was sitting in the poolside dipping his legs in water engrossed in the stars or may be thinking about his star. There were two empty bottles of wine and third one on his hand. Cabir came there and sat beside him.

Cabir: Kya hua tujhe?? Main kuch dino se dekh raha hu. Tu khoya khoya sa rehne laga hain aajkal.

Manik: Kuch nahi. Bass aise hi.

Cabir: You know it very well that you can't lie in front of me. So jaldi bata baat kya hain.

Manik: Yaar mujhe samajh nahi aa raha hain ki main kaise kahun.

Cabir: Kya??

Manik: Wo....main....

Cabir: Ki tu Nandini se pyaar karta hain.

Manik looked at Cabir with wide eyes and open mouth.

Cabir: What?? Nahi karta pyaar??

Manik looked at other side. Cabir kept his hand on his shoulder.

Cabir: Mujhe pata hain that you love Nandini. Aur sirf tu hi nahi mujhe lagta hain Nandini bhi tujhse pyaar karti hain. To fir problem kya hain?? Go and tell her.

Manik: Cabir I promised dad that I will marry with the girl whom dad will choose. Now the date is also finalized. And more over next week is my engagement. Think about the girl and her family yaar. They had already started preparing all the things.

Cabir: Yaar tu kab se dusro ke baare me sochne lag gaya??

Manik: Jab se Nandini meri life me ai hain(he said smiling remembering her. But soon his expression changed to determined). But now nothing can happen. I have to stay away of her.

Saying this he wiped the lone tear which had betrayed him and rushed towards his room with trembling legs. Cabir stared at the retreating figure of her.

Manik closed the door and bumped on his bed. The tears which he was controlling by now started flowing continuously.

Manik: I love you Nandini. I love you a lot. But I think we are not ment to be together. I'm sorry.

Murmuring this he drifted into deep slumber.

At the same time Nandini was staring at her fireflies with mixed emotions in her eyes.

Nandini: I love you Manik. I love you. Mujhe pata hain ki tum bhi mere liye feel karte ho. But I'm sorry Manik. I don't think ki we are ment for each other. I'm sorry. We have to stay away from each other.

Saying this she also drifted into sleep with dried tears in her cheeks.

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