PLAYBOY[Manan's Ff]

chapter 7

Sorry for the late update, and have a nice time.

Nandu's POV

Today I'm really excited to go to school. I got up and freshened. While Dressing up, Mom called me to say that breakfast was ready She was already running late, so she was in a hurry. I had my breakfast and ran to Santa to see him. Manik told me that Santa was really annoyed with the new maid as she was no good at work. I said to mom about this and she said that she'll take care of it.

I reached school on time. On my way to the room, Alia came to me all excited and surprised me with a bone crush hug. I'm really happy that she, too, missed me. When she asked me about my absence, I replied to her that it was just a headache,, nothing serious. She trusted me and didn't push me much, to tell the truth. She fed me all the latest gossip and one thing caught my attention. I made sure what I heard was right by asking her twice. She never back off saying about Manik. I know she had a crush on him from the first day. I reached my classroom, and all eyes turned to me, noticing me. Everyone turned to their own business and ignored me.

I went to my place and sat silent. After a few minutes, Manik came and sat beside me with his glorious smile, saying 'Hi'. I, too, replied with the same excitement and asked about his practice, to which he said, as usual, good. We sat silent for a few minutes, then the urge in me to know took its peak, so I asked expectantly that I heard wrong, "Are you really playing with Harshad? That too on a bet." he nodded hesitantly, proving true to my dismay.

"Why had you done this? Is this for Kabir? "I asked in a mere tone, but I was completely angry by this. He might hurt himself as I know Kabir was the troublemaker after all, and also Harshad &Kabir are like water, and fire can't stand in one's presence.

"It's not like Harshad just wanted a friendly match with me; it's just that!!" he commented. I intended to ask, you trusted that! Not knowing that he really can't see his true intentions, he remains silent when Miss. Laila entered class. We just talked here and there during classes but not about the match. He was always with them after classes. I felt again being avoided.

At lunch,, I ate with Alia and with her blabbering friends. Then one of her friends, Sheela, asked," Is Manik again coming to talk to you?". For that, she said NO disappointedly. I really wanted to know what I missed these two days!!! Then I nudged her to spill what happened in my absence after lunch. She said that he came to ask her about something. I thought you were happy about it, I asked."Ya... I was happy that he came to talk to me but sad that it was not about me. 'It's okay, don't feel sad', I said, hugging her. She didn't return in it the same way.

I felt hurt but masked it like always. We parted to our rooms. He didn't come until the class started. Even when I tried to talk, he diverted like always. Again I felt ignored. So I became silent about this. Our classes ended, and I went to the library to spend my own time with books. Books are always my escape from this world. I left late as today was Mom's night shift, and there was no one waiting for me at home.

I went home and got freshened up. Then I turned on the TV and started dancing. The landline started ringing. I answered to hear one and only Santa. He expected me to come home as already it became my second home so I said that. Like always, Mom will come tomorrow during the night shift. Rain is pouring outside so I took an umbrella.

Back then, when I was young, whenever I pleaded with Mom to let me go in the Rain, she never agreed. At times, when she was engrossed in her work, I went out and danced in the Rain. Dad instructs me to listen to Mom, but I can't sit looking at the rain as my skin itches to do it constantly. He, being Dad, tried to catch me loose and dance with me dripping in the Rain. After the Results are so harsh, there is a Runny nose and fever. So he brewed the best coffee and gave me medicine, sitting beside me all night and taking care. It was just Two feet away, but I felt like an eternity thinking about Dad. Santa is waiting for me, watching TV as Mom asks to take care of me. He asked me to sit for dinner but I insisted on waiting for Manik. So he brewed us a coffee the odour itself made me drool over it. Sipping the hot, steamy liquid touching my tongue just felt gross. I spit it, running into the basin; how awesome the smell was, it was exactly the opposite.

I glared at Santa, "Sorry, beta", he muttered. If you said so, I would have prepared coffee for both of us.' I learnt, but it turned out like this genuine reply.

I brewed coffee for both of us showing him How to... and handed him his cup. Sipping it, he smiled, saying, "Perfect".The coffee filled the warmth in our bodies in this cool climate. We went back to watching the movie.

He came late after I slept watching TV. Santa awakened when Manik came home. Manik was moving to his room without even glancing at us. I called Manik to which he stopped. He faced me,' What are you doing here?'Waiting for you, I said, obviously stating the truth.'Come sit It's already late, plus I am hungry', I asked, rubbing my tummy.

"I already ate, so you eat", he replied, stepping upstairs. 'We waited for you, but you're not even showing us minimum courtesy', I asked, adjusting my glasses. Before stepping higher, he replied, "Okay, I'm coming". Listening to it, Santa gave me Hi-Fi.

He came back freshened smelling fresh and clean. We all ate calmly until Santa asked me to sleep in the guest room if I was okay with it. But I wanted to go back and sleep in my bed. It was not easy for me to sleep here. So I will go back after dinner. I pleaded with Santa that I would go after dinner, but he disagreed. I retreated back and did as I said.

After dinner, I went to the guest room but couldn't sleep even though the bed was comfy. I got up and went out. It was just opposite to Manik's room. His roomlight is still on and the door is slightly opened.

I opened seeing Manik sitting with a blank expression, like seeing something in his hand. Sensing my presence, he hid the thing and asked me, "What are you doing here?." I just came to fetch you", I answered. "Really!?" he asked doubting my answer. "Sleep is not coming, "I said truthfully.' you're saying it was like a person chuckling with my answer. I pouted for his words.

"What do you want to do now!" he questioned."Maybe we can watch a movie," I replied hopefully.' Okay,,' he replied. We went down by the duvet and played my favourite movie, 'Dil Bechara', remembering him. At moment, I asked, "Why are you awake?". He didn't reply nor glance.

At last, I asked the only question bugging me, "Why did you play a match with Harshad?"He didn't reply again.

Then again, I felt like avoided, so I asked him. He faced me with void emotion, asking, "Why are you thinking again like that?". 'Because you're not answering any of mine'.

He huffed and answered, "I am not avoiding you; I just don't want to answer you; there is a lot of difference".It means you avoided me intentionally in school, I murmured but I understood he heard it.

He got up to leave, but I pleaded with him to sit. Watching the movie," I'm just worried that for whatever reason, I don't know, Kabir and Harshad are always fighting each other, which always leads to bloodshed. They're no good except harm. As now you're on Kabir's side, Harshad definitely targets you doing something more to you intentionally to attain captaincy as you're in a good position in the team and the coach favours you," I said hopefully, he might understand; after all, he was only my true friend.

I didn't hear any of his response and focused on the movie."How did you know about the match!" he asked in an odd tone. 'This was the only topic in school every one talking about as the match was in two days'I replied.

He replied" Okay", just okay. When there was a romantic scene playing in the movie," Aliya popped up in my mind. I asked him, "Can I ask you something?".'Even I say don't; you don't stop, so go ahead, he replied curtly, making me roll my eyes.

I don't want to ask, but my curiosity took over me." Are you interested in Aliya?"I asked expectantly.
He narrowed his eyes, asking,' Who is this Aliya?'.
'You truly don't know', I was surprised a bit.
"The most famous one and only Aliya in our school, my friend", I said proudly.
"Your friend Aliya, Okay... what made you think like that?".
" If not, what did you talk to her!?" I question.
"I asked about you. Is it wrong" he replied.
We are not at all into the movie, but watching it." what did she say about me?" he asked.
Nothing, I replied.

I turned to him excitedly, jumping, "You know, you have a fan club in school"."ohh!......really..he replied, but not the reaction I expected. he then asked, "Do you fan me too.."."why would I do that! I replied, turning to watch the movie." You said I'm your best friend, but you don't fan me...so bad," he said slowly. We watched a movie until sleep engulfed me.

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