Crazy, Stupid, Summer Sparks |COMPLETE| MaNan Fiction

Chapter 14: Silly, Stupid, Crazy, Foolish, 'Love'

"Uffo di, I know it is not the exam pressure or homesickness that is worrying you. Unlike that Mox, I know you well. Spill it out, NOW" commanded Aliyaa with hands on her waist.

Nandini looked at her for a moment, and couldn't take it any longer, she dashed to hug her sister and weeped on her shoulder. Aliyaa was too alarmed to speak, she had never seen her di break down this bad, something was terribly wrong.

"Aliyaa, I love him Aliyaa, I really do. But he doesn't love me Aliyaa. He thinks I am his best friend and that's all, he loves someone else; why is it always me? Can't nerdy people who aren't from as affluent families, fall in love? Can't they be happy Aliyaa? I can live without him, but I can't live when he is with someone else. I just got to know Aliyaa he is going out with her" she breathed. Aliyaa stood scandalized, her di was in love? This was matters of the heart? Really?!

"Di who is it di?" she asked her soothingly.

Nandini was about to answer when she realized she couldn't tell her about Manik and Soha, she wanted Dhruv to be the one to come and tell her that he had left Soha for her; that was what would make Aliyaa happy; no she couldn't give her names, not right now anyway.

"Aliyaa, you know him. But I can't give names right now. Please trust me, I will tell you later" although Aliyaa wanted to, she didn't press the matter further, her di was upset anyway, she didn't want to aggravate her misery.

"Okay, okay you needn't tell me di, but calm down, and if he doesn't love you it's his loss not your's - unlucky man he is, di"

"Aloo, promise me you will keep this to yourself? I don't want anyone knowing about it okay"

***

As Manik and Soha entered the classroom, Manik's eyes flashed towards their corner, but Nandini wasn't there. Uff this Nandini he thought, yesterday he couldn't talk to her because he was in a hurry and today she disappeared. He tried calling her, but her phone was switched off. He called Mukti, but she said Nandini was at her sister's last night; she even mentioned how panic stricken and home sick she was the other night and Manik was troubled hearing about it; she seemed absolutely fine until evening, then what could have happened. He tried calling her again and again; her phone was switched off. In the mean time, a whole bunch of his classmates came and congratulated him on clearing the first audition of the talent show; a surprised Manik turned to face Soha, how on earth did they know? Soha hissed back, "I am sure Nandini must have told everyone, such an idiot she is." But Manik dismissed the idea, "No Soha, Nandini wouldn't ever do this; she knew about this all along, she knew I wanted privacy. Are you sure you haven't spilt it out unintentionally?" Soha had indeed told everyone and had played her cards to blame Nandini, but seeing Manik's faith in her, she got further agitated - who thought that hopeless behenji could be competition?

Manik turned around and asked Aryaman if he knew where Nandini was, but he replied in negative. And for some reason Aryaman seemed a bit off at him; well he was dating his sister afterall, as a brother he was allowed to be a bit protective Manik mused.

***

Nandini was sitting with Ryan in the library and revising, when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, she looked up to see a very concerned Aryaman peering down at her. He whispered and motioned her to come out with him. She silently followed him and he led her to the cafe opposite to their college. He didn't ask her anything, he just looked at her gravely and that was enough to bring her down to tears.

"Aryaman, trust me Aryaman I wanted to tell on Soha. I wanted to tell him that she was a fake, but I couldn't. It doesn't matter that I love him, it doesn't even matter that Soha doesn't; what matters is that he loves her and wants to be with her. I know if I have hidden it from him today, Soha can leave him tomorrow and it would hurt him. But I am depending on Soha's selfish nature, Aryaman. If Manik wins the talent hunt, he will be a celebrity overnight! And then Soha would never leave him; and I know my Manik will win it, he is so so good, Aryaman! And then at least he would get to be with the love of his life. That's why I kept quiet, Aryaman; I know he doesn't love me." She finished breathlessly.