MaNan: Trust?

6

"Guys... Stop being childish. We have to select the song too. Musicana is approaching in like 3 weeks.", Nandini scolded Mukti & Cabir.

"And yes guys... My stylist will be coming tonight at my place. I want all of you present there by 6:30. She would be designing our outfits for the event.", Alya instructed them like a school teacher.

"Yes Ma'am....", Other 4 chorused with a fake salute.

"Now shall we select the song?", Nandini asked.

For the next one hour they discussed everything about their performance. Then Nandini went in search of Manik to discuss about their performance.

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"It has become your habit... Intruding my 'Me time' right?", Nandini was startled. He was sitting with his back facing her. How did he get to know that she was here?

"I don't even plan on changing my habit anytime soon.", She said & settled down beside him.

"So what brings you here?"

"In case you have forgotten... We have a performance to prepare for.", She said rolling her eyes.

"I remember... So then tell me, do you want to sing a bollywood song or should I prepare for something?", He questioned.

"Ofcourse Yours... The lyrics you write are just... I have no words... You understand right?"

"Yes Nandini... Your eyes tell me that I already have a crazy fan.", He laughed it off.

"That toh you have...", She added teasingly.

"Okay on a serious note... I have some lines in my head. I'll work on them & get back to you in like two days?"

"Yeah okay...", She nodded.

"I might not come to college tomorrow... Have some work and need to work on the song too. So you will have to keep your plan at bay for a day."

"P..plan wh..what plan?", She stuttered.

"Relax... Why are you getting so worked up? Your plan... To intrude my privacy everyday by coming here. I was talking about that. What plan were you thinking about?", He asked confusedly making her sigh in relief.

"Nothing...", She shook her head.

He nodded & got up from his place to leave.

"Manik.", She called out before he could leave.

"Hmm.", He turned towards her.

"Are we friends now?", She asked with hope filled eyes.

He stared into her eyes for a few seconds & slowly shook his head in a no. She felt dejected. She got up to leave & was about to walk past him when he caught hold of her wrist.

"What if I say... That I don't want to name this connection that we have between us?", He asked looking into her eyes.

Her eyes softened listening to him. She didn't know what connection he was talking about. She knew she had this thing for him. He attracted her like no one else. But then he was not made for these intense talks & feelings. It didn't suit him.

His lyrics, his talks everything will make you believe that he values emotions. But he is used to with breaking hearts. May be these are all his lines to impress girls. But this feels so real.

She kept staring into those eyes trying to find the 'truth'.

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It's been two days to their staircase meeting. Fab 5 have started practicing full swing.