Chapter 3: 3~LEAP
After 5 years.
24th jan, 2020.
Banglore.
11.00am.
" Yaar nandu, come fast. Cermony is about to start." Called navya.
" Navya, why you are tensed. We still have 1 hour for it, so just chill." I said sipping my cold drink.
" Nandu, you always do the same. Atleast, graduation day pe tho jaldi ajavo yaar." This time shreya shouted on the call.
" Relax guys, you people carry on with your thing, i will be on time." I said cutting the call.
You guys must be thinking, where iam now, right??
Present iam in Mangalore beach.
Enjoying the peaceful sea shores.
Peace is a just a word in my life which i was fighting to get. But, i failed in achieving it.
Life has changed a lot in these 5 years, iam not the old childish nandini now.
But, a matured girl, who prefers to be on silent mode.
Happiness, is not forever.
I was a happy soul, the day i lost my virtue to my boy.
I thought, our equations will change from now.
I thought, i will be out of depression, but no.
I was wrong.
The news he shared with us on that same day, made my condition even difficult.
But, i didn't tell him about that.
Not even now, he knows about my depression.
he gave a big surprise news to me.
That changed my life completely.
*Flashback*
5 years back.
On same day.
6.00pm.
I was excitedly waiting for manik to come.
Mom and dad are already home. Even they are excited for manik's interview.
Mom is preparing snacks for us, dad and me are sitting in hall discussing about random topics, our talks are disturbed by ringing of door bell.
I rushed towards entrance and opened the door, only to see my favourite smile on my boy.
Now, iam sure he cracked the interview.
I wished him formally, you already know why?? Parents....ofcourse.
He came inside, wished my mom and dad and, all of us settled on sofa with snacks.
"So, manik beta. Interview kaisa gaya?" dad asked him.
"Arey, leave that work topics . Let him eat first, patha nai kab khaya hoga." Said mom.
We immediately chuckled for her sentence, ' moms are moms '.
They are discussing something, cracking jokes, laughing etc..
All this while, my whole attention was on manik. But he didn't even glance at me for once.
I was continuously stating at manik.
After sometime, he was about to turn his sight to me, but within a fraction of seconds i looked down into my phone.
I was smiling like fool, thinking about what iam doing a while ago and 'agar chori padki gayi tho'.
He will tease me for life time.
My thoughts are disturbed by manik's sudden call "Nandini" but his voice seems not normal.
something is wrong, but what??
iam i missing, Let me think.
Jealousy? Wait what? Jealousy like seriously!!! Of what?
Iam not sure.
I raised my eyebrow asking him what, he signalled towards my mom and dad.
Even they are looking at me, like iam an alien. But why?
Enough now, i myself ask them.
"Ahm, what happened dad?" I asked him hesitatingly, looking at them.
Manik is glaring at me.
I narrowed my eyes for his expressions and looked at dad for answer.
"So, you were not listening to us?" Dad asked, but before i could answer him. Manik interepted me.
" Leave it uncle, she is buzy with her phone."
Arhh..what??
"Aunty i will go and freshen up." With this he went ignoring me.
Now, This is going to be difficult for me.
" Mai jaake kuch sweet banathi hu. Itna acha good news diya hai manik ne hame." My mom said feeling excited.
By the way, about what good news mom is talking about?
May be about job interview? That means he got it.
Yeyyy... Iam so happy now.
Mom went to kitchen, dad is talking to someone on call.
I thought to go to my room for sometime and think about 'how to manofy your boyfriend'.
It's most difficult task, especially when you have coconut jaisa hard boyfriend, hehehe.
I came to my closing the door, but startled by seeing manik on my bed sitting royally with serious look.
'Ahem, Nandini murthy. Get ready to face him now ' i mentally decided myself.
" Aaa, Manik. Tum yaha?" I know, I'm stupid to ask him that.
" Why? I shouldn't come here? Or you still want to spend some time with that 'not so called living thing' ." He asked sarcastically.
I didn't even get one word from that.
" Err...what? Manik what you are talking? What language is that, spanish?" I asked him seriously.
I gave me disbelief look nodding his head.
" I mean ' not so called living thing' what that even means." I asked moving towards him.
Before i could sit beside him, he himself stood infornt of me .
" Oh!! You don't know what i mean." I nodded no to him.
"Fine, then give me your phone." I asked maintaining straight look.
" Why, my phone? " I asked raising my eyebrow.
" because, when 6 feet tall living being is sharing a good news, you are buzy with that ' not so called living thing' your phone." He said confirming my doubts.
I sighed for his stupid indirect theory.
But, i was right at that jealousy part. Hehehe,
now it's going to be fun.
" Ha, vo it's important." By saying this i walked ahead leaving him behind.
But, within seconds my back was hit by his hard rock chest. Beacuse of his sudden pull.
He back hugged me holding my both wrists in his hold on my front tightly.
He is breathing angrily in my ears, that made me alert about his jealousy.
" Wrong move Nandini murthy, you shouldn't have said that." He whispered in my ears, rubbing his nose on my cheeks in seducing manner.
'i know' i mentally thought and cursed myself for what i said.
" Ma..manik..i was just playing around, that's it." I said struggling in his grip.
" Stop struggling nandu, you know it's impossible to get out of my hold." He said kissing my cheeks continuosly.
" Sorry na manik, next time pakka i will not pull such stunts on you." I said pleading him making cute faces back facing him.
He bit my nose.
"ouch! Manikk, it hurts." I said glaring him.
But, he was smiling at me.
' No what? ' I thought.
He started kissing my nose again and again which made me smile.
" You look too cute when you make such faces, I can't stop seeing your babyish antics, i feel like eating you up." He said again kissing my nose. I too smiled.
He turned me around to face him and started bending down eyeing my lips but, i bent backwards escaping from him.
At last i gave up and closed my eyes waiting for his kiss.
But but but...
He bite my cheeks "Aaa...manikkkk..."
" Idiot, stupid, monkey, brainless..." I started beating him along with my scoldings.
But, he is laughing like hell, which anger me alot.
I took a pillow throwing on him, but in reflex he caught it.
" Not this nandini, i already know you are a child. You don't need to proove it." He said still laughing.
And i was huffing like a bull.
" Really? Then i will file a police complaint on you." I said glaring at him.
" Police complaint? For what? Acha, now i get it. What you will complain." He said sitting on the bed still laughing.
" Oh!! Then say it." I asked him crossing my hands.
" Yahi ki 'uncle uncle, ye manik mujhe child bolraha hai, dekho na isse. Aresst him immediately' " he said imitating like a child.
" He himself will call you a child, after listening to this tupid complaint." And again started laughing.
Ab tho ye gaya mere haton se.
Enough now, i shouted " Noo, I'll go and complaint them that you have a child sex with me yesterday."
In reflex, he immediately got up from bed closing my mouth from one hand and the other is holding me by waist.
" What the hell!! Nandini, pagal hogayi ho kya? Agar mom, dad ne sunliya hotha tho.?" And I just rolled my eyes.
" And child sex, seriously?" He asked making weird faces.
I removed his hand from my mouth and said.
" Then? You only called me child." I said twisting my lips to which he gave me disbelief look.
" You are unbelievable." He said.
" I know" i taunted him.
I pushed him saying "now, go and freshen up, mom will be waiting for us."
" Not before getting what i want." He said rubbing his lips.
" And you will not get it." With this i pushed him towards door.
" Arey Nandini, listen!! This is cheating. You are not playing fair." He whined.
" Everything is fair in love and war manik, now get out." I pushed him out of my door and closed the door.
" You will pay hard for it nandini." He warned me from outside.
" We will see manik." I too challenged him.
After a while i went down for dinner in my night wears.
Manik is already present on dinning table.
I narrowed my eyes seeing him smirking at me.
Hmm, what's with his smirk now.?
' Nandini murthy bachke rehna, your in danger ' my inner voice warned me.
I mover towards dining table.
" So wonder women, what's special in dinner today?" I asked mom back hugging her.
" Manik's favourite biryani and gulab jamun " she said, where manik showed his tounge to me.
' Now who is behaving like Child' i thought.
" Mom, atleast dinner is for all of us right." I taunted her taking my seat opposite to manik.
" Chup kar, this is for his sucess." She said and started serving us.
All this while manik had mischievous smile on his face.
I raised my eyebrow asking him what, but he didn't answer me and started eating, i too started having my dinner.
Mom, dad and .anik are discussing something and iam having my dinner silently.
After completing of eating my biryani, i started drinking water only to get chock in middle.
Because, when i was drinking water, manik rubbed his toes on my feet, i chocked with the sudden contact of his cold toes.
Mom started rubbing my back, but i was glaring at manik and he is smirking at me.
" Nandu, you should drink slow. ye jaldhi baazi kiske liye" mom said.
" Haa, nandu kiske liye." Manik said putting his innocent face.
Iss ladke ka mein kya karun??
" Nandu, eat that sweet you will feel better." Dad said passing me gulab jamun.
And i immediately eat 2 jamuns.
I have a habit of drinking jamun's soup seperately.
Every one started having their dessert but, i was drinking it's soup slowly relishing it's taste.
Suddenly, manik drawing circles on my feet with toes.
I looked at him, he was eating.
' He should get oscar in acting' i thought.
This time he twisted my toes, and i glared at him.
He is giving me those innocent puppy looks, he signalled me showing towards my lips.
I narrowed my eyes asking him what?
He signalled that some soup is covered around my lips, and i started cleaning it with tissue.
He was eyeing at my lips with desireful eyes, i kicked him under table and he was out his dream world.
" Aunty, the gulab janum is so nice." Manik said.
" Thank you, beta."
" But, aunty. I know one sweet which will be more delicious than gulab jamun." Manik said eyeing my lips.
My eyes popped out with his sentence,
He is teasing me infront of my family.
Wow, what a wonderful move?
Because, now I can't even blush.
No one should get this kind of situation, where you can't stop yourself from smiling and blushing.
it's very difficult task.
" Acha, what's that beta." Mom asked him.
" Your daughter." He simply answered drinking water.
My mouth was wide opened with his bold answer, i looked at mom and dad.
They are seeing him with some confused looks.
After completing of his so called long drinking water session, he answered.
" I mean aunty, your daughter know, how to make that sweet."
" Oh!! Like that, don't worry next time na i will take her help and make it for you." My mom said.
" Arey aunty, nandini herself will cook for me, hain na nandini." He asked smiling at me.
" Of course, why not?" i said fake smiling at him.
" I will be waiting." he said liking his lips
All this while i was glaring at him, but he didn't stop teasing me.
Suddenly a question clicked me which i was waiting to ask.
" Acha mom, what's the good news you were talking about" i asked her.
" Oh yaa, we didn't tell you right. Today manik got his admission letter from london and he is going next month for his masters."
And My world stopped, all my past insecurites started building inside me.
When did he apply for it?
Why didn't he informed me about it?
Am i not important to know about this?
Or may be it's his life and i shouldn't involve in it?
But, he loves me.
All other stupid questions started building inside me.
I looked at manik, he was already looking at me for an answer.
I saw sparks in his eyes, with mix of some worry.
It's his big achievement, i shouldn't spoil it with my problems.
I have go let him do, what he wants.
I boosted myself and shouted with fake excitement.
" Wow manik, really. Congrats, iam really happy fo you."
To which he sighed a relief breathe and smiled.
" And tomorrow i have to visit airport for all the formalities, i have more less time to arrange everything." He said with a excited voice.
" Acha, manik beta when will you return to india again." Mom asked him, even i was curious to know.
" After 2 years aunty, masters complete hone ke baad." He said looking at me, but, i was pretending to be buzy in drinking my soup.
They started talking random things.
i need some alone time.
It's very important to me now.
" Mom, dad and manik gud n8t. Iam very sleepy bye bye." I said kissing mom's and dad's cheek and went to my room.
I immediately fell on my bed locking the door and closed my eyes.
I tried to stop my tears but, they aren't stopping.
I started crying silently.
Why? Why didn't he said me anything about it.
I have shared every single detail of my life with him.
But, manik. He never shared anything about him.
And now? This is such a big news and not even a single thing i knew about this.
Why he always do this to me?
What if i did the same thing with him?
All this unwanted questions started forming in my mind.
I want to get rid of this right now.
I was avoiding sleeping pills from some days, but now i have to take one to maintain my stress.
So, i took one and slept.
Around 2am.
My sleep was disturbed by knocking of my door.
I got up opened the door in sub conscious state only to see manik.
" Manik, what are you doing here, at this hour?" I asked him rubbing my eyes looking around.
But, he entered my room and settled down on my bed without answering.
I locked the door and slept in his arms, resting my head on his chest.
" You didn't answer me?" I again asked him.
" I'm not getting sleep without you, so i came." He said playing with my hair.
I hummed and closed my eyes due to tablet effect. But, his question made me open my eyes.
" You didn't asked anything about my masters."
" Why? You want me to ask you."
" I mean, are you really happy with my going." He again asked.
" Manik, it's your life and your dream. I will be happy seeing your happiness, so i didn't question you." I clarified him.
" But..." Before he could say anything, i cut him of saying.
" Manik, listen!! Iam really happy. And manik it's your dream right, finally it came true. You should celebrate this, instead you are asking this stupid questions. Just go with the flow and do whatever makes you happy. Never stop your happiness for someone." I paused and again said.
" Now let me sleep, it's my last time to be close to you."
Immediately he closed my mouth with his hand and scrowled.
" Never say that nandini, there no last times for us. We have our life time to be with each other. It's just a small break to make our career that's it. No one means, no one can seperate us."
I removed his hand from my mouth and snuggled into him and said.
" Fine. Now sleep good night."
He pecked my lips tightly wishing me good night.
Immediately sleep took over me and i slept.
After that day, i never properly contacted manik nor him.
Beacuse, he was buzy with his arrangments.
I so many times tried to have a proper talks with him, but he used to cut my call saying, he is buzy.
I even asked uncle,aunty about him, they too said the same thing.
One month passed like a thin air, i was preparing my self to accept this new things in my life.
He has to go and i have to let him go.
I this one month, i was habituated to his ignorance.
No, I don't have any complaints.
Let him live as he want, if he really want to talk to me, he himself will do that.
' I shouldn't disturb him ' was the only thing running in my mind.
Now, iam not getting what equation i have with manik.
I love him, with all my heart.
But what about him?
Did he love me? Or it's just an attraction to him?
Never his behaviour made me think that he loved me except those 2 wonderful days.
He only says ' i love you '.
But, his actions and behaviour towards me never really expressed those words.
I myself confused about our relationship.
He expects everything from me,
He wants to know every single detail about me.
I should inform him whatever i do, where ever i go.
Everything about my life.
But, when i expect the same thing from him.
I myself get hurt with his behaviour.
But, never complained him.
I never said, him about my depression.
Because, I don't want his fake care.
Today mom and dad are going to visit his house, tomorrow he have his flight.
They asked me to come, but i escaped saying that, i have a project to submit tomorrow.
I tried calling him, but he is not picking up my calls.
I called nyo aunty and asked her about manik, she said he was partying with his friends will be return back at evening.
She was sad because i didn't visit them, but i promised her that i will, once i get free time.
It was around midnight 1am.
I was still waiting for his call, but he didn't.
I thought to call him, but my sub consciousness remind me saying ' don't disturb him'.
I dropped the idea of calling him.
Next day, i was in college thinking about him.
Mom, dad returned back to home, i asked them about the ' send off ' program.
They said, it went very well. Even manik was very happy and excited to go.
One part of my heart is happy knowing he is happy.
And an another part was hurt with his behaviour and ignorance.
1 month passed away, but still there is no call from him.
He used call my mom and dad, but not me.
I used to cry daily at night and had many sleepless nights.
I informed navya and shreya about my condition, at first they are angry with my delay information.
But, they are true friends. They started pushing me towards light out of my dark world.
Next month, i have visited manik's house and spent some time with uncle and aunty.
We had very nice time.
It was a moody sunday my sleep was disturbed by his call.
I was shocked to see his caller id, i thought it was my dream. But, no . He really did call me.
I was very mad at him, and had lot's of questions running in my mind.
But, not for once. I made him feel, iam going through a lot.
We talked formally, even i maintained my mature behaviour, not asking him much questions, not starting rants about my life.
Because, he feels it's a boring topic.
After 10 mins of our short talk, i went to freshen up.
I was really happy. Finally he called me.
But the sad reality is, he called me after 2 months.
He didn't have time for this 10 mins talk in these whole 2 months was the only doubt running in my mind.
At afternoon, i was suprised to see cabir at my place.
We talked formally, i asked him the reason for his sudden visit.
He told, he got free time. And thought to meet me. But, i smelled something fishy.
My whole 2 years got passed with studies and all.
Manik visited india after his msc, but i was in my final exam preparations.
So, i didn't get time to meet him.
But after my exams, he came to my home.
I was very happy to see him after 2 years .
I thought, i can spend some alone time with him.
But he said, he will go back after sometime. He just came to ask something.
When mom,dad asked him what? , he said.
He want to take me with him for my masters, while he will be doing job for 2 years and will return back india permanently with me.
Mom and dad agreed for it.
But, i denied him saying that i don't want to go to abroad, i will complete it here in banglore.
He was really mad at me from then.
He went back to london after 2 days, and it's been 2 months but he still didn't call me.
I have my own insecurities to deny him.
I don't want to live all alone supressing my feelings there.
Here, i have a family and friends to console me.
But, if i go there iam sure he can't handle me.
And i will get into my darkness again and again.
In these 2 years my equation with cabir changed alot.
Now, he is my best bro.
After that day, he visited me for 2 times in one month, at our 3rd meet I seriously asked him about his visits.
Then he disclosed the news, saying he loves navya and need help from me.
Shock was an understatement for me, i slightly don't have any idea about, where and when he get connected to navya.
He said, he is her instagram follower and came to know little bit from manik.
Firstly, i denied him. But he eventually keep on requesting me. So, i accepted.
I said this to shreya, even she too helped him.
We used to hook them up in conference calls and some mistake calls and etc.
Their friendship started growing slowly and became strong.
1 month back, he proposed her.
But she denied him saying, it was just a friendship for her.
Eventually cabir's heart was broke, but he too friend zoned her.
At the same time, shreya's heart broke knowing his long time 7 years crush was into a relationship with some other girl.
She was not much into him, so me and navya consoled her to move on.
She is completely moved on now. But, got a new crush.
And he is a serial actor ' pearl v puri '.
She is mad for him. But, i was happy for her.
I was still trying to hook navya and cabir up.
Me, navya and shreya decide to do our ms in manglore university.
I joined hostel along with them, to distract my self.
But we used to visit my house every weekend.
Even cabir used to come for every weekend.
He didn't leave any chance to flirt with navya, even me and shreya used to excuse ourselves to give them some alone time.
Manik called me after 3 months of his departure.
He said he was still mad at my decision but, he can't stay long without talking to me.
He started calling me frequently, to know about me.
I still don't know much about him, because our talks will be only about me, i too didn't forced him.
My 1 half year of masters went very well, i completely forgot my depression bussiness.
I was buzy with my studies, friends, family and manik.
Cabir again proposed navya, this time she accepted him
We even celebrated their love. Even manik was happy for them.
Me and manik has video called many times in this 1 half year.
But, i was completely disturbed soul from 5 months.
When i still have 5 months to complete my masters, i was buzy with my projects, exams etc.
Suddenly manik started ignoring me, i was so, disturbed for 1 month.
You are so close to some and suddenly they start ignoring, will effect you a lot.
In my matter, it went beyond limits.
I lost my complete diet in this matters.
Navya and shreya came to know about my stress when, i admitted in sick bay.
They was very mad at me, because i didn't informed them about my condition.
I told them, that iam back to my depression.
I had my final exams on the way, I can't be like this. It will affect me alot.
So, i thought to consult a doctor.
Being stubborn heads, Navya and shreya came along with me.
Doctors prescribed anti depressants, i tried denying, but my two devils can't let it happen.
So, whenever i feel stress i will take them.
It became my habit now.
I didn't let this know to my parents nor cabir, because cabir is manik's friend.
I can't any risk, even i denied navya from saying it to cabir.
Flashback ends*
Present*
So, iam here, With my distressed life.
True Friends are those, who will travel with you in every second of your life even along with your problems.
And i found my lifetime true friends, shreya and navya.
And a brother, cabir.
But life partner?
With whom, i imagined my future is still ignoring me.
Iam perfect with everything, but still incomplete with him.
But, I can't do anything. Excpet accepting it.
I have lots of things to share and ask to him.
But, he never had time for me.
His ignorance from 5 months, making my condition worsed day by day.
I think he don't love me now?
Did he find someone else?
No, i shouldn't think that. I trust him.
Then what strong reason he had to ignore me in such a way.
But, today morning he called me.
I thought twice, before picking it up.
I thought may be he mistakingly called me.
But, he said.
He had a surprise for me, when i come back to home.
I was not at all excited now, because his surprises gave me only pain in these 5 years.
Thinking aboit all the happenings,
My thoughts are broke by cabir's voice.
" Ooo... Behna, come yaar. Now it's time to drop you at college, chalo."
" Arrr... Cabir, what are you doing here?" I asked him being confused.
" your friendddd called and asked me to drop you safely."
" Uski boyfriend kam, tum logon ka driver zyada banraha hoon mai." Cabir said.
He always crack such senseless jokes to Make us laugh.
He is really a good person and iam happy for navya.
He dropped me at college where navya and shreya are already waiting for us.
" Yaar, nandu get ready fast. We only have 5 mins. Chal." Said shreya pulling me.
I went into dressing room and got ready in my graduation dress.
It was such a boring function, i was telling you.
We returned back to my house along with our luggages in graduation dress.
Navya and shreya will stay with me for 2 days.
We planned a girls night out today to discuss about our lives.
We silently entered to give mom and dad a surprise.
But, we got surprised seeing manik along with his parents sitting in hall talking with my parents, actually laughing.
I was seeing him after 5 months. He was sitting between mom and dad.
He was looking really happy, i can say that by seeing sparks in his eyes.
Navya and shreya looked at me asking, why they are here?
I told them, i don't know.
Soon their attention got towards us.
Nyonika aunty came and hugged me.
" Nandu, how your day went?" She asked.
" Nice aunty." I said.
" Acha, come we have something to tell you." With this she pulled me and made me sit between her and uncle.
Meanwhile shreya and navya occupied another sofa.
I was looking at them and there are already looking at me asking questions through their eyes.
I signalled them that i really don't know.
Our gestures are disturb by dad's voice.
" So, nandu your graduation is completed and we are waiting to disclose this news to you from 5 months, but manik said he himself will surprise you." Dad said putting his hand on manik's head.
Manik was continuously looking at me with smiling face. But, i didn't dare to look at him for once.
" About what dad?"
" About your and manik's marraige ." Mom said.
Shock was not at all a word to describe my condition now.
Because, i was speechless.
Marraige? Me and manik?
Yes it was my dream, once up on a time.
But, at this present situation iam a confused soul about my relationship with manik.
I need answers from him, i need a proper consolation from him.
Iam not just a thing, whatever you feel like to do.
I was angry on manik, what he think of himself.
Whenever he feel like ignoring me he will. And whenever he feels like he will talk to me.
Then what about me and my sufferings.
Did i really know him properly to marry him?
Did he really love me? Because i never felt that.
What about these 5 years of silence and 5 months of senseless ignorance.
I don't blame him, but i went through a lot.
I just can't accept his proposal feeling excited, i need a proper talks and explanations for his things.
" We have a very good muhurath after 2 months and we thought to fix it, because manik can't wait to make you his." Uncle said winking at manik.
He was blushing and glaring at uncle while other are laughing.
I looked at my friends, even they are happy.
They want me to say yes, but I can't just say a yes so easily without answers.
" Arey, manik. Come and ask her hand. You should propose her properly." Nyo aunty said.
Manik stood up and came towards me, he made me stand in the middle and bent down on his knees.
Tears started forming in my eyes with all the emotions which, i have been stopping from 5 years.
I have waited for his proposal with all eyes, but, not in this condition.
When, i myself confused about him.
" Nandini murthy, will you become Nandini manik malhotra. By marraying me." He asked.
My heart was literally jumping with happiness. But my mind said ' not before our proper talks'
I listened to my mind now.
" No " i said, tears started flowing from my eyes, with this i rushed to my room.
To be continued....
precap : Manik's pov.
-----------------
hey people, here is the 3rd volume of the story.
comment below if you love the story.
This is available in WATTPAD.
PROFILE: @manikraj114.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone