After the summer break!

2nd day.

" Ravish, I am pregnant , how can you just shrug it off like that!!"

" Anisha, you are only pregnant, not contracted some deadly disease, I will take you to a doctor and terminate your pregnancy. Kisi Ko pta Ni chalega. Don't worry!"

" Ravish, how can you sound so casual. It such a big thing for me!"

" What do you want Anisha?? I should beat my breast on this silly matter?? Why are you making such a issue of it?"

As they continued eviscerating each other, crowd started gathering around them.

" If you think you can get rid of me so easily then let me tell you I won't let that happen. I will tell the whole world what shit of a man you are!"

" Ok I am shit and what about you? You are no Saint yourself. It wasn't like I forced you! Go and tell the world , I don't care! You are a girl, it will be you who will be blamed and not me!"

Their friends who got to hear of the scene from passerbys , rushed to the spot and after much cajoling took their friend apart. While this news reached the authorities and a disciplinary committee was setup. Respective parents were informed and ravish and Anisha were barred from attending the classes for two months. But after two months only ravish returned and he behaved as if nothing had happened.  Later it was known to all that Anisha had withdrawn from the college. She had aborted the child and was now doing a simple graduation from one of the degree colleges in her hometown.

Nandini had cried buckets during the whole issue and Manik always soothed and calmed her. She is such an innocent soul. For her , the pain of her friend was her pain. She would just have one question on her lips " why is it that , everytime , only a girl has to suffer?"

" Because she loves with all her heart and soul, Nandini" Manik had answered , when for the first time she had asked him , among her sobs. " Anisha is a strong girl, Nandini, atleast I have known this much about her. I am sure she will rise above all this, in her life. "
......
4 years later

Manik was inside the room, for interview. Next was nandini's turn. Both had completed their summer internship from Facebook Hyderabad. Nandini was praying silently for Manik. He needs a job more than her to atleast pay off his student loans.

He came out of the room, clearly esctatic and hopeful. Nandini's name was called out, so he hugged her tightly and wished her luck and then she was through the door.

" How was it?" He asked her as soon as she was out of the door.

" Manik tum av tak yahi ho? You haven't eaten anything from morning!"

" Tum v toh bhukhi ho! I was waiting for you...Chalo sath mein khaenge"

She smiled " ok chalo"

Later in the evening , list of students who had been bagged in first round was put up. Manik and Nandini both were taken up by Facebook, California.

The canteen ,that evening was alive with students celebrating their success. Manik twirled Nandini around in joy and putting her down kissed her hard! 

" I owe this to you, Nandini! You have been my constant support all these years!! Tum Ni Hoti toh mera kya hota??"

" Aur agar tum Ni hote toh mera kya hota Manik!! I am thankful to God ki unhone hum dono Ko hamesha sath rakha h!!"

" We are going to California!! I just can't believe this!!" He exclaims in disbelief and Nandini grins.

" Let's call our families and friends, first....Then we can celebrate all night!!" Nandini suggested and Manik nodded. They went to their respective rooms.
.......
6 months later...

" Beta , main chalti Hun na airport tak chor deti Hun..." Manik's mom suggested umpteenth time but Manik couldn't agree because Nandini will be there, and it will get awkward, so he refused politely.

" Maa, ap q tension le Rahe ho...Main chala jaunga...Fir apko wapas ana hoga...You will be tired"

" Thk h...Par waha apna khayal rakhna beta...Itni dur Jaa Rahe ho...Koi apna Ni hoga dekhne wala...Aur haaa har din call jarur karna , Ni toh mujhe nind Ni aegi!!" His mother had turned tearful now.

He took her in a hug and tried to console her. How can he tell her that Nandini will be there. Will she understand?? But he didn't have much time to dwell on that.

" Maa meri tension Mt Lena. Arzoo Ko bolna Mann Laga kar engineering complete kare and you moti...arisha 12 th boards h tere...So no TV and no Masti till March!! Samjhi??"

" Haa bhaiyu samajh gyi!" Arisha said cutely.

" Maa Papa ka khayal rakhna. Ok??" 

" Haa haa thk h...Ab jao flight miss ho jaegi Bhaiya!!"

Manik kissed her cheek affectionately and then touched his mother's feet and amidst her tears , feeling guilty for going away, he left from there to the airport where another important part of his life must be waiting impatiently. And the sadness changes into anticipation.

" Manik kaha the tum!!" Truly as expected Nandini was on fire.

Manan's outfit

" Maa thori si emotional ho gayi thi...Toh.." he couldn't complete as thinking about his family, a lump formed in his throat. Nandini was immediately calmed down.

" I am sorry!! Chalo...Check in ka time ho gya h...Mom dad v ae Hain mere...Tumse milna chahte the"

" Oh ok...Par baat kya h?"

" Khud hi puch lo" she said smiling as they reached her parents. Manik as usual touched their feets and they gave their blessings.

" Beta wse toh Tum pichle 4 saal se meri beti ka khayal rakh Rahe ho...Fir bhi main tumse kehna chahungi ki waha foreign mein sirf Tum dono hi ek dusre k lye rahoge ...Please Nandini ka dhyaN rakhna beta..Request h!" Nandini's​ mother begged and Manik immediately hugged her.

"Aunty apko asa bolne ki jarurt Ni h...Ap Ni Bolte toh v main iska khayal rakhta hi...Aap relax rahiye...Main apki beti ko sahi salamat apke pass lekar aunga" he said the last line in a funny manner and this made the trio laugh.

Nandini's dad patted his back and Manik smiled. Soon Nandini was hugging her parents and wiping their tears. When the last call for check in was made , they had to rush to get the formalities completed and at last they were air borne.