A year later...

Nandini is at her home, in front of the laptop, biting her nails in anticipation. It's just one minute and the result of jee- advance will be out. God please rank Manik k aaspas ho...So that we go to the same college please Nandini is praying. She is sure that she is going to clear the exam.

" Beta, why are you so anxious ! Exam hi h...Life decider Ni ...Ni hoga Ni hoga" said her father to calm her.

" Oh dad I am not worried about the result. Wo toh clear ho jaega mera...I am worried about my friends...Leave it you won't understand!!"

" Ye larki friends k piche pagal hai...Pta Ni kya hoga is larki ka!!" Exclaimed her father looking at her mother.

" Agya!!! " Nandini jumped on her seat. As soon as she saw her result, she dialled manik's number.

" What is your rank??" Was her direct question.

" Wait yaar! Av result display Ni hua h...System is slow due to overload. He is in an internet cafe and Nandini can hear the voices of several students in the background.

" Ullu...Apna roll number mujhe btao..Main dekh deti hu na"

" Oh ok!" And then he gave her the number.

" Ye kisse baat kar ne lagi?? Result itna acha hua hai...Hamare sath celebrate karne ki jagah ye phone par busy h!!" Her father grumbled.

" Apke damad se baat kar Rahi h!" Her mother said casually.

" Kya!!" He shouted and his face was like he has swallowed something unpleasant.

" Dad chilla q Rahe ho!!" Nandini chided him and returned to her task.

" Nandini ka boyfriend h??" Her father whispered.

" Jee" her mother said with a smirk " apki beti bari ho gayi h...Accept the fact"

" Tum Mili ho iss larke se??"

" Ni...But Nandini ki baaton se pta chalta h ki larka bahut sidha h...Middle class family se hai..."

" Tum itne araam se kse baat kar Rahi ho! Hamari iklauti beti ki khushiyon ka Sawaal h"

" Mujhe apni parvarish aur beti k samajh par bahut Bharosa h" she stated proudly and finally he acquiesced.

"Manik...200 ka difference h mere aur tumhre rank mein" Nandini informed him after a moment. She is tensed.

" Nandini av ye sab Mt Socho!! Just think about the result!! Wooohooo we did it!! Finally hm IIT jaenge....Are you not excited???"

She is happy hearing his jubilant voice. He has taken a step towards his dreams and has every right to be happy. She should not spoil it by her worries.

" Yes of course I am happy! Congrats!! Tumhre rank mujhse better h so treat tum doge!!"

" Ok ok...I am ready...Acha suno main tumse thori der Baad baat karta Hun...Ghar pahunch gya Hun..."

"Ok ok.bye!"

......
Same college...Same college....Same college...Nandini is chanting repeatedly as Manik is inside the building for counselling and reserving his seat, while she is waiting for her turn. After a while Manik comes out and Nandini runs to him, while her father follows.

" Kaun sa?? "

" Kharagpur" he says smiling.

Her father comes and stands beside her. Nandini introduces him to Manik.

" Dad ye Manik h. Mera classmate"

" Namaste uncle" Manik says and bends down and touches his feet. Nandini's father is impressed immediately.

" Khush raho beta...Aur college allot ho gayi??"

" Jee uncle. Kharagpur."

" Kaun sa field?"

" Jee....Computer science"

" Oh ! That's great ! Nandini v yahi opt kar Rahi h"

" Jee"

" Aur tumhre Mummy Papa Ni aye??"

" Ni uncle, Papa Ko office Jana jaruri tha aur maa mere sisters ke school ki tyari kar Rahi thi!"

Nandini's dad patted his back " bahut bright future hai tumhra...Av toh life start Hui hai...You will achieve great things. God bless you!"

Manik smiled in acknowledgement " thank you uncle. And Nandini all the best!"

" I need it" Nandini says anxious.

" Acha Tum dono baat karo tab tak main dekhta Hun Nandini ki turn ane mein Kitna time hai " her father said and walked to the temporary help desk which was set up to help the candidates.

As soon as he left, Nandini clasped manik's hand. He looked worriedly in the direction of her father. " Nandini kya kar Rahi ho ...Tumhre Papa dekh lenge"

"Don't worry...Unhe pta h"

" Pta h??"

" Ha buddhu...Tab hi toh wo itna keen interest se tumhre interview le Rahe the! And I must tell you...You passed the test with flying colours" she teased.

" I don't like to fail"he smirks.

" Mujhe Kharagpur milega?? I want to be with you" she says and he feels blessed to have her, because she is trying so much for him.

" Of course milega...Think positive" he says and squeezes her palm.

And he was right, at the end of the day, it was clear that atleast for the next four years, no one is going to separate them.
.......
Life in college was hectic. All the time either there would be an assignment, or a test or practical. But MaNan were able to cope well as they were together in the same class. They were now solid of friends and love ,well it was always there! Present in the form of tea breaks, evening strolls, assignment discussions, test preparations, late night test preparations. But the love was limited to hugs, kisses and cuddles. They both were well aware of the fact that they are inexperienced and at this stage cannot take any risks.

" Last night was so fantastic!!" Drawled one of the guys from manik's friends group, while they were sitting in the canteen.

" Tell me , all about it!! Tu toh fast Nikla saaley!! " Said another of the guys, while manik's gaze was fixed on the book in his hand.

The boys continued discussing their 'achievement' in full detail. One of the six noticed that Manik is not interested.

" Manik, hm sab ki girlfriends toh college mein akar Bani hai...Tu toh smart Nikla..."

Manik looked up from his book and his stare meant, he is not to be trifled with! Manik was their saviour, their last minute teacher, study guide, practical partner, inviting his wrath meant losing all this, which they could not afford, so the guy shut his mouth.

" I mean I was just saying ki u r a lucky guy"

" I have said it before and I am saying for the last time, keep mine and nandini's relationship out of your dirty games!!"

" Manik, sunn seriously Mat le iss kutte ki baaton Ko...Chill" said one of the guys to douse the fire. Table was quiet for a while, but thankfully the girls made their entry and one of the boys from the table called out to them.

" Akansha!!....Here" he indicated to them that they are sitting here. The girls waved back and came to them.

Nandini bend down and pecked manik's cheek from the back as that had become their usual way of greeting each other. He smiled " where were you all this while?" He asked softly as she settled beside him, greeting others round the table.

" I took a short nap, I was so tired" she says pouting. He bends to reach her ear and whispers threateningly " don't pout or I may end up kissing you here itself"

She blushes immediately looking round the table if anyone noticed, but everyone is busy. She sees the book in his hand and remembers a question that she had to discuss with him.

After dinner, they set off for a walk before going to their respective dorms.

" Ghar par sab thk h??" She asked.

" Ha...Maa puch Rahi thi ki summer break kab se h...Tickets pehle se Lene honge na... That's why!"

" Oh yeah...Main toh bhul hi gyi thi...Kab se h break?"

" Next month"

" Tickets kab loge?"

" Soch Raha hu aaj hi le leta Hun...Confirm tickets milenge otherwise waiting ho jaegi late karne se"

" Mera bhi loge na?"

" Of course! "

They reach the point from where they take a U-turn and Manik again holds her hand.

" Wo...Manik" Nandini said softly and when he looks at her he can see that she is nervous and more shy than usual.

" Haan..." He said for her to continue.

" Wo...Ravish and Anisha..." She began and he knew why she is so shy. He leaves her hand and instead places his arm over her shoulder pulling her close " Nandini , before being lovers, we are friends...Right? So we can talk about anything and by anything I mean anything..." His words encourage her.

" Tumhe toh pata hoga ...Ravish took Anisha out of the campus on weekend and Anisha told me that they had.." she hesitates to say the word out loud.

" Sex??" He says it for her, smiling and she is the colour of beetroot.

" Yes..That...Anisha is very happy...I just wanted to know if Ravish is serious about her.." she doesn't have to say further because Manik understands.

" Nandini, I understand your concern for your friend par main ravish k baare mein Ni bol Sakta...All the boys here are very callous towards relationship. I can't vouch for ravish.

If Anisha thinks he is trustworthy, it is her call. And you and me, cannot do much about it." He explains.

" It is so difficult to find true love in these times" she says thoughtfully.

" I am glad I found you" he says and releases her shoulder, she stops mid way and turns to stare at him.

"What???" He asks perplexed.

" You stole my thought!" She speaks sullenly and he laughs.

" I am a thief, first I stole your heart and now your thoughts!! Beware of me...Miss Nandini!" He teases her and she fails to hide her amusement.

In this way, they reach her dorm and he pecks her lightly on the lips and wishes her good night and as she disappears in the building , he strolls back to his room and in the way talks to his mother, father and sisters.