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Nandini had reached home and her hands were now itching to call Manik but instead she just messaged him.

He wasn't online, so she shut her phone and rested on the bed thinking about what happened. She had of course felt bad about losing a friend but having no friend was better than having a fake one.

Aditi was now a closed chapter in her life.

She would not ignore her if any day she meets her but not that she will hug her and chat like old times. It would be like they had met for the first time.

Her phone pinged and she checked it.

She felt sassy as she read her last message and giggled to herself. Just few months were left for her to complete the college after which she'll be ready to take another step towards her goal.

She sighed and got up to get something to eat from the kitchen.

She found a packet of chips, some cookies and some soft drink but that was enough to make her grin.

When she got back to her room, a message from Manik was already awaiting her.

How did she feel?

Free? Yes.

Happy? Yes.

Sad? Yes.

Mixed feelings? Definitely yes.

But now she didn't want to talk about her problems and definitely not Aditi. She wanted to know more about him.

What he did for a living?

You!

It was on the tip of her tongue and she even said it out aloud because of course how would he listen to it.

Before she could type, his message came and she laughed reading it.

The next moment her phone rang and she shook her head answering the call.

"Hi!" He said and she could tell he was smiling because she was too.

"Hi!" She replied quietly and there was silence from both the sides for atleast two minutes because none knew how to start a conversation.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Finally Manik broke the silence not able to take it anymore and Nandini thanked him in her mind.

"You." She voiced it out this time without any hesitation.

"Me? What about me?" He asked sounding surprised and she shrugged.

"Well for starters, what do you do for a living?" She asked and he went silent for a minute. She frowned thinking he didn't want to share and was going to change the topic when he spoke.

"Can I tell you about this when we meet?" Her breath hitched as he said that.

Were they going to meet? Will she go? Does she trust him enough to take this step?

"Nandini?" His voice brought her back to reality and she slapped her forehead before replying to him.

"Yes, sorry I was just thinking about something." She didn't lie though, she was thinking about if she'll be ready to meet him.

"So are you comfortable enough to meet me?" He questioned hesitantly and she was tongue tied because she couldn't answer instantly.

"I don't know Manik. I'll have to think about it." She sighed toying with the empty packet of chips absentmindedly.

"Okay so you think about it and tell me whenever you're ready because I can't wait to meet you." Her heart fluttered as he whispered the last line and a blush crept up her face.

"Why? Why do you want to meet me?" She questioned shyly still blushing.

"Why not? There's no reason not to. I really want to meet you and tell you about things that I can't tell you on call or messages." He said and she was confused at that.

What could he not tell her on call?

She wondered but then she also wanted to see him and put a face to his voice, just wasn't confident enough to face him. And then what about her brother? What if he comes to know about it?

Her eyes widened and she bit her lip nervously.

"Manik, what if my brother─" She trailed off nervously and heard him sigh.

"Nandini if you're afraid of your brother then I'm ready to meet him as well. I get it he's worried for you but I can assure him that I mean no harm." He offered and she thought about it.

What was she going to do?

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