Nandini's pov

" Miss Nandini.." Raghav sir called my name.

" Can you please answer the question? " Raghav sir asked. It's been days since I haven't touched my book. Raghav sir is teaching a new chapter. I stand up to answer the question but I don't know the answer.Even Navya can't help me as we are sitting on the first bench. But still she tries to help me but Raghav sir witnesses it.

" All of you please close your book now.." Raghav sir ordered.

" Answer me.." He asked.

" I don't know, sir.." I replied honestly.

" You have time to roam around the college while your classes are going on but you don't have time to open your books. Wow...." Raghav sir taunted me. I bowed my head in embarrassment and tears started forming in my eyes. But I control my tears.

" As a punishment. You have to do the last chapter and this chapter two times. Sit down.." Raghav sir ordered and I sat down on my seat.

" Miss Naveli. Please answer the question.." Raghav sir asked but Navya couldn't reply. He gives her punishment as well but to do it one time.

After Raghav sir left the class. I turned towards Navya.

" Why did you try to help me, Navya ? " I asked her as I feel guilty because of me she got the punishment.

" When one friend needs help then the other friend should always be ready. That is called friendship, madam. " Navya replied.

" What happened to you, Nandini ? These days I have noticed changes in you " Navya added.

" I will tell you another time.." I said.

" Okay.." She replied.

" I had heard seniors talking about how strict Raghav sir is and if you become his target once. He won't leave you the whole semester. I know you won't let Raghav sir point at you next time but what about me. I can't tolerate becoming his target for the whole semester." Navya said and her eyes widened in realization.

" I am there for you, Navya." I assured her.

" It's been 6 months already. The time has passed in a blink of an eye.." I remembered the first day I entered the Space Academy.

" Yes, it feels like it was just yesterday we met but so much of the time has already passed.." Navya replied.

" You know Navya. I feel lucky to have in my life.." I felt blessed to have a friend like Navya.

" I feel lucky too to have you in my life, Nandini who doesn't judge me for being myself." Navya replied smiling.

" No more emotional scenes. I can't handle it. You are talking like tomorrow is our farewell. There is a lot of time for our graduation.." Navya said in a dramatic way. I see Vinay going out of our class.

" Navya, wait for me.." I said and ran behind Vinay calling him. He stopped when he heard me.

" What do you want, Nandini ? " Vinay asked rudely. He always comes second that's why he is jealous of me.

" Can you please lend me your copy ? " I asked him hoping he won't turn me down. Today he must be happy as I was scolded by Raghav sir. Even though he is my enemy, I prefer taking his copy for notes not Navya's.

" I need to write down the notes as you know I was absent for two days..." I give him justification why I was asking for his copy. He hesitated.

" I will complain to Manik if you don't give me your copy.." I threatened him. He looks at me with terror in his eyes. He doesn't even think once before giving me his copy after I take Manik's name. I don't know why they are so afraid of Manik. Manik is a sweet guy.

" Don't worry. I won't tell Manik. I was just teasing you. Just look at yourself. Your face became pale after I took Manik's name.." I chuckled pointing at him.

" Return it as soon as possible.." He said rudely and left.

I looked around and frowned. I thought I saw a senior here. But where is he ?

" Your Romoe came and left. I thought he detested you talking with another boy.." Navya teased me.

" I know Manik is not that type of person, Navya.." I defended Manik

He is a very secure person. I have never seen Manik behave like a jealous person in these six months.

" Manik has never been jealous.." Navya asked and frowned.

" No.." I replied.

" But I have heard when there is no jealousy there is no love. I have read it and witnessed it" Navya said her theories.

" Everyone has a different love story, Navya.." I defended my love story and continued.

" You don't have time to read your course book but you have time to read a love story.." I scolded her.

" Please Nandini. Don't lecture me. My Amma is enough for me. Please." Navya closes her ears.

" Drama queen.." I slap her arms. We both chuckled and left for our respective home.

Nandini's pov ends

Manik's pov

Why was I feeling jealous seeing her with another boy ? Why ? I asked myself while punching the punching bag.

I shouldn't feel this way at least for her. I shouldn't feel this way. Why does it have to be her ? Why ? Why not Aliya ? Why not any other girl ? Why ? I kept punching my punching bag to let out my frustration.

Only if she had not come into our life, my grandpa would have been with me, today. My childhood wouldn't have been worse.

I clearly remember Grandpa has gone somewhere. I can't clearly remember where he has gone. While returning back he brought Nandini into our lives. Since the day Nandini stepped in our life along with her brother. Nyonika wasn't around as she had gone abroad to enjoy the vacation leaving me alone here.

Grandpa always remains tensed all the time. He tightened security around our home. At that time I didn't care as I was just a carefree child. I was loved and cherished by my grandpa only. Papa doesn't used to be around home much. How will he as he was betrayed by the person he has loved ? But in all these he forget he has a son too to look after. But it didn't even bother him at all.

Papa has never come to Mumbai after he left home. I always visit him in Pune. From there only he handles all our business.

After staying for weeks here in Malhotra Mansion. Grandpa left along with Nandini and her brother. Grandpa was killed on the way. But there was no news about the two kids who left along with them. No news about them. That's how I know they were alive and I was searching for her for three years.

Me and Nandini have become good friends in that period. She was a firefly in my dark life who lightened up my world. But when she was gone she took away the only one source of light along with her which used to be my source of happiness.

How was she adopted by her adoptive parents ? It was not mentioned in the note that I received. Anyways her personal life is not my concern, the thing that matters to me is that I just wanted to confirm whether she is the same girl I met in my childhood or not.

It was mentioned how she has lost the memory of that year along with her doctor's detail. I went for confirmation along with her childhood photo and it was confirmed by her doctor. The doctor remembered her as whenever that day triggered her. They used to take her to him.

Manik's pov ends..