"Carry me away,
I need your strength,
To get me through this."

-Darkness
(Disturbed)

"Guys! Does anyone know where Manik is? He just disappeared from the auditorium, even his phone is not reachable!" Aliya asked worriedly after coming out from the auditorium.

"No..after that commoner 'disaster' happened, God knows where he just vanished!" Mukti replied. "I seriously hate these both commoners. I mean they are your dates for freshers? Am I dreaming? They are no match for your standards! How you both gonna accompany them?" She said looking towards Cabir and throwing her hands in the air out of frustration.

"Goddd..that Madhubala! I hate her, man! But at some point, I think that I'll manage but guys, think about Manik. The Manik Malhotra and Nandini? That's not happening at all." Cabir said in disbelief while Aliya's anger just rosed up.

"I told her..I bloody told that commoner to stay away from my Manik but she is such a cheap and disgusting girl. She could have rejected him right at that moment but no! In fact it looked like she was really happy about it and why not? A poor village girl like her, getting paired up with the college's hottest and richest boy is just like a lottery for her. I'm sure, she would definitely be up to something. I know this type of middle-class girls. They only know how to trap a rich guy! I can't let her take away my Manik! No and never!" Aliya said fisting her palms.

Seeing Aliya, not able to control her anger, Dhruv came and embraced her in a side hug. "Relax Aliya! You should trust Manik. If she is actually planning something, then Manik is smart enough to catch her and if talking about pairing up, so we all know how Nyonika Ma'am reacted when Cabir and Navya rejected each other for getting paired up." He explained while others nodded in understanding.

"I know, Dhruv! But I'm just not liking Manik's idea of trapping her into fake friendship and then humiliating her. I mean he could simply be upfront with his plan, like, badly humiliate her publicly and leave her, that's it! There's no need to get close to her because seriously, I don't trust that commoner. I'm not getting good vibes from her. What if she manipulates Manik against us?" Aliya said wiping out her tears.

"Which is not going to happen, ever!" Mukti added. "As Dhruv said, Manik is smart enough to handle her and above all, we are his childhood friends. He won't go against us for someone he barely knows. So, we should be trusting him on this!"

"So...our 'sweet' Mukti ended everything on a happy note," Cabir said playfully to which Mukti glared. "Now, we should just wait and watch because I'm sure, the end of the story is gonna be highly dramatic just like Bhansali's movie!" He said dramatically, opening up his arms to which all of them grinned.

"Thank you, guys! I have no idea what would I do without you all and if anyone comes in contact with Manik, do inform me!" Aliya said while the rest three hugged her, together.

***

"Oh God, Nandini! What are we going to do now?" Navya asked with a sad face after walking out of  the auditorium with Nandini

"I don't know, Navya!" Nandini replied with a helpless look. "It's just about one night, we'll just need them for entry and after that, we'll be in our own way, a matter of a few minutes, I guess!" She too was confused.

"Hope so it is as simple as you sound!" Navya said giving her a faint smile.

"Let's not talk about it right now else we'll spoil our mood. We'll manage everything on Fresher's Night." Nandini said to which Navya nodded. "Well, you go to your hostel, I have to fetch books from the library for my assignments, so I'll see you tomorrow!" She smiled at Navya, bidding her goodbye.

***

It was evening till now and Nandini rushed towards the library to collect books. Though she consoled Navya to drop the freshers topic, she too was scared about it. She was paired up with the college's hottie, Manik Malhotra. Already things aren't good between them and now this new problem. Unfortunately, again she was stuck with him. Why? Why everything unusual happens with her only? What if he rejects her? She'll not be even allowed to enter then. Or what if his girlfriend locks her in the storeroom on the freshers night? All kinds of negative and crazy thoughts were running in her mind, driving her insane. Too much of complications is not her thing. She's a simple and focused girl.

She calmed down herself before entering the library and directly went towards the science section to grab her books. Till now, more than half of the college was empty because of the off college hours and the library too was empty. She stood facing the bookshelf while checking out the desired book.

"So monster huh?" A deep husky voice startled her from the back, making her jump out in fear.

She quickly turned towards the source and her eyes met the most beautiful brown eyes she ever saw, belonging to that person to whom she was definitely not in a mood to talk.

She said with anger, "What the hell is this Manik? You can't just scare-"

"Ssshhhh!" Manik shushed her within a second and pinned her to the wall adjacent to the bookshelf.

Everything happened in a jiffy that Nandini couldn't even think to react. She didn't realize that she had been caged between his two strong arms and from a wall behind her. His warm breath tickled her lips. She let out a tiny gasp and squirmed uncomfortably. She never experienced all this before. For a moment she won't even have liked to be handled so intimately but she was blank at this moment. Her gaze shifted to his lips which were just a few inches away from hers. The same lips she was fantasizing about! The same lips she wanted to know how it would feel when it will touch hers! Her face felt hot and she gulped her saliva.

"Ma...Manik? What are...you...you doing?" Without looking into his eyes, she managed to say.

"Why did you say 'No' to me?" He asked observing her face.

His question broke her trance and she understood the main intention of his sudden 'proximity act'. Earlier she had a little doubt that he might be pissed off by her 'No' but thinking him as of Mr. Popular she ignored this little doubt too. But now the whole vision was clear. He was trying to get back to her because of his ego which she has successfully blown by saying no.

With all her strength, she looked straight into his eyes which always plays with her mind. Keeping her palm flat on his chest, she pushed him back making a respectable gap between them. "Ooo..so my 'No' is bothering you..Mr. oh-so-famous Manik Malhotra?" She smirked.

Her move definitely surprised him because literally every girl he met, they threw themselves on him but she did the opposite! He wasn't expecting this kind of response. She pushed him and to top it all, she bloody smirked at him which was his job to do. Damn! This girl has got some guts!

Giving her an impressed look he said, "You know very well..in fact, everyone knows that any girl would die to be in your position, with ME!" He smirked at the known fact.

Giving him a pissed look she said, "Whatever!" and turned to walk out.

While Manik was in no mood to leave her, this early! He quickly grabbed her elbow and pulled her with a jerk, making her back crash on his hard torso. No matter, they ignored that little ignition of spark but they both know that there's something between them, that matches. Whenever their eyes talked silently, their skin touches, they know that the attraction runs deep to their core.

Sliding his hand on her petite waist, he pulled her closer. His nose tickled her ear and it was enough to make the little baby hairs on the back of her neck stand up. He could feel her body reacting to his touch and he smiled at this.

"Well..don't you think you're too feisty for a nerd?" He said while his breath fanned her neck.

Calming her senses down and tilting her neck a bit to his side, she said in a stern voice, "I don't care what you think about me so just leave me!"

He chuckled, "Fine! I'll let you go but on one condition!"

"What con-"

Before she could complete her question, he turned her around swiftly, making her face him and caging her tightly by holding her waist.

She gaped at him with his sudden move. "Heyyy...what's with your pulling and pushing me every time?" She asked irritatedly resisting his hold.

"Tell me...why did you say 'No' to me?" He asked in a low, deep and serious voice which was enough to send chills down her spine. Neither the proximity was helping!

She was just looking into his eyes as if she was lost somewhere.

"Nandini?" He whispered softly.

"Hmm?" She said still in trance listening to her name which sounded the most beautiful when he took it.

"Why did you say 'No' to me?" He asked again, tucking some of the loose hair strands behind her ear.

"Because..you are a hot jerk!" She whispered in a low voice but it was clearly audible to him.

His hold loosened on her waist, which broke her trance, making her realize the blunder which she did. She mentally cursed herself for behaving like a dumb bimbo.

"Whattt!?" He chuckled.

Her gaze slowly shifted towards him while he laughed. His laughter lifting up the spirit of the empty room. His face had a softness, innocence of a carefree kid that just seems so genuine. She could feel the warmth rushing through her. Wow! She wondered. Smiles really do have power. They can reach places the sun can't and warm the very soul. The same effect her 'hot-jerk' smile had on her.

She stood there admiring him even when he stopped laughing! But he noticed her all lost in him, actually, she looked cute with those dreamy eyes. Suddenly, mischief and a playful idea popped into his mind.

"So you think I'm hotttt?" He stressed the 'hot' part a little louder, breaking her thoughts.

She widened her already big eyes while he hid his smile seeing her expressions. Faking it with a poker face he asked again, "Nerdy! I asked you something. You better answer me this time!"

"Umm..listen..I...I need to go! It's already late!" She stammered and turned to leave.

"Heyyy...listen-"

Manik shouted while Nandini rushed out towards the door to get herself out of the embarrassing situation which she created herself. But when she tried opening the door, it didn't open. Realization dawned upon her that maybe it's jammed or maybe someone has locked it from outside.

She palmed her face, muttering curses to herself and constantly looking upwards, talking to her Aiyappa!

"Ohhhh...I thought you ran away but look who's here! I didn't know that you wanted to spend more time with me." Manik said in a playful tone, coming towards her.

"Gawwdd! Mr. one-track-mind..the door is locked or jammed! No, wait! Why don't you come and try it on your own?" She asked raising her right eyebrow.

"Huh? That's not a big deal!" He shrugged.

He tried pushing and pulling the door but it didn't move an inch.

"I guess someone has locked it!" He said rubbing his palms together which got bit reddish while struggling with the door.

Clapping her hands, Nandini said, " Yayy..happy realization!" While Manik gave her an are-you-serious look.

"Are you done with your trying so that we could move to step two?" She asked giving him a fake smile.

"What's step two?" He asked.

"Your mobile, Mr. smart-pants! Check out if it's getting any network!" She replied struggling with her own mobile.

Glaring at her he said, "Woahhh...Like seriously? Are you ordering me?''

Rolling her eyes at his question, she said with a fake smile, "No! I didn't! I just asked you to check your phone because my phone is getting no network." She said stressing each and every word to make an impact.

"But you sounded as if you were ordering me! Well, for your information, Manik Malhotra doesn't take orders from anyone!" He said with a smug look.

"O..M..G!" She again stressed each letter, deliberately. "Here, we are stuck in this library and you're giving me this Manik Malhotra shit? Aiyappa! Give him some brains so that he could think of something useful rather than self-obsessing!" She glared at him.

Manik was surprised at her audacity. Getting closer to her, he was about to retort back but the lights went off. Even outside was nothing but moon speckled darkness, but at least it wasn't the kind of utter blackness, it was instead a shadowy atmosphere painted in Grey-scale.

A silver moonlight spilled across the room through the windows. It was not that bright but enough to navigate inside the room.

Manik was standing close to her and he could see her features clearly in the moonlight which made her look like an angel. Her deep eyes, reflecting purity and innocence at the same time,  her long hairs kissing her body, flawless sculpted lips, glistening attractively with a cherry lip balm that added further rosy color. He stared at them when she bit her lower lip with nervousness. It looked sensual. A sudden urge rose inside him of touching them and feeling them against his own. But why is she so nervous? She is constantly panicking. Is she scared of me? Is she uncomfortable with me? He felt a little hurt, seeing her nervous around him which he too didn't know why.

"Hey..umm Nerdy? What happened? Are you okay?" He asked being curious.

"Err..yeah! All good!" She gave a quick short reply which obviously didn't sound satisfying seeing her behavior.

"Look..don't be nervous! My friends would surely come to find me. We won't be left here for long." He said calmly.

She quickly gave him a look, "Wait..how would your friends know that we are here until they-" She stopped for a second, and then widening her eyes, she said, "Oh my...Oh My God!" She palmed her mouth. "How couldn't I see this coming? This is all your plan..all your trap to take your shitty revenge from me! Right? Shitt..I'm such a fool! No..no! This can't be happening!" She blabbered continuously.

Listening to her blames and accuses, Manik's anger rose up. "Whattt? Are you serious? You're bloody blaming me for this? If I had to do something like this, I would have simply locked you up here, all alone! Do I look stupid that I will lock myself and that too with you, a commoner, in this shitty room? Oh come on nerdy, get a life!" He retorted back.

Nandini didn't reply nor reacted. She stood rooted in the same spot. Manik was about to shout more but when he didn't get her response, he noticed her face. It looked as if all the colors from her face were draining out making it white. She had her eyes wide and was a bit shaking. Her palms clenched tightly, revealing her sharp knuckles.

She wanted to scream to let out all the fear which she's holding inside her for years. She wanted to scream such that someone could listen to her and take her out from the darkness but her mental and physical conditions weren't cooperating.

"Nerdy...are you okay?" Manik said a bit louder moving closer to her.

She still didn't react, she just stared nowhere.

"Hey..talk to me! What's wrong?" He patted her cheeks while tension grew more on her face and limbs. Her breathing became more rapid, more shallow.

"Water..water!" She managed to whisper while he quickly took out the water bottle from her bag, making her drink.

Stroking her hairs, he said, "Feeling better....are you good now? What happened? You can tell me!" He cupped her cheeks, rubbing it lovingly by his thumb.

"I..I'm...sca...scared!" She stammered.

"Scared of what?" He asked calmly.

"Dark...darkness!" She said still not looking into his eyes.

Manik was surely surprised by Nandini's panic attack. He didn't know that behind this feisty nerdy, lies a vulnerable girl scared of darkness. He too was disturbed seeing her in this condition. He didn't know what this feeling was but he felt connected to her. He wanted to make her comfortable and calm.

She summoned enough courage to meet his gaze, and when she looked into his eyes, his hazel eyes twinkled! It's like a light turning on in a dark room!

He slowly pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. Despite the butterflies in her stomach due to the feeling of his body pressed against hers, she sunk into his arms. His embrace was warm and his big strong arms felt very protective when wrapped around her petite frame. The world around her stopped as he squeezed her back, not wanting the moment to end. Her body melted into his as if every muscle of her lost its tension.

He too felt her soft body and the gentle squeeze on his back. He bathed in her warmth and the fruity smell of her hairs, drove him crazy. He snuggled more into her warmth. He could feel her soft body getting more and more relaxed after every passing second. Lazily, he placed a soft chaste kiss on the bare part of her shoulder, his lips lingering over there for long while she lost all rational thoughts by the feeling of his warm lips.

"Manik!" was all she could whisper, clutching his jacket tightly.

Her voice halted their little moment and slowly, he broke the hug but their hands still wrapped around each other and their eyes having their own sweet conversation. The way they were still holding on to each other, it seemed as if they never wanted this moment to end. There was a different kind of warmth which they felt in each other. Pure and peaceful!

Finally, they found their home!

"What the hell is going on here?" The library door opened all of a sudden, revealing Aliya, spitting fire through her eyes, while the rest three of FAB 5 gang, stood behind.

[Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, don't forget to vote and comment!]