CHAPTER TWO

NANDINI'S POV

Chapter song: Sweet Creature by Harry Styles

Enjoy the chapter!

I was sitting in the Uber listening to "Falling" by Harry Styles. Wait did I mention about fireflies? I don't think I have. So I have this weird obsession of fireflies. In Manglore we used to have a firelies show and Amms used to take me there. Ever since childhood I have been fascinated by them and by the fact that they glow in the dark. And illuminate the darkest of things. They show that no matter how much darkness is there in your life, there will always be someone to illuminate your world. That's what I think.

Amms used to tell me that my mom also loved them. My dad used to bring them for her every time there was a fair. That's really romantic according to me. All these little things and gestures mean a lot to me. They make the relationship beautiful.

So, in Mumbai I was going to attend a college called, SPACE. I am a astronomy major. I even love music. I play guitar and sitar(Indian classical instrument). I am not going to stay in a hostel because I like to have privacy and Amms also wants me to stay in an apartment rather than hostel. So I am going to stay in an apartment.

I have already chosen one. I have a roommate which is nice because i'll have company and that way I will get to make my first friend in Mumbai.

After 2 hours or so I finally reached Mumbai. It is not as peaceful as Manglore but it's nice none-the-less. Everyone is hustling and busy in their own world. No one gives two shits about you or anything except them. I was just amused by everything. I kept staring at everyone because I had never seen so many people. Back home, I used to go to school and come home and not go anywhere else unless it was very necessary. So all this was very new to me but I guess now this is how my life is going to be! Running for everything.

He had already showed me the pictures of the apartment because I wasn't able to come to Mumbai at that time, to check myself. I had liked it when he showed me online. I hope that its as good as it looked in pictures.

"Hello, ma'am. I hope you had a good ride till here. C'mon I will show you your new place. Your roommate is not here currently but will be here soon." He greeted, nicely.

"Hello. I had a great ride, thanks for asking. Please don't call me ma'am. Call me Nandini. I am way younger than you. And let's go, check out the house." I said with a smile.

We went to the elevator and he pressed 7th floor button. There was an awkward silence in the elevator. Whenever we looked at each other, we gave each other a tight and fake smile. Finally, the elevator pinged signaling our stop and we got out.

On the left was written "Malhotra's Den". The broker opened that house and led me in. It was pretty clean. It looked exactly like what it looked like in the pictures. A big living room with a large TV. A huge kitchen was also there. The living room had a huge window, that lead to a porch which had a coffee table and a small swing. That brought a smile on my face because I always loved swings and balconies. The view from the porch was breath-taking. The sun was setting and the sky was in many shades of pink, purple and orange. I was lost in it.

"Nandini, let's see your bedroom. I have to leave after that." The broker said, breaking my trance.

"Yeah yeah, sure let's go. Sorry, I was lost in the view." I said with a sheepish grin.

So we went to my room. It was empty because I had told them not to furnish it cause I have always wanted to decorate my room. Back home, I had a plain room cause first we didn't have enough money and then when we had it, I didn't want to change.

So, this room was completely white, which I like. There was a brick wall above the bed. Otherwise everything was plain white. Even a balcony was attached to it, which was covered by large windows and curtains.

The broker went to his work again. And I started to unpack my bags. After an hour or so, I heard the door open. I got scared. So I tiptoed and went to the kitchen to get a pan for self defence.

I was hiding behind the wall and when the intruder came near I lifted it ready to hit him.

"ATTACK!!!" I shouted.

"What the fuck!?" the intruder shouted.

"Who are you and what do you want?!"

"I can ask you the same thing, dollface."

"Shut up! That's not my name. And I don't even want you to know my name. Get out of my house before I call the police!!" I said furiously.

"Your house? Dollface, I live here. You get out of my house, before I call the police!" He said, mimicking me.

"What, you live here? But the broker said that I have a roommate. I thought it's a girl. This is a misunderstanding. You need to get out from here."

"Why do you think I will go? I came to live here first. You can go." He said.

I called the broker right away, because I didn't want to argue more. He picked after 3 rings.

"Hello ma'am. Oh sorry, Nandini." He greeted.

"You didn't tell me my roommate was a boy! How can you! You need to come here right now!" I said, leaving no room for a 'no'.

"Okay okay. I am coming, I am not to far." He said before hanging up.

"He is coming and then you need to leave, idiot." I snapped.

He looked up to me, anger in his eyes. A shiver ran down my spine. He got up and pinned me to the nearest wall.

"Listen, dollface. I am not here to listen to your bullshit. Think before talking to me rudely. I can destroy your pretty little face and you within no time." He said. He was so close to me that his breath was hitting my face.

"O-okay." I said, stuttering.

He kept staring at me and I also didn't break the stare. His eyes were practically boring into my soul. He was looking at me as if he was trying to figure something out. That's when I realized that he had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were black but when the sun hit it, grey flecks could be seen. That's when he started to lean in. Oh my god!! He is going to kiss me!! I thought. No shit Sherlock my mind mocked me.

I was about to close my eyes when I heard someone clearing their throat. My eyes widened when realization hit me. I pushed the annoying guy away. He scratched his neck, awkwardly.

"I don't see a problem here. You both seem to get along well, I see. Right Manik?" he said with a smirk.

So his name is Manik. Nice name. Just like his eyes right? My brain again mocked me. Shut up! I scolded.

"Stop smirking, Rahul. You know I can wipe it off immediately." Manik said, smirking.

All the color from his face vanished. Why is he like this to everyone? I thought.

"Umm.. why did you call me Nandini?" he asked me.

"You didn't tell me my roommate will be a boy. Why?"

"You never asked it. And you told me that you want the best apartment near your college. And why does it even matter. Its not like, you both have to sleep in the same room." He said.

"But-" I started to speak but he interrupted me.

"But what, Nandini? You have already paid the money for the first 6 months and I had already informed you that it's non refundable. Besides you won't have a problem because Manik is rarely home." Rahul said.

I mean he had a point and I didn't want my money to go in waste. But how can I live with such an intimidating person for 6 freaking months! On the top, what will Amms thinks when I will tell her that my roommate is actually a boy. She will freak out!

Nevertheless I told okay to him. Then he started talking to Manik. They both were busy talking to each other. That's when I was checking Manik out. I mean not checking him out but just merely looking.

He was no doubt, very handsome. He was way taller than me. I was 5'4 and he was 6'1, I guess. He had long legs and good sense of style also. He was wearing a which T-shirt with black jeans and a black jacket. His hair was out of the place, which made him look even more handsome. I was staring at him, but I didn't notice that he had also started looking at me.

He had his smirk on which irritated me even more. When he looked at me I blushed and looked away. Second hand embarrassment, I tell you. My mind mocked.

Rahul went after half an hour of talking. Which left me and Manik alone in this house. I need to get used to it, though.

Let's see what life has in store for us.

--XX--

Hello, lovely people!

Manik has entered the story!!!

*drumrolls*

Comment your views on Manik and the story in general.

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Love,

Maitri. ✨