MaNan: It all started with a lie

Flashback

One month ago

One month had passed by and Pandit Trilok Chaurasiya had returned to Space. The Fusion concert and Musicana preparations had begun and so had Nandini's practice sessions. Manik always tried to bug Pandit and remind him about his auditions but Pandit would always ask him to wait and now Manik was sure that there was something fishy going on.

During one such day, Pandit called Manik to class and asked him to perform.

Manik: So Panditji, what do you think? Vaise I am sure I passed your so called test with flying colours lekin fir bhi mujhe tumse sun-na hai

Manik smirked once he ended his performance.

Pandit: Maybe main pehli  baar tumse kisi cheez ke liye agree karunga. You are a good singer and I will train you for the fusion concert par tumhe aur do din akele practice karni hogi kyuki I need to help Nandini with her classical verses aur ek baar voh ho jaye fir main tum dono ko saathme train karunga

Manik: Ha toh how does it matter? You can help Nandini with her classical thing and train me together too...why delay for 2 days?

Pandit: Bhale hi yeh college tumhari mom ka hai but yaha guru main hu and am sure ki students ko kab kya karna chahiye voh decide karne ki authority hai mujhe

He said arrogantly and left leaving a very much annoyed Manik behind.

Manik: There is something wrong and I need to find out what

Manik said to himself in determination and went to the canteen where all his friends were waiting for him.

Next night at 10pm

Manik: Nandini where the hell are you? Main tumhe kabse call kar raha hu but you ain't picking up like you know how worried I was!?

Nandini: Manik relax voh actually I was sleeping na so isliye I wasn't picking up

She explained.

Manik: Sleeping? Nandini its just 10? Itni jaldi kaise so gayi tum aaj?

Nandini: Are Manik voh Panditji ne na mujhe kal practice ke liye college me bulaya hai at 5am so isliye I slept early today

Manik: 5am! Seriously Nandini? 5am ko kaun practice ke liye bulata hai voh bhi college me? 5am ko toh cleaners bhi nhi aate hai college saaf karne!

Nandini: Manik stop freaking out na. Almost saare classical singers early morning hi practice karte hai so relax. Acha my phone's battery is dying so it might switch off in a few moments so I am putting it on charge and going to sleep...mujhe kal jaldi uthna hai so good night Manik

Manik: Are but- hello? Nandini? hello?

He kept calling out but got no response. Now, he was worried as well as frustrated.

Manik: How can Nandini be so naive? Uss Pandit ne bulaya aur usne mana bhi nahi kiya...like is she even serious?

He muttered to himself, annoyed at Nandini's naivety. 

Next day 5am- Space Academy

Panditji: Wow you're on time varna mujhe toh laga tha ki aajkal ke students me koi sense of responsibility hi nahi hai

Nandini: Ha voh mujhe Amms ke saath early morning riyaaz karne ki aadat hai so...

Pandit: Toh shuru kare?

Nandini nodded and settled down on her place while Pandit took out a container filled with ash and lighted it.

Nandini: Panditji yeh?