Best Mistake.

Chapter 17

New books, new bags, new uniform. Every year the first of school has a different kick.

We are grade 7 for heavens' sake!

I spent these days in painting, reading. Also sleeping.

The first day was ethereal. We met new teachers and no studies,

But

Manik didn't come. He is absent. I have decided that I'll say sorry, let it be anyone's mistake. My friendship is more important than a silly fight. Well, if you guys don't know, I have realized that

I... *blushes*I...have *blushes again, OMG why is it so tough*

*takes a deep breath*

I have a crush on my best friend!

Yes, I LIKE MY BEST FRIEND! I LIKE MANIK!

But how will I tell him? I'll keep this a secret.

You know how I realized? Being away from him for so long, I missed him more than anybody else, than I told Ashi, my neighbor about this and she made me realize. *shies*

Back to school.

Soon a week passed but Manik didn't come to school. There is this one dreading thought in my head and I am praying very hard that should not turn true. *fingers tightly crossed that it hurts*

Everything will be okay. (Mom says Aiyappa listens to good girls. He'll listen to me too.)

Today, when again the school gate got locked and clock strike 7:35, I sigh and come back to join the class queue. Well, nobody is surprised or asked anything because I do this daily. Manik will come, for sure, but when?

4th period, library. Well, I have a lot of memories with him. I wish Manik was here today so I could have told him about this new meteor and he would have yawned again. *chuckles*

Looking at Cabir I decided to finally ask about Manik's whereabouts.

"Cabir" I call him.

"Yep!" he replies.

"Why isn't Manik coming to school?" I ask him and his face turns pale.

Yash and Aviral both suddenly look at me with wide eyes, Alya stiffens and Radhika changes her place. Mukti holds my hand tight.

Please don't say that Cabir. My heart is already thudding in my chest.

"What happened? You guys are scaring me." I say with a nervous chuckle.

Cabir please don't say that line. No Cabir please.

"Manik left the school" Sahil says suddenly and all our eyes shot up at him.

"Wh... what?" I say, my voice barely audible.

"Manik has left the school" Cabir says after a deep breath.

The world around me blackens. Isn't it abnormally cold in April? My breath gets labored and my toes curl themselves due to sudden fall in temperature. I feel a bit dizzy but there is no sensation in me. These guys are lying. Just a pathetic prank, that's it.

"Nandini, say something" Mukti says concerned, her eyes glassy.

"Why?" I am hardly audible to myself.

"We don't know" Cabir says, his voice hoarse.

That sharp pain in my heart that was lingering since that day has suddenly increased. My throat hurts and I feel like to throw up.