And woahh I did and as soon as I sat the prof walked in making me smile in satisfaction.

Well the class was long and boring but as soon as I heard the professor putting the white board marker down I packed up and ran out right behind the prof

When I got to the parking, bhai was waiting for me so I got in the car and strapped up.

"Girl we gotta talk" he said

"Yes sir, what have I done" I asked making him laugh

"Nothing cutie, I'm just wondering whats cooking with manik and you"

"Oh that"

"Yes that?"

"Mhmm should I be honest"

"Always" he replied

"Okay so we are exclusive, im gonna say we are dating" I blurt out and looked at bhai to see his reaction

"Finally, jeez took ya'll a while" he teased

"Hey you know the things we went through was bad"

"Yup, that bitch especially"

"Agreed but I think it just made us stronger" he smiled hearing me

"Also that idiot is full on freaking out" he told me

"Wait Why?"

"How would I know, I thought you'd be able to help" he said

"I don't know bhai, he just has been so stressed and nervous all day. He never forces me to be there if he knows I have practice but today he was begging for me to be there before the game starts"

"I know, I was just there and he was constantly checking his phone. Its like he is distracted"

There has to be a specific reason for this nervousness because Manik is a player, he has been playing since he was a child, and just becasue he hasn't practiced much doesn't mean he has lost his touch. There was something else!!!

I don't think I have ever seen him this nervous since, oh shittt.

I turned to bhai who had just parked outside the gym his game was in.

"Bhai are there any chief guests" I asked getting out of th car

"Ya I think so but I don't know who exactly"

"If I'm not wrong, its gonna be mr and mrs malhotra becasue that is the only reason or cause of his nervousness. He was nervous like this a few years ago becasue they were guests" I said

"Could be, which is why he needs you"

"Maybe" I mumbled as we got in the gym

I looked around and saw Manik sitting on the bleacher by his coach, his coach was saying something but manik didn't seem to be listening.

I didn't even look at bhai while mumbling a bye as I walked behind the crowd and bleachers to where manik was.

"Hey you can't go there" I heard the security guard

i was just going to ignore him but he grabbed my arm pulling me back

"Let me go"

"No, you aren't allowed in there so if you don't want to be kicked out go sit in the bleachers over there" he said pointing at the rest of the crowd

"I understand but I just"

"I said over there or out" he said glaring at me

"Please just let me go see manik, he"

"Okay that's it, you are going to be kicked out now" he said holding my arm tighter as he started dragging me away

"Sir I understand but"

"Shut up" he said dragging me

"MANIKKK" I screamed not seeing the guard letting me go

"Quit it" the guard said

"You are hurting me" I mumbled trying to get to get out of his hold

"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HER NOW" we heard, I immediately knew it was Manik's voice

The guard turned around and manik stood there in anger visible on his face. As soon as the guard's grip loosened a little I ran to manik

"IF I EVER SEE YOUR HANDS ON HER AGAN IN THE FUTURE GAMES YOU ARE GOING TO BE FIRED AND HAVE BROKEN BONES" he roared

"Im sorry, I didn't know know she knew you" the guard said

"It's okay, it's your job. Don't worry about it" I said before manik could yell at him

Manik grabbed my arm and walked over to the change room.

"Did he hurt you" he asked scanning my arms

"It's not a big deal manik"

"Jesus fuck, your arm is bright red" he said seeing the bruise that would probably form around my elbows because of the guard's hold

"Its okay"

"No it's not, that man is done here" manik said walking out but I grabbed his arm stopping him

"Look at me" I said

His eyes met mine and all the worry, insecurity, nervousness, just everything he was feeling was there. Frowns on his forehead and the way his jaw was hardened let me know he wasn't just angry at the guard, he was pissed at someone else too

"Are your parents here" I asked and his jaw hardened more

"Talk to me" I whispered

"Why do they purposely come to these games nandini, they don't give a shit about me yet they come to games when they know I am playing, it's like they want to see me fail and it annoys me. I fucking hat every bit of it. I hate this. I don't even want to go out there and play"

"But you will, you will play and show them who my manik is. You will play not becasuse you have to prove who my manik is but becasue you love basketball. Manik you cannot let them take away the most beautiful thing you have" I whispered caressing his biceps

"But they come here to watch me fail"

"Yet you play with your whole heart and wi every time"

he sat down on the bench and ran his fingers through his hair. I squatted in front of him and held onto his hands

"It's okay, im right here. Just play with your whole heart like you always do and don't be upset becasue of someone who doesn't care about you"

"Nandini I just don't feel like going out there. I am anxious" he whispered

I leaned forward and kissed his jawline a couple times, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in his lap.

He hid his face in my neck while I caressed his back gently dropping kisses on his head.

"Manik what are you doing" I looked up to see his coach walking in

"Oh hey Nandini" he said

"Hi mark" I said

"Manik I need you out, we are starting warm up" he said more to me then manik becasue he knows manik wasn't in the zone right now

he left seeing me nod

"Manik baba its time"

"I don't wanna go" he whined

"Come on" I whispered caressing his back

"What if I fail"

"You won't trust me you will not"

"Can I get a kiss if I win" he asked pulling his face out of my neck

"Of course you can monkey" I said chuckling

"Oh no no im not talking about a kiss on the cheek"

"Huh" I looked at him confused

He got up setting me on my feet and kissed my forehead

"I know ill win and when I do umm in an hour and a bit. You will kiss me ya?" He asked

"Are you okay? Fever? Cold?" I asked touching his forehead

"No, just a little gift for when I win" he siad

"What gift"

"A kiss you idiot now wish me luck and lets watch those two crumble seeing me win" he said

"All the very best manik, play with your whole heart" I whispered

He leaned down and kissed my head gently.

"Thank you butterfly" he whispered

I grinned when he kissed my cheeks, he grabbed my hand and made me sit on the bleachers just for the team members and then kissed my head again

I noticed eyes on me, making me realize the whole crowd had became quiet and they were all and I mean all were staring at me, at manik, making me conscious

"Manik" I whispered

"What's wrong jaan" he asked caressing my hair

"Everyone is looking at me"

"Thats becasue you are beautiful, now focus on me and make sure you cheer me on" he said nudging his nose with mine making me giggle

"Have funzies and play with your heart" I said

"Will do babe" he pressed another kiss on my temple and ran to the court

his team started warm up and as the game began my eyes went to his parents who sat there with disgust on their face making me glare at them even though they couldn't see me

Ever since manik and I have known each other I hated the fact that his parents ignore him and make him feel unwanted. I thought that maybe there is a communication gap but nope.

His parents just never wanted kids and when manik happened there was a complication so his mom couldn't abort which I am thankful for.

But ya so they treat him like shit which is also why manik didn't stay home too long, he asked a nanny to buy this house for him so he can live alone which his parents glady did for some fucked up reason.

"Thats 5 for space college" I heard making me come out of my thoughts

I noticed manik looking at me with a frown. I smiled at him making him smile back.

'Get ready to kiss me' he mouthed making my eyes go wide

Oh he was serious about this, I didn't think he was serious about the kiss. I know for sure that he is going to win so now I gotta worry about this kiss.

I mean it's not that I don't wanna kiss manik, I want to, I really want to but I am way too shy for this and he is a stubborn head. He will for sure not make the first move, he will get me to.

Throughout the game manik kept glancing at me and winking or mouthing something to do with the kiss or how pretty I looked which honestly was so mhmmm I don't know, making me shy.

There were only a couple minutes left of the game and I knew he was going to win becasue they were 15 points ahead.

And guess what, manik won, he freaking won. I swear the look on his parent's face made me laugh becasue they were angry and how can I miss this opportunity.

While manik was with his team and the coach I walked over to his parents with a smirk.

"Hello mr and mrs malhotra" I said putting my hands flat on the table in front of them

"Hi creature" mrs malhotra said making me laugh

"Girl you push your luck too much but hey I just wanted to congratulate you"

"For what" she asked

"For your son winning, you saw him making the winning basket ya?" I asked and her nose flared making me giggle a little

"Nandini you orphan"

"Woahhh mother watch that tone and those words before I end up doing something reckless" I heard manik's voice

He came up behind me, wrapping his hand around my waist kissing the back of my head

"Don't talk to me like that" she said

"Very well mrs malhotra, have an amazing day and make sure to flaunt your son winning the game for some good media coverage. You'll need it once your clients leave your company and come to Manik's"

"YOU FUCKING"

"Woahhh chill mother" Manik whispered with that warning look

"I am looking forward tot he interviews that come out with questions about this game. Once again thank you for giving birth to Manik and your welcome for letting you spoil my time by gracing you with my presence. Now toddles" I said giggling as I grabbed manik's arm walking towards the change room

"You my love are one of a kind" Manik said with a smirk

"I already know that Manik"

"And you look gorgeous"

"I also happen to know that" I teased

He chuckled grabbing my waist steading me.

"What else do you happen to know" he asked dropping a kiss on my head

"Mhmm that you were going to win this game"

"And" he asked kissing my ear making me shiver

"Manik" I whispered

"Yes butterfly" he asked

"Please lets just"

"No we aren't going home ms angry bird" he said pulling away from me

Ahh I missed his warmth, his touch.

"Why not?" I asked

"I have a little surprise for you" he said walking towards the change room

"Surprise, wait what the fuck? You called me an angry bird" I said smacking his back as I followed him

"Arhhghhh manik get her out of here" we heard a voice

I peaked to find the source of the voice to see his teammates changing making me laugh

"Nothing I haven't seen before boys" I said turning around

no I'm not shameless, they were just in shorts so it's fine

"Nandini" his teammate arun whined

"Fineeee" I said

"Meet me in the parking in 5 butterfly" manik said as I was walking out

"Yes sir" I yelled without turning back

I walked to the parking and sat in the car because I had his keys. I was scrolling on instagram when I received a message from bhai saying he was not going to be home tonight since him and navya were going out on a date or whatever