Nandika is sitting on the corner of the last bench. Today she doesn’t want to interact with anyone. She generally doesn’t like to talk too much and today is the special day. Needless to say, the awkward incident is the reason. Nandika skirts her thumb on her lower lip. What was that? Was it an accident or a planned destiny just like her story plot? A sheepish smile grazes on her lips.

“Hmmm…that means whatever I heard and what I guessed is true.”

Suddenly a chirpy voice startles Nandika. The person sits beside her with a thud.

“Navya, I know what you must have heard but I have no idea about your guessing power. So, please dude…care to explain.”

Nandika purses her lips at Navya, her one and only best friend. For a moment, Navya keeps on looking at Nandika with a frown as she is contemplating where she should start and eventually, she takes a sigh and shackles Nandika’s shoulder and says in a low voice,

“Nandu…if anybody hears that this sober, nerdy, studious, introvert, subdued and etc…etc Ms Nandika Murthy even knows these kinds of words like dude, chap, chum or buddy, they must faint. But I know how big dark horse you are and what exactly plays in your mind, Ms Nutty M.”

“Shhhhh….are you crazy? How many times have I told you not to utter this name here? The walls also have ears.”

Nandika scolds Navya in a low voice while pinching her arm.

“Ouch…okay, okay…got it. There is no need to be violent. But no matter how much you hide your identity from the outside world you can’t hide your fertile brain from me and my guess is, a minute before you were thinking about your kisser, the great Maan Malhotra, the dream boy of the college…ufff…”

Unknowingly a tinge of pink runs under the skin of Nandika’s cheeks. She turns her face to hide the blush.

“Mmmmm…Nothing like it. Yes, I was thinking about the incident because it was embarrassing for me. And if it had been any other instead of your that great Maan Malhotra I would have been the same concerned and embarrassed. But wait…shame on you. You have a boyfriend, right? And here you are drooling over some other boy? Navya…. characterless jerk.”

Nandika rolls her eyes with pretentious disgust.

“Navya…characterless jerk (mimics Nandika)….and what about you? Don’t I know about your junky mind? Tell me the truth…you are actually happy to be kissed by that hunk…don’t you? To hell with your embarrassment. Oh God, why can’t you be as open as your books Nandu? Life will be so easy.”

Navya complains and jerks her shoulders with despair.

“Because I know, nobody will accept me as their imaginary author because I don’t match Nutty M from any angle. My looks, my behaviour, my image; nothing matches my mind. My books are the door of my wild mind and that’s why they are open but I can’t be. Yes, I want a boy like Maan in my life. I want my prince charming just like my stories but I know in reality, it will never gonna happen because I am not any Cinderella, neither my life is any fairy tale. I am a simple average looking girl, who only can fulfil her dreams in her books but not in real life. The boys like Maan never remember the girls like me. For them, it is just like a silly accident. Then it would be stupidity for me to consider it as the start of a story. So, actually, I am making my life easy. Closed and secret.”

Nandika sounds clear yet mournful. A snigger peeps on Navya’s lips.

“Nandu, it’s truly said…sometimes a person doesn’t know their value. I don’t know when you will stop considering yourself so common. I wish somebody to come into your life soon who will break your misconception about yourself.”

Navya mouths determinedly. Nandika smiles and replies with equal conviction,

“That will never happen. By the way, I have something interesting to share.”

“What? Interesting? And that is in Ms boring Nandika Murthy’s life! Strange!”

Navya says in a sarcastic manner. Nandika ignores her sneer and continues,

“Not in Nandika Murthy’s life but in Nutty M’s life. Look…”

She opens her phone's Instagram account. Navya reads the message of Lost Boy and purses her lips in ignorance.

“What is interesting about it? You, I mean Nutty M has millions of fans like him and I know they keep on trying to reach you. He is nothing but one of them.”

Navya sounds flat. Amusement is dancing in Nandika’s eyes. She replies with mischief,

“I don’t think so. So far, all fans either have tried to reach me for an autograph, selfie or to see me. Some of them are more adventurous and optimistic to have me as their girlfriend, however, until now, nobody has tried to get me as his soul soother. I found him interesting. You never know if he can be a good source of my story plots and character.”

Navya furrows her forehead.

“It’s so cruel Nandu. Someone is ready to share his agony and deep secrets with you and you are only thinking about your story plots. Don’t you have a heart, Nandika Murthy?”

Navya admonishes. Nandika sniggers and replies.

“Yes, Navu. I definitely have a heart but Nutty M just has her brain. He is asking for help from his favourite author, not from this Nandika Murthy. So, there is no question of heart.”

“Hmmmm…understood. You and your dual personality. But Nandu what if you seriously get involved in his stories? You know sometimes the brain loses its game to heart. Don’t forget that in reality, Nutty M is nothing without Nandika Murthy.”

Navya perhaps tries to warn Nandika.

“That can be taken care of in future. Right now, it seems thrilling to me. Now, tell me what should I do? He hasn’t reverted me yet since last night.”

Nandika sounds childishly curious. Navya smiles at her new-found thrill.

“Wait…Let him be comfortable with you first. Once he starts sharing his problems or agony whatever, just try to understand them and answer accordingly. Now, when you are so adamant to be a counsellor so learn to be patient too.”

Navya advises. Nandika nods at her with an acknowledged smile. Suddenly her mobile gets a notification. Both look at each other with surprise. It’s a message from Lost Boy. Is it telepathy? Nandika opens the message box.

“I am ready to pour my heart out. Tonight…exactly 1 am. Be online.”

Navya winks at Nandika and retorts,

“He is gonna give you a tough time, Nandu. Mark my words.”