Chapter 18

Mukti was one of the designers selected by the college for the fall show, which was co-sponsored by the college. They were going to present the designs in front of the San Francisco crowd which could give them great feedback and profile.

Mukti gave the news to Nandani her eyes dancing with excitement.

"That's amazing!" Nandani said. She could feel her heart expand in her chest, both with pride for Mukti's achievement and also excited for what it would mean to them. "And the timing is perfect because you can adjust them before we pitch it to Crystal's friend in New York over the break." While everyone would be at home eating pie and unwrapping gifts, Nandani would have the best gift of all: the contacts and advice from Crystal, needed to launch their 'Dream Girl' designer label by that time next year.

Nandani was getting excited. Thinking about the meetings with Crystal made her feel closer to their dream. The dream that made all the hours of solitude in the library worthwhile. "Which reminds me. Crystal's assistant is going to send us the time we can meet her in December. We will have to book our flights soon!"

"Wow! New Year's in New York." Mukti yelled. "It is going to be amazing!"

Since the finals were going to end in the middle of December, Nandani also planned to squeeze in a week of work at the magazine before and after Christmas in New York. In between, she would get a few days off sightseeing with Mukti and her family.

Mukti and Nandani had to make it work, and the fall fashion show was just one more step toward the ultimate goal. Nandani let her studying slide by another hour so that she and Mukti could celebrate with cheese pizza and coke, and make plans for all the amazing places they would be jetting off to in a year, and the people who would be wearing their clothes.

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Homecoming weekend was a big deal. At their high school, it was less about an alumnus and more about an excuse for the students to party, and worship Rugby and Football. For Nandani it was mostly about celebrating surviving the first two months of high school with her grades and sanity intact.

Homecoming was a special occasion for another reason; it marked Nandani's only appearance at the football stadium for the year. Even when she was dating Aryaman, she did not go to watch the games. Football was her least favorite sport. It never made sense to her why a bunch of guys would run around in shiny pants and hit each other. But it was an irony that she dated a top player for four years.

The game was Saturday afternoon and the day was gorgeous and sunny. Mukti, Nandani, and Emma went over together and met Alya and her boyfriend there.

Nandani drove and took advantage of the free weekend parking, though they had to park a mile away from the stadium because of the crowds. They settled into their seats about thirty minutes before kickoff. Emma had scored for them a great vantage point. Her brother was a player in that match, thus the team's family got first passes. In the past Nandani used to get them from Aryaman. But she didn't get it this year.

They had all dressed in school colors, green and white. Nandani had worn a jersey and denim miniskirt. Mukti, always wanting to appear different had worn an emerald green tank top and white shorts.

While the players on the ground had been warming up, Emma leaned over to Nandani. "Have you spoken to Aryaman lately? I heard he sprained something last week while practicing."

"No. I have barely spoken to him. He texted me a bit when I got back to school, but that's it." She gave a silent thanks at the guarantee he would be sitting somewhere on a bench.

Emma then continued, "Well Charles said Aryaman has been in pretty rough shape lately. Even before the injury. I wondered if that had something to do with you guys breaking up."

Nandani corrected her. "It was his brilliant idea to call it quits in the first place."

"You don't think you would ever get back with him? You guys dated for a long time." Emma had that righteous look on her face, but Nandani did not feel like entertaining her matchmaking efforts.

"We wanted different things, Emma. It would not have worked," Nandani replied.

The band started playing and Nandani used that as an excuse to look towards the playing area in front of them. For once Emma took the hint.

But the more Nandani thought about it, the more she realized it was true. Once she could look at Aryaman and their relationship with some distance and the halo started to fade, he was just another guy looking to keep his parents happy. And that did not fit with her. Not anymore.

A few players were doing warmups, and the cheerleaders were stretching on the field. Nandani caught a glimpse of green and white skirts two rows behind them. Though they were warming up differently. They were in conversation with guys who were no doubt ecstatic to receive their attention.

Nandani was about to glance away when she saw a familiar face. Neil was one of the guys. When he caught her eye he smiled, The brunette who had been flirting with him glanced at Nandani with an unpleasant expression on her face. She sent him a genuine smile, and Neil waved at her, asking her to come over.

"I am going to say hello, will you come with me?" Nandani asked Emma. Emma took one look at Neil and was quick to agree. Winding their way to the end of the row and up was easier because the seats were not full. But then Nandani saw Manik standing two seats past Neil. Manik was not seen before because he had been partly obscured by a blonde, who just stood inches from him.

While the blonde turned to her friend, Manik's eyes locked with hers. His face registered surprise. The blonde then turned to talk to him and put her hand possessively on his arm, but his gaze dragged back to Nandani.

Emma followed her line of sight. "Oooh, is that Mukti's brother? Who is he with?"

Nandani reached Neil. "Hi, Neil. Do you know Emma?" In greeting, Neil offered a megawatt smile before removing a flask from his pocket. Nandani declined politely, but Emma was game enough to try it.

"You were at Nandani's party, right?"

"Yeah, I live with Nandani and Mukti," Emma said.

Neil nodded and then introduced the brunette and the blonde girls. Nandani then realized that the blonde drooling over Manik was the same one for whom Manik had tried enlisting Nandani's help.

"She is alive," Manik called out to Nandani. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the crowd, though they were only a few steps apart. She had got used to seeing his eyes warm when they met hers, but that day they were cool. Nandani figured out, that is what happens when you spend too much time in the library alone.

"Nope. I am all good." Nandani turned back to the brunette and asked what are you majoring in? She replied Sociology, while the blonde was doing arts. "How about you?" they asked Nandani.

"Nandani is in business," Neil volunteered on her behalf. "She is brainy. In three years, she will be a billionaire, telling everyone how to dress."

Nandani blushed, as all eyes were on her. Except Manik's. He shot a vaguely irritated look Neil's way.

"Hey, you girls missed Manik's birthday. It was a great night." Neil went on oblivious to the look that Manik gave him.