1 Chapter 1

Nandini

I lazily open my eyes to be welcomed by wet and sloppy kiss from my Labrador dog, Winniepoo, yes I gave him that name. He is the most adorable friend I can count on. He loves me and stays with me most of the times when I am at home.

"Oh my baby, why do you wake me up so early everyday? Let me sleep for some more time now go and bother those brats." I kissed his nose and gave him his favourite cookie, his treat, which he loved and that was the way I bribed him! I know I am mean not really. He wagged his tail and ran away from there.

I covered myself with my soft duvet trying to sleep again but was again disturbed by loud shriek from my mother "Nandu wake up right now or else you wont be getting your favourite breakfast." My mouth watered by knowing that it was masala dosa for breakfast.Yes thats my all time favourite food, I can sacrifice my sweet sleep as well if I could get this food any time of the day. So I lazily get myself to the bathroom, got ready in record time after quick shower and I run to the kitchen in a great mood to savour my delicious and scrumptious breakfast.

I was welcomed by my big family. My Pa,Ma, Amms(Grandma), my sixteen year old brother, Rishab, Chacha(Uncle), Chachi(Aunty) and their ten year old son, Aryan and my another cousin Naina, who is twenty two years old, was my dad's sister's daughter and was staying with us for her education. She was doing her last year Masters degree in interior design. We are one big happy crazy family. My brothers were extremely naughty and boisterous and always were upto something to trouble everyone in the house but I always made sure I was not the victim so they do have some grudge against me but in a non harmful way. My cousin Nisha, is a rebel so I am a bit scared of her but she is sweet and supports me a lot. As for me I am Nandini Murthy, daughter of Krishna Murthy and Vijaya Murthy and I am twenty two years old. My dad is a comissioner of police and is very respectable in this Mumbai city and ofcourse he is tough nut but extremely sweet and funny. My mom is the sweetest mom ever. she has lots of NGOs and is really busy helping the needy people. My Amms is a classical music teacher. My chacha and chachu run textile business. Well, thats my family and ofcourse my sweet Winniepoo, who is three yr old and I love him like anything.

Well, I hold masters degree in psychology. Current dream is getting into the best drama school, Gurukul which is in northern part of India and I have already applied for that and waiting for my registeration. Ofcourse against my parents wishes because they want me to stay here and continue with my Psychology career. Still, I am adamant to get there and achieve my dreams. This was a phase where I was confused about what I really want to do for the rest of my life. But, I wanted to try the one thing that always made me happy. I enjoyed playing my favourite characters in my school and college Drama team. We almost thought that we all could be already actors now. But then life happens. We don't really get what we want, definately not when we are sailing in two different boats at the same time.

I definately don't have a boyfriend who would stop me from going so far. So I was a free bird unlike my friends who would crib over thier long distance relationship.

"Gurukul here I come!! "

Manik

"Dad, I just want to get away from here and since I was always interested in drama and acting I would love to take up this offer at Gurukul.Please let me follow my dreams." I pleaded to my dad, Raj Malhotra. He didn't look happy right now. I was crossing my fingers.

He thought for a while and gave his permission "But Manik, just promise me you will come back and assist me in business. You know that your brother is still studying and I dont want to distract him. Please understand that you have no security in that career and I care about you a lot." He sounded pretty serious. I knew he was worried but I had to do this. If not now, then never. I sighed.

"I know dad I will never let you down I love you so much. And I promise I will be back after my one year course and will join you in business. I just dont want to regret that I didn't give a shot to achieve my dreams, my passion, thats it, it wont hinder my life for sure I will be taking wise decisions. Afterall I am your son dad." I hugged him as I started getting emotional because he is my role model, my everything.

"All the best son and when do you have to leave ?" dad asked me wiping his tears.

"Well they are still in the admission process it might take a month or two." I informed him.

Soon, he left for office leaving me in my own world. After attending business school in New York, I was back to Mumbai for good but, was not in a mood to join business yet, there was lot going on in my mind right now. Hopefully I will get through all this. I needed a change. I knew my Dad would never be a push over. He understood me like a friend. Now that I had the final and most important green signal, I started planning about the things I had to do. And my To-Do list seemed a tad bit too long.

"Gurukul here I come!!"