~ Some people love too much, and the love turns toxic to their own hearts, until someone else comes along, who takes that love and replaces it with something more beautiful, comforting that heart~

Manik couldn't sleep that entire night, the feeling of her arms around him was still fresh in his subconscious mind. She had felt so soft, so fragile, and it made him want to keep her in his arms, forever. He still could not explain it, the bout of comfort that he felt, like someone very own had embraced him, but Alas!

For Though Nandini's thoughts kept him awake, there was also another myraid of emotions that were threatening to destroy the fortress of calmness and composure he had so painstakingly built. He was getting used to it, her smiles, her boldness, her feisty side, her shy eyes - and that, somehow unsettled him.

He turned over in his window side bed, and looked over at the bed, where she slept like nothing else in the world mattered. She had hugged him like it was her right, and surprisingly, it wasn't awkward either. But Manik was still contemplating things, he was not really sure about the recent developments. He had been happy with his unrequited love, happy loving her from afar. He had never desired to have her either, until fate had intervened. And now the fact that she could also like him, love him, was creating tornados inside him.

How could she love him?

How could anyone love him, for that matter?

He still remembered that night, and Kabir, his once best friend's words crystal clear in his mind.

"No one in his right mind will like staying with you, Manik. I mean, look at you! You are a friend, not a parent, to act like this over intrusive Mom, poking nose in everybody's business. We don't need your care man, grow up! To top that, you are always so boring, no excitement in life. Seriously! Madhyam is much better than you, at least he knows how to have fun, and also how to make others have fun!", The Chigas had spoken everything, and Manik had stood dumbfounded that day. It was the first blow of rejection he had had, from somebody he considered a best friend.

His train of thoughts broke, when his eyes fell on the sleeping beauty, who was lost in her dream world, without a single care in the world. Manik's heart started to beat a little louder. She was so lively, so chirpy! Won't she get bored of him, sooner or later? She would also want to leave. And he won't have any right to stop her, the thought was scary enough. Tossing and turning, somehow, sleep embraced him, in the wee hours of the morning, after an entire night's struggle.

At the same circle of time, Nandini lay facing his back to Manik, awake, and not asleep as he presumed. Her thoughts circled around how tightly he wrapped his arms around her, how possessed it made her feel, and most importantly how much she liked it. She had now started to realize that she liked being around him, talking to him, or even watch him work. Having him around settled her heart beats in a proper rhythm. She wanted to know him, understand him better. Nandini was one of those hopeless romantics at heart, who didn't show it on face. And right now, when there was nobody to judge her for that, she prayed to her Aiyappa to be that one girl for him, who he would look at one day and say~ "yes, she is the one, who changed everything for me, and everything for good". Sighing, she finally fell into deep slumber, weaving dreams around him, and his smiles.

When the sun rays fell on his face the next morning, he stirred in sleep, before opening his eyes to sigh, and finally sitting up. Nandini was already up, and that made him raise his eyebrows. What time was it, such that the sleeping beauty was awake earlier than him?

His eyes fell on the wall clock, it was just 8 am in the morning. He felt tired, for he had not had got the sleep he required, and his entire body felt like aching at the joints. Dragging himself, he walked into the shower, the warm water numbing the pain in his muscles, and the lethargic feeling somewhat seeped away. Clad in trackpants and a t-shirt, Manik came out, thinking about what he should make in breakfast when he saw the table already ready, with his favorite banana pancakes and maple syrup, with apple juice.

He frowned, perplexed, but before he could question, Nandini came out of the kitchen, with a happy smile.

" You will go to office today?", She questioned, and he nodded absentmindedly.

She nodded back, before walking towards their bedroom. Manik gulped, he needed to talk to her. He could not ruin her life, not atleast for his selfishness.

He found her removing clothes for him, and then finding a matching tie.

" Nandini?", His voice was unusally low, and Nandini turned to face him, humming.

" I thought the Gopi Bahu thing was over?", He asked again, his eyes on the clothes and the tie, and it made her laugh out loud.

" Ohh yes, it definitely is over. But I realized I like doing it all for you. And I am your wife, so", she shrugged plainly, not understanding the context of the question.

Manik sighed, as he walked closed, and held her hands, in his. It startled Nandini, and her breathing immediate raised, finding him that closer to herself.

" I wish I could explain it to you Nandini, but I can't. Just, don't do all these, for me! I am not habituated to it", he kept his gaze fixed on their joined hands, and Nandini simply stared at him, not able to grasp anything.

"Huh? Aree I am your first and only wife, how will you be habituated to all these, before I do it for you?", She blurted confused, and Manik raised his eyes at her question, hiding the smile that had started to form on his lips.

That was the magic of Nandini Murthy, oops, Malhotra. She could find humour in any damn thing.

Exhaling loud, Manik made her sit on the bed, and himself sat on his knees in front of her.

"Nandini, I was serious that day, when I asked you to find love outside. I understand that it might not be a forced marriage to you, but it's also not like you love me", his heart constricted as he said the speech, he had painstakingly prepared all night. The expressions on her face were not helping either.

" I am not someone you will fall in love with Nandini, and I don't want you to compromise with life, for me! This marriage won't bind you, I promise, I just want you to be happy!", Nandini snatched her hand out of his hold, and stood up, tears filled in her large eyes.

" I am happy Manik, and Everytime, it's you who bring up these nonsense talks, and ruin my happiness", she screamed, and looked away, as tears rolled down her cheeks, missing the bitter smile on his face.

" I know! That is why I am asking you to not come close to me", he whispered, and before Nandini could knock some sense in his head, he picked up the clothes and dashed into the washroom, leaving a furious Nandini behind.

" Aiyappa! Why did you bless me with such a idiot husband? Instead of romancing with his newly wedded wife, all he is doing is pushing me away!", She stomped her feet, and walked out, angry at Manik. But she couldn't hold the tears either, for it hurt her too much to see the reluctance he had for her. Was she that unworthy?

It was really strange, for though Manik was trying to push her away, again and again, And it did hurt her, she was still thinking about knocking some sense in him, and not leaving him. She had accepted him the way he was, the only issue was Manik not realizing it.

Manik came out and was welcomed by silence. Contemplating If or not he should face her again, he decided against it, and left for office, in hurry, without even having the breakfast, which in turn irked Nandini more, for she had spent her precious morning, searching the recipe and making it.

Manik reached office, and one look at his face, and Abhik knew something was amiss. He ordered two coffee and took them to his cabin, settling in.

"What's wrong?", Abhik asked, and Manik looked up, not really surprised but lacking with the answer.

" You fought with Bhabhi?", He asked again, and Manik shook his head.

" Hurt her instead. Like always", the last two words were a whisper not meant to be heard, but Abhik did anyway, and slapped his head.

" Manik, I have told you before and I am telling you again, stop punishing yourself for something which was not even a fault. There are certain traits that make you, You, and make me, me, and without them our identities will be a lie. Everybody might not like them, but that doesn't make it wrong, or fault.", Abhik tried to explain Manik who was looking at Abhik with eyes full of unasked questions.

"You know what I like the most about you? Why I became your friend?", Abhik asked a leading question again, and Manik was still mum, but Abhik could tell he was listening with concentration.

"Because you care, too much. I like it, makes me feel important. Because you think too much, makes me feel easier to understand that whatever you do, must have a reason behind it. Because you are sensitive, too much, and I know you will think a thousand times before hurting anyone", Manik was completely dumbfounded at the answer.

All his life, he had cursed himself for these very traits, he had been cursed for these very feelings. And now, Abhik was praising him for the same things. When Abhik saw the confusion on his face, he knew it was time to hit the last nail.

" Perspectives my friend, Perspectives! Learn to value your own feelings, before deciding to let go for others", Abhik patted his shoulder before leaving him alone for sometime, and at the same time, dialing his mother's number.

It was time for the fairy's magic wand too.