|Story 3|
• Falling In Love •

Manik and Nandini knew each other for the past 15 years. They were in the same class for almost 7 years, never interacted much though during those days. For Manik, Nandini was just another girl. He had never paid attention to her, nor both ever expected of being friends also. They were just acquaintances. As time passed, both got separated and busy in their respective lives.

One day Manik gets a call from an unknown number, only to find an unfamiliar yet familiar female voice teasing him to recognize her.

After taking a dozen of expected names he just gives up, after which she finally introduces herself. 

Manik says, "Nandini????? Seriously after 3 years??? Out of blue???"

And she conversed with him as if they were the best of the friends just separated by the sand of times. However, he felt good, that she remembers him still after so many years.

Then started the series of SMSes, as whatsapp had to still gain popularity. They talked day and night. Deepest secrets were being shared. Old crushes, new ones, teasing and everything. 

One fine day, Manik was just doing occasional flirting, to which Nandini replied, "Hey, you know if my boyfriend sees this, he may not like it."

Manik thought she was kidding just to stop him from doing so, he replied, "Hahahaa...... You are saying as if you really have a boyfriend....:P :P. "

She replied,"Yes!!! I do have one. He is pursuing M.Tech from IIT, Kanpur."

Manik felt like his whole world had come crumbling down into pieces. He felt as if he has lost everything. He didn't love her though he considered her to be his best friend but what was that feeling. He didn't know and didn't want to  know also. So, he let that go and continued like the old golden days.

Everything was going fine, till one day, when he got a message, from Nandini, that she had broken up. On inquiring the reason, he came to know that he cheated on her several times. She was tired of giving him more chances and decided to end everything for once and for all.

The hidden feelings, resurfaced. But it was not a good time, as she had lost trust and faith in love and also she might think that, he was trying to take undue advantage of hers. Moreover, he was not sure, whether its love or just infatuation.

The bond between them continued to increase. They shared an inexplicable awesome chemistry and could spend hours together just talking.

One day, they decided to meet, they had met in between. But this was after 7-8 months. She was looking stunning in her black one piece. He just kept staring at her, and she felt a bit awkward and gestured what???

To which he smiled and just gestured nothing. So they went for the dinner. During the course she was talking literally anything without any competent logic and incidences happened with her recently, to which he was just nodding without getting what she was really saying. He was just too busy noticing her. When he was returning after dropping her, he realized that he was in love and he could spend his whole life with her.

Next day he was leaving. So he decided to meet her again to convey his true feelings. The time was decided at 2 in the afternoon and he had his flight at 6 in the evening. He was aware of her habit of being a late comer always so he himself reached half an hour later just to chide her. But there was no sign of her, also her phone was not reachable.

Whatsapp showed last seen today at 10:00 a.m. He was worried, he called her again and again still no response, he decided to stay atleast till 3 pm. Fiddling with his phone, he decided to get up. At that moment, he saw her entering the CCD and approaching him with an apologetic smile.

But he was furious, before she could say anything he blasted, "Where the hell were you??? Why your phone is unreachable??? You know how worried I was??? You don't care about anyone except yourself. Isn't it???"

After a second he realized, everyone was staring at them, he cursed himself, for what he had done and got ready for a juicy slap. This was not how it meant to be, but it was now. Thanks to her, she was as cool as much he was impulsive. She just held his hand and took him out to a near by garden which was empty due to the summer noon.

Now it was her turn. She shouted, "Who the hell do yo think you are??? You are neither my father nor my boyfriend, then what was that??? Don't stand like this. Reply........Why???"

He held her tight in his arms and said:

"When I see you  my pulse-rate rises, when you smile I just want to sit and watch you peacefully, when you talk I want you to go on and on. I have listened your stories, now I want to be a part of them.

When I see you with some other guy I can't stand it, I can't bear to see a single tear in your eyes but knowing that you are crying for some douche-bag who treats you like trash, I feel helpless. And you know why I have these feelings???"

"Because I love you damn it!!!"

She stood like a mannequin due to the shock. This was unexpected. And after a second he realized what he had done, he sat with his hands covering his face.

After few seconds she came to him, on her knees, holding his hands, she said, "But Manik, You know I don't believe in all this".

He replied, kneeling down holding her hands, "You just can't let this happen to you, one bad experience doesn't mean all others will end up the same way,  give yourself a chance, give love a chance."

She replied, "But I am afraid Manik, what if it doesn't work, I may lose my best buddy".

Manik,"Tell me one thing,do you trust me???"

She replied with a nod. He continued, "Then we will make it work." He leaned towards her and she closed her eyes. She fell again and this time perhaps forever.