A/N : Hello readers! I'm slightly happier seeing a couple more of you have added this book to your reading list! Thank you for giving this a chance, and I do hope you read and if you find it a nice read, than vote and show some love!

Thank you to the existing readers for the continued love and support, you are the sole reason why I decided to continue with the story, despite such low readership.

Much love,

A.

***

S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2011

(Common kitchen, S.P.A.C.E. Residency)

Nandini Murthy

I have to count my stars lucky to have had such a mind blowing Christmas morning even in Uni, when I thought this was going to be the saddest Christmas of my entire life! Thank-you, Ayappa! You're not that annoying I suppose! Anyway, so I walked back to my residency with all my gifts that I unwrapped the moment Harshad and I woke up in the morning! Even Harshad got me something, it's a red jumper with Rudolf the reindeer embroidered on the front, with his big red nose popping out! It's damn cute. So, with a happy grin plastered across my face, I entered the kitchen, Ayappa it was so damn cold outside! My hands were freezing and I could do with a cup of hot chocolate for sure! (Yes, I will start watching my diet after the holidays!)

As I entered the kitchen, I stopped startled. Manik was sitting on the chair adjacent to the dining table, with his head down, resting on his arms on the table. Was he sleeping? Why was he sleeping here? What happened to his 'oh so sexy' Christmas party? Jerk. I muttered under my breath; why couldn't he hang out with us, if he was alone anyway? Anyway, I didn't want to be angry first thing in the morning, so I decided against waking him up and moved to the kitchen counter to make myself some hot chocolate. It had barely been five minutes that I started my preparation with a happy smile on my face, that I felt someone pull me by my elbow from behind! I was surprised and as a result I was disbalanced as I turned; I was about to fall when a pair of gruff hands held onto both my wrists. Manik.

"What's wrong with you, Manik?" I asked huffing in annoyance as I regained my composure and looked at him. He was giving me the death glare. Umm, what exactly did I do now Mr. Busy Bee?

"What's wrong with you, Nandini?" he asked me instead as his hold on my wrists grew tighter. It hurt me and I winced, as I tried pulling my hand out of his grip, but need I say Mr. Hercules was a hundred times stronger than me? Anyway, I stared at him with confused eyes, not sure how to respond to Mr. Crackhead or his lame question, when he reframed the question that was directed at me.

"You spent the night with Harshad?" he asked gruffly.

"Umm, yeah" I replied, still unsure how that could cause him so much vexation. But one look at his eyes, and suddenly I realised the deeper meaning of his questions, as his chocolate brown orbs turned into liquid onyx at my answer. Oh my God. This is what Mr. F*ckboy thinks of me?!

"Oh no, no, no. Not that way! We were just hanging out!" I quickly clarified, and for a second he looked slightly pacified, but wait, why was I explaining things to Mr. Nutjob here? Did he effing explain when he spent his day with the brunette from Cafe Nero? Hmph.

"Lies" he mouthed after a few seconds, and there the menacing glare was back.

"Excuse me?" I asked perplexed first and deeply angered next, how could this boy call me a liar on my face! Not that I would appreciate him calling me one behind my back either, but on my actual face? The nerves!

"I went there; right after you texted me. You guys weren't there in the lobby." he replied with gritted teeth not making eye contact now. My eyes widened like saucers now. What the actual f*ck was he doing there in the middle of the night, and if he had come, why didn't he come inside? And hello, anybody remembers, he had a party to attend to? Why on earth was he loitering around the campus all night instead?!

"Yes, we were in his bedroom together.." and before I completed my sentence he gruffly pulled me by my wrist, which he was still painfully grabbing, pulling me closer to him. I froze for a moment, we have never been this close, his breath was fanning my face. Wait, if I come to think of it, I have never been this close to any guy! I looked into his eyes now, I shivered seeing a mad gleam in them, as he uttered the next few words, with which he thought he was accurately completing my sentence.

"..having sex" he bellowed, his lips were only an inch apart from mine, and although his power of deduction blew my mind, I couldn't coherently bring myself to lash out at him at that point, because all I could think of was how those soft and broad lips of his would feel on mine. Desperate much? I agree. Nandu, you are a gone case. Thank-you Ayappa, for not helping. Once again! Urghh.

"How could you?" he whispered, my body relaxed a little with the change in his tone this time; also I felt his grip loosen on me, as he looked away from me, staring out of the window, still holding me that close. This is when The Nandini Murthy found her voice. Finally. About time. I am so damn lame!

"Manik, have you lost it? We were watching movies. We wanted to have a Christmas movie marathon all night, okay? That's why we were in his bedroom. And you thought..." my voice trailed off as my tears finally found their way out of my eyes in revolt of such a blame. I pushed him with all my might, and he stumbled back a few steps. He was looking at me again, and as soon as my tears started rolling out, his expression changed from anger to horror with a speed faster than gravity (9.8m/sec i.e. I am pretty technical that way!)

"Nandini.." he whispered hoarsely and he came forward and cupped my cheeks. Wasn't Mr. Bat Shit Loony mad at me for no reason, like thirty nanoseconds back? Men. Hormones. Phew.

"Please leave me alone" I muttered through my tears, not looking at his face. I heard him sigh and say sorry several times, but I wasn't done. I was mad at him for thinking I am the kind of girl who'd sleep with just about anybody, right after knowing him for what, like a few days? I roughly pulled myself away from him and left the kitchen, shutting the door with a bang, while wiping away my tears from the back of my palm. Damn everything. Christmas is officially ruined. Thanks Ayappa, my big man. I am officially an atheist now.

Things I still don't know, this is a long list when it comes to Manik Malhotra. 1. Why was Manik sleeping in the kitchen?

2. Why did Manik not go to his party?

3. Why did Manik come back to Harshad's?

4. Why did Manik seem so bothered if I spent the night at Harshad's?

I guess these are answers I won't ever get, not unless Ayap--oops never mind! Atheist Nandu, you're an atheist now. Focus.

Madison Square Park, 11 Madison Avenue circa 2011

(Near the Christmas Tree Lighting)

I was cheerfully clicking selfies with the decorated tree, as it was towering over the otherwise dark night with sparkly lights of its own. Like every year, they have a huge tree decorated here, and as I was whining about visiting one beautifully decorated massive tree out in the city, Harshad had suggested this one. We came here in the late afternoon and never realised when it turned dark! The view was mesmerising and there were happy people all around us, as we walked from the tree towards the Christmas market around, hand in hand. I don't know why, but Harshad gave me the Abhi vibe, only a sober, politer and more decent version of Mr. Dufus Murthy! You know what I mean? And what's up with Mr. Cookie Monster you might ask? Well, since morning, he left me quite a number of texts apologising and wanting to meet; he even knocked my door a couple of times, called thrice I think, but I didn't revert. The mere thought of him makes me want to beat up someone around me in anger. Aghhh Aya--whoosh. Umm, nothing.

I was looking at a cute lamp on display that had tiny crystal balls floating inside on some kind of fluid, and was emitting light that was refracting by touching the surface of the other crystal balls and rays were coming haphazardly out of the lamp, it was eclectic and beautiful, it had all my heart.

"Why are you out with Harshad again?" I heard a voice and quickly looked back. Who am I kidding, at this point everyone knows who that blood sucking vampire might be. Manik.

"What's your beef, Manik?" I asked, exhaling deeply, I was so not in the mood for his melodrama. I looked around for Harshad.

"I don't like it." he mumbled, as I brought my focus back to him, on not finding Harshad around. Trust these boys, he was just around!

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"I said, I don't like it. I don't like it when you spend all your time with him, like he is someone important" he replied clearly with gritted teeth now. I stared at him amazed. This was the same man who slept with a pretty miss brunette and has a fast receding family pack of condoms back at home, right? Also, isn't he the man who thought I was sleeping with Harshad? If he had even an iota of liking for me, he'd never pass that judgement, but here he is lurking around me, throwing his damn weight around, trying to leash me to his likings? Why, if I may ask.

"Enough of this, Manik. You have already imagined the worst of me, I don't feel like explaining." I replied, and without looking for Harshad this time, I started walking away from him.

"Nandini, wait. Why can't you f*cking get over today morning's incident?" he asked in agitation, and followed me as I walked in brisk pace towards a more secluded section of the park, where the crowd was sparse and it was much darker. Don't get ideas now, it was a shortcut to the subway station, that's why I came here, not because I had some ulterior intention! Anyway, I kept quiet and with a head bent low, I continued with my journey; but of course Mr. Usain Bolt Malhotra here caught up with me. He came in front of me and gently stopped me, holding my right elbow. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest and looked at him inquiringly.

"Why are you so mad at me?" he asked childishly, the revolt in his face almost made him look like an overgrown kid and this almost made me smile. Almost. But I managed at the nick of time and kept a straight face instead.

"Because you think I am a flooze" I replied with a deadpan face.

"I don't think you're a flooze!" he replied indignantly.

"Then why did you accuse me of sleepi..." I began animatedly, but he cut me short this time. Urghhhh. I so hate this habit of his! Aya-never mind.

"I didn't mean to. I was just mad at the possibility" he replied softly, and this time when he looked into my eyes, was there some change there? I didn't see the arrogance, or the madness, maybe a little angst? Yeah right. Manik Malhotra will feel angst for me. Nandu, move to Canada already!

"Why were you mad at.." I was going to voice out the trickiest question I ever asked a fellow human on this planet, but Mr. Oh I Can't Stop Talking could never let me of course. He had to cut me short. Again. Hmph.

"This is for you" he said with a tiny smirk as he held up his hand towards me. There was a small black box with a huge off white bow on it. I looked at him surprised, as he continued talking.

"I wanted to give you this. That's why I came back to Harshad's yesterday to place it under the tree, and when I didn't find you there, I came back to the residency and waited for you to come home. But you didn't until morning, and then we had that row" he rolled his eyes in exasperation, as I slowly took the gift from his hand.

"This is why I was trying to patch up with you all day, we cannot give a Christmas gift after Christmas now, can we?" he laughed now. Finally.

"What about your party?" I asked with a pleasant smile finally adorning my lips.

"What, I thought this year we were spending the holidays together! Why would I go there? I just left to go give them their gifts, and make good on a promise" he replied with a small smile.

"What promise?" I asked as I removed the lovely bow on the box.

"We will get to that later, open it first and tell me if you like it?" he said with childlike excitement in his voice and I laughed; but when I finally opened the box, I was awestruck. Lying there delicately on the velvet cushion was a Tiffany's snowflake pendant! Oh my freaking God! (God, not Mr.A okay!)

"Manik.." I whispered looking at the gorgeous beauty

"You like it?" he whispered back hopefully.

"You're kidding? I love it! Who can not?" I asked in amazement.

"Good" he murmured as I realised he was suddenly very close to me, and before I could react, he gently cupped my face and put his lips on mine. Wait, he was kissing me? Mr. Manik Extremely Kissable Malhotra was freaking kissing me!?!?!? Ayappaaaa, it's a truce with you already!!

It was a mere peck on my lips first, but he didnt move back after that, he stayed there touching my lips with his, waiting for me to unfreeze and react, and after what seemed like an eternity in my mind, I pecked him back; from there, there was no looking back, as he leaned in closer (if that was even possible) sucking my lower lip tightly, as his right hand travelled down my cheeks to the small of my back, clutching me close to him. His lips worked slowly on mine, but firmly, there was a sense of ownership in them, and I was already melting in his arms. I kissed back sucking onto his upper lip as he continued to assault my lower, and suddenly he grabbed my waist so tightly that I gasped in surprise, and taking advantage of my innocence, the smartass fellow pushed his tongue inside my mouth. Again, I froze for a moment, but he was meeting, feeling, mating with my tongue and the inner cavern of my mouth with such dexterity that I soon followed the rhythm and although I realised I wasn't as efficient a kisser, but Manik enjoyed my kiss as much, since it seemed he had no intentions of ending it or even breathing for that matter! We only stopped when the sensation of light, cold, damp flakes of snow on our faces brought us out of our reveries and we both stopped the kiss to let go off each others' mouth and look up; the first snow of the season had just started as we saw thousands of intricately designed snowflakes lace in the air and slowly come down upon us. It was the most beautiful moment of my life, and I will remember it till my last breath. Trust Ayappa to make life better than even a fairytale for me this Christmas, away from home!

There was a grin on my face and I couldn't tell what caused it more, the kiss or the perfect timing of the snow fall, but I had it on my face. "Manik..'' I whispered his name as he turned to look at me, tearing his eyes away from the sky above, he had a content smile on his face. I looked at him with a shy smile and question in my eyes; although the kiss was mesmerising, how did it happen so suddenly? Did Manik like me? It was as if he read my mind as he replied with a twinkle in his eyes, "Mistletoes''. I blushed as I looked up, indeed we were standing under a branch of a tree from where a decorative mistletoe was hanging! Looking around I saw such decor across many trees in the park. Damn this is so romantic! I am so giddy right now! Nandu, control! Don't freak Mr. Cutest Guy On Earth already, it was just a kiss! Although, it was my first ever kiss from a guy! Eeksss, yippee!!

"Come let's go home" he said gently as he entwined his fingers with fine and I simply let him, and as we walked towards the sub, I had a silly smile on my lips, and Manik for some reason looked very content.

Wait, whatever happened to Harshad? Why do I suspect Mr. Malhotra here has to do something with his disappearance? Ayappa, please send him home safe! By the way, my atheism plan is cancelled for now, who can ever be mad at such a cute Ayappa! Muah.

S.P.A.C.E. Academy, New York circa 2011

(Nandini's bedroom, S.P.A.C.E. Residency)

Okay, I have to admit that I am in a fix right now. Why, why, why Nandu, why did you have to kiss Monster Manik?! I mean it was all fairytale-ish in the first one hour, but then once we reached home, he got a call from Dhruv it seemed, and after a couple of minutes, he simply said he had to leave and that's it, he just left. Poof. Now the question is when will he return? Will he now return after new year because Dhruv finally convinced him to join their party, or would he return after hanging out with them for a while, in which case, would it be tonight or would it be tomorrow that he returns? Umm, that's not just it; either cases, will his behaviour towards me be changed, like romantic glances or stolen kisses kind of way, or would he just go back to being normal friends with me? Afterall, he kissed me because there was a mistletoe over us, not because there was any other intention. Was there? Damn that mistletoe! Ayappa, you always leave a small place of confusion in my heart! Why couldn't Manik just kiss me that breathtakingly without a mistletoe overhead?! Arghh. Why can't fairytale romance come with no gaps in logic!?

I was wondering how I should be reacting when I see him next, should I be all cool and composed or should I smile and rush to him and hug him like I want to? What's the code of conduct for girls who kiss their crushes, who also happen to be their dormies, under a mistletoe by chance? Help anyone? Ayappa, aah what would you know. You're not even a girl; plus you're ancient! Talk of generation gap!

In agitation, my hand moved towards my iPad and I almost called my speed dial constant, Navya; but then I hung up, no it wasn't a good idea. Well I haven't mentioned Navya much out here, mostly because she is completely MIA from my life right now! So Navya unlike me, didn't have a fight with her family and didn't over promise independence or self sufficiency, and that is why right now she is back at home in our home town, Mangalore, enjoying all home made food and celebrating with her family, whereas here I was rotting here suffering from crush anxiety. Ayappa, I miss Navya and her pep talks. Send her back already! So here is the deal with Navya, Navya is my best friend, but she isn't as cool as my chachi or chachu. She is every bit the quintessential Indian melodramatic mother we see in Bollywood rom-coms; and whether I like it or not, she is my self proclaimed 'mother' for all intensive purposes in life. Hence, for a moment I might even tell chachi or Dufus about my kiss, but telling Navya over the phone? Oh boy. No. She'd shriek in shock and before long everyone in Mangalore would know what a flooze their dear old Murthy ji ki beti, Nandu has become! Ayappa, no!!

It had been more than twenty four hours now and I noticed (well I peeped from the door eyehole of my bedroom) that Manik had returned in a couple of hours last night only; so he was serious about spending this holiday with me! Yay! But I still wasn't sure what was my most appropriate way of conduct around him, so I er, stayed in hiding ever since. Although Manik didn't bother me after returning at night or in the morning (maybe he thought I was sleeping in?) but he did call me in the afternoon, but me, well the Once Upon A Time Queen Bee Murthy chickened out and didn't receive his call. Yes, yes, bring it on, all the preachings you have! I'm stupid I know, but I just thought if I bought a little more time for myself, maybe my stupid brain will find a way to deal with Manik in an appropriate way? Crazy idea much, I agree. So, my lameness doesn't just end there, and since evening I have switched off my room lights, pretending I'm not at home. Freak alert, everyone! So Manik tried knocking my door in the evening too and left me a couple of texts asking about my whereabouts (he couldn't call, my phone has been on airplane mode ever since he called!) But I Nandini Brave Heart Murthy didn't reply! But the texts he sent did help in gauging him a little to be honest; he seemed extraordinarily normal! He didn't seem lovelorn or anything. He could sound a little concerned, right? Arrgh. Men. So, now I know I have to act all cool around him, but the point was, was I ready for it? What if I couldn't help my grin or stop looking at him with puppy eyes? Would he make fun of me? Hey, what if amidst 'cool' people like Manik and his gang, friends snog friends just casually without any ulterior meaning? Ayappa!!!

Welcome ladies and gentlemen introducing you to the craziest woman in the block, she is a descendent of very strong willed Murthy women, but she is a black sheep, and so dark is her wool, that she hasn't had food all day, just to avoid a certain boy she kissed last evening. Re-introducing, Nandini Stupid As F*ck Murthy! Ta daaa. Yes, I can be a bit incoherent right now, my stomach was making loud noises and lurching in hunger, but the freak in me refused to move out all day to fetch food, but now it was way past midnight and I guess The Lion has retired for the night, so I was contemplating running to the kitchen and pulling out all the Ready to Eat stock of food to my bedroom. By the looks of it, I was going to be camping in my bedroom for the next couple of days!

As I slowly tiptoed out of my room and walked into the kitchen, thankfully the coast was clear! I sighed in relief and piled all my packaged food on the kitchen counter so I could carry them inside my room in one go; just as I pulled out the wafers from my shelf, the last item before the run, the kitchen door swung open. Oh boy.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Nandini?" I heard his hard voice before turning, I shut my eyes in dismay for getting caught. Stupid Nandu!

"Er..Hi Manik, you're up?" I asked the lamest question ever asked in history. The man was fully awake and conscious, in fact pissed, as he stood right in front of me, was it not proof enough he was up?

Anyway, Manik dismissed my question and stomped towards me, holding my wrist tightly in his hands.He glared at me first, but then he visibly calmed down before talking.

"Where were you, you know how worried I got when I heard from Harshad and realised you're not hanging out with him either? Have you found yet another new friend to celebrate Boxing day with, Nandini?" he asked in an exasperated voice. Seriously, that's what he thought? Also, if he was concerned, why did his texts not sound worried? Why was he behaving differently than I anticipated and prepared for? My mind was on SOS and I realised I hadn't prepared my reaction in the event of him showing care and concern towards me. Damn it, Nandu. Ayappa, one last time, please help me?!

"Ms. Nandini Murthy, this is when you stop talking to yourself mentally and finally reply. Where were you all day?" he coaxed again, and I came back to the present only to realise he wasn't angry anymore; how'd he calm down? Wait why was he drawing soothing circles on the back of my palm with his hand, as if to pacify me? Damn it, I must look demented being caught red handed. Ayappa, why do you always embarrass me?

"Earth to Nandini Murthy" he piped again, clearly agitated at my lack of response.

"Yeah, sorry. I was sleeping" I mumbled. Excellent, Nandu. Brilliant.

In my defence, I couldn't really focus even if I tried to, my sole focus was in the area of my skin at the back of my palm, where he was drawing soothing circles; trust me when I say this, but every cell, that his fingers touched, felt scorched, leaving me with a burning sensation on my skin. Is this the kind of chemistry all romantic novels talk about? Sh*t!

"Sleeping, are you serious?" he asked distractedly as he abruptly stopped drawing the soothing circles. Damn it, why'd he stop?

"Nandini, look at me. What's wrong?" there was a deep seated worry in his face and in my heart I rejoiced realising it was for me. Yippee!!

"I am fine, just a bit feverish, so took a day for resting" I managed to mumble, not looking at him.

"Are you sure it's just that?" he asked, placing his palm on my forehead to check for rising body temperature; thanks Ayappa for keeping the head very far from the heart, was it even an inch closer, he'd feel the erratic beating of my heart at his touch. Small mercies.

I nodded, and at the same time, not feeling a high temperature on my temple, he finally bought it. Dumb much? Well it helped me!

He sighed in relief, when he realised all was fine, and then pulled me into a tight hug, resting his chin on my shoulder. Apyappa, what is happening? What other act of emotional intimacy is okay and practised freely without having romantic feelings, within his friends gang?!

"Why are you so stiff?" he whispered in my ears while in the hug. I shook my head in negation, but he broke the hug and looked at me with deep scrutinising eyes.

"Is this because of the kiss?" he asked directly, now eyeing me curiously.

In reaction, heavens know why, but I laughed like an idiot for a moment before replying, "No Manik, not at all. It was just a kiss that happened because we were under a mistletoe! Just a harmless kiss between just friends. Wouldn't have happened if there was no mistletoe! Nothing special, I know. We do it all the time right?" I think my voice was too high pitched for my liking, like a bit squeaky. Do you think Manik was convinced?

Mr. Manik Gorgeous Malhotra, looked at me for a whole minute with a straight face before moving close to me, and again before I could react, he plastered his lips on mine. People should stop kissing me! Argh. Who am I kidding, I loved it. I loved the sensation of his lips again on mine, he was way too commanding this time. This wasn't a soft passionate kiss like the night before, it was demanding, almost setting context. I tried reciprocating, but tonight he wasn't allowing me to even move my lip without his permission, as he sucked onto both my lips with all his might; I let him have me, because he outnumbered me with sheer physical strength, but nonetheless I was on cloud nine. I was kissing the most gorgeous man I had ever seen for the second time in twenty four hours! Talk of having a great day, anyone?

After a while, Manik pulled out of the kiss and we battled for fresh air, after calming down a bit, he came disturbingly close again as I looked at him with dazed eyes and he wore a smirk.

"There was no mistletoe this time." he almost whispered on my lips, his breath fanning my face.

"Hmm" was all Ms. Feisty Murthy could reply. Someone please murder me.

"And I don't casually kiss my friends this way, Nandini" he spoke again, as he kept looking at my lips hungrily.

"What do you mean?" I whispered, I felt like I was hypnotised, since I couldn't take my eyes off his.

"That I like you and I want you; but for now I need you to eat something" he replied back, clarifying all my freaking doubts, as a grin soon spread over his face, and soon mine mirrored his!

"You see, I was waiting for you in the kitchen all day, but you didn't come out even once, so I take it you've been fasting to avoid me, brave girl?" he chuckled this time, as I turned deep red in embarrassment.

"Guilty as charged!" I replied, I figured there was no point in hiding my stupidity from him anymore, after all Manik was all mine now. Mine for the taking! Thank-you Ayappa!! I love you so much!

As I sat there having wafer and hot chocolate, he kept chatting with me about simple, silly things; I noticed there was a happy smile constantly playing on his lips as he spoke, he looked deeply into my eyes and didn't shy away when I looked back, he kept tucking my loose curls behind my ears as we spoke, and everytime I felt his fingers touching the skin behind my ear for just a second longer. I could see longing in his eyes, when he eyed my lips without a shame in the world, it seemed like he had some kind of a right on me. I loved this new feeling inside me, so far I was crushing on Manik, but sitting here as the person he was adoring so sweetly, I felt different, I felt something more than a crush.

As I watched him sitting close to me and paying his full attention to me, I wondered to myself, was I seriously falling for Manik? I read it many times in romantic novels but for the first time I was experiencing this, indeed falling in love was the best thing ever; and Manik Malhotra was my first boyfriend and first love, both.