Hello Fam :)

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Nandu(concerned): What happened? Why this sad mood?

Manik(restless): I don't know. Usually, it's Mukti who pulls me out whenever I am sad or confused but today I don't know what to tell her.

Nandu(amused): Manik, I am not a doctor who would tell you the reason behind your sadness.

Manik(staring at her): I don't need a doctor. You could only help me.

He ran his fingers through his already messy hair.

Nandu(surprised): Me?

Manik(whispers): Why are you forcing yourself for having a relationship with me?

Nandu(frowned): And when did I say, I am forcing myself?

A look of panic rushed across his face.

Manik: Iska matlab we are not in a relationship?

Nandu was taken aback by his question as she sensed the restlessness in his voice.

Nandu(softly): Manik, question ka jawab question nahi hota. Stop confusing yourself and also me. What's bothering you?

Manik(playing with his fingers): I don't want to be in a relationship without love. I don't want to force you for staying with me just because I have some feelings for you.

Nandu resisted her urge to roll her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

Nandu: Idiot, we just kissed and you think you are forcing me? Do you really know what 'forcing' means?

Manik: But you don't love me.

Manik stated as a matter of fact. Nandu, on the other hand, smiled at him.

Nandu(cupping his cheek): Manik...Manik, look at me. Manik, I have never wished for any man in my life. I never wanted to. But you know, when I was reading the book yesterday, those feelings you have written, it all reminded me of you. You are the only person, I guess, in this whole world with whom I can just be myself, comfortable and also happy. You never judge me, you even understand the things which I feel confused about. Do you even realize how you have crept inside my heart and bared my soul? You know, I felt helpless when you acted stubborn to be my friend, to know about me. But that was the bestest thing that happened to me. You have accepted my insecurities and vulnerabilities, the scared me, the raw me. You are the reason for my happiness, Manik. I have stopped smiling since I don't know when. You brought back my peace. You are an angel. My angel.

Manik: But..love?

Taking his hand into hers, Nandu spoke hesitantly, carefully choosing her words.

Nandu: Manik, I might still be uncomfortable to have a physical relationship with you but I haven't been this sure before. Until yesterday, I know, I love uncle. I love my parents and that I cared for you. But I feel something different towards you, something too strong. I am scared to trust people, to get close to them. People have either changed with time or have left me. That's exactly the reason why I am not mentioning the L word as of yet. But to be frank, deep down in my heart, I know what I feel for you. It's all new for me. I don't know how to love a person. Will you teach me how to love you?

She looked at him. It was rare to see her vulnerable, to see her frightened and Manik felt lucky to have known this side of hers perfectly, more than anyone else.

Manik(whispered): There's nothing to teach, Nandini. I don't want you to change anything about you just for me. Just don't lose the comfort with me. You don't even need to confess it. I promise I will be there for you, always.

Nandu: Even if I do a lot of mistakes?

Manik(nodded): Just be yourself. I love you. Not the versions that you would probably become in future. I will accept any changes in you if that makes you happy but you don't need to lose yourself just to make me happy.

Nandu(smiled widely): I won't lose my happiness until you are beside me.

She kissed his head. Manik hugged her tight. He never thought he could hear something like this coming from her, his Nandu. Still, in the hug, he smiled and whispered in her ear.

Manik: I love you, Nandini Murthy. I love you more than you can ever imagine.

Nandu(chuckles): You have told me this like a number of times since evening. Aren't you tired?

Manik broke the hug and smiled sheepishly, looking into her eyes.

Manik: I never thought I will get an opportunity to tell you this. I just want to announce it to the world that I love you.

Nandu(chuckles): Kar lena. Lekin baad mein. It's too late and people might be sleeping.

Manik(surprised): What do you mean by kar lena? Wouldn't you have any problem even if I announce it to people?

Nandu(amused): Why would I have any problem, Manik?

Manik(muttered): I am too confused about all this. If you still need some time, you can take it.

Nandu(nodding): Probably. But until tomorrow morning.

Manik stared at her in disbelief.

Manik: Kyu uske baad aisa kya hoga? Did you hire any detectives behind me? See, I don't smoke or drink. I am not into any other girl other than you. What else do you need to know about me?

Nandu(slapping his head lightly): I don't need detectives to know about you, idiot. I already know enough about you.

They were disturbed by a knock on the door.

Manik(frowns): Iss time par kaun hai?

Nandu: The proofs that I know you too well.

She smirks and goes to open the door. There was a butler standing with a cover. She takes the cover and asks him to leave.

Manik(grinned): Did you already buy a gift for me? Lekin mere paas kuch nahi hai dene ke liye.

Nandu(chuckles): Shut up and open this.

Giving her a confused look, he opens it. Nandini didn't miss the twinkle in his eyes seeing his favorite pizza, which in turn brought a huge smile on her face.

Manik: PIZZZAAA

Nandu: Shh...Stop screaming. And eat.

Manik(puzzled): But why at this hour?

Nandu(ruffling his hair): Because you are hungry and upset. Stop overthinking and feed your stomach before it decides to go on a strike against me.

Manik: I can fight with my stomach for you.

Nandu found a lopsided grin on his face.

Nandu(surprised): Matlab, you can leave your food for me?

Manik(blushed): Haan because I know, you won't let me sleep hungry and who would resist a pizza from the girl they love.

Nandu chuckles at him. She takes a bite from his pizza on his insistence. He was eating when he suddenly spoke.

Manik(frowned): Wait a second. Do you have trust issues?

Nandu(calmly): I do. Yes. But now I am sure, it isn't with you. I have shared things with you that I haven't with anyone else. You know everything about me. I have known you like the back of my hand. I know, who you are as a person, the inside of you. I never had trust issues with you, Manik. You should know this by now.

Manik shrugged coolly.

Manik: yeah, I know, my boss and best friend don't have trust issues with me. But this Nandu is totally new. So, should I consider you as my girlfriend now? Are you considering me as your boyfriend?

Nandu chuckled at his excitement and glared playfully at him.

Nandu: Tumhare questions kabhi khatam hote bhi ya nahi? Sleep now. See, it's too late.

Manik(pouts): I am unable to sleep in my room. That's why I came here in the first place. Aur phir hum kuch aur hi baat kar rahe the, not that I regret.

He smirked at her making her roll her eyes.

Nandu(raising an eyebrow): And why are you not able to sleep?

Manik(nervously): I don't know. Maybe, I am unable to handle too much of happiness just in a day. I am scared when I wake up in the morning, it will all vanish. I need you in front of me. I will sleep on the couch and I promise, I will behave.

Nandu(assuringly): Manik, you are just being scared for no particular reason. I am not going anywhere but even if you insist, just sleep here on the bed. I don't want you to wake up spraining your neck or something.

Manik(argued): And where will you sleep? On the couch. No, it's your room and I can't see you sleeping on the couch when I am enjoying here.

Nandu(rolling her eyes): You are a stubborn kid. Listen,

They were disturbed by a call.

Manik(puzzled): Itni raat ko kaun call kar raha hai?

Nandu(teased): why? Don't you trust me?

Manik(glaring the phone): Of course, I do. I don't trust whoever is that brainless idiot.

Nandu(frowned): Abhimanyu?

Manik(muttered): Of course. Yeh sudhrega nahi na.

Nandu glares at him and takes the call.

Call

Abhi(impatiently): How are you? Good news or bad news? Batao jaldi.

Nandu(teased): Are you pregnant?

Abhi(dramatically): Very funny. I am hell worried, curious and concerned, tensed for you.

Nandu(rolling her eyes): Aur bhi koi words hai dictionary mein?

Abhi(pleading): Nandu, batao na. Who is the author? Is he Manik? Does he love you?

Nandu glances at Manik awkwardly before moving to the balcony making Manik gape at her in disbelief.

Nandu(calmly): yes, for both the questions.

Abhi(hesitantly): What did you say? Are you giving him a chance?

Nandu: You already know about his feelings. Don't you?

Abhi(informs): Yes, I do. He was about to kill me with a butter knife out of jealousy. He threatened me to stay away from you or within the limits of a friend.

Nandu(laughs): I don't believe he could do this.

Abhi(smiled): Ask Mukti. By the way, you still are happy matlab mere questions ka answer yes hai. Manik is a very good guy, Nandu.

Nandu(agreed): I am just too lucky to have him. Can we meet tomorrow, please?

Abhi: Of course, janeman. Chalo, sleep now. Goodnight.

Nandu(smiled): Goodnight.

Call Ends

Nandu goes inside and finds Manik sitting on the bed all huffing and pouting.

Nandu(fake glares): Stop being jealous now. I know what you did to him.

Manik(pouts): Mere against complain karne call kiya na usne tumhe?

Nandu(nodding his head in disbelief): Kid, stop it. That's for a different reason. Let's sleep now.

She goes near the bed when Manik screams and jumps on the bed.

Manik(whisper yells): Are we gonna share the bed?

Nandu(raising an eyebrow): Do you have a problem with that?

Manik(scared): You won't be comfortable. Aur agar maine tumhe neend mein touch kiya, you will kill me by morning.

Nandu(assured): No, I won't. If I am feeling uncomfortable, I will leave the room.

Manik: But...

Nandu(cutting him off): I trust you, Manik. 

Nandu trusts Manik. Nandu kissed Manik. (She initiated the kiss). If people could see, it's huge for her. She is taking small steps at a time in this relationship. 

How do you feel about this Manik who can go on and off on his kid, nervous and matured mode? 

Up for some typical cheesy Malhotra stuff?

A/N - For once, there isn't any cliffhanger. Manan are too good with each other and probably without separation. (I am not sure about this :P). Coming to the 'not updating regularly' part, I am feeling too low and I don't know the reason. Hence, I am taking my time off and spending most of it with my books, reading. I am unable to write any new stuff and can't even edit already written chapters. It's frustrating. I didn't want to bother you all with this long note, but people who are waiting for updates are to be informed. Hence, for them, I will try to be back as soon as I can. The only best part is, you people are not kept hanging. This chapter is as good as the ending. Before you panic, yeah, there's another typical proposal and their first date. And there are still 10 chapters pending in this book which I will update as soon as I could edit them once I feel okay. See you soon. :)