(Manan's attire in media box👆)

Next morning:

Manik was waiting for Nandini at the station at sharp 7:10 AM. She came taking hurried steps looking here and there, searching for Manik. She wasn't sure he would be here for here early than his daily routine. But when he waved his hand a wide smile crept on her face. She walked towards him and said in a chirpy tone with a wide smile

"Good morning Manik"

"Indeed a beautiful morning Nandini" he said with a dreamy look making her blush.

"lets go the train has come" she said walking towards the train which had just entered the platform.

As usual the crowd poured in and Manik had wrapped his hand around her waist protectively and got into the train. Nandini became cautious of his hand around her when she could feel his warm hand around her cold skin which was exposed because of her saree. Nandini's front was pressed to Manik's and his hand was around her. His face was in her neck, inhaling her scent. His breath on her neck was sending shivers down her spine making her clutch his shirt really tight in her hands. She giggled as his breath was tickling her.

Nandini rested her head on his shoulder wrapping her hand on his waist. She felt so perfect in his arms, that she wanted to spend the rest of her life there. After about 10 minutes of spending in comforting silence, Nandini raised her head to look at Manik. He was so much at peace, that she didn't have the heart to break it.

"Manik, they are getting down in the next station I guess, we can sit there... or else we will have to stand for next 30 minutes. And I don't want to stand for so long" she said the last line with a pout making him smile.

"Sure... chalo" he said and pushing the crowd, they reached the seat that was supposed to get empty in the coming station and sat down immediately when they got up.

"you look really tired, you can lean on my shoulder and sleep for a while" Nandini said looking at Manik who smiled shaking his head.

"what I am serious, you sacrificed your sleep for me, I mean just to come early. So sleep for a while." She spoke cutely making him go all aww on her cuteness.

"its okay... I am used to this" he said with a smile and she nodded her head.

"no ... you have to sleep now, that's an order" she said trying to sound stern and he smiled.

"okay... you are too short for me, if I have to sleep by leaning on your shoulder, I will probably sprain my neck, so no thanks, I am fine like this" he said and her jaw dropped to the floor.

"you are so mean... yesterday you called me a mini monster, today you said I am short, and what will you call me tomorrow haan?" she said angrily putting her finger on his chest.

He chuckled and said wrapping his hand on her shoulder

"My cute angry bird" he started and she snapped her head towards him to retort but he kept his finger on her lips silencing her.

"I came early to talk to you but not sleep on your shoulder... so lets use the time wisely... because this is the only time I get to spend with you. You leave to your house early and I come late, and on weekends I am busy with my MBA classes. I really cant waste my time sleeping." He said in a calm tone and she looked at him with pure adoration in her eyes.

"Manik you work so hard, don't you get tired." She asked and he pulled her closer to him.

"yes I do get tired. Sometimes I just feel like running away somewhere, or just stand on the top of the building and scream my lungs out, or just cry myself to sleep. But then my Mom's face comes in the front and I just put a smile and forget everything.

My dad left this world when I was 7 years old and my sister Mukti was just 2 years old. I have seen mom struggling to raise us with her job, taking care of me ad Mukti. Everything was so sudden, Papa died in an accident, and we didn't have time to react.

When I used to see Ma struggling everyday to make sure I and Mukti go to school, then college, I decided that the day I graduate I will take up a job and help her. Mom always wanted me to do my Masters, so I enrolled myself into a weekend course, so that I can support her, as well as fulfil her dream."

He poured his heart out for the very first time infront of someone. He never spoke about all these things with his mom as he didn't want to worry her, and Mukti, according to him was too small to understand anything. So he used to pile up everything in himself.

"So tell me about your friends?" Nandini decided to divert the topic.

"I have 2 close friends, from school. Dhruv and Cabir. Dhruv is in Bangalore doing his Masters and Cabir left for US, for further studies. We talk once in a while, but I miss them. And now I have you." He said looking into her eyes

"Enough of my story, tell me about yourself" he was so excited, but to his dismay their station came.

"Give me your phone" Nandini said forwarding her hand and he was confused but anyway passed his cell to her after unlocking it.

She dialed her number and saved it herself and gave his phone back. He smiled looking at her and both of them got up to leave.

"Nandini.." he called her as she was couple of steps ahead of him and she turned to look at him. He walked close to her and kissed her forehead hugging her tightly.

"Thanks" he muttered and took a step back.

"Friends??" she forwarded her hand and he happily shook it and said "Friends"

***

Keep smiling

Take care

Loads of love

Neeraja :)