After Manik left, Nandini took out the swimming costumes she had in her bag. She had two of them, the same which she bought from Victoria's Secret on her trip with Nyonika and Navya. Thankfully she herself picked them out and made sure it was the most modest thing she finds there.

Even though they were not in India, and for a fact she knew that she was gonna see both her friends and the girls others near the lake in nothing but the most fanciest bikinis. She knew she was not that person. It was not something, she was most comfortable in.

She looked at the thing she decided to wear and nodded again in agreement towards it before picking it up and changing. Not being too much fan of getting tanned, she applied Suns-cream over herself and soon was ready. Leaving her hair open, she did not even bother to style it in any form knowing its of no use and kept her towels, a simple mat and Suns-cream into the bag that Manik had left.

Taking a final glance all around the room, checking if she was forgetting something, she locked the cabin again and moved towards the dinning room where she knew the guys must be waiting. On reaching the said area she found it to be completely empty expect for the four guys who seemed to be bickering on something as Kyle sat there with a pout while Manik looked at him with a smug look.

Nandini: What is happening?

The guys looked up at her as Kyle pouted further, while Manik eyed him. She then saw Manik's eyes turn towards her again as he looked at her up and down, taking in her outfit. Her costume was not fully visible as she had a netted white cover up wrapped over it but just watching his eyes move over it made her cheeks flush red. She walked over to him, taking the chair next to him where she was sitting earlier.

Manik: Here... Give the bag to me!

She passed it to him not saying anything as she turned her attention to what the guys were talking about. Soon the other two girls too joined them and they were dressed exactly the way she had expected. Since the lake was quite close, neither of them had cared enough to wear any cover up unlike Nandini as Kyle whistled at their entry.

(Becca left, Ronnie right)

Kyle: Woah! Someone's dressed to kill!

Being gay, Kyle had this different sort of a way with girls, which surprising made them blush even after knowing his sexuality. He just gave them this look of appreciation and that was enough to have girls falling on his feet, until he tells it to them what he was actually interested into.

Nandini shook her head at him with a smile on her face as she saw Elliot get up from his chair, his arms automatically going around Becca as he pulled her closer placing his lips on hers.

Will: What are u so dressed up for?
Will asked his sister raising his brows while Ronnie simply shrugged.

Ronnie: Come on bro... I have got to be prepared. U never know if the little group of guys on ur side in a beach, may actually have one or two cute guys!

Rolling his eyes at her he got up from his chair as the others chuckled.

Ronnie: Ohk enough... Get a room u two! We have to go....
Ronnie snapped at Elliot and Becca as they all moved out of the room towards the car.

Nandini: Can I drive?
Nandini asked as she turned towards Kyle, who in turn raised his eyes at her. He looked unsure letting her drive but before he could refuse she started making all those puppy faces blinking her eyes that made him groan.

Kyle: Don't u dare scratch by Baby!

Nandini nodded her head at him as she heard Manik mutter next to her,
Manik: I won't be shocked if that happens!

Nandini: U said something?
Nandini asked with a glare making Manik raise his hands in surrender.

Manik: Not at all!

All of them got into the car as Nandini took the wheel while Manik sat next to her.

Manik: U are used to the left hand drive? U never told me!

Nandini: It never came up I guess.... But yes, having spent so many years here, having a car made travelling a lot easier. Had a bit of a trouble getting used to the right hand drive in India when I came back.

Manik nodded at her as she started the car. It was not too often when the two of them sat in a car together with her on the driving seat. It was usually him who drove. And now seating here on the passenger seat, he turned towards her watching her drive as she shakes her head at the soft beat of music.

Manik: That explains why don't u drive much back home! It is usually me on the wheel...

Nandini: Nhi... That's not the reason! I m totally fine with driving there too and I did, but then we started travelling together and I just like watching u when u drive...

Manik smirked at her as she glanced at him before turning her gaze back on the road.

Manik: Ab meri bari, and I must say, I m enjoying it already.

Nandini smacked his arm at it as manik chuckled.

Manik: Hey... Don't hit me. Its not my fault I never remember watching u drive before. The last time it happened when we were on our way to-
Manik stopped in between his words as he remember what time he was referring to. Nandini too realized the same as she turned to watch his tightened jaw and clenched fist. The last it happened when they were driving to Bangalore and no matter how much that trip got them closer, it was never the one either of them were too fond of.

Nandini removed her hand from the gear box, reaching over towards him clenched fist as she simply opened up his fist, before entwining his fingers with hers. She felt Manik's gaze on the side of her head as she again moved her eyes off the road towards him and simply passed him a small smile, tightening her hold on his hand. As she continued driving she felt manik lift their entwined hands, as he placed a soft kiss on the back of hers before letting them fall back onto his thigh.

Hardly 5 minutes later, they reached the lake as nandini parked the car. All of them looked around to find the lake not too crowded but still a significant number of people littering around them. All of them walked closer, taking a nice spot as they spread a few mats and kept all their stuff.

Elliot: I m gonna go and jump straight in right now! Anyone else coming?
Elliot asked as he threw his bag and pulled his T-shirt over his head. Kyle too followed his suit, shouting his approval while the others shook their head.

Becca: I m gonna lie down and let the Sun do its wonders for sometime.
Becca said lying down already for some sunbathing. While Ronnie looked all around.

Ronnie: I already see a few really hot guys out there... Who makes a bet one of them might get lucky today.
Winking at the rest, she walked off from there. Elliot and Kyle wasted no time to move towards the water while Nandini pulled out the novel which she had kept in the bag. She sat on the mat, resting her back over Kyle's bag as she turned towards Manik.

Nandini: What are u doing?

Manik: Nothing... I m just gonna hang around for a bit and chill!
Manik said with a shrug making her nod as she opened up her book. But before she could start reading she felt manik move her hands up as he lay there on her side, his head now resting on her lap.

Manik: Continue now!

Nandini chuckled at him as she brought her book closer again and started reading. Only after about 5 minutes, Manik moved her hands a bit away making the shade of the book move away from his eyes. Nandini settled differently letting the sun get his face until he again moved making her pull her book away.

Nandini: What are u doing Manik?

Manik: The sun is too harsh! I don't want it all.....

Nandini: And u also don't want the shade of the book.

Manik: Its not my fault that I don't like the smell of books.

Nandini: Its scent... Not smell! And how can u not like it! Its always go soothing.

Manik: No... It makes me Sleep.
Manik said scrunching his nose making nandini smile.

Nandini: Sometimes u act like a five year old! But its nice, for a change we finally found something which I like and u don't...

Manik's eyes broadened at her words as he said in surprise.
Manik: Oh yes.... That's a first!

Nandini: It is.... I guess there may be other things too, we just have to find them.

Nandini said as she closed her book keeping it at a side knowing that he isn't gonna let her read. Manik nodded at her words as saw her keeping the book away and immediately held her hands, moving one towards his hair while he held the other close to his chest.

Nandini smiled at him, as she buried her finger in his hair, knowing by now how much he likes it. While he absentmindedly played with the rings in her hand.

Becca: U guys are so adorable!

Nandini: Huh?

Nandini asked turning to look at her as did Manik. Becca turned facing towards them as she removed her sun glasses and smiled at them.

Becca: Sorry! U guys are so cute, i couldn't help but eavesdrop...

Nandini smiled simply as she saw Will too sitting there listening to all of them before he kept his own book aside and spoke up,
Will: Anyways, Tell us something about u two? How did u meet him?

Becca: Yeah, I m also intrigued!

Nandini: We met the same day I reached India. I went to my cousins place straight from the airport and he was there. I knew who he was already because of Fab5 but that was it.

Manik: Hell I didn't even know her name. And neither did she introduce herself that night.

Becca: What do u mean?

Manik: Her cousin, Aliya... She was mourning over some stupid breakup that night and the other four of us where trying to stop freaking tears when suddenly Nandini walked in playing this sappy song by Justin Bieber. Before I knew, she literally threw the guitar over towards me making me play it while she somehow cheered Aliya up. Once Aliya fell asleep, she got some call and she was already running out of the house without saying anything.

Nandini: Hey I did leave that note!

Manik: Yeah which just had ur number for Aliya and nothing else.

Nandini smiled sheepishly while Becca seemed too interested in the story by then.

Becca: So when did u meet her next.

Manik jumped into the story for her while Nandini simply sat there listening.Once he told them that she joined the RM Heights, Will spoke up,
Will: Is that where u two fell in Love? Working together!

Manik: What u think it was that easy? Come on don't u know her, she is like the most difficult girl ever. It took me almost 2 months to get her be a friend of mine, forget everything else.

Nandini: Hey!
Nandini said immediately as she snatched her hand away from his where it was placed on his chest. Manik laughed out loud at it, earning a petite smack from Nandini, making him laugh louder as he reached for her hand again. Nandini pulled her hand away from him further while he got a little up and held hers firmly before lying back down.

Manik: Come on... U know I m kidding!

Nandini: Are u?

Manik: Well.... Not really!
Manik said laughing again. As the others too chuckled, while Nandini faked a glare at him.

Becca: Then how did u convince her to marry u so soon! I m sure that couldn't have been easy.

Nandini: No.. He didn't really have to convince me much! I guess it just felt right.

Manik: It did!

Manik said as he smiled up at her still lying on her lap when they heard Ronnie's voice.

Ronnie: Guys... Come on! Stop sitting around there!

They saw her calling her as she moved to join Kyle and Elliot. They noticed a guy with her, making Becca smirk while nandini just shook her head.

Will: Come on!
Will said as he got up and rushed towards them Becca joining closely behind.

Manik: Shall we?

Nandini nodded at him as the two of them got up. Manik pulled his vest over his head removing it as he bent down to keep it in his bag. Keeping Nandini's book too inside the bag he zipped it up and stood up only to taking in a sudden breath at what he saw in front of him. 

Nandini stood there, folding her  cover up which was now in her hands, leaving her back clearly visible to her through her completely backless swimming costume. Nandini heard his sudden reaction as she turned to face him, watching his eyes move all over her, starting from her toe, all the way straight up before landing on her eyes.

As she turned Manik saw her dress from the front. It was, as Nandini had thought earlier, the most modest one around. But still for him, seeing her in one of those was surprising. The dress seemed to be like a crop top from up front but the center was elongated downwards as it ended into tiny shorts, in a way that her waist was covered only over her navel and visible from the sides. Nandini noticed his strong undiverging gaze on her, as she got conscious and took a step further towards him before whispering,

Nandini: What happened? Is there some problem? Is this not looking good enough? Its a bit too much right? Should I just wear the cover up again and maybe-

Manik: Shhh....
Manik said immediately stopping her from speaking further as he placed a finger over her lips.

Manik: Nothing Happened Ohk!!!
Manik whispered, moving further close to her as Nandini looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. Manik kept his finger intact on her lips, as his other hand moved around her waist, resting at the small of her back before pulling her flush against himself. Nandini yelped at his sudden move as her hands landed on his bare chest before he spoke up,

Manik: And yes there is a problem... But it has nothing to do with how this dress. U look much much more beautiful than any other girl out here. But the problem is that I don't think I would be comfortable enough with all the eyes following u as we step forward.

A dark blush came onto her face almost instantly, making her break her gaze away from his eyes as she looked down only to realize her hands placed on his chest. She immediately lifted her hands dropping them on her sides. A small smile crept onto Manik's face looking at her flushed cheeks.

Nandini: I think we should go join the others! They must be wondering where are we!

Manik: Umn... I don't think they would. They seem to be enjoying themselves and even if they miss us, we are directly in their line of sight, for them to know that we are busy.

Nandini: But I want to go there.... Leave me!

Manik tightened his grip around her as his free hand moved to tuck the loose strands of her hair behind her ear. Nandini felt his thumb, caressing circles on her back where he held her making her hold his forearm.

Nandini: Manik.. Let go of me...

Manik smirked at her not listening to what she said when she finally looked up into his eyes,
Nandini: Manik... plz!

Manik loosened his grip from around her as she moved away from him, her eyes not matching up to his. Manik decided to let go of that moment and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, this time causally. Nandini looked up at him surprised as he nodded towards the lake.

Manik: Come lets join them....

Nandini smiled at him with a small nod, feeling glad to finally be back to normal but she could still feel her cheeks burning from the scene a few moments back. They reached right in front of where all her friends was as Manik stepped into the water, before forwarding his hand towards Nandini.

Nandini: Is the water cold?

Manik: A bit... But u'll get used to it! Come...

Nandini hesitated for a bit, before holding his hand and finally stepping in only to jump a little at the cold water.
Nandini: This is not called a bit cold, u idiot!

Manik gave her a cheeky smile with a shrug as he pulled her a bit deeper into the lake.

Nandini: Ohk enough... Stop here Mr. Eiffel Tower, I don't know how to swim, if u take me any more deeper I'll probably drown.

Manik: U can't swim??
Manik asked, surprise clear in his voice while Nandini shrugged, her face turning red again, this time in embarrassment.

Nandini: Never had a chance to learn!

Manik: U don't have to-
He started to say something when suddenly he felt someone push him from behind and before he knew, he was jerked towards Nandini, loosing control over himself as he fell down taking her along with him.

It didn't take him long to be back up on the surface but the disturbance on his side made him turn as he saw struggling, as if on reflex he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her up to himself. Nandini gasped for air, clinging on to him.

Nandini: Oh my god... This is such a bad idea!

Manik held her close as he turned around to see Ronnie smiling at them sheepishly, as he glared at her.

Ronnie: I m sorry! I didn't know....

Nandini: God girl... U almost killed me!

Nandini said looking at her from Manik's side while she looked at Manik and saw him still tensed out. She loosened her grip from around his neck and said softly,
Nandini: Relax... I m fine!

Manik gave her a small smile as he heard Kyle shouting from the other side before he jumped over the two of them, splashing water on them. Nandini laughed out loud at him, immediately fighting back as the others too joined them. The guy with Ronnie asked his group to join in and before they knew it the entire group was now divided into two teams as they played volleyball. Much to Nandini's surprise Manik seemed to be quite good at the game and that was exactly the reason why they won the game at the end of the day.

By the time the game got over, they were all too damn tired as well as hungry at the same time. They left most of their stuff at the same place as they went to a nearby diner to get some late lunch. Post lunch, they spent some more time, chilling in the cold evening air before heading back to the camp. 

A couple of hours of rest, and they were out again to have a quiet bonfire night. The camp officials arranged small bonfires around the camp sight. They searched for the most appropriate one and soon settled down around  the smallest one arranging a very cosy surrounding.  

As they all settled down, Nandini took a seat between Elliot and Ronnie wrapping her arms around herself as she rubbed her arms, warming herself up from the cold. She thought to herself about going back to the cabin and getting herself a jacket when she felt a presence behind her, before she knew she felt an arm wrap around her waist as she was pulled backwards as warmth spread around her. A small smile spread on her face, as she snuggled further into the comfortable warmth. 

Manik had taken a seat behind her, pulling her between his legs. His one of his arm wound on her neck while the other stayed around her waist. His chin now resting on the top of her head,
Manik: Better?

Nandini: Perfect...
Nandini replied back with a smile as she held his arm which was around her neck.

Nandini looked around to see the others still adjusting as Elliot and Becca got into another one of their all time banters. As she tilted her head slightly to look up at him.

Nandini: Gimme ur phone!

Manik picked it out handing it over to her without a word as he looked up at the millions of stars shining in the dark sky. A smile crept on his face at it when he felt Nandini nudge his arm.
Nandini: Aye... Look here..

Looking down at her, his smile immediately broadened as he saw her arm stretched ahead as she held up the phone, waiting for him. He smiled at the camera, as Nandini clicked a few pictures. All of them had him simply smiling at the lens while Nandini pulled off funny faces for a change. She lowered the phone after clicking the pics and looked through them before choosing one of it and setting it up as his lock screen wallpaper. 

She handed him over the phone back without saying a word, as Manik chuckled at it keeping the phone back in his pocket.

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Heyoo people.... I m back with another update!!!

Hope u all like it and show the same love that u have been showering over this story since the start. Do leave ur views in the comment section.

Love,
Navya

P.S.: The Next Part has something which u all have been waiting for from the very beginning of the story. Any guesses here?