~ The Heart wants what it wants~

Nandini didn't even bat an eyelash, when Manik took the long route back home. She kept her gaze fixed at the window, letting the cool breeze play with her messy tresses. Back at the cafe, when Manik had asked her out she had nodded at him, with a subtle blush on her cheeks and Manik had immediately hugged her, kissing her forehead. It was so fairytalish, the claps and the coos in the cafe were a living proof of that.

But it didn't erase the fact that Nandini was disappointed, in heart, either way. She wanted to listen those three words from him, sweep him off his feet with her love, and end the evening with a kiss. She understood that she was being greedy and maybe kinda selfish again, but she could not help it. She also understood that she needed time to actually process his own feelings, but She had been in love with him for so long, that now that she saw similar emotions in his eyes, she wanted it all for herself right then.

As she saw fighting the war in her mind, Manik watched her keenly with an amused expressions. She didn't probably realize but her facial expressions were changing with her ongoing thoughts and she looked adorable at that. Also, he had a kind of intuition what she was thinking. When it came to nandini, he always knew what was wrong and how, except that one wretched time. Sighing, he pulled over in one corner of the road, turning to face her.

" Nandini?", He called out, and that broke her chain of thoughts, making her also realize that the war was no longer moving, and Manik was talking to her..

She turned to face him too, with questioning eyes.

"Nandini, feeling disappointed, are we?", His face was so calm, so serene, and yet so warm that Nandini felt her heart beats go frenzy. How in the world had she expected to hide her confused emotions from Manik, who was used to reading her in a blink?

She shook her head in a no, but kept her mouth shut for she didn't trust the words. Also, she didn't really want to pressurize or force him into it.

Manik held her right hand in his grip as Nandini fought the urge to be warpped in his arms. Rubbing soothing circles on the back of her palm, Manik forced her to look him in the eye.

" I dont want to hurry Nandini, i want to explore US, together, slowly. I dont know if this what we share is love, but i know that being with you brings me peace. You are the light to my dark skies Nandini, you are my shining star. And i want you to know that I didn't say I love you because i want to say them with full confidence, in a more special way", he explained her, and she found tears brimming in her eyes at his words.

" And i also know that this disappointment of yours is not only because i didn't like really confess. What is it that is bothering you?", Manik asked again, and Nandini wasn't really suprised. She had accepted it now. Hiding from Manik was impossible.

" I dont know i an just scared!", She spoke for the first time, in a more voice, not very likely of her. Manik didn't say anything but pressed her hand in assurance, asking her to continue.

"I know this might be stupid but, what if I loose you again? What if you find someone better and fall in love with her? Will I be left alone, again?", Nandini could not help but let her insecurities take over. She was usually not this vulnerable, but with the happenings of the last few days, she had succumbed to it, and even though her sane mind knew it was pointless, she could not make her heart agree.

Shaking his head quite a few times, Manik opened the car door and came out, moved to the other side and opened the door for Nandini, who too came out puzzled.

Manik didn't say anything for the first few minutes, just kept staring at her, until it made Nandini conscious and she lowered her eyes.

He then, jerked her in, and embraced her tightly, taking her off the feet, and Nandini could feel blood rushing throughout her body at the sudden but passionate contact. A few seconds later she too gave in, and held on to him tighter.

"People will come into our lives Nandini, both old and new. And we dont choose who is better, we choose who is worth it. And for me, nobody else could be worth the disappointment, pain, depression, anger, angst and so many other things i have gone through. Once Shiwi had told me on my face that my problem was the fact that I had made you the center of my universe then, and nothing much had changed uptil. You were, are and always going to be the center of my entire universe, and nothing can change the fact!", Manik spoke once he broke the hug as a wide eyed Nandini looked at him.

Why the help was this Man a businessman? He could have been a writer for god sake!

" And just so you know, a writer only has one muse, for me that is you!", He winked at her, and Nandini smiled finally, initially embarssed for speaking the writer comment out loud and later happy that she did.

For if Manik was to talk this romantic and sweet, she was ready to cry and fake disappointment all her life.

But there was one thing, still left.

Placing her arms around his neck, she raised on her tippy toes.

"I agree to all the Gyaan you gave me back in the car, but just so you know, Mr. Manik Malhotra, I dont have anything to explore. I know, for sure, and I, LOVE YOU! Today, and forever!", She placed her lips on his cheeks softly and stood back, watching the cheekiest grin ever form on his face, with a teasing smirk though.

"Just because I said I would be slow with the feelings part, doesn't mean I am a slow guy the other way round too", Manik spoke in one breath, without giving Nandini a chance to comprehend, and wrapped an arm around her waist, jerking her close again, and smiled before placing his lips on her, for the much awaited soul searing kiss!

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The winters passed by soon, welcoming the spring and the autumn on its tail. Manik and Nandini both were going just as strong, happy and content. But on somedays, like Sundays, Manila missed Shiwali. It had been close to six months that she left, and not even a single phone call was there to assure him she was good. Just some occasionally rare mails, at times. Nanndini knew it, and she understood it too, for it is always difficult to forget someone entirely, especially when they had been a big part of your life.

Pakhi knew that too, but she stayed mum, not disclosing the fact that she was in contact with Shiwali, for she knew it will hurt Manik. She was waiting for the correct time, and she was hopeful it would come soon.

That Sunday evening, Manik was sitting in his room, working on his laptop, when he heard the door open, and Nandini enter, holding a big bowl of Mac and cheese.

He turned to look at her, and then at the pasta, and made a grumpy face.

" Nandini yaar, you know pasta makes me miss her!", He whined and Nandini suppressed her smile, before sitting on the couch in the room cross legged, for as expected, Manik had not noticed that bowl had three forks instead of two!

" Alright then, let me and Nandini enjoy, you grumpy boy!", Manik halted at the voice, and turned with a thudding heart to find a gorgeous lady leaning by his door, carrying a very familiar air of tease around her.

"Shiwi?", He spoke in a whisper, as Shiwali walked in, and joined Nandini who was already mouthful of pasta, ignoring Manik.

" Watch out for you boyfriend Nandini, looks like he had seen a ghost!", Shiwi tasted the pasta and made a yummy face at Nandini who giggled at her comment.

The giggles were then wiped off when in the next minute, Manik snatched the bowl off their hands.

"Greedy women!", He commented as he himself took bites of it, and savoured the taste until nothing more was left in the big bowl. Satisfied, he looked in front to find Nandini and Shiwali gaping at him with wide eyes.

"And you, no-contact-idiot, get out of my room!", Manik pointed his finger at Shiwi, who made a bad face.

" Says a so called bestie who didn't wish me on my birthday", Shiwali retorted immediately, leaving a shocked Manik. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it, exhaling, giving up the Tom and Jerry pretense.

"I missed you!", He spoke it out finally, and Shiwali smiled before getting up to bear hug him.

"I missed you too!", She spoke softly, and gave him her loopsided smile.

"I missed you three!", Nandini exclaimed childishly making everybody else laugh, and then come up for a group hug.

Manik couldn't help but notice the subtle but visible changes in Shiwali, she had become much more lively. The spark in her eyes was back, much more then before. She was content, he could see that, but more than that she was happy.

"What's the catch?", He asked her once they were alone.

She laughed, already expecting him to question.

" Just the fact that someone taught me how to live for myself", she winked, leaving a confused, and yet, extremely happy Manik behind, who she knew was just about to start with his teasing sessions, for life.