Dedicated to: WeirdFascinations

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"Tumhari di aur jiju bahut hi cute lag rahe hai!!"

He said as the engagement ceremony started off.

"Han, hum inse bhi cute lagenge"

I murmured

"Kuch kaha?"

I got scared and said,

"No! I mean, yes! Maine kaha that you are right! They look very cute."

He smiled looking at me.

I was still feeling as if I was dreaming.

"Vaise humne kabhi school me zyada baat hi nahi ki na"

I said, looking in front. I wanted to know his answer.

"Han yar..vo school me tumhare friends alag hain. Mere alag. Toh kabhi baat hi nahi ho payi. I always wanted to talk, but just didn't understand how to"

He wanted to talk to me.

I smiled at his honest answer and replied,

"That's true. Koi na, hum yaha mil Gaye na. Vaise I didn't know you are a guju"

He laughed a bit and said,

"Can I tell you a secret?"

I nodded and he continued,

"No one knows this, except my very close friends. Kabhi zarurat nahi padi batane ki. And..vaise bhi, main Mumbai me hi brought up hoon..to.."

I knew something, that others didn't!
I already felt our relation growing.

"Tumhe bhi ek secret batau?"

I said...he smiled and said,

"Mujhe already pata hai! Yahi na..ki tumhe Gujarati khana, clothes, festivals, language sab pasand hai!"

My mouth was opened in an 'O' and eyes widened. How did he know?

"Aise shock mat ho. Sabko pata hai apni class me. I mean ...tum sare din bolti Rehti ho ye!"

Suddenly my widened eyes went low on the ground. I was kinda embarrassed. Do I just overdo it?

"Don't be embarrassed. Frankly, you do seem like a guju Hun!! And also, your Gujarati is very fluent. I love it. And your garba..oh my gosh! San Sahi kehte hai..tumhe na guju hona chahiye tha, Rajasthani nahi!"

He notices every tiny thing. My language, my garba. This was turning out to be the best day of my life.

"Thank you. I didn't know ye sabko pata hoga"

We both shared a laugh.

"Nandini, chalo beta, photo click karwalo di aur jiju ke saath"

Taiji came and said. This was like a family tradition. In engagements close family members clicked a photo with the bride and groom and in wedding..almost everyone!

I told Manik that I will be back and I went on stage.

I stood beside Ria di and Alya di stood on the other side. I was fixing my lehenga and when I looked up, I saw Manik coming along with Taiji.

"Beta, Riya tu us side Chali ja and Manik tum Nandu ke pas khade ho jao!!

I felt my heart beating faster. Manik was standing beside me.

"Woh Maine socha..Manik bhi humari family ka hi hai! Aur..vaise bhi ..Nandu ke saath khada hoga to use bhi awkward nahi lagega!"

She explained.

I felt like hugging Taiji there and then.

Manik stood beside me and I forced a proper smile on my face.

"Sir thoda idhar"

The cameraman told Manik to shift near me. He shifted a bit and our hands brushed with each other. Oh god!
Mera to murder ho Jana hai!

The photo session was done and I moved forward when I felt something pulling me. I looked behind to see my dupatta's corner stuck in Manik's watch.

He tried to pull it which just made me go closer to him.

He removed the dupatta and I said,

"Th...thank you"

He just smiled and I went away from him.

I went to the washroom and just thought about whatever happened today.

I washed my face and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

Whenever I don't have an answer to something, I talk to myself. Its soothing.
I started talking to myself,

I always felt that crushes are infatuation.
They go away with time.

But why are these feelings increasing with time?

Is this a mere crush or..I am falling in love?

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*Manik*

I never felt this way.

Nandini Ko school me Roz dekhta Hun but why do I feel different over here?

Whenever I touch her, its different.

*End of Manik's Pov*

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I went out of the washroom after this little self-talk and was roaming in the corridors.

"Nandini"

I looked in front, to see Manik coming towards me.

Ye kya hai god ji. Jise avoid karo Wahi Kyun aa Gaya samne?

Nandini, kuch nahi hua.

Behave normally.

"Yeah Manik?"

I tried to be as normal as I could.

"Will you go out with me?"

What? Is he asking me out?

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Cliffhanger!

Nandini has started to feel it's not a crush anymore and Manik, he never noticed that girl in his school and here, after having conversations with her. He feels different!

Stages of love my friends!

Pehle crush, for denial aur fir...

I think we should leave that for later!

But wait!

Did Manik ask Nandini out?

To know the answers keep reading this book!

I am overwhelmed by the love you all our showering and please continue it.
Because that is what makes me write more and more.

Its a story which is kinda close to my heart! Because after all..we all have had crushes in schools!

And..also, this is a real life inspired story!

So it makes it even more special!