Note: Who is loving the update spree for this story? Finally, my laptop is working, and I can easily access the previous draft, hence the super fast updates! Enjoy!

~ Love is the best when two people become 'we', without loosing their sense of individuality~

" umm...", she was still fumbling, confused with the answer. And it was ought to be, for no one had ever asked her a similar question before.

Manik held her hands tightly in his hands and looked straight in her eyes, eyes interlocked and it was like she was deriving all the needed courage from him. A small smile begin to form on her face, and it reflected on his too.

" Why don't we leave this topic here only?", Nandini asked feebly already knowing in her heart Manik won't agree, but one try won't harm, would it? He glared at her in response, and
Nandini eventually sighed, preparing herself to reveal her innermost thoughts.

" I don't have a proper answer to your questions Manik. I don't know. Really! Honestly, when and if I am hurt na, i eventually realize that nobody actually understands that, and even if they do, they dont care enough to ask me twice about it. Most of the times, they don't know only what exactly hurt me! I don't know how to tell you when I feel hurt. The worst fear in my mind is that everyone will leave me at the end of the day. May be because I am boring or I am not the way usually people are. I am afraid to mingle because I know people will notice I do not like their ways or enjoy it like they do. I am afraid of lots of things in my life. Sometimes even I do not know those things properly because I have always tend to ignore them. I have ignored my fears, my desires, my wishes everything. You always tell me how emotional I am but sometimes I feel like I am emotionless. Nothing affects me at times. I do not care about anything at those times. I am just...plainly selfish! And these many variety of feelings confuse me...that is why I run away from myself. I don't know...I am just blank at times", Nandini spoke in a stuttering manner and broke into tears. Manik said nothing and held her hand in this. For the first time ever, she was acknowledging these things, and they were ought to be jumbled. This innocence that she had, was what made her stand out too.

" I have never asked for anything Manik, just simply a little love from those who are important to me. I always focused on my studies because I knew that made my parents happy. I always did small things for my sister because I knew that will make her happy. I cared for my friends, sometimes it seemed extra care too, I know, but it was only because I understand how I feel when I am sad. I want someone to be there with me, so I try and be there with them, so that they don't have to feel the way I do. Every time whatever I did was because I am very selfish! I want them to love me and I do not know-don't know what to say...I am...", Nandini could not continue more and ran into the attached washroom in the room.

She broke down into a pool of tears in front of the mirror and let everything go with the flow. A few minutes later she felt two thumbs wiping off the tears and she knew who it was. Manik turned her towards him and wiped off all the tears off her face and dropped a kiss on her forehead. Then he dragged her back into the room and again made her sit on the bed. He kneeled down in front of her and again smiled at her.

" you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, do you even realize that? And you are not at all selfish. If everyone starts expecting love for love na, it will be business and not the pure, unadulterated love. What you do, is out of the love you have for all your loved ones. And also, somewhere you will have to take an effort Nandini, you need to let people know that something hurt you. You can't pretend like things are fine, and simultaneously expecting us to be there for you! Its a two way road! Also, from today, you will share with me every single detail of the talks you have with your mind and the conflicts of your heart. Everything. Let it all out and I promise I will be there to listen hamesha, we will together discover you, the real you- from your favorite colours to your favourite dishes, everything! It's not you and me anymore, its US, okay? ", he explained with a cozy smile and Nandini looked at him in amazement. She held his hands tightly and he got up and sat beside her. She said nothing for a moment but shifted close to him and silently kept her head on his chest. He wrapped an arm around her and both sat in silence. After sometime Nandini stirred a little and kissed lightly on his chest and looked up at him to find him already staring at her with love in his eyes. She smiled and kept her hand over his heart.

" You are the first person ever who is so interested to know things about me, from me. I don't know how to tell you how much I really love you-", Manik sushed him by keeping his finger over her lips, his eyes sparkling!

" I already know how much you love me!", he said with a signature smirk and Nandini chuckled. How much she was grateful to God for bringing him in her life. How much special she felt today with his efforts, he was actually what his name signified! A true gem, that was hers to behold!

" By the way, there is still some surprise left!", he said with a proud look and Nandini looked at him, her eyebrows raised.

" Yup! And since its night already, I can disclose it!", he dragged her to the terrace excitedly and once she came out, she was awestruck at the beauty, yet again.

Thousands of twinkling stars were lightening the Sky and the view was indeed breathtaking. His face was lit like a bright bulb at the sight of the stars and she could not help but admire him for the same. She took his hand in her and pointed to the brightest star she could see.

" You are that, the brightest star in my sky!", She didn't look at him, but knew he was looking at her, in awe.

" Maybe, but I have a bigger and brighter star than that, with me, in my life!", There were times like these when he left her speechless and blushing. No matter how hard she tried to be romantic, he was way ahead her.

They lied down on the mattress and counted as many stars as they could, talking and giggling at moments, embracing their time together and enjoying every bit of it. All the past moments were long forgotten, all tears long gone. Only happiness was beaming in their eyes, and life.

Some time later Manik stood up and gave a hand to Nandini to get up. Then he took her aside where he had arranged a proper date setup with dining arrangements too. When she stared at him, he shrugged.

" What? A date is supposed to look like a normal date too!", He replied, scratching the back of his neck, making her giggle.

Post dinner, both lied down in each other's arms and talked about each other till their eyelashes dropped down due to tiredness. An eventful day come to his end witnessing the sleeping love birds, content in each other's arms!

The next morning, The love birds then returned to be welcomed by cool breeze and the delicious aroma of home made south Indian breakfast. Manik ran in with the excitement of a kid to see the breakfast while Nandini entered with a giggle and both stood rooted at their place to see Kabir and Navya already sitting at the breakfast table, munching idlies with great pleasure. Manik also joined them soon not able to control his enthusiasm of eating one of his favourite dishes, that too, the taste of his mother's hand. Nandini followed him and Veebha served all of them with a mischievous grin on her face, teasing Manik every now and then and both of them blushing hard. As the sweet breakfast session completed, all of a sudden Kabir dragged Nandini upstairs leaving Manik frowning while Nandini smiled at her best friend's concern. Kabir brought her to a room, made her sit on the bed, himself sat in front of her on his knees and held her hand in his. Looking deep into her eyes, like he was scanning her soul, he gazed at her while Nandini returned the favour with a sweet smile.

" You are happy right?", Kabir questioned and Nandini squeezed his hand in return.

" More than ever before,", she smiled and in response saw a ear to ear grin on his face. Kabir not only had been her close friend, but have always treated her like his own daughter. Yes, daughter! While she was always busy being the mother hen for her immediate family and friends ignoring herself, he was there to take care that she eats and sleep on time. He was there to understand what she never had the courage to speak. Manik had taken that special place now, but Kabir had been there for her since like forever, and she knew and respected that.

" Kabir, you don't need worry about me anymore, not that you will listen because I agree I am still your Jhalli, but you know he is there, he respects me like no one did, he tries to understand my silence like I never expected. You know na I never expected much from anyone, but meeting him had now forced me to expect - his love, his pampering, his care- all the time. I never knew he had noticed me and my actions so clearly and keenly. But yesterday - it was pure bliss! I can't explain you how happy I am....", Nandini was blabbering non stop while Kabir was happy beyond limits. Finally his jhalli got the right person for her. Someone else was also happy, standing at the door, eavesdropping their conversation- Manik! He was happy that he could do something for the girl who had managed to change his entire life in a few months. The positivity she had in herself always radiated from her. She was special indeed but the best fact was- she was his! Only his!

Some time later everyone was sitting in the drawing room gossiping when Kabir stood up, nervousness evident on his face and stretched his hand for Navya to hold on.

"I have an important announcement to make", he declared and Manik and Nandini both looked up at him. Even Veebha gazed up with confusion all over their faces and Kabir gave them all a quick yet nervous smile.

" Actually, umm....wo...", Kabir was stammering when all of a sudden Navya left the hand she was holding on to, her nostrils flaring in anger.

" By God, what am I supposed to do with this man! The only point is we are getting married, we have convinced our families, the engagement is next week, and the marriage next month!", Navya mentioned casually like she was telling her favourite flavor of ice cream and Kabir looked at her in horror. He saw her once and then the three people standing in front of him who were literally shocked and again at her who was standing very calmly.
Manik stood up and Kabir went two steps back in horror as Manik came towards him with a straight face but instead of punching him hard, he hugged him tightly in excitement.

" Finally its your marriage!", Manik squealed in happiness and so did Nandini as she came forward to hug the would be bride and groom. Veebha blessed them both and everyone smiled their fullest to welcome the big bag of happiness coming their way!