QUORA DIARIES

TWELVE

Manik was sitting in his room pondering over the puzzle his mother gave to him.

Few minutes ago he was at his mother's room where he came to know that Nandini’s father called that evening and expressed his desire to get them married. And to his surprise his mom also had the same wish.

Nandini,his younger sister Nidhi’s best friend, is a reserved and a beautiful girl. She is ambitious and a very practical girl who has a strange ability of reading other's mind and a deep knowledge about the world. Whereas he is disciplined and fun loving guy who prefer to keep his feelings hidden which make appear “selfish” to the world.

Nandini met his sister at college and since then they were inseparable. She had become part of their family. Manik was always strangely attracted to her due to her maturity but never chose to accept his feelings.

He was deeply hurt and broken from inside when her childhood love and girlfriend Shikha left him years ago. All thinks that he had moved on but that pain was still in his heart. That incident had hardened him.

At present, he was thinking of his breakup and proposal of getting married to Nandini. He was very unsure and felt that he was not ready for marriage. When suddenly his phone rang… it was Swara’s call

Nandini (in a nervous tone)—Hi Manik..

Manik (sensing nervousness in her tone and trying to act normal)— Hii Nandini..how r u??how was your trip??Are u coming tomorrow??It has been days we have not seen you..Look I need your help to prepare my presentation..you promised you would..

Nandini- Manik I…I just don't know from where to start…

Manik- What happened Miss Drama Queen??

Nandini- M.. Manik listen to me.. my Dad called your mom this evening…I just don't know how to react..Believe me I knew nothing about it….I don't know from where this idea came into my dad's mind??Believe me u Don't need to worry..u can say no to this proposal without any hesitation.

After an awkward silence

Manik(in a serious tone)— what would be your response if I say YES??

Nandini(shocked)— I…I…I..Don't know..ok I call you tomorrow.

She disconnected the call..He understood that she was not expecting this answer from him..By the way, he also did not expect this answer from himself..He could not explain himself why he said so to Nandini and when did he make up his mind to say YES!!

Next day when he came home he found Nandini laughing and gossiping with his mom and sister.

They both were trying hard to act as if nothing happened last night..

When she found him alone

Nandini -Listen Manik..I have decided..I am ready to spend my life with an Idiot

Manik smiled and blushed a little said (in a serious tone)-Are u sure??I hope you have taken this decision without any hurry or pressure..

Nandini nodded and said-This applies to you too..Are u ready??

Manik-Hmm..yes I think I am

That night both were sleepless..All past memories of his relationship with Shikha and his heartbreak were running in his mind making him more insecure and doubting his decision..he admitted that sometimes he felt attracted and admired Nandini but never thought about her romantically

Here Nandini also knew that Manik still had place for Shikha in his heart

Few days passed and one evening after a busy day Manik received message or messages from Nandini..

Hii Monster…Have a look at my lehanga and mehendi..Do u like it??

I am very worried how would I look tommorrow

It's our engagement tomorrow…Where are u??Mr Idiot

Ok Manik.. please reply when u have time…I am waiting..

On seeing her messages,he was blushing and smiling..Now he no longer was anxious but excited about the coming day

He replied- “Your lehanga and mehendi both are very beautiful and awesome and believe me u still won't look nice…Good night..Keep crying”

He giggled and went to sleep..

“Only 4 months are left for our marriage.”said Nandini one morning to Manik at his place helping him out in packing as he was leaving for a business trip for 3 weeks

Manik (jokingly)-"Hmm…Sometimes I forget that we are getting married..There is no awkwardness in our relationship that I expected..we still are more like friends and less like couples..We still fight like cat and dog,our dates appear more like an outing with a friends

Nandini (with sadness)- “hmm..u r right…bye I am leaving..

Manik-  So early…ok bye

Nandini was driving home with tears in her eyes she said to herself

“Manik I have started falling for u..But I don't know how u feel about me..I don't know why u want to marry me..I am still unsure whether Shikha is still in your heart or not..Sometimes when you talk about her it really hurts me..I no longer want to be your Friend”

That evening Manik came to her flat for dinner but they started fighting again on some stupid matter

After a long argument

Nandini-"Why don't you admit it's your mistake?”

Manik-"YES.. YES.. I admit it was a mistake ..Choosing u as my life partner was a huge mistake..

Nandini(with trembling voice)— “yaah..that why u compare me to Shikha everyday…Why don't u say u still love her??”

Manik(with shock)-”From where Shikha landed here…ok..ok ..I love Shikha so What??…You know what I will reconsider my decision of our marriage..I just can't imagine living with such an immature and insecure girl rest of my life”

Nandini was stunned and tears started flowing from her eyes..

It was for the first time he had seen her crying..but he was so hurt and angry at her that he left…

He was tossing on his bed restlessly since 3 hours trying to sleep..He was feeling guilty of his love cry as well as felling furious and frustrated at her words..

Suddenly at 12:30 his phone beeped..it was her message

“Manik..I know what happened today was awful but I really don’t want this to affect your trip tomorrow..You have been preparing for this project and trip since months..Now just calm down and sleep..we would definitely talk about our relationship once u return..You have an early morning flight tomorrow..Best of luck"

At about 1:00 Nandini’s doorbell rang..She got up and was scared…She ran towards the door and opened it and found Manik standing with her favourite ice cream in his hand

Nandini-"What are u doing here??You have flight tomorrow morning..

Manik suddenly smiled and held her waist and pulled her towards himself and kissed her

She was shocked and moved back

Manik was mesmerized seeing this innocent expression on her face as it was their first kiss

Manik- "No one can love and pamper me better than u..I am sorry my love for hurting you..I promise I won't do it ever again"

She smiled with tears in her eyes before she could say something he pressed her against the wall and started kissing her more passionately.

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