Finally the most awaited evening arrived and both manik and nandini could not contain their excitement. It was finally the day when their friendship was going to climb a step up, today was the day when they were finally going to confess what they have been feeling for each other since a while now, tonight was their night.
After manik dropped nandini home, she rushed in her room and started finding the gift manik was talking about, the smile not leaving her face even for a nanosecond. Finally after rummaging through her entire room she found a neatly wrapped box under the bed. Her eyes immediately lit up on seeing the box and soon she pulled it out and started unwrapping enthusiastically only to find a beautiful white dress inside. It was a beautiful white gown that had delicate net designs with a shiny but attractive envelope tied to it, not able to hold in she grabbed the envelope and opened it to find a note in it.
Note
White, the color of peace and the color which has always fascinated you so thought why not gift you something which you love. I hope you like the gift and if its a yes then do wear it tonight, it would really mean a lot to me.
Yours,
Manik *winks*
As the note ended, nandini could not help the blush that covered her satin cheeks when she noticed another note stuck below the box.
Note
Go to your dresser and find the box which makes your ears look even prettier.
Nandini ran to her dresser and grabbed her earing box where she found another small gift wrapped neatly. Her eyes shone seeing the box itself hence she quickly started unwrapping it revealing a pair of beautiful diamond studs. She kept gaping at them as if they weren't real at all, she was floored of how much manik could do to make her feel special. She kept the box in its place when she found another note that read-
Note
A pretty dress and shining earrings are always incomplete without a pair of sandals, isn't it? So to complete your look go check your shoe rack to find your last surprise for now cuz there is still much more to come, its our day afterall! Oops sorry!...I mean night.*wink*
Yours,
Manik
Without much delay nandini reached her shoe rack where she found another gift. She opened it to find a stunning pair of off white heels that had intricate flower work on it with a small note on.
Note
Heels to match my height. *wink*
Nandini's heels
She huffed reading it but smiled too because she knew how much manik loved to tease her specially about her height. She kept the heels back to their place when her phone beeped with a message and she knew it was manik.
Message
I hope you liked your gifts so now doll yourself up quickly cuz you have only an hour for that. Will see you at 7 and ya before you start worrying about Abhi let me tell you he's out on a date with mukti so now rush princess because your prince can't wait to see you.
Nandini was all flushed after reading the message but somehow composed herself and rushed in the washroom to get ready. She stepped out of the washroom in her bathrobe after a warm relaxing shower and then started drying her damp hair. She applied minimal makeup and curled her hair loosely from the bottom yet making them look natural and then got herself changed in the dress that manik had gifted her. She wore her earrings and her wrist accompanied the bracelet manik gifted her on her birthday looking no less than a princess. It was already 6:45 pm and manik would be reaching any moment to pick her up. Her heart started racing suddenly as she felt nervous again about what she was going to say but yet calmed herself.
Nandini: nandu calm down okay. Breathe in. Breathe out (takes a deep breath and releases it) This is just manik and you know that he feels the same for you as you do for him then why are you nervous? Calm down and go with the flow ya? Ya!
She spoke looking at her reflection in the mirror when her phone buzzed to life. The caller brought a smile on her face with a tiny blush rushing up her cheeks.
Phone Convo
Nandini: hello
Manik: I am waiting downstairs....come soon. Can't wait to see you now
Nandini*blushing*: I will be there in two
She cut the phone and went downstairs after wearing the heels manik gifted her that completed her look not before having a final look in the mirror.
Manik was waiting eagerly for her downstairs, leaning on his car pretending to be busy with his phone so that he doesn't look too desperate when he heard the clicking sound of heels and he looked up to find nandini all decked up looking no less than a mesmerizing dream.
Nandini reached near him and for a moment she felt her heart skip a beat seeing that Greek god in front of her who was looking devilishly handsome in that white T-shirt paired with his white blazer with neon piping and blue faded denims. She could not take her eyes off him and same was the case with manik, his intense gaze was making nandini nervous and her cheeks by now had turned crimson. After a long admiring each other session nandini built up some courage and spoke.
Their attires (sorry couldn't get a better picture)
Nandini* softly*: manik chale?
Manik*coming out of his trance*: ya ya lets go but before that (pulls her towards him by her waist) you look breathtaking my star
He whispered down her ear and pecked her cheek making nandini blush all the more.
Nandini*shyly*: thanks
With that they both settled in Manik's car and sped off to the place where their hearts would do the talking.
The journey was silent, none made any initiative to talk. On one hand manik was too excited and on the other hand, nandini was too nervous to even meet his gaze. After a long one hour of silence they finally reached the most awaited destination. Manik halted the car which finally made nandini look up.
Manik: we are here
Nandini nodded and was about to get up when manik shouted- WAIT!!
Nandini*confused*: Kya hua?
Manik: wait let me open the door for you
Manik got out of the car and jogged the other side opening the door for nandini and extended his palm for her to hold. Nandini happily gave in and stepped out, both looking into each other's eyes with a smile. Nandini was about to turn and walk further when manik held her wrist and stopped her.
Nandini: Kya hua? Why did you stop me?
Manik: nandini this place is where our friendship bloomed over the years. After you shifted I did not visit this place even for once so today I want to visit this place with you so don't turn back and start walking looking straight in my eyes and remember our childhood days looking into my eyes and I'll do the same but you don't have to look around before I ask you ha! No cheating!
Nandini: ok but manik which place is this? I have faint memories of this place but I am not able to recognize the place completely. Bolo na where are we?
Manik: you'll come to know soon now come on look into my eyes and start walking
Nandini knew that manik won't give in so she quietly obliged and soon both began walking staring at each other, right in the eye with a happy smile playing on their lips reminiscing their childhood as per Manik's wish.
Manik: ok now turn around slowly and now I hope you will remember this place
He stated hopefully.
Nandini turned around and what she saw made her gasp as happy tears made their way out from her doe eyes.
Nandini: manik yeh....
Manik: ha nandini this is our tree house jaha we experienced various phases of our friendship. Voh treehouse jo mere dad aur tumhare appa ne banaya tha humare liye as per our wish lekin fir tum shift ho gayi and voh accident...(chokes)....but anyways (smiles) now we are back here and I want to make some more beautiful memories here
Nandini smiled amidst tears remembering her appa who did not leave any stone upturned and built this treehouse to fulfill his princess's wish as manik continued.
Manik: nandini iss place ne humari friendship ko badhte hue dekha hai, yaha humare parents ki blessings hai isliye Ms. Nandini Murthy we our here today to start our new beginning. I am not good at words nandini and I don't even know if I will be able to tell you what I feel for you but still I want to try.
He walks to her and holds her hand in his.
Manik: nandini kehte hai ki it is the best feeling when your best friend becomes more than your friend because they already know you well and would never nag rather they will understand your dilemmas and always be there for you but it can be worst than a nightmare when things go wrong and you lose your friend. You know I always feared what if I lose you just because of my feelings but kya karu yeh feelings ja hi nahi rahi thi, instead they kept on increasing everyday. Nandini, I like you alot...I guess alot se bhi zyada. I won't use love now because it is a big word but I also know that with you its not some casual fling or infatuation, it is way more than that. I won't promise you that we will never fight or argue but I can promise you that I will never leave your hand come what may. I will never let this die nandini....never! Dadi humesha kehti thi ki a song means nothing without its lyrics and as you know music has always tied us together so nandini murthy will you be the lyric to my song? Because I have come to know without you I am as meaningless as a lyricless song. (Bends on one knee) So star will you shine for me? Will you keep me in your prayers and trust me always? Lastly will you make me lucky by being my girlfriend?
He asked staring intensely at her. Nandini's breath hitched in her throat, she was overwhelmed with emotions. She sat in front of him and started speaking, cupping his face gently in her tiny palms as they both maintained their eye lock.
Nandini: manik...
#1802 words! Phew! A long update indeed. I know the speech that manik gave was not that lovey dovey but since this a new feeling for both of them I did not want to write something too deep. I hope you liked it. Nandini's answer is still pending. What will be her reply? Keep guessing till the next update.
Ciao!
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