Manik's smile suddenly vanished listening to Cabir's question which was noticed by Abhi and nandini. Nandini squeezed his hand lightly as if telling him that she was there, giving him an unspoken but much needed assurance to which manik passed a light smile her way. He looked his other side to find Abhi with concern written all over his face. Manik smiled and blinked his eyes in assurance which relaxed Abhi.
Manik: guys now let that story be for another time...ya? And vaise bhi its too late so lets go to bed
Nandini and Abhi understood that he wasn't ready to share while the rest of the gang did not budge him too.
Abhi: ha guys its actually late...1am so lets go and sleep
Dhruv: ha kal vaise bhi uss soha ne bulaya hai so we need to be on time
Alia: god knows what will she do if we get late tomorrow
Mukti: aur kya karegi alia...she will go to her dad aur baccho ki tarha complain karegi
Navya: guys lets not talk about her
Aryaman*yawning*: yeahh I am too tired so goodnight guys
Saying this aryaman went straight to Abhi's room and lied down there to sleep who was followed by Abhi himself and dhruv.
Maddy: where do we sleep?
Nandini: Maddy Cabir..you guys take the guest room. Its just opposite to Abhi's
Cabir: cool
Maddy: okay
Cabir: manik tu nahi aa raha?
Manik: main aata hu na...tum log jao
Cabir*looking at nandini*: jaldi aana Romeo
Manik: ha ab tu ja Cabir (glares)
Cabir: ja raha hu na...bhadak kyu raha hai
With this even Maddy and Cabir left to sleep.
Navya: nandu hum sab (pointing at the girls) tumhare room hai...come soon
Nandini nodded as they left.
Nandini: manik tumhe kuch kaam hai?
Manik*shrugs*: nahi toh?
Nandini: toh tum sone kyu nahi gaye?
Manik: voh...ha I wanted to help you in cleaning this mess...yes! Isliye I stayed back
Nandini: you sure?
Manik: yes baba now chalo lets start
Nandini: ok
Nandini got herself busy in cleaning when manik sneaked in one of the rooms and bought some cushions and a warm blanket along with him and arranged it perfectly in the living room's balcony without nandini noticing it. He then went to nandini and asked her if she could make some hot cocoa for him as he wasn't feeling sleepy. Nandini agreed and insisted on joining him there to keep him company as manik had thought she would and he readily agreed.
Nandini entered the living room after ten minutes, searching for manik with a tray of hot cocoa in her hands when she found the door of her balcony open. Assuming manik to be there she started walking towards the balcony where she found comfortable seating arrangements already made and she knew it was Manik's work. She smilingly entered in and put the tray on the small coffee table placed there and began looking around the place when she felt two warm arms embrace her in a back hug.
Nandini: so this was your plan ha?
Manik: yup...ab girlfriend ke saath time spend jo karna tha so why not be a little romantic
Nandini smiled and turned around in his embrace, facing him and snaked her arms around his neck.
Nandini: I never knew that my monster is so romantic
Manik*playing along*: wanna know how romantic can your monster be?
He whispered to which nandini nodded not knowing what he was going to do.
Manik: ok then
He said and before nandini knew, manik had taken her lips in his for a soft kiss, pulling her close by her waist which soon enough nandini responded, cupping his nape with one hand and ruffling his hair with the other.
They broke the kiss and stood there with their foreheads pressed against each other, breathing heavily, looking into each other's eyes when manik tucked a loose strand behind nandini's ear and asked her to change into comfortable clothes.
Manik: you go and change
Nandini: aur tum?
Manik: I have already changed...tum jao and come back soon...am waiting
Nandini nodded and began walking towards her room when manik called out for her.
Manik: nandini
Nandini*turning around*: ha?
Manik: do you need my help?
He asked cockily only receive nandini's glare.
Nandini: manik
She said sternly but her cheeks had already turned crimson red contradicting her, making manik chuckle.
Nandini came out after changing herself into comfortable clothes and walked to the balcony where manik was already waiting for her.
Manik: ah finally!
He said as he saw nandini entering in.
Manik: jaldi baitho...I have already reheated the cocoa and I also bought some cookies
Nandini: Mr. Manik Malhotra I am impressed
Manik: thanks Ms. Murthy but now sit na and make yourself comfortable
Nandini smiled and settled down beside him as manik covered both of them with a comforter.
Nandini: so what's the plan?
Manik: plan? Um...(scratching the back of his neck) filhaal toh there is no plan but hume plan ki kya zaroorat hai...on the spot plans are more of our kind nai?
Nandini: but manik fir hum yaha karenge kya?
Manik: star gazing!
Nandini: star gazing?
Manik: ha see...the sky looks so beautiful tonight and one of them toh is sitting next to me
He said pulling her closer and nandini snuggled into him smilingly.
Nandini: acha?
Manik: yup! My shining star
He said making nandini smile bright as he pecked the side of her head.
Manik: vaise star...must say ha, you are really very creative
Nandini*confused*: huh?
Manik: I mean... look at the cocoa...kitna ache se you have decorated it
Nandini blushed at his statement as manik kissed her cheek making nandini gasp.
Manik: Haaye you are so cute ya...I feel so lucky to have you as my girlfriend
Nandini*looking at him*: you really do?
Manik*looking back at her*: ofcourse I do...aakhir tumse perfect mujhe koi aur mil sakta hai kya? Aur vaise bhi tumhe mere alawa koi jhel bhi nahi sakta
He teased.
Nandini: haww manik...tum kitne gande ho
She said, playfully slapping his shoulder making manik laugh and she too joined in soon, resting her head on his shoulder.
Nandini: manik soha ne tum sab ko kal kyu bulaya hoga?
She suddenly asked, turning serious.
Manik: nandini look...hume na kal ke bareme soch ke apna aaj nahi bigaadna chahiye...tum kehti ho na ki live in the moment so why worry about soha ki voh kal kya karegi? Jo hoga voh dekha jaega
He replied caressing her hair.
Nandini: hmm...but I don't know, she has never given me good vibes and am scared ki voh kuch bura na kar de
She expressed her worries.
Manik bent his head a bit and chinned her face to make her look at him.
Manik: do you trust me?
He asked looking into her eyes.
Nandini nodded.
Nandini: more than I trust myself
She answered staring back at him.
Manik: toh bas leave it on me...I will manage..ya?
Nandini: hmm
Manik saw nandini still lost in her thoughts so he thought to distract her.
Manik: vaise bhi if I can manage you toh soha kya cheez hai
Nandini: manik!
Manik: nandini!
He mocked her.
And that's how they spent the night, under the stars talking to each other about anything and everything, cuddling to each other with manik timely pecking nandini's forehead and nandini resting her head on his heart, listening to his soothing heartbeats that always managed to give her peace.
Hope you liked it.
Happy reading.
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