Manik was travelling at a high speed, his emotions had taken control over the rational part of his mind. Waiting for years, with a hopeless that nandini would love him one day and now it was all gone. He just wanted to go away, think something anything apart from her and speed was his companion.
While for nandini she was following him, unable to understand what was wrong, Manik's behavior strange, she didn't get what was the problem the only thing she knew that she needed a solution.
She parked her car beside Manik's and the location wasn't unknown, they were at the lake where most of their memories were present. Manik was frustrated, his hand running through his hair again and again.
The weather had changed, cool wind was blowing, clouds hidding the sun. It was about to rain.
Nandini went and kept her hand on his shoulder.
N : manik
M : why are you here ?
He tried the best he could to keep his voice calm, to not give away his emotions.
N : you are asking me, why am I here, when I should be the one asking you that.
M : just needed fresh air
N : really then why aren't you looking at me, turn
Manik was stiff as a board and nandini was getting aggravated, she pulled him by his shoulder and turned him towards her. Manik had met his limit.
M<shouts> : what do you want to hear, tell no tell me u want me to tell you the truth
He caught her by the shoulders and jerked her towards himself, they were too close to each other. He was looking into her eyes but this time instead of warmth his gaze was cold.
Cold like the atmosphere, there was thunder and slight drizzling had began but they were too caught up to notice anything except for each other.
N : yes tell me what is wrong, why are you behaving like this, since morning you didn't talk to me once, you are avoiding me.
M : yes I am avoiding you, you want to know why because everytime I see u, I remember what I heard yesterday and trust me when I say this right now I want nothing more than to beat the shit out of aryaman, to make him regret the moment he met you, the moment this though came to him that he can take you away from me.
By now it was raining, both of them wet but unbothered by it, the downpoar was like their emotions, the clouds has burst into rain water and so had their harts bringing front their true emotions.
N : manik what are you talking about
M : what I am talking about is that I get it, I get it that u don't feel anything for me other than friendship and trust me nandini I tried my best to make myself understand that but I can't.
The emotions had turned into anger Manik couldn't control, but love is powerful and manik could never think of anything that could hurt nandini.
M : but don't worry I will try ,I just need time, u can be with aryaman but just stay away from me because I right now can't see that. I always knew that this can happen but I guess I was never prepared.
Manik left her and took a step back, the space between them wasn't much but still it seemed world's apart.
But nandini wasn't the one to except this, since she had always gotten what she wanted, call her a spoiled brat or Manik's princess she wasn't going to let him spoil anything.
N : I am asking you what did you hear ,tell me clearly
M : I heard you and aryaman talking in your room yesterday and I get it you don't need to say anything
Nandini didn't let him complete
N : oh so that is why you are behaving like this, you think...... God.
Manik had a confused expression on his face which would have seemed cute to nandini but given the circumstances she was anything but finding manik adorable.
N : manik if only u had heard it all
M : what
Nandini closed her eyes and spoke telling him exactly what she talked to aryaman last evening about.
Flashback
Ar : u know how I feel but I don't think my feelings are returned.
N : aryaman give it some time
Ar : and what about
N : I know what you are talking about but the thing is their is a big difference between friendship and love. And what is present is friendship. U don't have romantic feelings about your friend.
Ar : are u sure, because I don't want to be heartbroken in the end
N : trust me it's only friendship
Ar : that is what u have with Manik
N : where did Manik come from
At : why not u and Manik are childhood friends like Adi and Ruhi, maybe like you
N : I know adi and I can assure you it's only friendship. Trust me and Ruhi also just has a crush on him nothing else. It's all far from love
Ar : so what's different between you and Manik
N : manik, manik is not just a friend, u and I are friends but with Manik I feel different, feelings I have never had before, I don't know if it's love but yes my feelings are romantic not something friendly.
Ar : I hope u find out soon, trust me although we have just met but u are a very good friend.
N : u too
Nandini goes ahead and hugs him.
Flashback over
Manik was taken aback, this was not what he had expected, he was relieved to know that nandini and aryaman there was nothing going on between them and a smile adorned his face but it went away when he saw the expression on nandini's face. He took a few steps back involuntarily.
N : so you had been behaving like this because of a misunderstanding, making me feel like I had done something very wrong, I was so damn worried since morning, I...
.
Nandini's voice was calm, but the hidden anger well it wasn't hidden that much cause her expression told everything.
M : nandini look
She in an instant was in front of him, there faces so close.
N : listen to me and listen to me clearly manik malhotra, I and aryaman are just friends
M : friends I get it
N : and the only person right now I think I have feelings for is you.
Manik was shocked but before he could say something nandini's lips were on his, and as soon as it registered she was kissing him, his lips started moving along with hers.
In the rain their bodies colided with each other, their lips talking just without words, conveying what they were too afraid to say or maybe accept.
This kiss contained fear, fear of the unknown, because after this they will never again be back to being childhood friends, this relation was going to be much more. Yet through this kiss they made a promise, a promise of being together. This was the first step, their first kiss, a beginning of a beautiful journey called love.
Nandini broke the kiss and looked into his eyes, his eyes showed love, love for her but she wasn't their cause for her this was just the beginning, unable to handle all this nandini turned back and ran towards her car and soon she was on the road.
Manik was still standing their, he was surprised and happy, he knew it was a long way but atleast nandini had taken the first step and he was going to be with her through out.
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That's all for today
I know I am a bit late and I apologize for that and hope that this chapter makes up for my absence.
Manan's first kiss, finally so now let's see how they deal with what had happened because of a moment of impulsiveness.
And let's not forget aryaman likes Ruhi, anyone expected that.
I would like to hear ur views on this chapter and all the constructive criticism is welcome
Do vote, comment and share
Precap : it's awkward.