~ Because Even Forever doesn't seems long enough with you. ~

~~~

GoodMorning, My Sunshine!

You must be wondering what is this and where am I, So let me tell you that Ms Murthy, You have an exam to give in the next 3 days. Stop stressing your chotu sa brain thinking how-why-when, go get Started with the Studies Already. I know you won't be able to Pay attention when I'll be around because Obviously, I'm too hard to resist, right? And also, I won't be able to take my eyes off your beautiful face if we study together and you know the Consequences. ;) So basically, cutting the long story short, We don't get to see/touch/meet/feel each other for the next 8 Days. You just dont worry about anything, The nurse will look after you, I have given her all the instructions and Yes one more thing, Manik Malhotra is too Strong and he can look after himself. Nandini Murthy MUST NOT Stress herself thinking about him. Got it? Take rest and I Lo- Actually, Nevermind. ;)

I smiled like an idiot reading his super cute letter. God, He's my life! If right now, he would've been standing infront of me, I swear I would've embraced him in a bone crashing hug declaring All My love for him. I Picked up my cellphone which was kept on the Side table and dialed Manik's Number. Switched off? I raised an eyebrow worriedly. The next minute, the Nurse came in with A Glass of an apple juice and oatmeal. "Sir ne kaha tha jabtak ap khatam na karlen, me yahin rahoon." She said, smiling a little. I faked a smile and had My breakfast like a Good obedient girl. "Ye lein. He asked me to give this to you once you finish your breakfast." She handed me a letter which Said, Well Done Ms Murthy! Now open the drawer towards your left and Ratta-fy those books. Also, I know you must be trying to call me. So let me just burst your bubble, My phone will be switched off for the next 8 days. We'll get to see each other after 3 days, at College that too in the Examination hall. Take Rest, Study Well and I lo- Actually, Nevermind. xD

I rolled my eyes reading the last sentence of the letter. He loves to irritate me, doesn't he? I threw the pillow on the floor angrily and to my utter suprise, I saw another note. It was kept under the pillow I just threw.

Is bicchari pillow par gussa utaar kar kia mileyga Nanduu? Right handside par there's a glass of water, have it and take a deep breath. Ab parhna start bhi kardo, fail hona hai kia?

What even!? I pinched myself to check if all this was really happening. The guy who always tries to find ways to stick around me was trying his best to keep himself away from me. Nothing was making sense and I was just astonished to see such a thing coming from him. I sighed, accepting the reality. Nandini Murthy, fail hona hai kia? And on that note, I took out the books from the drawer and started Ratta-fying them. What a unique yet super awesome things students do!

Later that Night, I jumped onto the bed, tired and exhausted. I had this feeling that atleast in the night, he will come and meet me but no, he didn't even bother giving another letter before I go to sleep. Since it was my habit to check the SNS before sleeping, I opened my instagram and the first picture on my feed made brought a huge smile on my face.

ItsManikmalhotra Just posted a photo.

Goodnight to the world and to that one special person I can't live without. I know you're thinking about me and I just want you to know that I'm around you. You can't see me, but I'm there only. Don't be mad at me, this is important for both of us haina? Take care and I lo- Well Nevermind. 😂

Cute would be an understatement for such a breathtaking picture of My Ever Handsome, Monster. I kept staring at his picture re-reading the caption knowing that the Special Person was no one else but me. I Opened my cellphone's camera and clicked some pictures of myself. After about a few minutes, I uploaded a picture on Instagram indirectly replying to him only.

Manik's eye twinkled Getting a notification, nandinimurthyhere Just posted a photo.

Can't sleep and how? My favorite Pillow is not around and I miss it already. Getting better & I know you Lo- Actually, Yeah, Nevermind. 😏 #GoodNight

He smiled, admiring her cuteness. Nandini Murthy definitely knows how to payback the Favor. He Said to himself, burrying his smiling face into the pillow.

~~~~

And three days passed within a blink of an eye. I got letters from him everyday and we uploaded a pic every night before going to sleep, indirectly having a cute conversation infront of the whole world without them even knowing about it. It was finally the day, our exam day!

All the Students seated themselves and soon after, we were all given our Question Paper. It was after 3 long days, I was actually seeing him in real. He couldn't take his eyes off me and I just couldn't Stop looking into his eye. Our eye contact was broken by a sharp yell of Nyonika Malhotra, "I request your Attention Students." Manik immediately looked at her, trying to figure out what she was upto but little did he know, Nyonika Malhotra had no way out of this Mess. "As you all know, Your exams were re-scheduled due to Some Serious Reasons," She said glaring Manik, "And thus, We understand you people had less time to prepare yourselves therefore we have made sure that the Question paper is relatively easy. I hope you all do well and Pass out with Flying Colors! Goodluck." She left, looking at me and then Manik, for one last time.

The Exam went great but as per Cabir's order, none of us discussed any single Question of the exam because he didn't want to know the right answers and realize that the answers he wrote were absolutely wrong. Typical Cabir!

Just like that, 5 More days passed by and it was finally, the last day. Our last exam aswell as our last day of College. Time flies! I remembered the first day of my college when I saved a guy who almost killed himself. I remembered how I found Navya and how much hatred I had for Fab 5 and their evil deeds. Who knew I would eventually fall in love with the Lead Guitarist of Fab 5? Who knew things would Change, that too like this? Who knew that the Lion will fall in love with the Lamb? This College has given me alot. From My bestfriend to my boyfriend, I got every little happiness from here only. I smiled, remembering the initial days of my College. The Storeroom incident still makes me laugh! That was probably the first time I fell something for Manik. I Smiled, thinking about all the good yet funny incidents that bumped me into Manik. Soha's face flashed infront of my eye, making me remember the worst days of my life. That day, I actually thought that I've lost Manik, forever. But as they, If you really need him, Fate won't let you lose him. Fate will bring him back. It May not be soon but he will come back.

~~~

"But Manik, why in college? Kahin bahar kar na, Private mein." Mukti tried knocking some brains into Manik's head but all her efforts went invain. "Mukti bat ko samjh, ek teer se do nishanay karna chahraha hai yeh." Cabir giggled. "What do you Mean?" Asked a confused Alya trying her best to understand what was happening around her. "Wo Nandini ko propose bhi karna chahta hai aur Nyonika ko dikhana bhi chahta hai." Cabir smirked, giving that I-know-it'all look to Manik. "Smart Move, Manik!" Dhruv said, patting on his shoulder.

~~~

Nandini, where are you? Come to the Canteen fast, let's celebrate! I smiled, reading Cabir's text. I walked out of the Storeroom towards the Canteen when suddenly, I heard an announcement in the coridoor. I strided towards the Coridoor and heard a familiar voice, "Nandini Can you hear me? Can you hear me Nandini?" Freak! It's Manik! I couldn't believe my ears. What is he upto? "Nandini, you there?" He cried out loud causing me to reply back in a loud voice, "Yes! I can hear you Manik. I can!" Each and every person, including the professors, were staring at me as if I was some celebrity or a criminal. "Thank God. Nandini, Mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai." What even!? Are we really gonna do this? Have a conversation infront of the whole college? From the peon to the principal, each and every person could hear us. "Fine Manik, tum kahan ho tell me? Me ati hun, jo kehna ho kehlena." I tried to make him understand but who doesn't know that Mr Manik Malhotra gives orders, not takes them. "No. Nahi. Mjhe tumse bat karni hai abhi. Yahan." He protested in a childish tone. I looked towards my right where My professor was standing, giving me confusing looks. "Okay Manik, abhi bat karo. Yahan ajao or just call me na?" I said in a defeated tone, knowing that this just won't work. "Mujhe yahan mike par sabke saamne tumse kuch kehna haina Nandini." He said childishly. I could literally imagine him cribbing like a child. "Fine. Bolo kia baat hai?" I finally said, crossing my arms. Just then, Nyonika came there, striding towards me like a raging mad bull, "What the Hell is happening here? Ye College hai ya kisi ka drawing room? Kia horaha hai yeh sab and tum," She said looking at me, "Tum yahan kia karahi ho?" Urgh, Manik! I stabbed my feet onto the floor, angrily. This guy always lands me in trouble! "Nyonika Nyonika Nyonika," Spoke Manik, his voice came out of the Mike like a ringtone. "Behave yourself Manik, this is college premises not your home!" Nyonika looked extremely angry. "Oops," began Manik, "I mean Nyonika Mam, Please na Mam, calm down na Mam, try to understand the gravity of the Situation. Ap akhir Meri Mam ke sath sath Meri pyari Mom, means mere Dad ki wife bhe to haina? Which means I can..You know what I mean right?" Really now? I wasn't getting anything. Ye Manik karna kia chahra hai? Nyonika sighed, trying to inhale all her anger. She moved aside, letting Manik do whatever he wants. "What now Manik? Karna kia chahte ho?" I scolded him. He didn't respond to My question and neither did he say anything else. No voice came out of that Mike for around 5 minutes and Just when I turned to go to the Canteen, I saw him standing infront of me, at some distance. He slowly moved towards me looking at me in the most loving way as possible. I looked here and there, to avoid his strong gaze. Everyone was looking at us only. What is he upto? And just then I saw Mukti Cabir Navya and Alya standing at his back in a straight horizontal line, looking at me and smiling mischievously. Till now, one thing was clear, Something big was about to happen. "What are you guys upto?" I questioned, addressing them all but they didn't bother answering me.
"Nandini, it's too late to explain anything. The damage has been done!" Said Alya, crossing her arms and giving a half crooked smile. "What do you mean?" I questioned, confusingly. "What she means to say is that My dear patient urf Childhood Friend, it's too late to backout. He's too much in love with you already." Aryaman whispered into my ear, surprising me to the core.
I looked at him and then at Manik, who was now on his knee, infront of me and the entire college was Seeing the whole scenario. "And also Ms Murthy, there's no way out." Abhimanyu whispered into my other ear. I was trapped. Totally trapped by all these people. "Manik..Are you gonna..are you really gonna do it? Sabke samne?" I asked, open mouthed. "Sab dekhrahe hain Manik. Get up..come on now enough of this prank han, I know you all are playing games with me. Utho Manik, Everyone's Watching!" I said, pulling him. I looked at Cabir who was standing at a little distance from Manik and signaled him to stop him but no one gave a damn. He completely ignored my existence. Like, totally!

"Nandini Murthy," Began Manik holding my hand and looking into my eye as if he could see his whole wide world in them. "You make me happy like no one ever can. You are probably the only person in my life who understands me completely, and accepts me fully with all my flaws. And today, Infront of the entire college, I want you to know that Ms Murthy, Manik Malhotra has given his heart to you. You have made me a better person, a better human being and in return, I just want to make You Mine, Forever." His words sent a shiver down my spine turning my cheeks red and My eyes watery. He Signaled Dhruv and the next Minute, Cabir and the Rest of the gang which was standing at Manik's back took out some boards and held them up high. I was stunned. I just couldn't believe my eyes. The boards had our Pictures on it along a text which they were holding in an order like,

CABIR

MUKTI

NAVYA

DHRUV

Alya

"I wish I could give you everything but I hope this is enough," He said, signaling Aryaman and Abhimanyu to bring something. I was literally going through millions of emotions, I didn't know how to react. After about 2-3 Minutes, they came with a Big huge box. I just couldny figure out what it was since it was not an average sized box which could have flowers or probably a ring in it, It was huge. Aryaman and Cabir opened the Box and I was awestruck. Like totally.

I smiled. Smiled like it was the last time. Smiled like I could never smile again. My stomach was already full with butterflies and what not! "I love you Manik! I love you with all my heart and all my soul." I literally screamed, embracing him in a bone crashing hug. We stood up, still in the hug and he twirled me around, laughing like a crazy person. We exchanged our rings, knowing that this is where we belong. Everyone was hooting, screaming and celebrating and we were there, standing in the middle, looking into each other's eye, seeing our beautiful little infinity. Our happiness knew no bounds and in that particular moment, we became one. Manik & Nandini became MaNan.

~~~

Later that Night, after all the celebration, Manik came back into the room and I stood there in a long red gown, giving him a mischievous smile. "Okay, whats up Nandini? You look beautiful!" He said checking me out, looking a little confused. I moved aside, just so that he could see what I've brought for him.

He leaned in closer, and before My mind could withdraw from its far places, his arms were around me. I felt a rush of helplessness and the surging tide of warmth that left me limp. I certainly knew what he was gonna do next but To be honest, I was liking it. I wanted it just the way he wanted it. And the next moment, My Quite face was blurred and drowned. He bent back My head across his arm and kissed me, softly at first and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made me cling onto him as if he was the only solid thing in the dizzy swaying world. His insistent mouth was parting my shaking lips, sending wild tremors along my nerves evoking from the sensations that I never knew I was capable of feeling. And soon after, I knew I was kissing him back. "I Need to breathe." I said, through the corner of my mouth and he stopped. He stood stiffly with arms at his sides, looked at me blankly, and then responded, Smirking a little, "Not bad for your second time."

I smiled, knowing that this one was much for special than the first time. Knowing that nothing and no one in this entire world can make me feel the way he does. "I love you, Nandini." He said, encircling his hands around my shoulder. I smiled naughtily, looked into his eye and said, "I lov- Actually, Nevermind." He laughed, hitting me playfully and in return, I hugged him tightly.

~~~

We had to leave for US the Next day so we decided to spend this one night with out friends, the people who stood by us through thick and thin. Nobody knew what future had in store for us but one thing was clear in our head, we'll fight back. No matter What.

~~~~

Finally Finally Finally! Started this story on 12th February 2016, on my birthday and it feels so good to realize that I've come a long long way! Thankyou everyone for supporting me throughout this beautiful journey. Can't let you go will always be close to my heart and I literally love each and every one of you. On this last chapter, I wish, Even those people who followed this story but never commented/voted, take out a minute and share their views. Thankyou SO Much for this amazing journey guys, Thankyou. And hey, you must be thinking what happens in the US? Does Nandini recover? What happened to Abhimanyu and Mukti? Well Well, The Epilogue is still there. Just a little patience, Till then have fun! :)

Also, Started a new story in place of this. The Prologue is up. Do check it out! Bbyeee. 😊

Love,

Saba. :)