"I love you..."

"I love you very very much.."

"Humesha.."

Everything else ceased to matter in that moment--EVERYTHING.

Nothing else held any significance anymore--NOTHING.

The thing that only mattered or had any significance was --THIS MOMENT--where two hearts were beating as ONE.

The world might comes to an end but THEY wouldn't have realised it...

...because they were too lost into the world of their own.

These two pairs of eyes were staring at each other with such intensity that could put the entire world on fire.

In fact the intensity of their eye lock was so withering that it could put the entire world on fire--and AGAIN--they wouldn't have noticed.

It was as if she was looking at him for the first time..

...and so was he.

He was looking back at her as if those pair of eyes could see right through her -- could directly see her soul...and all she could do was to stare right back at those pair of eyes too--because unknowingly she was doing the same to him.

As for the first time he could see that she felt exactly how he wanted her to feel since forever.

Her eyes were shining with love--which was for him--just for him.

yes..

indeed she was looking at him for the first time after she realised that she love him too.

Of course she loves him..

she loves him in a way she never thought was possible for her.

She loved him even when she hated him.

Finally he could saw that he succeeded in making her realised that what they had was way beyond physical intimacy--because it was something that connected both their souls forever.

They both were looking at each other while the rain was pouring at full force--it felt as if finally Nandini's Aiyaapaa was blessing their love too.

Both their breathe were erratic and slowly but steadily they covered the short distance between them as well.

Looking into each other eyes they once again forgot about the existence of the outside world.

They were standing too close to each other as two person could be without touching each other.

He didn't do anything that would make her uncomfortable...

...while...

She didn't do anything that she would regret later.

He could see that though she was exactly feeling what he was feeling for her..

...but he could also see that she was confused.

Not only that she was finding it difficult to trust him...

...but he could also see that how hard she was fighting with herself to look for reasons to trust him.

Manik knew Nandini needed her help to make this choice...

...of whether she should give into her feelings or not by trusting him again.

..or...

...should she just walk away from him--this time--forever--by not giving him any chance at all.

That's why he finally spoke what truly felt at that moment."Nandini..I know what I want..but I could also clearly see the dilemma in your eyes"

Nandini's eyes widened in shock as Manik spoke exactly what she was feeling at that very moment. But without giving her an opportunity to speak he continued "I love you Nandini..I love you very very much..I have always loved you..and I will always love you..no matter what.."

"..and I know that you love me too..but.."

Manik sighed as he cupped her face and spoke "..but I know you are scared Nandini.."

"..you are scared because of me.."

"..I so wanted to apologise to you for hurting you.."

"..but I never for once thought of apologising for leaving you..."

"..I never said ki Nandini..I am sorry..Mujhe tumhe aise chod ke nahi jana chahiye tha.."

"And honestly Nandini I wouldn't have realised my mistake if you haven't left me seven months back.."

"Trust me Nandini..I so wanted to come to you to apologise..I would have gone down on my knees begging for your forgiveness..and I tried to reach you too.."

"But Guruma didn't let me.."

"Even after begging her for zillion times she simply straight away denied my request stating that she can't let me hurt you more.."

Nandini's eyes widened once again--but this time in horror--as realised the meaning of Manik's words.

"She..She knew..She knew Everything.."

Though she didn't said anything more than that but it was more than enough for Manik to understand. He could see that she was about to hit the panic mode but before she could do that he spoke "Don't worry..she doesn't know anything more than that part that I was somehow involved in all this..she knew that I was the reason why you came back to Mangalore..that too all of a sudden.."

Nandini's sighed in relief. "But how did she knew..did you tell her.."

"Of course not.."Manik shook his head. "She knew that there was a reason because of which you left Mumbai and when Cabir called her up asking for permission to visit you the seed of doubt was planted in her mind.."

"..and when I called her up and literally begged her for her permission her doubts got confirmed and she knew in that very instant that I was the reason why you took such drastic step.."

"Back then I couldn't get her reason but now I do.."

Nandini shook her head as she tried to understand his words. "Which is.."to which Manik answered.

"I used to call her everyday and everyday she used to deny my request because just like me even she used to think that what we shared was nothing more infatuation..which would eventually pass off with time..

"..even she thought that eventually the pain will lessen and we both will move on with our respective lives.."

"..but of course with passage of time just like me even she realised that what we share was way more than just physical attraction or infatuation towards each other.."

"..soon just like me even she realised that what we share is something too pure and too deep..which isn't easily found in today's generation..as it was too rare.."

"..that's why one day she finally agreed to let us visit you..since she didn't wanted you to know anything as she knew you might end up doing something that would foil her every attempt so she along with Cabir and Navya ended up making this plan..so this WORKSHOP happened.."

"..but before you could misunderstood her you need to know that whatever she did was for you only..she did everything for your benefit."

"She knew you were in lot of pain..and since she loves you so much she can't see you in pain..that's why she even agreed to take my help even though she doesn't like me at all.."

"She made you my partner so that we could talk things through and maybe end up resolving our issues..which would give Guruma her old Nandu back."

"Nandini I know you can't trust me again so easily...I know after what I did..it won't be easy for you to trust me again..but Nandini I just want one chance..just one..to rectify my mistake.."

Nandini looked down which didn't go unnoticed by Manik. "Nandini just because I confessed my love for you doesn't mean you have to do the same.."

"I don't want your confession Nandini.."

"I want to earn your forgiveness Nandini.."

"I will do anything..in fact everything in my power to earn your forgiveness.."

"..in fact I won't ever force you into anything let alone forgiving me.."

"Just one chance Nandini.."

"I want to be that Manik..who deserves your forgiveness..who you should be extremely proud of..."

"I want to be Nandini's Manik.."

"I don't know whether you will forgive me or not.."

"I don't know whether you will love me back or not.."

"I don't know whether we could ever get back to what we were before any of this happened.."

"..but I just want one thing.."

"..one chance by you.."

"..to prove myself.."

"The last call will be your Nandini.."

"...and I will respect your decision even if you choose not to forgive me.."

"..I would even accept your decision wholeheartedly if you can't ever love me back.."

"I won't ever impose my decisions on you Nandini.."

"..ever"

"I have done it once and I lost you.."

"I can't ever repeat that.."

"..only if you choose to give me a chance.."

Nandini's eyes were brimming with tears as Manik finally poured his heart out. But still she doesn't say anything.

"Nandini say something please.."now Manik was getting anxious. "Please say something.."

"You have changed.."Nandini whispered. "You have changed Manik.."

"Nandini..i.."Manik tried to speak but this time Nandini cut her off "Shhh.."she placed her fingers on his lips and asked him."let me finish.."

Manik did as she asked so she continued "Manik..I want to trust you..believe me I want to..but somehow I can't.."

"You guessed correctly that I am in great dilemma.."

"My mind doesn't want to believe you.."

"...but..."

"...my heart is just not ready to listen to my mind.."

"I haven't forgiven you Manik..because you have hurt me too badly.."

"...but I also can't continue to hold any grudge against you for the rest of my life because I can see that you are equally hurt too.."

"I know you love your friends Manik..and somewhere deep down I know that you will always choose your friends if this kind of situation ever occurs..which scares me to the core as I know this time I won't be able to survive it.."

"...but now I also know that you will protect me too as you can't see me hurt because I can see clearly in your eyes that you meant every word that you just spoke.."

"..I can see that you love me Manik.."

"..but then too I can't believe it.."

"..because I can't risk my heart broken once again.."

"..that's why I need time Manik.."

"..we both do.."

Manik smiled as he realised what Nandini's words meant."Does that mean.."

"Yes.."Nandini spoke before Manik could say anything more. "I will give you that chance Manik..one last chance.."

"Let's start from the beginning.."

"Let's start fresh.."

"Let's give whatever this is between us..one last chance.."

"Let's take one step at a time..and leave everything on time and destiny.."

"Will you do that.."

"Will you give me that.."Nandini looked at Manik with hopeful eyes.

Manik looked at her and finally replied with a smile etched face. "Yes Nandini..I will give you that..without any questions. You can have all the time in the world as I will wait for you as long as you want me to it."

Nandini smiled which automatically brought a smile on his face too. Holding both her hand in his he spoke. "Thank You Nandini..Thank you for everything.."

"Your welcome.."she smiled and then looked around she said "it's too late..and on top of that we both are totally drenched..we need to leave immediately and get back to our respective rooms and change..so that neither we get caught or we fell sick..let's go.."

Manik nodded his assent as he gestured "After you.."

"That's very chivalrous of you Mr.Malhotra.."Nandini smiled.

"Always.."Manik replied.

And the very next moment they both left from their to mark a start of their new beginning.

-------------------------------------------------------

A/N

Happy new year guys..

Finally I have managed to update..

I know many of you might be disappointed that Manan kiss nahi hua..

..as apparently Manan confession me kiss hona zaruri hai (of course for some people 🙈🙈🙈)

I just want to say one thing that I am not writing a porn story or erotica literature..

I am writing a story about two souls who are imperfect but the moment they meet they become perfect.

Nandini was hurt but she didn't stop loving Manik..

..and just because Manik confessed his love does that mean Nandini will forget everything that she suffered in past seven months..because of Manik.

No..

...of course Not.

Yes she loves him..

Yes she understands him...

...but she can't trust him right away..

....can she.

She knows Manik too well..

...that's why she knows that Manik means every words when he confessed his love for her..

..but she can't trust him...that easily..

..no matter how badly she tries.

That's why she needs time.

...and Manik would happily give her that because he knows she isn't being unreasonable.

Hopefully I have cleared my point.

There won't be any unnecessary kissing or unnecessary love making scenes...so if someone is reading this story for that purpose..so I would suggest them to stop reading it as it would highly disappoint them.

But for those who want a pure and intense Manan romance I promise I would do my best to give you all that.

Initially I was planning to end it in 20 chapters but I think it might take couple of chapters extra so it might stretch upto 23-24 chapters (yes 3-4 extra chapters ).

Hopefully you all will continue to show your support and love towards this story as this journey had enter it's last leg.

So me and my story really need your love and support more than ever in form of votes and comments.

The target needs to be met soon otherwise I won't update the next chapter even next week.

Since we have enter the last leg I want my readers support more than ever.

I will try my best to wrap this story up in next two weeks but of course that will depend completely upon my readers response.

So let's see how quickly can this target be met.(425+ votes)

Next Chapter onwards Manan love story will start to shape up.

Are you all ready for this.

Hopefully the target will be met soon..

...and I will see you all soon too.

God bless