"Trisha, how could you just leave me behind yaar? Where do I go now? You know I don't have enough money with me. It was all in your bags. I am left with just a couple of hundreds. And I have no clue what I am going to do, where I am going to spend the night at"

"I am so sorry Nandu. We thought you were in the other compartment with Sneha, and she thought you were with us"

"Such stupids you all are"

"Nandu, listen. There's a hotel at the train station. You can probably stay there for the night and take the first train next morning"

"I will manage something. But you guys dare not leave anywhere without me. Wait at the hotel until I reach"

"As you say and I am so sorry once again"

"It's okay. You guys be safe"

"Hey Nandu, Sneha was telling that her aunt stays somewhere in NewYork right, why don't you go to her place?"

"It's okay. Sneha khud unse nai mili toh how can I go. I will manage something. Now bye"

"Bye. and keep me posted"

"Sure"

------

So that's the thing. I am Nandini, and I live in Mumbai, India. I am in the United States right now, on a small trip with my friends and look what I have done to myself. I went to get a book from the store, meanwhile the train came and my friends boarded leaving me behind in this unknown place. And on top of that, it's mid december and it already started snowing.

Picking up my only shoulder bag that's left with me, I came out of the station and started walking around in the streets, looking for a hotel on one of those apps in my phone. Since it was two days from Christmas, I could see Santas everywhere out there. I stopped at one point, where there was Santa cuddling with babies. It looked so cute. I pulled out my polaroid and clicked a few pictures. I walked ahead upto him, gave the camera to this person standing there asking to click a picture for me with the Santa. It came out pretty cute. I was coincidentally wearing red, so I matched with the Santa.

"Have a goodnight Young Lady" the Santa said giving me a candybar. In my short trip to the States, candy bars have become my favourite.

There was a fastfood van that was really crowded. I took out a few quarters that were in my pocket of my winter coat and walked upto the van. I got a slice of pizza, some chips and started walking again. And like ten minutes after that, I was tired. My legs didn't support me anymore. I found a bench on the sidewalk and decided to rest while I keep looking for a decent hotel.

I was fiddling through my phone, with the slice of pizza in the other hand that I almost finished eating, when I heard a familiar voice. A very familiar one.

"Nandini"

Making wild guesses I looked up to see him. After two long years.

"Damn that's you" he said totally surprised.

"Yeah" I said putting my phone in the pocket and getting up.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Eating pizza" I said.

"I wasn't asking you literally" he said pressing his lips together.

"Do you think I would like to answer your question?" I asked.

"Come on now. Tell me, did you move to NewYork?" he asked coming closer.

"No. I am on a trip" I said.

"Trip? All by yourself?" he asked.

"Why is that a problem to you?" I asked.

"No. I was just curious"

"Okay"

"Where are you staying at? You need a ride or something?"

"I thought you only how to drop people" I said. That was mean of me. I know. But you don't know the flashbacks.

I could see the expressions changing on his face.

"I understand. But tell me, are you here all by yourself?" he asked now a bit concerned.

"I was with my friends, I missed the train to Philadelphia" I said. I said to him? Why nandu why? Can't you keep your mouth shut?

"What? That's bad. So where are you going to stay for the night?" he asked.

I took out my phone and showed him the app.

"I can help you if you want me to" he said hesitantly.

"I would rather sleep on this bench" I said.

"Nandini, come on. Don't be foolish. I live here. I have my own house. You can stay there for the night and take the train tomorrow"

"Why would you even think I would go with you?"

"I gave you a choice" he said.

"Well, thanks for the choice. Now please leave me alone" I said.

"That's my card. Call me in case you change your mind, I live just two blocks away from here" he said putting the card on the bench, next to my bag and walked away.

When he was just like four steps away, he stopped on his course and removed his coat. He walked back to me.

"That wouldn't be enough in case you decide to sleep on the bench" he said and covered me with his huge fluffy coat.

"You can keep it by the way" he said and walked away.

The coat smelt like him, minty. His favourite cologne was mint flavor. I could feel the warmth, his warmth, the moment I slid my hands through the coat. I sat there for another twenty minutes. The streets slowly started getting less crowded and now I could see people walking on the sidewalk in half drunk stage. With the very little money I had, there was no chance I could get the train ticket and a hotel for the night. And my hands inadvertently picked up the card he left on the bench.

I took out my phone, and dialled the number. After two rings, it got disconnected. Why did he even give me the card?
"Thank heavens, you finally called. I thought i was going to freeze" he said standing infront of me.

"You didn't leave?" I asked. There was surprise in my voice, a happy one although I tried not to show it.

"I was right behind you. You didn't care to notice" he said.

"Although I am totally against it, I need your help" I said.

"My pleasure" he said taking my bag from the bench and holding it for me.

I put my hands in the fluffy coat pockets and followed him.

Before reaching his house, we stopped at a store that was open even at this time. Usually they're all closed.

We went inside and it was a footwear store.

"Can you get her a pair of Uggs?" he asked the lady.

"Ofcourse. Can I know what size?" she asked.

"Shoe size?" he asked.

"I don't need shoes" I said.

"Shoe size Nandini" he asked again.

"7" I said. The demanding tone in his voice is still the same and it still makes me do things the way he pleases.

She showed me some boots, which apparently are called uggs and I didn't know that before. They were all so warm and fluffy with lots of fur inside.

"I like the dark brown ones" he said.

"I will get them then" I said.

"Great" the lady said.

"You want to put them on or should I just pack them for you" she asked.

"She'll actually put them on. Thankyou" he said.

"This one's for your old shoes" she said giving me a bag. I put on the uggs, and my old shoes went into the bag.

He paid for them and we got out of the store.

"You didn't have to do that" I said.

"You were definitely not comfortable with your shoes and Uggs are like mandatory for winters, also they're cute" he said. He said cute?

"You definitely didn't say cute, did you" I asked.

"Guess I did" he said shrugging.

"You don't drive?" I asked.

"My car is at my home. I was at the store to get some groceries and happened to see you" he said.

"You had dinner? Or just the slice of pizza?" he asked.

I had no answer. The food was packed and it was with my friends.

"You can't be serious. Why didn't you eat something good? Why the pizza at the van?" he asked.

"You can't be serious, how could you not figure out why I ate at the van?" I asked making it pretty obvious.

"How could you travel in a new country without money? Itna toh pata rehna chahiye tha na? What's the MBA for if you can't handle your own finances?" he asked.

"Cut it Manik please. You would be the last person I would want to take gyaan from"

"Let's go home first. I will make you something" he said still walking. How long are we going to walk? I am tired already.

"Here we are" he said stopping infront of a house, a decent sized, with a very beautiful porch, and a christmas tree planted in the lawn, with lights.

"You live all by yourself?" I asked.

"Yeah, couldn't find a good roommate" he said shrugging.

"Feel at home" he said as we got in. The house looked more beautiful from inside. The wooden flooring reflected the lights making it look like a dream. There were Christmas lights decorations all over.

"You've totally absorbed the American culture" I said looking at the entire setting of the house.

"I have to, now that there's no going back" he said.

"So you have no plans to return to India?" I asked.

"I don't see any in the near future atleast. Mom and dad also have no issues with that. I like it here" he said meaning every word.

"Great" I said, although I felt a pinch in my stomach.

He got me a pair of comfy slip-ons.

"Here" he said putting them down.

"You can use the room on the left. Let me help you" he said opening the door of the room.

It was like a guest room, neatly arranged bed, white curtains, a couple of frames hung to the wall and a small closet, a walk-in closet! Something I always fantasized.

"You have a walk-in closet????" i asked surprise emitting out in my voice.

"Yeah, but what's making you so excited?" he asked.

"I love walk-in closets" I said running up to it. I opened the door and that itself looked like another room.

"This is amazing! I think I can sleep here" I said.

That made him laugh. It's been a long time since I have seen him laugh. His beautiful laughter.

"You're crazy nandini. Still the same"

"I wish I could say that Manik" I said.

Manik! Manik! Manik! Manik, my everything. Atleast that was what i thought.

The moment I said Manik, it got his attention.

"It still sounds the same when you say my name" he said.

How could it not? I still have the same feelings for you, although you don't. I can't imagine I am at his place right now, taking his help. I can't think if it is coincidental or destined. I don't want to think about it either.

"So you can find everything in there. Ahh, what about clothes?" he asked. I had no answer.

"Hang in there for a minute, I will be right back" he said and went out, and I slowly started absorbing things, starting with the walk-in closet.

He came back with a pair of his night dress.

"You can wear these" he said giving them to me.

"Thanks" I said.

"Freshen up and in the meanwhile I will make dinner" he said with a smile and walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

I took a towel and opened the bathroom door to be more surprised. A jacuzzi and a bath-tub. Jacuzzi? Okay, looks like I am enjoying 5-star facilities for free here.

There was a bubble bath liquid also on the counter. I turned the tap on, and put a few drops of the liquid as mentioned in the instructions and saw the bubbles slowly starting to form. It looked so dreamy. Taking off my clothes, I stepped into the hot tub and I felt lost.

The moment I was dipped totally, I could feel the stress relieving from every cell of my body.

I opened my eyes after hearing his voice. Wait, is he in the bathroom? I looked around to find no one.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"In the other bathroom. It's a common wall. And could you please finish it quickly. The food is starting to get cold now" he said.

"How long have I been in here?" I asked.

"Thirty minutes? Yeah, thirty minutes"

"I am so sorry, give me five more minutes please"

I got out of the tub with a heavy heart!

Quickly changing into his clothes, I looked in the mirror. He gave me his thermals so they weren't all loose and big. They were pretty much skinny, except for the shirt that was a size bigger. But I don't look bad.

I left my hair open after drying it for two minutes with the hair drier.

"I am so sorry" I said as I walked out.

"That's okay. Feel good now?" he asked.

"I feel great! Woh kya haina, I saw the tub, the bubble bath thing so it took extra long" I said sheepishly.

"Haha, that's good. I am glad someone used it. I never get so much time for myself" he said.

"So what's for dinner?" I said sitting on the chair, rubbing my palms.

"I am sorry the curries are leftovers from morning. That's kinda how it works here for me" he said hesitantly.

"You cook?" I was shocked.

"Yeah. no choice"

"The Manik Malhotra who couldn't hold a knife in the right directionto cut a lemon, now cooks food? I am surprised!" I proclaimed.

"Well, I take it as a complement. And there's some rotis I made. Oh yeah, there's dessert too" he said knowing my love for desserts.

"What do you have for dessert?" i asked.

"That I will tell you once you finish your dinner" he said and I groaned.

I had three rotis and some curry.

"Uhmm...yummy. Good job Manik" I said having the first bite.

"Thanks"

"What about you?" i asked.

"I already had my dinner. I will give company for the dessert" he said.

"Oh i can't wait for the dessert now" I said.

"You are yet to finish that Ms. Murty" he said.

I finally finished everything.

"Okay. Now" I said.

He took out a box from the fridge.

"Don't freak out okay?" he said slolwly opening the lid.

"Rasmalaiiiii" I freaked out.

"You have rasmalai? Where did you get it from? Oh my god, you know how much I love rasmalai" I said already dipping my spoon into the box.

It tasted heavenly!

"Okay, let me give you a bowl" he said and meanwhile I had another one.

"Slow down nandini! You'll choke" he said grabbing my spoon from my hand. I was literally moaning to the taste!

"Just two more" he said putting two more in the bowl and closed the lid.

"Three? Please? It's been really long since I had them" I said.

"No" he said putting the box back in the fridge.

"I hate you Manik" I said.

The smile on his face suddenly vanished. There was pain, like in the next instant I could see pain in his eyes.

"Hey" I said nudging.

"Yeah. it's all yours" he said taking the box out of the fridge and putting infront of me.

"I was just kidding. I don't want my stomach to blast" I said.

"That's fine. Have one more" he said putting another one in my bowl.

"Manik, I seriously can't eat one more" I said.

"I know you can. Come on now, open your mouth" he said and fed me.

My mouth was full.

"Okay, you have one too" I said taking the spoon from him. He said he would give me company for the dessert.

I fed him with the last one.

"Thanks for the amazing meal! I really appreciate your efforts" I said trying to sound like an American.

"The pleasure is mine" he said.

"So, what do you want to do? Sleep?" he asked.

"I am not actually that sleepy" I said.

"Okay, movie?"

"Sure. which movie?"

"Hindi or english?" he asked.

"English?"

"Okay. Let me see what we have" he said logging into his netflix.

"Can I?" I asked. He gave me the laptop.

I chose a movie and started playing it.

"You can't be serious nandini" he freaked out. I played princess diaries. Hahahaha!

"What?"

"Princess diaries? Really? You want to watch that? with me?" he asked stressing every syllable.

"Yeah. it's a good movie" I said shrugging.

"Happy movie time madam, mein jaa raha hoon sone" he said getting up.

"Acha wait" I stopped him holding his hand.

He stopped, turned around and looked at our hands. Typical bollywood moment.

"I will change. Please sit" I said.

"Promise?" he asked.

"Yeah" I said, leaving his hand. He sat down.

"You like Sandra Bullock?" he asked.

"Ofcourse"

"Okay. This is one of my favourite movies, be glad it's a rom-com" he said.

He casted it to the TV and the movie started.

It was a good movie, Sandra bullock was really funny. We were almost half-way through the movie, when he said, "Do you think we can talk? And maybe not watch the movie?" Still looking at the TV.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked looking at him. He was sitting next to me on the big couch, but there was permissible distance between us, which he slowly reduced.

All the butterflies that slept two years back, slowly started getting up in my tummy and it looked like they were rubbing their eyes in amusement.

I then felt something heavy on my shoulder, his head.

He was half-laying with his head on my shoulder.

"I miss being with you Nandini" he said. I thought I would start crying the next moment.

"I am sorry for everything" he said.

"Don't you think you took a little too long to say that?" I asked.

"I guess. But still, I wanted to say it"

"I tried to ask you so many times, I tried to know how you could do all those things, act like you're all in love and then kick me out just like that"

"I was in no position to explain then" he said.

We were still not looking at each other.

"Well, after knowing why you did that, I hated you more" I said.

"You knew? But how?" he asked and that's when I could see him, and he could see me, my teary eyes.

"You're crying?" he asked, his hands reaching my cheek.

"No. I am not" I said. I tried to sound normal, although I my voice was becoming coarse.

"I am sorry that I still make you cry" he said and that's when I could see his eyes all red. He was also trying not to cry. He was trying to be strong.

And the next moment, I don't know what happened to me, but I found myself in the best and my most favourite place in the world, his arms.

He was taken aback initially.

"I miss you Manik, I miss you so much. And please do know that I hate you more than I miss you" I said spatting him on his back.

"I am sorry" that's all he was saying.

"You can't get away with that" I said.

"I know. I know I can't get away with a sorry"

"I went mad crying for you everyday Manik" I said pulling off the hug. I felt so weak and desperate.

"You think I cried any less?" he asked.

"How could you say all those things to me Manik? If you knew Dhruv liked me, we could have dealt with that in a different way. You didn't care about my feelings. You humiliated me, my love for you, and the kiss. You were the first person I ever kissed and you made me regret for doing that. You made me hate myself. I felt so disgusted whenever I thought about all those things you said" I was totally out of control now. I have been waiting to yell at him for two long years.

----------

It was the night of the freshers party. We have been together for three weeks by then, but the relationship we shared and got into was so special and pure. I had never felt that way before. I could see so much love for me in his eyes. Although initially we started on a bad note, things slowly brought us together.

We also went on our first date. We were so close to confessing our love to each other, I don't know about him, but I was going to.

He had this very close friend, Dhruv, who apparently became a good friend of mine too. Manik didn't know that we became like this really good friends, like best of friends. He thought we just exchanged smiles whenever we bump into each other.

I never knew when Dhruv started developing feelings for me. He never showed them outrightly like Manik though.

Manik and I danced together for the freshers night. An hour after the performance, i got a text from him asking to come behind the college building, where we usually met.

I went there and saw him standing with a red rose in his hand. I knew he was going to propose. I was so happy. I could hear violins all around me.

"Well from your smile, I guess you realize why we're here" he said as I was walking up to him.

"I would love to hear it from you though" I said.

"I love you Nandini Murthy" he said it so casually, the moment I stood in front of him.

I was surprised, amazed and lost in words although I knew that was what he was going to say.

"I love you Manik" I said taking the rose.

And next moment, his lips crashed into mine. He was kissing me ever so gently. Although I hesitated first, I slowly gave in.

His hands were wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him, while mine were fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

"Thankyou for the yes" he said pulling off.

I just smiled. The brightest smile ever.

We were walking back toward college when he got a call.

"It's late. Go home, i'll see you tomorrow" he said.

"Okay" I said.

"Miss me, because I am going to" he said holding my hand.

"I will think about it" I said.

The day after, I went to college. I texted him the night before after reaching home, but didn't get a reply. I thought maybe he was busy. But i didn't see him at college today. Where has he gone?

I tried calling him, texting him, but he was gone. The same thing happened for the next two days. I saw Dhruv everyday at college. He used to come and talk to me but when I asked him about Manik, he said he was out of town.

I got his address somehow and went to his house after college.

I told the maid that I was his friend.

"Mam, saab upar room mein hain" she said.

"Manik Mumbai waapas kab aaya" I asked him.

"Saab toh theen din se ghar par hi the" he said. He was at home? And he lied?

I went upstairs and was shocked to see two big suitcases on the bed. His room was almost empty, I thought he was maybe changing into a different room.

He came out of the restroom.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I haven't heard from you for three days. I was worried, so I thought maybe I could check if everything's alright" I said. His voice sounded different. Not the same Manik.

"If you haven't heard from me, it means I need some space" he said throwing his towel on the bed.

"Is everything alright? Are you going somewhere?" I asked.

"Why do I have to tell you about it?" he asked. What? I could feel pain in my heart and head. What is he saying?

"I thought I ought to know, since I am your..."

"Nothing. You're my nothing and you don't ought to know" he said very very rudely.

That was definitely not the kind of welcome I was expecting.

"Are you playing some kind of a prank?" I asked.

"I am surprised you failed to realize that all that I did until that night was a prank. Welcome to reality Miss Murty" he said and that's it. I couldn't feel the anything anymore. I was getting suffocated.

"What are you talking Manik? You know we can talk if something is wrong. We can sort it out together" I said walking upto him.

"Why can't you understand nandini? I don't want to be with you"

"Then what about that night? You said you loved me" I was crying now. He can't do that to me. My first love can't just get off like that. It can't be a lie. I could see it in his eyes everytime he looked at me.

"Tell me Manik" I said. I was screaming.

"It was all a challenge. I had to make you fall for me" he said.

"Challenge? Are you out of your mind Manik?"

"You were out of your mind to even think that I would love someone like you. I had two weeks to have you all head over heels for me. Although it took a bit longer, see I won the challenge" he said.

He sounded disgusting.

"Tell me you're lying Manik please. It's still not too late"

"Fortunately for me, I am not. Now if you leave, I have a flight to catch" he said.

"Flight? Where are you going?" I asked.

"None of your business. So yeah, please, make your way out, same door" he said showing me the door.

"I never thought you would stoop so low for some silly challenge. It was my stupidity to love you with all my heart. All those feelings you had in your eyes, how did you do that? You know how much you matter to me. And still? Did it never occur to you about how I would feel after you tell all this to me?"

"No" he said. Straight answer.

"It was your foolishness to even think you deserved someone like me. Look at you nandini. And the kiss, i am sorry it just went with the flow, but I must say I liked it" he said with that devilish smirk.

"Shut up Manik. Not a word" I said, wiping my tears.

"Poor nandini. Go home and continue with the crying, as I said I have a flight to catch"

"Just remember one thing Manik. One day it would be you who would come to me crying, asking for an apology. Someday you'll realize what you have done" I said.

"In your dreams" he said and that's it. I couldn't hold myself back and he had to face the heat of my palms on his cheek. Yes, I slapped him. His cheek was red. Blood red.

"I hate you Manik Malhotra. You're the worst thing that ever happened to me. As much as I hate you, I hate myself for falling for your lies. And I hope I never see your crappy face again" I said and left the room.

There was a storm of emotions in my heart. I was cheated on by the boy who I thought was my everything. Had I not gone to his home today, he would have disappeared just like that and I would have been waiting for him like a fool here.

-------

Manik

I know. I know you're mad at me.

I also know that you guys know why I did that. Yes. Dhruv.

Dhruv never asked me for something. He was the giver always. For the first time he said, he loved Nandini and he wanted to be with her. He was seeing dreams of forever with her. He planned this whole surprise proposal thing and made me in charge for the arrangements. How can I tell him that I love nandini too? I couldn't do that to my only best friend. Dhruv was all I had and I was all he had. I couldn't let Nandini ruin what I had with Dhruv. It broke my heart into a zillion pieces to see her cry like that. I made promises to her, to myself that I would never make her cry, never break her heart. But I have just done exactly the opposite. I broke her trust.

I couldn't withstand of staying here and seeing her everyday. If she accepts Dhruv's proposal, things would become so awkward so I decided I would leave.

Dad's friend lives in NewYork. He pulled some strings, although it was very difficult and costed him a bomb and I got enrolled for an MBA from a university in NewYork. And I am leaving tonight. Mom was terribly upset with what I did. She liked the change in me since I had been together with Nandini.

"You are doing it all wrong Manik. You can't break a girl's heart when it's not her fault. Dhruv wouldn't like what you did if he comes to know" she said when I told her.

"He would never know mom" I said.

I had my lunch, dad and mom dropped me at the airport and went back.

I didn't want them to stay, i was afraid I would change my mind. And that's when I came here.

I thought I would never go back, until I saw her today. She's still the same innocent girl I loved, and I have been loving.

---------

Nandini

"I know I cannot tell you anything to justify what I did, it broke me from inside while I was telling all those things to you. I thought I had no choice. I couldn't think of anyone else but Dhruv" he said.

"And what about me?" I asked.

"Dhruv was never as happy as he was the day he said he loved you. He asked me to do all the preparations for the surprise proposal he planned. That was the first thing he ever asked me for. That was the first time he ever said he wants someone"

"I know you always try to be this great friend Manik. But making one person happy by hurting someone else would never make you a great friend. That's wrong. You did it all wrong" i said, still crying.

"Is there a teeny weeny hope that you'd forgive me? I have been dying without you Nandini. Every moment I was away from you. Ask mom and she would tell you how messed up became"

"You think I was any less? Manik, three nights after that, I ended up in a bar. Can you believe it?"

"You drank?" he was shocked.

"Yes I did. I called up my brother and started crying. It took him like twenty minutes to find out where I was. Itni daant padi mujhe I can't tell you" I said.

Instead of feeling guilty, he started laughing.

"I know how you behave when you get drunk" he said.

"You have no right to laugh Manik" I said shutting his mouth.

He removed my hand, moved closer and pulled me onto his lap.

The closeness. It always did some magic.

"I am sorry Nandini Murty. All those things I said that night, they are the biggest lies of my life. I consider myself to be the unluckiest person for having to lose a gem like you. Would you please consider my apology and maybe think about getting back with me? Please? I promise I would do anything to make it up for all the pain you suffered" he said.

"I am afraid to believe in your promises again Manik, what if you disappear tomorrow?" I asked. I was scared to trust him again.

"Honestly, after you broke up with me, I have had severe trust issues. I thought I would never fall in love again. I told my parents that I am never going to get married. That's how much was affected I was" I said.

Yeah that's true. I told my mom and dad that I would never marry. They knew everything about Manik and I. They were terribly mad at him. But I convinced them somehow. And we all got over it. Atleast I pretended when I was with them.

"My dad planned this trip for me for a long time now. We were done with the exams and it happened now" I said.

"Glad it happened. Glad you missed your train"

"You think I have forgiven you?" I asked.

"If you hadn't you wouldn't have agreed to go with me to my house. I know you considered forgiving. I also know that you knew I would apologize" he said.

"You know you can be arrested for illegally barging into my head and heart" I said.

"Get the handcuffs" he said.

"What if we didn't meet?" I asked him.

"Good question, give me a moment" he said taking his laptop, and opened his mail.

I was surprised to see a ticket to mumbai from New York on his name scheduled for tomorrow.

"I was going to come to India. My ticket is scheduled for tomorrow night. I planned on going to your house with mom and dad and talk to them. I was going to talk to you" he said.

"You're serious?" I asked.

"I have evidence" he said.

"And what if they wouldn't agree?" I asked.

"I would wait until they did"

"Tum sach bol rahe ho na Manik? I don't want to be cheated on one more time. I think I'll literally die.." he didn't let me finish my sentence.

"Can you excuse me for one more minute?" he asked and went to his room again.

"I will help you get over all your trust issues" he said coming back. He took his laptop, opened skype and dialled his mom's number.

She picked up after a couple of rings and he again casted it to the TV.

"Hey mom" he said.

"Is that Nandini?" she was shocked to see me with him.

"Yes" he said.

"How did it happen? When did you guys meet? Why didn't you tell me?" she was shooting with her questions.

"Mom, before I answer your questions, I need to do something. And since nandini has doubts trusting on me once again, which is fair enough, I decided to do something, with your help" he said and got up.

And before I could realize what he was going to do, I see him on his one knee on the floor, his right hand stretched out, holding a small red heart shaped box.

He is not going to do that? Is he?

"Nandini Murty, I know I have been an asshole. I broke your heart, I did all the wrong things to someone as perfect as you. All my feelings I had for you since day one are real. I was the biggest idiot in the world, to let you down. If you could give me a chance, I will do it all right. I promise I will give you the world's happiness. I never lied to mom, not even about you. She is the only one who knows how much I love you and what you mean to me. So, infront of her, I ask of you, to do me the biggest honor of marrying me. You were, you are and you will be the only love of my life and I want to see life with you, one day at a time, until forever"

I was totally lost by amusement. We did this already. He proposed to me already and I said yes. But this was different. This was happening infront of his mom, who he loves so much. Nothing more was needed for me to trust him. Honestly, I always waited for this day. Just as i told him when we broke up, that he would come to me apologizing, I was waiting for it to happen. And now when it's happening I can't wait to accept the reality.

"Yes" I said. My heart was dancing with joy.

"Aww you both. I have been waiting for this to happen. Nandini, on my behalf of my son, I am sorry too. I tried to explain it to him, but I should have tried more" his mom said.

"That's okay. I understand how adamant and demanding he is" I said trying to smile in between my sobs.

"I love you too" he said sliding the ring onto my finger. A white gold solitaire that perfectly hugged my finger.

"Could you not just come back right now? I can't wait to see you anymore now" his mom said.

"Well I think we can" he said.

"What? No? My trip is still not done. And my friends are going to Philadelphia tomorrow" I said.

"Oh come on, you can go there for your honeymoon" his mom said.

Honeymoon? Seriously?

"I need to talk to my parents. Manik, I said yes but it's not that easy to convince my dad and my brother. My brother will dislocate your nose when he sees you" I said.

"I will handle him. Call up your parents and tell them something important came up and you need to prepone your travel" he said.

"It's not that easy. You have waited for two years, wait for two more days" I said.

"Okay, you both decide. I am at work and I got to go" his mom said and disconnected the call.

"Manik, this is supposed to be my all girls trip. I can't be selfish and leave my friends" I said.

"Okay. You finish your trip, and come back, I will remain with my flight, leave tomorrow. Before you come back, I will meet your parents, talk to them, convince them, and we all will come together to receive you at the airport"

"Wait, what if Dhruv comes to know that we are together? Wouldn't that make him feel bad?" I asked.

"He knows about us. He was confused about why you didn't accept his proposal. One night, we talked, and one thing led to another and I told him. I told him how I left you for him. He was mad at me for a while, but it didn't take me too long to convince him"

"Hmm. Such complicated relationships" I said.

"So how about I drop you to Philly tomorrow?" he asked.

"What? No? You have a flight and I don't want you to be all tired"

"So you'll take the train?"

"Yeah. there's one at 8 AM"

"Okay, I will drop you off at the station on my way to work"

"Ahaan, that sounds good"

"You want to go to bed?" he asked.

"Sure. I think I can finally have a good sleep tonight without them"

"Without what?" he asked. Oops.

"Nothing" I said.

"Say it" he asked.

"As I said, I was all you know psych after you left, I started to depend on pills for sleep. Not always, like now when I am away from home. My mother sleeps with me usually at home, and since I am alone now, I need to have one" I said.

"How about I sleep with you and you don't have to take the pills?" he asked.

"You really think i would let you do that?" I asked.

"Actually, it wasn't a question" he said lifting me up and carried me to his room.

His room was so beautiful. Painted in white walls, with white furniture and bed covers, it was all white.

"Up for a surprise?" he asked.

"A night of surprises I believe" I said.

"Okay..3..2..1..tadaa" he said folding the blinds and what I saw next took me by extreme surprise.

The blinds had my picture, so when you fold them to close, you see my beautiful smiling face.

"You're a lovesick puppy" I said flying into his arms.

"I am glad as long as I am your lovesick puppy" he said carefully holding me. I relaxed, with my legs curled up to his waist and my hands around his neck.

"It feels so good have you so close. It makes me realize how much I missed you all this while"

"Well, it was totally your fault, had you come back to me soon we wouldn't have to wait for this long" I said.

"Yeah, my bad" he said.

"Can I sleep? I am really tired" I said looking at him.

"Ofcourse princess" he said and put me back on bed.

That night, I had the best sleep, curled up in his arms, feeling his warmth from under the covers.

-----------

"See you soon Manik! I am going to miss you and happy journey, and be very careful with my dad and brother. Do your best to convince them. I can't stay away from you anymore" I said. We were at the train station waiting for the train to arrive.

"I will. Aur haan, this is some cash, just in case you need it. And don't say no. just give it back if you don't use but keep it with you" he said. I didn't say no.

The train finally arrived.

"I love you. Have a nice trip with your girls and come back to me soon" he said giving me one final hug.

-------

The next two days in Philly were eventful. My friends were totally shocked to hear my stories. They were happy to see me back with my love.

And today is the day for manik and I. He just went with his parents to meet my family. And I can't sleep here. I can't wait to see his reaction. Yeah there's a surprise. wait.

-------

Manik

Dad was positive about nandini's brother breaking my nose and he was having fun believing that.

"Aisa kuch nai hoga Manik. They are nice people. And they will think before they do any such thing. Apne dad ki baaton mein mat aao tum" mom said. We are at the entrance now, waiting for someone to open the door.

It was Cabir, her brother who finally opened the door.

"Manik?" he was kinda surprised to see me there.

"Hi Cabir. Can I come in?" I asked.

"Err...sure. Get in" he said opening the door fully.

I went in and mom and dad followed me.

"My parents" I said introducing them to him.

"Namaste. Please, sit" he said and went in.

In two minutes, he came back, now with his mom and dad. The tiger's entry.

"Hello uncle. Hello aunty. I am Manik" I said getting up,

He signalled, asking me to sit down.

"Uncle, before you ask why I am here, I would want to apologize for what I have done. I realize it was a really big mistake and I also know it can't be undone. Uncle, I met Nandini in NewYork. We talked and we are over it now. You know how much she loves me, uncle she means the world to me. Could you please forgive me and let me have her? I promised her and I promise you too that I can do anything to make you believe that I will keep her happy" I said.

I looked at mom to do the rest of the talking.

"I am sorry Mr. Murty for what my son has done. He was immature and he couldn't think right. Now that he realizes his mistake, don't you think he deserves a second chance?" she asked,

All the three Murtys were silent all this while.

"You can do anything?" his dad asked looking at me.

I nodded in yes.

"Go to the kitchen and make tea for all of us" he said.

Make tea? Is he serious?

"Uhmm..okay" I said. Cabir guided me to the kitchen.

"Milk?" I asked.

He showed the fridge. I took the milk out from the fridge, looked for tea powder and sugar.

He showed me where they are all put. The tea was finally done. I poured it into cups and took it out to the hall,

My mom and dad's expressions were priceless. They were trying so hard not to laugh at my position. I never get a glass of water for myself at home, it's a different thing while I am in NewYork because I have no choice.

It was like my mom's fantasy to eat something made by me. Now she atleast gets to drink the tea I made.

I served them all with the tea, took my cup and sat next to mom.

Uncle had the tea and I was looking at him curiously.

"What else can you cook?" he asked.

To say that I am confused, would be an understatement. Why would he ask me that?

"I can cook pretty much everything. I cook for myself in NewYork" I said.

"Good" he said. He finished the tea, put the cup back in the tray.

"Listen Manik. Nandini drinks tea thrice a day and still she doesn't know how to make good tea. Forget about tea, she doesn't know anything about cooking. So it is your responsibility to make sure my daughter eats well. Ask my wife for the list of things she likes and learn them all. Her cravings are very weird. And yeah since you're going to settle in NewYork, you have to let her come home atleast once in a year"

"So you're saying .." I was speaking when he interrupted me.

"I spoke to Nandini already, she told me everything. Just as your mom said, you were innocent and immature and that led you take the wrong decision. But because of that, my daughter had to suffer a lot. It took Cabir almost half a year to help her get out of it. For me to let you marry her, I only have one condition" he said.

I nodded. He looked at Cabir, asking him to do the talk.

"Manik, after all that happened, she became mentally weak. She stopped trusting people. I know you must be thinking, three weeks and so much attachment? Well, that's how she is. I believe she might have told you about the pills? Well, the truth is she has to have one everyday. Although she lies that she doesn't, we know what the truth is. You have to promise me you will help her get rid of them" Cabir said.

"I was the reason why she started to have them in the first place. Cabir, I promise I will help her get rid of them. I will give you your old little sister back" I said.

"Then, I think we're all good" he said.

Wait? I never imagined it to be so easy to convince them.

Why did she not tell me that she spoke to them already? Naughty woman.

------

"So, how did it go?" she asked as I called her.

"Why did you not tell me that you spoke to them already? You can't imagine how nervous I was"

"Hahaha! I thought I would play a small game" she said.

"Cabir was telling you made really good tea" she said.

"Oh please don't talk about it" I said.

"Haha. I so want to pinch your cheeks right now Manik" she said.

"Acha are you all set for the flight? I can't wait to see you" I said.

"The feelings are mutual" she said.

---------

We were at the airport waiting for her. Nandini's family and I. Mom and dad were at home.

There we saw her with her friends, in my jacket, and hat.

She waved at us.

Her dad took her into a hug once she was here.

"I missed you Nandu" he said.

"I missed you too paa" she said.

"Arrghh! The house was so peaceful all this while, and now that you're back..." before he finished his sentence she punched him lightly on his nose.

"Now that you're back, it feels good and normal" he completed his sentence.

"Aww bhai" she said giving him a hug.

And then to her mom.

Finally, like finally she looks at me.

"Ya ya. Go ahead" her dad said, and that's it, next moment she was in my arms. It felt like it's been forever since I hugged her.

"Missed you" I whispered.

"Love you" she replied.

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

A week later, cards were printed, guests were invited, shopping was done and the hall was decorated.

For it was time for the big grand wedding of Nandini Murty and Manik Malhotra.

The beautiful walls of the Malhotra house were decorated in white and pink roses, the mandap was set.

And then came the bride, wearing the most beautiful pastel color lehenga, with minimal jewelry. Manik's expressions were priceless, looking at his bride.

As she comes and sits next to him, the priest helps them do the rituals, and after a beautiful ceremony of their marriage, they were finally together.

Something that seemed impossible, two years back.

-----------

We were in the balcony of my room, on the swing.

"Mrs. Malhotra, how do you feel about the wedding" I asked her.

"Divine" she said fiddling with the ring.

"All thanks to that one night, how true is it that, everything happens for a reason" I said.

She was sitting with her back resting on me.

"I love you Manik" she said.

I lift her up in my arms and walked inside the room.

"Okay, so let me test your love" I said.

"What?" she asked.

I put her down, and got her bag.

"You need to throw all the pills you have and promise me you'll never use them again" I said.

"Manik, I.." I cut her off.

"I was the reason, why you started using them. Now that you've me forever, don't you think you don't need them anymore?" I asked her.

"Okay" she said. She took the two bottles of pills out and gave them to me. I flushed them all and threw the bottles away in the trash.

"I love you too Nandini. and there's no big truth beyond that for me" I said planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"Hamesha?" she asked. Her favorite word.

"Hamesha" I said.

And that's how one winter night, brought MaNan back to life.

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