It's been more than an hour since Manik was trying to sleep. He was turning side but couldn't get sleep at all. Being frustrated, he got up.

It's raining heavily outside, first rain of the year. If it was some other time, then Manik might have run to the terrace as he loved rain but today he didn't have the heart. He slowly raised his head and looked at the mirror in front of the bed. He looked into his own eyes.

"When did all this happen? When did Nandini start loving me so much?"

He questioned himself but he didn't have the answer. He exhaled a long breath and realized that Sid was actually right. He doesn't understand anything. Everything was happening in front of his eyes and everyone had the idea of this except him.

"How did I miss this? What Nandini must be doing now? It was Nandini's birthday and so many things happened today only. It must have put a lot of pressure on her. Stupid, me! I should have asked her about this nicely later let alone ruining her birthday. Should I call her and say sorry?"

Manik thought this only to reject it in the next second.

"No, it's a bad idea. What if she asked what's in my heart, then what will I say her? Well, what's in my heart?" Manik asked himself but again he didn't get any answer from his heart.

To be honest, Manik had never thought of all this. Till now his life revolved around only his family which included his friends too and his psychology. He wanted to be a psychiatrist and he didn't get to think of anything except these. It's true that he liked Nandini. He admired her selfless, caring nature and the most important thing is he was emotionally dependent on Nandini which he couldn't deny ever.

Nandini had been there by his side always. Whenever he needed someone, Nandini was always there holding his hand strongly. Her support gave him strength but he was not sure whether it was love or not. He was not sure whether all the relationship needed a name or not.

Manik had a lot of beautiful memories with Nandini. Whenever he thought of them, they made him feel delighted. Whenever he spent time with Nandini away from other, he used to have sleepless nights like tonight but the anxiety he was having now was not there. He had always thanked his fate that he had someone like Nandini in his life.

"Nandini has been a part of my life since the time I didn't know even know the meaning of relationship. But I never got any other thought about her like this. Then what happened to me all of a sudden? Do I feel the same for her? Was the feeling always there but I never realized until today?"

Manik couldn't bear these thoughts anymore. They were stabbing his heart badly as he failed to find answer of these questions. He got down from bed and directly went to his study table grabbing his diary and a pen.

He remembered what his father used to say him, "Whenever you see you've any doubt regarding anything in your mind or you want to say something but can't or any pain that's hidden your heart and giving you pain, then write them somewhere. You will see everything will be cleared and all the tangles will be solved. There are many things that cannot be expressed with words but they can be expressed by writing." Today he had to take the help of his father's theory only. He had to reveal the huge mystery of his life.

The intensity of the rain has decreased a lot now, one or two drops were dripping but the sultry heat was no longer in the air. Today, after many days, the soil was satisfied after getting the touch of water.

Nandini slowly raised her face, she had no idea for how long she had been sitting like that. She felt the back of her dress got wet. She got up and went back to her room hurriedly. She had to change else she would catch cold. She was not crying anymore but her heart mind was still restless. Nandini changed her dress and moved downstairs. She badly needed some ice cream now to control the storm in her.

She moved to kitchen and took out a tub ice cream. Then she again moved back to terrace and as per her habit, she started having it with her finger like a kid forgetting the world.

Keeping the pen away, Manik stretched his hands. It's been almost an hour since he had been writing. He felt his hand was hurting but his heart was relaxed now. Although not completely, he had managed to understand the matter. He kept the writing pad under a book so that he didn't fly away. Then he went to stand by the window. The cold wind blowing was hitting his face. His disobedient hair was falling on his forehead.

A deep sigh came out of Manik unknowingly. So many things have happened in his life without his knowledge. Nandini was right about him, he was so busy with the mere things in his life that he never tried to understand the story of other part. He was happy that Nandini was there by his side taking care of everything on his back so that he never had to worry about anything but he never tried to know what she wanted, what's there in her heart.

But now?

Now what?

Manik was thinking what he should do now. For a second, he thought he should ask Sid about it but rejected the thought at the next second. He knew what would be his reply. Whatever he would say is impossible for him. But he won't do anything more today, he was very tired. Today he would keep all his thoughts away and sleep.

NEXT MORNING

(Nandini's attire)

Neelima was busy preparing breakfast when Nandini came there. She came from back and wrapped her arms around Neelima's neck from back. It's her habit from childhood. Nandini had lost her mother at a very tender age and never got the attention which a kid needs from her father. So, she got the love and attention from Manik's mother. Neelima was fond of Nandini a little more than others.

When she felt the touch on her back, she knew who it was. Neelima got a smile on her face. "When did you come, Nandini?"

Nandini was surprised a little. "How do you know it's me?"

Neelima turned towards Nandini. "Am I not your mother too?"

Nandini nodded her head.

"Then how won't I recognize my daughter?"

Nandini smiled brightly and hugged her.

"Where is Manik and Sid?" Nandini asked looking around.

"They've gone out saying they've some work. I forgot to ask them to get medicine for Manik's father. They didn't even take their phone as they said they would be back soo."

"Don't worry. I'll order the medicines online. They'll be delivered within half an hour."

Neelima was surprised. "Really?"

Nandini smiled nodding her head. "Just tell me the name."

"Go to Manik's room. You'll find the prescription on his table."

"Okay."

Nandini ran to Manik's room. She was well aware of every single corner of this house. She walked inside Manik's room and went to his study table. Even though his room was organized but the condition of his study table was not good at all, it was completely messed up. Nandini sighed looking at this. She started cleaning the table as she couldn't see the prescription.

She found the prescription placed under a book. She got that but another paper too caught her attention. She saw Manik's writing pad was placed there with a heading 'My Feelings' on top of it. She found Manik's engraved under the page.

Something moved in her heart. She felt her hands were shivering as she picked up the note. She was confused which feelings had had written there. She was didn't know for whom he had written it. She wanted to see what's written there. But she was not sure whether she should read someone else's personal things or not. Then she convinced herself saying she would only see the name and it won't harm anything to anyone.

Nandini ordered the medicine at first, then she picked up the note with her trembling hand and turned the first page to read the name. "Dearest beloved Nandini!" She closed the page in that instant not able to believe her own eyes that whatever she saw was right. She didn't have any misunderstanding.

Manik had written the note for her. It was enough to surprise her to the core. What does that mean? If he had some kind of feelings for her or he had something to say her, then he could have told that directly to her. Neither she would have judged him nor say anything to him or force him for anything. Then why this letter?

She couldn't think of anything more. She took few deep breath trying to calm her overexcited nerves. Then with her shivering hands, she opened the note and start reading...

That's all for the day. I hope you liked the book. So, Nandini made her feelings evident to Manik. But what about him? Will he accept it? What do you think?

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Thank you.

18.01.2023