Suddenly the argument between Cabir and navya got so heated up that it broke our trance and we came back to the present.
"Stop it guys, stop fighting" manik shrieked at a pitch higher than theirs .
"C'mon guys you know naa how important is this day for us.Today is the last day of group task.we have to submit the project to Raghav Sir by tomorrow."I reminded the couple who were fighting like wild animals a few seconds back.
"i understand yaar, but tum isse bhi to samjhao"Cabir pointed towards Navya.
"Humein kya samjhana, hum to sirf..."Navya retorted.But before she could complete her sentence, manik intervened once more.
"Chuck it guys!Not even a single useless words from you two!" he warned in fury.
There was pin drop silence in the room because when Manik Malhotra roared, no one had the guts to challenge him, not even his friends.
"Got it?" He asked loudly and they both nodded in unison.
I smiled at how he had managed to handle the situation.This guy never failed to impress me.Such a pro he was in dealing with anything and everything.
"Good, then get back to work" his voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
Four of us gathered around the table and started working on the Music project which was given to us by Raghav Sir for the college exhibition.
It had been 3 months since I joined the college.From day I had felt a kind of attraction towards this guy.I still do not know how to describe this feeling that I have for him .But its something different , something special.I cant say about him...maybe he feels the same for me or may be not.
His thoughts hovered over my mind day and night.His words,his action,his mere touch was more than sufficient to make the butterflies do salsa in the pit of my stomach.What do you call this??
Cabir and navya,like normal couple had gotten back to normal by the end of the day.The exhibition was to be held the very next day so we worked till late evening to give the final touches to the project.
"Finally its done!" Cabir said taking his hands of the project.
"Not bad haan"Manik said.
"hamari mehnet rang layi hai"navya added excietedly.
"Hope Raghav sir passes it tomorrow" Though we had managed to pull it off quite well,infact beyond our expectations , yet I was a little skeptical as Raghav Sir was always unpredictable.
"Forget that Raghav man, lets party tonight"Cabir , the party animal was always ready to party.
"Haan yaar,after a long day,we definitely need one."Manik supported Cabir as his gaze shifted on me "What say girls?" he added
"hum to hamesha hi tyaar hain" Navya said
Now all eyes were on me.
"Sorry guys, I won't be able to join in.I have to reach home , you guys pls carry on"
It was already late and I didnt want to annoy chachu and chachi by getting more late so I denied their offer.
"But why not?" This sudden response from manik shifted the other two pairs of eyes towards him and he soon realised what he had blurted.
"me...mera...matlab hai" he fumbled for words " that all of us have worked together through the day then why not party together"
"Nahi actually...am tired and I need some rest.Thats it" I lied.
"Its ok nandini, We can understand." Cabir said casually.
"nandu, tum chalti to achha hota , but its okay" Navya like always supported me in my decision.
"Haan actually guys, even I ll back out then.Main tum dono ke kebab me haddi banke kya karunga"Manik said plainly and to an extent he was right.He would have felt awkward between a couple.Cabir tried to convince manik but he denied.
By the time we disperesed it was late evening.The feelings that I had for him at time made me behave a little awkward in front of him.I stood outside waiting for the cab when I realised thet I had forgotten my phone in the hall.
I rushed back towards the classroom where we had been working whole day, cursing myself for being so irresponsible.It was already dusky and most of the staff and students had already left.
I entered the classroom and searched for the switchboard on the wall but couldnt get my hands on it. I was startled with a sudden noise .My breath hitched as I looked back.It was dark by now and all I could see was a tall frame in the dim moonlight that entered the room through the windows.
"wh..o...'s that?" I asked anxiously
But there was no response from the other side.Instead I saw the person lifted something in hand and ...the whole room was lit up.
"Fireflies" I said as I saw hundreds of them glowing in the air.Their pure light piercing through gloomy atmosphere.I swirled around with my hands open,trying to engulf the warmth of their purity.I was so mesemerised that it took me a few minutes to realise that someone else was also present there.
"Manik" I said softly as I saw him looking at me with his hands folded on his chest.
But he seemed lost .He was smiling though.I went closer and shrugged his shoulder.
"Manik,kya hua?" I asked breaking his trance.
"True Love" His reply was quick and prompt making me quiver.
"Wh...what are you saying Manik?"I said turning my back towards him .
My heartbeat accelrated as I felt his warmth approaching me from behind.
"Glowing fireflies mean true love naa, see they all are glowing" He whispered in my ear as he stood behind me.His proximity sending cold shivers down my spine.
I was speechless.I was awestruck.He held my arms and turned me towards him.He knelt before me and held my hands as our gazes locked.
"Nandini, I ve never been love struck before but you have affected me like no one ever has.you've made me feel like I've never felt before.I feel like a kid.I think about you all the time"
My happiness knew no boundaries as his sweet words continued to strike my ears.My heart beatwas accelerating with every word that he spoke.
"When I am not with you, I want to be.When I am with you,I just can't get enough of you.My whole world has been turned upside down.Its terrible and its wonderful and i hope it never ends because loving you is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.
He stood up and came close to me.
"I love you Nandini" he said .
I couldn't believe my ears as to what I had just heard.My own senses were betraying me.I had gone numb. It felt like a dream come true.How flawlessly he had confessed his feelings.I had a huge smile on my face while tears were forming in my eyes.
"Nandini"' he said shrugging my shoulders " won't you say anything"
I nodded my head in agreement.
"What?" He asked "what does that mean?"
"I...love..you too manik" I said as tears finally left my eyes and he engulfed me in his strong protective arms
