MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

8. Nightmares?

~ Having a friend is no big deal. But having a friend who would takea bullet for you, and still stay mum, is a blessing.~

Sitting at the edge of the pool, the only place that gave him some comfort, Manik was pondering over the philosophies of life . He had thought that Nandini would be uncomfortable after the last night fiasco, and he had  seemed correct about it during the breakfast but after that he was taken aback by her behaviour. She was entirely normal, behaving like her usual self, smiling and giggling with him and that had honestly confused him.

But, now when they were alone, he was afraid that she would now ask him the questions he could read in her eyes, the questions he didn't had an answer to.  He had no answer to anyone's questions. He had always kept his emotions, his tears, his scars only to himself. He did not know how to share his bottled up emotions. If Kabir would not have accidentally read his diary, may be even he would not know the dark secrets he had kept buried within him.

While he was so engrossed in the battle between his heart and his mind, Nandini came to the backyard looking for him. Just a look at him and she knew he was again contemplating himself.  She thought it would be better to make the environment a little light. But now that was also a big problem. Nandini was not the kind of person you could expect to be a drama queen or who would crack jokes to lighten the atmosphere. She always enjoyed having fun and gossiping and joking but that was it. She enjoyed it and never initiated it. There were shades in her personality. Many people knew her as a comparatively silent person whereas she was nowhere like that. Many times your interpretation about someone is based on what that person just portrays and is not the actual description about him/her.
So it was quite difficult for her to do something which would lighten the atmosphere. It was just not her forte. So, she quietly sat beside him and fake coughed to gain his attention, and Manik turned to look at this cute bundle of innocence who was looking at him with a smile that lit his face.

Fighting the shy smile that threatened to break onto his face, he dipped his hand into the pocket of his trousers, and took out a big bar of chocolate, waving it in front of her. Nandini, who was till now awkward and nervous, gleamed happily as she snatched the bar from him, making him chuckle. At times like this, he was not sure if he was dealing with a kid or a mature girl.

But at that exact moment, Nandini broke the bar into two parts, and forwarded him one.

"I know it's something nobody expects of me, but they say chocolate is good for smiles, and I can see that you are a little sad", she clean bowled him, which could be easily seen on his surprised face. Embarrassed as always, Manik took it from her and relished a bite, while she moaned in dleight of having her favorite chocolate. Manik kept mum though, his gaze fixed on the clear water of the pool.

" Whenever we are worried or sad na, we should try and share. Maybe two minds can get a solution if one could not", Nandini spoke, tongue in check, she didn't want to pressurise or force him into something he wasn't comfortable with.

Manik knew that was coming, but yet again, he didn't have a statement to tell her. Manik didnot want her to worry about him or sympathize with him, at any cost.

Nandini looked at him and understood he did not want to share. So she did not force him and asked him to get in as it was late as well as cold outside. Kabir and Navya had not still returned. They both wished each other good night and retired to their rooms. On reaching her room Nandini realised she should be in the drawing room as the door was locked and it would be difficult for  Kabir and Navya to enter. So she came down only to find Manik already sitting on the couch watching TV. She came up to him and sat on the opposite couch. Manik noticed her and both their lips pressed into a quick laugh.