Are We Destined To Be?

Chapter-28 I missed you

Manik's Internal Monologue

Nandini and I rushed back to the hotel where the meeting was going to take place. We reached the hotel all smiles.

Ansh escorted them to the meeting room. The French man began his speech and Nandini jotted down all the pointers while Manik was glued to his words. It was Manik's turn to present in front of the esteemed guests from all over the world.

Manik looked at Nandini and closed his eyes before starting off. Manik had had serious anxiety issues and Nandini had really help him overcoming them.

Nandini always told him to imagine someone or something that made him feel really really happy. The happiness that brims from the heart. Little did Nandini know that it was her smiling face that made Manik genuinely happy.

You see when you are in love, there's just this one smile that makes your heart feel so so so full.

For Manik imagining Nandini's smile lessened his nervousness and anxiety.

He imagined her smiling face in front of his eyes, opened his eyes and began his presentation.

The meeting ended and they headed out for dinner.

Nandini- "I'm so tired Manik, can we please order something tonight?"

Manik-  "If that means a huge ass tub of popcorn,a  large tub of  chocolate ice cream, nachos, brownies and you, then count me in baby"

Nandini- "I really like how you prioritized me in the end!"

Manik laughed while putting his arm around her. Nandini looked at how his big strong arm rested on her thin slender shoulders.

She smiled a little and said- "I missed this Manik"

Manik turned facing her, pulled her chin up and with very huskily said- "What else did you miss Nandini?"

His eyes had curiosity, curiosity to know if she missed him the way he missed her, if she longed  for his presence the way he longed for . He wanted to know, everything.

Nandini-

"I missed the way you used to smile when I made you coffee, I missed the way our hands brushed against each other, I missed your red face when you used to cry after watching rom-coms with me, I missed your tantrums, I missed your annoying leg kicking me off the bed, I missed your warm embrace. In short I missed you so much that my heart felt so empty."

Manik had tears listening to her, he hugged Nandini . Nandini hugged him back , tighter this time.

They plopped themselves on the bed in Nandini's room, in their comfortable pj's and a furry warm blanket. Manik cuddled with Nandini as they dug thier hands inside the tub of popcorn. The movie began but Nandini was already sound asleep in Manik's arms.

Manik- "I really don't get it, like how could they kill her?"

Getting no response from Nandini Manik looked at Nandini who was sound asleep. Manik turned off the T.V and looked at Nandini with all his attention.

He noticed how big her forehead was, he noticed the tiny little mark near her eye which she told was her birthmark, he rested her head on his arm and covered her with his arms.

He realized how much he knew about her and still there was so much that he wanted to know.

He whispered- "You're so precious and I love you so much"

He kissed her forehead, wiped the ice cream near her lips and tucked her to sleep.

Manik stretched his arms wide as he saw the sun shining at its peak. He looked beside hoping to find Nandini but found a note instead.

I'm in the shower ;)

Manik excitedly rushed to the washroom. He saw Nandini draped in a bathrobe giggling looking at him.

He walked closer, pinned her to the wall as their breathes hitched a notch higher. He entwined thier fingers and bit Nandini's neck real hard.

Nandini clutched his hair as Manik began kissing her neck. Nandini suddenly raised his head and smashed her lips over his, drowning in the gateways of his lips.

Manik was pleasantly surprised. He put Nandini's arms around his neck and squinched her waist. Their lips were still intact.

They parted for breathe, as Nandini hid her face in his chest. Manik wrapped her in his arms as if she belonged there.

Manik turned on the shower as water fell on them quenching all their desires.

They quickly got dressed as it was their last day in Paris after which a whole new adventure awaited for them back in India.

Next Chapter- Home Sweet Home?