"I told you she'll ditch her fiancee. She's such a crafty bitch. I feel sad for Aryaman and Manik." Nandini could hear a girl say this as she passed by her. It was their farewell party and she had thought that at least for a day she wouldn't have to listen to all those harsh comments but she was proved wrong.
She walked past them holding her head high up. She hadn't done any mistake. So she had no reason to be ashamed. "Nandini." A hand clasped on her shoulder, making her turn. She smiled on seeing Aryaman all dressed up in a black suit.
"You look handsome." She complimented looking at him from top to bottom.
"Well say that in front of Manik."
"Well that's not a big deal. I can say-" Her words died in her throat when her eyes fell on Manik who had been coming towards them all ready in his dark blue suit. 'Handsome' would just be an insult, for he looked way beyond handsome, at least for her.
"Yea yea! say it now."
"I take back my words." Nandini said, smiling shyly.
"You look way beyond beautiful." Manik complimented, gently holding her hand. She had been wearing a dark blue saree. They had matched their outfits and they perfectly looked like couples.
"Matching outfits and so much PDA. I am getting jealous." Aryaman said and frowned.
"Well then get yourself a girlfriend." Nandini suggested, making Manik smile. This proved that she loved him.
A glint of sadness appeared in Aryaman's eyes before it disappeared again. He smiled. "Well the search is already on."
He still loved her. It would be a lie if he said he didn't get jealous seeing them together. But more than jealousy he was happy for his two best friends. Moreover whenever they three were together, Manik and Nandini never ignored him. They were back to being old friends, just that they had feelings for one another now.
The farewell party was going fine, until Alya came up on the stage, all dolled up. "Attention please!" She said, gaining the attention of everyone out there.
"She looks pretty." Aryaman said, looking at her.
"But less than Nandini." Manik added and Nandini couldn't help but chuckle.
"So I am here actually to make a confession." Alya announced and a chorus of 'ohh' yelled down the crowd, followed by claps.
Alya breathed in and out, mustering up her courage before she looked towards Manik. "Why is she looking at you?" Nandini asked.
"I don't know." Manik faked a smile, looking away from the stage, internally praying that the confession wasn't for him.
"I had this secret crush on you since the time I saw you. That is since we joined this college. Yeah! it's been four years since I liked you. I tried to say it to you a lot of times but you were engaged and I just couldn't." Alya paused and Manik let out a sigh, immediately knowing that it wasn't for him.
"Aryaman." The crowd cheered and Manik playfully nudged Aryaman.
"Finally I have mustered up my courage to confess to you. I love you Aryaman." Alya announced before walking down the stairs.
Aryaman couldn't comprehend the things going on. He considered Alya as a friend and treated her as one but now her sudden confession just blanked him out.
As Alya reached Aryaman, she came down on her knees before forwarding a small box towards him. "Will you accept my feelings for you?" She asked, innocently, looking at him hopefully.
"Say yes." A few shouted from the crowd.
Aryaman cut a glance at Nandini who had been smiling and holding Manik's hand. He smiled before gently nodding his head in 'yes', looking down at Alya. "Yes."
The crowd clapped and cheered for them.
He still loved Nandini but he knew one thing for sure, without trying, he wasn't going to get over her. He took the small box and opened it to find a couple's ring inside.
He gently took out the ring and put it on Alya and Alya did the same, before engulfing him in a warm hug. "I love you." She whispered and he gently rubbed her hair.
After the function ended, Manik and Nandini left leaving Aryaman and Alya alone.
"Alya. I want to be honest with you. I still have feelings for Nandini." Aryaman said.
"I know." Alya smiled melancholy, before raising her head from his shoulder and looking at him. "But still I love you. You might not love me now but I'll try my best to make you fall for me."
"But why?"
"Because nobody compares to you." She grinned before leaning closer to him and pecking his cheek.
Meanwhile, "The night view from the college terrace is really beautiful." Nandini exclaimed, breathing in the fresh air. Right then she felt a cloth drape on her shoulder.
She craned her neck a bit to look at Manik. "Hey you'll catch cold this way." She said, trying to take off his coat but he kept his hand on either side of her shoulder stopping me.
"Don't worry, I won't and well, I don't want to be tagged as an irresponsible person."
"How cheesy!" She said with a poker face.
"But I know you liked it." He said, before dropping a soft kiss on her hair.
"This terrace holds so many of our memories. Every time our mood was off or we had something to say to each other, we came here." Nandini grinned, reminiscing their memories as she leaned on him.
"Shall we add up one more memory?"
"Huh?" Nandini looked at him as he gently turned her around. He looked at her and she looked at him, before he bent to her level and kissed her.
~Nobody compares to you
*****
I never thought you guys would like this story this much. Thank you to all the readers of "Nobody compares to you."
A message from me to you all: Nobody compares to you. I really mean it.
Stay safe and stay happy.
Love ❤️
Aaku
YOU ARE READING
MaNan- Nobody Compares To You (FS) ✔
Short StoryFor him she was his one and only love, at least that's how he felt. For her he was just her best friend, at least that's what she thought. He loved her. And she loved someone else.
