Zehnaseeb

42. In Action

Manik and Nandini were lying on grass staring at sky, holding the hands of each other. Both had constant smile on their faces. Nandini looked at Manik and asked.

"Mani.."

"Hmm?"

"Do you love stars?" Manik looked at her and smiled before answering.

"Yes. I love them. Always." Nandini bit her lip.

"Um.. any specific reason?"

"Of course. They are so pretty. I mean, they look absolutely prettiest in the sky twinkling together. They spread light in the darkness. They shine for us. I always love to adore them at night. And I do, many times." Nandini hmmed in response and kept quiet. Manik looked at her.

"Don't you love them?" Nandini shook her head and smiled faintly.

"The stars. Whom we can stare only from a far distance. We can not touch them, keep them with us forever. That's why I never liked them." Manik pressed her hand hearing her. She gave him a beautiful smile.

"But I love fireflies." Manik looked at her in surprise whose face was shining talking about fireflies.

"Fireflies?"

"Yes. Fireflies. I love them so much." Said Nandini. Manik turned to her fully keeping one hand under his head.

"May I know the reason?"

"You know, they glows. When they glows na, it looks so so beautiful. It's amazing and outstanding feeling to watch them glowing. The light from fireflies appropriately represents hope, guidance, inspiration and awakening. They implore us to listen to our hearts and let them lead the way toward truth and light." Said Nandini looking at Manik. He smiled.

"Do you have them? I mean, I read somewhere that the people who loves fireflies, likes to keep them in a jar with them. So just asked out of curiosity." Nandini shook her head smiling faintly.

"I used to have them. Before three years. Now I don't have any." She looked at Manik who kissed on her knuckles.

"Mom was very much fascinated with them. She used to say, fireflies celebrate true love. When there's true love, they glow. And you know, they always used to glow brightly when Mom and Dad used to be together. But after their death, they stopped glowing. They died in that jar. So I never ever brought new again." Manik took her in his embrace. Nandini hided her face in his neck. Manik caressed her hairs. He thought to change the topic.

"Achcha tell me one thing, from when you started falling for me? I mean, when you realized your feelings?" Nandini giggled hearing him while Manik's heart soothed hearing her magical music of laugh. He looked at her lovingly.

"I started falling for you long back, I guess. But I was unaware of it. But I realized when that chipkali Veebha Dibba came and sticked to you." Said Nandini making faces. Manik laughed and pulled her cheek. She looked at him angrily but she looked extremely cute.

"Ohh my golu baby got so much jealous." Nandini huffed.

"Don't laugh. I was so angry that I literally felt like pulling her hairs. Chudail kahiki. And you, you were enjoying her company so much. Vee ye, vee voh. Huh!" Said Nandini imitating him. Manik laughed loudly. Nandini glared at him.

"Oh God! You are the hight of cuteness. How can anyone be so cute man. What should I do with you, ha? Tell me? Khaa jau tumhe? Bolo, bolo?" Saying this he bit her cheek while she pushed him and rubbed her cheek whining.

"Mani, ouch idiot! Don't bit me na." Manik smooched the same cheek where he bited and Nandini closed her eyes smiling with a tinted cheeks. Manik cupped her face.