Manan - Hold My Hand

Chapter 57

Nandini looked down at Manik in her arms and smiled dropping a kiss on his head.

They had lay down after a while of him breaking down and he fell asleep being tired.

Nandini noticed the position they were laying and blushed. Manik had his arms around her as he rested his head on her chest just below her chin.

She kept running her hand through his hair as she thought over everything he said.

A tear rolled down her eyes as she thought of her idol being no more. Throughout these years she have kept a hope for her being there somewhere and to meet her.

She looks down at Manik and kissed his head again thinking about the struggles he faced in his life from such a young age and still keeps on fighting.

He witnessed his mother, his only support system die and give up infront of him. She can't imagine the trauma he went through. All this while she kept crying over her past life and a bad relationship, sure it was difficult growing up without her parents around but she had her relatives for some years no matter how badly they treated her they were still family and here he had been dealing with so much worse but kept supporting her without a word.

She couldn't help but thank the heavens for sending him in her life.

"I love you.",She whispered and took a deep breath as she realised what she just said before a smile came up on her face as the realization hits her . The first time she had confessed her love on her birthday she thought it was more of a spur of the moment and when Manik didn't say anything she went along with it but now she knows it was her sub conscious that already knew about her being in love with him and she is realising it just now.

A shy smile comes up on her face as she kissed his head again and kept her chin there holding him close.

She didn't want to confess like last time abruptly. She was going to take her time and give him some space before confessing her love to him. This time she wants him to actually say it back when she confesses.

Nandini closed her eyes after a while with a smile on her face.

Manik kept his breathing still for a while before opening his eyes slowly not to disturb her.

He felt her hands caress his hair lightly as he recalled the words she whispered some time back. Before he was sure to brush it up as not being serious but he knew now she was definitely in love with him.

He felt warm spread in his heart as he realised how heavy those three words are. Unknowingly a small smile formed on his lips and he couldn't help but think of his answer.

He shifted a little and Nandini was quick to look down at him. She smiled when they made eye contact and he knew what his answer was.

"Hey",Nandini whispered moving her hand down his cheeks caressing them. His eyes closed as he relaxed under her touch.

"Hey",Manik said opening his eyes looking at her with a smile before pecking her lips.

Her eyes widen at his gesture and he smiled laying down on her side and pulling her above him.

"Thank you.",Manik whispered and she nodded staring at him.

"What is the time?",Manik asked her and she looked at her phone.

"4:15. Do you want to go freshen up? We can go out and watch the sunset. Have some food and look around.",Nandini asked him softly and he nodded.

" Where are others?",He asked curiously.

" They are nearby looking around at the small stores and shopping. We can join them.",Nandini said him and he nodded as they sat up.

"You go first.",Nandini said to him and he looked at her first to confirm before nodding.