IF IT'S NOT FOREVER IT'S NOT LOVE

“When you’re in love, it’s meant for life, isn’t it?”

Manik and Nandini had been childhood friends and both loved each other a lot but no one was ready to except their feelings as they never wanted to ruin the special bond they had. Both can clearly see love for each other in their eyes but never had the courage to confess it . But now no more . Manik couldn’t tolerate any more and he decided that tomorrow at Valentines day he’ll confess his feelings .

The next day they both had to attend a valentines party and as always Nandini was Manik’s date because like always no one dared to ask her for being their date since they were well aware of the previous result when Manik beated the hell out of a new guy who asked her out, to say they were scared of the big guy is an understatement in itself. Our hero had never let any other girl other than Nandini to come closer to him and the other way around any boy with her.

A new day arrised with Manik’s determined face . Determined to officially make Nandini his , only his and on the other side Nandini had no clue about his proposal . She also wanted to be officially him. They had always been each others only family apart from Nandini’s foster aunt.

The day went in a blink of eye with Manik busy in the preparations while Nandini tried her best to talk to him. The next day arrived and as it was Valentines day every couple was busy doing something special for their partner.

Manik woke up early just to make sure whether the preparations were done or not. Nanz too woke up from her beauty sleep and picked her cell which was lying beside her bed on the table. She was trying Manik’s no. since yesterday but still no reply

Nandini: Manik please pick up the call i am so excited to tell you about my feelings.

Just then her eyes fell upon the calendar hanging on the front wall

Nanz: Nanz how could you be so stupid it’s valentines day so how could you tell him on call something has to be special

She quickly hopped down the bed rushing inside the washroom getting herself read. She came out searching her wardrobe for something special to wear at the college valentines day party

Nanz: Godd I don’t have any good dress to wear today. What should i do? Yes it’s time for shopping. You just wait Mr. Malhotra today’s going out be the best day of your life

Nanz shopped at the mall, still no one of them had no conversation with the other cause it was their habit to tell each other each and every thing. Nothing could be a surprise. Just some best buddies pack.

It was in the evening when everyone got ready and reached the venue. Manik was waiting for Nandini since 15 minutes. She never took such a long time, she was always a punctual person

Manik: where is this idiot? I am being nervous here and she is late. Great start.

Half of his words dried in his throat when he saw her walking through the crowd towards him

Nanz: Sorry sorry. What happened? Am i not looking good? Manik we are getting late

Manik: nandini you look so- like so much beautiful

Nanz: thank you now can we go inside.

Both went inside the hall where they met their other friends too. Girls went upon one side discussing about the various things done for them by their boyfriends. Nanz just stood quietly listening to them when the lights went off and their was just one spotlight on her. Her breathe hitched in her throat when she saw the projector displaying their Manan journey till today their friendship.

And their he stood, the one behind this special preparation, Manik walked down the stairs and stopped just before her. He bent down on his knees

Manik: stop being shocked you are making me nervous here. Okay sorry i said that now don’t reply or say anything. I have no idea when i fell in love with you. I always thought that we’ll be best friends, buddies but never thought that i’ll fall in love with this idiot of mine now I can’t speak much cause my knees have started paining so i’ll come straight to the point.Miss. Nandini will you be my better half for the rest of my life? Will you?

Nanz: Can i speak now. yes idiot I love you too. Did you hear that I love you too and no matter how much you try but i won’t leave you till my last breath.

And they both hugged each other while the others clapped for the new couple who were made for each other a long back

It was about 3 months since they were in a relationship, standing like pillars for each other as before nothing has changed between them, they were still best friends.

It was since 2 days that Nandini had not attended college and Manik was hell bored alone. He cant even go to her house as she had told him not to as her family had some relatives at her house and it was yesterday that they would have left so why haven’t she attended the classes today?

PHONE CONVO

Manik: Hey, hun!

Nandini: Hey.

Manik: I missed you at college today. Why weren’t you there? And you were not receiving my calls too?

Nandini: Yeah, I had to go to the doctor.

Manik: Oh really? Why?

Nandini: Oh, Nothing at all. Manik how much do you care about me?

Manik: I would give you the world in a heartbeat if I could.

Nandini: You would?

Manik: Yeah of course I would. >sounding worried< Is there something wrong?

Nandini: No, everything’s fine.

Manik: Are you sure?

Nandini: Yeah.

Manik: Okay...I hope so.

Nandini: Would you die for me?

Manik: I would take a bullet for you anyday, hun.

Nandini: Really?

Manik: Anyday. Now, seriously, is there something wrong?

Nandu: No, I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re fine. Everyone and everything is fine.

Manik: Okay.

Nandini: Well, I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow at college

Manik: Alright, bye. I LOVE YOU!

Nandini: Yeah. I love you, too. Bye.

THE NEXT DAY AT COLLEGE:

Manik: Hey, have you seen Nandini today?

Cabir: No.

Manik: Oh.

Cabir: She wasn’t here yesterday, either.

Manik: I know. She was acting all weird on the phone last night.

Cqbir: Well, dude, you know how girls are sometimes.

Manik: Yeah, but not her.

Cabir: I don’t know what else to say, man.

Manik: Okay, well I gotta get to class. I’ll see ya after college.

Cabir: Yeah I also gotta go. See you later.

THAT NIGHT:

-ring-

Nandini: Hello?

Manik:Hey.

Nandini: Oh, hi.

Manik: Why weren’t you at college today?

Nandini: Uh, I had another appointment with the doctor.

Manik: Are you sick? Let me come to meet you

Nandini: no no need i am fine . Um, I have to go. My Aunt’s calling on the other line.

Manik: I’ll wait.

Nandini: It may take a while. I’ll call you later.

Manik: Alright. I love you. >very long pause

Nandini: (with a tear in her eye) Look, I think we should break up.

Manik: What!?

Nandini: It’s the best thing for us right now.

Manik: Why?

Nandini: I love you.

-click-

NANDINI DOESN’T ATTEND COLLEGE FOR 3 MORE WEEKS AND DOESN’T ANSWER HIS PHONE AND WHEN MANIK VISITS HER HOUSE . GUARDS NEVER LET HIM ENTER

Manik: Hey dude.

Cabir: Hey.

Manik: What’s up?

Cabir: Nothing. Hey have you talked to Nandini lately?

Manik: No.

Cabir: So you haven’t heard?

Manik: Heard what?

Cabir: Um, I don’t know if I should be the one to tell you.

Manik: dude, what the hell just tell me!

Cabir: Uh. Call this number. 433-555-3468

Manik: Okay

MANIK CALLS NUMBER AFTER COLLEGE

-ring-

Voice: Hello, City Hospital. This is Nurse Beckham.

Manik: Uh, I must have got the wrong number. I’m looking for my friend.

Voice: What is their name, sir? (Manik gives info)

Voice: Yes, this is the right number. She’s one of our patients here.

Manik: Really? Why? What happened? How is she???

Voice: Her room number is 646 in building A, suite 3.

Manik: WHAT HAPPENED!?

Voice: Please come by, sir, and you can see her. Goodbye.

Manik: WAIT! NO!

-dial tone-

Manik GOES TO HOSPITAL, AND TO ROOM ..646, BUILDING A, SUITE 3. Nandini IS LYING IN THE HOSPITAL BED.

Manik: Oh my God, are you okay??

Nandini: ..................

Manik: Nandu!! Talk to me!!

Nandinl: I-

Manuk: You what? YOU WHAT?

Nandini: I have cancer and They are getting me on life support.

Manik: .....................>breaks into tears<......................>

Nandinil: They’re taking me off tonight.

Manik: Why?

Nandini: I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t .

Manik: Why didn’t you tell me?

Nandini: I didn’t want to hurt you.

Manik: You could never hurt me.

Nandini: I just wanted to see if you felt about me the same as I felt about you.

Manik: I love you more than anything. I would give you the world in a heartbeat. I would die for you and take a bullet for you. Haven’t i said that before.

Nandini: Don’t be sad. I love you and I’ll always be here with you..

Manik: Then why did you break up with me?

Nurse: Young man, visiting hours are over.

Manik leaves and later that night Nandini is taken off of life support and dies, but what Manik didn’t know is that nandini only asked him those questions so she could hear him say it one last time. She only broke up with him because she knew she only had 3 more weeks left to live and thought that it would cause him less pain and give him time to get over her before she died.

NEXT DAY

Manik is soon found dead with a gun in one hand and a note in the other.

THE NOTE SAID: “I told her that I would take a bullet for her, just like she said she would die for me.”