*Flashbacks in italics*

●A promise means EVERYTHING but once it is broken, then SORRY means NOTHING●

No..not this one. This is too big. I told you, I want something special!", exclaimed Manik. The salesgirl stared at him for a moment and then turned her helpless look towards the man who was standing behind Manik. His personal assistant, Aryaman.

",", Aryaman laid his hand on Manik's shoulder, who looked at him with a frown on his face, , asked Manik.

Clearing his throat, Aryaman said, , he pointed at the sales girl, "please specify what kind of ring do you want and for what purpose."

Manik sighed and then closed his eyes, even with his closed eyes he could see her, crystal clear. Smiling at him, sometimes teasing but all the time loving.

Manik smiled, his earlier irritation vanishing, , he declared,

The sales-girl, Rose sighed in relief, thanking Aryaman silently with a nod.

"Yeah, next Monday, hhmm..okay, but if possible try making it ready sooner. I need it very soon because I need to fulfil a promise that I made years ago.", Manik smiled one last time and after doing the necessary payments, he and Aryaman walked out of the jewellery store.

"Ahem..excuse me sir!", said Aryaman.

"Yes?"

"Sir, I wanted to ask it before but never did, but now I am totally curious. What promise were you talking about? Who's that lucky girl?"

Manik chuckled and replied,

, Manik threw his arm around Aryaman's shoulder and started telling, "It started 14 years ago, when I was 16 and in school..."

******

"Hey dude!", Manik bumped fists with his friends who were chatting in the parking lot.

, Cabir, one of Manik's friend commented.

"Really! She might be like those bimbos!", shrugged Manik.

, Dhruv pointed at someone.

Manik looked into the direction, Dhruv's finger was pointing and saw a girl standing there. She was dressed in the school uniform, navy blue colored plated skirt, cream white shirt and belle flat style shoes. She had her back facing Manik.

Manik tilted his head, trying to see the girl's face but couldn't. Luck was with him today as the girl herself turned around, making herself a sight for Maniks' sore eyes.

"", Manik whispered. He was awe-struck by the

girl's beauty. She was angelic and innocent like a baby. They weren't rumours, they were just plain truth. The new girl was indeed beautiful and hot, in a natural way.

"Told ya!", Cabir slapped his back.

******

, Aryaman commented but when he realised what he had said, he immediately apologized, "Sorry sir that was just.."

, Manik sighed, sounding utterly and completely in love.

"Only if she talked back!", grinned Manik,

"What!"

"Yes, it might sound a bit stalker-ish, but nevertheless, I followed her around, grabbing every opportunity to talk to her. Never left her side.", Manik chuckled,

Aryaman narrowed his eyes at Manik, as he chuckled and continued.

*****

"Why are you following me?", Nandini asked. Her tone had the tint of frustration in it.

"Then why don't you talk to me?", shrugged Manik.

"What do you want?"

"Just friendship. Can't we be friends?"

"I don't do friendship with boys!"

"I haven't had a girl friend before.", Manik said. Nandini stared at him open-mouthed and then Manik realised what he had said, "Sorry I meant a girl as a friend. Friend only."

"Nothing more?"

"No nothing!"

"Okay..", said Nandini and now it was Manik who stood open-mouthed. "What? Just like that?"

"See, every guy who tried to talk to me wanted something from me, that I don't want to get indulge in. But you asked for friendship only, so here we are friends!", Nandini held out her hand.

Manik grinned the cheesiest grin possible. He shook hands with Nandini and said, "Friends!"

*******

"Ahaan, done with the first stage already! So when did you propose her. Did she agree or broke your friendship?"

"It happened after 2 years of our friendship. I was done with school and had to go to college and she still had one year left. She was helping with the farewell party decorations, I proposed her there, in the school ground, in front of half of the school."

*****

Nandini was tying the balloons together, forming a balloon cluster when Manik came, he had his hands behind his back. Nandini, when saw him, smiled brightly and gestured his to come forward.

"Look here comes the would-be college guy!", she tried to kiss his cheek but Manik backed a step.

Nandini frowned and asked, "Manik! What's wrong? You look nervous."

"I..", Manik stuttered. He clenched the four leafed clover bouquet that he was hiding behind his back.

"Manik?"

"Nandini, I knew you wanted just friendship and even after 2 years you are content with it, but I am not!", said Manik and Nandini just stared at him. "I want more Nandini, I want more of you, more of us."

"Manik..", Nandini whispered.

"I know that after this I might lose our friendship but if I'll not say it now, I won't be able to live with it..Nandini..", Manik bent on his one knee and continued, "I like you, like you a lot. Will you please be mine? Mine girlfriend?"

Nandini's eyes widened and her lips started quivering. Manik closed his eyes and started mind-chanting, "Please don't say no. Say yes please!" And after two minutes of wait, he heard her whisper;

"Yes!", Maniks's eyes flew open and he stared at Nandini, who was smiling brightly at him.

"Yes?", he asked.

"Yes.", she nodded. Manik laughed and stood up straight. Handing the bouquet to Nandini, he hugged her tight and twirled her around.

"You picked my favourites! Thank you!"

"I love doing things that make you smile, and I'll never stop doing that!", Manik sighed and buried his head in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent.

******

, asked Aryaman.

Manik smiled, a bit sadly and then said, "Those were the best days of my life. We were girlfriend boyfriend now, officially. But then, I had to leave."

"After one year at college, I got scholarship to study here in NYU. I was happy, really, that was my dream after-all. But guess what, priorities did changed. I wanted to go, but then I didn't wanted to leave too."

*****

Manik and Nandini were lying together on the grass. Nandini had her arms around Manik's waist and Manik was caressing her hair.

"This is your dream Manik! You should go."

"You want me gone?"

Nandini raised her head from his chest and said, "No, I don't. But your dream is equally important. And your dream is mine dream too!"

"But I don't want to leave you here! I won't be able to live without you!", exclaimed Manik.

Nandini sighed and cupped his cheek, "I know, and even I won't be able to live without you. But you had leave jaan. You'll come back right?"

"But still.."

"No! You have to go. Fulfil your dream, for you, for your parents, for me.", Nandini smiled and kissed his forehead.

"Fine.", Manik sighed.

"But promise me, you'll come back for me. I'll be waiting for you!", Nandini raise her hand and bend her pinky finger in form of a hook.

"Promise!", Manik smiled, and hooked his pinky finger with hers. Sealing the promise with their hooked fingers.

"I love you Manik!"

"Love you too, jaan!"

*******

", Manik smiled pointing at him.

"You never called her in all these years? Never tried to contact her?", asked Aryaman.

"Nope. That was a part of our promise. We won't contact each other, because if we did we won't be able to stop from meeting each other and you know the things would have turned differently."

"I understand", smiled Aryaman.

, Manik smiled and Aryaman nodded in approval.

******

"Nandini!!", yelled Nandini's chachi.

"?", asked Nandini.

"Why did you reject the proposal? That boy was perfect for you!"

", he chachi chastised.

, said Nandini, wiping the single tear that flowed down her cheek. Traitor.

"Beta..", Nandini's chachi sighed and sat beside her, "It's been 14 years darling. Are you sure he'll come back. I just don't want you to be left alone sweetheart. You know I love you, and am worried for you."

Nandini took her hand in hers and said, "I know chachi, and I know Manik too. Believe me he'll come back."

"Okay, just 2 months more, after that you have to marry the guy I chose for you! Okay."

Nandini just smiled and walked out of the house. She went to the lakeside and stood staring at nothing in particular. Hugging herself, she rubbed her arms when she heard him.

"I was hoping you'll come here! It's been out favourite spot after-all."

Nandini turned around, she could feel her heart bursting with immense joy, ", she whisper-asked.

There in front of her stood Manik with the cutest grin on his face. He nodded in positive and opened his arms for Nandini.

Nandini ran towards him and hugged him tightly with all the might she could muster.

"You came!" she cried happily.

"I did.", Manik hugged her back, more tightly.

He kissed her head and said, "I had to. Hadn't I promised you?"

"Love you so much Manik!"

"I know.", Manik pulled back but still had his arms around her waist.

"I know Nandini, it's been 14 years that we last saw each other. Things may have changed but my love for you haven't. I still love you as I used to."

"I love you too, more than before." Nandini smiled and pecked his lips lightly. But Manik was in no mood to leave her soon. He pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Their lips melded in perfection, and the tremors of love shook their insides. There was no need to light the sparks and the love, Manik and Nandini shared was already sparkling.

Nandini broke the kiss, but Manik still pecked her few times, before finally pulling back.

"I brought you something."

"What?"

Manik took out the navy blue velvet box and opened it in front of her.

There in the box rested the platinum ring that had the chocolate rock in the middle. The promise ring.

"Nandini..", he held her hand and slide the ring in her finger, "This is a promise ring. It represents the promise I am now making to you."