The whole evening Maan and Nandika both feel a restlessness inside their mind and heart. Is it because of their complicated love or the absence of someone with whom they can share all this mess? Whatever, they are eagerly waiting for their night chats with his Nutty M and her Lost boy. They don’t know what is happening but as a third person, I can. Actually, they are dying to simplify this complicated love and for that, both of them need their Agony aunt. It is half past 12 in the night and Nandika is lying and loitering on her bed for Lost Boy’s message. Today she is determined to say all about Maan to him as she wants advice. Although she has already made her decision something is there in her mind which is constantly pocking her subconscious

“Even this boy is showing attitude. Perhaps he forgot that I am his counsellor. All boys are the same. Just show them your interest and they start throwing their ignorance.”

Nandika grunts in her mind and glances at the clock. Every second is passing like an hour for her. She grabs the mobile and decides to message him first for the first time. It’s not the time to show the ego. Only then, the most awaited notification blinks on the top right corner of the screen. Nandika sits squarely on the bed and opens the Instagram message box.

“Hi…sorry for the late. Actually, I was wondering if I should say this to you or not. I am in a great dilemma and guilt. Please listen to me and advise.”

Nandika bites her lower lip. Even she is in a dilemma. However, Lost Boy’s plead compels her to listen to him first.

“Go ahead. I am all ears. But after that, even you have to listen to me.”

She types. The reply comes quickly,

“Done deal…”

Some silent moments pass and Lost Boy’s message flashes,

“I have to confess something. Please don’t misunderstand me. I have been stalking you for the last 3 years. I have messaged you a zillion times in the hope that one day you will revert me and that night my wish completed. Nutty M, I want to confess that you were my secret Cinderella whom I wanted to have in my real life. I was in love with you since I started reading your books. I couldn’t imagine anyone for me except you. I started talking to you only in this hope that someday I will pour my heart out in front of you…”

Nandika takes a deep sigh. It was unexpected but surprisingly she is not feeling the expected butterflies in her stomach. She doesn’t know why. She types,

“Before answering I want to know something. Why there is the past tense? Should I take it as you don’t love me anymore?”

Lost Boy takes some minutes to reply and finally, his answer comes,

“That is exactly my guilt, Nutty M. I don’t know how I gave that place to someone else where I always used to imagine you. I am battling with my emotions and for the last two days, I have been trying to deny that I can love someone else apart from you. I have been struggling to throw her out of my mind but you know love is…”

He doesn’t complete but Nandini finishes it,

“Love is stubborn. The more you try to elude it the more it will embrace you. That’s why I explained it something like this…
Love knows no compulsion
It is such a fire
Which can’t be lit nor can it be quenched
It survives like a dangerous desire.
Ha…Ha…”

She tries to lighten up the situation. However, deep down she is feeling the satire of love. The Lost Boy loves her but she loves Maan and Maan….does he really love her? Who knows? Love is too messy. For a moment she gets adrift when Lost Boy’s message pings,

“You are laughing at my misery, Nutty M? You are so cruel. But the actual problem is more complicated. Now, when I have admitted that I love her and not you; I want to tell her that, properly. Not like I haven’t hinted but do you know what she did? She acted as if she is not interested and pushed me away. She even has stopped meeting and interacting with me. And do you know what is the reason? She thinks she is too simple and common to be chosen by a handsome and popular boy. I again felt that my good looks are my enemy. I can’t even win my true love.”

He sent a sad face emoji which brings a smile to Nandika’s lips. She replies,

“Did she tell you about her insecurity?”

“No…but I know. This is the reason. She thinks exactly like you. She is nerdy and her stereotypical thought is nerds can’t be loved...Damn it..!”

He sounds restless.

“You want to convince her that this thought is wrong?”

Nandika types and his reply comes immediately,

“Yes, but how?”

“For that, you have to assure her about your love. And for that, you have to accept her in front of the world. You said that you have a concert tomorrow…right? What can be a better place and way to tell her that your love for her is true and pure? Sing a song for her and propose to her in front of the whole audience.”

Nandika herself feels excited to advise it. Lost Boy asks,

“Will it work? If so then I am ready for it.”

“Let’s see. If she loves you too, she will accept you. At least my psychology says so. She is sceptic about her desirability and you have to prove her doubt wrong.”

Nandika assures him.

“But Nutty M, didn’t you feel bad that I gave your place to someone else.? You didn’t feel jealous that you are not my secret Cinderella anymore?”

For a moment Nandika keeps mum and then she replies,

“No….because I love someone else too and even I am sceptic to admit it.”