Chapter 14 ( B)
" Very well done kids, good going! I am impressed with your hard work, dedication and preparation. Now I give you a half hour break as your reward. " Cabir said,standing on a table, melodramatic as ever, drawing a glare from Mukti, a chuckle from Nandini and an eye - roll from Manik.
" Let's go to the garden. My baby tulips are waiting for me out there . Come I'll show you . I bet,you guys have never ever seen cuter things than those!!!"Mukti chatted away excitedly as she led the other three towards the garden after a rigorous two hour music practice under the guidance of Cabir.
"She says the same thing everytime she has new flowers in her garden."Cabir told Manik and Nandini as a matter of fact as they trailed behind a hyperactive Mukti.
All of them made way through the lush green beauty of number of flora including large trees standing gloriously high,small shrubs,even smaller and tender herbs,rows of diverse colourful flowers,each and every plant enriching the visitants with serenity and exhilaration.Admiring the exquisite artistry of nature,the trio stopped behind Mukti with awe-delivering faces . They were mesmerised by the sheer delicacy of burgeoning tulips -red,yellow,purple,orange,pink, white,cream forming a beautiful bed of rainbow on Earth.
" Mesmerizing!!!Aren't they??" Mukti said chirpily and proudly . The three of them noded in ready agreement.
"Mukti,let's click some pictures with these baby tulips of yours,come."Nandini said pulling Mukti amidst the flowers and commanded the boys to take the pictures . The boys shook their head well aware of the girls' obsession of getting clicked every now and then and got to the task.
"Hey Mukti,get me something to eat yar!!I am starving,what a careless host you are!!!"Cabir called Mukti after clicking some pictures,when he accidentally caught a look at Manik's phone only to find him focusing the eight megapixel camera of his iphone only on Nandini with dreamy expressions.
" What is it,Cabir? Since when did you start needing host attending to you in Ahuja mansion!!!"Mukti almost shouted annoyed, walking
towards him . Cabir held her hand and dragged her away before she could say anything further.
"Offo,Mukti, have you sent your brain on vacations??I was calling you to leave Manik and Nandini alone . They may need some time to themselves,don't you think??"Cabir said and winked at her as they reached the kitchen.
" Oh,is that so!!!Wah re mere Cabira,chala di tune toh Manik aur Nandini ki Naiya."Mukti said with a wicked smile taking the apple slices cut by Cabir making him grunt.
Manik was clicking Nandini at different places in different postures and was concurrently engraving every single detail of her in his heart and brain.
" Manik,will you just keep taking my pictures or share one with me too?"Nandini said when she got done with all her poses . Manik smiled and came beside her eager to share the frame with her.
' You're asking for just one picture,I'm up for sharing every picture of my life with you.'He said in his head smiling wide as he put his arms around Nandini's shoulders and clicked a perfect selfi . Nandini stiffened,feeling a familiar jolt run through her body at his touch,the touch which always gives her senses a run for control . His divine smile in the mobile screen had her heart picking up jet speed.Manik's condition was no different . The silken feel of Nandini's skin was doing inexplicable things to him.He felt Nandini stiffen beside him,not for the first time,to know the effect he casts over her . The thought gives his heart a delectable ache and a sense of contentment.The beatitude of their feelings came to an end when Nandini winced in pain . Her finger accidently touched the thorns of a shrub and started bleeding . As Manik saw the blood oozing out of her finger,he instinctively held it and put it in his mouth . Nandini gasped at the contact but was soon lost into the concern filled eyes of the boy who has broken through her fortifications ,her pain vanished into the sweetness of his mouth . As for Manik,his brain seemed to magnify the pain of the girl reigning his heart as he tasted the saltiness of her blood .He,then, looked up to see if she's is feeling too much pain but felt his breath hitch at the look in her eyes which gave a clear gateway to her feelings . The feelings which mirrored his own and his heart swelled with overwhelming joy as it acknowledged the unclouded reciprocation of its owner's mystical feelings . The time stopped for both of them as if they were transported to a timeless and dimensionless haven of their utopia . Their stupor was broken by the vibrations of Manik's phone ringing in his other hand . Nandini pulled her finger back and rubbed it on her top only to wince again.
" Are you okay,Nandini?Is it paining too much?"Manik asked concerned.
" No,I..I'm fine . Don't worry ,erm,g..go ahead with your call."Nandini fumbled trying to bring her body at being normal . Manik nodded and attended the call . Nandini stood their still getting over what just happened berating herself for slipping into her Manik-struck zoneyet again . She has been slipping into this zone more than often since she accepted her amorous feelings for Manik . Not only that,she keeps imagining the same feelings in Manik's temperament . If only she could recognise the palpable existence of the object of her imagination.
" Nandini,are you really okay?You're looking very pale . Are you hurt very bad?"Manik asked still worried about her,his concern taking over his good sense about of a slight cut.
" No Manik,I'm fine . This is just a minor cut . It isn't even bleeding anymore.A little pricking sensation is there though,but it'll go away soon. Few drops of blood loss won't steal my colour,relax!!!"Nandini said to relieve Manik of his useless worries and secretly revelling in them too.
"Okay,fine but you should apply something here,so it doesn't pain . You're a would be doctor,you know better. Come let's go in and do something about it . Mukti must be having a first aid kit . Manik said not really convinced about her being fine and ushered her inside.
"Manik,I don't need a first aid for this slight cut,but if you insist I'll apply some ointment. I've it in my bag." Nandini said shaking her head at his exaggerated concern,as they entered the music room . Manik took ointment from her hands as she fished it out of her bag and started applying it on her finger with utmost care and blew on her cut to relieve it of any remnant sensations of pain or pricking,whatever it was.
That's how Cabir and Mukti found them when they entered the room after they saw the duo coming here . They looked at each other and passed a knowing smile before interupting.
" What happened to your finger,Nandini?"Cabir asked a little concerned noticing nothing alarming, as he along with Mukti walked towards them . Manik released her hand,composed himself a bit and told Cabir and Mukti about her cut and Nandini reassured them that she's absolutely fine . The four of them ended their practice session at late evening after a very productive day.
" Whoa guys,goal achieved . I think we did well for a Sunday . We're ready for our performances with still a week in our hands to get better and better practised . That calls for a party guys,what say! !!"Manik said excited after an amazing day with music and Nandini . All the other three hooted equally excited.
" Let's go dine and hit a dance floor,then . Nandini you've not seen Mumbai 's nightlife yet .So, buckle yourself up for the night fun . We're going to a dance club,right guys???"Mukti practically screamed making the other three close their ears tight.
" Mukti I have to reach hostel by 11 and tomorrow I have to attend college too,not only me,we all have to . So maybe some other time."
"But you can stay with me tonight."Mukti countered
"I don't have warden's permission for today and then there's tomorrow's college too,so..."Nandini trailed off shrugging .Manik and Cabir agreed with her and they decided to have a dinner together.
The day ended on a very pleasant note after a delightful dinner at the Ziya,a dining restaurant at the Oberoi hotel . Cabir and Mukti left together and Manik left with Nandini to drop her off to her hostel ,a thing that had become an integral part of his routine.
" Nandini your finger is fine,now? "Manik asked one more time taking her hand in his to examine ,as he stood out of his car to make sure she's fine before she goes inside.
" Manik,I am really really fine . I don't even feel my finger was cut .You're worrying more than necessary . It's fine."Nandini said taking his hand in both of hers thoroughly touched by this caring disposition of Manik.
" Well,can't help worrying when it comes to my people."Manik replied with his adorable smile making Nandini internally swoon over him.
" Nandini" Their moment was disrupted by a voice which Nandini recognised to be her chachu's and turned around to find him standing outside the hostel,his gaze fixed on their entwined hands .
Love is a force more formidable than any other.It is invisible-it cannot be seen or measured ,yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment,and offer you more joy than any other materialistic possession could.
Barbara de angelis
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
CID
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