TS : Take 3 You Belong With Me....on Page 19 - Page 13

OS: You Belong With Me

Nandini's face breaks into a huge smile as she reads the text message from Manik "Come down I am waiting..." she rushes to her bedroom window and pushing aside the curtains looks down; Sure enough Manik is looking up towards her window as he waves his hand, signalling her to come down quickly. Nandini, ensuring not to make any noise while closing the door behind her, gently walks out of her house and then upon taking a few faster steps reaches near the waiting Manik. "What are you doing here so late?" Nandini asks with a smile. Rather than answering Nandini's question Manik checks his wristwatch and instructs her, "Close your eyes.." "What?? Kyun?" Nandini asks, slightly confused. "Aree kya matlab kyun... because I am asking you to do so..." Manik says, pinching her nose. "Ouch..." Nandini winces a little while rubbing her nose. "Nandini..." Manik says in a little frustrated tone. "Okie... okiee... baba... don't get angry... I am sure koie surprise haine... right...I know... I love surprises..." Nandini closes her eyes and continues with her chatter while Manik, after ensuring she is not cheating, takes a small heart shaped chocolate cake and lights a candle on it. A smiling Manik then holds the cake in front of Nandini and softly asks her to open her eyes.

A curious Nandini opens her eyes eagerly and is really surprised to see the cake; Manik handovers the cake cutting knife to her, signalling her to go ahead and cut the cake as he sings a very melodious Happy Birthday while looking deep into her eyes. Nandini blows the candle and cuts the cake, then taking a small piece of the cake she feeds Manik. Keeping aside the cake on the trunk of his car Manik takes the cake piece from Nandini's hand; Wishing once again "Happy Birthday, My Shining Star..." he feeds her and then pulls her for a tight hug. "How did you know it's my birthday?" Nandini enquires with a curious look on her face as she pulls back. Manik tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear and meeting her eyes says, "It's your 18th Birthday... How could I not know... I wanted to be the first person to wish you... so this is just a small surprise..." "That's really sweet of you Manik... I loved the surprise..." Nandini says with excitement; taking a step back she then extends her palm and demands, "Where is my birthday gift?" "Let me think...(Manik rubs his chin melodramatically) if you want that... well, then you have to spend the whole day with me... till the next day starts..." Manik says with a grin. "You mean to say if I don't agree you won't give me a gift?" Nandini asks with her hands firmly on her waist. "Yupp..." Manik confirms leaning on the car, giving time to Nandini in order to be able to decide. "Mein ghar par kya bolungi? Unke sath bhi toh time spend karana padega na muzhe..." Nandini says with a puppy face. "Well, you know, I am such a kind person... so thik haine... you can spend 5 pm to 6.30 pm with them..." Maniks says while smiling sweetly. "Manik... please... mein kya bolungi unhe?? They don't know about us..." Nandini tries to reason. "Chachi se permission mein le lunga...you just tell me If YOU want to spend the day with me or not..." Manik asks with a raised eyebrow. "Okay" Nandini confirms happily. "Good Girl... be ready by 7 am... I will come to pick you up..." Manik tells her while at the same time pulling her close towards him for one more hug before he leaves. After holding Nandini in his arms for a few moments Manik pulls back, albeit a little reluctantly, and wishes her "Good Night... Sweet Dreams Birthday Girl..." Nandini turns to leave but then while turning she slowly grabs the front of Manik's jacket, and slowly getting on her toes, she gives a sound kiss on Manik's cheek and then without looking back runs... leaving behind a grinning Manik, touching his cheek in amusement!

The next day Manik reaches Nandini's place early in the morning, and while Nandini is getting ready, he uses his charm to explain to Chachi how he and his friends have arranged a surprise birthday party for Nandini. "Don't worry Chachi... mein khud usse ghar drop karne aunga..." Manik promises. "Aree Manik betaa... If you are with Nandu.. muzhe koie chinta nahi... buss jyada late mat karana, okay..." Chachi gives permission and Manik gives a mental High-five to himself.

"Manik... tumne Chachi se kya kaha?? How did she agree so readily?" Nandini asks for the 10th time. "That is between me and Chachi..." Maniks tells her the 10th time, with a sweet smile. Nandini and Manik enter the Music Room while still busy arguing but the loud "Surpriseee..." followed by a shower of glitter leaves Nandini speechless for a few moments. One by one FAB 4 and Navya wish Nandini Happy Birthday and Nandini gives Manik a questioning look wanting to know if he has had any hand in planning this surprise; Manik just shrugs his shoulders in reply. "Chalo Chalo... cake cut karana haine..." Navya makes the announcement and pulls Nandini towards a table where a big cake with 18 candles is awaiting her. "You have to blow off all the candles in one go..." Cabir challenges. "Make a wish, candles buzhane se pehale.." Navya instructs; Nandini smilingly nods in agreement; then closes her eyes making a wish to keep all her loved ones Always Happy' and blows out the candles with one big blow while the others cheer and sing "Happy Birthday To You"

That evening Nandini gets down from the car Manik has sent, specially for her, to fetch her; she was a little disappointed that he didn't come himself to pick her up. The car has dropped her in front of what looks like a farm house... Nandini takes a look around...She then takes tentative steps in the direction of some soft music coming from poolside...And then her heart skips a beat at the site of Manik - dressed in a white tux with both his hands into the pant pockets he is looking like a Prince from some fairy tale!

Manik starts walking towards Nandini as soon as their eyes meet; Nandini is wearing a beautiful white dress along with sparkling tear drop earrings dangling in her ears; a beautiful bracelet on her wrist and in one hand she is carrying a silver clutch.

"Hey.." Manik says with a husk in his voice as he stands right in front of his Nandu, with only few inches separating them. Lovingly he tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear as he leans in to give her a quick kiss on her lips; "Beautiful... just like An Angel!" he compliments her with a smile as he gives an admiring bottom up look, after confirming she is wearing everything he chose for her so lovingly and painstakingly. "Thank you..." Nandni barely manages to utter as she is also trying hard not to blush. Manik chuckles a little amused with her shyness; he then offers her his arm like a gentleman and softly says "Chale, Angel..." and then Nandini just puts her hand through the crook of his arm and, leaning close to him, together they walk in.

"Wowww... this is beautiful..." Nandini squeals happily as Manik takes her to a poolside which is decorated with twinkling lights looking like fire-flies. A table set for two is waiting with candles waiting to be lit.

Manik pulls out a chair for Nandini signalling her to take a seat and Nandini does as she is told. "Manik this is sooo romantic... who would have thought Monster Manik itna romantic bhi ho sakta haine..." Nandini says in a teasing tone. "I am touched..." Manik says extending a glass towards her and Nandini gives a little uncomfortable look... "Don't worry, I know Nandini Moorty does not drink alcohol... soft drink haine...trust me." Manik assures her and Nandini nods as she takes the glass, waiting for Manik to pick up his own. Manik picks up his glass and raises a toast; "Here's to you Birthday Girl... May you always keep Shining the Brightest..." Manik says with a grin and Nandini toasts to it while taking a sip.

Nandini snuggles close to Manik as he wraps his arms around her, holding her close to himself from behind, sitting together by the pool a little longer; "So... Did you enjoy the dinner?" Manik enquires, leaning close to her ears. "I enjoyed it a lot... but you know what I enjoyed the most?" Nandini turns to look at Manik and Manik gives her a questioning look. "I enjoyed the smile on your face the best... I love it when you smile ekdum dil se... you got a beautiful smile that will make any girl go weak in her knees..." Nandini says in a teasing tone, while ruffling his hair lovingly. "See... that's exactly the smile I am talking about..." Nandini confirms pointing at his smiling face, making Manik a little embarrassed. "I didn't know Ms. Nandini Moorty can flirt too..." Manik teases back; an embarrassed Nandini tries to get up but Manik holds back her firmly, and without exchanging a single word they just spend the next few moments gazing at the stars that are shining brighter than usual!

"Manik, can I ask you something?" Nandini asks a little tentatively, upon which Maniks just gives a little "Humm" in response. "Tumhe stars itne kyun pasand haine?" Nandini asks once again, turning to him and now meeting his eyes. "I don't know... mujhe stars kyun pasand haine... all I know is that they just bring peace to my aching heart..." Manik attempts to explains in a very soft voice while he looks at Nandini's upturned face, and then gently caressing her arms he continues "When they shine I feel I am not alone in the dark... they give me hope... and strength to face the world... they were my only solace until... ." Maniks stops. "Until when?" Nandini asks curiously. "Until you came along into my life..." Manik finishes, while playfully banging his head on hers. "I was a lost soul that day...that day when in your drunken state you promised me that you will always shine for me... my very own personal shining star.." Maniks says, fondly remembering the conversation they had had, lying on the rooftop of his car.

Nandini now shifts and turns a little more, facing completely to Manik...then cupping his face she assures him "Manik you are not in the dark anymore... I will keep my promise... I will shine for you... hamesha..." sealing her promise with a kiss on his forehead and engulfing herself in his arms tightly. Savouring this moment of complete bliss Manik pulls her back; then getting up from behind without a care for the expensive shoes or the clothes he is wearing he kicks them off and rolls-up his trousers, signalling Nandini to kick off her heels too. Nandini does as she is instructed and removes her heels, despite not being sure of Manik's exact plan.

Manik extends his hands for Nandini to hold and she happily obliges; together they both just sit on the edge of the swimming pool with their legs dangling in the cool water of the swimming pool. Manik wraps his arms around Nandini's shoulder lovingly and then leaning close to her he signals her to lean in as well to check the reflection of their happy smiling faces. "See what you do to me... you are the reason I have changed from Monster Manik to just Manik... you are the reason I am learning to be happy... I am learning to laugh... you are my strength and my weakness Nandini..." Manik tells her tenderly and then discreetly removes something from the breast pocket of his jacket. "Look at these stars... you are the brightest shining star amongst them... " Manik says pointing at Nandini's glowing face while staring at the reflections of all the stars that can be seen in the water of the swimming pool in the moonlight pointing towards; And while his Nandini is lost looking at their reflection, Manik lovingly secures a white gold chain with a Ruby studded STAR pendant around her neck, telling her huskily, "You Belong To Me... My Very Own Shining Star..." Overwhelmed with emotion Nandni just throws herself into Manik's loving arms while a few happy tears find their way through the corners of her eyes... "Same as You Belong With Me..." Nandini whispers and Manik just gives a gentle little squeeze to his Angel in confirmation.