Manik & Nandini-Stars & Fireflies Part 56 on Page 145

Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies 2 - Two Different Worlds...

It was about 4 am in the morning the whole world or at least India still seemed to be enjoying their date with the sleep. Somewhere in a posh locality of Mumbai, the city of dreams as everyone calls it a huge black merc pulls out in front of a very plush house. One look at that house makes everyone go gaga over it, that is what a house of dreams looks like, yes a dream for most of the people. Out of that merc a tall and handsome young boy around 19 came out. He was dashingly handsome with greek god looks. He looked like every girl's dream boy with those deep eyes which held more than what they could. hHe had the most perfect lips which never smiled but only smirked in sarcasm. With one hand in his pocket and the other holding his guitar he was none other than Manik Malhotra, the crown prince of Malhotra Industries and undisputed king of Space Academy.

When for most of the people their day begun Manik's day ended. He walked into his swanky bedroom, which was everything red. Red was his favorite color, Red the color of passion. Manik was passionate about his music and that was something everyone knew. But he was passionate about something else love, a love that would sweep him off his feet, a love that would take him on wild ride, a love that would make him question his sanity and a love that would consume him and this was a secret. He had a girl friend Alya whom he claimed to love but never felt the burning desire to have her for him and only him. He was waiting for his soulmate. Tired of partying whole night Manik collapsed on the huge king sized bed which was overlooking a life sized portrait of him with his guitar. Soon this will be replaced by the portrait of a girl whose smile would be his biggest wealth and her love would be his greatest achievement.

Oblivious to her prince charming's way ward habits a few hundred miles away in Mangalore a young 17 year old girl was busy in beginning her day. She was wearing a white salwar kameez with a white duppatta symbolizing peace and love. Her long black wet hair was still dripping water. The bangles in her hands mahe a beautiful hymn every time she moved her hands to light up a diya. It was beautiful little cottage nestled around nature. With beautiful Nilgiri hills on one side and a vast ocean on the other side. It was illuminated by diyas all around spreading light and making it glow with an aura. The smell of incense sticks filled in the air around it making it a dream home where everyone would want to walk and forget their worries.

Nandini folded her hands and prayed to Aiyyapa, her favourite god. She can talk anything with him, he has been her best friend every since her parents died. "Aiyyapa today is a big day for me. I am starting a new journey to Mumbai with chacha and chachi. I will be leaving Ams here please take care of her and always keep her happy. Please give me strength that my journey in Mumbai is an experience of lifetime and I can make everyone proud." Even Aiyappa must be smiling at this girls innocence. Her entire life is going to change and she going to change someone else's entire life, they both just don't know it yet.

Nandini sat down and started playing veena and soon her melodious voice filled in the air and the atmosphere became divine. Her eyes were closed, there was a smile on her lips while singing and a calm on her face which could force the wildest of storms to go back quietly. Just as she finished her song and opened her eyes she found an elderly lady standing in front of her; her Ams. Ams smiled at Nandini "So Nandu what have you decided what are you going to study?" "Ams I am so confused I don't know what to do. Appa wants me to become a doctor and Amma a musician." Ams "I think you should listen to your Amma." Nandini looked puzzled. Ams smiled and went near the portrait of a beautiful young couple garlanded and said "Music was brought your Amma and Appa close and united them, music was what they had till the time they were together. So I think you should choose music it will lead you to the most beautiful destination of your life; love."

"Love is very important for life Nandini, love makes us alive. A person who has not loved has not lived but just survived. I have a feeling that music will get you to what you are looking for." Yes Ams was right music is what that goiney g to take not only Nandini but also Manik. Music is what will bring them closer and unite them forever. Their love will be the lyrics of the music of their life...

Nandini took out the form for Space Academy and signed it. Her Ams had secretly sent her application which was accepted by Space, thus beginning the greatest love stories of any time. Just as Nandini signed the form, Manik got a call. "Hey baby.." Said Alya. "Alya how many times do I ave to tell you not to call me baby." Manik said in sleepy angry voice. "Manik we are at the airport we have to go to Bangalore to play at the college fest, bhul gaya kya." Dhruv spoke sensing Alya's sad face and took the phone from her. "Oh ****" Manik said jumped out of the bed. "How the hell can I be so careless" He cursed himself as he got ready and left for the airport. He was in the airport in 15 minutes. "Did you drive or did you fly superman." joked Cabir.. "Hahahah" Manik said as they all walked into the airport.

There was aura about Fab5 when they walked together, they were different, the most happening group of youngsters to be seen around, classy, stylish and edgy. Manik looked at Alya "Now what are you frowning for?" Alya "Manik as if you don't know, how can you talk like that to me." Manik "Oh come on Alya cut this cutie cutie stuff you know very well I am not cut out for this. Now if you can be normal be normal or else your wish." Manik said and walked ahead. Destiny smiled on his arrogance cause few months from now this very boy will round up heaven and hell to see the smile on a girl a very simple girl's face. A girl who would be his whole universe, a girl who is leaving to catch a bus to Bangalore from where she will catch a train to Mumbai.

Ams was very angry on her son Venkatesh he was leaving early as he had some work in Bangalore. Nandini and her brother Rishabh bid a tearful good bye to Ams, her home, her parents memories and Mangalore. She was holding a jar was getting onto the bus very close to her. Chacha said "Nandini put this inside why are you carrying insects with you ?" Nandini "Chacha these are not insects, these are fireflies which glow in darkness, glow for love and they are a bit of my Amma with me. I won't keep it any where."

The day passed on successfully for Fab5 as well as Nandini. Manik's performance was a superhit, he kissed and made up with Alya so Alya was very happy all seemed good in his world, regular. Until he realised that he lost the return tickets. Cabir had to take great pains to get them in another flight cause of weekend rush. The next flight was 4 hours later at midnight, Cabir went to disco, the girls went to the spa, Dhruv was sleeping and Manik who was irritated by himself sat on a bench in the hotel garden.

"Crap bakwaas sab bakwaas hai." Manik murmured. "Aaj sab galat ho raha hai, first I was late, then alya's drama and now again flight miss, some days are just not worth. And Alya I don't understand what's her problem, I've told her hundreds of times that I love her still she doesn't believe me. There is no such thing as true love." "There is true love " Said a voice who was sitting behind him on the very adjacent bench. "True love exist when you meet your one true love your life comes alive, you come alive. Your life finds a purpose, you find yourself smiling without no reason. When you are in you will always think about the other person it makes you selfless, brave and the best version of yourself."

Manik was awestruck, he never heard such a true definition of lover ever. It wa Nandini sitting and explaining love to Manik. "Nandu" Chachi called as the taxi came to take them to station. Nandini got up and left her duppatta fell on Manik's face and he felt heaven. He didn't knew why he felt it was just a duppatta but he still felt calm. He turned to see her but he couldn't all he could see was long black hair covering a face then a hand came up the bangles in which made a hymning sound; they removed the hair but all he could see was a pair of earrings shining like a star and two beautiful lips pink as a rose petal smiling and that smile made the everything around it beautiful and he saw a glimpse of her his soulmate..His Nandini. Manik was mesmerized by what he saw and suddenly the taxi moved and manik didn't knew what got into him he ran behind the taxi...

End of Part 2

Be Back Soon...Please drop in your views...

Love...

Sweta..

Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies Part 3 Lost In Dreams...

Manik was mesmerized by what he saw and suddenly the taxi moved and manik didn't knew what got into him he ran behind the taxi...His mind was asking him to stop but his heart was like you can't let this go girl...He almost reached the gate but the taxi picked up the speed and disappear ed in the traffic. Manik stood there lost and panting staring at the traffic blankly. He didn't realize how long he stood until a security guard cam and asked if he was waiting for someone. "Yes I am waiting for her." Manik said, "Waiting for who sir? Do you know her name?" All these questions from that guard broke his trans and brought him to reality. He got irritated and "Shut up and mind your own business." Manik walked back with heavy steps and came to the same bench..He sat where Nandini was sitting trying to feel her presence.

Manik was confused what was happening to him. He never felt this restless in his entire life. All he wanted to see Nandini one more time, see if she's a reality or a dream cause whatever he saw was beautiful then a dream. He was plating with the green grass suddenly he saw something shining, he picked it up it was an anklet with really tiny and crystal which made it shine and make beautiful sound too. It must be hers he thought and even the mere thought of it brought smile on his face. Maybe its not the end for us he looked up to the stars thinking. Stars held a special place in his life on more secret his friends didn't knew. He always found a peace a tranquility when he watched them and same peace he experienced today with Nandini. He took the anklet and brought it right in front and said "Till we meet again stranger." and kept the anklet in his pocket.

Meanwhile Nandini and family reached the station and boarded the train. They all prepared to sleep when suddenly Nandini panicked. Chachi "Are Nandu kya hua?" "Chachi I lost my anklet. It was Ams gift for my last birthday and I lost it..How can I lose it? Where did I lose it must be in the hotelgarden...I have let down Ams" She started crying. Chachi "Koi baat nahi Nandu, Ams knows you won't loose it on purpose. Aur life mein jo hota hai ache ke liye hota hai yeh soch kar bhool jao."

Chachi was right whatever happens, happens for good and this anklet is the one thing that will one day make them realize how their fates collided, entwined and united. Destiny has cast its spell and started their story, a story which will be roller coaster ride for them, it will take them to amazing heights and terrible lows but their love will keep them united and this journey called life and its ups and downs they will face it all together hand in hand.

Manik kept on checking his pocket every five minutes at the airport and in the flight too. Alya sat next to him holding his arm she tried to sleep on his shoulder but Manik was too lost in his own world. As soon as they reached Mumbai all the friends bid each other good bye and headed home. Alya accompanied Manik to his place. Manik walked straight towards the pool and laid next to it looking at the stars, Alya came and looked at him blocking his view of the stars. "What happened Manik you look so stressed. Is something bothering you?" Manik sat down and said "No nothing I am just tired>" He started walking towards his bedroom when alya held his arm and came close to him and said "since when you are tired?" She started caressing his face, Manik closed his eyes Alya moved closer and was about to kiss him when Manik got flashes of Nandini's pink smiling lips, her shining earring and her voice saying to him "True love exist when you meet your one true love your life comes alive, you come alive. Your life finds a purpose, you find yourself smiling without no reason. When you are in you will always think about the other person it makes you selfless, brave and the best version of yourself" Manik pushed Alya and said not now Alya and walked away. "Manik what's wrong with? Why are you behaving so weird?" Alya got angry and walked off.

Manik was pissed at himself, this girl is his girl friend, he loves her then why even the thoughts of stranger whose name he doesn't know, whom he didn't even see properly is stopping him from kissing her, holding her and making love to her. No he can't, he can't let this strangers thoughts change him who is she nothing. Manik went straight into his bedroom and found Alya laying in the bed. He picked her "Manik what are you doi.." Before she could complete Manik placed his lips on her and started kissing her.

Soon passion took over them and they both found themselves under a single satin sheet. After a hour of very passionate and hot love making with both Manik and Alya experiencing throes of passion and excitement Alya found herself laying peacefully in Manik's arms. She was caressing his bare chest while Manik was having a beer. "Wow I have never seen you being so passionate, where was this Manik Malhotra all these days?" She started kissing him all over in a bis for another round of passion and heat. Manik stopped her "Alya I am very tired lets just sleep" Manik turned his back to her. Though disappointed Alya knew his no meant a no she went to sleep and was soon in deep sleep.

Manik could not sleep, he became restless, he felt guilty. But why was he feeling guilty he made love to his girl friend and he never felt guilty before when they had **** what changed now. Manik changed now, he didn't knew it but he changed. Suddenly he saw the jacket having the anklet, he got up and took the anklet and walked into his huge wardrobe. He opened the locker took out a crystal box and slowly and carefully placed the anklet in it and said "Sorry." He didn't knew why he need to apologise to her but he felt like breaking an unsaid promise, felt very guilty of making out with Alya. "I will find you stranger I will." And he closed the locker and changed the code and came to sleep, this time he found peace and fell asleep.

Two people oblivious to each other were sleeping peacefully unaware of the fact that very soon they will come face to face but they will have to go a long way to find out that they belong to each other. Love will test them in all possible ways and still they will find their way back to each other every time a storm hits them after all its all about the stars and the fireflies and fighting darkness.

End of Part 3..

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Ciao..Love..

Sweta...