Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies 32
"Nandini, Nandini where is Nandini?" Manik thought as he paced up and down his room.. He looked up to the clock it was 8 pm it was his birthday in few hours and for the first time Manik was looking forward to his birthday... Birthdays never excited Manik in fact it reminded him always how pathetic his life was but this year it was different. This year it was Nandini who made the difference.. Manik settled on his red couch thinking about her and the stranger.. Everything about Nandini was reminding him of the stranger, her smile, her earrings, her perfume... "Is she.. Is she my stranger.." this thought got Manik excited...His thoughts were broken by an email he received..
It was from DJ and read "Birthdays are the most special day for anyone and my grandson's birthday is the best day of my life.. Come join me in celebrating the beautiful 19 years of his life in which he made me happy every single second... Venue: Beach House, Mudh Island..7 PM.. Theme: Victorian Masquerade" Manik smiled as he read the message his DJ is throwing a party for him and nothing could be more special then that..."DJ will definitely invite Nandini too..." Manik was excited to go to his own party...
Meanwhile in Murthy house Cabir came to pick up Nandini.. Nandini introduced chachi and Cabir.. "Chachi you don't worry Nandini is my responsibility.. Actually tomorrow we are planning Manik's birthday so we are going for party arrangements.." "Oh Manik ka birthday.." Chachi got excited.. "Waah Manik seems chachi's favorite.." Cabir thought and smiled.. Soon he and Nandini left for the beach house to take care of the decorations...
As the theme was Victorian everything was Victorian.. Nandini ordered huge chandeliers of Victorian style and the entire beach house was decorated with red colored curtains as red was Manik's favorite color...Nandini saw huge amount of orchids and lilies for decoration and looked to Cabir.. "Orchids and lilies Manik's favorite flowers.." Cabir informed her.. "So?" She questioned him.. "Nothing I thought it would be useful to you.." Cabir smiled and got back to work... Through out the time Cabir kept Nandini informing about Manik's choices, his likes and dislike.. Though Nandini pretended she didn't listen but she mentally made a note of everything...
This time at beach house gave Nandini and Cabir to develop a bond which was deep and true.. "So you like Navya?" Nandini questioned Cabir while pinning a curtain.. "What?? NO.." Cabir was taken aback.. "Oh come on Cabir I know everything, I can see the way you look at her.. But Cabir we are small town girl with simple expectations.. If we love someone we give them our whole life and what I've seen love is a game for people in Mumbai.." Nandini said referring to Manik... "Its not Nandini.." Cabir said.. "Its not either for me or for Manik.. We never experienced anything true in our life.. This picture that we project is to hide our broken souls.."
Soon the clock struck 12 and it was officially Manik's birthday..As per tradition entire Fab5 made a video call to Manik.. Manik was still sitting on his couch and lost in Nandini's thoughts..."Happy birthday Manik.." his friends sang in unison sharp at 12 am... Alya took the opportunity to apologize which Manik accepted and all kept talking to each.. Nandini was standing at some distance from Cabir and listening to their conversation and she realized how much his friends mean to Manik..She wanted to wish Manik but couldn't..."We are done.." Cabir said.."now you can call him and wish.." he winked.. "Why would I wish?" Nandini asked.. "Like really you are taking personal interest in everything, every details and you are asking why? Stop kidding gal.." Cabir said.. Soon they were done with the arrangements and they decided to meet again in the morning to give finishing touches..
It was 7 am in the morning when Nandini entered Malhotra Mansion to find DJ already up and busy in kitched.. She looked very happy.."Good mor..." words were left incomplete when DJ looked at Nandini wearing a white semi transparent patiala with a red duppatta.. She teamed them up with white studded earrings and a peach lipgloss and open hair which was side pinned.. She was holding a bouquet of pink roses.. "Wow..You look pretty.." DJ said.. "Thanks DJ.." Nandini blushed "You look very busy.." "Yes its my Manik's birthday after all I am making his favorite breakfast baked beans, bacon and egg scramble.." "Ohh.." Nandini said.. DJ looked at Nandini who was looking for ways to meet Manik and to wish him and she found a perfect excuse.. "UMM Nandini beta can you do me a favor and go and give Manik his tea cause all the servants are helping me.." She asked Nandini.. Nandini agreed and started preparing the tea..
Soon she found herself standing in front of Manik's room with tea and bouquet.. She knocked slowly without any results.. She knocked again and this time a sleepy voice said "Come in.." Nandini entered the room hesitating.. But as soon as she went in she was taken aback by the aura of the room.. Everything there was red.. A huge room which was divided into several portions.. Firstly she crossed the sitting area king king sized black leather couches.. It had some four or five guitars adorning the walls along with huge collage of Manik's pictures some singles, some with Fab5 and some with Alya..
The Other half of the room was his bedroom, wardrobe and his personalized home theatre.. When she entered his bedroom she saw a huge red couch and everything in that room was built with antique rose wood.. There was a huge portrait of Manik playing guitar and just beneath that she saw Manik sleeping in a weird way on his king sized bed.. She couldn't stop her laugh watching him sleep but controlled it to wake him up..
Nandini went close to Manik and very softly said "Manik..Manik.." and it gave no result.. She kept trying like that for some time but he just wouldn't wake up.. At last after much hesitation Nandini kept her hands on his bare back and shook it a bit.. Manik who was in deep sleep was irritated by his servants touching him to wake him up.. He held the hand waking him and pulled it saying "How dare you?" With the sudden pull Nandini lost her balance and fell straight on Manik with her hair covering his face and they both looked at each other being lost in each other.. Manik just couldn't believe what he was seeing..
End of Part 32..
Ciao..Love..
Udne Ki Aasha
