Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies 34
Manik's 19th birthday turned a lot more special.. he found her, he found her stranger.. He kept on smiling for no reason.. "Ladoo.. are you ok?" DJ asked knowing very well that her grandson can't be better then this.. "Ok.. DJ I am great..awesome..I mean it was her all this while it was her right next to me.." Manik said.. For the first time Manik's happiness overpowered him, he could not speak,he didn't wanted to speak, he just wanted to enjoy and relive the moment of finding her..
As they all drove to college DJ sat next to Manik, forcing Alya to sit back.. The entire time Manik was driving a sweet smile played on his lips reminiscing the moment when he saw the anklet.. Alya saw Manik smiling from the mirror and took it in a wrong way.. She built up her hopes at the wrong place in a wrong way by thinking this smile was for her..
Soon they all reached college to find all his friends were waiting for Manik with another cake... They all were shocked to see Alya getting down from Manik's car.. Maukti and Dhruv were happy thinking they made up but Cabir gave a questioning look to DJ as what's this happening.. DJ gestured him to ignore.. Soon Fab5 gathered in their music room to cut Manik's birthday cake... "So Manik and Alya you two made up.. awesome.." Mukti said.. "Wooo Mukti who said we are back together?" Manik questioned her.. "Mukti we are done for good ok.. We are just friends now.. I value our friendship very much and I expect Alya also will honor it.." Manik clarified the doubts which broke Alya once more..
As Fab5 were busy in their own celebrations a delivery boy walked in with huge boxes.. They all looked at each other amusingly.. Cabir opened the boxes to find clothes and accessories for the evening party.. "Oh toh Nandini took care of this as promised.." cabir said.. "Imagine that girl is planning Manik Malhotra's party..It will be a disaster.." Alya started off again.. Manik let out a huge laugh leaving everyone confused.. "There you go Alya..Now you all know the reason why Alya and I broke up, why our relationship went dead.. Her insecurity.. You are just so negative Alya about everything that you just don't even try to look for good.." Manik said.. "you know what why am I even telling you..just chuck it.." Manik took his box and walked out.. Even Cabir followed him...
DJ was sitting in her music room tuning the veena when Cabir walked in and closed the door.. "What's up partner?" DJ greeted him.. "Aree wassup ****o! yeh Manik ko kya hua.. Horlicks zyada pee liya kya.." Cabir burst into laughter.. "Shut up Cabir..Khabardaar mere ladoo ke baare mein kuch bola toh." DJ said.. "Oh partner your ladoo is turning extra meetha..kya chal raha hai?" Cabir questioned.. DJ narrated the entire morning incident how Manik found out that Nandini is the girl, his stranger.. "Arre waah then toh fireworks aaj party mein.." Cabir was too excited..
He went straight to Manik "So what's the plan Manik?" "What plan?" Manik asked.. "Come on Ladoo don't act innocent ladoo.. I know ki you know that Nandini is your stranger but does Nandini know.." Cabir pulled his leg and Manik blushed "OMG Manik Malhotra is blushing.." Cabir was surprised.. "No plan.." DJ interrupted their talk.."What?" They both were shocked... Yes Manik has make her love him for what he is.. Show her who you are, win her heart.. Great love stories are where people won battles for love.. You have to win her heart Manik the way she won yours and the way its going its not that difficult.." DJ said.. "I agree with you.." Manik said much to everyone's surprise..."Nandini will fall in love with me.. She sees Manik whom no one else can see and soon she will love that Manik and till then thi is gonna be with me.." Manik looked at the anklet and said.. He kept the anklet very carefully back in his jacket, he wanted to keep it safe till the day when he would express his love to her...
Soon the evening arrived and everyone was headed to the beach house for the best birthday party ever.. Mukti and Alya arrived together and of course they didn't like the dress Nandini sent so they altered it as per their choice which meant too short from everywhere.. "I thought the theme was masquerade medieval ball and people in that era never wore this..Should use brains some times girls.." DJ teased them.. "DJ please they are my friends.." Manik said.. he looked dapper in his royal blue and white prince suit. he looked every bit a show stopper.. "My my someone's looking handsome.." DJ said.. "Happy birthday beta.." She wished him again and left to check arrangements.. "Wow Manik you look handsome.." Mukti said as she hugged him...
Soon the party started, everyone picked up a mask of their choice.. Manik choose a mask matching to his outfit and finally it was time to cut the cake but Manik was unwilling to do so.. All through the party even among his friends he was feeling lonely because Nandini hadn't arrived.. He remembered how sad she was in the morning and his heart began to sink.. "What if she doesn't come..No no I'll go to her then.." He was self talking.. "She will come.." DJ said... "in fact look there she is.." and Manik looked in the direction of her hand and was mesmerized by what he saw.. Manik thought it was a real king's ball and he could see Cinderella walking in with all her beauty and grace...
Nandini walked in wearing a cream white ballerina gown with gold work..It was a full sleeved nett gown with a flowing train..Her hair was neatly tied in a loose back bun which let hair fall all over her face and her neck, her big gold crystal earrings were shining like stars but the most beautiful part was her smile which she flashed when Cabir went to greet her and give her a mask...
End of part 34