MaNan SS : The Incomplete Song (Part 10 - Pg 62 - 13th April) - Page 35

The Fab3 and Navya screamed in joy the moment Cabir broke the news. "It's party time!!!" Mukti declared. "We can't wait to reach Dehradun now" Alya hailed. "Yeah yeah... Even I can't wait for all of you to come, it's time for me to delegate the baby sitting duties and get some rest. I do all the work and you guys party without me" Cabir sulked. "Cabir... The actual party will only begin when you are with us, the man behind the success of Mission MaNan" Dhruv cheered him. "Arey Cabir... We will have a double celebration in Dehradun... No restriction for you tomorrow, you can party and drink as much as you want" Navya announced. "Oi Madhubala, then who will babysit if all of us are partying and drinking" he quizzed her. "Aisha hain na for Virat" she replied coolly. "WHAT??? She is barely 7 and you are teaching her all this? I'm cool but not that cool that I will permit all this at this age" he freaked out. Everyone was stunned on the phone. "Cabir, Are you mad?? The kids will entertain themselves is what I meant idiot. What I meant was friendship... nothing like what your crooked mind is thinking. Chee Chee... As usual, mein hoon nah the Fab5's chaperone so why you are freaking out now. " Navya calmed him and he sighed in relief. "Cabir, looks like Navya nahi par tum bangayi black and white Madhubala" Mukti chided him and they all burst out laughing. Nandini, Manik, Cabir and Virat had so much of fun catching up and laughing during dinner. Virat was even more excited when he knew more of his Mama's friends were coming over along with his new friend Aisha. Although the biggest hurdle in their relationship was sorted, there was something that was bothering Nandini's mind. She needed to discuss about Virat, she needed to know Manik's point of view on it but she just didn't know how to do it. She tugged Virat to bed; endured Cabir's countless teasing when she requested Manik to stay back as she needed to talk to him. Manik's assured Cabir that he will not make Cabir his glorified driver for the night. "Cabir, don't worry. I won't spoil your beauty sleep. I will drive back Nandini's car, she won't need it till late morning" he assured. "I'm impressed Manik, you have full detail of her schedule already. Yesterday I was grilled for leaving you behind and now I'm being chased out..." Cabir teased Manik. " Actually nah, I won't mind even if you don't come back tonight" Cabir hugged Manik before he drove off granting the rekindled love birds with the privacy they needed.

"So Nandini, what is cooking in your mind now? You wanted me to stay back? What are you planning Ms Hot & Wild Girlfriend?" he teased her with his cheeky smile and noticed blood rising in her face. "Mr One Track Mind, don't get your imagination wild" she warned him. "At least you know what is in my mind but you Nandini... You are so unpredictable. When I expected a simple sah smile earlier, you surprise me with something sooo... You know Hot and Passionate. Now when I raise my expectation, you tell me not to get wild with it." he sulked. "Manik... you are impossible. I just wanted to talk" she stomped her feet and sat on the couch. "TALK... You just want to talk???" Manik pretended to be disappointed and Nandini was lost for words. "Ok chill, I was just kidding. So what is it that you want to talk about" he asked her as he settled next to her, pulling her closer and wrapped his hand around her. Nandini was fidgeting the hem of her top; she didn't know how to start the conversation. Without spelling it out, it was evident that Virat was an inevitable part of her life. She never wanted Manik to be obliged to accept Virat just for her sake at the same time she didn't want to offend him by doubting his sincerity towards Virat. Manik understood her predicament, so he initiated it "You want to discuss about Virat?". "How do you always manage to do it all the time? You always know what is bothering me without me telling you?" she asked him. "Simple...Your eyes..." he made her face him. "Whenever there is a conflict between your logic and your heart, your actions tries to deceive me; that is when I look for my answers from your eyes. It tells me everything that I need to know. You think I didn't notice how you were trying to analyze what I feel for Virat throughout the dinner" he told her. "Manik, aren't you curious about Virat? Don't you want to know why he calls me Mama? Don't you want to know what our relationship is? Don't you want to know anything? You never questioned me anything when we first met neither did you ask me anything after that?" she wanted to know. "Nandini, I trust you. I trust you enough to realize that if Virat is in your life then there must a strong reason behind it. I understand you enough to know that you will tell me on your own when you are ready to talk about it. If you want to know about how Virat will fit into our lives, I don't have an answer now. But let me assure you that we will work it out together. If Virat is part of your life, then he will be part of mine too. I will be his buddy, his Manik uncle until he thinks I'm ready to be his Papa" Manik assured her. His words moved her into tears again, tears of joy. He is indeed her Aiyappa's blessing because with him around, everything seems to fall in place so perfectly. "Manik, I know you will do anything for my happiness but what about your happiness. Is this what you really want?" she asked him. "Nandini, from the moment we solemnized our relationship that night with the stars and fireflies as our witness; there were no more I in the equation. It has always been US and will always be US hamesha ki liye. This is OUR happiness Nandini, I'm doing this for US not for you or me. There is no favors or obligations between US because I embraced you wholeheartedly just as the way you have embraced me wholeheartedly with my flaws and baggage. I know that Virat and your family are inseparable part of you just as how you know that my friends are inseverable part of me." he explained as he wiped off her tears.

"Now stop crying and do what you are good at... Give me the smile that I have been missing all this while" he coaxed her. "Manik, I'm not crying. These are tears of joy" she tried to explain. "Tears are tears for me, so no more excuses." he argued. "Ok baba, no more tears from now." she smiled as she snuggled closer to him."Manik... Virat lost his parents when he was 3 years old. Dr Bakshi and his wife were travelling back from a dinner party, when their car collided with a truck. Mrs Bakshi couldn't last till the paramedics arrived, while Dr Bakshi suffered severe brain hemorrhage. Doctors told us that his chances were very slim to survive the surgery but he insisted of taking the chances. He made me the legal guardian of Virat in case he didn't survive the ordeal. True enough, we lost him a week later. Virat wasn't even old enough to understand that his parents are no more. I saw myself in Virat, how lost and helpless I was with Rishab when the tragic accident took Appa & Amma away just the way it did to Virat. Losing my pillars of support was devastating which again drove me to the verge of giving up everything. Many felt that I stepped into Virat's rescue but it was he who rescued me. Dr Bakshi's lawyers suggested Virat to be sent to boarding school while I just need to be present for matters that needs my concern; there was no obligation of raising him. I was against the idea of Virat being sent to boarding school, I just couldn't resist the innocent and naive pair eyes pleading me to embrace him. They were skeptical that I won't be able to raise him all alone since I was still inexperience, studying and single, yet I couldn't stand seeing another innocent kid being robbed of his childhood; being dumped into darkness at such a tender age. He was more in need of love and affection instead of a mechanical life in boarding school. That was the moment I saw you in him; I have seen the adverse effect of loveless childhood in you. I know it was the dark experiences from your childhood that shaped you, how you perceived the world, love, humanity and goodness. I couldn't stand watching another Manik in making, so I promised myself to shower him with so much of love, care and affection that he would never feel the void in his life. I could not replace his parents but this is the least I could do in return to what Dr Bakshi and his wife has done for me and Rishab. "she told Manik.

"Does Virat know about his parents demise now? How did he take it" Manik asked. "He understands it now especially after he started going to school. You will be surprised at things that children discuss at school but I'm glad he took it well. During the initial days, it was difficult to pacify him. He was the apple of the eye of his parents; he was never away from them even for a day. I didn't know how to make him understand so I told him that there was an emergency that God called them to help him, they had to leave immediately. So they left him behind with me, to look after him just like his parents. He was angry that they left without telling him goodbye but eventually he made peace with it. Then out of blues, he asked me whether he could call me Mama since his Mama was not around. I didn't have the heart to decline his request, so from then his Nandu Aunty became his Mama. Over the years, I know I couldn't replace his parents place in his life but I could help decrease his yearning for them. It was Virat who gave me the strength and reason to move on; we both needed each other forget our loss, to fill the emptiness in our life. He saw his parents in me while I saw you in him." Tears rolled from her eyes as Nandini spoke about Virat. "Nandini, don't worry. We will both ensure Virat is not deprived of all the happiness that he deserves, we will shower him with love and affection just like his parents would have. "Manik promised her."I know Manik, with you around there will be nothing lacking in our lives anymore." she confessed. "Manik, do you know that Virat just adores you. He just couldn't stop raving about you. I'm sure he will be happy when he hears about us. Just the way he accepted me, he will accept you too." she assured him. "Acha madam, now that Virat's matter is sorted; let's see how we can work things between us" Manik informed her leaving Nandini puzzled. "Nandini, please come back to Mumbai. Virat can go to the same school as Aisha; it's the one of the best school. You can continue your teaching and sabbatical in Mumbai. Give it a thought Nandini" Manik requested. "I want to be closer to both of you, I want you to be within my reach" he added. "I need some time Manik. I need to talk to Virat then Mr Patel. He will need time to find a replacement for my classes in school." Manik was surprised yet happy with her reply. "Wow... Nandini Moorthy, I'm impressed." Nandini was taken aback with his response. "No arguments... No buts... No questions...you agreed so easily" his response made her smile. "Great then I will start working on the admission, paperwork and other stuffs back in Mumbai. Till we get things sorted, I will come down during weekends, we can spend time together and work out the rest" Manik decided. "Weekends???" Nandini gasped in surprise. "Why??? You are already starting to miss me?? I know 5 days is a long wait but you need bear with it" he teased her. "Mera matlab woh nahi... You will be exhausted. You need to juggle with your work, album and travelling. You can't..."he hushed her as she tried to convince him otherwise. "I think I spoke too soon... You never change... Manik Malhotra doesn't change his plans for anyone when it comes to Nandini Moorthy, even if it's you. Once decided toh decided" he told her. "Fine... as you wish. As long as you don't end up at my door step every night, I'm happy" she spoke as if she read his mind. "I will try" he smirked as he knows it's going to be difficult for both of them.

They both sat in each other's arms for hours, neither of them spoke nor were they willing to let go of each other. Their silence, their proximity, their touch healed their unspoken pain"I'm scared Manik" she confessed after a long time. "Scared? What are you scared about Nandini?" he asked as he tilted her face to meet his gaze. "Tomorrow when everyone arrives, how will I face them? How will I explain for my absence? How will I face their anger for walking away from their friendship, after all that they have done for me? What will I answer them for leaving you in that state? How will I earn back their trust and friendship once again "she expressed her fears. "Nandini, you just need to be yourself. You don't need to earn anything back because you have never lost it. Just like how they respected my decision 6 years back, they would respect yours. So why bother pondering over the past when you have a beautiful future to look forward too" he assured her. "But let me just warn you one thing, I can protect you from their wrath but not their banter. You are on your own for that my dear because I don't think even I will be spared tomorrow from them especially Cabir, Mukti and Navya." Manik warned her and she already started blushing. "Manik, you have full day rehearsal tomorrow then the reunion concert. You need to get some rest" she reminded him when she realized how late it was. "Acha, looks like that's my cue to leave" Manik sulked. "No Manik that was not what I meant" Nandini felt guilty. "So you don't want me to leave" his tried his chance. "I don't want you to leave but at the same time you need to rest too" she explained her dilemma. "Then both problems solved, I shall stay over tonight. I will be with you and rest bhi millega" Manik announced and Nandini's eyes lit up in glee as she nodded. "Let me go and get the guest room ready" she was about to move when he held her hand back. "Nandini... ruk jao... There is no need for guest room. Nothing is more comfortable than being in your arms, nothing more blissful than this" he told her as he lied down on the couch, placing his head on her lap. Nandini couldn't agree more, she gently stroke his hair till both of fell asleep. Nandini has never slept so peacefully in many years as she did that night. She woke up cozily wrapped around his arms in the couch. It was dream come true for her to wake up in his arms, feel his heart beating against her, his scent lingering around her. Manik must have woken up in the middle of the night and moved her so that she was comfortable.

It didn't seem like Dehradun was hosting Warrior High's reunion but it seemed more like SPACE reunion for Nandini. Cabir brought the entire gang directly to Nandini's place from the airport. Over the years, everyone have matured and changed in their appearance but they all still remained her same old friends. Navya was still ever bubbly, lively and typical black & white Madhubala just as Cabir teases her always. She ran over to Nandini like a kid, forgetting that she is mother of one herself. Dhruv was much more outspoken and cheerful but he was still the same old sweet friend of hers. Mukti still embraced her with the same warmth that she accepted her years back. Alya was still the poised and elegant diva of Fab 5 who is always beautiful inside and outside. "It is so good to have you back in our lives Nandini" she whispered as she hugged Nandini. Just as Nandini anticipated, Aisha and Virat bonded so well that it seemed like they were long lost friends. Nandini's house was filled with so much laughter, happiness and joy after many years. Manik's laughter was the most divine music to her ears that she could spend all day listening and watching him smile and laugh. With constant nagging from Navya and insistence from Nandini, Fab5 finally dragged their feet off for their rehearsal with heavy heart. "Finally hum duno akela" Navya cheered when they had the house to themselves. The girls finally had the time to catch up on their lives, how the survived the years, their hurdles and their achievements and even shared parenting tips on how to handle their strong headed kids. They cried, joked and laughed just like old days. "If someone had told us in our initial days in SPACE that our lives will revolved around Fab5 we would have laughed our heads out." Navya told. "Exactly Navya, we only saw Fab5 as how they wanted to us to see them, spoilt, rich and heartless brats. Only when we finally saw beyond their mask, we realize how wrong we were. They are 5 beautiful souls that would do anything for each other. Fab 5 is epitome for friendship, Fab5 defines the meaning friendship for all of us as they stood strong for each other against all odds" Nandini agreed with Navya.

Looking forward for you valuable comments/reviews...😊

Love,

Reva