MaNan SS : The Incomplete Song (Part 10 - Pg 62 - 13th April) - Page 5

That gave Cabir the opening that he needed, to bring up the topic that Manik has been avoiding for years. "So Manik, tum kya socha tumara future ki baat. Nandini ki baat?"Cabir popped the million dollar question. The question or rather the name mentioned in the question took Manik by surprise which made him lose control on the car. The tires screeched before coming to halt, nearly skidding off the road. They were lucky road was pretty empty else they would have made it on headlines. "Careful dude...Holiday jaana hai hospital nai?" Cabir told him. "Never... never pop up this kind of stupid question when I'm driving" Manik warned Cabir. Cabir decided to take the wheels instead since Manik was clearly disturbed after the incident. "How long more will you avoid talking about it Manik? It's not a year or 2, it has been 6 bloody long years yaar. Hum saab lok settled hoh chuki life mein par tum, how long are you going to run away from the reality." Cabir asked. "What's wrong in my life? Everything is settled in my life, mera music, mera career, mera business. I have everything I needed in my life, aur kya chaya?" Manik responded. "So you really have everything in your life? If sab kuch normal hai toh why have you not smiled for the past 6 years? Why have you not dated anyone in the past 6 years? Why have you not played Holi for the past 6 years? Why have you not celebrated Diwali for the past 6 years? Why have you not stepped into SPACE for the past 6 years? How can everything be normal Manik?" Cabir cornered him making him stumble for his words.

The drive to Dehradun gave him the time to ponder over Cabir's question. Manik was unable to deny any of Cabir's accusation. He has avoided everything that is related to the name or her memories. The only thing that kept him going was his music; everything else left him the day she walked out of his life. He couldn't bring himself to hate her at the same time; he couldn't bring himself to forget her too. He wished and tried to becoming the monster he once was but he couldn't. Even Nyonika was unable to provoke the monster again, all attempt to empty the warmth and love that she filled him with was futile. Her last words left him hanging on the cliff, how could she not see how much her love has changed him, changed him for the better. Yet she refused to accept it. She felt that her love was weakening him. She felt her love deprived him from all that he deserved; she felt she was hurdle to his success. She felt that she became his weakness but she failed to see that she was also his strenght. She believed that love should make someone strong not weak. He used all his might to make her understand that her perception was wrong but Nandini being Nandini was not ready to accept. He explained to her with his love, with his anger and with his actions yet she was unmoved. He could prove to Nyonika, Pandit, Harshad and the entire world the strength of his love but how could he prove to the very girl who is his love, his strength, his life.

"Manik, you have given me so much of love in this short span of time, the most beautiful phase of my life. I could spend my lifetime with these beautiful memories. The warmth of your love will keep me going. Manik you have always given me everything without asking but what have I given you in return. I have always given you problem and pain. You nearly lost your hand due to my stubbornness, you landed behind bars because of me uncertainty, you nearly killed Pandit because of my ignorance, you traded your happiness to Nyonika because of me, and you nearly lost your music to Harshad because of me. I can't afford to see you losing anything else because of me anymore. You could withstand a thousand stabs but you can't stand a single scratch on me. You have died a thousand deaths because of me. Manik, my love has given you so much of pain. As much as you want to see my happiness, I want to see the same happiness in you. Love hamesha selfish hoga. I cannot see you suffering, worst still I can't be the reason behind each of your sufferings. I know I have been reason behind your smile but I have also been the reason behind all your pain too. You may have grown numb to your pain Manik but I have not. You can do anything for me, but how long will you continue doing all this for me. When will you start living for yourself Manik? Tumkho mere bina jeena hai!!! Manik you have let me go. Let me go for US. Let me go because I love you more than I love myself. Let me go because I can't live with the guilt if anything happens to you because of me. Let me go because I need you alive more than I need you beside me. Please let me go Manik, hamesha ki liye." Nandini pleaded.

"Tum mera bina reh sakta? You need me as much as I need you!" he asked her. "I have everything that you have given me Manik, your love, music, our memories, the stars and the fireflies. That will keep me going me Manik." she replied. "I need you to promise that you will continue to sing for me, for US. I will dwell in your music. My prayers for you will protect you. No matter where I am, I will continue to shine for you even during the darkest night. Your music will soothe me whenever I need you. So mere kasam, you should not stop singing. My fireflies will always glow for you whenever you need me. If you want to see me happy, then don't stop me Manik...Please..." she kissed him goodbye for the last time and walked away from him. He finally let her go not because he wanted too but because she believes that is where her happiness lies. There was nothing more precious for him in his life besides her, her happiness, her smile. She didn't know that every step she took away from him, she took a bit of him with her. He stood motionless for hours, cried till there was no more tears left, screamed till there was no more energy left in him. He lost track of time, till Cabir came for him. She must have told him where to look for him before disappearing from their life eternally. So if that is what she wants, if that will make her happy that he will grant her wish even if it was at the expense of his happiness. That day Manik decided that he will let her have it her own way. He will wait for her to realize that neither their love nor he was as weak as she perceived. The strength of his love will make her realize and bring her back to him, when she comes back that will be for eternal. If she has seen her love making him weak, now she will see her love making him so strong that she has no choice but to come back to him. There was no turning back for Manik from that day till today. He made it clear to all his friends that he doesn't want to be reminded of her or anything related to her. His friends respected his decision rather didn't want to hurt him further that nobody dared to broach up the topic again until today.

"Manik, we have reached" Cabir's voice brought Manik him back to reality. "Chal, let's check in and freshen up. I managed to get us connecting room. Then we shall go and check out how much has Dehradun changed, can't believe this is the very place that brought us together years back. And I also need to check out the summer camp program for Aisha, maybe she will also be lucky like us. So are with me?" Cabir asked him. "Haan, of course. Main akela kya karo yahan. Will meet in half hour?" he replied. The cold shower was refreshing; it helped to clear the murkiness that was clouding his mind throughout the journey. Manik stepped out and took a deep breath; the freshness of the air gave him a new surge of energy. Despite the chillness of the breeze, there was familiar warmth in the air as it caressed his face. Not sure whether it was the place or something else that he felt energized, revived, rejuvenated after many years. As they were walking towards the corridor of the school, Manik's phone buzzed. He signaled Cabir to carry on while he stepped out to take his call. "Yes buddy, we have reached. Cabir is just checking out ..." Manik's phone dropped as he bumped on something or rather someone on his way. "What the hell... "He cursed as he bends over to pick his phone and saw a cute pairs of angry eyes staring at him. He sighed in relief as the phone was still working. The angry pair of eyes belonged to the person who caused him to lose his balance; Manik raised his hand to acknowledge his mistake and continued his conversation with Dhruv. He suddenly felt a tug on his pants; he narrowed his eyes to see the little boy is trying to hold him back. "Buddy, look I will call u you back. I need to sort something here. " Manik ended the call and turned back to check on what the little brat wants.

There goes part one as promised, I just hope it lives up to your expectation...

Looking forward for you valuable comments/reviews