NOTE- Readers, please read the character sketch of Nandini Raichand before this chapter...Thanks...
CHAPTER 9 (B)
PAST KNOCKS YET AGAIN!!
Nandini then left to join the other girls who were waiting for her at the door...Aliya said something to Nandini and she started laughing, my eyes were fixed on her, I was mesmerised by what I saw. For the first time I had witnessed she laughed loud with all her heart...It was for first time I saw smile on her face without any effort and I looked at her eyes and this time there was no pain in them...
She had her hair tied up loosely and they opened completing the look...I took her picture for the first time and captured that moment, I know I should have asked her...With her every facial muscle smile, I could feel my every heart beat...She then took a few sips of water as she started to cough...The water touched her lips and I gazed at her lips, a few drops then fell on her delicate neck line...
In that frame she looked like the epitome of beauty, pureness, love, peace and serenity...Seeing her like that tears started to flow from my eyes, I had never seen her laugh and smile like that...Her eyes for the first time had brightness, they twinkled like stars...
Tears rolled down my cheek as she was smiling and I then realised what it meant to see someone happy...I understood the reason of my existence, why I couldn't die that night... I understood the real definition of 'PURE LOVE' , serenity and solace...Even if life ended the next moment i wouldn't have complained...
As, it is said you need to find the reason of your existence and in that moment I found mine...
Even when she went away, my eyes were still on the door and I closed my eyes and said her name as a prayer...
"NANDINI...NANDINI..."
NANDINI'S POINT OF VIEW-
We all sat in the car, I closed my eyes and remembered all that happened in the last 24 hours...I remembered how after the dare I had left the floor and was so uncomfortable, I had then recalled what Manik had said to me 'Nandini no one will judge you , trust me...' And after that I decided to accept the dare for him and his family...
And, today after I performed I was normal and I didn't feel uncomfortable about it as I always did before...I wasn't disturbed after the performance like I used to get and I felt some peace inside...I realised I had laughed from heart a few moments back after 3 years...
I said to myself "Shayad, aab bhi mujh mein kuch zinda hai...shayad aab bhi ek ummed hai..."
Mukti tapped on my shoulder to tell me we had reached the salon and then I got out of my thoughts. Aliya, had booked the entire salon for us and it had showers too so I headed towards having shower first... I changed myself to sleeveless t-shirt and tracks, the lady then came and started to dry my hair first and then I asked the lady to stop. I got my handbag and got my diary out and opened it...The lady began her work and I tried to go through every page of it, I could feel my life, the old Nandini in it...
I slowly read a few lines I had penned down when I was in school, then came across a few I had written during college...After such a long time I had got the courage to open and read it, but this time I didn't refrain to remember when I had written which poem and a smile came on my face...I asked for a cup of coffee and then I headed for a pedicure, with my coffee and the diary...Everyone looked at me with confusion as I was smiling on my own reading something, but they didn't question me...After 3 years I had read lines I had written during my engineering and it took a lot of courage, but I did...Through it I met the old Nandini...I closed my diary and kept it in my bag again...I got out of my thoughts when Devika shouted...
Sara- what happened??? (All got worried)
Devika- Guys, my heels borke, what will I do now????
Aliya- We still have time, take the driver and go buy...
I knew how Devika was and her last minute panic attacks. Sara and I had packed some extra stuff keeping her panic attacks in mind.
"Aliya, that's not needed, we had kept an another pair of heel for her in the bag...Don't worry, you will witness many more panick attacks while we get ready..."
Devika frowned as we all teased her...
We were getting ready when Mukti got Manik's call, since she was getting her hands massaged, she asked me to put the phone on speaker...
Mukti- Yes Manik...
Manik- Mukti how much time would you girls take to get ready? Aur voh Nandini, is she fine??
Mukti- Manik relax, everything is fine, she is fine...And we will get ready on time...Aur, tu loud speaker ki tarah bolna band kar...did you get that... (Mukti was trying to hint him that the phone is on loud speaker)...
I got a call from London so I had to excuse myself...
Mukti- Manik are you mad??? (she was angry)...Idiot Nandini was sitting just next to me...And my phone is on speaker...Jaldi bol she is coming back.
Manik- Ohhh God, ok good you saved me...Listen, Mukti please take care of her and make sure she looks... (he paused)
Mukti- aarreee complete karna (teasing) she looks the best...Chill Manik, Nandini will be fine and she will look her best...ok..now keep the phone...Don't disturb us. Bye.
We started with our make-up, I had strictly asked them to put very light neutral make-up, with only eyes highlighted a bit...I hated lipstick so the lady gave me a lip colour and then lip gloss to match. I got my hair ironed and a very small stone bindi...I then got up to get my saree draped...It was red colour saree and an orange colour blouse...I asked her to pin-up the saree as much as possible...Finally, I wore my kundan earrings and rings...Everyone was staring at me with mouth wide open and I got conscious and looked in the mirror...I was worried..."Acha nai hai???"
All of them - "Nandini, you look awesome...bas please get some bronze on your cheeks and get your eyes a bit highlighted please..." I gave up in front of them and then sat back on the chair to fulfil their demand.
It was already 7:45 p.m. when we all got ready and I quickly got my purse to pay the bill for all. Everyone protested and I shrugged them off. We quickly sat in the car...The hotel was just 15 minutes from our place and we had all ready received 20 calls from our friends, specially Manik who was scolding Aliya and Mukti turn by turn for being late as the barat had reached.
On the way I started to feel restless as if something is going to happen, I always had to face something painful, whenever I smiled and was happy...This thought made me very uneasy and wasn't sure now what could happen...I quickly called up my parents to check on them and they said they were fine. Now, my worries were increasing with the fear what I would face next ...My gut feeling was telling me something bad is going happen...I just prayed to Bappa please, please no...I got out of my thoughts with Aliya's voice...
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW -
We all got ready and reached the hotel, I was so impatient to see Nandini in the saree that I forgot everyone was around me. Cabir and Dhruv took me to a side.
Cabir- Manik, what is wrong with you? Why are you getting so impatient...Aa rahe hai voh log...They said na they are on their way...Do you even realise that you have called Aliya and Mukti 7 times in last 10 minutes...Relax...By the way where does your aggression go away when you see Nandini...
I was irritated and gave them a look...
Cabir- What? Look kya de raha hai...Manik, tere gusse mein voh baat nai rahi aab...
They both started to laugh and I again called Aliya... "Aliya how much time are guys gonna take? It's 8:20 p.m. kabse tum logon ka 5 minutes, 5 minutes chal raha hai ..."
Aliya - We have reached Manik, just walking towards the hotel entrance. Girls fast, the barat has reached the entrance gate...
All the girls reached the entrance where Cabir, Dhruv, Aryan, Sam, Kafeel and I were waiting for them..Must admit the girls looked gorgeous in their saree's...But, Nandini was missing...
Mukti- Guys sorry, but this saree...
Aryan- Gosh, you girls look amazing...Sara, superb hair style...
"Guys where is Nandini??"
Sara- She is on an urgent call...she said she'll join us...
I was getting restless, as I wanted to see Nandini... I asked everyone to enter and join the barat...I was pacing from one end to the other and there she came.
I was spellbound with her beauty and couldn't take my eyes off her...I got goosebumps..I was having hard time after seeing NANDINI...
She looked elegant, royal, beautiful and angelic...in short "POETRY IN MOTION"..... Every man imagines and fantasises about his dream girl and here she was walking towards me...My dream Girl "Nandini"... I didn't realise when she came near me and called me...
Nandini- Manik...
"Ha, Ya...You look amazing...I like you..." I said with a blank face and my eyes wide...She looked at me and gave a confused look...
I got out of my thoughts and realised what I just said...I tried to cover up ... "Voh, I meant I like, I like your eyes, I meant your saree...your complete look..."
Nandini- Ok...Thank you...You look good too...Chale?
"Ya, sure..." I finally breathed and said to myself "Thank God she didn't hear...Bachh gaya...Manik Malhotra what's wrong with you...eerrr..."
By that time all the guests had settled themselves and the Bride to had come, the rituals started...Wherever, Nandini went I kept following her, I just couldn't let her go out of my sight even for a second...I was practically stalking her. All of us then went towards where our parents were seated, so that we could introduce our new friends to them and ya main reason was my parents wanted to meet Nandini...
After seeing Nandini, Mom and Dad were simply adoring her in saree and then they kissed her forehead...My Dad then looked me and he winked at me..Dad was now more like a friend to me...I ruffled my hair and went away from there to hide my blush. I was on cloud 9...☺️
I turned back but didn't find Nandini...My eyes travelled everywhere and then I saw her speaking to Devika, she then shifted her beautiful long hair and placed them on her right shoulder. She was wearing a deep back blouse , I stared at her back which was slightly curved...I said to myself ... "Tumhe bahut fursat se banaya hoga tumhare Bappa ne..." When she left from there I didn't realise...
I wanted to touch her bare back, just to feel her...I always thought making love to your woman can get you close and feel heavenly...But, today I realised, you feel heavenly and complete with just one touch, one glare, one smile, one moment with that person...And, now I was feeling heavenly and complete when Nandini came and touched my shoulder from behind. I closed my eyes and felt her... I stood there for a few seconds till Nandini came and stood in front of my eyes. She called me...
Nandini- Manik, tum thik ho...
I opened my eyes and saw her in front of me, I looked into her eyes and tears rolled on my cheeks...She got worried and then I placed my finger on her lips, before she could speak...I removed my finger from her lips and placed it on her right cheek and slightly caressed it...I was looking at her face and my tears didn't stop...I felt her breath for the first time...
I stepped forward to hug her...But she stepped back and looked down, the smile on her face was not there...She then stood for a few seconds and then looked at me...I said to myself... "Nandini...why do you step away..." I kept looking at her...She then walked away from me...My heart was heavy, it was paining...I said to myself... "Why Nandini..."
I stood there and then FAB 5 came to me...They had seen what had just happened...I wiped my tears...And gave a weak smile to them...
Cabir- Manik, she needs time...Please, give her that...
Aliya- Manik, didn't you realise she is opening up slowly...She is struggling with herself...We saw her today at the salon reading a black diary, she was very hesitant first...aisa lag raha tha jaise kuch hai uss mein that needed her to gather courage and read...You know Manik, she did that...she was moving her fingers on the pages and was smiling...
Mukti- Manik, we all saw her smile today...then her diary...and you know we all know she doesn't like make-up much, but today she happily gave in when we asked her to get her eyes done...she smiled when she looked in the mirror...Manik, she is discovering herself again...
Cabir- Manik, mujhe yeh toh nai pata what's bothering her...but I know one thing, she is perfect for you...just be patient with her.
Dhruv- Manik, aab hass de...yeh look tujh pe acha nai lagta...
I smiled hearing how my friends were supporting me...I nodded and then looked at Nandini who was at a distance..."Guys, I just want her to smile forever..."
Dhruv- She will Manik...tu dekhna...
NANDINI'S POINT OF VIEW-
I was present in the wedding, but I was feeling uneasy from inside...I saw Manik with tears today and I was worried for him...But, he stopped me...His eyes, they were different...He stepped forward and I knew I had to stop myself...
I walked away and then I realised there were tears flowing from eyes too... I couldn't understand why I was crying...I wiped my tears and then turned a bit to look at him, his friends were with him now. He too looked at me and I turned my face in other direction and walked away...
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
"Thanks guys..." I composed myself and said ..."So, guys let's go grab a drink..." We all left for the drinks area...While having our cocktail we recalled our college days and were having a good time.
When I saw Nandini stood with her eyes wide open and then 2 girls came and stood in front of her. Nandini's face was blank and I sensed something was wrong with her...I quickly got up and FAB 5 too walked with me where Nandini was standing...We stood on their side at a distance, the girls said Hello to Nandini...
NANDINI'S POINT OF VIEW-
I was going towards Sara as she had called me...While, walking I heard a familiar female voice...I stood there and I didn't turn back...I said to myself "No, she can't be here...It can't be Anisha."
Then, the girl called me..
Anisha- Hey Nandini...
I turned back and saw Anisha, my eyes were wide open...
"Anisha..."
Anisha- Ohhh you recognize me...I thought you must have forgotten me...Well, how are you??
"No, I do remember you...I am fine..."
Anisha- Really, you don't seem fine to me...Well, chuck it..Meet my cousin Suhana...Suhana remember I told you about Nandini, Nandini Raichand...
Suhana- Ohhh she is Nandini ...ok...Nice to see you...(with a sarcastic smile)
"Hi..."
Suhana- Anisha, you are too mean yaar...Hey, I have heard a lot about you...You know you and... (She stopped in between)
I was trying to control my anger...
"Anisha, I have some work...I'll see you later...Excuse me"
Anisha- Hey, Nandini, what yaar...mana we aren't friends, but that doesn't mean you will walk away like this...Not fair...Afterall, we were classmates in college...
I stood there and I knew what blaberring she was about to do, but I had to stand and face it. I looked the other way.
"Ya say.."
Anisha- You know, I got engaged...my fiance is based in Los Angeles...Investment Banker (she was showing off)...
"Good, congratulations..."
Anisha- What about you?? Hey Devika is your friend right, she is my dad's friend's daughter, she told me you are still single.. I hope you are still not stuck there...I know its hard for you...(she faked sympathy)...Vaise he is gone now...I know phir se kisi pe trust karna is diffilcult...
I kept mum.
Suhana- Hey I heard from your other batchmates you don't keep in touch with them anymore...Not fair...Ek ki saza sabko de rahi ho...Well, can't help it...Hope you find someone, chances toh kum hai ...(she said it sarcastically).
Anisha- I really feel sorry for you...You know what, its such a co-incidence that Aarav is also here...
Hearing that name I got shocked...I couldn't believe she said Aarav was there...
Anisha- Poor you, lagta hai tumhari life mein tum hamesha single hi rahogi... (She sudenly paused and was shocked...)
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
I was hearing the conversation and FAB 5 was there too with me, those girls were trying to irk Nandini and I could clearly see their intentions, they wanted to humiliate her more...And, then they said they pity her for still being single.
My blood was boiling inside and I was losing it...I was again stunned when they mentioned a name "AARAV" and that he was in the wedding too...Nandini was shocked when she heard the name...The girls were leaving no chance to insult her...I couldn't take it anymore... I held Nandini by her waist and I knew I had to shut those girls...
NANDINI'S POINT OF VIEW-
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my waist that grabbed me and was shocked to hear the voice. Everyone around us were shocked to see 'THE MANIK MALHOTRA' holding me. I was stunned and looked at Manik.
Manik- Well Hello Girls...I was hearing you for quite a while, don't you think kuch jyada ho gaya...
The girls were shocked to see Manik taking my side. He then made a more tight grip on my waist and pulled me towards him and he had his famous smirk on his lips...Before speaking back he looked into my eyes...
Manik- For you kind information girls, Nandini is not alone and ya don't you dare say a word to her (he warned them in his famous tone known to the world)...voh kya hai na I am very possessive and protective about MY GIRLFRIEND...
I was shocked to the core hearing the word "GIRLFRIEND..."
Manik- Well, isn't my sweetheart looking gorgeous tonight?
Anisha and Suhana were shocked to core and so was everyone around us...
Anisha- Ya...Ya she is...(she stamerred)...
Manik- Good...Well, so now would you please excuse us...I wanna sped some quality time with Nandini...Hope you don't mind...
Anisha- Aahhh No...No...
Manik held me by my waist and took me away from there...I couldn't realise what just happened and while walking I freezed when I saw the person in front of me.
It was Aarav...My world came to stop when I saw him after 3 years...Aarav and I looked at each other. I looked at him and all the pain I had inside me from 3 years started to come on my face, tears were flowing...I looked away from him and the pain I had inside was now anger for him, though I had forgiven him, but there was too much pain and anger inside me.
I was losing the calmness I had for kept for 3 years...I again looked at him...I saw guilt in his eyes, but that could never compensate for my suffering...I looked away from him and tears were meandering on my cheeks...I jerked off Manik's hand from my waist...
Aarav tried to step towards me and I walked away from there...
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
I took Nandini away from there and suddenly she stopped walking and was stunned by seeing someone. I then noticed she was looking at a guy, he too looked at Nandini...I looked back at Nandini and saw pain on her face, she had anger in her eyes and was crying...I couldn't understand what happened...She then jerked my hand from her waist with force and I was shocked by her action... She just walked away...I was standing there stunned and couldn't understand anything...
PRECAP -
Nandini was walking aimlessly towards a secluded corner, she went and sat on some empty chairs...She sat there...She was in a state of shock...
FAB 5 were shocked to see all this, they had never seen Nandini soo angry...They too went behind her...Manik followed Nandini after she had walked away...
He could see the girl he loved deeply was in a state of shock ...He sat on a seat at some distance, he wanted to be there for her, but knew if he goes close to her at that moment, she'll walk away from him too for lifetime...
Will Manik be able to handle Nandini's breakdown???... Was this emotional breakdown good for Nandini?? Was making her remember her past once again Bappa's plan...Remember Bappa is watching Nandini's back...
Edited by ankita_t - 8 years ago
Jhanak
