CHAPTER 18 (B)
N&M...
We all were looking at Nandini and then I saw tears running down her eyes when she again hugged Navya ...I knew she was happy... Bosco hugged both his friends... I just kept looking at her and was feeling content and then Cabir placed his hand on my shoulders and I looked at him, my friends had got emotional after seeing me in tears...
Cabir- Manik I am so happy... you deserve it... your wait is over Bro...
He then hugged me... The crowd was still cheering for us and then Nandini looked around her, but didn't look at me... I knew she was feeling shy and before I could go near her she smiled keeping her eyes down and started running... Everyone called her "Nandini..." and then Navya said she'd see her...my eyes were fixed on her while she was running and then she stopped... she turned slightly back and smiled with her eyes still down... I was completely bowled over by her shy nature and understood her state... I just smiled and my eyes followed her till she was out of my sight. Bosco then came and hugged me.
Bosco- Congrats Manik... (I smiled at him) let's take a break for 20 minutes and then resume the shoot ok...
He had understood I needed time to compose myself. We all went inside my vanity van.
Aliya- Manik, why didn't you stop her??
"Aliya, voh bahut shy feel kar rahi thi... sab kuch aise achanak se hua, so, you know... (Aliya understood) infact I am still feeling it's all a dream... (I placed my hands on my jaw line and was smiling)..."
I took a deep breath and spoke "Guys finally...I... I still don't believe what just happened... it's the best... best moment of my life... (I looked at all my friends and then tears again made their way on my cheeks) did you see her Mukti she hugged me... (I was getting short of words to express myself) Dhruv... Nandini, the girl I thought would never be mine remember I told you...she... (Paused) she hugged me Bro... Aliya you saw na she was happy, that glow on her face...she somewhere accepted me..." Everyone understood my emotional state and how I felt...
Cabir- (held my both arms and turned me to face him) Manik we all know what you are feeling and trust me it's all real...she really likes you Bro...she does... congrats...
I hugged him tightly and started to cry venting my emotions ... I knew it was real...they all again hugged me and calmed me down... I finally composed myself and Mukti spoke...
Mukti- Manik...I have never seen you crying like this, voh bhi iss tarah...she really means a lot to you hai na (I just smiled)...toh guys this calls for a celebration...
Dhruv- of course it does...but Manik still needs to wrap up his shoot... sup we should wait...
Everyone agreed... I went to wash my face and then got ready again... The setting boy came and informed that the shot was ready... I went for my shot and started rehearsing again with Soha... She seemed upset with me and I knew the reason...I took a break for 2 minutes and went to Cabir..."Cabir listen...can you..."
Before I could complete FAB 5 spoke together...
FAB 5- yes Manik Malhotra...Nandini is fine and has reached home.
I smiled and then went for my shot. It was hard for me to concentrate on the shoot as my entire focus was on Nandini... But, I knew I had to finish my work ASAP for everyone else... We wrapped up the shoot 1:10 a.m...I went to my vanity van and saw FAB 5 chilling...
Aliya- Hey Manik, done with the shoot finally...
"Yes finally..."I went and got freshen up ... I was wearing my shoes when Dhruv asked me...
Dhruv- Manik tu iss waqt kaha jaa raha hai???
Cabir- Dhruv I think you don't love Aliya anymore...
Dhruv- (shocked) what... Of course I do...
Cabir- toh phir aisa stupid question kyun pooch raha hai...of course, voh Nandini ko milne ja raha hai... you know na naya naya ISHQ hua hai Manik Malhotraji ko...
I gave him a stern look...Of course, naya naya ISHQ hua tha mujhe, but can't he stop teasing me with his one liners...
"Cabir... I swear tu pitega ek din mere haath se..." I said in a stern voice...
Cabir- Manik, mera pata nai par ha Nandini ke ghar vaalon ne tujhe pakad liya na Bro, toh shadi hone se pehle hi tera divorce ho jayega...
Everyone was laughing on me and then finally Aliya took my side.
Aliya- guys not fair... He waited for so long, aab thoda impatient toh hoga hi to meet her. And Navya hai na vaha to take things under control... Manik, I'll call her... You leave...
I smiled at Aliya, "Thanks Aliya...acha ask her not to tell Nandini that I am coming ok..."
Finally I left for Nandini's place and all through the drive I had butterflies in my stomach due to the excitement to meet her. I reached her place in 20 minutes and then I called up Navya..."Hi Navya, I have reached... can you please let me in..."
Navya- Hi, Manik...I am coming down... I just hope koi uth na jaye bas... (Scared)
I was pacing near my car for her to come down... she came out and then let me in...We tiptoed upstairs and strangely she made me follow the way to another room and closed the door behind us... I was damm confused..." Navya, why are we here??? Nandini ka room toh right mein than na..."
Navya- yes Manik, yeh guest room hai...now listen tum jao aur milo usse...But, please 4 baje tak free ho jana ok and then leave...uss din hum bach gaye coz aunty late uthi thi...But, in general she gets up around 5-5:30 a.m. so you need to be out of here before that ok...
I smiled at her and spoke "Pakka, I'll leave before its 4...thank you so much Navya...you are truly a great friend..."
Navya- well that I am... (said proudly and then giggled)...Ok fine now go and meet your Nandini, you have almost 2 hours to spend with her...uska room locked nahi hai sup no need to knock ok...good luck...
"Thanks...good night..."
NANDINI'S ROOM-
I tiptoed towards her room keeping an eye around me and slightly opened her door and got inside...I closed it behind and then locked it. I turned and then saw Nandini's back facing me and she was sitting on the bed... She was wearing a long t-shirt and her Patiala... I had removed my shoes before entering her house so that no noise is made while we walked; I placed them on the floor and kept quiet after I heard her murmuring something to herself...
Nandini- BAPPA why can't I get the next lines...Nandu you can write ahead... Read it one more time, pakka click karega iss baar...
I was a bit confused as to what was she writing and why was she struggling...Ok, to be honest normal girls after what happened today would feel shy, listen to romantic songs...do some girly stuff...But, no how could Nandini do anything that any other normal girl does when she has such feelings for someone...
Here, she was cribbing that she wasn't able to write something...like seriously... But, then I was a bit curious to know what was it and I leaned on a table while she took a deep breath and spoke again to herself...
Nandini- Think about what happened today...think about Manik...
I was surprised when I heard she was trying to write about what happened today... a smile crept on my lips when I heard my name..she then began to read aloud in her sweet voice. When I heard her words I instantly got consumed, was completely awestruck, I was falling for her every word, they were simple yet it told me everything that I wanted to know... I was mesmerized and how simple yet how different she was...
NANDINI'S PONT OF VIEW-
I was a bit pissed off with myself as I was stuck... "BAPPA why can't I get the next lines...Nandu you can write ahead... Read it one more time, pakka click karega iss baar...Think about what happened today...think about Manik..." And I smiled...
Yes, I was trying to capture what had happened today with me in a few words... Words that described how I had felt after Manik expressed himself and I cocooned myself in his warm embrace...I knew it was a new start to an unknown yet blissful journey...I wanted to capture the feelings I had all the way when we were driving back to my house and also the moments after I had realized I had feelings for him...
Halki halki si hawa beh rahi thi,
Halki halki si boodein baras rahi thi,
Beh raha hai dil inn fizaon ke saath,
Ya yeh meri kalpana thi...
Halka halka sa ehsaas tha,
Halka halka sa kuch khaas tha,,
Hone wala tha shayad kuch adhbudh,
Ya yeh meri kalpana thi...
Bheeni bheeni si mahek thi,
Gehri gehri saansein thi,
Kya yeh kisi ka ehsaas tha,
Ya yeh meri kalpana thi...
Halke se aahat hui,
Dheeme se kuch voh keh gaya,
Kya kar gaya voh parwana,
Ya yeh meri kalpana thi...
Jaha dekhu dikhe uska aks,
Moondi jo aakhein toh saamne uska chehra aa gaya,
Charon taraf dikhe jhalak sirf uski,
Ya yeh meri kalpana thi...
I kept a hand on my forehead and in the other I was flipping my pencil...I looked at my diary and was thinking... when someone came behind me and held the pencil and began reciting some lines...
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
I don't know how but when she was reading those lines, words that expressed her feelings, I was so involved in it that after she stopped and was fiddling with her pencil a few lines came to mind...I went and sat behind her, she was completely unaware of my presence in her room from last 10 minutes...until I took the pencil from her hand and began to recite as well as write the lines I had in my mind...
Ha thi voh tumhari kalpana jo sach ho gayi
Ek pal aaya aur dono ki zindagi ek ho gayi,
Voh aks jo tha tumne mehsus kiya,
Hakikat banke tumahre saamne aa gaya
Aur Jeevan saathi bana le gaya...
She was looking at me with a glow in her eyes and instead of doing something sweet she screamed with excitement...
Nandini - (excited) wwowww Manik it's perfect...thank you, thank you, thank you...
I was completely amazed by her reaction, how could she be so cute and get so excited on getting a few lines correct... She took her diary and then started scribbling on the paper today's date and time... She kept smiling and was writing on the end corner of the page "BY..."
Nandini- what do I write here BAPPA... (Confused)... its not just my lines...Manik ne bhi...
I again took the pencil and then inscribed the words -
BY
N & M...
Nandini- (confused) N & M...
"Yes, N&M... Nandini and Manik..."
She smiled at it and then again she yelled...
Nandini- Manik...tum yaha...(she touched me and got of the bed) what are you doing here...tum...tum andar kaise aaye...
I immediately got up and placed my hand on her mouth... "Nandini are you mad, why the hell are you shouting...(she tried to speak again, but I held her more tight) Listen, I came to meet you, Navya got me in...Aur yaha peechle 15 minutes se hun... Mil gaye answers... (I looked into her eyes to see if she was satisfied)... aab mein haath hata raha hun and you won't scream...ok (she blinked her eyes in a yes and I smiled)...good..."
She began to breathe normally and composed herself... she was about to fire her next question and I spoke "Nandini before you again fire questions on me, please pehle mere liye kuch khane ke liye le aao...I am damm hungry...ufff..."
Nandini- (shocked)...what...tumne dinner nahi kiya...
I sat on her bed and then looked at her... "Ha voh shoot wrap up karke I came here...so, dinner nahi kiya...please get something..." I removed my jacket and placed it on her bed... She kept staring at me with a blank expression... "What??? Go Nandini, get something... and ya make it fast."
Nandini- ok... (Still bit unsure)
She left the room to go downstairs and I sighed... "Thank God she got distracted, nahi toh Cabir ki baat sach ho jati..." I picked her diary, it was new and I realized why she must have done that and I started to smile... "Not bad Nandini Raichand, new beginning ke liye new diary..." I adjusted the pillows and then comfortably placed myself on the bed...
I began to read the lines she had written and could feel her every emotion... I caressed the name on the end corner of the page N&M..."Nandini, I feel the same, our first mark of being together N & M...these words will always reside in my heart forever..."
Nandini then came back with a plate and sat on the bed... I placed her diary on the side and quickly folded my legs in cross and sat like a good boy'. She removed the cover on the plate.
I was happy seeing what she had got, my favourite food... "Nandini woowww Rajma chawal..." She smiled at me and then handed over the plate to me... She got up and poured water in my glass while I took the first bite and I asked her.
"Nandini, yeh tumne banaya hai na..." I had recognized that she had cooked... She looked at me being startled...
Nandini- tumhe kaise pata chala??
I smirked at her and spoke "Ek baar tumhi ne banaye thy mere liye... remember..." She began to look here and there... "Ok fine...beth jao, I won't eat you up...vaise mann toh kar raha hai...but"
Nandini- what...
"Nandini kya tum aaj sirf what, what bolke time spend karogi... (She got a bit pissed off)...vaise tumse pehle I wanna eat Rajma Chawal...so chill ...(and finally she breathed... and I chuckled)..." While I was eating she began to remove things from her bed and kept them aside. I finished my dinner and had water...
I turned to look at her when she was removing the side pins from her hair... I got up and stood behind her... I removed her clip and her hair fell on her back... We looked at each other through the mirror...her breath got uneven and so was mine...her fragrance was just making me insane... she moved away and I held her hand...
I didn't look at her and spoke "Nandini, don't step away...not anymore... please..." She turned to look at me and I met her eyes... She turned but didn't move and I went close to her. I took her long hair and placed them on her right shoulder... I hesitantly placed my hand on her waist and she trembled... i kissed her earlobe and then kissed her shoulder...she was shivering and i made my grip on her waist strong...i kissed her other earlobe and pulled her close to me..i traversed my other hand too on her waist...she closed her eyes...and i pulled her again more close to me and kissed her neck...she placed her hand on mine... and said my name softly... "Manik... please..."
My trance got broke and was now trying to be compose myself and loosened my grip on her... I knew she wasn't ready for all this and I closed my eyes to calm myself... I took her hand in mine and we started to walk towards her bed. I made her sit and could see how nervous she was... she had her eyes down and began fidgeting with her fingers. I sat on her side and held her hand...
"Nandini... I never meant to make you uncomfortable... relax..." She then calmed down and gave me a weak smile... I knew I had to take everything slow, in fact super slow...and trust me even I was in no hurry, it was all new for her and I wanted her to take her time...she was there and that was enough for me...
An awkward silence was there between us and then I took my phone and set an alarm for 4 a.m. She looked at me with puzzled expression, "Voh Navya said tumhari mom jaldi uth jati hai so..."
Nandini - ya she does...
I took a deep breath and spoke to her... "Nandini can I place my head in your lap please..." I looked into her eyes for an answer and she smiled... She quickly adjusted herself and I placed my head in her lap...it felt like heaven... I closed my eyes to feel it and I just wanted this feeling to sink inside me... I wanted to speak my heart to her and I knew she'd hear me out as always...
My eyes were closed and I spoke to her "Nandini, tum janti ho its said that a guy feels protected in his mother's lap... and satisfied in his wife's..."
Nandini -hhmmm
"I am feeling the same right now... it feels heaven... out of the world" I opened my eyes and looked at her... We both kept looking into each other's eyes...I took her hand in mine and caressed it...
And then I continued, "you know after we met in London I changed... Mom ,Dad, FAB 5 everything started to fall in place... one day after the completing my shoot, I heard a guy speaking on the phone with his sister...guess what was his sister's name... "(she questioned me with her eyes)
I smiled and replied..."Nandini...that was when I realized I missed you and then i used to remember you every day... (I smiled remembering those days)... i tried calling you, but it never connected...I knew nothing about you except your name and number... I just didn't know how to find you..."
I took a deep breath and then spoke again... " i went for an Add shoot to France and I had a lay over at Heathrow airport for 11 hours... you knowhow excited I was... I rushed out and got a taxi... i bought flowers for you and left for your home... I was so excited that I could finally meet you... but you weren't in London... (That disappointment came back to me and a tear trickled down my cheek)..."
Nandini wiped that tear gently with her fingers and placed her hand on my head... she slightly moved her fingers in my hair... she then bend and kissed my forehead... and that made me feel she was there and I smiled..."I came back but i started to miss you... I know we just met once and yet I was missing you everyday... .." I chuckled...
She giggled on my expressions and i continued... "Strange isn't it, you know FAB 5 started to tease me... they even made a song for teasing me... I used to get damm irritated... (She chuckled...) what... (I looked at her) tum hass rahi ho...do you even know how embarrassing it was for me... they used to start anywhere..."
Nandini- I am not laughing see... by the which song was it.
"Do you really think I will tell you...(she pulled my nose)... Nandini what are you doing... (I got a bit irritated) "
Nandini- ok fine continue...
I smiled and started to speak..."Then i decided to join social networking sites which was much against my principles, but i did just to get in touch with you...I used to pray every single day that I could meet you again, even if it was once... And see after 6 months we met..." we both smiled... "I was so happy to see you..."
Nandini- main bhi...
"You were looking amazing Nandini..."
Suddenly, I remembered how Aryan was speaking to her that day at hotel and other times too...and I wanted to speak about it to her and clear out..."Nandini tell me one thing..."
Nandini- kya???
I furrowed my eyebrows and made a grump face..."Aryan flirts so much with you and you hardly say a word to him." ...I complained to her as if she was my teacher who was partial with me and gave me less marks intentionally... She gave me a confused look...
"You ever get angry on him aur mujhe pe kabhi bhi baras jati ho..." I began wailing like a kid... And she started to laugh and then pulled my cheek...
Nandini- Manik you are so cute...
I removed her hand and looked at her... "Nandini I am angry on you ok...He flirts with you every now and then, but you don't say a word to him... He tries to hit on you Nandini..."
Nandini- no Manik... its nothing like that... Voh bas aise hi Mazak karta hai bas...
"Really...I don't think so...jerk...jab dekho tum pe chance marta hai... Remember Akshay's haldi ceremony, how he came to you and recited the lines from Kabhi Kabhi...what a moron... hhuhh..."
Nandini - (laughing) Manik...you are such a kid... Ok fine...yes he came to me coz he knew I won't mind and I was the safest girl around him to complete his dare...
"What nonsense..."
Nandini- No Manik... I am serious... If he would have proposed someone else and if Aditi ko pata chalti toh she would have been very angry...she would have killed Aryan...
"Who is Aditi now???" I was damm confused...
Nandini- Aditi is my cousin...Aryan ki would be fiance.
"WHAT..." ...I got up from her lap with a jerk and looked at her with a shocked expression... "What did you say... your cousin Aditi...uski fiance... you never told me...pehle kyun nahi bnataya..." I just couldn't believe what she said...
Nandini- (confused) kyun pehle batana tha...
I was at that time feeling I was the most stupid person being jealous of Aryan and mentally slapped myself for being so stupid... However, I was relieved that he wasn't interested in Nandini and sighed...
BAPPA was watching all this skipping a few scenes being shy...but was enjoying their cute conversation. He was happy seeing his royally spoilt brat speaking his heart to Nandini...
BAPPA- I am so happy kids...
BAPPA - Kyun Manik beta shock laga that Aditi is Aryan's would be fiance... Koi baat nahi...hota hai...😆 ... I did tell you through your friends ki voh tumhari Nandini mein interested nahi hai...He is just a friend... but you were so stubborn... Poora time insecure feel karte rahe... (Chuckled)...aab toh thik ho na...hhmmm😉
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