MaNan Stars & Fireflies #5 Part 123 Page 97 No PMS - Page 4

Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies 117

LIFE! What is life? A dream to be lived and reality to be dreamt. what is the essesnce of life? Love and magic. Love is the magic that reveals our inner strengths and makes us do things we never dreamt of. The magic created by love is such we are lost in it but the truth is we discover the true us. We all have the magic within but it takes the right person to see it and be the wind beneath our wings to let us fly high without the fear of losing.

Nandini too had that magic within her but her selfless heart always put the happiness of people she loved before her own dreams; not that she regretted it but there were people around her he won't let that happen especially Manik so he decided to give her the push that she needed to realize even she had dreamd and she is no selfish in living them.

The next few days were the best days for Manik and Nandini, they were happy, they were content; they had each other, their love. After Manik's push and constant support from her friends Nandini decided to get back to training with DJ and badi maa, Manik, Abhi and DJ persuaded her to get involved in Malhotra industries slowly and gradually as she was future wife Manik the second heir to the Malhotra empire. To make Nandini realize her dream and potential Manik and DJ joined forces though they never spoke to each other but still it was progress and hope for DJ that one Manik would heal and forgive her.

If Nandini was busy in her career Manik and Fab5 too were busy in their Album deal. They were projected as the youngest rockstars of the country true to their image. The deal negotiations with Epic Records were pretty smooth as the best negotiators from Malhotra industries were involved in the talks. Fab5 made a 3 album contract with Epic records and started working on the album religiously. Their days started with music and Nandini and their nights ended with music and Nandini.

Manik being the band leader was the busiest of them all; he had to take care of every single aspect of the album because he wanted to give the best to his friends and justify Nandini and everyone's faith in his talent. Though he and Nandini got to spend less time with each other but Nandini never complained, she would wait for Manik no matter how late he would come from practice and Manik too made sure he would get up early to spend time with her; her life was still simple with practice and some office work as she was just the first year student where as Manik and rest of the fab4 were in the batch that would passout from SPACE this year.

Finally it was night before the first song recording of Fab5; the moment they all have been waiting ever since they got together as a band, Manik decided that they should all chill and do not stress over the recording. He asked or rather arranged dates for Abhi and Mukti Dhruv and Aliya and sent Cabir to Malhotra mansion on the pretext that DJ wanted to have dinner with him. Although Cabir has some doubt on him but he knew Manik wanted some lone time with Nandini so without creating much fuss he went to mansion for dinner with DJ. As far as Manik was concerned he made sure he spent the time with Nandini at home.

It was 7 pm when Manik stealthily walked into the house and heard Nandini humming something from kitchen; Hmm! So madam is in kitchen.' Manik thought and slowly walked to the kitchen only to get the shock of his his life. Nandini was wearing one of his ganji's and she pulled over his shirt and wore his shorts shocking and shaking Manik's inside's out. On the other hand Nandini who was obvious to Manik's presence was doing her routine stuff that she would do in his absence just to feel his presence.

She suddenly stood on the kitchen stool with her back turned to Manik and started imitating him; "Nandini..Nandini.." she jumped back from the stool and said "kya hai Manik?" then again climbed back and said "yaar I forgot my towel please help me." Making a puupy face just like Manik makes every single morning and Manik who was standing at the door was finding it hard to control his laughter at his girl's cute antics. She again came down from stool and said "Manik yeh tumhara roz ka hai your chance for bathroom romance and don't you dare make that puppy face I am so not melting Malhotra." And started laughing in herself; by now it was difficult for Manik to hold back anymore.

"but miss Moorthy I am damn serious I do forget my towel every single morning." Manik said with one eyebrow arched and naughty smirk playing on his lips. Nandini's eyes almost bulged out and she turned back to find Manik standing or rather talking some small seductive steps towards her. "so what is this?" he asked pointing towards the her outfit and as soon as Nandini realized it she started pulling the shirt and the ganji down. "woh Manik! Woh what are you doing here at this time?" she countered him. But by this time Manik has already bridged the gap between them. He held her waist and pulled her onto him making her sit on the slab "I asked first what is this Nandini ?" Nandini was blushing hard Manik lifted her chin with the help of his thumb and smashed his lips on her lips. For a moment she was taken aback but was quick to respond back to his kiss; he was nibbling her lower lip and she was biting his lip. He bit her lower lip to deepen the kiss and enter her mouth. As the kiss deepend his hold on her waist increased and she fiercely dug her nails in the nape of his neck. The kiss had the urgency, the need for each other as their tongues fought and danced in each other's mouth's.

Finally after feeling tremendous need to breathe Manik broke kiss unwillingly. They both joined their foreheads and panting heavily "itna miss kiya?" Nandini sighed and said "isse bhi zyada; if only words can justify my need for you Manik; I can live without breathing for a moment but not without you." Nandini replied with her eyes still closed. Manik kissed her forehead and said do I need to tell my condition to you. I can live by forgetting myself but not without you Nandini." He picked her up in his arms and walked into the bedroom kissing her non stop.

It was 9 am and fab5 had taken its position in the recording studio to record the first song for their first album. Nandini was standing right across the glass looking at Manik with all the love and pride. She was remembering their first meeting when Manik threw pizza on her and she threw water on him. this has been one incredible journey of us.' She thought as Manik blew a kiss to her before he started singing. After few hits and misses they successfully recorded the song and it came out really well. "wow Manik this is just amazing." Nandini said hugging Manik. "ahem.. ahem.." Cabir's voice got her attention "um bhi hain line mein." He said making Nandini turn into a tomato. She turned and hugged everyone.

After the recording Mr Khurana called them for a meeting to discuss the further details of the album. Nandini too accompanied them on Manik and fab4's insistence; on reaching the meeting room Mr Khurana's PA gave a weird look and said "outsiders are not allowed. This is a confidential meeting." Manik's anger rose "she is not an outsider, she is Nandini and she is my fiance so she has the right to know everything." On seeing the temperatures flaring uneccearily high Mr Khurana doused the matter by saying "it's ok guys chill and welcome Nandini. I must Manik you have a very pretty gitl; god bless you both." Hearing his words they all smiled and settled down.

The discussions were started soon and it was agreed that in next three days they will finish recording the songs and then other publicity details like shooting and photoshoots will be done in two weeks. Everyone was very happy especially Manik and Nandini as they thought just 2 more weeks and then they will be there for each other but alas their kismat had some other plans. "since you guys are bein projected as the youngest talent in the country I want you guys to do a country wise tour where you will be doing gigs in famous pubs, college fests, mini conercts and last leg of the tour will be album launch with a mega concert in Mumbai. Your iteiniery has been prepared you leave two weeks later and the tour is for two months. All the best kids make me proud I will see you all in Mumbai concert." And Mr Khurana walked off.

The news fell like a bomb on Manik and Nandini who froze at their places. It was a happy news laced with sadness. Where no band gets a country wide tour in their launch album it meant a huge opportunity for Fab5 but at the same time it meant Manik has to stay away from Nandini for 2 months. They both looked at each other. "Nandini.." Manik tried to say something but before he could say anything Nandini hugged him and said "Shhh don't say anything Manik. You will go this tour and I will be fine. I will not cry; I will miss you but I won't cry and dj, badi maa, chachi, chacha all are there na. so you go and make it a success like you always do." She said hugging him tightly between her sobs. Manik was also in tears but he smiled at her antics and said acha toh now what are you doing? Not crying." She bobbed her head in a no and sniffed earning a chuckle from everyone at her childish antics.

Every heart in that room felt for those two love birds who now have to stay away from each other as their fate wanted them to grow more stronger in this happy sad separation.

End of chap

Ciao