MaNan Ek Rishta Aisa Bhi Part 2 Page 22 Impt Note on Pg 33 - Page 14

Nandini was wearing an off white anarkali with black and gold embroidery on it. She teamed it up with heavy antique jhumkas as she loved them; the crown hair was lazily pinned behind making few strands fall on her face. She wore light makeup nothing much apart from kajal and baby pink lip gloss. She was looking magical; simple yet elegant; a beauty captivated and sculpted by gods. She was a simple girl with no love for brands or high end fashion. Fashion for her meant the clothes that make one comfortable in their own skin and she believed beauty came from within if you are happy you are beautiful.

She was setting her dupptta when she heard a car being pulled in; she knew it was Manik so she ran to the window to catch a glimpse of her "first love" rockstar the Manik Malhotra. As soon as she saw him her breath got hitched and she forgot the world around her. "hayee Nandini tera hero aa gaya." Her heart did somersaults as butterflies danced in her tummy. Suddenly she felt Manik was about to turn back.

Manik was standing and talking to Nandini's father and mother who came to receive them when he felt someone's gaze on him. He looked up but found nothing but a white duppatta with black border flying through the window. "Nandini" he thought. Nandini when saw manik turning quickly hid herself but her duppatta flew. "Come beta come inside." Nandini's father broke Manik's trance and they all walked in. they all comfortably settled on the couches in the living room. Manik looked around the house it wasn't huge neither was it small but a compact and beautiful home. Everything in the house was traditional and hand painted giving it a rustic and traditional vibe. "Nandini ne banaya hai yeh sab use painting ka bahut shauk hai." Anusha informed as she served them some hot beverages.

Neyonika unable to wait any further and also sensing Manik's restlessness to see Nandini requested them to bring her. Anusha called Navya and introduced her as Nandini's best friend. Navya greeted everyone and then Anusha asked her to bring Nandini down. Nanvya smiled and walked up to Nandini's room and found and over enthusiastic Nandini to be taken down. "nandu hamein galat mat samjhna but please thora apne emotions pe control rakho. Hum jaante hain ki yeh pehli baar hai jab tum kisi se aise mil rahi ho but rejection ka dard tum nahi sehpaogi." Navya said as she remembered her experiences but Nandini kept an assuring hand on her shoulder and said "Navya Manik aise nahi honge mujhe pata hai." They both smiled and Navya said "phir bhi control samjhi." And they moved downstairs.

Manik was sitting on the couch anxiously waiting to catch a glimpse of the girl who without even meeting him was giving him butterflies in stomach. He was fiddling with his fingers trying to pay attention to what the seniors were talking but looking at the stairs every now and then. Suddenly Anusha's voice made his heart beat a little faster; his breath getting hitched and the earth beneath his feet getting swept when he saw her coming down.

She was his every dream come true; her long black hair which was falling on her shoulder; her jhumkas which danced to the beats of her footsteps as she moved; her eyes which mostly looked down but turned up every now and then to catch a glimpse of her surroundings; her cheeks which gave even the color red a run for its money covering her with blush and those pink pouty lips which were breaking into a smile every now and then.

Nandini greeted everyone and sat in between Neyonika and Vikrant and Manik sat straight across her. Nandini was talking slowly much to Anusha and Navya's relief. Suddenly while talking she looked up to find Manik's soul melting gaze on her; ever since she walked down Manik has not left gazing her, all he knew that she was the one he was waiting to be, her's was the smile that would light up his life and her blush; he lost his heart to her blush and Nandini found herself shivering and melting under his gaze which made her blush more. After talking for few minutes Neyonika looked at Manik and asked Anusha's permission to let Manik and Nandini talk alone. Vishnu and Anusha agreed readily and said "they have to decide their life together so it's good they speak to each other alone; Navya take them to terrace. "all the best Nandu." Navya winked as she left them alone on the terrace.

There was a complete silence. Nandini who had prepared a long speech as to what she will speak to Manik forgot everything when she met him and Manik forgot everything the moment he saw her. "Baithiye." Finally Nandini gestured him to sit on the lounge chairs. "hi I am Manik." Manik smiled and introduced himself formally. "so Nandini didn't you feel odd when you got to know that I didn't even see your picture and came directly to meet you." Manik asked and nodded in a no surprising him; he smiled and again said "well let me tell you something about myself I am the lead singer of Fab5 but not typical rock star. For me friends and family are the most important bonds and pillars of a person's existence." Manik looked at Nandini as he spoke. "love for me is the most purest and beautiful emotion and marriage is the best thing that can happen to a person. I have never been in love until." He stopped abruptly.

Nandini looked up and spoke slowly "until?" "Until now." Manik replied with his famous smirk "now I guess I understand what is might be to be in love, to see someone smile; to see someone blush." He said making Nandini smile and blush. Nandini was looking down all the time and speaking very less making Manik think that she was uncomfortable. "Nandini are you ok? I mean this is a big decision for our lives I know what I want but I want you also to express yourself." Nandini smiled and said "even I know what I want." "then you can speak normally don't be scared." Manik said. "no I am not scared. Who kal mummy aur Navya ne Vivah movie dikhayi aur bola aapse main itni hi awaz mein baat karoon." Nandini replied and Manik burst into laughter seeing her innocence. Nandini bit her lip and closed her eyes in embarrassment and all Manik wanted to do was peck her chubby cheeks.

After a while Navya came up and said "agar baatein ho gayi toh sab neeche bula rahein hain." Manik "tumhe mujse aur kuch nahi poochna?" Nandini nodded in a no. Manik gestured in a ok and moved ahead but Nandini again spoke 'par aapko kuch baatana hai." Manik turned to look at her. "aapne poocha than a ki mujhe ajjeb jyun nahi laga woh is liye kyunki isi se pata chalta hai ki aapka dil kitna bada hai. Aap logon ko unke chere se nahi unki niyat se parakhte hain aur yeh jaane ke baad aapke liye mere dil mein aapki izzat aur badh gayi hai." Manik smiled at her reply and raked his hand through his hairs and went down. Navya and Nandini hugged each other and Nandini nodded in a yes and both friends shared few smiles and walked down.

Manik walked down followed by Navya and Nandini and found everyone waiting for them anxiously. Vikrant was tensed as to what will Manik say this time also but Neyonika knew what Manik was about to say; she being a mother understood it too well. "So what?" Vikrant asked. Manik bit his lower lip as he smiled and looked at Nandini was standing next to him and said "it's a yes from." Now it was Vishnu's turn who looked at Navya and she said "uncle it's a yes from her too." Soon the entire room was filled with laughter and smiles. Vikrant and Vishnu hugged each other and so did Neyonika and Anusha. Navya was distributing sweets to everyone. Everyone was busy when Manik held Nandini's finger and entwined it saying "welcome to Manik's beautiful world princess."

End of chap

Ciao