BEWARE: Spoilers into MaNan's life ahead.
I remember the hold on my hand getting firmer, and the red face of Manik, which was filled with love and anguish looking at my current state, the sounds of someone's distant cries for attention and the last thing I remember before surrendering to the comforting darkness was someone saying, "Let her go to sleep, Manik."
And I, closed my eyes.
Suddenly, I was pushed awake, only to open my eyes and see that Monster Manik and his gang of hooligans, were holding my Appa's pen...Wait, Appa's Pen? And I saw him playing with it, taunting me as he probably purposely, broke it. And then I remember the shouts and my tears as I punched him into silence. Ahh...sweet, sweet victory, though my hand and knuckles hurt like a b**ch.
Scene shifts, and I find myself in between Harshad and Manik, before I am very unceremoniously pushed on top of that Monster and something very surprising happens, I lose my kiss virginity. Holy Shit! Manik Malhotra was my first kiss! (Though I didn't totally mind, you know, him being a hottie and the frustrating amount of sexual tension between us like all the freaking time! ;) ) And I taste the very disgusting taste of the very Magical or Punishing potion I drink, made by my very Monster Manik.
The jungle and the performance with the weird instruments, with me and Manik looking at each other. The cliff and the gratitude to Manik for saving me. The storeroom, being the turning point for us where I somehow became Manik Malhotra's light in life. Manik and me falling on top of one another every single time (God, I really think these students are paid to mess with our balance) and the awkward feelings as we looked into each other's eyes as though we could actually see our soul. The performance and Rishab's condtion, with me being stuck with Manik in the shower trying to make him believe that he was a hero, just in a arrogant and hidden way. The agreement. The first hug and the various confusions that came with it. The dance and the drunk night, where I finally let go of my inhibitions and let myself trust not the Monster but my Manik. Us falling slowly and deeply in love, unknown to everything and everyone trying to separate us and break us.
The day before Musicana, where I was kissed for the first time and I realised that Manik wasn't just some college romance for me anymore. The heartbreak and the bitter tears, him trying to come to me and push me away, but crying inside and holding all our dear memories together.
Harshad and the drama room, with the plan to bringing him down failing and Manik and I stuck in a very dangerous situation but us, unaware and lost in one another. His infected hand and the great kidnap. Leaving him and saying goodbye, goodbye to my broken heart and his hopes for us after he realised that I wasn't a rag doll with no feelings. Soha and her psychotic ways of getting Manik, that made me so jealous. New year's eve and us forgetting all our problems and giving into one another. The music album and the first night of my life with Manik. The first official date, which broke and healed my heart as I realised how in love I was with Manik and that I would have to leave him for his future and good life.
The burning storehouse and Manik saving me. Soha's fake death and Manik being blamed as I make the biggest mistake and speak against him. His broken heart and soul as he says goodbye to me on our first Valentines and all the punishments that I heartily accept to get him back. Dhruv being lost and him breaking down, coming back to me as he realises that I would always be there for him. Our first holi together where Manik clearly lived upto his name. The love confession and the fusion concert that had become our hope for the future we had together. Pandit and me losing the rose-tinted glasses with which I looked at the world. Manik saving me again from my demons and darkness, fighting for us and against all odds for me.
Us talking about intimacy for the first time after Navya's movement to save her from humiliation. My respect for him as he tells me all what he needs and desires but that he would wait for me to be comfortable before going on to the next-level.
The night when we do become one. The love, security and utter bliss that let me give myself to Manik forever and unite with him through every level, establishing that we weren't a fleeting memory in each other's life, but each other's life as well.
The blissful life of college with Manik by my side, fighting and falling in love deeper every second. The inevitable end of FAB 5 and his tries to remain strong and act as though he was unaffected through it all, but he broke down and it was heartbreaking as I held him and took in all of his pain. Cabir and Mukti were still a very big part of his life, his true friends who actually knew that it was only Manik who wanted to protect them as he was well, a mother-hen.
I then remembered, meeting Manik's father, a man very much hurt and bitter because of Nyonika, and us coming closer to form what I would call a pure relationship of a daughter and father. The trip to Mangalore, with Manik and Amms behaving very weirdly, just like a pair of thick thieves, partners in crime. Him proposing to me in the best way possible with our stars and fireflies all glowing in anticipation and looking at the proud 6 ft tall man bending on one knee infront of his petite and fragile queen.
Manik and I being engaged and promising one another to marry once we were independent ourselves. The days and nights spent apart but very close as we called and fussed about our hectic lives to each other and finally the end of three years, which saw Manik become the very deserving CEO of his father's company and me, becoming a psychologist as I understood what I really loved to do.
Us marrying with Mukti, Navya and Cabir planning every aspect of our wedding and *ahem* our honeymoon. Manik had fulfilled his promise as he set up Cabir with his Manager and Navya and Mukti having found their own future and partners to move forward in this journey of life.
As these memories rushed past my mind and my closed eyes, I remembered my favourite one, the one where I told Manik I was pregnant and here I was, nine very frustrating months later, where I opened my eyes to see a very frantic and panicking Manik trying to quiet down our little bundle of joy, Richa.
The sound soon quieted down, as both Manik and her gaze fell on me. Both chocolate coloured eyes staring at me with so much love, that I couldn't stop the tears as they rushed into my arms. My Manik resting his head on my shoulder as he sat behind me on the bed, giving me Richa, who rested on my bosom, the symbol of our love and togetherness.
As she stared at me and Manik, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed that my fairy tale had indeed got its happy ending.
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I really hope that you guys liked it. Though it was too cheesy😆
Jhanak
