XOXO

Buuut...they have to go for now otherwise who knows they may be banned from even seeing each other again! 😆 And whilst they discuss of how to officially announce to their close ones of their hamesha waala union, amongst all the hyped stress, jumping nervousness, a painful chord is struck. A painful truth which has always been the reason for the bitterness existing in his life. A truth so ugly that he wishes it was all a nightmare and he would wake up one day to realise that his life is in fact a happy, complete family too. But unfortunately...their is nothing more truthful than the truth. "Meri family tumhari family jaisi nahi hai". 😭 The care, the affection, the parental love. It's all left his soul so hurtfully scarred. And the wounds are not any less tender than they were nineteen years ago. He craves all of it. Even today. And hence every time he experiences Nandini's Amms scoldings, her protective gestures towards Nandini, her rebukes of telling him to stay away from her grand-daughter...he never takes it to the heart! Because hidden behind every word of her scolds, her harsh tone and strict berate; he can hear the concern she holds for her grandchild. He can witness how her eyes are always worried that her Nandini must never be harmed. After all, Nandini and Rishabh are the only family Amms herself has left. "Nyonika ko ki farak nahi padta ke meri life mein kya chal raha hai. But your Amms...she cares." How he wishes someone would listen to his day's experience. How he wishes someone would kiss his forehead to bless him all the world's happiness and joys. How he wishes someone would reach out and caress his hair like a mother often does when her child comes home from a tiring day.

But he's learnt to smile. He's learnt to love. He's learnt to live. For his Nandini. And so he will put aside every inch of pain, every tearing ache to focus and gift her all the happiness that he has promised to gift her for their eternity. "Manik...thank you...thank you for caring for Amms". Her family...her close ones...her Amms...they all are a part of his life now. And so to respect their feelings, their concerns and their love for Nandini has become a vital part of his life. He will never force his decisions, his personal beliefs and inner thoughts on her. She's not just his companion in life...she's a part of him. Tedi Medi Raahein...Ulti Pulti Baatein...haven't they experienced it all? They've shared every up and down, every tear and glee...and so no decision of his can every neglect her inner-emotions.

And so the birthday girl has a wish too! To present him the happiness of letting this world know. Letting them know that they are in love. Letting the world know that she's found true love. Telling her Amms "that I'm in love with this boy" 😳😆 Now that they've finally found solace, they've finally attained happiness, they've finally been united by destiny. Why keep it all enclosed and unrevealed? She wants to experience it all today. The happiness of both worlds. And so "let's do this today!"

But what perfect timing...Navya and Navya ki mata raani ka bulaava aa hi gaya! 😆 And so she starts freaking out again...what if...how...when...but but...uh oh...oh no..."Nandini!". They've always had the gift of filling each other with the much needed assurance when one starts to distrust their own footsteps. And so he assures her to take tackle it all one step at a time...no need to hurry...no need to panic...no need to fear. He trusts her, their love and her Aiyappa for this matter of fact too that their love shall win Amms' heart eventually! 😳 Yet precautions are a must. Only because it's Amms and she has a sixth sense to sense trouble. So he gifts her an "excuse". Something sweet to cut down on her Amms' anger. Something holy to impress her when she will start explaining where she had been all this time. "Payasam"...it's got to melt her heart knowing that her grand-daughter was in fact in full concentration towards the pooja and not being distracted by anyone else's presence *ahem ahem* mr boyfriend...😆 And so she is. Delighted that her kanna had in fact gone to fetch the prasadam and wasn't roaming around giggling in some corner with Santokh 😆

So what's an evening without some healthy teasing on behalf of some dear friends..."Manik ka kuch nahi ho sakta, woh nahi sudrega. Poor Nandini...she used to be a good girl" 🤣

Yet, if only they could see...he has changed. Her love has changed him. As he had once said it himself...she changed him from the monster to a human. She changed him to become Manik...her Manik. As he sat there behind her, arms devotedly folded in appreciation, in thankfulness, in a praying gesture...he seems not to know who to thank first, who to sing his prayer to first, who to bow his head down to. His Nandini's Aiyappa...or his Nandini. He continuously shifts glances between the two as he knows that he must thank her Aiyappa today for sending her down for him, yet he feels the need to thank her first for walking into his life herself. He knows he must thank her Aiyappa for making her the reason he doesn't fear the darkness anymore, yet he feels the need to thank her first because she chose to shine for him. He knows he must thank her Aiyappa for always listening to her prayers, yet he feels the need to thank her first for keeping him in her prayers...hamesha!

And so as they continue to celebrate, sing, laugh and cherish every moment of his Nandini's birthday...he feels the constant need to express to her how happy she has made him today. How fulfilling his life has become due to her sheer presence. Even as he flawlessly strums his guitar and sings the song to please her Amms'...he wishes to stay floating around near the warmth of her love, dedicating every line to his beloved because his music is incomplete without her. With much overwhelmed elation she had kissed him when he had handed her the bowl of Payasam; knowing that she would be hopeless with her ways if it weren't for him. And so he doesn't leave any chance unused to reciprocate the mutual gesture. She's his dose of happiness...the one who's smile, innocence, shining ability reassures him every time that this is all real. That he is infact loved!

There was a time when he used to call her a commoner...yet if she could, she would tell him how his love's depth, endearment and intensity makes her believe that she in fact is the star he sees within her. There was a time she used to call him monster manik...yet if he could, he would tell her how her patience, her trust and her caressing touches have evolved him to become the Manik only she could see in him. ❤️

So the day is nearing an end...or shall I say a night is opening its eyes...yet the ceremony of hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses continue...because nothing else can really express "Jaane kyun...dil jaanta hai...tu hai toh I'll be alright" ❤️

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A little side note: A big round of applause for Kriss for her fab performance today! 🤗The pain in her eyes...her voice was seriously soul-crunching and it's just high-time the girl let's loose of her inner-emotions and TALK...just get her to talk!!! And well MaNan are babies for life!