Posted:
Just a few requests before I start the official torture...
I am no expert and bear with me as I have never done this before...there will be tons of grammatical mistakes and syntax errors...kindly excuse me for the same...I write in a hurry and rarely go for spell checks...!!
Also I am trying to fit the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle...might not be satisfactory...pardon me again!!
Please remember, I have no intentions of taking any credit away from the creators of this show. Yes, the last few weeks were confusing and chaotic but in the end, lets just keep in mind that they gave us an unforgettable pair and bonds and a memorable show for a long long time...No one ever can create such magic again!!
And last..this will have to be in parts as I am dealing with weeks...
And definitely not the least...THANK YOU...heaps and tons...for everything!!!!!!❤️
Fab 5...Fab 5...Fab 5...relentless...never ending...deafening...a rising crescendo of cheers and applause and ovation!! The noise echoed in the SPACE auditorium...infamously known as The Audi!! The very place which had seen innumerable jamming sessions of five eternal friends. The walls that had resounded with their music, their sheer joy, their crazy friendships, their mid night obsessive playing, their rising rhythms, their unbeatable beats. These very same walls had seen it all, Manik's mania for his music and his friends...the guy lived and died for them...Cabir's insane antics, Mukti's bold n sexy tunes, Aliya's elegant and sophisticated care n share and Dhruv's amiable silence...!! This room had seen lots more...The day Nandini had literally barged in Manik's life, all thanks to Navya and how this epic saga had started!! Manik's bullying of a helpless yet spirited Nandini...still remembered the day he had chucked that pen out the window, while an unbelieving Nandini watched on!! Or the day when Manik had rushed in with a bleeding lip and a bruised ego...locked himself up in sheer fury in these very same hollow and echoing walls. And how Dhruv had quietly brought back a smile on his buddy's face!! And of course their epic fights...Manik and Nandini's squabbles...even if it was about a wire that was in the end, simply thrown away and forgotten!! The same place, where the likes of Soha had tried to break the bonds of Fab 5 and the tie that MaNan shared. Their first attempt at winning a contract, had happened here too...and how it had ended...!! The roughest and hardest times when Dhruv had let his Buddy down, or the times when Manik had tried to bring music back into a shocked and traumatized Nandini's life...the place still hummed with the strumming of his guitar strings...the feather light touches...the tender caring with which he had taught Nandini how to play the guitar...!! So many memories...so many past unforgettable events crowding the four walls of this auditorium...this room had indeed seen it all...the rise, the fall, the break ups, the make ups of these special people!!
And today, aptly and perfectly, it saw the beginning of a new era in music!! They had arrived...finally and fully!! The resounding, deafening applause was proof enough...Fab 5 was never going to look back now!! Finally this band of friends was going to get what it always deserved, success and fame and a name!! History was being made!! The winning of the talent hunt was of course just the beginning!!
The crowd was berserk, cheering for their idols...!! So proud, so happy, so ecstatic about their Fab 5!! Strange and ironic...they were feared, they were even hated...in the past...no one dared crossed their paths. Their stories were legendary, their fear, unparalleled!! Yet today, was a different story. The students of SPACE had evolved and grown alongwith Fab5. A lot had changed...heck...the impossible had happened!! Mukti had not called anyone Chomu for weeks...Cabir had not ragged or uploaded embarrassing vidoes of fellow college mates for weeks either. And if sources were to be believed..Aliya had even shared make up tips and dressing secrets with a few blessed commoners. And Dhruv...cheez..sometimes he talked and also smiled...and ever appeared hatless!! But the miracle...Manik...yup...you know the Manik Monster Malhotra ...had not beaten up anyone in weeks...or may be months...he had not growled or bullied or mocked or shocked anyone for a while now...coz ..well he was busy somewhere else...wink..wink!! Indeed, times had changed!! SPACE was proud of its FAB 5...yes they were difficult and spoilt and brattish...yet they were unique...they were also gifted and they were also human!! They were their icons...their rock stars!! And today their musical Gods had won...again...but this time with a record deal in their kitty!! There were rumors that the Fab 5 was no more together. The majority refused to believe so...rubbishing the news...Fab 5..split?? You kidding...what BS?? Some claimed, Aliya had called it quits and Dhruv too had been spotted performing alone at night club?? They were not hanging out together...and were lately missing!! So they were all agog, anxious, worried, terrified...keeping their fingers crossed!! No God..please don't..anything but Fab 5...not these bunch of friends. Their friendship so legendary, their bonding tales rampant in the corridors and classrooms...unki dosti ki kasam khaate they log...and this...no please no!!
And when Manik turned up alone in the beginning, on that stage, their hearts had sank, Plenty of eyes had teared, but then, magically they had appeared, one by one, all of them...each and every one of them...in perfect harmony...in a peaking symphony...and life was perfect!! They had moved the crowd, shook them, brought them on their feets in standing ovations...such emotions, such passions...such music!! Fab 5...and no doubt they had won...!! Coz words need to mean something, because music has to touch the hearts and souls, because music is a story that needs no words...they had won!!
They exited the Audi, all five of them, walking together, like always...forever!! The corridors of SPACE will forever remember their majestic march, their attitudes, their spirit and spunk...they ruled and they always will...the royals!! This time with a trophy in their hands and a contract for a bright future in their pockets!! Together they walked...
MANIIIKKK...MAANNNIIIKKK...she simply threw herself at him...OH MY GOD...U WON...FAB 5 WON...WE WON!! OH GOSH...YOUR HOPE WON AGAIN!! She counldn't stop gushing, couldn't stop talking and laughing and crying at the same time!! And he laughed...his giant frame..simply enveloped her in a bear hug and spun her around like crazy...they were on top of the world!! "A slight correction Ms. Nandini Murthy...our hope won!! He smirked as he placed her back gently on her feet, making sure she was steady enough!! CONGRATULATIONS ..to you too..my shining star...you made me so so proud...you were so fab on stage...you know I told you..i can watch you singing for hours and hours...I almost forgot my performance...you were so good!!"
"No Manik...you were too good!!" "Nandini...you were..."
"OK...That's it...Stop..STOP!!!!" Cabir yelled...while Mukti smiled on!! "Seriously...can we end this mutual admiration society for now...Yes...Nandini your Manik is the best in the whole wide world and yes Kameeney your Nandini is the best in the whole wide universe...ab chalein...mujhe bhukh lag rahi hai...for god's sake!! ANd I have decided I m gonna upload a ton of stuff on my channel today...I m a busy guy now...so shooo!!!
"And you guys have a party to attend..a dinner..at my place...Aryamann reminded the bunch!! "Haan hamari jeet ki khushi mein.." chirped in Navya!! "Madhubala...yaad dilaon hum jeete...Fab 5" .." Cabir...humne Harshad ko haraya...jissne tumhara churaya hua gana gaaya tha...toh ek tarike se humne Fab 5 ko haraya...toh jeete kaun hum...aur hamra baby bhi agree karta hai!""
"Hain...like what...I seriously will never get her logic man!! Ok...listen up...we gotta split and get ready and come back here for the party...everyone in...right?? So gang, see you at our usual place...all decked up n ready to PARTY..."
Cabir just wanted to make sure about Dhruv and Aliya...he wanted to come out in the open and ask them directly...all fine guys?? You are not leaving us anymore...are we forgiven for whatever crime we had committed...are we together...where we belong?? But he was too scared to ask...just like Mukti and Manik!!
Dhruv was quiet and Aliya too was still pensive!! " See you in a while guys...I will meet you here" she said quietly...with the ghost of a smile. Dhruv quietly nodded and walked away!!
"Yay..party time bro" Cabir elbowed Manik.."Chal chaltein hain yaar...the canteen demands our presence...I can hear the food calling to me...!""
"Hmm...of course...err...tu chal,,main abhi aaya!!"" " AA chukka yeh...u know Cabir...he is so not going to make it...chal main aati hun...your partner in crime...after all can't let a future rock star starve!"...Mukti grinned and Cabir winked and they both walked away...
"Ruko..." "Oh God...not again..." Cabir groaned!! "She never ever lets me live in peace. Navya ji...ghar par toh nahin khane deti chain se...yahaan toh khane de!" "Hum dono ko kissi se milna hain"...Navya retorted mysteriously!! "Zaroori hai...kissiki band bajana...aur humein pata hain ki tum band kitna achcha bajate ho...toh chalo..khana baad mein khana" She ordered, as usual. "Mumma...save me...Mukti...save me a seat...I am coming back to the canteen...matlab jaana mat...aur sun...khaana bhi mat" He pleaded!!
" I gotta go Manik..."..he grabbed her arm..." Hey listen...what about a private celebration, before a public one?"...Meaning?...Nandini looked clueless!! " Nandini, ...he said, as he pushed one strand of hair behind her ear, played with her earring and then gradually caressed her arm.." We have been through a lot in the past few days, it has been too hard,...more so on you...I have seen my pain reflected in your eyes...but hey Fab 5 performed together today and things are looking a bit better...so I wanna spend some quality time with you, a private celebration before the public one. I wanna thank you in a special way...so come a bit early...at my place..tonight, before the party at Aryamann's starts?? " Manik...she looked at him with those dove eyes...I will be there" "But ..you have to control your monstrous side as we wont have much time and we have to attend the party late...so no excuses...you are gonna behave...right??" she asked!! " We will get to the party...and that's a promise" he smiled back with a promise in his eyes!!
"Bye...gotta go Manik ...I will see you soon too" She spinned and rushed away...while Manik looked on with wistful eyes.
He mused about how he wanted to thank his precious star, his Nandini. He so wanted to make her smile, see her eyes shine bright with glee...and only one thing in the world could do that...he smiled too!! He had found his answer...and he had some wheels to put in motion...yet his mind wandered back to Aliya and Dhruv. Was Dhruv going to be there?? He desperately wished and hoped for...his last wish...his first desire...!! His keen eyes had told him, Aliya had seemed to be fine...or if not fine, pretty close to being her normal self...but Dhruv...lately his buddy had been anything but predictable. Yet..he was happy...they had after all come together...so there was hope!!
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Chacha's face...Aiyappa...was priceless!! As he held the trophy, his precious little niece had won, caressesing it and chattering nineteen to a dozen. And Nandini had never felt this content, or may be she had..sigh!!! He was so proud, his eyes shining with unshed tears, for the little girl, who had grown so big, in spite of all that had happened to her...his little warrior!! Nandini listened raptly, a wise smile playing on her lips, as her Chachu recalled her initial days at SPACE..how she was against the idea, how she hated the academy, her first tearful days...the storms and raging hurricanes...she remembered them all...!! Looking back...it was not that bad...she smiled at the memories that had made her what she was today ...how life changes!!
Paayasam...well ...after all she was a Mangalorean...so it was a must!! She couldn't stop grinning looking at her Chacha, gleefully planning to cook in Chachi's absence...Phew Bach Gaye!! The relief was evident on all Moorthy visages!! Chachi in her over zealous and over rapturous state of mind would have probably cooked mutter paneer paayasam or may be rajma paayasam...yuck!! Nandini imagined Manik being forced to eat some...hehehe!!
But she missed Chachi..sorely...not only cause all her lives joys and sorrows would always be incomplete without her cutesy Chachi but also coz with her pains were halved and happiness...simply multiplied!! Chachi kahaan ho...please ghar aa jao...!! Your Sona Munda needs you...I mean I need you to impress your Sona Munda...!! Nandini wanted to look so beautiful tonight that her Monster shouldn't be able to take his eyes off her...she wanted to bowl him over..again...and for that she needed some womanly help...HELP!! She had to get ready for the Party and had to look like a million bucks...or...maybe as bright and shiny as a star...hmmm!! After all its ..this was a special day...He had won an album deal..and if wanted to make it unforgettable...
But what to do Aiyappa...Chachi and her SRK...I guess I should just be grateful if she does return home and does not elope with him...gosh she loved her...her brazen yet loving, her sweet and cute chachi...she would have loved to pull Nandu's leg..and make her blush...and would have probably called Manik a dozen times reminding him to drop off Nandu safe and sound and yet misbehave at the same time. Nandini blushed and rolled her eyes...as if the guy needed any excuse to help himself..seriously!! Her Chachi adored him, spoilt him...and she saw an extraordinary bond there...two bold, out spoken, fearless, strongly protective and yet highly loving people...who simple could not mince their words or behave themselves in public or private...
"Dhruv"!!! The last person she had expected to see at her home tonight, definitely not after the short but not sweet conversation they had at the campus. She shouldn't have said what she did, she really shouldn't have interfered between them..Manik would hit the roof...but she couldn't help it. She had seen the shadows of uncertainty cloud her man's eyes..she sensed Manik's troubled thoughts...his painful yet hopeful state!! She just wanted to wipe this cloud off Fab 5's and especially Manik's horizon. She wanted him to finally get the happiness he deservesd..hadn't he suffered enough. But thanks to Manik, she had gradually and slowly, found an insight in this silent yet insecure guy!! Manik loved him...and forgave him..coz he knew..really knew his buddy in and out. He knew that Dhruv loved him...truly loved him...and whatever may be his words or demeanor...his defensive outbursts...his acidic words..when alone Dhruv knew that he just could not stop loving neither Manik nor Fab 5. He was tied for life. His fears and insecurities gave his words a bitter sharpness that the world noticed and felt, but Manik...he only saw the boy, the friend who had loved him. unconditionally through the years...period!! And hence, like Manik, she too had learnt to see what lay beneath, and forgive and forget the harsh exterior!!
"Dhruv??? Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho, voh bhi iss waqt?"" But before she could squeeze some logic out of the situation...the Moorthy party clan included him in the celebrations!! The more the merrier...phew!! Chacha won't stop and Dhruv won't start!!
"Nandini.."..finally they could both get a few words in..." main sorry bolne aaya hooon!! I don't have words to apologize and I know I was very rude and wrong with you..."...Dhruv's regret and embarrassment were more than evident!! "Dhruv", she just smiled at her old friend, her sweet old quiet friend...she could see glimpses of the old Dhruv!! "Please sorry mat bolo Dhruv...I am just happy you are here. And I think we are beyond the stage of offence or defense...right??" She smiled a winning smile.
"I know Nandini you were right...main janta hoon tum bilkul sahi ho...but I don't know how to undo the damage..how to erase the hurt that I have caused my loved ones multiple times!! Samajh main nahin aata iss baar ab sab kaise sambhaalunga!! They will never forgive me...I don't deserve them!" The same pain, uncertainity that had clouded Manik's eyes, were evident in Dhruv's now!! Sachchi kindred souls..these two buddies!! She had to do some damage control...quick!!
"Dhruv ..you are coming to the party right?? Tum aa rahe ho na...Manik will be so so happy to see you there and trust me all will be forgiven and forgotten!! All he wants is you with him, his oldest and closest buddy...bet he doesn't care about anything else. Tum Manik ko jaante ho na Dhruv...voh tumhe dekh ke ...he will be delighted...top of the world. Don't even think or worry about anything else" Nandini quietly crossed her fingers behind her back...please Aiyappa...these two friends...actually...all of them need each other...please !!
"Nandini...are you sure?" He had his doubts...he knew he had failed his hero again!! He had proven unworthy of their love and friendship and trust again. And this time, he just didn't have the courage to face them...not them...him. He could face the rest...but God how would he ever find the gumption to face Manik? " Dhruv..please trust me...Manik...Manik ..all he wants is that Fab 5, his friends, you stay happy...that's all he wants and you know that..you have known him far longer than me. Voh pehle tumhara dost tha..hain or rahega!"..Nandini shone with the confidence she had in Manik...she knew how deep his bond with his friends was. "You are truly an angel. No wonder tum pehle meri friend thi.."..he smiled shyly. Typical tongue tied Dhruv..."Thank you Nandini...for everything!!"
For a moment, time stood still and they were reminded of the initial days of their special friendship...two quiet simple people, good, shy...apparently quite similar but with an underlying difference that time slowly underlined. Those were good days...uncomplicated...
And then all hell broke loose...Rishabh!! OH MY GOD...Rishu...not again!! No ...I thought this nightmare was over...long forgotten ...gone but...it was back to haunt them!! He had improved...the radio active therapy had helped him tons...he hadn't had any attacks since ages...since may be when Manik was in hospital and now...this!!...No...
She had panicked like she always did when it came to her precious Rishu...and then Dhruv stepped in...!! It was hard to listen to him..as Nandini was totally and solely occupied with her brother...but eventually what he said...riveted her!!
Dhruv was explaining something..focus Nandini...she tried to hear him out while trying to calm and control Rishabh. She was in control..now it just came naturally and instinctively..her Rishu is under attack mode...outwardly calm m soothing...a rock and anchor for the sinking brother...but inwardly breaking apart...panicking...petrified yet pacifying...seething yet soothing...
He had a reason...he said he knew what was happening..of course he knew..but more importantly he knew why this was happening. He had figured out and had even got treated for the same...and was better...Dhruv believed he was no longer a helpless victim...and Nandini suddenly was all ears.
The Meteor...how she hated that night...that event..that had changed everything in her life...destroyed lives. So it was linked with Rishu's exposure to radio activity...well she could believe that...she saw some connection. So the Dr. was not that much off the mark.. and it all went back to the same night!! Dhruv was talking now...about that night and about the three friends...the band of boys...about himself, Manik and Harshad...she had always wondered what had caused such a bitter rift between two old friends.
She had seen one of the reasons...in bed...shameless ...and knew the reason why Harshad and Manik could never again be friends. Harshad had literally back stabbed Manik and watched with pleasure as his ex best friend writhed in shame and horror and disbelief!!
But what Dhruv was describing was another aspect of this story. So, this was the tale of the three friends. While the selfless one...Dhruv had risked and actually harmed his life forever to save Manik's existence...the other selfish one had literally pushed Manik in death's way to save his precious skin. So, ultimately...as hell showered over them in pieces...Harshad thrust Manik to certain death and rushed to safety, completely forsaking his friends...while Dhruv rushed to his hero's rescue...and in the process ..Dhruv was scarred permanently. No wonder Manik felt so responsible and protective and forgiving towards Dhruv...he owed him his life. And no wonder he was confident of Dhruv's friendship after all you don't see friends actually laying down their lives for their buddies every day now...do you!! Harshad..well no surprises there...once a selfish self centered moral less cheat...always one guaranteed. Manik did right...such who run at the first sign of trouble...such who forsake friends in danger and save themselves...such who actually push friends in harm's way in order to protect themselves and turn their backs...well they can be anything but friends. If one has such friends...wonder whats the need of enemies. Manik's decision to cut off Harshad, now made total sense.
Her hands automatically soothed and calmed and took care of Rishu all this while, her mind racing...her heart rushing...
Nandini ...like all..for years had wondered about the strife between the two...she had pieced some of it through Manik's words and the rest...thanks to a strange set of events...had been unfurled today!! She felt the betrayal...the disappointment...the anger...the hurt ...she felt it all!! Manik...Manik...I love you so so much...
But for now...Rishu was her priority!! And what Dhruv recommended finally gave her hope. She saw a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel she had been walking since her parents died. If Dhruv's words were to be believed...there was hope!! Yes...did she dare dream?? Could he be cured...could her Rishu lead a normal life...fearless of those strange attacks...could he talk and speak like others?? Would he be able to...was it a dream come true or a prayer finally answered?? Was it a miracle or boon...whatever it was...Nandini did not want to wake up from this dream. Somehow this time round...she believed...she knew in her heart of hearts...she just knew that Rishu will be fine now!! That they had finally found a cure to his condition...they had finally found a knowledgable and experienced Dr. that could treat her brother...
She could see the same delight...the same I fear to hope...prayers answered kind of emotions in her Chacha's eyes too...can they be so blessed?? And if Dhruv was to be believed...then yes!! And they could see Dhruv...right in front of their eyes...a living proof that Rishu's troubles were close to over.
She couldn't wait to share her happiness with Manik..she had to tell him...she had to inform that the campaign they had started had finally bore fruit in a very strange yet certain manner. What destiny...that Dhruv had finally led Rishu out of the maze...the maze that the two had been lost in for years...a weird connection...and finally he had found the way out and was now leading her brother out of the dark too. Manik...where are you...I have so much to tell...we have so much to celebrate...your win...my win...our victory...Dhruv and now...this!! Pinch me...someone...Nandini could literally shout from the rooftops...could dance in sheer joy...it was a fairy tale come true...finally all the pieces of the puzzle called life were falling in the right places...
I have to go to Manik...my Monster...but for now...Rishu!!
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