MaNan FF - Heaven DISCONTINUED ON IF - Page 31

Very imotional part

I just read this ff recently.

Originally posted by: Aamikrish

I just read this ff recently.

I have read your ff Greek god. Dat z one of my favorite.

Coming to this ff, you may be disappointed with the response. But I think it's not that the story is bad, may be people feels it's difficult to see a very different Manik.

Because we have seen him like an angry hulk. 😉.so it will be hard for them to accept a silent Manik, like really girlish Manik.

But I loved the story👏 .it's becoming interesting day by day.

Loved bold nandini.

Waiting for next update. Continue soon.

Am sorry if you felt bad about my opinion.

Please buddy me if possible.

Originally posted by: Alohomora

Hey, thank you so much Aami 😛

I'm getting a lot of messages to continue GG, but I'm sort of still stuck, like really badly 😭

And don't worry, I don't find anything wrong with your feedback 😃

I sort of figured out that many didn't like the timid Manik in this story and couple of weeks back I even got a message from a reader who was curious to know whether I hated Manik because of the way I've written his character 😆 I would say not to worry and just stick to the story. I'll try my best to not disappoint anyone 😉 The essence of every story is transformation. So it's going to happen here too. 😉 I'd say... "guys... just don't think that you're watching the show. Rather imagine that you're watching a movie instead." 😳

Originally posted by: snow_manan

actually u r correct

wanna see the transformation of manik in ur story

he is so naive and a sweetheart and i liked the characterization in it

even in the show he was way different in the earlier episodes and than he completely changed later

so i think story is going superb👏👏👏

Originally posted by: Tammy18

loved it.. no words dude..!!

literally speechless..

the way u described nandu's pain,,, mann..

n loved the suspense ending..

sry fr being late.. jst read the chapter..

waiting r nxt

ty fr pm..

Originally posted by: anumanan

Ausome ausome and ausome...glad that he found her...her pain left me with tears too...what does his so called father wants now haven't had he enough???? anyways continue soon and thnx for pm

Originally posted by: Tapasya88

Thank god that I read the last two updates together. Or I would have been so tensed. Haha.

Finally Manik is with Nandu. So relieved.

This was an emotional update, little worried about her father's reaction. Story is getting really interesting. Update soon 😆

Pretty drab episode. But hope it impresses and entertains you all. Only intended to stress on the bond these two shared. And yes... parents. :) We're very close to the turning points of the story. So stay tuned.

~ 13 ~

Manik had his eyes on Nandini whilst he waited at the counter of a small shop right across the street. From the way she fiddled with her phone, he could make out that she was getting a call, possibly from her father itself. It was written all over her face. The joy of finally getting a call from him... the overwhelming pain and anger of being let down when she trusted him to stand by her side. She wanted to answer the call but her bruised ego and sense of trust wouldn't let her to do so. She was a fighter and never took a hit. And even if she had to take one, she would fight back with full force. But this was one situation where she had to take it quietly. A situation where she could not fight back at all. She was broken to the core. Her father's actions had a devastating effect on her.

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Nandini's throat felt clogged as she stared at the screen. The calls from her father was relentless. And she so badly wanted to answer them. She knew that her father was quick to anger. That he was impulsive. That he regretted his actions whenever he took a wrong step. She also knew that he had an unbelievable sense of self that never allowed him to bend low before others. He was one who never apologized. She knew him so well because she was him. Every bit of him.

Her heart ached knowing that he was probably concerned but she wanted to get a message across - that she wasn't ready to forgive that easily. So she silenced the call and kept her phone in silent mode.

Enter Manik singing and doing the Baloo dance. He had two cans of coke in his possession. (For those of you who don't know what a Baloo dance is...check this out. You can also check for the song "Bare Necessities" on YouTube. It's from Disney's 1967 animation classic "The Jungle Book" where Baloo the carefree bear dances around)

"Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife.

I mean the bare necessities

Old Mother Nature's recipes

That brings the bare necessities of life."

Nandini ogled at him for a moment as he sang and jiggled around her. She was quick to cover up her surprise. It was obvious to her that he was trying to lift up her spirits and she didn't want to perk up so soon. She was really upset at the day's events and she didn't want to let go the hurt and anger.

Manik placed the cans on the bench and pulled a stunned Nandini to her feet. A surprised gasp escaped from her lips as a sharp tug from Manik had her slam hard against his warm torso. He held her soft waist gingerly with one hand, entwined his fingers into hers with the other and forced her to sway with him.

"Wherever I wander, wherever I roam

I couldn't be fonder of my big home

The bees are buzzin' in the tree

To make some honey just for me

When you look under the rocks and plants

And take a glance at the fancy ants

Then maybe try a few

The bare necessities of life will come to you

They'll come to you!"

Nandini now had an amused smile on her face, forcing its way onto the corners of her mouth. Manik had this special gift to bring her up no matter how down she felt. Whether it be through his funny gimmicks and corny jokes. He was special to her because he was the only person in the whole world who could do that! Some people thought that he wasn't manly enough. That he was gay and stuff. But none of these mattered to her. All what she knew and cared about was that... he was the best guy she ever knew. And the one who ever got him, whether as a friend, brother, son, father or even a mate for life, was truly blessed.

"You're crazy," she said with a wide snickering smile and settled down beside a worn out Manik who had collapsed onto the bench after all that vigorous dancing.

"Here you go," he said as he opened up a can and handed it to her before helping himself to the second. She watched him quietly as he took a deep gulp and closed his eyes in ecstasy. He looked tired to the bone. And his skin had took the brunt of the day's harsh sun. Nandini began to feel guilty. He should have been asleep now... but because of me... because of me he's awake... and stressed... he took hell from his mother and that cop because of me... He could have ended up in serious trouble because of me... he could have got hurt... humiliated... He had warned me not to do it... all that shooting and stuff... he had warned me to keep my anger in check... but I never listened to him... He always knew it when something was wrong and tried to protect me... but I never listened... He only wanted to keep me happy... And now he has to stay awake all night... because of me...

"Oye!" Manik's call snapped her out of her thoughts. "What are you dreaming about? Drink it up. You need it."

"I'm such an idiot," said Nandini quietly with her head hanging low.

Manik looked at her for a moment. He could see that she was feeling all low and wanted to play with her. "That you definitely are," he snapped with fake seriousness.

"I... shouldn't have called you up like that..." she sighed in an attempt to keep check on the hurt that was screaming to come out. "I knew you were sleeping and still. I'm so dumb."

"That you are," he agreed. "And on top of that you try to be Ms. Thriller Queen and won't even answer my calls. Do you have any clue as to how many miles I could have walked today?"

"I know... I'm sorry." Nandini was overwhelmed with guilt and it didn't take long for her eyes to well up again. She felt like she had taken advantage of their friendship. She felt like she had been selfish.

"You should be," he snapped. "Now just look at me so that I can slap that idiotic face of yours."

He grabbed her chin and forced her to face him. Though she quickly looked away, he spotted the tears in her eyes. "I'm really going to kill you now," he mustered an air of seriousness that never was there.

"You bloody idiot. Stupid. Asshole. What are you coming up with? A guilt trip?" Though he tried to sound angry there was a smirk on his face. "Oh... I shouldn't have..." He imitated her voice and expression. "Like seriously... after all these years, I thought that you knew... that you could call me at any time. You could just walk in whenever you felt like. But what's up with all this formality huh?"

Nandini forced a smile in response but never looked up at him. She felt really dumb and guilty.

"Achcha see listen. Now cheer up." He pulled up the hanging corners of her mouth. "And tell me this... why weren't you answering your Papa's calls? I got a message from Rishabh. He wants to talk to you."

Nandini remained silent.

"See listen buds..." Manik moved in closer and put an arm around her shoulder. "I know that you're really hurt and upset but your dad... he must be worried yaar. Just talk to him."

"No..." she mumbled in a disgruntled tone.

"Nandini..." he straightened up and sighed wearily.

Just then, her phone began to vibrate again.

"See. It's your dad," said Manik. "Answer the call. Talk to him."

"No..." she wasn't ready to give in yet.

Manik was determined for a solution. Unlike Nandini, he was someone who believed in weighing one's options before coming to a decision, even if it meant to keep one's ego and other issues aside. So he went ahead, answered the call and stuck it to her ear.

"Ma---" she began to protest but he placed a finger on her lips and mouthed "Shh. Just talk."

"Akka..." Rishabh's worried voice brought Nandini back to the ground. All that hurt and anger which had been consuming her was replaced with anxiety. "Akka... are you there?" he repeated.

"Hmm..." she mumbled.

"Are you alright?" he asked with concern. "I've been trying to get through to you for long. Are you still at the park?"

"Hmm..." she stuck to the same monotonous reply. That was the maximum she could manage to utter. She feared that she might break down crying if she went beyond that hmm.

"Hang on," said Rishabh. What she heard next sent her heart clenching in her chest.

"Hello..." it was her father's voice. She bit her lip and didn't utter even a single word. "Where are you now?" he asked. There was no anger or hatred in his voice. But anxiety.

"...At the park..." she replied half-heartedly.

"...Come... come home... just come home beta..." he said in a quaky voice and broke down into loud tears.

Manik had a surprised smile on his face. He didn't really know why his friend was in tears again, but he hoped that something good was happening.

Nandini mumbled several "hmms" whilst she struggled to stop herself from crying like her father on the other end. Her chest ached just like before and her vision was completely blurred. Out of all this, she felt Manik's hand brush off the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. She glanced over at him and could make out that he was smiling at her.

"What? What did he say?" Manik asked anxiously after she hung up.

"He... wants me to come back..." she mumbled as she struggled to get a grip on herself.

"So that's good, right? Why do you have to cry for that?" He grinned and continued to clear off the never ending waterfall in vain.

"... He was crying..." she sobbed.

"Aww. See? Told you na babes? He still loves you. Now smile. Please. For me?" He pulled her into a bone crushing hug and stroked her back briskly. Nandini held her breath and let go of all the pain.

"But I don't want to go home," her voice trembled. "I don't want to see her."

"So don't see na?" He continued his attempts to calm her down with gentle strokes to her hand. "Your dad's more important. And on a serious note buddy. Don't pay attention to whatever bothers you. Just ignore it. Pretend that it doesn't even exist. Just do something fun. Anything that takes you to another happy world. And if you really want to take out your anger, your punching bag is at your service. Always." Manik puffed up his chest and gestured at himself proudly.

Nandini smiled weakly. Tempting as it sounded, she could probably never get herself to punch him with rage. He was too sweet and cuddly to take a hit from her.

"And whatever happens, don't lose yourself." His face was etched with concern. "Because you'll end up getting hurt more. And I don't want you to be hurt. I can't see you all down and all that. Hmm?"

"Hmm." She nodded with her eyes on the ground.

"Now let's go? I'll take you home."

"As soon as you get home, I want you to sleep," said Nandini as she began her journey back home. "I don't want you to suffer at night."

"Well... we'll see about that," said Manik dryly. Get home? I was kicked out this morning. Banished.

Just then, Manik's phone started to ring. "Hang on," he said as he dug his phone out from the pocket of his jeans. "Shhhiiitt... dayummm..." He groaned with a painful grimace as he saw who the call was from.

"What? What happened?" Nandini was worried.

"It's a call from dad," he hissed through gritted teeth. Nandini was speechless. She always thought that his dad was a bit weird. He hardly spoke and always had the same grim expression. She wouldn't be surprised to find the sun rising in the west but seeing him smile would be the next big thing.

Manik on the other hand was wondering how to handle his call. His dad had probably come to know about what had happened during the day, so he's mostly calling him up to give him a good dose of his medicine. He took a deep composing breath and answered the call. "Hello?" he cleared his throat and stood straight with a hand on his hip.

"Where are you?" asked Mr. Malhotra in his bold, serious voice. No sooner had Manik heard it that he felt a chill shiver down his spine. He stayed calm nevertheless.

"Outside," replied Manik. He tried to sound as blunt as possible.

"Yeah I know that," came his father's verbal slap. "Question is where?"

"Umm... umm... erm..." Manik wondered which location he should pick. He really didn't want to confess that he was at the park.

"Whatever," his dad replied in a bored tone. "Wherever you are, you better get back home now."

Manik cleared his throat and glanced around. "Why?" he asked seriously.

"Your mom's pregnant," he said bluntly.

"What!!!?" Manik almost screamed. Nandini stared at him anxiously.

"Well... sort of," he replied. "She's really worried. And you know how your mom is when she gets all worked up. You guys had a spat in the morning?"

Manik felt relieved. Yup, an anxious Nyonika was equivalent to a woman in labour. For a second, he really did think that his mom was pregnant. He was really worried at how he would handle being a brother at this age. "Yeah," he confirmed.

"So come back home," said his father. "She's really upset."

"Hah!" snapped Manik victoriously. "Why should I come back? She only threw me out. She asked me to get lost. Never to come back and stuff. Then why should I come back?"

His words came as a shock for Nandini. Threw him out? Get lost? Never to come back? She felt guiltier than ever.

"Manik, don't act smart," said his dad firmly. "Just come back home or do you want me to come and get you?"

"Fine," answered Manik after a brief pause. "I'll be there in a while."

"Why didn't you tell me?" began Nandini as he hung up the call.

"What?"

"All those problems happened back in your home and you didn't even tell me anything about it?" Nandini was getting all worked up again.

"I was going to," he replied. "But that's when dad called."

"This is all my fault," Nandini blamed herself. "If I hadn't gone into a fit then probably none of these things would have happened!"

"Hello-hello-hello," Manik hushed her down. "Just stop now. Okay? Bygones are bygones. So just relax and don't break your head on that. Everything's fine now and that's more important."

Manik had managed to calm her down besides talking sense to her. With this episode, Nandini had seen the error of her ways. Especially her uncontrollable rage. She had to get a grip on herself or else... a lot of them would be in pain. Like Manik... she felt grateful that he was spared from all the ruckus that could have happened. Things could have escalated to an unimaginable level. He could have been arrested, charged with false accusations and put behind bars. He would have been scarred for life physically and emotionally.

He doesn't deserve all that... for being as caring as this... for loving me so much.

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