PART 1
"Hello, who're you? And how the hell, you got inside. SECURITY! SECURITY!!" Everyone gathered hearing such a howl.
"Maanikkk, Manik bro calm down...relax" Cabir rushed and held his friend's shoulders, the one who has forgotten himself, his identity, his star. As he was what that star made him, made his heart beat, but today looking him delusional form irked and crumbled that very shining star, he once loved.
Nandini, who stood there at the door holding her breath and heart skipping beats in disbelief. She was devoid of any expression except for those puffy eyes which were raining, from only aiyappa knew how long.
"kon hai ye? And why was she brushing her hand on my face?" manic complained looking accusingly at the intruder.
"Umm...buddy she's a friend, Nan.. Nandini" Dhruv fumbled with words. "yeah! Manik she's a friend and here on doctor's request to check on you" Alya added looking apologetically at Nandini.
"ohk..But mujhe kya hua hai?and baby, you're there n then why do i need her?.."saying so Manik raised his hand looking at Alya, Cabir winked at her to hold it. She looked at nandini helplessly, who was just staring wide eyed at Manik, her Manik...
"wo..han manik you had high fever and you just fainted.i think FAB5 success has unabashed stardom has taken a toll on you" Mukti diverted his mind as he just hmmed and everyone sighed, except Nandini, who was still staring at those eyes...his eyes...maybe searching for her own existence.
"Fever..Hmm... That explains this head ache. Aghhh... I feel so wasted." Manik agreed holding his head. Nandini snapped out of her reverie on the mention of head ache. She crossed the distance to reach his bed and took medicines from the side table. Judging the current scenario, as Manik ignored her presence. She turned towards Alya. "He has been asked to take these pills by the doctor, as soon as he gets up...it will...it will relieve the pain as he shouldn't stress any further...NOW." she continued confused yet firmly.
"you're the nurse or friend or whatever, right?" he asked arcing a brow at her to which she just nodded. "then stop ordering and do your duty" Manik yelled at her to which she silently complied, and everyone standing there was sadly amazed to see no retort from Nandini.
Cabir wiped a lone tear trickling down his eye and said "now you should rest and yeah, your Nandu...I mean Nandini will be around we'll come again in morning...Don't stress yourself. Relax." with this everyone came out of the room.
Nandini too left, after she made him lie down, adjusting his pillow and duvet properly.
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"Nands, he'll be okay." Dhruv patted her shoulders consoling her. "arey! He can for once forget himself but you..."Cabir intervened trying to lighten her up. "Exactly Nandini, they're right. You people have overcome so many obstacles to be together, it can't be all for nothing." Alya said giving her a side hug.
"I understand him guys. Just a few reports or any clichd medical terminology won't get him the chance to escape away from Me." she tried to smile to reassure not just them but also herself. A meagre upward twitch, to show her hope. "He'll come around, just hold on to yourself."Mukti said shaking her by her shoulders.
Everyone left with words to call whenever required. It was a hectic day and everyone needed time to think the mess out. a few worlds have turned upside down.
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"NAN...DINI NANDINI..." and with this shout she abruptly got off the couch in living room shooing away her half sleepy state, as she had just dozed minutes before. She rushed only to stop at the door of his room and peep through the door, to make sure not to scare him. Manik was sitting straight up on bed, panting heavily and sweating.
Looking at his vulnerable condition, Nandini made a mad dash to bed and gathered his falling state in her arms tightly. She kept hugging that lost form with her feeble hands. She kissed his temple and kept rubbing his back, unsure what to say.Manik sat there like a lifeless stone. He could feel the warmth exuding profusely out of that petite being holding onto the Hungarian hulk, that he is.
After like half-n-hour Manik whispered "where were you, Nandu? you know na mujhe andhere se darr nai lagta jab tum sath hoti ho."
Nandini stopped in her way of ruffling his hairs and looked into his eyes, those deep-dark-brown orbs with shock, disbelief, hope, excitement and fear to have mistaken what she just heard.
Flashback...
Nandini mujhe andhere se darr nahi lagta jab tum mere saath hoti ho. Because you're my SHINING STAR.'
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Udne Ki Aasha
