NOTE -
1. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL is in THE SHARD, which is the tallest building of Europe.
2. THE LANGHAM HOTEL is one of the most famous hotels amongst celebrities and many of them stay here when they are in London.
3. The FAB 5 performance is in 3 sections... Please a humble request to listen to all the 3 parts as it took me a lot of time to think what would be appropriate Specially the part 2 and part 3... you'll surely like them... It's more based on music... PART 2 is my fav as i was present in that concert with my family and friends... It was outstanding and purely magical...
4. BANK is an area in London which is mainly known for its offices and is a posh location in London.
5. I know everyone has just seen Manik playing guitar, but here he will play something else too...Hope you'll like it...
6. Antony is Manik's chauffeur in London.
This chapter is very close to my heart and honestly, it was one the toughest parts till now for me to pen down... I was crying when i was penning some parts of it...
It just made me realize how far we have came come in this story... Please humble request to hear all the songs where the links are mentioned... Please read till the end and i hope you will like it...
CHAPTER 23 (B)
FAB 5 : FRIENDS FOREVER...
PRESENT
LONDON AIRPORT
My legs didn't move an inch when we were about to sit in the car as every memory of this city came back to me... I had sweat beads on my forehead and my eyes were moist. I dropped the bag I had in my hand and brushed my face harshly with my fingers and stood there trying to stop my tears to make their way.
My parents came and side hugged me, I composed myself and gave a weak smile to them. We sat in the car and the drive to SHANGRI-LA HOTEL made me travel through the memories of the time I had spend with Nandini... As we crossed the Hyde Park and other lanes I could remember everything as if it had just happened yesterday and a smile crept on my lips.
Ridzi, Jij's, Samaira, Viaan and me were in the same car... Viaan was sleeping in my lap and had now finally got up from his slumber. I took him in my embrace and kissed his forehead. We had finally reached our hotel and were welcomed by the Awards Hosting Committee.
There was a reason why we chose to stay at this hotel for 3 days and then shift to THE LANGHAM HOTEL where other performers and their families were staying. We had booked the entire floor in THE LANGHAM for us and it was being arranged as per our requirements so we took SHANGRI-LA HOTEL to stay till then.
[MANIK'S ROOM at SHANGRI-LA HOTEL]
We wanted to have some privacy and the hotel made sure about it and then everyone retired to their rooms. I went to my room and opened my cabin suitcase and got Nandini's pic out... I placed it on my bedside and looked at it for sometime and then spoke with a smile...
"Hey you remember we came to Shard together..." It was a beautiful memory.
I went to take shower and then changed in tracks and vests. I slept for a couple of hours and then got up with my phone ringing... It was Dad...
Dad- Manik are you up son?? We are meeting downstairs for lunch... come soon beta...
I got up and then went to wash my face and changed myself into a pair of jeans and shirt. All families had lunch together and chitchatted... Our families retired to their rooms and FAB 5 alongwith Alkaji, Arijit and Sonuji headed towards the lounge area where Natasha and MTV's creative team were waiting for us. After our 2 hour meeting we all retired to our rooms. I informed Ridzi that I was going out for sometime and she knew I needed some time alone.
[LINK- HUMARI ADHURI KAHANI...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggaajjz13Mc
]
I got into my car and asked the chauffeur to drive me to Nandini's flat. With every passing second the memories just came in front of me... We reached and I stepped out... I remembered how Nandini had got me here when we had first met. I got the keys out and made my way to the lift and then stood in front of the flat that now had a new name...
I had named it "N&M"... I slightly caressed it and then kissed it.
I inserted the keys and every memory flashed in front of my eyes... How I was leaning over Nandini's shoulder when I had come here for the first time, how I had kissed her cheeks checking on Rishabh... I gathered myself and stepped in.
I could smell her sweet fragrance even now and touched the walls and remembered the way Nandini was blushing after I had kissed her cheeks... Then I made my way to the living area. I remembered how she served me breakfast the first time I had come here... I sat on the same chair and closed my eyes and her face came in front of my eyes. I smiled and opened my eyes. I got up and went to the bedroom and then remembered our small one line conversation we had here.
I made my way to the balcony that faced the THAMES and stood there... I remembered our first conversation while having coffee... I caressed the railing and closed my eyes to feel her presence. Tears made their way on my cheeks as every moment flashed in front of my eyes... How before the final hearing she had hugged me and I took her in my protective embrace... I opened my eyes and then sat there for sometime... This place was Nandini's solace and she was mine...
I got up and then caressed her pic and sighed, but then I head out of the flat immediately as I knew a minute more and I won't be able to control myself. I locked the apartment and made my way to the car. I was about to sit in the car when I reminisced how I had kissed her cheek for the first time and the priceless blank expression of her today made me smile.
I sat and asked the chauffeur to drive me to BANK where her office was... We reached there and I stepped out... I stood at the same place where we both had kissed in broad daylight...
I smiled and said to myself... "Nandini aise toh itni shy types ho par uss din... You kissed me in front of everyone... It was the best moment of my life..." I sat on the bench nearby and I could feel her just next to me.
I smiled remembering how she used to tease me by calling "BABY"... I got up and went to the cafe nearby where we both used to sit after her office... I got a coffee and made my way to the car. I had got a coffee for my chauffeur too... He was a middle-aged man...
Chauffeur- Sir, thank you for the coffee... you are a very generous man... would you mind if I say you something...
I smiled and nodded...
Chauffeur- Sir these places are very close to your heart right...
I smiled and blinked my eyes in a YES... We both reached the hotel and then before leaving I spoke to him... "Antony call me Manik... See you in morning... Good night..." We both smiled and I retired to my room.
[SONG ENDS...]
NEXT 2 DAYS-
We were jamming as the event was in 2 days and our last minute preparations were going on... Our musicians had arrived from India and now we just had 2 days to practice with them and the musicians from SYMPHONY group. It was getting a bit tough initially to sink in our music styles, but with sometime we understood each other's rhythm...
It is absolutely right that MUSIC HAS NO LANGUAGE... It was amazing to see how music from 2 different worlds could be integrated so easily.
Also I got the flat papers and then Jij's knew what he had to do with the papers.
MTV VM AWARDS NIGHT
8:30 a.m., THE LANGHAM HOTEL
[ROUX AT THE LANDAU- breakfast service is arranged here]
Finally the day came for which we had been preparing for such a longtime... We all made our way to have breakfast ... We interacted with other musicians and people from different parts of the world, who had come under one roof to celebrate MUSIC. It was a proud moment for us to represent our NATION and also we were the top contenders of the awards this year.
It was a LIVE event and was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. at the ROYAL ALBERT HALL... It was the place where every musician dreams to perform... Viaan and Samaira wanted to go with me but Ridzi then diverted their mind and I left.
5:30 P.M. GREEN ROOM
I was sitting in my green room and having my green tea. I got a call from Mr. A.R. Rahman Sir and he wished me good luck. He had arrived for the awards too... I was for the first time very nervous before a performance and to relax my tensed nerves I went to take a shower... The hot water made me feel a bit better... I stepped out after 20 minutes and then my staff came in to help me in getting ready for the show...
I was wearing black trousers, white shirt and then sat for my hairdresser dada to fix my hair... There was a knock on my door and I went ahead to open it... My family had arrived... Samaira came running to me...
Samaira- Mama you louk vely handsum...
I chuckled on that and kissed her cheeks... and spoke to her... "Thank you and my sweetheart is looking like a Princess..." Everyone wished me good luck and hugged me... I put on my black blazer and was trying to fold Nandini's scarf and then Ridzi came to me...
Ridhima- Give it to me Manik, I'll do it...
I smiled and she then folded it neatly and placed it my blazer's pocket, close to my heart... She wished me Good Luck and then hugged me... After she left I touched the scarf slightly and my nervousness went away...
She was with me and today I knew I had to perform from MY HEART & MY SOUL for my Nation, for music, for my family, for FAB 5 and for "N&M"...
I braced myself and then made my way out to meet my team... We all greeted each other and then FAB 5 had a group hug... Our Bond, our Friendship and our Love for music had finally got us to this stage...
Cabir- Guys its our day, let's kill it...
We stood there hand in hand and then made our way to entrance of the venue, as the Awards night was about to start... Media, fans and every single person were screaming on the top of their voices for FAB 5 and that was such a proud moment for all of us... We got busy with media interaction and met other celebs too on the Red carpet...
7:30 P.M.
We entered the HALL and made our way to sit on the front row seats reserved for us just next to musicians whom we had just heard and today we sat with them...
[ROYAL ALBERT HALL]
The ceremony began and our host for the night was Ellen DeGeneres, one of the best hosts of the world.
Ellen DeGeneres: Welcome to the MTV VM AWARDS night...
She gave an amazing opening and then performed in her famous witty style the Theme Song of Awards this year... The song also had the mention of FAB 5 in it... Every single person was having a great time... And then we were indicated that we had to go back stage to get ready for the performance.
The crew was making sure that everything was in place. Alkaji, Sonuji and Arijit were discussing their last minute details of their opening song, as it was a dedication to our NATION... And Alkaji was discussing with us if her Sur' were correct and the pitching was right...
Shivamani sir was telling Cabir the last bit of things to keep in mind... It was 8 minutes before we went on the stage and we all had a group hug... FAB 5 touched Shivamani sir's feet and Alkaji's feet to seek their blessings...
Alkaji and Shivamani had tears in their eyes after getting so much respect from FAB 5... They blessed us and then the crew said that we had to make our way to the stage. The curtains were there and our musicians and all of us were taking our place... I sipped water before I sat on my chair and took the guitar in my hands. We all said our small prayer and everyone smiled...
Ellen DeGeneres: Well the opening act of the night is about to start... musicians from India are here to mesmerize and charm us, yes it's time for FAB 5, Alka Yagnik, Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam...
Everyone in the hall was screaming and applauding for us...
Ellen DeGeneres: ooohhh that reminds me FAB 5 has really good-looking men... Well, I'll tell you the guy I have a tiny winy crush on... oohhh I was about spill the beans and make International headlines and give the media there awaited breaking news for prime time... (Everyone was laughing)... I wish I was a bit younger (sad pout)... but still I'll catch hold of him after his performance...
Ellen DeGeneres: So the world IT'S SHOW TIME...
WRITER'S POINT OF VIEW-
PERFORMANCE OF FAB 5
The curtains were raised and the spotlights were focused on each one of them...The Music Conductor started instructing the musicians... The act was in 3 parts...
PART 1-
The opening song of the performance was VANDE MATRAM.
[ LINK -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6PHJg9D_Sk
]
VOCALS: Alka Yagnik, Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam gave the Vocals for it.
FAB 5: Cabir - Drums; Aliya- Piano; Dhruv- Saarangi; Mukti & Manik - Guitar.
The entire Hall was vibrating with the powerful impact created by all...
[45 Second Pause...]
There was a pause of 45 seconds and they were shifting their positions to other instruments...
PART 2-
VOCALS: Alka Yagnik.
FAB 5:
Aliya- Piano
Cabir- Drums
Mukti- Violin
Dhruv - Guitar
Manik - Flute
Yes, the world would for the first time witness how melodiously Manik played the flute...
Arijit too was on guitars and Sonu Nigam was playing the harmonium.
The next song was a very famous composition of FAB 5 and today they were going to perform it in a very different style... It was just music and Alka Yagnik's alap. The act was based on the musical skills of FAB 5 only... Specially on Manik's flute...
[This composition was very close to Manik's heart as he had penned it and composed it for Nandini in the last few months...]
[LINK-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDSXZxep7qk
On Time 26:18 minutes... To 29:49; for people who don't know about this song its Roja Janeman from the movie Roja. Sorry for bad audio ]
Manik played the flute... and others followed him...
[While performing Manik could just see Nandini in Pink saree, her beautiful glowing face and she was walking down the stairs... He played the flute with all his heart and soul...]
The audience who knew the lyrics were humming with the music...
The last section was just FAB 5-guitar, flute, violin, drums and Alkaji's alap...
There was huge round applause for them and with that Manik opened his eyes... He got his handkerchief out and swiftly wiped his face... as with the sweat beads, tears too had made their way on his cheeks...
[30 Second Pause...]
They had a 30 second pause and had just two shuffles to make...
PART 3-
VOCALS: Alka Yagnik, Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam gave the Vocals for it and chorus.
FAB 5:
Dhruv & Mukti - Guitars
Aliya- Piano
Manik - Flute
Cabir- he was going to do something new this time... Cabir was going to create a unique musical sound... He was using water and then used ghungroo, glass bottle and drumsticks to create an amazing sound.
[LINk-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc7BjYmn9z0&index=9&list=PLkFNzwLDke4tFzY6f79tMZzMri6xN1hdG
]
Dhruv, Mukti and Arijit did the opening on guitars... Only the Indian musicians were taking part in this last section... On the screen behind them, the lyrics were played so that the audience could sing with the singers... Yes, they had attempted a very unique style of getting their act's third part and they made sure the audience was involved with them.
The entire Hall was echoing with everyone singing along with the singers and were clapping simultaneously with the music...
As they finished the entire hall gave a standing ovation to these young musicians from India... The audience kept on applauding for good 5-6 minutes for them.
FAB 5, Alka Yagnik, Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam joined hands and bowed in front of everyone to pay their gratitude...
Ellen DeGeneres made her way to the stage and congratulated all of them for the amazing opening... With that FAB 5 made a mark on the International Platform as how talented they were as musicians...
After the performance everyone came back stage and they had a group hug, as it was the biggest achievement of their life.
Friendship that made them one family...they stood together no matter what happened... All of them were in tears and they held each other's hand the same way as they did in school. It was their moment; their day and they deserved it...
The crew came and asked them to join the audience... The show went on and then it was the turn for giving away the BEST SINGER (MALE) INTERNATIONAL.
It was FAB 5's first nomination for the night; particularly it was Manik's nomination...
Ellen DeGeneres: Alright Madonna tell us who's the winner...
Madonna: the winner is (Paused)... Well he is a very handsome guy, amazing musician and gifted with mesmerizing voice...everyone knows it right... (Audience screamed MANIK...) Jesus, this awesome... yes its MANIK MALHOTRA...
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
I just couldn't believe that I had won the best singer award... FAB 5 hugged me tightly and then I went on to hug my parents and my family... I walked toward the stage along with FAB 5 inspite of they saying no...
I made sure that we all held the trophy together... It was a proud moment for all... I held the mike and said...
"THANK YOU... I am speechless... I wanna Thank God, my family, FAB 5, all our musicians who work so hard with us... My FAB MUSIC LABELS team, my staff... every single person in my life... THANK YOU... And yes..."
I paused and a smile crept on my lips... "I wanna THANK YOU... (I looked into the camera)...YES, YOU GAVE ME THIS LIFE, my reason for standing here and holding this award... (I placed my hand on my heart) it's just YOU and YOU KNOW IT...FOREVER..."
I knew the audience was confused as to whom was I referring too... But, people close to me knew I was speaking about NANDINI... I walked down with FAB 5...
We had also won the other nomination for the BEST ALUM OF THE YEAR... FAB 5 had finally made their mark in the world of music...
I excused myself from all and then got away from the venue... I called up Antony and then sat in the car and made my way out from there...
Antony - Manik, where do you wish to go???
"Can you take me to TOWER BRIDGE???"
I messaged my parents and FAB 5 that I was going to TOWER BRIDGE...
WRITER'S POINT OF VIEW -
When FAB 5 and his family got Manik's message they also made their way out from the venue, as they knew Manik might break down any moment... Manik had reached TOWER BRIDGE... And others were about to reach in a few minutes...
[TOWER BRIDGE]
MANIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
I asked Antony to go and park the car somewhere... I started to walk on the bridge and flashes from our 1st meeting came in front of my eyes...
[LINK- HUMARI ADHURI KAHANI...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggaajjz13Mc
]
I reached the same spot where I had met Nandini for the 1st time... her every single word was echoing in my head... How she consoled me that night and gave me this new life... I had my shirt out and held the trophy in one hand... I stood there and only could hear the sound of water... It was quite windy and I opened my hands to feel it...
Tears made their way when I again closed my eyes and saw Nandini in that Pink saree...
(
She was wearing a deep neck blouse and had teamed her saree with kundan earrings. Nandini had her hair open just the way I liked... On my request she was wearing the kandora on her waist that I had gifted her... She had a stone bindi and very minimal make-up...
She was walking down from the stairs... I had never seen her so happy and the blush on her cheeks just added sparkle to her alluring beauty... she raised her eyes and looked at me to ask how she looked... I had just blinked my eyes in a yes and put my hand on my heart and she smiled with all her heart...
)
My mind freezed that moment and I took a deep breath... I screamed as loud as I could...
"I LOVE YOU NANDINI... I... LOVE... YOU... NANDINI..."
I opened my eyes and then kept on screaming that I loved her... "DID THE WORLD HEAR IT... YES, I LOVE YOU NANDINI..."
I was crying vehemently and was venting my pain out... Pain that was in my heart for all these months when I was away from her... I was completely shattered and sat on the road on my knees... I palmed my face and kept on crying...
I don't know when my family and FAB 5 came there... But they stood at a distance from me... I kept crying as I had not cried all these months... I don't know for how long I was there... My parents came and hugged me tightly... They made me stand and I hugged my dad tightly...
[SONG ENDS...]
Dad- Manik everything will be fine... Trust me son...
"Why Dad... Why..."
Mom- (crying) Manik please you can't break like this...
Viaan - Mama why ale you crying??
We all composed ourselves and then I asked Ridzi and everyone to leave me alone for sometime and they should get to the hotel as kids were there... I asked FAB 5 to leave too, but they didn't... They hugged me tightly... Cabir spoke...
Cabir- Manik why don't you...
I stopped Cabir before he finished... "No Cabir you know I can't..." We all stood for sometime and then my phone started to ring. I didn't pay heed to it... It kept ringing for 3-4 times again and then Cabir told me I should check it...
I got my phone out and was shocked to see the name that flashed on the screen... Everyone was shocked too...
IT WAS NANDINI'S CALL...
I couldn't believe my eyes and didn't know what to do...
Aliya- Manik what the hell are you thinking... for God sake pick it up... (Angrily)
Cabir- Manik you idiot pick it up... (Shouted)
"Cabir... I..." I was starring at my phone... My heart said to pick it up and my mind was stopping me... Cabir then shouted on me again... I took a deep breath and took the call...
I didn't speak a word and all I could hear was silence... But, I could feel her breath; I could feel her unsaid words... We didn't speak... Then I heard faint sound of a man behind her... I was trying to figure out where she could be... and suddenly she spoke...
Nandini- CONGRATULATIONS Mr. MANIK MALHOTRA...
My breath hitched when I heard her voice after so many months...
I hope you liked the chapter and happy to hear Nandini back in the present track...Please like and share your views... THANKS A LOT.
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