#4:LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL-Jny frm MsMurthy 2 MrsMalhotra CHAP32 - PG137 3/5 - Page 23

CHAPTER - 25

After a nice swimming session and the younger clan joined the elders in the dining room for lunch only to witness Varsha helping chachi in arranging the table. Mukti got furious seeing this and she looked at Abhi sternly. He assured her by her eyes and when Varsha was about to sit next to Abhi, Mukti pushed Nandini and she fell on the chair next to Abhi. She looked at Mukti shockingly but Mukti winked at her. Nandu somehow understood that Varsha is the reason and Mukti is jealous of someone else coming closer to Abhi. Soon the lunch got over peacefully, and the youngsters settled in the front verandah for chit chatting while the elders went to catch some rest.

Verandah

They were discussing about Sangeet and its performances when Varsha asked Abhi whether she can perform with him. He got surprised rather shocked by her sudden approach but ignored it as he didn't want to insult her in front of others. Nandini and Manik were silently watching all the drama unfolding between Mukti, Abhi and Varsha. Manik, who was sitting next to Abhi whispered in his ears : "dude, it's not good to give false hopes to any girl. If u r not feeling anything for Varsha, better make it clear.. Ur silence may be taken as a positive sign and she may become obsessed with u later on. I know u don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. But it's better to make it clear if you aren't interested to avoid further complications. Hope u understand". Abhi nodded at him and looked at Varsha. She was talking to the girls while stealing glances at Abhi. Cabir came up with a plan to go for a beach outing in the evening. Everyone agreed for it when Varsha expressed her interest in joining with them. Manik looked at Abhi and told Varsha :"Hey Varsha.. pls don't mind..it's just our family.. we don't want anyone else.. hope u understand". Varsha felt bad of not getting some lone time with Abhi but she hide it with a sweet smile and said "No problem. u guys carry on". The girls went to get ready for their evening outing when finally Abhi got a chance to speak to Varsha. Seeing her bidding bye to Navya and going back to her house, Abhi called her "Varsha"

Varsha's happiness knew no bounds hearing Abhi calling her out. She looked at him happily.Abhi came near her and said: "I need to tell you something. And yeah ,it's something very important"

Varsha looked at him shyly and said: U can tell me anything Abhi.

Abhi took a deep breath and continued: "woh .Varsha. I know u might have taken what ur father asked in the temple a bit seriously. But trust me, neither me nor my family has given a positive nod for this. And to be frank , I never, ever even pretend to like or feel anything I don't truly believe in. So yeah, whatever u r thinking will not happen. I'm sorry, if any of my behavior has given u any false hopes"

Varsha's eyes dwelled with tears hearing her being rejected by Abhi. She asked with tearful eyes: "But Y Abhi.Any reason.. Dont u think tat I can be a gud wife"

Abhi sighed and said: "U will definitely make a gud wife but not for me. I love someone else. So pls forgive me."

Varsha controlled her tears somehow and said: "its ok Abhi. I can understand..sorry to trouble u...all the best" and walked away..

The younger clan clad in casuals went to the beach while the elders went to the resort to check on the arrangements of the wedding.

Manik attire:

Nandu Attire:

Guys attire:

Girls attire:

Abhi has booked a private beach of a nearby resort so that fans will not invade into FAB5's privacy. The manager of the resort welcomed them and showed them their private villa and the way to the beach. The girls changed into some swimming tracks and tee and left for the beach. It was a private beach only for the guests of the resort. The enclosed beach is silent. It was a shimmering expanse of endless white and blue with silent waves bringing with it the seas flotsam to decorate the sand soft bed .

Nandini POV:

The beach was warm as the sun shone bright upon the sea, palm trees bordered the walkway of the beach, rock walls on the side and the sand was extremely soft n warm. It was a long beach with some deck chairs, beach umbrella's and some people probably the guests of the resort running around. I have been to this beach several times. But this time it's something different. I am here with my love, My Manik. I saw him standing with the guys in the shore and chitchatting. Feeling my strong gaze on him, he looked at me and winked. I smiled at him and turned around to c the girls playing in the waves bit far away from me. I am scared to get that deep into the water. As the waves lapped gently up against the shore I stepped into the beach waiting for the tide to come in and touch my feet. I closed my eyes to feel the soft wind touching my face, when I felt a pair of strong arms around my waist. I could easily identify tat touch as it always give me Goosebumps. Manik back hugged me resting his chin on my shoulders and asked: "Y didnt u go with the girls?scared..."

Nandu looked at him and said: "Hmm. I never went beyond this limit.. U know I don't know swimming." He pecked me on my cheeks and said: "come let's have a walk.."

We walked along the shore holding our hand together. I can taste the saltiness of the air and the feeling of sand between my toes when I walk, the soft breeze and warmth on my face. We were silent, we don't have to speak to feel the love for each other and feel each other's presence. And then hand in hand went to arm in arm, and then we were walking more slowly and he moved his arm around my waist and I rested my head on his shoulders. We reached a bit far away from others. We can still see them all playing in the beach splashing water on each other, chasing each other thru the waves and clicking photos. They waved at us and gave a thumbs up signal asking us to njoy... We stopped walking and and sat down on a rock outcropping that overlooked the beach. Sitting beside him in that cool atmosphere was so peaceful. He side hugged me and I rested my face on his chest listening to my favorite music, his heartbeat. We hadn't looked or talked to each other in some time. He gently whispered my name " Nandu".I hmmed and looked up to him , his chocolate eyes are filled with sunshine and I cud see myself in them. I leaned forward and gently pecked him on his mole above the lips and he closed his eyes feeling satisfied. I looked away shyly and he pulled me more closer to him ,kissed on my cheeks and said: "This feeling is so peaceful Nandu.. Thank u for coming into my life...". We sat there for sometime watching the waves and our friends enjoying, when I noticed a change in Mukti and bhai's behavior. She was shy around him and he is trying to tease her and njoying playing with her in the waves. Others didn't notice it as they themselves were busy enjoying..I looked at Manik and noticed that even he is looking at the same.He understood my questioning eyes and said : "Equations definitely changed after Varsha's entry I think. Don't worry. They themselves will tell us whenever they feel so. Till then let's give them some time. Let them be sure about it at first."

Nandini left his hands and went near the waves. She bent down and wrote something in the sand and waited for the waves to wash it away.. Manik could see her hand moving on the sand, playing with it and Writing again. Curiously he got up and walked down near her and saw their names written clearly in the sand inside a heart. She pouted when the waves washed it off and wrote the same again. He smiled at her cute antics. He came forward from the back where he'd been standing and swept her up in his arms and twirled her around. He kissed her soundly and hugged her tight. The sun had just begun to set and seeing everyone approaching them, he put her down. The girls dragged nandu into the water and everyone started clicking pictures.

Mukti sat near the rock and asked Manik to get some snacks for them. Manik and Abhi went to the resort to get some snacks for all and the girls started playing by splashing water on each other and soon climbed the nearby rocks to have a clear view of the sunset.

Nandu was a bit hesitant to climb the rocks at first, but Navya and Alya dragged her there. The girls started clicking selfie's with sunset background and were enjoying when suddenly Nandini lost her balance .The sun has gone down by the time Manik and Abhi walked back to the beach. They entered the beach hearing the loud screams of the girls calling out Nandini. What they saw washed the earth down on their feet and they stood shocked. Their jaan, Nandini lost her balance, slipped and nearly fell into the water.

Navya reached for her hand, but only brushed Nandini's fingertips as the waves are trying to pull her away from the edge of the rock. Manik and Abhi gained their self-consciousness and ran near to the rocks. Manik jumped into the sea and reached near the side of the rocks.. Eventually he managed to rescue her. She didn't drown completely nor cud be washed away as she caught hold of a thick bush that has grown in between the rocks. She coughed soundlessly, and Manik dimly saw her mouth open as she breathed hard. Manik lifted her in his arms and brought her to the shore and made her lie down in one of the deck chairs.

She didn't drink much water as she was not completely drowned. She got scared and tired of holding into the rock for some time. Abhi and Rishab hugged her tightly trying to control their tears. She smiled at them and gestured them that she is alright. FAB 4 and Navya also hugged her with tearful eyes.

Manik POV

I heard a scream and saw Nandini falling into the water. I felt the earth beneath me washed off seeing my love, my life in danger. I watched her drown and my arms and legs couldn't move. Somehow, I quickly gained my self-consciousness and ran to the water. I eventually managed to save her. I lifted her in my arms and brought her to the shore and made her lie down in one of the deck chairs. Everyone were trying to talk to her and calm her down but I know she is looking for me. I was standing a bit far away looking at the sea trying to control my emotions. Everyone understood our inner turmoil and thought of giving us some space. Abhi told me to take Nandu to our villa in the resort and said that they will join us later. I cud finally be with Nandini so long after her rescue. I took her in my arms and went to the villa. I dried her hair with a towel and waited for her in the bedroom after changing my clothes. She came out of the bathroom after changing her wet clothes and I turned and gathered her into a big bear hug. I crushed her against me, my fingers threading through her silky black hair. She hugged me back tightly and I made my grip stronger in the fear of losing her. It was a horrible dream seeing my life drowning in the water. If I could, I'd hold her like this till my death. I'm not afraid of anything else but just the slightest thought of losing her was frightening. I cannot live without her. She is everything to me.

The cool breeze coming through the window made them feel much better as they shut their eyes feeling their warmth and presence. He just hugged her squeezing her into her arms and holding her tight. He was scared for a while, because his heart was scared, it was scared of losing her. She means the world to him. He sat on the bed and made her seated in his lap and he was hugging her very tightly to himself. Nandini understood his fears. She wanted to assure him of her presence. She kissed on his heart over the shirt and said :I'm here with u Manik, I will never leave u ..We are forever.."

Manik kissed her hair and whispered : "Yes... Forever. All eternity. I cannot live without U. U r my lifeline Nandini". They just sat like that feeling each other's warmth and presence when they heard a knock in the door and saw the others coming in. Nandini tried to separate her from Maniks lap but he made his grip tight and didn't allow her to move a bit. The others were also not in teasing mood. They were happy to c them all OK. They ran to them and pulled Manan into a group hug. Everyone changed their wet clothes, had dinner at the resort and went back to their house.

The next day went joyfully with the youngsters practicing for the sangeet pulling each other's legs and enjoying their time. They made sure not to make Nandini stressed at all and made her enjoy the fullest forgetting the worst memories of yesterday.

They were all lying down munching snacks after tiring rehearsal sessions when Abhi came in announcing that they have to leave tomorrow morning after breakfast to the resort as all their relatives will reach by afternoon as sangeet is scheduled for evening. Everyone dispersed to pack their bags and grab a much needed sleep before the wedding gala starts when Manik pulled Nandu to her room and pinned her to the wall...

He kissed her on her neck and asked huskily :"So Ms.Murthy.. R u ready to start the journey to be Mrs.Manik Malhotra?"

Nandini looked down shyly and just hmmed in response.

Manik bite her ear lobe and said:" just 2 more days and u will be mine forever.. I really can't wait"

Nandini blushed hard listening to this, hugged him tightly and whispered : Even I can't..

They pulled apart and Manik kissed her forehead and rested their heads against each other living their moment and thanking Almighty for sending each other in their lives..

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