Manik & Nandini - Stars & Fireflies 123
There comes a point in life where you have to turn the page and start a new chapter. People who never mattered become your life and people who were once your life walk away like they never were a part of it. People change, friendships break but life goes on. People leave that doesn't mean end of life, it means end of their part in your story; you turn the page and move on.
Present day (one & half years after the Fab5 album lauch finale concert.)
Place: Hyde Park, London.
Time: 5 pm
It was a chilly evening in London, the winds were mild but very cold and the sun could not be seen anywhere on the horizion. It has been raining all through the day and till afternoon but finally the rain gods seemed lienant and it stopped now chill took over. The crowd has been building for a long time for the most anticipated performance ever, he was India's most famous and favourite rockstar ever. In the past year and half he has been the most successful singer, performer; his songs were love straight from heart, every person in love couldn't stop humming his song. Industry insiders were surprised as to how in such a short span he made transformation as the romantic singer after being a rockstar all his life, but as they say once a rockstar always a rockstar.
Anyway it was 6 pm now the crowd was getting a little impatient for their favourite rockstar's appearance finally after the long wait a lone spotlight occupied the stage and there sat with his guitar and his beautiful. "what's up people." He said in his ever charming voice. "sorry to keep you all waiting my bad. Baby this one's for you." He said amidst roars and started playing his guitar and as he guitar picked up pace the crowd went silent and there was just his music, him and her memories.
Pal, do pal, ki hi kyun hai zindagi
Iss, pyar, ko hai sadiyaan kaafi nahi
Toh khuda se maang lun
Mohalat main ik nayi
Rehna hai bas yahaan
Ab door tujhse jaana nahi
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
He closed his eyes to feel every moment when he met her first, their fights initial days of them. he smiled on his thoughts reminiscing the old memories.
Teri muskurahatein hain taaqat meri
Mujhko inhi se ummeed mili
Chaahe kare koi sitam ye jahaan
Inme hi hai sadaa hifaazat meri
Zindagani badi khoobsurat hui
Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Wooo...
Teri dhadkano se hai zindagi meri
Khwahishein teri ab duaaein meri
Kitna anokha bandhan hai ye
Teri meri jaan jo ek hui
Lotunga yahaan tere paas main haan
Waada hai mera mar bhi jaaun kahin
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
hmmm.. humdard hai
hmmm.. humdard hai
hmmm.. humdard hai
hmmm.. humdard hai...
she has always been his strength even in his darkest she has been his peace, his solace. She is his destiny and destination. His life began with her and one day it will end with her. He was so lost in her thoughts that he didn't realize he was done and crowd was going berserk with excitement shouting "Manik! Manik!"
Manik smiled as he waved to the crowd and blowing a kiss to them he walked off the stage. As soon as he came down he asked his assistant "are we set?" he assistant Mayur replied with a smile "Yes sir. You luggage is waiting in the car just a few questions from press and we should be off to airport for Mumbai." Manik smiled and moved to attend the press. As soon as he walked upto them, the countless spotlights hit him. "So Mr Malhotra how do you feel to have another platinum album?" Asked one reporter. Manik smiled and said "I feel bleesed and would like to thank all my fans for making it possible." Another one shot a question for which Manik was not ready "so Manik don't you miss performing with fab5? After your band broke up we didn't hear about anyone except you and Mukti, where is Cabir, Dhruv and Alya?" the moment Manik heard this he stopped smiling but keeping his calm he said "as you said we broke up so I am no way answerable for their whereabouts. If you all are so worried about them why don't you go and find them." and before Manik could say anything more Abhi's voice cut through "lets keep the past in the past people. Manik is about to begin a new life with Nandini why don't you wish him and bless him." He winked at Manik and soon soon congratulatory messages started pouring. "Thank you all." Manik said "It will be private affair and Nandini and I both will appreciate you all can honor our privacy." Saying this walked out with Abhi for the car and they both left for airport.
Manik and Abhi boarded the flight and settled themselves in, all this while Manik was sitting there expressionless trying to forget the heart breaking past. As soon as the flight took off Manik closed his eyes and he time travelled on exactly an year and half back to that fateful night.
Flashback:
Manik broke his guitar and walked off without waiting for anyone, the audience was stunned so was the music label. As soon as Manik came backstage the record label owner came and said "how can you announce fab5 break up like that? If you forgot let me remind you have signed a 3 album deal." He kept on talking while Manik stood there without uttering a word. "if you have forgotten let me remind you that you are talking to a Malhotra." Damini said. "we have brought your company and from now on Epic Records belong to Malhotra Industries.." saying this she handed over the papers and Manik moved to the green room.
"I don't believe this is actually happening." Mukti said fighting her tears. "It is happening Mukti and this is how it ends." Manik said as he sat on a chair unable to stand anymore. He then looked towards Dhruv and Aliya "from this moment onwards you both are free. I am sorry if I ever bossed you around or snatched your freedom. Go ahead you are free." Dhruv and Alya stood there without a word as Manik waited them to leave but when they didn't move his anger rose to peak and he shouted "I said leave right now." He threw the water bottle he was holding. "you both wanted freedom because you was stopping your career right, giving importance to Nandini right so now leave. From this day Manik Malhotra doesn't know you two and before I call the guards and throw you out for trespassing on my property get out."
"anyone else wants to leave are free to go." He shouted again as Dhruv and Alya went out of the room closing the door behind. "so they actually wanted to leave." Manik sighed as tears made their way. "they didn't even protested for once. Was this the friendship I was fighting for my whole life?" he questioned his faith. "No Manik!" Cabir said "you are not wrong. The time is wrong and just.." cabir was short of words on how to consol Manik when mukti spoke "guys we are there for each other. We are not leaving you Manik. And from this moment we will not talk about it. It is out past lets just bury it and move on." And the three friends hugged each other and cried their hearts out but there was someone else also who was crying because of Manik's pain and that was Nandini who vowed silently that no matter what she won't let Manik slip into darkness.
Present Day:
Manik's eyes were still closed and tears were rolling down his eyes unknowingly. It's true they never spoke about that night ever and they all moved on in their lives. Abhi and mukti were married within a month of the concert, abhi shifted his work to India and mukti after completing college joined SPACE academy as she wanted to keep in touch with music. Manik started his solo career after lot of inspiration from Nandini who made sure that Manik never felt depressed and her efforts paid off. Nandini was now in the last year of her college, her training in Malhotra Industries was almost complete. Manik and Nandini also took over Epic Records and now were ready to begin their new life as man and wife. Manik asked Nandini to marry him on his 21st birthday and their roka ceremony was held on the same day.
This concert was Manik's last concert before his marriage as he took a break of 6 months for wedding and travel the world with Nandini. Both of them having been counting days and minutes when they will be officially married and their engagement ceremony was scheduled in 3 days. Manik and DJ were back to old terms after that night. She along with Nandini became Manik's strength as Manik moved back to Malhotra Masion few days back for wedding after which he and Nandini would be shifting permanently to the pent house. Damini has taken complete charge of Malhotra Industries along with help from DJ, Nandini and Abhi taking it to new heights.
"Manik! Manik!" Abhi's voice broke Manik's trence. "We are about to land in 20 go freshen up nahi to Nandini ko pata chal jayega." He said and Manik complied. Soon the flight landed and they both made their way to Malhotra Mansion where both the families have shifted for the wedding and Manik just couldn't wait to take Nandini in his arms.
End of chap
Ciao
Arjun
