Nandini

I really wasn't able to figure out what was happening at that moment.

Okay, i liked the weather and thought i would wake him up too. And we could click some pictures. First, he didn't agree. But then i tried my own ways, and he was here.

But then since the moment he was here, he seemed lost somewhere. And only now i realise, he is lost in me.

"Your smile, it's like a drug to me. I am addicted to it now, the more i have it, the more i crave for it" he said.

His fingers were doing magic on my face.

"Manik" I said.

I am not used to this. I never had someone telling all these sweet things to me. You know how much i love TV. I watch almost every romantic film and wonder if i would ever get someone like the hero in the film.

I always believed that love happens only once. You get only one person who loves you with his everything, everyone after that, are just a replacement for what you previously had. I know there are a lot of people who disagree to this. But that's my personal opinion.

And now when it's happening for real, my heart is overwhelmed.

"What Manik? I'm not lying. Seems like i waited forever to have you, so close to me and say this to you" he said making patterns on my cheeks. The weather was getting colder and romantic, but i could feel hotness on my palms, on my cheeks which might be shining bright red by now.

It was getting difficult for me to breathe, thoughts have been running in my head if all this is happening for real,

"Sometimes i wonder if all this is happening for real. I have never imagined you to be so comfortable with me" i said with great difficulty to form each word.

"Comfortable is such a small word cherry, you are like home to me" he said. And that's it, that moment, come what may, i have decided that this man right here, is the man of my life.

I never wanted a knight in the shining armour, i always wanted a soulmate, with whom i could connect instantly, connect so strong that it makes me hard to believe if i had ever met anyone in the world before i met him. And when he is not around me, among this huge sea of people, my eyes, would look only for him. That's the good thing about soulmates, one word they say, they assure you of everything and you tend to fall for them more and more with every passing second.

And now with all said and done, i can confidently declare that Manik, you are my soulmate.

"You are the best thing that happened to me Manik. And i really want to cherish this. Forever" i said kissing his palm.

I know i must have taken him by surprise by doing it. But then, i had to.

I am not as good as him at expressing. He is an artist, he has it in his blood.

"I cannot hold myself back anymore, from telling those three magical words to you, right here, right now" he said.

I love you. I love you very very much, i know that's what you want to tell me too. It's really funny how you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time.

"Say it" i said. I couldn't wait anymore to hear him say it.

"I......" he said.

"Love..." and yes, only one word left.

"Ahaan. Not like this. It needs to be special. And before that, we need to talk, i need to tell you a few things you are unaware of. For now, let's just go down. I badly need some sleep. Kya pata, neend mein kya bol doonga, what if i end up saying something stupid?" he said.

"What do you have to say?" i asked.

"Something about my past" he said.

"It doesn't matter to me" I said.

"Well, it does, to me" he said holding me by my waist.

"Okay. Jaisa tumhe theek lage" I said.

"Let's go? Yaa phir aur pictures lenaa hain aap ko?" he asked.

"Nai, chalo" I said and freed his hands.

I started walking first, when he pulled me back by my hand.

"You look like you're disappointed" he asked.

"Nai toh" i said.

"Okay, let me make you happy. So now, stay still. Don't move. Just close your eyes, and feel what i am going to say" he said.

And i did the same.

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Manik

She wants me to say it. But i don't think this is the perfect moment. It's not about making it special, it's about my past. I need to tell her everything before I commit to be her everything.

And when i said that to her, it felt like i broke her happy bubble.

I thought she would want a dreamy proposal, but then realised, it doesn't matter where i say and what i say, all she wants to hear is me saying, that i love her.

I love you Nandini. I love you very very much. But give me some time, i promise i will make it perfect.

But for now, i need to make her happy.

"Okay, let me make you happy. Stay still. Don't move. Just close your eyes, and feel what i am going to say" I said.

She closed her eyes, awaiting to hear me.

"From the day you walked into my life, you are everything i think about. Nandini, I promise you, you are my person, and it would be an honor for me to spend the rest of my life with you. Just give me some time, to make this moment more special and precious" I said and returned her kiss with another one.

There was an instant smile on her face and she opened her eyes. (Just imagine a smiling Nandini in the above pic....i love the pic, par expression match nai hua, sorry)

"I will" she said.

And the next moment, it started raining.

"Chalo" she said and held my hand, and then we were under the water tank that had a roof.

"Suab subah uthaake kya kya karwa diya tum ne mujh se" I said.

"Well i didn't expect the photoshoot would end this way" she said shrugging.

And then i got a call,

"Shit, it's mumma. Kya bataoon unhe ab?"

"Didn't she see you coming out?"

"No, she was asleep. Idea dho na jaldhi kuch. Tum ne hi bulaaya ab"

"Acha keh do tum walk pe gaye the"

"Such a lame idea. Shorts aur chappal pehen ke walk pe kaun jaata hain bhai?"

"Tum jaate ho bhai"

"Oh okay Dr. Mashoor Gulati"

I finally picked up.

"Haan mom"

"What haan mom? Subah subah kaha chale gaye tum? Neend nai aa rahi thi toh socha walk kar ke aaoon"

I ended up telling her story.

"It's raining, kaha ho tum abhi? Driver ko bhejthi hoon"

"Nai nai mom, mein paas mein hi hoon, aa jaoonga. Ek friend mil gaya raaste mein so we are waiting here, baarish kam hote hi aa jaoonga, don't worry"

"Fine"

She hung up.

"Dhekha tum ne meri hi story use kiya" she flaunted her smartness.

"Acha acha, let's go now. Mein bhi chalta hoon" I said and we quickly ran to the stairs.

I dropped her at the doorstep and went back home.

"Kaha the tum Manik, bheeg ke aa gaye ho. Take this towel and dry yourself up" she said giving me a towel.

"Thanks mom. Acha suno, mein thodi der sone jaa raha hoon. I need go for the shoot 11. Toh ek ghante mein please mujhe uthaao. Don't forget" i said and went to my room.

Quickly changing into another pair of comfies, i went to bed.

Director is going to get pissed off seeing my puffy sleepless face.

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Nandini

He almost said it. Almost.

It's okay Nandini, patience. Sabr ka phal na, meetha hota hain, yeh tum khud bolti ho na. Just wait until he finds the right moment to say it.

And for now, stop dreaming, and start getting ready.

I made toast for breakfast, took a quick shower and got ready to leave.

I wasn't in a mood to cook, so aaj ka lunch baahar se. Manik bhi toh jaayega shoot pe.

Okay, bye bye home. See you in the evening.

I was on time today. Half the day passed by, with me dreaming about him and the morning scene.

Nandini, you are one lucky girl!

Appa, i didn't talk to appa this morning, do i tell him already?

Nai, let me wait until Manik's right moment comes. Nai toh he will get over excited.

I was looking around in zomato, unable to decide what to eat when i got his call. Finally.

"Hi cherry"

"Hey, watsup?"

"Nothing, done with this. God this is tough. Upar se with an injured hand...." ooppss...

"Injured hand? When? How?"

"Are kuch nai, waise did you have lunch?"

"Nai, went through 6 pages in zomato but couldn't find anything"

"Help karoon?"

"Kaise?"

"Can you wait for 30 minutes?"

"What are you going to do?"

"It's going to take 30 minutes for me to get back, i can take you out for lunch, if you want to"

"Okay, let's do something. I will go ask my boss if i could take an off for the rest of the day, waise bhi zyaada kaam nai hain. How about i call you back in 5 minutes?"

"That works for me. I will be waiting for your call"

I went to Manoj. He was there in his office.

"Hi Manoj"

"Nandini, come in. What's it?"

"Manoj, i was wondering if i could take an off for the rest of the day. I feel a little sick"

Liar....hehehe

"Sure thing, Michael sent you an email, have you worked on it already?"

"Yes, I just finished it, it should take me five minutes to send the final data to him"

"Okay then, let me know once you do it, and you can leave right after that"

"Thanks Manoj"

"No problem, i hope you'll be fine by tomorrow. I guess you remember, we have the annual party tomorrow night, and you are going to be one of the attractions"

"That totally skipped off my head, thanks for reminding"

I was about to leave when i saw the program sheet for tomorrow's party. The only thing my eyes noticed was Manik's name on it.

"Is Manik Malhotra going to be there for the oarty tomorrow?" i asked.

"Yeah, we still don't have his confirmation. I have reached his manager, he said Manik has gone for some outdoor shoot and he will let us know once he's back. And I don't think we have a substitute if Manik doesn't agree for this" Manoj said.

Why fear when i am here. Mein use manaaoongi.

"Ohh, It would be great if he agrees to do this"

"Yes" he said.

"Okay then, i will send you the email once i am done, and i will see you tomorrow"

"Sure, bye"

Wow, Manik as one of the entertainers for tomorrow's party. Exciting!

I went back to my desk, finished with that email thingy, sent it to Manoj and Micheal.

I called up Manik.

"I am done for the day" I said.

"Great then, i will get down at your office, you have your car right?"

"Yes, subah mechanic ko bulaake theek karwaa diya"

"Great then, I will see you in ten"

"Okays"

Ten minutes later he called me, he was in the next lane.

I took my things, making sure i have my wallet, money, and keys.

He was there, again his outing avtar, shades, cap and scarf.

I honked stopping the car behind him.

He waved and got into the car.

"Hey" he said, giving me a side hug.

Okay! Nandini, you need to get used o these things now.

"Where do you want me to go?" i asked.

"Pizza? I want to have pizza" he said.

"Pizza then" i said and drove to the nearest Pizza hut.

We chose a relatively private place and he ordered for both of us.

"Manik, tomorrow night, we have this annual party in our office. And you know what, my boss asked your manager, if you could be there for the event to perform"

"Really? My manager didn't talk to me about it yet"

"Tum aaoge kya?"

"Tum jaaogi kya?"

"Of course, kal meine jo naya product develop kiya na, us ke liye, they are going to reward me with an award, my boss was telling me that i am going to be one of the attractions"

"That's amazing. I never knew you were so intelligent. Okay, if you are going to be rewarded, then i have to be there to cheer my girlfr.....i mean to cheer you"

Was he going to say girlfriend.....eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.........i was tapping my feet in happiness, under the table.

"That's great then, poocho apni manager se ki ab tak kyu nai bataaya"

He called up his manager.

"Haan, is there any invitation for a party tomorrow night at Microsoft?"

"Tum ne mujhe bataaya kyu nai?"

"Okay, cancel that meeting, i am going to attend the party"

"Meine bola na, Un se mein baat karloonga, you first call them up and tell them i am doing the event for them"

"Done madam. I am going to be there tomorrow" he said with a smile.

"Yippee! I thought it would be nice if appa was there, when i get the award wohh toh nai aa sakte. But now i am glad atleast you'll be there"

We finished our lunch, went on a drive and after an hour i dropped him back home.

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Precap:

Manik at the event