I Need u to be There... For a little more than Always!!
Part 37:

I close my eyes to forget the world... I close my eyes to forget my problems... I close my eyes to forget everyone around... I close my eyes to forget even myself.... But there I see ur face, with a beautiful smile on ur lips as ur eyes sparkle like stars!! And there I find my peace. Not on some deserted hill top, not at the silent beach, not at any known temple, but there... There in ur smile, i find the peace that I needed...

------------------------------------------

Another day started with the same old routine, Manik and Nandini went to office, all ready for a very important meeting. As always Nandini prepared for it a night before and gave Manik a brief. This time unlike always she was not so confident over herself, but then she knew she didn't need to worry as in her absence Manik himself had prepared for this. Just 10 minutes before the meeting time, she knocked Manik's cabin.

Manik: Nandini... Come in...

Nandini entered the room and said,
Nandini: Manik we need to-

But manik stopped her and asked,
Manik: First u tell me one thing.... Is there anyone else allowed on this floor??

Nandini: No

Manik: And are u my friend??

Nandini: Huh... Obviously Yes!!

Manik: Then why do u need to knock. Friends don't knock before entering, they just enter. At home also, its You.... U Don't need to knock before entering my room.

Nandini: But Manik... No matter i m ur friend or not!! I m ur secretary so i should-

Manik again interrupted her, this time by standing up and walking towards her. He moved closer to her and placed his hands over her shoulder.

Manik: Nandini.... U need to stop with this secretary thing okay!! I don't want it to come between us...

Nandini: Between Us!!
Nandini whispered but it was enough for Manik to hear. But at that moment he ignored it and said,

Manik: I don't want us to always keep this professional life in front and act according to that in our personal life as well.... What u r to me personally has nothing to do with what we r professionally...

Nandini smiled at him and nodded at which Manik stroked her nose slightly and said,
Manik: Now remember that always or else I'll fire u from this job and keep u on hoise arrest.

Nandini's jaw dropped listening to this as she punched him slightly on his stomach.
Nandini: Haww.... U r so mean!! Seriously! Like house arrest??

Manik held her hand and pulled her closer as they both laughed and he wrapped his arms around her taking her into a hug, still laughing.
Manik: Hehe... Just kidding!!

Nandini: I wonder where was this Manik hidden for all these years... Coz i guess I hv been missing out a really amazing friend all this while!!

Manik: Well lets just say that he was hidden... Hidden behind a shield which u successfully crossed.

Nandini: Yeah... The shield known as Monster Manik...

Manik laughed further and asked,
Manik: By the way, why were u here... U were saying something!!

Nandini: Ayiappa..... U distracted me!! We have a meeting in 10 mins ,which is apparently now just 2 minutes.

Manik: Come on lets go!! U keep on talking to ur Ayiappa and we'll get further late.

Nandini rolled her eyes at his comment and turned around while Manik smirked as he picked up his phone.
Manik: I saw that Nandini.... Don't roll ur eyes on me.

Nandini: That was meant for u to see!!

Both of them left the cabin and moved down for the conference room. They entered the room to shut off all the whispers going on as ppl stood up to welcome them.

Manik took a seat at the far most end of the table while Nandini sat next to him. The meeting started and went on amazingly. It went on for quite a long time, as a result of which they got free from work at almost 6:30 in the evening.

They left the conference hall and moved towards the elevator to get back to their cabins.

Nandini: Manik we hv to leave soon...

Manik: Why?? Anything important!!

Nandini: No... Nothing as such.. But I thought u would like to spend some time with ur parents and Dadi before they leave. They hv a flight at 10:30 tonight.

Listening to this Manik's look changed significantly but he still smiled and said,
Manik: Thanks for reminding... We will leave in 5.

Nandini simply nodded at him as they reached up and she moved to her cabin to get her stuff.

Later that evening, Nandini continued her work back at home while Manik was sitting with Nyonika, Raj and Dadi. When simi came to her,
Simi: Ma'am the dinner is ready.

Nandini: Hmn... Ohk u go and serve it over the table I'll call everyone.

With this, Nandini got up and moved up to the main balcony on the first floor. It was usually the place where Manik liked to sit and relax. He often spent time over there along with Dadi or Fab 5 or even alone gazing the stars.

She went there and saw them having a quite family time, laughing at something.

Nandini slowly knocked at the door when they turned towards her,
Nandini: I m so sorry to disturb....

Dadi: Nandu... No sorry accepted!! Come u r family too....

Nandini smiled and entered saying,
Nandini: I just came to inform that the dinner is ready.

Raj: Ohh yes, we must eat... Then we hv to leave soon!!

All the others too agreed at it and they moved down to have dinner which seemed to be quite silent as compared to the past two-three days.

Soon they were all ready to leave with their bags already loaded into the car. When Dadi noticed Nandini checking all their stuff properly. Manik, raj and Nyonika were about to sit inside the car when Dadi walked towards Nandini.

Dadi: Nandu!!

Nandini: Ji Dadi... U want something!!
Nandini asked as Dadi caressed her face loving.

Dadi: Take care!!

Slight tears finally made their way to her eyes as she immediately hugged Dadi.
Nandini: U too take care and don't worry about here.... I m here!!

Dadi broke the hug and smiled, when Nandini got serious.
Nandini: Also i m daring u to miss out ur medicines even once and I promise I'll not let u eat anything other than healthy stuff once u return back.

Dadi: Ohk madam... As u say!!

Nandini: I will miss u a lot...

Dadi: Same here my child... But don't worry I'll be back in a few months... Till then Manik is here na!!

Nandini: Monster.... Haan how can i forget this?? How will I handle this Monster Manik without u??

Manik: Ohh hello... For ur information, I m standing right here!!

Nandini turned to look at him and then said,
Nandini: so.... What should I do about that?? Vese bhi I m talking to Dadi,not u!

And before he could say something Nandini turned back towards Dadi and continued,
Nandini: See... Already!!

Dadi laughed at her complaints so did Raj and Nyonika, while Dadi said,
Dadi: Don't worry this Monster won't trouble u that much. In fact I give u my permission to trouble him as much as u want..

Nandini giggled at her and wiped up her left over tears while Manik too smiled.
Dadi: Come now sit in the car... Won't u come to see me off??

Nandini simply nodded and they all left, with Manik driving the car as Raj sat next to him while the three ladies took the back seat. They reached the airport on time where Manik had already arranged a special waiting room for them while the airport authorities took care of the immigration process.

Manik had excused himself near the window to attend Mukti's call, when he found his dad standing right behind him after ending the call.

Manik: Dad...

Raj: I m going to miss u... But i guess this time it won't be as bad as before...

Manik: Me too dad!!

Raj: Manik... I just wanted u to know one thing!! I know I never said it ever.... But looking at u, like my son... U hv made me proud like no other thing has. And thats not just for me.... Thats for ur mother and grandmother as well...

Manik: Dad I-

Raj: Learn to accept praises son!! U totally deserve it. I frankly never ever imagined that u will do so good in business after being exceptionally good at Music. But like I said, u hv made me proud.

Manik hugged him simply showing his love.
Manik: I love you Dad....

Both of them broke the hug and looked towards the ladies who were laughing out loud at something. Both of them smiled looking at them when Raj said,
Raj: Don't ever let her go son... She truly is a gem!!

Manik heard his dad and smiled further soon to realize what he just said,
Manik: What??

Raj smiled at him and hit his back.
Raj: Stop hiding Mister.... We know!!

Manik: Kn- Know w-wha-what??

Raj: Wow... This girl surprises me more everyday.... My son, is stammering just by the talk about her. Impressive!!

Manik: Dad!!!
Raj: Shut up!!

Manik made up a irritated face and said,
Manik: Dadi... Unbelievable!!

He moved towards the others and said,
Manik: Seriously unbelievable.... Dadi!!

Dadi: What??

Manik: Two days with them and u spilled all the beans... That was supposed to be a secret.
Manik whined like a two year old.

Dadi: What are u talking about Manik??

Manik: Ohh really... Ask him??

All the three ladies turned towards Raj who had a sheepish smile on his face. Both Dadi and Nyonika immediately understood and the three elders burst out laughing, leaving Manik further more irritated and Nandini confused about the entire issue.

Manik: I will never tell anything to u now onwards.

Dadi continued laughing and commented,
Dadi: Yeah yeah... Why would u tell me now?? U don't need me anymore!!

Manik: Urgh!! What a mad family I hv out here... I m going to get something to eat, if u want anything then msg me. Bye!!

Saying so Manik moved out while the others again laughed this time including Nandini.
Nandini: What happened to him suddenly??

Raj: Ignore him... The usual attention seeking drama is on.

A few minutes the announcement was finally made for them to start boarding. And listening to it Manik too returned.

He hugged all of them and they got up too leave. Nandini hugged Dadi and again gave up a bit of take care lecture when surprising everyone Nyonika too hugged Nandini.

Nyonika: It was too good Meeting u Nandini... And I think now u can count two more members in ur family.

Nandini hugged her back tightly and controlled her tears which didn't​ go unnoticed by Manik.

Nandini broke the hug and said,
Nandini: Thank u Ma'am.. It means a lot!

Nyonika: If it really does... Then call me anything from now except for Ma'am.

Nandini: Ohk Ma'am... I mean.. Sorry!! Ohk aunty...

Nyonika: Better...

Nyonika again hugged her as a final good bye and this time Nandini too immediately hugged her back. When she heard her whisper.
Nyonika: Please Take care of my son....

With this all of them simply walked away. Manik and Nandini stood near the grill watching them boarding.

Watching ur loved ones go away is always difficult, no matter how prepared u r, it is always a task on the final end. As they passed out of the line of sight, Manik felt a warm touch on his hand, he looked to down as Nandini entwined her hand with his.

Yes... Yes she was there for him, he wasn't alone. Manik tightened the hold over her hand and they both looked at each other.

Nandini: Lets go!!

Manik simply nodded at her and they moved out of the airport hand in hand. And with this the day ended, as they waited for a new beginning of life from the next day​.
------------------------------------------
So that's it for today ppl!! Hope u like the chapter... Do like and comment... And yes, a very very Happy Holi to all of u!!
😍😍😍😍

https://youtu.be/gf2jCByluN4