I Need U To Be There.... For a little more than Always!!!

Hello guys....
June is here and along with that my Xams too finished finally!!! Regular Updates coming on in every 2-3 days for u all!!

And here I m back, with another update...
Hope u all enjoy it!!
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Part 53:
As the mehendi and sangeet function got finished all the guests retired to their rooms, fully tired for anything else.

While the girls were still sitting their as their partners feeded them due to their wet mehendi. Cabir and Dhruv were busy with their girlfriends when they saw Manik walking closer towards them with a plate too.

They smiled at him as he took his place next to Nandini.
Manik: So....

Nandini: Thanks Manik... I m literally famished.

Manik smiled at her and picked up a spoon full of food. Nandini opened up her mouth in a child like way making him wanna kiss her for her cuteness, when he suddenly forwarded the spoon towards Mukti.

Manik: Well I hv two beautiful ladies out here by my side... That makes me lucky!!

Mukti smiled at him while the others laughed, Manik turned towards Nandini with the spoon again to find her smiling at her with shear proud in her eyes. Soon Cabir and Dhruv too made mukti hv one one bite each after which Manik again continued.

Soon they finished with the dinner when Mukti said,
Mukti: Guys... Lets do something tonight!! Tmrw we hv the engagement n Cocktail party we won't get time after that.... Aur phir day after tmrw, these love birds will get married. Lets just spend tym together... Just all of us, like old times....

As she finished Manik took her in a side hug,
Manik: Yeah... Lets think of it as a small bachelors party!! After all we r fab5, we will celebrate their bachelors together...

Aliya: Yes.....

Cabir: Ohk then!! The guests hv already retired... Lets all just loosen up, I m sure u girls might want to change, we'll meet after that....

Mukti: Yeah... I just can't wait to get rid of this heavy dress!!!

Nandini: Done... Then u all go get changed, I'll get some arrangements done on the terrace for all of u!! The lake seems amazing in the night, u'll enjoy it out there......

Mukti: Yeah I m sure we will!! But Nandu, when I said 'we', I meant the Seven of us..... U too r a part of us now, remember it, I don't want to remind it to u again and again.

Nandini nodded at her simply and then walked away to make the arrangements and to change.

Soon they all freshened up and moved up to the terrace to see an amazing cosy set up ready for them, as a few guys from the team were busy over there.

Aliya: Wow... Well done guys!! Thanks...
" Ur welcome Ma'am..." they replied professionally and turned to leave.

Cabir: Hey do u guys know where is Nandini??
" Sir, she was here with us 5 mins back and has gone to freshen up, she might join u all soon...."

Manik: Hmn... U may go!!

Soon they all were left alone as they sat down on the mattresses arranged in the round.

A few minutes later, Nandini walked upstairs to see everyone sitting quietly lost in themselves. Cabir was lying down with his head on Navya's lap, Aliya had her head on Dhruv's shoulder while her hands were still clan with mehendi like all the other girls, Mukti who had her head on Aliya's lap and Manik was just sitting there admiring all of them.

Nandini: Guys.... What is this??? So boring!! This is clearly not the way Fab5 parties...

Cabir: We were all waiting for u.... But what should we do here Nandini??

Nandini: I had got some arrangements done!!
She said as she pointed towards the other end. Cabir got up from his place to see a mini fridge arranged which was stocked with drinks and snack with it.

Mukti: Woah... Ye hui na baat!!!

Soon they all sat down with drinks and stuff. Nandini too sat next to Manik who took her in his embrace immediately.

Nandini smiled at him and got comfortable like that itself.

Mukti: I just love seeing u too like this!! Especially​ Manik.... Nandini u should knw, u hv really changed this idiot!!!

Aliya: And that too changed him for good....

Nandini smiled at them and looked at Manik for a second before looking up at the sky as she replied,
Nandini: I too don't believe how I got this lucky!!

Navya: I knw that feeling when u r just going on moving ahead in ur life, thinking that there is just something missing and all of a sudden all ur wishes come true and u get what u didn't even imagine ever....

All of them turned towards Navya and found her lost as she kept on looking at Cabir's name on her mehendi. Cabir took her in a side hug while Mukti continued,

Mukti: Is it really true guys?? Suddenly one day one person enters ur life and becomes such an integral part of u.

Navya: Love doesn't see tym or place it just happens when it has to...

Mukti: But Dhruv-Aliya, Manik-Nandini... They knew each other from a long long time before they finally started realising their feelings... If love is like that then why did it take so much time for them.

Navya thought about it for a second, when they heard Manik speaking,

Manik: Maybe coz we kept on telling ourselves to hold our feelings back. But then who knew it all has to come out one day any how....

Dhruv: I too tried a lot stopping myself, coz i didn't know earlier what Aliya felt for me.... And I didn't wanna take risk and spoil our friendship!!

All of them agreed to it while Aliya again leaned onto him deep in her thoughts. When Nandini spoke up,

Nandini: Or may be we were too messed up in ourselves, fighting with our own personal demons to even let any one step closer.

Manik looked at her and found her looking up at the sky, lost in her own self, when he again noticed the same pain in her eyes.

Manik: But love always finds it way.... No matter, if it comes to u at the very first sight, or after years... But if it has to happen, then it will get its way. All u should know is how to hang on to it once u hv it.

Mukti smiled at him and saw everyone busy in their own thoughts, she picked up her phone and texted someone.

Cabir: Ohh God... Such a serious atmosphere.... By the way Manik, Dhruv ka toh we all know but how and when did u actually start approaching Nandini??

Cabir asked in a teasing tone making Nandini blush.

Mukti: Ohh yes...

Nandini: Frankly... Even I don't know it, all I know it was a very long walk for us, which we both enjoyed a lot.... But it all started when one day all of a sudden I changed from Ms. Moorthy to Nandini!!

Manik: Even that wasn't sudden!! It was just that suddenly I came across to know her relationship with Dadi, which much to my surprise was so strong that I really found Dadi talking her heart out to her. And within a process of a week or so, I kind a eve dropped certain conversations and after that I just knew I wanted to call u by ur Name.

Nandini heard him and immediately moved out of his embrace.

Nandini: Haww Manik.... U eves dropped our talk!!

Manik: Off course... When u went on and on and on about the one and only Monster Manik....

Nandini glared at him with an open mouth while the others laughed out loud.

Nandini: I wasn't wrong... U were a Monster, in fact U r a Monster!!!

Nandini said with a cute grumpy pout. And got up from his side and sat beside Mukti.

Manik: Arey...

Mukti: Vese Nandu... I agree with u, he really was a Monster.

Manik glared at Mukti who ignored him completely. They continued with their talk as Dhruliya narrated their elongated love story to Nandini and Navya. As they finished they heard the guitar strumming,

Ek din kabhi jo khud ko taraashe

Meri nazar se tu zara

All of them turned towards the other side to see Manik singing, as he winked at Nandini and continued,

Haaye re

Aankhon se teri kya kya chhupa hai

Tujhko dikhaaun main zara, haaye re

Ik ankahi si daastaan daastaan

Kehne lagega aaina.... Subhanallah...

Jo ho raha haim pehli dafaa hai wallah

Aisa hua...

Cabir:

Subhanallah..

Jo ho raha hai pehli dafaa hai wallah

Aisa hua

All of them moved to the beats as Dhruv took Aliya in a back hug and continued,

Dhruv:

Meri khamoshi se baatein chun lena

Unki dori se taarifein bun lena (x2)

Nandini smiled at the love birds as she looked at Manik to find him already staring her. While Mukti walked towards the terrace railing to watch upon the lake and its significant night beauty and continued,

Mukti:

Kal nahi thi jo aaj lagti hoon

Taareef meri hai khaamakha

Tohfa hai tera meri adaa

Nandini turned towards her to find her blushing at her own thoughts while Manik continued,

Manik:

Ye do dilon ka waasta waasta

Khul ke bataaya jaaye naa

Subhanallah...

Jo ho raha hai, pehli dafaa hai Wallah

Aisa hua.. Subhanallah (x3)

Jo ho raha hai, pehli dafaa hai Wallah

Aisa hua..

He finished the song and Dhruv said,

Dhruv: Really Fab5 is incomplete without Music....

All of them agreed to him when Nandini exclaimed,

Nandini: Oo shit!! How could I forget?? Guys guys guys, I hv an amazing news!!

Manik: What??

Nandini: I think its time for Fab 5 to step out of India..... I mean on an International Level....

All of them looked at her dumbfounded when Manik broke the silence,

Manik: But Nandini... Don't u think its too early!! Its just been what 3 n a half years for us into this industry...

Nandini: Yeah and u Guys r at the top in just that much time.... Manik, its never too early, its just always late... The right time is when u feel its right!!

Mukti: But-

Nandini: Ohk Ohk fine... Tell me one thing, what do u all think. Are u ready for this or not??

Cabir: It won't mind if we give it a try at least.

Cabir said looking at the others,

Nandini: See thats the spirit... Guys just think about it.. International concerts, tours.... Till now only India is dancing at ur tunes lets get the world dance to u... And I m not saying this just bcoz I think so, I m saying this coz I hv seen all the statistical reports of how well u guys can handle it....

Manik: Ohk fine... Even if we agree... Its gonna take a lot of planning and timing!!

Nandini: This is just the right time... Fab5 has been approached for the annual International Music Concerts!!! Guys bands from all over the world r gonna be there...

Fab5: WHAT??

Nandini: I got a call from them this evening, while the function was going on... They want u guys over there!! This year its happening in Paris....

Navya: Guys this is huge...

Navya too exclaimed while Fab5 were too lost to react.

Nandini: But there is a problem....

Cabir: Huh.. What??

Nandini: Its this month itself, so u'll hv to be present there at the end of next week for 10 days.

Aliya: So how is that a problem??

Aliya asked while Nandini looked at Cabir, Manik and Mukti.

Manik: Umn... Aliya... Actually, we kinda planned an honeymoon trip for u too round the world of about a month n a half.

Aliya heard him and turned to look at Dhruv who was equally shocked by this and then he said,

Dhruv: Buddy... Seriously its means a lot but-

Aliya: But... Do u really think our honeymoon is more important than this?? I mean we can do there sometime later, we'll re-plan it.

Manik: So??

Dhruv: So what is it on??

Dhruv again asked with a smile. All of them looked at each other and the next minute they were together for a group hug. Navni smiled at them and hugged each other when they heard Aliya's shout.

Aliya: U bloody Idiot.... Get off me Cabir!! I m gonna kill u if u spoil my Mehendi!!

All of them laughed at her and broke the hug while Aliya started checking her Mehendi.

Aliya: U jerk, how can u forget... I m still getting married day after tmrw!!

Cabir: Chill Aliya, Its almost dry already...

Aliya frowned at it and Dhruv took her in a side hug while Nandini caught Manik looking at her. She asked him a what through her eyes to which he simply replied Nothing...

Soon they decided to call it a day and moved back to their rooms, while Nandini accompanied Manik to his room. Both of them freshened up as Nandini dried of her Heena and cleaned her hands and lied down on the bed. She saw him deep in his thoughts and cuddled closer to him as he wrapped his arms around him.

Nandini: Good night Mani....

Manik hugged her closer to himself and kissed her forehead as they drifted to deep slumber.

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

Nandini: Aliya... Come fast yr!! I hv a surprise for u...

Nandini said over the phone as she stood in the front side of the palace after breakfast with Manbir and Mukti while they were waiting for the bride and groom.

Nandini disconnected the call and Cabir said,

Cabir: Nandini... Its Aliya's surprise na then why hv u kept us in suspense.

Nandini: Cabir wait na, just few minutes more... I just got a call its on the way.

Mukti: No yr Nandini... U tell me now, or I m going!!

Nandini sighed a relief and then said excitedly,

Nandini: I invited her brother, he might be here any moment now!!

Manik: What???

Manik shouted.

Nandini: Yeah!!

Nandini said casually which irked him more than anything as he shouted,

Manik: ARE U OUT OF UR MIND??

Nandini was shocked at his sudden outburst when he suddenly grabbed her by her shoulder and started shouting again.

Manik: Why can't u understand at one? If Aliya would hv really wanted him here then she could hv invited him na.... And YOU!!! What do u even know about him, do u what is his name??

Cabir: Manik relax.... Why r u taking it out on her?? She had good intentions man.

Manik: GOOD INTENTIONS MY FOOT.... Nandini do u even know whom u hv invited?

Nandini: No... I just sent the invitation to his address..

Nandini said meekly totally confused by his behaviour.

Manik: Harshad Saxena!!! Aliya's so called brother... Remember him??

Nandini heard him loud and clear as a shiver ran down her body. Harshad!!!

" A hot girl like u shouldn't be drinking something this average like a vodka....... A night as dark as todays and a girl like u alone, not fair!!"

His cheep words flooded into her mind, while all the other three noticed the change on her face. Manik loosened his grip on her shoulder making her look at him as she finally pulled herself together and said confidently,

Nandini: Yes manik... I do remember him!! What if its Harshad, it doesn't matter untill n unless it gives happiness to Aliya!!

Manik: Yeah... Try n be as confident as u can!! U think u can hide it from me, just his name and u were back to that night. And him being here!!!

Manik gave an angry glare to her and turned at the other side.

Mukti: Manik.... Is there something we don't know??

Manik looked at her and cabir, to find them filled with questions. He sighed once as he narrated the entire event to them.

Cabir: That jerk... First Mukti, then Fab5, then Aliya.... He tried to break everything one by one and now he is up with his cheap thrills like this....

Nandini looked at them finally understanding the gravity of the situations. She thought it was just Manik who was overreacting coz he cared for her. But listening to Cabir, she now knew she did a mistake.

Mukti: Manik... I don't think we hv tym for all this!! Now that he is here, its just two days.... We all will keep an eye over him.

Manik glared back at Nandini again when they heard Aliya's cheerfully​ voice.

Aliya: What happened Nandini?? What surprise now!!

They all got to normal as they saw Aliya and Dhruv walking closer. But before Nandini could say anything they heard a voice.

"The surprise for my Baby girl is out here...."

All of them turned to the other side and there stood Harshad, his hands spread wide for Aliya...

Aliya: Bhai!!

Aliya exclaimed and ran into his arms. Both of them hugged each other while Nandini noticed clear disgust on the faces of Fab4. They broke the hug as Aliya got tears in her eyes,

Aliya: I missed u!!

Harshad: How can u think that I won't be present at ur wedding??

Aliya smiled at him and Harshad looked at the others. He walked closer towards them and hugged Dhruv.

Harshad: So the Groom himself is here.... Congratulations Dude!!

Dhruv: Thanks...

Dhruv replied coldly and Harshad moved forward.

Harshad: Hi Mukti.... How r u??

Harshad said as he moved closer to hug her when Mukti kept her hands forward to stop him.

Mukti: On top of the world, much far far away from u!!!

Harshad smiled evilly at her and noticed cabir.

Harshad: Cabir... Long time haan!!

Cabir: Yeah... A fairly happy time without u...

Harshad laughed out loud at his words while Aliya knew it was difficult for everyone to hv him here.

Harshad: Manik Malhotra!! And we meet again.

Manik was about to saying something to him but harshad noticed nandini standing a bit far behind him and said moving towards her,

Harshad: Ohh what pleasant surprise!! So u r Nandini Moorthy, Manik's p.a.... Who invited me here!!! If I had known it was U, I would hv come much earlier.

Nandini kept her face straight at his words, and said formally,

Nandini: Welcome Mr. Saxena!!

Aliya immediately went and hugged Nandini.

Aliya: Thank u Nandini.... No matter how much I kept on declining this thing!! But if something was missing in my wedding then that was just his presence. No matter what, I can't thank u enough for this!!!

Nandini hugged Aliya back and said slowly looking at Manik,

Nandini: Ur happiness is all that matters for all of us Aliya!!

Aliya broke the hug and harshad moved forward,

Harshad: I think I too should thank u a ton... Nandini!!!

Nandini heard the tone of his voice and knew she had invited trouble but before she knew she felt the most comfortable arm around her waist pulling her closer to himself.

Manik: Well... We just did that for Aliya's happiness!!! U don't need to thank Harshad, it doesn't suit u.....

Harshad noticed his tight possessive grip on Nandini when Aliya said happily,

Aliya: Now that u r here, u can be my Best Man at my engagement tonight!!

Harshad smiled genuinely at his sister and cupped her face,

Harshad: Off course... And not just that, I m here to give away my baby sister at her wedding ceremony.

Aliya heard his words as her smile decreased slightly and she said slowly,

Aliya: Bhai... No matter how much I love the fact that u r here!! But u from the time I knew that I m getting Married... I hv imagined this day over and over again in my mind. And each time I imagined it, I saw only one person giving me away. And that was Manik....

Aliya turned towards Manik and walked closer to him as she continued,

Aliya: May it be school, college, or any where else..... It was just Manik, who had truly been there for me, when I need a brotherly figure by my side. And I would want him only to be that on the most important day of my life... Will u Manik???

Manik smiled at her with wet eyes as he engulfed her in a hug.

Manik: Of course I will....

They broke the hug when Aliya turned to look at Harshad who stood there with a hard face.

Aliya: I m sry Bhai!!!

Harshad smiled at her and said,

Harshad: Its ohk until and unless it is what u want.... I m not angry at all!!

Aliya smiled and hugged him again while the others saw him glaring at Manik who again had Nandini in his arms.

Soon the staff took him to his room while Dhruliya too went away. Manik didn't leave Nandini even for a second all that while. The moment Harshad went away he immediately left her.

Nandini: Manik....

Nandini tried to say something, but she was too late as he sprinted towards his room.

Mukti kept her hand over her shoulder and said,

Mukti: Don't worry... He is just too concerned!! And somewhere his anger and concern is justified. He will come around, when he is calm enough!!

Nandini nodded at her with a smile when he heard Cabir say,

Cabir: But Nandini... Just try n stay careful of that jerk!!

Nandini: I will !!

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The entire day passed on while preparing for the cocktail and engagement function. Harshad was thankfully busy the entire day with Aliya.

On one side everyone was busy in the arrangements while on the other Nandini was trying to manofy manik, who was still not talking to her. Soon it was evening and all the girls left to get ready.

Nandini somehow got ready before everyone else and left saying that she had to give a final check through the arrangements. She went towards Manik's room directly to again try once and entered the room to find him standing bare chest in front of the mirror setting his hair.

Manik: Nandini... What r u doing here??

Manik asked sternly as he saw her entering the room.

Nandini: Where else do u think I would be??

Manik: I don't know....

Manik said blankly and turned his back towards her as he bent to pick up his shirt. Nandini moved ahead and picked it up before him smiling sweetly.

Manik: Nandini enough, gimme my shirt Back!!

Nandini held his hand hand said slowly,

Nandini: Manik... I know u r not angry at me, u r just too much concerned but plz talk to me. I know, I m very stupid... I should hv asked u before inviting anybody like this to the wedding!!

But just as she finished he jerked off her hands,

Manik: U can go on inviting anyone u wish without asking anyone but the thing is that U invited that Bloody Jerk out of everyone else.

Nandini sighed at him and took his shirt, she moved at his back making him wear it and again came in front of him buttoning it up for him.

Nandini: I know I m at fault, but plz don't give a cold shoulder to me like this.... I can bear anything but ur silence Manik!! Whatever I did though wrong, but I did it for Aliya's happiness..... Did u see the smile on her face, as she saw him here??? Don't u want her to be completely happy on her Day.

She finished off with his buttons and looked up at him, who was continuously staring at the mirror with a straight face. Nandini picked up his tie from the bed and started with it.

Nandini: So u hv decided that u r not gonna forgive me!!

Manik: Yes!!

Nandini: U won't even talk to me!!

Manik: No...

Nandini jerked him once tightening the knot and then asked,

Nandini: U won't even hold me!!

Manik: No...

Nandini: Not even to make me feel comfortable of Harshad's irritating gaze!!

And as she expected he wrapped his arms tight around her waist holding her onto him tightly. Nandini smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him hugging him.

It took him a few moments after which he felt him loosen up as he hugged her back. Manik calmed himself down in her arms finding his solace. They stayed like that for a long time after which Manik broke the hug and cupped her face.

Manik: I m sry!!

Nandini: No I m sry.... I stressed u so much!!

Nandini said with a cute pout.

Manik smiled at her as he pecked her lips, taking her by surprise. It was then that he finally noticed her look. He wrapped his arms around her bare back, making pattern over it with his fingers.

Manik: By the way.... U r looking beautiful tonight!!

Nandini blushed at it and said,

Nandini: U r no less urself Mr. Malhotra....

Manik nuzzled his face in her hair, which were set beautiful on one side of her shoulder, showing off her milky white back.

Nandini broke the hug feeling shy and picked up his coat as he made her wear it. She again moved to his front and picked up a black cloth, setting it properly in his pocket.

Nandini: So now that u r ready... I think I should go and give a final check on the arrangements.

Manik: Wait... I'll come along...

Nandini: Ohk lets go!!

With this they both moved out from the room hand in hand.