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

Part 74:

Nandini walked out of the house and moved towards the front gate. She tied Adore's strap to the garden and moved out of the Mansion lost in her thoughts.

A million things running in her mind, with no proper solution. Every choice she thought to opt, made her leave behind something or the other.

Dressed in a casual day-in outfit, she walked on the footpath, her feet taking her to an unknown destination. Messy hair, lost look, made it difficult to the passers by to recognise her properly.

She walked and walked until her feet finally stopped and she sat at a bench. She looked around herself, to realise that she had reached a children play ground of her neighbourhood. A number of little bundles of joy, running around her made her zone back into the memory lane.

On the other hand, Mukti moved out of the house behind her expecting to find her in the garden but she saw adore playing there alone, tied up to a bench.

She looked around the garden to find her but didn't see anyone. She called on her cell to find it switched off and thus, moved towards the Moorthy Mansion thinking to find her there, when she saw Amms sitting right outside.

Mukti: Hi Amms!!

Amms: Arey Mukti.... Come sit!!

Amms smiled at her patting at her side.

Mukti: No Amms actually I was in a hurry.... Hv u seen Nandini??

Amms: No... She didn't come here! Why??

Mukti got worried listening to her, but still smiled.

Mukti: Nothing important Amms... Just like that, u relax!!

With that she turned around and left, making her way back to the Nanz Villa. She asked the guard about Nandini, who told her that she simply walked out and refused for any security. She entered the house to see Manik waiting for her.

Manik: Did she react?? Did she say something??

Manik asked her directly. Mukti sighed at him and sat,

Mukti: I don't know.... She just walked straight out of the house. The guard says she even refused for security.

Manik frowned at it sat beside her. Dhruv, Aliya and Cabir too joined them when Manik said,

Manik: Ohk enough.... Lets go guys!! Lets just forget everything for sometime and make some really nice music.... Its been too long now!!

Cabir: Amzing idea....

Aliya: Right... Lets go guys!!

They all moved up to the Music room and practised for the rest of the evening. It was quite late when Nandini returned back home.

Abhi: Kiddo... Where were u??

Abhi asked as soon as he saw her getting in.

Nandini: The park!!! I hv decided something....

Abhi: Park!! The same one?

Abhi asked now suddenly alerted by her. Nandini sighed at him and rolled her eyes.

Nandini: Yes Abhi... The same one!!

Abhi: So now what??

Abhi asked further.

Nandini: U will find out.... For now, get ready guys!! Coz we r going to party....

Nandini said walked towards the stairs.

Aliya: Party??

Nandini: Yup... We r going to the best disc in L.A!! U guys hv to visit it once before u leave, can't miss this one...

Nandini winked at Aliya and walked right up to her room.

Manik: Whats up with her now??

Manik asked once she got out of sight.

Abhi: Something big.... This park is her favorite, Appa used to take her there. That has been the place where she has taken mostly all the major decisions of her life...

Mukti: Major as in??

Abhi: As in getting into Music Industry, taking a loan from Appa for her first album, and then leaving.....

Abhi whispered the last word slowly, though all of them heard it loud and clear. No one said anything as they just thought about the various possibilities when Abhi finally got up.

Abhi: Lets get ready guys.... The last thing I want right now is, Nandu to go alone.

All of them nodded at him and dispersed.

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Cabir: OMG... This place is amazing!!

Cabir shouted over the Music about an hour later, when they entered the club. Probably the biggest and yet the most crowded one they had ever seen. It was situated at one of the RNA hotels itself and was filled up like anything.

Nandini: Lets get it out loose guys.... Woah!!

Nandini shouted as she made her way through the crowd to the fist floor, with all the others following her short behind. She lead them to a private glass chamber on the first floor when Abhi nodded at the manager to open it up. They entered the chamber, which had a separate sound system and Nandini threw her purse on the couch as she turned back to the door.

Nandini: Anyone up for a shots challenge??

Aliya: With u... No ways!!!

Aliya laughed back while the others smiled remembering Manik and Nandini's challenge in Lonavala....

Nandini: Come on guys.... Mukti lets go!

Nandini held Mukti's hand and pulled her out, back downstairs until she reached the bar counter.

The order was placed within seconds knowing that Abhi was right behind them. And before anyone knew Nandini was 5 shots down in a go!

Abhi: Woah kiddo relax....

Nandini: Chill abhi... It just got started!!

Nandini bent lower and whispered something to the bar tender and pointed towards their chamber upstairs when she winked at Abhi and walked straight towards the DJ set.

Everyone danced out their asses enjoying a free day after so long while Nandini was lost somewhere in the crowd. Her black dress mixing into the crowd, but her aura standing out separately. Well it was Nanz and she always stood out in the crowd. They would just spot her time and again, dancing with different set of people who all seemed to recognise her. After all she was Nanz, the rockstar....

About an hour later, Nandini reached upstairs again to see all the others dancing, she joined her friends only after pouring down another few shots from the table.

Manik turned towards her only to receive a dazzling bright smile from her. Her mood was immediately reflected upon him as he saw Nandini advancing towards him as she danced.

Nandini: Lets forget it all for today Manik.... I want to enjoy this day with u to make it last forever in my memory!!

Nandini said into his ears over the Music.

Manik: Really??

Manik asked still not sure of what he heard when she held his hand and twirled around him.

Nandini: Yes!!

Both of them danced together making the others smile.

Manik: Nandini I want to-

Manik was about to say something but was stopped when she placed her finger on his mouth.

Nandini: Not today Manik.... I want to remember this day for as long as I can in my entire life, so just don't say anything....

Nandini got out of his embrace and she bent towards the table picking up the shots again. One down, two down, three down!!

Manik: Nandini relax!! U hv already had a lot...

Nandini: Shh...

Nandini said to him and gulped three more.

She held his hand and pulled him again towards the other as they all danced together. Quite a long time passed away and everyone was convinced by then that Nandini was really happy and had accepted Manik. But something in her was bothering Manik and Abhi as they kept on sharing glances.

It was quite late at night when the door opened making the Music from downstairs reach their ears. Nandini turned towards the door, and all her smile fled away in milli seconds when she saw Rishab standing over there.

Rishab entered the room while Nandini glared at him and the others looked at her worried.

Nandini: Shut it.....

Nandini shouted over to shut the Music as silence filled into the chamber with just a slight muffed music coming from downstairs.

Nandini: Mr. Rishab Moorthy! What a displeasing surprise to spoil my day!

Rishab: Nandu I-

Nandini: Nanz..... Its Nanz for u! Or even Nandini would do I guess....

Rishab: It was important so I had to come...

Rishab said directly making Nandini roll her eyes at him as she turned her back towards him and started making a drink for herself.

Rishab: The conformation for ur flight tmrw evening just came from the pilot....

Rishab said looking at Abhi.

Abhi: Tmrw!! Where??

Abhi asked confused when he saw Rishab shift his gaze to Nandini.

Abhi: Nandu... U asked for the jet??

Abhi asked her alerting everyone while Nandini seemed to be ignoring them.

Abhi: Nandu??

Rishab: Tmrw evening, to Mumbai!!

Abhi: Kiddo... U hv decided to return back?? Why didn't u tell me??

Abhi asked smiling slight when Nandini turned.

Nandini: I m not going anywhere Abhi... At least not yet!!

Nandini replied as she sat on the couch.

Nandini: I arranged the jet for all of u...

Dhruv: What do u mean Nandini??

Nandini: Nothing..... Its been long that u all r here and I don't think there is any need to stay any more, so I hv made the arrangements and I just wanted us all to enjoy once tonight, before u all go tmrw.... But as always, some ppl are here to spoil it for me!!

Nandini glared at Rishab again but Manik stepped forward blocking her gaze.

Manik: And U??

Manik asked in a slow voice.

Nandini: Well I don't knw yet... But I'll figure it out soon!!

Manik: U r giving up?? U r giving up on Us!!

Manik said more to himself than to anyone else as a look of shock came over his face.

Nandini looked at him painfully as she gulped down the entire glass, cringing at the bitterness.

Rishab: Nandini.... U need to-

Nandini: STAY OUT OF THIS......

Nandini shouted suddenly getting up from her seat. All her pain and emotional trauma, came out in front of anger as she moved towards Rishab.

Nandini: Ohk now I hv had enough.... What exactly do u want from me Rishab?? Why can't u just understand that I don't want to see u. I don't want to do anything with u!! Stay away from me!!

Rishab: Nandu, I m sry.... Plz can't u just forget what happened and try to forgive me for once..

Rishab came over directly to the point when nandini laughed out loud.

Nandini: Forget... Its so easy right?? Just forget it all, forget the years that I hv spent suffering just bcoz u blamed me for my parents death.... Forget all the accusations that u did over me!!

She turned towards Manik and said,

Nandini: Manik... What r u doing?? Why r u spending so much time with Abhi?? Rishab is the guy for u, coz apparently This Guy Knows Me Better Than Anyone Else in the world... He will tell u the reality of what kind of a Cheap person I am..... The True side.... Coz as he had said, "I WAS, I AM AND I ALWAYS WILL BE.... NOTHING BUT A FUCKING WHORE......"

Rishab closed his eyes listening to her words as a tear rolled down his eyes.

Nandini: Right??

Rishab took a step forward towards her making her go back as she lifted up her hand.

Nandini: Coz I m a murderer.... I had killed my own parents as I was too busy enjoying my Stardom.

Tears started flowing down Nandini's cheeks as she wiped them furiously.

Nandini: Ohh God rishab.... How come u hvn't questioned Manik yet?? Huh??

Rishab looked up at her and then Manik, who held a confused expression on his face. She took steps closer to him as she said sternly,

Nandini: Don't u know... I was staying with Manik all this time!! Just like u had expected me to be.... I was with him all this time, In the same house, In the same room, even On the same bed every night.....

Her voice as hard as ever making her drop her words. The moment the words left her mouth a hand held her elbow as she was furiously pulled back.

"NANDINI!!!."

Manik shouted out loud as he held up his hand high.

Loud gasps escaped through each and every person present in the room as his hand stopped right an inch away from her face before he almost slapped her.

Nandini's eyes widened in horror looking at his dark red eyes. Manik closed his eyes for a moment trying to control himself when he said in a husky, rough voice,

Manik: Don't U Dare!! Don't u dare insult our relationship ever!!!!

Before anyone could react to his words, he moved towards the door still pulling Nandini by her elbow.

Cabir: Manik!!

Cabir stepped forward only to be stopped by Manik.

Manik: No cabir... This is between the two of us! No one will follow us tonight..... We will come home directly, don't wait for us!!

And without waiting for a reply he pulled open the door and moved out pulling Nandini along. Nandini stayed shut, all through their way through the hotel, watching the people around. The moment they reached the empty parking lot she spoke up,

Nandini: Manik leave me.... Manik its hurting!!

Manik ignored her words and walked straight to her car that was parked at the other end, with Nandini wriggling behind him. He reached the car and opened the drivers seat door, to the driver who was waiting for them.

Manik: Get out!! And leave the keys....

Manik said furiously. The driver looked at him and then at Nandini as he stepped out immediately.

Nandini: Manik.... Let him drive!

Manik: Get into the car Nandini....

Nandini: Manik listen to me, its a left hand drive, u rn't used to it just-

Nandini tried to explain him but he stopped her in between as he held her hand and pulled her to the other side. Manik opened up the passenger seat door and forced her to sit inside before he got onto the drivers seat. The engine roared into life, as Manik fled the car out of the parking space.

Nandini clutched onto her seat in fear, realising his speed.

Nandini: Manik slow down.....

Her words made him grip the steering harder as he pressed further into the speed.

Nandini: Manik plz slow down and wear ur seat belt!!

Nandini said again, in a pleading tone this time. But Manik ignored her, she looked around her, to see that they were moving on the outskirts of the city, almost reached the highway. The entire road seemed empty, with no other vehicle around while Manik continued speeding.

Nandini: Manik slow down....

He again increased the speed of the car, this time making her panic as it reached the peak.

Nandini: MANIK STOP!!!

She shouted in frustration, Manik applied the brakes suddenly, making the car skid through the road, turning round and round over its wheels before coming to an halt at a deserted side lane.

Nandini calmed down her fast breaths closing her eyes while Manik got out immediately and slammed the door shut. Nandini flinched at the noise when she got out after him to see the black tire marks all over the road.

She walked closer to Manik when he jerked her closer and held her shoulders tight.

Manik: How could u Nandini???? How could u even think about saying something like that?? HOW!!!

Nandini looked at him right into his red eyes to see unshed tears threatening to fall down.

Manik: Does our Love hold no respect in ur eyes??

His words made tears flow out of Nandini's eyes, she got out of his hold and asked him back,

Nandini: Love.... Where is our love Manik?? Can't u see, we hv fallen apart.....

Her tears were enough to calm down Manik's anger as he moved closer towards her and cupped her face,

Manik: From where I am, I see tears in both our eyes Nandini. We r equally in pain at just the thought of being away from each other.... If this isn't love then what is?

Nandini cried harder, leaning her face further into his hands. She fell onto her knees crying her heart out. Manik immediately bent lower, sitting with her as he pulled her onto his lap, taking her in his embrace. The lonely road, now seemed like a whole new world, their world, which consisted nothing, but just the two of them....

Manik kept on caressing Nandini's hair as her tears stopped. They stayed like that for a long time until Nandini finally spoke.

Nandini: I m Lost Manik...... I m Lost!! Its as if I m in a room filled up with darkness all around, I can't see even a tiny ray of light which can help me out.... Its suffocating me!!

Manik tightened his grip around her and whispered slowly,

Manik: If u can't see anything, then simply spread ur arms and move forward, u'll find me there waiting to hold ur hand Nandini. I m always there to hold ur hand and pull u out!! Always....

Nandini: I m scared..... What if.... What if, u leave my hand again?? What if I get lost again??

Nandini whispered shivering at the thought.

Manik: Shhh..... I won't!! I would never.... Coz apart from our hands, our hearts too are connected by an invisible thread Nandini, and no darkness can break it apart....

Manik whispered back as he kissed the side of her head. A few minutes passed by when Manik felt Nandini's breath calm indicating that she had fallen asleep.

He got a bit away from her as he looked at her face, dried tears below her eyes, yet a different kind of a peace visible. He got up from the ground slowly taking her in his arms, making sure not to wake her up. He moved back to the car and opened the passenger seat door as he made her lied on the seat.

Tightening the seat belt around her he kissed her forehead slowly as he moved back to pull away, only to be stopped by her hand that had clutched his shirt tightly. A smile crept over his face, as he pulled her hand apart from his shirt.

Her eyes opened at the loss of his comfort when she whispered,

Nandini: I Love U Manik!!

Manik smiled at her as he kissed her forehead again.

Manik: I Love U too....

Nandini: Hamesha??

Came a question right then, her eyes shouting out her uncertainty as she waited for him to answer her.

Manik: Hamesha...

Manik whispered to her caressing her hair, a smile crept onto Nandini's face as her eyes dropped.

Manik: Sleep, My Love!! Sleep.....

Manik whispered to her as he slowly got away and closed the door.

Moving back onto the drivers seat, Manik got in and saw the time, 1:30 am it said. He searched his pocket for his phone, but then realised that he had left it at the club itself. Thankfully the car had a GPS system activated, as he entered the location and soon started his way back.

The drive back home was slow yet peaceful as Manik kept on looking at Nandini time and again. It was almost 2:15 when they reached home. Manik got out of the car and picked up Nandini in his arms, not willing to wake her up as he moved inside the house.

The moment he entered he noticed Fab4 and Abhi sitting in the living room, all of them in their night wears, feeling very sleepy still they waited for the duo.

Their presence was noticed by Dhruv as he got up,

Dhruv: Buddy....

All the others looked at them and immediately walked closer. Manik noticed Abhi's eyes filled with concern as they were stuck over Nandini.

Manik: Relax guys....

Abhi: Manik... Nandu?

Manik: She just fell asleep... U all should not hv waited!! Its quite late, lets just talk tmrw??

Cabir: U r right....

Aliya: I m just glad, u two are fine!!

Manik gave them a small smile as he moved ahead, straight to the stairs, and over to Nandini's room. He lied her down onto the bed and removed her heels before covering her up with the duvet and going to change.

A few minutes later, he slid into the bed beside her taking her into his arms, holding her close to his heart when he heard her whisper,

Nandini: Mani...

He moved a bit away, and looked over to her face as he saw her opening up her eyes. She looked at him right into his eyes, looking out for answers when she asked,

Nandini: Will I ever be able to become a part of your world??

Manik's heart pained remembering how he had called her an Outsider when his heart replied to her automatically,

Manik: How can u become a part of my world Nandini? When you are my entire World?

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So guys.... That is it!!

Finally, the long wait ended....

How was the part ppl??

What do u think is going to happen now?? Will Nandini still let Manik go back?? Or is this the beginning of something new??

Do share ur views on the comment section....

Love

-Navya!