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

Part 78:

Nandini's pov:

Bliss!

Satisfaction!

Contentment!

This is all I feel right now as I look around me... The stars above too seem happy enough to be twinkling so bright. And here I stand finally with some clarity of What my future holds for me....

Wondering for the answer??? Well, its clear.... No matter what happens from here, I know the constant and the definite part of my future is MANIK...

Its been four days since things cleared out between the two of us, and honestly... These four days hv been the best days of my life.

Why?

Coz this time it was Manik and me, the real me.... Who didn't hv any guilt killing her, that she was hiding her entire past, her identity from him.

I could talk anything and everything to him now, not hving to put a filter over my words, to hide my past. And I love this feeling!!

I looked around behind my back to see all my friends scattered in my room as they feel asleep in the middle of a movie marathon. Dhruv was the only one awake by the time we noticed the other, so he picked up his wife in his arms and walked her to their room.

Mukti sat there on the bed, sleeping with her head resting over Abhi's shoulder while Cabir slept with his head on her lap. And there he was, Manik... My Mani... Sitting on the floor with his head on the resting on the bed as he slept with his mouth open.

I chuckled at him and turned around to the balcony railing as I looked up and smile at the stars. The same smile at they liked.

Nandini: I love u Amma-Apppa!! I love u a lot....

I said as I stared at the two stars next to each other, shining more than any other in the entire sky.

Nandini: Appa, I know u must be mad at ur princess.... And why would u not be, after all I never ever talked to u before... But ask Amma, I always looked up to u... Always!! Without fail..... I know u guys waited for me to look at u right?

A tear flowed down my eyes as I stared right up to them, my eyes searching for some signs telling me that they were actually listening to me.

Nandini: But now everything as changed Appa.... Now I m happy, ur princess is truly happy!! But I know, u can already see that right..... U always knew about my emotions just by looking at me.

A smile crept over my face remembering my time with Appa.

Nandini: I miss u Appa.... I miss how we used to sit together, late at night staring at the stars. When u used to make Hot chocolate for me and then we used to sit together as I told u everything that happened in my life.... Abhi too joined us often as the three of us talked together for hours until Amma used to scold u for letting us be awake till that late....

A chuckle escaped my mouth at the memory as fresh tears flowed down.

Nandini: I hv so much to talk to u Appa..... So much as happened in these years, and I never got a chance to tell u anything. I wish u were here now, things would hv been even better. I would hv told u about India, about how Dadi took care of me, about my job for which I know u would hv been so so proud of me.... And also about Fab5, about Nyonika Aunty and Raj Uncle..... There is so so much to tell u!!!

I looked down as I held my bracelet, that I was wearing. It was the same infinity bracelet that Manik had gifted me, as a symbol of Humesha, on the day when he first confessed his love for me.... ( If any of u forgot Manan Confession, get back guys and Read Part 44, 45 again😉) I looked back up clutching the bracelet.

Nandini: And Manik!! Amma, I still remember how u always teased Appa for being so attached to me. Of course, after all a girl has to go away someday..... But Appa always contradicted u and said that he would find a prince for me, who would love me as much as u do!! I found him Appa.... I found him, but u r not here by my side for me to introduce u to him...

A fresh stream of tears flowed down my eyes, blurring my vision, but I didn't look down... I kept on looking up when I felt warm fingers on my cold face, wiping off my tears. Closing my eyes at his touch, I rested my back on his front, taking in his presence.

Nandini: I miss them!

I whispered more to myself than too him when I felt him brush his lips on the side of my head.

Manik: They r always with u... Watching u everytime!! And feeling proud on seeing the kind of a person u hv made out of urself...

Manik's words made me open my eyes as I looked at his face.

Nandini: Really??

Manik: Yes... Maybe u don't realise it! But Nandini I m proud of what u r.... U hv learnt ur lessons from each and every step of ur life and u hv made urself much much more stronger and better.

I took in his words as my gaze shifted back towards the stars.

Manik: They r very proud of u Nandini....

I nodded at his words smiling slightly as he pulled me into a hug.

Pov ends.

Manik's Pov:

I woke up on the ground still resting on the bed when I felt Nandini's absence next to me. She had been sitting with her head on my shoulder while we watched the movie. I caught Abhi glancing towards the two of us, from time to time as a smile took over his place each time. I knew Nandini's happiness was his top most priority and something inside this, told me a lot about Abhi as a person....

Maybe that was the reason why I had no problem when I got to know about him hving feelings for Mukti. I can see that he is a great guy, and he would never break Mukti's heart.

When I woke up, I got up to searched for Nandini when I saw her in the balcony, talking to her parents as she looked up at the stars. She was complaining to them how she had so much to tell them about everyone. I heard her talk about me in the end when I moved forward and wiped her tears.

I talked to her for sometime calming her down as we sat on the couch when I decided to bring up something that I was trying from the past two days.

Manik: Nandini, stop underestimating urself. I see that proudness in Abhi's eyes when he looks at u. I see it in Amms' eyes, and even in Rishab's.

As I felt Nandini stiffen immediately at Rishab's name as she broke out of my arms and sat straight.

Manik: Nandini... What happened?

I asked her softly not wanting her to shut me off if I say anything directly. I clearly noticed ow sensitive this matter made her and I would never want to hurt her, even in my dreams.

Nandini: Manik, if I ask u something will u answer me truthfully??

She suddenly asked me back as she turned towards me looking right into my eyes.

I cupped her face as I pulled her close again as I replied honestly,

Manik: Anything Nandini.... I would never lie to u!

She rested her head onto my chest as I felt her release a long breath.

Nandini: Do u really think I should forgive Rishab?

Pov ends!!

Manik: Why does anything that I think matter Nandini?? This is u, this is what happened in ur before I entered, this is what made u what u r today, this is what got u away from ur family and ur passion..... It is u and only u who can decide what u hv to do!!!

Nandini tightened her grip on his bicep shivering at his words. Manik wrapped his arm around her as he rubbed her back.

Nandini: I don't know Manik.... I really don't know!!! Its just that whenever I see him or even hear his name, all those dreadful words come rushing back to my mind like it happened just yesterday...

And this time her words left him speechless. None of the two said anything for a long time when Manik felt her getting sleepy.

Manik: Nandini.... Can I ask something?

Nandini: Hmn...

Manik: Did my words too cause u the same agony as his....

Nandini heard his voice as a soft murmur almost choking up which caused all her drowsiness to fly away as she looked up at him to see guilt flashing bright in his eyes. Nandini immediately cupped her face as she kissed his cheek.

Nandini: I was hurt that u didn't realise what u said Manik.... I knew it was just the wrong timing, that u said all of it. Dadi was serious, u were feeling helpless and angry, which u simply took out on me..... Ur words did hurt me, but I had faith u would come and apologize!!! What I didn't know was how would I be able to forgive u! But now, all I did was to delete that day from my mind and I want u as well to do that.... We don't want to carry such hurtful memories with us to our bright future.

Manik hugged her immediately, feeling lucky to hv a girl like her love him so much. And thinking on it now, he knew no one else could deal with him the way Nandini does... She was the only one for him! Silence took over them again until Manik said to her,

Manik: Its late... I think we should go n sleep!

Nandini nodded at him as they moved in to see Abhi, Mukti and Cabir still sleeping over each other, yet not comfortably. Nandini smiled at them as she moved forward and sat on the bed. She slowly shaked Cabir's shoulder waking him up.

Cabir opened up his eyes a bit when she whispered,

Nandini: U'll get a back pain sleeping like this....

Cabir got up at her words as he rubbed his eyes and noticed that he was sleeping on Mukti's lap.

Nandini moved around the bed and patted at Abhi's shoulder.

Nandini: Abhi.... Abhi wake up!

Abhi jerked his face at her voice and opened up his eyes when Nandini kept a finger on her lips pointing towards mukti who was sleeping on his shoulder.

Nandini: Make her comfortable here.... And u also should go and get some proper sleep!

Abhi nodded at her and slowly lifted off Mukti's head face, as he got off the bed and made Mukti lie down comfortably. Nandini wrapped the duvet over here as they all moved out after closing the lights.

Cabir: Chalo guys.... Good night!

Cabir said with a yawn as he moved towards his room.

Manik: Night cabir....

Manik said at his back.

Abhi: I'll also get going.... Night Manik, night kiddo!

Nandini: Good night...

Nandini said as Abhi dropped a kiss at the side of her head. The two of them entered Manik's room while Abhi walked away.

Both of them lied down on the bed as Manik took Nandini in his arms, with her head on his chest.

Manik: Nandini.... Situations could be cruel.... And I hv no better example to this than my own! I was lucky enough to find u on the right time, and come here behind u.... But 4 years back, Rishab wasn't that lucky. He couldn't find u to accept his fault and apologize. What if it wasn't him but just the situations that acted cruel??

Nandini heard his words loud and clear but said nothing in reply. She just hugged him tighter digging her face into his chest. Manik kissed her hair wrapping both his arms around her, as he enveloped her into his arms, as if making her feel his shield around herself.

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The next morning, everyone was sitting at the table and planning the day. It was Sunday and they had all decided to drive upto the Moorthy Farm House and spend the day there. All of them were busy planning about what to take and what not to while Nandini stayed shut.

Manik noticed her silence as he slowly kept his hand over hers on the table, pressing it slightly. Nandini snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him when he asked softly,

Manik: U Ohk?

Nandini smiled at him entwining her fingers with his. They continued with their breakfast, as Nandini to got into the discussion. None of the two tried to take their hand away as they simply ate from the other hand. All of them had almost finished their breakfast when Nandini who was talking to aliya, suddenly turned towards Abhimanyu.

Nandini: Abhi...

Abhi looked up from his phone when she called him and said,

Abhi: Yup?

Nandini: I.... I wanted to ask... No, I mean...

Nandini fumbled in her words gathering everyone's attention as the table went silent to listen to her.

Nandini looked down at her plate as she took a long breath and then looked up at him again.

Nandini: Invite Anjali, Nayan and... Rishab too if they are free today!

Abhi's eyes widened at her words while the others too seemed shocked.

Abhi: Kiddo... Are u sure?

Nandini shook her head in a no looking down again as she replied,

Nandini: Plz No questions Abhi.... Don't make me think it through again, I already hv spent the entire night over this....

Abhi shut his mouth at her words, when his eyes fell over Manik, who was smiling sitting next to her. Manik pressed her hand once that was still held by her, making her turn towards him. He blinked his eyes at her once and bent closer as he whispered into her ears making sure no one hears him.

Manik: I m proud of u! And remember one thing, I m always there with u, no matter what u decide from now...

Nandini closed her eyes at his words and nodded slightly as Manik moved away. He turned towards Abhi and winked at him making everyone at the table smile broadly as Abhi pulled out his phone and called someone keeping the phone on speaker.

Rishab: Hello!!

Abhi: Rishab bhai... Good morning!!

Rishab: Morning Abhi....

Came rishab's voice from the other end making Nandini stare at the phone as she clutched Manik's hand tighter.

Abhi: Bhai... Any plans for today??

Abhi asked with a smile as he looked up at Nandini, who was still staring at the phone in his hand.

Rishab: Not much.... I hv to head to vegas in an hour, finally got the chance for that meeting with-

Rishab started saying but Abhi cut him in between as he said,

Abhi: Nandu wanted to invite u if u wanna come to the farm house today with all of us....

His words made rishab numb in between his words. They all waited for his answer when Abhi said again.

Abhi: Bhai.. U there?

Rishab: Nandu invited me??

Rishab asked in a low voice, his surprise as well as his happiness clear even on the phone.

Abhi: Yes...

Abhi said smiling broadly.

Rishab: Of course I will come with u all... Definitely!!

Abhi: Great, ask Bhabhi and Nayan also to get ready. We leave in an hour!!

Rishab: Absolutely.... I'll be there in exactly an hour...

Rishab chipped happily when finally Nandini spoke up softly yet in a strong voice.

Nandini: If someone has any important work or meeting to attend then we can shift over this plan to some other day!

Rishab: Nothing could be more important for me than this Nandu!!

Rishab replied back to her.

Nandini nodded at him, even though he couldn't see it and said,

Nandini: Then I'll see u.... Excuse me Guys!

Nandini gave a curt nod to Abhi as she got up from her chair, and left Manik's hand before walking away straight to her room.

All of them saw her retrieving figure until they heard her room's door close.

Manik: Sorry guys.... I'll be back!! Lets all just get ready and meet in some time...

Manik said as the others smiled and nodded. He got up and was about to move upstairs when he heard rishab's voice from the phone.

Rishab: Manik.... Thank u!! Thank u very much...

They heard his voice choke over the phone as he disconnected the call. Manik looked up at Abhi, who had a smile on his face with slight tears threatening to fall down. Manik patted his back as he moved up.

He entered Nandini's room to find her sitting on the bed with a blank expression on his face as she stared at something on her lap. Manik moved closer and sat next to her when he noticed a picture on her lap.

Nandini caressed the picture having 3 kids, 2 of them fully covered with mud while the third, who looked the elder one held a pipe in his hand as he washed them clean.

Nandini: Whenever Appa asked us not to do something.... Abhi and I always did that only and he always saved us from getting caught. First he saved us, and then even if he failed sometime, Abhi took the entire thing over himself. They never let anyone get over to me, not even Appa!!

Manik wrapped his arm around her as Nandini kept the picture aside.

Nandini: I'll get ready soon.... Or we will get late!

Manik turned towards her as she smiled broadly, her smile reflected over his face as he nodded. Nandini got up and moved into the walk-in closet to get ready while Manik moved out of the room.

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Everyone was ready to leave as Abhi asked the servants to keep their stuff in the car's trunk.

Manik: Where are these girls Man??

Manik said looking at the time as he shouted.

Manik: Nandini, Mukti, Aliya..... Come on girls, we r just going for a day out. What r u getting ready for???

Cabir: Chill Manik... U know how these girls are!

Manik sighed at him and turned around only to find Rishab entering with Anjali and Nayan.

Nayan: Gud morning uncle...

Nayan chipped on seeing cabir who smiled broadly at her and picked her up in his arms.

Cabir: Good morning doll....

Anjali: Cabir... U do hv ur way with kids!! She can't stop gushing over how cute u r...

Anjali said smiling over Nayan who was busy with Cabir.

Cabir looked up at her words and was about to say something when Manik beat him at it.

Manik: Chill Anjali.... Not just kids, he has his way with everyone!! All thats missing is a red nose and there he is, Everyone's Favorite Clown....

All of them chuckled at it while Cabir said,

Cabir: Haha very funny Manik Malhotra.... Well we all saw who had a red nose a few days back, thanks to Nayan here....

Manik glared at Cabir remembering Nandini's prank while the others laughed. Manik noticed Rishab, as he looked nervous with his gaze shifting to the stairs again and again. He blinked his eyes at him asking him to calm down as they all sat.

Cabir: Ohk thats enough...

Cabir said as he got up.

Cabir: GIRLS.... We r leaving u!!!

He shouted upstairs when Mukti's voice came.

Mukti: My ears will start bleeding at ur annoying voice cabir! Shut up...

And right on cue Mukti and Nandini walked down closely followed by Aliya who was busy checking stuff in her hand bag, not wanting to forget anything.

Nandini: Where is the fire Cabir?? Why r u shouting?

Cabir: For god's sake girls spare me ur tantrums, go irritate ur guys but yes before that.... Plz lets just leave now!

Mukti hit cabir at his words as they reached downstairs, when the girls noticed Rishab and Anjali.

Nandini stopped at the last step looking at Rishab who was looking downwards at his hands avoiding her gaze. She shifted her gaze towards Manik who nodded at her with a smile.

Nandini turned back at Rishab waiting for him to look at him but he didn't. No one said anything for a few minutes when finally Nandini said in a small voice.

Nandini: Have I cursed u so much that u r not even willing u look up at me Bhai??

Rishab looked up, only to find her eyes filled with tears as he rushed towards her and engulfed her into a hug.

Rishab: I m so so so sorry..... I m sorry!!!

Rishab said kissing her hair again and again while Nandini kept on crying.

Nandini: I m sorry as well....

Rishab broke the hug cupping her face as he wiped off her tears.

Rishab: Enough of crying.... No more tears for u!! Now I will keep u like a princess, like Appa always did... I won't ever let u go away from me.... Ever!! I love u....

Nandini: I love u too Bhai!!!!

Nandini said as she smiled hugging him again as Abhi too jumped over Rishab's back.

Abhi: Don't forget me guys....

Nandini laughed at him as she moved away while Rishab fell over the couch by Abhi's weight.

Nayan: Me too...

Nayan shouted as she got down Cabir's arms and jumped over her father and Abhi.

All the others laughed out loud at Rishab's grunting voice, abhi too heard it as he got off him taking Nayan along.

Mukti: Now this day is gonna be even more fun!!

Dhruv: Right!! So ppl... Shall we??

Dhruv asked them holding on Aliya's hand as they all moved out of the house.

Rishab wrapped his arm around Nandini's shoulder, Abhi too joining in from her other side as they walked out along with the others.

They reached the car, when Nandini looked around with a frown.

Nandini: Manik??

She whispered to herself as she stopped. Breaking out of the grasp of both her brothers she turned around only to find Manik standing at the door itself, his hands folded across his chest as he smiled at her happiness.

Nandini shook her head at him and walked towards him. She reached in front of him and asked,

Nandini: What r u smiling at?

Manik smiled broader standing straight as he took a step closer to her.

Manik: At this happiness on ur face.... Coz I finally see it complete!!

Nandini held his hand looking up at him,

Nandini: My happiness is never complete without u..... Come!

On the other hand, Rishab looked at Nandini was she pushed his hands off her and turned to find Manik. Abhi noticed his face drop as he kept his hand on Rishab's shoulder.

Abhi: Its not just the two of us for her anymore!!

Rishab nodded at him as they saw her walking back holding manik's hand.

Manik: Umn... Guys!! U all carry on, I hv some work.

He turned towards Nandini and continued,

Manik: I'll join u soon....

Nandini: But-

Manik: No ifs no buts... I hv to go!

Manik said as he took his hand out of hers and moved towards the other car.

Cabir: But Manik where....

Manik stopped for a second thinking about something and then turned,

Manik: U know what cabir..... U r coming with me.... Fast!

Manik took the key from the driver and opened up the car,

Manik: Abhi... Just send me the location of the farm house, we'll be there soon....

Nandini: But Manik... Listen!

Manik: Nandini.... Spend some time with Rishab, I'll be back even before u realise my absence. I promise....

Nandini nodded at him as they saw the car get into life as he moved off.

Mukti: This guy gets crazy sometimes....

Mukti said as they all got into the car leaving for the farm house!

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Nandini and Rishab back together!! I wanted the reunion to be a bit simple and free of drama.... I hope I did justice to it....

Do comment on how was the part guys!!

What do u think Manik is upto now?? Keep thinking until the next time!!😉

Love

-Navya😘