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

Part 80:

"Remember all the early days, yeah

Staying up till 3 AM, yeah

Falling out of love together

And thinking it will last forever"

(Song: Circles By Ananya Birla)

The guitar pick in between her fingers, self composed music playing on the laptop and there she sat singing her heart out in the form of the song.

"Been through everything

You've seen the worst of me

You never ever ever let me down

Pieces fell apart

But it never scarred

I'm gonna be the one to say this loud"

Nandini was totally lost in her Music when she heard her phone ringing at the other end of the Music room. She smiled knowing who it would be as she continued playing,

"Wanted you to know

Without you

I'd be running in circles, running in circles

Ooh, it's true

No matter the hurt

I'll always be the one to take the fall

I'll always be the one to take the fall

I'll always be the one to take the fall"

At the continuous ringing, she got up from her place and with the music still playing in the background, she picked up the call with a broad smile on her face. She was about to greet the person when she heard a loud stern voice,

"NANDINI MOORTHY... Why r u not sleeping at this hour???"

Nandini bit her lip knowing that those idiot employees couldn't keep their mouth shut.

"Nandini.. Answer me!!" she heard Manik's voice from the other side knowing that she had to do something to calm his anger as she chipped happily.

Nandini: Mani everything else later.... I m so happy u called right now!! U know I wrote a new song, and I was singing that only but ur call interrupted me.

Manik sighed already listening to her pout even without seeing her as she continued,

Nandini: Now wait and listen, Ohk!! Tell me how is it!

Nandini said excitedly making him smile as he heard her footsteps walking back towards her chair and soon he could listen to the guitar strumming along the music.

"Remember all the temp is burning

They're laughing. through a wall, they're hurting

Saying let's seize the moment

When we wake up tomorrow

Nothin' is certain

Been through everything

You've seen the worst of me

You never ever ever let me down

Pieces fell apart

But it never scarred

I'm gonna be the one to say this loud

Wanted you to know

Without you

I'd be running in circles, running in circles

Ooh, it's true

No matter the hurt

I'll always be the one to take the fall

'Cause hurting is easy with you

I'll always be the one to take the fall

Been through everything

You've seen the worst of me

You never ever ever let me down

Pieces fell apart

But it never scarred

I'm gonna be the one to say this loud

Wanted you to know

Without you

I'd be running in circles, running in circles

Ooh, it's true

No matter the hurt

I'll always be the one to take the fall

'Cause hurting is easy with you

I'll always be the one to take the fall

'Cause hurting is easy with you

I'll always be the one to take the fall"

The guitar cords continued their magic by her fingers as she turned off the music and struck her last cord. She waited for his comments over the song but the other side was completely silent. She couldn't hear anything by him when she finally called out,

Nandini: Mani....

Manik: I love u!!

Came his instant reply making her blush to the darkest shade of red.

There is always something very special about random 'I love u's. Listening to it when u don't expect it makes our heart swoon at another level. It makes the person feel loved, cherished.

Manik: It was fabulous.... Everything about it was amazing!! The music, the guitar, the lyrics, all of it.... And Ur Voice was Magical!

Nandini smiled broadly at him and then spoke up,

Nandini: I hv to detail the music yet and then I will record it.... This is not perfect yet!

Manik sighed knowing she wouldn't leave it until she is satisfied when he remembered the reason that he called her.

Manik: Now back to the topic.... Nandini... What is this?? Its almost 3 am there, why r u not sleeping?

Yes, u guessed it right!! Manik went back to India, while Nandini is still in L.A..... Why?? Coz Rishab wanted her to spend a few days with him. And Nandini kinda forced Manik to return back. Work was pending, Fab5 was being bashed in media, and Nandini would do anything to set that right.... So here they r, Manik in India while Nandini back there in L.A.

Nandini: Manik relax na.... I will sleep soon! I just heard about the new project and u see na how are these ppl working. I hv called them online for a quick meeting. I promise I will sleep after that....

Manik: Nandini why do u hv to work so much...

Nandini: Manik... Plz... I promise I won't be up for long! And I won't even wake up early tmrw... I will take proper rest!

Manik sighed again as he asked in a slow defeated voice.

Manik: U remember ur promise right?

Nandini: Hmn... I love u ohk! And I miss u... Just 20 days left Manik... Just 20!!

Manik: Nope.... Its 19 days and 12hours more before u r back here... This time, forever! Mine!!

Nandini: Ohk, Now stop talking to me and concentrate on work. U r at office Mani....

Manik smiled slightly at her bossy tone nodding at it even when she couldn't see him.

Manik: Bye!

Nandini: Bye.....

Nandini disconencted the call and mived downstairs towards her room, as she opened up her laptop and soon started the meeting.

20 days left.... Just 20 more days for them to be away from each other coz after that they will be together, at the same place, sharing the same name.

Right the next day when Manik had proposed to Nandini, they decided to break the news to their families. Manik officially asked for her hand from Amms soon after which they had a vedio call with Dadi, Raj and Nyonika. The happiness of both the families was beyond boundaries and thus, Dadi didn't wait at all to get the mahurat for the wedding.

The pandit gave then around 4 auspicious dates to tie a knot together under the blessings of God. But Manik being Manik Malhotra chose the nearest one and everyone had no choice but to agree to him. And thus a date that was exactly 1 month away was finalised.

Rishab wished for Nandini to spend all her time with them until she got married, and Nandini could do anything but refuse to him. And Manik too decided to stay along. But then Raj handling all the work of the Malhotra Industries alone was something that Nandini didn't agree for and then the increasing interest of press in Fab5's disappearance was also a matter in hand.

So, three days after the proposal, Fab5 were back on their way to India with a long list of meetings already scheduled for them by Nandini. Each one of them got super duper busy as they reached India. Fans, Media, Productions, everyone was behind Fab5. And on top of that Their individual works too were over their head.

Fab5 got offers for a number of new albums curtusy to their recent International Launch which was a hit in itself. But they were trying to postpone it all to after the wedding.

While on the other side, Nandini was having her time of the world in L.A. Being treated special was something thag everyone wished for. But when u have two over loving brothers and just 1 month of being together, thats a totally different case.

Abhi too had left to India with fab5. He handled off some stuff at work and then got back to L.A. to spend some time with his kiddo.

Aliya had very enthusiastically taken up all the responsibilities of Manan Wedding. This time it was no distination wedding, as everyone knew that disappearing again would no where be good for Fab5. So the wedding was to be held in Mumbai itself. It wouldn't be wrong to say that it was going to be the biggest wedding ceremony of the city, after all it was The Manik Malhotra's wedding. Nyonika being the super excited Mom was step on step in the preparations with Aliya. While from the brides side, Abhi was the one helping them with the preparations.

Manik had decided that the news will be broken out to the media, just two days before the wedding when Nandini would get back to India. He wanted to introduce her to the world in a proper way, and no one seemed to be having any problem with that.

Nandini finished off the meeting and looked at the time to see it to be 4 am. She sighed in tiredness as she moved to the washroom and freshened up before changing into one of Manik's T-shirts that she had with herself. Getting into her cosy bed she dialed his number again.

Three rings later, Manik picked up the call.

Manik: Hello!!

Nandini: Good night MANI.....

Nandini said to him sweetly as per their daily habit.

Manik: Hmn...

Manik replied back in a monotone.

Nandini: The Invester Meeting started??

Nandini asked after listening to his tone when he replied.

Manik: Yes!!

Nandini: Are the new investers are going to-

Manik: Uhm... I m in a meeting I'll talk to u later!! And yes, plz for once do what u r told to do....

Manik said calmly to her making her chuckle.

Nandini: Ohk.... Good night! I love u...

Manik: Same to u...

Manik replied in very clipped tone knowing she was deliberately trying to irritate him in the meeting.

Nandini: Monster Manik...

Nandini muttered over the phone as she disconnected it. Manik heard her words as a smirk crept over his face.

"Uhm uhm..."

He heard Raj clear his throaght to get his attention back into the meeting. Manik straightened up at this and resumed the meeting while Nandini on the other side pulled her warm duvet over her head as she remembered the day Manik had left from there.

Flashback:

The day before Fab5 had to leave, Manik though had agreed to go back but he was still angry at Nandini for forcing him for it.

It was late after dinner when Nandini entered Manik's room to see him throwing his clothes into the suitcase as he packed his stuff.

Manik looked up at her but ignored her presence as he continued his work. Nandini moved closer and sat onto his bed as she started taking up all the clothes from his bag and folding them properly before arranging it back into the bag properly. Manik saw her doing so, but still stayed shut as he threw the rest of his stuff inside it. He soon moved towards the table and collected his laptop and a few office files into another bag while Nandini sorted out his outfit for the next day and packed up the rest.

Manik finished his work a few minutes later and sat on the bed side, facing his back to her. Nandini noticed him but still didn't say anything as she packed up his bag. Finishing off with it soon, she zipped it close before moving closer towards Manik as she took him in a back hug.

Manik stiffened at her touch when he heard her whisper.

Nandini: I will Miss U....

A sigh escaped his mouth as he turned around towards her and scooped her into his arms making her sit onto his lap. Nandini wrapped her arms tight around him and hid her face into the crook of his neck.

They stayed like that for a long time until she heard his soft voice.

Manik: Plz tell me u will take care of urself Nandini!!

His voice came out pained almost breaking as Nandini looked up at him to see a pained sadness into his eyes.

Nandini: Mani!!!

Manik: I can't forget it Nandini.... I just can't forget that night. U were right there in front of me, totally lost, with no idea of all those glass pieces piercing ur skin. I m scared..... What if, it happens again and I m not here, I m not there to calm u down... I can't afford to loose u Nandini!! I can't.

He hugged her tight, holding her close to himself. Nandini moved her fingers into his hair curling with his soft locks.

Nandini: I m gonna be completely alright Manik... Relax!

She whispered to him only to hv him break the hug as he asked her.

Manik: How will u sleep without me?

Nandini cupped his face and made him look to a side where a few of his T-shirts were kept outside the bag.

Nandini: I will hv u close to me in anyway I can right.... And if I won't be able to sleep even after this, then I will call u and then u will sing me to sleep.

Manik: And what if I don't pick up ur call??

Nandini glared at him as she moved both her hands around his neck.

Nandini: U will... Coz its my order!! U can't ignore my call even for once in all these days. No matter at what time I call, I don't care if u r in a meeting or in a recording. My calls are must!!

Manik: Ohk then promise me that this is applied to u too... U can't avoid my calls, U will take proper care of urself, U will take proper sleep daily, U will stay away from all sorts of danger... And no getting back to any pills, no sleeping pills, no antidepressants, nothing!! Remember I m just one call away, even if I receive a three word msg from u that 'U need me!!', I promise I will ask no further question and fly over to here as soon as I can.

Nandini smiled at his words as a lone tear slipped down her eyes but she nodded nonetheless and whispered,

Nandini: I promise...

Manik cupped her face into his palms as he kissed away her tear, before smashing his lips onto hers.

Nandini's grip onto his hair tightened as she kissed him back. Manik's hand moved towards her waist as he gripped her tight, closer to himself.

They kissed for what seemed like forever until Manik broke the kiss resting his forehead along with hers.

Manik: What r u doing to me Nandini?? I loose all control over myself just by ur presence!!

Nandini calmed down her breath as she tightened her grip on his hair. She moved back a little looking straight into his eyes before bending forward for another kiss. Manik smiled at her, his gaze locked over her lips as he jerked her closer by the back of her waist.

"Kiddo I m also goi-..... Ohh shit!! Sorry!!"

Nandini jumped away from Manik listening to the voice behind them as she got down Manik's lap. Both of them looked around to see abhi at the door with his back towards them.

Abhi: I m so sorry... I'll come later!!

Manik: Abhi Hang on.... Wait!!

Manik stopped him as he got up from the bed. Abhi stopped at his words and turned around to see Manik standing, while Nandini was still on the bed, her gaze fixed downwards while her face was flustered in embarrassment.

Abhi: Umn... I... I just came to inform that I will also be accompanying u guys to India tmrw morning...

Nandini: Why??

Abhi: I hv some work to take care of. Its been too long that I hv been ignoring it, but now I guess I hv to go.

Nandini: But I m staying here for u guys... At least be here for that!

Nandini said pouting at him making both the guys smile.

Abhi: I'll be back in 3-4 days max, just let me finish off the work!!

Nandini sighed nodding at him as she walked closer and hugged him.

Nandini: Be back soon or I'll kick ur ass...

Abhi chuckled nodding towards her when he broke the hug.

Abhi: Ohk now, I hv a few important calls to make to India. I'll leave u two alone!!

With that he turned around and moved out of the room when he stopped and called her again.

Abhi: And yes Kiddo??

Nandini: Hmn...

Abhi: Plz do lock the door... I m not quite sure, if I can handle witnessing such scenes, especially when its my baby sister....

The momemt the words left his mouth Manik couldn't help but laugh out loud while Nandini's mouth hung open. Abhi smiled at them and winked at Nandini before walking away.

Nandini saw his retrieving figure and finally got words in her mouth as she shouted,

Nandini: Firstly, I m not a Baby.... And Secondly, Shut up!!!

She slammed the door shut and got in as Manik continued to Laugh.

Nandini: Manik that was not funny.... He is my brother!!!

Manik controlled his laughter as he walked closer towards her and pulled her into a hug.

Manik: God how will I spend this month without u!!!

Flashback Ends!!

Nandini smiled at the memory of the day as she snuggled into her bed and went off to sleep.

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

Manik back to India.....

Small separation again!!

But don't worry its not gonna extend much...

What do u think about this part guys???

Love

Navya!