Rishab: Nandini Di.... Dii wake up! We r here....
Rishab said as he woke Nandini up after the flight landed in Goa. It was just a 45 min flight, but after a long day at work, they decided to rest on the flight.

Navya too woke Cabir up while the others were already standing ready to get down the flight.

Mukti: Finally.... Goa!! Here we r...
Mukti smiled brightly as Nandini opened up her eyes.

Rishab: Come on Di... Get up na...
Rishab chuckled at her sleeping form.

Nandini got up from her place and rubbed her eyes as she whined,
Nandini: I still need sleep!

They all took their hand bags and got down the flight. Heading towards the baggage collect, they discussed excitedly about the trip. When Manik looked at Nandini behind him and stepped to her side.

Manik: Nandini.... Sunglasses??? Its 7:30 in the evening... Its dark out there!

Nandini: What? Do u expect me to be roaming around in sleepy eyes... I just woke up! I'd look like a hobo if I remove these....

Manik chuckled at her exaggeration and shook his head.
Manik: U look beautiful, no matter what!

Nandini rolled her eyes at his comment as if he could see it through the dark glasses but still ignored his words and continued walking ahead as the others looked for them. They collected their bags from the counter and head out to the car waiting for them.

Half an hour later, the driver stops the car at the Malhotra's Holiday House in Goa.

Navya: Nice place Manik....
Navya said getting down the car as she looked at the Mansion in front of them.

Mukti: Navya just hv a look inside... U'll hv ur mouth dropping at the backside view!! Its a long ranged private beach.
Mukti smiled broad in front of her as they straightened up.

Manik: Guys... Leave the bags here itself, the staff will get it... Come!
Manik said to them as they entered the house.

They all roamed around the house, looking around excitedly when aliya noticed Nandini standing at the same place quietly.

Aliya: What happened Nandini? Why r u so silent....

All of them turned towards her listening to aliya when Nandini frowned,
Nandini: I just need a bed to crash...

All of them chuckled at her when Manik said,
Manik: Come... I'll show u guys the rooms.

With that they moved up the stairs in the middle of the living room to the lobby on the first floor. They stood there seeing rooms on both sides of lobby.

Manik: Ohk so I don't really want to be killed by mom so we r not going to touch her room. Other than that, everything is free for us to  use..... So that leaves us with 8 free rooms, we r 9, so someone has to share.

Cabir: Dude... Me and Navya in one!

Abhi: Same with Mukti and me....

Cabir and Abhi said immediately making everyone smile. Manik looked at them with amused expressions but refrained from commenting anything.

Manik: Ohk love birds, as u wish rest of us can take up any room we want-
He was interrupted in his words as they heard a door open, they turned to the right and saw Nandini entering the second room before she closed the door behind her back.

Cabir: Woah.... Sleepy Nandini is cranky!!
Cabir chuckled at them when Manik rolled his eyes.

Manik: Better not disturb her at this time,  I faced the consequences when I did!

Manik remembered Nandini's prank when she had gone to his place and shook his head at her idea.
Mukti: wow.... Looking at ur expression it seems u clearly didn't enjoy!! What did she do?

Manik: Don't even ask yr..... This girl is crazy!!
Manik muttered as he moved ahead.

Manik: Ohk guys.... U hv one hour, dinner after that, so lets gather into the living room at 9.

All of them nodded at it and took their rooms. Manik chose the room right next to Nandini, while Rishab was on her other side followed by Mukbhi at the corner. While Aliya, dhruv and Cavya took the rooms at the left lobby.

Exactly an hour later, they all gathered downstairs. Girls were in comfortable night dresses while Guys got on shorts and vests. But Nandini still didn't arrive.

Rishab: Ohk I m not taking the risk of waking up Di!!

All of them looked at each other when Rishab turned towards Manik.
Rishab: Manik Bhaiya.... U know only u can do so.... Plz!

Manik smiled at him and patted his back as he moved upstairs.
Aliya: These guys r so-

Aliya was about to say something when she noticed Rishab and stopped in her tracks. Rishab too noticed this and smiled as he took a seat next to cabir.

Rishab: Chill Di!!! I don't know about u all, but I m totally shipping them together.

All of then turned towards him shocked, when he chuckled.
Rishab: Come on don't look at me like that. One look at the two of them and any one can know they r the one for each other.

Cabir: Superb.... Guys we hv another member included in our mission.
Cabir said loudly wrapping his arm around Rishab's shoulder.

Rishab: What mission??

Aliya: Mission MaNan....

Rishab: MaNan???

Cabir: Manik Nandini.... MaNan....
Cabir said dramatically making Rishab laugh.

-----------------------
Manik's pov:

I entered Nandini's room after knocking a few times only to find her sleeping peacefully, cuddling with the pillow.

Her legs were pulled up to her chest and her head lying over her hands. I couldn't help the smile that slowly came over my face, or the swell in my chest. She was sleeping, so peacefully, so beautifully, that I had a feeling that this wasn't real... She wasn't real.

I walked up to her slowly, not wanting to wake her up abruptly. Gently, I brushed the hair falling on her face and sat beside her, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest.  Her eyes were closed with such Aww on her face that told me that she was in some other world, far away from all the troubles of this life. I couldn't help but bend forward until I brushed my lips on her cheek, so lightly that I wasn't even sure that I touched her.

Slowly moving back I cupped her cheek and called out her name with as much tenderness as I could ever use.
"Nandini..... Nandini wake up!!"

She moved in her sleep only to take my hand from her cheek and entwine our fingers together before sleeping over it again.

"Nandini.... Everyone is waiting for u!! Get up..."
She slowly opened up her eyes looking directly at me as a small smile crept over her lips.

Nandini: Your voice is infectious Manik....
She murmured at me before leaving my hand and rubbing her eyes.

Pov ends!

Nandini: Are we going somewhere?
She asked him slowly.

Manik: No... But I hv arranged something for tonight... Everyone is downstairs, waiting for u!
Manik said still in his sweet voice as Nandini sat up.

Nandini: Just give me five, I'll be downstairs..

She told him at which he nodded and simply left her room. He reached downstairs to see everyone settled at the dining table hving dinner.

Manik joined them all getting into a conversation over who is a better caption, Dhoni or Kohli! Well that's a never ending topic and it continued. Around the minutes later, and still the conversation was on,

Mukti: No ways yr... Kohli is the best!
Aliya: Absolutely.... I m with Mukti over this!

Cabir: Rubbish, hv u ever seen Dhoni pay, he is a God of Cricket.

Nandini: Dhoni is the master blaster of India guys.... And no one can deny that!! And Mukti, Kohli is good, but he can't take Dhoni's place.

(What do u think guys??😉)

All of them heard her voice as she walked towards the table smiling.

Cabir: There u r!! See one more vote to Dhoni...

Nandini joined the table taking a place next to Cabir and Manik, sitting in front of Rishab.
Nandini: Sorry guys, I m late!

Aliya: Oh its fine... U seemed too tired earlier.

Cabir: Well that was bcoz she had spent almost the entire day standing over her team and getting the designs ready.

Nandini: Come on Cabir... No work talk, we r on a holiday!
Nandini said as she served herself some food.

Nandini: Rishu, u comfortable....
Nandini asked looking up at Rishab who smiled at her and was about to say something when Mukti said before him.

Mukti: Relax Nandini.... Don't be all caring elder sister on him. And plus, Rishab is now a part of us, we all hv got quite similar thoughts. Right rishab?

All of them smiled knowing what Mukti meant   to say whIle Rishab too nodded holding back his laughter. Nandini looked at them confused but still said,
Nandini: Not that I understood what u were trying to say but I guess that's fine for now....

Dhruv: So Rishab, what plans for college!

Rishab: I m joining Space Academy.... Finished with the admission process yesterday itself.

Manik: Ohh right, guys... I went to Space yesterday with Nandini and Rishab. Its been long, we hvn't been there together. The music room seemed to be calling us!

Aliya: Yeah... I miss that place!

Rishab: Knowing all the stories about all of u from Manik Bhaiya... I m even more excited now to start with College.

Navya: U r lucky that u only hv to listen to the stories.... U would hv cursed ur life, if u were a student there when Fab5 ruled the place.
Navya said as she remembered her college days.

Fab5 giggled at her words when Abhi muttered,
Abhi: True that...

Nandini looked at all of them surprised as she asked,
Nandini: Why Navya? U all r friends from college only right?

Navya: We were anything but friends... If not for Abhi, I usually shivered in fear just by the name of Fab5, especially Manik.

Manik laughed out loud at this while Aliya chimed.
Aliya: Aww Navya... U know we loved u!

Navya: Right...
Navya muttered rolling her eyes.

Rishab: But then what changed the equation?? What made u friends with them?
Rishab asked looking up from his plate.

Navya: To go first, it was Abhi as he was hell bent over his undying love for Mukti, which made him chase her day and night....
Navya said as she looked over at Abhi and Mukti smiling at each other.

Manik: But then as much time it took Mukti to melt down, Cabir was already head over heels for his favorite Madhubala...
Manik said teasing Cavya as a blush crept over Navya's face.

Nandini: So cute Navya.... U could give competition to tomatoes right now!!
Nandini teased Navya as the table erupted in laughter.

15 minutes later, they were all done with their dinner when Manik said,
Manik: Guys... I hv done some arrangements! Come...

Dhruv: U r so full of surprises dude...
Dhruv said as they all followed him to the door to the back side.

They all moved out of the house to find a mesmerising view as the sea lay in front of them. It was a private beach so there was no one present leading to a peaceful silence around.

Nandini: This is so peaceful!!!
Nandini smiled as she looked up straight at the point where the black sky met the ocean with stars shining up ahead while the water glittered under the moonlit sky.

Everyone seemed to be mesmerized by the scenario when Manik called them out.
Manik: Guys....

They turned towards their right, on his voice only to find him standing there with a smile. They shifted their gaze behind him to see a bonfire arrangement ready for them with mattresses and beach chairs around the fire.

Mukti: Woah....
Mukti said as they all moved towards him and Mukti threw her arms around him.

Navya: This is amazing!!

Rishab: I guess a perfect start for this trip....

All of them moved forward and took their seats. Manik and Dhruv took over the chairs while the others sat over the mattresses. Rishab sat next to Nandini and lied down, resting his head over her lap, making nandini smile at him.

Mukbhi sat together as Mukti took a seat in between Abhi's legs who wrapped his arms around her. While Navya and Cabir too sat together with Cabir's arm around her shoulder.

Aliya: No matter what u actually feel Manik.... It may be Unknowingly, but u did create quite a Romantic atmosphere here!! Good job!

Manik looked over to the two couples and smiled shaking his head at them.
Dhruv: Well Rishab here seems to be enjoying the most!

All of them looked at Rishab who smiled at them broadly,
Rishab: Hey that's coz I m lucky! Don't spoil it for me Bhaiya....

Nandini hit rishab on his cheek listening to this while the rest of them laughed out loud.

Nandini: So Navya... Now tell me, when u joined college first, what was Fab5.
Nandini said turning up towards Navya.

Navya: Terror....
Navya said directly as they all laughed out loud.

Navya: Fab5 were a year senior to me, and they were literally waiting for us to enter so that they could start some fun in their life. And me being the idiot one, entered the lion's den on the very first day.

Mukti: Navya bombarded our practise session early morning on her very first day.

Navya: The worst thing I could ever do!!

Rishab: Why do u say so??
Rishab asked getting interested into the conversation.

Navya: As a result, I was locked into a dustbin in the College garden, that too with babbu....
Fab5 chuckled at it while Nandini sucked in a breath.

Nandini: What?? Dustbin...

Aliya: Manik's idea!!
Aliya smiled while Nandini turned towards Manik, wide eyed.

Manik shrugged at it as he added a few more logs into the fire.

Rishab: Who's babbu...

Mukti: That was Bob!! Aliya's rat...

Nandini: That's evil....
Nandini chimed while Navya simply smiled.

Navya: Dhruv got me out at 11 in the night.... I was damn scared. But that didn't stop them. The next day itself I was showered with eggs in the college Canteen. Well that was just the start, their pranks continued on and on and I kept on suffering, crying each time. I became friends with Abhi who was crazy about Mukti. On one side, he gave me strength against Fab5 while on the other, he kept on getting closer to them as he irritated Mukti day and night.

Aliya: Cabir being the softy, fell for Navya sooner. None of us knew it, but then whenever we did something, he saved her from it. Eventually Manik confronted him and Cabir confessed.

Navya: Well after that there was a sudden change in them... They befriended Abhi n me, even though that increased Abhi's irritating behavior. With time everything changed... And here I m, after 5 years of knowing them and around 4 years of being their friend.

Rishab smiled at them while Nandini looked and Manik and muttered,
Nandini: Monster!!

Cabir: Monster??? Well yeah ppl could call him that a few years back. But then u can't Nandini!

Nandini: And why me specifically...
Nandini asked turning towards Cabir but Abhi answered from the other side.

Abhi: Maybe bcoz u r the only one who could actually break his walls and bcom his friend other than Fab5....

Navya: Exactly... Even though Abhi and I, hv been with these guys for so long, I don't think we ever saw manik get truly comfortable with us.
Navya said as Manik looked up.

Manik: Hey guys... Its-

Abhi: Chill Manik.... U don't need to say anything. We know u tried, and we know u think of us as ur friends.... But everyone has their own comfort level, I guess, we really couldn't reach urs.
Abhi smiled at him while Manik sighed.

Navya: But u did Nandini....
Navya said turning back towards Nandini. Nandini heard her and looked at Manik to find him already looking at her when she muttered slowly,

Nandini: I still wonder why??

Though it was not exactly a question, but still they heard it as Nandini returned her gaze back towards the sea. A smile taking up on her face at the beauty of nature.

Manik pulled out his phone from his pocket and opened up the camera, as he clicked her face, shining brighter under the moonlight. He smiled at the picture, keeping the phone inside as he winked at the others.

All of them looked at him confused but then they saw him pull out a guitar from behind Dhruv's chair as they smiled. Nandini who was still oblivious to the ongoings suddenly turned towards them when she heard the guitar tune and saw Manik playing it as he started singing,

Ek din kabhi jo khud ko taraashe
Meri nazar se tu zara, haaye re

He looked up at her, looking up straight into her eyes, as if trying to find something in them.

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!

Manik winked at her smiling broad while she rolled her eyes.

Subhanallah..
Jo ho raha hai pehli dafaa hai wallah
Aisa hua

Mukti stood up at this, pulling along Abhi as they started dancing. Soon they were followed up by cavya as Rishab got off Nandini's lap, turning on his phone as he started recording. When Dhruv too forwarded his hand to aliya and they too joined in.  While Manik continued,

Ek din kabhi jo khud ko taraashe
Meri nazar se tu zara, 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! Subhanallah..
Jo ho raha hai pehli dafaa hai wallah
Aisa hua

Rishab zoomed in towards Manik as he faced at Nandini before closing his eyes.

Meri khamoshi se baatein chun lena
Unki dori se taarifein bun lena.. Haan haan.. Hannnnn

Meri khamoshi se baatein chun lena
Unki dori se taarifein bun lena..

Manik was about to continue when suddenly Nandini sang in before him. Manik looked up at her in surprise while the others too turned towards her to see her eyes fixed at the moon while a smile played on her lips as she sang,

Kal nahi thi jo aaj lagti hoon
Taareef meri hai khaamakha
Tohfa hai tera meri adaa

Nandini turned back looking at Manik as she winked at him making him smile broad as he continued,

Ek din kabhi jo khud ko pukaare
Meri zubaan se tu zara, haaye re
Tujh mein chhupi si jo shayari hai
Tujhko sunaaun main zara, haay re
Ye do dilon ka waasta waasta
Khul ke bataaya jaaye naa
Subhanallah…

Manik looked over at Nandini nodding at her yelling her to join in, as she sang,

Jo ho raha hai, pehli dafaa hai Wallah
Aisa hua.. Subhanallah....

Manik:

Jo ho raha hai, pehli dafaa hai Wallah
Aisa hua.. Subhanallah.....

Manik and Nandini:

Jo ho raha hai, pehli dafaa hai Wallah

Nandini:(as a whisper)

Aisa hua..

As the song finished with the last strum of the guitar, all is them hooted out loud while Nandini smiled at Manik.

Rishab: Wow Manik Bhaiya... This was totally amazing!! I m gonna upload this video up as the highlight of this trip....

Manik chuckled at him and thanked him when Navya said to Nandini.
Navya: Wow Nandini.... I didn't know u could sing so well....

Mukti: Navya, u should hv been there when we first met Nandini, she is a rockstar man....
Mukti said as she patted on Nandini.

Nandini smiled them before looking away as a broad smile took over her face.

The night went on with a few more amazing stories as they all laughed out along, pulling each others legs. No one noticed the time until cabir noticed Navya sleeping on his shoulder.

They all decided to call it a night as they moved back to the house and walked over to their rooms..

Nandini walked slowly waiting for Manik as he picked up his guitar and walked ahead joining her.
Nandini: The song.... It was amazing!

Manik smiled at her turning towards her as he looked into her eyes,
Manik: It had to be.... It was for u! And u made it better by joining in.

Nandini smiled broader at him looking down as they followed the others when suddenly Manik held her hand and stopped walking. Nandini too stopped as she looked at him confused.

Manik: Nandini, Abhi and Navya were no where wrong when they said all that!!! And it's the truth....  U r different, Different from everyone else!  And that makes u social for me. I never say it as much as u do, but u truly r my Best Friend, and U really mean a lot to me.....  I just want u to remember that!

Nandini smiled at his words as she entwined her hands with hers, without saying a word but still saying it all loud and clear.

And that finally was called out as the end if the day.

------------------------------
Ohk so that is it guys!!

I really hope u all like the update..... The Goa trip coming up with much more exciting scenes...😍😍

So keep reading and yes, before that don't forget to comment ur views on this part!😜

Love
-Navya😘