Kyle: Hey guys... Hop on for the best trip of ur life!
Nandini heard Kyle's voice before she saw him as he pulled over the car in front of the hotel.

Manik looked back at him, as the said guy got down the car making nandini chuckle as she took in his attire.

Nandini: U seem to be already too much in mood...
Nandini commented eyeing his T-shirt, while Manik chuckled. He was wearing a bright neon T-shirt which aptly said, 'Try me on baby.... It'll be a ride for life!'. Though the no so stubble picture of a gay couple going straight at it, didn't make the quote seem very decent.

Kyle: Well, I had to compensate of the said boring girl around here, so thought might just go all out.

Kyle winked at her as he helped Manik dump their bags in the boot of his SUV. Manan had decided to check out of the hotel as they would be spending the entire week on this said trip and then just be back for the day of the event. Nandini had packed a few clothes for the two of them in Manik's duffle bag while they were dropping off the rest of their luggage at Becca's.

They got into the car heading over next to Becca's were she was waiting with her boyfriend Elliot.
Nandini: I still can't believe u guys talked me into being trapped in this car for the next 8 hours.

Kyle: Road trips are more fun than flights Nandini... U'll not regret this so suck it up and don't crib.
Kyle said looking at her through the rear view mirror.

Nandini: I don't crib!
Nandini snapped at him making him roll his eyes as Manik chuckled. Nandini hit Manik's shoulder from the back,

Nandini: Stop laughing... U r supposed to be on my side!

Manik: Ouch.. Stop with the violence girl...

Soon they pulled over at Becca's place where Manik unloaded their spare luggage as the other four joined them. Manik and Nandini took the last seat in the car, as Elliot, Becca and Ronnie took the middle seat while Will joined Kyle in the front as Kyle took the wheel again and they hit the road.

Ronnie: I still can't believe we are finally on this trip! and that too all of us together.... i never knew Will's idea for Nandini was gonna work.

All of them agreed to her with nods as Manik shifted the conversation asking them about their professional lives. He knew Nandini too needed to know about them as her interest picked up watching them talk about it. 

Almost two hours into the journey, he felt nandini yawn next to him. He too was feeling tired as he knew both of them were still trying to cope up with their body's time cycle. He turned towards her and spoke up softly.
Manik: Take a nap... U'll feel better!

Nandini: No.. Its ohk!

Manik: Nandini... Get some sleep. Its just because of the time difference. I think I m too gonna sleep for sometime.

Nandini nodded at his words this time as she rested her head on the window still and closed her eyes, letting her senses off and tuning out of whatever conversation was going on there. Manik saw sleep instantly take over her as a smile came onto his lips. He too got a bit more comfortable, leaning down as he rested his head back on the head board. The car zoomed through the ways, making nandini's head hit the glass slightly as he softly lifted up her head and pulled her closer, making her lean onto his shoulder. 

His hand moved to hers as he entwined them together before resting it on his lap as he let sleep take over himself too.

A few minutes later, Elliot noticed the silence behind him as he turned only to smile watching the two of them in deep slumber. 
Elliot: Guys... Look at them!

Ronnie and Becca turned too as Will and Kyle glanced through the rear view mirror.
Ronnie smiled at it before turning around again.

Ronnie: Don't u think its too weird guys?

Becca: What?

Ronnie: Nandini and Manik... I mean I still can't believe she actually got married.

Kyle: Yeah... Its too soon if u ask me. Last year she was here and she didn't even know him and now its been almost 3 months to their wedding.

No one said anything at his words, silently agreeing when they heard Will say softly,
Will: If u find that one person.... there is nothing like 'too soon' ..

None of them said anything as they saw Will glancing at the rear view mirror again. 

------------------------------------
It was quite late when Nandini stirred in her sleep feeling some motion around her. She opened up her eyes and looked at her surroundings to find herself in the car, she saw her friends and remembered that they were on the trip. 

She lifted her head off Manik's shoulder and saw him still deep on sleep. She asked Ronnie for a water bottle as she noticed Will and Becca too asleep. 

Elliot: Hello again sleeping beauty. U were gone for quite a while haan!

Nandini: Time zones suck dude...
Nandini muttered making him nod when she heard some buzzing sound around.

Nandini: What's that?

Ronnie: Ur hubby's phone... Its been bursting from more than an hour, I wonder how is he still asleep.

Nandini: He always has a sound sleep...
Nandini replied as she heard the buzz again and bent forward to his other side, trying to pull his phone out from his pocket. She tried a few times before finally getting hold of it as she sat straight.

Elliot: Hey.... U r not gonna check his phone are u?
Elliot raised his brows at her making nandini shrug.

Nandini: It could be something important, I m having a look.

Ronnie: And he wouldn't mind?
He pointed at manik as she said so whike Nandini shook her head entering the password on the phone as she opened it up.

Nandini: Why would he? We are like an open book to each other, there is nothing that we have to hide.

Nandini scrolled through the thousands of new notifications on his phone as she saw him tagged at multiple posts of the song launch which occurred a few hours back in India. She came across an interview clip of Fab4 from the launch party and played the video. Turning up the volume a bit she saw Fab4 at the screen surrounded by reporters all around as they were fired with back to back questions.

Congratulations on the Song Launch guys... This song turned out to be a major promotional aspect for the Movie, what do u guys have to say about it?

Mukti: We just did what we always do... That is, to give our best.

Who wrote the song this time? The exact details weren't released.

Dhruv: Manik and I worked on the Lyrics together....

Why are there just the 4 of u at this launch event today?

Mukti: Each one of us represents Fab5. We speak as one, Even if just one would have been here, there would have been no change. 

Still where is Manik Malhotra? Why is he absent at such an important event?

Cabir: Come on guys.... Manik Malhotra is no more a free elf, he is busy obeying his master now. He is on a long romantic Honeymoon with his wife.

Where have they gone on their honeymoon?

Cabir: Sorry yr... I think my fans love me enough and they wouldn't want Manik to kill me by answering this question.

The video finished making nandini chuckle at cabir's usual crap when Kyle spoke up,
Kyle: What was that? Is ur husband some sort of a celebrity or something?

Nandini: Yes! I told u all right? Manik is a singer, he has this band in India, Fab5. They are quite famous. It was a song launch today which he missed because of me.

Elliot: U married a freaking celebrity?

Nandini: Umn.. Yes I guess....
Nandini said unsure to it as she saw Ronnie get to work as she Googled Manik's name. Within a few minutes they knew a lot about manik and Fab5 including the few articles which mentioned their wedding along with the pictures and videos.

Ronnie: Gosh.... He seems much more famous than u made it sound.

Nandini smiled at it nodding as she left a few msgs to their friends in India on whatever they were asking. She even replied the msgs from Nyonika and Rishab when she heard Kyle say.

Kyle: Ronnie... Why don't u play this new song of his? I m really getting bored, lets hear him out. 

Ronnie nodded at him excitedly as she connected her phone with the car's speaker, before playing the song. The song played on the system as Nandini perked up as she too hadn't heard the song yet.

The upbeat Music started as a smile crept on her face before Manik's voice filled up the car,

Meri rooh ka parinda phadphadaye
Lekin sukoon ka jazeera mil na paaye
Ve ki karaan.
Ve ki karaan.

Ik baar ko tajalli toh dikha de
Jhoothi sahi magar tasalli to dila de
Ve ki karaan.
Ve ki karaan.

Raanjhan de yaar Bulleya
Sunle pukaar Bulleya
Tu hi toh yaar Bulleya
Murshid mera, Murshid mera
Tera mukaam kamle
Sarhad ke paar Bulleya
Parvardigar Bulleya
Haafiz tera, Murshid mera

A board smile came onto Nandini's face as the chorus finished, she already knew that this song was gonna break all records and touch the sky of success.
Kyle: Damn he is good! I don't understand the lyrics but I m sure this song is going to my playlist.

Ronnie: Absolutely....

Main taan gul se lipti titli ki tarah muhajir hoon
Ek pal ko thehroon, pal mein udd jaaun
Ve main tan hoon pagdandi
labhdi ae jo raah jannat ki
Tu mude jahan main saath mud jaaun

Nandini saw Manik waking up by her side as he stretched his neck and frowned on listening to the song.

Tere kaarvan mein shamil hona chahun
Kamiya taraash ke main kaabil hona chahun
Ve ki karaan.
Ve ki karaan.

Raanjhan de yaar Bulleya
Sun le pukaar Bulleya
Tu hi toh yaar Bulleya
Murshid mera, Murshid mera
Tera mukaam kamle
Sarhad ke paar Bulleya
Parvardigar Bulleya
Haafiz tera, Murshid mera

The song continued as Mukti started the vocals.

Raanjhana ve...
Raanjhana ve...

Jis din se aashna se do ajnabi huve hain
Tanhaiyon ke lamhe sab multavi huve hain
Kyun aaj main mohabbat
Phir ek baar karna chahun
Haan...

Ye dil toh dhoondhta hai inkaar ke bahane
Lekin ye jism koi pabandiyan na maane
Milke tujhe, bagaawat khud se hi yaar karna chahun

Mujhme agan hai baaki aazma le
Le kar rahi hoon khud ko main tere-

Manik: Ohk enough.... Please pause it Kyle!

The song was ended as Nandini pouted at Manik while the others appreciated the song. Manik simply smiled at them before he turned towards nandini, rubbing the back of his neck, he asked her uncertainly,
Manik: What do u think?

Nandini: It doesn't matter what I think Manik.... What matters is how much ur fans like it.

Manik shook his head at her and asked again,
Manik: It matters to me what u think!

Nandini: According to me its one of ur best works. The lyrics, the music and the singing.... I simply loved it all!

An award winning smile took up his features making Nandini chuckle.

They stopped for lunch at a small diner after which Nandini took the driving wheel while Manik took a seat by her side as he wasn't used to the left hand drive.

The rest of the journey passed on soon as they reached their destination by the evening. They parked the car in front of some camp site and entered,
Becca: Wow... This seems good!

Nandini looked all around to see a row of cabins around a large cleared ground. The entire field was divided in different areas where other groups were playing random games enjoying their time.
Manik: This seems exciting....

Elliot and Will went to the registration desk to get the keys to their cabins while the others unloaded the bags from the car. They waited for a few minutes before the guys returned,
Elliot: Guys... There is a problem! Only 3 cabins are available, the ones that we booked.... As the bookings were all done earlier, they don't have even one spare.

Ronnie: Umn its fine na... I m sure we can share! Lets just go and have a look.

They moved to the cabins to find, average one bedroom sized cabins with two single beds in each along with a dressing table and an attached bathroom.

Will: How are we gonna share now! Elliot-Becca in one.... Nandini has Manik too with her so that leaves Ronnie with Kyle and me.

Nandini looked at them knowing that they won't be comfortable in one cabin at any cost. She was about to speak up when she heard Manik saying,
Manik: No.... I don't think that won't be comfortable for any of u three, so why don't one of u join me and Nandini. We would have no problem in adjusting for a few days. Right Nandini?

Nandini: Yeah sure....

Will: Nah... Its ur honeymoon guys, u would obviously wish for some privacy.

Nandini: Come on Will its absolutely fine... Believe me!
Nandini said again insisting on it as the others though before Ronnie spoke up,

Ronnie: Ohk then... I'll join u two? Would that be fine?

Manik: Sure...

They all dispersed to their cabins deciding to freshen up and meet for dinner. Manan along with Ronnie entered the middle one. Manik kept their bags at a side as Ronnie took one bed while Nandini sat at the other, looking at it.

Manik took a seat by her side as he asked her slowly,
Manik: Kya hua?

Nandini knew he was talking in hindi so that Ronnie wouldn't understand as she replied to him.
Nandini: Manik... Hum yahan kese adjust karenge, I mean, ye bed itna chota h aur hum dono yahan....

Manik: Shh.... Jo hoga dekha jayega Nandini, itna mat socho ohk!
-----------------
Nandini: Manik... Remove ur watch! Mujhe chubh rhi h..

Manik: Par me humesha watch pehenta hoon...

Nandini: Neend me time kyu dekhna h tumhe, utar do na!
Nandini whisper whined making him follow her words. The two of them were lying on the bed, side by side with almost no space between them. Manik's hand was between the two of them, making nandini whine.

Twisting and turning, they tried to adjust on the single bed with each other. Finally giving up, Nandini turned her back towards him before she whispered,
Nandini: If u dare kick me in ur sleep na... Then I'll burn off all ur clothes the first thing in the morning...

Manik chuckled at her idle threat shaking his head at her as he closed his eyes.

The next morning, Nandini woke up by a soft nudge at her shoulder. She opened up her eyes, squinting in the brightness as she saw Ronnie standing by her side.
Ronnie: Hey... Get up! Everyone is meeting for the breakfast in 30 minutes. I'll be outside u can both get ready.

Nandini nodded at her, rubbing her eyes to get up from her sleep. She saw Ronnie move out of the cabin, closing the door behind her as Nandini moved to get up from the bed, only to still as she felt a restriction around her waist. Holding Manik's arm which was wound around her, she tried to move out of his hold, only to feel his warm breath on the back of her neck as Manik snuggled his face further into her hair.

Her entire body turned stiff as she realised their position as Manik held her close. Her back touching his chest with his arm firm around her waist and his face buried in her hair as their legs stayed entwined together. This was the very first time ever that she was so close to him and she couldn't help but feel her heart thundering wildly in her chest.

She felt his warmth spreading through her entire body as his breath tickled the back of her neck. She tried to loosen his grip only to wince as he tightened it further, pulling her more closer to him if possible.

Nanfini sighed in defeat knowing she can't get up like this, when she shaked Manik's hand.
Nandini: Manik.... Manik, wake up!

She heard her humming in her neck as she turned her head to look at him and shook his hand more,
Nandini: Manik.... Wake up!

Manik opened up her eyes slowly, looking up at her as he lifted his head out of the thin blanket of her hair. He blinked his eyes as he saw her looking at him. Their faces angled right in front of each other, just inches apart as he felt her breath on his face.

Nandini sucked in a deep breath at it, as she threw his hands away from herself and jerked up from the bed, moving towards the bathroom.

Nandini: Breakfast in 30 minutes!
Manik heard her say before the door closed behind. He stared at the closed door trying to wrap his mind around things as a sigh erupted his mouth.

Did he know what made her run?
Yes...

Did he know why?
No...

Was he sorry for that?
No...

Was he worried?
Yes...
---------------------------------
Is this finally a good start?
Or is this gonna prove as a not so happy start for their long vacation?

Stay tuned to know...😉

Don't forget to comment.
Love,
Navya😍