Manik p.o.v

She looked at the sky with her widen eyes.

Shock would be underestimating the feeling if it is written in words.

Numbness would not define her state.

The fireworks were continuously creating magic on skyand slowly it started showing magic on her face also.

The smile for which I was craving to see on her face finally touched her pure lips.

The glow which I have lost long time back finally shined on her face.

But I know that there is still one wish of her which she will never express, which she will never utter from her lips.

But tomorrow on her birthday that one wish, which she has, will come true as I will fulfill that also.

And I know that moment her happiness will reach her eyes which right now is somewhere shut in her heart.

Taking her in back I whispered, "Happy Diwali my princess."

She turned and looked me with teary eyes. These tears are of happiness but shows that how much I have failed to her.

Cupping her face in my hands, I caressed her with my thumbs and rubbed her tears which were touching her soft cheeks.

She, with her shivering hands, point towards sky. Her lips were shivering but words were not coming out of throat.

I kept my finger on her lips hugging her closely said, "sshh. I know you want to say lots of things. I know how much Diwali is your favorite. I know how much happy you are. But there is no need of it. Samjhi. You just enjoy. There is lots of surprise waiting for you."

She burst into tears and hugged me. Breaking thehug I kissed her forehead.

I turned her face towards sky.

She was looking at the sky and I was looking at her face.

Because of cold and continuous cry she turned red. I covered her properly with her cap and pulled her closer.

She is looking too cute on her pink suit and woolen overcoat.

Our moment was disturbed by my gang.

Huh! It sounds weird when I use 'my' for them.

But I didn't want to spoil Nandini's mood so let them wish her as I know whatever might happen my baby loves people around her and needs them even.

I wouldn't have taken them along with us but I know that apart from me Nandini needs others also to feel the love. For others I know somewhere they do love my baby but Mukti. She hated her so much that I can't forgive her at any cost.

After they wished Nandini they looked me with hopeful eyes as they wished me but I can't forgive them. They, not for once, but many times pushed my baby in danger.

I didn't wish them to which Nandini nudged me. I looked her and raised my brows.

"monstu wish them."

"but.", she cut me in middle and said, "Forgive them manik. For me."

"Have you forgiven them?" I asked her.

She looked everywhere but me and then whispered, "time heals everything. But festivals are celebrated with happiness. At least for me talk to them."

"For you even if I'll talk but won't forgive them.", I told her and finally wished them but they know it's not from my heart.

Cabir said breaking the silence, "ok. So it's gift time."

They all gave Nandini gifts to which she smiled tracing it and said with a sad pout, "But mere pass gift ni hai."

Cabir came to Nandini and taking her hand in his he said, "I know it's impossible to forgive us and we are not expecting it soon. We will earn it so all we want to say is thank you. Thank you so much Nandini for giving us this chance for trying to mend the broken string though it always pushed in darkness and this is more than enough for us from you."

She smiled and again dug herself into me to which I pulled her closer.

Nia came back with a cracker in her hand and said with evil smile, "no kuchi koo over here. Yeah apna baby shona ka romance room me kriyo. It's ime for real fun guys."

I smiled a little but Nandini frowned and whispered pulling me with my collar, "mujhe yeh achi ni lgti."

I whispered back and said, "you have me na fir? Don't be scared I will not anyone harm you."

Finally she smiled and rewarded me with cheek kiss.

Mnk pov ends

He smiled and kissing her cheek back said pointing at his lips, "thank u for this. But u know yeh yaha hota toh acha hota."

"waha avi ni.", she answered with blush

"acha toh u mean akele me. Ok no problem. Come with me. I have much more big plans than this. You know what I mean.",

She blushed and said hiding her blush, "U r so bad. Acha leave all that and look at the fountain. It's so beautiful."

Mnk tuk her in back hug and said, "hai toh but not more than u."

Nan blushed and said - but yeh aisa kyu hai

Mnk- this is Barcacci fountain. And these r Spanish Steps. In this Barcacci fountain, Water flows from seven points of fountain: the center baluster; two inside the boat from sun-shaped human faces; and four outside the boat. U know John Keats and Jess Walter also mentioned its name in their poems. And it's known as fountain of ugly boats."

Nan looked him with surprise and said- but it's beautiful. And you only said John Keats and Jess Walter loved it.

Mnk- yup and there's a library of John Keats at the right corner of house above the steps as he lived here till his death.

Her eyes twinkled and she said- books and library.

(a/n- this is so me. Hehe.. I luv library)

Mnk smiled and said- yes. My bookworm and u know those two clocks used have different time

She looked the clocks and said- why?

Mnk- because one follows the French (international) hour, while the other one followed the Italian hour, which was replaced by a sundial after 1847 when the Italian system was abandoned. And if you look closely at the Fontana della Barcaccia you will see both the sun and the bee ornamentation which is a symbol of the Bernini family and a reference to Pope Urban VIII who commissioned the work of the fountain.
nan- wow. U know everything.

Mnk smirked and said- bookworm aap hi ni hai mrs. Malhotra.

Nan giggled and said- ok. Ab mujhe crackers lit krna hai.

Mnk- ok chalo.

All lit the fireworks and enjoyed.

******

It was 11.58 pm when all were spending couple time and nia was busy in capturing the beauty of the place.

Nan was in mnk's lap and enjoying his warmth when mnk whispered, "look at the sky."

She looked up and her eyes widen.

The sky was full with fireworks saying happy birthday.

Mnk held her andwhispered, "Happy birthday my jaan."

******

Next update will be the most awaited part. Nandini's pov. Lots of emotional stuff is on the way. Keep your tissues ready