~ Life is almost perfect, with you in my arms~

The most peaceful and happiest night of both their lives came to an end as the sun rose high up and it's rays penetrated the beautiful red curtains of the birthday boy's room disturbing their slumber. He snuggled more into her hairs trying to block off the bright rays. Nandini woke up due to his continuous attempt of snuggling more into her and smiled seeing the cute frown on his face. She carefully got out of the bed and properly closed the curtains, placing a pillow beside him which he hugged tightly. Such a baby!

Nandini freshened up and changed to a beautiful red coloured indo-western outfit, one of his favourites in her wardrobe. She was busy in drying off her wet hairs when a pair of known arms encircled her waist placing his chin on her shoulder.

" Good morning, Ms girlfriend!", he spoke in her ear and an instant blush rose up her already pink cheeks.

"Good morning Mr boyfriend! ", Nandini replied shyly and he smiled at her shyness, but decided to tease her a little.

" Ohh! The original shy Nandini Murthy is back! I thought I was getting the bold one as a birthday gift. The one you know, who, yesterday-", he smirked and left the sentence incomplete, lightly rubbing his thumb over his lips and cheeks. Her eyes opened wide with embarrassment and she herself turned to the other side immediately, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. Manik held her elbow and re turned her to face him, pulling her in but Nandini lowered her eyes.

She opened her mouth to say something but failed, and then tried again, but before she could speak, Manik burst out laughing.

" Nandini!", He laughed, kissing her forhead, and Nandini blushed, pushing him towards the washroom.

Half an hour later, Manik came downstairs, humming a melody and as soon as he reached the dining table, a pillow came from God knows where and hit him hard. After a moment of perplexion he looked towards the door to find Kabir and Navya standing with humour etched on their faces.

" If you are done with the romance, then we are also here! Huh! We didn't disturb the night, but see birthday boy taking us for granted!", Kabir snickered, and Manik threw the pillow back at him, on his face.

"Done with the melodrama?", Manik's smile was not ready to leave his face.

" Huh! Dost, dost na raha!", Kabir shook his head, left and right and Manik laughed, coming forward to hug out his brother. Finally, Kabir wished him, followed by Navya who was equally happy to know Manik and Nandini were together.

" I am soo happy for you", Kabir said being a little emotional and Manik smiled back at him. All these years, before Nandini, it had been Kabir who had stood beside him like a pillar, providing him strength even in the darkest times and today it was very obvious that he would be the happiest person for them.
Nandini came out of the kitchen with juice glasses and Kabir ruffled her hair seeing her.

" I am so happy ki finally you won over your fears and insecurities and chose your happiness", Kabir whispered in her ear, and Nandini smiled back, in gratitude.

The peace at heart which Kabir felt could not be described. The constant smile, which was not leaving MaNan's face even for a moment gave him immence solace. The two people, he loved the most, were happy and he was happy in their happiness.

" By the way, I have a doubt!", Navya's voice broke the constant passing of Smiles and everybody turned to look at her.

"Will you be my brother-in-law because you are Kabir's freind, or my brother-in-law, as in my sister's husband?", Navya kept her index finger on her chin, and asked very seriously looking at Manik who choked on his juice while Kabir and Nandini looked at each other before they burst out laughing. They were having a tough time controlling their laughter while Navya made a confusing face.

"I think, Manik would be better, won't it?", Manik answered her, and the four of them giggled at it, together.

Later that day, all of them went together to office first, where Nandini ordered  sweets for all the staff and their families. And from there the group went for Mumbai bhraman! 

Starting from Siddhivinayak Mandir as per tradition to Gateway of India, from Hanging Gardens to Juhu Beach, Inorbit mall to Film city, everything was covered in a day. Complete fun, with lots of teasing sessions, occasional romance of both love birds- it was indeed one of the best birthdays of Manik till date!

Late night, all of them entered the mansion, heck tired, ready to crash in bed any moment. But how could Nandini let them sleep uncomfortably? Her caring nature overcame her tiredness and she literally pushed Kabir and Navya in a room and made sure they sleep properly. Then she dragged Manik to his room and made him lie on his bed. As she turned back after locking the door, she found Manik sitting on bed, smirking at her.

"Okay, so the door is locked, Ms girlfriend!", Manik teased her and Nandini slapped her forhead at his one track mind.

She didn't answer, and made the bed properly, before lying down, and Manik had to follow suit as she switched off the lights.

"Nandini?", Manik called out, in a whisper and Nandini turned towards him, on her side.

He kissed her hand, and mumbled a soft thank you to her, who ruffled his hairs in return.

Manik snuggled up to her, hiding his face in her neck.

" I had such a wonderful day, Nandini but I don't know why, I am yet, scared!", He confessed it to her, and Nandini smiled. She knew she could not wipe the trauma of so many years in one day.

She rubbed his back slowly to calm him down and held his hand in hers, tight.

"I will make sure, nothing bad happens ever again, Nandini promise. I will shine for you, hamesha!", She kissed their joined hands, and Manik calmed down, immediately. Finally after long day, both drifted off to sleep, only to meet each other again, in their dreams.

-------

Two weeks later!

"no"

" yes!"

" no"

" yes!"

"Nandini, no!"

"Manik, yes!"

And Manik finally sat down with a grumpy face. Two weeks had passed and yet the love birds fought like two school children. The recent one, was going on because Nandini now actaully wished to visit her home town since it had been a long time she had seen them. Always a family person, she was now terribly missing them and also she wanted to share her love story with her ever excited younger sister.

Manik on the other hand did not want her to go for three whole days, which were actually only friday evening, Saturday, Sunday and Monday till afternoon.

" common, I will be back by Monday!",she again tried convincing him and got up from her seat on the couch of his drawing room and walked towards him. In that effort, the strap of her sandle fell off and she stumbled on it. But before she could fall, a strong pair of hands held her wrists for support and took her in his protective embrace. Gazing in her eyes which were more deep than an ocean, he held her by her waist and slowly sat down. Without breaking the eye contact he sat on one knee and Nandini frowned in confusion as in what he intended to do! He slowly looked down, held her ankle, tied the starp of her sandle, lovingly caressed her foot and stood up jerking her towards him. She on the other hand, had tears in her eyes.

" What did I do to deserve you?", she spoke softly thanking her stars for bringing him in her life. He smiled and ignored her question, kissed dry her tears and joined their foreheads.

" Be back by Monday evening, please?", he asked still joining their foreheads.

Nandini nodded and promised him she would and both stayed like that for sometime, before she left.

Now Time flows like sand slips out of your hands when you visit home after a long time. Long discussions with your mother to ensure that you haven't become thin like a stick and yes you eat properly, love fights with your silblings- their crankiness and desire to know everything going on in your life- with every minute detail, to sit beside your father for some time and communicate without words!
Eating all the delicacies of the world and then help your mom to pack you some home made snacks, to visit all your relatives within limited time and the most important thing in the entire world- SLEEPING without setting the alarm clock.

The same happened to Nandini and with so much going on, she did not get proper time to talk to Manik. She could not go for late night talks as that would have created a doubt in her mother's mind. So she had just messaged him that she had reached safely. And after that she barely managed to make him asleep at night by singing on the speaker and acting as if she is singing for her younger sister. Uff! Love definitely teaches you acting! Manik was still touched by her efforts to keep in touch when it was so difficult for her to keep in touch.
Finally two cycles of sun and Moon passed and the third day sun brought both tears and smiles for the angel sleeping peacefully in her room, hugging a pillow tight when the alarm rang!

Her mother came running at the sound, shutting off the alarm and sitting beside her daughter, who again drifted back into peaceful sleep with a content smile. She ruffled her hairs and kissed her forehead.

"Get up Nandini, you have to leave in an hour!", she tried waking her up softly.

But Nandini just hummed and again slept off.

Her mom, Damini Murthy, smiled at her sleeping daughter and silently did all her packing, before going on to the kitchen, to pack her up the sancks and tiffin. After finishing the daily chores, as she was about to call her up again, she saw Nandini coming down the stairs, all ready to leave. She came to her and hugged her and before she could say anything, Sarita ji said,

"Take care beta. Eat well, and sleep well. And dont work too much. And yes, call me twice a day, always okay?", and before the train of her ramblings could continue Nandini again hugged her and assured her that she will take care.

But then no matter how much you try to pacify a mother, she won't understand. After all , a part of her being was again going thousands of miles away!

After a teary good bye, Nandini finally left for the airport after bidding adieu to her father and sister. As the flight landed in Mumbai, she was preety excited to meet Manik. After all it had been approximately 3 days, 72 hours, 4320 minutes and 259200 seconds. Nandini laughed at her own calculation, getting embarrassed by her own.

After a long drive from the airport to the mansion, she ran in from the front door to his room, to surprise him. She was about an hour early and she wanted to see the priceless expressions on his face. As she pushed opened the door she found him standing at the window, gazing out at the moon! Alas!That means he would have seen her coming in from the front gate! Shit!! But do it seem like that? His face was still expressionless. May be he had not noticed. She stood at the gate and called him softly.

" Manik? ", a soft voice echoed.

Manik froze at his spot. The voice he had been yearning to listen since three days, the voice that had been his solace, his life, the voice that holds his sanity, he turned and found her standing at the door, the sweet smile playing on her lips and his face immediately curved up in a smile.

"Nandini!", his voice was a breathless whisper. She ran to him and stood in front of him. He held her hands to ensure he was not dreaming. And when he was sure, he held her close and hugged her tight. Breaking off the hug soon, he placed a feather kiss on her forehead. Nandini smiled and dragged him to the bed. She made him sit on the bed and sat in front of him on the ground.

"What's wrong Manik?", Her sudden question took him off gurad and to avoid answering he started looking everywhere but at her. Nandini sighed and stood up. She jerked him and as he stood in front of her, she hugged him tight. That was it, all his baariers broke down. He held her close and hid himself in her, wetting her shoulder by his endless tears......!!