The day of the fest has finally arrived. Nandini is very excited and had already planned a lot of things. After preparing the morning breakfast , she went to wake up her sleepyhead husband.

"Manik!!!!! GET UP!!!!! we have to go to the fest. we can't be late! Agar guest of honour hi late pahunche toh kaisa lagegaa"

Manik couldn't hear clearly as he was still sleepy. He tried to ignore nandini but the next minute nandini was dragging manik out of the bed. She had already turned off the A.C. and had took away manik's blanket.😂

" Uhh Nandini!!! What kind of torture is this? Soone do mujhe" said Manik still drooling

"Manik come on! Don't make me drag you to the washroom!"
Nandini was trying to pull out manik of the bed.

" Tum jao pehle ready ho. I'll take 2min and you will take 2 hours" said manik

"Once a businessman, always a businessman. Even in sleep he has to prove his point" thought nandini

" Manik! I am already ready and since last half an hour i have been trying to wake you up. Now wake up or else i would go alone and leave you locked in this room"

Manik unwilling sat on the bed . Still sleepy .

"Good boy. Now go go. We have hardly 20min to leave"

Manik struggling to his feet walked towards the washroom and directly walked onto the closed door and hit his head.

DHAMMMMMM!!!!!

Now Nandini was laughing so hard that she was almost rolling down on the floor. Manik was out of his sleeping zone immediately.

"Ouch!" Said manik massaging the part of his forehead which now was paining a bit.

"Why the hell are you laughing?" Said manik angrily

"Nothing... I was just laughing because.... laughing is good for health. It's a kind of therepy ." Nandini said. Still smiling.

Without another word manik walked into the washroom straight.

After half an hour, the couple are driving towards the university and Memories came flooding in .

Those happy memories.

Those happy days.

That carefree life.

Everything seemed so bizarre now. It almost seemed like a dream now. Nandini could hardly figure out her life now. Just thinking about those days made her eyes teary.

Manik noticed a small tear making it's way down from Nandini's cheeks. While he wanted to ask her if she was okay, he remained quiet.

Visiting the college stirred some memories in manik too. But nothing good. All he could remember is being deceitful and mean. He feared that visiting this place again may stir up the hatred Nandini felt towards him.

Manik's attire:

Nandini's attire:

After some time the car came to a halt. Manik and nandini came out of the car and before them a beautiful board was shining in broad daylight. The board contained the text as follows:

St. Xavier's College-Autonomous,
College in Mumbai, Maharashtra

"Still the same" thought nandini and smiled. Her eyes still watery.

Nothing about the college has changed since she left. But everything in Nandini has changed.

They were greeted by The Dean.

"And the same old man" thought Nandini.

The Dean handed Manik and Nandini a flower bouquet. Both of them took it gracefully.

"Mr and Mrs. Malhotra. Thank you for being our chief guest in such short notice. We are obliged."

Dean looked at Nandini with a parental and warm smile. Nandini could feel emotions surging through her. This same man has been always tolerating her and protecting her from every mistake she made in her college life.

Nandini couldn't help but smile back. She then leaned in and touched his feet as a sign of gratitude.

The dean eye's were now teary. He blessed her and Nandini stood up.

"Let's go to the hall... program start hone wali hi hai" said the Dean

While Manik was ready to go, Nandini stopped him.

"Manik...app jayiye ... I'll meet my friends first then i will join you"

Nandini was really excited to meet her friends. It's been around an year she has met her friends.

Manik nodded.

Nandini moved towards the black which was probably the classroom and the Dean escorted manik to the program hall.

The main hall was decorated properly. It looked stunning. A big chandelier hung in the middle which was properly lit. A huge stage was set in the front of the hall for all the cultural programme.

The Dean led Manik to a special chair set up for him. There was a empty sit beside him . For Nandini.

Nandini. He thought. He loved her so much. So much so that he could do anything for her. But he was tired of waiting. There was a very little or no hope in her heart that Nandini is anyway going to accept him and love him with all her heart. He has been a monster to her. He understood. But now he is a changed man. Now he cares!

The Dean started announcing and the sound of the mic dragged manik out of his thoughts.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
I am extremely overwhelmed to get this opportunity to address you all on this auspicious occasion of 50th Annual day of our elite institution. Children are the future of tomorrow. All these students we witness today, receiving honours for their talents will grow up to be the responsible citizens of tomorrow. May they grow up to make us proud and achieve the highest human values.
I feel proud to be a part of such an elite institution where we are taught by such great teachers, whose teaching goes beyond the classroom. Also, they are the ones to be thanked for organizing such a huge function. We all have assembled here today, today to motivate and cherish the young minds present among us. Apart from it, this is a great occasion to welcome our Chief Guest of today, Mr Manik Malhotra”.

After the Dean's announcement, the music team arranges themselves covering the whole stage.

They start singing the college anthem in sync.

Cheer children, Cheer!
Cheer the blue and gold, (2)
Hail to thee O St. Xavier!

We thy loyal, trusted band,
We will ever, we will be true.
Light bearers and labourers,
True and pure, and steadfast.

Chorus: Let’s put on the armour light,
Glory of St. Xavier’s.
Let’s put on the armour light,
Fight for God and country.

Alma-mater, ourfriend and guide,
Stay in shadeand sunshine.
Lend us light and wisdom‘s lore,
Neverto fail orfalter. _
Be life’sjourney perilous,
Thou to us, a beacon!

Chorus: Let’s put on the armour light,
Glory of St. Xavier’s.
Let’s put on the armour light,
Fight for God and country.

After the end of anthem, the Dean informed manik that their will be a dance performance now and after that they can do the award ceremony for the students who won prizes in the whole year.

The stage was dim for the set up and after a minute or two , the light was back. Two couples were standing on both the sides of the stage. They bowed down to the crowd first .

And they started their performance

Music:

Mere bina main rehne laga hoon
Teri hawa mein behne laga hoon
Jaane main kaise, tera hua hoon
Mujhe toh lagta hai main shayad tere dil ki dua hoon haan
Tujhko jo paaya
Toh jeena aaya

Ab yeh lamha thehar jaaye tham jaaye bas jaaye hum dono ke darmiyaan haan

Tujhko jo paaya aha

Toh jeena aaya

Ab yeh lamha thehar jaaye tham jaaye bas jaaye hum dono ke darmiyaan haan

Pehle se zyada

Main jee raha hoon

Jabse main tere, dil se juda hoon

Raahon pe teri, main toh chala hoon

Tu meri manzil hai tere kadmon pe bas rukne laga hoon haan

Tujhko jo paaya

Toh jeena aaya

Ab yeh lamha thehar jaaye tham jaaye bas jaaye hum dono ke darmiyaan haan (x2)

While watching them perform with so much love, manik imagined him dancing the same way with nandini.

She smiled as Manik took her hand and twirled her into his arms.

They fell in step, letting the rhythm control their movements. All the scenery and people around them dissolved. It was just her and him, alone.

Her bright brown eyes glistened, and a smile spread across her beautiful face.

Uncontrollable feelings surged through Manik's body, and his fingers tingled in delight. His hand brushed across her cheek. His body was acting on its own, no chains to hold him back from this pure paradise.

He drew her close to his chest, and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

Her black locks fell over her eyes, like a curtain blocking out the sunlight. All he  desired to see those brown eyes.

She began to withdraw her hand to brush away her hair, but his hand clutched onto hers. He carefully laid her thin hand on his shoulder. He delicately tucked her lock behind her ear, and her brown eyes twinkled back at him in greeting.

She set her head on his shoulder. They continued to dance, too lost in the music to halt. Time passed as their feet moved in the steps of the foxtrot.

The sound of applause again dragged manik out of his sweet daydream.

He then also clapped too for their beautiful performance.

But suddenly he realised Nandini has not yet came back. Manik checked his watch and thought it has been enough time and now it seriously bugged him as to where Nandini was.

Where is she????

**********

So guys, i am back!!!!!! Yes i know, i have been absent for a long time. But I was so busy with my study schedule that o couldn't even think of writing. After you read this chapter you would understand it needed a proper happy mindset and a bit of research to make it a perfect piece.
So after typing this chapter for a week , i am finally posting it. The next chapter will be important. Very important actually, because nandini and manik will grow close from the next chapter.
And yes! Maybe something did happen with Nandini.  Who knows???

Please do comment because i would be happy to know if my hardwork paid off or not.