Morning light had swallowed the darkness of night. The resting birds were getting busy again with their works. The sun rays were falling on Nandini's face. The morning sweet sun rays which fall on her face is always very dear to her. It's her favorite time in the whole day apart from the times when she used to be with Manik.

Nandini stretched her arms and sat straight. She looked confused at the beginning thinking where she was later she realized that she was still in the bar. She could hear the music of the bar playing now too but the volume was mild now. Last night she could not forget the matter, somewhere she knew their father was only behind yesterday's incident but she didn't want to believe it. 

At some corner of her heart, she had a soft feeling for her father which she had kept hidden always. No one else knew of this little feeling of her apart from her. She had always believed that no matter how he was in person, how much he tried to hurt them, he would never harm them in a way which wouldn't be filled ever. But today he broke the little trust too in her. She couldn't bear that so she had to come here in this bar again to calm her nerves.

Is Sanjay really there behind everything!!!

Nandini's mind became anxious once again and she gazed at the morning sun whose rays were entering through the window. Nandini tried to calm herself and then got out of the bar with a little tidy mind. 

"What'll I say everyone after going back?" Nandini was trying to think of an excuse. She had told them that she was going to one of her friend's place, then she reached the bar and didn't return home. "I would rather say them that she did not let me come back last night. So, I had to stay back at her place only." 

While thinking all this, Nandini reached Windy Lane and got down from the cab. Then she started walking towards their house. She sighed seeing Avneet was not at home. She knew Avneet would be in the park right now. So, she hurriedly took a shower and changed her clothes to look presentable. Then she too left for park.

(Nandini's dress)

In the park, Sid and Avneet had gathered like everyday. 

(Avneet's dress)

"Really! Di didn't return home last night too. How can she be so careless? She doesn't even think that I'm there. I would be worried for her." Avneet's face fell.

"Avneet, I think you're thinking too much. Didn't you hear that Nandini's friend was very ill? Maybe that's why she didn't get the chance to inform you and she stayed back there only." Sid tried to reason even though he knew Nandini should have at least sent a text after whatever happened last night.

"I know and I understand too. But it wouldn't have taken a minute too to send me a text. I would have then relaxed that she was fine."

That's when she heard a voice from back. "Are you angry with me?" Nandini wrapped her arms around Avneet's neck from back.

"Is this the time to come back? Where were you last night? You could at least called me and tell us about your whereabouts. After what happened in the road last night, do you have any idea that how worried we were for you?"

"Calm down, Avneet. How'll I answer all the questions at once? One by one. Last night I was in that friend's place only. She didn't let me come and it slipped out of my mind to inform you." Nandini was feeling bad inside to lie to them but she couldn't tell them the truth either.

"See Avneet, I told. She must have stayed back at her friend's place only." Sid smiled.

Nandini too smiled shortly. "Avneet, you go home. I'll be back soon."

Avneet left with Sid. They were walking when Avneet spoke, "Sid, I'm hungry."

"Where'll I get food for you now?" Sid rolled his eyes.

Avneet made a crying face. "So you will not buy me anything now?" 

Sid gulped looking at her face. "Don't cry." Then he looked around and found a shop nearby. "Let's go to that shop. They make amazing pancakes."

"Let's go." Avneet smiled brightly and they walked to that shop. 

They both had pancakes there. Suddenly Avneet's food stuck in her throat and she started coughing badly. Sid panicked seeing her. He rubbed her back and made her drink water. Sid paid the bill and they came out of the shop. Avneet was continuously blabbering in the way but Sid was just looking at her face. This season was seemed to be a happy one. 

Today Malhotra house seemed busier than other days. Manik had to leave for an important seminar in Delhi. Nandini directly went to Manik's place from the park. Neelima opened the door for her. 

Nandini frowned also got worried seeing Neelima panting. "What happened, mumma? Why're you huffing so much?" She held Neelima by her shoulder.

"What will I say now! Manik, he didn't tell me before that he has to go to Delhi today. That too for a week and he forgot such a big thing to tell me." Neelima complained.

Nandini's face fell hearing this. "Manik is going to Delhi for a week and he didn't tell me too!" She was saying this to herself. 

"Nandini, what're you speaking to yourself?" Neelima asked Nandini who only nodded in no. "Now when you're here, help me a little. I'm looking after everything here, you go and pack Manik's bag."

Nandini smiled. "Don't worry, mumma. Now I'm here, you don't have to worry about anything. I'll look after everything and rescue you." She giggled at the end.

Neelima chuckled as well. "Now go to Manik's room and see I've placed everything on the bed already. Ask him if he needs anything else or not."

Nandini nodded and stepped towards Manik's room. But she didn't find him in his room. 

'What happened! Where did Mani go? He must be around. Let me pack his bag first else he would be late.'

Nandini thought to herself and started her work. She noticed everything on his bed. She nodded her head in disbelief seeing all his clothes were in white and blue. She made a face seeing that. She was well aware of Manik's obsession with this colors, so he had his everything in these colors only. Because of him, Nandini had also started wearing this colors mostly. 

She opened his cupboard to take out his laptop bag, suddenly a photo fell down near her feet from his cupboard. "What's this?" She said to herself and bent down to pick it up. Nandini picked up the picture and saw a picture of her and Manik together. 'My Forever' was written under picture. Tears welled up in Nandini's eyes when she saw the picture. 

(Ignore the attires.)

The picture was taken on the day of Manik's birthday when he had proposed her. She was staring at the picture, to be more precise the smile on their faces. It looked so peaceful. She didn't realize for how long she gazed at the picture. 

FLASHBACK
It was Manik's birthday and they all had gathered to celebrate his birthday. It's Abhay who loved to celebrate his son's birthday. According to him, it's the only occasion which mattered to him.

(Manik's attire)

(Nandini's attire)

(Avneet's dress)

(Siddharth's attire)

After Manik cut the cake, he fed his parents first and at last he came to Nandini who was standing at one side. "I've something really important to say you. Come to the garden after half an hour." He spoke while feeding the cake.

Nandini was surprised. She only nodded.

Half an hour later when Nandini went to the garden, she found it dark and empty which made her frown. She thought Manik would be here already. But she could not spot him anywhere. She had no idea that why he had called her here at the first place, now she was having a feeling that he must have pranked her along with Avneet and Siddharth.

She was about to leave but decided to call for him once. "Manik? Are you here?"

Then she heard a familiar voice coming within the darkness. "I don't know why my heart always pulled me towards you. Maybe because you have asked for me in your every prayer."

Nandini's breath hitched in her throat with his single line. She could feel her heart racing, she feared it might explode any moment. Nandini kept standing at the same place, she couldn't move. Manik came out in the light and stood in front of her. They looked into each other's eyes. They kept standing in the silence for a while letting their silence speak to each other.

Manik looked at Nandini from head to toe. She was wearing a white dress with not much make up. Just her regular lip gel and eyeliner still she was looking breathtaking. Manik cursed himself for not noticing her earlier, also for not realizing what she meant to him.

He took her both palms in his and looked into her eyes as if he could see her soul through them. "Nandini, you know me more than I know myself. You know I'm not very good at putting my feelings in words but today I want to give it a try and tell you what's there in my heart. You've been my best friend who knew how to console me, who knew what I needed, who knew I want to do, who have been there by my side through all the thick and thins. Trust me meeting you is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I want you to be stay by my side always, till the end of my life. Because I believe till the time you're here with me I can achieve anything. I believe till the time you will be here holding my hand, I can fall multiple time as you'll make me stand. I know you deserve the world, you deserve someone who can keep you like a queen. I know I'm not that worthy but I can promise you that I'll try my best to keep you happy. I won't let you cry and you'll find me beside you whenever you need me.

I love you, Nandini. I love you a lot. I don't know since when but I do."

Nandini was astonished as he finished his not so long speech. She was staring at his face without blinking as if trying to make herself believe that all this was for real and she was not dreaming.

"Nandini? Say something?" Manik spoke up when she didn't say anything.

Nandini nodded her head to remove the tears forming in her eyes. She fell in his arms hugging him tightly as if her life whole life dependent on the hug. Only she knew how content she was at that moment. She had waited for this day since forever and finally he confessed that he loved her. She couldn't ask for anything else.

Manik was startled with the sudden hug but he too hugged her back. Suddenly he realized how perfectly she fitted in his arms!

Peace!

Manik picked Nandini up from the ground and and took some round. That time only Avneet and Sid came there. They already knew of Manik's plan, after all it's them who have helped them to sneak out of the party. Sid had taken the picture hiding from them not wanting to embarrass them.

END  OF  FLASHBACK

Suddenly Nandini felt someone hugging her from back. She smiled as she didn't need another second to recognize who it was. 

"Mani..." A whisper escaped her lips.

"Yes, me." He nuzzled his face in his face in her neck from back. "So, tell me what were you thinking looking at this picture?" 

"Nothing." Nandini bit her lower lip and turned towards him a little. "Now leave me. I need to finish your packing." She tried to free herself from his grip.

"If I had hold you to leave, then I would have left you a long back. Today I'm leaving for Delhi for a whole week. A long week. Do you have any idea how long I have to stay away from you? I won't be able to see, hold you close like this for so many days." Manik turned Nandini towards him and held her by waist.

Nandini looked into his eyes. "You know you're getting shameless these days."

Manik chuckled and bent down a little and kissed on her neck. Nandini closed her eyes and clutched his collar tightly closing her eyes. "Only for you." He mumbled tracing her earlobe with his lips. Then he slowly removed her hair from her shoulder and placed a wet kiss there. 

He turned her facing her back. His one hand was on her shoulder while with his other hand he was holding her by her waist. Nandini had her eyes tightly closed as his warm breaths fanned on her neck. Her hands were placed on his hand over her stomach. The smell of Nandini's body seemed to make Manik intoxicated. Nandini had also immersed herself in the sea of ​​his infinite love.

~~•°•~~
That's all for today. I hope you all enjoyed the part. Don't forget to vote and comment. Share your favourite moment.

Bye.

18.08.2024