MANAN- FRIENDSHIP OR MORE

CHAPTER-13

Nandini went to Shanti's room to get her.

Nandini knocked the door.

Shanti opened it with sleepy eyes.

Shanti- Nandini tum. Itni raat ko.

Nandini- Buaji ap chaliye mere sath.

Shanti- Par kaha.

Nandini- terrace pe.

Shanti- Terrace pe... Par kyu......

Nandini- Chaliye toh sahi.

Saying this Nandini took Shanti to the terrace despite protests from Shanti.

As soon as they reached the terrace , Shanti looked around to find just darkness.

Shanti- Nandini tum bataogi bhi yaha kyu layi ho mujhe. Aur yaha itna andhera kyu hai.

As soon as clock struck 12, the lights came back and Manik came in front of Shanti and both Nandini and Manik said in unison-

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUA"

Hearing this Shanti was shocked at first but then smiled seeing Manik and Nandini's happy faces.

Shanti- Ye sab ....

Manik- Bua this was the surprise I was talking about.

Shanti- Magar Manik Beta yeh sab karne ki kya zarurat thi.

Manik-Zarurat kaise nai thi.... Of course zarurat thi. Apka birthday hai aaj itna to banta hi hai. Hai na Nandini...

Nandini - Hmm.... Haan Buaji.

Manik looked at Nandini but Nandini lowered her head as soon as their eyes met.

Shanti- Acha to ye baat hai. Ye tum dono ki mili bhagat hai. Manik to hai hi aisa.But Nandini tum bhi iske sath milgayi.

Manik- Bua waise aapne bataya nahi apko decoration kaisa laga.

Shanti looked around and saw all the balloons, candles and cake.

Shanti- Bahut acha hai ye bachcho.

Shanti kissed Nandini's forehead and said- Thank you Nandini beta.

Manik- How mean Bua. Mujhe to bhul hi Gaye ho aap.
He said this making a pout.

Shanti- Nautanki .... Aaja tu bhi.

Manik came to Shanti and Shanti kissed him on his forehead.

Shanti- Ab khush...

Manik nodded and said- Bahut.

Manik- Acha baatein bahut hogayi. Let's cut the cake first.

Shanti cut the cake while Manik and Nandini sang the birthday song.

Shanti took a piece of cake and fed it to Manik and then Nandini.

Shanti noticed that Nandini was very silent .

Shanti- Kya hua Nandini . Tum theek to ho na.

Nandini- Haan Buaji main theek hu. Mujhe kya hoga.

Shanti- Itni chup chap kyu khade ho. Yaha aao.

Nandini smiled weakly and came and stood beside Shanti.

Shanti- Manik.

Manik- Haa Bua.

Manik avoided eye contact with Nandini.

Shanti- Thank you Beta. Tumne itna socha mere baare me. Mai to khud hi bhool gayi thi ke aaj mera birthday hai.

Manik rolled his eyes and said- Bua aap bhi na. Isme thanks ki kya baat hai.

Shanti felt blessed that Manik and Nandini had planned so much for her.

She didn't have children but Manik and Nandini were filling that space in her life.

Shanti had tears in her eyes.

Manik noticed this and he came forward and wiped her tears.

Shanti smiled seeing Manik's concern.

To lighten the atmosphere, Manik said- Bua now that it's your birthday, ek photo to banti hai.

And he took out his camera.

Shanti- Manik nai.... Is sab ki kya zarurat hai.

Manik- Just one photo Bua .

Shanti- Nandini beta tu bhi aaja.

Shanti held Nandinis hand and made her stand beside her.

Shanti - Manik Dekh kya raha hai. Jaldi lena.

Manik- OK.

Nandini was hesitant at first and was moving away from Shanti but Shanti held her hand and asked her to stop.

Manik- Bua ready....

Bua- Haan..

Manik clicked some more pictures of Shanti and Nandini and solo pictures of Nandini on Bua's insistence.

Nandini said no at first but had to give in to Bua's demands as it was Bua's birthday.

After the photo session, Manik forcefully made Shanti eat the food as she had skipped dinner.

Shanti was cribbing like a kid while eating .
But Manik didn't stop till Shanti's stomach was full.

Nandini laughed heartily seeing Bua's condition.

Manik looked at Nandini while she was laughing.

He had a content smile on his face seeing Shanti and Nandini . They both were happy.

Manik thought to himself- I will make sure that this smile on your faces will never fade away. I will do anything to keep this smile intact.

The three of them celebrated for sometime and went to sleep.

Done with another update.

I know that this chapter was not up to the mark but please bear with it.

I don't know if you guys will like this update or not.

Feel free to give your suggestions and feedback.