U R MY STAR & I M UR SKY!! [Completed]

CHAPTER 44

U R MY STAR & I M UR SKY
PART 44:
Nandini: I seriously can't believe so much has happened in just one day. The accident, ur proposal, Dubai, and now I m engaged.
Manik: Yeah.... Same here!!
After the celebration, all the others had gone back to their room while Manik and Nandini had decided to go for a quite walk on the beach to spend some time alone. They walked for sometime & then rested on the sand. Nandini sat down facing the sea & Manik lied down next to her resting his head on her lap.
Manik: U know, I was just so confused before asking u....
Nandini looked down at him, as he held her hand close to his chest and continued,
Manik: This afternoon after that accident, I suddenly felt that it was time. But then asking u was one big hurdle in front of me. I knew this was sudden and I had no idea how u would react. I didn't know if I was doing the right thing or not. I didn't even know whether I was actually ready for such a big step or not. But now as I think about it, I m happy that we hv these two years. We can know each other better, be together, get ahead in our careers and then finally settle down.
Nandini smiled at his words & kissed his forehead,
Nandini: Thank u so much for understanding Manik.
Manik: Hmn..... But I m still angry at u!!
Nandini: KYU??
Manik: U r going to Dubai for so long. I mean I just went for one month & we couldn't even talk properly and u r going for two years.
Nandini didn't say anything and just looked u at the sea. Manik looked at her face & could see her thinking of something to say. He kissed her hand & simply said,
Manik: I know u can't deny... I know its important for u.... And I don't want u to say anything at this.... But u should knw that I clearly don't like us being so away from each other.
Both of them sat that way silently for a long long time. It was around 1am when Manik finally got up & gave a hand to Nandini to get up.
Manik: Lets go back otherwise our friends will come here seraching for us with their sleepy eyes...
Nandini looked back at the sea and then said,
Nandini: Manik... Plz lets just stay here!! I like it here being with u, having u so close. We'll go back to Mumbai tmrw, back to the busy day, office, college, all the noise and all. Lets just enjoy this night together. I wanna make this night special by spending as much time with u as I can.
Manik looked at her & saw hope & desire in her eyes, he smiled at her & then said,
Manik: Ohk Ma'am as u say... So now tell me what do u wanna do tonight?? We'll do it! Anything u say, anything u wish
Nandini: Ohh no Manik... Its not necessary. I m just so crazy I was just saying what I felt like. How can we roam around like this all night?
Manik: Why can't we?? And plus, i too want this. So say, what do u wanna do?
Nandini thought for a second & then said,
Nandini: I don't know... What can we do here?
Manik: Come on Nandini... say anything!
Manik looked at her expectantly, when she suddenly said,
Nandini: Yes I know!!
Manik: What is it?
Nandini: I wanna think about it while eating Ice-cream.
Manik's excited face immediately fell down.
Manik: Ice-cream... Nandini its 1:15am & we are on a isolated beach. Where will we get ice cream right now?
Nandini: Come on Manik!! We r in Goa, this place is known for its all night parties.... I m sure we'll find it somewhere. Come.... Lets walk to that side of this beach.
Nandini got up & picked up her sandals in her hand holding Manik's hand by her free hand & started walking.
They walked and walked in silence, with Nandini's hand wrapped around Manik's waist and his hand around her shoulder. Enjoying the peace of the sea & the night showing off the beautiful stars. And just like that the night became one of the most memorable nights of their lives. It was just like a silent movie in which they were filling their memories together to be recalled ever after.
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Nandini's pov:
I can't believe I could be so lucky to hv someone like him love me so eternally, so deeply. He proved his love towards me time & again, now I guess its my turn.
He handled my moody tantrums, he handled my split personality at work, he handled my countless dreams and wishes knowing he wasn't a part of them, and most importantly he handled the broken & shattered girl who went to Mumbai getting her happiness only from her appa's dreams & living a hollow life. He was the one who filled my hollow life with so many colours. And also by his favorite colour, red, the colour of love.
Here I sit, a 24 year old, successful business woman and I can't end the list of ppl who all have gathered together to make me reach this position. My life is mine, but the way I have been living it, its all because of these ppl, whom I can't thank enough.
I can't believe that these two years passed away so easily. I just feel like it was yesterday when I got engaged to him, thinking how would we pass these two years & now I m going to be with him forever.
"Excuse me Ma'am... Ur coffee!!!" said a lady as she offered me the coffee that I ordered, breaking my chain of thoughts.
"Thank u" I replied as I watched her walk back.
I picked up my cup and took a welcoming hot sip from it. I drink my coffee silently looking out of the window next to me and then keep it aside. Even after the coffee, I feel tired, its been a really long day & I need rest. I rest my head back & close my eyes, going back to remembering an event that occured the last time I visited India, about a year back. I had to come back for a week to finish off some work in my Mumbai office, when Manik forced me over the phone.
Manik: Come on Nandini.... U r coming & that too for just one week. I know u'll not get any time between ur work. Extend it for another week and lets spend some time together.
Nandini: Manik... Its not just me!! U too r busy. Don't u remember u hv an album due on ur head right now along with office. I don't wanna increase ur busy time schedule.
Manik: Nandini... U know I m always totally free for u.
Nandini: I know Manik but-
Manik: No buts... Believe me, once u come here I m sure it would be even easier for me to concentrate on the album with u around. U just come for two weeks. We can all go out somewhere. All of us, for a trip sort off.
Nandini: umm..
Manik: Nandini!!
Nandini: Ohk fine... I agree!! But only on one condition.
Manik: Agreed.
Nandini: U don't wanna know whats my condition?
Manik: No!! Whatever it is agreed.
Nandini: Ohk then, don't plan anything. Coz I m taking u all somewhere for a trip as u said.
Manik: Where??
Nandini: Thats a surprise?
Manik had not insisted her any more as all that mattered to him was her spending time with him, which they already got so less. So wherever she wanted was the best for him.
Nandini finished her work in Mumbai for 4-5 days & then they all sat up one night.
Aliya: Nandini... U say that we are all leaving tommorow morning but where are we all going?
Nandini: Aliya... relax!! Its gonna be fun I promise. We just leave tommorow early morng by car.
Manik: By car??
Nandini: Yes and before anyone says anything.... I m telling that I m gonna drive this time.
Manik: What, no way?
Nandini: Ohk... Then I hv a flight ticket ready for tmrw evening.
Manik: OHK OHK madam!! Whatever...
All the others had laughed while I had kept on going anscious about taking them there. The next day I drove the car with everyone sitting patiently, having fun as we all always had. We had reached half th eway when Manik suddenly said,
Cabir: Nandu.... enough yr!! Where are we going? U hv been driving continuously for 6-7 hours now. Tell us na!!
Nandini: NO...
Aliya: God i m so tired.
Abhi: So am I....
Manik: Nandini... Tell us na plz!!
Nandini: I want my fiance' to meet the other most important people of my life, whom he havn't met till now...
Manik looked at her confused & she said,
Nandini: We r all going to Mangalore.
ALL: WHAT????
Nandini smiled at all of them & Manik said,
Manik: Seriously Nandini... Why didn't u tell us before?? I mean, ur family. UR Amms!! God..
Nandini: Manik chill... They just wanted to see u. And I wanted time out for all of us.
Aliya: And I don't hv any cloths!!
All of them laughed listening to her & Nandini said,
Nandini: Chill Aliya... My grand mother is too cool. I think u can guess that by seeing the shorts that I m wearing right now!! I m sure u all are gonna hv fun. Plus, my house there lies on the beach, u'll love the view out there.
Cabir: I toh can't wait to be there...
Nandini: Thats good!!
Manik: But now that we know where r we going.... I m driving from now on. Stop the car!!
And just like that they were all in Mangalore, to meet Nandini's family.
As they all reached there Nandini got down the car to see her Chachi, Chacha & Amms waiting for her anciously.
Amms: Kanna...
Nandini: Amms!!
Nandini rushed towards her & hugged her tight.
Amms: U hv come back home after so long... But still u look the same.
Nandini: Aww Amms... I missed u so much
Amms: I missed u too kanna.
Nandini broke the hug as she hugged her chacha & chachi.
Chachi: Achcha h iss baar ghar toh aa gyi!! Warna me bhut daatti tujhe
Nandini smiled at her & turned towards all her friends.
Nandini: Come on guys...
All of them walked forward & Nandini introduced them to her family,
Nandini: Amms... These are my friends... This is Dhurv, Aliya, Manik, his sister Mukti, Abhi & him toh u know... Cabir.
Amms: Cabir... Its been so long after I saw u the last time.
Cabir went forward & touched her feet as she blessed him. As he moved away she turned towards Manik,
Amms: So u r Manik...
All of them saw her face, which had no hint of smile, just a serious look. She kept on gazing at Manik, who stole a look at Nandini's face, who was equally nervous.
Amms: What do u expect from me knowing that i m meeting u for the first time & my daughter says that she is already in Love with u.
Manik didn't actually know what he should say for sometime and then said,
Manik: Maybe like every mother, u would like to know whether ur daughter's choice is good enough or not?
Amms: And what do u think Nandini would do if I try to test u.
Manik: Nandini.... She would try to help me come up to ur expectations & make u like me.
Amms turned to look at Nandini & then turned back to face Manik with a smile,
Amms: U do know her quite well...
Manik relaxed seeing her smile & so did the others.
Amms: Relax.. I m not testing u for anything... First of all, I know my Nandu's choice has to be the best & second, this girl as u must know, does what she wishes to. From the time she has got her senses, she took all the major decisions of her life on her own, then how can I stop her now.
Manik smiled at her & bent low to take her blessings, Amms gladly blessed him.
My revive of the past was broken my the voice of the pilot as he announced,
"Ladies and Gentlemen... We will be soon landing in chicago. Please fasten your seat belts & be ready for the landing."
And I do as he says, ready to spend two days in Chicago to check on the work there. Before finally going to Mumbai, to be with my love.