Let Me Love You ✨|| Completed

|63.The Fault In Their Stars- alternate end to LMLU|

Note: the following chapter is the original ending I had thought. It is just an alternate ending though now and the epilogue would be the legitimate one.
Enjoy.
And do let me know your reviews!
---------

~ some infinities are greater than other infinities~

The moon illuminated the part of the sky, under which Manik stood, gazing the stars. Stars- something he loved to spend time with, of course after Nandini. The moonlight fell on his face, highlighting the features- his sharp jaw, prominent cheeks, the dimple on his left cheek and his expressive eyes. He was handsome even for a fifty three year old man. Manik stood smiling at the moon, or maybe not.

"Manik, whenever you will miss me na, I will be right there", Nandini pointed at the moon, " on the right side, third star!", She smiled at him and wiped his tears, "that way you won't be alone ever!", Her smile
brought a reflex smile on his face too.

A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his trance and he turned to find Ayush smiling at him.

Ayush Malhotra, his son and his star's favourite star.

"Not fair Papa, you are not allowed to talk to mumma without me", he pouted and looking at his face, Manik started laughing, shaking his head right and left and then a smirk formed on his face.

" I thought you will be busy with Sneha. But my poor fate, you are still here, even after having a gorgeous wife instead of romancing with her and not even letting me romance with mine", Manik dramatically slapped his forehead and Ayush made a face.

" That's because his wife was busy making especial elaichi wali chai( tea with cardemom) , Maa's style!", Sneha who had just walked over to them, winked and Manik's eyes twinkled.

Ayush had married his highschool sweetheart a month back, and Sneha loved and cared for Manik just like her own father. They both made sure to spend some time with me, specially around evenings, when they knew he missed her the most. Not that he missed her less throughout the day, but the dusk had always been special to MaNan, the nights even more so.

"Papa, why don't you tell us about Maa and your story?", Sneha asked as they sat on the terrace. This was again, Nandini's idea and her hardwork. Everybody called it 'MaNan's abode'. Since both of them usually spent their evenings here, Nandini had decorated this particular corner with a few bean bags, fairy lights, comfy pillows and blankets. Nothing extraordinary and yet, everything special.

" As if this unromantic husband of yours haven't recited it to you a thousand times?", Manik raised his eyebrow with a loopsided smile and Aayush let out an embarrassed laugh.

" He has. But I want to listen it from you", Sneha pestered and Manik smiled as he patted her head. For once, his gaze flickered to the third star on the right from the moon which twinkled brighter making him silently giggle.

" Sometimes, certain things happen because some greater things are bound to happen, just like our first meet. I could have gone to any library around the city, but I went to the one she worked in, just because a friend told me it has all the romance novels in the world. That library was old, unkept and most importantly on the other side of the city. But then destiny smirked and I landed up in that place. And there she was! Well, I had no clue that the long hair with formal smile combo was going to be my personal romance novel, but she attracted me that day itself. We met several times, after that, discussing books and stuff and it took me and my mother both to persuade her for the marriage. I think you already know that she didn't love me when we got married", manik looked towards Sneha who was listening with great attention. She nodded at him and beneath the coffee table, she filled the void between Aayush's fingers holding his hand in hers tightly.