4 years later
That day manik did exactly what I said, he followed his heart. He took caution, he took slow and steady steps towards his dad. He started off by seeing him once a month to once a week and then once every other day and now to almost every day.
His dad sobered up, got back in the company but put everything on manik's name. He really did regret everything but a part me is still mad at him because manik's childhood was lost in between his mistakes.
It's been 4 years since then, and every day is a different adventure and journey. I told chacha chachi and they loved manik so the last reason of conflict in our life was also eliminated.
I am currently sitting on the bleachers with navya at our boyfriends graduation, yup Manik and caber are graduating today, navya and I graduated this morning and there timing was different.
"Im so excited" I said and navya chuckled
"You weren't this excited for your graduation" she said
"I was but ahh navya shut up here they come" I said and we both looked up
Cabir walked on stage first and blew a kiss to navya while crossing the stage, then Manik was called up.
He looked so handsome and dashing, I knew he had trouble with the tie because it was crocked. He looked in the crowd and as soon as he found me he winked making me smile
He walked down the stage and walked to me sitting beside me while cabir sat beside navya while the rest of the graduates were called
"Im so proud of you Manik" I whispered and he grabbed onto my hadn't interlocking my fingers with his
"Thank you sunshine, this was only possible because of you and I have something for you" he whispered back
"Something what"
"Just let this get over and then we can go to the surprise I have" I nodded hearing this
Through the next few hours of graduation manik kept kissing the back of my hand, I knew he was getting irritated with how long this was going on
"Manik stop fidgeting"
"Im getting anxious, I just wanna go"
"Just a few more minutes, okay tell me how you feel"
"It's a weird overwhelming but also such an amazing feeling" he said putting his head on my shoulder
"You are a grown ass man now" he chuckled hearing me
"Baby you very well know how grown I am" he said kissing my neck
"Manik stop it" I said feeling hi hand caressing my thigh
"No, I should show you how grown ass of a man I am" he said his hands encircling my inner thigh
"Manik baby stop it" I mumbled finding it hard to sit still
"Don't challenge me baby, you know you never win in such situations" he whispered biting my neck
I was so thankful that I had my hair down and we were kind of at the back so not a lot go people would have noticed what was happening. He Is right though in these 4 years every time I have challenged manik during such heated moments he always wins
"If you leave a hickey I will murder you" I said moving away a little
"I won't, when have a ever left one" he said chuckling
"Do I need to"
"No shush, I will not" he said pulling away
I chuckled seeing him, so there was this one time where I specifically told him not to leave any marks because I had a presentation the next day and he leaves a giant hickey on the side of my neck
He was so guilty because it was an important presentation, but he ran to the store and got me some concealer and some flowers to make up for it. I didn't mind having his mark on me but it was an important one so I had to hide it
"Congratulations graduates" the dean said and we all got up to toss our hats
"Have fun guys" cabir said and I smiled knowing he probably knows what manik has planned
"I should say that to you two, use protecting guys and enjoy" I said running behind manik before cabir could catch me
"You little"
"Navya watch it" manik said and she smacked him
"We will see you guys later" Manik said grabbing my arm
I spotted his dad so I left Manik's hand and ran to him
"Uncleeee, see look at my picture, it's better than manik's right" I asked
"Of course beta, he looks weird" he said hugging me
"Dad seriously"
"Congratulation my kids" his dad said hugging us both
"Thanks dad" manik said
"So off to the place" his dad asked
"Yup"
"You also know" I asked and he nodded smiling
"You both have my blessings and thank you for forgiving me" his dad said and I smiled at him
"Oh gosshhh yeh kay purana drama lai dar Beth Gaye, we are cool humans uncle" I said and they both laughed at me
"Such a child" manik mummbled
"Hey don't her a child" uncle said pulling me closer and I stuck my tongue out at manik who smiled
"Dad we will see you later"
"Sounds good, have fun and enjoy" he said
Manik grabbed my hand as we walked to our car, I have learned a lot from manik like a lot. He isn't just a happy tall giraffe walking around, he is so sophisticated and complex, he is like a onion, he has layers to him.
"Where are you lost baby" he asked as we sat down
"Just thinking how far we came" he smiled putting his hand on my leg caressing my thigh
"We did come pretty far right" he asked and I nodded
"What is this surprise? Wait can I fix my dress, I don't even look oo good" I said and he chuckled
"No sunshine you look amazing, and no you don't need to change and I have something for you anyways so just sit back and we should be there in a bit"
"In a bit, umm where are we going" I asked
"Just a little place"
"Little hmm that doesn't sound right, nothing you do is little" he laughed hearing this
"Well I could show you if you shush for a bit"
"Umm can I guess" I asked and he nodded
"So is it in town" he nodded
"Have we been there before" he shook his head
"Have we talked about a place like his or this place to be specific" he nodded
"Im confused" I said and he smiled
"Patience sunshine" he said and I leaned on his shoulder
"I don't have patience you know na"
"I know baby but please just 5 minutes"
"Only 5" I asked and he nodded kissing the top of my head
In the next 5 minutes we pulled up to this parking but I could see the water and a little set up making me jump as soon as I got out of the car
"Manik see someone has planned something special its so cute, umm lets go somewhere else" I said and he wrapped his arms around my waist resting hi chin on my head
"It is special indeed but it is for you" he said and I leaned away so I can see his face
"Me"
"Umm hmm for you"
As soon as he said that I ran to the beach to the little set up, I knew he would follow me so I didn't look back. When I got to the set up there were block letter on there beach spelling 'will you marry me' and I shit my pants
"Manik" I whispered turning back and there he was on one knee
"You stumbled in my life like an unexpected call. It took a lot of energy to not smile at your stupid rambles when you ran into me or your stupid analogies. I pushed myself away from you, but you know my mom used to say that if you push someone away and they come back it is meant to me but I was stupid to not see that. I pushed you away twice and I suffered each time. I knew I needed you in my life but there were many things that were stopping me. I thought it was best to not include you in my messy life but you know what I know I took the best decision of letting you in. You mended my relationship with my dad and not just that but the relationship I had with myself. You made me see myself with love and admiration. You knew and you know that I love you. I always have since the second you cried seeing me in pain. You have been the biggest blessing in my life Nandini and I love you so god damn much, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone but I will love our kids just as much hehe. You are my sunshine nandini. Will you stay with me for the rest of our life and become my life partner. Will you marry me Nandini?"
I couldn't say anything, everything around me was in one place but I felt like I was spinning with happiness, I felt tears falling down my cheek.
"Sunshine my knee hurts" he said
"Sorry hehe, of course. Yes I will marry you" I said jumping in his arms
"Ohh careful" he said holding onto my waist
"Shittt" I mummbled laughing
"I love you manik"
"I love you so much nandini' he said pulling back a little
"You look happy" I said and he laughed throwing his head back
"I am baby, give me your hand" he said and I did
He slid this beautiful ring in my ring finger making me gush at how pretty it is,
"You have a good choice" I teased and he chuckled getting up with me in his arms
"Oh I know baby" he kissed my forehead carrying me to the chair he had there
He sat down with me in his arms, he leaned closer and pecked my lips.
"I love you mani"
"I love you more janna" he whispered against my lips
I knew in that moment that I was gonna spend every life I get with him. I knew I was gonna have little kids with him.
"Us versus everyone else" I said
"Us against the world nandini" he said kissing my nose
I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer, he smiled as he pulled me to him. I looked up at the sky and smiled thanking my parents and his mom for sending us for each other.
We started this journey as me being the new girl and him being him hehe and here we are from strangers to lovers, it's been one hell of a journey. He became my world and I became his sunshine.