JUST FOR LAUGHS:
Manik: Nandini, why does it seem like it's been a week since we last met?
Nandini: All thanks to our writer, she was on a break for a week, which made us meet after one whole week!
Manik: Ya right! Is she back now? Dooriee.....sahiii jaayenaaa......
Nandini: I know right! I hope she's back. Wait, why don't we ask her?
Sippu, are you back now?
Sippu/Writer: Well, not exactly! I have a cute little one year old nephew and I am his babysitter right now, for the next two weeks. He never lets me touch my phone, when he's around... Yes...a crazy nephew of a crazy aunt. So, once he starts going back to his school, I will be there! With the long, regular updates... Manik, Nandini and all the readers out there, I hope you understand!
Manik: Aaawww! A one year old? Okay I can imagine! I have a niece as well and she is also the same way! You must have seen a couple of Insta posts. She is very naughty! So, yes writer ji, we are okay with it. But there's a condition
Sippu/Writer: And what is that?
Manik: When you end an update
Nandini: I have to be home already from my work
Manik: In my arms
Nandini: Like you always write. Ab yaar, staying in office for one day is a big thing in itself, and here you are making Manik come after a week to pick me up? Now see, we understand your problem, so you have to understand ours.
Sippu/Writer: Done. Whatever my leads would like to have!
Manik: Cool then. Now is her day already done? Can I go pick up my Little Potato?
Nandini: Yes please! Potato is fully fried, Is se pehle ki wohh poori ki poori jal jaaye, mere Manik ko bhej dho..bhej dho...bhej dho..
Sippu/Writer: Haha! Okay. Now, let me take your leave, ab mein likhna start karoon? Mushkil se I got some time!
Manik and Nandini: Yes! Jaldhee jaaoooo...!!!
Sippu/Writer: Okay! See you guys soon!!!
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Getting back to the story now, hehe I guess that was too funny. I don't know why but I had thought when I started writing. Sorry, if you thought it's too lame.
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Manik
Okay! That was something I seriously didn't expect. I knew it would turn out to be a good day, but it was great! I never imagined myself in the shoes of a teacher! Never in my life. My mom would make terrible fun of me, if she were here. The class was done at 4 o' clock, but I stayed there for an hour more. I had so many people coming up with questions about me, if I were really a RockStar as people say. Well, I don't like self-praise. Now if you see something about me in the social media or hear about me from someone, that's an entirely different thing. But here, I need to tell them that we are famous and I don't find it any charming. So I just tried to avoid it as much as I can. I am sure, they will do their own homework to know about me.
Kids here are different, straight forward and frank. I guess I missed a few notes or played the wrong ones in between, No offence, I had been dreaming about my girl all the while. So, I had this one student, coming up to me, pointing out the wrong notes. I was glad to hear him say that.
And then there were kids who wanted to know my mobile number, my Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat ID's. Now I am not a snapchat guy, it was because of Nandini I did it once. I gave them my Facebook and Instagram ID's and I am fine with them having it. It's a nice thing to stay connected.
Now it's time to shut this screen off and switch on the screen in which my baby is. Why hasn't she called me yet? Is she still not done? I feel like it's been ages since I last saw her. I don't know how I am going to pull it off.
I drove back home and it's already 5:30. High time Nandini! Call me now!!!!!! I self-thought and I guess telepathy works! I got a call from her, before I finished the sentence.
N: Hello Manik!
M: Hello Mam! I finally heard your voice! God! I was craving for it.
N: Sorry! First day right, so lots of sessions and intro meetings. And yes I am done now. And there's a surprise for you.
M: Surprise for me? Are you home already? Nandini, I told you I will
N: Statue!!!!!
(Again before I finished my sentence)
N: Mere ghar jaao, get me some nice pair of clothes
M: Are you going somewhere?
N: We are going! So yes, make it fast, start now!
M: Okay Mam! But what do you want me to get?
N: Party clothes. Now bye
M: Fine bye! And don't blame me if you don't like them
N: Manik! My wardrobe just has my favorite ones, so I wouldn't mind it, provided you don't me get those pajamas
M: Akal hain mujh mein! Now bye. See you soon
N: Bye
Huff.... This girl is crazy! I thought she'll be tired at the end of the day and here she has a surprise party.
I went to her house and opened her wardrobe. And dangg....the clothes rained down on my feet. What is this girl? Why can't she keep her things clean? I am sure, she must have tried all these and instead of folding them back, she just put them back in a heap. One more job Manik!
I took a few hangers and set her clothes, bags and shoes neatly. Now this looks like a girl's wardrobe.
I chose a red top and a white jeans, took a pair of sandals as well, just in case. Well, I am always partial to red. I remember her wearing a bright red lipstick this morning. Ask me how? I wanted to kiss those luscious red lips and she didn't let me. Manik! You can do it now, no problem, I self-encouraged and went back to my flat to change. I also wore a red plain V-neck t-shirt and khaki trousers, one of my favorite outfits. (Nandini's birthday outfits for both of them, couldn't get a proper picture, I don't think anyone of you have such bad memory)
I drove at the fastest speed, exceeding the speed limit a couple of times, not sure if there's a cop chasing me for a ticket! Never mind. And soon I reached her office. She was sitting there down in the lawn, talking to someone, a small gang of girls.
I stopped across the street as that was the only place I found to park and called her up.
"Cab at your service madam. So, you can wrap up your girls meeting and join me aboard" I said. That made her smile, the cutesy smile.
"Where are you?" she asked looking on the road to find me.
"Right across the street" I replied and waved my hand through the window.
"Oh I see you! Coming" she said and joined me in a minute, Glad the pedestrian crossing didn't make her wait for long.
I had planned what to do the moment she gets in, time to implement it Manik! Go ahead.
"Hi Manik!" she said getting in and was fastening her seat belt. I pat her shoulder and when she turned, I locked her lips with mine. She was stunned. I could see her eyes open wide.
I kissed those lips like forever. Now she pat my shoulder asking me stop. She tried to pull off but I didn't let her. I was still kissing her. As a last resort to stop me I guess, she punched in my stomach, it was really a hard punch and I had to pull off.
"Are you insane?" she screamed, as I moved a little away from her lips.
"Yes" I replied and pecked her lips again lightly.
"Manik! we are in the car" she said.
"So what?" I replied.
"Manik we are getting late, now start driving, I set the GPS" she said and put her phone on the mobile stand that was next to the steering wheel.
"Kithni unromantic ho tum Nandini Murthy" I said.
"For your information, it is Nandini Murthy Malhotra. And I am not unromantic. You haven't seen the wild side of me yet, but for now, get going we are terribly late" she said.
"Wild side? Wild side of yours? You're kidding me! I want to laugh so badly now" I said and faked a monstrous laugh.
"That's why I call you a monster and yes did you get my change?" she asked.
"Yes! The bag is right there" I said showing her the bad I put in the back seat.
"Great! I am excited" she said.
"Okay! First things first, how was your day? You were fine right? And the people?" I shot questions.
"Hang on" she said showing her hand and started searching for something in her bag. She picked out a small notepad and started reading dictation.
"One.. The office was great and the AC temperature was also fine. As you worried, it wasn't too hot or too cold and I have the controls with me
Two.. The food was great! I had Pasta and Watermelon salad with Feta cheese...tasty and healthy
Three.. The coffee machine is also close, I guess eight steps from my desk, and I had only two coffees as you ordered.
Four.. I haven't shared anything unnecessary with anyone, I kept my privacy but made friends
Five.. I met Matty twice and I remember to call him in case I need something
Six.. Manik I love you. Can I stop this now?" she said in the end and that made me laugh at her cuteness.
"I love you too, acha I never asked you to note these down. I just wanted to know not interrogate" I said pulling her cheeks.
"Nandini, I know you enjoyed the kiss we just shared, but that doesn't mean I will kiss you back while driving" I said.
"Why are saying that?" she asked not getting me.
"That pout! It provokes me" I said winking.
"Put your eyes there and drive" she said and laid back her seat to the lowest level.
"Oye what are you doing?" I asked.
"I want to just lay down for a while.. tum aage dhekh ke drive karo" she said. And I had to agree.
All this while, I didn't pay much attention to the location talking to her. I was just following the direction from the maps. And now I see, we are heading toward an Indian restaurant, Café Nandini. I have never heard of it before.
"Nandini, Indian restaurant?" I asked her. No reply. Is she already asleep? Well no wonder, mine is a hybrid car and it makes zero engine noise. No honking from other cars as well. And most importantly, the cars speakers were playing my voice.
Yes, she has a flash drive, Cabir gave her with all the songs we recorded. To that, she added a few more melodies I sang for her. Now whenever we get into the car, that flash drive is our FM.
After a 25 minute drive, we finally reached the restaurant.
"Mukti" was the first word I said. So this is my surprise.
"Nandini we are here" I said pulling the car in the parking. And shock pe shock! Deepika, Arya and Abhimanyu behind her. What are they doing here?
"Nandini, beta we reached! Get up now" I said again and now she slowly opened her eyes.
"Oh we are here already?" she asked rubbing her eyes.
"Had a good nap?" I asked her. Why does she want to party now? She needs rest. And what are these idiots doing here.
I was thinking all this when they walked towards my car.
"Abey tum log yaha? And Deepika Abhi? This is really a surprise" I said getting down the car. Nandini got down behind me,
"You guys get in I will quickly change and come back" she said and ran in.
"What are you guys doing here?" Manik asked as they all walked in to the pub.
"Long story" Arya said and started telling him.
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Same day, in the morning at Aryaman's place:
"Muktuu darling" Arya called.
"Yes" she replied.
They were sitting in the living room.
"Pack your bags for a couple of days" he said.
"Why? Camping?" she asked.
"No, we are going to see Manik and Nandini" he said.
"What! Yaaayyy!!!" she said hugging him.
"Acha relax, I had to tell you something else, which will make you happy" he said.
"And what's that?" she asked.
"Abhimanyu is joining us" he said.
"Sachh? You are my darling Aryaman" she said hugging him again.
"And you are my darling, get going. We'll leave when you are ready" he said.
"5 minutes" she replied and quickly ran upstairs.
"Mom, hum log kal shaam tak aa jayenge okay?" he said to his mom.
"Okay but take care and drive safe" she replied.
"Sure" he replied hugging her and Mukti was also there with her backpack.
"Awesome! Let's get started. Abhi aur Deepu ko pick karke we'll go see Nandini" he said and they started off. It was a long drive, they were driving taking turns every two hours and finally reached the airport around 4 PM. Deepu and Abhi already got off their flight and were waiting for them.
Deepika ran to Arya and hugged him and he reciprocated.
"This is such a wonderful surprise Deepu. I was so happy when Abhi said you would be joining him. Thanks for coming" he said hugging her.
"I so wanted to see you" she replied.
"Missed me?" he asked.
"Very much. And you?" she asked.
"Of course I did!" he replied.
"Shameless people you are. You have a committed couple next to you, and you guys still pretending to be 'just friends' are exchanging hugs" Mukti said which made them blush.
"By the way what brought here? Abhi doesn't even have time to reply to my messaged and now he is here?" Mukti asked.
"There's a medical conference here tomorrow and I had a chance to invite two people from my side. So I thought I will call Abhi. He wasn't there to see you off right, so yes it's partly for you" he said side hugging Mukti.
"Now I know, it's again for work and not for me" she said.
"Mukti! Do I need a reason to see you? AnywayThanks for inviting me Aryaman. I am sure you had better people to choose, but still you asked me. That's really so thoughtful" Abhi said.
"Wohoo that's a long speech, now let's just get going. I will get my car" he said and proceeded towards the parking lot. He was back with his car, they got in and went to Nandini's office.
She gave him Matt's house keys and they all moved in there to freshen up.
"Where are we going?" Mukti asked.
"It's Nandini's plan. A new Indian restaurant was opened last night and they have this beautiful dance floor. We are going there" Arya replied. First the girls got ready, followed by the boys.
They headed to the restaurant from there after informing Nandini.
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Back to present:
"And Deepika why are you here?" I asked her. I so wanted to tease her about that wedding thing. But I gave up on that, not knowing how she would react. We reached in and Nandini was very busy talking to someone. It was a tall man, i was facing his back. Who's he? A waist coat, looking formal, with a glass of wine in his hand. I walked down to them and another surprise!
"Uncle aap?". It was Rajiv uncle.
"Haan beta mein" he said hugging me.
"Kaise ho? Uncle trust me when I say this, I was thinking about you this morning and now I see you" I said hugging him back.
"Glad to know the music teacher also has time to think about me" he replied.
I pulled off and said, "Uncle how can I forget you?"
"Okay, meet them. Deepika and Abhimanyu, new additions to our gang" I said introducing them. They had a small intro.
"So how was the first day at work for both of you" he asked as we settled down.
"My day was amazing. I never thought I would do something like this. Teaching music. I enjoyed it thoroughly" I said and Nandini also had a similar reply.
"Okay time for a small surprise for you uncle" Nandini said. Is this girl a surprise bag?
"Ahh! I am waiting for this" uncle replied. She went to the dance floor.
I was told by Arya on the way, that this restaurant had one of the best dance floors. What makes a dance floor the best one I don't understand?
End of POV
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There was a slide show that had a few pictures of us with uncle with some quotes on them, I could see the happiness in his eyes. There were few funny pics as well, one in which he was with the girls gang and trying the duck face.
And as the slideshow ended, she took over the microphone.
"Congratulations uncle on opening your new restaurant, you kept your promise. Yes people, on my birthday he promised me to open an Indian restaurant employing few of the best Indian chefs. Thanks uncle and I am so touched to see the name of the restaurant. FYI! I am the Nandini, this restaurant is name after" she said.
"I know it's more than a week passed Fathers' day, sorry uncle we couldn't make it up that day, so here's a small surprise for you" she said and soon there was cake.
It was a cute small round cake.
"You have been no less than a super dad to all of us. With your permission, can I call you dad?" Nandini asked. A few tears slid down uncle's eyes.
"I would love to have a daughter who is as lovely as you" he said and took her in a hug.
"Dad" she said, still in the hug. Manik and everyone around were extremely happy for her. She lost that affection of parents at a very tender age and now she's slowly getting them back.
"Uncle, I didn't know you change parties this quick! Nandini ke naam pe restaurant? Not fair" Manik said.
"You know what Manik, that's why they always say, Betiyaan sab se pyaari hothi hain" he said side hugging Nandini.
"That I can see" Manik replied and they shared a laughter.
"So, why don't we hear something from you?" Uncle asked Manik.
"Uncle! I have already sung a lot for today" Manik replied.
"Not for us right? Come on Manik" uncle said.
"Okay let's cut the cake first" Manik replied and Manik, uncle and Nandu cut the cake together.
"Thank you for being the best kids" he said feeding Manik and Nandu.
Now everyone gathered on the dance floor. Uncle was with his wife who joined him.
(Again, not going to mention dance moves, in which I seriously suck! Just imagine, Manik singing Love me thoda aur and everyone dancing on it)
After heating up the dance floor with some romantic moves, they came back to their seats.
"Okay! I think it's time to leave" Nandini said.
"Wohh kya haina, I have office at 8:30 and I need to start from home at 8, which means I need to get up by 7, which means I need to sleep by 11 so that I will have an hour buffer between Manik waking me up and me getting up, which means we need to start now" she said in one go.
Everyone expect were looking at her, amused.
"Don't worry guys, you'll get used to it. I have listened to this last night already and I am going to listen every night, till her internship ends" Manik said, which made everyone laugh.
"Shut up Manik" she replied with a sarcastic smile.
"Okay let's move" they said getting up. Uncle and his wife left for their home after bidding them goodbye and the rest proceeded towards MaNan's apartment.
"I will change and come back" Nandini said and went into her room. She opened the wardrobe expecting the rain of clothes, but what she saw made her smile.
"Why do you do so much for me?" she said to herself, a little louder, she didn't realize he was standing right behind her.
"Because I love you" he whispered.
"Which makes me a very bad lover. I never do such things for you" she said.
He held her hands in his, "You smile for me, I don't need anything else" he replied.
"Why are you so nice?" she asked him.
"I wish my mom and dad were here to answer that question, because I don't know the answer" he replied with a smile.
"I wish they were here too. Your mom and I would have had a very good rapport for sure. I am so much like her, according to what I understood from the things you said about her" she said.
"I am so lucky for that" he replied.
"And you are just like my mumma and pappa. Sometimes I really wonder, if they would've taken care of me the same way you did? I don't think it's possible for anyone to become the Manik you are for Nandini" she said.
Sometimes hearing such things from your loved ones, will make you very happy and here Manik was happy too.
"You never fail to make me feel good for what I do" he said.
"Because you very well deserve to know them all" she replied, intertwining her fingers between his.
"The Perfect Lock" he said kissing her hand.
"Indeed" she replied.
"Acha chalo, go to bed now" he said.
"Hmm! I guess I have to! Terribly tired" she said and sat on the bed.
"Give me 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes. I will quickly change and come back" he said and went to his flat. Rest of the four were at his place, they were going to sleep there and Manik and Nandini in Nandini's flat.
Manik brought a pair of dress for tomorrow, wishing them a goodnight, he came back to his princess.
"I am here" he said entering in and she was already asleep.
He slowly walked to her, kissed her forehead, "Goodnight princess" he said and laid down next to her, with his arms around her.
Feeling him next to her, she snuggled into him and he happily took her in.
The portrait pose!
Looooong update to make it for the missing week!
Hope you enjoyed reading! :):)